There's no question – if you own a 3DS, this is the best game on the platform, and instantly worthy of a purchase. It's one of the best portable platformers I've ever played (and I've had my fair share), and an almost shockingly good Mario title on any platform.

Sly 2 has set the bar almost impossibly high for any platformer that comes after it.

As a PS2 shooter it's the best I've ever played - I can't emphasize that point enough.

God of War 2 brings back all the things that made the first game such a huge hit, including an incredible battle right at the start of the game to set the pace for the rest of the way.

That's Dark Souls in a nutshell. The stakes being as high as they are adds a level of excitement all too rare in the hold your hand games of this generation. Without the punishment, there's no real fear, and without the fear there's no thrill. And in Dark Souls, much like Demon's Souls before it, you will most definitely fear.

The sheer number of options make this game outstanding.

If BioShock 1 is ultimately about what it is to be a slave, the sequel shows – with a sophistication rarely seen in gaming – what it is to be a parent, with the power to love or to harm.

Don’t buy this one and you’re probably passing up the most fun you’re going to have on your PS2 this season.

Like the very best puzzle games, this one gets in your head and refuses to leave.

Don't pass on this one; it's the definition of the phrase instant classic.

To be certain, this is the penultimate hardcore game. While it introduces a number of innovations, its core remains in tune with classic console gaming.

It's as immediately accessible and likeable as Costume Quest, and even more rewarding towards diligent players who aren't satisfied with simply finding easy solutions.

You may not have heard of it, but you owe it to yourself to play this game.

The graphics and sound are both stellar on a variety of levels, but the biggest reason the game is entertaining is the combat itself. Even its status as a port does little to harm things, and overall Devil May Cry 4 is a shining example of what the series has to offer.

Infinity Ward may have taken a chance by modernizing the franchise, but the gamble paid off in spades. The game is one of the most gorgeous available for the 360 to date and the gameplay is absolutely fantastic, although it can be frustratingly difficult at times.

What EA has done here is reinvent a bloated franchise, and turned it into a product that the hardcore and the more casual among us can enjoy equally.

But suffice to say Space Pirates and Zombies isn't just a grand open-world space action RPG in the tradition of Star Control. It's also a rare expression of zombies that belongs alongside Dead Rising and Atom Zombie Smasher.

Anyone who's ever dreamed of running a professional team in some capacity, or anyone who enjoys fantasy baseball, baseball board games, or similar products, will absolutely love what OOTP 2007 offers. Any criticisms of the game are merely trivial; in the end it comes down to this: This is the best “fantasy” baseball gaming package ever created.

For long time fans of the franchise, Skate 3 will seem very familiar, however it's hard to argue with a successful formula and this formula has worked like gangbusters so far.

Left 4 Dead 2 is the Empire Strikes Back of zombie games. The momentum has clearly swung in favor of the bad guys. But also much like Empire, this is clearly the best of the bunch and is a required purchase for fans of the genre.

A lot of Gears is derivative, from the Pitch Black light gimmick to the sassy black sidekick to the "Saving Private Ryan cam" to the way the score apes James Horner's Aliens soundtrack. But Gears of War feels like a game built out of homages rather than creative bankruptcy.

The Wii edition of Resident Evil 4 is simply the best version that can be purchased on any platform. While other ports of the title have had their own share of nuances that made them not quite equal to the quality of the original, on the Wii the game simply works on a level that can easily make a newcomer think that it was always meant for that platform.

Overall, Monster Hunter Freedom Unite is an entertaining game, and definitely well worth the price tag – around $30 for 500+ hours of gameplay.

And, for you PC gamers, World of Goo is without a doubt one of the best indie titles on Steam (or for other forms of digital distribution). The game features charming animate balls of goo, a refreshingly fun gameplay concept, and some of the best puzzling available on either platform.

Its slower, more thoughtful play style coupled with the ability to save mid-battle makes it a perfect game for on-the-go playing.

