REVIEW — “Legacy of Kain: Defiance Remastered” is a gothic relic worth revisiting

REVIEW — “Legacy of Kain: Defiance Remastered” is a gothic relic worth revisiting

As an original fan of Blood Omen and the franchise in general, I’m happy to admit that this remaster is...
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REVIEW – “Scott Pilgrim EX” is another fun beat-em-up that could’ve been something legendary with its open world approach

REVIEW – “Scott Pilgrim EX” is another fun beat-em-up that could’ve been something legendary with its open world approach

When Scott Pilgrim vs. The World: The Game came out in 2010, it was a breath of fresh air despite...
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The Legend of Zelda: SmashPad’s Favorite Games

The Legend of Zelda: SmashPad’s Favorite Games

Nintendo seems to have forgotten about The Legend of Zelda's 40th anniversary, but we haven't. SmashPad staffers and contributors were...
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Win PAX East 2026 Tickets!

Win PAX East 2026 Tickets!

PAX East 2026 is right around the corner, and we're working with our Penny Arcade friends to give away five...
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[Steam Next Fest] Hands-On: “inKonbini: One Store. Many Stories” is a cozy title that got me all nervous

[Steam Next Fest] Hands-On: “inKonbini: One Store. Many Stories” is a cozy title that got me all nervous

This demo only gives you this one shift, and it doesn't take long at all. You're tasked with taking stock...
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[Steam Next Fest] Hands-On: “Vampire Crawlers” deals a wickedly irresistible hand early on

[Steam Next Fest] Hands-On: “Vampire Crawlers” deals a wickedly irresistible hand early on

Put bluntly, Vampire Crawlers chokeslams boredom through a glass table. The demo is impressive in its simplicity, but requires a...
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REVIEW — “Legacy of Kain: Defiance Remastered” is a gothic relic worth revisiting

As an original fan of Blood Omen and the franchise in general, I’m happy to admit that this remaster is going to bring a lot of joy to fans. The traces of an old classic remain, polished with a modern touch that keeps its essence alive. Part of me wanted a remake, but the remaster shall suffice! 

REVIEW – “Scott Pilgrim EX” is another fun beat-em-up that could’ve been something legendary with its open world approach

When Scott Pilgrim vs. The World: The Game came out in 2010, it was a breath of fresh air despite being a callback to video games several generations before it. Fast forward over 15 years, and while the feeling isn’t quite as fresh since beat-em-ups have more or less made a return, Scott Pilgrim EX presents an impressive follow-up that both old-school gamers and Scott Pilgrim diehards should enjoy.

The Legend of Zelda: SmashPad’s Favorite Games

Nintendo seems to have forgotten about The Legend of Zelda’s 40th anniversary, but we haven’t. SmashPad staffers and contributors were asked to provide their Top 5 Zelda games. We’ve taken those lists and turned them into the staff’s Top 10.

Win PAX East 2026 Tickets!

PAX East 2026 is right around the corner, and we’re working with our Penny Arcade friends to give away five (5) tickets to the show in Boston! Find out how!

[Steam Next Fest] Hands-On: “inKonbini: One Store. Many Stories” is a cozy title that got me all nervous

This demo only gives you this one shift, and it doesn’t take long at all. You’re tasked with taking stock out of the back and putting it on the konbini sales floor, making sure everything at the store is in order, and then opening up shop. Simple, right? Oh, if you only knew.

[Steam Next Fest] Hands-On: “Vampire Crawlers” deals a wickedly irresistible hand early on

Put bluntly, Vampire Crawlers chokeslams boredom through a glass table. The demo is impressive in its simplicity, but requires a hell of a lot more of you than Vampire Survivors did. In that sense, poncle could be on track to deliver a follow-up worthy of its still budding name and elephantine reputation. Can their lightning strike twice?

[Steam Next Fest] Hands-On: Is “Cleaning Up!” really fun?

The Steam Next Fest demo of Cleaning Up!, which you can play now, features four levels that provide just enough to get your feet wet. There’s an apartment, a castle, a museum, and a cafe, each providing a new gimmick to differentiate itself enough. Only one of these levels qualifies as challenging, but again, it’s a demo.

REVIEW – The return of “City Hunter” is welcome and historically meaningful, but lackluster for what’s on offer

With all this in mind, I can’t generally recommend City Hunter, but if you do want to see what TurboGrafx-16/PC Engine gaming had to offer by means of a cult product and you have a surplus of disposable income, have at it.

REVIEW – “Super Bomberman Collection” is one of the most explosively joyful shadow drops in recent memory

When Super Bomberman Collection was unveiled during this month’s Nintendo Direct Partner Showcase, I got wide-eyed. Ever since I got my hands on Mega Bomberman on the Sega Genesis during the unfortunate but memorable days of the Sega Channel (yeah, I’m that old), I’ve been a big Bomberman fan. Little did I know that game would end up being the high point of the series for me until now, more than three decades after I was introduced to it.

REVIEW — “Resident Evil Requiem” is a thrilling and chilling dual-sided romp

With grotesque scares as potent as its pulse-pounding action and puzzle-box level design as engaging as any given combat scenario, Resident Evil Requiem is an engrossing thrill ride throughout that hooked me from the start, and in true Resident Evil fashion, has kept me on that hook long after the credits rolled the first, second, and even third time.

REVIEW – “Disney Afternoon Collection” is out again for people who are Bonkers about having these games on Switch

Two new games, Bonkers and Goof Troop from the SNES, headline this release of Disney Afternoon Collection. Is it worth potentially double dipping if you already own this compilation on another platform just to get these two additional games? That depends on your nostalgia for the cartoons these games are based on. For everyone else, Disney Afternoon Collection is a great compilation of classic 8-bit games.

REVIEW – “Avowed” on PS5 is still a magical RPG despite initial reception

I’m glad I was able to ignore the overall negative sentiment around the game and play the PS5 version of Avowed, which now has the anniversary update. The reason? Avowed is a unique RPG with thrilling combat and an intriguing storyline that features a God in your head.