6 - The Legend of Zelda – A Link Between Worlds (Nintendo 3DS)

Zelda games reached their peak on the N64, most would agree. Subsequent releases on the Gamecube and Wii were both excellent (Windwaker) and showed cracks in the franchise (Twilight Princess). But with A Link Between Worlds, Nintendo have gone back to the series’ roots, culminating in one of the best of its many, many releases.

The Legend of ZeldaThe Legend of Zelda: A Link Between Two Worlds

The classic gameplay that shot Link to international notoriety on the SNES is back on the 3DS, and despite an old formula, ALBW feels fresh. It’s certainly up there for handheld game of the year – battling it out with Pokemon for that mantle – and fully deserves its place among the ‘big boys’ for game of the year. A stellar update, now to see how Zelda on the Wii-U goes…

5 - Ni No Kuni (PS3)

When the news first broke – I struggle to remember when it was – that Level 5 and Studio Ghibly were combing to make a JRPG, fans of both the legendary studio’s films and the games developer’s games were sent into raptures. But with this hype came a great expectation; something other developers have succumbed to in the past. Luckily, Ni No Kuni: Wrath of the White Witch is a triumph.

Ni No KuniNi No Kuni

Charming, silly, sweet; terrifying, touching and brave, the game increased PlayStation 3’s already-sizable stock despite the imminent arrival of its bigger brother, the PS4. With long-play titles (60-hours +) diminishing in popularity, it’s refreshing to see a teeth-sinker hit and stick with such alacrity. More where that came from, please.