27 Video Games We Played And Loved That You Also Need To Play ASAP

Because everyone deserves to play some games.

What a year! The holidays are finally here! And while we’re doing our best to make sure the products we feature will arrive in time, shipping times are especially tricky this year, so we suggest shopping as early as you can.

Stock and shipping times can vary depending on where you live, which product you purchase, and more. So order earlier than you think you need to and be sure to double-check the retailers’ websites for shipping information to ensure that your gift will arrive in time for when you need it.

1. Marvel's Guardians Of The Galaxy

Square Enix

Promising Review: "Wow. Fantastic game! This is the most fun I have had with a game in a long time! Great graphics, wonderful story, top notch voice acting and great game play! A must have!" - comiclover

Get it from Amazon for $25.00 (for PS4), $26.99 (for PS5) or $26.99 (for XBOX Series X).

2. Resident Evil Village

Capcom

Promising Review: "One of the best games I've ever played and besides the awesome graphics and cool game play, Lady Dimitrescu alone is worth the purchase!" - ThatsMrGrinch2U

Get it from Amazon for $54.99 (for XBOX Series X) or $59.93 (for PS4).

3. Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart

Insomniac Games

Promising Review: "The gold standard for PS5 games. This will raise your standard for games after you're done with it and everything after will feel inferior in quality. Probably the best Ratchet & Clank ever made. Beautiful graphics and solid activities on each planet." - vxs

Get it from Amazon for $49.99 (for PS5).

4. Hitman III

IO Interactive

Promising Review: "Best Hitman game ever. I love this game. By far the best of the three recent Hitman games. The enjoyment of the game is playing it several times to get the feel of the level and experiment with the gameplay mechanics. I reinstalled Hitman 1 and 2 for the PS4 and going to play all 18+ levels again with this one!" - Martin from Texas

Get it from Amazon for $49.98 (for XBOX One/Series X) or $42.80 (for PS5).

5. Super Mario 3D World + Bowser's Fury

Nintendo

Promising Review: "This game is fantastic. Lots of content, secrets, and ways to play. Mario is suited for everything, Luigi jumps higher but moves slower, Peach can float in the air for a few seconds, Toad can't jump very high but is super fast, and Rosalina has an extra attack. Multiplayer mode is such a good idea and my partner who doesn't play video games often requests we play this because it's so fun." - Chicago lawyer

Get it from Amazon for $49.94 (for Nintendo Switch).

6. Metroid Dread

Nintendo

Promising Review: "WOOOOOOOW. I am delighted to say that this game absolutely exceeds ALL expectations. I've not beaten the game yet, but I'm willing to say this may be the single most perfect Metroid game Nintendo has ever given us. This game, unlike so many others in the last few years, gets a 10/10 from me, and this is high praise, as I am a very harsh critic." - HiveTyrant36

Get it from Amazon for $59.88 (for Nintendo Switch).

7. DEATHLOOP

Bethesda

Promising Review: "If you liked Arkane's previous few titles then you're probably gonna like this game. The most obvious influence is Prey's DLC Mooncrash and the Dishonored series. The 60s/70s aesthetic is a sight to behold on the PS5 and the soundtrack is great too. I give it 5 stars because it's exactly what I wanted: a Big, New Arkane game." - Amazonion E-Mosquito

Get the deluxe edition for PS5 from Amazon for $63.99.

8. NBA 2K22

2K Games

Promising Review: "One of the best 2K games I’ve ever played. The gameplay is on point. Worth buying!" - Always Krispy

Get it from Amazon $25.99 (for PS4), $29.99 (for XBOX One), $34.99 (for PS5), $26 (XBOX Series X), or $29.99 (Nintendo Switch).

9. Crash 4: It's About Time

Activison

Promising Review: "Finally the sequel this saga deserve. I've played four hours and I LOVE IT. The map designs are incredible and beautiful, the gameplay is solid and I haven't experienced any kind of bugs. The new mechanics feel great and organic with the rest of the movement set." - Gavin Freedman

Get it from Amazon for Nintendo Switch for $32.45.

10. It Takes Two

EA

Promising Review: "Bought this game to play with my girlfriend. It is exciting and challenging. Lots of puzzles to complete and takes a few times to get it right. We had a blast the first few hours that we have played. Would highly recommend for a nice couples date night." - Josh Cohn

Get it for PS4 from Amazon for $19.99.

11. Pokémon Brilliant Diamond + Shining Pearl

Nintendo

Promising Review: "Pokémon Brilliant Diamond is the most fun I've had with the series since the Gameboy days. I've been a die hard Pokémon fan since the hype began 20+ years ago. Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl is a return to form. I haven't enjoyed a game like Brilliant Diamond in a very long time. I'm taking my time with it and enjoying exploring, talking to every NPC, and most importantly catching em all ;)." - Isaac Ra

Get it from Amazon for $119 (for Nintendo Switch).

12. Madden NFL 22

EA Sports

Promising Review: "This is a great video game if you like football! You almost feel like you are watching the game happen on TV. The announcers are really good and none of the lines sound repeated. I would recommend." - Blueberry

Get it for XBOX Series X from Amazon for $26.

