Platformers are the most diabolical gaming genre. I should know
Dominik Diamond
Having abandoned them entirely in a fit of fury in the late 90s, I recently made a return to platform games. How long before the rage takes over?
May 2024
Canada legalizes it
I tried playing video games stoned for the first time in my 50s – and I have some thoughts
Dominik Diamond
Marijuana is legal where I live in Canada, so I decided to give it a try and see whether it would improve my gaming experience – or just end in a panic attack
October 2023
‘Cool, timeless and enigmatic’: Sonic the Hedgehog’s creators on taking him back to the 90s
Longtime Sonic caretaker Takashi Iizuka talks about new game Sonic Superstars, perfecting the platformer, and the blue blur’s longstanding rivalry with Mario
July 2023
Summer games previews
Ultros, a psychedelic action game about gardening in deep space
Disney Illusion Island review – immune to its own charm
Summer games previews
Prince of Persia is back in 2D – but this time he needs rescuing
10 great Barbie video games
June 2023
Best culture of 2023 so far
The best games of 2023 so far
Zelda opens up an endless world of possibility, Street Fighter delivers another KO and Star Wars finally gets the game it deserves. We round up the top releases of the past six months
January 2023
Babbdi review – a moody urban wander straight off a PlayStation 1 demo disc
Oppressive lo-fi visuals and brutalist architecture somehow create a game of laidback curiosity and exploration
June 2022
Pushing Buttons newsletter
Pushing Buttons: five new games that look like nothing you’ve seen before
In this week’s newsletter: amid endless nostalgia trips, here are a few inventive offerings to inspire you. Plus, a shout-at-the-TV horror game for groups
March 2022
Can a video game be as good for my marriage as family therapy? Not this one
Dominik Diamond
Dominik Diamond was drawn to It Takes Two’s depiction of a struggling couple who must work together – but discovered co-op games don’t bring out the best in him
October 2021
Simon Parkin on games
The Artful Escape review – Bowie meets Hitchhiker’s in gratifying teenage space opera
‘My housemates and I are addicted’: 15 video games perfect for lockdown brain
August 2021
Psychonauts 2 review – a surreal adventure that’s unashamedly itself
The warped worlds inside people’s minds are yours to explore in a bold and beautiful sequel that never fails to surprise
May 2021
The 15 greatest video games of the 80s – ranked!
14 of the best hidden gems on Xbox Game Pass
February 2021
Lockdown culture
10 short video games to play with your partner (or housemate)
From detective missions to prison breakouts, playful puzzles to cosy diversions, here are some great games perfect for two
January 2021
Super Meat Boy Forever review – a gristly challenge
Precision and playfulness made the original irresistibly difficult, but this vindictive sequel feels more like a punishment
October 2020
Crash Bandicoot 4: another 90s video game icon returns
Crash Bandicoot is the latest of several original PlayStation icons to make a comeback – but is the new game any good?
September 2020
Use your bombs: seven ways of getting to the bottom of Spelunky 2
Spelunky is a masterpiece of a game – and notoriously difficult. Here’s how to lower yourself gently into its cavernous depths
