In no particular order:
1. Wario Ware: Touched: (Nintendo DS): I already had "Feel the Magic" and it was impressive......but when I got my hands on Wario Ware for the Nintendo DS, the potential for the Nintendo DS was blown right open. Any doubts I had about whether the touch screen was a good idea for gaming was gone.
2. Mario Kart DS (Nintendo DS): The very first time I ever played online multi-player. I used to park my police car near the airport (didn't have Wi-Fi at home) at night and play for hours. In my opinion, it's STILL the best Mario Kart game in the series.
3. Gears of War (Xbox 360): I wasn't to fond of what the next generation of console games was showing. I didn't even want an Xbox 360. The only reason I got one was because the PS3 was sold out. When I got one, my first purchase was CoD2, Kameo, and Tomb Raider Legend. All were good times, but nothing amazing. Then I bought Gears of War. It wasn't the type of game I really wanted. I didn't really care for the plot or the art style.....but then I played it. Suddenly, this generation was awesome!
4. Resident Evil 4: Wii Edition (Nintendo Wii): So I saw a Wii in a store. Unbelieveable! I already had Zelda on my Gamecube. I had to buy the system (I HAD TO!) but there was absolutely no game that I wanted to buy. Oh well. Guess I'll buy RE4 again. At least I know it's a good game. I was wrong. It was a GREAT game. Everything that was old was new again. Motion Control done right.
5. Geometry Wars (Xbox Live Arcade): It didn't look like much (graphically) when I read the reviews. Still, everyone was going on and on about how good it was. Buying a game without leaving the house? Oh well. Guess I'll give it a try. And once again, I was opened up to a new world. The game was awesome but the bigger picture: I was open to the idea of downloadable games. Now I have dozens for across all consoles.
6. Metal Gear Solid 4 (Playstation 3): The game was a little disappointing (in my opinion) but the day I walked out of that store with my shiny new PS3 with MGS4 bundled inside? I was the happiest person in the world!
7. Playstation Portable: Not a game, but a gaming system. It only does everything! I got a PSP because I had a horrible track record keeping a DS away from my daughter. I didn't expect much. But after spending a little time with the system, I fell in love. Games, movies, music, photos, comic books, online browsing!! I take it everywhere I go.
8. Batman: Arkham Asylum (PS3): If you'd have told me a year ago that I'd buy a Batman game for the PS3 AND I would love it, I'd have kicked you in the balls for playing with my emotions. I'd have had to apologize to you after playing Arkham Asylum. An amazing game and my favorite game of 2009.
9. Bayonetta (Xbox 360): Just edging out Horde Mode from Gears of War 2 is Bayonetta. Maybe I'm still juiced up on the game, but Bayonetta is one of those games that makes you stay up all night playing it. Then, after you play it, you play it again. And when you're not playing it, you're thinking about playing it. Maybe next year (or maybe even next month) I'll feel differently. Right now, Bayonetta is my life!
10. Uncharted 2: Among Theives (PS3): What can I say? If there were a game that does everything right, this is it. That first playthrough delivered on all of the hype. A wonderful game and everyone should play through it at least once.
Honorable mentions to: Gears of War 2, Lost Odyssey (best RPG so far this gen), Valkyria Chronicles, Saints Row 2, Super Maio Galaxy (simply magical!) and Braid.
Also: Fuck you, Peggle! You've ruined my life!!