13. Subnautica + Subnautica Below Zero

Unknown Worlds

Promising Review: "Subnautica is hands down the best video game I’ve ever played. I’ve been playing video games since the early 90s, and love survival games especially. This game stands out for how unique, interesting and complex. The story is so shockingly good and intricate. I find every tiny aspect of these games fascinating and have played almost every version to the end multiple times. Each play through trying different ways to accomplish similar things. Over the years it has been out I’ve played it through probably five times. If you like games at all… you should absolutely purchase." - Heather

Get it from Amazon for $49.94 (for Nintendo Switch).

14. Control: Ultimate Edition

505 Games

Promising Review: "This might have been one of my favorite gaming experiences I've ever had. It was just constant left turns and the game kept opening up to more and more bizarre storyline. It reminded me of the original Resident Evil on Playstation, the part where you go from the police station to a huge underground lab that blew my 14 year old brain. This game is like that plus mushrooms. I look forward to whatever this company does next." - Mark G.

Get it from Amazon for $34.99 (for PS4).

15. Mario Golf Super Rush

Nintendo

Promising Review: "When I bought this I was hoping for Mario Kart on a golf course and that's pretty much what I got. The standard golf is fun with easy controls and battle mode is so much fun it should be illegal. Solid gameplay with great options for games as well. Recommended!" - Rob Goblin

Get it from Amazon for $49.94 (for Nintendo Switch).

16. FIFA 22

EA Sports

Promising Review: "FIFA 22 is an amazing game. The graphics and gameplay is better than ever. I also played Efootball and FIFA 22 is much better. I highly recommend upgrading your PS5 or Xbox Series X to FIFA 22." - Nathanial Conn

Get it from Amazon $34.99 (for PS5) or $39.99 (for XBOX Series X).

17. Monster Hunter Rise

Capcom

Get it from Amazon for $49 (for Nintendo Switch) or from the Nintendo E-shop for for $59.99 (for a digital copy).

18. Mario Party Superstars

Nintendo

Promising Review: "Best in years! If you grew up playing the N64 and GameCube versions of the games you will be glad to know that this is a true return to form. It does have some pretty minuscule differences like where banks appear on the boards for example. Otherwise it's 100 mini-games and 5 boards of friendship ruining goodness and each and every single one is lovingly redone and updated with modern graphics. Even the online is extremely well thought out." - Super Nintendo Chalmers  

Get it from Amazon for $54.99 (for Nintendo Switch).

19. Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 1 + 2

Activision

Promising Review: "This is the best remake of a game I have ever played! The create a skate park will keep you busy for hours making fun new parks. I recommend this game to all skateboarding game fans, it’s super fun to play and has all the old levels for that amazing nostalgic feel." - ashley young

Get it from Amazon for $32.90 (for Nintendo Switch).

20. Far Cry 6

Ubisoft

Promising Review: "Funnest Far Cry to date. Wow, what a game. The graphics are amazing on PS5. The game actually feels next Gen and runs smoothly. Gameplay is super fun and this game has tons of content." - Delsy Zapata

Get it from Amazon $40.12 (for PS5) or $58.14 (XBOX One).

21. New Pokémon Snap

Nintendo

Promising Review: "I didn't have a N64 growing up, but was able to play this game once at a friend's house. So when Switch announced it was making their own version, I was ecstatic. This game is hands-down one of the most relaxing games ever. Just hop in the Neo-One and go take pictures of Pokémon? Yes please. Even my husband, who's not really a gaming person, enjoys watching me go through the levels and naming the Pokémon as I take snapshots." - danielle barnes

Get it from Amazon for $59.99 (for a digital download for Nintendo Switch).

22. Forza Horizon 5

Xbox Game Studios

Promising Review: "The Forza Horizon series has gotten better with every iteration and this game may be the best or one of the best racing games ever made. I enjoy racing games and cars but would not call myself a hardcore enthusiast by any means but this game is truly addictive. It is easy to spend hours playing without even realizing it!" - ItsMe

Get it from Amazon for $54.99 (for XBOB Series X).

23. Ghost Of Tsushima: Director's Cut

Sucker Punch Productions

Promising Review: "Absolutely love it. The story is good. Side content loaded and fun. Graphics... amazing. Combat, fun and addictive. If you enjoy single player, open world, story mode experiences in gaming you HAVE to play this." - jmiddle1

Get it from Amazon for $49.94 (for PS5).

24. Psychonauts 2

Double Fine

Promising Review: "This game reminds me of games you would play back before online gaming was as big as today. It’s full of fun whimsical worlds that take you to a place for away from reality. It’s an amazing game and I highly recommend getting it. Still playing it but having a blast doing so. If you decide to get it I hope you will have as much fun as I’ve had playing." - Customer

Get it from Amazon for $59.99 (for XBOX One).

25. Diablo II: Resurrected

Blizzard

Get a digital copy from the Nintendo E-Shop for $39.99, the Playstation Store for $39.99, or the XBOX store for $29.99.

26. Battlefield 2042

EA

I’m having a whole lot of fun with this game. It’s a ton of fun zipping around these giant battlefields and working as a team to complete objectives. It’s definitely scratching that online shooter itch.

Get it from Amazon $69.88 (for PS5) or $69.88 (XBOX Series X). 

27. Halo Infinite

Xbox Game Studios

This game will be released on December 8th.

Pre-order it from Amazon for $59.99 (for XBOX Series X).

Reviews have been edited for length and/or clarity.