Another year of fruitful gaming is almost at an end.... but the question is, just how fruitful was it for you?  Time once again for our annual 'Best Of' video game awards.  Like 2006, 2007, and 2008 before it, there's no set category, but I myself am going with a top-five model, along with a honorable mentions listing.  As always, feel free to add in your own categories as you see fit, but just to get the ball rolling:

-TOP GAMES OF 2009

-BEST GAMES YOU'VE PLAYED THIS YEAR RELEASED BEFORE 2009

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Will be back with my own entries in a bit!

A worthless post, but FFXIII is easily the best game I've have ever played in the recent years because I've not played a single game in the past two years or so (the last one I finished was CoD4). That being said, I think this will end up one of the best FF games. Now I have a PS3 slim, though, hopefully my gaming life will be revived.

Muramasa pretty much buried the competition in my eyes. Yes, I liked it better than the much-lauded Arkham Asylum, so back off.

I've got like 4 hours in so far, and in terms of gameplay it's definitely starting to shape up (after a rather slow start), but the characters have to be the single most annoying bunch in any FF EVER.

It's all too painfully obvious that the FFX-2 team is behind this game, I'm afraid.

TOP FIVE GAMES OF 2009:

5) New Super Mario Bros. (Wii) - It's no secret that I was a major fan of New Super Mario Bros. for the DS.  (Recall that it won my 2006 Game of the Year.)  A worthy throwback to the original SMB with a handful of new sensibilities to call its own, it was, by my count, a 2.5D Mario game done right.  New Super Mario Bros. Wii doesn't reinvent the wheel, but it does feel like a more aggressive take at what it was previously doing.  Further embracing of old school Mario elements - elements like the return of the Koopa kids, airship stages, random on-map enemy encounters, Toad House bonus games, and the pre-level item inventory system - actually places this more in line with fan favorite SMB3.  The new suits are fun, if not terribly groundbreaking, and the sporadic use of waggle has its advantages and disadvantages.  The overall difficulty takes a welcome step up, thanks to level designs that crackle with that creativity of old.  Incredulously, we've been waiting fourteen years for an all new console-based 2D Mario platformer (twenty-one if we're not counting Yoshi's Island), and this one fits the bill nicely.  Who knows?  New Super Mario World may be just around the corner.

4) Batman: Arkham Asylum (360) - Despite the immense hype that was built up before its release, Arkham Asylum was a title that was always a hair off my radar.  All the better as it seriously managed to surprise and delight once I'd gotten around to it.  An exceptionally tight package of stealth-based gameplay, detective-solving elements, and slickly brutal combat, coupled with a polished aesthetic that nails the gritty, mature feel of Batman, this is one comic book-based video game that looks as well as it plays.  Though something of a short ride, the optional accomplishments feel substantial, with plenty to strive for in the form of audio diaries, Riddler Trophies, and Challenges.  If UK developer Rocksteady Studios wasn't on the map before, they certainly should be now.  Looking forward to the sequel, guys!

3) Mario & Luigi: Bowser's Inside Story (DS) - The third in Alpha Dream's M&L RPG series proves to be their finest; Bowser's Inside Story has been the most fun I've had with a role-playing game in a long, long time.  Not only have they pulled themselves out toward redemption from the less-than-stellar Partners In Time, they've also managed to enrich and innovate the game formula to the point of toppling even the superb Superstar Saga. With a nutty plot, cleverly intersecting story lines, ingenious use of the DS's mic and touch screen features, an ultra-refined battle system, and a generously long quest, I'm making an even bolder proclamation: this is THE best Mario RPG; Legend of The Seven Stars and Paper Mario series be damned.  Fawful Forever!

2) Punch-Out!! (Wii) - Consider that along with the original Contra, Mike Tyson's Punch-Out!! remains to be my most beloved NES title to date.  And like what WayForward has accomplished with Contra 4, so too has Next Level Games done for Punch-Out!! on the Wii.  Through their efforts, it's clear that the developers are passionate fans of the series, sending up one heck of a passionate love letter.  Decidedly more remake than sequel, PO Wii's foundation clearly rests on the NES original, retaining the entirety of the original cast, the star punch system, and an expansive set of classic themes arrangements. NLG plays it smart by offering a lenient learning curve for the novices, while appealing to the vets with the tough-as-nails Title Defense.  Where the Balance Board control scheme is an exercise in futility, the Wiimote/Nunchuck combo is surprisingly competent, offering the game an enjoyable edge of physicality.  The cel-shaded graphics look terrific, conveying the wide array of comical details of each ethnically infused boxer, and the deluge of hilarious in-jokes and series throwbacks will make any longtime fan smile.  Above all, Punch-Out!! is a flawless representation of what made video games so much fun in the first place; perfect, simple controls combined with rock solid game design, and an ample challenge that tests your reflexes and hand-eye coordination to the limits.  A total knockout.

