#25⠀|⠀Super Mario Land X⠀|⠀Game Boy⠀|⠀27-May-2025⠀|⠀1 hour⠀|⠀6/10
Super Mario Land X is a ROM hack of the original Game Boy classic, Super Mario Land, and also the first ROM hack I have ever finished an entire playthrough of. While its increased challenge is a welcome twist, it simply does not measure up to the magic of the OG SML on the Game Boy. I went in hoping for a somewhat comparable experience, but for me, the two games are worlds apart, to say the least. The OG is a masterpiece for me, one of my absolute favorite games of all time! It is timeless, nostalgic, and perfectly crafted, with every single pixel burned into my memory from decades of replaying it. SML X, on the other hand, is just an ok-ish/decent experience, but not even good enough to earn a 7/10. I'm glad I played it once, but it never touched my soul like the OG, and I don't feel the need to revisit it anytime soon again.
#26⠀|⠀Crash Bandicoot⠀|⠀PS1⠀|⠀30-May-2025⠀|⠀4 hours⠀|⠀8/10
Crash Bandicoot on PS1 was my introduction to 3D platformers. Crash was a weird-looking but instantly recognizable and iconic hero. I loved that, even as a kid, I could finish the game, unlike so many brutally unfair games of the era made difficult just to lengthen playtime. Without an N64 or Mario 64, this was my gold standard for 3D platforming. Its cartoony flair, wild nature, tight corridor-style level design, and memorable music made it a true PlayStation classic.
#27⠀|⠀Castlevania: Bloodlines⠀|⠀Mega Drive⠀|⠀11-Jun-2025⠀|⠀3 hours⠀|⠀8/10
I played Bloodlines for the first time this year and enjoyed my time with it. It's a good game even by today's standards, with challenging gameplay, memorable bosses, and some of the best visuals and music on the Mega Drive that I've ever seen. The carefully planned level design, distinct style, and the choice between two unique characters make it a standout and memorable adventure
#28⠀|⠀Mario Kart World⠀|⠀Switch 2⠀|⠀13-Jun-2025⠀|⠀40 hours⠀|⠀8/10
Mario Kart World is exactly what I thought it was going to be. I have to admit I'm not the biggest Mario Kart fan out there, but I've played every entry and even finished a few. For me, Mario Kart World isn't a system seller, unlike something like Breath of the Wild was on the original Switch. To have that as a launch title was just pure insanity. I picked up the Switch 2 on day one because I was hyped for the console itself, not specifically for Mario Kart World, and I knew I'd want to play all the big Nintendo releases down the line. The launch lineup was pretty meh, but the new console launch still felt magical, and I even bought one for my nephews. I'll never forget their faces with huge smiles and shining eyes as they left their car one by one and slowly saw that I was holding a Switch 2 MKW bundle in my hands, hehe.
What I did enjoy about Mario Kart World surprised me, not gonna lie. The new interconnected world is genuinely impressive. Being able to freely explore between courses without any loading screens is neat. The Free Roam mode lets you drive wherever you want which adds a fun, relaxed layer to the game. Races with up to 24 players are wild and chaotic in a good way though, and the Knockout Tour mode, with its Fortnite/PUBG-circle-like eliminations, kept things tense and fresh. The dynamic weather and day-night cycle actually affect how your kart handles, which is a cool touch and something I absolutely was not expecting. I also liked the expanded roster and new power-ups. The soundtrack is humongous and full of great remixes.
That said, there were a few things I didn't love, unfortunately. While the open world is ambitious, sometimes it can feel a bit empty. It generally is a good thing to have 24 players, but at times it can be chaotic, and also at times, luck sadly seems to play an even bigger role than skill. Even with all the new content, the core gameplay loop hasn't evolved enough to keep me hooked for the long run, and I also don't know what there is that could be changed to hook me harder.
Mario Kart World is a great game and easily an 8/10 for me, but it didn't last very long. I was done with it after about 40 hours. Like I said at the start, it's not a system seller in my eyes, but I get why others might see it as the best Mario Kart ever. For the right fan, it could be a new favorite, and I respect that.
