A good game has to earn its place beyond the first evening. The right one can become a regular multiplayer fixture, a sprawling solo adventure, or the cartridge you keep handing to visiting friends. The wrong one can feel repetitive before its strongest ideas have had time to land.
Our Best video games picks cover very different moods, from basketball and kart racing to cinematic samurai combat, sandbox building, and classic platforming. Ghost of Yōtei is our top pick, with Super Mario Galaxy Collection, Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, and Red Dead Redemption close behind for distinct kinds of players.
Best video games compared
| # | Product | Award | Platform | Main appeal | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ghost of Yōtei | Best overall | PlayStation 5 | Open-world samurai action | Solo adventurers |
| 2 | Super Mario Galaxy Collection | Best platformer | Nintendo Switch | Two space adventures | Families and platforming fans |
| 3 | Super Smash Bros. Ultimate | Best multiplayer fighter | Nintendo Switch | Large roster and flexible play | Local multiplayer |
| 4 | Minecraft | Best sandbox | Nintendo Switch | Building and survival | Creative players |
| 5 | Red Dead Redemption | Best western adventure | PlayStation 5 | Story-driven open world | Narrative-focused players |
| 6 | Star Fox | Best space shooter | Nintendo Switch 2 | Cockpit action and team battles | Arcade action fans |
| 7 | Sonic Racing CrossWorlds | Best kart racer | PlayStation 5 | Warping tracks and customization | Racing groups |
| 8 | NBA 2K26 | Best sports game | PlayStation 5 | ProPLAY and career modes | Basketball fans |
| 9 | Sonic X Shadow Generations | Best retro-modern mix | Nintendo Switch | Classic stages and new powers | Sonic fans |
| 10 | 007 First Light | Best spy adventure | PlayStation 5 | Cinematic espionage | James Bond fans |
1. Ghost of Yōtei: Best Overall
Pros
- Expansive northern Japan setting
- Several distinct weapon styles
- Strong mix of combat and cultural exploration
- Travel on foot or horseback
Cons
- Combat may be too demanding for casual players
- Its open-world scope asks for a substantial time commitment
Best for: players who want a visually rich solo adventure with deliberate sword combat and room to explore.
Ghost of Yōtei has the broadest appeal in this group because it gives the player more than a string of battles. Its world around Mount Yōtei includes grasslands, snowy ridges, fields of wildflowers, shrines, and hot springs. That variety matters. The setting is not just a backdrop for sword fights, it is a place to move through at a slower pace and absorb.
Combat appears built around choice rather than a single default weapon. Atsu can use dual katanas, an odachi, a kusarigama, and other weapons, giving encounters a different rhythm depending on what is equipped. The result should suit players who enjoy learning how a combat system changes when reach, timing, and attack patterns change. It also gives the game a clearer identity than a straightforward sword-only adventure.
The quieter activities help separate Ghost of Yōtei from Red Dead Redemption. Both present a large journey shaped by travel and landscape, but Ghost of Yōtei leans into cultural discovery, with shrine visits, onsen bathing, and sumi-e painting alongside its story. It is also a more natural fit than 007 First Light for anyone who wants an adventure that leaves room between major confrontations.
The weakness is commitment. A game built around a large northern Japanese landscape, several weapons, horseback travel, and optional cultural activities is not designed for a quick session. Players who want tightly paced missions or instant arcade action should choose Star Fox or Sonic Racing CrossWorlds instead. For everyone else, this is the one we'd keep installed for a long solo campaign.
2. Super Mario Galaxy Collection: Best Platformer
Pros
- Includes two complete space adventures
- Enhanced resolution and updated interface
- Extra Storybook chapters and music
- Assist Mode adds health and fall recovery
- Free visual update for Nintendo Switch 2
Cons
- Its appeal depends on liking precision platforming
- The two games share a familiar cosmic structure
Best for: families and platforming fans who want a substantial Nintendo adventure with inventive movement and a gentle assist option.