1) Uncharted 2: Among Thieves (PS3) - Massively hyped, but fully delivered - that's Uncharted 2.  Cutting edge graphics, gorgeous music score, breathlessly paced single-player adventure, robust multiplayer modes, and superbly crafted cutscenes and voice acting.  Naughty Dog managed to go above and beyond the call of duty, and delivered nothing less than the complete package.  Everything that needed fixing from the first title has been done so here: a substantially longer quest, a better balance between weapons selection and new enemy types, more opportunities for stealth and close-quarters combat, improved grenade tossing, and a refined aiming reticule that accompanies the tighter cover system.  From a technical standpoint, Uncharted 2 is a ringing endorsement for the PS3's technical prowess.  ND's claim that they're running the Cell Processor's capabilities at 100% is a seeming reality, with staggering graphical details and a consistently solid framerate.  Greg Edmonson's music score hits all the right notes, with contextual sound cues so expertly manipulated as to further define the meaning of interactive cinema.  The story, once again fueled by a memorable cast of characters, is an expansive globetrotting expedition laced with historical fiction, bittersweet reunions, devious double-crosses, and supernatural wonders.   And thanks to the talented efforts put forth by the actors, there's an unparalleled realness that comes across in the performances.  Finally, Naughty Dog saw fit to deck this badboy out with a lavish set of bonus features.  From stunning concept art to high-def making-of videos, as well as skads of unlockables such as player skins, tweaks, and in-game Medals, this truly feels like the equivalent of a big-budget film's deluxe edition home release.

Like every other review out there, I've probably used more superlatives for Uncharted 2 than I care to admit, but damned if it doesn't deserve every single one of 'em.  Among Thieves stands as the Playstation 3's very best exclusive to date, and may forever serve as Naughty Dog's magmum opus.  A gaming masterpiece for the ages, making this the undisputed winner for my 2009 Game of the Year.

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HONORABLE MENTIONS:

Street Fighter IV (PS3/360) - Though IV hasn't quite clicked with me as being the second coming of SFII (indeed, I continue to find myself frequenting HD Remix more), it's still the best new fighting game I've played in recent memory.  I'm not big on the overall heavier feel of the characters, but the core Street Fighter gameplay is present, and the new Focus system is both at once novice-friendly and pro-oriented, giving way to a slew of competitive strategies.  The home ports are arcade perfect, and several additions like new characters, expanded Challenge Mode sessions, and gameplay balancing make for a well-padded package.  That just leaves the online, whose infrastructure still leaves a lot to be desired.  With Super IV on the way, Capcom gets the opportunity to head back to the drawing board.  Let's hope they get it right.

Klonoa (Wii) - A classic platformer gets a slick new coat of paint, and after replaying the original Door To Phantomile, it's clear what eleven years can do for a game.  The Lunatea's Veil-esque 60 fps is a feast for the eyes, and the color palette is vibrant in its new 480p suit.  Play mechanics are faithfully retained and as enjoyable as ever, and Bamco receives kudos for accommodating players with a wide variety of controller options.  The title has become an easier affair, thanks to a generous five-life heart system, and the addition of a new English dub may rub some fans the wrong way (hey, you can always change it back to the original voices), but a revival of Klonoa has always been something to get excited about, and this one’s a definite winner.

Shatter (PS3/PSN) - Breakout/Arkanoid for the current generation; said titles have never been this in-depth and compelling.  The suck and blow mechanics really spice up the formula, and a terrific risk/reward system is in place by way of the optional disbursement of multiple balls and gathering of power-up fragments.  Deviously clever level designs, awesome boss battles, and a dope soundtrack now makes this the de facto game of the brick-breaking genre.

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 (360) - Commercial success aside, you've got to hand it to Infinity Ward for delivering another exhilarating first person shooter.  The first Modern Warfare made me take another look at the genre, and the sequel pretty much capitalizes on that interest.  The 60 fps engine is still blazing fast, and new locales like Rio de Janeiro and the ones situated on American soil are sights to behold.  The single-player mode is once again a brief but adrenaline-soaked experience, while the multiplayer is as addicting as ever.  The return of the incentives-based ranking system, along with all-new sets of play modes, options, weapons, and perks guarantees that this will be played by many for a long, long time to come.

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BEST GAMES YOU'VE PLAYED THIS YEAR RELEASED BEFORE 2009:

Valkyria Chronicles (PS3) - Sega's expertly crafted third person RTS/RPG continues to rope in new fans, and I was definitely one of them this year.  Although I'm still shy of beating the game (I'm embarking on the last few chapters, it seems), most everything about Valkyria Chronicles is top-class all the way.  The story and its characters are engaging and personable, developed through beautifully rendered in-game cutscenes, and fueled by a graphical art style that's in a class of its own.  Sakimoto's music score is appropriately grand, while the game itself offers a substantially beefy challenge.  I wasn't big on the ever-changing conditions of several later missions, but the handy-dandy "Save" option is an excellent clutch to rely upon.

Uncharted: Drake's Fortune (PS3) - I was late to the first Nate party, but I'm glad I was able to attend before diving into its winning sequel.  By contrast, however, the game's inherent flaws are placed in an uglier light -- flaws like the short length, skewered enemy pacing, fidgety AI, screen tearing, and less-refined controls.  Which isn't to say the game doesn't remain a solid action-adventure; its gameplay foundation of Tomb Raider style platforming and Gears of War cover shooting certainly stands the two-year test of time, and the production quality is still insanely high-caliber.  Jet-skis can go burn in hell, though.

