Stlouzilla

In ways both good and bad, Sonic Forces is certainly a Sonic game. It features the stylish, blazing fast gameplay that fans of the series love but also the questionable level design and inconsistent quality control that critics often point to. Unsurprisingly, the game is at its best when you're tearing through levels as Sonic (in either his modern or retro form) and at its weakest when you're not. Although the create a character component has some degree of charm to it and it is fun to craft your own anthropomorphic super critter, these levels are just never as fun as the Sonic ones, despite the game's wise decision to mostly keep to speedy gameplay and entirely eschew the slow, plodding platforming of supporting cast in previous games. The story is unintentionally hilarious with dialogue and plot beats that would be cringe worthy if you weren't too busy laughing out loud at them. The tone is completely scatter shot, jumping from flat jokes to mundane chatter and then sometimes even surprisingly dark developments, often all within the same cinematic. The whole Resistance/Knuckle's Army angle feels contrived and by-the-numbers and the introduction of yet another generically named villain is superfluous, even though the character himself isn't that bad. I had some fun with Sonic Forces, and it is by no means a low point for fans of the troubled series, but there is just really no reason to play it when we already got Sonic Mania, a far superior game, earlier this year.

Super Mario Odyssey is every bit as charming, magical, and fun as you've heard. The way the game manages to weave together so many different play styles while still retaining a core consistent feel and quality is remarkable. Every "capture" mechanic is as creative and well-refined as the last, ensuring that what could have been a disjointed gimmick in a lesser game instead repeatedly offers unique and clever variations on platforming and puzzle solving. Playing as Mario himself is as simultaneously tight and fluid as ever and the way some levels transition between 2D and 3D platforming really showcases the best the series has to offer in every dimension. All of the different kingdoms are intriguing and beautiful with tons of secrets to find and space to explore. The different costumes you can collect inject a humorous customization aspect and provides plenty of extra incentive to keep playing and collecting long after the credits roll. Super Mario Odyssey is a masterpiece and manages to stand out and leave a mark even in a franchise crowded with masterpieces.

Sonic Mania is about as good as Sonic gets. As a longtime fan (like...since the very first game), Mania is everything I have wanted out of a Sonic game for the last twenty years. The art, level design, move set, and "feel" are all exactly as they should be in accordance with the original games. So why not a higher score, you may ask? As much as I love this game (and i do), it has forced me to confront a simple reality - Sonic isn't, and never has been, a perfectly refined and polished experience. It's still a lot of fun to zip through levels as the blue blur and marvel at the gorgeous retro pixel art but cheap deaths, confounding slow downs, and unnecessary repetition are just part of Sonic's DNA. Sonic Mania is a well-deserved masterpiece for fans of the character but it isn't a perfect game - and probably never could be.

Playgrounds seems trapped between two worlds. On one hand, it's zany, fun, and relatively accessible compared to the sports-sims games of EA. On the other, it's not as simple or intuitive as the comparisons to NBA Jam may suggest. There is plenty of fun to be had here, and it's a great "pick up and play" game, but with just a little more focus and polish it could have been a much more rewarding experience.

Sonic: Lost World is the definition of mediocrity. While there is nothing flat-out broken or offensive about the game it also doesn't do anything to set itself apart from the hundreds of 3D platformers (including dozens and dozens of Sonic ones) that came before it. Wii U owners looking for a game in the genre should just replay one of the far superior Mario games on the system instead.

Splatoon 2 builds on the strong foundation of the first game but, while it has some welcome tweaks and additions, there are still a few inexplicable missteps that prevent it from being the true killer app for Switch shooter fans it could be. Mostly, it's just that playing and communicating with friends is still cumbersome and inefficient. This is an integral ingredient in the appeal of online gaming for most people, so it's just baffling and frustrating that Nintendo seems resistant to doing it right. Still, Splatoon 2 is a beautiful, creative, frenetic game in both multiplayer and single player experiences. The matchmaking variations are innovative and hectic fun well suited for either casual or competitive play and the new horde/swarm mode, Salmon Run, adds a welcome layer of depth to online options. The single player campaign is reminiscent of some of Nintendo's bests, offering the charm and progression on level to level basis of something like Mario. Splatoon 2 is a great game - with just a few changes, it could have been a superb one.