The appeal of Super Mario Galaxy Collection is easy to understand: it brings together two full Mario journeys rather than asking the player to settle into one short campaign. One follows Mario through the Comet Observatory and a rescue mission involving Princess Peach. The other moves to Starship Mario, with Yoshi joining the trip to save the cosmos again. The shared space setting gives both games a consistent personality while their individual routes keep the package from feeling like a single extended level set.
The Switch version adds enhanced resolution and an improved user interface, which should make the small planets and busy platform layouts easier to read. Extra Storybook chapters and music give returning players more reason to revisit the collection. Assist Mode adds additional health and fall recovery, a useful touch when a younger player or a less practiced platformer fan hits a difficult sequence.
That balance makes it a different recommendation from Super Smash Bros. Ultimate. Smash is at its best when several people are competing in short bursts, while Mario works as a focused solo or shared-room adventure. It is also a more structured experience than Minecraft, where the player has to provide much of the goal and direction.
The limitation is the format itself. Precision platforming can be unforgiving, and players looking for realistic combat, open-world wandering, or competitive racing will find the game tightly focused. Nintendo Switch 2 owners also get a free update for improved visuals, but the core appeal remains the level design, movement, and sense of discovery. This is the strongest pick for someone who wants colorful, authored platforming with enough content to last.
3. Super Smash Bros. Ultimate: Best Multiplayer Fighter
Pros
- Combines past rosters with new fighters and stages
- Supports two to four-player battles
- Works in TV, tabletop, and handheld modes
- Supports local, online, computer, and GameCube Controller play
- Advanced techniques add depth for experienced players
Cons
- Its large roster can be overwhelming at first
- Competitive play takes practice to understand
Best for: households and friend groups that want a flexible fighting game for quick matches or long competitive sessions.
Super Smash Bros. Ultimate remains the easiest game here to recommend for a room full of people. It supports two to four-player battles, and the choice of TV, tabletop, or handheld mode lets the same game adapt to the setting. A group can play casually against one another, while a solo player can face the computer or work through the mechanics before taking on other people.
The roster combines fighters from past Super Smash Bros. games with new additions, and the stages give each match its own visual and tactical character. That breadth creates a useful split in the experience. A new player can pick a familiar character and start experimenting, while a more experienced player can focus on techniques such as the perfect shield and directional air dodge.
It is more immediately social than Super Mario Galaxy Collection, and it has a lower barrier to a quick shared session than Minecraft. Compared with Sonic Racing CrossWorlds, Smash creates more direct competition because players are responding to one another rather than simply racing around a course. It is also the clearest Switch choice for anyone whose priority is replayable multiplayer rather than a fixed story.
The downside is that its depth can hide behind the party-game surface. New players may not know why a match went wrong, and the combined roster can make the first hours feel busy. The game rewards practice, positioning, and learning how each fighter behaves. That makes it a weaker pick for someone who wants a calm solo adventure, but a superb one for players who expect to pass the controller around.
For more Nintendo-focused recommendations, the right mix of solo and multiplayer adventures can help narrow the choice.
4. Minecraft: Best Sandbox
Pros
- Randomly generated worlds encourage fresh starts
- Creative and survival modes support different play styles
- Works in handheld and tabletop modes
- Includes several themed texture and skin packs
- Super Mario Mash-Up content is included
Cons
- Offers little structured direction
- Survival mode can be demanding without preparation
- Compatible with Nintendo Switch only
Best for: creative players who want to build, explore, craft, and decide for themselves what the next session should accomplish.
Minecraft is the most open-ended game in this roundup. Its basic idea is simple, placing blocks and going on adventures, but the randomly generated worlds turn that idea into a long-running project. One session might involve building a home, another might focus on exploring, and a later one might become a survival trip underground for materials and equipment.
The split between creative and survival modes is the important feature. Creative mode provides unlimited resources for players who want to design freely. Survival mode adds the need to mine, craft weapons and armor, and deal with dangerous mobs. Those modes feel meaningfully different, so the game can work for a child who wants to build as well as an experienced player who enjoys planning an expedition.
