Matt Welsh
- The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time
- Super Mario World
- Banjo Kazooie
Splatoon 2 adds some great new weapons and decent new modes, but an over-reliance on the its familiar formula keeps it from feeling like a full-blown sequel.
The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild's first DLC pack, while not essential, tremendously capitalizes of the game's fantastic mechanics.
ARMS is a shallow yet approachable experience that could have used just a bit more depth, detail, and personality.
Mario Kart 8 Deluxe plays exceptionally well and its pick-up-and-play nature feels right at home on Nintendo Switch. There may not be any game-changing additions, but new items and characters, as well as an insanely fun Battle mode, help round out an already-impressive package.
Yooka-Laylee is a fun platformer, despite some technical issues and outdated mechanics. If platforming wasn’t your thing in the ‘90s, there’s little here to change your mind now, but fans of the genre – and the Kickstarter backers that brought it back to life – can rest assured that they’re getting exactly what they wanted.
Resident Evil 7 feels as terrifying as it does modern, all while returning the series to its roots. It hits some familiar bumps along the way, but this is the best this series has felt in years.
Oceanhorn is unashamedly a Legend of Zelda clone, but feels more like an homage than a copycat. There are few original ideas, but old-school adventure game fans should love Oceanhorn's bite-sized interpretation of Zelda's classic formula.
Metroid Prime: Federation Force succeeds at carving out its own identity, but loses a few elements in translation. It’s still Metroid at its core but lacks the masterful execution that the series is known for.
BOXBOXBOY! ultimately feels like more of the same, but when a game is as charming and approachable as this is, that’s perfectly fine. Having a second set of boxes shakes up the formula just enough to squeeze even more life out of this simple and excellent concept.
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutants in Manhattan’s charming visual style doesn’t make up for repetitive level design and combat that would leave even Master Splinter frustrated.
With an emotional story and touch-based combat that feels both clever and natural, Severed is an excellent game that will stick with you long after you’ve finished playing.
Star Fox Zero revisits on the series' best days, while recapturing its great ship combat, but motion controls and too many recycled elements dampen the experience.
Star Fox Guard’s mechanically sound gameplay is frantic and fun, but its two-screen display adds to its chaos and brings down the experience.
Pokkén Tournament retains the spirit and charm of Pokémon, while still a fun fighter that excellently caters to all skill levels.
The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess HD is a fantastic gameplay experience that shows no signs of age, despite an underwhelming visual upgrade.
Klaus is a thought-provoking platformer that usurps expectations and will stick with you long after you've finished playing.
LEGO Marvel's Avengers' ties to the cinematic universe make it less imaginative than its comic book predecessor, but excellent superhero gameplay makes up for it. This is one of the best LEGO games yet and a must-play for any Marvel fan.
Familiar series hang-ups lead to signs of aging, but Resident Evil 0 HD's core gameplay and horror element hold up remarkably well. Updated visuals and controls make the return trip to Raccoon City worthwhile.
Animal Crossing: amiibo Festival retains the charm that the series is known for, but is uneventful and boring. Move out of this town.
Nintendo's best competitive sports title is just as thrilling as ever, but feels a little too familiar and light on content.