The NES library has north of 700 games on it. That’s a lot, but in terms of successful consoles, it��s kind of in the mid-range. It still makes it difficul??t to choose any number of the best games. That’s probably why no one has been brave enough to make a Top X NES games list. I’m not s??aying I’m the bravest person in the world, but I am saying I have no shame.

One thing to note is that while I’ve played a staggeringly wide range of the NES library, I haven’t played everything. For example, I haven’t played Bases Loaded 3, and I’m open to the possibility that it’s the a??pogee of the NES library. This also isn’t about which games were most popular or influential. That’s another topic. These ones are the best fo?r a myriad of other reasons.

I’m also not including Famicom exclusives, though I’d love to. If I was, just know that Metal Max would be stomping all over these games. That and Kunio-Kun. But, alas, here are the top 18 NTSC NES games.

18. Super Mario Bros. (1985)

I mentioned that this is not a list of the most influential games on the console because, if it was, Super Mario Bros. would top it each time. The NES is essentially a console built on the back of Super Mario Bros., a??nd it's impossible to overstate its impact ?on console games.

Also, it's still an extremely fun game. While its vintage ensures that the gameplay remains rather basic with little variet??y in enemies and obstacles, it makes up for it with sheer creativity in its level design. From World 1 to World 8, it stretches its mechanics in new and interesting ways. Improvements in the technology within NES cartridges would enable its predecessors to push new boundaries, the original?? holds its own through sheer craftsmanship.

17. Maniac Mansion (1990)

NES ports of home computer games were often rather lackluster due to differences in capabilities. However, it feels like no compromise has been made with the NES port of Lucasarts' seminal point-and-click adventure, Maniac Mansion.

What makes Maniac Mansion such a unique and exciting game among point-and-click titles is the more freeform nature of solving its puzzles. You select three characters and your path to the finish line changes depending on the combination you put together. The time it takes to get from start to finish in this game is extremely short, but it's unlikely you'll reach it on your first attempt. Maniac Mansion is a game that you'll play over and over, and su?rprisingly for a point-and-click adventure, it remains fun each time.

16. Mega Man 6 (1993)

You're probably expecting to see at least one or two Mega Man games on this list. If multiple mega men are listed, you are probably expecting two specific titles to be here. I'm not going to spoil it, but Mega Man 6 is my choice for the second-best in the series. To be fair, all six titles are pretty much just one game rep?eated, but each brings i??ts own wrinkles that either add to or detract from the series.

What Mega Man 6 adds it the ability to couple the blue bomber with his d??og in a number of transformations that remain unique to the series. What it detracts is essentially any challenge. It has some great levels with branching pathways enabled by the Rush transformations.?? However, it also has no teeth. It's up to you whether or not diminished challenge bothers you, but for me, it's not all that much.

15. Duck Tales (1989)

While we have some big-named licensed games these days, most games based on movies or cartoons during the 8-bit years weren’t very good. Some of them were extraordinarily terrible. Capcom, on the other hand, had a good track record for making some terrific games based on Disney licenses. One of their early endeavors was Duck Tales.

There were a lot of directions you could go with a game based on Duck Tales, since it wasn’t purely an action show. Capcom chose to do hop-and-bop with a twist. You play as Scrooge McDuck who can somehow use his cane as a pogo stick, allowing him to eli?minate enemies. The platforming was fine, but the real treasure was, er, searching for treasure. Not only were you rewarded with gems for messing with the environments, but there were also secret treasures located in each stage.

14. Super Mario Bros. 2 (1988)

Originally released in 1987 on the Famicom Disk System as Yume Kōjō: Dokidoki Panic, Nintendo tweaked and rebranded it as a Mario game for North America because the real Super Mario Bros. 2 is kind of butt. It’s difficult, but in a really unfair and?? cruel way.

The Super Mario Bros. 2 that we got is a whimsical game about throwing dudes into other dudes. It doesn’t have much in common with the original game, but if you didn’t know about the Japanese release, you probably wouldn’t guess. It’s a challenging platformer with a jaunty soundtrack. It is, in my opinion, better than even the first game and miles better than the Super Mario Bros. 2 Japan received.

13. Kirby’s Adventure (1993)

I often say that I enjoy the idea of the Kirby, but don’t necessarily love the games. Kirby’s Adventure is an exception to ??that. It was a late release in 1993, and it kind of shows. Beyond having a lot ??of technical trickery, Kirby was given the ability to consume his enemies and adopt their powers. It’s not a terribly difficult game but it manages to be entertaining the whole way through.

12. Metroid (1986)

I totally get that some people don’t dig the original Metroid. The floaty controls, annoying enemies, and unforgiving life system can really be abrasive when you first approach the game and don’t get me started on the massive passwords you use to save your progress.

However, if you get acclimated to the enormous friction Metroid puts up front, there’s a lot to like underneath. It’s a challenging game with a great ??progression. It was also very influential, with the impact of its gated exploration formula being immediately felt on the console. It can be hard to get into today, but it’s still worthwhile.

11. Castlevania 3: Dracula’s Curse (1989)

Not far off from the original is Castlevania 3: Dracula’s Curse. Some would probably rank this one above the original, but I feel it has some areas where it’s not nearly as tightly designed. Difficulty is one such area, as changes were made in the North American version that aren’t in the Japanese version, Akumajou Densetsu. In particular, the damage the player takes is more of a linea??r increase and is less fair.

Nonetheless, Castlevania 3 contains a lot of the original’s terrific sense of style and control. It adds branching routes to the end, multiple characters to recruit and partner with, and a better variety of obs??tacles and challenges. All in all, it’s a great follow-up.

10. Super Mario Bros. 3 (1988)

This is going to be the top pick for a lot of people, and it’s here because I do love Super Mario Bros. 3; it just doesn’t get my thighs grinding. There’s a lot to love about it, though. For one thing, it plays like something that belongs to another console generation, effortlessly pulling off 4-way scrolling and fast movement. The level of variety on hand is insane, the level design is practically in a class of its own, and there’s a tonne of extras and secrets tucked away. Decades later, it still stands as one of the plumber’s best house calls. The fact that there’s such a night and day difference between Super Mario Bros. 3 and the first Super Mario Bros. while them b?oth belonging to the same console is impressive.

9. Dragon Warrior (1986)

You can feel free to substitute your personal favorite Dragon Warrior (or Dragon Quest) game, but the original still feels the best to me. I prefer its simplicity and open design. Final Fantasy and the three subsequent games in the Dragon Warrior series take the formula in int?eresting directions, but if this list tells you anything, it’s that I value focus and polish over scale.

I love the twists Dragon Warrior throws at you, and I’m happy it can be completed in, like, ten hours. Its cheerful design makes it a bit more inviting than CRPGs at the time, and its simplicity makes it a great fit for consoles. Really, I love the complete NES run of Dragon Warrior games, but if I? had to pick just one, it’s the original.

8. Contra (1988)

In arcades, Contra was a merciless quarter-muncher. It was difficult to see even a fraction of it without giving up most of your allowance. In its home 8-bit form, it’s still extremely brutal, but at least it took all your money upfront. Contra on the NES is the seminal run-and-gun shooter, and it made a home for the series on console. It’s smooth, easily readable, varied, and nicely polished. Plus, its soundtrack is pretty kicki??ng on top of it.

Contra would be followed up by Super C, which is fine but not quite as excellent as the first. This would lead to console-exclusive titles in the series, like Contra 3: The Alien Wars and Contra: Hard Corps. None of those are as good as Metal Slug, but we had to start somewhere.

7. Batman (1989)

Batman: The Video Game has very little to do with Batman the 1989 movie. It has more to do with Ninja Gaiden and Castlevania, but you play as purple Batman and spend most of your time in sewers fighting robots.

The thing about Batman is that it’s like Ninja Gaiden if it was better designed. There?’s wall jumping and gadget throwing, but it never resorts to simply spamming enemies at ?you and completely changing the rules just to screw you over. It’s one of the most difficult games I’ve completed, but I feel like I earned it. Learning to time those jumps in the clock tower, mastering everything on the utility belt, and somehow toppling Joker made for a satisfying conquest.

6. Mega Man 2 (1988)

The first Mega Man title sold in North America about as well as a box of live wasps. Thankfully, Capcom reluctantly green-lit a sequel, and even more thankfully, they tried it again over here. With an easier difficulty and uglier box art. Look, Mega Man 2 is already one of the breezier of the original 8-bit titles, but if you’re playing on “Normal�?difficulty, it’s stripped of all challenge. The inappropriately named “difficult�?is the way the Gods of Thumbs intended, and I’m not just saying that as a flex. It’s actually equ??ivalent to the Famicom version’s setup.

When you’re on the proper difficulty, Mega Man 2 has it all. Great soundtrack, solid level design, and memorable boss battles. A lot of people prefer Mega Man 3 to this title, but I think that’s bupkiss. Mega Man 3 is too long, and I find it has the visual flavor of wallpaper?? paste. Awesome opening song, though.

5. Punch-Out!! (1987)

I respect Punch-Out!! because I feel it’s a solid idea perfectly executed. Technically, it’s a port of a game that was released in arcades years earlier, but the mere fact that it was refocused to not just being a quarter-munching monster makes it a lot more enjoyable on console. As long as you’re on a setup without horrendous input lag, the visual cues and timing all make for a perfect challenge. Well, until you get into the top tier of? boxers. I still can’t actually topple Mike Tyson, because when my attention span faces off against consistently getting my ass kicked, my attention span never makes it three rounds.

4. The Legend of Zelda (1986)

I often associate the original Legend of Zelda as the game that got me into gaming. I was extremely young at the time, but watching my father play through it gripped my mind. However, there are a lot of formative games from my youth that I rarely return to, and Legend of Zelda isn’t one of them. For whatever reason??, I’ve developed a habit of returning to it almost annually for another playthrough.

Zelda had a massive impact on the direction of game development, but, as I’ve stated, this list isn’t about influence. Stripped of that, The Legend of Zelda is an open game that respects your abilities as an inquisitive human. Maybe a bit too much, but somehow I was able to figure out which bushes to burn, and that’s my mind isn’t letting that g?o.

3. River City Ransom (1989)

With the severe graphical memory limitations of the NES, beat-’em-ups were a tricky genre to pull off. However, we did get a few gems, including some of the most ubiquitous ports of the Double Dragon and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles games. Those are fine, but I think Technos�?weird experiment in the Kunio-Kun series stands as the best.

Upgrading your character through food and items, River City Ransom has as much to do with shopping as it does with fighting. When fists go up, it becomes a ridiculous brawl, taking full advantage of its e??xpressive art style. It’s one of the few games I can name that allows you to use the second playe??r as a weapon.

I would include more Nekketsu/Kunio-Kun games on this list if they weren’t Famicom exclusive. Check out the Double Dragon & Kunio-Kun: Retro Brawler Bundle if you’d like a taste of what we missed in the w?est.

2. Gun*Nac (1990)

The NES had some great shoot-’em-ups in its library, though many of them were ports of arcade titles, and many more didn’t even make the journey to our front-loaders. Gun*Nac is a major exception, and it’s easily the best on the console.

Featuring amazingly fast scrolling and near-flicker-free graphics, it’s a technical masterpiece. To add to that is an unending variety of enemies and a slew of weapons and bombs to clear the screen. Gun*Nac is unbelievably robust, especially considering its 8-?bit trappings. If you haven’t tried it or even heard of it, you’re missing out.

1. Castlevania (1986)

There’s no question in my mind that Castlevania is the best game on the NES. From both an aesthetic and design standpoint, it’s flawless. Featuring tightly refined controls, perfect enemy placement and behavior, a stiff but fair challenge, and a surprising amount of variety, I still consider it to be the best in the series and on the system. Considering the Castlevania series already has enough banger titles to fill its own highly subjective top 18 list, I think that says it all.

Don’t think this is an off-the-cuff decision, either. When my NES library explorations finally reached Castlevania, I knew I had reached the peak. Now that I’ve dug even further, I’m even more certain of it. Castlevania is what 8-bit perfection looks like.

Related: View this complete list of all NES games o??n Listium and below. Save your favorites, mark your wishlist items, and?? more.

The post Top 18 best NES games of all time, ranked appeared first on Destructoid.

The most expensive PS2 games in existence are likely titles you've never heard of as they've had such limited runs in the market. They may have also launched late into the life cycle of the classic video game system like Silent Hill: Shattered Memories, w?hich launched in 2010, a decade a?fter the PS2 was released.

Note: This information is based on UK store CeX's pricing. All prices are from the mint versions if provided.

10. Forbidden Siren 2

Publisher: Sony Computer Entertainment (SIE)
Release Date: February 9, 2006
Price on CeX: £190

Forbidden Siren 2 is an intriguing horror game that features multiple protagonists that switch. Unfortunately, this game didn't make it to North American stores but it did receive a release in Asia, Europe, and Australia. "Forbidden Siren 2 is very nearly the greatest survival horror game yet made, but every time we start to fall in love with it, the game trips over its own shoelaces and leaves us somewhat embarrassed to be seen with it," said GamesRadar's review. It's likely because of its own quirks that it became so hard to find a copy and wasn't av??ailable? to Americans.

9. The Silent Hill Collection

Publisher: Konami
Release Date: April 21, 2006
Price on CeX: £220

This Silent Hill collection comes with three beloved (and expensive) games: Silent Hill 2, Silent Hill 3, and Silent Hill 4: The Room. The PS2 collection may still have a lot of value because the PS3 HD compilation was received poorly, and it doesn't include the fourth game. Destructoid gave it a terrible 3/10 score in its review. "No matter how engaging these games still are to play, there’s no escaping the fact that the games on this disc are significantly inferior versions, and for Konami to fail at publishing enhanced versions of such old games is a total embarrassment," said the review. "While newcomers won’t notice the missing visual elements, such broken audi?o is tough for anybody to forgive."

8. The Getaway (Limited Edition)

Publisher: Sony Computer Entertainment
Release Date: December 11, 2002
Price on CeX: £250

Limited to just 1,000 copies, The Getaway's limited edition is hard to get your mitts on. From eBay listings and YouTube videos, it seems like this version of the game only has a silver tint to the game's box and disc that makes it stand out. The poster that comes inside is included with every copy of The Getaway.

7. Armored Core: Last Raven

Publisher: FromSoftware/Agetec/505 Games
Release Date: August 4, 2005
Price on CeX: £260

Armored Core: Last Raven is the eleventh game in the series and Hidetaka Miyazaki's first project with FromSoftware before directing the legendary Souls franchise. It is an important entry as Last Raven ends the storyline that begins in the third installment. 505 Games and Agetec weren't the biggest publ?ishers of video games, so it makes sense there may be a scarcity of copies out there, upping the price.

6. Samurai Western

Publisher: Spike/Atlus/505 Games
Release Date: January 1, 2005
Price on CeX: £270

Samurai Western is just as it sounds. You play a samurai roaming the Wild West with sword in hand. You're deflecting bullets and rampaging through the game, slicing up foes, in search of your lost brother. The game, published by Atlus, doesn't have the best reputation with a 58 Metacritic rating. "The aesthetics and the arcade-style gameplay can feel very enjoyable if spread out over an appropriate amount of time, but it has to be said that the majority of people who might pick up Samurai Western will find it supremely mediocre," said our coverage of the game.

5. Rule of Rose

Publisher: Sony Computer Entertainment/Atlus/505 Games/Digital Bros
Release Date: January 19, 2006
Price on CeX: £420

Another Atlus game that has seen obscurity, due to its price, is Rule of Rose. It was once far more expensive but strangely, a few new copies were found in the wild, bringing down its price. Rule of Rose is a psychological horror game that? was critically panned across the board but has g??ained the attention of retro content creators over the past few years.

"Rule of Rose is an emotionally tormenting experience, both in regards to playing and interpreting it," said Zoey Handley for Destructoid. "I can’t comment about how scary it might be because of my aforementioned virtual fearlessness, but I can cer??tainly say that it’s an unsettling, uncomfortab??le, and moving experience."

4. Silent Hill: Shattered Memories

Publisher: Konami
Release Date: January 19, 2010
Price on CeX: £465

Silent Hill: Shattered Memories might be the most notable game in this list as Silent Hill is a popular horror franchise, especially within the PS2 era. Originally a Wii game, it launched on the PS2 and PSP on January 19, 2010, which makes this one of the last games to launch on the system. This likely caused a lower distribution of copies as it was an aging platform. This is an interesting entry in the series as it was designed and written by Her Story developer Sam Barlow. Shattered Memories' PS2 version has a decent 77 Metacritic score.

3. Michigan: Report from Hell

Publisher: Spike/505 Games
Release Date: August 5, 2004
Price on CeX: £575

Developed by Suda51 studio Grasshopper Manufacture, Michigan: Report from Hell is a survivor horror game that has you playing through the first-person perspective of a cameraman. You can even see the battery symbol and the timing of the filming in the corners of the screen. 505 Games, like many of the games published on this list, likely didn't produce as many copies as EA or Activision at the time, possibly due to budget and this being extremely niche. Ironically, Michigan: Report from Hell never saw an American release but i??t did come out in Europe and Japan.

2. Kuon

Publisher: Agetec/FromSoftware/Indie Games Productions
Release Date: April 1, 2004
Price on CeX: £750

Yet another horror game makes the list, and Kuon is indeed one of the most expensive PS2 games. Developed by the Elden Ring studio FromSoftware, Kuon has you exploring a creepy Japanese castle in Kyoto, Japan. The game? has three different protagonists, who each ??have a role to play in the gruesome narrative.

"It's atmospheric, creepy, and sloooooow, even by survival horror standards," said Game Informer's review, according to Metacritic. It has a 57 Metacritic score, but it has found some fans with a Generally Favorable user score. "The atmosphere and aesthetic are second to none and the storytelling/lore is, in typical From Software fashion, masterful," said one person on the website Verified-Dream.

1. Gun Club

Publisher: Crave Entertainment/505 Games
Release Date: October 2, 2006
Price on CeX: £800

The most expensive PS2 game, at least in the UK, is Gun Club (NRA Gun Club in the United States). It is a Jarhead Games-developed title that was endorsed by the gun-activist organization NRA and then found its way to some European territories, thanks to 505 Games. It received horrible reviews from critics in 2006. "This is the sort of hastily slapped-together game that should have been a free bonus for subscribing to the NRA newsletter or something," said GameSpot's 1.6/10 review. This game's fairly ine??xpensive in the United States, but it's costly in the United Kingdom as the release was so s??carce in the area.

The post Top 10 most expensive PS2 games in the UK, ranked appeared first on Destructoid.

The UK-based Booker Prize has been going for decades. It was started in 1969 by the wholesale distributor Booker Group Limited. If you're not familiar, it's an annual literature event that declares one judge-picked novel as the "best work of sustained fiction of the year, written in English and published in the UK or Ireland," as the Wikipedia page puts it.

Currently, winners are awarded a cash prize of £50,000 (just over $60,000), plus a trophy and no ??doubt a pretty steep uptick in sales. Now, if you've heard of this prestigious honor, but have never checked it out, it can seem a bit daunting knowing which books to read to get an idea of what makes a prize-winning novel in the charity's eyes.

This is where I come in. I've been foll??owing the Booker Prize for a few years now, and I felt it high time to give a list of novels to start off with. Many of these are simply personal recommendations, but there are also those that are generall??y regarded as fantastic stories in their own right. There will be some crossover in that, as well as some which I haven't read myself, but whose reputation is widespread. This list will also contain a mixture of winners and those that were shortlisted but are still worthy of note in the literary community.

With that, here are 10 Booker Prize novels I feel represent a good range to start with if you're thinking of checking the award out. These are not ??necessarily in any specific order. Of course, given that there have been hundreds of winners and those shortlisted over the years, 10 is only a tiny slice of what's out there.

Orbital - Samantha Harvey (2024 winner)

While it's tempting to suggest starting with the very first winner, I'm going to go the opposite route and recommend the most recent one. In 2024, Samantha Harvey won the Booker Prize with her short yet emotionally deep novel, Orbital.

It tells the story of six astronauts on board the International Space Station. The entire plot takes place over the course of 16 Earth orbi?ts, which is the equivalent of one day to us here on terra firma. However, don't be fooled into thinking it's an action-packed sci-fi novel about peril or a deadly alien that hunts the crew in a game of cat-and-mouse.

One thing you'll quickly learn about the Booker Prize is nominees are not known for being high-octane page-turners. They are often more introspective, emotional, or help encapsulate a milieu of the time. In this instance, Orbital is a beautifully written account of?? six people floating in space who are equal parts bonded, while also experiencing feelin??gs of loneliness.

The Handmaid's Tale - Margaret Atwood (shortlisted in 1986)

Here is one t??hat many of you will already be familiar wi?th. The TV adaptation alone will ring bells with a few of you, but I'd wager plenty out there have read the book, either originally or because of its resurgence over the last few years.

Margaret Atwood's chilling novel �?which didn't win the Booker Prize??, but was at least shortlisted �?imagines a dystopian society in which women are considered nothing more than breeders. Its feminist resistance symbolism is something that continues to resonate with many readers. Its recent popularity during President Trump's first term is probably not ??a coincidence, and I dare say the book will continue to sell over the next four years.

Atwood herself is something of a literary superstar. She has been nominated for the Booker Prize an impressive six times, up there with such giants as Iris Murdoch and Ian McEwan. She won in 2019 with the sequel The Testaments, sharing the win with Bernardine Evaristo's Girl, Woman, Other (more on that later).

Wolf Hall - Hilary Mantel (2009 winner)

Here's one I haven't read myself yet, but, much like The Handmaid's Tale, has been given new life in th??e limelight thanks to a successful adaptation. This is one for history enthusiasts, no doubt, with smatterings of British politics thrown in, all set in Tudor England in the 1500s.

The story takes place during Henry VIII's reign, with particular focus on the infamous politician Thomas Cromwell, whose influence on the monarchy is of great historical significance. Wolf Hall is also part of a trilogy, with Bring up the Bodies being published in 2012 and The Mirror and the Light releasing in 2020.

Sadly, Hilary Mantel passed away in 2022 from complications brought on by a stroke. However, she leaves behind a h??ealthy body of work, along with numerous accolades and prizes, including a Walter Scott Prize (2010), a UK Author of the Year Award (2012), and the Companion of Literature (2020), among others.

The Remains of the Day - Kazuo Ishiguro (1989 winner)

I read this one very recently, which I thi?nk is what prompted me to start this list. It's been on my TBR for some time, and I, rather shamefully, only acquired a copy of it about a year ago, despite knowing how highly regarded this ??modern classic is.

It's often considered one of the greatest English novels in recent history. And I intend the word "English" in all its stiff u??pper lip glory. Ishiguro's ??1989 winner asks the reader to step into the shoes of an aging butler, Stevens, who serves his Lordship at Darlington Hall. Stevens is permitted to take time away, to drive across the English countryside. During the course of this journey, he reflects on his time as a butler over the decades. His prim and proper manner and loyalty to Lord Darlington seem at odds with an ever-changing world in post-WW2 Britain.

The Remains of the Day is definitely one of tho??se Booker Prize-winning novels that, on the surface, is lacking in what you might call a plot. But its genius comes from its main character, its impeccable writing, and an unraveling of the past that allows the reader to see into the life of Stevens' employer. Also, there's a Merchant Ivory film based on it ??that stars Sir Anthony Hopkins. Must check that out, as well.

Life of Pi - Yann Martel (2002 winner)

I can hear what you're thinking: "pretty much all of these books have been adapted to film or TV. Why not just ?watch them instead?" Well, in a lot of instances, there's a reason why books make it to the big screen. Their stories resonate with people, which is what prize-winning novels are supposed to do, I'd argue. Plus, if you're scrolling through this article, chances are you're looking for something new to read anyway.

Life of Pi barely needs any introduction. Winning the Booker Prize in 2002, Martel's literary masterpiece effectively centers around unreliable narration. When a cargo ship sinks, 16-year-old Pi barely escapes alive and now must share a lifeboat with a tiger named Richa??????????????????????????rd Parker, a female orangutan, a hyena, and a zebra.

To me, Ang Lee's film doesn't do the novel a great amount of justice. It's fine, but ??it's a classic case of the book being bette??r. But you are right, hypothetical critical reader. I shouldn't count on this list being made up entirely of stories that have been adapted.

The Sellout - Paul Beatty (2016 winner)

Given that the Booker Prize is based in the UK, and champions books published in Britain, it may be a little off-putting to readers who aren't from ol' Blighty. However, it should be noted that non-UK authors can b?e nominated, which includes the afor?ementioned Yann Martel and Margaret Atwood (both of whom are Canadian).

However, over the years, the prize has opened its doors to even more writers, and Paul Beatty's The Sellout is worthy of note for this reason. For starters, it's the first novel by a US author to win the award. For another, in my eyes at least, it's proof that you don't? have to write something highbrow, dense, or otherwise dry.

That's not to say The Sellout isn't sophisticated, but it's one of the few Booker Prize novels (at least from what I've read) that's actually funny. Not "droll" funny. Funny-funny. Comical, even. Its biting satire on race relations in the US is what creates its humor, as the novel's protagonist seeks to reintroduce slavery. Don't worry. It's ??not as contentious as it sounds. It wouldn't have been a winner if it was even the slightest bit problematic.

A Horse Walks Into a Bar - David Grossman (2017 winner)

Speaking of humor, David Grossman's 2017 winning novel strongly suggests from the title alone that ??the reader is in for some yucks. However, despite the story taking place almost entirely in a comedy club �?with the occasional flashback �?the jokes from the onstage comedian are basically a side product. In all honesty, the book isn't really about being funny.

Set in an Israeli town, A Horse Walks Into a Bar has us witness stand-up comic Dovaleh unveil a dark side of his past over the course of his set. Although he begins with some Middle Eastern jokes, it quickly mak?es way for the meat of his being there.

Many of us will have been in the room when a comedian is bombing on stage, or at least it's not going quite to plan, so it's interesting to see this in book form. Grossman almost forces us to bear witness to the emotional turmoil of Dovaleh, which is equal parts encapsulating, evocative of empathy, and a little bit hard to watch (or read, rather) as well. It should also be noted that this actuall??y won the International Booker Prize, but I'm still counting it.

Girl, Woman, Other - Bernardine Evaristo (2019 winner)

I mentioned earlier how Evaristo's novel shared the 2019 Booker Prize with Atwood's The Testament. It must have been a difficult choice to make for them to settle on two novels (I must admit, I thought Salman Rushdie's Quichotte was a shoo-i??n, but I digress). Sadly, this is another one I have yet to read. But it's on my shelf at least, I swear.

Girl, Woman, Other is an important novel in terms of its portrayal of race and class in Britain. The stor??y follows 12 characters over the course of many decades, who are embroiled in a search for meaning, a search for somewhere to call home, tryin??g to fit in, and their personal relationships.

It being a winner in 2019 is not a coincidence. At a time when Britain (and, indeed, the rest of the world) is talking about identities, Evaristo's critically acclaimed novel touches on some key subjects, particularly when it comes to ethnicity. This, too, has been adapted into a TV series. I know, I know. I said I was going to try to avoid that sort of thing going forward, but there's no denying that Girl, Woman, Other is a Booker Prize winner that has a lot of significance in our modern? age.

The Sea, The Sea - Iris Murdoch (1978 winner)

We've looked at quite a few novels that I would consider to be pretty recent. From 2024's Orbital to 2002's Life of Pi, many of the ones I've?? talked about so far only really cover a small timeline of the prize's history. So I thought I'd introduce ?something a little more vintage.

Don't get me wrong. I'm not just pulling something out of a hat to tick a "more than two decades old" box. Iris Murdoch's The Sea, The Sea (so good they named it twice?) is typically held aloft as a literary tour de force. And much like many of the other novels listed here, it's described as a wholly relatable story. It should also not be confused with John Banville's The Sea, which won the Booker in 2005.

Murdoch's 1978 book centers around Charle?s Arrowby, who's retired from the theatrical world.?? His attempts to chronicle his life in a memoir are thwarted when he encounters his childhood sweetheart. It's a tale about obsessions and relationships, all against the backdrop of an idyllic seaside locale.

Midnight's Children - Salman Rushdie (1981 winner + 1993 Booker of Bookers + 2008 Best of the Booker)

Before his infamous run-in with the then-Ayatollah, who issued a fatwa (literally a "death warrant") on the author after the publication of Satanic Verses in 1988, Salman Rushdie was already one to watch out for on the literary scen?e.

From the title above, you can already see that Midnight's Children wasn't just a Booker Prize-winning novel. It's essentially considered the best-ever book to win the prestigious awar?d. Considering some of the alumni that have been shortlisted and/or have won over the decades, that's a claim that only Rushdie has in terms of the Booker Prize. And for good reason.

Its epic tale of India's independence in 1947 is intertwined with the birth of the Prime Minister's child, Saleem Sinai. Its magical realism is what Rushdie would become well known for, even during his time in exile, and its lofty themes and phenomenal writing are what make the novel such a standout amongst all the ones that have come about since 1969. It's a bit more dense than some of the others listed here, but there's a reason it's considered the best the Booker Prize has to offer.

The post 10 novels to get you into the Booker Prize appeared first on Destructoid.

Pokémon has launched some fantastic promotional events, but one of the most popular is their McDonald's Happy Meal Pokémon Trading Card promotions. For over a decade, McDonald's has released exclusive sets of Pokémon tra?ding cards, and they're renewing the tradition with a ??new set of Dragon-themed cards.

Pokémon fans get excited whenever McDonalds rolls out a new set of cards, and they have a good reason to. Not only do McDonald's cards feature unique art, but they're never reprinted after the promotion ends. Once they're gone, the?y're gone.

Thanks to this, McDonald's exclusive Pokémon cards inevitably become some of the rarest cards in their owner's decks and some of the most expensive in the collecting circuit. Here are the most valuable McDonald's Pokémon promo cards of all time, ranked by price.

Top 10 most valuable McDonald's Pokémon promo cards of all time

2002 Japanese McDonald’s Holo e-Card Sneasel

• eBay Cost: 399.99

Sneasel is a fantastic representative of the Dark type. It's a mischievous egg thief who loves to play with its food,? and that personality shines through in its 2002 McDonald's card.

Sneasel's McDonald's card costs around $399.99. A few other McDonald's cards cost the same, but I thou??ght Sneasel was the coolest in this category, vague as it may be.