Its portability is a major advantage on Nintendo Switch. The game supports handheld and tabletop modes, making it easier to pick up for a short building session or settle in for a longer exploration run. The included Super Mario Mash-Up, Natural Texture Pack, Biome Settlers Skin Pack, Battle & Beasts Skin Pack, and Campfire Tales Skin Pack give the Switch edition a little extra character.
The catch is that Minecraft does not provide the same clear path as Super Mario Galaxy Collection, and it lacks the immediate competition of Super Smash Bros. Ultimate. A player who needs explicit missions may feel lost at first. It is also listed as compatible with Nintendo Switch only, so buyers should choose it for that platform rather than assume it is a general Nintendo release. For creative minds, though, that lack of boundaries is exactly the point.
5. Red Dead Redemption: Best Western Adventure
Pros
- Strong story centered on John Marston
- Spans the American West and Mexico
- Includes the Undead Nightmare horror story
- Focused single-player adventure
Cons
- Its western setting is a poor fit for players seeking fast arcade action
- The story's slower pace requires patience
Best for: players who want a character-driven journey through a large western setting with a substantial bonus horror campaign.
Red Dead Redemption is the most story-first game in this selection. John Marston is forced by federal agents to hunt down former gang members, turning the journey into a personal attempt to bury a violent past. The setup gives the open world a clear emotional direction, rather than making exploration the only reason to keep moving.
The setting stretches across the American West and Mexico, and the contrast between those areas gives the journey a sense of progress. The game is designed around travel, pursuit, and the uneasy history of an outlaw trying to change his life. That makes it a better recommendation for someone who wants atmosphere and character than for someone who wants constant combat.
The included Undead Nightmare campaign is a substantial change of tone. It transforms the world into an apocalyptic fight against a zombie horde, giving the package a second identity instead of a small extra challenge. That horror story also helps distinguish the game from Ghost of Yōtei, whose focus is a samurai journey through northern Japan and cultural exploration.
Its weakness is pacing. Players who prefer the immediate movement of Sonic X Shadow Generations or the match-based action of NBA 2K26 may find the travel and story setup slow. The game asks for attention to its world and characters, and it is best approached as a long-form western rather than a collection of quick activities. Choose it when the journey matters as much as the destination.
6. Star Fox: Best Space Shooter
Pros
- High-speed space and planetary combat
- Fully voiced dialogue and orchestral soundtrack
- First-person cockpit mode
- Mouse controls for flying
- Four-on-four online team battles
- Supports a second player as a gunner
Cons
- Requires Nintendo Switch 2
- Multiplayer features may be more than a solo player needs
Best for: players who want an arcade-style space shooter with cockpit immersion and a strong multiplayer component.
Star Fox is the most specialized game here, and that is why it earns a place near the top. Its campaign sends the player through space and across planets while fighting an invasion, with a cinematic presentation built around fully voiced dialogue, an orchestral soundtrack, and a visual overhaul for Nintendo Switch 2.
The first-person mode changes the feel of the action. Instead of watching the ship from behind, the player can experience the fight from inside the cockpit, and mouse controls can be used to fly. A second player can join as a gunner with Nintendo Switch 2 mouse controls, which gives the game a useful cooperative angle rather than limiting it to solo piloting.
There is more here than a campaign. Four-on-four team battles support online play with different objectives, and GameShare allows friends to enjoy the multiplayer experience locally or online through GameChat. Character avatars, AR filters, and Star Fox amiibo extras add social touches around the core action. This is a very different kind of multiplayer from Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, with more emphasis on teamwork and movement through space.
The obvious limitation is platform. This is a Nintendo Switch 2 game, so it should not be treated as a choice for an older Switch owner. Its multiplayer features also matter less to someone who only wants a quiet story campaign. For Switch 2 owners who miss focused arcade flight action, though, Star Fox offers the clearest cockpit experience in the roundup.
7. Sonic Racing CrossWorlds: Best Kart Racer
Pros
- Twenty-four tracks and fifteen CrossWorlds
- Travel Rings change the course during races
- Twenty-three playable Sonic characters
- Vehicle and gadget customization
- Local split-screen and online play for up to twelve players
- Time Trials and Race Park modes
Cons
- The large customization system may feel busy
- Its item-focused racing favors chaotic competition
Best for: groups that want energetic kart racing with changing tracks, lots of characters, and several multiplayer formats.