The groundbreaking creativity of Arms cannot be overstated. Nintendo has managed to innovate a genre nearly as old as the industry itself in a way that completely separates Arms from most fighting games. Ditching the complex button strings and combos of most fighting games, Arms instead utilizes an equipment system (in the way of your boxing gloves), a strategic control to the curve of your punches, and an emphasis on motion and movement to present something entirely unique and fresh. The bold characters and bright, colorful visuals are reminiscent of something like Overwatch and an impressive array of game modes rounds out the package. It's perfect as a casual party game on the go or an intensive competitive online fighter. So far Nintendo has been releasing steady updates for it, and with continued support, Arms could have some real legs for Switch owners.

This is the most overlooked game of 2017 so far in my book. Blaster Master Zero isn't just a wonderful retro tribute, it is a legitimately fantastic "metroidvania" in its own right that deserves to stand alongside the namesake franchises of the genre. With timeless presentation and gameplay, BMZ is just as good now as it would have been twenty years ago. The art, music, and wacky story are all tremendous and unique and the different gameplay modes between the overworld and dungeons adds some nice variety to the action. This game is a true gem on any scale and the fact that it is ten bucks makes it a no-brainer for every Switch owner.

As someone who played a ton of Mario Kart 8 on the Wii U, I was initially skeptical of this repackage and wasn't sure I was going to pick it back up. I'm glad I did because the game is just too good to pass on, even on its second release. MK 8 was already the best entry in the franchise, and Deluxe just builds on, enhances, and polishes everything that makes the game so great. The fact that it is now portable and playable with all of the Switch's different controller options (making local multi extremely convenient) seals the deal.

The innovative controls, addictive gameplay loop, and interesting presentation of Has Been Heroes are all wasted because the game is impossible and most players won't ever get pass the second level. The difficulty can't even be attributed to the "git gud" culture and instead just feels broken and unbalanced. It's a shame because Has Been Heroes had the ingredients to be something special: hopefully they can polish the formula in a patch or sequel.

How much you like Binding of Isaac is going to depend on two things: how its edgy and aggressive aesthetic sits with you and how much you enjoy roguelikes. The game is a great fit for the Switch, as the short nature of the story (win or lose) is perfect for micro-sessions on the go and the roguelike elements inherently make it endlessly replayable.

1-2 Switch is so innovative and unique that it is difficult to rate it relative to other games. To start with, it probably shouldn't have been a full priced release and would likely have been much better received as a bargain game, digital release, or (better still) a launch pack-in. As a collection of mini games of uneven quality, many of which lose their spark after the surprise and novelty wear off after a few plays, 1-2 Switch just can't justify its price tag. The game is intended to be a party game (it's multiplayer only), which it has the potential to excel at - if you have the right crowd. The unorthodox nature of the controls and reliance on in-game audio means it won't work for just anyone or in every situation. Still, there is fun to be had here and some innovative mechanics that make good use of the potential of the hardware.

I had never really played Bomberman before Super Bomberman R, so I had a lot of fun with it just because it was a new and fresh concept to me. I enjoyed the timeless gameplay in both the story campaign and online battle mode but still found myself drifting away from it after about ten hours. What is here is fun but unless you are a Bomberman enthusiast, the light features and repetitive nature of the game make it's hard to justify the price tag.

A perfect score still doesn't even do Zelda: BotW justice. BotW is magical, endearing, ground breaking, powerful, and simply a joy to play. Nintendo's ability to reinvent the LoZ franchise, while simultaneously improving the open world genre so substantially, crafts a masterpiece that stands alongside the best games of all time.

For as good as it is, ZombiU is probably the biggest missed opportunity in the Wii U catalog. The game is inventive, exhilarating, and genuinely scary but drops the ball on the fundamentals. With a little more polish, ZombiU could have been a landmark entry in the Wii U library and a top-notch launch title. Instead, it falls into "play it if you're interested and have time" territory, which is dangerous ground in a genre with so many outstanding choices.

