Chris De Hoog
Better late than never, Dimension Shellshock fleshes out TMNT: Shredder's Revenge with more replayability and even more nostalgia.
Despite its flaws, The Teal Mask DLC, with its fresh setting and intriguing side quests, amplifies the experience of Pokémon Scarlet & Violet—perfect for those seeking a return trip to the vibrant world of Paldea.
The Jackbox Party Pack 10 is a well-rounded smattering of minigames, proving there's still plenty of gas in the series' tank.
Little Kitty, Big City is a cozy adventure truly worthy of its feline namesake, which could have benefitted from more commitment to its chaotic side.
If you can adapt to its ruthless approach, Shin Megami Tensei III Nocturne HD Remaster is a retro JRPG that’s worth revisiting. However, the remastering doesn’t go far enough, leaving PS2 quirks intact.
Stranger of Paradise: Final Fantasy Origin is an enjoyable experiment in melding Soulslike conventions onto a Final Fantasy skeleton. However it undercuts itself by not daring for more complexity, setting up great narrative and gameplay turns that never come to pass.
Shootas, Blood & Teef is a refreshingly off-brand run-and-gun experience for Warhammer 40, 000, though your mileage may vary depending on your tolerance for the Orks’ shenanigans.
Sonic Colors: Ultimate is a safe remaster of a cult classic which should please old players and newcomers alike, but isn’t going to redeem the iconic hedgehog’s troubled record.
Chocobo GP does some things that Nintendon’t, offering a Story mode and a more stimulating item system than the untouchable Mario Kart 8 Deluxe. However only Final Fantasy veterans (and their kids) need apply, as it relies heavily on nostalgia—and season pass grinding.
Disgaea 6: Defiance of Destiny is simultaneously cliche and transgressive, offering refreshing takes on genre conventions while still reliant on them. Its expanded gameplay systems can be mind-numbing to newcomers, but longtime franchise fans will find an unrivaled buffet of content to grind through.
Star Ocean: The Divine Force is a solid JRPG that straddles two worlds in more ways than one, resulting in a worthwhile yet middling adventure with decent replay potential.
Longtime Sonic fans should scoop up the physical edition of Sonic Origins Plus if they missed out last year, but the new content may not be worth a paid upgrade for existing owners.
Atelier Marie Remake: The Alchemist of Salburg brings the series’ original entry out of the shadows with a charming, thorough aesthetic glow-up, yet retains some of its more archaic touches.
Double Dragon Gaiden: Rise of the Dragons revives a fundamental beat-em-up dynasty, with variable paths and multipliers making it a worthy multiplayer investment.
A Rift in Time sets a solid course for Disney Dreamlight Valley's second year by building rich new biomes, yet larger balancing issues remain.
Tomb Raider I-III Remastered feels like it wants to be a loving tribute to the franchise's origins, but comes across like a half-effort instead.
Dark Alliance lacks compelling narrative and gameplay variety, despite being steeped in lore from its source material.
Pokémon Unite's potential is undermined by its balancing, and might not have enough to offer either of its target audiences.
Dragons: Legends of the Nine Realms isn’t much to write home about, but it offers young fans a slightly more substantial experience than most of its mobile peers without overwhelming them.
Jackbox Party Pack Vol. 8 is a rare miss, the most mixed bag for the series since its second entry.