Sonic Racing CrossWorlds has one strong idea running through its design: the race can change while you are in it. Travel Rings move racers across fifteen CrossWorlds, while the game includes twenty-four tracks to learn. That shifting structure gives each race a little more uncertainty than a fixed lap around a familiar course.
The roster includes twenty-three Sonic characters, and the customization system is unusually broad for this list. Players can choose from forty-five original vehicles and seventy gadgets, then adjust a kart to match a preferred racing style. Twenty-three items, including the Monster Truck, add another layer of disruption. The appeal is less about perfect simulation and more about making a clever recovery when a race goes sideways.
For a group, the range of modes is useful. Local split-screen supports Grand Prix and the Race Park party mode, while World Match supports online competition with up to twelve players. Time Trials offer a quieter option for players who want to focus on driving without the same level of group chaos. Compared with Star Fox, this is a more approachable party racer, while Super Smash Bros. Ultimate offers more direct character combat.
The weak point is the amount of activity on screen and in the menus. Players who prefer a clean, precision-focused racer may find the gadgets and items distracting. It is also less suited to a solo player seeking a story with lasting character development. For friends or family who want fast races, course surprises, and several ways to compete, it is the most natural PlayStation 5 pick in this roundup.
8. NBA 2K26: Best Sports Game
Pros
- ProPLAY translates NBA footage into gameplay
- MyCAREER includes a new journey and City activities
- MyTEAM includes past and present legends
- MyNBA supports all 30 teams
- Includes multiplayer and single-player modes
Cons
- Several modes require a serious time investment
- Its appeal is narrow if basketball is not your sport
Best for: basketball fans who want a mix of career progression, team building, and front-office management.
NBA 2K26 is built for players who want basketball to occupy more than a single mode. ProPLAY translates NBA footage into gameplay, with revamped size-ups and new movement features intended to make dribbling and crossovers feel more connected to the sport. That focus on movement is important because basketball games live or die by how quickly control turns into a believable possession.
MyCAREER provides a new journey for a created MyPLAYER, with the City serving as a social and competitive space. Players can team up with friends, earn recognition, increase REP, and compete against rival squads for Park supremacy. MyTEAM takes a different route by letting players collect past and present legends, build a fantasy roster, and test it in single-player or multiplayer modes.
The most interesting contrast is MyNBA. It puts the player in charge of a franchise as a general manager, with all thirty teams available and thirty unique MyGM storylines inspired by real-world situations. That gives the game a management angle that Red Dead Redemption and Ghost of Yōtei do not attempt. It is also deeper and more involved than the quick sessions offered by Sonic Racing CrossWorlds.
The main weakness is its narrow focus and the time needed to get the most from it. Someone who does not closely follow basketball may find the systems overly dense, while a player looking for one clear story will have to choose among career, team-building, and management modes. This is the right purchase for a dedicated basketball fan, not a general recommendation for someone who simply wants a quick sports-themed game.
9. Sonic X Shadow Generations: Best Retro-Modern Mix
Pros
- Combines modern and classic Sonic gameplay
- Includes updated versions of 2D and 3D stages
- Separate Shadow campaign
- Doom Powers add new movement options
- Museum includes art, music, and other extras
Cons
- Fast platforming can be unforgiving
- Its two campaigns may feel uneven to players who prefer one style
Best for: Sonic fans who want a collection of familiar stage ideas plus a separate campaign with new powers.
Sonic X Shadow Generations is a two-part celebration of the series. In the Sonic Generations portion, Modern and Classic Sonic work together against Dr. Eggman and the Time Eater, moving through updated 3D and 2D versions of earlier stages. That structure gives longtime fans recognizable ideas while reworking the presentation and cinematics.
Shadow's campaign is more than a costume change. Black Doom returns with a threat to take over the world, and Shadow must confront his past while unlocking Doom Powers. Those abilities let him surf across water, fly over obstacles, and stop time with Chaos Control. The added movement options give the second campaign its own mechanical identity.