Ginga Ojousama Densetsu Collection (PSP) - Though I've yet to touch the text-based Galaxy Fraulein Yuna games, I had a literal blast with the shooter-based Sapphire.  It's old school memory-based shmup at its best, a solid shooter that hearkens back to the days before bullet-hell became a common household phrase.  Seeing how the PC Engine was able to pull off some of these cool visual tricks is awesome, while T's Music's score is an irresistible high-energy VGM rock affair that had my speakers blaring for weeks on end.

Söldner-X: Himmelsstürmer (PS3) - And in this corner of the ring is the modern-day shmup. Söldner-X isn't exactly bullet-hell either, but there's still a sturdy challenge in place, thanks to long, lengthy stages, tough environmental obstacles, and a shit-ton amount of things to shoot.  The Weapon/Chain combo system is well integrated, the Secret Keys collecting is there for those who want it, and Raphel Dyll's melodically techno-trance soundtrack is a true asset to the overall experience.  Oh, and it looks freaken spectacular in high-def, too.

I suck at making top 5 lists, but I'll break everything down by category.
Also, my New Year's Resolution is that I'm going to keep track of each game I play and how much I like it, cos dammit, by the end of the year I've forgotten pretty much everything that happened before autumn.

Best Wii Exclusive: New Super Mario Bros Wii
Pretty much by default, since there wasn't much else worth mentioning this year for me.
It's pretty much what you'd expect, though. A definite improvement over the DS game, but still nowhere near as much fun as SMB3 or Super Mario World. I don't think they'll ever manage to make a 2D Mario game as good as those anymore.
Hunting for Star Coins was fun, and I loved the hint movies you could buy, but it just lacks that certain "je ne sais quoi" of the old games.
Also, the inclusion of the new Auto Pilot feature was supposed to allow for more of a challenge, but there were like maybe 2 or 3 stages in the entire game that I'd actually call hard.

Best PS3 Exclusive: Uncharted 2
I'll say this: Sony has been shouting "This will be the year of the PS3!" since, well, 2006, but Sony Fanboys can rejoice in the fact that this year, they were finally right.
Even so, Uncharted 2 sticks out with head and shoulders above the rest. Fantastic Visuals, an amazing action-packed cinematic experience, great script-writing with funny dialogues and excellent voice acting, this game had it all.
AND to top it all off, it had an amazingly fun Multiplayer mode, something that I tend to not care about in the least, but Uncharted 2 had me glued to the Internet until long after I finished the game.
Naughty Dog is going to have a hard time ever topping this.

Disclaimer: I have yet to finish Final Fantasy XIII, and I expect it to do well, but from what I've seen so far it's too conservative to beat Uncharted 2.

Also, I need to express my appreciation towards From Software.
NOT for Demon's Souls as the majority vote would probably have it, but for their excellent homage to/rip-off of classic 2D Zelda: 3D Dot Game Heroes. This game is fan-service on a BluRay disc. Fan-service, I might add, that Nintendo have refused to give us so far, and even when they do, it remains to be seen if it would be this good.
Filled to the brim with references to 8 bit and 16 bit classics, fun gameplay that is really for all intents and purposes a cross between Zelda 1 and Zelda 3, and a very interesting Trophy Set, I had a total blast with it while it lasted.
I know I missed lots of stuff, so I'll be revisiting it in the future as soon as I can find a decent guide.
Classic Zelda fans will have something to look forward to when Atlus localizes this next year, and I just hope they keep all the quirky Engrish from the original Zelda in there as well.

Best 360 Exclusive: ?
Sorry about that. I like to divide the Best Of games in exclusives and multiplatform games, but this year, I haven't really played any 360 exclusives that stood out (leading me to the above conclusion about the PS3).
Magna Carta 2 was surprisingly good, especially considering the rather lacklustre original, but GotY material it was not. I suppose, if I had played it yet, Forza 3 would have been a contender.

Best DS Exclusive: Mario & Luigi RPG 3
You know what you're getting with the Mario & Luigi series, and this one didn't disappoint.
Humorous dialogues, a fun battle system with varied boss fights, and some really fun gimmicks for the gameplay inside Bowser. It's not a timeless classic, but it's great fun nonetheless.

Best PSP Exclusive: Dissidia Final Fantasy
The whole world sucks for not recognizing how awesome this game is.
2009 is the year I got my PSP, and this was my first game, and it didn't leave the UMD port (oh how I love having one of those!) for at least 2 months. It's HIGHLY addictive.
In fact, even with big name titles like SFIV and BlazBlue being released this year, I have no trouble whatsoever proclaiming this the best fighting game of the bunch.
It might be more aimed at single playing than SF and the like, but it does single player mode better than any other fighting game in recent memory.
TONS of stuff to do and unlock, a very in-depth battle system (that few people seem to fully understand) and complete over-the-top jumping all over the place, I loved every single second of the 120+ hours I spent on it.
Sequel please. NOW.

