10. Call of Duty 2
Publisher: Activision
Developer: Infinity Ward
Platform: PC
Call of Duty 2 was a much needed grenade up the backside of World War II games, which at the time were becoming stale and tired. Spectacular set-pieces and unrelenting fire-fights provided the backbone of an unflinching single-player campaign which, combined with its solid multiplayer experience, became the foundations on which Modern Warfare was built. More
9. Jade Empire
Publisher: Microsoft
Developer: BioWare
Platform: Xbox
Today, JRPGs still struggle with reinventing an action based battle system while many western role playing games are slowly turning into shooters. Jade Empire's confrontations had the pacing of well choreographed fight scene with the gameplay of a fighting game. Combat was fierce and character management was streamlined. It still makes many of today's role playing experiences look bloated, clunky, and unapproachable. More
8. WarioWare: Twisted!
Publisher: Nintendo
Developer: Nintendo R&D1
Platform: GBA
Built into every Wario Ware Twisted cartridge was a motion-sensing chip that recognized when the system was being rotated and spun, like a knob on a radio. This opened up the creative vaults within Nintendo wide-open, and it's amazing to see all the different challenges and experiences Nintendo's R&D department came up with to take advantage of this "twisting" motion. It was something not seen before on the Game Boy Advance, but the experiment worked: this game is our choice for Best GBA game ever. It was also a taste of things to come, with Nintendo's ultimate direction for console gaming... More
7. Mario Kart DS
Publisher: Nintendo
Developer: Nintendo
Platform: DS
It's probably the best Mario Kart by virtue of being the distillation of every Mario Kart that had gone before it. Highlights from the series' past make the cut, and since Mario Kart has had so many highlights, it meant a game that was bursting with content - and the fact that you could play it on the go was a happy bonus. More
6. Sid Meier's Civilization IV
Publisher: 2K Games
Developer: Firaxis
Platform: PC
For strategy and management fans out there, few franchises can hold a candle to the depth and complexity of Civilization. Four titles on, Civ IV continues the legacy of complex, balanced and rewarding gameplay, further refining and improving the interface, refreshing the landscape through glorious production values and superb multiplayer. More
5. Dragon Quest VIII: Journey of the Cursed King
Publisher: Square Enix
Developer: Level-5
Platform: PS2
A spiky-haired protagonist and a princess in need of rescue; Journey of the Cursed King could be a cliché, but so wonderful is Level 5's pastoral world that it all feels as fresh as the first time. Dragon Quest VIII may well be traditional, but this is a tradition that's well worth celebrating. More
4. God of War
Publisher: Sony Computer Entertainment
Developer: SCE Studios Santa Monica
Platform: PS2
When you think of what an epic game can be, your thoughts likely won't stray too far from the God of War franchise. It's amazing how well Sony Santa Monica's title holds up even to this day, with regards to both gameplay and graphics, but God of War is a true classic in every sense of the word. Athena! More
3. Guitar Hero
Publisher: RedOctane
Developer: Harmonix
Platform: PS2
You might say that the music genre has been played to death at this point, but when Guitar Hero first hit shelves, it was a massive breath of fresh air. For the first time, even the musically-impaired could rock out to the likes of Eric Clapton and Ozzy Osborne, and it helped kick off the concept of a true party game. Rock on. More
2. Resident Evil 4
Publisher: Capcom
Developer: Capcom Production Studio 4
Platform: GameCube , PC , PS2
As Matt Casamassina wrote in the original review, "Ladies and gentlemen, the best survival-horror game ever made." Resident Evil 4 blends shockingly gruesome moments with scenes of slowly impending doom better than any game before or after it. If you've never experienced a wonderfully constructed horror game, Resident Evil 4 is the perfect place to start. More
1. Shadow of the Colossus
Publisher: Sony Computer Entertainment
Developer: SCEI
Platform: PS2
All boss fights, all the time. Without peer to this day, this masterpiece cut out all the filler of most games to focus on 16 epic, beautiful boss battles. It's like one giant boss rush mode with a touching story and inspired art work. Shadow of the Colossus was one of the most important games of the PS2 generation. More
