Category: Techradar

It doesn’t look like we’ll be seeing a new Mass Effect game anytime soon, but BioWare is keeping the franchise fresh in our minds in its upcoming online RPG Anthem. 

In celebration of N7 Day (the unofficial Mass Effect holiday), Anthem and Mass Effect lead producer Michael Gamble tweeted an image of N7 armor being worn in the Fort Tarsis hub. 

The N7 armor is the iconic body suit worn by Mass Effect’s protagonist Commander Shepard. 

You can check out Gamble’s tweet below:

Gamble didn’t release any details about when or how this skin will be made available to players, but we’re pretty excited to get a piece of Mass Effect in BioWare’s new IP.

In addition to this teaser tweet, BioWare tweeted a video examining the past and future of the Mass Effect franchise, and confirmed that Mass Effect Andromeda is now enhanced for Xbox One X.

You can check out BioWare’s video below if you’re feeling a big nostalgic:

Anthem is due to release on PC, Xbox One and PlayStation 4 on February 22, 2019.

• Anthem trailers, release date and news

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While Nintendo’s Switch console has taken the world by storm over the last year, there’s still a lot of love for the company’s golden oldie, the Nintendo 3DS. 

We don’t care that it’s more than six years old, making it something of a geriatric in the current gaming generation. Age brings wisdom, after all. And by wisdom we mean a stellar library of games that, while slowing, hasn’t stopped yet. 

While the 3DS is older than most, it’s not actually that surprising that Nintendo is insisting on supporting the platform, even with the undeniable success of the Switch. The 3DS has managed to amass an install base of more than 67 million – that’s a lot of people you can still sell games to. And given the only portable competition on the market is Nintendo itself, the company is really only strengthening its safety net.

Nintendo may be taking some of its most iconic IPs to mobile, but the full experiences remain on console. 

No matter what kind of game you like to play, you’ll find something to suit your tastes on the 3DS XL or 2DS XL, and you won’t be able to find many of the titles anywhere else. 

From slow and easygoing life simulators like Animal Crossing, to fast-paced platformers like Super Mario 3D land you’re not short of options on this console. 

So read on for the 20 best 3DS games, or if you’re looking to dip your toe into the more retro DS library, then check out our list of the best Nintendo DS games. 

• No 3DS? Check out our guide to the best New 3DS and New 3DS XL deals

In Animal Crossing: New Leaf, you find yourself thrust into the role of a village’s new mayor, which means it’s up to you to help make the rules and aid in the burg’s development. Don’t fret, though: it’s a pretty chill gig. You’ll still have time to go fishing, catch bugs, design clothes, dig up fossils, decorate and expand your home, and hang out with friends doing lots of relaxing stuff. 

The 3DS’s online and StreetPass functionality are put to great use here, allowing you to visit friends’ towns see how other players’ homes are decorated.

After being out of action for many years, Donkey Kong finally made his platforming comeback with Donkey Kong Country Returns on Wii, and this 3D version could be even better than the original. It contains everything that fans loved about the classic DKC titles: enemies to jump on, bananas to collect, mine carts to ride, secrets to uncover, and wacky bosses to overcome. 

It may look like a bunch of monkey business, but don’t be fooled – the game can be extremely challenging.

Ever Oasis is a game that tries to do many things. Somehow it’s simultaneously an action RPG, a settlement-building game, and a dungeon-crawling adventure title. Imagine animal crossing mashed into The Legend of Zelda and you get some idea of what it’s aiming for. 

You play as a young creature in a dangerous desert world. With the help of a water spirit your people can create safe spaces called an Oasis. An evil force known as Chaos is moving across the land trying to destroy all living things and it’s up to you to build a strong Oasis by drawing in residents through completing missions in the wider world and maintaining the Oasis itself.

The premise is simple but it’s enjoyable and adds a more open twist to the settle-building genre. Being so ambitious, the game doesn’t hit the mark in all areas but it’s well designed with satisfying mechanics and adventures that will keep you playing. 

The strategy-RPG series Fire Emblem has been around for quite some time, but the 3DS entry is arguably the best yet. With a variety of unique heroes at your disposal, you’ll engage in turn-driven, grid-based combat to bring peace to the land of Ylisse. 

When you’re not fighting enemies, you’ll work to build up relationships between characters, which allows them to not only cooperate better in battle, but to get married and have children, who also become playable characters. Lots of downloadable extra missions add to the depth and longevity of this game.

While Mario has always been bold and brave, his brother Luigi is … well, not. Luigi’s Mansion: Dark Moon follows the less adventurous of the two Mario Bros. as he wanders through mansions with a tepid nervousness that’s just as likely to make you laugh as it is to sympathize with the game’s green-hatted hero.

Dark Moon, the sequel to the original Luigi’s Mansion on the Nintendo GameCube, is an adventure game through and through. You’ll solve puzzles, collect coins and generally revel in the game’s spooky – but never overwhelmingly frightening – abodes. If you’re looking for smart, funny platforming, Dark Moon is the bite-size adventure you’ve been yearning for.

Mario sports games have always been a contentious affair. Whether you remember slamming home goals in Super Mario Strikers, smashing an ace in Super Mario Tennis or shooting an eagle in the original Mario Golf title, most of the Nintendo sports titles starring the mustachioed mascot have been memorable, enjoyable – and yes, even competitive – affairs.

Mario Golf: World Tour does nothing to break that trend. Simple tutorials ease you into the world of Lukitos and Chain Chomp-equipped lawns, while local and online multiplayer compel you to take your game to the next level.

Like the other games in the series that have come before it, Mario Kart 7 is nothing short of pure, adrenaline-filled, racing excitement. Choose from one of 16 popular Mario characters (or a Mii), pick your kart, your tires, and your glider, then use all your skills (and any items you can snag) to outrace and outwit your competitors in crazily designed courses like Mario Circuit and Neo Bowser City. Underwater and aerial segments introduced in this installment make this one of the most varied Kart games yet, and classic courses from past entries add to the fun. A robust online community ensures you’ll never lack competition, too.

Feel like you’ve played every Super Mario level there is to play? Well, it’s time to start playing your own.

Super Mario Maker is also available on Wii U and this version is just as intuitive and easy to use as that one but it has the added benefit of being able to play it on the go. 

For a 3DS port this is an incredibly feature rich game that has a lot to offer players willing to push their creativity. Though it can’t hold quite as many items as the Wii U version as a result of system limitations it’s still got over 60 interesting tools to choose from for building.

There are some online level sharing limitations that prove frustrating and disappointing but as far as level creating games go, this is a solid one and well worth picking up if you can’t get to the Wii U version.  

We didn’t ever ask for a re-imagining of Metroid 2 on 3DS but now that it’s here we’re very glad indeed. Metroid: Samus Returns is a side-scrolling action adventure game with a very similar overall structure to the 1991 Metroid 2. But there are game-changing (and improving) modern additions in terms of controls, visuals and gameplay. 

This game marks a whole new and promising direction for the 2D Metroid games and its visuals show the Nintendo 3DS system at its very best.

You might’ve billed Pokémon Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire as cash-in remakes of two somewhat middling entries in the monster catching franchise. There’s no shame in it. That’s what we thought, too. But actually sitting down with Pokémon Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire is like seeing a friend after a decade apart: you’re both different people than you were 10 years ago, but just as fond of one another now as you were then.

The 3DS versions of Ruby and Sapphire add a number of interesting – even ground-breaking – new features like Mega Evolutions from X and Y, and Pokémon Box that allows you to send monsters to yourself from one game in the franchise to the next.

Pokemon Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon are the latest excellent additions to the Pokemon series and the swan song titles for the franchise on the Nintendo DS platform and as such they’re a must-play. 

Jumping off from 2016’s Sun and Moon, these titles take players back to the new Hawaii-inspired region of Alola where they’ll meet the seventh generation of Pokemon and explore all new locations.

This time, though, there’s a dark new dimension for the player to explore, a much bigger storyline, a brand new legendary Pokemon to catch and a new villainous group to face.

Although the Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon versions of the game are mostly the same, each version features exclusive Pokémon, so you’ll have to trade with other players (online or offline) if you want to catch ’em all. Buying the opposite Ultra version to the original (for example, buying Ultra Moon when you played Sun last time) is another way to round out your Pokedex without having to trade online. 

Level 5’s Professor Layton games consistently offer some of the best puzzle solving gameplay on the Nintendo 3DS so it’s really something to say that Professor Layton and the Azran Legacy is possibly the best of the bunch. It might be the sixth in the series but fortunately you don’t have to have played any of the previous titles to understand the story.  

This game’s beautiful animation, genuinely challenging puzzles, and engaging, not to mention long, story make it a title you absolutely don’t want to miss. 

Not only that, it’s great value for money; even after you complete the main story the game has 365 additional puzzles for you to unlock and solve. 

Being 12 years old, it can be hard for newcomers to break into the action-RPG Monster Hunter franchise, but Generations is by far the most accessible title in recent history. 

The mechanics are still complex and the learning curve is steep, but Generations overhauls combat enough that players can take new approaches on the battlefield. These changes level the playing field for complete beginners but don’t grate on old fans as it’s a change which also benefits them.

