There's only one downside to an otherwise overwhelmingly successful transition for Infinity Ward and Call of Duty. As with many classics, it's all over before you really want it to finish. If you're a veteran of tackling the Nazi invasion in past Call of Duty titles then you'll probably rush through Modern Warfare in less than 10 hours.

One of the most controversial games for the Playstation has created a bigger, better, badder, and more f***ed up sequel.

Being the Bomberman purist that I am, it’s the multiplayer modes that kept me hooked.

Every aspect comes together to create a gaming experience that is one of the most polished and perfected we’ve ever seen, regardless of genre – you simply need Burnout 3: Takedown now.

Indeed the closest contemporary for the game would be "Metal Gear Solid" as it is one of the few games like Max Payne that offers a completely impressive experience from beginning to end, wrapped up in sumptuous presentation and production values.

Packed full of rewarding and entertaining features, Saints Row 2 is an unadulterated videogame that makes no attempt to rival GTA4. Instead, it's quite content to offer plenty of fun and set itself as a worthy alternative to Rockstar's opus.

It's a game that embraces the rich history of Japanese mythology with such ease and accomplishment, wrapping it up in one of the most entertaining and substantial videogames since Nolan Bushnell first put a virtual bat and ball onscreen.

It's both a genre leading racing sim and a mass market EA game at the same time, which is a particularly difficult balancing act to pull off. Shift is easily the best driving game so far this year and will certainly be in amongst the likes of Forza 3 (and possibly GT5, if it emerges) when the brake dust from 2009 settles.

Fantastic presentation, highly addictive intense gameplay and plenty to play – racing games just don't get any better then this, make sure to check it out immediately.

Modern Warfare 2 ticks all of the right boxes: varied gameplay, immersive story, engaging gunplay, superb multiplayer, and the list goes on... If we're being really nitpicky, then we might suggest that there aren't many innovative features in the game. However, MW2's Spec Ops mode is fresh enough to ensure that the overall package isn't a stale one, while the long-term appeal of adversarial multiplayer will stretch out until the next Infinity Ward release with ease.

Quite honestly the first realistic shooter I've found myself completely enthralled within. It's cross between Medal of Honor/Call of Duty and Full Spectrum Warrior gameplay creates an experience that is fresh and compelling, while the multiplayer mode should make this one of the most popular titles around.

A stunning game in its breadth and scope, and one that (if your PC can run it) shouldn't be missed.

Away from the online Mario Kart DS is the biggest game in the series with a huge range of new and classic tracks, battle mode and all-new missions to conquer.

A brilliant unique game that has appeal stemming from every nook and cranny. Drop any preconceptions about a game that you may have from its box-art and visual style, Viva Pinata is one of the most rewarding, refreshing and important games to find its way onto the Xbox 360 this year.

Sky Odyssey brings all sorts of elements from "Pilot Wings" and packs them together with a fligh-based adventure, making this a fresh original title that you must have.

It may not be the most original game in the world, but the fact that it offers a level of fun that is certainly unparalleled in the genre more than makes up for that.

Vast improvements to the action on the pitch and the game in general means that FIFA 09 is certainly PES' equal this year, and we'd be inclined to suggest it makes significant strides beyond Konami's effort in many ways.

It's simple, Pro Evo IS football and the latest version makes enough enhancements to continue the series onward march to perfection. If you're a footie fan you need this, casual fans however might not necessarily appreciate the subtle modifications compared to previous titles.

As a pure videogame there's nothing on Microsoft's next-generation format to touch it in terms of instant accessibility, rewarding depth and immensely entertaining and addictive gameplay - maybe it's not a sports sim, but more a spiritual successor to the legendary PONG.

A streamlined sonic that’s nearly as good as the originals but not quite.

Quite simply the conversion to the PS2 is magnificent, it seems as though there have been very few sacrifices from the Xbox version, particularly the fluid water effects and dynamic lighting have survived the translation perfectly.

Kingdom Under Fire: The Crusaders literally takes this genre to new heights; the amalgamation of action and strategy is the best we've seen in a game of this type to date, and creates an enticing experience that is very hard to put down.

A considerable improvement to the rushed "PGR3." PGR4 goes the extra mile with the inclusion of dynamic weather and bikes, it refines everything key element to the point of near-perfection, includes the low-end vehicles that fans cried out for, and most significantly injects a considerable boost of content.

A good game, but better on the consoles.

Slick prentation and excellent gameplay.

Those who won’t look at a game unless it’s got big guns and lots of mindless goons to destroy will likely detest Fahrenheit and wonder what the fuss is all about; however those who’d like to glimpse how videogames can become an effective means to telling stories and interacting with them will find one of the surprising contenders for Game of the Year.

Gears of War 2 improves in every area over its blockbuster predecessor, delivering a solid and engaging storyline that goes far deeper than gamers will expect. Throw into that with an expanded multiplayer that will no doubt rule the roost of the Xbox Live most popular list for months to come, and Gears 2 rightly becomes an essential Xbox 360 title.

The strides forward over last year's game really do place Codies' F1 series amongst the most dynamic sports series in video games today, ensuring that if you played and enjoyed last year's game then you'd be mad not to get in on the ground floor of this year's improvements.