2002 Japanese McDonald’s Holo e-Card Slowpoke

• eBay Cost: $400.00

I like Slowpoke, and I think most people do, too. This Water/Psychic-type is so chill they don't even mind it if you cut their tails of??f, and both its evolutions, the bulky Slowbro and the more offensive Slowking, are solid editions to most teams. The 2002 e-card's art puts Slowpoke's innate charm on a pedestal, wrapping the Dopey Pokémon in a halo of radiant light.

The most expensive 2002 holographic e-card slowpoke I fou?nd is being sold for $400.00, but I saw others priced be?tween $100 and $200.

2023 McDonald's Silver Border Holo Pichu

eBay Cost: $500.00

Pichu is adorable, and it's easily my favorite baby Pokémon. While it's often over-shadowed by its evolution, Pichu ranks pretty high on most "cutest Pokémon lists," and its? 2002 McDonald's card hammers that home with some sweet artwork.

This card costs $500.00. Not bad for such ??a little guy, is it?

2002 Japanese McDonald's Holo e-Card Donphan

• eBat cost: 549.99

Thanks to its appearance in Pokémon: The First Movie, Donphan was many Pokemon fans' introduction to Johto, and it remains one of my personal favorite Gen 2 Pokemon. The artwork on the 2002 holographic e-card, which shows Donphan sitting in confusion after he smashed thro?ugh a wall, sums up the Armor Pokémon's personality pretty well.

Donphan's 2002 holographic e-card is currently selling for $549.99. At halfway to $1000, thi?s card is more valuable than many ivory products, which is good because why would you want to buy?? stuff like that, anyway?

2002 Japanese McDonald’s Holo e-Card Squirtle

• eBay Cost: 830.00

Squirtle was many Pokémon fans' first-ever Starter Pokemon, and its fully-evolved form, Blastoise, remains one of the best pure Water types in the series. The 2002 holograp??hic e-card shows Squirtle sitting back and blowing a bubble, which aligns well with the personality of? Ash's Squirtle in the anime.

2002 holographic e-card Squirtles vary in price pretty wildly, even by Pokémon trading card standards. EBay's most expensive card variant sells for $830.00. People love their holo??graphic tur??tles.

2002 Japanese McDonald’s Holo e-Card Charmander

eBay Cost: $1,000.00

Charmander is one of those Pokémon everyone knows. Its final evolution, Charizard, is the most popular Pokemon ever, and it is many players' starter of choice in Pokémon Red and Blue. With a snazzy flaming background, McDonald's 2002 Cha??rmander card is one of the? best.

The cost of this card fluctuates widely, but in mi??nt condition, it's selling for $1000.00. It's not a??s expensive as some original holographic Charizards, but that's still an impressive price tag.

2002 Japanese McDonald’s Holo Umbreon

eBay Cost: $1,238.

Umbreon has always gotten it good in the trading cards department. The artwork on its cards is always stylish and expressive, and the 2002 McDonald's card is no exception. The sight of Umbreon sunning i?tself on the roof of a seaside city is as charming as it is ??imposing.

I found many 2002 McDonald's Umbreons on the Internet, and they had many different price tags attached to them. The highest, listed abov?e, was a mint-condition card priced at $1,238.60. When you shoot for the moon, bring a thick wallet.

2002 Japanese McDonald’s Holo e-Card Pikachu

• eBay Cost: $1,250.00

Even people who aren’t Pokémon fans know about Pikachu, and its trading cards are always one of the most appealing. The 2021 McDonald’s card is an excellent example of this. Look at that smug little mug! He knows how cute h??e is!

At $1,250.00, the 2021 Pikachu Mcdonald’s card is one of the?? most expensive pieces of Pikachu merchandise I’ve ever seen. El?ectric mouses aren't cheap.

2013 French McDonald’s Holo Umbreon

• eBay Price: $1,999.99

McDonald's brought some awesome Pokémon cards to France in 2013, but none were as impressive as the Umbreon card. Umbreon and the night sky have always gone together like peanut butter and chocolate, and this card is the perfect union of Pokémon and backdrop.

French Pokemon c?ards are a rarity, and this one’s got the price to prove it. At one cent short of $2,000, only one other card beats this one in value.

2005 Japanese McDonald’s Holo e-Card Mew

• eBay Cost: $2,000.00

Mew is one of the most beloved Legendary Pokémon. Its cute design, status as the genetic ancestor of all Pokemon, and the gestalt of rumors that there's a legitimate way to catch it in the original Pokemon Red and Blue have helped the New Species Pok??émon reach cult status a?mong Pokemon fans. Mew's 2002 holographic e-card artwork represents its mysterious aura perfectly.

The most expensive mint 2005 holographic Mew e-card I found cost $2,?000. If your budget can handle it, thi?s card's a great collectible for any Mew enthusiast.

The post The most valuable McDonald ?Pokemon promo cards of all time appeared first on Destructoid.

Founded in late Dece?mber 1990 in the UK, Team 17 is one of the oldest game developers and publishers that is still active today. They have released all kinds of games across several decades. But which might ??be the best Team 17 games of all time? We list our favorites in this ranking.

Which are the best Team 17 games?

Team 17 managed to get through the 16-bit, 32-bit, and 64-bit eras unscathed, and the company is still releasing quite successful and memorable titles today. We have thirty-five years of games to go through, so there are definitely a lot of games that h??ave been forgotten an?d, perhaps, justly so. But which ones might still be worth taking a look at? Here are our picks.

10. Yoku's Island Express

Among the many early games released in the first year of release of the Nintendo Switch, Yoku's Island Express probably stands alone as being one of the most unique. In a refreshing blend of pinball mechanics and platformers (and no, this is not Sonic Spinball luckily.?..), the play??er controls the super cute bug Yoku, guiding them through obstacles and challenges.

Thanks to clean graphics, infectious music, and gameplay mechanics which ca?n be quite easy to pick up and play but also difficult to master, this is still one great Switch title to pick up on the eShop. Perhaps might be time for a sequel on the Switch 2?

9. Going Under

There is nothing worse than being an intern, feeling like you're just being used for the most menial and degrading tasks in the office, when you are actually there to learn. Developed by Aggro Crab, Going Under takes that disquieting feeling and brings it over to a zany and quirky Diablo-like dungeon crawler. Make your way through the remains of ??failed startups, dating sites, and cryptocurrency.

Along with a unique art style plus an original theme, Going Under also features perfectly functional and engaging combat mechanics, with a little bit of rogue??lite thrown in for good measure. The jokes might definitely be hit or miss, with several misses, but they never ruin the atmosphere or get in the way of the gameplay.

8. Stunt GP

Unjustly forgotten today, this Dreamcast and PC game, along with its often-forgotten PlayStation 2 port, was released at the worst possible time. In 2002, the craze of the alternative racing game (remember POD, Rollcage, Wipeout 2079, etc?) was slowly dying. Therefore, it got quickly lost in the superabundance of games, but that was a fate it never really deserved. With twenty-four different tracks to perform some deadly stunts on, ?this was one quite seriously fun experience, despite its overall brevity.

Developed by a small team inside Team 17, this was one of their last hurrahs before transitioning to being mostly a publisher of games developed by other teams. Simple to pick up and play, and highly recommended for its co-op split screen mode. To make matters worse, today Stunt GP is quite difficult to ea??sily pick up and play along with being unavailable ?on any official digital storefronts.

7. Superfrog

In the wake of the launch of Sonic the Hedgehog and its quick rise to glory, along with that of the Sega Mega Drive / Genesis, many home computers were watching in jealousy. But it was most definitely the Amiga to receive the most 2D platformers after 1991, with Superfrog by Team 17 probab?ly being one of the few that still stands the test of time.

Control a frog with superpowers that can also fly, through the use of power-ups like wings, plus speed up or down by ingesting pills. Classic 2D platformer gameplay that has aged quite gracefully. The game was remade in 2013 in an HD version which used to be available on Steam but has been since delisted. At this point, there is sadly no legal way to play Superfrog.

6. Alien Breed

Part Gauntlet, part unofficial Aliens-tie in, Alien Breed was the first big hitter by Team 17 and one of the reasons the company was put on the map back in the Amiga days. With a top-down view of the action gameplay and a thick atmosphere with no music but only foreboding sounds of machinery, Alien Breed presented quite a un?ique experie??nce for the early 90s.

The original was quickly followed by several other titles, such as Tower Assault. While the second game maintained the same gameplay as the original, the third went full-on 3D, a classic FPS and alien-hunting experience. The game wa??s also rebooted in the early 2010s, making it another trilogy, this is more complicated than Star Wars at this point! But if you want to know where it all began, there is no better starting point than this suspenseful action game.

5. Yooka-Laylee and the Impossible Lair

While the original Yooka-Laylee title was a quite competent attempt to bring back that c?lassic late 90s 3D platformer crazy, the sequel went one step beyond. Keeping that same level of high challenge, Impossible Lair brings the player a quite tasty mix of having to achieve specific goals in levels, sometimes quite differ?ent from simply completing them, while collecting abilities that will change how the levels actually work.

Impossible Lair closely follows the style of classic 2D platforms of the past, not a coincidence that part of the team worked on the Donkey Kong Country series. If you were ever a fan of the genre, you will find a refreshing tak??e and an ?all-new difficulty to try to deal with.

4. Overcooked

One of the first great original games that brought back the classic co-op experience, Overcooked brings two (or more) chefs to a selection of completely wacky kitchens where they will have to fight against?? all types of obstacles and challenges to bring patrons their precious food. Try not to fall into lava, avoid the ice and try to slice those carrots and onions as fast as possible.

The single-player mode still exists, but this time we wouldn't recommend it. Despite the existence of a sequel of the bigger and better variety, ten years down the (kitchen) line Overcooked will still bring that same joy to whoever decides to sit down on the? couch and play. Now tha?t's one kind of nostalgia we can all agree on.

3. Dredge

In the depths of the sea, no one can hear you scream, but they can definitely hear your boat creaking as it desperately tries to escape a huge monster in the fog. Behind the cozy face of a nice little fishing game, Dredge hides the so??ul of one of the scariest horror games released in the last few years. During the day, simply go ahead and sell your fish to the ?local marketplace to buy upgrades for your boat, but then when the sun sets, get ready to be careful of what is lurking in the dark.

In the stillness of the night, your boat will have to deal with Eldritch horror hiding in the dark and foreboding fog. This is not a full-on horror experience, as there are no jumpscares, instead the game brings a strong sense of dread. With five islands to explore, plus even more through its different DLCs, the simple gameplay loop of Dredge will live on in many players' minds.

2. Blasphemous

Sometimes, it's not easy to explain what a game does superbly right, since it does not really reinvent the wheel. Indeed, Blasphemous, developed by the Spanish team The ??Game Kitchen, is a classic side-scrolling 2D action game. Kill enemies, gain new powers, unlock new places to go, and dispose of huge and scary bosses. So far, there would be really no reason to explain its second position.

But thanks to its atmosphere, the writing, the music, and the way it beautifully incorporates religious symbols from Catholicism while exposing the horror beneath, Blasphemous stands apart from all of its peers. Almost six years later, and after? a perfectly competent sequel, it still stands supreme as one of the best examples of the genre.

1. Worms Armageddon

If anyone has heard of the name Team 17 then they are also probably aware of Worms. The series is one of the most representative of the early days of the co-op era, before the internet, where friends would play one against the other trying to make their worms team go boom. Among the many games in the series, Armageddon still rema??ins to this day, one of?? the best examples.

By allowing incredible customization, from the flag to the sound effects of each worm, along with presenting very entertaining game modes and ultra-wacky scenarios, Armageddon provided something for everyone to enjoy. Even in single-player, it was a perfectly acceptable experience, and nobody would recommend playing Worms on your own! Sadly, the series then lost its way after 2003. If you have to play one Worms game to?da?y, bring your post-apocalypse to the field and join the wormy army.

The post 10 Best Team 17 games, ranked appeared first on Destructoid.

The history of gaming is written at a brisk pace. Not too long ago, LucasArts and Sierra fought it off for the throne of the adventure game kingdom. Nowadays most gamers don't even recall what a classic point & click game is, let alone that Sierra and LucasArts even e?xisted.

Let's freshen up ever?yone's memory with some of the best adventure games ever made by?? what I believe was the best adventure game studio to ever exist.

Loom (1990)

Loom is the black sheep of LucasArts' adventure catalogue, but ??it's not a bad game. It features a very experimental take on point & click gameplay, and it's one of the very few LucasArts titles to mostly do away with comedy to pursue a more serious storyline in a hard fantasy setting.

Loom mostly achieved what it set out to do, as its story got a lot of praise by the time of its release, but I'm just not crazy about its overtly complex take on gameplay. Loom didn't sell very well, so everything LucasArts came up with for Loom mostly?? died with it �?and we'??re also not likely to see a remaster anytime soon.

The Dig (1995)

The Dig is the other game in LucasArts' catalog to deviate from the norm, and also to mixed results. Whereas Loom went for Fantasy, The Dig went for Sci-Fi, but it had a few?? more cards up its sleeve than its ?predecessor.

The Dig featured fantastic presentation that included a movie-worthy soundtrack, excellent voice acting by Hollywood pros, fantastic graphics, and even state of the art cutscenes. The Dig felt mesmerizing ?due to its highly-immersive environment, but most complained about it being hampered by gameplay that felt challenging in an unfun way.

Though The Dig has enjoyed a deserved positive re-evaluation in the years since it's launch, it's also yet to receive a remast??er.

Maniac Mansion (1987)

This is the first LucasArts adventure title, and also the game that put Lucasarts ?on the map for its prowess?? in the adventure game genre.

Maniac Mansion came out in 1987 and is yet to get the remaster treatment so yes, it will feel considerably dated to someone picking it up nowadays �?especially if they're new? to the genre. Still, it features a very memorable cast of characters and a wide collection of great jokes, so it's still an artifact worth unearthing for some.

The Secret of Monkey Island (1990)

This is both the most iconic series to spawn out of LucasArts, and also the one still living, as proven by the fantastic Return To Monkey Island. The Secret of Monkey Island is where it all started and, despite being a little rough around the edges for today's standards gameplay-wise, it still has a bunch of jokes that instantly became ??classics.

Did you know The Secret Of Monkey Island is the reason why the Pirates of The Caribbean: Curse Of The Black Pearl exists? That's how awesome this game is. The only reason I'm not ranking it higher is b??ecause it also the reason why the sequel??s exist.

Sam & Max Hit The Road (1993)

Detective work is a staple of adventure games, and one of the best titles in the detective point & click adventure genre is, interestingly, a s?poof of the genre.

On top of some great puzzles �?the lifeblood of the genre �?this beautiful game based on the comics by Steve Purcell stars Max, the rabbit part of this detective duo, who's a complete psycho and one of the funniest characters in gaming. Deadpool & Wolverine proved once again that buddy comedies are the way to go, and Hit The Road remains an absolute classic of the genre.

And, best of all, naysayers can't criticize it for doing law enforcers dirty, because Sam & Max aren't police �?they're freelance police!

Full Throttle (1995)

Adventure games tend to put players in the shoes of characters who tend to have more brains than brawn �?is my kind way of avoiding calling them nerds. Full Throttle is a great antidote for that, as it allo?ws players to embody one badass �?one who's ?also pretty smart.

Full Throttle manages to have a bit more of a darker edge, but not without doing away with Lucasarts' classic charm and comedic flair. It's also filled with memorable puzzles that oftentimes come accompanied with beautiful 2d animation sequences. Full Throttle also enjoyed the remaster treatment, so there's no excus?e to avoid trying it out nowadays.

Indiana Jones and the Fate of Atlantis (1992)

Living in a time when an Indiana Jones video game is better than any Indiana Jones sequel feels unprecedented, but Indiana Jones and The Great Circle isn't the first game to do it. Before that, we had Indiana Jones and the Fate of Atlantis, the rare point & click adventure that surpassed most of the movies it was based on, and, interestingly, also gave players the kind of gameplay freedom people are praising The Great Circle for.

The controls are a bit dated by today's standards. A nice simple remaster is way overdue, but, if you like Indiana Jones and/or games with intricate puzzles and a fun story, Fate Of Atlantis is still worth checking out.

Monkey Island 2: LeChuck's Revenge (1991)

Monkey Island 2 is one of the greatest sequels of all time. It outdoes the already great predecessor in just about every thing it did right, then even adds a lot of welcome elements to the mix. LeChuck's Revenge feels darker, and with the darkness comes a much oppo??rtune higher level of difficulty and depth for its the puzzles.

The series went back to its lighter tone for all the remaining games in the series, so LeChuck's Revenge is both awesome and unique.

Maniac Mansion: Day Of The Tentacle (1993)

Day Of The Tentacle improves upon the original in every way, so much so that even though they play simi?larly, it feels like its very own thing. It's quite a strange feeling,? but one completely in tune with this game where a sentient tentacle �?yes, as in the octopi appendage �?becomes super smart and decides to take over the world.

Day Of The Tentacle plays to the strength of LucasArts adventure games, which is their humor. Day Of The Tentacle is a hallmark of all-around hilarity. Good games writing sometimes isn't even something you read or hear from a character, rather a deeper part of the game's design, and Day Of The Tentacle sure has that in spades �?tough ?it also features great jokes of the regular kind, if you're worried about t?hat.

Grim Fandango (1998)

Though their games tended to go toe to toe quality-wise, Lucasarts' games tended to sell less than those of Sierra. Grim Fandango's numbers turned out so low that they paled even when compared to the lowest-selling Lucasarts titles. Quite disheartening, as not only is Grim Fandango arguably the greatest adventure game ever made �?it's defini??tely the funniest game ever made as far as I am concerned �?and also the most modern title ever made b?y either company.

And sure, even the most modern title to come out in the late '90s doesn't feel all that modern now, but no problem, as the remastered version is sure to have covered all the rough edges from the original release. I honestly do believe that regardless of your �?and its �?age, Grim Fandango is the rare title that might change?? how you see and play video games as a whole.

The post 10 best LucasArts adventure games appeared first on Destructoid.

Indiana Jones is an enduring action hero whose undisputedly awesome adventures will continue to entertain and inspire. The recent release of Indiana Jones and the Great Circle has definitely proved that there’s nothing quite as fun as a dangerous treasure hunt with mystical artifacts and punchable baddies. If you’re a fan of the series and you love these kinds of stories, then you’ll enjoy all the books like Indiana Jones that we’re highlighting with this list.

1. Seven Deadly Wonders (Matthew Reilly)

Matthew Reilly’s Seven Deadly Wonders reads like a fast-paced action movie, and will keep fans of Indiana Jones (and The Mummy) hooked from cover to cover. Jack West Jr. and his team of heroic archeologists and soldiers need to find the seven parts of an ancient treasure to stop a solar flare from wiping o?ut humanity. Each of these pieces is residing within one of the world’s most iconic ancient wonders. The trouble is, there are more than a few nefarious organizations trying to get to them first, and their people are just as deadly as the traps and puzzles that are guarding the artifacts.

2. Timeline (Michael Crichton)

In Timeline, a team of archeologists working at a dig site in France find a note from their leading professor, Edward Johnston, that’s over 600 years old. The note desperately requests their aid, and as a result, they begin to investigate Johnston’s disappearance from the present. They soon discover that the ITC, which is the company that funded their dig, used quantum technology to send the professor back to 1357, during the Hundred Years�?War. Michael Crichton’s book is significantly more satisfying than its film adaption, so even if you’ve already seen the Timeline movie, you’ll likely have a great time reading? the novel.

3. The Imperial Alchemist (A. H. Wang)

The Imperial Alchemist is a globetrotting adventure that takes its protagonist, Georgia Lee, on a journey through ancient China to find the secret history behind the myths surrounding the Elixir of Life. It’s a fascinating mystery with plenty of action and more than a few enjoyable characters. At each step along the way, you’ll continuously wonder which parts of the elixir’s story are true, and which parts are simply a legend. Just like Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade, the book calls into question what humans would actually do if there really was an artifact out there capable of granting us eternal life. The Imperial Alchemist is the?? first part ??of trilogy of novels about Lee’s archaeological adventures.

4. Amazonia (James Rollins)

A scientific expedition into the Amazon rainforest disappears, and all of its team members are thought to be dead until a lone solider who accompanied the team comes back years after the group first set out. The man entered the jungle with one arm, but somehow, he’s leaving it with two. He’s marked with strange tribal symbols, and with his death, leaves behind a handful of other strange mysteries as well. It’s up to Nathan Rand and his team to journey into the depths of the jungle to discover what really happened to him, and the rest of the original expedition. Amazonia has a premise that will instantly draw you in, and a st?oryline that continues to darken with unique ?twists.

5. Labyrinth (Kate Mosse)

If you’re interested in setting out on a different quest for the Holy Grail than the one in The Last Crusade, then you’ll love reading Kate Mosse’s Labyrinth. The novel follows two storylines simultaneously, with one set in the present day and the other taking place 800 years earlier. Alice discovers the maze-like symbol of the Cathars while she’s working on an archeological dig site, and soon finds that there are dangerous people hunting for what she’s found?. Meanwhile, Alais, the historical protagonist, inherits the relics needed for finding the Grail, and must evade those who seek its power. The overlapping narratives give the book a consistent level of tension that’s sure to keep you turning the pages as fast as possible.

6. The Hunt for Atlantis (Andy McDermott)

When Nina Wilde and Eddie Chase discover a sign that points the way towards the mystical city of Atlantis, they kickstart a globe-spanning adventure that turns out to be full of peril. A secret organization known as the Brotherhood of Selasphoros tails their every move, and will stop at nothing to halt their progress. The Hunt for Atlantis is not just about archaeological discoveries and the race against evil. The lead characters and their chemistry make for a gripping read, and there’s plenty of fun dialogue between the two. Nina’s and Eddie’s adventures continue in The Tomb of Hercules and The Secret of Excalibur, which are also fantastic books to read if you like Indiana Jones.

7. The Lost City of Z (David Grann)

In 1925, the legendary explorer Percy Fawcett entered the Amazon in hopes of finding an ancient, fabled civilization and its chief city, Z. He encountered hostile natives, but the real danger was the forest itself. Explorers such as Fawcett thought that the Amazon was the home of El Dorado, and journeyed into the deepest parts of the South American continent in search of it. So what ever happened to Fawcett and his team, and what did he find? The Lost City of Z follows all the historical clues that we have available in an attempt to answer these questions. The book got a film adaption back in 2017, and offers a more grounded look at jungles of South America than the likes of Kingdom of the Crystal Skull.

8. What the River Knows (Isabel Ibañez)

What the River Knows is a neatly designed mystery that lets the reader in on each of its secrets at a perfect pace. The story begins in nineteenth century Argentina, where the protagonist, Inez, learns of her parent’s demise, which occurred during a trip in Egypt. Left with a fortune and a strange golden ring, she sails ?to Cairo in search of answers, but begins to uncover more questions instead. There are slightly more supernatural elements than your average Indy adventure, but you’re a fan of the original film trilogy, then you’ll love this journey out into the sands.

9. The Red Pyramid (Rick Riordan)

Younger fans of Indiana Jones will love The Red Pyramid, which centers around the adventures of siblings Sadie and Carter ??Kane. Carter travels the world with his father, who tells everyone that he’s an Egyptologist. When the pair of them return home to see Sadie, they visit the British Museum, where a strange ritual occurs that awakens the ancient Egyptian gods. The deity Set has a dangerous plan that the siblings will need to stop. The book is the first of three in the Kane Chronicles series. If you’re a fan of the author’s other YA series, Percy Jackson, then you’ll love these novel??s as well.

10. Indiana Jones and The Peril in Delphi (Rob MacGregor)

The Indiana Jones novels are, of course, also great reads for fans of the original films. The first of these books is Peril at Delphi, which takes place in the 1920s, several years before Temple of Doom. When a strange earthquake uncovers a set of ancient ruins b??elow Delphi, Indy explores them and soon finds a strange artifact that might be important for stopping what his fellow archeologist, Dorian Belecamus, has in store for him. Paperback editions of this book are essentially collector’s items, and can be tricky to find. However, if you’re a fan of the series, then you’ve got to pick one up.

The post 10 Great Books That Are Perfect for Fans of Indi?ana Jones appeared first on Destructoid.

So much DLC, yet so little time. The Sims 4 is rather notorious for having an extensive collection of expansions and content that you're able ?to purchase, and the smallest of them all is kits.

These kits just contain a few items, usually either build and buy mode or CAS, although some contain a mix of both. We’re here to rank the top ten Sims 4 kits, so yo??u know w?hich ones to add to your game, and which to pass over.

Best kits available for The Sims 4

Book Nook

While The Sims 4 isn’t particularly lacking in bookshelves, the Book Nook kit takes it to a whole new ??level. You can create a wall-to-wall librar?y with the buy items found in this kit, and other goodies like book clutter and some matching couches and chairs.

Moonlight Chic

It seems like it’s been a while since The Sims 4 has focused on clubwear, and that shows by how dated a lot of the nightlife CAS pieces are. Luckily, with the Moonlight Chic kit, it’s an issue of the past.

Deck your Sims out in outfits that are perfect to g??????????????????????????o out dancing, clubbing, and barring with this kit. They’ll be the belle of the? ball�?or rather, the nightclub.

Castle Estate

Modern-style homes may be incredibly popular in both the building community and real life, but some of want to make extravagant castles. That’s exactly what the Castle Estate kit is for.

You’ll get a lovely selection of windows, doors, wall decorations, stairs and?? stair railings, and plenty more to create the most reg??al home on the block. Whether you decide to put royalty in the castle is up to you, though.

Grunge Revival

What was your childhood without the older kid who could do all the cool ??stunts on their skateboard? Nothing, that’s what. And now, you ?can make that teenager right in your Sims save file.

The Grunge Revival kit comes with, you guessed it, grunge-style pieces like tops, pants, shoes, and jewelry to dec??k out your Sims with. It doesn’t ac?tually matter if your Sim can skate or not because at least they’ll look cool.

Blooming Rooms

So many plants! What else is there to say? If y??ou’re a fan of stuffing as much green into your Sim’s house as you can, than this is the only kit you need to add to your shopping cart. Hanging?? plants, floor plants, anything you can imagine, it’s all here.

Incheon Arrivals

A lot of CAS kits tend to focus on a specific subset of fashion. While there’s nothing wrong with that, the Incheon Arrivals kit stands out since it comes with clothing that would work ?for? Sims of any age.

There’s plenty of stuff for your teens and young adults, but these fashions would look just as? appropriate on an elder, too. Everyone loves versatility.

Basement Treasures

As you’ll see on this list, some of the best DLC for The Sims 4 contains plenty of items to simply clutter up your home with. The Basement Treasures kit is special ?since it’s filled with retro-styled items.

From an old, clunky TV to the obviously faux houseplant made famous by The Sims 1, these buy mode items are some of the best ones in ?the game. Final??ly, your Sim’s home will look like someone has lived there longer than five years. 

Poolside Splash

Something the base game of The Sims 4 doesn’t do well is a large variety of modern swimwear. Sure, you have some good ones, but there isn’t much variety. Luckily, the Poolside Splash kit is here to save the day.

It comes with a plethora of swimwear for all your Sims, male, female, big, small, and anythin??g in between. Finally, your Sims will look fashionable while at the pool or beach.

Bathroom Clutter

Every Sim needs a bathroom, and like all of us in real life, they’re bathrooms probably won’t be the most pristine room in the house. That’s why the Bathroom Clutter kit is perfect for realism.

You can clutter up your shower, countertop, and everywhere else with this kit. It adds a great touch? of realism to your home, and it will look natural in any ho?use.

Everyday Clutter

We’ve made it very clear that we’re fans of clutter. The Everyday Clutter kit i??s the penultimate buy mode kit for this exact reason si??nce it’s filled with random items to just place all over your house.

Nothing looks stranger than when a Sim’s house is eerily?? empty, and this kit solves that problem for you. Keys, headp?hones, and more are packed into this kit so you can clutter up your home to your heart’s content.

The post Top 10 Kits for The Sims 4 appeared first on Destructoid.

Seeing as how there’s endless DLC you can purchase for The Sims 4, it’s no wonder that it can be difficult to pick which packs are the ones you want in your game. Not only are there full expansion packs an??d smaller stuff packs, but there are medium-sized game packs as well.

It can be tough to narrow down which ones are the best to get, so we’ve done the hard work for you. These are the best game packs to get for The Sims 4.

Best game packs for The Sims

Jungle Adventure

Everyone loves Indiana Jones, and with Jungle Adventure, your Sims ??can take a journey straight out of the movies. With this pack, you can travel to Selvadorada for a vacation full of thrills.

Exp?lore dangerous temples full of traps, collect artifacts, and plenty more. Sadly, when y?ou’re not exploring the jungle, you won’t be using this pack much, but it’s a fun novelty to experience. 

Strangerville

There’s something strange happening in Strangerville, and i?t's up to your Sims to solve the mystery and save the town from the creepy possessions that are taking hold of the desert town. 

Much like Jungle Adventure, once you complete the main quest, there unfortunately isn’t much to do with this pack. But you will get a livable world reminiscent of The Sims 2’s famous Strangetown, which makes it all ?worth it.

Werewolves

The most recent of the occult Sim game packs, Werewolves is exactly what it sounds like �?your Sims can be the fearsome beasts o??f folklore??. 

You’ll get an impressive skill tree of abilities as a werewolf, as well as the moon phases s??ystem in the game. If you’re not into occult Sims, though, this pack is not for you. At least the world of Moonwood Mill is pretty.

My Wedding Stories

Weddings in The Sims have always notoriously been a bit of a mess to put together. Sims don’t want to sit where they need to, the groom and bride will disappear at random to do push-ups and other issues. My Wedding Stories helps you out and lets you plan a gorgeous ceremony for your Sims, complete with a brida??l party, cake tasting, and more.

Why is this only number seven on the list, then? This pack was completely broken upon lau?nch. Quite literally, nothing worked as it was supposed to. Now that enough time has passed that it’s been pa??tched to oblivion, it mostly works fine. But we can’t forget its rough beginning.

Outdoor Retreat

The first game pack EA ever released, Outdoor Retreat is a bit outda?ted by current standards, but we’d still consider it a good one. If your Sims are dying to get back to nature, this is the pack to do it with.