In Monster Hunter Generations, players once more take up the role of a hunter who is on a quest to take on dangerous monsters in an ancient world, moving between offline and online quests to progress.

As ever, don’t expect much of a story to pull you through the game, instead the incentive to progress in Monster Hunter comes from securing better and more powerful equipment that allows you to unlock the next tier of quests. 

It’s hard to go wrong with Mario, and Super Mario 3D Land is quite possibly the plumber’s best handheld outing ever. Featuring the same kind of block-bashing, enemy-stomping, pipe-entering fun that made Mario a household name, this game ups the ante with wonderfully creative level design and whimsical power-ups like a boomerang suit and the Tanooki outfit from Super Mario Bros. 3. The game makes great use of the system’s stereoscopic 3D capabilities, and there are surprises hidden around every turn, including a ton of challenging bonus levels that don’t become available until after you’ve beaten the main game.

If you want frantic action and an endless supply of Nintendo fan service, look no further than Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS. Gaming’s biggest characters are here (along with a few of the more obscure) – Mario, Sonic, Link, Mega Man, Samus Aran, Little Mac, Pac-Man, Donkey Kong, Pikachu, and dozens of others – all duking it out in stages based on hit Nintendo properties. If you’ve played any previous game in this series, you know the drill: whittle down your opponents with standard attacks and special moves, then send ’em flying off the stage! Naturally, you can play the game solo, or you can fight in matches with up to four players either locally or online.

• The best New 3DS and New 3DS XL deals

If you’re a fan of RPGs, the 3DS is a great choice of console and Bravely Second: End Layer is one of the best games in the genre. 

From Square Enix, it’s the sequel to the highly praised JRPG Bravely Default. Bravely Second is a continuation of the story in the original game, two and a half years later, bringing in new worlds to explore and new enemies to defeat in the same turn-based combat system.  

If you enjoyed Bravely Default, it’s absolutely worth playing Bravely Second as it brings most of what made that game great back to the table. In some ways it’s so similar it could be considered a fault, but if it’s not broke, why fix it?

Whether you’re new to the Legend of Zelda series or a seasoned vet, A Link Between Worlds offers fantasy adventuring at its finest. Though the overhead presentation and narrative connection to 1992’s A Link to the Past make this entry something of a throwback, new elements such as the ability to rent items and tackle dungeons in nearly any order – as well as Link’s newfound power to merge with walls by becoming a 2D painting – breathe fresh new life into the Zelda franchise. Traveling between Hyrule and its alternate-reality counterpart, Lorule, you’ll overcome brilliantly designed dungeons and engage in numerous side quests.

The original Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time for the Nintendo 64 is one of the most acclaimed games ever made, and this enhanced version is even better. Not only does it feature the same epic, time-traveling tale, packed with puzzles, peril, and sword-swinging action, but it boasts vastly enhanced graphics and more user-friendly gameplay, such as gyroscopic targeting and optional extra hints. If you’re up for the challenge, you can tackle Master Quest mode, which features greater difficulty and a mirrored world map.

Majora’s Mask in 3D might be the third Legend of Zelda game on this list, but we wouldn’t dream of not including this excellent remake of the Nintendo 64 classic. When compared to the blockbusters that make up the rest of the Zelda series, Majora’s Mask often seems to not quite hold up in comparison, but it’s by no means a bad game. On the contrary, it’s time specific quests and puzzles are a quite unique addition to the Zelda formula, and continue to work excellently in this handheld format.

Yoshi’s Woolly World is one of our recommended titles on Wii U, but if you can’t get your hands on the console version we absolutely recommend you don’t miss out on this handheld port. 

Poochy and Yoshi’s Woolly World contains all of the levels of the Wii U title, with a couple of extra stages tarring Poochy, which is perhaps a way to make up for the fact that the co-op mode of the console version is now gone. 

The game is a standard 2D platformer but it has interestingly designed levels as well as lovely knitted graphics that help it stand apart from the rest of the games you can pick up in the genre. 

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What is a console without its games? As novel and versatile as the Nintendo Switch is as a piece of hardware, it’s the software that makes it, and the last two years has seen a steady release of AAA blockbusters, indie darlings, and everything in-between come to the Switch eShop for gamers to enjoy.

The likes of Legend of Zelda Breath of the Wild, Super Mario Odyssey, Splatoon 2 and Mario + Rabbids Kingdom Battle all helped the Nintendo Switch make a statement in its first few months on sale, and the games selection has only got better since then.

And if Nintendo used to have problems getting third-party titles on board, that’s not the case anymore. From the open-world Skyrim and gore-fest Doom to smaller experimental titles like Little Nightmares and Owlboy, the Nintendo platform has blossomed to host a wide array of incredible games.

With the console still in its infancy, there are plenty more Nintendo Switch games to come down the line. For now though, we’ve brought together the very best titles to have come to the Switch so far – all of which are available to download or buy right now. Here’s our list of the best Nintendo Switch games out there.

We’re constantly trying the latest and greatest Nintendo Switch games too, so do keep checking back for updates as we expand the list.

• Looking to enhance your experience? Check out our picks of the best Nintendo Switch accessories
• Not got the console yet? These are the best Nintendo Switch deals around

Watch our review of the Nintendo Switch below!

• Want to know what the best Pokemon game is as well? 

Fan of old-school 16-bit RPGs? Wish they could get a HD facelift without losing the pixel-perfect magic of the 90s era? Octopath Traveller may be the Nintendo Switch game you’d dreamed for a time machine for as a kid.

Channeling the magic of the early Final Fantasy games (and published by Square Enix, naturally), it melds pixel art with polygonal environments, like a love letter to the role playing games of old.

Picking up the story of one of 8 uniquely-talented adventurers, there’s an epic world saving story to follow, a clever turn-based combat system to master and a great voice-acted script to enjoy too. Fantastic fun.

While we’re all waiting for a new Metroid Prime game to land on the Nintendo Switch, you can still get your side-scrolling Metroidvania fix with the superb Hollow Knight.

You know the score – you’re placed in the center of a sprawling map that slowly reveals its scale as you unlock new abilities to traverse increasingly difficult traps, and take on ever-more monstrous foes. Secrets sit around every corner, and the sense of satisfaction you get when you backtrack to a previously-inaccessible location once armed with the right skills is unsurpassed in all of gaming.

Hollow Knight separates itself from other Metroidvania titles with its distinct art style (mysterious underground bug city? Count us in), and its nods to the Dark Souls series, with tough boss fights and the strangely aloof citizens of its subterranean setting. Easily one of the best Nintendo Switch games around.

Captain Toad Treasure Tracker is a real gem in the Nintendo Switch game pile. A re-release of the well-received Wii U title, Captain Toad is an action puzzle game that puts you in the shoes of the Mushroom Kingdom’s most lovable sidekick.

While puzzles are a bit on the easier side for older ‘kids’ who might be playing (a term we’ll use loosely here), pint-sized adventurers will have to use their noodle to collect items without running into the paths of enemies. It’s good, clean, IQ-enhancing fun – which is the best kind of fun! 

Freshly-added to the Nintendo Switch line-up of games, if Crash Bandicoot N.Sane Trilogy is just half as popular on the Switch as it was for the PS4 it’s bound to do very, very well. Maybe it’s everyone’s current love of nostalgia from their earlier days?

Whatever the case, the remaster of Crash Bandicoot is very likely to pull at your heart strings. It has everything you knew and loved from the original game, but enhanced and revamped, and there are plenty of new levels and adventures that have been added to make this a better experience than ever.

Mario and his crew are some of the most talented fictional characters in the known universe. They can golf, they can compete at the Olympics, some of them are doctors, plumbers and princesses. And now they play tennis, too, in this excellent Nintendo Switch game.

Mario Tennis Aces has been heralded as a combination of Super Smash Bros. and the old Mario Tennis games released on the Nintendo GameCube and N64. To that end, gameplay is lightning-quick and requires superb reflexes. 

The big changes this time around are the new super moves that cause rackets to break and balls to fly to nigh unreachable spots on the court. They add a new layer of strategy to the long-running Mario sport franchise and fun, too. Pick this one up at your earliest opportunity.

Golden bananas, rickety minecarts and cranky kongs – the king of the gaming apes, Donkey Kong, is back! And it’s already one of the best Nintendo Switch games out there.

If you’ve previously been a Wii U owner, this may well feel like a very familiar adventure, as Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze is actually a remake of that system’s simian-themed platformer. 

The Switch version is easily the definitive version of the game though, bringing not only with it the Switch’s signature handheld play, but also a new ‘Funky Mode’ that lets you take control of Funky Kong, a returning character who is just that little bit faster and able to leap just that little bit further, making a very challenging platformer a tad easier for the smaller cheeky monkeys in your family.

Star Allies is Kirby’s debut on Switch – and it’s a good one, even if it is largely your familiar Kirby fare. Fans of Kirby’s previous adventures will recognize the colorful side-scrolling platformer gameplay and enemy absorbing powers, but there’s a new mechanic which allows Kirby to throw hearts at enemies and recruit up to three of them to his side to be controlled by either AI or real-life friends. 