Best Downloadable Exclusive: Shadow Complex
Here's the thing: if you make a shameless rip-off of a very good 2D classic, and you make sure to get right exactly WHAT is so good about it, than chances are, you're going to deliver something that may not win any originality awards, but is still a buttload of fun to play.
It may not have the same quality atmosphere and music as the Metroid series, but in terms of gameplay it stands its own, AND it has better controls (Metroid's wall jump can rot in hell).
Probably the closest thing to the best exclusive the 360 got this year.
Word is they're making a sequel, and I can't wait!

Best Multiplatform Game: Bayonetta
Oh man, if there's ever a game where the demo does NOT do the full game justice, it's this one.
The Demo made me go "meh" (in fact I think I didn't even finish it), but the full experience is nothing short of phenomenal. Totally whacky, over-the-top, tongue-in-cheek (look out for some cool references to Capcom games), an incredibly satisfying combat system that is a lot more about skillful play than you'd expect, and some awesome set pieces make this a surprisingly evolved DMC clone that manages to surpass its spiritual predecessor in every single way.

I'd also like to give a shout-out to Assassin's Creed II, which unfortunately did not make the cut.
PUN.
Immensely enjoyable but lacking in the replay value department. More variety than the prequel, but still feels like you're doing to many of the same things over and over. Money is good, but comes WAY too easily and can hardly be spent on anything. Also, Combat is still boring as hell, and the Assassinations are kinda anti-climactic.
Still, great visuals, interesting story, and some really really good voice acting.

I suspect Arkham Asylum could have been featured here as well, but I have yet to play it properly.

And, well, as much as I hate to admit it, I did end up playing through Resident Evil 5 like 4 times in a row, so I guess it must have been really good too.
It's just that...there are so many things that made me go "WHY!?"
Forced to babysit your partner for the entire game, just to allow for online co-op!? NO!

Best Non-2009 Game I played this year: LocoRoco
This is hands down the single happiest, cutest, most smile-inducing game I have ever played in my entire life, and it's damn fun to boot! It managed to enchant me so much that I ended up even changing my avatar here, which I haven't done since, well, Adam first allowed for avatars.
This game WILL make you happy, whether you like it or not.

Resident Evil 4.

Sorry to go OT but would just like to ask to please save your 2009 best VGM polls for a week or two as I plan to post an "official" one with automated tallies and all that stuff once people have had time to digest their year-closing purchases over the winter holidays.

We could make a new, automated poll with this topic as well if you like and the couple who have answered could feel free to copy and paste.  Or we can just go with it as it is now if you prefer, Angela.

I suspect that Zane may enjoy Resident Evil 4. I get the impression he likes the game.

Yeah, it's OK. Nothing special, though.

As long as we can be long-winded, I'm fine in either case. Year-end ruminations make me wax (and wax). Also, will there be a seperate one for 'Of The Decade' banter or should it lump together?

EDIT: OK, this thread it is, then. Give me a day to hash this out and then I'll mega-post.

Let them eat cake, Adam.  Let them eat cake.  We can still do a calculated one separately.  There is no harm in this.

Though it might be neat to have an automated tally count of all the games that have come out this year (or most of the ones that matter, anyway), I get the impression that the majority of people here have been playing less and less new games to even warrant it.  For simplicity's sake, too, maybe it'd be best to just have the one thread as is.

Looking forward to the 2009 best VGM poll, though, short a list as mine is going to be.  You'll also be heading up the best 2009 films as well, right Adam?

I've been keeping an active list of both the stuff I've been playing, as well as the ones I've been meaning to play.  You won't believe how long the latter category looks.  Looks like I've been slowing down with age.

Who are you, and what have you done with Zane?

In all seriousness, though, the collaborative play session we shared this year was definitely a lot of fun.  I should be surprised if the game didn't show up on every first-timers' lists.

I don't know that I played any wow-my-socks-off games this year *that also came out this year* -- the best things I played were downloadables like Shatter and FFIV: TAY.

Got a bit of a summarized overview for the rest of 2009:

The 2D fighting game genre saw a nice bit of resurrection, thanks to Street Fighter IV and BlazBlue: Calamity Trigger - the latter of which has some awesome technical merits, but mechanics I just couldn't swing with.  I took a pass on The King of Fighters XII, on account that its netcode is being dubbed as the worse around.  A shame, as I hear the fighting itself is solid fare.

There were plenty of prolific RPGs, such as Star Ocean: The Last Hope, Fire Emblem: Shadow Dragon, Dragon Quest V DS, Suikoden Tierkreis, Valkyrie Profile: Covenant of the Plume, Magna Carta 2, Pokemon Platinum, and Demon's Souls.  I can't say I ever committed to any of them, but I did manage to finish Legacy of Ys I & II, which was certainly better than I expected.  Oh, and did anyone try out the Chrono Trigger-esque Valhalla Knights: Eldar Saga?

Kudos to Nintendo for bringing over a nice handful of once-exclusive Japanese titles, including Rhythm Heaven, Professor Layton and the Diabolical Box, and at long last, The Legendary Starfy.