Xenoblade Chronicles X is a grand, epic, and ambitious game that in scope and scale is unlike anything else available on the Wii U. The open world is gigantic, gorgeous, and teeming with life and things to do. The lore and story of the game is interesting enough but is bogged down by wooden presentation and performances. Xenboblade could prove to be a massive time sink for Nintendo fans starved on the open world games that overpopulate other systems but it requires a degree of commitment that can't be overstated. The game takes quite a while to get going (and even longer to REALLY get going) and is so bogged down in obtuse menus, options, and commands that I could never shake the feeling that it wasn't for me - a newcomer to the series and relative novice to this type of "RPG". I could never really figure out even the simplest things like load out customization and the game seems to almost purposefully be unapproachable, offering no real help or guidance to its maze of intricacies. I imagine it's wonderful if you are already accustomed to its system or are the kind of person who reads every word of the direction manual for an appliance but I eventually had to give up and move on to friendlier pastures. Even as someone who sometimes decries the hand holding in a lot of games, the bar for entry and level of investment was just too high when I could be playing something else with all of the depth and none of the headaches.

The Wonderful 101 is that rare Nintendo game that simply didn't resonate with me. The presentation and lore is vibrant and interesting, the core concept is unique and engaging, and the gameplay is innovative and solid but something about it doesn't hit home. The game is very busy and I couldn't get invested to the extent that it seemed to demand. It may sound simple and reductive but I just didn't think the game was very fun.

Wind Waker has always been a controversial and divisive entry in the LOZ series because of its art-style and sailing based exploration. Behind these bullet points is a remarkable Zelda game that is as clever and robust as any entry in the franchise. The HD remaster is truly beautiful and can visually stand alongside any game on the market, despite the fact that the original game was released in 2002. This is a credit to the cel shaded art style which provides a timeless storybook like presentation to the game.

Similar to Mario Kart 8, Super Smash Bros for Wii U. makes up for its lack of innovation by providing the most polished, beautiful, and well-rounded incarnation of the long running franchise. Whether online or on a buddy's couch, SSMB remains one of the best multiplayer experiences on any console. If you have tried Smash Bros before and found it wasn't for you nothing in this game will change that but for fans of the series this installment is nearly perfect.

Super Mario Maker is a groundbreaking achievement for Nintendo that fully realizes the concept and potential of the Wii U platform. The game utilizes the gamepad better than any other title in the system's library and the extent of creative options in the maker mode turns a construction zone into a playground. Mario Maker's reliance on online components is simultaneously the game's biggest strength and downfall - the experience is basically made or broken by the strength of the community.

Super Mario 3D World seems to be a victim of Wii U desolation and New Super Mario Bros. fatigue. The game never received the attention it deserved, which is a shame since it is such an inspired entry into Nintendo's flagship franchise. Everything is as fun, polished, imaginative, and beautiful as one would expect from a Mario game and the couch co-op is about as good as one can get on current systems. The Cat Mario power-up and Bowsermobile are creative and instantly iconic updates to arguably the most recognized characters in gaming - no small feat. With the excellent New Super Mario Bros. U and groundbreaking Super Mario Maker also on the system, it might be easy to overlook Super Mario 3D World but that would be a shame and disservice to any Wii U owner.

Disclaimer: I might be a "mark" for this game. I never understood the negative reception it received and have always thought it was unfairly maligned for its unconventional control system. Admittedly, switching between following the action on the gamepad and TV can be a bit overwhelming at first, but once it catches on it enhances the experience and makes for a memorable and unique experience. Plus, with a little practice it is possible to ignore the gamepad altogether and play just on the TV in classic Star Fox 64 fashion (except during boss fights). Overall, the production and replayability make it a worthy addition to any Wii U library.

Splatoon might be the most underrated franchise of this generation. Nintendo brings their trademark flair and charm to the shooting genre and injects it with fun and personality in a way that only they can. The game launched a little bare-bones but was well supported with updates, additions, and events through time. Splatoon is a powerful addition to Nintendo's pantheon of franchises.

There have been a lot of bad Sonic games over the years but Sonic Boom: Rise of Lyric has to be near the top (or bottom? ) of that list. There is hardly anything redeeming about the game. Wii U owners looking for a Sonic fix would be better served by "Lost World" or just going back to the Wii's "Sonic Colors". Honestly, there is no reason to play this.

Resident Evil: Revelations is a welcome return to form for the survival-horror pioneer after the blockbuster action installments of 4, 5, and 6. The graphics, gameplay, and enemy design do seem a little dated but the claustrophobic and murky atmosphere of the setting imbues the game with a distinct personality.