Though it’s not the most engaging single-player game, and might not leave long-time fans as satisfied as they might have hoped, Star Allies is a co-op experience that shouldn’t be missed, especially if you’re looking for a game to play with your kids. 

Part software, part hardware, Nintendo Labo is a must-have for anyone who enjoys Nintendo’s more quirky and play-focused ideas.

Build your own cardboard toys, play games with them, explore how they work and reprogram them to do what you want. With Nintendo Labo the only real limit is your patience and imagination: build a fishing rod and catch a shark, build a piano and control a musical cat choir, built a robot and, well, become a robot. It’s all possible with Labo. 

Nintendo Labo is certainly one of the more original and even educational releases we’ve seen in years and it can only be played on the Nintendo Switch. It’s easily one of the best ‘games’ for the device.

Not everyone would have had the chance to enjoy Bayonetta 2 when it was first released back in 2014, thanks to its Wii U exclusivity. Fortunately, it’s now a Nintendo Switch game too, finally giving it the reach it deserves. 

Bayonetta 2 is an excellent game, with fast-paced and satisfying combat, jaw-dropping animations and frankly outstanding fashion choices. Even better, when you purchase a physical copy of Bayonetta 2, you’ll also receive a free download code for the original game.

More than anything, this is a great way to prepare for Bayonetta 3, which has been confirmed as being in development for the Switch. 

Super Mario Odyssey is Mario’s first real outing on the Nintendo Switch and he makes his debut in style. Odyssey is a 3D sandbox adventure that sees Mario travel between a wide range of worlds to save Princess Peach from the nefarious and maritally-minded Bowser. 

Giving the old formula a bit of a refresh, this game sees the traditional Power Ups replaced with a new companion for Mario called Cappy. This sentient hat is Mario’s weapon and friend and he can be used to possess enemies and objects to solve puzzles and defeat foes.

In our full review for Super Mario Odyssey we called this game “one of Mario’s finest adventures in recent memory” and recommend that you play it now – it’s instantly one of the best Nintendo Switch games out there.

If you decide to pick the game up for yourself, don’t forget to check out our tips and tricks guide to help you get started.  

Even for a series like The Legend of Zelda which rarely puts a foot wrong, Breath of the Wild is an absolutely phenomenal game on the Nintendo Switch.

While past Zelda games have stuck pretty closely to the formula established by Ocarina of Time (the series’ 3D debut), Breath of the Wild throws much of the established wisdom away. 

Rather than having a pre-defined order you must use to approach each major mission, Breath of the Wild opens the entire map up to you almost immediately, allowing you to approach the game in whatever order you see fit. You can spend hours just climbing trees and brewing elixirs, or you can even head straight to the game’s final boss if you’re feeling a little more confident. 

Away from Breath of the Wild’s unique structure, it’s the puzzles themselves that make the game feel the most satisfying. While previous games rigidly allow for a single solution to each puzzle, BotW’s physics-based problem solving means that there are often multiple solutions to each challenge depending on how you combine your various skills. 

The result is a game that feels incredibly broad in scope, with so many little touches to discover that it’s hard not to fall in love with this long-running series all over again.

• Check out everything you need to know in our Breath of the Wild tips and tricks guide

Mario Kart 8 on the Wii U was already one of the best entries in the franchise, and the Nintendo Switch version is no different.

At its core the game offers the same excellent racing as the Wii U original, but there are also a number of new additions for this version of the arcade racer. 

You’ve got the return of battle mode, new characters, all the previously released DLC tracks, and the ability to hold two special items at a time to add an extra layer of strategy to your racing.

The new game is also a great way of playing the game in multiplayer. You can play online, in split-screen with up to four players, or link up to eight consoles together to play multiplayer wirelessly (where you can also play with up to two players per console). 

It’s a versatile release, and well worth picking up for anyone who missed out on Mario Kart 8 the first time around.

• Get ahead of the competition with our Mario Kart 8 Deluxe tips and tricks

If you want to satisfy your arcade racing itch then Fast RMX is the game for you, and is a fantastic fit for the Switch. 

With one part Wipeout and two parts F-Zero, the game has you racing futuristic hovercraft round a series of implausible tracks at breakneck speeds. 

Fast RMX’s main gimmick is that at any point your craft has either an orange or a blue polarity, which match with speed power-ups that are spread around the track. By switching your polarity as you race, you can maximize the benefits these power-ups bring. 

It’s a neat feature, but it’s overshadowed by how technically capable this game is. It looks fantastic whether you’re playing it in portable or console mode, where it will run at a solid 60 frames-per-second. 

It might not have the charm of its Mario-themed competitor, but Fast RMX is a great game for anyone seeking fast-paced arcade racing thrills.

Splatoon was the closest Nintendo has ever allowed itself to get to an online shooter, and it did so by fundamentally turning the genre on its head. 

That means no guns, no bullets, and ultimately no death. Instead, you play as characters with paint guns tasked with covering the map in your team’s colors. 

You can kill (well, ‘splat’) your enemies, but you do so only in service of buying yourself time to paint more of the map without your opponents (and their painting) getting in the way. 

While Splatoon 2 is technically a sequel, in truth it’s more of the same. 

That’s not necessarily a bad thing. The original game was tightly designed and well-balanced, and while the sequel makes some minor tweaks to the gameplay, the same Nintendo charm is still present in spades. 

If you never played the original then Splatoon 2 is an easy game to recommend, but even if you did then it might be worth jumping in again to revisit it on Nintendo’s portable system. For our money it’s certainly one of the best Nintendo Switch games you can pick up.

• If you want to get ahead of the competition then our Splatoon 2 tips and tricks guide will help you do just that. 

If ever there was a game to show off how useful the new Joy-Con controllers can be it’s SnipperClips. 

Best enjoyed in co-op mode, the game tasks you with cutting pieces out of your geometric-shaped partner in order to solve physics-based puzzles. 

Although the puzzles themselves deftly tread a fine line between approachability and challenge, the real joy in the game is the slapstick that results as you muddle your way through each level. 

You’ll never conclusively beat a level; it will always feel as though you’ve barely scraped through, but the tension this creates makes for some fantastic fun.

Bandai Namco’s Little Nightmares is a big adventure on Nintendo Switch. First released on consoles and PC in 2017, this new take on the horror genre is a welcome addition to Nintendo’s portable console. 

Players take up the role of a young girl called Six, who is trapped in the Maw, a terrifying place filled with monsters that are larger than life. Across a range of platforming levels, players must help Six overcome her small stature and escape the Maw.

Little Nightmares is a game with a palpable atmosphere – the different levels and their respective monsters are grim and frightening, and we frequently found ourselves tense and holding our breath as we tried to get through a level. It’s unusual to get such a thrill from such thoughtful and quiet gameplay. 

The Nintendo Switch release of the game is the Complete Edition, and contains all three DLC releases, the last of which was launched in February 2018. 

Anyone who loves classic point-and-click adventure stories such as Broken Sword and Monkey Island will certainly want to direct their attention towards this recent release from LucasArts veteran Ron Gilbert.

Mechanically, the game works like the classics of the genre with lots of slow-paced obtuse puzzle solving and verb-list clicking. Even visually it’s very similar to the games that have influenced it. 

If you’re tired of playing the same classics on repeat, pick up Thimbleweed Park for your Nintendo Switch for an excellent new addition to the point-and-click genre. You’ll travel back to 1987 for a neo-noir adventure that you won’t want to leave.

It’s tough to know what genre to describe Arms as: at its core, the game is a fighting game where you attempt to land punches on your opponent using giant extendible arms. Punch-Out this is not. 

What first appeared to be a slightly gimmicky title made to show off the Nintendo Switch’s motion-sensing controllers actually turned out to have a surprising amount of depth and strategy to it, leading to some frantic multiplayer battles. 

Nicely, the whole game can also be played with more traditional buttons rather than control schemes, so you don’t have to get caught flailing your arms around on the bus when you play it as a portable game. 

• Having trouble landing your punches? Check out our Arms tips and tricks guide

Over twenty years after its original release it’s hard to know what more can be written about one of the most influential fighting games of all time. It easily jumps int our list of the best Nintendo Switch games you can buy right now.

Ultra Street Fighter 2 is essentially the same Street Fighter 2 that’s been continuously re-released on every console under the sun. Technically this version is based on Super Street Fighter 2 Turbo from 1994, which added super and air combos to the base game, but unless you’re a die-hard fan this likely won’t mean too much to you. 

So don’t go into this expecting a wildly different game from what you’ve played before. This is a traditional Street Fighter experience through and through, and the console’s form-factor makes it perfect for quick multiplayer sessions. 

Overcooked was one of the breakout indie hits of 2016, and now it’s come to the Nintendo Switch in fantastic style. 

There game is best played with a group of friends, which is perfect considering you always have at least two controllers with your Switch. 

But what do you actually do? In essence you play as a group of chefs trying desperately to cook meals without your customers getting angry or your kitchen catching on fire. 

