I completed the WiiU version a couple years back, and playing through 3D World was just as fun as the first time. Bowser's Fury elevates the whole package to near perfection. It contains some of the best levels I've played in a long time, and its short length keeps its mechanics and collect-athon fresh enough to keep the player engaged.

My favorite Zelda game. The wall-merging gimmic is fun and interesting, especially in how it recontextualizes A Link To The Past's overworld. The 100% item objective (which is a tradition for Zelda games with me) is just long enough to keep from feeling bloated. Dungeon design is tight, and overworld is the perfect size for a pick-up-and-play handheld context.

While the Nintendo polish is ever present, this game suffers from BoTW-ification a bit. Too many moons make 100% a grind, while also devaluing the excitement of each moon. Some of the levels are a flop (see the food-themed world), while some of them are absolutely wonderful (see New Donk City). Music is great as with any Mario game, and Mario's movement feels fluid and tight. Overall, its a mixed bag, but worth playing nonetheless.

Never gets old. Its a mandatory replay every year. Through the ambiance, world structure, Samus's precise controls, and boss fights, Super Metroid earns is place as a classic, and as one of my favorite games.

The faction-alignment system is just complex and interesting enough to hold up to replays, and the quest writing is phenomenal. Also, the western theming makes for a good change of pace for the Fallout series, and Bethesda-engine games in general. Of course, mods enhance the experience, but the heart and soul of this game holds up in its original state.

Not much to say that hasn't already been said, the combat is fun, the writing is spot on, and the twists that define its premise will be influential for decades to come. A must-play.

Despite Hollow Knight's jaw-dropping animation and combat, I was most impressed by the game's ability to continue expanding its map, even dozens of hours into the game. Hollow Knight's world design is easily its biggest strength, and something I dearly admire.

Highly introspective and serves as a great commentary on how we as the audience perseve artists in the modern age.

An exploration of how games can tell stories like no other medium. With a pretty good mystery to anchor it all.

Played around launch and was underwhelmed with its lack of quality storytelling, mediocre combat, and cliche setting.

First pokemon game as a child. In retrospect it lacks some of the charm of earlier games, but it is a strong entry in the series through its art style (I'm a sucker for those DS pokemon sprites) and cool villian/legendary climax.

A perfect difficult platformer with wonderful pixel art and level design. It's core messages on determination and self-actualization are further cemented through the core gameplay loop and loveable characters.

The first half of the game serves as one of the greatest games ever made. Unfortunately, Dark Souls' level design is soured by a rushed and partially finished second half. However, even in its worst moments, the innovation of the bonfire system combined with impeccable art direction elevate this game to classic status.

Doki Doki is a fun and entertaining foray into meta-narrative, and proves that audiences are willing to delve into weird stories if the creators are willing to leave a treasure trove of secrets and easter eggs.

The first Civ I truly got hooked with during Summer 2020. Its mechanics are complex enough for veterans (so I've heard) yet simple and addicting enough for a beginner like me to enjoy. The expansions allow for even more player expression and interesting scenarios.