Whether you prefer camping in a tent under the stars o??r in a rustic cabin, your Sims can take a vacation to scenic Granite Falls and enjoy the great outdoors. Catch bugs, have a bonfire, ?or take a hike.

Realm of Magic

If you’re craving to make your Sims witches and wizards with crazy spells to cast, then look no further than Realm of Magic. Your Sims can now be spellcasters, lear?n magic and potions, and enjoy flying o?ff on broomsticks.

Again, if you’re not a fan of occult Sims, you won’t get too much out of this game pack. But the CAS and build items are fantastic, and spellcasters are the least likely of occult Sims to cause you trouble. If you enjoy occult gameplay, then strap in because spellcasters are one of the best. It's even better than some of the Sims 4 cheats.

Vampires

It may have been the first of the occult game packs, but it’s still the best. Vampires gives you everything you could want for playing with blood-sucking creatures of the night, from mak??ing Nosferatu to sparkling?? Twilight vampires.

Even if you don’t care about vampires, you’ll still have some of the best build-and-buy mode items to create creepy haunted homes with or beautiful Victorian mansions. Sure, Vlad will sti?ll show up at your door at 3 AM, but you get used to it.

Dream Home Decorator

Of all the active careers in The Sims 4, this one is the best. If you’re anything like me, you don’t care about building homes, but decorating them is your jam. That’s what Dream Home Decorator lets you do: go into other Sims??�?homes and remake rooms according to your vision.

If you’re a simmer wh?o enjoys making houses and nothing else, this pack lets you enjoy your favorite part of the game while still enjoying some live mo?de.

Dine Out

It’s ?true, this pack is still quite buggy. But it’s such ??a staple at this point that I almost can’t play without it. This pack lets your Sims go out to eat and even run their own restaurant. 

We’re all guilty of spending too much money on going out to eat, and with this game pack, your Sims can, too. It’s almost impossible to make a realistic town without at least one restaurant. Hence, Dine Out is so important.

Parenthood

If you want a game pack you’re going to use every time you play the game, then you need Parenthood. Particularly great for family and legacy players, your Sims ca??n become better parents, instill wisdom and values in their kids, and enjoy every stage of life more.

As soon as you get Parenthood, it will become a part of your game because every Sim is affected by it. While other game packs can become easy to forget ov?er time, this isn’t one of them.

The post The 10 best Sims 4 Game Packs appeared first on Destructoid.

When people hear “video game adaptation,�?they usually think of movies or television shows. ?Many of these re-imaginings are solid, and even the worst ones are ??fun to watch with friends. However, some of the best video game adaptations I’ve seen and read have been comic books and graphic novels.

I've loved comics and video games since I was too short to reach the top shelves at most comic and game stores. Since then, I’ve read dozens of comics based on video games. A few struck out hard, but others are fantastic companions to their sourc??e material, perfectly re-creating the feel of the games they're from and building on ??their lore in fun ways.

Opinions are subjective, especially regarding both mediums I'm ??about to discuss. But, if you were to ask me, here are the top ten best comics/graphic novels ?based on video games.

10. Assassin's Creed

Ubisoft’s future is as dim as sunset nowadays, but Assassin’s Creed is still full of unexplored potential. The series�?core concept, cerebral time travel, allows it to tell a story in any era of human history, and the Assassin’s Creed c?omic by Titan Comics (and l??ater Dark Horse) takes full advantage of that glorious fact. 

Told from the perspective of accountant-turned-Assassin recruit Charlotte de la Cruz, the Assassin’s Creed comic feels like well-written and drawn fanfiction. We get to see As??sassins sneak around settings we’ll probably never get to explore in the video game, including the Salem Witch Trials and the fall of the Inca Empire, and a story built around familiar franchise tropes like the Pieces of Eden ties it all together in a satisfying bow.

9. The Halo Graphic Novel

I vividly remember the awe that shot down my spine when I first loaded up Halo: Combat Evolved. The series�?galaxy-spanning setting feeds my science-fiction-loving heart, but the main games�?stalwart focus on Master Chief can make it hard to appreciate its full scope. The bluntly named Halo Graphic Novel may feature the original SPARTAN,? but his story ?doesn’t define it.

A four-part anthology series, Halo Graphic Novel explores undiscovered corners of the Halo universe through new characters and settings. Some highlights include a manga-inspired story by Tsutomu Nihei that features no dialogue, a horror-thriller orbiting around the Flood, and a g?rounded drama that presents humanity’s war with the Covenant through the eye of a frontline reporter.

8. Mass Effect

Mass Effect’s setting is almost as grand in scale as Halo’s, but the series' focus on individual characters allowed it to explore more of its universe’s nooks and crannies. That said, the Mass Effect comics by Dark Horse help fill in the gaps that games didn't have time to fill, even if you're? one ?of those players who's re-played the games multiple times to experience every story branch.

The Mass Effect comics shift att?ention from Commander Shepard to give more details about the lives of the Normandy crew before t?he game. Players who took the time to get to know their crewmates already know about the events the comics explore, but seeing these events play out through their eyes adds another layer of depth to their histories. It also helps that the art is awe-inspiring.

7. Life is Strange

If you ask me, the Life is Strange games have always felt like interactive comic books. The chapter/episode-based nature of their stories mimics the issue-by-issue narrative format most comics follow, and the series�?trademark cel-shaded art style would look right at home in a panel grid. This probably explains why the Life is Strange comic by Penguin Random House works so well.

Set in the aftermath of Life is Strange’s “Sacrifice Arcadia�?ending, the comic follows Max Caulfield and Chloe Price as they try to come to terms with their relationship and choices, all while Max’s time-jumping powers develop in chaotic ways. Expertly recreating the expressive art style of the games, Life is Strange takes adva??ntage of the comic medium to tell a new story with familiar characters rooted in themes of consequence, avoidance, and acceptance.

6. Bloodborne: The Death of Sleep

Bloodborne is one of my all-time favorite games, an adventure I return to at least once yearly. There’s something magnetic about the Victorian-influenced, ?Lovecraft-inspired world of Yharnam, and the main game’s cryptic storytelling left a snarling horde of enticing mysteries unsolved. While we still don't have a sequel, we have an epic comic by Titan Comics.

Telling a unique story that revisits many of the main game’s iconic locales, the Bloodborne: The Death of Sleep comic is a rip-roaring nightmare in comic form. Piotr Kowalski's art effortlessly recaptures the subtle beauty and overt horror of Bloodborne’s level design, re-capturing the shadowy streets of Yharnam and the misty s?hores of the Fishing Hamlet. While the story isn’t always coherent, it stays true?? to the original game's spirit by raising fascinating questions and giving readers enough clues to forge their own answers.

5. Tomb Raider

I don’t think it’s a stretch to say Lara Croft was the defining factor behind Tomb Raider’s success. Most games in the series are f?un to play, but Lara’s raw wit, natural agility, and undeniable sex appeal helped the series reach peaks of success other action-adventure games have struggled to achieve.

While the games did a solid job of establishing Lara’s character, the Tomb Raider comics by Top Cow. Set in the same community as the original Tomb Raider games, these comics explored Lara’s backstory, establishing her as a child of nobility who abandoned her life of privilege after a traumatic yet enlightening near-death experience. Both Tomb Raider reboots reused elements of this comic's backstory, w??hich should prove to you how good the story of these comics is.

4. Team Fortress 2

Team Fortress 2 has always thrived on the strength of its cast. Armed with personalities as unique and eccentric as their weaponry, TF2’s maniacal mercenaries have always felt like the cast of a gruesome slapstick comedy. Unsurprisingly, that’s the vibe the pages of Valve’s Team Fortress 2 comic strive to recreate. At first, at least.

At launch, the Team Fortress 2 comic was little more than a gag comic, tied together by a loose narrative about Mann Co., which employs TF2’s playable characters. However, as the comic continues, the lore becomes a surprisingly complex narrative tapestry enveloping every beat of the story. The comic even ends on a remarkably touching note, a mile??stone many long-running comics never reach.

3. Injustice: Gods Among Us

Injustice: Gods Among Us is based on a single question: What if Superman, the paragon of the DC Universe, broke bad? Injustice and its sequel answered this question well enough, but a story this fascinating could never reach its full potential with just two games. That’s where the Injustice comics come in.

Embracing the game’s popularity, DC expanded Injustice's dystopian universe into an official branch of the DC multiverse. Following the Man of Steel’s tragic fall from start to end, the Injustice comics show the full impact of Superman’s turn to tyranny, exploring how his new, authoritarian approach to justice affects every corner of the DC universe. It’s like a car crash; it’s hard to watc??h but harder to turn away from.

2. The Last of Us: American Dreams

At its core, The Last of Us is the story of Ellie, a girl born into a world ravaged by a fungus that turns people into mindless, clicking zombies. While Ellie’s bond with Joel drives the story of both games, the prequel comic The Last of Us: American Dreams, explores her relationship with, arguably, the second most important person in h??????????????????????????er life: Reily.

Set a year before the events of the first game’s heart-wrenching DLC, The Last of Us: Left Behind, The Last of Us: American Dreams recounts the beginning of Ellie and Reily’s fateful friendship. With a simplistic yet expressive art style and an interesting duo of main characters, The Last of Us: American Dreams is, in my humble opinion, essential reading for any The Last of Us fan.

1. Archie's Sonic the Hedgehog

Sonic the Hedgehog has had several comic adaptions, and the ongoing comic by IDW was a solid contender for this list. However, most fans agree that the best Sonic comic out there is Sonic the Hedgehog by Archie Comics.

Casting the Blue Blur as the leader of a resistance group battling the mechanized tyranny of Dr. Ivo “Eggman�?Robotnik, Sonic the Hedgehog is a wild ride. Even at its lowest points, Archie’s Sonic the Hedgehog is fascinating to read, and when it’s riding high, it touches the clouds. Characters have clear arcs, storylines take interesting turns, and the charm of ?classic Sonic titles bleeds into every page.

The post Top 10 comics & graphic novels based on video games, ranked appeared first on Destructoid.

With Season 1 well underway in Marvel Rivals, we have a good idea of where each character would be in a tier list. While a lot has chan??ged in terms of update?s, there has been somewhat of a meta-shakeup.

Marvel Rivals Season 1 tier list

That said, here is a tier list of all the heroes currently in Marvel Rivals. It will start with ??the best characters at S-Tier and move all the way to the lowest, B-tier.

S-Tier characters

The following S-Tier characters are listed below in no particular or?der. These are the best or most consistent-performing currently in t??he game. 

Dr. Strange - To no one’s surprise, Earth’s Sorcerer Supreme is top-tier. His damage output is exceptional,?? granted you can land his shots or perform the animation canceling tric??k with his melee attacks. Dr. Strange can push points, hold his own as a tank, and create some very intricate portal setups.

Storm - She is one of the biggest winners of the Season 1 patch. Storm received a bunch of buffs that just overall increased her viability. Before, she used to be an inferior pick to Iron Man, but now, she can do basically everything he does while slightly dipping into support territor??y.

Hawkeye - While Hawkeye saw some significant nerfs in his kit along with the toning down of his seasonal buff, he’s still very strong in the meta. He’s just a bit more honest of a characte??r who can still dish out incredible damage with good aim.

Hela - Another character who saw some nerfs a?nd became slightly more honest?. That decrease to her base health and slight season bonus nerf didn’t really do much. The Goddess of Death is still the best of the best in the DPS department.

Black Panther - The dark horse from the last season who is really making a mark cu?rrently. Black Panther is one of those characters who you won’t see that often in earlier ranks, but once you hit Plat III and higher, he’s picked a lot more and an e?ven bigger headache than characters like Spider-Man.

Loki - The God of Mischief has proven to have a really high skill ceiling, being a clutch support character and a wildcard to break through te??am comps. Loki excels as burst healing from afar, but also being a solid damage dealer. Also, his copycat ult is something that’s really hard to counter.

Thor - The God of Thunder is a solid tank with g??reat movement, decent damage output, and survivability. He excels in almost all situations, only really being countered by enemy burst? damage and crowd control effects.

Luna Snow - This K-Pop star is one of the best Strategists in the game thanks to her healing capabilities, especially her ult. Fate of Both Worlds is so strong because it renders any of her allies invincible with only a few counters to it like Iron Man’s, Punisher’s, or Scarlet Witch’s ults. Beyond that, her ability to freeze enemie??s and buff ally damage makes her a complete support.

Wolverine - This guy is bann??ed in so many high-level competitive matches because he’s basically the tank killer. Wolverine’s single-tar??get damage output is unmatched. In the hands of a skilled player, he will be your worst nightmare.

Mantis - Sort of in the same vein as Luna Snow, Mantis can cover all bases as a support. She has great healing and other buffs that are us?eful for a team push?? or to defend an attack. 

Cloak and Dagger - While popular in concept, they also have one of the higher win rates in the game in ranked play. Cloak and Dagger are two-for-one, providing exceptional support for their alli?es and annoying attacks to slow down or foil enem?y advances.

The Hulk - Despite being? another one to get nerfs at the start of the Season, the Hulk is one of the strongest tanks in Marvel Rivals. He has really good damage output, great mobility for escaping dicey situations, and survivabilit??y. If you’re quick enough after being taken out of the Hulk, Bruce Banner can run away to regain his form.

A-Tier characters

The following character?s are A-Tier. In the same fashion as the S-tiers, they are not listed in any particular order. These characters are consistent and strong in their own regard with some faults.

Rocket Raccoon - Rocket is right below being a jack-of-a?ll-trades as a support hero. His healing capabilities are consistent but ??lack burst potential. However, he makes up for that by being able to revive an ally every 45 seconds and buff his team's damage output with his ult. Pair that with the fact that if you know your movement, you can be the hardest to kill.

The Punisher - He has consistent damage and can ki?ll Vanguards very easi??ly with a properly placed turret. The Punisher is also a solid counter to any enemies who can be a nuisance in the air, like Iron Man, Storm, and Star-Lord.

Moon Knight - This is a character who performs consistently, but struggles a bit in higher ranked play. Once ?a competent team knows how to deal with Ankhs, he just becomes ano?ther hero similar to The Punisher. However, don’t write that off as he has really good movement options to get out of a dicey situation.

Mister Fantastic - Reed Richards is a Duelist character who, in the right hands, can effectively play a hybrid role as a tank and DPS. His Reflexive Rubber ability is one of the best ways to fend off ?b??urst attacks and ults. It’s all about meter buildup with him to gain incredible defensive buffs.

Magik - She is what we’d consider a sleeper hit character. Magik has incredible close-quarters damage, being ab?le to effectively wipe another team with ranged support. Her only real weakness is her mobility.

Venom - Venom is a very consistent tank who can take a bunch of damage with options to get a??way or stall opponents from advancing. His damage isn’t half bad, especially with recent buffs to his k?it. However, he falls off a bit in later levels as he doesn’t have an answer to burst damage if he can’t perform Symbiotic Resilience.

Peni Parker - If you know, you know. Peni Parker is a tank that plays more of a role of a trap?per and defender. Her SP//dr mech has good survivability, especially when playing around her Cyber Webs. As an attacker, she is a bit weaker, but on anything where she n??eeds to defend, she racks up so much damage and can even shut down most of the cast’s ultimate abilities.

Iron Man - Tony Stark is a consistent DPS character who has really good flanking and burst potential. A good Iron Man can destroy enemy backlines with ease, but a good team can foil that plan. He will either need a pocket healer or a?? distracted team to inflict some serious damage. 

Groot - Groot is a bit of a flexible Vanguard who can play a tank role and push forw??ard with his walls or act as a trapper to deal with flankers and melee characters. His damage output is quite scary up close. The only issue with him is that without proper team coordination, his walls can mess up an attack or even block ults.

Winter Soldier - The “AGA??IN!�?memes are hilarious, but this spectacle doesn’t happen too much. Winter Soldier is a very strong hero, having some of the best DPS potential in the game (if you can land your hits), and good iso?lating potential. With a proper setup, his Kraken Impact is one of the best abilities in the game, giving him multiple charges with each successful kill.

Psylocke - Psylocke is one of the better flankers of the game with a straightforward kit (despite being a 5-star difficulty hero). Her ult is one of the best in the game, having a huge radius and being nearly impossible to get out of once in it, but her solo potential is a bit lacking. Still, with the rest of her kit, she’s very viable.

Namor - Just place a bunch of his Monstros down and throw his tridents nonstop. Namor is a character you can just sort of “unga bunga�?with and get some pretty good results. His projectile??s have travel time, so you’ll need some aim or good anticipation of enemy movements.

Adam Warlock - Being the Overwatch Mercy equivalent in this game, Adam Warlock can give his team huge potential in the comeback department. What prevents hi?m from being the best (or one of the best??) supports is his lack of mobility.

Magneto - Magneto is one? of the more standard and honest Vanguards in Marvel Rivals. He has an answer for most things coming at him, but his damage is a big lacking unless he’s up close.

Star-Lord - If we made a tier between A and S, Star-Lord would be right in between. His single-target damage is scary, paired with the fact that his movement is very solid. Star-Lord’s ult is also one of ??the best in the game, being able to mow down foes from the ?sky. His only downside is that he can’t fly all the time.

Invisible Woman - Sue Storm assumes a support role that prevents a lot of damage and h??as good crowd control on top of her strong healing. She can kind of do it all. Although not as potent as a Luna Snow or Mantis, the invisibility can really throw enemy attack plans off.

B-Tier characters

The lowest tier of the bunch. Before you revolt about some choices, there are just some consist?ency issues that go on with each in this tier.

Squirrel Girl - Yes, Squirrel Girl can rack up incredible damage because she’s essentially a noob-tuber character, but that’s the issue. She’s a good solo carry in early ranks, but in ?higher-level play where players know how to maneuver their characters ?better and people land their shots more often, her damage output becomes inconsistent. She’s also not really good against airborne targets.

Jeff the Land Shark - Yet another noob-friendly character. Jeff has his tricks, namely that pesky ult. His healin??g potential and escape potential aren’t half bad either, but he doesn’t perform consistently at higher ranks. 

Captain America - While this guy received buffs in the Season 1 patch, his overall kit is still outshined by other Vanguards. He’s fun and has some really good m?ovement, but his defensive capabilities are on the weaker side, es?pecially being a tank and all.

Scarlet Witch - Wanda has the potential to turn the tide in battle thanks to her ult, but even then, the buildup and damage she racks up doesn’t quite make up for it. In higher ranks, her Reality Erasure can easily be stopped with a Pen?i web, Luna freeze, burst d??amage, or hiding from her line of sight.

Black Widow - While high-precision characters like Hawkeye and Hela are the best of the best, Black Widow fal?ters. Sniper characters are only good with proper setups or if the person using them lands headshots consistently. There are better options out there.

Spider-Man - Yes, Spidey has the best movement in the game, but he’s very inconsistent. Getting his combos down to pick off the backline takes a lot of skill. Having him on your team wil??l either help you or be a huge hindrance. There’s no in-between.

Iron Fist - Another DPS character who has the potential to be the biggest headache to fight or a pushover. Iron Fist is one of the better melee-ranged c?haracters with exceptional movement, but he can easily be picked off by any character who can immobilize foes.

How different this list will look once we start getting more consistent balance changes is to be determined. For now, don’t let this dictate who you play just because one character seems more honest than other?s.

The post Marvel Rivals Se?ason 1 tier list: Best an??d worst characters, ranked appeared first on Destructoid.

Before the Nintendo Switch 2 was officially announced, many fans were already writing game prediction lists. You've got your obvious sequel choices for big names like the Mario and Legend of Zelda series. Then, there's Nintendo's more niche c??ollection, featuring titles that only garnered a smal??l but dedicated audience.

With the highly anticipated release of the platform on the horizon, we have ample time to speculate and build our excitement until the next Nintendo Direct. So, while we're eagerly waiting, here are our picks for the ga?mes we hope to see on Nintendo Switch 2 launch day.

Super Mario Odyssey 2

It's been a while since we got our last Mario 3D-based game, with Super Mario 3D World + Bowser’s Fury launching back in 2021. Although there are many ways Nintendo could go about the next 3D entry, I'm putting Super Mario Odyssey 2 at the top of the list. This title is known to be one of the best NS gam??es, pushing the franchise's fun factor to the limit.

Just imagine the possibilities of a Super Mario Odyssey se?quel on the Nintendo Switc??h 2. With the sheer size of this platform, we can expect everything to be bigger and better, with new wondrous worlds waiting to be explored across its many kingdoms.

Pokémon Legends: Z-A

After a year without new Pokémon games, 2025 is set to be a significant year for all Pokémon fans. The much-awaited Pokémon Legends: Z-A is on it??s way, promising to transport us to the vibrant Kalos region's Lumiose City.

Following the 2024 Pokémon Presents, news about Z-A has been relatively quiet, with a few rumors here and there regarding gameplay. Having a Pokémon title upon the Switch 2's launch would certainly be monumental, especially sin?ce the series is one of the biggest communities in the gaming world.

New Legend of Zelda game

I know it's wishful thinking that we would get a new Legend of Zelda game on Switch 2's launch day, but I just had to put it on this ????list. While I was a little late to the party, only playing the games in recent years, I've gotten invested in this series to the point where I'm watching deep-dive lore videos on YouTube.

A new Legend of Zelda for the Nintendo Switch 2 could keep me on this track, along with the rest of the community. Or, at the very least, it could be a remaster of Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom. A re-release of these two hit?? games wou?ld work great for Switch 2's modernized graphics, making Hyrule even more breathtaking than it already is.

Metroid Prime 4: Beyond

Similar to Pokémon Legends: Z-A, Metroid Prime 4: Beyond will be coming out in 2025. So, that begs the question: Will i?t be released for Nintendo Switch 1 or 2? It may steer more towards the latter, given that the store seemingly ??only mentions Nintendo Switch, but the former could be in the cards.

The Nintendo Switch 2 does have backward compatibility, after all, as long as this title is supported. That means you'll likely be able to play as Metroid's famous bounty hunter, Samus Aran, whether on the?????????????????????????? Nintendo Switch 1? or 2.

Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater

While Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater was meant for 2024, we'll need to keep waiting deeper into the new year. Rumors suggest that this remake of the 2004 PS2 classic ma?y arrive for the Nintendo Switch 2, allowing you to take this new modernized version with you on the go.

It wouldn't be the first time Operation Snake Eater was on a Nintendo platform, with the likes of MGS Master Collection and Snake Eater 3D for the 3DS. As a massive Metal Gear Solid fan, I'd love to see t?he newest iteration be a part of the Switch 2, just so more people can experie?nce one of the best games I've ever played.

Splatoon 4

Almost a decade ago, the first Splatoon made it to the Nintendo collection, marking its splashy debut in the third-person shooter genre. The most recent entry, Splatoon 3, kept the ?hype going with its consistent updates for the past two years. However, the good times had to stop eventually, as updates were ceased by Sept. 2024.

Now that the fun-filled adventures of Splatoon 3 have relatively come to an end, the Nintendo Switch 2 launch day would be the perfect time for a Splatoon 4 reveal. Maybe then??, we could finally get a multiplayer split-screen feature for a little couch co-op action.

New Animal Crossing game

When Animal Crossing: New Horizons came out, it took the world by storm, bringing together both new and returning players alike. I still go back to it to this day (I'm sorry to all my villagers that I've neglected), but I wish there was a bit more content added, like what was done with the Happy Home Paradise DLC.

Based on the releases of past Animal Crossing titles, Nintendo Switch 2's 2025 launch is around the right time for a new AC game. There's typically a few-year gap between each title, apart from the substantial seven-year gap with the most recent entry. I hope it's not as long as the last time around, bu?t even if it takes a while, I'm sure it'll all be worth the wait.

Tomodachi Life 2

Compared to a potential new Zelda game for Switch 2's launch day, a sequel for Tomodachi Life may be the most far-fetched idea yet. The first one was released over a decade ago, and it doesn't have as much of an audience as the ones in the big leagues. Still, there is a devoted fanbase that's been hoping for Tomodachi Life 2, creat??ing a virtual world of your friends and family Mii-style.

Even if a sequel seems like a stretch, it's not entirely impossible for Nintendo Switch 2's Day One debut. The NS did get a similar take on it with Miitopia, allowing you to send out Mii-mified versions of your loved ones on a grand adventure. Tomodachi Life and Miitopia would be superb foundations for the TL sequel if Nintendo ever goes through with it.

New Call of Duty game

Given that Call of Duty has been attached to consoles like PlayStation and Xbox, you wouldn't really expect one of these titles on Nintendo. However, according to CharlieIntel, there are talks about the next CoD entry to arrive on the Nintendo Switch. It isn't exactly clear what Call of Duty would be coming, but some say it could be a sequel to Black Ops 2's storyline.

As a fan who has spent countless hours on CoD, I would love to experience it on the go with the Nintendo Switch 2. The last time we saw a Call of Duty title on a Nintendo platform was in 2007 with CoD 4: Modern Warfare on the Nintendo DS. I'm eager to see how it will fare in the ?new era of Nintendo and if the system can finally?? handle its intricate mechanics.

Luigi's Mansion 4

Mario always gets the spotlight for Nintendo games as the frontman for most of the franchise. Albeit, it is the Mario series, so it totally makes sense that he gets so much love. But, every now and then, we're blessed with Luigi's Mansion, the ghost-hu?nting series of the franchise's beloved sidekick.

Luigi's Mansion offers a unique view of the Mario franchise, separating ??from the usual platformer or party games. Sometimes, it's nice to change things up, and it w?ould make for a great start to Nintendo Switch 2's launch.

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The console wars were still raging when I was in high school, and while I was on team GameCube, a good friend of mine was on team Xbox. ??Maybe not firmly team Xbox, as he wasn’t as close-minded as I was. He loved the short-lived Dreamcast and even managed to introduce me to some PS2 titles that? stuck with me. However, his enthusiasm for Microsoft’s first foray into the console market has left me with a lasting affection towards the massive brick of hardware.

With just short of 1000 games, it had a larger library than Nintendo’s GameCube, but a much smaller one than the PS2. It sold an estimated 24 million, which gave it a small lead over t??he Gamecube’s e??stimated 22 million. Most importantly, it solidified Microsoft as a big player in the console market that endures to this day.

Today, I mostly know it as the era’s console with the best third-party ports. If a game was released on the three major consoles of the generation??, you can bet that the best version was on Xbox. However, while that’s a terrific strength to have, the console’s beefy hardware attracted a large number of exclusive?? titles. Selecting from such a large pool was no easy task, and for all those that I name below, I’ve left out some other great titles.

15. The Chronicles of Riddick: Escape from Butcher Bay (2004)

Listen, I know absolutely nothing about Pitch Black, aside from the fact that it has Vin Diesel in it and he plays a character called Riddick. And the only reason I know this is because of The Chronicles of Riddick: Escape from Butcher Bay.

When it came out, Chronicles of Riddick felt like something that came back in time from the next console gene?ration. It was surprising in i?ts first-person cinematic qualities and its impactful combat. Plus, it was a great-looking game, even when it was first released on Xbox. My only warning is that you're going to have to be ready to do some stealth.

By 2004, licensed games had a reputation for being garbage, disappointing at best, and shovelware at worst. Chronicles of Riddick wasn't even based on a very spectacular property, and yet it blew away expec??tations.

14. Crazy Taxi 3: High Roller (2002)

I'm going to wind up sounding like a Sega fangirl by the end of this list, but I swear that's not accurate. Sega just rebounded off the failure of the Dreamcast in a pretty spectacular way before their merger with Sammy. During that rebound, we got a third Crazy Taxi, this time completely e?xclusive to Xbox (and later, Arcade).

Crazy Taxi 3: High Roller doesn't just add a new map, new drivers, and new crazy maneuvers, it also compiles in levels from the first two games, but edits them to balance them with the new abilities. It's still the same fast and frantic pick-up and drop-off against-the-clock gameplay, but it's at its peak. Heck, it even brings in the classic tracks from Offspring and Bad Religion, and to top it off, all the bizarre, t?urn-of-the-millenium product placement is there, to?o.

The only thing that would be better is if it included all the levels from across the series alongside the soundtracks and product placement. Alas, it seems like that just will never happen. Especially not when it seems that Sega is taking an online multiplayer live? service model for their upcoming revival.

13. Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 2X (2001)

Around 2000 was the height of the Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater series�?popularity. Activision was capitalizing on Neversoft’s golden goose, so the tendrils were being spread in all directions to every platform. 2001 was the same year that Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3 was released�?on the PS2 and GameCube (and PS1), but the Xbox wouldn’t get it until the next year. Perhaps to keep early Xbox adopters hungry, they released the exclusive Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 2X.

2X is mostly a port of THPS2, but also sort of a compilation of the first two games in the series with updated graphics. While you can tell it’s built on the bones of the PS1 classics and the level geometry is pretty much the same in a lot of areas, it manages to look pretty good. It starts only allowing you to play the THPS2 levels, but after you complete it, you're then given a set of all-new levels to kick around in. Then, once those are completed, you unlock all the levels of the first game, which allows you to use the added arsenal of moves introduced in Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 2 in the first game. On top of that, you can unlock a few more levels that are ??more or less objectiveless multiplayer stages.

The existence of 2X made 2012’s Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater HD all the more disappointing since that game didn’t have all the levels, nor did it have the music. 2020’s Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 1+2 is a much better effort but still lacked 2X’s five exclusive levels. This means that 2X ?still has s??omething to offer all these decades later.

12. The Elder Scrolls III: Morrowind (2002)

I love The Elder Scrolls III: Morrowind so much that the only reason it isn’t higher on the list is because the PC version is so much better. Nonetheless, fitting the game on the OG Xbox was a big task, and Bethesda did a great job. One might even say that the console's limitations informed how Bethesda went? about building the game.

Morrowind was where the lore of The Elder Scrolls series really got its depth. A lot of things that were introduced in previous games were defined in greater detail here. So much so, that later games in the series have continued to coast by on what was written here without adding all that much of their own. Despite only?? taking place on the part of a single province in Tamriel, you get to see a clash of cultures and political powers, including the separation of Dunmeri religion and Imperial. It's an insane amount of depth that you just don't see in video games.

It also has the best, most unconventional story in the series. You play as a nameless prisoner who was hand-selected by the Emperor to fit the description of a historical figure in Morrowind’s history. However, by following the prophecy, it becomes likely that you actually are that person, the resurrected Nerevar. It’s an alien and unconventional game that has you gaining loyalty from polit?ical groups and other factions as you try? and defeat an existential threat to the world.