With each person only able to do one thing at a time, and most meals requiring multiple stages of preparation, this forces you to split tasks up between you. The problem is that every task proceeds at a slightly different pace, meaning you’re constantly having to change your plans to deal with problems as they arise. 

It’s frantic, it’s great with friends, and it’s a perfect fit for the Switch – one of the best experiences we’ve enjoyed on the console.

Shovel Knight is not a new game – it saw its first release way back in 2014 on the PC after it was funded on Kickstarter, and since then versions have appeared on everything from the Vita to the PS4, the Nintendo 3DS and the Wii U. 

But that doesn’t make it any less of a great game on the Nintendo Switch, where its 2D side-scrolling is as tight and responsive as ever. 

Chances are you’ve played Shovel Knight on one system or another in previous years, but if you’ve yet to take the game on the go, or better yet if you’re looking to try its newest expansion pack, ‘Specter of Torment’, then the Switch is as good a place as any to satisfy your Shovel cravings.

Another home console classic now given a new lease of life on Switch is LA Noire. It’s unusual to see 18-rated games on Nintendo consoles, but it’s nevertheless exciting that the Switch is building up a more mature library.

Created by Rockstar, LA Noire is a 1940s detective title which puts players in the smart leather shoes of Cole Phelps. As Phelps, you’ll dive into the seedy underbelly of LA, solving a variety of cases across the LAPD’s Homicide, Vice and Arson divisions.

Aside from letting you take a great game on the go, the Switch version of LA Noire has some neat features such as motion control support. This means you can pick up evidence at crime scenes and inspect it from every angle using the Joy-Con controllers. 

Read more of our thoughts on LA Noire for the Nintendo Switch. 

The legendary and hugely addictive dungeon-crawler finally come to the Switch. Sure, you’ve been able to play the game on PC, Xbox and Playstation for a good few years now – with over 30 million copies sold across all platforms, and a rumored Netflix TV series in the works – but this is the first time Blizzard’s medieval fantasy RPG has gone portable.

You pick one of seven distinct character classes and begin your wayward journey to take on the lord of terror himself, Diablo. Somehow accessible with satisfying depth to the gameplay, Diablo 3 strikes a perfect balance between hardcore and more casual gaming.

The addictive loot system and character upgrades will keep you coming back again and again. And with the newly-added convenience of carrying about wherever you are, the Switch port makes a great case for grinding on the go. 

Whether you’re new to the series or just want another Diablo fix, this is one of the best titles available on the Switch right now.

Although it’s not a port, Super Bomberman R might as well be for all the changes it makes to the traditional Bomberman formula. 

For all intents and purposes, this is classic Bomberman. You run around a maze dropping bombs, all the while trying to avoid getting caught in the subsequent explosions caused by both yourself and your opponents. 

Super Bomberman R does try to mix up the formula a little by offering a single-player campaign, but at just a couple of hours long it’s not especially engaging. 

Nope, this is a game that’s all about that multiplayer, where you can play with up to eight players locally or online. It’s here the game feels most at home, and for the most part its every bit as good as the classic Bombermans that have proceeded it. 

The biggest problem is the game’s price, which is the same as big budget triple-A games like The Legend of Zelda. For a multiplayer-only experience that’s a little bit steep, but if you see the game discounted anywhere then this is an excellent game to have on your Nintendo Switch.

This crossover has surprised a lot of people, us included. Though Nintendo’s Mario and Ubisoft’s Rabbid rabbits doesn’t seem like a combination that should work it really does.

This is a turn-based tactical game and it’s incredibly fun to play thanks to gameplay that’s satisfyingly complex and deep without being overly difficult – though the difficulty increases, it’s in a gradual way that doesn’t result in feelings of being overwhelmed. 

Mario Rabbids is also just a lovely game to look at – the level design is consistently fantastic and the world and its characters are adorable and colorful. Joining up with Mario lends Ubisoft’s Rabbids a charm they’ve lacked until now, while Mario and co benefit from the partnership by gaining a bit more of a silly sense of humor which really benefits the Nintendo image. 

With this partnership, Nintendo has managed to secure another appealing exclusive for the Switch, and one of the top games for the console.

Stardew Valley is one of those games that always felt like it was supposed to be on a Nintendo console, and we couldn’t have been happier when it was released recently for the Switch.

If you’ve ever played a Harvest Moon game, you’re already familiar with the premise of Stardew Valley: it’s an addictive farming simulator which sees you interact with townees to the point where you can literally marry them.

Stardew Valley isn’t just one thing though, it’s a whole bunch of things at once. You can engage in crafting, fishing, cooking and even exploring procedurally-generated caves to mine for items and even take on monstrous enemies. 

However, do keep in mind your health and energy, as you’ll need to make sure your character is in tip-top shape in order to avoid suffering from exhaustion – lose health and you lose a considerable amount of money and items you’ve worked hard to attained. Stardew Valley will have you hooked for hours on end, for better or worse. (Better, definitely better.)

Skyrim might be a game that’s six years old, but the portability of the Nintendo Switch makes it feel fresh again. What was once an exclusively home console and PC experience can now be played on your commute and there’s no denying that holding the wild world of Skyrim in the palm of your hand is exhilarating. 

For a touch of novelty, the game also supports the console’s Joy-Con motion controls so you can swing your sword and draw your bow in real life. It’s a whole new way to play.

This is the full open world Skyrim experience for the Nintendo Switch, including all DLC, so we’re very confident in declaring it one of the best Switch games right now.

Read more about our thoughts on Skyrim’s arrival on Switch.

It’s not often you get to put a free game on the Nintendo Switch list but Fortnite Battle Royale is giving us this chance. We’d be amazed if you hadn’t heard of it, but Fortnite: Battle Royale is the free-to-play hit from Epic Games which throws you into an online Battle Royale where you must fight and build to be the last person standing. 

The game was announced and launched on the Nintendo eShop during E3 2018. If you’ve not had the chance to play the Battle Royale phenomenon, the Nintendo Switch offers one of the most convenient ways to do it – especially if you find a smartphone screen just a little bit too small to truly play at your best. And if you already have an account you can move seamlessly between your Nintendo Switch, smartphone, PC and Xbox console. 

If you’re a fan of Final Fantasy, then you’ll love this new version that’s just landed on the Nintendo Switch. It’s specially developed for the Switch (hence the ‘Pocket Edition’ in the title) and allows you to explore the world and characters from the fantasy franchise across ten different chapters that follow the story of Noctis, the crown prince of Lucis, on an adventure to his wedding to the Lady Lunafreya of Tenebrae.

And last in our list of the best Nintendo Switch games currently competing for your money, we have Super Mario Party. When it comes to casual co-op gaming there’s not much better out there, and it shows the Switch game catalog continuing to grow and get stronger over time.

This is the latest in a long line of Super Mario Party games of course, but the 3D board game mechanics remain tight and engaging, and the game hides plenty of secrets and surprises along the way for you to discover. Most importantly, it’s enjoyable to play, and keeps you coming back.

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Since the Xbox One X‘s release a year ago, the powerful console has changed the limits of gaming – improving game visuals and allowing new titles to true 4K on the console. 

We now know of over 250 Xbox One X enhanced games for the new console including new titles such as Assassin’s Creed Odyssey and Forza Horizon 4 – and there’s more on the way. While we’d love to tell you all of these games are going to ooze visual fidelity when you pop them onto your TV, not all of these games are going to look like they’re fresh out of the developer’s oven. 

You see, even though the Xbox One X is capable of 4K/HDR at 60 frames per second along with Dolby Atmos sound, not all games are guaranteed to have all of these improvements. Some will support all of them, while some will support HDR and nothing more. 

With this in mind, we’ve created a list of the best games that push the console to its limits. Here you’ll find the games whose patch details confirm they’ll push at least two of the console’s capabilities, whether that’s 4K, HDR or Dolby Atmos.

We’ve also included details on some upcoming titles with confirmed Xbox One X enhancements in the works in an effort to keep you informed of what’s on the horizon for the 4K-ready console.

The vast majority of the Xbox One X-enhanced games on this list, however, have been played by TechRadar staff, either in preview form or in their final retail state. Read on for our in depth impressions of the best Xbox One X games.

It’s also worth keeping an eye on the regularly updated list of Enhanced titles on Major Nelson’s website or Microsoft’s official Xbox One X Enhanced list found on Xbox.com.

Want to see more on the Xbox One X? View our video below!

• The best Xbox One X deals and bundles in the US and UK
• The best Xbox One X deals and bundles in Australia
• Xbox One X vs Xbox One S vs Xbox One: should you make the upgrade?

What are its enhancements? Native 4K and HDR (3840×2160 at 30 FPS or 1920×1080 at 60 FPS)

The only word that can be used to describe Forza Horizon 4 is stunning. The latest addition to the open-world racing title is a testament to the power of Xbox One X enhancements. Racing through Great Britain at 4K is a truly breathtaking experience, further boosted by the game’s dynamic seasons.

If the the native 4K mode isn’t graphically impressive enough, the new 60FPS mode will blow you away with its smooth transition and its picture perfect take of every pothole, lavender field and pebble dash wall in Britain. 

