The greatest arcade games in history

      Arcade1Up

      Before the emergence of the first home console generation, arcades were the epicenters of video gaming. Though they have nearly disappeared now, those who remember can nostalgically recall the times spent feeding endless quarters into large cabinets for just a few moments of gameplay. Many of the most legendary gaming characters and franchises originated from arcade games, including Donkey Kong and Street Fighter. While some have faded into obscurity over the years, others remain cherished even today. Whether for their influence on game design or simply because they are still enjoyable to play, these are our selections for the greatest arcade games ever created. If this list feels a bit too retro for you, we also have curated collections of the best PS5 games, best Xbox Series X games, and best PC games for more contemporary options.

      Jesse Lennox has been contributing to Digital Trends for more than four years and has no intention of stopping. He covers everything…

      The best Roguelike games on Switch

      We've all developed a fondness for some of the best Switch games and longed to play them indefinitely. Unfortunately, even the finest open-world games eventually come to a conclusion, and replaying them often doesn’t feel quite the same. Roguelikes represent one of the few genres aiming to deliver an endless gameplay loop by heavily incorporating randomized elements. Some do have endings, and you may eventually experience everything the game has to offer, but they provide an engaging experience in a compact format. The ability to enjoy them on a TV or in handheld mode contributes to their popularity on the Switch. Although the genre began as a novelty, there are now hundreds of roguelikes available, so stick to our list of the best ones for the optimal experience. There may also be additional roguelikes coming in our upcoming Switch games list.

      Read more

      The best Metroidvania games on Switch

      No other genre of games offers the same satisfaction of exploring an interconnected world, solving puzzles, and engaging in platforming like a Metroidvania. This genre brings together the finest aspects of the best open-world and puzzle games, packaged in a way that is arguably best suited for the Nintendo Switch. It has inspired numerous creators to add their unique twist to the basic exploration formula, which gradually expands as players acquire new powers and items. You can find shooters, platformers, action games, 2D, and 3D Metroidvanias on the Switch, but more options aren’t necessarily better. Sorting through these choices can feel more daunting than navigating a Metroidvania map, so utilize our list to streamline your search for the top Metroidvania games on Switch.

      Hollow Knight

      Read more

      The best abilities in Avowed

      As a newcomer in the Living Lands of Avowed, your character must learn various tips and tactics to navigate this volatile island. You face a critical mission to find a cure for the Dreamscourge, but numerous dangers stand in your way, requiring more than just weapons. Leveling up allows you to allocate points to new skills, similar to most RPGs, but these skills are categorized across several pages. You are free to invest your points into one or multiple classes, but there are certain skills you should prioritize first. Here are the best abilities to focus on unlocking in Avowed.

      Best Fighter abilities

      Charge

      Charge is an excellent choice for your initial points in the Fighter tree. This strong dashing strike can interrupt enemies with an explosive hit that breaks through guards. For boss encounters, using this move to interrupt a lethal attack while remaining in melee range is particularly useful. The explosive damage is effective for splash damage and can also be employed outside of combat—rather than using grenades to destroy walls, this skill can blast through cracked barriers.

      Constant Recovery

      Regardless of which weapons you favor, you are bound to take damage eventually. Melee fighters, in particular, will absorb numerous hits, so Constant Recovery helps you stay alive without exhausting all your potions. When struck, you can recover 50% of your lost HP over time, and with further enhancements, this skill can eventually allow you to regain all sustained damage.

      Devastating Criticals

      There's nothing more gratifying than landing a critical hit. You can boost your chances of achieving one with character traits, but this skill enhances the damage by 30% at the first level and 60% at max, ensuring that each critical hit counts.

      Reflect

      One major drawback of melee classes is the presence of pesky ranged attackers. It's always wise to have a secondary loadout with a ranged weapon, but Reflect can nearly handle this issue by itself. If you time your block perfectly just before a projectile strikes, you can send it back to hit the assailant.

      Best Ranger abilities

      Read more