Feature

We're here, we've counted down from 50-31 and 30-11 and now we've reached the best 10 games of the last decade. Whatever your opinion on the final standings there is no doubting these titles are some of the best to grace consoles, ever. Here's to the next ten years.

10 - LittleBigPlanet

LittleBigPlanet can safely put itself up there with the elite titles - those that not only stand out amongst the crowd, but also change the games that follow it. LittleBigPlanet changes things not via its satisfying platforming, but by also using its heavy emphasis on customisation - not just in the small scale of character looks but also in the capacity to create levels from scratch to build the game how you see fit. Placing the creativity in gamer’s hands was massively innovative and although it may not has been the first to offer the ability to create custom gaming experiences, it certainly made it far more accessible than ever before.

Platform: PlayStation 3 Developer: Media Molecule Year: 2008

9 - Guitar Hero

Almost single handedly reinventing the rhythm game genre and the first in line in the series, Guitar Hero was a sleeper hit. With over 1.5 million sales on release the arguably small genre hit big in the living room. Pioneering with an actual guitar controller, it paved the way to 13 other titles in the franchise to date, and inspired many others to follow suit. It also made everyone feel like they could play guitar. Almost.

Platform: PlayStation 2 Developer: Harmonix Music System Year: 2006

8 - Call Of Duty 4: Modern Warfare

The top selling game of 2007, Call Of Duty 4: Modern Warfare was a shooter that included a well written and intense storyline with realistic graphics and an incredible online experience. This game saw Infinity Ward turn the series from World War 2 based to a more modern, gritty gaming experience which gave us a realistic look at the brutality of modern war. Add to that a well crafted multiplayer and you have one of the best first person shooters ever.

Platform: Multi Developer: Infinity Ward  Year: 2007

7 - Halo 3

Finish the Fight. In what may have been the most hyped game – and some might say over hyped – to ever grace a console, in the final instalment of the Master Chief’s fight against the Covenant and the flood, you finally get to the end of an emotional roller-coaster ride to the climax. Along with its single player campaign, Halo 3 also greatly expanded upon the popular – and still played today – Halo 2 multiplayer. With brand new maps, weapons and tweaks in the dynamics Halo 3 definitely improved upon its predecessor, and has been the most played game on Xbox Live of 2007, 2008 and even 2009. So, Call of Duty? Eat your heart out.

Platform: Xbox 360 Developer: Bungie Year: 2007

6 - Call Of Duty: Modern Warfare 2

Modern Warfare 2 could be the most anticipated game of all time. It has certainly lived up to the hype. Infinity Ward took everything that made the first Modern Warfare so great and stepped it up a notch. It provides the player with an over the top, explosion heavy, gun blazing single player. Surpassing that though is it's fast pace, challenging and more importantly rewarding multiplayer, which is almost perfect.

Platform: Multi Developer: Infinity Ward Year: 2009

5 - Half-Life 2

Half Life 2 saw the return of Gordon Freeman, a scientist from City 17 fighting for his life to survive. Building upon its predecessor, this game gave the fans everything they wanted, from cutting edge graphics to an incredibly engaging single player campaign. The detail and perfection found in every aspect of this game ensures that it will become a timeless title.

Platform: Multi Developer: Valve Year: 2004

4 - Gears Of War 

While Gears Of War certianly didn't bring anything new to the table it did refine already existing aspects to create one of the perfecylt crafted titles of the last decade. It's cover system was without fault, it's shooting system had the realistic feel that is often lacked and it's story provide the hook that brought it all together. If you could forgive the clunky-ness it's multiplayer also provided hours of gory fun. A special mention should also go to the chainsaw. Best weapon ever.

Platform: Xbox 360 and PC Developer: Epic Games Year: 2006

3 - Portal

“Welcome to the Aperture Science Computer-Aided Enrichment Center.” Are the first words you’ll hear when you first play this game – bar some cheesy yet catchy music out of a radio. Portal is a First Person Puzzle game in which you have a gun called the Aperture Science Handheld Portal Device, or “Portal Gun.” This gun has the ability to shoot two portals – an entrance and an exit Portal – that you need to use in order to traverse the various levels of the game. And did I mention you have a slightly psychotic AI guiding you called GLaDOS? Portal is an immensely fun game and most definitely worth a play for all game lovers out there. Oh and by the way… the cake is NOT a lie.

Platform: Multi Developer: Valve Year: 2007

2 - Bioshock

One of the most beautiful games created last decade, Bioshock, spiritual successor to 1994’s System Shock, mixed lush Art Deco-inspired surroundings with a strong sense of unease and discomfort to devastating effect. The sub-aquatic dystopia of Rapture is both absorbing and agitating, since any one of the city’s monstrous inhabitants could jump out at you at any time. Hugely post-modern, Bioshock contains some of the most memorable characters in videogame history, alongside perhaps the most shockingly brilliant plot twist ever to be found in any form of media. The thinking person’s shooter, Bioshock thoroughly deserves its place near the top of the list.

Platform: Multi Developer: Irrational Games Year: 2007

1 - Uncharted 2: Among Thieves

Uncharted 2: Among Thieves has been the winner of numerous Game of the Year Awards in 2009, including our very own, and has become widely regarded as having the best graphics to come out of a console so far. In the main protagonist’s second outing, you follow Nathan drake on his quest to find the ancient city of Shambhala in his quest for the Cintamani stone. Going from a war-torn Nepal to the heights of the Himalayas you jump, climb and fight your way to find out the dark secrets contained within the ancient city. If that wasn’t enough, Uncharted 2 offers 5v5 multiplayer action and a 3 player co-op objective style game play. All in all, Uncharted 2 is a masterpiece and technical marvel of what the PS3 can do. With a story worthy of those multi-million dollar Hollywood films – along with the cheesy jokes to go with it – this game definitely deserved every single bit of praise it received.

Platform: PlayStation 3 Developer: Naughty Dog Year: 2009