Super Mario Galaxy

Looks like I've already reviewed this one, well, I played it again and everything I said in my original review still stands.  I'd guess the graphics look even worse by 2025 standards, but now I'm seeing I haven't played Super Mario Galaxy 2 since its release in 2010.  I think it's time to replay that one.

Prince of Persia 2008 (Xbox 360)

$5

 Let's try this for a change.

The Pile

I wouldn't consider these "must plays" but just sitting here, I was thinking of some games I own that I should probably try again or pick up again another day.

• Watch Dogs 2 - Stopped because kids were too young 
• Avatar Pandora's Tomorrow - Stopped because it's an inventory game, environments too lush, feels closed in.
• Sleeping Dogs - Never played it, heard it was great.
• Mad Max - Never played it, heard it was great.

I think that's it for now.

Mario Party Jamboree (Switch)

Price: Christmas Gift     

I'd heard this game was a "revolution" for the series.  It's the same old Mario Party, but unlike Madden it has new mini games, maps, and is a new experience.  I like it and we've had our money's worth out of it.  My biggest gripe is how long it takes to play a game, but they're really trying to bring that board game experience to the TV I guess.  Recommend.

Madden 25 (PS5)

Price: $10

Another sports year, another Madden with new UNI's and updated rosters.  Core gameplay is the same which is why I try not to buy sports games anymore.  My son wanted it though, and we had another good run for a couple weeks.  Rage quits were had, game looks nice, but at the end of the day it's still Madden.  Pass.

College Football 25

Price $80 - Split with my son 

Man, the praise this game was getting ultimately set me up for disappointment.  Maybe I just don't have the skills others do, but it still felt like EA brand football with a bunch of skins.  Playing locally, the road team was at such a disadvantage that we just never played it.  I have probably less than 10 hours into this game.  We recently bought Madden 25, it's more our speed with player familiarity and the hype of the NFL.  Pass.

Astro Bot (PS5)

Price ($80 - Split with my son)

I knocked this one out a while ago, I'm just starting to bring back this blog as I hadn't been gaming in some time.   This is a fantastic platformer that ALMOST out does Nintendo at its own game.  Almost.  I think the only thing it's missing is the nostalgia of Nintendo games with the music and characters.  Highest recommendation.

Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 (PS5)

Price $80 - Split with my son

It's another Call of Duty and while I prefer the "Modern Warfare" series, this one gave me some good entertainment for a couple months.  The zombie skins ultimately were the games downfall for me, I got so tired of seeing them in multiplayer that I felt like the immersion of the series was gone. After playing the (really good) campaign, it makes more sense now.  Heck, recommend.

The Last of Us Part 1 Remastered (PS5)

Price: Library - Free

I never played the original last of us on the PS3, I played the PS4 remaster, and now 10 years later, I played the PS5 remaster.  I forgot quite a bit, but the gameplay is as dull as ever.  The story carries this game, too much time is spent looking around for inventory which is too bad.  I did enjoy some of the harder encounters, there was some good strategy to that.  The DLC had a couple good challenges.  Recommend for story alone.

Balatro (iOS)

This game was on many game of the year lists, I downloaded it on Apple Arcade and had a good run with it, however by the time my month of Apple Arcade was up, I was ready to be done with the game.  Never been much a "deck builder", I thought that might change with this one, and while I'll miss playing it now and again, it didn't quite land the hooks in me like I'd hoped.  Still recommend.

Bloons TD6 (iOS)

Game of the year.  Nothing comes close.  I put so much time into this game and have still yet to master it.  I've been hearing about Bloons games for years, assuming they were for kids, how ignorant of me.  One of the best tower defense games ever.  Absolute Recommend.