With so many excellent games released this year, picking a game of the year was no easy task. Several games highlighted 2009 by giving us revolutionary new game mechanics, while others were just plain ‘ole fun to play. Many were sequels or prequels to already established franchises and a few were non-franchised but gave us promises of future games sure to be blockbuster hits. Even though 2009 will probably not be mentioned as an innovative year for gamers, we nevertheless received some great games. So, counting down from twenty, the BestBuyGames Top Video Games of the Year are:
20. Guitar Hero: Metallica
19. Tom Clancy’s EndWar
18. Banjo-Kazooie: Nuts and Bolts
17. Wanted: Weapons of Fate
16. Major League Baseball 2K9
These are five great games and well worth a play
15. Professor Layton and the Diabolical Box
14. F.E.A.R. 2: Project Origin
13. UFC 2009 Undisputed
12. Fight Night Round 4
11. Halo 3: ODST
These five games offer more than just fun. Intricate gameplay and options make these titles well worth the money.
10. Resident Evil 5
9. Madden NFL 10
8. X-Men Origins: Wolverine
7. The Sims 3
6. Left 4 Dead 2
Entering the top ten means a higher level of excellence is expected. And these games live up to the expectations and offer a great time and great mechanics and gameplay. These games are must-play.
This is where the choices begin to get hard. Arguments can be made for any of our top 10 games to be finalists for top video game of the year. While we are sure we’ll have many disagreements, our five finalists are:
5. Uncharted 2: Among Thieves
Normally we wouldn’t chose an exclusive game for a finalist, but Uncharted 2 is just too good to ignore. If it had been available for more consoles than Playstation 3, well, who knows, maybe number one? Our pick for Action Game of the Year 2009
4. Borderlands
We can’t say enough about Borderlands! This is a great game and is our pick for RPG Game of the Year 2009. We anticipate a lot from Borderlands 2, if Gearbox decides to make it.
3. Assassin’s Creed 2
We looked forward to this game more than any other this year. And while this is an absolutely fabulous sequel that goes way beyond the first title, UbiSoft should add a little more sense of urgency to the main mission for AC 3, if there is to be another one. Our pick for Sci Fi/Fantasy Game of the Year 2009
So now we are left with our final two games. Both games excelled in their genres and were amazing at different, but equal, aspects of gaming. Batman: Arkham Asylum is not just the very best Batman game ever made and it’s not just our pick for Superhero Game of the Year 2009. This game is more fun to play than any other this year, in our opinion. Near perfect mechanics and superb graphics only add to the thrill. But is it enough to win Top Video Game of the Year 2009? Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 with its simply amazing mechanics and graphics highlights Infinity Ward’s latest title. Featuring a strong online play option and a storyline with attention to detail that is second to none, this game offers an intensity never before found in any game. Our pick for FPS Game of the Year 2009, but will it be enough earn the top honors? With these top two games being equally good for their genre, what it came down to is which one excelled the most in its respected strengths. For us, Arkham Asylum was more fun to play. Modern Warfare 2 offered a more advanced game style and gave us one of the best online multiplayer experiences to date.
2. Batman: Arkham Asylum
Batman: Arkham Asylum is a spectacular game but we found it to be just a little to easy. Once mastered, the controls, though slightly confusing, makes for a fun yet repetitious game. And it was this ease of play that cost Batman: Arkham Asylum just enough to slip it into second place.
And the BestBuyGames top Video Game of the Year is:
1. Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2
If one word could sum up MW 2 it would have to be ‘intense’. And this intense gameplay tipped the scales in its favor. Modern Warfare 2 is superbly designed, expertly developed, and showcases the best mechanics and graphics of any video game ever made. If you could have only one game in 2009, Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 would be it and so wins the honor of BestBuyGames Top Video Game of the Year 2009.
Let us know what you think. Did we snub any of your favorites? Leave a comment and let us know what your top video game of the year is.
January 15, 2010
#1
I agree with most, but think assassins creed 2 should be # 1
January 15, 2010
#2
good list. keep it up.
January 15, 2010
#3
I agree. very good list. please keep up the good work
January 17, 2010
#4
Uncharted 2 is way better than all your stupid choices.
January 18, 2010
#5
Why all the hate, moron?
January 18, 2010
#6
Please, no name calling! Everyone is entitled to their opinion. Even if they are a moron, lol
Uncharted 2 is a great game…if you have a PS3.
January 17, 2010
#7
MW2 is awesome and deserves the top spot!!!!!
January 19, 2010
#8
Sorry to disagree but borderlands is the best game on your list. Open world rpg’s excel in every aspect over fps’s. There’s just way more to do so the rpg is always a better value to buy. MW2 is good but Borderlands is better. and btw Batman was not all that easy and was better thatn MW2. MW2 deserved maybe 4th on your list.
January 20, 2010
#9
Thanks for the critique. Borderlands is a great game and since I first played it, I knew this one was going to have a “cult” following. About Batman – I should have said the combat was easy. You have to admit that the common inmates were just too easy to beat. Even the armed ones; just sneak up on them and silent takedown. Button mashing 101! But like I said, with all the many facets of this game it is sooo fun to play. But come on Matt, MW2 at number 4? I don’t care for fps (prefer third person) but that game is simply awesome!