What makes this game interesting is the speed of play and the sheer, as mentioned before, chaos of it all.

Modern Warfare 2 has stepped up its game and it has been well worth the wait.

The biggest change to the formula is a number of graphical updates to the entire system.

Forza Motorsport 4 may not be perfect and there are still some things that last year's Gran Turismo 5 either does better or that Forza doesn't do at all. But for the core driving experience, technical achievement, and level of accessibility, Turn 10's effort is nothing short of superb.

Because i[t] successfully brings together a compelling single player campaign and fully realized multiplayer experience, Killzone 2 emerges as a new benchmark for the shooter genre. This is a game that leverages an atmospheric presentation and superb game design for something memorable and lasting. To quibble about a lack of cooperative play through the campaign or the omission of some other feature is to miss the point: Killzone 2 is meant to be a carefully laid out epic. It is a must-have game, a brilliant start for the year, and among the best games of this generation.

If Child of Eden suffers from one significant drawback it's the length of its campaign. For serious players looking to rush through, it's possible to finish all of the stages within a few short hours. Finishing stages does unlock new visual filters and opportunities to mess with samples in-game, but if you're looking for 8+ hours of genuinely fresh content you will be disappointed.

Living Room jocks and stressed out parents, here is your ticket to weight loss. Toss Wii Fit, use the Jillian Michaels disc as a Frisbee, shove aside all of the pretenders. This is EA's throne now – so go buy a resistance band and start sweating.

Despite the lack of multiplayer support, LittleBigPlanet PSP is just as good as the PS3 original.

Saying that Shadow Complex is a triumph of Live Arcade almost sounds insulting. It’s one of the best games in the 360 library. The gameplay is tuned tighter than a Maserati, and Jason’s flowing movements nearly make the Prince of Persia seem crippled.

The DS needs more innovative and fun games like Final Fantasy III and Rocket Slime, and Square Enix is doing its part to make that happen.

Aside from the lameness of the tutorial minigame and the occasional obtuse puzzle, this is indie gold. A fantastic, rewarding, deeply satisfying adventure with one of the most beautiful game worlds you'll see this side of a team Ico game; it's a rare must-play.

With deep, involving ethical questions, and systems that test players beyond their ability to pick the right gun, Deus Ex: Human Revolution is – in many, many ways – a game for thoughtful players.

Arkham City, on the other hand, is a game about saving a city, Gotham City, and the experience is all the better for it.

It is an almost flawless role-playing game experience with hundreds of hours' worth of content.

If BioShock 1 is ultimately about what it is to be a slave, the sequel shows – with a sophistication rarely seen in gaming – what it is to be a parent, with the power to love or to harm.

The jewel of the EA Sports lineup.

The sights, the sounds, the characters, the environments, they all combine to make a game that may not represent as much of a move forward as its predecessor, but represents a high watermark in both handheld gaming and video games in general.

World of Goo is a fantastic game, and without a doubt the best WiiWare title on the market. I’d even go as far as saying it’s one of the most enjoyable titles on the Wii, period.

The enormous, epic battles, the variety of classes, weapons, upgrades and the stacking mission objectives for each map will have you enjoying the game for quite a long while.

It handily out Gran Turismos even Gran Turismo itself in almost every way.

The ease of play and deep gaming experience are a perfect blend for whiling away far too many hours, and marathon sessions with this game are going to be commonplace. It is just really hard to put down.

With all that is found through out Scarface: The World is Yours, there is a huge amount of things to do and more action than you can shake a stick at.

Persona 3’s unusual take on the RPG formula takes some getting used to, but it’s well worth the small amount of effort it requires to become acclimated. If you’re tired of the same old RPG shtick, but still want a compelling story and addictive gameplay, look no further.

Super Street Fighter IV is more than a basic expansion pack.