Make sure to check out our full Forza Horizon 4 review.

What are its enhancements? Native 4K and HDR 

Assassin’s Creed games are known for being visual masterpieces and Odyssey is no different. Xbox One X enhancements truly bring Odyssey’s Grecian world to life, with higher resolution textures, denser crowds, improved depth of field and an overall richer environment. 

Check out our Assassin’s Creed Odyssey review diary for more.

What are its enhancements? Native 4K / 30FPS or 1080p / 60FPS

If you’ve previously had a chance to play Rise of the Tomb Raider on the Xbox One X, then you probably have a pretty good idea of what to expect from its follow-up, Shadow of the Tomb Raider, in terms of enhancements. 

Like its predecessor, Shadow of the Tomb Raider can be played using settings that favor either Resolution or Performance — the former allows the game to regularly display at a native 4K resolution, while the latter drops the game down to 1080p, but offers much smoother gameplay targeting 60FPS.

Needless to say, Shadow of the Tomb Raider benefits greatly from the additional detail afforded by its 4K resolution uptick. Environments (particularly foliage, water and mud) are utterly jaw-dropping in 4K, making this entry the best-looking in the series to date. 

That said, it’s not an entirely flawless presentation, with occasional screen tearing issues and framerate drops cropping up during some of the game’s more graphically intense sections. Still, it’s highly likely that developer Eidos Montreal is working on a patch to iron out these problems — we’ll check back on the game in the near future to see if they’ve been addressed. 

While Shadow of the Tomb Raider’s Performance mode shows a noticeable drop in visual fidelity when compared to the game’s Resolution mode, the game still looks exceptional, with its smoother framerate giving the player an additional level of responsiveness, making its controls feel more tactile in the process. 

It’s clear that a lot of effort has been put into Shadow of the Tomb Raider’s enhancements, and barring some occasional performance hitches that will likely be addressed in an update, the game really shines on Xbox One X.

Check out our full Shadow of the Tomb Raider review

What are its enhancements? Native 4K / 30FPS or 1800p / 60FPS

Though it’s almost ten years old, Red Faction Guerrilla arrives on Xbox One X with some impressive visual enhancements that serve to make the game’s destructive architecture and enormous explosions all the more satisfying. In the game’s display options, you’ll find two video options: High Quality and High Performance. The former sees the game target a 4K resolution at 30FPS, while the latter drops the resolution slightly to 1800p, delivering a smoother 60FPS experience. 

To the naked eye, the High Quality resolution benefits aren’t immediately apparent, given that the Xbox One X will automatically upscale to 4K anyway. However, the buttery-smooth framerate of High Performance mode is immediately apparent, looking especially great while driving around Red Faction Guerrilla’s vast Martian landscapes.

As part of its ‘Re-Mars-tered’ package, the game also receives improved textures and lighting — both of which work hard to enhance the game’s visual appeal. Of course, there’s no denying that Red Faction Guerrilla looks like a remaster of a last gen title, with very little color variation in environments and shadows that are just a little too dark (the inclusion of an HDR mode might’ve given the game’s endless browns, reds and oranges a little more life and variety). 

Still, this is as good as Red Faction: Guerrilla is ever likely to look on a console, and if you’re a fan of the game from its original release, we heartily recommend that you pick up this stellar remaster and get your ass to Mars again as soon as possible.

What are its enhancements? 4K and 60 FPS

What is it? It took a Hell of a long time, but Doom has now been updated for Xbox One X. While the game always looked incredible, it now looks sharper than ever, thanks to a native 4K update. Like before, the game still runs at 60 FPS, meaning the Xbox One X version of the game offers the best of both worlds. Admittedly, we’d have liked it if a HDR mode had been added, given how long this update was in gestation, but we can’t argue with the 4K update we’ve received. Seriously, Doom looks incredible in Ultra High Definition, and its buttery smooth framerate is just the icing on the cake. 

What are its enhancements? Native 4K and HDR

A contender for prettiest open-world shooter to date, Far Cry 5 receives a number of impressive enhancements when played on the Xbox One X. Unlike many enhanced games that employ dynamic scaling techniques to keep their resolutions as close to 4K as possible, Far Cry 5 boasts a full and unwavering 3840 x 2160 resolution that never dips. It also manages to retain the temporal anti-aliasing that made Ubisoft’s own Assassin’s Creed Origins look so spectacular on Microsoft’s high-end console.

HDR settings are also available on Far Cry 5, though you won’t be able to tweak them as thoroughly as you could with Origins’ ‘paper-white’ and ‘maximum luminance’ sliders. Still, the game looks and runs gloriously on Xbox One X at 30FPS. On top of this, users playing on the console will also receive improved terrain detail and shading. We can only hope that every Ubisoft title going forward looks as good as this on Xbox One X. 

Check out our full Far Cry 5 review

What are its enhancements? 4K and HDR

Though it’s art-style is simplistic, there’s an incredible beauty to be found in the presentation of Microsoft’s latest exclusive, Sea of Thieves. This massively multiplayer online pirate adventure is available on both Xbox One and PC, and while the latter offers unlocked frame rates and ultra-wide monitor support, the console version ultilizes HDR to really bring the game to life — sunsets have never been more breathtaking in a video game. Thankfully, Sea of Thieves supports cross play between Windows 10 and Xbox so you can play with everyone. 

Along with its stunning HDR-enhanced visuals, Sea of Thieves’ cartoonish art style is bolstered by a native 4K resolution on Xbox One X. As you’d imagine, the water is especially beautiful in Sea of Thieves — we’d even go as far as to call it the most realistic water in any video game to date. The way that light shines through waves is also especially realistic. 

Still, Sea of Thieves is most impressive when you’re standing on the deck of your ship, looking out as the sun sets over an island brimming with the promise of treasure. Weather can change on you in an instant, with a dynamic cloud simulation and storm system that really ups the intensity as you sail the game’s vast ocean. 

If you want a game that shows off just how much the Xbox One X can enhance a visual experience, we suggest you set sail for the Sea of Thieves. 

Read all about it in our Sea of Thieves hub.

What are its enhancements? 4K and performance enhancements

Bethesda’s epic post-apocalyptic role-playing game has received an Xbox One X update which brings it more in line with the PS4 Pro version of the game. We now have a native 4K resolution, though the game still exhibits horizontal scaling during more graphically intense moments. 

That said, at its lowest, it still delivers an impressive 3264×2160 resolution, which is much higher than the PS4 Pro’s 1440p target. 

Elsewhere, improvements have been made to Fallout 4’s framerate on Xbox One, hitting its target of 30fps more consistently than it did at launch, though you’ll still find dropped frames on occasion – a problem the PS4 Pro version does not have. 

Still, even with the odd framerate hiccup, Fallout 4 looks glorious on Xbox One X, making it the best way to experience the game on consoles. 

What are its enhancements? 60 FPS, 3K, enhanced graphics

What is it? Following behind Forza Horizon 3, Project Cars 2 is another racing game taking advantage of the Xbox One X’s power. Developed by Slightly Mad Games and first released in September 2017, this is a racing sim that prides itself on striking visuals and accurate simulation.

Players will have a choice of three modes on Xbox One X: Enhanced Visuals, which will put the game in 1440p resolution while having shadow, track and vehicle details as high as possible; Enhanced Resolution will bump the game’s resolution up to 3K; the final mode Enhanced Framerate will set the game’s resolution to 1080p while ensuring the game maintains a smooth 60 frames per second. 

What are its enhancements? 4K and 60 FPS

As the game is built on the same engine as Doom and already runs at 1080p and 60 PFS, the big difference with the Xbox One X  version is that the game is brought up to a native resolution of 4K. Unfortunately, there’s no HDR support as yet, but the game looks utterly sublime at 2160p. That the game’s rock-solid 60fps is also maintained is especially impressive. A truly great example of what the Xbox One X is capable of. 

What are its enhancements? 4K, HDR, and 30 FPS

What is it? Like Gears of War 4, this is an Xbox One exclusive that’s been around for a while. Though it doesn’t offer the same high frame rates that Motorsport 7 does, this game is sure to look fantastic in 4K with HDR. As well as a resolution bump, plenty of graphical improvements are promised with better visual effects and draw distances. The best thing is, if you already own it your enhanced patch will come free and the file size is a relatively manageable 670 MB. 

What are its enhancements? 4K and HDR 

Fans of Ubisoft’s tactical co-operative shooter Tom Clancy’s Ghost Recon Wildlands are in for a treat with the game’s Xbox One X update, as it brings a bevy of enhancements. First off, the game now renders at 1800p (which is then upscaled to 4K), and also offers high-dynamic-range support – all without sacrificing the game’s rock-solid 30 FPS framerate. Further enhancements include an increased texture cache size (which is said to improve loading times by keeping more recent assets in memory), increased terrain details and texture resolutions, bigger draw distances and more. Quite frankly, the game has gone from being moderately good-looking to drop-dead gorgeous on Xbox One X. HDR is a particular highlight here – the game just looks so much sharper than before, with a noticeable uptick in vibrancy, especially in bright and sunny environments. Extremely impressive.

