Last year's race between 2K Sports and EA Sports' hockey franchises was almost a dead heat. This year, EA's NHL 09 takes Lord Stanley's Cup, thanks to a combination of what worked well last year and some sweet new features.

Last year's race between 2K Sports and EA Sports' hockey franchises was almost a dead heat. This year, EA's NHL 09 takes Lord Stanley's Cup, thanks to a combination of what worked well last year and some sweet new features.

The new Challenge and Battle of the Bands modes and tweaks to the World Tour mode will keep you playing for months.

Just as sweet as the original. The new Challenge mode, Battle of the Bands and tweaks to the World Tour mode will keep you playing for months.

Custom set lists and a new No Fail mode means you can play however and as long as you want. Buy Rock Band 2 and rock through the house.

The attractive graphic novel cut scenes, devastating electrical attacks, a moody soundtrack and a sprawling post apocalyptic metropolis make inFAMOUS a welcome addition to the PlayStation 3 library.

MadWorld is what you'd get if you stuck Pink Floyd's "The Wall" video into the mouth of Quentin Tarantino and pushed play.

It looks gorgeous, with wonderfully drawn levels and a captivating soundtrack. It ends sooner than expected, but the ride Braid takes you on is worth it.

Classic beat-em-up bliss, backed by a wonderful upgrade system, several new characters and weapons (like Alien Hominid bashing people's heads in with a lollipop) and memorable gameplay.

Occasionally sloppy visuals and dialogue can't derail a fantastic, involving role-playing experience. Baldur's Gate veterans should definitely apply.

The result is so good that we're declaring it an easy 'Best of' contender for 2009.

The result is so good that we're declaring it an easy 'Best of' contender for 2009.

The result is so good that we're declaring it an easy 'Best of' contender for 2009.

The adventure ends sooner than expected (10-12 hours), but it's worth every breathtaking moment. This is one of 2008's best.

The adventure ends sooner than expected (10-12 hours), but it's worth every breathtaking moment. This is one of 2008's best.

It's damn near impossible, but you'll feel a great sense of accomplishment if you manage to beat the final boss. The replay value is high, thanks to additional challenge and time attack stages, along with promising downloadable content.

It's damn near impossible, but you'll feel a great sense of accomplishment if you manage to beat the final boss. The replay value is high, thanks to additional challenge and time attack stages, along with promising downloadable content.

It's damn near impossible, but you'll feel a great sense of accomplishment if you manage to beat the final boss. The replay value is high, thanks to additional challenge and time attack stages, along with promising downloadable content.

The best part about Muramasa, though, is the presentation. This Wii effort sports vivid hand-drawn animation, breathtaking locales and a memorable soundtrack. It's without question one of the better games you'll find on the Wii.

The graphics look terrific, and the GLaDOS computer system has plenty of insane banter. You owe it to yourself to check this out, even if you beat the original.

Series veterans will recognize the familiar play style of the previous installments and jump right into the story, as a tutorial helps newcomers learn the basics. Because of these changes, Fire Emblem: Shadow Dragon is the gem of the series and a must play for DS owners.

None of the modes - Arcade, Time Attack, Versus - scream innovation, and confusing anime-style cut scenes had us scratching our heads, but the wealth of hidden content, online play and addictive combat make Street Fighter IV one of 2009's most exciting video games.

None of the modes - Arcade, Time Attack, Versus - scream innovation, and confusing anime-style cut scenes had us scratching our heads, but the wealth of hidden content, online play and addictive combat make Street Fighter IV one of 2009's most exciting video games.

We're pleased that this new add-on experience doesn't stray far from the source material. At the same time, there is a certain been-there, done-that feeling, and Johnny's ongoing clashes with biker gang boss Billy are so telegraphed that they fall flat compared to the (by comparison) subtle nuances of Niko's story.

Bayonetta sort of resembles Devil May Cry, and the PlayStation 3 version isn't up to par with the superior Xbox 360 edition. Nevertheless, Platinum Games and Hideki Kamiya built an inventive, stylish and wild action game that gets 2010 off on the right foot. Sequel, please.

Gorgeous and feature packed, it's the new benchmark of open world adventures and a must play for gamers with itchy trigger fingers.

Gorgeous and feature packed, it's the new benchmark of open world adventures and a must play for gamers with itchy trigger fingers.

If you love music/rhythm games and looking for a new challenge or you just love Metallica, you need to buy this video game. More downloadable content would've made this the best Guitar Hero yet, but as it stands, it still rocks. Snag it and obey your master.