11. OutRun 2006: Coast 2 Coast (2006)

I love Sega’s 1986 classic OutRun so damned much. Seeing it move from its pseudo-3D raster effect graphics to polygonal 3D filled me with doubt. How could you possibly live up to the original without just turning it into another generic racing game? I was afraid it would just be Gran Turismo with Ferraris.

As it turns out, you do it by not changing much at all. 2003’s Out Run 2 basically just uses 3D graphics to depict the same basic gameplay as its 2D predecessor. You drive non-stop across a branching map, trying to reach the finish line before you can be ??defeated by the timer.

Outrun 2006: Coast 2 Coast not only contains the standard continental (?) sprint of the arcade titles, but a slew of side modes. These range from simple races against computer-controlled opponents to weird activities based around trying to impress your possibly sociopathic girlfriend. It’s a terrific version of an already great game and one of the be??st driving titles on the system. It really demonstrates the creativity pushed by Sega in the wake of the Dreamcast's failure.

10. Godzilla: Save the Earth (2004)

Okay, I know a lot of people aren’t going to agree with me here, but I was a huge fan of Godzilla: Destroy All Monsters Melee on GameCube. However, it was really easy to burn through every scrap of content in that game during a short rental period. Godzilla: Save the Earth is the sequel to that, only it b?rings with it more content, more kaiju, and more fun.

Yes, I’ll admit that it’s a dumb game about giant monsters throwing skyscrapers at each other, but just saying that out loud reminds me of how awesome that is. Godzilla has had it pretty rough when it comes to video games, but Pipeworks Studios did the license proud. It’s clear that their titles were Godzilla fans trying to make their ?dream game, and I happen to shar??e in that dream.

I cannot imagine it??'s possible to tran??slate tokusatsu kaiju movies better. It's just a massively wild showdown that is even more fun when you've got friends to play it with.

9. Jet Set Radio Future (2002)

The biggest win for Microsoft’s Xbox was probably the failure of Sega’s Dreamcast. While Sega went multiplatform after pulling out of the console market, they seemed to favor the Xbox, at least in the beginning, perhaps feeling soured from their rivalries with Nintendo and Sony. If the Dreamcast’s lifespan was cut short, its library lived on through the Xbox. Games like Crazy Taxi, Panzer Dragoon, and Shenmue all found their way to Microsoft’s console.

2002’s Jet Set Radio Future is a good example of this, being a sequel to 2000’s Jet Grind Radio. Well, technically, it’s not a sequel; it exists in its own timeline. It could be called a do-over, as it carries over a similar plot, the same characters, and the same fast and addicting gameplay. The biggest difference is that Jet Set Radio Future has a more open str?ucture and drops the time limit of the original.

It didn’t sell well, unfortunately, which might be why ?we haven’t received a sequel to this day. It hasn’t even been ported, meaning the only way to really play it today is on the original console. Playing it now gives a real “they don’t make ‘em like this anymore�?vibe.

8. Splinter Cell: Chaos Theory (2005)

Tom Clancy’s Splinter Cell is a series about a grumbly man who sasses his way through terrorists. Or around terrorists, I guess. It’s a stealth game, so not being seen is more important than a body count. Although the series was multi-platform, the PS2 and Gamecube always wound up with oddly stripped-down versions compared to Xbox and PC. Splinter Cell: Chaos Theory?? is the best the series ever got while potentially being the worst on the less powerful consoles.

While Splinter Cell: Chaos Theory largely stuck to the classic formula in sin??gle-player, it threw in a terrific co-op mode and an asymmetrical competitive mode when asymmetrical multi-player was still an extreme rarity. Both of these multi-player splinters were terrific, while the main campaign is the height of the series. It also looked incredible for its time.

After things transitioned to the next generation, Splinter Cell kind of lost its way. Things became progressively more and more ridiculous, and for some people, that’s ??probably the way they prefer it. For me, on the other hand, I like my stealth shadowy and my narratives forgettable.

7. Breakdown (2004)

Breakdown feels like a celebration of the first-person perspective. It’s clear that the developers of Namco wanted to take the immersive and muc??h-beloved camera angle and push it to its limits. You ?never left the protagonist’s eyeballs. When a friend of mine first told me about it in high school, he excitedly described the protagonist eating a hamburger, and while that sounds ridiculous, it really is awesome.

Japanese first-person shooters are a bit of a rarity, even today. Breakdown feels like the perfect embodiment of what you get when you combine the genre with the inventiveness of Japanese games in the early-�?0s. There’s a lot of jank, and the story is very bizarre, but its approach makes it stand out despite those issue?s. While first-person shooters were becoming progressively more interchangeable, its immersion-first approach kept it feeling fresh.

Like Chronicles of Riddick, the focus in Breakdown is in its combat, which feels very ??physical, but also very diverse while w??orking within a first-person perspective. That's really no small feat in itself.

6. Psychonauts (2005)

Psychonauts has far outlived the console it launched on, to the point where it’s difficult to remember that the Xbox was its primary platform. It did launch on PS2 and PC, but those almost seem like afterthoughts. Regardless, Psychonauts was something of a financial disappointment at a time when new IPs were struggling to be recognized. Despite that, word-of-mouth from its avid fanbase granted it a cult following. Over 15 years later, we’d finally get Psychonauts 2.

The original is still worth playing, however. Featuring surprisi??ngly deep characters, an excellent soundtrack, and solid platforming. You play as a young boy who breaks into a Summer Camp for psychics and finds mystery afoot. You're then given the ability to enter other people's min??ds, which gives the game its central premise: platforming adventures through various psyches.

Psychonauts is packed wit??h great and memorable moments that will drill into your grey matter and live there. Each mind presents s??omething different, taking you to a battlefield on a board game and a twisted neighborhood packed with conspiracy paranoia. There's nothing else quite like it on the console.

5. Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic (2003)

Personally, I played Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic on PC, but it came out a few months earlier on Xbox. Since I missed out on a lot of CRPGs of the era, KotOR was a pretty enlightening experience for me. The companion system was engrossing, and the dark/light-side alig??nment was an interesting twist that made the experience very personal. Then, of course??, there was HK-47, a robot so twisted and evil that I feel rather jealous.

You play as a (seemingly) relative nobody caught up in a war between the Jedi and Sith, set centuries before the events of even the prequel trilogy. In typical CRPG style, you pick up party members along the way, including the aforementioned killer robot. Truly, it was nice to have something Star Wars-related that didn't just drool lovingly over the movies.

It was followed up by Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic 2: The Sith Lords by Obsidian Entertainment, which had higher highs and lower lows. The absolute nadir of these lows was the fact that it was clearly unfinished. So, while there’s lots of fun to be had through most of the game, and some of the twists that it pulls are extremely meaningful, the whole thing starts to vibrate harder and harder until the end, to the point where it essentially shakes itself apart. So for those reasons, Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic is here instead.

4. Halo: Combat Evolved (2001)

This is here mostly due to peer pressure. I’m not in love with the Halo games in general. Every year or so, I’ll boot one up to play through and reconfirm my apathy toward the series. However! I recognize its impact, and it's not like I think it's a stinky game or anything. I was around when it dropped, and it was the biggest, latest thing. It was such a huge success that it became one of the most often imitated formulas, and for a good reason. Its combat was truly revolutionary, tying in a small degree of strategy as you identified priority targets ??and took them out with a range of weapons.

My lack of enthusiasm for Halo today m??ight be because the game's best features and story beats have been replicated to the point of becoming stale. That's not really the game's fault, though, and back in the day, it was a mainstay multiplayer title for my group of high school friends. We even got eight players together on two connected Xboxes for a few nights. Good times.

And, as much of a curmudgeon as I am, I've always loved the vehicular side of Halo. It tied in v?arious modes of transportation in satisfying ways wit??hout having to completely disrupt the action.

3. Ninja Gaiden Black (2005)

2004’s Ninja Gaiden is a title that I feel was significantly over-hyped at the time of release while simultaneously holding the opinion that it’s a fantastic game. An Xbox exclusive at the time, Tecmo and Microsoft pushed hard with marketing, and a lot of people around me ate it up. It was the Demon’s Souls of the time; it was so difficult th??at completing it meant you were just so skillf??ul and cool.

It was so built up as this transcendental experience that nothing could realistically live?? up to the hype. And it didn’t. But I still love it.

It was followed up a year later with Ninja Gaiden Black, which compiled in the two DLC packs that were released for the original title, added missions, and rejiggered other parts of it. It was sort of a definitive edition, and that was only solidified when Ninja Gaiden Sigma was released on the PS3 and was considered to be a prettier version of the game, but otherwise flaccid in comparison. Even today, Ninja Gaiden Black is considered by many to be the ?best version of the stellar title. I can't disagree.

2. Steel Battalion (2002)

“It’s not the game that matters, it’s the controller,�?is something I don’t think anyone has ever said. However, in the case of Steel Battalion, that would probably be accurate. Steel Battalion is designed around a controller with 44 inputs. This inc??ludes three pedals, two joysticks, a dial, some toggles, and a whole lot of buttons.

There is a game involved here, but I’m not sure how one is supposed to play it with such an assertively arousing controller. Steel Battalion itself is constructed around hardware outside and in. A lot of effort has gone into making its mechs feel like steel coffins with an ?almost retro-futuristic, cyberpunk feel. There's enough depth to all the systems to necessitate a good read-through of its extensive manual.

However �?and this is one thing you need to know going in �?it is absolutely brutal. There’s an eject button on the controller, and it’s more than just for show. If your mech starts giving out on you, you’ll need to press that button to preserve your life. Going down with your tin can means Steel Battalion is going to erase your progress and force you to start over. Even if you do manage to eject, you’ll need to pay for that military hardware you let go up in flames, and if you don’t have the cash to cover it, Steel Battalion will blatantly tell you how much you suck and delete your save. Co?nsidering that it can be quite a feat to topple even the fourth level, that eject button will get a workout. At least you'll get your money's worth out of that controller.

There was a sequel a couple of years later, Steel Battalion: Line of Contact. It, too, used the giant controller, but it was multiplayer only. However, there are still fans playing it online today, long after the servers were taken down. Hm? 2012's Steel Battalion: Heavy Armor? We don't talk about that one.

1. Burnout 3: Takedown (2004)

If there’s one game that made me particularly jealous of Xbox gamers in the day, and one that I’m begging for a port or remaster of today, it’s Burnout 3: Takedown. I was a huge fan of the wreck-'em-up racers Burnout and Burnout 2 on GameCube. Then EA would get their green-stained hands-on Criterion, and suddenly the GameCube got kicked to the curb. PS2 got it, but my little lunchbox was ignored. That sucks, because Burnout 3: Takedown is easily the best in the series.

It took everything that was good about the first two games (the crashes) and made them better. Suddenly, bumping and grinding felt more im??pactful, and the game was more chaotic. You were not only rewarded for skillful driving, but aggressive combat. Somehow, Criterion was able to harness the chaos and create mechanical systems that enhance it. A world tour framework brought all the various modes together in one career. It is, to this day, one of my favorite racing games.

Burnout 3 would be followed up with Burnout Revenge on the platform. However, I feel like the “traffic checking�?mechanic (allowing you to knock cars traveling in the same direction out of the way) cheapened the thrills of dodging through traffic. Burnout 3, on the other hand, is racing perfection.

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City building board games make puzzling over the placement of tiles and planning your most creative construction strategies a ton of fun. T??o claim victory in these tabletop titles, you’ll often need to line up roadways, assemble buildings, and generate resources with your factories and farms. In the li??st below, we’re highlighting twelve fantastic board games that offer an immensely satisfying urban planning experience.

12. My City

My City is relatively straightforward tile placement game that takes players through a twenty-four part campaign. In each chapter, you’ll have to put tiles on your player mat according to the order in which they appear in your construction deck. However, there are a number of simple rules that complicate this process. You can’t place buildings on mountain or forest spaces, nor can you position them over the river that crosses the middle of your board. In addition, you’ll lose points for every rock and empty space that’s showing, but you’ll gain a point back for every tree that you leave uncovered. Scoring carries over from game to game, so you’ll have plenty of chances?? to catch up in case you didn’t do very well in a particular chapter.

11. Sunrise City

In Sunrise City, players construct a city with zone tiles, and? then compete to control these zones, so that they have the rights to put buildings on them. In addition to placing tiles, the players will pick up role cards, which all have special abilities. The zoning commissioner, for example, will double your score for increasing the size of your districts. Meanwhile, the city treasurer and the union boss will give you extra points depending on the height of your buildings. The game’s benchmarks system rewards you the most points when you meet your scoring goal exactly, rather than exceeding it.

10. Sprawlopolis

The portable city-building board game Sprawlopolis is packed with plenty of exciting action despite its small size. Each round of urban planning has a special scoring condition that gives points to players who can complete a particular arrangement of cards. In one gam??e, this might be laying down roads so they form a loop. In another, it might be putting together industrial blocks so that they share corners. You can enjoy the game cooperatively with up to three additional players, or take advantage of the equally fun solitaire mode. You’ll likely be amazed at just how much you can do with the game’s 18-card deck.

9. Carcassonne

The classic tile placement game Carcassonne offers an easy-to-learn medieval landscape building experience that never gets old thanks to the game’s enormous catalog of expansion content. When it’s your turn, you’ll play a new tile adjacent to the existing ones that continues the surrounding fields, cities, and roads. Monasteries and other buildings?? from the expansions can also alter the countryside. Each player has a collection of meeples to work with that serve as either highwaymen or knights, depending on where they’re placed. It’s a good gateway for anyone who’s taking their first steps into the tabletop gaming world. 

8. Dorfromantik: The Board Game

Even if you’ve never played or heard of the Dorfromantik video game, you can have a blast playing its zen tabletop adaption. Instead of lining up your tiles to create massive city districts, you and your teammates will instead be building a mix of small towns and villages amongst a rolling landscape of railroads, pastures, and rivers. The only thing you need to do when it’s your turn is place a tile, which is a simple formula that keeps the experience relatively relaxed. However, you’ll still need to puzzle over how to get the achievements and goals that are within your reach. It’s a fully cooperative campaign experience that both beginner and veteran gamers can enjoy. For something that’s ??a bit more compet?itive, try the “Duel�?edition of the game instead.

7. Suburbia

In Suburbia, one to four players work to take their small town of hex tiles and turn it into a bustling city that’s full of interesting buildings and infrastructure. Will you add farms, factories, and airports in an attempt to gene?rate the highest population at the end of the game? Or will you stick with apartments, high-ri?ses, and hostels? As it turns out, you’ll usually need a mix of both in order to claim victory. The game has considerable replay value due to its randomized goal system, which can completely alter your objectives and reshape the landscape of your entire city.

6. Nevada City

Nevada City is an exciting yet complex worker placement board game set in the old west. You’ll start with a homestead and a couple family cards, plus a farm and a few other basic building supplies. You’ll use both your hired hands and your characters to take actions, and once you’re unable to take another ??turn, the year ends. With each passing year, you’ll be able to construct more buildings in the local boom town, and charge anyone who uses them a fee. If you’re using the advanced rules, you can also gamble at the local saloon and face off agai??nst the dissatisfied workers who didn’t get a contract from any of the players in a given year.

5. 7 Wonders Duel

7 Wonders Duel isn’t just about building cities. It’s about constructing an entire civilizatio??n, from its ancient roots to its era of scientific advancement and innovation. To begin, you’ll need to construct cards that give you basic re??source generation, such as mines and lumber yards, so that you have stone, clay, and wood. With these materials on hand, you can turn your attention toward piecing together armories and walls, and attacking your opponent. In the final phase of the game, you’ll work on scoring as much as possible with obelisks, academies, and monuments. Alternatively, you can win by invading your enemy’s capital, or by being the first to reach scientific dominance.

4. Citadels

The goal of Citadels is simple: construct the highest scoring city with eight unique building cards. However, it can a complex process to achieve such? a goal, since other players can destroy your buildings when they’re using the warlord card. Each round, the players will get a new role that dictates their abilities. The merchant will give you extra gold, but the thief can steal it. The bishop can protect your buildings, but the assassin might remove a player from the round entirely. There’s often plenty of fun negotiations with the other people at the table, especially if you’re playing with a larger group.

3. Everdell

The popular animal-themed board game Everdell is ?a fantastic introduction to both engine and tableau building mechanics. The game takes place over the course of four seasons, and requires you to send your workers out into the forest to collect sticks, pebbles, and berries. With these resources, you can construct buildings for your village, and attract new inhabitants to occupy them. When an inhabitant card matches one of your buildings, you can play that card for free. For example, postal pigeons fit post offices, and teachers fit schools. The variable achievements up in the game’s Evertree require you to keep a close eye on your opponents, since only one player can claim them.

2. NEOM

If you’re looking for a city building board game in which tile drafting plays a central role, then you’ll love NEOM. With the game’s sizeable collection of tiles and seventeen different types of goods, there’s a ton of variety to ensure that every game ends up feeling completely new. The game notably draws some of its mechanics from the original version of 7 Wonders, but the player interaction is arguably greatly improved compared with the classic. That’s because you can purchase mate??????????????????????????rials from everyone at the table, not just the p?layers to your immediate left and right, provided you pay a small transport fee.

1. Underwater Cities

Turn the sea floor into a thriving metropolis in Underwater Cities, a fantastic engine building board game?? that gives players a ton of different ways to win. Besides simply building domes for your metropolis, you can link your infrastructure with?? tunnels, construct farms, and utilize laboratories. When it’s your turn, your aim is to play cards that match the color of the slot you’re playing them in, which will not only allow you to take an action, but activate the advantage on your card. There are more than 200 different cards to work with, and your engine and strategy will always be completely different from game to game. It’s an unrivalled city building experience that pretty much any tabletop gamer will love.

The post The 12 Best City Build??ing Board Games of All Time, Ranked appeared first on Destructoid.

The rich historical worlds and rewarding stealth gameplay sequences from the Assassin’s Creed games are immensely satisfying, and have given the franchise continuing appeal for more than 17 years. If you like the shadowy lore and iconic parkour from this series, then you’ll also enjoy the ten books for fans of Assassin’s Creed tha??t we’ve gathered together in this list. Each title either tells the story of a fascinating fantasy assassin or explores the history behind the franchise’s most iconic settings and characters.

1. The Way of Shadows (Brent Weeks)

The Way of Shadows tracks an orphan boy named Azoth as he goes from living on the streets to becoming the most dangerous killer in Cenaria City. Developing his magical powers and combat abilities starts with proving his intentions to an assassin named Durzo Blint. To do this, he must dispatch one of the leaders of Azoth’s guild who has badly mistreated his friends. This dark and often twisted tale has solid pacing, a well drawn world, and a handful of excellent surprises in store. It’s the first novel in the Night Angel series, which is collectively a great read for Assassin’s Creed enthusiasts who don’t mind explo?ring a darker fantasy s?etting.

2. Alamut (Vladimir Bartol)

Fans of the original Assassin’s Creed game will find much to enjoy in Vladimir Bartol’s Alamut, a novel that directly inspired the story of Altaïr and his fateful showdown against his master, Al Mualim. In the book, one of the main characters, ibn Tahir, joins a group of highly skilled soldiers during the 11th century Crusades that are willing to sacrifice themselves for their leader’s cause. The soldiers defend the Alamut fortress, which also appears in 2023’s Assassin’s Creed: Mirage, against an invading Seljuk army. The book was originally published in 1938 in ?Slovenian, and notably did not get an English translation until 2004.

3. Assassin’s Apprentice (Robin Hobbs)

Assassin’s Apprentice is the first book in Robin Hobbs�?Farseer Trilogy, and does a fantastic job of introducing us to an immersive fantasy landscape that’s full of deadly secrets. The story follows the early life of Fitz, a bastard son of the royal household who trains in the art of assassination and can secretly talk to a??nimals. The virtue-based naming of high born characters is an interesting concept, and the limits and uses of magic in this world are equally fascinating. While the book’s length might seem daunting at first, you’ll likely find yourself wanting to immediately dive into the rest of the author’s works the moment you reach the back cover.

4. The Republic of Pirates (Colin Woodard)

If you’d like to dive deeper into the golden age of piracy from Assassin’s Creed: Black Flag, then The Republic of Pirates might be the perfect book for you to pick up next. The Caribbean seas were full of fascinating people during the 18th century, but few of them were more interesting than the individuals who governed Nassau from 1706-1718. These anti-colonialist pirates, who included the like??s of Benjamin Hornigold and Charles Vane, actively fought against slavery and worked to establish a democratic government ?with fair elections and free trade. The fascinating tale that this book delivers has tons of drama and action, and every single word of it is a true story.

5. Throne of Glass (Sarah J. Maas)

The immensely popular Throne of Glass series from Sarah J. Maas starts off with a bang when its protagonist, Caleana Sardothien, enters what appears to be a deadly dueling tournament. The winner of the competition will become the king’s champion for four years, and afterwards will supposedly be free to go. Since Caleana is an assassin, she hopes to use her skills in the contest to escape the salt mi?nes where she works. However, there’s more waiting for her in this story besides a few good fights. The novel’s central mystery and unexpectedly funny mom??ents make it a page-turner that just about anyone can enjoy.

6. Nevernight (Jay Kristoff)

Nevernight is a relentless revenge thriller with an engaging lead character and a premise that’s guaranteed to keep you hooked from start to finish. The book follows the journey of Mia Corvere as she learns to master both blades and shadows as a member of the Red Church. This mysterious organization is a school for assassins that’s vaguely reminiscent of Hogwarts, but significantly more sinister since everyone within its walls worships a goddess known as the Lady of Blessed Murder. The writing style here is somewhat ornate, especially in its use of footnotes. However, once you’re used to them, the author’s artistic flourishes simply add another layer of atmosp??heric depth to what becomes a truly dark and gruesome tale.

7. London (Edward Rutherford)

Learn more about the historical development of England’s great capital city in Edward Rutherford’s London for a more complete understanding of just how amazing the setting is from Assassin’s Creed: Syndicate. This novel perfectly blends fact with traditional narrative stories to tell the tale of the city itself, through the eyes of five influential families that lived there across the eras. These characters witness some of the most famous moments in history, from the Roman invasion to the signing of the Magna Carta and the industrial revolution. In addition to covering the Victorian age from Syndicate, the book also passes through the viking-era rendition of the city that players can explore in Assassin’s Creed: Valhalla.

8. A Clean Kill in Tokyo (Barry Eisler)

Fans of Assassin’s Creed who are interesting in exploring a more modern story will love the John Rain series by Barry Eisler. The first book, A Clean Kill in Tokyo, creatively explores the psyche of its lead character and raises plenty of interesting questions about what it means to be an assassin in the first place. After Rain makes his latest kill, he finds himself involved with the daughter of the man he’s just dispatched, which forces him to confront the realities of his employm??ent. Eisler’s descriptions of Tokyo create an atmosphere for the novel that’s neatly akin to a 1940’s noir film, which makes the book even more engaging.

9. The Vatican Princess: A Novel of Lucrezia Borgia (C. W. Gortner)

C. W. Gortner’s The Vatican Princess details the life of Lucrezia Borgia and her attempts to free herself the blood-stained influence of her family’s rule over Rome. While Lucrezia appears in Assassin’s Creed: Brotherhood as a fairly straightforward villain, Gortner’s depiction of her uses a more complex shade of grey. The book does not excuse or exonerate her, but better explains why history remembe?rs her as a poisoning seductress. The characters of Cesare and Rodrigo Borgia appear often, and play key roles in the story. It’s a fascinating look into the lives of Ezio Auditore’s most infamous adversaries.

10. Assassin’s Creed: The Secret Crusade (Oliver Bowden)

The official Assassin’s Creed books and novelizations are, of course, all great reads for fans of the franchise who want to delve into its lesser known lore. However, The Secret Crusade is arguably the most essential entry in the series because it properly details the life of Altaïr, the legendary protagonist from the first game. The stories from Altair’s Chronicles on the Nintendo DS and Assassin’s Creed: Bloodlines on the PSP are woven into the larger narrative, which eventually connects to the reclaiming of Masyaf and the creation of the memory seals that Ezio is looking for in Assassin’s Creed: Revelations.

The post 10 Great Books That Are Perfect for? Fans of Assassin’s Creed appeared first on Destructoid.

PlayStation 2 is often known as one of the best consoles of all time, as it introduced many iconic games that are still widely popular today. After all these years, it still holds up as my favorite co?nsole, and I even have a PS2 keychain on my lanyard to prove it.

The only problem is how difficult it can be to play these classic entries now that ??we've entered the modern age of the PlayStation 5. Fortunately, the PlayStation Plus' Classic Catalog and remasters allow us to experience nostalgia again. So, without further ado, here are the best PS2 games you can play on the PS5.

Jak and Daxter: The Precursor Legacy

Let's kick off with a true classic, Jak and Daxter: The Precursor Legacy. If you're a fan of Naughty Dog's impressive collection, including The Last of Us and Uncharted, you'll be fascinated to see the roots of this renowned studio, apart from its other popular series, Crash Bandicoot.

The story follows the adventures of its titular character, Jak, and his furry companion, Daxter. You'll embark on a heroic quest to find the cure for Daxter's condition after he transforms from a human to an ottsel (half otter and half weasel). The Precursor Legacy is a lot more light-hearted and comedic than the following titles in the series. And, if you get hooked on this one, you can complete the trilogy with Jak II and Jak III.

Ratchet and Clank

Ratchet and Clank presents another iconic duo of the PlayStation universe from the beloved studio Insomniac Games. Everything about this series screams fun as you wield a diverse array of weaponry and eliminate the lap dogs o??f the villainous Chairmen Drek. Here, you'll see how Ratchet and Clank met, opening the door to the rest of the series.

As one of the first games I played as a kid, Ratchet and Clank holds a special p??lace in my heart, becoming a cherished part of my childhood. Even as an adult, I find myself d?rawn back to it, especially with the 2016 remake that beautifully updates its graphics, evoking a sense of nostalgia while also feeling fresh and new.

War of the Monsters

If you ever wanted to go on a monstrous city rampage like Godzilla or King Kong, you should definitely play War of the Monsters. The title basically explains what this fighting g??ame is all about, allowing you to battle it out with a fellow beast.

Compared to other fighting games I've played, War of the Monsters is a whole new level of chaos. The destructible environment means that everything around you can be reduced to rubble, turning an entire city into a battleground. The freedom to roam the map adds another layer of strateg??y to your attacks, and you may even get lost in its significant size.

Primal

Step into the action-adventure world of Primal, a classic PS2 game that follows the journey of the main protagonist, Jen Tate. You'll also assume the role of her ancient companion, Scree, with the ability to seamlessly switch between the two powerful characters. Engage in intense battl?es with demons from the immortal realm, unleashing devastating combos for satisfying takedowns.

This dark pathway explores four distinct demon realms, all to uncover the origins behind Tate's supernaturality. It'??ll help you discover her four demon forms: Wraith, Djinn, Undine, and Ferai.

Dark Cloud

Dark Cloud is a JRPG known for its adventurous du??ngeon-crawling and customizable world. You'll take on the role of Toan (name can be changed) and other playable teammates?? to fend off the ancient evil connected to the Dark Cloud tales.

When you've had your fill of battling, you can take a breather and contribute to the growth of various towns. It's a rewarding experience to witness the tangible progress of y?our town over time, providing a welcome respite from the challenging dungeons.

Sly Cooper Collection

Experience most of Sly Cooper's thievious escapades with the PlayStation 2 Sly Collection. Like many on this list, this series holds some of my fondest memories with the PS2, starting out with Sly Cooper and the Thievius Raccoonus. You'll meet the entire Cooper G?ang with Bentley, Murray, and, of course, Sly. They'll put their thieving skills to the test to claim the ultimate prize of the Thievius Racconus, a book stolen from Sly's family that contains his legacy's secrets.

Once you've knocked out the first one, you can start playing Band of Thieves, often considered the fan favorite. But, for me, my most treasured Sly entry has to go to Honor Among Thieves, one of the last installments of the collection.

Shadow of the Colossus

Any time there's a discussion about the best PlayStation 2 games, Shadow of the Colossus always ends up in the conversation. Its awe-inspiring and visually s??tunning designs of its immersive world and the legendary Colossi are still highly regarded even today.

Play as the young man known as the "Wander," on a mission to explore the Colossi-run lands for a mystical revival power. The road to this ancient ability is treach?erous, where almost every showdown feels like a boss fight.

Bully

When Bully first came out, I probably spent more than a month on it, diving into the school life of the rambunctious Jimmy Hopkins. Despite the game releasing back in 2006, I still regard it as my second favorite game of all time (my number one is on this list, too). It's just got so much packed into one game, including memorable side missions, an elaborate school system, and a whimsical ?cast of characters.

One of the things that drew me to Bully was its slightly less violent nature than Rockstar Games' other hit series, Grand Theft Auto. I wasn't really allowed to play GTA in my younger days, so it was nice to have a sorta PG-13-esque alternative. But don't get me wrong; Bully is still pretty violent, where you'll often go toe-to-toe against Bullworth Academy'??s notorious bullies in Jimmy's quest to become the top dog of the school.

Tomb Raider: Legend

You'd probably have to be living under a rock if you haven't heard of one of PlayStation's most iconic characters, Lara Croft. There are a lot of ways you can start your Tomb Raider journey, but since we're on the scope of PS2 games on the PS5, you can try out Tomb Raider: Legend.

Lara finds herself on yet another epic adventure in the hopes of finding ancient artifacts. With her dual pistols and dynamic agility, she navigates through diverse environments, from dense jungles to icy sno?wscapes. As you raid the game's numerous tombs, you'll uncover the enigmatic origins of Lara Croft to further the franchise's expansive lore.

Max Payne

If you're looking for an action-packed story PS2 game, look no further with Max Payne. It's the first-ever title to introduce Bullet Time in games, offering the player better control with its slow-motion gunplay. You can think of it as the origins of Red Dead Redemption's famous Dead Eye targetting systems, considering that Rockstar Games published Max Payne.

Although Max Payne has been on a path of justice as an undercover cop, the journey turns violent when he's wr??ongfully framed for a murder. It'll certainly be a challenge in light of the cops and mob that's hot on his tail, but fortunately, you got the Bullet Time on your side to eas??e the tension.