It says a lot for a "little" XBLA RPG to be able to hold its own sitting next to Batman: Arkham City, as it did in the Warner Bros. Booth at E3 in June. Now we know why: Bastion is something special, clearly made with love and oodles of talent. Here's to one of the very best games of the summer – downloadable or otherwise.

You don't need to buy again if you've already played it, but for newcomers, it's essential gaming.

The best platform game ever to grace the Xbox. The combination of solid gameplay and a clever and intelligently written story make this a game that must be experienced to be fully appreciated.

This is a winning formula, backed with truly inspired writing and art direction. I'd be happy to come back any day, no matter the occasion.

One of the best PS3 games to date.

The City is enormous and beautiful, the cars are amazingly detailed, and the control is divine.

‘Splosion Man is a game that does things right from beginning to end and even though it may have you cursing up a storm every now and then, it’s a game that you can get a sense of satisfaction from, either playing it for an hour or for five to ten minutes at a time.

Pay attention folks, THIS is how you make a "Special Edition."

For long time fans of the franchise, Skate 3 will seem very familiar, however it’s hard to argue with a successful formula and this formula has worked like gangbusters so far.

What makes this game interesting is the speed of play and the sheer, as mentioned before, chaos of it all.

It still blows my mind that the most hardcore golfing experience in video games today is found on the console universally decried as being too "kiddie" but that is the stone cold truth.

Stranger's Wrath is insidious. Few games have so thoroughly hooked me and absolutely compelled me to play for way too many hours while neglecting all other responsibilities. It offers such a mix of modern game genres that pretty much everybody will find something to love and many, like myself, will find a lot to love.

It uses the touch screen to great affect and is a terrific demonstration of what Nintendo’s new handheld is all about.

This is not your father’s shooter, full of brain dead opposition that makes each level a carbon copy of the previous one. F.E.A.R. is a game that will keep you on your toes, keep you guessing, and keep you interested until the final credits roll. That’s worth a lot these days.

As in their previous games, specifically Ikaruga and Radiant Silvergun, S&P:SS relies on a couple of evasion gimmicks and limited but flexible weapons that give the skilled player a slight edge over the thousands of bullets headed their way.

The controls are immaculate, and aside from a few plat-forming issues I had, works fantastically for all aspects of the game.

Visually and from an audio point of view, the game is spectacular. Nice textures throughout. Great wrap- around sound.

What EA has done here is reinvent a bloated franchise, and turned it into a product that the hardcore and the more casual among us can enjoy equally.

One of the finest debuts of a new IP in some time and does an incredible job of combining two areas the DS seems to have been made for: puzzles and adventure gaming. The addictive gameplay, twisting story, charming characters and beautifully drawn animation makes this a game that neither puzzle fans, nor adventure game fans should miss.

A marvelous addition to an already stellar turn-based strategy series and if you have even the slightest interest in this type of game, you need to own the entire series. This is the type of game, particularly with this final add-on, that will stay on your hard drive for a long, long time. We simply cannot make it any more plain than that.

It’s fun, it’s versatile (I’ve found it to be a hit with gamers and non-gamers), and it offers more bang for your buck (ha!) than just about anything else on Wii right now. It’s the best kind of sequel – one that truly “gets” what was cool about its forebear, cuts the fat and elevates every cool feature to the next logical step. Superb.

The game hits the mark on virtually every point and its unique blend of fashion savvy, fast paced combat, OCD inspiring item management and audiovisual presentation should not be missed.

This latest trip to the Homestar Universe surpassed even my (previously) favorite episode, Strong Badia the Free.

Whether you prefer two smaller screens or one bigger one, analog stick or d-pad, DS or PSP, you can't go wrong with Chinatown Wars.

If you're a fan of the sport – real or virtual – it's a must-buy.

Fans of the original games and new comers to the series alike will all take to this new outing and know why Lara was and always will be gaming goddess she is.