The extras make it feel like more than a straight run from one level to the next. Players can rescue hidden Chao, chase a high pinball score in Casino Nights, and visit a museum containing behind-the-scenes art, music, and other material. It has more explicit structure than Minecraft, but less of the long-form story and world travel found in Red Dead Redemption.
Fast platforming is the game’s real hurdle. It rewards quick reactions and familiarity with Sonic's momentum, so players who prefer the forgiving recovery of Assist Mode in Super Mario Galaxy Collection may need patience here. It is a strong Switch recommendation for fans who want speed, nostalgia, and a second campaign that does not simply repeat the first.
10. 007 First Light: Best Spy Adventure
Pros
- New James Bond origin story
- Cinematic missions in varied locations
- Iconic vehicles
- Multiple approaches to infiltration
- Supports stealth, gadgets, bluffing, and direct combat
Cons
- The Specialist Edition is tied to a specific retailer release
- Players seeking a complete established Bond history may prefer a later-career story
Best for: James Bond fans who want an origin story built around stealth, gadgets, vehicles, and flexible mission approaches.
007 First Light takes a useful angle on James Bond by focusing on the events that lead a young maverick to become an MI6 agent. That origin-story setup gives the game room to show Bond before the familiar legend is fully formed. It is a more personal premise than simply sending an established agent into another mission.
The campaign promises cinematic espionage in breathtaking locations, with iconic vehicles adding movement beyond on-foot encounters. The important design choice is flexibility. Players can go silent, fight with fists or firearms, use gadgets to infiltrate, or bluff their way past guards. That range should make missions feel less like a single corridor and more like a series of decisions.
It occupies a middle ground between Ghost of Yōtei and NBA 2K26 in terms of structure. Ghost of Yōtei is built around a broad world and a large set of weapons, while NBA 2K26 gives players several separate sports modes. 007 First Light is more focused on a cinematic campaign, with its variety coming from how the player handles each encounter.
The limitation is that this is a specific kind of adventure. It will appeal strongly to Bond fans, but players who want an open world, competitive multiplayer, or a long-running sandbox should choose Red Dead Redemption, Minecraft, or Super Smash Bros. Ultimate instead. Pick this one when espionage, gadgets, and the fantasy of shaping Bond's early career matter more than broad replay systems.
Readers choosing a PlayStation library may also want to compare how different solo adventures fit a PS5 collection, especially if cinematic campaigns are the priority.
How to choose best video games
The strongest choice depends less on a universal genre hierarchy and more on the kind of play you want to repeat after the opening hours.
Platform and hardware
Start with the console you actually own. Ghost of Yōtei, NBA 2K26, 007 First Light, Sonic Racing CrossWorlds, and Red Dead Redemption are PlayStation 5 games. Super Mario Galaxy Collection, Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, Minecraft, and Sonic X Shadow Generations are Nintendo Switch games, while Star Fox is specifically for Nintendo Switch 2.
The distinction matters because a game can be an excellent fit in every other respect and still be unusable on the wrong system. Nintendo Switch 2 owners should also check whether a title has an update or enhanced features, as the Mario collection includes a free update for improved visuals on that system.
Solo story and open-world freedom
Choose a structured adventure when you want the game to keep presenting clear objectives. 007 First Light is centered on a cinematic spy story, while Red Dead Redemption follows John Marston through a defined personal journey. Ghost of Yōtei combines a story with a much wider world, travel, combat training, and cultural activities.
Sandbox games reverse that emphasis. Minecraft gives you creative mode with unlimited resources or survival mode with crafting and dangerous mobs, but the player has to set many of the goals. That freedom is powerful when you want to build your own project and frustrating when you want a tightly guided campaign.
The best game is the one whose basic activity you still want to repeat after the novelty wears off.
Multiplayer format
Look at how people will actually play. Super Smash Bros. Ultimate supports two to four-player battles and works in TV, tabletop, and handheld modes. It is the better fit for direct competition and quick room-wide matches.
