Introduction

Game On! 2016

November 2016

How is it a year already? It truly feels like yesterday that I put last year’s list together. My process is the same, as always. Games from all the systems and all ratings and most of them are from 2016! With the PS3 and Xbox 360 slowly coming to the end of their life, less and less games will appear but you’ll be surprised to see that I still have a few. Next year will be interesting as the PS4 Pro will be out a full year and the Xbox One Scorpio will just be hitting shelves. It’s a wonderful time to be a gamer. Enjoy the list!

Recommended Games

Rated E for Everyone

Grid Autosport
ISBN: 722674211420

It’s all about the teams, the rivals and the race as you become a driver for hire, specializing in your favorite disciplines or conquering them all in an intense world of professional motorsport. GRID Autosport features over 100 routes across 22 incredible locations, the return of in-car view, authentic handling and the world’s most exciting contemporary and classic high-performance racing cars. (Available on Xbox 360, PS3)
Madden NFL 17
ISBN: 0014633368574

Are you ready for some football?!? If so, this year’s rendition is on point. You’ll love building your team or tearing it down and starting over. Making a championship team is harder than one expects. Also, the AI is smarter and is a ton of fun. Of course online play is a must. Hike Hike!! (Available on Xbox One, Xbox 360, PS4, PS3)
Forza Horizon 3
ISBN: 889842148251

I know there are two racing games on the list this year but that’s OK. You’re going to thank me later. With this new rendition to the classic car game, you are in charge of the Horizon Festival where you get to customize everything. Hire friends, fire friends, compete in 12 player online races. Need I go on? Yeah? How about getting behind the wheel of the 350 best cars in the world? Not yet? How about Danger Sign Jumps, Convoys, Drift Zones, and Showcase events that pit you against a fleet of speedboats, a giant zeppelin, and more. Select your own driver character, customize your cars, create vanity license plates. Yeah, you’re in. (Available on Xbox One)
MLB The Show 16
ISBN: 0711719502715

Now that baseball season is over, it’s the perfect time to pick this game up and start playing. If you own a PS4 this is the game to get. This is the only series available that has ALL the real teams and players. So if you want to relive the Cubs winning the World Series or bringing that first ever championship to the Pittsburgh Pirates, this game is for you! (Available on PS4, PS3)
NBA 2K 17
ISBN: 0710425497926

The smooth gameplay is the most realistic yet. Build your team or just play on the fly. Online play is available as well and is always fun. Everything feels just right from the gleam of the court to the squeak of the sneakers to the bounce of the ball. (Available on PS4, PS3, Xbox One, Xbox 360)
Paper Mario Color Splash
If you love Nintendo, Mario or both, then you won’t want to miss this game. All the color has been drained from Prism Island and only Mario can figure out why. Mostly in the traditional 2D landscape, but it has 3D elements as well. Highly recommended. (Available on Wii U)
Pro Evolution Soccer 2017
Some say this is the best soccer game series ever made. I think I have to agree with them. From the gameplay to the player physics, this game is fantastic. All the players are here and most of them have real rendered faces to match. A must for any soccer fan. (Available on PS4, PS3, Xbox One, Xbox 360)

Rated E 10+ for Everyone Ages 10 and Up

The Lego Movie Videogame
Get in the game as Emmet, who finds out he’s The Special because he found the Piece of Resistance. Following the movie, the game is loads of fun in the traditional Lego style. Can you stop President Business from unleashing the Kragle on Taco Tuesday? Everything is awesome! (Available on Xbox 360, PS4, PS3, Xbox One, 3DS)
Mario & Sonic at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games
ISBN: 0045496904302

I used to remember back in the day when both Nintendo and Sega would duke it out over which game system ruled. Yes, I’m dating myself. I never thought I’d see the day that both Nintendo and Sega would do business together, let alone have their classic characters in the same game. All in all, this game is tons of fun. Compete in all the events using quite a few Mario and Sonic characters in the process. Who’s gonna win, Nintendo or Sega, errr… Mario or Sonic?!? (Available on Wii U, 3DS)
NHL 17
Still a personal favorite of mine. There isn’t much in the way of changes from last year’s game, and that may turn some people off. It’s the perfect excuse to try it here first. As always, you can build your team in the always excellent Be a GM with new Franchise mode. Can you say $50 popcorn? Also, there is the World Cup of Hockey mode as well. As always, online play is there too. No matter what you choose, the ultimate goal is the Stanley Cup. Can you win it? (Available on Xbox One, PS4)
Star Fox Zero
ISBN: 0045496904272

Fox, Falco, Peppy and Slippy (accompanied by their original voice actors) return! Control your Arwing spaceship and see the view from the cockpit, while the TV shows the overall context of the full battlefield. The game includes a new Walker transformation for the Arwing, a new Gyrowing vehicle and the return of the Landmaster Tank. (Available on Wii U)

