For the purposes of collating this list Ntsc-Uk forum members were asked to each list their top 3 games released during 2009. 3 points were awarded for first place, 2 for second and 1 for third. These were then tallied and comments from the users themselves added to explain what made these games so special to them.

GOTY countdown:

#10 Shadow Complex (XBLA)

Released in August of 2009 as the premier entry in Microsoft’s Summer of Arcade lineup, Shadow Complex marked yet another cracking downloadable release from the talented guys over at Chair Entertainment. Revitalising the 2D free-roaming genre, years after Metroid and Castlevania abandoned the style, proved a stroke of genius with widespread critical acclaim and high sales to boot, beating all previous XBLA sales records in the process. Mixing high quality visuals and tight gameplay with a superbly crafted world, not to mention the tie-in novel from acclaimed science fiction writer Orson Scott-Card, Shadow Complex proves that future titles on the downloadable services can easily go toe to toe with the big blockbuster releases.

Family Fry: “Proving Grounds is great fun, the story was cool and the natural progression was very well done, superbly designed game from the start when your just a guy with a flashlight/gun, to finish where your a one man super robot killing machine. One of the best value 1200 MS points game I will ever buy.”

TonyDA: “A cracking homage to the 16-bit platform/rpg genre, which was also fresh at the same time. Hope to see No.2 in 2010.”

#9 Bayonetta (PS3/360)

When Hideki Kamiya, the man behind the Viewtiful Joe games and the very first entry in the Devil May Cry franchise, came out early last year and claimed that with their next release Platinum Games would be redefining the 3D action genre, it’s fair to say expectations were high. And fans of DMC and Ninja Gaiden certainly weren’t left wanting when Bayonetta finally came to Japan in October. Featuring ridiculously over the top moves and some certainly very original character designs, Bayonetta offered a return to the kind of nonsensical, brash and perfectly honed combat that we’ve come to expect from the cream of the Japanese game industry.

Risbreaker said: “I love the idea that at some point a development team sat round a table, looked at Devil May Cry, God War, Ninja Gaiden and co. asking, "How can take everything that's gone before make it more awesome?" That somehow from this meeting came the suggestion of a witch who uses her hair to summon huge hands ands feet to pummel her enemies before a huge hair based beast chews them up and spits them out. And everyone else agreed went with this. And the result is a game that at points is immensely hammy and cheesy, but gets away with it because at the sametime it's playful, funny and confident in what it has to offer, the best action game around. Attractive, stylish and outrageously sexy just like it's protagonist, the english school teacher you never had.”

Spagmasterswift: “My favourite videogame of all time now in 3D with added DMC and the most wonderful sense of humour - fighting system isn't too bad either! Viewtiful stuff.”

#8 Killzone 2 (PS3)

It was a long time coming but Killzone 2 finally arrived at the start of last year, this time taking the fight back to Helghan itself as the I.S.A. try to bring down Visari and his warmongering legions. Whether it’s the jaw dropping graphics, cinematic storyline or the superbly varied Warzone multiplayer mode there’s little doubt that this time Guerrilla Games did live up to the hype, with everything honed to a very high standard. It may have taken over four years to bring their follow up to market but the wait was undoubtedly worth it.

Ampanman: “It all worked for me, including online no slowdown whatsoever, superb set piece battles in the single player and the skirmish mode was a great way to get used to online without being there - listening Infinity Ward?”

J0e Musashi: “I sold Demon's Souls to fund this purchase, and neglected all other games for a good month. Never before have I played a single player game to completion, then went online and played that to completion, then carried on playing for sheer fun. Great trophies too.”

#7 Trials HD (XBLA)

Trials HD marks the second downloadable offering to make this year’s top ten listing. The developers, RedLynx, have been quietly putting out very solid releases for a few years now and with Trials HD they finally received the widespread recognition they deserve. Essentially a physics reworking and graphical overhaul of the PC franchise it’s a game that manages to be at times both punishingly unforgiving and yet utterly addictive in equal measures. It’s games like this which have seen the dreaded “One more go” syndrome all too often turn those quick ten minute session into all-day marathons, aided by the instant restart.

MrMarbles: “... the gameplay is simply sublime. So pure and distilled, so simple. Everyone can pick it up and enjoy it. Everyone will always be able to improve. No one will ever reach the peak of their ability. If there's one game that can have me physically leaning in a desperate urge to affect my on-screen avatar's movements it's this.”

charlesr: “I actually had to make a conscious decision to stop playing this. Gaming crack. The DLC just arrived and I'm scared of starting it.”

