Top 10 Successful Video Games of 2009

2009 has been a fantastic year for sequels. The downloadable content hype is being perfected with each new release on the X-Box 360 and Playstation 3, the role-playing games have been engaging, engrossing and those that were sequels, true to their predecessors, while interactive games for all ages have been some of the most imaginative releases seen in several years.

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2

Released on November 10th and available for the X-Box 360, Playstation 3 and Microsoft Windows, this first person shooter has received scores of 9/10 and 10/10 from most major gaming review magazines and even took home the Spike awards for Best Shooter and Best Multiplayer. It's major source of complaint centers on the single player mode being surprisingly short. Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 is rated M 17+ for Mature 17 and up.

Batman: Arkham Asylum

This game was released on August 25th for the Playstation 3 and X-Box 360, then later on September 15th for Microsoft Windows. This game won the Spike Golden Game Award as well as being submitted to the Guinness Book of World Records for being 'the most critically acclaimed superhero game.' Batman: Arkham Asylum is a single player story following Batman as he races to capture Joker, who has released the inmates of Arkham free on the island. Batman: Arkham Asylum is rated 16+ for player 16 and up.

Uncharted 2: Among Thieves

The sequel to the famous Uncharted: Drake's Fortune, was released on October 13th for the Playstation 3. This third-person adventure shooter has not only single player mode, but also online multi-player in competitive and co-op modes. The majority of the reviews for Uncharted 2: Among Thieves are 10/10 and the Spike Video Game Awards nominated the game eight times and it won for three categories, including Game of the Year. Uncharted 2: Among Thieves is rated T for Teen.

Assassin's Creed II

Released on November 17th for the Playstation 3 and X-Box 360, while a date of March 16, 2010 is schedule for Microsoft Windows, this is the sequel to Assassin's Creed. Reported to have sold over 1.6 million copies its opening week, Assassin's Creed II won Best Action Adventure Game from the Spike Video Game Awards, as well as X-Box 360 Game of the Year. Assassin's Creed II is rated M for Mature.

Kingdom Hearts 358/2 Days

Released on September 29th for the Nintendo DS, this game is set within the Kingdom Hearts universe as occurring before the story of Kingdom Hearts II. The game has received scores of 8/10, earning praise for its stunning visuals, camera and movement controls as well as its classic gameplay and enthralling plot. GameSpot was quoted saying the game had, 'a ton of heart.' 358/2 Days is dedicated in memory of Wayne Allwine, who voiced King Mickey in all of the Kingdom Hearts games, including 358/2 Days, just before his passing. Kingdom Hearts 358/2 Days is rated E10+ for Everyone 10 and up.

Tekken 6
The newest installment to the Tekken fighting franchise was released for the Playstation 3 and X-Box 360 on October 27th and for the Playstation Portable on November 24th. While the game has been criticized for its excessive load times and bland environments, it has received generally positive scores of 8/10. Play UK was quoted saying the game was 'intense and tactical and utterly brilliant.' Tekken 6 is rated T for Teen.

Marvel: Ultimate Alliance 2
The sequel to Marvel: Ultimate Alliance, this game was released on a number of consoles, including the X-Box 360, Wii and Playstation 3 on September 15th. This action RPG with both single and multi-player modes has received a steady stream of 7/10 reviews by the professional industry. Many magazines consider the first game to be superior, while many fans differ, saying the second is stronger in its story-telling and fighting. Marvel: Ultimate Alliance 2 is rated T for Teen.

Dragon Age: Origins
Released on November 3rd for the Playstation 3, X-Box 360 and Microsoft Windows, Dragon Age: Origins has been awarded a number of titles including, Spike's Best PC Game and Best RPG, it was chosen as PC Game of the Year, Best X-Box RPG of the Year, and Best Story of the Year. This compelling, role-playing adventure promises more titles in the future. Dragon Age: Origins is rated M for Mature.

The Sims 3
Released on June 2nd, this life simulation is currently available for computers with speculation as to whether it will be released later on seventh generation consoles. The Sims 3 reported to have sold over 1.4 million copies its opening week, proving to be the biggest game launch EA ever had. PC Gamer gave the game the Editor's Badge and called it, 'the best Sims game yet.' Overall, the game has been given positive reviews of either 8/10 or 9/10. The Sims 3 is rated T for Teen.

Scribblenauts
Released on September 15th for the Nintendo DS, Scribblenauts is a puzzle action video game. The game has been praised for its originality, replay value and incredible achievement in the success of all the objects that is incorporated, but criticism has stemmed from the the game's poor controls, which many fans have complained kills what is considered a nearly perfect game. Scribblenauts sold over 194,000 units during September and was named by Time magazine as the 6th best video game of 2009. Scribblenauts is rated E10+ for Everyone 10 and up.