What are its enhancements? 4K or 60 fps and HDR.

What is it? The Witcher 3 is one of the older enhanced titles on this list but it still stands as one of the best. Believed by many to be the RPG to end all RPGs, this fantasy adventure will take you through incredible vistas and through thrilling adventures. Using the Xbox One X’s power, CD Projekt Red has created two enhanced modes. 

One utilises 4K visuals and runs at a solid 30 frames per second, while the other uses dynamic resolution and promises a smooth 60 frame per second. Both modes will allow you to enjoy HDR – a technology that will truly shine in the game’s dynamic world. 

What are its enhancements? 4K and HDR

What is it? As one of the biggest games this year, it’s natural that Destiny 2 appears on this list. With its original game, Bungie managed to create a huge triple-A success as well as a cult hit.

Now, however, it’s opening up to the masses and anyone that felt like they couldn’t jump on the Destiny band wagon the first time shouldn’t miss the opportunity to do so now. 

This huge online multiplayer shooter will reel you in with its universe, single-player story, satisfying gameplay and addictive online modes. In our full Destiny 2 review, we call Destiny 2 “the Destiny you know, and the Halo you used to love, all in one loot-filled package.”

If you’re just getting started, it’s also worth taking a peek at our handy tips and tricks guide which will allow you to hit the ground running.

What are its enhancements? 4K, HDR, Dolby Atmos and 60 FPS

The fourth entry in the Gears of War series already looked great on the original Xbox One, however, it looks damn-near astonishing when enhanced for the Xbox One X. Once patched, new advanced video options appear in the game’s settings which give the player control over every major area of its presentation. 

You can choose whether you want to place preference on detail (offering native 4K resolutions and textures at 30 frames per second) or performance (locked 60 frames per second and increased graphical detail). While the jump in detail is noticeable when playing the game at 4K, the performance mode looks nearly as good in terms of textures, with the added bonus of running at a buttery-smooth frame rate.

And, while the Xbox One S already provided Gears of War 4 with HDR settings, they’ve received a boost here to work in conjunction with the game’s 4K rendering, allowing for its wider color gamut to be displayed in much greater detail. You’ll find a much-appreciated HDR brightness slider in the settings, and if you want to get a real picture of the difference between standard and high-dynamic-range, you can split the screen and see them both side-by-side while playing the game. 

Although it’s a slightly older release, The Coalition has done a great job to turn Gears 4 into a poster child for what the Xbox One X is capable of.  

What are its enhancements? 4K and HDR

Right from its opening chapter, which takes place during the D-Day invasion of Normandy, Call of Duty: WWII astonishes with its graphical presentation. 

We’ve all come to expect the Call of Duty series to provide 60 frames per second gameplay, regardless of platform, but when that framerate is used in conjunction with the Xbox One X’s 4K resolution boost and HDR functionality, the game takes on an extraordinary level of detail and visual clarity.

The opening mission, which recreates the D-Day invasion of Normandy, feels more realistic because of the Xbox One X. Witness, for instance, the realistic textures of fabric on uniforms and realistic skin textures found on faces. 

Or how about the way the ocean sprays fine mist and water all over you as your landing craft crashes through the waves on your approach to the beach? The game’s steady framerate, incredibly high resolution and high-dynamic-range colors and lighting, gives the game an almost unnerving quality when played on Xbox One X. 

Like many other Xbox One X-enhanced games, Call of Duty: WWII has HDR sliders that allow you to tweak the game’s brightness and white balance to your liking – a much-appreciated addition that we hope carries over to all enhanced games going forward. Quite frankly, we want all games on the console to look this good.

What are its enhancements? 4K, HDR, and 60 FPS

Forza Motorsport 7 was Microsoft’s poster-child for the power of the Xbox One X and thus far it’s the game that’s received the most attention in terms of performance assessments.

As a first-party title, the game’s development team has been able to take full advantage of the Xbox One X’s power. The game’s patch promises 4K resolution at 60 frames per second with HDR support. 

Having played the Xbox One X-enhanced version of the game for several hours, we’re still blown away by how good it looks and how smooth it runs. The game’s One X enhancements are most noticeable in its various environments, which show exceptional definition. We pelted our Porsche 911 GT2 RS around the rocky desert hills of Dubai and were astounding by the level of detail found in the rock faces surrounding the track. 

Thanks to HDR, the sunlight hitting the track and our vehicle looked brighter than ever. The 4K resolution also allows developer Turn 10 Studios to recreate the cars and their interiors to an astonishing degree of detail. This is especially evident in cars with Alcantara upholstery (pictured) – the fuzziness of the suede-like synthetic material looks just like the real thing!

It’s not all about sunny weather, though – we also had the opportunity to race around the famous Nürburgring track in a Nissan GT-R during heavy downpour and were incredibly impressed with how realistic the rain and weather effects appeared.

The combination of 4K, HDR and locked 60 frames per second brings with it some incredibly detailed and realistic visuals with crisp and responsive gameplay.  Buckle up for a truly show-stopping Xbox One X demo disc in Forza Motorsport 7.

Read our full Forza Motorsport 7 review

What are its enhancements? 4K and HDR

As you’d probably expect, Assassin’s Creed Origins uses the power of the Xbox One X to make some serious visual impact. The game renders at 4K (although those without 4K screens will still benefit from an oversampled 1080p resolution) and supports HDR, too. 

The high resolution support means that the game’s environments and characters are seriously detailed with highly realistic textures and the console’s CPU power means the quality is maintained from longer distances. 

However, It’s HDR that makes the game really shine, creating greater contrast between bright sunlight and flames and shadows. This adds real depth to the game world, capturing the blinding brightness of the Egyptian sun and making the shade of tombs feel mercifully cool. As with most Xbox One X-enhanced games that we’ve tested, Assassin’s Creed Origins has an HDR slider that allows you to manually adjust the game’s paper white balance level, as well as the television’s brightness nits. 

Having played several hours of the game on Xbox One X, we found the game to be visually impressive with wonderful textures and a remarkably consistent frame rate given everything that was happening on screen at once.

Read all about it in our Assasins Creed Origins hub.

What are its enhancements? 4K, HDR, 60FPS

Having spent a significant amount of time with Rise of the Tomb Raider post-Xbox One X patch, it’s safe to describe it as one of the prettiest games on the console. 

The updated game supports three modes, so you can tailor what exactly you want the console to prioritise with the game. High frame-rate has the game run at 1080p with enhanced textures, and upscaling to reach 4K. This mode is probably the least detailed of the three, but comes closest to maintaining a locked 60fps framerate. 

Native 4K mode, as the name suggests, prioritises rendering a full 4K’s worth of pixels, even if this involves bigger hits to framerate, which can make the game judder in its more intense scenes, even though the game is targeting a more modest 30fps. 

Finally, the ‘Enriched 4K’ mode strikes a nice balance between the two. It features a more advanced form of upscaling, so even though it’s not native 4K, it’s close enough that it still looks decent. 

In all three modes, the implementation of HDR was a treat. Light peeking into each tomb we explored had a fantastic brightness to it, while water had a fantastic level of glimmer and shine. Truly stunning. 

What are its enhancements? 4K and HDR

Continuing the trend of giving users the option of how to use the X’s extra graphical horsepower, Shadow of War features two different graphical settings. You can either have the game favor resolution or favor quality. 

Choose to favor resolution, and the game will attempt to get as close to 4K as possible (falling back on dynamic scaling when this isn’t possible). 

Opt to favor quality and the improvements will be wider-ranging, but won’t bring the same benefits to resolution. Textures will see enhanced detail, draw distances will be improved, there’ll be more vegetation and shadows and lighting will be improved. 

Both modes will feature HDR, and will unfortunately only run at 30fps rather than the 60fps of some of the other titles on this list. 

Having played Shadow of War at a recent preview event, we came away impressed by the sheer detail offered by 4K, which really brought the large-scale battles to life. We’ll have to wait to see the final version of the patch to issue our definitive judgement. 

What are its enhancements? 4K, HDR, 60 FPS (coming soon)

FIFA 18 is another big title that takes advantage of the Xbox One X’s 4K and HDR capabilities. 

Looking more realistic than ever before, the latest entry in the FIFA series displays at 4K on Xbox One X at smooth 60 frames per second and with HDR support thrown in for good measure. 

4K resolution means even more detail and improved textures (you’ll pore over every blade of grass) but when it comes to fast-paced games like FIFA, it’s the consistent frame rate we’re looking forward to – a slight judder or dip in frame rate could be the difference between making and missing a goal.

Add to this the expanded color gamut and improved lighting that HDR brings with it, and this beautiful game really comes to life, contrasting the bright sunlight against the shadows cast by the stadium to add greater depth. 

This is everything we know about FIFA 18.

What are its enhancements? 4K and HDR

What is it? You’ve probably heard of the JRPG phenomenon that is Final Fantasy and XV is its latest addition. The games are already stunning but we’re looking forward to seeing what has been done with the Xbox One X’s power here – the open world of Eos is sure to be a treat in 4K. 

