A stupendously entertaining, infectiously energetic racer that could only have ever come from the arcades.
The open world returns, as does so much of that scattershot humour, in this uneven but enjoyable sequel.
An entertaining and surprisingly effective new story mode heads up an otherwise modest refresh for Codemasters' official series.
Some standard Nintendo limitations get in the way, but this is still an invaluable education in some of the fundamentals of game creation.
Ultimate Showdown reinforces all that, and even if it's not quite the ultimate release of Virtua Fighter 5 it's a delight to get lost in the rhythms of what remains an all-time great, and a timeless one at that. For old diehards like myself Virtua Fighter 5 sits alongside OutRun 2 as the very best of Sega, and for all the missed opportunities here - the less than perfect netcode, the lack of periphery frills or much by way of new content - the chance to play it alongside a new audience is more than worthwhile. Maybe it's not quite the grand return the series deserves, but it's a game that still deserves to be played.
A 2D run and gunner that's as in your face as an 80s Troma classic, Huntdown matches its excess with brilliant detail.
Enjoyably traditional, if a little tatty in places, this is a shooting game that still stands apart from all others.
Surreal, enigmatic and often sloppily executed, Balan Wonderworld is a 90s throwback that might be too period correct for some.
With smart additions that move the series forward, this is the most accessible, deepest and simply very best Monster Hunter to date.
Fast, slick but with a few too many flaws, Pacer is nevertheless a fine futuristic racer.