Gamer's choice! These are the 8 bestselling video games of the week

It's the first week of the year. Do you have any gaming resolutions you're trying to reach? Maybe you want to finally beat Melania in Elden Ring, or you just want to make some headway on that Steam video game backlog (darn you, Steam Winter Sale!) If it's either of those things, I wish you the best of luck. And if you're looking for something new, check out these offerings.

Pokemon Scarlet/Violet

Koraidon or Miraidon? Whichever legendary you choose, you'll get a similar experience with both games. There are a few differences in the catchable Pokemon between the two games, but that's part of the fun! Make sure to link up with friends, either locally or online, and battle it out or trade.

"Ive played Pokemon for 23 years, and I have to say that this generation and Legends: Arceus have been the best thing to happen to Pokemon in years. As a lover of open-world RPGs and Pokemon, moving the franchise in that direction seemed like an eventuality that just made sense," said one ecstatic gamer. "However, what I was truly blown away by with this iteration of Pokemon was the writing. To say that Game Freak took things up a notch with this storyline would be a gross understatement....The way the storylines converged into one emotional, surprising, and dark (by Pokemon standards) finale— paired with phenomenal battle music, and chilling visuals created an end sequence that will surely be remembered for generations to come."

Just Dance 2023

Just Dance sums up the entire game in its name. It's a dance-off, baby, and you're the challenger. With hit songs from artists like BTS, Harry Styles, and even songs from Encanto, there's a bit of something for everyone.

"Just Dance 2023 is a PERFECT game for all ages! The little ones love it, the teens love it, and adults love it. It’s a hit with all members of the family! It gets you up and moving. It teaches you the dance movies with ease. It has 40 hit tracks you’re sure to know and love! I surprised my teen daughter with this for Christmas, and we have been playing it after school each day!" said one Dancing With the Stars contender. "I recommend Just Dance 2023 to everyone!"

Mario + Rabbids: Sparks of Hope

In Mario + Rabbids: Sparks of Hope, Mario and friends are back to fight evil. Learn new skills, level up your characters, and fight your way through multiple levels with strategic gameplay.

One player said it's awesome. "Got this game for my two sons, [aged] 4 & 7 — they both love playing the game. The difficulty can be changed from a beginner to an expert gamer. As well as you can customize the game to fit even small kids who can get frustrated with games. Game is a great addition to the Mario Bros + Rabbids series."

Mario Kart 8 Deluxe

Mario Kart has entertained families for years, and this most recent release will be no exception. While this version originally released on the Wii U, the Switch version outsold it to become a major bestseller. With the addition of expansions packs and additional tracks from other entries in the franchise, players have a near-endless amount of entertainment.

"Mario Kart 8 is my sole form of entertainment, and I'm 50 years old. I play this game every single day. Battle is my favorite mode to play in. It gives me joy to smack another player with red shells or boomerangs," said one young-at-heart gamer.

Lego Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga

The Lego games have always had a lot of appeal, especially due to how easy they can be while still providing a huge amount of gameplay. That only grows more in this entry, which takes players on a wild adventure through all nine of the games, starting with the prequels and ending with Rise of Skywalker.

"This game is absolutely amazing and beautiful. Very appealing to look and play," said one player.

God of War: Ragnarok

The high-octane action and adventure of the previous GOW installment continues in Ragnarok. This story ends the duology — and potentially the series entirely — but it does so with a bang. Fans new and old have praised this most recent entry.

"The game is fantastic; every detail is perfect, almost. Sometimes you’ll encounter a bug, but everything about this game is amazing, and the bug I was talking about is harmless and is so insignificant compared to the rest of the game. It’s absolutely wonderful," raved one fan.

Mario Party: Superstars

Mario Party Superstars brings back a lot of the classic boards from previous games. Enjoy those and new mini games with a familiar cast of characters as you compete against your friends in what might just be the ultimate board game.

One mom said, "I bought this for kids all under 5 and was worried it might be too complicated. But it’s perfect! The settings let you customize (in Family Mode) for easier mini games and handicaps! They all love it, and it still has nostalgic value to me. Plus, they can just play the mini games by themselves if the board game is too time-consuming. I’m very happy with this purchase."

Sonic Frontiers

With five different continents to explore, a new battle system, 3D platforming, and so much more, Sonic Frontiers offers a little bit of everything for Sonic fans. Except a Chao Garden — if you want to raise those cute little munchkins, you'll have to wait for a different game.

One player said it's absolutely amazing. "As a massive sonic fan, I’ve waited a decade for Sonic to get back on his feet, he did more than that, he sped off the second he hit the ground! SONIC IS BACK, BABY!!!!! The story is incredible, and the gameplay really makes you feel like you’re Sonic. I’ve already dumped 11 hours into this game, and it’s flown by like nothing, and I’m not even halfway through."

The reviews quoted above reflect the most recent versions at the time of publication.

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