As entries into the sandbox genre, Infamous and Prototype managed to make some waves.  Most would agree that Infamous turned out to be the better game, but I actually dug the visceral nature of the latter a bit more.

In terms of the big hypes that didn't quite deliver, Killzone 2 and Resident Evil 5 lead the pack.  Both titles looked technically awesome, but fell short in terms of gameplay and overall enjoyment.  For the former, I think when you've played Modern Warfare, most every other FPS tends to pale in comparison.  RE5 will always have the unfortunate taint of being a poor man's RE4, but I do recognize the game's merits.  The multiplayer co-op functions well, and there's quite a bit of fun to be had with Mercenaries mode this time around.  I won't lie; I'm actually looking forward to the Alternative/Gold Edition next year.

As for the games I still very much want to try: A Boy And His Blob is numero uno on the Wii list, followed by The Darkside Chronicles. I still can't believe I haven't tried MadWorld yet!  I do want to play catch-up on the Ratchet & Clank series before I go full-bore with the PS3's A Crack In Time.  I've yet to finish Dead Space on the 360, but will make it a point to, now that the sequel is on the way.  Mushihimesama Futari is on tentative order, so I'm still very much looking forward to some Cave shmup goodness.  And though I've only played the trial versions, both Splosion Man and Shadow Complex look like terrific XBLA titles that are worth playing.

Since investing in an iPod Touch, I've been introduced to the crazy-vast world of Apps and Games.  With the help of my fellow STC'ers I've found Space Invaders Infinity Gene, Canabalt, Flight Control, Bookworm, and the two Rolando games to be worthwhile buys.  Oh, I also picked up Missile Command, which I may have sunk more hours into than I ever did twenty years ago.

Gotta agree with Amazingu: this was, in many ways, Sony's year to shine.  They've now got a flagship title like Uncharted 2 under their belt, and a timed exclusive with Final Fantasy XIII.  The release of the new Slim model and a much-needed price drop undoubtedly helped boost console sales.  And now that Blu-ray is continuing to catch on as a viable medium, more people are recognizing the PS3's inherent ability as a Blu-ray player. (The built-in Wi-Fi and streaming media capabilities that can support BD Live playback and Netflix actually make the PS3 an excellent value-based player.)  The release of the PSPGo, though, still looks like it's in a sink-or-swim situation.  Should be interesting to see how it'll pan out in '10.

I forgot to put BlazBlue on my list. That was a great fighting game. I kind of want to play it tonight.

Also, I beat VK: Eldar Saga this weekend and a review will be forthcoming to RPGFan soon. I promise you it's nothing like Chrono Trigger. Are you sure you weren't thinking of Black Sigil: Blade of the Exiled? Both that game and Eldar Saga are far from being good games, but at least Black Sigil played like a CT clone (something surprisingly lacking in the world of RPGs).

Ramza

Ah, that's the one.  My confusion stemmed from the fact that the game was delayed so many times, until it finally showed up right around when Eldar Saga hit.  (At least, *I* didn't spot the game in stores until early October.)

If it makes you feel any better, it's not that great (No More Heroes is much better).  The style is nice, Bender's commentary is funny, and the music is cool, but the controls are a little clunky and the gameplay is extremely repetitive (you just keep beating people up until you reach a certain score and then the next section opens and then you beat some more people up, etc).  I've made it about half-way through so far, but I'm having trouble staying interested.

So totally seconded.  I bought the game when it came out and am also probably halfway through.  Every time I try to pick it up again, though, I just tire quickly of it and end up putting it down.

2009 wasn't the best of years, gaming or personally. I bought a lot of them, but I haven't gotten to play an appreciable amount of most of them (it also doesn't help that my usual response to depression is to replay something instead of trying something new). So instead of the ten-spot-long lists I gave '08, this year will have to settle for top fives. Hopefully I'll catch up a bit better next year.

Top 5 Games I Played From 2009
5. Critter Crunch - Edged out Neves+ as my favorite puzzle game of the year, and that's partly due to the charm break-dancing Biggs exudes. Once you get past the point of making foolish, expletive-pocked (if you're the cussin' type) mistakes, it becomes a quest to find the absolute-quickest way to trigger cascading genocide and bring your son out of hiding to feed him barf rainbows. Tell me that doesn't sound cool.
4. Pangya Fantasy Golf - The most important thing to a golf-based videogame is having control over all aspects of play. Pangya is the very first game of the kind with a clear and reliable system for reading the green, which makes it the first I can actually putt well in. There's other nice things, like the effervescent music and unique sense of humor (Behold the Power of Chicken), but knowing that if I muff a putt it's my fault is what makes this my favorite in the genre.
3. Shatter - There's not much to say that hasn't been said about this one. It's Arkanoid Enhanced, and if that doesn't make you want to play it, you should feel inadequate.
2. Retro Game Challenge - This would have fallen flat if the fake games weren't good. And everything not called Rally King is.
1. Punch-Out!! - The nice thing about pessimism, as the saying goes, is that either your concerns are validated or you're pleasantly surprised, and Punch-Out was one hell of a case of the latter. This is more like Super Punch-Out than most people will admit (thank goodness), Title Defense is the best Second Quest since  and the personalities make the game. It apparently didn't get the sales it deserved, which is a shame. Nintendo will never sell me a Balance Board, but if there's even one game of this caliber each year they've a guaranteed customer.

