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Monster Hunter Rise had big shoes to fill after coming off the heels of World, and man, did they come through swinging hard. They hit a homerun here, and with taking things from all the previous games have created a game with a great setting, fun and flashy combat, tons of customization option, and wonderful traversal. This is a fantastic game for both the newcomer to the series as well as the veteran.

I think the game is charming and flawed. It has tons of issues, but I still finished it. I had some good times sprinkled in with the frustrations. It took me to a simpler time in platform games and there is truly nothing else out there with the same kind of presentation and whimsical ideas it delivers.

There are standard races, drag races, and freestyle options to keep things fresh. I found myself enjoying the races more than anything simply because the tracks were interesting. Freestyle mode didn’t do much for me, as performing tricks in these large vehicles is not really my (monster) jam.

All in all, Beach Buggy Racing 2 is a fab entry in the kart racing genre; keeping things familiar enough but adding plenty of unique power-ups to stand out. It certainly is punching above its weight (and price). But I really think that the game is doing a disservice by not having an online multiplayer mode.

Despite falling a bit short in the story and characters department compared to its predecessors, Bravely Default 2’s satisfying combat encounters, deep job customization and stellar soundtrack makes it a worthy comeback for this fan favorite series.

Monster Jam Steel Titans 2 is yet another game in the genre that will be forgotten. Rainbow Studios has been one of the most prolific in mud-based racing games for a long time. They have crafted some of the best off-road endeavors I have ever played. This is sadly not one of them.

PUSS! is by no means a bad game, I just found myself playing it, getting frustrated quickly and then closing it down and coming back to it later. For those that enjoy this kind of challenge, one that we rarely ever see in video games, PUSS! will certainly provide hours of fun. Just know what you are getting yourself into.

I absolutely adore the look and sound of Kaze. Each stage feels ripped out of the ‘how to make a SNES game’ book. There are snow levels, desert levels, and everything in between. The enemies are large and vibrant and extremely well animated. Kaze is a wonderfully designed character and everything just emits charm constantly. The music is whimsical when it needs to be and the cut scenes are actually entertaining to watch. There is nothing I did not love about the look and presentation of this game.

I’m really disappointed, as the mech design is just so good but this game is so boring. I think Override 2 killed all the goodwill I had from the first game; I really don’t care to try out a half-baked single-player game attached to a dead multiplayer game again. It works fine and that’s the best I can say about this game.

All in all the Capcom Arcade Stadium is a lovely little package. Whether you are an old-timer like me who reminisces over their mis-spent youth, or someone who would like to explore the earlier days of gaming, Capcom’s legacy as a maker of fine arcade games is here for all to see.