The pointless debate rages on whether to buy this game for the PS3 or Xbox 360, but the root of that argument is correct – you need to buy this game.

If you have any interest in platform games at all, or were a platform gamer when you were young and gravitated away from them over time, I implore you to play Super Mario Galaxy 2.

Game of the year on the Gamecube, hands down.

This is game design at it’s best.

I have had a dream of how good this game could be for a long time, and it was immediately kicked out the door for not being grand enough.

There isn't another game out there that can come close to offering a more movie-like experience and at the same time not short-change the gameplay like in other cutscene-heavy titles.

The Orange Box is packed with enough content to keep gamers satisfied for a long time. In addition to the original masterpiece of Half-Life 2, the continuation of the saga with Episode 2 and Portal provide more fun than we’ve seen in years.

Simply put, Mass Effect 2 is a game that everyone should play.

Skyrim delivers a mind blowing level of content wrapped in a package that would be worth the experience at twice the price.

The game does so much right, improving on an excellent formula, adding a bit of its own style, making one of the most original, vibrant, and downright colorful games ever. Just make sure you keep an open mind, and don't let others try to get you to stay away just because it looks like a cartoon; it's not childish, it's character.

A masterpiece. The story and scope of MGS2 is much larger than the original and Kojima should be commended for creating a game that makes you feel like you are in the game. I never put this game down until I beat it.

A thrilling, albeit frustrating, gaming experience that will have you yelling for joy one minute then screaming in anger the next.

This is a long game, longer than GTA3 because there are far more missions in this game in a far larger area.

Families will enjoy Little Big Planet because of the ease of gameplay and the four player co-op. Hardcore gamers will enjoy Little Big Planet because of the collection aspect and the user created content. Future game designers will love Little Big Planet because of the incredible level editor.

While there are some niggling bugs and occasional minor frustrations in the game, Red Dead Redemption gets so many things right that you’ll hardly even notice. Red Dead Redemption is the best Western game I’ve seen and I can’t recommend it highly enough.

Controls are extremely tight and responsive. You are in complete control of Master Chief's movements, so any loss or mistake is completely your own.

From finding all the unique items to helping a boy stuck between the worlds to rescuing all the maidens to finding out who is behind everything, the game has tons of adventure to spare. This is simply one of the must-haves for the GBA.

The Last of Us spells the magnum opus for Naughty Dog on the PlayStation 3, offering us a unique experience that easily eclipses anything else we’ve seen on the system. This game is easily a contender for adventure game of the year.

The game is huge and you may not even get to the first dungeon for hours.

Rockstar San Diego has captured the environment and the emotion of the time masterfully. So much is done right that the bugs which do exist do not detract from the game. If you enjoy open-world titles at all, Red Dead Redemption should be in your gaming library.

Portal 2 is hands-down the best game thus far released in 2011.

Perhaps the greatest feat that Infinity Ward has performed is not only living up to the hype of Modern Warfare 2, but actually exceeding it.

There are huge staircases, statues and mystical spheres…oh wait, that last thing is not in a typical gothic-style castle. The game is well polished and I never saw a graphic I didn’t like in the whole game.

I’m sure that it took a lot of convincing to get Activision to sign off on moving to a modern setting instead of the wildly successful World War II model that has performed so well since the game’s inception, but it has paid off in spades.

A fantastic romp with the Dark Knight through a suitably dark and depressing city, with your fists, your toys and a fantastic new take on the story. While it engages more sandbox gameplay, it ultimately is a true sequel to the Arkham Asylum in both feel and presentation and is a worthy purchase, even if it isn't that long or that large.

Containing all of the downloadable content from the other two versions, as well as a fantastic story to boot, Bioshock is an incredible title.

There is one area where Gears of War does not shine – bugs. Four big ones affecting multiplayer are fairly widespread.

I’m sure that it took a lot of convincing to get Activision to sign off on moving to a modern setting instead of the wildly successful World War II model that has performed so well since the game’s inception, but it has paid off in spades.