OK, so alongside the rest of Team ONM, it's time for my games of the year. I have to say, looking back at my top five, it's not exactly the most shocking or controversial list of games - contenders like PicoPict, The Beatles: Rock Band and House Of The Dead: Overkill were also on heavy rotation this year, but my favourites are as follows:
5. LostWinds: Winter Of The Melodias "Ice to see you." "Everybody chill." This and many more rubbish puns would have littered the review for this had I written it. Fortunately I didn't. I'm a sucker for a spot of 2D platforming and when this came along its lush visuals and highly inventive gameplay charmed my trousers, pants and socks off, leaving me exposed in a very public place. The Police didn't believe my story, either. Like the first game, it was still a little too short and a little too easy, but for the price you're paying I think it's a bargain. A flagship WiiWare title, and quite rightly so.
4. Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars For around a month of this year, this was the only game I played. Sure, it was for review, but the sign of a genuinely compulsive title is that even after I'd reviewed it, I was still playing it over four weeks later. And the most impressive thing was that I was still discovering more. The little side quests and rampages tucked away in the far-flug corners of the map make this my second favourite DS game of the year.
3. Wii Sports Resort This attained legendary multiplayer status in my house over the summer. It was a welcome excuse to return to the take-it-in-turns joy of Bowling and Golf from the first game, but with greater accuracy. The Frisbee games (especially Frisbee Golf) reward practice with satisfying results while Table Tennis rallies became a battle of wits and cunning. Despite generally unfavourable reviews, surprise favourites were Wakeboarding and Basketball - maybe we were playing a different game? Alongside Mario Kart Wii, this is one of the great multiplayer games.
2. Legend Of Zelda: Spirit Tracks This really shouldn't be as good as it is. As series producer Mr Aonuma said in our ONM 51 interview, Spirit Tracks was completed in record time for a Zelda game, and half of that time was spent perfecting the train elements of the game. And yet it's brilliant - it takes the solid gold template set down by Phantom Hourglass, removes the more irritating elements and gives you a load of charming side quests to do as well. Pure class - and (sorry to harp on about it) as Aonuma-san told us last month, it could well end up being the last 'traditional' Zelda game we ever see. A fitting climax.
1. New Super Mario Bros. Wii I hate to be so predictable, but there's no denying the class and verve with which Nintendo has brought 2D Mario platforming to the Wii. Surprisingly challenging, packed with fan-pleasing nods to past classics, and a genuine revelation in multiplayer, NSMB Wii is my game of the year for its ability to genuinely disrupt the working day. For over six weeks, my existence became split between three states; playing NSMB Wii, thinking about playing NSMB Wii and sleeping. Claiming every Star Coin on every level became an obsession that I can proudly call the best gaming experience of the year. Only just, though. Spirit Tracks really is lovely.
So now it's your turn - want to pick apart my choices? Tell us your own? Accuse me of bias/fanboyism? Feel free to do so in the comments thread below...