Grand Theft Auto Trilogy - The Definitive Edition

I know I've covered a lot of Rockstar Games on this list, but I just have to add one more to the pot with the Grand Theft Auto Trilogy collection. GTA is likely one of the biggest franchises out there, and it relatively started with the three games presented here. With this Definitive Edition, you'll get to play Grand Theft Auto III, Vice City, and San Andreas, all remastered for th?e PS5 with improved grap?hics and gameplay.

San Andreas is one of the most widely known entries, taking us back to the '90s with Carl 'CJ' Johnson. Going even further back, Vice City centers around the 1980s, in which you'll experience the revengeful path of Tommy Vercetti. Last but not least is Grand Theft Auto III, featuring the dark origins of Liberty City with the character, Claude. With the highly-anticipated release of GTA 6, it'?s the perfect time to start or get back?? to the trilogy on the PS5.

Indigo Prophecy

Indigo Prophecy, also known as Fahrenheit, is an underrated PS2 game made by Quantic Dream, the creators of the beloved Heavy Rain, Beyond: Two Souls, and Detroit: Become Human. This interactive narrative was?? one of the first times I experienced a choice-based game where you'll have to make life-?altering decisions as multiple characters.

What made it so interesting to me was the unique gameplay of playing as the killer and the cop chasing you, making you question whose side you should be on. There's also some life-simulation mixed in with Indigo Prophecy's sanity meter. That means you must keep the characters? happy by performing mundane tasks like eating, sleeping, or showering, all the while dealing with the turmoil of your crimes.

Ratchet and Clank: Up Your Arsenal

While I do love the original Ratchet and Clank, the third entry, Up Your Arsenal, is probably at the top of ?my list. Ratchet and Clank are in their prime, making you feel like an absolute boss in this galactic world. Once again, the duo needs to save the world with a mission to stop the series' long-standing villain, Doctor Nefarious.

One of the significant reasons why Up Your Arsenal i??s my favorite among the series is the base of operations of the Galactic Rangers. You'll get to embark on many activities here, such as playing Captain Qw??ark minigames, customizing your suit, and taking on new missions across the galaxy.

God of War HD

Apart from icons like Lara Croft and Sly Cooper, God of War's Kratos has become a household name, especially with the successful 2018 release of God of War. But, before Kratos became a father to Atreus, it all started with the PS2, where he was a de??mi-god Spartan warrior for the God of Olympus. Wield the legendary weapon, the Blades of Chaos, and take down notable figures from Greek mythology.

If you enjoy the chaotic life of the great Kratos, you can experience another PS2 gem with God of War II. Heck, you can play the entire series while you're at it, including other hits like PS3's God of War III and the PS4/PS5's Ragnarok.

Metal Gear Solid Master Collection

Concluding this list of the best PS2 games to play on the PS5, I present to you my most cherished series, Metal Gear Solid. While Bully holds a special place as my second favorite title, the timeless appeal of Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater makes will always my number one, regardless of the years that have passed. The entire franchise is brimming with the most compelling narratives and diverse gameplay mechanics, most of which can be experienced in the Metal Gear Solid: Master Collection.

Although the first one wasn't technically released on the PS2, as it initially launched on the original PlayStation, the other two in the collection did. Still, you can start off with Metal Gear Solid to witness the monumental Shadow Moses mission of Solid Snake, as he must destroy the bipedal tank Metal Gear. It's also perfectly fine to begin with Snake Eater, given that it's a prequel for the entire series. Then, you can eventually throw in Sons of Liberty in there to discover MGS's second protagonist, Raiden. I'm hopeful that Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots will make it the PS5 to relatively complete the collection, but at least there's Metal Gear Solid: Delta to look forward to.

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American Primeval has hit Netflix, and in the two days sinc?e its release, it has already become a hit. The American Frontier setting, coupled with the characters cre?ated for the show, have pulled people in around the globe. 

If you’ve?? binged all six episodes and are itching for more tales from the Americ??an Frontier, there are a lot of options available to you, including TV and movies alike. However, perhaps the best way to lose yourself in tales from the Midwest is through books, and there are a lot of tales to choose from. 

If you want something to read, here are ten of the best books you can pick up that will provide the same haunting feeling as American Primeval. There’s a mixture of fact and fiction here, and even some entries ??that bridge the gap between both. ??;

The Mountain Meadows Massacre by Juanita Brooks

Although American Primeval is based in fiction, there are historical events featured in the t??imeline of the show. One of these is the very real Mountain Meadows Massacre, which took place in September 1857 and saw the deaths of at least 120 members of the Baker-Fancher emigrant wagon train at the hands of the Mormon militia.

The true events of the event featured in the show can be learned from Juanita Brooks�?non-fiction retelling of them in The Mountain Meadows Massacre. The events themselves are harrowing, but the aftermath is almost scary thanks to the oath made by?? those who were there to never speak of it again, with justice only being handed down to one of the perpetrators 20 years later.

Killers of the Flower Moon by David Grann

Although the events described in Killers of the Flower Moon take place after the turn of the 20th century, it’s still worth a read if you want to truly learn about the persecution? and unfair treatment of Native Americans throughout history. This bo??ok is also non-fiction, and tells the story of what happened in the early 1920s when oil was discovered in Osage County, Oklahoma and a series of murders killed wealthy members of the Osage community. 

Th??is event is credited as the “birth of the FBI�? with the newly formed organization taking charge of the investigation into the murders and eventually convicting a cattleman named William King Hale as the mastermind behind the gruesome plan. There is a movie adaptation of events, released in 2023 and starring Robert De Niro as Hale. 

The Revenant by Michael Punke

The Revenant skirts the border between fact and fiction, with the story based on very real, and very grues??ome events. The Revenant is based on a series of events in the life of Hugh Glass, who was left for dead by his expedition mates in 1823 when he was mauled by a grizzly bear, and carrying him began ?to slow them down. 

Alone and without protection or provisions, Glass went on t??o reset his own leg and allowed maggots to eat the infected flesh in the wounds leftover by the bear attack. He crawled over the land and eventually built a raft to take him downstream to Fort Kiowa. This whole story is one of absolute perseverance, determination to survive, and is incredibly inspiring to read, although I wouldn’t recommend doing so if you’re squeamish. 

The Journals of Lewis and Clark

If you want to know how the American Frontier became to be mapped and understood, then look no further than the Journals of Lewis and Clark. Meriweather Lewis was? commissioned by Tho?mas Jefferson to lead the expedition from the Missouri River to the Pacific coast, mapping the things they found and revealing the frontier for all to see. 

William Clark was the co-captain on this expedition, and their joint journal is filled with information about not only the rivers and locations, but also the? flora and fauna they encountered, meetings with native tribes, and ?everything they came to learn on the trip. Factual and awe inspiring, definitely worth a read in your lifetime.

One for the Blackbird, One for the Crow by Olivia Hawker

The American Frontier was a vast swathe of m??ostly unknown land and sometimes neighbors could be few and far between. The Bemis and Webber families were the only people around for miles, and must rely on each other to survive. However, when Mrs. Bemis is found in a less than favorable position with Mr. Webber, things take a turn when Mr. Bemis kills Mr. Webber, gets arrested and thrown in prison, and the two wives are left to fend for themselves. 

In One for the Blackbird, One for the Crow, Cora Bemis and Nettie Mae Webber, understandably, have fallen out over the whole ordeal. With winter coming and no one to help either of them aside from each other, they have no choice but to work together to k?eep themselves and their children alive through the cold mon??ths. 

Pioneer Women: Voices from the Kansas Frontier by Joanna L. Stratton

Voices from the Kansas Frontier is actually a rescued collection of hundreds of accounts writ??ten by Kansas pioneer women close to the turn of the 20th century. Stratton gathered these accounts and put them together in this book, and reading of the courage shown by those pioneer ??women is illuminating and inspiring. 

These women made up the backbone of the American frontier, acting as schoolmarms,?? homesteaders, and ri??ders. In this collection, their tales of locust plagues, prairie fires, and cowboy shootouts are all shared to give possibly the most accurate portrayal of what life was really like in the 1800s when they settled. 

The Last of the Mohicans by James Fenimore Cooper

Set in 1757, events in The Last of the Mohicans take place a century before those depicted in American Primeval, but war wa??????????????????????????s already raging in North America and both sides are utlizing the Native American trib?es in their battle to gain land and power. 

The Last of the Mohicans sees Uncas, Chingachgook, and Hawkeye thrown into the middle of the French and Indian War in order to rescue the daughters of a British colonel after they’re kidnapped by an unhappy scout. As with American Primeval, ?the novel takes ??heavy inspiration from real life events, including the Siege of Fort William Henry. 

True Grit by Charles Portis

Mattie is the main protagonist of True Grit, and she ??is on a mission to seek retribution for the murder of her father at the hands of a farmhand named Tom Chaney. The book was turned into a now infamous movie starring John Wayne just a year after its initial release, earning it a place in Western history. 

Mattie is only 14 when she sets out to seek revenge for her fathers death, and is eventually joined by a Texas Ranger named Reuben J. Cogburn and a Marshal named LaBouef, who become central to the tale. This ends up being less a tale of revenge,?? and more about perseverance and begrudging friendships, and is always worth a read if you want to dive into the setting of the Wild West.

Blood Meridian by Cormac McCarthy

First published in 1985, Blood Meridian has since gone on to be considered one of the greatest American novels of all time, and is now judged as McCarthy’s magnum opus, remaining one of his most well-known works. Events in this bloody tale revolve around a runaway named only as “the kid�? and his experience as part of the Glanton Gang. Like American Primeval, Blood Meridian takes a very real historical thing and fictionali?zes it. 

The Glanton Gang was a very real organization that was formed in 1849 and was hired by Mexican authorities to seek out Native war tribes and scalp them in retribution for attacking settlers. The gang were als?o partners in the Yuma Crossing on the Oklahoma River, rumoured to kill Native and American passengers to steal their possessions and money as the??y crossed. 

To the Wild Horizon by Imogen Martin

I’ve saved possibly the best for last. If you want a fictional tale that’s similar to American Primeval, then you probably won’t find better than To The Wild Horizon, because it essentially has the exact same basic premise with a few of the details being changed. There are fewer Mormons to worry about, and relationships between characters are altered. However, with To the Wild Horizon being published in February 2024, it’s possible that it served as inspiration for the Netflix series, although that’s ?purely speculation on my part.

Set in Missouri in 1846, To the Wild Horizon centers around Grace, who is on the run after murdering her landlord (not husband) in self-defense, accompanied by her younger brother (not son) Tom. To escape the law, she joins the wagons en route to Oregon and crosses the Great Plains and Rocky Mountains??, doing whatever she needs to do so that they can both survive the journey. See what I mean about the premise, here?

The post 10 Best books to read?? if you like the A?merican Primeval series on Netflix appeared first on Destructoid.

The recent critical and commercial success of Sonic the Hedgehog 3 has cemented this collection of live action films based on Sega's iconic mascot as one of the best video game adaptations (and best movie trilogies) in the industry. As a result of their huge cultural impact, fans all arou?nd the world have fallen in love with its colorful cast of characters.

Whether they're humans portrayed by famous actors or anthropomorphic animals voiced by talented voice actors; whether they are new incarnations of iconic figures from the original video games or they were specifically created for the movies, the characters in the Sonic the Hedgehog movie trilogy are as likable as they're well-written. The only question is: Who are the absolute best ones in the series? (so far...)

10) Wade Whipple

• Portrayed by: Adam Pally
• First Appearance: Sonic the Hedgehog (2020)

On paper, Wade Whipple is supposed to be a minor comic relief character. He's Tom's police officer friend who appeared in a few brief but hilarious scenes in both Sonic 1 and Sonic 3. However, his most prominent cinematic appearance was in Sonic 2, where he has an entire subplot with Agent Stone tha??t perfectly displayed the comedic chops of both characters (and actors).

But Wade became way bigger than expected due to the Knuckles TV show, where he felt more of a protagonist than the red echidna himself. As a result, Wade now is quite a polarizing character among Sonic the Hedgehog fans, but he's overall a very funny comic relief whose his presence is always appreciated because he never overstays his welcome. After all, who can hate the man responsibl??e? for the "Flames of Disaster!" meme?

9) Maria Robotnik

• Portrayed by: Alyla Browne
• First Appearance: Sonic the Hedgehog 3 (2024)

Longtime Sonic the Hedgehog fans were hoping that Paramount Pictures and Sonic 3 director Jeff Fowler would faithfully adapt Shadow the Hedgehog's tragic backstory from Sonic Adventure 2 into the big?-screen and, much to their delight, they deliv??ered on that promise. While there are some obvious differences, Shadow's past was mostly left intact, as it's still centered on his heartwarming friendship with Maria Robotnik.

The movie version of Maria is as friendly, kind and lovely as the one from the game, but she also feels a little bit more realistic, since she acts more like an actual girl her age. While we only saw her in a few flashbacks, the movie expanded on her relationship with Shadow in really adorable ways, which made her inevitable death all the more heartbreaking. This version of Maria worke?d so well that it helped make Shadow and Gerald Robotnik's revenge plan all the more understandable (even though?? it still was cruel and unfair).

8) Gerald Robotnik

• Portrayed by: Jim Carrey
• First Appearance: Sonic the Hedgehog 3 (2024)

Jim Carrey stood out in these movies since day one, thanks to his portrayal of Dr. Eggman. However, he returned for Sonic 3 in a dual role, not only as Ivo Robotnik, but also as his?? long-lost grandfather, Gerald Robotnik. These two evil geniuses ended up becoming the comedic highl??ights of an otherwise dark movie, and their chemistry was palpable. This is quite surprising when we remember that Carrey was acting with himself all the time.

But what makes Gerald Robotnik a really fascinating antagonist is his abrupt and shocking evil turn in the movie's third act, where he reveals that he's actually planning to destroy the entire world due to his resentment towards all of humanity which was born after G.U.N. killed his granddaughter, Maria. This sudden shift made what once was a goofy non-serious villain int??o an intimidating threat, and his final showdown with Ivo was both funny and emotional. This Gerald is obviously very different from his game counterpart, but this didn't take from the fact that he was a su??rprisingly solid villain.

7) Tom and Maddie Wachowski

• Portrayed by: James Marsden (Tom) Tika Sumpter (Maddie)
• First Appearance: Sonic the Hedgehog (2020)

Sonic the Hedgehog (2020) focused mainly on the titular character and his relationship with Tom Wachowski, a completely new human character that Paramount specifically created for this film. This honestly seemed like an uninspired choice at first, since Tom was a relatively generic character, but it ended up working quite well, since his story was simple yet effective, and he had some solid chemistry with th?e blue b??lur.

Tom's wife, Maddie, didn't get much to do in that first movie, but she became a much more prominent character in the sequel. Fortunately, in Sonic 3, they form a dynamic duo who can work together so perfectly that they managed to infiltrate G.U.N.'s headquarters in a brief but hilarious sequence. Granted, both Tom and Maddie have taken a bit of a backseat d??uring the sequels in order to make space for all the anthropomorphic animals and evil scientists, but they still took on the important role of Sonic's parental figures who are always there to take care of him and help him grow. Their adorable relationship with the hedgehog is enough to make Tom and Maddie into two equally compelling characters that should keep making appearances in future installments.

6) Agent Stone

• Portrayed by: Lee Majdoub
• First Appearance: Sonic the Hedgehog (2020)

Eggman has had many henchmen throughout the years, like Scratch and Grounder from Adventures of Sonic the Hedgehog or Orbot and Cubot from the recent video games. Nevertheless, when it came to giving Jim Carrey's Robotnik a new henchman for the very first Sonic movie, the wri?ters at Paramount came up with? none other than Agent Stone, Eggman's assistant and best friend.

Lee Majdoub's performance is both hilarious and endearing, as he (and the writers) managed to turn Stone from a generic evil henchman into a lovely friend to Robotnik, who's always ready to help him with his evil plans and/or to prepare some lattes with steamed Austrian goat milk for him. It's not common for fans of a game franchise to fall in love with a movie-only character, but Agent Stone has gotten so popular among Sonic fans that many of them are practically begging Sega to introduce him to the games as ??Eggman's new henchman. If they make them have as much chemistry as in the movies, this could end up working ??extremely well ??for the video game series.

5) Miles “Tails�?Prower

• Voiced by: Colleen O'Shaughnessey
• First Appearance: Sonic the Hedgehog (2020)

Tails sadly didn't get much screen time to shine in his introductory movie, seeing as it focused more on Knuckles and his rivalry with Sonic. Fortunately, however, in just a few short scenes, the film managed to make their brand-new friendship with all the more believable and adorable. In pretty much every single Sonic the Hedgehog ?media, ??Tails acts as Sonic's younger brother, and this movie series is no exception.

As its tradition, Tails is a lovable and intelligent young fox that brings some much-needed youthful energy to these films, not to mention that all of his gadgets, weapons and vehicles have been so useful that I don't think Sonic Team would have ever been able to succeed in either of the two sequels without him. This is yet another perfect adaptation of this classic character, but he ?just needs a bit more screen time, so I seriously hope he either gets his own spin-off TV show or a more prominent role in the upcoming fourth movie.

4) Knuckles the Echidna

• Voiced by: Idris Elba
• First Appearance: Sonic the Hedgehog 2 (2022)

Knuckles the Echidna has been quite inconsistently portrayed throughout the years. Sometimes he's strong and serious, but others he's just dumb and goofy. Sonic fans were understandably worried of how Paramount was going to make him act and sound in Sonic the Hedgehog 2 but, thankfully, t??his turned out to be one of the best and most beloved interpretations of the character.

Movie Knuckles is everything he needed to be (and more): He's serious and is always looking for a fight, but he's also a bit naive and arrogant. These two sides of his personality perfectly complement each other, making him a really fun character that always shines in every scene he appears in. Knuckles' relationship with Sonic and his personal character development were two of the best elements of Sonic 2, and he even went to have another excellent (albeit a bit more minor) role in the third film. He also got the chance to shine a bit more in the Knuckles TV series, but, as I menti??oned previously, that show focused mo??re on Wade Whipple.

3) Shadow the Hedgehog

• Voiced by: Keanu Reeves
• First Appearance: Sonic the Hedgehog 2 (2022)

Shadow the Hedgehog is, without a doubt, one of the most iconic anti-heroes in gaming and one of the most popular characters in the Sonic the Hedgehog franchise. The success of Sonic 3 greatly depended on whether the director and writers could pull off ??this adapta??tion of the "Ultimate Life Form". Needless to say (and thankfully for Paramount Pictures) the movie version of Shadow ended up being as edgy, cool and tragic as everybody was expecting, and it resulted in the film becoming a major critical success.

It's all about bala??nce, because Shadow is a cool-looking and sounding character who excels in every scene he appears, while still maintaining an important element of emotion and tragedy, which are crucial for the character. As a result of this impeccable characterization, his interactions with Sonic - both their heartwarming conversations and their amazin??g battles - are the absolute best parts of the entire movie. Despite the fact that he only appeared in one movie so far, this is such a perfect portrayal of Shadow that he could easily star in his very own feature film or TV show.

2) Sonic the Hedgehog

• Voiced by: Ben Schwartz
• First Appearance: Sonic the Hedgehog (2020)

The formula to make a video ga?me character as iconic and beloved as Sonic the Hedgehog work in a movie was quite simple, yet effective: Write him as an aspiring superhero, who begins his journey as a cocky and immature kid who doesn't know what to do with his amazing superpowers and, slowly and throughout the course of 3 films, learns that he wants to use them to protect both his loved ones and the entire world.

Sonic's development already make him a compelling protagonist, but his characterizaton is also absolutely perfect (which Ben Schwartz helped elevate with his impeccable voice performance) as movie Sonic is funny, lighthearted, arrogant and strong. He does love making constant pop culture references a little too often, but that's not enough to ruin what is otherwise an incre??????????????????????????dible and iconic protagonist. Paramount has a great character in its hands, and Sonic is definetely going to keep shining in every future movie he appears.

1) Dr. Ivo Robotnik (Eggman)

• Portrayed by: Jim Carrey
• First Appearance: Sonic the Hedgehog (2020)

Let's be real: Jim Carrey's excellent performance as Dr. Ivo Robotnik AKA Eggman is the best part of the Sonic the Hedgehog movies. Yes, this may have start?ed off as yet another goofy and over-the-top Carrey character but he gradually transformed into the Dr. Eggman we all know and love, in both terms of appearance and personality. This legendary comedic actor brought his a-game in order to transform Eggman into one of the most hilarious and lovable movie villains ever made.

Granted, this incarnation of Dr. Robotnik can lean way too much into the comedy side of the character, but he still can be extremely intimidating (like at the end of Sonic 2) and heroically inspiring (like at the end of Sonic 3). This character is so amazing that he even encouraged his actor to ?co??me out of retirement just to portray once again for the third movie. While it's impossible to know what future holds for this version of Eggman, Carrey has alr?eady stated that he will return for a fourth time if he's interested in the script. I seriously hope Paramount Pictures will be able to get him to join one more time, because the live action Sonic the Hedgehog films wouldn't be the same without Eggman.

The post Top 10 best ??characters in the Sonic the Hedgehog movie trilogy appeared first on Destructoid.

Whether you just embarked on the Astral Express for the first time or have been a part of its crew since Honkai: Star Rail debuted, k?nowing which characters to invest? in is a must, as it can both help you glide while in the end-game and pinpoint which banners you should avoid going forward.

But to do that, one question must be answered. After all, which characters among the game's now 60+ roster are considered the best? Here's a tier list featuring all Honkai: Star Rail characters, ranked from best to worst.

Honkai Star Rail Tier List

We decided to divide our Honkai Star Rail tier list into S+ and C Tiers, with S+ being the home of?? all characters capable of both breaking apart any opposition and in some cases even the game itself. You can check out the full list below, as well as a deeper look into each tier. Since most players are not made of money, we decided to account for all 5-star picks at E0, while all 4-stars are ranked at E6.

S+ Tier characters, Explained

Briefly touched upon above, the S+ Tier features the game's meta-defining picks, capable of carrying you through pretty much all challenges and in th??e case of both offensive and defensive supports, awaken the utm?ost in even mid-tier compositions.

Of the characters within the tier, Feixiao and Acheron are by far the best DPSs, while Ruan Mei steals the show as the best offensive support given her Break-focused kit and massive buffs. Lastly and to no one's surprise, Av?enturine's shielding potential and self-buffs make him all but a gamble when the subject is getting the right sustain (or defensive) support.

S-Tier characters, Explained

In the S-Tier, we have units that although phenom?enal in their own right, cannot match the DMG or efficiency of the above unless paired with advantageous conditions or set teammates. Regarding supports and healers specifically, the major factor here will be the weight of their buffs/debuffs or healing output.

The biggest example of the t?ier lies in Jing Yuan, who even if once one of the game's BIS, canno??t hope to match the overall DPS of Acheron and Feixiao without the use of S+ supports like Sunday, Robin, or Ruan Mei.

A-Tier characters, Explained

In the A-T??ier of our list, we have characters who have a hard time matching the output of the above, even if paired with the right team or situation. That can be attributed to many factors, such as the debut of similar picks with better-tuned kits or the game's shift in focus combat-wise. The biggest examples of the tier for me are Clara, who was completely powercrept by Yunli in her best role, and Kafka, who has been hurt by the way DoT has become less and less valuable in the late game.

B-Tier characters, Explained

In the B-Tier, we have characters who either lack the impact of the above or —in the case of its DPSs specifically�?demand a lot if you wish to awaken their full pote??ntial, which will in most cases involve the use of either one or multiple S+ or S-Tier teammates, as well as set 5-star Light Cones. Like Argenti and Herta, many of the picks here are also known for only excelling at set game modes, while others, like Serval, can be seen as jacks of all trades but masters of none.

C-Tier characters, Explained

At the bottom of our Honkai: Star Rail Tier List, we have all characters that even if viable in the early to mid-game, fail to match the damage or utili??ty of any of ?the above even if upgraded to the fullest.

The clearest examples of that can be seen in the Physical (or Destruction) Trailblazer and Yanking, who have been power-creeped to oblivion by pretty much all characters within their path or role. Arlan is another c??asualty, as he h?as been unable to offer enough to justify his presence in the field since his debut.

The post Honkai Star Rail Tier List (January 2025): All Characters, Rank??ed appeared first on Destructoid.

With all the events and updates that Dress to Impress has had, there are seemingly endless amounts of garments for players to dress up wi?th and strut down the runway. With?? the large variety, you’ll have no trouble finding the perfect fit.

Not only are there tons of clothing options, but many of the clothes have variations that you can toggle to if you want to switch it up. We’ve gathered the best toggles in Dress to Impress that you should know for your convenience.

How to toggle items in Dress to Impress

To toggle items, you can select the pink button with the mannequin and thread that pops up on the side of the color palette and pattern options??. It’s right above where you can save colors from the color wheel.

This will bring up any availab??le toggles for the currently selected outfit piece. Not all clothing has toggles, but if the option appears, you can change up the garment.

The Bow

There are several bows you can find in the studio in Dress to Impress, but one by far is the most vers?atile. Find this pink bow along the back corner near the male and female body types, and next to the bunny ears is a simple pink bow??.

Don’t let it deceive you �?this bow actually has eight toggles. Not only can it be on the back of your outfit, but als??o at the front, as a bowtie, and as a hair bow in different locations on the head. 

Cheerleader Top

This new toggle is easy to miss, but we’ll forgive you since it was just added in a recent update that came with plenty of DTI codes. On the men’s side of the studio, in the back corner, you can find a w?hite cropped turtleneck tank top.

Open the toggles menu and you’ll have the option to add a cheerleader logo to this top, reading DTI Angels. It’s perfect for all the sports themes, or if you’re looking for some scho?ol spirit items.

Halloween Corset Skirt

DTI has no shortage of corset tops, but one added in the Halloween update comes with an added bonus. Underneath the cat ears is a? plain black corset that you’re able to toggle a?? high-low skirt onto.

This skirt is particularly fabulous for making layered dresses. If you’ve ever been envious of high-ranking players making gorgeous, ?multi-layered gowns with the perfect blend of patterns, this corset and skirt is a perfect place for you to start so you can make them, too.

Wrap Headband

Yes, hairstyles have toggles too! While most of the toggles are so you can have the bangs from hairstyles on their own, one provides a headband that players might not? know about. 

Scroll down t?o the near bottom of the hairs and you’ll find a cute afro puff bun with a knotted headband. The hair itself is adorable, but sometimes you just want that fluffy headband. Luckily, you can toggle it, so you ju??st have the headband on. It’s the perfect item for the spa day theme.

Puffy Shirt Vest

Another item from the men’s section, it’s hard to miss the bright red satin suit that was added in the Halloween update. The top, a puffy white pir??ate shirt with a red vest, is more than it ??looks.

If you’ve wanted to sepa?rate the top from the vest, you’re in luck. The toggles let yo??u have just the white undershirt, or just the vest on. Plus, there’s an extra toggle to crop the shirt by a bit. Perfect for high waisted skirts and pants.

Jewel Necklace

One of the most popular items in the game is the pearl and jewel necklace found by the accessories. This necklace is a g??reat finishing touc??h to any outfit, although sometimes it seems a bit bulky.

That’s what the toggle is for. By selecting it, you can have a single strand of pearls with a jewel at the center instead of multiple rows. This simplifies the necklace, so it pairs better with ?others or doesn’t overlap with your top.

Slouch Boots

The couture slouchy boots, which also came with the Hallo?ween update, have their own to??ggles to suit your needs. Not only are there multiple toggles for different heights of the boots, but also toggles to make them platform. They’re the ultimate statement shoe with these seven options.

Platform Pumps

The slouch boots aren’t the only shoes that are given a lift, though. T??he plain black pumps right nearby are great shoes when the rest of? your outfit is busy. With the available toggles, you can also add have two different heights for the platform of the shoe, as well as make them pointed-toe pumps instead.

Corset Dress

While the puffy sleeves that are p?aired with this dress are typically the most popular, the white corset dress by the dressing rooms is nothing to pass by. This cute dress features a lovely corset top and skirt with? a small slit.

With the toggles, it’s not just a dres??s, though. You ?can separate the top and the skirt, so you can cherry-pick the best parts for your fit. 

Tutu Skirt

Last but not least, we have the tutu skirt. This skirt can be a bit bulky for everyday wear, but it’s great for more over the top themes like Harajuku?. But, luckily there is a toggle so you can tone it down.

Simply cha?nge it to its second option and the tutu will transform into a slimmer version, wi??th a few more layers to make up for the fluff. It’s still cute, but now sleek.

The post 10 toggles you need to know in Dress to Impress appeared first on Destructoid.

I suspect that there's a pretty sizable chunk of people who would gladly call Metroidvania their favorite video game genre, but who have never played a Metroid game. That's a problem. Sometimes, when a classic is too classical, it can become a bit of a headac??he. Revisiting a really beloved game can become a chore when you've seen its best id??eas executed better by games that came later.

Not so with Metroid. Nearly every 2D Metroid game is still a great time, even when placed next to the wave of wonderful indie Metroidvanias we've seen recently. Unfortunately, "nearly" is the operative word in that sentence. There are definitely downright bad 2D Metroid games, just as there are great ones. So allow me to walk you through every 2D Metroid game, from the clunky to the clever.

Metroid II: Return of Samus (1991)

The original Game Boy was an incredible pie??ce of hardware. It was the first handheld gaming console to truly demonstrate the types of games people wanted to play on the go. It was home to some incred?ible third-party offerings and some even better first-party Nintendo games.

It was not the right place for Metroid II.

Metroid II: Return of Samus simply doesn't play very well on the Game Boy. Exploring an uncharted planet without any semblance of guidance or direction was already a bit difficult in the original Metroid, but at least areas were visually distinct. Metroid II is beholden to the Game Boy's monochromatic screen, which means it's incredibly difficult to tell where you are most of the time. Metroid II also suffers from clunky controls and enemy design that makes Sam??us feel less like a mig??hty bounty hunter searching for deadly Metroids and more like a random lady who is stumbling on aliens at random. It's a game with good ideas that simply couldn't have worked on the original Game Boy.

You can play it on the Switch if you're interested, having been ported onto?? the console in 2023. It's a fun enough game, but like others on the list, it hasn't aged all that well.

Metroid (1986)

Metroid is the rare series where even die-hard fans can mostly acknowledge that the first game isn't all that playable. The original Metroid lays some really solid foundations, but a lot of the series' biggest?? problems are at their absolute worst here.