Sonic Racing CrossWorlds supports local split-screen, Race Park, Grand Prix, online World Match for up to twelve players, and Time Trials. Star Fox takes a more cooperative route, with a second player able to act as a gunner and four-on-four online team battles. Those are very different multiplayer experiences, so the number of players alone is not enough.
Mechanical depth
Some games are easy to start but reward long practice. Sonic's speed and momentum, Smash's perfect shields and directional air dodges, and NBA 2K26's dribbling systems all have a learning curve. The reward is a stronger sense of control once the player understands the rules.
Other games create depth through breadth. NBA 2K26 spreads its systems across MyCAREER, MyTEAM, and MyNBA. Ghost of Yōtei uses several weapon types, while Sonic Racing CrossWorlds offers vehicles, gadgets, items, tracks, and CrossWorlds. Decide whether you prefer mastering one core mechanic or moving between several connected systems.
Content and replayability
A large game is not automatically the right game. Super Mario Galaxy Collection includes two adventures, extra Storybook chapters, additional music, and Assist Mode. Red Dead Redemption adds Undead Nightmare, which changes the tone and setting into a zombie survival story.
Replayability can also come from competition or creativity. Smash matches remain different because opponents behave differently, while Minecraft can keep producing new projects and worlds. A focused story such as 007 First Light may be the better fit when you want a clear beginning, middle, and end rather than an endless system to manage.
Frequently asked questions
Which game is the best choice for a solo player?
Ghost of Yōtei is the strongest all-around solo pick because it combines a large setting, samurai combat, horseback travel, weapon variety, and cultural activities. Red Dead Redemption is a better fit for a western story, while 007 First Light suits players who want a more focused spy campaign.
Which game is best for local multiplayer?
Super Smash Bros. Ultimate is the easiest local multiplayer recommendation because it supports two to four-player battles and can be played in TV, tabletop, or handheld modes. Sonic Racing CrossWorlds is the better alternative for groups that would rather race than fight.
Which games work on Nintendo Switch?
Super Mario Galaxy Collection, Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, Minecraft, and Sonic X Shadow Generations are Nintendo Switch games in this selection. Star Fox is listed for Nintendo Switch 2, so buyers should not assume it is compatible with the original Switch.
Is Minecraft suitable for younger players?
Minecraft offers creative mode with unlimited resources, which gives players a way to build without the pressure of survival. Survival mode introduces crafting, weapons, armor, and dangerous mobs, so the best starting point depends on whether the player wants relaxed construction or more demanding exploration.
Which game has the most substantial multiplayer options?
Super Smash Bros. Ultimate supports local, online, computer-controlled, and GameCube Controller play, with two to four-player battles. Sonic Racing CrossWorlds supports local split-screen and online World Match for up to twelve players, while Star Fox adds team battles and a second-player gunner role.
Which game is best for racing fans?
Sonic Racing CrossWorlds is the dedicated racing choice. It includes twenty-four tracks, fifteen CrossWorlds, Travel Rings that change the course, twenty-three characters, customizable vehicles, gadgets, items, and several local and online modes.
Which game has extra content beyond its main campaign?
Several picks do. Super Mario Galaxy Collection adds Storybook chapters, music, and Assist Mode. Red Dead Redemption includes Undead Nightmare, and Sonic X Shadow Generations has hidden Chao, a pinball challenge, and a museum with art and music. NBA 2K26 also spreads its content across MyCAREER, MyTEAM, and MyNBA.
The bottom line
The Best video games choice for most players is Ghost of Yōtei, thanks to its combination of open-world exploration, varied weapons, horseback travel, and a setting that rewards looking beyond the next fight. Super Mario Galaxy Collection is the better pick for inventive platforming, while Super Smash Bros. Ultimate remains the one to choose when a room full of people needs something immediately playable.
Choose Minecraft for open-ended creativity, Red Dead Redemption for a measured western story, and Star Fox for Switch 2 cockpit action. The remaining picks are more specialized, but they are strong when their genres match your habits.
If you are undecided, choose the game whose main activity sounds fun even before you think about extra modes: explore with Ghost of Yōtei, build in Minecraft, race in Sonic Racing CrossWorlds, or compete in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate.
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