Someone made a "best of" list..

[Sjofn]

SSX Tricky was my favorite of the SSXs I played (was 3 the last one? If so I played alla 'em).
None of you care, but I posted anyway! 

There was On Tour after 3, which made me cry, and Blur for the Wii... which was 3 with all the joy beaten from it.

So basically I played all of them. 

[UnSub]

Deus Ex is probably the most important title imo in the last decade since it did more for changing how people thought FPS titles could work and how RPGs could blend along with a great, partially player-driven story. The most important factor was the level design - you could complete objectives in multiple ways that were all equally valid.

Dead Rising gets my vote on the Xbox 360 as a title other than Halo that made the platform worth having and also for tackling the zombie genre from a fresh angle.

WoW deserves its place on any list of the decade - 'best' or not, its popularity and impact on the gaming industry can't be ignored.

[patience]

Top ten games that didn't make Game of the Year 2009

I actually like this list.

Civilization IV is arguably the best video game ever made.  Any top-15 list without that game on it is shit for that reason alone.  If you have a different opinion, your opinion is wrong.

Then many in the industry are going to be damned by you. (Gamasutra's Top 12 of the Decade)

This is a respectable list and the commentary made me think about these games in new ways.

[Ingmar]

Some of the commentary is pretty interesting. I do find picking Mass Effect over BG2 somewhat odd considering they went with the 'progenitor' games for a couple other spots, Sims and GTA3.

[schild]

The gamasutra list is just downright boring, even with Deus Ex at number 2.

[HaemishM]

Top 10 Games of the Decade - Yahoo! Games (complete with 2 Wii titles)

I want to kill that list by stabbing it in the eyes with my rigid cock. Bejeweled? WoW? HALO? WII FIT?

FFFUUUUUUUUU

[Kail]

Deus Ex is probably the most important title imo in the last decade since it did more for changing how people thought FPS titles could work and how RPGs could blend along with a great, partially player-driven story. The most important factor was the level design - you could complete objectives in multiple ways that were all equally valid.

I dunno about that, I mean it's definitely shown that all that stuff is possible, but in terms of it being important, I think it would have to be something the industry really jumped on, and aside from System/Bioshock and maybe kinda Vampire: Bloodlines, I don't know of many games which follow after it in those respects.  Mostly, they keep following the old "run-n-gun between story cutscenes" formula.

"Important" to me would be something like WoW or GTA3: a game where almost every entry in the genre that was developed after it is derivative of it.

[Falwell]

Here's a good and shitty best of list to add to the pile...

Massively's top 5 MMO news stories of 2009..

[UnSub]

That's a bad, bad list.

[stray]

Deus Ex is probably the most important title imo in the last decade since it did more for changing how people thought FPS titles could work and how RPGs could blend along with a great, partially player-driven story. The most important factor was the level design - you could complete objectives in multiple ways that were all equally valid.

I dunno about that, I mean it's definitely shown that all that stuff is possible, but in terms of it being important, I think it would have to be something the industry really jumped on, and aside from System/Bioshock and maybe kinda Vampire: Bloodlines, I don't know of many games which follow after it in those respects.  Mostly, they keep following the old "run-n-gun between story cutscenes" formula.

Mass Effect and Fallout 3 both draw a lot from Deus Ex - Not to say they're as good (although both definitely have better combat).

[edit] In fact... That's why I'd never reward those with a "best of" spot. They didn't bring anything particularly new. And to me, that's what a standout game is all about.. Not knowing wtf is going on, playing by new rules, and having fun figuring it all out. There are a lot of great games, but there aren't too many games like that even throughout 10 years of gaming. You know like a Katamari or something. The only exception I'd make for a game that isn't particularly innovative, that I'd give a "best of" spot to, is World of Warcraft -- but that's tied into the fact that the MMO genre is fubar, and just accomplishing something fairly coherent and functional like Blizzard did should be called "a fresh take". "Holy shit! It actually works! This is new.."

[El Gallo]

Some of the commentary is pretty interesting. I do find picking Mass Effect over BG2 somewhat odd considering they went with the 'progenitor' games for a couple other spots, Sims and GTA3.

I thought BG2 was late-90s, but you're right.  Shit's gotta be in there too.

[schild]

Mass Effect and Fallout 3 both draw a lot from Deus Ex - Not to say they're as good (although both definitely have better combat).

I'm not sure I agree. Darts in Deus Ex flew straight and true and there was absolutely zero mouse lag. In fact, yea, I'd say the combat in Deus Ex was better. Might not have LOOKED better, but it was better. Shame the AI in it was retarded to the max. Though Fallout 3 is pretty close (HE'S COMING STRAIGHT FOR US!). Mass Effect at least had enemies that utilized cover decently and didn't just run for the alarm.

[Merusk]

Since we're linking other lists.  Here's Game Informer's Top 200 of all time.