What are its enhancements? 4K, HDR, 60 FPS

Bungie might have left the Halo series to focus on Destiny, but the blockbuster Xbox series is still alive and well thanks to developer 343 Industries. The most recent entry, Halo 5: Guardians, was released back in 2015, but it will be receiving the Xbox One X treatment via a patch that’s available now. 

When patched for Xbox One X, the game will continue to run at 60fps as it did originally, but with the added bonus of a 4K resolution boost.

Unfortunately, due to the age of the original release, the game won’t be receiving an HDR upgrade alongside its 4K one. Still, a native 2160p resolution and rock-solid 60 frames per second is nothing to be sneezed at. 

Expect this already beautiful game to look even more stunning when played on the Xbox One X. 

What are its enhancements? 4K and HDR

The Xbox One X patch for Madden NFL 18 is not available just yet, but we already know what to expect: like the PS4 Pro version, this year’s Madden will display at a 4K resolution backed by HDR’s expanded color gamut. 

This will give the game razor sharp visuals with naturalistic lighting and eye-popping colors, particularly in uniforms and stadiums. 

On top of the 4K and HDR boost, Madden NFL 18 is expected to always run at a smooth 60 frames per second during plays on the field. The PS4 Pro version does this, though will drop to around 30 frames per second during replays and when sideline camera angles are used throughout the game’s broadcast-style presentation. 

Whether the Xbox One X version will be able to stick to 60 frames per second at all times is currently unknown, but we’ll be sure to let you know as soon as the patch is released.

What are its enhancements? 4K, HDR and 60 FPS

What is it? Minecraft is a game that needs no introduction, and its ‘Super Duper Graphics Pack’ is set to make its polygonal world the sharpest its ever looked. We got to have a look at the Xbox One X-enhanced version of the game and it was quite fun to see a more beautiful version of what is essentially a very simple looking game. 

While the game keeps its famous blocky appearance (we obviously wouldn’t want that to change), it does receive vastly improved lighting thanks to the inclusion of HDR support. For instance, your creations can now be viewed with the added bonus of a glorious sunset.

Colors also receive a boost, looking less flat in the process, and vegetation also looks more detailed than before. Still, you can rest assured that the Xbox One X version of the game doesn’t mess with the winning formula too much – it simply makes it better.

What are its enhancements? 1440p (upscaled to 4K) and HDR

We hope you’ve got plenty of space on your hard drive, because the patches required to play the Xbox One X-enhanced version of Quantum Break, combined with the game install itself, will take up a staggering 178GB of your console’s storage. Welcome to gaming in the future! 

So what do the huge patches give you exactly? Well, since the game is incredibly demanding from a hardware perspective, even on high-end PCs, Quantum Break technically runs at true resolution of 1440p but is displayed as 2160p in its video settings. 

According to Digital Foundry, the game makes use of a ‘temporal reconstruction’ technique that gives the illusion of 4K by cloning frames and using the information to make the resolution look much higher than it is. The original Xbox One version did the same thing, taking its native 720p resolution and applying the same technique to provide the illusion of 1080p. 

Aside from this, the game has received a texture boost, making its visuals look much crisper in the process. Funnily enough, the film grain effect seen in the standard Xbox One version of the game has been dropped entirely for the One X, giving Quantum Break much more depth and clarity in its presentation. 

It’s a shame that 60 frames per second is unavailable, but given the game’s cinematic styling based on film and television, it seems like developer Remedy would probably prefer it that way regardless. Either way, Quantum Break looks downright beautiful on Xbox One X. 

What are its enhancements? 4K, HDR, Dolby Atmos and 60 FPS

What is it? The next addition to the Xbox exclusive chaotic franchise. Crackdown 3 was supposed to be a launch title for the Xbox One X but its been pushed back to Spring 2018 to make extra sure it’s ready to meet those high running standards its promising. 

What are its enhancements? 4K, HDR and 30 FPS

What is it? BioWare’s new IP is a bit of a mystery at the moment but its already confirmed as an Xbox One X enhanced title. We know it’s going to be a science-fiction game that leans down the fantasy vein like franchises such as Star Wars. You can read more about it here. 

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Can’t get enough of Nintendo’s portly plumber? Then take a deep breath and hold it for the next three-and-a-bit years – a Super Mario Bros. movie is in development.

Speaking to Variety, Chris Meledandri of production house Illumination – those responsible for the Despicable Me and Minions movies – revealed that an animated Mario film is in “priority development”.

Game-to-movie adaptations are traditionally woeful affairs, but Meledandri stated that Shigeru Miyamoto, creator of the series (and many other iconic Nintendo franchises for that matter) is “front and center” of the production process. Hopefully that will add a level of quality control not usually seen in game movies, and keep the feel of the movie close to the source material.

Silver screen release

Pencilled in for a 2022 release, it wont be the first time Mario has made it into cinemas. 1993 saw the frankly bizarre live action Super Mario Bros. movie released, which reimagined the series as some sort of sci-fi dystopia. If you haven’t seen it, do – it’s weird enough to warrant a viewing.

Nintendo characters also made cameo appearances in Disney’s enjoyable Wreck-It Ralph, which focussed on a fictionalised gaming franchise.

With Miyamoto involved however and a production house that knows how to make fun kids’ flicks, this should hopefully be one to watch going forward.

• Best Nintendo Switch games: get your Mario fix right now

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As good as the best PC games often are, they (and your PC) can cost a lot of money – some of them fail to keep you engaged for a notable amount of time, some of them lead to boredom rather than curing it, and that’s not always a great return on the investment you’ve put in.

Enter online games: low-cost, low-maintenance titles designed to keep you occupied while you’re working (or at home unemployed because you spent too much time playing the best online games).

They’re first and foremost time killers, distracting you from the mundanity of everyday life, rather than trying to say anything important about the state of the world.

In spite of their relatively lightweight nature, the best online games are definitely fun to play – they range from mindless entertainment (Slither.io and Robot Unicorn Attack) to grind fests (Runescape), so no matter what you need, you can find something up your alley. Which is great, cause you’re going to want to save some cash when it’s time to do your Black Friday and Cyber Monday shopping.

Gabe Carey and Bill Thomas have also contributed to this article

Linux, Windows or Mac – which one is best for you? Watch our guide video below!

Not everyone is a fan of golf as a real-life event, but we think we can safely assume there’s a spot in everybody’s heart for golf if it’s a bit on the crazy side. 

Wonderputt is a game that takes you to the kind of mini golf courses you’ve only imagined with mini ski slopes, UFOs, lily pads and herds of sheep that eat the grass to uncover a new green for you to play on. 

The game has a bit of a puzzle box design, so even if you can see the whole course from the outset of the game, after you beat each hole it evolves and changes to become somewhat different and unmask new sections. It inspires a sense of awe, taking a game that’s already fun in real life and adding a unique twist you’ll only find in a game world.

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If Frank Zappa developed video games, they would look something like Frog Fractions.

Created by Berkeley developer Jim Crawford, this game is an ode to the surrealist comedy of Jeff Minter and Ron Gilbert. 

We don’t want to get too deep into what Frog Fractions actually is because it’s at its strongest when you go in with no clue of what’s about to go down. It’s fair to say that, on the surface level, it appears to be a dumb and nondescript game. But, when you delve deeper, it has so much more to offer in the most crazy and hilarious ways possible. 

Make sure you have the volume cranked to get the whole story.

Frog Fractions actually ended up being so successful that it spawned a sequel, though it released in the most Frog Fractions way possible: inside of another game. You can buy Glittermitten Grove on Steam today, wherein Frog Fractions 2 will live forever.

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Bomberman on the original PlayStation was one of the best crafted and most addictive multiplayer games ever to be created. Game of Bombs seeks to emulate this virtual drug. As an added bonus, to get the multiplayer experience, you’ll no longer need to fish around a drawer of knotted cables for a MultiTap – just go to the website and play a gigantic version of Bomberman online with players from around the globe. Oh, the joys of the digital world!

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This text-based online multiplayer zombie game is filled with little in-jokes. Upon starting the game you’re greeted with the cheerful message “Be positive! You’re going to die. Every time.” 

In the top right is actual server time and, when that hits 23:00, the zombies will come out to play. During the daylight hours, you and the other players must work together to build defenses for the following night, a a tactic reminiscent of Fortnite. This game is surprisingly involving and you’ll constantly have to remind yourself that it’s not really impacting your life, but you’ll definitely become invested in the online community.

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If you haven’t played any of Czech developer Amanita Design’s games, then you are missing out on some of the quirkiest, funny and elaborate point-and-click puzzlers of recent memory. 

The third game in this space-aged series is was released back on March 24 on Steam, but you can play the one that started it all back in 2003 for free. Chapter One of Samorost 2 is also online. And, be sure to check out their other games, Machinarium, Shy Dwarf and Botanicula.

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Get ready to invest a lot of time into this one – this isn’t your average top-down tower defence game, this is more like if you took Zelda and crossed it with Crash Bandicoot. Collect supplies, build bases and explore dungeons, you get the idea. It can be installed as an app from the Chrome Web Store or played online in any browser using HTML5.