Pokken Tournament is a much deeper and more complex fighting game than its brand may suggest. This could be a good or bad thing depending on your perspective and experience with the genre, but when averaged with the rest of the Wii U lineup, it is the kind of title the system needs. Pokemon and fighting game fans alike would be doing themselves a favor in giving the game a chance to sink in.

Pikmin 3 is a "killer app" for the Wii U. It is a purely Nintendo experience and offers the kind of creativity, imagination, and quality the company is synonymous with. There is a case to be made that Pikmin is the best post-millennium franchise for Nintendo and Pikmin 3 is arguably the best game in the series. On the surface it may not look like triple A blockbusters on other systems, but make no mistake - Pikmin 3 is the kind of game worth owning a system for.

The story and characters in Ninja Gaiden 3: Razor's Edge are entertaining in a Sy-Fy movie way and the gameplay is fast paced, fluid, and fun. Unbalanced difficulty options drag down what is otherwise a rather enjoyable experience - you are either an unstoppable immortal or a helpless, fragile wimp.

Quite simply, New Super Mario Bros. U is one of the main reasons to own a Wii U. Never mind the naysayers - it is a dramatic jump forward from New Super Mario Bros on the Wii. HD makes the Mushroom Kingdom pop like never before and the levels and gameplay are more perfectly polished and honed than ever. No body makes platform games like Nintendo and NSMBU is the product of a prize runner at their peak.

There is nothing that dramatically separates this from New Super Mario Bros U - Luigi controls a little differently and the courses are centered around speed runs - but it is essentially an expansion pack. That isn't a bad thing considering how fantastic the core game is. Who is going to complain about more **** thing?

I had way more fun with the NES: Remix Pack than I ever would have dreamed. I expected to just spend a few hours over the weekend with it but I was quickly hooked to beating every challenge and even ended up chasing high scores, something I never do in video games. The mini-game approach brings fresh life to the roster of classics and this is the perfect way to be introduced to some lesser known gems in the NES portfolio.

Marvel Avengers: Battle for Earth is a missed opportunity. The art style of the game is striking and the concept of a fighting game featuring Marvel's now all-star cast of characters is more relevant today than it has ever been. Unfortunately, simplistic combat and a gamepad-only presentation (the game does not play on the TV) drags down the whole experience.

The core mechanics of Mario Tennis have potential but there is simply not enough here to justify more than a few hours of entertainment. I can't recall ever seeing such a light return investment on a full priced game.

Mario Party 10 continues the downward spiral of this once proud series as the single cart method of the world board detracts from the board game charm present in earlier entries and the inexplicable reduction of mini games leaves one wondering why they are even playing in the first place.

Mario Kart 8 delivers on the pedigree that has become expected of the franchise and delivers one of the all around most polished and fun experiences available on the Wii U.

Injustice: Gods Among Us is a solid and competent fighter that plays nearly identically to the modern Mortal Kombat games. The cast of DC characters are impressively rendered and realized, and the story mode is surprisingly grim and substantive.

Hyrule Warriors is like tasty junk food for Wii U owners: in terms of gameplay, it really doesn't offer anything outside of the standard Dynasty Warriors formula, but the Legend of Zelda window dressing succeeds in enhancing the whole package to new heights.

Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze is Nintendo platforming at its best. The levels and characters are colorful and beautiful, the controls are tight and intuitive, and the gameplay is consistently engaging. Donkey Kong is a good deal more difficult than the Mario titles, which may be a welcome challenge for Nintendo loyalists.

Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker may be short and simple, but it more than makes up for it in innovation and charm. This 3D puzzle platformer boasts trademark Nintendo design quality, production, and cuteness-factor.

If you have played any CoD game, you know what to expect from Call of Duty: Black Ops II. The game doesn't break any new ground but it is a solid entry in the series and a welcome addition to the Wii U catalog, which is precariously short on competitive online games.

Adventure Time: Explore the Dungeons Because I Don't Know is an unremarkable and boring dungeon crawler that tries to skate by on its license - and even that is squandered in a dull and repetitive presentation.

007 Legends is a dated and clunky first person shooter that will only appeal to hardcore James Bond fanatics - and even they still may be let down by the peculiar and seemingly random selection of source material.