Top 5 Games I Played From Before 2009
5. de Blob - For some reason (likely the controls) this game works for me in a way Katamari never did. Bonus points for an atypical yet fun soundtrack.
4. Sonic Unleashed [PS3/360] - Submitted without irony. The werehog levels aren't much but hot damn if the hedgehog levels don't get exactly right what 3D Sonic should have been from the first.
3. Radiant Silvergun - Ponying up $200 to get my hands on this was probably the craziest thing I did all year, but it feels less crazy each time I play it. Here's hoping the XBLA rumors prove true, because everyone deserves a shot at this one.
2. Elite Beat Agents - Rhythm games are usually one of those things I'm game to try, then sit back and watch my sister dominate. Except in this case, the reverse was true. She's still trying to dig herself out of Crusin' while I'm a full-fledged Lovin' Machine; I can't deny this feels good. I've tried a bit of Ouendan as well, but it doesn't have the same cachet as Blues Brothers showing off their swivel hips.
1. Resident Evil 4: Wii Edition - There's an entire thread full of my thoughts on this one, so I'll leave it at that. Thanks to those who motivated me to try it.

Worst 5 Games I Played in 2009
5. Card Fighters Clash DS - If you weren't aware already, SNK shipped this one out with an unavoidable game-crashing bug. What you might not know is that when they put out the 'fixed' version, they kept the same packaging. Furthermore, at this point, they're no longer replacing bugged copies. But it's a very nice paperweight, unless there's wind.
4. Sonic Rush Adventure - I loved Sonic Rush to bits, and continue to replay its stages even today from time to time. So Sonic Rush Adventure and I got off to a bad start when they changed the control scheme. Then there were minigames. Then there were necessary replays. Things went downhill from there.
3. Kingdom Hearts: 358/2 Days - After coming from Re:CoM (good game - well, Sora's half, at least - with surprisingly good voices on the new characters), I was looking forward to Days to further expand on the Organization's interactions and schemes against each other. But half the characters leave after the tutorial missions, and the central three the game focuses on are far and away the least interesting. Phooey. PS - would it have killed S-E to take twenty minutes and adjust the controls to be in line with the PS2 games?
2. Hot Shots Golf: Out of Bounds - I enjoy golf video games. The Hot Shots series is one of the better ones. But I hardly ever get to play it, because the updating system is the most horribly-broken thing I've ever encountered. Case in point - I noticed Sony put up a Sackboy character to download for OoB. I buy him I open the game, and he's nowhere to be found. The data needs updating. But data can only be updated in-game (as opposed to every other PS3 game I've ever played), and the fact that the disc is running slows the download considerably. SIX-AND-A-HALF-HOURS LATER, the update finishes. Hooray! Exit game, reload, boot up characters...no Sackboy. This is because in contrast to say, LittleBigPlanet's update system, each incremental update is glacially-downloaded and installed one update at a time. So that ridiculously-long update didn't bring me up to 2.7 or whatever level was necessary to access Sackboy, but 1.1. I half-suspect my PS3 killed itself to keep me from trying another update.
1. Madworld - This is one of those games that I keep putting in from time to time, assuming I'm just missing something. The guys who made Godhand couldn't make something this shallow and repetitive. The main composer behind Megaman X5 (Naoto Tanaka) couldn't assemble something this lame. The guys who made Viewtiful Joe couldn't make something this unfunny. But I always come to a point where I turn it off, because it's all true.

5 Games I'm Looking Forward to Playing More of to Possibly Include Next Year
A Boy and His Blob, Demon's Souls, Half-Minute Hero, Muramasa: The Demon Blade, Scribblenauts

Top 5 I-Love-Videogames Moments of 2009
5. Hugs For Everyone (A Boy and His Blob) - Every game should have a hug button.
4. Penta-Up Energy (Radiant Silvergun) - It seems simple enough at first. A plane slowly rotating around you and firing every which way. Par for the course. And then comes the trump card - he already has two ships like yours captured which means in addition to his assault you need to contend with your own arsenal double-teaming you, up to and including the screen-wiping light blades. Kickass in every sense. Skip to the :30 mark and take it all in: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uLBJPr9IQiw&fmt=18
3. Vengeance D'échec (Punch-Out!!) - Losing the Champ's Belt to Glass Friggin' Joe was incredibly emasculating, but also the surest sign that Title Defense would be worth the trouble. (Moment-in-a-moment - Star-Punching TD Sandman square in the puss as he says BOO never gets old. Ever.)
2. It Started in Low, Then It Started to Grow (Elite Beat Agents) Most of the very best games aren't afraid to wear their cheese on their sleeve, and the intro to the final challenge in EBA puts on full display with pride. Has anyone else noticed that most bits which would get a film laughed out of theatres make for especially awesome game moments?
1. Mr. Right (Resident Evil 4: Wii Edition) - Highest point of a very high-level game. Finishing him off as I did (very last shotgun bullet shattered his frozen ass) made me feel like Superman. An achy Superman on full edge, but nonetheless.

