25 introduced voice acting to the franchise, but not to the main character (that would not come until the next game in the franchise, which was highly controversial)

#27: Tekken Tag Tournament (PS2)

Buying a console at launch can be tricky for a while my brand spanking new PS2 was more a DVD player than a gaming console but then this game cam along. I was already a fan of the Tekken series having hopped in Tekken 2 thanks to a demo disc on the PS1. Tekken Tag Tournament mixed things up by having you select two characters to fight and also resurrecting some characters who were dead in the storyline (like my beloved Jun Kazama!).  If you were tired of fighting, well you could also bowl! This special mode was surprisingling fun and should have comeback in every Tekken title afterward!

#26: Super Mario Galaxy (Wii)

With Super Mario Galaxy, Nintendo showed exactly was the Wii was capable of and it was fantastic. Mario's trek through space was thrilling, beautiful and featured tons of new ideas. The way the levels played with gravity was very ingenous, the bee suit was as cute as can be. This game was pure platforming goodness!

#25 Hint: Nintendo Power sent out a VHS tape to promote this game. It was very effective in getting me interested in this old mascot.

Donkey Kong Country?

banjo kazooie

Super Mario 64?

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Hint for number 24.

While it was later on atleast five more systems at retail the original game had three different versions.  Not Pokemon like different, but not really minor either either. 

Clues for 27-24:

27. Ron Perlman does the narration at the start and for the trailers

26. Previous iteration of a game that came out yesterday.

25. The next part of the campaign (expansion) to this game came out this year.

24. Not the first game in the franchise, but it did introduce a memorable musical score to the series which has been remixed and re-used for the sequels.

28. Assassins Creed II (PS3, also on 360 & PC)

The first game was a bit boring and repetitive although it had potential with some solid platforming mechanics inherited from the Prince of Persia series.. The sequel completely changed that with not only a massive playable world but with interesting quests and just generally filling the game with some superb content. Not only that though, they added an intriguing character in Ezio that helped bring the player into an involving plot of politics, backstabbing and conspiracy. None of the sequels have come close to matching the magic of AC2, although I haven't played Black Flag yet, so who knows if another AC game can make the list next year?

Yep, here's the video in question: