The Zelda series returns to its roots on 3DS, but uses the opportunity to introduce some fascinating new ideas. Classic gameplay, infused with fresh concepts and graced with stellar graphics and sound, make A Link Between Worlds one of the best games in the Zelda series and a must-own title this holiday.
Super Smash Bros for Wii U fixes everything disappointing about its predecessor and is a phenomenal game in its own right. While I miss the Subspace Emissary story mode and the Amiibo feel a little underused, the rest of the game is exploding with content and the core mechanics are near-perfect. Get this game at the earliest opportunity and gather your friends—Smash Bros on Wii U is now the undisputed king of party games.
Super Mario 3D World takes the excellent gameplay from its 3DS predecessor and expands upon it with 4-player co-op, new gameplay and even more creative levels. Mario's first 3D, HD adventure is bar none the best game on Wii U right now and the console's undisputed killer app. Whether played solo or with friends, it is a master class of platformer design and more importantly, one hell of a good time.
Ten years later, Twilight Princess is still a tale masterfully told and designed. The gameplay and story hold up remarkably well, and the HD visuals, updated textures, and a handful of improved mechanics make the HD version the definitive edition of the game. In a word, it is a masterpiece, then and now.
Smash Bros for 3DS is a solid polish of everything that made Brawl great, but faster, tighter and with even more content. The new fighters and levels are excellent, the online play is smoother and more stable, and best of all, you can take the experience anywhere. Get ready to start the addiction all over again, because now you can carry it around in your pocket.
Endlessly stylish, emotionally gripping and deceptively addictive, VA-11 HALL-A is the pure essence of a visual novel: a digital page-turner filled with unforgettable characters and set in an infectious cyberpunk noir that will live in your head for weeks after you've put the game down.
MercurySteam have pulled Samus from the jaws of death and delivered one of the best games in the series. Samus Returns perfects and reimagines the gameplay of 2D Metroid games and delivers one of the best titles on the 3DS. Every self-respecting Nintendo fan should own Metroid: Samus Returns.
The Witcher 3 today is just as much a master class in game and story design as it was four years ago. Feral Interactive did an impressive job porting this gigantic RPG to Switch.
Like hidden treasure, Captain Toad Treasure Tracker packs a lot of value into an unassuming package. With a supremely addictive set of charming, brain-teasing levels, stellar production values and a budget price, Captain Toad is the perfect way for Wii U owners to wrap up 2014 after indulging in Smash Bros.
Hyrule Warriors is a different kind of Zelda game. That doesn't mean it's any less fun. Amazing production values, addictive gameplay, a rich story and an overall sense of extreme quality, polish and confidence make Hyrule Warriors much more than a mere spinoff.
I hate to describe Not a Hero as a smarmy British take on Broforce, but the similarities are undeniable. The quality is the same too. Relentless action, strong gameplay variety and a killer wit make Not a Hero one of the best indie games of 2015.
Xenoblade Chronicles X is a landmark achievement in RPGs unmatched in depth, scope and beauty. While it suffers from a few common RPG issues like grind and fetch-quests, the overall quality of the experience far exceeds anything in competitors like recent Final Fantasy or Elder Scrolls titles. If you have the courage, Xenoblade Chronicles X offers a quest hundreds of hours long and rich in unforgettable moments.
There can be no dispute that DOOM is back. The campaign brings the glory of the '90s screaming back with heavy metal, blood and guts. But the multiplayer mode feels confused and the Snapmap level editor needs to add some serious content for modders to play with. Regardless, DOOM's campaign is reason enough to dive back into Hell.
Shadow Warrior 2 is a smart evolution of the solid framework established in the first game. Bigger guns, nastier enemies, grander levels and more friends means more Wang for everybody.
Another great indie title makes its way to Switch where it's a perfect fit. Lovers in a Dangerous Spacetime is wonderful in both multiplayer and played solo. It might take some time to get your friends acclimated to its synergistic brand of gameplay, but the sense of teamwork you get from a few well-played levels just can't be found anywhere else.
"Epic" is a criminally overused word these days, but Xenoblade Chronicles deserves no other descriptor. This existential saga of man vs. machine is finally available to the masses and on a portable to boot, with some graphical sacrifices. If you have a couple hundred hours to kill, I can think of few better ways to do it than with this JRPG masterpiece.
Kirby Planet Robobot continues the excellence and consistent fun and variety of the Kirby series from the past few years. It tightens up established mechanics and adds some great new ideas, which all comes together into one of the most enjoyable and genuinely friendly games I’ve played all year.
Like Limbo, Inside is short, mechanically addictive and emotionally haunting. It's the perfect addition to the Switch's growing library of now-portable indie hits.
Death Squared might have launched on Steam, but it feels like this game and the Nintendo Switch were made for each other. Deceptively smart puzzles, an endearingly smarmy sense of humor, and organic, instantaneous multiplayer all at a great price make Death Squared a must-buy on Switch.
Dusk has the backwoods setting of Blood and Redneck Rampage, the forbidding atmosphere and murky palette of Quake, the tight, sharp action of Doom, and the subtle sense of place and interactivity of Duke Nukem 3D. Essentially, Dusk is a retro shooter fan's dream come true.