I've got the issue, and their reasoning for the placement of most of them was based on quality, cultural relevance and industry impact.  There's detailed explanations for all of the top 114. After that it gets spotty, but I can post t hem if anyone requests it.

[dusematic]

egg nog

I got pretty hardcore with egg nog this year.  Got AA rated eggs, (never even knew about them until Alton told me) fresh cream, 15 year old scotch, real cinnamon sticks, real vanilla bean, and real fresh nutmeg i grated over it.  Frothy and creamy as fuck.

[dusematic]

It's just god damn terrible. As all of these are.

Advance Wars should be Valkyria Chronicles. Or Disgaea.

Bioshock should be Demon's Souls or Resident Evil 4.

Rock Band should be Guitar Hero. Yea yea, same devs, whatever, don't care. Really though, they were the worst thing to happen to gaming this decade.

Katamari is perfect.

ICO should be Shadow of the Colossus. But this is OK.

GTA should be God of War.

FF12 should be Shadowhearts: Covenant.

Braid should be stricken from the list. Shit, replace it with Passage or some other indie sweetheart. Don't care if they're free. Shit, replace it with NoiZ2. I don't care, just remove Braid. New Super Mario DS would be a decent replacement too.

Ninja Gaiden should also be God of War. Let's say 2.

Sims should be, well, The Sims I guess. Sims 2 maybe.

SSX3 is an interesting post.

Edit: I don't know why I even respond to stuff like this, I play more games than anyone I know. Period. So uhhhhh. Can't blame them too much.

Yeah, basically.  Although I never "got" Disgaea.

[Lucas]

Anyways, whatever list has Deus Ex at least in the Top 3 is good to me *pats Gamasutra on the head*

[Severian]

Since we're linking other lists.  Here's Game Informer's Top 200 of all time.

I've got the issue, and their reasoning for the placement of most of them was based on quality, cultural relevance and industry impact.  There's detailed explanations for all of the top 114. After that it gets spotty, but I can post t hem if anyone requests it.

I like their choice for #30.

Someone was.

[stray]

[edit] Damn, nevermind.

[eldaec]

A couple of years back didn't we already collect all the data for the final list of the 20 best games ever, weren't there going to spreadsheets and charts and shit?

Whatever happened to that?

[schild]

The Game Informer list is terrible. Not because of the inclusions but because of the order. The only thing they got right was making sure Final Fantasy VI was before IV or VII or any other Final Fantasy. I ought 3 issues though and intend to frame them because the work they did on the covers was just FANTASTIC. Possibly the best covers they've ever made. The Tetris one is straight up art. The Final Fantasy VI one has a Kefka Sprite laughing on the back. Just fantastic.

[Velorath]

A couple of years back didn't we already collect all the data for the final list of the 20 best games ever, weren't there going to spreadsheets and charts and shit?

Whatever happened to that?

You know, at one point just for the hell of it I compiled all that data in a spreadsheet myself and the end results were a lot less interesting than the individual Top 20 lists themselves.  It's more fun to see what made the cut for each person than it is to see that WoW and Diablo 2 were on more lists than any other game.  It becomes less of a Top 20 list when you compile everything like that, and more of a "games the most people here played" list.

I'd be more interested in doing new Top 20 lists and seeing how peoples' tastes have changed in the two years or so since the previous lists, and now that we're a couple more years into the current console cycle, what recent stuff makes the cut (I'm fairly sure Demon's Souls or Dragon Age would end up on a number of lists).

[schild]

I compiled all the data into a spreadsheet as well, in no meaningful order. Started ripping it apart to make a total top 20 and such. I had no clue what to do with it afterwards. The Top 20 was incredibly predictable, and while some people had favorites here and there, I probably could've just made a predictive top 20 and been about right on the money. We should do something like it again, but yea, after this console gen is over as it's had some incredible standouts that lots of folks have played (versus the PS2 era).

Edit: If I could find that spreadsheet, I'd attach it to this post.

[UnSub]

I was happy to see Vagrant Story make it into Gamasutra's honourable mentions - I loved that game.

[UnSub]

Best of the Decade - Techland
Top 10 Games of the Decade - Everyview (6 lists from 6 people)
Best Console Games of the Decade - Crunch Gear
Best PC Games of the Decade - Crunch Gear
10 Best Games of the Decade - Bit Rebels

[Azazel]

Microsoft just mailed me a "best of 2009" list.  Enjoy!

The Best of 2009
 
What are the best and most popular video games and video game features of 2009 available through Xbox LIVE®? And what are the best and most popular videos and music videos for 2009 available from Zune? We’ve compiled them all in one handy list. It’s been a great year, and 2010 promises even more!

Top Xbox LIVE Arcade Games
These hot games released throughout the year are all classics in their own right.

Battlefield 1943™
Marvel™ vs. Capcom® 2
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles™: Turtles in Time Re-Shelled
Shadow Complex™
Trials HD


Top Games on Demand
Complete games downloaded directly to your console. What’s not to like?

