Super Mario Galaxy is without doubt the finest game Nintendo have produced this decade - endorsements don’t come much stronger than that.

Believe the hype. Arkham City is one of the most important games made for this generation and it's also a masterclass in design, execution and treatment.

There are a few technical issues; the frame rate does drop at times when things get hectic and there is some very noticeable pop-in when you're driving through the city.

The captivating storyline and uniquely brilliant gameplay make this arguably the best game on the PS2.

The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time 3D is a lovingly remade version of a all-time classic, and is currently the best reason to own a Nintendo 3DS.

As close to a perfect game as any you will play this year, Super Mario Galaxy 2 is an exuberant masterpiece of game design. Challenging yet accessible, imaginative yet aglow with nostalgia, this is a game for everyone which posits Nintendo as a master at the height of its power.

Simply a remarkable game that hasn’t been witnessed for years. The amount of detail and care that was put into this game shows, resulting in one of the most fascinating experiences for any platform.

Dark Souls is one of the defining RPGs of this generation that goes above and beyond the genre to bring us something terrifying and unforgettable. An unmissable gem for the daring.

A deep breath of fresh air for an arguably stagnant genre, Xenoblade Chronicles is essential gaming for anybody with a flavour for role playing. It represents the absolute best of what traditional Japanese RPGs could be, and triumphantly what Japanese RPGs should be.

ICO and Shadow of the Colossus are two of the greatest games ever made, and they're still as emotionally gripping and visually astounding as before. This is the closest you'll get to perfection in 2011.

A gaming masterpiece that provides an experience unlike any other.

It's a game that deserves every superlative attached to it, a title so well-rounded and technically superior that it demands to be played. [Offline review only - includes multiplayer]

StarCraft II: Wings of Liberty is the definitive RTS experience that bends the genre to its will, and is one of the best PC exclusive titles to be released in years.

It has taken everything which made Metroid Prime so stunning in the first place and molded, defined and enhanced it into something that is even more stunning.

Bayonetta is the new Queen of action games, making other games in the genre feel redundant by comparison. Kratos, Dante and Ryu… eat your heart out because Bayonetta is here.

The single-player campaign doubles the length of the original, and is crammed with even more hilarity and devious puzzles than ever before, as well as extending the concept with the introduction of larger environments and new mechanics like the gels. The co-op is amazingly fun, and while the story is less complex, the gameplay is even more concentrated insanity than the single player.

A magnificent homage for the 25th anniversary of one the biggest franchises in gaming, The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword provides a compelling gaming and artistic showcase for the indefatigable potential of the medium as a whole, and a reason to have gaming as a hobby.

Just about the finest example of core, yet accessible, Western RPG and open-ended gameplay. In The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim, Bethesda have realised the game they wanted to make since the inception of HD gaming.

Half Life 2 Episode Two equals Half-Life 2's achievements and in many cases vaults over the high bar which it created. Brimming with great story telling and excellent action it is almost a must play for anybody even remotely interested.

Realistic, challenging, gorgeously presented and chock full of solid gameplay, NBA 2K12 is the new benchmark for solid sporting titles.

It's hard to imagine Zelda getting any better than this. Quite simply, one of the best games ever created.

Fantastically creative, wonderfully cute, and most of all splendidly fun, LittleBigPlanet reminds us of what 'play' is all about.

Simple. If you own a PC and are willing to devote your life to a great game, you need to buy this.

While the GC version is superior in key areas, RE4 is still an absolutely fantastic game and arguably this generation’s finest.

If you’re a Civ fan this game is a must, if you’re a fan of strategy games this also is a must.

Uncharted 2 is a masterfully crafted game that not only blurs the lines between game and film, but sets a really, really high benchmark for action games to come.

In a realm where creativity can so often be found lacking, Limbo stands out as one of the greatest independent games you're likely to find.

Sonic Generations is, quite simply, the greatest Sonic game ever produced. Regardless of whether that statement still holds any relevance today, this game is a triumphant victory for Sonic Team and for the blue hedgehog himself. Stand proud Sonic, you deserve it.