5 Things That Drove Me Nuts About 2009
5. Incoming! - It sure was weird how all those games completed and slated to come out these last few months hightailed it to 2010 to avoid getting ignored when Modern Warfare 2 hit, wasn't it? The idea that someone might have an interest in some of those delayed titles and no interest in MW2 probably never occured to them. To be fair though, the way I play they'd probably be on the backburner yet even if I'd bought them in October. Alas.
4. I Can't Let You Do That - The hobgoblin of online gaming. Memory cards were supposed to make it easy to bring your data with you to a friend's house or such, to spare yourself the tedium of having to rebuild everything from scratch. But with online profiles and Gamerscores, the possibility that someone might access something they didn't invest 30-odd hours to unlock has panicked developers into tethering data to specific systems, and damn the inconvenience. I'll have to start some PS3 games over completely due to this. Feh.
3. Now With Less Features! - The DSi and PSPGo seem ridiculous, to put it gently. Why would I want to sacrifice battery life, region-free gaming and a GBA slot for the ability to take pictures or download what could easily be WiiWare titles instead? And why would I demand a smaller screen, fixed memory and a dramatically-smaller library for double the cost of a fully-featured model? It's negative alchemy, turning gold into lead.
2. Outside Looking In - Like I've said elsewhere, it stinks being a Capcom fan when you feel like their fan-pandering targets everyone but you. There's three other MM games I'd rather see before another 8-bitty entry. More characters for SF4 are welcome, but do they have to be the lamest ones in the series? And if the Ace Attorney Investigations demo is anything to go by, the shoehorning in on Edgeworth is a shame not merely because I'm a fan of Ema, but also because, well, Edgy kind of sucks as a leading man. Thank goodness for the rumors of Powered Up 2 and Gumshoe taking point in the next AAI title, or I'd be running out of things to look forward to from the company.
1. No Megaman in 2009 - I'm aware there was a StarForce game released. To borrow a line from Homer, I stand by my disappointed moan.

My Top 5 Earworms of 2009
5. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VcrysHorzOo&fmt=18*
4. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=et9t7rFN29c&fmt=18
3. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P-TkG3iBh9w&fmt=18
2. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_TA_7LnVTr8&fmt=18
1. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GVypfVkSH-s&fmt=18

* - This probably needs explaining. I came across it while reading an article at HG101 (currently down), and the short version is that it's a snippet of a longer Finnsh folk song that was inserted into an animated loop of an anime character spinning a leek, which was repurposed for a fake idol created using a singing-computer program in Japan and later inserted into a PSP game by Sega. Holy hell, that's the strangest thing I've written all year. Anyway, the song itself will never leave you alone once you hear it.

OK, that'll do.

Sir, I salute thee.  Honestly, if it weren't for the collective awesomeness that is Uncharted 2, Punch-Out would've easily taken my top spot.  I must've played through to Last Stand and completed all the Exhibition Challenges about twenty times over.

I am curious, though, as to what parallels you've drawn to Super Punch-Out?  Outside of the boxers' larger-than-life look and the transparent shading on Little Mac himself, I see little comparison.

It moved:

http://www.hardcoregaming101.net

Most of your list seemed reasonable to me. And it's fine that you'd even put 358/2 Days in a "worst five that you personally played for the year" list. But your reasoning here strikes me as absurd. Not sure why I'm so argumentative today, but here goes, SP!

1. That you would claim CoM or Re:CoM as a superior game to 358/2 blows my mind. And this is coming from someone who liked CoM/Re:CoM more than *any* of his friends. ANY OF THEM.
2. That you would argue Sora's half of CoM/Re:CoM better than Riku's half drives me batty. Set decks was WAY cooler. End of discussion.
3. Half the characters leave because they go to Castle Oblivion and subsequently die. Having played Re:CoM, you *should've seen this coming.*
4. If you think Xigbar or Demyx are "more interesting" than Axel, I would argue that you haven't been paying attention. I think all you mean to say there is that Axel and Roxas have had more attention put on them than the others, and apparently you wanted something more fleshed-out for the others. Read my review of the game to see my take on Org XIII supporting cast: that is, I never cared about the members of Org XIII before, and though this game got me to care, I'm glad they didn't overwhelm me with stuff, or else I would've gone right back to not caring (see: Zack in FFVII Crisis Core)
5. Explain to me what control changes should've been made again? The DS has far fewer buttons than a PS2, you realize.

Thanks for putting Shatter high on your list. That was a fine game.

Ramza

top 5 of 2009 for me

05 mushihimesama futari ver 1.5
the only other shmup i put as much effort into is probably ikaruga. thanks to cave for the regionfree-ness

04 flower
the ambient version of rez.

03 noby noby boy
post-everything.

02 demon's souls
challenging, satisfying. loved the minimal story and the aesthetics.

01 monster hunter; freedom unite
this is a videogame in the purest sense. 200 hours into it and still playing. buying a wii just for tri.

Of the 44 games I've beaten this year (yes, I've kept a record) these are the 3 that really captivated me. 