The biggest problem with Metroid is a pretty simple one: there's no map. Some franchise purists are surely already readying their explanations ("It's not supposed to have a map," "You should make your own map," and so on), but the simple fact of the matter is, Metroid feels really bad without a map. Exploration doesn't feel at all meaningful when you don't know where you've been or where you're going. It doesn't help that Metroid has a pretty shoddy control scheme and fairly uninteresting traversal. Maybe I'm just too pampered by modern design philoso??phy, but this one is not very fun to go back to.

It has been re-released ??on a bunch of different consoles, however. You can play it on the following consoles? (along with the year it was released):

• Famicom Disk System (1986)
• Nintendo Entertainment System (1987)
• Game Boy Advance (2004)
• Wii - Virtual Console (2007)
• 3DS - Virtual Console (2012)
• NES Classic Edition (2016)
• Nintendo Switch (2018)

It's still the same old game though.

Metroid Zero Mission (2004)

Metroid Zero Mission is a remake of the original Metroid, and hey, we've got a map now! We've also got... map markers. Oh boy. Yes, Zero Mission is a bit of an over-correction. It's more readable than the original Metroid thanks to its map, and it's certainly more playable thanks to some necessary gameplay o???verhauls, but it's also just a little too hand-holdy.

Every time you can access a new area in Zero Mission, the game loudly announces that fact with a bright flashing indicator on your map. It doesn't ruin the game by any means (the original Metroid's map is full of off-the-beaten-path things to do) but it does hamper the experience?? of explor?ation. If the original game was too vague, this one is just a touch too specific. It's still a very good time, but one that would benefit from a bit less guidance.

Metroid Fusion (2002)

I actually like Metroid Fusion a lot, but it's not a Metroid game. It's a really good 2D platform shooter, and a really smart riff on Alien, but... it's not a Metroid game!

Fusion has almost no exploration to speak of. At its most basic, Metroid is about finding your way around an uncharted place and discovering what lies at its center. It's about coming up with new and interesting ways to use the tools at your disposal to reach previously inaccessible places. If Metroid Zero Mission didn't have enough of that, then Metroid Fusion has absolutely none of it. There is a robot named ??Adam who constantly tells you where to ??go and how to get there, and he sucks.

Fusion is very good. It's one of my favorite Game Boy Advance games. Every time I decide to replay the Metroid series, though, I usually elect to skip Fusion. In my mind, it's its own (??very good!) game with no relation to Samus' continued adventures.

Super Metroid (1994)

Super Metroid was a pretty incredible leap forward. Three years after Metroid II found itself hampered by underpowered hardware, this undeniable classic took full advantage of the jump to the Super Nintendo. Even now, nearly thirty years later, it's s??till a little hard to believe just how big this game is.

Super Metroid brings Samus back to Zebes, the setting of the original game. This time, Zebes is infested by space pirates (the best kind of pirates) who want to use the power of the Metroids for themselves. Zebes is a lot more exciting to explore this time - Samus' toolkit has gotten larger, and every weapon at her disposal feels like a piece in a massive puzzle. Solving that puzzle is the crux of Super Metroid. I've said it before and I'll say it again: Metroid is about exploration, and Super Metroid makes exploring feel great.

You can relive this classi??c on the Nintendo Switch again, having been re-released all the way back in 2019.

Metroid Prime Pinball (2005)

Okay, so it's not exactly a Metroidvania game, but this a Metroid list, so the pinball game stays. Technically it's 2D as well, so it double make??s the li?st.

It's a classic pinball game in every sense, except that it uses the Metroid universe as inspiration for it's design and story, I guess. Despite not doing anything?? wildly different from other pinball games, it was well-received by both users and critics ali?ke.

If you want to experience the Metroid universe but in pinball style, this is your game. Otherwise, stick to one of the others on this list for the classic Metroid experience.

Metroid: Samus Returns (2017)

After a decently long time away from the spotlight, in 2017, Samus returned to Nintendo handhelds with Metroid: Samus Returns, a 3DS remake of Metroid II courtesy of developer Mercury Steam. In a lot of ways, Samus Returns is like Metroid II, but it differs in one key area: it's?? really good!

Samus Returns is the first 2D Metroid game where Samus actually feels like a bounty hunter. The majority of the game is spent hunting down Metroids by tracking their DNA. In the original Metroid II, "hunting" the aliens wasn't really possible because there was no way to see where you were. You either walked in on them or you didn't. Here, you can clearly see where the Metroids are hiding, and you can prepare to bring them down. When you catch them, the tools you have for exterminating them are pretty excellent. Samus Returns is one of the only Metroid games with truly great combat, and it makes Samus feel incredibly strong. Samus Returns lacks a bit of exploration, but the issue isn't as bad as it is in Fusion or Zero Mission, and the game makes up for?? it with incredibly smooth and fun moment-to-moment gameplay.

Metroid Dread (2021)

Recency bias be damned, Metroid Dread really is that good. The first mainline Metroid game in nearly two decades and the first home-console 2D Metroid game since 1994, against all odds, lives up to the hype. Mercury Steam returns here and gives ??Samus an even heftier arsenal of powerful weapons that make this game feel absolutely incredible.

Beyond that, Dread absolutely nails exploration. The game strikes a very impressive balance in that it's very difficult to get lost but it also constantly feels like you're finding something new. It feels like Metroid, but without the headaches people often associate with Metroid. It's the kind of game that I'd recommend to almost everyone - it's a great action game for people who love action games, a great exploration game for people who love exploring, and a great Metroid game for people who love Metroid.

The post Every 2D Metroid Game, Ranked appeared first on Destructoid.

Even though the PlayStation 2 collection is considered one of the greatest of all time, many hidd?en gems slipped through the cracks. Some titles didn't quite get the attention they deserved, whether due to an overshadowing of a big hit release or a simple overglance. It's time to give them their time in the spotlight with our 10 most underrated PS2 games.

GUN

When you think of Western-styled games, the Red Dead Redemption series is probably the first one that comes to mind. But before this franchise took off, PlayStation 2 had titles like Red Dead Revolver and GUN. While Red Dead Revolver could be seen as a hidden gem, GUN is definitely the more underrated one.

It's curious to me why GUN fell off the radar, especially since it actually feels a lot more like Red Dead Redemption than Red Dead Revolver. The title came with plenty of open-world adventures, including side missions and riding horseback around its extensive map. GUN's storyline was memorable, too, as you follow the retaliatory journey of Colton, a gunslinger who wants to take out those who did him wrong. Its action-packed opener alone reels yo??u in, but there are certainly other stimulating moments that a??re just as good, if not better.

Indigo Prophecy/Fahrenheit

Indigo Prophecy /Fahrenheit is on??e of the most underrated Quantic Dream titles that didn't get much popularity in the PS2 days. I didn't even know about it when it was first released until I discovered it in my late teens. It was something I was always looking for that combines murder mystery, life simulation, and significantly impactful choices.

Playing the role of a murderer and having a cop chase you was one of the stand-out features I wish we had more of in games. I often questioned myself on whether I should move the investigation further along or allow a killer to slip through the cracks. It's an intriguing conundrum that instilled more replayability just to see what other shenanigans you can get into. Though, I will say that Indigo Prophecy has some bizarre lore that isn't too logical. The Quantic Dream title is still an underrated gem, nonetheless, especially with the intense first half of the? game??.

The Lord of the Rings: Return of the King

Every year, I find myself nostalgically hoping for a remake or remaster of The Lord of the Rings: Return of the King. Among the trilogy collection, the third installment stands out as the best, wit??h its captivating combat and unique elements that diverge?? from the film. It's a game that I can only hold onto with my memories since you can't really play it anywhere else besides the PlayStation 2.

Everyone you love from t??he series is in their prime, taking you on three distinct storyline paths: the Wizard, King, and Hobbits. Having so many characters, including Frodo, Aragorn, and Gandalf, makes the game feel more prominent, even if you can play the title in just a few short hours. The co-op features were also a nice touch that made ??the long trek to Mordor all the more worth it. After all, who wouldn't want to fight side by side with a friend?

As a Lord of the Rings fan, living through the events of the heroic Fellowship of the Ring members was a dream come true as a kid. What's more, I loved seeing the all-new aspects that weren't present in the film, including a great battle between Gandalf and hordes of orcs. I just wish the PS2 Return of the King got mor??e attention to finally greenlight? the remaster it deserves.

The Sims Bustin' Out

Almost every Simmer I know began their life-simming journey on PC, mainly because of mods and easy-to-use mechanics. For me, it all started with The Sims Bustin' Out on PlayStation 2, an incredibly underrated game that I believe is the best of them all. Yes, the Sims franchise has heavy hitters like the fan-favorite Sims 2 and the more modern fourth installment. But Bustin' Out continues to be at the top of my list.

The Sims Bustin' Out shines a spotlight on a feature that doesn't appear too often in the franchise: a? linear storyline. There are times when I don't want to embark on the complex journey of creating a family legacy, and I crave a more straightforward path, which this game provides. The journey begins at your mom's house and unfolds as you climb the career ladder, unlocking new locations with each significant promotion. It feels much more interesting this way since you never know what type of house you'll live in next.

The goals of each household are also fun to clear, providing new social interactions and items in Build Mode. They added more personality to classic Sims characters with objectives themed after their personalities. You could flip off Dudley Landgraab to match his careless trailer life or unlock break-dancing by becoming friends with the Club Rubb employee. There were just way more opportunities to get to know these NPCs, which hasn't been that prevalent in the Sims' newest iterations.

Okami

The Okami sequel reveal during the Game Awards 2024 was one of the most surprising parts of the show, given how the game flew under the r?adar initially. Back when it was released in 2006, the PlayStation 3 was on its way to launch, causing many players to miss out on this grand adventure. Regardless, it still garnered many positive reviews despite not being commercially successful. &nbs??p;

The m?ajestic quest of Amaterasu, the Japanese sun goddess who takes on the form of a white wolf, is unlike anything I've experienced before. Not only does it immerse you in Japanese myths and folklore, but it also gives you the distinct power to end enemies with a stroke of a paintbrush. Or, in this case, a wolf's tail. Almost anything you can imagine can be drawn by Amaterasu's Celestial Brush techniques, such as Cherry Bombs, a cure from cursed plants, and water lilies to walk across water.

Although Okami didn't get as much recognition during its i?nitial launch and the years that followed after, it's starting to make i?ts way out of the underrated class. We'll have to see if the upcoming sequel will give it some justice, where everyone will know of the great Amaterasu.

Dragon Ball Z Budokai 3

You're likely thinking: how could a title from one of the world's most popular anime be considered underrated? I was hesitant to put Dragon Ball Z: Budokai 3 on this list, but compared to the popularity of the franchise's other titles, I rarely hear about this gem. It usually gets overshined by Dragon Ball Z: Budokai Tenkaichi 3, which became successful enough to get the spiritual successor, Sparking Zero.

Dragon Ball Z: Budokai 3 gave me a lot of fond memories, kicking back with my cousins and brother as we duked it out in battle. The roster felt top-tier then, bringing in over 150 characters from Dragon Ball, GT, and Z. Utilizing their robust combos was the most satisfying feature, and I remember I used to imitate them in real life to be just as cool as them. Though, I did have to? take a break from the game after my mom caught me repeating Vegeta's "Drop dead!" At least now, it's a funny memory.

Fatal Frame

The first time I lived through the horrors of Fatal Frame was back when they sent out game compilation demos in the mail. I probably shouldn't have been playing it at the ripe age of six, but it was still one of the most thrilling gameplay I've experienced in my life. However, despite my positive yet scared impressions of it, I was surprised that it wasn't really on anyone's list of favorite PS2 horror games. It's possible that it got overshadowed by the big hits such as the Resident Evil or Silent Hill series.

What made Fatal Frame different from the rest was the ability t?o get rid of ghosts through a camera. Any time you're in a room, things could seem peaceful through the naked eye, but once you whip camera mode??, you start to see the horrors hidden inside. Taking out the paranormal with a simple camera shot differentiates from the usual guns-blazing route, adding a unique twist to the horror genre.

The Warriors

During the golden age of the PlayStation 2, film video game adaptations were just starting to find their footing. We've already seen it with the likes of LOTR: Return of the King, and now we'll dig into another PS2 treasure with The Warriors. Whether you're a fan of the film or not, the game is a timeless beat 'em up, where every battle feels like a cinematic showdown. It'?s the perfect game to unwind and release any pent-up frustra??tion, one virtual punch at a time.

The Warriors is just plain fun to play with its immersive combat system of weapons and fistful brawls. It also uniquely expands the film by introducing new concepts to its lore with prequel features. I know there's a lot of desire out there for Rockstar Games remakes, considering the apparent choices of Bully and GTA San Andreas, but I'm still hoping that The Warriors somehow makes it in there. Maybe?? then, it will g??et the attention it deserves.

Sly 3: Honor Among Thieves

Like Dragon Ball Z: Budokai 3, you wouldn't necessarily classify a Sly Cooper title as underrated. The series made a big name for itself on the PlayStation 2, starting with the hit Sly Cooper and the Thievious Racoonus. Besides the original, Band of Thieves is likely the fan-favorite, but for me, Honor Among Thieves is Sly Cooper at its peak. After all these years, I don't understand why the third installment isn't t??alked about more. It's got the most lively maps, a whimsical character ensemble, and many unforgettable missions.

Playing Honor Among Thieves is the most fun I've experienced in a game. There was something exciting about finding new members of the Cooper gang, in which every chapter felt different from the last. Thieving is, of course, the m??ain part of the gameplay, but there are many more elements to it to diversify gameplay. One day, you'll enter a flying competition, while the next, you'll take on the role of a pirate and embark on treasure hunts.

Honor Among Thieves is a heartfelt tribute to Sly Cooper fans, weaving together loose ends from its predecessors and reuniting us with beloved characters. With Sly 3's arrival on the PlayStation Store, there's hope it will gain the recognition it should've gotten long ago an?d perhaps even become the next ??fan-favorite.

Star Wars: Episode 3 - Revenge of the Sith

When it comes to discussing the best Star Wars games, titles like Knights of The Old Republic, Jedi Survivor, and The Force Unleashed often dominate the conversation. However, one game that's often overlooked is Star Wars: Episode 3 - Revenge of the Sith. While the movie was a massive success, the game didn't quit?e receive the same level of recognition.

I remember picking it up at a local Blockbuster and getting completely hooked on it within the first hour. The PS2 Revenge of the Sith truly made you feel like a Jedi, even if you dabble?? in the Dark Side a little. There are some pretty cool moves, like Force Push and Force Lightning, where you don't even n?eed a lightsaber to eliminate enemies. You also indulge in legendary battles of beloved characters, such as Anakin Skywalker, Obi-Wan Kenobi, and Yoda.

If you have watched the film already, you'll get insight into never-before-seen scenes, including a deeper look into Anakin's vicious Jedi Temple takeover. Plus, there's an alternate ending that would change everything you know about Star Wars if it ever became canon.

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I consider Metal Slug to be one of the high-water marks in run-and-gun gaming. Its art style ??wasn’t just well-executed for its time, it’s still considered to be some of the best pixel art to ever grace a cathode-ray tube, while the gameplay is tight and inventive. It is a titan of arcade games.

But there were a lot of them, and they definitely weren’t made equal. While the games by the original developers were all terrific, after SNK’s bankruptcy in 2002, things started getting shaky. However, it wasn’t always bad. In fact, depending on your standards, it was rarely bad, and most of th?e genuinely terrible chapters in its book are from recent attempts to cash in on its fame.

If you want to get into the series, the advice most would give is to play Metal Slug 1, X, and 3, with sometimes 2 thrown in there. There's a chance that those games won't completely satisfy you, and your curiosity will tug you off the b??eaten path. If so, here’s what you’re in for.

There’s one caveat I want to bring up before we dive in. There were a number of Metal Slug games released on pre-smart cell phones. There were also a few online mobile games released in other territories. Because of the vast array of these, the poor documentation of them, and the lack of accessibility (m??ost have been delisted), I’m omitting them. Also, the pachinko machines because I wouldn’t even know how to compare them.

17. Metal Slug Awakening

While the gameplay is reminiscent of the classic arcade series and generally gets the job done, Metal Slug Awakening employs some of the grossest mobile marketplace strategies in the book. It's free-to-play, sure, but if you want to get anywhere without a disgusting amount of grinding, then you'd better be ready to open your pocketbook and shell out money for gear that will be superseded by the next update. I have lost all ability to keep up w?ith the changes because they hit so fast to provide players with new ways to be milked ??for all they're worth.

And don't ??get me started with the voice acting. The ability to mute voices did not come quickly enough.

16. Metal Slug Defense

Metal Slug Defense subscribes pretty closely to the mobile-formula tower defense genre. You build up resources, then send out units to clash with opposing units. The only real twist here is the Metal Slug graphics, but t?he graphics are where its connection to the series ends. 

It’s not a terrible take on the formula, and you can now get it pretty cheap on PC without the freemium elements. However, I have to warn you that the genre is designed to be addicting by using frequent, incremental progress to make it difficult to quit. Player connection is generally the goal of most games, but when it’s applied to such shallow gameplay in a way that’s meant to entice you to spend money, it feels gross. Having the microtransactions reduced (slightly) on PC helps with the mor??al issues, but not with the lack of depth.

15. Metal Slug Attack

I’d struggle to tell you what the fundamental difference between Metal Slug Defense and Metal Slug Attack is. Foundationally and in concept, they’re the same game. It’s a shallow take on tower defense w??here you try to optimize your use of resources. You send units out with the goal of breaki??????????????????????????ng through the enemy troops and destroying their base.

The major change is in the framework of the games. Metal Slug Attack uses more of a gacha system. That, in itself, is a more effective way to get people to spend on microtransactions. However, with the recently released Metal Slug Attack Reloaded on PC and consoles, they once again removed the microtransactions. Gacha without microtransactions is a bit more enjoyable than what was present in Metal Slug Defense, which is why Attack slightly edges it out. However, it’s still just u?sing devious methods to get your brain to squirt chemicals without providing any meaningful experience.

14. Metal Slug Touch

Metal Slug Touch is a bit of an odd title. There are only four levels, and they are entirely vehicle-based. Being a smartphone game, there are only touch controls, which isn’t great for a game that requires fine movement. On the plus side, it isn’t freemium. On the downsi?de, it’s pretty insubstantial. It somewhat resembles a Metal Slug game because of its controls and the fact that the art is lifted entirely from the arcade titles. However, it completely lacks real effort. 

You can’t really buy it anymore since it isn�?�t compatible with newer phones, so that’s maybe a good thing.

13. Metal Slug Advance

The Game Boy Advance seems like it would be a great platform for Metal Slug. At the time of release, Metal Slug Advance was pretty well received, but I struggle to understand why. It certainly has the look of the arcade games, but it feels like a lot of life has been sucked out. A health bar replaces the instant death of the core series, and the gameplay is just so much slower. It looks like a Metal Slug game, but it barely feels like one.

There were some ?changes made to the formula. The levels were less strictly linear to allow for exploration. Poking at the margins could yield cards equipable cards with modifiers. These were obvio??usly done to leverage the fact that it wasn't releasing on arcade, but I feel it sapped a lot of the energy from the experience. I could barely force myself to play it.

12. Metal Slug 7/XX

Metal Slug 7 moved the core series to handheld, being first released on the Nintendo DS. In its initial context of being the first game to maintain the classic gameplay on a handheld platform without compromise, it’s rather admirable and was fun to see at the time. These days, it’s more difficult to see in that same positive light. Especially if you play the console version, Metal Slug XX.

You’re going to see me refer to most of the games released after SNK’s initial bankruptcy in 2001 as “bland.�?Metal Slug 7/XX is the blandest of the bland. The solid gameplay is still there and it moves the action to interesting settings, but the flow of the action is just so uninteresting. It’s not awful, but when all is said and done, my final thoughts on it are, “Well, it’s Metal Slug, I guess.�?/p>

11. Metal Slug 1st Mission

SNK came out swinging with its NeoGeo Pocket handheld. They worked tirelessly to get representations of all their arcade hits on the little portable in a failed attempt to get it off the ground, and Metal Slug was among them. Metal Slug 1st Mission is a valiant effort. It plays roughly like you’d expect a game in the series to, but with?? a lot less detail. 

It omits the mainstay protagonists for some new ones, but many of the features from the arcade have made it in. It’s simply that, with the limitations of the platform, it can’t really capture the same flow or excitement. It’s at least more faithful to the formula than Metal Slug Advance.

10. Metal Slug 3D

I believe it is possible for Metal Slug to be adapted to a 3D shooter, but if I were to envision it, it probably wouldn’t resemble Metal Slug 3D. I’d imagine something fast, like a modern character action game with fast movement and tight controls. Metal Slug 3D is not that.

Instead, it’s a weird anthology of really short missions in tight areas. They’re slow and the aiming system doesn’t really allow for much speed. The mission design is pretty lame, and it instead leans pretty hard on upgrades to create a meaningful experience. It’s not awful, but it’s?? a pretty far cry from the 2D games from which it’s based. If anything, the biggest reason to play it is the 3D graphics. They’re�?fine. They don’t have the charm of the 2D sprites, but at least the art team didn’t do something dumb like try and make them look realistic.

Weirdly, Metal Slug 3D never made it out of Japan. It’s strange, because most of the game is already in English. It’s sometimes said that it was never released elsewhere because of poor reception, but I can’t find?? any solid source for that information.

9. Metal Slug 4

SNK went bankrupt in 2001, and while it was quickly resurrected as SNK Playmore, it was never the same company again. The original developers of the Metal Slug series disbanded, and the fourth entry was hande?d off to Mega Enterprise and Noise Factory.?? They did�?fine. It’s�?fine. 

The core gameplay is largely unchanged in Metal Slug 4, and it still feels great, but the inventiveness is gone. Mostly, the new developers built on what was already there, even recycling quite a bit from the earlier games. It feels like the groundwork is generally what makes Metal Slug 4 passable. The mechanics tha?t were already in place do a lot of heavy lifting for what? is otherwise a bland experience.

What will suck most for some people is that Eri and Tarma have been replaced with Trevor and Nadia. I thought the new characters were crossovers from King of Fighters for some reason, but that appears not to be the case. That just makes the replacement more worthy of some head-scratching. I’d understand two additional characters, but replac??ing two of the main cast wasn’t a? great idea.

8. Metal Slug 6

Metal Slug 6 is�?fine. It’s the first mainline game to not be released on the NeoGeo MVS hardware, instead landing on Atomiswave. Thematically, it returns to the Martians. It brings the playable character count to 6 with Ralph and Clark from Ikari Warriors. At least they didn’t replace any of the mainstay characters like they did with Metal Slug 4.

It just feels bland. The titles that followed the bankruptcy of SNK all maintain the quality gameplay of the series, but they have this loose and (of course) bland feeling. And while Metal Slug 4 felt the worst, Metal Slug 6 seems to highlight the g??ulf in quality by using higher-resolution background in a completely different art style than the pixel art going on in the foreground. It’s an ugly dissonance. On the whole, it isn’t terrible, but it doesn’t redeem the post-Nazca? games.

7. Metal Slug 2nd Mission

While Metal Slug 1st Mission simply felt like an attempt to get the series onto SNK’s little handheld, Metal Slug 2nd Mission expands it to something beyond just an underpowered port. The levels are more expansive with better variety, there are more slugs, better weapon control, and a branching campaign. It’s also more challenging, longer, and more fun. It manages to do all this without slowing things down too much (unlike Metal Slug Advance) 1st Mission was an admirable but undernourished port of the arcade classics, but 2nd Mission is worth playing.

6. Metal Slug Tactics

It would be hard to translate Metal Slug's run-and-gun gameplay to turn-based strategy (or turn-based anything, really), so it's maybe no surprise that some of the identity has been rubbed off in Metal Slug Tactics. Nonetheless, it's a worthy effort. The tactical gameplay is somewhat simple and focuses on how well you use the characters together rather than s?imply hiding the strategy behind individual stren?gths and weaknesses.

Its roguelite approach to progression will be hit-or-miss with most, but it at least allows every run to present something new. There's also something charming about seeing bosses and characters rendered at a top-down perspective. It's far from the best game in the series, but I'd rank it higher than most of the post-Nazca stuff.

5. Metal Slug 5

Of the Metal Slug games that came out after SNK’s collapse, Metal Slug 5 holds up the best. It provides some extremely memorable moments, like battling a huge bomber in the sky or driving down the highway in a heavily armed jalopy. Given that Metal Slug 4 felt like it was just keeping the series in a holding pattern following the exit of the original developers, it was a step in the right direct??ion, even if it didn’t keep to that path.

However, there are some major drawbacks. For one thing, they added a ground slid??e. This is executed by holding down and jumping. This is at odds with the fact that, in every other mainline game in the series, you would hold down and jump to shoot at anything below you. This small change mea??ns you have to be constantly aware of what you press when attacking below you.

Aside from that, there’s some sloppiness to the whole package. Some bosses needed a bit more fine-tuning and it ends really abruptly with a battle that feels out of place. To top it off, it completely lacks the ambition of Metal Slug 3, only featuring level ?branching to a very token extent.

4. Metal Slug 3

There are a lot of people �?including a few who have made lists like this one �?who would put Metal Slug 3 at the top. I don’t agree, but you could safely shuffle Metal Slugs 1,2, X, and 3 and have a good time.

Metal Slug 3 is where things start to get really bizarre. While Metal Slug 2 and X brought in the Martians toward the end, the first enemies you see in 3 are giant crabs. There are missions aboard ?tiny submarines, one where you face off against a zombie horde, and then�?we get to the aliens.

Honestly, Metal Slug 3 would be higher on my list if it wasn’t for the finale. It takes you into space, which sounds awesome, but it’s ?actually an overly-long gauntlet against the Martians. There are hordes of them, stuck through rathe??r barren hallways. It gets really quarter-munchy and is so protracted that it feels at odds with its arcade origins. There’s a terrific finale, but the ending feels less exciting and more like a relief.

Everything leading up to it is gravy. For as low as the final mission ??is, there are plenty of highs to?? help make up for it.

3. Metal Slug 2

Metal Slug 2 would also be higher on this list if it wasn’t for a few drawbacks. Chief among these, and one of the issues that led to the revamped Metal Slug X, is that there’s a lot of slowd??own. When the action gets heavy, the frame rate drops, a?nd it can really crawl.

Even with that issue, there are still a lot of redeeming qualities. It introduces many new features to the original, including transformations that change how your character moves and attacks, and new “slugs�?beyond just the tank. It’s also slightly more grounded and less over-the-top than Metal Slug X, which might be more appealing if you aren’t a fan of the?? craziness th??at can be found in later games.

It’s also the game that introduced Eri Kasamoto and Fiolina “Fio�?Germi into the mix of playable characters. It also contains my favorite boss, Big Shiee, but you can get these things in Metal Slug X.

2. Metal Slug

The original Metal Slug is the game I tend to replay the most. While ?it’s a lot simpler and less varied than the games that followed it, that’s part of why I enjoy it so much. It’s solid, relying less on surprises and chaotic situations. There are still plenty of those, but it’s easier to enjoy the tight gameplay without so many distractions.

At this point in the rankings, it’s hard to really describe Metal Slug without covering already-trodden ground. It introduced Marco and Tarma, most of the arsenal, the POWs, and the eponymous Metal Slug SV-001 tank. It established the tight controls and the tr?anscendentally amazing pixel art that defines the series. Nazca and SNK nailed it on their first try, and everything that came afterward is just butter.

1. Metal Slug X

As alluded to when talking about Metal Slug 2, Metal Slug X is essentially an upgraded version of that game. Metal Slug 2: Turbo, if you will. While the levels are essentially the same, everything has been revamped. This includes boss and p?ower-up placement, as well as some major art changes. Perhaps mo??st importantly, most of the slowdown that plagued the first sequel has been fixed.

It’s not entirely a replacement for Metal Slug 2, but it leaves little reason to go back to it. It tends to throw the new features presented in that game directly in your face so you can’t miss them, which leads to things sometimes feeling a bit overly chaotic. On the other hand, the new fe?atures are awesome. The bosses are great, the levels are varied, and everything feels terrific. 

Honestly, I’d probably put Metal Slug above this one, except for one major problem: the original Metal Slug doesn’t have Fio, and ever?ything is ??better with Fio.

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The Nintendo Wii ?was gaming’s greatest magic trick.

Back in 2006, the Wii felt like the next frontier of gaming. Swinging your arm to throw a bowling ball was so immersive that p??eople broke their TVs without even? thinking about it. Yet as the console aged, the luster of motion controls faded. What started with “can you imagine playing Smash Bros with the Wii remote?�?quickly turned into “please do not give me the Wii remote to play Smash Bros.�?/p>

Still, the games that understood the benefits and limitations of the system were unforgettable. The Wii has some experiences you still can’t get anywhere else, despite the rise of virtual reality. Even the system’s background music fills the Wii to the brim with personality. As usual, distilling a system’s years-long legacy into 20 games is virtually impossible. Super Paper Mario, Bit Trip Complete, Madworld, and Excitebots deserve honorable mentions, among many others. With that ??said, let’s dive into ten games th??at cement the Wii’s place in history.

[Zoey's 2025 Update: Timothy did a great job listing o?ut the top 20 games, and I agree with pretty much none of the selections. So, in an effort to expand this list, I'm going to leave his top 10 untouched and then tack the games I think should be on it in rankings 11-20. After all, I rank my own opinion below essentially everyone else's. If you find my self-esteem, let it know that I'm sorry and I want it to come home.]

20: WarioLand Shake-It (2008)

In 2008, the modern indie market was just about to hit the gas, but previous to that, console side-scrollers were in a recession. 2D games were generally relegated to handheld. Not that they were gone entirely, and they’d soon come roaring back, but in that lull was WarioLand Shake It.

It’s maybe not quite as fun and off-the-wall as Wario Land 4, but Shake-It makes up for it with its lavish art and animation. Good-Feel went ??all out with traditionally animated cutscenes and 2D graphics that look just as detailed. There have been plenty of other side-scrollers that have reached for its splendor, but I don’t feel any have nailed it q?uite as well as this one.

