Conan is just one more hack ‘n’ slash action title of the late PlayStation 2/early PlayStation 3 era that tries to offer the same thrills of a Devil May Cry or God of War instalment. That’s all right. Nihilistic Software’s creation is a simple and somewhat flawed title, but it doesn’t try to bite more than it can chew. Sometimes you just need something that’s honest in what it has to offer, which in this case is a couple of hours of fun in some cool looking locations and nothing more. There are better picks than Conan, yet it remains a good recommendation to most retro aficionados.

Playing this can make you appreciate the very first Resident Evil, despite its numerous flaws. Parasite Eve starts as a nice, survival-horror-meets-JRPGs kind of deal, but soon ends up as a sleep-inducing, and linear trek towards the end of a story that won't really ignite any interest.

The true test of a game's quality is determined by how well it has aged. More often than not, the first playthrough will be looked upon favourably, simply because the player doesn't know what to expect. Castlevania: Symphony of the Night makes for an incredible first impression, that much is certain. Over time, however, its weaknesses have become apparent. Alucard's solo adventure suffers from mediocre level design and uneven boss fights. Still, in terms of ambition, it remains unsurpassed. Though tarnished, this gem retains its brilliance because it offers so much freedom to anyone who plays it.

Wild Arms 2 is a dramatic improvement over its predecessor. It's got a richer, deeper narrative with more complex characters, and it aims high with its philosophical themes of duality. The gameplay has expanded thanks to its bigger cast of characters, and the puzzles are fun throughout. The music will grab players and easily keep anyone engaged in the adventure, even if it isn't that challenging. It may not reach the lofty ambitions of Xenogears, and it's got a spotty translation, but Wild Arms 2 still manages to be one of the better (and more affordable) JPRGs on the original PlayStation. It comes very close to reaching an all-time classic status, but sits neatly as a cult classic comfort JRPG.

Rhythm Paradise Groove carries a kind of creative electricity that is hard to fake. Every mode, every song and every odd little scenario feels touched by a team that genuinely enjoys the craft of rhythm, and that enthusiasm seeps through the screen. It is not flawless, yet its spirit is so strong and its execution so assured that the imperfections never manage to dull its glow. This is the sort of game that quietly raises the bar for what a rhythm title can be, not through spectacle, but through an unshakeable commitment to making every beat matter.

One Piece Odyssey is a decent RPG with a beautiful world, enjoyable combat, great music, and surprisingly deep customisation. Sadly, its overly linear exploration and some tedious design choices keep it from reaching its full potential.

A title like Brigandine Abyss is a design nightmare. It takes two genres with a massive mental overhead cost and tries to make them both work in the same game. The result is a game that may not appeal to fans of either genre, but will be a must-buy for fans of both. For those who wanted Fire Emblem with more strategic freedom, this is the game, and for those who love Dynasty Warriors Empires but want more engaging combat, this is the ticket. Brigandine Abyss knows its niche extremely well.

There are far better pinball video games out there, with more content, more challenges, more bells and whistles. For a humble NES title from distant 1984, however, Pinball turns out to be quite the entertaining blast from the past. For retro fans only? Probably, but do check it out if you ever come upon this ancient piece of history.

The way Chapter 5 plays out, it feels like all the cool stuff from Chapter 4 either didn’t happen or was retconned at the last minute. Understandably, Toby Fox wanted a chapter that was a "calm before the storm" that depicts the final days of innocence, but this was not the way. A lot of scenes are unearned, and the writing is not up to his typical level of quality. Thankfully, the gameplay is amusing, and the way old mechanics are remixed and recontextualised breathes some life into this otherwise uneventful day at the festival.

Yet Another Zombie Survivors is a great game because it understands the pleasures of simplicity. There’s no need for grand ambitions, sprawling worlds, or a dozen systems fighting for the player’s attention. Instead, here’s a bunch of zombie-apocalypse hero archetypes, an absurd number of zombies, some increasingly ridiculous weapons, and a handful of upgrades. Done. And everybody’s happy. This survivor-like knows exactly what it wants to be, doubles (and triples) down on it, and simply lets you have fun.