At this point, consumers are likely well aware of whether EA Sports' NHL franchise is something that appeals to them, and NHL 22 won't change that. With that said, for the series faithful or someone that skipped out on NHL 21, there's a lot to enjoy in the current-gen polish that the Frostbite Engine and the more powerful hardware bring with them. At the end of the day, NHL 22 is the de facto hockey gaming experience and the energy that went into refining the current product was not spent in vain.
Nickelodeon All-Star Brawl contains the beginnings of what may end up being the most unlikely competitive fighting franchise ever conceived. It knows its audience and it has been able to appease them, garnering a lot of excitement along the way. However, where Nickelodeon All-Star Brawl missteps is in the handling of its properties. It's easy to get excited about the thought of Reptar dash-dancing across Jellyfish Fields, but it's tough to buy into the idea when there's a rogue ukulele serenading the mute dinosaur while it happens.
Bowser's Fury adds so much to the Wii U port.
PixelJunk Eden 2 delivers more of the same.
Mortal Kombat 11 Ultimate Edition is quite clearly a means of selling the same game to those that have (for whatever reason) not yet taken the gore-filled plunge into NetherRealm's latest fight title. Despite this, the entire package remains a forward-thinking and user-friendly initiative. Essentially, this is a free rebranding that offers an optimized experience (and the option to then purchase the three new fighters) that doesn't force consumers to re-buy the entire game again. Publisher WB Games deserves kudos for applying a much more consumer-friendly, piecemealed rendition of the Street Fighter iterative formula to Mortal Kombat, with a complete package that screams "get over here" to those that have yet to dive in.
Edelgard's Black Eagles is an engaging route that you should take if you want a road filled with intrigue, betrayal and action. Siding with The Adrestian Empire shines a whole new light on the events of the game, and at times you may even question your allegiance. At the end of the day, there can only be one ruler of Fódlan and Edelgard is the right choice… at least for your first playthrough.
Super Mario Odyssey is a spectacular return to form that'll delight casual players and platforming fans, delivering one of the biggest and best games ever from Nintendo.
The large-scale combat of Dynasty Warriors collides with the heroes and tactics-heavy gameplay of Fire Emblem in a wonderful venture filled with action and ample fan service.
Nintendo's updated take on Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga is a worthy remake of the series' initial entry, bringing with it a fresh coat of paint and some fun extras.
EA Sports builds upon the existing tried and true base for NHL 18, bringing with it a spectacular new mode called Threes and a much-needed gameplay retool.
Capcom's spin-off of the Monster Hunter series makes for a surprisingly enjoyable turn-based RPG on Nintendo 3DS, merging addictive mechanics with cutesy graphics.
The first-ever Pokemon fighting game hits the Nintendo Switch following its initial debut on Wii U, expanding upon the experience and delivering a rather worthwhile fight title.
Nintendo reimagines the Game Boy classic Metroid 2: Return of Samus for a new generation of handhelds, maintaining the series' challenge while giving it some much-needed polish.
This zany crossover from Nintendo and Ubisoft goes beyond initial expectations, setting up one of the more accessible and enjoyable turn-based strategy games in recent memory.
This quasi-followup to Tomodachi Life is a wacky, time-consuming RPG that blends moments of zany glee with the realization that it's not an innovation within the genre.
Nintendo transforms its beloved 3D strategy game into a side-scroller in Hey! Pikmin for the 3DS, and while there is fun too be had, it's a little simple in its execution.
Splatoon 2 builds on what its successor did so well, with a much larger base of assets that has allowed Nintendo to provide more to consumers right off the bat.
Crash Bandicoot N. San Trilogy delivers on what was promised, overhauling the visuals of the Naughty Dog-developed trilogy and successfully resurrecting the beloved bandicoot.
As a new game from the developers of The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask 3D, Ever Oasis delivers an enjoyable, yet flawed, title for Nintendo 3DS players to get lost in.
Nintendo's newest property, ARMS, is a surprisingly deep fighting game that adds something new to a cluttered genre, but it's one that leaves growing room for early adopters.