Sorry to be tardy to the party but I just realized we never did a roundup for the non-E3 non-Sony console mid-year showcases. Thankfully, the only important game shown that we would have included, but has since seen a release, seems to have been Pikmin 4. But now that we've at least mentioned that one, we can get on with the rest. Continue on after the break for a look at some of the highlights from both Microsoft and Nintendo.

Well, the year is more than half over and we're starting to notice some pretty interesting titles being released. This past week saw the return of the Lee brothers in a brand new entry in the legendary Double Dragon series. Double Dragon Gaiden looks to be largely inspired by last year's outstanding arcade-esque TMNT beat 'em up, Shredder's Revenge. Assuming the developer nailed more than just the art style, this too may be one that's well worth checking out.

Also out in the last 5 weeks, the 4th numeric installment to Nintendo's charming Pikmin series; a pretty fun-looking family-friendly 4-player platformer starring Mickey Mouse & friends;  and GOG ports of Sega's Yakuza: Like a Dragon and Double Fine's The Cave. Double Dragon Returns with tag team action. Jump past the break to see more new releases from the last 35 days.

It's a good thing that Square Enix doesn't seem to understand what the word "final" means. Otherwise their legendary Final Fantasy series might have ended before the '80s did. Thankfully here we are, over 30 years and countless fantastic installments and spin-offs later, with the newest entry, Final Fantasy XVI; and by all indications, this one is yet another worthy addition to this long-running franchise.

Also out in the last 8 weeks, the next fantastic installment in Nintendo's legendary Zelda series; a port of one of the greatest arcade horror titles of all time; and a brand new strategy game set in the Alien(s) universe. Fate is written in fire. Jump past the break to see more new releases from the last 56 days.

Hello there! We're not even to May yet and already one of the heaviest hitters of the year has landed! Of course, I am talking about none other than the just-released, Star Wars: Jedi - Survivor, Respawn's hotly-anticipated follow-up to their incredible 2019 smash hit, Star Wars: Jedi - Fallen Order. Early reviews are looking good, but honestly, as long as it plays anything like the previous game, I'm pretty sure it will do nicely.

Also out in the last 9 weeks, Nintendo's long-awaited Advance wars compilation, Capcom's hotly-anticipated modern console remake of Resident Evil 4, and a PlatinumGames-developed prequel to their bewitching Bayonetta series. Stand against the darkness, then jump past the break to see more new releases from the last 63 days.

Well, we may have already received a fantastic Kirby game just 11 short months ago, but Nintendo has graciously decided to bestow another title upon his adoring fans. This time around, it's an enhanced remake of the excellent 2011 installment, Kirby's Return to Dream Land. With spruced up visuals and extra content, this Deluxe version of the game must now surely be the required way to experience the superb multiplayer-friendly fun. Anyway, who could say no to another helping of quality Kirby platforming action?

Also out in the last 4 weeks, a sequel to the hit 2018 Square Enix RPG, Octopath Traveler; a Switch remaster of the best-selling 2002 GameCube title, Metroid Prime; and a brand-new beautiful-looking apocalyptic adventure title called Season: At Letter to the Future. Help the mysterious Magolor fix his broken ship, then jump past the break to see more new releases from the last 28 days.

Happy 2023 everyone! It's only January and the hotly-anticipated 2023 releases have already begun to arrive (although I do need to round up a few of the late 2022 highlights as well). The big release this month is none other than the slick new remake of Dead Space. Featuring updated visuals, redesigned (nearly) everything, and a few slight tweaks to the story and soundtrack, this remake of Dead Space seems to be scratching a particular itch in ways that it's spiritual sequel, last year's The Callisto Protocol, couldn't quite manage to.

Also out in the last 8 weeks, another installment to Nintendo's beloved Fire Emblem series; a more comprehensive Wonder Boy collection (than the one that came out just last year); and Hi-Fi Rush, a pretty cool-looking brand new rhythm/action game from Tango Gameworks. Humanity Ends Here. Jump past the break to see more new releases from the last 40 days.

Well, it's December and that means that all the big new releases are just about done with for the year. Typically, they would have already been done since October, but this year we were fortunate enough to receive a not insignificant number of titles that were apparently running a little late to the party. This very week, in fact, saw a couple of fairly big releases, including the new Marvel-based strategy RPG from Firaxis Games. In (Marvel) Midnight Suns you get to create a new original hero and take them into tactical battles along with famous Marvel heroes such as Wolverine, Iron Man, Blade, and Ghost Rider. It sounds pretty interesting, to say the least.

Also out in the last 5 weeks, The Callisto Protocol, a spiritual sequel to the Dead Space games by one of the very co-creators of that series; the long-awaited next installment to the epic God of War franchise; and another non-Mania entry to the otherwise uneven Sonic the Hedgehog series. Darkness falls. Rise up. Then jump past the break to see more new releases from the last 35 days.

Well, it's late October, which means Halloween's nearly upon us. What better way to get in the spirit of the season than by playing a brand new title starring everybody's favorite Umbra Witch, Bayonetta! Though most people are no doubt at least somewhat aware of the supposed controversy surrounding Bayonetta's voice actress shake-up with this third installment, it's probably best not to worry about it too much. It seems like a lot to untangle and, at the end of the day, it's more Bayonetta, the critics seem to love it, and Jennifer Hale is awesome.

​Also out in the last 13 weeks, an enhanced Switch port of Persona 5, one of the very best games of 2017; the much-anticipated follow-up to 2019's best period horror stealth game, A Plague Tale -Innocence-; and a multi-console release of the 2020 My Little Pony inspired indie fighter, Them's Fightin' Herds. Beauty becomes the beasts. Jump past the break to see more new releases from the last 91 days.

Well, 2022 is already 2/3rds of the way done, and now that the "new" generation of consoles (that came out nearly two years ago) are finally starting to become easier to obtain at the suggested retail price, it seems that the time is finally right to discuss the best games from the prior year. Assuming you can still remember that far back, 2021 was actually another decent year for gaming. Even though the Xbox Series X and PlayStation 5 remained next to impossible to obtain at sane prices, they both saw the release of some great new titles and even the occasional exclusive (although in the case of the Series X, that term is somewhat generous). There were also a number of big releases for the Switch and PC as well. Please read on for a list of the best games of 2021 according to 12/12 Games: