Shovel Knight isn't just a nostalgic act. Yes, nostalgia plays a big part in its charm, but it's an expertly crafted action-platformer that's just as enjoyable to play as Mega Man or Castlevania. Old school gamers will love Shovel Knight's retro sensibilities, but they'll also appreciate its modern touches.
Final Fantasy XII has aged well. The things that made it unique, especially the Gambit system, still feel fresh. And the Zodiac Job System and High Speed Mode are great improvements that make the game more convenient for newcomers and fresher for fans who have already played it. If you have any love for RPGs, The Zodiac Age is a classic that you should pay attention to.
Sonic's best game in over two decades
Kirby: Triple Deluxe looks like just another entry in an old series if you only peek at screenshots and trailers, but this is the best 2D platformer I've played on the 3DS. Levels offer tons of secrets and hidden items to find, and the game's use of the portable's 3D effect is delightfully clever. It's nice to see charm and wit take center stage in this beautiful adventure.
Fire Emblem continues to be a franchise on the rise, and Three Houses just took the series to another peak.
This is a huge step up for a franchise that has always been enjoyable but never felt special. Well, Luigi's Mansion 3 is special. It's a spooky adventure full of top-notch puzzles and so much charm that you'll be convinced by the end that maybe Luigi has been the best brother all along.
If you liked Borderlands, you’ll love Borderlands 2. If you missed out on the original, don’t make that same mistake twice.
I'm never thought I would be this enthusiastic about an MMO again, but I'm in love with A Realm Reborn. Its beautiful world always offers something fun and interesting to do. Sure, it's not "the next big thing" for the genre, but A Realm Reborn shines with a hundred smart ideas and small touches. Final Fantasy fans in particular will love adventuring in the gorgeous world of Eorzea.
Destiny finally feels like the big deal that Bungie wanted us to think it was last year.
Final Fantasy XV has its problems, but it's filled with enough special moments that you can forgive the issues. The combat is fluid, thoughtful, and cinematic while the open world gives you a ton to do.
The Disney side is still the best side of Kingdom Hearts, and Kingdom Hearts III nails that part. But even it's story, as ridiculous as it is, gives fans emotional moments and satisfaction. I wouldn't say it's better than Kingdom Hearts or Kingdom Hearts II, but Kingdom Hearts III is magical enough to resonate with this big Disney geek.
I have little to complain about regarding the single-player campaign. It's a fun shooter that brings back aspects of classic design (like health packs and sprawling levels) that I didn't realize I missed so much.
I still don't like Twilight Princess as much as adore Wind Waker, but it was a lot easier to appreciate it as a fantastic game with this second playthrough. Twilight Princess succeeds largely because of its fantastic dungeons, and the HD enhancements are enough to give fans an excuse to go riding through the plains of Hyrule once more.
Fire Emblem: Fates is a fantastic turn-based strategy game. If you're worried about the multiple versions, you don't need to be. You'll get a full experience with a single campaign, but it's great to know that you can keep going and discover new content long after beating a single path.
Fire Emblem: Fates is a fantastic turn-based strategy game. If you're worried about the multiple versions, you don't need to be. You'll get a full experience with a single campaign, but it's great to know that you can keep going and discover new content long after beating a single path.
Bravely Second is something of a rare JRPG sequel. It features the same battle system, world, and many familiar characters from the original. The new Jobs and even more convenient features for grinding make it a fun adventure for anyone who loved the original. If you haven't played Bravely Default, however, this isn't an adventure you should jump straight into.
It’s a much bigger game than the original, giving you plenty of land to explore and tons of missions to beat. It feels so much different from your typical big-budget console game these days. It’s more of a comic book than an action movie, allowing players to delight in their own heroics. It’s one of the PlayStation 4’s most stunning and entertaining exclusives.
This is how you spiff up an older game. What could have been a cynical attempt to double-dip into Nintendo fans' wallets actually turns out to be the Mario Kart series' definitive entry. The racing looks and feels just as great as it did on the Wii U, but the addition of battle modes finally makes it feel like a complete package. Add in the new characters and the Wii U DLC content, and Mario Kart 8 Deluxe is a fantastic addition to the Switch's early library.
If you ever had any love for the originals, you'll smile like an idiot seeing how good they look now. But if you've never played these classics before, the updated graphics are a great excuse to see why so many people cried when Crash went away in the first place.
Yes, nostalgia plays a big part in my enjoyment of these games, but I don't have blind love for The Disney Afternoon Collection. These side-scrollers have just as much charm now as they did in the late '80s and early '90s, and I'm thankful I can finally own DuckTales 2 and Chip n' Dale Rescue Rangers 2 without spending hundreds of dollars at a retro gaming store. This is a loving and handsome collection. If you had any affinity for these games growing up, I guarantee that they'll still make you smile.