Rated T for Teen

The Legend Of Heroes Trails Of Cold Steel
ISBN: 853466001827

At the elite Thors Military Academy, Erebonias’ best and brightest learn everything from the art of war to the liberal arts. A World of Lore Return to the Zemurian continent, setting of the Trails in the Sky titles, with a new adventure for old and new fans alike. Tactical Thinking Execute your strategies in exciting turn-based battles where timing and distance can make the difference between victory and defeat. Combat Links, link any two characters in battle, enabling unique synergies between them. (Available on PSVita, PS3)
Lost Dimension
In the style of SRPG, it’s a completely engaging game that will take wit, guts and strategy to get through. Using a unique traitor system it becomes evident this isn’t your ordinary style game. Can you find the traitor among your group? (Available on PS3, PSVita)
Monster Hunter Generations
Monster Hunter Generations is the most customizable Monster Hunter experience to date, and serves as a fitting tribute to the last decade of the series with a blend of brand new areas and monsters, and returning fan-favorites that have been updated and adapted to the newest generation of gameplay. Monster Hunter Generations introduces new gameplay mechanics including Styles and Hunter Arts that can further refine a very personalized playstyle. Think you have what it takes? Let’s see. (Available on 3DS)
Uncharted 4: A Thief’s End
ISBN: 0711719047292

The long awaited action game by Naughty Dog games is back! You play Nathan Drake who by this time (3 years after Uncharted 3) is out of the treasure hunter game. That is, until your brother stops by and tells you about Captain Henry Avery’s treasure deep in the forests of Madagascar. One of the best games this year by far. You’ll want to own this at some point. (Available on PS4)
Uncharted: The Nathan Drake Collection
ISBN: 711719501367

All of the Uncharted games fully remastered in all their glory. One of the best action series for any system ever made. Always a ton of fun in this Indiana Jones style action style game. If you’ve got the time, you really need to get this. (Available on PS4)

Rated M for Mature

Battlefield 1
ISBN: 0014633368659

Intuitive destruction and dynamic weather ensure that no battle is ever the same. For even more gameplay possibilities, carve a path through walls and buildings, take down your enemies in creative ways, and leave your mark on the terrain around you through intuitive destruction. Through your actions, the pristine world around you changes into a battle-scarred landscape, changing the world forever. (Available on Xbox One, PS4)
Call Of Duty Infinite Warfare
Call of Duty has always been a pretty solid choice for a first person shooter. Myself being a keyboard and mouse guy for years, the gaming console FPS has captured my heart. This is the first game in the franchise that goes beyond the land war and involves a plausible future war within our solar system. On top of that, the extremely popular Zombie mode is back! With the game's unique style of gameplay you won’t be disappointed. (Available on PS4, Xbox One)
Dark Souls III
ISBN: 0722674120142

The apocalypse is coming, and you need to stop it. One of the best sequels this year and definitely the best game in the series, this RPG action sword and sorcery style game delivers on every front. Happy surviving. (Available on PS4, Xbox One)
Gears Of War 4
ISBN: 0889842118650

You want to talk about addicting? This game is it. If you’ve played the Gears of War games, then you know this already. The online multiplayer is second to none, and you can choose from a myriad of characters. You can also play the game in story mode, and believe me, you won’t be sorry in this third person shooter. One of my all-time favorite series and, soon to be, games. I can’t recommend it highly enough. (Available on Xbox One)
Mortal Kombat XL
ISBN: 883929527243

Included with the main game you get new playable characters Alien, Leatherface, Triborg, and Bo'Rai Cho. You also get previously released playable characters including Predator, Jason Voorhees, Tremor, Tanya, and Goro. And finally, this game includes a new skin pack called Apocalypse and all previously released skins packs as well. Also, the game itself is that good old classic Mortal Kombat gameplay you’ve come to know and love. Finish him! (Available on Xbox One, PS4)
Shin Megami Tensei IV
ISBN: 730865300143

Building on the styles of ATLUS' Persona, Devil Summoner, and Devil Survivor titles, SMTIV is the first true successor to 2004's Shin Megami Tensei: Nocturne. The story of SMTIV revolves around the Samurai, the sacred protectors of the Eastern Kingdom of Mikado. As a newly appointed Samurai, players will struggle with factions that have nefarious designs on the world as they defend their home kingdom from a growing army of demons. Decisions players make throughout the course of the story will have lasting repercussions, as the fate of the world hangs in the balance. (Available on 3DS)
Titanfall 2
ISBN: 0014633368758

The long awaited sequel to the hugely popular mech game is finally here. If you’re unfamiliar with the original game, you’ll definitely want to start in practice mode. This is a first person mech shooter of immense proportions. It’s so intense and the action is so good that you may want to take a break to do things like eat or sleep, but you and I both know that’s not happening. (Available on Xbox One, PS4)

Coming Soon...

Dead Rising 4
ISBN: 889842148510

Release date: 12/06/2016 Available on Xbox One Rated M for Mature (Blood, Violence)
Final Fantasy XV
Release date: 11/29/2016 Available on Xbox One, PS4 Rated M for Mature (Blood, Violence)
The Last Guardian
Release date: 12/06/2016 Available on PS4 Rated T for Teen
Watch Dogs 2
Release date: 11/15/2016 Available on Xbox One, PS4 Rated M for Mature (Blood, Violence)