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Described by the developers as “the ultimate tribute to the NES”, most of the jokes in this game will probably only ring true if you are above a certain age. But that’s not to say younger people won’t find something to love along the way – if you appreciate a good toilet joke, you have a place here.

Written by the team behind the comedy website I-Mockery, it stars Abobo, who is actually a standard recurring mid-boss in classic ‘80s beat-em-up Double Dragon. His son is kidnapped and he must battle his way through various NES-themed levels to rescue him. It’s all done with warm affection to Mario, Zelda, Contra and Mega Man.

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Do you like tanks? What about a good ol’ deathmatch? Well, if you answered “yes” to either of those questions, Tanki might be the best online game for you. It looks a bit like an updated Quake – with tanks, of course – with several Deathmatch arenas, some covered in snow, others with various greenery. The goal is very similar to Quake as well: destroy all the tanks. There’s a wide range of turret upgrades, so you can leave enemies cold with the freeze gun, or pound them repeatedly with the dual shot and rail gun, for example.

Maneuvering the tank is a little wonky, but ultimately rewarding. The turret rotates separately from the base so it’s possible to move one way while shooting in a completely different direction, much like a real tank. There are several game variants including Team Deathmatch and Capture The Flag. It looks great, too, kind of like a high-res PS2 or Dreamcast title.

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A lot of popular Steam games and console titles owe their popularity to sites like Miniclip and Newgrounds, hosts to countless free-to-play titles from small studios with marginal publishing budgets. 

Few of these success stories ring as true as Superhot, a first-person shooter developed in Unity where time comes to a standstill when you do, giving you plenty of time to form coherent strategies. In a sense, Superhot blends elements of both popular FPS games with turn-based strategy mechanics, for a genuinely unique and fun browser-based experience.

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It’s eat or be eaten in Slither.io, the HTML5 game where your cursor controls a reptilian long boy (also known as a snake) to eat dots in order to become an even longer boy. It’s much like Pac-Man, in that the goal is to eat as many dots as possible with the ultimate goal of winding up on a leaderboard. The challenge lies in the way of avoiding other snakes, because if you touch one it’s game over.

Your score is measured by the length of your snake, the longest of which, at the time of writing, is about 20,000 points. If your snake makes its way into the top 10, it will then be featured prominently on the leaderboard. There isn’t much nuance beyond that, aside from the fact that you can change the skin outfitting your snake to one of several different colors and styles. It’s a simple game, but one that’s perfect for the workplace due to the lack of clicking required.

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Just like the previously mentioned Superhot, Spelunky has humble origins. First developed by Derek Yu as freeware, then ported to the Xbox 360 in July 2012, the game was then ported to HTML 5 by Darius Kazemi (and made available as a Chrome app). Spelunky may not be visually impressive (it was created in GameMaker after all), but its randomly generated levels and brutal permadeath mechanics make it a modern classic. 

The goal of the 2D platformer is to collect as much loot as possible in a series of underground tunnels. Sounds easy, right? Wrong. Populated by obstacles like traps and enemies of various species, Spelunky’s world is as challenging as it is addictive. 

Luckily, by default, you’re equipped with a whip and your own two feet with which you can besiege enemies. And, if that’s not enough, you can always be resourceful and use surrounding objects as weapons. Good luck.

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Runescape is a free-to-play massively multiplayer online role-playing game, and while it may not seem that important on the surface, it’s actually a huge deal. Documented by the Guinness World Records, Runescape is known as the world’s most popular free MMORPG, with over 200 million registered players. It also has the title of the most frequently-updated game too.

Like many MMOs, the latest version of Runescape – namely Runescape 3 – takes place in a medieval setting, filled with queens, goblins and, perhaps most importantly, dragons (and we can’t forget to mention the chickens). It’s not exactly an example of fine art in terms of its visuals, but for a game that’s been around for over 15 years how could it be?

As long as your browser is rocking some recent version of Java, you’ll be good to start fighting, trading and even playing mini-games with other players in the world of Gielinor. Be careful, though, as Runescape is kind of known for being addictive. And, hey, it’s on mobile devices too, now, so you can take it on the go.

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If you recently played Doom, or are excited by the likes of Wolfenstein II: The New Colossus, you may be wondering how developer id Software got its start. Well, look no further than Wolfenstein 3D. Though it wasn’t the first title to come from superstar duo John Carmack and John Romero, Wolfenstein 3D was essentially the basis of the entire first-person shooter (FPS) genre.

Although it’s a far cry from, well, Far Cry, Wolfenstein 3D is often considered the first true FPS by purists. Kill Nazis and see how gaming has improved since 1994 in this important snippet of history. Experience Wolfenstein 3D for yourself completely free of charge, courtesy of the Internet Archive.

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There are few games as close to their source material as The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy. Created by the writer of the original novel, Douglas Adams, in conjunction with Infocom’s Steve Meretsky, the game is more of a historical relic than a piece of software which stands the test of time. 

A text-based adventure, The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy was originally released in 1984 for Apple II, MS-DOS and Commodore 64, among other platforms. Since it’s only vaguely based on parts of the book, you’re sure to have a unique experience that Douglas Adams so lovingly tailored to us so many years ago.

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On the surface, Spaceplan is yet another repetitive clicking game designed as a means to distract you from the tasks at large. But dust off that geometrical cover and you’ll realize there’s something really special about this game.

If you’re not one for games that take themselves too seriously, Spaceplan is for you. In fact, you spend most of your time fixing a ship using an interface called the “Thing Maker,” which, as the name suggests, lets you build things to repair your ship and navigate through space. Once you get a few “things” up and running, the core game mechanic works on its own.

You’ll spend most of your time waiting as you do other stuff (like your job, for example) as you accumulate watts used to power your things. It’s the perfect game to keep open in another tab to poke at for a few seconds when your boss is looking the other way. The witty dialog is an added bonus.

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Our Instagram feeds may be filled with unicorn bagels, unicorn ice cream, and unicorn hair but the only thing we truly care about is unicorn robots. 

Robot Unicorn Attack is a simple endless-runner that will hold your attention for hours. It’s been popular online for a while and there’s good reason for that – it’s simultaneously stylish and silly, but utterly addictive at the same time. The inclusion of Erasure’s ‘Always’ endlessly looping in the background might have something to do with that: it should be grating but somehow it only improves the game. 

You’ll always want to be with it, and make believe with it, and live in harmony, harmony, and love. 

You’ll find it free to play right here. 

If you’re a fan of indie music, then you’ve probably heard of Japanese Breakfast. This rising star of the indie scene, in promotion of her sophomore album, released this retro-styled turn-based RPG. 

Not only does Japanese Breakquest have great music, as you would expect from a game ostensibly made by a musician, but it also has a ton of cool indie references scattered around that will delight anyone who is a fan of that kind of music.

The game basically expands on the story for Japanese Breakfast’s “Machinist” music video, wherein she is stuck on a spaceship and tries to build a mechanical body for her AI lover. It’s a little bizarre, but it’s lighthearted and fun throughout, and even has midi versions of all of the songs off of her 2017 album “Soft Sounds From Another Planet”

While the game’s target audience might be indie fans, there’s still plenty of charm that will affect anybody who plays it.

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What do you get when you take a classic arcade game and make it controllable entirely through keyboarding skills? That’s right, you get ZType. 

This deceptively brilliant browser game takes the simplistic formula of Asteroids, and replaces the joystick with your keyboard, spitting ships down at you that you can only take out by quickly typing the words attached to them. 

It might sound easy but as the waves get higher and higher, the game only gets more difficult. This means that you’ll need to type quickly (and accurately) in order to make it to the higher levels. Eventually you’ll start getting extremely long words that’ll fire one-letter missiles at you that you have to take out in order to proceed. 

Plus, I mean, you can legitimately use the excuse “it’s educational”. What’s not to love?

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There aren’t a lot of story-driven browser games to choose from, so when one suddenly pops up, our interest is naturally piqued. A Dark Room is an homage to classic text-based adventure games, so its interface is primitive, but intentionally so. 

Initially, the story takes you to a cold room where all you can do is light a fire and keep it going. Meanwhile, the text on the left side of the screen explains everything that’s going on around you, and eventually A Dark Room opens up more ways to interact with its heavy survival-based narrative. 

Along the way, you’ll have to make choices that impact the events that take place in A Dark Room. Likewise, you’ll have to decide whether to keep playing or get back to work.

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These days, its utility is limited to history classrooms for the most part, but The Oregon Trail still has a special place in our hearts. Originally released in 1971, The Oregon Trail was intended as an educational tool for students learning about the very real 19th century pioneers who famously surmounted the non-fictitious Oregon Trail. 

Because it came bundled with the Apple II during the height of its success, The Oregon Trail is primitive in its graphics and gameplay, though it fundamentally operates much like a modern day survival game. You have to collect resources by hunting animals found throughout your journey, which extends from the Kansas River all the way to Willamette Valley.

In the end, the goal is to avoid subjecting yourself to the measles, snakebite, exhaustion, typhoid, cholera or – even worse – dysentery. 

• Play it here

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