19: Sin & Punishment: Star Successor (2009)

It’s hard to believe Sin & Punishment: Star Successor even happened. The original never got released outside of Japan, and even in its home country, it did not sell well at all. A sequel didn’t sound like it would be a good fit for the family-friendly image that Nintendo was trying to cultivate. And yet, somehow, it was greenlit. I’m not sure sales went super we??ll the second time around, either.

Sin & Punishment: Star Successor is a surreal on-rails shooter that takes you through the desolate remains of an alternate Earth. I could try to describe the narrative further, but I probably couldn’t because it’s a to??tal madhouse. It’s the fact that it is so outlandish and ungrounded that I like least about the game, but it’s hard to dispute that its action is top-notch.

18: Donkey Kong Country Returns (2010)

Retro Games' revival of Rare’s classic platforming series lived up to the standard?s of quality? that the Metroid Prime studio was known for. While much of it builds off what was set down by Rare, Retro left its mark by tweaking the movement and partner systems, making the gameplay more dynamic, and filling it with some outstanding set-piece moments.

This would be a lot higher on the list if it wasn’t for how motion control is integrated. To roll,?? a maneuver required for long, pr?ecise jumps, was bound to a shake of the controller, even though a button press was feasible and would have been better. It wasn’t optional. You couldn’t plug in a classic controller or pick a different control scheme. You had to rely on the imprecise motion sensor or the Wiimote for precise platforming, and it sucked so hard that I’m complaining about it on a top games list. The rest of the experience is great, so thank goodness it was ported to the 3DS and is now landing on the Switch.

17: Boom Blox (2008)

Party games on Wii were a dime a dozen, and the decent ones were quickly drowned out by all the extremely low-effort bargain trash that quickly flooded (and perhaps torpedoed) the console’s library. Boom Blox was an interesting one because it had a singular central concept and apparently involved Steven Spielberg. Saying a game “involved�?Steven Spielberg is kind of funny since the guy basically founded Dreamworks Interactive and was partially responsible for Medal of Honor, but anyway.

Boom Blox was essentially Jenga for arsonists. It takes a similar precise deconstruction concept and adds explosions. Surprisingly, the physics engine is up to the task, and while there’s some motion control wonkiness, it’s an enjoyable game. It was one of the favorites my family would break out when we got together, and it’s one of those concepts t??hat feel like it would be alien on any platform aside ?from the Wii.

16: Punch-Out (2009)

It’s impossible to make a real follow-up to Punch-Out, so Next Level Games just remade it instead. Kind of. Simply called Punch-Out, it mashes together Punch-Out and Super Punch-Out. But, mostly, it’s the ??same as the NES game, which was already perfect.

However, perhaps surprisingly, replicating the timing and feel of Punch-Out is no easy feat. I’ve seen a few indies attempt it, and none quite manage to nail it. But, despite transitioning to full 3D graphics, the new Punch-Out fee?ls just as good as its 8-bit progenitor. To make the update more worthwhile, Next Level dressed it up with some of the best art and animation to ever grace a semi-offensive stereotype. It’s just too bad that this 2009 game is the last time we’ve seen a new game from the franchise.

15: Rhythm Heaven Fever (2011)

The Rhythm Heaven series is like WarioWare for someone who has funk. You play a series of mini-games that are all largely different, but they all have rhythm in common, getting more and more complicated as you go (big guy). Rhythm Heaven Fever is hilarious, surprising, and fun. Just don’t be too mad ?when you?? get one of its infectious songs indelibly embedded in your ears.

14: Silent Hill Shattered Memories (2009)

There was a lot of negativity around the Silent Hill series following the closure of Team Silent in 2007 and the tepid reception to Silent Hill: Homecoming and Silent Hill: Origins. Heck, Climax Studios and most of the staff were responsible for Shattered Memories. However, lessons were clearly learned because Shattered Memories breaks from the pack by presenting something completely different? while still drawing from its source material.

Shattered Memories is closer to a walking sim than it is to any of the Silent Hill games that came before. It’s a divergent retelling of the first game, following Harr??????????????????????????y Mason as he wanders the eponymous locale in search of hi?s missing daughter. That’s largely where the plot similarities end.

While Shattered Memories is its distinct concept, it manages to be a haunting ride with a potent hidden payload. Its psychological elements are pretty overblown, but how it changes and reacts to your decisions keeps things fresh for multiple playthroughs. Strangely, all these years later, it’s still an experience that can’t be fou??nd anywhere else.

13: Xenoblade Chronicles (2010)

Xenoblade Chronicles had a memorably fraught journey to North America. Despite getting released in Europe, Nintendo of America gave every indication possible that it wouldn’t release it over here. This resulted in Operation Rainfall, a fan campaign that involved a variety of tactics, including emails, physical mail, and journalistic coverage, to get not just Xenoblade Chronicles but also Last Story and Pandora’s Tower localized. It worked, although NOA refused to acknowledge that it’s what led to their eventual decision. ?Also, XSEED had to step up for the latter couple of games, but I digress.

I picked up Xenoblade Chronicles at release, and it was one of the grandest games I’ve ever seen. Landscapes seemed to stretch on forever. Who could forget climbing to the Bionis�?Leg (Thigh) and looking over the grassy plains? It was hard to believe it was on hardware that lagged behind the other consoles of the generation in horsepower (though, not that hard). Thankfully, it wasn’t the last time we saw the series, as it helped kick off a new era for Monolith Soft as a? powerhouse developer under Nintendo.

12: Mario Strikers Charged (2007)

The original Mario Strikers on GameCube was fine. It did what it was supposed to: presented a ve?rsion of? soccer played by Mario and associates. But do you know what it was missing? Violence.

Not that Super Mario Strikers was a completely clean version of soccer, but Mario Strikers Charged dials that up. There is so much pain on display in every match that it’s absurd. ?The walls surrounding the field (if there are any) are electrified, there’s a windy stage where cows fly across the stage, and if you get a mushroom, you can step on people. This makes for some hilarious replays as beloved characters get pushed into the mud.

Mario Strikers Charged is fast, challenging, and intense. I’m happy to see the series continue with Battle League, but the loss of distinct teammates re??ally dampens ?things.

11: No More Heroes (2007)

Had I written the initial list, this would have been my top pick. I was enamored by Killer7 when it was released on GameCube, and Suda51’s next game looked like it would follow the same style. It absolutely didn’t. No More Heroes is very much its own thin??g, and in many ways, I love it more because of that.

It has a similar pretense involving a collection of world-class assassins, but taking out priority targets for paying customers isn’t the central premise. Assassination is only a side gig for the disgustingly lecherous but very relatable loser Travis Touchdown: the real goal is to climb the ranks of the UAA’s list of to?p assassins by killing them from the bottom up. What follows is a series of levels that drunkenly staggers around unpredictable encounters with bizarre characters, all anchored in place by a depiction of Travis�?otherwise mundane life.

By my measurement, it was one of the games that made the best use of Nintendo’s strange control setup. The motion control works as a supplement to its hack-and-slash combat, having you lift the controller to change stances, swing in different directions to perform a catalog of suplexes, and work it like you’re jerkin�?it to recharge your laser sword. It’s a g??ame I return to frequently, and I feel it might be time for yet a?nother playthrough.

10: Klonoa (2008)

If you’ve been following me on Destructoid, you know I love Klonoa. While I can’t in good conscience rank the Wii remake of Klonoa: Door to Phantomile higher than this, I can’t? in good conscience omit it either.

Even if some of it is misguided, you can tell a lot of love went into this remake. The visuals are fantastic, the controls are tight, and the level design is faithful to the PlayStation original. Wii Klonoa also offers a few features you can’t find in Phantasy Reverie Series, such as maddening extra challenges and a full English voiceover (which, admittedly, pales in comparison to the Phantomilian voice acting). It’s a game that deserved to sell more than the ten copies that it did, especially considering? I was responsible for nine of those.

9: WarioWare: Smooth Moves (2006)

WarioWare Smooth Moves does what the Wii was ??always meant to do: ??make you look silly in front of your friends.

Sure, this is not a deep game, but it’s an experience you just won’t get on other consoles. The humor here is iconic to the point that even the tutorials are hilarious. The presentation is pure WarioWare, with visuals that walk the fine line between clean and crass. And the minigames�?I mean, it has the dancing game. If you never coaxed your fr??iends into playing this for your amusement, I am sorry.

8: The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess (2006)

Twilight Princess might not be the best Zelda game, but it was a heck of a launch title.

You can tell this is a GameCube title at its core, but just enough motion controls were added to sell the Wii’s features without detracting from the experience. I wouldn’t necessarily return to this version of Twilight Princess&nbs??p;because, let’s face it, pressing a button to swing a sword is better than waggling the remote. Still, this ??was a valiant effort to capture Nintendo’s core fanbase before the Wii found its footing with the casual crowd.

7: Muramasa: The Demon Blade (2009)

Speaking of core gamers, we were a sorry bunch if we didn’t have a PS3 or Xbox 360 by the seventh console generation's midpoint. Sure, Nintendo’s offerings were fantastic, but we were so desperate for quality 3^rd party titles that games like Deadly Creatures and Opoona generated hype on message boards. Every trickle of quality we got was special, which makes games like Muramasa: The Demon Blade stand out much more.

The Wii couldn’t compete with the 3D visuals of th?e competition, but the 2D art here sang on the Wii. While this lacks the exploration of a proper a Metroidvania, it more than makes up for that with flashy and fun hack-and-slash gameplay. This is not a perfect game, but its place in the Wii library makes it just as iconic? as Vanillaware’s other titles.

6: Mega Man 9 (2008)

I can’t properly convey how exciting Mega Man 9 was when it was announced. As the game that arguably inspired several retro revivals of this era, Mega Man 9 came out the gate swinging. Between the faithful presentation, the creative achievements, and arguably the best weapon set in the series, this wasn’t just any Mega Man. This was peak classic Mega Man.

Even if this is a multiplatform release, it just feels right playing this on the Wii. Flipping the Wii Remote on its side like an NES controller really drove home the feeling that this was a new NES game and not just an homage. Even the native lack of HDMI support added to the authenticity. Mega Man 9 is good no matter where you play it, but this version is as authentic as it gets without porting it wholesale to the ?NES.

5: Metroid Prime Trilogy (2009)

This is almost unfair to include, yet at the same time, ?holy moly, what a val??ue this package was.

Not only did you get Metroid Prime 3 while it was still being sold individually, but you also had its two iconic predecessors included with revamped controls to boot. Describing all three Metroid Prime games would fill an article on its own, so just know that Metroid Prime Trilogy remains the best way to play this?? series t??o this day.

4: Super Smash Bros Brawl (2008)

Super Smash Bros Brawl is far and away the most infamous entry in the series. A??t the same time, that’s like saying the Lighthouse of Alexandria is your least favorit??e wonder of the world.

Brawl is a fantastic game on its own merits. If nothing else, Subspace Emissary makes Brawl worth revisiting to this day. While I admit this single-player campaign is a bit of a mess, it is the best kind of mess. I love the elaborate story cutscenes that play out like a vast amalgamation of fanfiction mashed together. I love the surreal mashup of iconic Nintendo enemies and the lifeless grunts with their weird red eyes. The boss battles are genuinely exciting, too, which absolutel??y paved the way for the single-player challenges in Sup??er Smash Bros Ultimate.

Plus, if I’m being honest, playing multiplayer in Brawl is still a good time. If you lacked access to any other version of Smash Bros for some reason, this one still does the trick.

3: Resident Evil 4: Wii Edition (2007)

There’s no need to describe Resident Evil 4. It’s considered one of the best games of all time, and I love every minute of this campy horror adventure. Yet for all the rereleases and remasters this game has received, Wii Edition remains one of the best.

Resident Evil 4 Wii Edition comes packed with the content added to the PS2 version. More importantly, the Wii controls change everything about this game. While the slow pace of the series�?trademark tank contr??ols remain, Wii Edition makes Leon aim like a champion. In fact, the motion controls feel much more natural here than in fast-paced modern games that support gyro aiming. It's so fun to get headshots and shoot projectiles out of the air that I don't even care if it's efficient; I just enjoy doing it.

Does this make the game substantially easier? Yes, very much yes. Yet, if I wanted to prove my hardcore gaming credentials, I’d beat Ninja Gaiden for the NES without using continue??s. This is a super fun way to play an all-time classic.

2: Super Mario Galaxy 1 & 2 (2007 & 2010)

Super Mario Galaxy and its sequel are two of the best Mario games of all time. In fact, even compared to the Switch version of Galaxy, these games play so naturally with the Wii Remote and Nunchuck. I’d say more here, but I already waxed poetic about these titles in my best Mario games list.

1: Wii Sports & Wii Sports Resort (2006 & 2009)

There are moments in life when everything feels perfect. Maybe it’s a birthday party where you’re surrounded by your closest friends. Or maybe it’s the first time you hold your crush’s hand. When I remember all my friends and family members excitedly gathered around the TV to play Wii Sports a??fter the Wii launched, that’s the feeling I get.

If the Wii was gaming’s greatest magic trick, Wii Sports was the beautiful assistant. By offering basic yet familiar sports to play with your Wii Remote, we were sold the fantasy of immersive gaming. That might sound deceitful, but here’s the thing: magic shows are fun. You can reduce this game to the simplest motions possible, but embracing the illusion is way more fun. There are far deeper games than Wii Sports on this system, and Wii Sports Resort is technically the better game. Yet the simplicity and approachability of the original Wii Sports cannot be matched.

As you’re surely aware, the casual gaming market blew up shortly after the Wii’s release. The rise of smartphones gave non-gamers a platform to fit their needs with titles to match. Yet for this one moment in history, everyone from the hardest of core gamers to the most casual observers was side by side, all enthusiastic for Wii Sports. Maybe it's silly to rank a game so highly for its universal appeal, especially after I've ranked? franchises by listening to my heart. Yet, in a world as chaotic and divisive as ours, a small moment of unity like playing Wii Sports fills me with peace. Even if it's harder to gather the family around for Wii Sports now than it was in 2006, I want to hold on to that memory for as long ??a??s I can.

The post The 20 Best Wii Games of all time, Ranked appeared first on Destructoid.

It doesn’t matter how old you are or at what point you hopped on the Pokémon hype train; there’s one thing that all playe?rs ha?ve in common �?the joyful experience of picking their first starter. 

Whether you began your Pokémon journey back in the 90s with Red, Blue, or Yellow, or you’re either younger or were late to the party and began your journey later with Sun or Moon, there’s a starter for every player. ??If you’re dedicated to a certain type of Pokémon, the choice is easy, but if you’re pulled in more ??by appearance, then the decision gets a little more complicated. 

Regardless, your starter is likely to be by your side every ??step of the way, so the decision is definitely a weighty one. Catching them all is one thing, but your bes??t buddy will support you through evolutions and you’re inevitably going to end up pretty attached to them, it’s a tough choice.

All Pokémon starters by Generation

There are a total of nine generations of Pokémon. If you’re old like me, you’ll remember a time when there?? were a total of 151 Pokémon, but those days seem like a different age now. These days, there are 1,025 Pokémon in total, and my aged brain can’t even begin to remember them all. My four-year-old shamefully has me be??at on that front. 

But I can remember all of the starters from each generation. Starter Pokémon are always one of three types (Grass, Fire, or Water), and end up being the face of each new era, the stars of trailers, and belov??ed by their trainers. 

Back in the 90s, Pokémon stole the hearts of youngsters, and it hasn’t ever stopped. The first-ever starters are still beloved to this day, and even in later games, you’ll find that players of a certain age will always strive to have them as part of their Pokémon party far outside the bounds of the Kanto region. Even almost 30 years later (ouch), these three still act as the face of Pokémon and are instantly recognizable to any player. 

This iconi??c trio were the starters for the following original games:

• Pokémon Red
• Pokémon Blue

Don’t worry, I haven’t forgotten about Pokémon Yellow, but we’re going to circle back to that one.

With the Kanto region and ?its 151 specimens of Pokémon thrusting the series into worldwide acclaim, Game Freak surged ahead and added the Johto region with an additional 100 Pokémon to find, capture, and train, including these adorable three starters. If you’d already pinpointed a favorite type in the previous games, then this choice was simple, but the cute designs and badass evolutions definitely complicated things some??what. 

Chikor?ita, Cyndaquil, and Totodile were available as starters in these games:

• Pokémon Gold
• Pokémon Silver
• Pokémon Crystal

With the addition of Hoenn, Orre, and Sevii Islands, another 135 Pokémon were added to the Pokédex, bringing the? total number of Pokémon to 386. If I’m totally honest, this is where I started to lose track of who was who and where I was supposed to find them, but I do have fond memories of the three starters from th??is generation. 

Previously always favoring Fire types, this is where I moved over to Water types thanks to Mudkip’s adorably derpy design, although Torchic’s eventual badass chicken evolution was definitely tempting. And we can’t forget about Treecko, who eventually evolves into Sceptile, dishing out huge?? damage if you’re up against a Water, Rock, or Ground type Pokémon in battle. 

Anyway, here are the games that give you the choice between these th??ree starters:

• Pokémon Ruby
• Pokémon Sapphire
• Pokémon Emerald

Generation 4 added the Sinnoh region to the world of Pokémon, and all of its additional 107 Pokémon, making the overall total number of Pokémon a slightly daunting 493. There are man??y fan-favorite Pokémon from this era, including Lucario, and two additional Eeveelutions in Glaceon and Leafeon. 

However, while there are many memorable Pokémon from generation 4, the starters are considered by some to be where things began to go wrong, although I disagree with this deeply, but we’ll get there in good time. Turtwig and Chimchar are absolute??ly adorable, each turning into their own badass evolutions, but have you seen Piplup? It was the first Pokémon that I was almost tempted to prevent evolving purely because of how utterly adorable it is. Almost. 

This very cute trio was available as s??tar?ter Pokémon in the following games:

• Pokémon Diamond
• Pokémon Pearl
• Pokémon Platinum

Generation 5 brought players to the new region of Un??ova and?? added 156 new Pokémon, the largest addition since the original games, bringing the total up to 649. 

Okay, look, I know some people think that this is where Game Freak began to lose their way. The designs of the starter Pokémon for generation 5 weren’t quite their best ideas, but I don’t think it’s fair to discount them completely. Oshawott might look like a creepy litt??le clown-cross-otter, but I think that’s part of its appeal, and while Snivy is guilty of a constant side-eye and Tepig looks overly happy, they’re all undeniably cute in their own ways. 

If you think even the weirdos deserve love too, you can pick between these? three in the followi?ng games:

• Pokémon Black 
• Pokémon White
• Pokémon Black 2
• Pokémon White 2

Generation 6 took players to the region of Kalos, with its European aesthetic, and added in the most recent new Eeveelution, Sylveon. It was a??mong 72 new additions, bringing the total number of Pokémon up to 721. 

?I’ll admit it, generation 6 was a weird time for me. I abandoned my now long-running dedication to Water type starters due to Froakie’s bizarre fluffy frog appearance (I mean, imagine a fluffy frog and tell me that you don’t get slightly perturbed by the ide??a, I dare you), and rather than switching back to Fire types, I shifted entirely to Grass. 

Chespin stole the show in terms of the cutest generation 6 starters, but all of them had their strengths, and you can find them in the following games??:

• Pokémon X
• Pokémon Y

Players were w??elcomed t??o the Hawaii-inspired area of Alola in generation 6, which added a whole new 88 Pokémon to the ever-expanding Pokédex, bringing the total up to 809. 

Gen??eration 7 saw a huge number of people making the switch ??(or switching back, in my case) to a Fire type starter, all thanks to the adorable little kitty cat Litten. With most starters, Rowlett and Popplio included, their cute original form is somewhat lost as they evolve, but Litten somehow manages to remain cute even as it transforms into its final badass Incineroar form. 

Rowlett, Litten, and Popplio take center stage in the following titles??:

• Pokémon Sun
• Pokémon Moon

Traveling to the regions of Galar and Hisui, g?eneration 8 added 96 new Pokémon, dragging that total number up to 905. We’re?? nearing the 1,000 Pokémon mark at this point, and a long way from the very memorizable original 151. 

The starters from this generation are definitely an odd mix, with a little green monkey, an overly sporty rabbit, and a tadpole that looks like it got stuck in its transition to f??rog and adopted a permanent “shocked Pikachu face�?as a r?esult. However, you can’t deny that all of them are cute, and although their evolutions might leave something to be desired, their original forms are definitely memorable. 

If you want to choose between them, you can in the follow?ing games:

• Pokémon Sword
• Pokémon Shield

We’ve finally caught up to the present era of Pokémon, and generation nine has taken us to Paldea and Kitakami. With these new regions, the total number of Pokémon in the Pokédex rise??s to that eye-watering number of 1,025, forcing many of us to forget that some even exist, but the starters remain in our memories forever. 

It’s obvious why Sprigatito quickly became the fan-favorite starter in Generation 9. I mean, the little grass cat is utterly adorable, but the other two are just a little odd-looking, although no less charming in their own ways. Fuecoco is perpetually happy and look??s like it would be happy to set fire to anything to keep its trainer happy, and Quaxly is just utterly fabulous with an enviable hair structure. 

Th?ese three are your choice when playing the following titles:

• Pokémon Scarlet
• Pokémon Violet

Was Pikachu ever a starter Pokémon?

If you can remember a time when you were handed Pikachu as your starter Pokémon and felt like I was trying to gaslight you with this list, I promise you that’s not the case. When the original two games (Blue and Red) were released in 1996, the trio listed at?? the start of this list were the basic starter choices. 

However, the success of the game provided the baseboard for the now beloved and long-running TV animation series, and that then turned into an opportunity for Game Freak to capitalize on the love for Pikachu by releasing a third generation 1 title in 1998 �?Pokémon Yellow.

Rather than having a choice, Pokémon Yellow thrusts Pikachu at you as your starter Pokémon, much like Ash’s own Pikachu was thrust upon him in the series. You could still get your hands on Bulbasaur, Charmander, and ??Squirtle as you progressed through? the game, but Pikachu definitely took center stage and Yellow has become a favorite game for many of that generation's players. 

Sadly, Pikachu has only ever been a starter again once, in Pokémon Let’s Go Pikachu, with the trusted Grass, Fire, and Water choice remaining steadfast throug?h every other ??game.

The post All Pokémon Starters by Generation appeared first on Destructoid.

The best board games based on books extend the story from which they’re drawn with adventur??es that maintain the look and feel of the original tale. The gameplay of these adaptions makes you feel like you’re stepping? into the world of the novel, and the characters often have thematic powers that match their abilities from the author’s works. In this list, we’re highlighting a handful of fantastic tabletop titles that bring your favorite books to life with both smart game design and enjoyable mechanics.

1. Lord of the Rings: The Card Game

As Sauron’s shadow lengthens, the world of Middle Earth grows full of both adventure and peril. Lord of the Rings: The Card Game and its saga expansions take players through the most iconic moments in the books, from the Fellowship’s journey through Khazad-Dûm to the battle of Helm’s Deep and the siege of Minas Tirith. However, the fun doesn’t stop there. With a team of your favorite heroes and allies, you can explore the wastes of Angmar, sail to the ruins of Númenor, travel to Harad, or keep the darkness of Mirkwood at bay. The deck-building aspects of this tabl?etop title are richly rewarding, and the cooperative gameplay mechanics make every scenario an interesting puzzle.

2. Game of Thrones: The Card Game

In Game of Thrones: The Card Game, you play as one of seven great hou?ses in Westeros or as the Night’s Watch. Your goal is to collect fifteen power tokens before your opponents do and conquer Westeros. To do this, you’ll need to play a mix of powerful characters, locations, attachments, and events that come straight from George R.R. Martin’s books. You’ll also need to choose your plot cards carefully before the game since th??ey’ll give you the element of surprise. Each house has its own strengths drawn directly from the source material. The Lannisters, for example, are fabulously rich and win intrigue combats with ease. The Starks attack quickly and seek early victories. The Targaryens can burn their opponents to the ground with dragon fire.

3. Arkham Horror

The terrors of H.P. Lovecraft’s original works have been adapted into numerous board games, but there are few with as high quality a gameplay experience as Arkham Horror. The town o?f Arkham, Massachusetts, has tons of interesting clues to uncover and locations to visit, but it’s also overrun with horrifi??c monsters. Through a mix of investigation and combat, your team will hopefully close all the portals to the beyond before the Ancient One awakens. Should you fail, you’ll have to face off against this demon one last time.

4. Dune Imperium: Uprising

As the leader of one of the Imperium’s Great Houses, your goal in Dune Imperium: Uprising is to tame the planet Arrakis before your opponents and ?let the spice flow. You’ll start with a unique signet ring ability, and two agents. You’ll then interact with various locations from the books, including everything from Sietch Tabr to the Landsraad council chamber, by sending your agents to them. Increase your standing with factions like the Spici??ng Guild and the Padishah Emperor, recruit powerful character cards for your deck, and win battles against your opponents to claim victory.

5. Sherlock Holmes Consulting Detective: Carlton House & Queen’s Park

Fans of the famous detective residing at 221B Baker Street will love the Sherlock Holmes Consulting Detective series. Every entry makes you feel smarter than the master sleuth himself, and Carlton House & Queen’s Park is no exception. For some of the cases you’ll find in this box, you’ll need only the storybook and a map of the Carlton mansion. For others, you’ll get a sizeable map of Victorian London that you can explore, plus a stack of period-accurate newspapers that ar??e full of clues. These cases can be particularly challenging, but that also makes th?em immensely satisfying.

6. Harry Potter: Hogwarts Battle

The Wizarding World from the Harry Potter books and films comes to the tabletop in style with Hogwarts Battle, a cooperative,? easy-to-understand deck builder. Those who practice the Dark Arts are attempting to control some of the most famous locations from the series, including Diagon Alley, the Forbidden Forest, and the Chamber of Secrets. Players must work together to defeat these villains over the course of seven games. Each game corresponds with one of the years that Harry is in school and increases in difficulty over time.

7. The Witcher: Old World

In The Witcher: Old World, you’ll roam the Continent before the days of Geralt and collect trophies by slaying monsters and defeating rival witchers. The game map is gigantic, and the branching choice story mechanics add plenty of immersion. The deck-building and character upgrade systems that the game offers are also fantastic. The individual player boards and other components are surprisingly high-quality. Plus, the deluxe edition of Old World comes with a ton of satisfying miniatures. For fans of the fra??nchise, this game is an absolute must-have.

8. Golem

Golem is an underrated engine-building board game that’s full of excitement for seasoned tabl?etop gamers. It’s based on not one but several books, which are, in turn, based on a classic folktale from the Jewish Quarter of Prague. Players take on the role of a rabbi, who, as in the story, created a monstrous being from clay to protect the city. The creature soon became unruly and difficult to control, and this aspect of the story is perfectly portrayed in the game mechanics, which situate your engine on the edge of a knife. If your golem becomes too powerful, it will destroy everything it was meant to protect.

9. Friday

Friday is an enjoyable solitary experience that’s based on the classic novel Robinson Crusoe. To begin a game, you’ll draw two pirate cards, which become the adversaries that you’ll need to de?feat in order to win. Before you can ??take them on, however, you’ll need to face off against the island’s hazards. Defeating a hazard adds a stronger fight card to your deck and strengthens your odds for when the pirates finally come. Aging cards, on the other hand, weaken your character and make it tougher to get Robinson off the island.

10. Unfathomable

Hidden roles and secret agendas take center stage on an old-fashioned steamship surrounded by Lovecraftian Deep Ones in Unfathomable, which borrows many of its mechanics from the classic Battlestar Galactica board game. When it’s your turn, you can move about the ship and perform the action on th?e location you pick. In the boiler room, you can risk fuel to advance the ship’s travels. In the cargo hold, you can pick up items. If you visit the captain’s quarters, you might be able to send another player to the on-board prison. Human players need to defeat strange monsters and protect the civilian population on board in order to win. If you’re a hybrid, you win when the Deep Ones manage to sink the ship.

The post 10 Great Board Games Based on Books That Perfectly Capture Their Source M?aterial appeared first on Destructoid.

If you were to ask any fan of rhythm games what their favorite titles are, odds are that their first choices will likely be a selection of games that are now relegated to consoles past, lost to ever-progressing technology. It’s easy to believe that the genre itself is lost to history, but ?that’s not necessarily the case. 

Yes, games like Dance Dance Revolution, Rock Band, and Guitar Hero are undoubtedly reserved for those old-school gamers who still have their old consoles, or visit Dave & Bus?ters on a regular basis. However, that doesn’t mean that newer rhythm games don’t exist for current-generation Console or PC players, you just have to look a little harder to find them. 

And?? they’re worth playing for more reasons than simply passing the time, as well. Did you know that playing rhythm-based music games can dramatically improve areas like reading ability, spatial reasoning, and focused attention in bo??th kids and grown-ups? If you ever needed a reason to dive into rhythm gaming, aside from the undeniable fun and satisfaction, then improving your mind should be it. 

It is worth mentioning that DDR, Rock Band, Guitar Hero, and other previous-generation rhythm games are all still perfectly playable, and it costs less to buy the old console and anything else you might need (a dance mat or guitar) than it does to buy a VR headset to play Beat Saber, for instance. So while this list is explicitly for current generation rhythm games, don’t let it stop you from exploring and enjoying older titles. 

16. Incredibox

I'm not sure if Incredibox counts as a "rhythm game," but?? it has the "rhythm" tag on Steam and it rocks, so I'm including it. Incredibox is a kind of music production toy that involves layering different loops over one another to create awesome music. It's almost impossible to make something that sounds ?bad.

Incredibox doesn't have a lose state and it doesn't involve tapping anything to the beat, so it might not be a rhythm game in the same way the other titles on this list are. Still, I have often felt that the joy of rhythm games comes from the imitation of "creating" music, and Incredibox is a pretty natural evolution of that concept. If you love music, it's at least worth checking?? o??ut.

15. Kingdom Hearts: Melody of Memory

Melody of Memory is a spin-off of the Theatrhythm series, and it served to scratch the Square Enix rhythm game itch during the six-year wait for a new mainline Theatrhythm entry. It’s probably the easiest game on this list, but it’s got nearly every song from one of the best franchise so?undtracks in video game history. Rhythmic “combat�?is an idea that’s been tried before, and it’s not at its deepest here, but it’s undeniably very satisfying. 

