Star Wars Battlefront Classic Collection is another bare minimum, overpriced remaster hoping nostalgia will encourage fans to turn a blind eye to dated problems.
Bluey: The Videogame is a promising thesis of a game, but all the easter eggs in the world can't make a rushed product complete.
Jackbox Party Pack Vol. 8 is a rare miss, the most mixed bag for the series since its second entry.
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.
Pokémon Unite's potential is undermined by its balancing, and might not have enough to offer either of its target audiences.
Dark Alliance lacks compelling narrative and gameplay variety, despite being steeped in lore from its source material.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
The Jackbox Party Pack 10 is a well-rounded smattering of minigames, proving there's still plenty of gas in the series' tank.
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.