Astro Bot

Available on PS5

Blast off on a supersized space adventure with Astro and more than 150 beloved PlayStation heroes to celebrate 30 years of PS history! Your mission? Rescue 300 members of your bot crew scattered through 80 levels across six galaxies and 50 planets. The third instalment of the Astro Bot series also saw Astro gain new powers including Twin-Frog Gloves, Monkey Climber and Barkster the Bulldog Booster.

TEKKEN 8

Available on PC, PS5 and Xbox Series X|S

Sitting comfortably alongside Street Fighter and Mortal Kombat as a bona fide fighting game survivor, TEKKEN continues to prove itself the fighter’s fighter with its deft combos, long-running storyline and eye-catching roster. New features introduced in this iteration included Heat, which enabled players to buff the properties of certain moves to do increased damage, giving you more tactical gameplay.

Mario Vs. Donkey Kong

Available on Nintendo Switch

Long before they went head-to-head in the latest Mario movie, the plucky plumber and grunting gorilla clashed in arcades worldwide in the original Donkey Kong. And it seems they’ve still got beef to settle in this colourful puzzler, which was released at the start of this year. Playing as Mario, you’ll draw on all his platforming skills to get within striking distance of Donkey Kong and put the feud to rest – for a spell anyway!

Final Fantasy VII Rebirth

Available on PS5

Sharpen up that Buster Sword and re-enter the fray of battle in part 2 of the Final Fantasy 7 remake. Part 1 had fans in a frenzy for taking everything that made the original great and dialling it up to 11. The static, real-time fights of old were out in favour of hugely dynamic assaults that required dexterity both in terms of movement and strategy. Added to this was a gorgeous reimagining of Midgar to get lost in – a far cry from the blocky polygons that came before. Part 2 continued the story fans know and love, with added embellishments that might just surprise you.

TopSpin 2K25

Available on PC, PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X|S and Xbox One

It had been more than a decade since the last TopSpin game. The 2011 title had Andre Agassi on the cover, which shows you how long ago that was. But it came back in 2024, rebranded as TopSpin 2K25, mirroring the style of 2K Sports’ WWE, NBA and PGA titles. It featured single and multiplayer modes, 24 pro tennis players in lifelike renderings, 15 legendary venues and all four Grand Slam events. You can even create your own tennis player and guide them to glory.

Elden Ring: Shadow Of The Erdtree

Available on PC, PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X|S and Xbox One

This was billed as a DLC expansion to Elden Ring – the critically acclaimed and best game of 2022 – but it was far from your usual DLC pack. It was a huge content drop. You might have expected it to be big (it had been two years in the making), but the sense of scale, size and ambition here was off the charts. With a new story set in the Land of Shadow, you’ll find mystery, dungeons, new enemies, weapons and equipment. You’ll also find that you’ll be playing this well into 2025.

Luigi’s Mansion 2 HD

Available on Nintendo Switch

Before Luigi’s Mansion, Mario’s brother was exactly that – the brother. But he broke out from the shadows by plunging himself into the shadows to tackle ghosts in a haunted house. Its peerless Nintendo 3DS sequel (previously called Dark Moon) was given the Nintendo Switch HD treatment this year, to great acclaim. Vacuum up spooks and recover the missing pieces of the Dark Moon to restore peace to the valley.

Princess Peach: Showtime!

Available on Nintendo Switch

“Peaches, Peaches, Peaches, Peaches, Peaches…” etc. Immortalised in song, the plucky princess from Nintendo’s Mario universe has a storied history. She’s gone from damsel-in-distress beginnings to ruling entire kingdoms – and she has still found time to forge a successful go-karting career. A total boss. But it’s in possibly 2024’s best new platformer Showtime! that everyone’s favourite royal really shines. In a platformer of many hats, you’ll swashbuckle, investigate and explore your way to victory.

Star Wars Outlaws

Available on PC, PS5 and Xbox Series X/S

“It feels like Red Dead Redemption,” said GamesRadar in its hands-on preview of this new Star Wars game set between the events of The Empire Strikes Back and Return Of The Jedi. That should be enough to make you want to pick up the franchise’s first-ever open-world title. But the reviews were even more glowing, making it one of this year’s best games. With distinct planets to explore and wish fulfilment at every corner, it’s the Star Wars fantasy we’ve only ever played with our action figures. Just us? Oh…

NBA 2K25

Available on PC, PS5, PS4, Nintendo Switch, Xbox Series X/S and Xbox One

Who needs courtside tickets when you can create your own basketball dynasty to rival Michael Jordan’s Chicago Bulls? The latest instalment of the NBA 2K series came with three editions to choose from including Hall Of Fame, All-Star and Standard, so you could dribble, defend and shoot your way to victory with some of the biggest stars of the NBA and WNBA. Plus, there are 9,000 additional gameplay animations as well as a new dribble engine, a new defensive movement system and a new Takeover system to help you pull off the big plays.

The Legend Of Zelda: Echoes Of Wisdom

Available on Nintendo Switch

Re-enter the whimsical world of Hyrule as you’ve never seen it before. In a franchise first, players could star as the titular character Princess Zelda on a one-woman mission to save Link and the rest of the kingdom from the sinister, supernatural Still World. The Legend Of Zelda’s latest title combined traditional Zelda gameplay with all-new creative powers including the Tri Rod that produces magical “echoes”, reminding us in 2024 why this series has stayed so popular over its nearly 40-year tenure.