TheForce: “addictive as hell”

#6 Modern Warfare 2 (PC/PS3/360)

Last year was Infinity Ward’s bi-annual turn at the Call of Duty franchise and for the first time we saw a direct follow up to their last game. Continuing with the near future setting and amping the storyline up to crazily dramatic heights IW did what they do best and provided a single player experience filled to the brim with huge, exciting set pieces. Coupled with the massive online mode which has kept Ntsc-Ukers glued to their copy many months after release it seems that while many of the IW staff may have moved on, for many fans Modern Warfare 2 will leave a fitting legacy to the series that they created.

SmokeMeAKipperx: “Can't. Stop. Playing.”

Kubrick: “The Citizen Kane of repeatedly shooting people in the face™”

#5 Assassin’s Creed II (PC/PS3/360)

The original Assassin’s Creed launched to some fairly mixed reception amongst critics and gamers back in 2007. For the follow up Ubisoft has moved the game to an entirely new century, this time featuring a richly crafted rendition of Renaissance Italy. Despite very strong sales of the first game it’s a testament to the professionalism of the folks at the Ubisoft Montreal studio that they also addressed many of the issues numerous gamers had with the original, fleshing out the game with far more content and providing a much more all rounded experience. It’s for this reason that while absent from Ntsc-Uk’s 2007 top 10 poll the sequal has soared into the very impressive 5th position this year.

TonyDA: “Totally immersive, had the ability to keep me playing for hours, sometimes doing very little apart from buying paintings and looking for feathers!”

Wools: “The first game was beautiful, had a fresh and interesting new world not yet explored in Videogames and a fantastic counter based combat model. Unfortunately the game was barren and devoid of any interests bar running around on rooftops. Assassins Creed 2 addresses all the problems of the original and then expands in almost all areas. The lead in the game is no longer an emotionless assassin but a funny and warm character that the player can invest in with far greater emotion that pulls you through his journey. The cities are far more interactive and filled with people that bring just enough life, character and colour to them. Whilst the missions are far less tricky to accomplish than the original, they now open up play styles and allow for far more freedom to assassinate targets and complete missions. There's still some flaws to Assassins Creed 2 but by expanding the cities, filling them with far more detail, simplifying the rules for targets and adding an engaging character with a story that drives you through the game, Ubisoft Montreal have righted the wrongs of its predecessor.”

#4 Demon’s Souls (PS3)

With game companies reaching out for the casual market and rising development costs sometimes leading to games that feel like they’ve been designed by a committee, it’s refreshing when a title comes along that isn’t afraid to target the so-called ‘hardcore’ gamer and mix in a little creativity along the way. From Software’s Demon’s Souls is just such a game, unashamedly tough with some imaginative and innovative use of multiplayer mechanics, the developers have crafted a unique experience that went on to sell hundreds of thousands of copies based purely on word of mouth alone. Universally adored by critics and gamers alike it managed to secure it’s top spot without even being released in the UK.

crocky-chocky: “Castlevania in 3D done right, and the best survival horror game I've played in years. It's great to see a game that shoves story right to the back and instead focuses on the joy of simple adventuring and exploring. Giving us these huge, atmospheric and sometimes superbly creepy environments to gradually hack away at. For me, right up there with Ocarina, Galaxy and the like.”

neoboy259: “A lot has been said about this game's difficulty. Its not the difficulty that kills you, its your own complacency. Utterly absorbing, this will still be played and talked about in 10 years time.”

Eight Rooks: “Peerless atmosphere, stupendous game design - tough but fair in a way few if any other games in the past decade have been - fiendishly addictive. Only From Software's usual ropey music, lack of real technical know-how and some general rough edges stop this from being as close to perfect as it gets. Dragging ancient game design kicking and screaming into the modern era, learning how to make brutally hard difficulty genuinely fun, dotting wonderful, subtle gameplay and aesthetic design decisions all the way through - the fact the mediocrity on display in Fable II gets showered with mainstream success instead of this is hugely frustrating.”

#3: Street Fighter IV (PS3/360)

With over 8 years between 3rd Strike and Street Fighter IV it’s fair to say players have been waiting a long time to see where Capcom was planning to take the franchise and, with a significant lead over the fourth place entry landing it solidly in third, it seems they haven‘t gone far wrong. Bringing back the classic cast from the Street Fighter 2 period has paid off, giving many gamers the chance to relive the glory days of the arcades and 16bit era, albeit now with a 3D graphical sheen and reworked fighting system.

