My 2009 in Games

So here we are at the tail very beginnings of 2010 and even though I didn’t keep track like I should’ve I managed to compile this list of pretty much every game I played last year. I tell ya, back in August it felt like I hadn’t played anything new but as this list proves I really did get to a lot of 2009’s releases. To be honest, that’s a very personal “a lot” because according to EEDAR GamePulse 1,099 games were released to retail alone in 2009. I played 63 of them. Doing some quick math (read: a Google search) that’s like saying I played 5.6% of all games released last year but I swear it feels like I played a lot of them!

The biggest revelation of 2009? That games rarely “do it” for me anymore. Almost all of the games here definitely entertained and even captivated me but thinking back on them I recall more angst, frustration, and disappointment than adoration and joy. Maybe it’s my failing body; my aching hands or bleary eyes that make playing games a physical challenge. Maybe I’ve just played too many damn games and everything seems samey. Or maybe I’m just a curmudgeonly old man who’s forgotten how to enjoy himself.

Whatever it is I hope I can break through it in 2010 or it may well be one of my last years at the helm of a joystick, and I don’t mean because motion controllers will replace them. Wow, that was depressing but, ya know, it’s how I feel. I’m hoping that looking back on this post in a year I’ll laugh at the old me sitting here right now typing this out and realize how wrong I was to doubt the creative freedom, fiery spirit, and carefree whimsy of gaming. Come on industry, prove me wrong! I suggest you start by flaying Bobby Kotick.

Ok. Before I drive everyone away I’ll shut up and get on with the listing. Many of the 63 games below are linked to significant coverage I wrote either here or at NfamousGamers and if you’re looking for some more insight check out my ridiculously extensive list of what I played in 2005 for comparison and my Top Ten of 2009 list at Giant Bomb. Also, comment your hearts out! Let’s make this some kind of discussion. Wanna know how Excitebike is? Ask me. Why did I play Damnation? Go on, ask me!

Dead Space Extraction

Deadly Creatures
Excitebike World Rally

Just Dance

Pokemon Rumble

Wii Sports Resort

Anno 1404

Art Style Aquia

Atelier Annie: Alchemists of Sera Island

Henry Hatsworth and the Puzzling Adventure

Legacy of Y’s: Books I & II

Moon

Need for Speed: Nitro

Peggle Dual Shot

Touchmaster 3

Treasure World

WireWay

1 vs 100

50 Cent: Blood on the Sand

Batman: Arkham Asylum

Brutal Legend

Damnation

Dynasty Warriors 6: Empires

FunTown Mahjong

Halo Waypoint

Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince

Kodu Game Lab
Ninja Blade

Puzzle Quest Galactrix

Raiden IV

Red Faction: Guerilla

Shadow Complex

‘Splosion Man

The Beatles: Rock Band

The Dishwasher Dead Samurai

Tower Blox

.detuned

Afrika

Assassin’s Creed 2

Dynasty Warriors: Strikeforce

Flower

Killzone 2

Noby Noby Boy

PixelJunk Shooter

Trash Panic

Uncharted 2: Among Thieves

Advent Rising

Tomb Raider Underworld

Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion

Super Metroid

Scene It? Box Office Smash!

Guitar Hero World Tour

Bionic Commando: ReArmed

And here’s what you were probably looking for, my top and bottom games of 2009. These are only games that were released in 2009 although I’m sure there are some that would argue that Super Metroid was still the best game of the year. You old fuddy-duddy you!