#29⠀|⠀Mega Man: Dr. Wily's Revenge⠀|⠀Game Boy⠀|⠀13-Jun-2025⠀|⠀2 hours⠀|⠀5/10
Mega Man: Dr. Wily's Revenge on Game Boy is nearly unplayable for me nowadays and took real effort to finish. Its punishing, sometimes unfair difficulty overshadows the solid visuals and classic soundtrack. Even nostalgia, as I played it in the 90s and still own the original cartridge from back then, can't save this game. I just don't enjoy it, and I have no desire to revisit this short but relentlessly tough entry. It's not a bad game, but its dated design and brutal challenge make it too mediocre to spend any more time on
#30⠀|⠀Mega Man II⠀|⠀Game Boy⠀|⠀13-Jun-2025⠀|⠀2 hours⠀|⠀6/10
Mega Man II on Game Boy is another title I played in the 90s, but it's far from the system's best. While it's ever so slightly better than Dr. Wily's Revenge thanks to fairer boss fights and improved controls, the uninspired level design and odd soundtrack make it a forgettable, mediocre entry. The addition of sliding and Rush Marine is nice, but it doesn't save the game from feeling like a bland remix of NES content
#31⠀|⠀Lies of P: Overture⠀|⠀PC⠀|⠀22-Jun-2025⠀|⠀35 hours⠀|⠀9/10
Lies of P: Overture is a DLC I absolutely adored, so much so that I started an entirely new playthrough just to experience it with a fresh build, rather than steamrolling it with my overpowered character in NG+5. I ended up finishing the DLC twice, both on NG & NG+, and it had a similar, positive impact on me like the main game (which I played a few months ago for the first time ever), even if it's shorter in length. If it weren't for Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 stealing the spotlight this year, Overture could have easily been a GOTY 2025 contender for me. A huge thanks goes out to Sandfall and Kepler Interactive, I guess?
What makes Overture special is how it delivers more of what made Lies of P great, while still feeling like a fresh experience. The new areas are atmospheric and diverse, with standout level design that is at a similar creativity level like the base game. The enemy designs is wild as hell and even wilder than the main game at times. Some creatures are disgustingly put together combinations/mutations of already existing creatures and I love that! The bosses were great but the final one is a real real highlight for me, offering the by far most tense and rewarding fight. I loved experimenting with the newly added weapons and Legion Arms, which add fun twists to combat and encourage different playstyles. I'm so glad that I had so much fun with the new equipment that I didn't have an urge to swap back to previous equipment from the main game to overcome challenges. Not even during the final boss, the most challenging fight of the dlc+main game.
The story is also beyond amazing, it actually deepened my connection to Krat and its tragic world by fleshing out character backgrounds and lore in a way that ties beautifully into the main narrative. The DLC also introduces very welcome quality-of-life updates in my book, like new difficulty settings which cater to both hardcore players and also those looking for a more accessible experience.
Not everything landed perfectly, though. The new freeze/ice status effect felt underdeveloped, I only needed to use an antidote once in both playthroughs, so it never really impacted me at all.
Overall, Lies of P: Overture is a fantastic expansion that stands shoulder to shoulder with the main game, both in quality and impact. For me, it's a clear 9/10 experience and a must-play for any soulslike fan out there.
#32⠀|⠀Solar Striker⠀|⠀Game Boy⠀|⠀03-Jul-2025⠀|⠀2 hours⠀|⠀7/10
Solar Striker on Game Boy is a nostalgic favorite for me. It is a fast-paced, smooth vertical shooter with perfectly balanced difficulty. Its short, 1-2 hour playtime is ideal for gaming on the go, and it's aged well enough that I'd still recommend it to newcomers today. Simple, satisfying, and a great example of classic Game Boy design
#33⠀|⠀X Multiply⠀|⠀Arcade⠀|⠀07-Jul-2025⠀|⠀2 hours⠀|⠀7/10
Its unique tentacle power-up system is cool, though I wish there were more weapon options. This game is a visually stunning 1989 arcade horizontal shooter that blew me away on my Miyoo Mini + handheld in 2025. The game's grotesque, bio-organic visuals stand out. I have to admit that the game is brutally tough. It was clearly designed to eat coins, with memorization of a lot of sections required to have a shot at surviving. It's one of the hardest shooters I've played, but also one of the most memorable for its style and challenge
#34⠀|⠀Alan Wake II⠀|⠀PC⠀|⠀08-Jul-2025⠀|⠀18 hours⠀|⠀8/10
Alan Wake II on PC wasn't the masterpiece I'd hoped for, despite all the glowing praise from almost everyone who had finished the game. It's just not my cup of tea, it seems, though I did enjoy its atmospheric visuals, strong performances, and creative narrative structure. I also enjoyed how visually stunning it looks. It definitely pushed my RTX 4090 to its limits and made me slightly think about how much of a mistake it was to sell the RTX 5090 I had bought. Honestly, while it was a great experience in parts, it's not a game I'll look back on fondly or feel compelled to revisit, unfortunately.