Skyward Sword, apparently the biggest undertaking in Nintendo’s illustrious history, was first unveiled in E3 2009 with one piece of tantalising concept art: that of Link viewed from behind, looking over his shoulder, a ghostly apparition standing mournfully in the foreground. The softly textured, painterly quality of the artwork eventually carried over into the completed game’s aesthetic, giving Skyward Sword as distinctive a look as the console-based Zelda games that came immediately before, Twilight Princess and The Wind Waker. The former is perhaps the most important reference when discussing what elevates Skyward Sword into one of the year’s finest gaming experiences. In 2006, Twilight Princess was adapted for the Wii’s launch, after several years of Gamecube-based development. Read the full story »

Characters don’t come much more quirky than the esteemed Rayman… a figure who debuted on the original PlayStation back in 1995. With blonde propeller hair perfect for hovering and an ability to throw punches beyond a normal reach, his platform-hopping hijinks became an instant hit among gamers and may even be considered something of a classic. Ever since, he’s been stepping in and out of the limelight with a 3D sequel and a host of newer titles involving those pesky Raving Rabbids. At last, he returns to his roots in Rayman Origins, and believe us when we say that it might just be his most fantastic outing yet. Read the full story »

As far as slogans go, ‘Gotta catch ‘em all’ is pretty darn effective, nicely summing up the compulsive nature of the Pokemon games both in terms of gameplay and commercial aspirations. The latest instalment for the franchise, Super Pokemon Rumble (or, Pokemon Rumble Blast in the US) for the Nintendo 3DS, could quite easily have put its own spin on it, but ‘Gotta Beat ‘em All Up’ doesn’t roll off the tongue quite so nicely. Read the full story »

The last two Assassin’s Creed games were great. The numbered sequel was a vast improvement over the lacking first title, adding in a wider variety of side missions as well as a far more engaging story and character roster. Brotherhood improved further on the new template and came complete with a surprisingly fun multiplayer component to boot. The fourth game in the main series, Revelations, comes parcelled with all the best bits of the series intact and in areas like the multiplayer, it shines as the most refined game in the series. However, its limited narrative and familiar trappings make Revelations feel more like a hurried stop-gap than a proper, full-on sequel. Read the full story »

The Tekken series makes a return this holiday season for more fisticuff combos but in something of a reduced form in preparation for next year’s major instalment. In many ways, what we have here remains true to its namesake; this a hybrid of sorts that presents fans with a handful of bite-sized chunks to whet their appetite and remind them that the franchise is still very much alive and kicking. Hybrid features a rendered movie, an HD port of the original Tekken Tag Tournament and the Prologue for that title’s upcoming sequel. The lower price point might make this package stocking friendly, but does the game have enough substance to bring about the Tekken cheer this Christmas? Read the full story »