Guitar Hero's fifth installment is easily the most accessible.

Battlefield 2142 delivers a sci-fi themed experience using the familiar Battlefield style. While the setting may have changed a bit, the overall gameplay hasn't.

Sporting a robust real-time combat system, the most beautiful cel-shaded graphics we've seen (even topping Eternal Sonata) and a compelling story that will keep you coming back until you finish this lengthy quest, Tales is one of the best games of the year and it'll appeal to RPG fans of all kinds.

It has something for everyone, including new players and those who simply want to raise their characters to the new level cap.

After a lackluster performance from last year, Tiger Woods PGA Tour 09 excels in every area imaginable. The addition of Woods' personal coach, Hank Haney, introduces a significant new skill improvement system with a series of practice drills and advice.

Although its simplistic set-up and weird rectangular-shaped animals appear decidedly kitschy, Boom Blox is one of the Nintendo Wii's best third-party games, a work of genius from the collaborative efforts of EA and Steven Spielberg.

The presentation hasn't changed much and the gameplay still revolves around the same note hitting formula, but if you love music (and who doesn't), you can't afford to miss this latest jam.

The gameplay is sparkling with life, and picks up even more once Dante enters the fray. The visuals and sound are excellent, even with slightly bothersome camera hitches.

With a whacky, off-the-wall cartoon style, Team Fortress 2 provides excellent class based multiplayer action. TF2's classes are unique from each other and stand out to fulfill specific roles, but flexible enough to adapt to changing situations.

The visuals are absolutely astounding, like a fine painting brought to life, and the gameplay has touches of sheer genius, including the introduction of the "celestial brush" and an efficient, if simple, combat engine. Okami is one of the best games of the year.

Even without the Wii's motion controls and an orchestrated soundtrack, Zelda succeeds with an ambitious quest that rivals "Ocarina of Time" and a control scheme that players will love.

All of this combines to form a wonderful racing experience that Colin McRae would be proud of, so pick up Dirt 2, rev some engines and enjoy one of 2009's best.

These simple mechanics greatly enhance an already phenomenal product.. Furthermore, the inclusion of three very addictive mini games -- 2 on 2, Kicking Combine, and Y.A.C. Attack -- provides gamers with experiences they won't find anyplace else.

Much of it looks and feels familiar, but 2K Games proved that there is a whole other side of Rapture worth exploring, as well as new and interesting stories to tell. Gripping, wondrous and at times horrifying, it's a superb effort that opens the door for perhaps another game, but don't worry about that. For now, put on that Big Daddy helmet and pay this phenomenal city a visit.

Sony's masterpiece, God of War II, not only trumps its prequel, but also redefines the action adventure genre...Not only does it cement the PS2's amazing legacy, it delivers one of the best gaming experiences in the video game history.

The throttling gameplay, gorgeous presentation and sweet multiplayer options make it a ride you cannot miss.

The result is so good that we're declaring it an easy 'Best of' contender for 2009.

The biggest features in this game are the Kreate-A-Fighter, Kreate-A-Fatality, and Online modes. It's about time Midway included stuff like this! So yeah, go buy MK Armageddon ASAP! It's one of the major reasons why the PS2 still has plenty of life residing within its dusty innards.

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 has more than enough guns, modes and "oh-my-god" moments to propel it to the very top of your must have list, with astounding visuals, crystal-clear (and at times, frightening) audio and enough plot twists to make you second guess everything, so gear up, hop onto your snowmobile and haul ass to the nearest store.

DJ Hero is without question Activision's coolest rhythm game. The turntable has its drawbacks (it's a bit small for larger folks), but that soundtrack will give you a new appreciation for music and perhaps satisfy your DJ fantasy. Just don't pass this off as another game with a useless peripheral. It's one of the sweetest, most original games we've played in a long time.

The lack of an online multiplayer experience and wireless controller were slightly disappointing, but it's hard to complain when new content, online leaderboards and enhanced visuals add so much to an already vivid gaming experience.

Gamers looking for the most technologically sophisticated game of the year should head directly for Crysis. The artificial intelligence can be quirky, but the open-ended gameplay, spectacular graphics and incredible nanosuit powers more than make up for it.

Although Prophecies players will benefit the most from playing the expansion, plenty of challenges await other gamers, including deep multilevel Dungeons providing near Master Quest level difficulties.

If you love music/rhythm games and looking for a new challenge or you just love Metallica, you need to buy this video game. More downloadable content would've made this the best Guitar Hero yet, but as it stands, it still rocks. Snag it and obey your master.

Seeing as how most military first-person shooters take themselves dead seriously, it's refreshing to see Battlefield: Bad Company's dark sense of humor.

Need for Speed: Shift is a wonderful re-imaging of Electronic Arts' classic series and one of 2009's best racing games. The combination of exquisite graphics and hardcore crashing delivers an adrenaline shot to players who drool over squealing tires, burnt rubber and exotic muscle machines.

The campaign is over much too quickly and multiplayer isn't nearly as deep as some other games, but this isn't about playing Gears of War ten, fifteen years down the road. It's all about partaking in this mass, shared experience, one that'll no doubt keep Xbox 360s running for a long time.

With loads of challenge, stylistic visuals and a catchy if not minimalist soundtrack, Patapon succeeds in creating something wonderful.