3)  Ratchet & Clank Future: A Crack in Time - Insomniac delivers another great entry in the R&C franchise.  Probably my favorite since Going Commando.  The addition of trophies was excellent, although I do wish there was a bit more to do in the arena.

2)  flOwer - There is nothing more sweet than when everything about a game comes together so perfectly to deliver a unique experience unlike anything else.  In short, the game was amazing.  Important, even.  A wonderfully poignant piece of art that evoked alot of emotion from me.

1)  Demon's Souls - AND THUS REIGNETH OLD-SCHOOL.  There's a reason that this game is the hit that it is.  The combat system is deep, the areas are perfectly ambient, and everything else is the cherry on top.  This game gave me the biggest adrenaline rush when playing it.  There was death literally around every corner (HOLY SHIT did you see that dragon?!).  I loved every minute of it.

Honorable Mentions:
- Uncharted 2
- Shatter (OST FTW)
- Rhythm Heaven (my daughter loves "Glee Club")
- Borderlands (pleasantly surprised!)

Games that didn't come out this year but I played them for the first time and were quite good (*breathes in*):
- Resident Evil 4 (thanks everyone!)
- Metal Gear Solid
- Plants vs. Zombies

Well, don't belittle those, they mean a lot. I'd never played enough of NES Punch-Out to be effusively nostalgic about it, and when I try and play it now, the whole perspective feels...wrong, somehow (I've still never finished it properly). But Super Punch-Out is where I really cut my teeth, and Wii Punch-Out offers the same feel. In addition to the scale and perspective, there's also the ability to intensify the super punches on a riding scale, bringing to mind those immensely-satisfying full-meter uppercuts from SP-O. If the roster is what made NES fans love it, laying the instant-knockdown three-star sockaroos felt like old times for an SP-O guy like myself. If nothing else, the fact that I see the Punch-Out I prefer and you see the Punch-Out you prefer means they got it exactly right for us both.

As far as Ramza's disputes, I'll address each as presented.

Call it strange-but-true if you wish. I struggled with the card battling system for a good three hours before I came to grips with how it worked, and putting in the time resulted in a more-substantial glee when I learned how to abuse the hell out of it.

But it allows for much less in the way of abuse. At any rate, I was referring more to the story. Sora's half works on a pretty clever idea, while Riku's is kind of annoying to me.

Absolutely. But I didn't expect it to happen barely an hour into the game. I was hoping for a bit of interplay between the characters that never got to share screen time together, but everyone stayed in their own little corner of the room and the potential for playing them off each other was wasted. When Saix sends Axel to Oblivion because he suspects traitors, you're given absolutely no indication how he came to suspect such things, and it just feels lazy.

Yeah, that's what I was getting at, and it's a very good point that adding too much definition to the characters might have ruined them. But some of these members are defined solely by battle-style, without a distinct personality to set them apart. Demyx sticks out from the others in KH2 for example, because they spent a few lines of dialogue showing that he's a bit of a cowardly lion. I don't need to know how he joined, I just need something to hang on him besides 'water-based boss'. Not to say that some history wouldn't interest me though - I wouldn't mind knowing, for instance, why Luxord - the guy who fights with cards - wasn't installed at Oblivion - where cards rule the day - and unless I missed it, this was never addressed.

Indeed, but in Days the A button (Circle if it were PS2) attacks and the B button (X on PS2) jumps, whereas in the US versions of the PS2 titles, the reverse is true. Even several hours in I would be jumping when I meant to attack and I wondered why S-E couldn't have bothered to keep it consistent with the others, or at least offer customization.

Absolutely. It really is. As for Days, maybe 'disappointing' would be a better header than 'worst,' because a lot of what turned me off dealt with my dashed expectations, and maybe that came through too bitter. Sorry if I went overboard.

My memory's a bit rusty, but I think apart from Roxas, they all joined in the same way, right?
That is, they used to be Ansem's (the real one) assistants, right?

I think the first KH already stated that the "mystery scientist" had 12 helpers, so I assume all of them turning into heartless would have resulted in their Nobodies forming Org. XIII.

As for the game itself, I enjoyed it, and it was a contender for GotY, but it just lacked the replayability and plain fun of the PS2 games.
Also, throwing in a 14th member was a totally cheap thing to do, since anyone familiar with the series will immediately know how it's going to end.

I think this comes down to Sony console vs. Nintendo console.  Sony of America at some point decided that X should be yes and O should be no even though that's the opposite of what it had been for years (and what it remains in Japan to this day).  Nintendo, upon returning to a diamond pattern for buttons, did not make this change.  WHY SCEA has decided their button config needs to be different I'll never know.  Still a huge pet peeve of mine.  I can't believe Square doesn't give the option for customization though...

Oh, they're certainly not factors of belittlement.  I personally love the look of the game, as it better conforms to what Punch-Out!! was always meant to look like - dating all the way back to the arcade versions.

Well spoken.  Here's to the possible sequel!

If I remember the way KH2 put it, there were six 'founding members' in the Organization, and the rest were found by Xemnas as time went on.

That was awesome.  Thank you.