So here we are the end of another year and quite frankly the best year, in terms of quality that we have ever had games wise. Of course each and every magazine has printed their lists of the games of the year, whether it is officially in terms of actual sales etc or just their personal choices. So I thought just for fun, I would list mine here – and I want to point out these are MY choices and do not reflect the opinion of anyone else associated with the website.These have been chosen in terms of what impressed me most, what I am still playing etc and not necessarily what received the best mark from me at the time they were initially reviewed. (Also I know some of these games were multiplatform but I have listed the machine that I have played it on)

10 –The World Ends With You (DS) – Square Enix

In a very good year for Square Enix this is a game that has stood out and I still am playing as we enter the New Year. Graphically it pushed the DS to the limits and the soundtrack was excellent as well. The only DS title to make this list.

The only PSP title in the list and one that when it was first announced people thought couldn’t be done. Not as great as the PS2 titles and I am sure the forthcoming PS3 game will knock its socks off but still a stunning achievement and a great prequel for the franchise.

The solitary title for the Wii on this list but one of the most original and fascinating games of the year with a unique graphical style and one of the greatest musical scores ever to feature in a game. One that every Wii owner should play but it won’t appeal to everyone

The most fun you can have playing golf and for me a much better game than the seriousness of the Tiger Woods titles. Lots for you to unlock and also lots for you to download via the PSN including the chance to play as Kratos from the God of War games.

For me this is the year that EA finally completely broke the PRO EVOLUTION SOCCER hold on the football crown. Whereas Fifa has improved year on year, Pro Evo seems to have gone backwards. This year is the best yet and deserves to be played by every football fan.

A very special game in the world of video gaming with a griping main storyline and loads of side quests that you can either do or choose not to. Will you be a goodie two shoes or will you aid in the destruction of the world. You can play for hours and still not explore everywhere or do everything.

Surely this is the game that has sold more PS3’s this year than any other. An original platform game that people will keep coming back too in order to play the levels that others have put online and also featuring the cutest character of the year. Very stylish and very well presented.

My favourite franchise of all time and if this was a list of the games I have played the most this would be number 1 every year. Addictive with a new graphic match display, this literary eats your time away and will be the cause of many an argument between partners.

The perfect sequel that actually improves on the original in every way. Better graphics, better levels and an improved multiplayer mode. A masterpiece of a game and a true definition of a must-have title and one that will keep you busy for a very long time.

A new franchise for EA and one that I hope continues. Nothing new in that it is a survival horror game but one with perfect atmosphere, visually striking detail both in the cut scenes and when you play the game and a storyline that is tense, fast paced and very violent.

So there you are my top ten of the year and a list that not many are going to agree with – not place for GTAIV, Mario Kart Wii or Call of Duty World at War! But nevertheless my favourite games of the year in, like I said the best year for games so far. And the good news is that 2009 should be just as good, if not better, with games such as – Heavy Rain, Resident Evil 5, Fight Night Round 4, Aliens Colonial Marines, Batman Arkham Asylum, Halo Wars, The Conduit, Empire Total War, Assassin’s Creed 2 and Uncharted 2 to name but ten of the titles that should make an appearance at some point during the year.It is going to be a good one don’t you think?

Ken Edwards 31^st December 2008.