The top Mario spinoff games

      Nintendo

      It’s impossible to discuss the top platformers without mentioning Mario at least once. Nintendo’s iconic mascot embodies both 2D and 3D platforming, yet his talents extend beyond merely running and jumping. Throughout various console generations, Mario has explored nearly every genre, ranging from sports to RPGs. However, our beloved plumber doesn’t always find success with his spinoff games as he does with platformers. Having appeared in hundreds of games since his arcade debut, we’ve put together a list of his finest spinoff titles.

      Jesse Lennox has been writing for Digital Trends for over four years and has no intentions of stopping. He covers all topics…

      The best secret bosses in video games

      Video games have concealed secrets from us for many years. Since the dawn of the first console generation, we’ve been discovering Easter Eggs, but developers have gone beyond simple hidden chambers or snippets of text. Boss battles usually serve as obstacles that players must overcome to progress in the story. They can often range from easy to some of the most challenging bosses ever encountered in video games. Secret bosses, however, are a delightful surprise. They can provide a level of challenge that far exceeds what the game typically offers, serve as humorous nods or fun references, or even unlock a game’s hidden ending. Let’s delve into every corner to uncover all the best secret bosses in video games.

      Moon Presence

      FromSoftware is among the few studios daring enough to conceal entire levels behind obscure secrets. There are numerous secret bosses in all its titles, but we’ve chosen Moon Presence for its requirement of some cryptic thinking to access and for unlocking a new ending. As a Great One, many regard this as the game’s true final boss, but you can only battle it if you find and use one of three hidden umbilical cords before confronting the final boss. After defeating Gehrman, you can then try to overcome Moon Presence and witness a new ending. Typically, there's almost no way to figure this out independently.

      Akuma

      The best Nintendo launch games, ranked

      The distinction between console generations has become increasingly blurred due to numerous cross-generation games, remakes, and remasters. Nevertheless, a system's launch lineup remains crucial for giving early adopters a glimpse of what that new system is capable of. Nintendo's consoles have consistently delivered some of the best launch games to the extent that many of the top NES, N64, and Switch games are launch titles. Usually, launch games are overshadowed by those released later in the generation, but which ones have stood the test of time best? Here are the top launch games across all Nintendo platforms, ranked.

      9. Nintendogs + Cats - 3DS

      The Nintendo 3DS boasted one of the largest launch lineups of any Nintendo system, yet it was also the weakest. Nintendo didn’t feature its major franchises to promote its new 3D system and instead leaned on titles like Pilot Wings Resort, Steel Diver, and Nintendogs + Cats to keep things afloat until more notable games were available. Among those, Nintendogs + Cats appealed significantly to a niche audience. This pet simulation game, which initially gained popularity on the original DS, was brought to life with 3D and AR compatibility but didn’t introduce much new gameplay. While it's not necessarily bad, it was indeed a lackluster choice to showcase the 3DS and motivate people to upgrade from the DS.

      8. Luigi's Mansion

      The best roguelikes on PC

      We all know and love that "one more run" feeling that arises when we discover a roguelike that resonates with us. The excitement of never knowing how your next attempt will unfold makes these games some of the finest on PC, alongside the best FPS titles. However, like Metroidvanias, simply labeling something as a roguelike doesn’t provide detailed insight. They all incorporate elements of randomness to varying degrees, but what changes, what you retain, and even what you do in the game can differ significantly. This means there’s likely a roguelike perfectly tailored to your preferences. The only challenge is finding it. Don't worry, our list will remain unchanged if you revisit tomorrow, featuring the top roguelikes available on PC.

      While you’re at it, check out all the upcoming PC games we’re looking forward to and see if any future roguelikes catch your interest.