What a lovely little game! Just a small, gorgeous world to explore framed around a simple but human story with a great soundtrack to boot. (Call me crazy, but if they ever make another top-down Zelda, this would be an awesome template for the overworld design.)

A big step up from 1 mechanically… but structurally? Caves are a good idea and can be REALLY fun and tricky, but are just as often tedious and ugly. I'd still say it's better than 1, but 100% completion sounds like torture and that's a bummer for a game like this!

EASILY the best in the series so far and… one of my favorite Nintendo games overall? Takes the structure of 1, the refinement of 2, and adds some BANGER mechanics at that. My only gripe is that it's too easy, but even then, the Plasm Wraith kicked my ass.

This is the MOMENT that I've wanted 2D Mario to have for about a decade now. Just an endlessly well-crafted and imaginative side-scroller, taking inspiration from other great recent platformers while also showing them why Mario is KING.

With 120 3-Star Grand Prix trophies earned and 192 Staff Ghosts beaten, I think it's safe to say that I have Finished this game. So… now what do I do? Narrow down my time trial records more? Raise my online Race Rating? Wait for Mario Kart X? Who knows!

That sure was Picross! I think I've got Picross fatigue from doing every single puzzle across 3 games this year, but it's nice mental stimulation for when I'm watching a show or YouTube video. (also I'm confused weren't they gonna add a dog in this one? 😕)

I am now the world's foremost Yoshi (NES) scholar. The difference between Type A and B? The four types of enemies that can drop? The 3 music tracks? I've experienced it ALL. ALL the content that can be found in Yoshi (NES). I am an EXPERT.

Seriously one of the coolest licensed games I've ever played. A found-footage or "found-phone" game that follows up on one of the best Doctor Who episodes in a subtle and interactive way. Heavily recommend checking it out.

An absolute triumph on just about every level. Between the incredible characters with incredible writing/acting, the unbelievably intricate gameplay systems, and the unimaginable amount of content—it's easy for me to call this game a modern masterpiece.

A great sequel that's not as consistent as the first two but arguably has higher highs. I can forgive feature creep and a shallow symbiote arc if it leads to this much cool shit. (All I ask is that 3 mixes things up some more.)

RELENTLESSLY charming game. Story isn't anything special but the music, interactions, visuals, and vibes? IMMACULATE. Gameplay is only just "good," though. Not awful at all, but very shallow up until the final few hours, which are the best part of the game.

One of the better of these NES original installments! There's a few frustrating screens—which fortunately didn't set me back too far because of save states—but otherwise this is just a solid platformer with strict but firm controls and a fun gothic atmosphere.

Honestly a pretty endearing game! Definitely best when using a guide if you don't want an aimless experience, but even with the vague instructions and shallow combat and repetitive grinding, I still got the appeal of what makes this series fun.

I take back every time I ever complained that they didn't make a Sonic Mania 2, because DAMN. THIS GAME RULES. The skill floor for the movement is definitely high, but once you learn it, it becomes one of the most fun platformers in recent memory.

A flawed but endearing experience. The dialogue and lore introductions range from mid to bad, and the DMW is just plain weird, but the gameplay loop and character dynamics are mostly great and that ending hits.