Matt Welsh
- The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time
- Super Mario World
- Banjo Kazooie
The Legend of Zelda: Tri Force Heroes can occasionally get tedious when playing alone, but the multiplayer is one of the greatest handheld co-op experiences around.
This skater not only fails by today's standards, it wouldn't even be passable during Tony's heyday. Lousy controls, bland visuals, and an abundance of bugs make Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 5 a broken mess.
Armello presents an imaginative backdrop to a fantasy board game with deep mechanics. The steep learning curve and balancing issues may put off some players, but those who put in the time will be rewarded the most.
Simple, inspired, and constantly encouraging, Super Mario Maker gives players the freedom to enjoy Mario the way they like to the most. The pre-made levels are mostly just samples, but the real potential lies with the online community. Super Mario Maker not only respects Mario's 30-year history, it gives players the keys to the Mushroom Kingdom like never before.
Adventures of Pip is a charming experience that embraces its pixelated appearance. The platforming can feel occasionally stiff, but Pip succeeds the most when it's not afraid to have fun with its theme.
Rocket League may only feel like a glorified minigame, but its wild, tense, and fast-paced gameplay makes it one of PS4's best multiplayer experiences to date.
There are a few drawbacks and limitations, but Splatoon's frantic and addicting gameplay is a blast. This is Nintendo's best new IP in years.
Lost Orbit is fast-paced, adrenaline-filled fun with a story that, while entertaining, feels like an odd pairing to its gameplay.
Shovel Knight on PlayStation is just as spectacular as it was last year and the extra content, while minor, is a welcome addition to an already awesome game.
Affordable Space Adventures is a great example of a game that takes advantage of everything Wii U has to offer. There are a few drawbacks but this is the best use of the GamePad to date.
BOXBOY! is a fun puzzle platformer that gets a lot of mileage with a simple concept.
Mario Party 10 is fun at times, but the experience is often dampened by its reliance on luck. The game may have a few redeeming qualities, but its strong random element and lack of compelling minigames makes this installment feel like a step back rather than the gameplay revamp that the series needs.
Resogun: Defenders' emphasis on risk-vs-reward is sure to please fans who love topping their high score. These new modes may be Resogun's biggest departure yet, but the core experience is still a blast to play.
The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask 3D is an immensely enjoyable experience. Fifteen years later, the time cycle idea is still fresh and it's astonishing that more games haven't attempted to make use of this unique gameplay style. The game's dark tone and heavy emphasis on emotion makes it truly stand out among Zelda titles and it is a story that won't soon be forgotten. The new features may be minimal, but there's never been a better way to play the most underrated game in the Zelda series.
Resident Evil HD is the definitive way to experience the forefather of the survival horror genre. There may be some elements that are frustratingly outdated but the game is still terrifying and plenty of fun to play.
Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker is a fun puzzle-platformer with a huge amount of polish. The camera angles can sometimes get in the way of its greatness, but Toad's first solo adventure is absolutely a memorable one.
Chariot is a fun, albeit slow-paced platformer with a refreshing art style and interesting concept. The puzzles are clever and require a strong balance of both planning and skills. However, the game's challenging difficulty, demanding precision, and emphasis on multiplayer may prove to be frustrating to some. Still, if you can look past these flaws, Chariot is an entertaining game that platforming fans should enjoy.