EA SPORTS FC 25

Available on PS4, PS5, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch and PC

The “don’t call it FIFA anymore” franchise returned in a barnstorming second entry of the EA SPORTS FC series. The game gave us a range of new features and bells and whistles to enjoy including FC IQ, 50 customisable player roles, real-time tactical suggestions and the arrival of a fresh five-a-side experience, Rush Mode. And for the first time in history, players could now manage teams from the top five women’s leagues. The best footy sim is now even better.

WWE 2K24

Available on PS4, PS5, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One and PC

The latest in the long-running wrestling series has been a triumph at every turn, and that included some excellent post-launch DLC packs (all of which are now available) featuring more than 20 additional Superstars, plus pop-culture icons like Pat McAfee and Post Malone. The game itself also featured a bevy of brilliant modes, including a tribute to WrestleMania, MyRISE, MyFACTION, MyGM and all-new match types like Guest Referee and Gauntlet.

Silent Hill 2

Available on PS5 and PC

More than 20 years ago, Japanese gaming giant Konami introduced the Silent Hill franchise to mass acclaim. Now a new generation of gamers can experience a masterclass in psychological horror with this remake of the 2001 sequel. The game follows lonely widower James Sunderland (voiced by actor Luke Roberts) who returns to Silent Hill upon receiving a letter from his deceased wife. The consequences are horrifying, obvs. New game features included a modernised third-person camera system, reactive combat and new locations to explore. Just don’t play it alone…

Super Mario Party Jamboree

Available on Nintendo Switch

Party game season is upon us as our homes fill with relatives and friends who need entertaining. Yes, you could weigh up your options carefully – or you could just go with the best. The newest Super Mario Party title released earlier this year featured 110 minigames that will keep you and your guests entertained for hours. Want to continue the fun after they’re gone? A robust online mode ensures the Mario party never stops.

Call Of Duty: Black Ops 6

Available on PC, PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X|S and Xbox One

The not-at-all confusingly named seventh entry in the Black Ops series (and 21st COD game overall) was hugely anticipated – not least because it has had the longest development cycle in the franchise’s history, spanning four years. It seems that was time very well spent. With the usual modes, a film-like story in single-player and ZOMBIES, it was a smash hit upon release and continues to dominate the gaming charts. With Squid Game coming to CoD in January, get stuck in now.

Life Is Strange: Double Exposure

Available on PC, PS5 and Xbox Series X|S

Few games can be called “seminal”, but the 2015 adventure game Life Is Strange was one of those titles, bagging more than 75 Game of the Year awards. Now this direct sequel can be enjoyed as well, with Max a little bit older. Her supernatural ability to rewind time has evolved and she can now transfer her consciousness to other timelines. It might not reach the dizzy heights of the OG, but it’s a game that should be on everyone’s Christmas wish list.

Senua’s Saga: Hellblade II

Available on PC and Xbox Series X|S

The sequel to the award-winning Hellblade: Senua’s Sacrifice (with many fans and critics hailing that 2017 title as a work of art) had been long awaited. It more than met those expectations. Senua’s story continues here in a brutal journey through Viking Iceland, featuring beautifully realised visuals, encapsulating sound and – as important – superb and visceral combat. Critics seem to agree that lightning has struck twice here.

MultiVersus

Available on PC, PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X|S and Xbox One

Batman, Shaggy and Gizmo vs Bugs Bunny, the Iron Giant and Arya Stark? This is the unhinged world of free-to-play fighter MultiVersus. Play as a variety of iconic characters, each featuring their own moves and attitudes in unique worlds. It feels like a perfect title to kill a few hours while you wait for the turkey to settle, and before pudding. If you’re into Esports, then this game feels ready to be the next big competitive title, so get practising.

F1 24

Available on PC, PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X|S and Xbox One

Like all EA SPORTS titles, this latest in the long-running series featured all the bells and whistles you’d expect from an official title – the new cars, the real drivers and all the proper tracks, all realised in perfect detail. This year’s edition also featured the first major update to the driver career mode since 2016.

Indiana Jones And The Great Circle

Available on PC and Xbox Series X|S

Live the thrilling life of Indy in his first swashbuckling gaming adventure for 15 years. It’s set after the events of Raiders Of The Lost Ark and you star as our titular hero with one mission: to defeat those who wish to harness a mysterious power connected to the Great Circle. Venture across the world with open-area maps and combine stealth infiltration, melee combat and gunplay to attack your enemies, while unearthing fascinating secrets, solving fiendish puzzles and fist-fighting with giant monks.

Batman: Arkham Shadow

Available on Meta Quest 3/3S

VR hasn’t always hit the mark when it comes to gaming, often feeling like a tech demo rather than a full-blown video game. But that changed this year with Batman: Arkham Shadow, where you can become The Knight in this groundbreaking entry in the acclaimed Arkham series. Immerse yourself in all the grit of Gotham City and take down its most notorious criminals with hard-hitting combat.