By: Adam Tuck
10. SUPER MARIO GALAXY 2 (Wii)
This is the only real sequel to be created to a Mario game in a very long time. It follows the same ideas as the first game, but it hasn’t stopped being fun!
9. LEGO UNIVERSE (PC)
While it wasn’t hugely successful or popular, LEGO UNIVERSE boldly challenged the massive multiplayer online genre, and offered a neat way to build your own characters, vehicles and buildings—literally, with Lego.
8. POKÉMON HEARTGOLD AND SOULSILVER (DS)
Pokémon hasn’t changed much, and that’s because it’s never really needed to. Playing Gold and Silver again on the DS was a great new twist on the original games, one that kept them interesting and dynamic.
7. KIRBY’S EPIC YARN (Wii)
This was worth the wait. Kirby’s transformations were made even more charming in a world made of string. This proved that you don’t need realistic graphics to make a great-looking game.
6. SCOTT PILGRIM VS. THE WORLD: THE GAME (Ps3, Xbox 360)
Most video games made after feature-length films are usually not very well made. Scott Pilgrim not only stays true to the source material, but it’s a fun and enjoyable throwback to classic games.
5. FINAL FANTASY XIII (Ps3, Xbox 360)
There’s something to say for a game that has great production value. Here, the story, characters and cutscenes will draw you in and refuse to let go. The game is rounded off with excellent combat mechanics and breathtaking graphics.
4. AMNESIA: THE DARK DESCENT (PC)
Not for the faint of heart, this first-person horror game is not about shooting, or even fighting. It’s about running and hiding from monsters. It’s amazingly well paced and one of the scariest games ever.
3. SPLIT/SECONDS (Ps3, Xbox 360, PC)
Surprisingly original, this was the most exciting racing game we’ve seen in a long time. Instead of using car-mounted weapons to fend off opponents, you triggered explosives to collapse buildings and derail trains.
2. STARCRAFT 2 (PC)
12 years after the first game created a major following, it seemed that this sequel had very big shoes to fill. It did so handily, with tightened multiplayer gameplay and an amazing single-player campaign to go with it.
1. NEW SUPER MARIO BROS. Wii (Wii)
Though this actually came out very late in 2009, we still love it… so much that it had to make the top of this list! It’s an excellent reboot of the Mario name and takes the series back to its roots. It’s also the most fun multiplayer game that’s ever hit the Wii.