There are plenty of games that can rigorously test your dexterity and sense of rhythm, but when you just want to feel good tapping away at some beautiful music, it’s tough to do better than Melody of Memory. It’s not only a genuinely enjoyable Kingdom Hearts entry, but it’s al??so an excellent rhythm game in its ow??n right.

14. Trombone Champ

Nothing in Trombone Champ sounds "good," but that's not really the point. This uproariously funny title places you in control of a "tromboner" (the game's word, no??t mine) and gives you free rein to play whatever music you want. There is a beatmap here, but the game absolutely will not help you hew to it at all, which means that most of your tro??mboning will consist of playing a note that's either just barely wrong or entirely wrong.

There might be a way to get good at Trombone Champ. I've never see?n it happen, and I've never tried to do it. I'm happy to be the world's worst tromb??oner. It's funnier this way.

13. Crypt of the NecroDancer

Crypt of the NecroDancer is so simple that it hurts my brain. Literally all you do is move around a dungeon to the beat, attacking enemies simply by bumping into them. There are some basic buffs and item pic?kups, but at its heart, it's exactly what it looks like.

It's all about reading and responding to patterns in the most simple manner possible, and it's wildly addictive. Every time I start playing NecroDancer, I lose hours to it. On the face of it, Crypt of the NecroDancer is very basic. And yet, there's nothing else quite like it. NecroDancer uses its simplicity to its advantage to create one of the most enjo??yable rhythm experiences out there.

12. Patapon 2 Remastered

Patapon 2 was initially released for the PSP in 2008 and requires you to input four-button sequences in beat with the music to control troops in battle. While it sounds simple, there’s a whole lot more at play here??. You need to constantly increase your combo so that you can gain Fever, allowing you to perform miracles that affect the weather, and you need to match the flashing at the edge of the screen if you want to succeed. 

Patapon 2 Remastered was released for PlayStation 4 in 2020 and features everything that was beloved about the original version. With a long list of different sequences to remember in order to control the troops, Patapon can be a little frustrating and will?? definitely test your memory, but it’s also incredibly enjoyabl?e as well. 

11. UNBEATABLE [white label]

Unbeatable is what happens when you combine the genre of rhythm gaming with the genre of anime fighting. The game ?itself has been on the cards for a long time, with the hand-drawn title set to release at an as yet unspecified time in 2025. The concept of the game is simple - music is illegal, but that won’t stop you from playing it, so get out there and commit some crime.

Unbeatable[white label] acts as a very impressive pseudo-demo, and is an exclusive side story set within the world of the yet-to-be-released full game. The art style is fully hand-drawn, and New content is added with episodical updates, and there’s even a Demo Tapes DLC which can give you the soundtrack to listen to at leisure without the pressure of performing. Unbeatable [white label] is incredibly fun and satisfying to play, not to me??ntion it’s free (although the Demo Tapes will cost you $4), so you’ve got nothing to lose by giving it a go. 

10. Geometry Dash

Now listen, I know this probably isn’t something you expected to see on this list, but I’m throwing it in anyway because there is an undoubtable element of rhythm to Geometry Dash. Admittedly it doesn’t? come from matching the beat of the background music as is the case with the vast majority of other rhythm game??s, but you find your own rhythm with your jumps and inevitable rage-filled deaths. 

There’s something undeniably satisfying about getting a level under your belt, because they are absolutely difficult to complete at times, ??and you can find yourself losing your own rhythm to that of the music that accompanies each level. You’ll need more than good tim??ing to get through each level of Geometry Dash, with skill mastery from practice and awareness of what’s to come as you progress. 

9. Headbangers Rhythm Royale

It’s hard to even begin to explain Headbangers Rhythm Royale, but I’ll start with the vaguest of descriptions to hopefully drag you in the ??same way that I was when I first heard about this gem: large?? numbers of pigeons in fanciful costumes playing rhythm games to come out on top. Yes, you read that right. 

There are 23 different individual music-based mini-rhythm games, and you get to compete with 29 other players in four that are randomly chosen for each game. Imagine Fall Guys, but there’s no running, and instead, you’re bobbing your little pigeon head to the beat, guessing the instruments, or trying to flick balls into a goal. All while trying t?o survive to the final round, prove your sense? of rhythm, earn Crumbs to customize your pigeon, and win the “Master Headbanger�?title. 

As I said, Headbangers Rhythm Royale?? is very hard to explain in any way that wi??ll actually make sense to anyone who has never played it. You just have to experience it for yourself.

8. Rhythm Doctor

Set in a struggling cardiac hospital, Rhythm Doctor has you playing as a surgeon whose job is to restart patients�?hearts by rhythmically tapping a single button. If that sounds a little too simple for you, don’t worry, it all gets a little comp??licated when the game shrinks its own window and starts throwing itself around your screen, forcing you to pay more attention than you ever expected to going into it,? especially if you have more than one monitor. 

The music is amazing and fun, the characters you meet are genuinely interesting, and you’ll find yourself wanting to relive the experience once all is said and done. Each patient has their own unique heart rhythm to learn, making each rhythm battle interesting and fun. Rhythm Doctor is still in early access, despite being initially released back in 2021, but there are 20 levels (each of which has a more challenging “Night Shi?ft�?mode for those who want to try their luck), and you can even play co-op with a friend. 

7. Beat Saber

While the rest of the games on this list require no more movement than twitching your fingers, Beat Saber will get you up and out of your seat. Admittedly, adding it to this list might be stretching the boundaries of accessibility, as you’ll need both a VR headset and a considerable amount of room to play, not to mention that you’ll need to make sure there aren’t any pets or children around who might e?nd up getting caught in your arm-swinging crossfire.

However, it somehow doesn’t feel quite right to write up a list of rhythm games without including Beat Saber. Not only is waving you??r arms around and hitting things with VR lightsabers incredibly fun, but it’s also a great stress reliever, and it awakens a certain primal part of the human brain in a way that simply pressing a button does??n’t quite manage to do. 

6. Taiko no Tatsujin: Drum ‘n�?Fun

One thing that I love about Taiko no Tatsujin games is the versatility offered by the myriad of different ways in which you can actually play. Whether you want to play using a touchscreen, by pressing dedicated buttons, or even with a dedicated physical drum controller, there are many ways to play. However you play, you do one action for red notes, and another action for blue notes. Taiko no Tatsujin is remar?kably simple, but that’s a huge part of the appeal. 

You could switch out Drum ‘n�?Fun for any of the other Taiko no Tatsujin games. Picking which one to play is as simple as looking up the tracklist for each, but Drum ‘n�?Fun earns a place on this list because it features some absolute bangers. While pretty much anyone can play Taiko no Tatsujin, mastering the art of getting it right is incredibly difficult, b??ut you’ll have a lot of f?un along the way. 

5. Hatsune Miku: Project DIVA Mega Mix+

Let’s be honest here, did you really expect to click on a list of rhythm games and not see a Hatsune Miku title on it? While we’re being honest, you could absolutely replace this entry with any of the other Hatsune Miku Project DIVA games and it would still be accurate. In the absence of Dance Dance Revolution or Guitar Hero, Hatsune Miku games scratch the rh??ythm game itch for an?y fan. 

Although having said that, Hatsune Miku takes the proven concept and absolutely kicks it up a level in terms of difficulty. Rather than having a single bar to focus on in terms of what button to hit, with notes coming in from a single direction, Hatsune Miku games throw notes at you from all directions and move your focus ?around the screen like a cat with the 3 a.m. zoomies. It’s definitely a challenge to clear levels, especially at higher difficulty levels, but it’s endlessly satisfying when you manage to get it right. 

4. Theatrhythm Final Bar Line

If you’re a fan of either rhythm games in general, or Square Enix games, then you’ve definitely heard of the Theatrhythm series. There are five games in total, and all of them feature iconic tracks from beloved Square Enix titles such as Dragon Quest and Final Fantasy. Final Bar Line was released in 2023, after a six-year break from the previous Final Fantasy All-Star Carnival. 

Final Bar Line had 385 songs included at launch, all of which were from Final Fantasy titles both new and old. Additional DLC packs add further Final Fantasy tracks, but also songs from o??ther Square Enix titles, and if you purchase all of the DLC you’ll end up with over 500 songs to play through. Completing battles to the rhythm of familiar and nostalgic music never gets old, and there’s endless replayability as a result. 

3. Hi-Fi Rush

I love Hi-Fi Rush. The story captures your imagination, the art style is stunning, the characters are lovable, and the implementation of rhythm-based gameplay feels utterly seamless. Past the tutorials close to the beginning of the game, you’re left to remember different rhythms to deal with different types of attacks, a??ll ai?ded by the music in the background. 

It’s all about timing, and there’s something about Hi-Fi Rush that will always leave you wanting more. Everything happens in beat to the music, from the combat to your movement, and even the action in the world around you as you play. If you’ve ever walked down the street with headphones on and tried to match your steps to the beat of your chosen song, then Hi-Fi Rush won’t fail to keep your attention. 

2. Super Crazy Rhythm Castle

I first discovered Super Crazy Rhythm Castle when it was free on Epic Games, and I will forever be grateful that I took a chance and downloaded it. It’s playable single-player, or with others through online play, and it’s delightfully fun for all involved. With absolutely absurd settings, characters, and a long list of earworm tracks that you’ll still be humming weeks after you finish playing, I can’t say enough good things about Super Crazy Rhythm Castle. 

It’s not easy, either. Sure, it starts off pretty simple. Pressing buttons to match those shown on screen is a staple of the rhythm game genre, after all. But then additional mechanics get thrown in, most of which are definitely easier with mo?re than one player. While one person focuses on the rhythm aspect, another can deal with enemies who are trying to kill you or focus on slotting machines into the right holes so that the music can charge them before they’re used to get through obstacles. 

“Super crazy�?is definitely an appropriate description for this rhythm game, but there’s a lot of fu?n to be had in the ch?aos, and you’ll spend a lot of time laughing. Plus, I haven’t played in months, and I still can’t get Hippo and Frog out of my head. 

1. Metal: Hellsinger

As a fan of metal music for many years, and equally a rhythm game player since childhood, Metal: Hellsinger appeals to me on an almost visceral level. Inspired by iconic FPS games like DOOM, Metal: Hellsinger takes you through multiple levels on a demon world, accompanied by absolutely stunning heavy met?al tracks,?? with damage being increased if your attacks are in sync with the beat of each track. 

It’s infuriatingly difficult to complete any level while managing to be 100% on the beat, but replaying them is absolutely worth it just to listen to the amazing soundtrack all over again, so it’s not too much of a big deal. Admittedly, you probably need to actually enjoy the metal genre of music to appreciate Metal: Hellsinger as much as I do,? but I can’t even begin to recommend th??is one enough. 

Plus, as if the base game wasn’t enough, there are DLC packs including songs from Muse, Disturbed, and rather more surprisingly, Icona Pop. Even for the? biggest heavy metal fans, there’s something endlessly enjoyable ?about running around hell and shooting demons to the beat of “I Love It�? 

The post 16 best r??hythm video games you can actually buy, ranked appeared first on Destructoid.

Fortnite isn't just the biggest game in the world �?it's an unstoppable property seemingly hellbent on bringing every other famous property into its fold in interesting ways. We've had trailer reveals hosted by Palpatine himself, a huge concert by Travis Scott, and we've recently witnessed the live defrosting of Mariah Carey. Those blockbuster events are great and bizarre in an awesome way, but so are many of the regular skins and collabs we see in Fortnite. Let's look at the wildest of the bunch.

10. Peely

Maybe it's the dead black eyes. Maybe? it's the tiny smile, or the strange bootheels. Perhaps it's the slightly peeled-off skin on the upper part of the head. Peely suffers from Teletubbyism, an affliction that causes creatures to look cute on first glance but? more and more off the longer you stare at them.

So many parents only look at the stuff their kids love once, so Peely passes the parental test. After loo?king at it like five times, however, there?? was no doubt in my mind Peely was designed to visit players in their nightmares long after their games had concluded.

And, the best part is that this ?is not even Peely's final form.

9. Juice WRLD

Unlike most skins on this list, Juice WRLD's skin looks fine. Juice was a handsome dude, and the problem resides in the "was" part. Juice has sadly passed away at a very young age in a rather tragic way, so I just can't help but to think this skin shouldn't exist in this game. Though it looks genuinely cool, this i??s the only "weird" skin in the game I just cannot approve of.

Pretty much any way you can think of to honor a deceased person is better than creating an avatar of them you can kill again til?l the?? end of time.

8. Fabio Sparklemane

Maybe it's the Internet, but anthropomorphized cats, dogs, and bears all work surprisingly well on most games. Still, there's something about a horse that stands on two legs and contends for the Victory Royale that just feels too out there. Is it because his hooves would never be able to reach the trigger of any of the guns in the game? Or is it because he might have been named after Fabio, a man and meme so good looking he once accidentally mesmerized a bird that flew straight into his face and exploded while the man was enj?oying a supposedly peaceful rollercoaster ride.

7. The Brat

Out of all the weird Fortnite skins out there, the Brat is easily the funniest. It's a case of the more you look at it, the funnier he gets. Unlike Meowscles, who clearly has the?? body of a (very fit) human, The Brat is a hot dog through and through. His chest is a sausage, he wears a bun as a coat, his chest hair is a squiggle of mustard, and his arms are strings of sausage.

Also, unlike most of the other peculiar Fortnite skins, The Brat is 100% cool, 0% creepy �?so long as you ignore h??is incr?iminating necklace made of baby sausages.

6. Fishstick

A very interesting play on the name, Fishstick is a fish head on a very skinny anthropomorphized human body. This thing has so?me whacky bulging eyes and a near-permanent smile on his face. He looks harmless, but there's no be?tter remorseless killing machine than a creature who loses all recollection of their crimes every five seconds.

I was trying to think of a Fishstick skin to crown as the weirdest of the weird, but it's just too hard. I guess the sui??t one edges out the other ones for its impersonal murderer vibes, if only for just a little bit.

5. Meowdas

Meowdas is the we??irdest variation of the ??original Meowscles skin, which was already one of the strangest skins in the game.

Meowscles is a buff and conveniently shirtless human body with the face of a cartoon cat. It's the kind of thing that the Internet lov??es, a??nd thus something you probably should never confess your love for in the real world. Meowdas is a combination between Meowscles and Midas, and the result is not a cute buff anthropomorphized cat, but something that goes for both cute and edgy all the while being an anthropomorphized cat.

4. Beef Boss

Do you love the weird McDonald's lore, but fee??l like its characters could still stand to be a bit more bizarre? Then Beef Boss ??is just the skin for you.

Forget human-shaped cats. For all I know, Beef Boss could just be a regular man wearing a highly impractical burger-shaped helmet, but, if there's any consistency to the world of Fortnite, then that's a sentient burger who grew arms and legs just so he could kill hundreds of people, and?? that's quite somethi??ng.

3. Peely Bone

Players quickly complained that the original Pe??ely looked creepy as hell �?or maybe they didn't, but I sure did �?and I admit to my mistake. The adverse reaction to the cute monstrosity created something even worse. Ever wondered what Peely looked like on the inside? Was he all banana? Welp, it turns out Peely is banana on the outside, manana on the inside. Unlike the original Peely, which is just sneakily frightening, is full on creepy.

I'm sorry for all the nightmares this thing sure must have caused, but I'm just so glad a major game �?a cutesy looking one, at that �???had t?he guts to, well, show Peely's guts.

2. Mariah Carey

Yes, I'm afraid I am not joking.

This one is especially great because it carries the immense weight of Internet history. Mariah Carey started off as one of the most popular pop stars in the world, then became meme because of a legendary localization of her song "Without you" in the Bulgarian version of American Idol, where it infamously became "Ken Lee". Tha??t would've been more than enough for a fulfilling career, but then Carey morphed into another, larger, meme.

Carey recently went on from being a massive superstar to a creature that the legend told spent most of the year in a cryogenic chamber only to be de-frozen during Christmas to play "All I want for Christmas is you". Very funny, for the year when the meme originated, at least. It didn't stop there, however. The meme got so popular that this year Carey became not only a skin on Fortnite, but even allowed you to see the block of ice imprisoning her shattering in game live??. Weirdest of all? The Mariah Carey skin is something ?you can play as throughout the whole year.

1. Skibidi Toilet Back Bling

Who wouldn't want? to wear?? a human head inhabiting inside a toilet as a backpack? The Skibidi Toilet Back Bling isn't just one of the most visually odd cosmetics in a game, it's also one that seems to bend all human-made rules.

Fortnite belongs to Epic Games, whereas Skibidi Toilet, though now a registered trademark with its own toy line and attempted movie or tv in the works, is something that came out of Half-Life 2 mods. Valve seems pretty chill about all this, but the company could have very well raised some issues with the usage of what are basically Half-Life 2 ??assets by the biggest game from ??the competition.

Skibidi Toilet is no stranger to litigation, as the IP owners nearly went into battle against Garry’s Mod, the Half-Life 2 game responsible for its creation. Weirdly enough, Valve also had nothing to do with any of that. That’s just a taste of how strange reality gets under the shadow of Skibidi Toilet.

The post Strangest Fortnite skins, ranked appeared first on Destructoid.

It's a new year, and to help celebrate the month of January 2025, we have a bunch of stellar games, including a remaster of a beloved Vita game and the next entry of a popular action franchise. You'll also blow heads off in excessive detail as you fire your powerful weaponry in Sniper Elite: Resistance.

Dynasty Warriors Origins (PS5, Xbox Series X|S, PC)

Publisher: Koei Tecmo
Developer: Koei Tecmo
Price: $69.99
Release Date: January 17
Trailer

The Dynasty Warriors series looks as epic as ever in this next entry. As a nameless hero protagonist, you're stepping into the field of hundreds of warriors. You'll be utilizing fast-paced combos and abilities called arts to take down these foes. There's also a strat?egic element to the visual madness on screen as you command your allies to advance or cavalry charge to victory (or failure). You'll also have to manage t?he morale of your forces, which should be quite the challenge. Hopefully, you'll still be able to enjoy the breakneck action despite the strategic elements of this new entry.

"Omega Force and Koei Tecmo have taken a lot of the staples from the franchise like massive-scale battles and expanded them while also improving the overall game through better storytelling, more interesting combat, and a player character-driven focus," said our preview.

It will be launched on consoles and PC systems on January 17. Those wh??o purchase the Digital Deluxe Edition can start on January 14.

Ender Magnolia: Bloom in the Mist (PS4, PS5, Switch, Xbox Series X|S, PC)

Publisher: Binary Haze Interactive
Developer: Adglobe, Live Wire
Price: $19.99
Release Date: January 22
Trailer

An indie highlight from the January 2025 games lineup is Ender Magnolia: Bloom in the Mist. It's a sequel to the critically acclaimed Metroidvania Ender Lilies: Quietus of the Knights. The sequel was previously launched through Steam Early Access and has an impressive Overwhelmingly Positive 97% rating on Steam.

In this entry, you play as an attuner named Lilac, who can summon the power of the Homunculi. In this journey, you wake up from a laboratory, try to find your lost memories and save "precious friends in the ??Land of Fumes," according to the Steam page. You'll come across pretty 2D art and 30 different unique skills from the companions you meet as you explore this post-apocalyptic world. There's also a lot of equipment, relics, and items to find on your adventure.

Freedom Wars Remastered (PS4, PS5, Switch, PC)

Publisher: Bandai Namco
Developer: Dimps
Price: Unannounced (as of the time of writing)
Release Date: January 10
Trailer

The PlayStation Vita hidden gem Freedom Wars finally gets a remaster on modern platforms on January 10. It has a unique scenario for this co-op action game. You begin your life as a criminal for just being born, and you're fighting enemies and finishing missions to reduce your sentence. Bandai Namco says the game supports a 4K resolution and 60 frames per second on? all current-gen platforms. Additionally, the game has upgraded textures, but to be honest, from the screenshots and footage so far, you can still tell it was originally a Vita game.

The game has an overhauled weapon crafting system, new difficulty options, and more gameplay upgrades in Freedom Wars Remastered. As you play through the game, you'll be given Thorn weapons to help you traverse each level and take down enemies. These weapons let you set traps, provide healing, and more benefits to your team. The materials you gather from fallen enemies will let you upgrade your weapons, similar to the Monster Hunter series. The original Vita release of Freedom Wars received an 8/10 score from our review, so the remaster may be worth checking out.

Sniper Elite: Resistance (PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, PC)

Publisher: Rebellion
Developer: Rebellion
Price: $49.99
Release Date: January 30
Trailer

Sniper Elite: Resistance takes us back to World War 2 as we snipe Nazis in a hidden war amongst occupied France. We play as Harry Hawker, an operative tasked with eliminating the Wunderwaffe, a weapon that would guarantee the Nazis victory in the war. Sniper Elite's X-ray kill cam is back in this game as it gives us the visceral details of a bullet entering the noggin (and other body ?parts) of your enemies. You'll need to consider gravity, wind, and even your heart rate to get the perfect shot.

As you play through Sniper Elite: Resistance, you'll be able to customize and upgrade your weapons with all manner of scopes, stocks, barrels, magazines and other attachments. You'll also get the ability to use armor-piercing shells to finish your task when the game drops onto physical and digital store shelves on January 30.

Tales of Graces f Remastered (PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, Switch, PC)

Publisher: Bandai Namco
Developer: TOSE CO. LTD
Price: $49.99
Release Date: January 17
Trailer

Asbel's adventures return in Tales of Graces f Remastered when Bandai Namco releases this JRPG for modern platforms on January 17. This new vers?ion of the adventure includes graphical improvements, auto-save functionality, the ability to turn off enemy encounters, and the addition of dashing rather than the slower running. You can? also skip cutscenes with this release, and icons have been added to the UI to make the experience clearer. Most of the original DLC from the PS3 version is included in the package.

The story revolves around three kingdoms vying for control of the world. Our heroes, such as Asbel, Richard, ??and Sophie, must work together to save the beautiful world Ephinea. While playing this on the PS3, my teenage self loved the probably corny storyline, which focused on the friendship between the characters that grow from childhood; hopefully, it ages well.

Honorable Mentions

The January 2025 games lineup has many remasters and ports. They include the Wii platformer Donkey Kong Country Returns HD, and the new remaster of the PS1 classic Star Wars Episode 1: Jedi Power Battles. Marvel's Spider-Man 2 also finally arrives on PC in January.

• Airborne Empire Early Access (PC) - January 13
• Assetto Corsa EVO Early Access (PC) - January 16
• Donkey Kong Country Returns HD (Switch) - January 16
• Border Town Early Access(PC) - January 23
• Star Wars Episode 1: Jedi Power Battles (PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, Switch, PC) - January 23
• Orcs Must Die! Deathtrap (PC, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S) - January 28
• Virtua Fighter 5 R.E.V.O. (PC) - January 28
• Cuisineer (PS5, Xbox Series X|S, PC) - January 29
• Hello Kitty Island Adventure (Switch, PC) - January 30
• Marvel's Spider-Man 2 (PC) - January 30
• Phantom Brave: The Lost Hero (PS4, PS5, Switch) - January 30

The post Here are the most anticipated January 2025 games appeared first on Destructoid.

Wow, 2024 was a year. A whole one. That’s it: a year. Objective, non-judgmental;?? that’s me. I played video games this year. It’s often the only thing that numbs the, er, year. Yeah. A lot of them. 

As I’m writing currently, I have put out 62 scored reviews throughout the year just on Destructoid. And that’s not counting unscored impressions and reviews I wrote for my own site. That’s how you know you can trust me; I have no other prioritie??s. This is what I do.

That’s why? you were correct to think, “Sure, all these publications have valid picks for their top games of the year, but what does Zoey think?�?That’s what you thought, right? I’m so lonely. Here’s my list of the best games I played this year in no particular order.

Mullet MadJack

Here’s a game that has it all. It’s got great neon �?0s cyberpunk anime vibes, a protagonist who spouts insipid truths and aspirations to keep your self-esteem up, kill-or-die-trying gameplay, and the goal of shooting robot billionaires in the face (or dick, if you prefer). Mullet MadJack leans pretty hard on the standards set by Post Void but expands upo?n them and adds a thematic layer that harnesses the anxiety of today while still being fun and upbeat about it.

I’m not really picking a top game of the year in this list, but if I did it would be Mullet Madjack. Please don’t tell the others.

Arctic Eggs

Arctic Eggs is entirely about flipping shit in a frying pan. Not literal shit; everything but. While the name implies that eggs are the central focus (and they often are), you deal with things like cups full of liquid, cigarettes, and c?ockroaches. It’s maybe about something deeper, I don’t know, I don’t remember. I only remember flipping stuff. It’s fun; that’s a great place to start. Any messaging on top is just gravy. Gravy on eggs.

Yellow Taxi Goes Vroom

A lot of games have tried to evoke the wonder of the platformer genre’s wonder days on the N64, but most that I’ve played have been missing something. They can wear the clothes but can’t walk the walk. Weirdly, Yellow Taxi Goes Vroom goes naked by omitting a jump button, but somehow f??eels like it would be at home on ??Nintendo’s drunken early-3D console.

Not entirely. Few games on the s?ystem were this colorful, and fewer were as energetic and weird. So, really, it has the sense of relent??less adventure and a lust for collecting gewgaws, but comes in with a personality of its own.

Crow Country

PS1-inspired survival horror is well-trodden ground, but Crow Country is an exemplary attempt at it. Not only is it one of the tightest survival horror game I’ve played in a long time, it also has such a surprising and inventive narrative that it makes me jealous that I didn’t come up with it. So, screw you, Crow Country, you fantastic game, you.

Slave Zero X

I can’t say I thought much about Slave Zero, the 1999 PC/Dreamcast game about a big stompy robot. I can’t even remember what led me to playing its tardy sequel. But I do remember Slave Zero X. I distinctly remember voices that sound like they’re shouting into a tin shed and air-juggling dudes until they exploded. I remember its Sega Saturn/PS1 Strider 2-style aesthetic and its incredibly high skill ceiling. I remember sweating it out in the last couple boss battles, timing my parr??ies with careful precision, and strategically using my power-ups.

And that’s impressive since the game was released back in March. Most of the year is a blur, but that time,?? in particular, is so hazy I wouldn’t be surprised if I spent the period breathing nothing but gasoline fumes. So, great job, whatever I was just talking about!

Earth Defense Force 6

Going into Earth Defense Force, I was expecting more of the same. After all, the series isn’t really known for evolving. And much of what is in Earth Defense Force 6 can easily be tracked back to the fourth title in the series. Truly, it is a lot of what has come before. You spend a lot of time fighting hordes of giant i???nsects, robots, and alien creatures.

And then it throws a curveball in the form of time travel. And, at first, it kind of seems like a blatant way of reusing resources from the previous game, but rather than just be narrative deja vu, it paradoxically becomes the source of EDF6’s most surprising elements. It also infor?ms the game’s greatest strengths. It is simul?taneously both an incredibly stupid game and a completely brilliant one, and that makes it hard to look away. Easily, without a doubt, the best game in the series.

Killing Time: Resurrected

I love Nightdive’s remasters, even when they don’t pick the best games. I mean, I totally appreciate that they put their loving hands on PO’ed and The Thing, but playing them is a different matter. Killing Time: Resurrected might have been similar to that; a great remaster of an okay game. H??owever, upon playing it, it became abundantly clear that it’s a great game, and the remaster just brings that out more.

It’s like a giant extrapolation of a level from Doom. This one big key hunt across a mass of interconnected maps tha?t form one big island estate. But despite giving? you run of the place, the action is right up there with the best FPS games of the �?0s. I had trouble putting this one down. So I didn’t. I played right through to the end in one sitting.

Anthology of the Killer

This wasn’t a great year for me in my personal life (a softer way of saying it was shit), and at the bottom of it, I played Anthology of the Killer. I mean, it wasn’t what made it the bottom. It was that one glimmer of joy during an otherwise terrible t??ime.

It might help that Anthology of the Killer has no grounding in reality. It’s a collection of short form horror games that, rather than adopt a Hollywood-accepted form of fright, is extremely absurd and dreamlike. It’s very weird, often funny, and strangely scary. In one of my rare, insightful moments, I described the horror as “the pure disco??mfort of not finding a reliable grip.�?So, what I guess I’m saying is: the best escape from my misery was playing a game that finds fear in impossible things.

Uncle Chop’s Rocket Shop

You would think I missed working in I.T. with how much I enjoyed Uncle Chop’s Rocket Shop. It’s essentially a diagnosis and repair game a bit closer to what a mechanic does, but it applies to computers, as well. Come to think of it, there are a lot of computers in Uncle Chop’s Rocket Shop, as well. Regardless, i??t’s a joyful work simulator that forces you to both learn and apply skills with the aid of nothing more than a manual.

It can be distressing. You’re going to make mistakes that result in failure, and that doesn’t feel good. However?, it manages to keep emotions buoyed with extremely dark, funny dialogue and the satisfaction the comes when you do eventually get everything right. If that ever comes.

Parking Garage Rally Circuit

This is the first time a racing game has made my list, and that’s probably because so many these days focus on realism, and that’s boring. Parking Garage Rally Circuit takes you back to the days of the Sega Saturn and racing titles like Sega Rally Championship. Except it takes place entirely in a variety? of parking garages.

It’s a great title to play if you love drifting. By that, I mean drift-racing. If you just like wandering from town to town, there are better games. What really struck me about PGRC is that it nails its central concept so perfectly. Like, maybe you don’t want a drift-racing game about carefully navigating a parking garage. But that doesn’t stop it from being the best drift-racing game about caref??ully na??vigating a parking garage.

Here’s to another year

Golly, it can’t get any worse, can it? I feel like calendars take that as a challenge. They’re really p??roud of the pain they put me through, so each time I say that, they respond, “Just watch me.�?At least it was a great year for things to play. There were a few times this year where I was buried under just heaps of titles I agreed to review, and it’s the sort of punishment I’m willing to undergo simply because I love it so much.

In fact, there are a bunch of games I really enjoyed that didn’t quite make the list. Judero, Great God Grove, and Death Noodle Delivery spring to mind, but I kno??w there are others that I’m forgetting??.

We’ve got a lot to look forward to, which is maybe a topic for another list. So, no matter how hard 2025 turns out to be, at least we’ll get some great games from our? favorite creators. Or at least decent att??empts. Wow, it’s really difficult to be optimistic.

You can also check out my best of lists for 2022 and 2023.

The post Zoey Handley’s Top 10 Picks of 2024 appeared first on Destructoid.