Like Resident Evil 5 and Lost Planet 2, this Dead Rising is no mere comfort food. It's skillfully made-to-order for people who are hip to zombie mythology, who don't think of Doom or Daikatana when they hear the name "Romero".

The differences between Halo Wars and a more traditional PC RTS are distinct. Yes, the controls aren’t as precise nor are there a great diversity of units, structures, or resources—but that's the point. By approaching the game as fundamentally different, the resulting design feels native to the console controller. In the end Halo Wars just plain works, and is a huge step in the development of real time strategy gaming on the consoles.

Whatever you decide to do, and however deep you decide to make your journey into Dragon Quest IX you'll be treated to one of the most accessibly complicated and cheerily good hearted role playing experiences to come along in some time and one of the absolute best role playing games of the year.

Beautifully crafted and wonderfully realized, it is a shining example of the intersection between art and technology, love and loss, desire and despondence. It is, in one word, beautiful.

The lesson here is that just because the license is for kids, the game doesn't have to be. There's a reason this sort of gameplay has been around for over 25 years: it works, whether you're a green squirrel or an @. And Pokemon Mystery Dungeon is the game to prove it.

From graphics and sound to story and gameplay, Resistance scores on all fronts and gives the PS3 its first killer app. Can it do for the console what Halo did for the Xbox? Only time will tell.

Twilight Princess reminds you why you began playing games in the first place.

With familiar and entertaining gameplay, a slick overall presentation and multiplayer that still proves to be a worthwhile distraction Call of Duty 2 may very well be in the running for the 2005 action game of the year.

This is truly the perfect way for Bungie to close out the trilogy. With its fun, if a bit short single player story, four-player online cooperative support, tight multiplayer gameplay and unmatched customization options, Halo 3 lives up to the unprecedented hype.

Volition benefits enormously from not having to develop for a stinky ol' Playstation 2. Since it went 3D, "Grand Theft Auto" has been lodged firmly and uncomfortably against the limits of Sony's console system. But with Saint's Row, the Grand Theft Auto model busts free.

The single most brilliant, most thorough, most customizable baseball management game in existence.

No matter what camp you belong in, LittleBigPlanet 2 is phenomenal. It's the first big game of 2011, and it may very well turn out to be one of the best experiences of the whole year.

Either playing solo, with friends or against them, Shogun 2 is the pinnacle of the Total War series. This is how you pay homage to a brilliant game that started a franchise, and I wouldn't be upset after seeing what the developer has done here if we saw remakes of Rome or even another Medieval Total War.

So good I have no idea where to start. The graphics? Superb. The music/sounds? Perfect. Is it fun? Hell yes...To be quite honest, this is the most interesting and fun game I have ever played.

This latest trip to the Homestar Universe surpassed even my (previously) favorite episode, Strong Badia the Free.

Gameplay is fast and furious. For those who like to build up defenses and massive bases, you're going to find that it doesn't work so well this time around.

One of the most solid expansion packs I have ever seen for any game. While you may find a few bugs here and there, it's a thoroughly polished package. It simply delivers where many don't, and it's easy to see why its already having so much success.

As you play the game you just can’t help dropping your jaw in amazement at what you’re seeing and getting to do.

Bayonetta is a stunning orgy of sadistic mayhem that surpassed even my unreasonably high expectations, and proved that violence can be beautiful.

Modern Warfare 2 has stepped up its game and it has been well worth the wait.

The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim is a remarkable achievement that despite from a few niggling bugs is an undertaking unlike any other. This could quite easily be the only game you purchase for the next several months and still provide you with a complete sense of satisfaction. There are few titles that offer such an incredible level of value without resorting to multiplayer and for that I applaud Bethesda. Skyrim is a role-playing masterpiece.

The Lost Chapters looks as good as the original game, which still can hold its own against any other game released on Microsoft's game system.

Argos Naval Yard represents the definitive culmination of all of the hard work that Kerberos has put into the series up to this point.