USGamer

Right now, Pikmin 3 is the single best piece of software on Wii U. I don't think it's a system seller by any means -- it's a light strategy game about controlling chirpy carrot-men, after all -- but anyone who owns a Wii U should give it a try. I went from being cooly disinterested in Pikmin 3 to completely smitten in the course of an afternoon. It's one of those games in which everything comes together just right. Olimar would be proud.

Fortunately, Attack of the Friday Monsters is strong enough that the distraction of compulsory video game mechanics doesn't derail its best moments. It's short but memorable, a pleasant slice of nostalgia... even for folks who can't stand watching guys in rubber suits pretend to be giant monsters.

Shin Megami Tensei IV offers all the things you'd expect from the series: Demons, moral choices, and the rock-paper-scissors balance of combat. Despite its move to a portable console, this really does feel like a game worthy to be the next step in SMT's evolution. Don't let the first few deliberately underwhelming hours of the game fool you; SMT IV deserves to be ranked among the genre's best.

Being possibly the most "niche" title NIS America has ever put out, it's nigh-impossible to apply a score to Time and Eternity that applies to everyone, so the score I've given reflects how much I personally enjoyed it. Knock a star off if you're not big into anime; knock another off if you prefer a bit more "grit" or depth to your RPGs.

Brave New World smartly builds on the foundation laid by Gods & Kings, adding a great deal of depth without becoming needlessly complex or confusing. It swings the pendulum from war to peace, encouraging you to engage with other leaders in new and interesting ways, and weaving in trade routes and other familiar elements of the global economy. It's an essential addition, and its represents one more step along the path of Civilization V maturing into the kind of strategy game we thought it would be when it was released in 2010.

Project X Zone is apt to suck in a lot of people with the promise of its large roster and entertaining 2D graphics. But it takes only a few chapters to realize that the battles are repetitive, the mechanics are shallow, the story is terrible, and the pacing is egregiously slow. Even determined fans will have a hard time sticking with this one. For all the charm of seeing Valkyria Chronicles in sprite form, the gameplay doesn't even rise to the level of mediocre. Avoid this one.

Velocity is an essential purchase for all Vita owners, particularly those who never played the Minis original; a prime example of the creativity and innovation independent developers bring to the platform, and a solid, addictive game to boot.

Hotline Miami is the same great game you've probably already played, but it's portable now! The new control scheme is vastly superior to the keyboard and mouse, and purchasing the game on PSN gets you the Vita and PS3 versions. Win, win, win. Pick it up.

The game gradually grows in complexity over time, but it's still a pretty straightforward platform hack-and-slash at heart. If you plan on "beating" it, it'll certainly keep you busy for quite a while, but this is more a game to dip into now and then rather than playing as your "main" game. By turns accessible and brutal, charming and cheeky, Rogue Legacy isn't the deepest game you'll ever play, but it's an easy recommendation for those seeking a great "coffee break" game.

Ultimately, New Super Luigi U offers a different enough take on the familiar world of NSMBU to justify its price. Whether or not you'll like it depends on what you expect from a Mario game, but anyone who enjoyed The Lost Levels or the Luigi challenges in Super Mario Galaxy will be in heaven here.