Assassin’s Creed™
Battlefield: Bad Company™
The Elder Scrolls® IV: Oblivion™
Grand Theft Auto IV™
Mass Effect™


Top Game Add-Ons
Get more from your game with these great new add-ons for the core game.

Call of Duty®: World at War
Fable® II
Gears of War 2
Grand Theft Auto IV
Halo 3


Top Avatar Collections
Accessorize your Avatar and show the world your favorite game style.

Gears of War 2
Star Wars® The Clone Wars™: Republic Heroes™
Modern Warfare® 2
Props
Halo 3: ODST


Top Independent Videos
Fun, quirky, clever, and lots of fun to watch. Try one of these today.

The Guild
Red vs. Blue
Major League Gaming

http://www.xbox.com/en-AU/community/events/bestof2009/default.htm

[schild]

Sounds more like "by money made" and "number of downloads" rather than a best of.

[Velorath]

Not a "best of" list, but here are the top selling video games for 2009:


1. Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 (Infinity Ward, Activision), Xbox 360
2. Wii Sports Resort (Nintendo), Wii
3. New Super Mario Bros. Wii (Nintendo), Wii
4. Wii Fit (Nintendo), Wii
5. Wii Fit Plus (Nintendo), Wii
6. Mario Kart Wii (Nintendo), Wii
7. Wii Play (Nintendo), Wii
8. Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 (Infinity Ward, Activision), PlayStation 3
9. Halo 3: ODST (Bungie, Microsoft), Xbox 360
10. Pokemon Platinum Version (Nintendo), NDS

[Yegolev]

Microsoft does say "best and most popular" in the header, so I take "best" to mean "most profitable" while "most popular" is readily apparent.

[stray]

Top Independent Videos

All game videos are stupid. That shit needs to go away.

[edit] I mean "Machinima" specifically. Not sure what Major League Gaming does for vids. Probably something stupid too.

[Venkman]

Not a "best of" list, but here are the top selling video games for 2009:


1. Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 (Infinity Ward, Activision), Xbox 360
2. Wii Sports Resort (Nintendo), Wii
3. New Super Mario Bros. Wii (Nintendo), Wii
4. Wii Fit (Nintendo), Wii
5. Wii Fit Plus (Nintendo), Wii
6. Mario Kart Wii (Nintendo), Wii
7. Wii Play (Nintendo), Wii
8. Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 (Infinity Ward, Activision), PlayStation 3
9. Halo 3: ODST (Bungie, Microsoft), Xbox 360
10. Pokemon Platinum Version (Nintendo), NDS

Source? Only ask because a few places have different lists. Or my Google Fu is borked. Or both.

[Ingmar]

I assume that's a North America only sort of list from the looks of it, too.

[Azazel]

Some of the commentary is pretty interesting. I do find picking Mass Effect over BG2 somewhat odd considering they went with the 'progenitor' games for a couple other spots, Sims and GTA3.

Yeah. These "best of" list compilers really need to work out if they're going for the "progenitor" games or the later, more polished/shiny/bigger versions of the same games. And do it before they compile their individual lists.

GTA3 or Saints Row 2? One pretty much created the genre, the other is arguably the best in the genre so far, with way more shiney and polish.

Sounds more like "by money made" and "number of downloads" rather than a best of.

You're surprised that Microsoft defines "best" using those parameters?

[schild]

Yes, totally surprised. Taken aback even.

[patience]

Not a "best of" list, but here are the top selling video games for 2009:


1. Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 (Infinity Ward, Activision), Xbox 360
2. Wii Sports Resort (Nintendo), Wii
3. New Super Mario Bros. Wii (Nintendo), Wii
4. Wii Fit (Nintendo), Wii
5. Wii Fit Plus (Nintendo), Wii
6. Mario Kart Wii (Nintendo), Wii
7. Wii Play (Nintendo), Wii
8. Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 (Infinity Ward, Activision), PlayStation 3
9. Halo 3: ODST (Bungie, Microsoft), Xbox 360
10. Pokemon Platinum Version (Nintendo), NDS

Pfft

NPD's top 10 games of all time
Disclaimer: Accounting for games sold from 1995 to present and nothing from the PC because that market is dead to us

• Wii Play
• Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock
• Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas
• Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2
• Wii Fit
• Mario Kart w/ Wheel
• Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare
• Madden NFL '07
• Call of Duty: World at War
• Namco Museum

I had to look up Namco Museum and it strangely makes me a bit happy knowing something like that did so well even if the parameters for this list suck. Though looking at the games bundled I can't help but picture some old fart going "Oh yeah! Galaga, Pac Man, fuck they even got Pole Position. This takes me way back. *looks further down the list*....

...Bosconian? What Euro trash is this?!

Toy Pop. What dweeb fucking played Toy Pop?"

*pacemaker goes into overdrive*