C': “Capcom does it again. The sheer longevity of this game that I can still play it almost 12 months on and still find it as competitive and enjoyable as on day one is why it gets a hearty recommendation. It’s not perfect. The Focus Attack is probably not as well-developed as other mechanics employed in previous Capcom fighters and the balance is slightly off at the very top and bottom of the tier list (partly down to some shocking disparity in quality of different characters’ Ultra Combos). Despite its flaws, an invite from friends to play a few matches always turns into the rest of the evening lost as I become engrossed in online battles. The fact that Super Street Fighter IV is one of my most anticipated games for 2010 is a compliment to the quality of the base game it is developing on and I wouldn’t be surprised if it shows up in my 2010 GOTY list.”

nakamura: “After my initial disappointment, well it does feel a bit SF EX! I grew to love this game and on some level it reignited my passion for figthing games and just proved to me current gen titles are not all boring. The feel is great, the combos are great, the camera cuts for ultras add such a simple but effective layer or atmosphere you cannot beat it. Roll on Super.”

Skull Commander: “The daddy of all games this year. It's been out for 10 months already and it still isn't dull. Not one of your end of the year cram ins, SFIV has stamina. Superb online play, great new characters and single handedly spearheaded a fighter revival. Familiar yet new, this is what a modern update should be. No game has came close this year in any shape or form for topping the time I have played this online. Not only the best game this year, but one of the finest games of the decade.”

#2: Batman: Arkham Asylum (PC/PS3/360)

While Pandemic was working on their film tie-in, details started to trickle out throughout the year about another Batman game in the works. This one wasn’t tied into the films and went back to the classic comic book roots of the titular hero. As more and more details of the game emerged it soon became apparent this would be something special. Written by veteran Batman writer Paul Dini and featuring a voice cast including Mark Hamill from the animated TV series, Arkham Asylum is the truest video game adaptation of Batman to date. Equal parts stealth and fisticuffs, with a superb combo system for dealing with multiple assailants, it’s also got the gaming hooks to keep players coming back for more, earning it a very well deserved second place.

Wools: “Who would of thought that a superhero game made by an unknown developer and published by Eidos would be a contender for game of the year? I had no interest in this, classing it under all those other superhero games where the player is thrown into a square room and then pummelled with enemies, but Rocksteady have made the most atmospheric and well paced game I have played in years. From the realisation that you're no longer hiding, you're hunting instead, the discovery of the botanical gardens, Scarecrow playing with your mind and the endless back and forth's between Batman & the Joker, it's the game of the year, bar none.”

ezee ryder: “The best comic book based game ever made, simple as that really. A superb mature storyline combined with some fantastic gameplay. Rocksteady made me feel like the Dark Knight himself, something which many developers before them have failed to do. Infact Batman: Arkham Asylum is not just a great comic book game, it is great game full stop!”

FreelancePolice: “For all the talk of 'being Batman' Rocksteady absolutely nailed it. From the predator stealth sections to the crowd control combat system. Every mechanic was polished to a PVC sheen, even the collectables were fun to hunt for and the fan service was present in spades. There was no need to include a tacked on Multiplayer experience as the single player was so solid, even the challenge rooms offered a reason to keep playing. Arkham was incredibly realised and provided an excellent backdrop for taking on some of Batman's most famous foes. Speaking of which, it's rare that voice acting performances are mentioned in gaming but Mark Hamill's performance is so memorable that it deserves highlighting. A well designed, highly polished and fun superhero licensed game. Who'd of thought it!? The anti-Superman”

#1 Uncharted 2: Among Thieves (PS3)

Garnering very nearly as high as score as the second and third place winners put together Uncharted 2 dominated the voting this year with well over a third of the forum members nominating it. The first Uncharted was released back in 2007, netting the sixth spot in the top 10, but not content with producing such a superlative action game developers Naughty Dog spent a great deal of time looking at how to really optimise their engine for the PS3’s architecture. The result is a game that looks glorious as you get to follow Nathan Drake on his globe trotting adventures. If the puzzle solving, platforming and shootout sections weren’t enough they’ve also managed to cram in new co-op and competitive modes to keep gamers coming back for more.

Eight Rooks: “For big-budget popcorn entertainment it simply doesn't get any better than this. Probably the most aesthetically accomplished release all year - an artistic and technical marvel, not to mention fantastically written and acted - and terrific fun to play, with a multiplayer mode that against all odds was almost as much fun as the singleplayer campaign.”

MrMarbles: “... There's the brilliant voice-acting by pretty much every character in immaculately directed scenes. There's the thrilling gunplay in countless expertly designed areas that set up numerous options to get through them. There's the solid platforming and exploration, instilling a very definite sense of vertigo, yet holding your hand just enough to keep the feeling of danger there. Then there's a complete multiplayer mode, countless treasures and bonus features and a stirring soundtrack to round off a package. I was totally hyped for this pre-release - I'd soaked up every nugget of information I could, gathered every single screenshot and imagined how it'd play. I'd imagined myself sat there, enthralled, playing the greatest game ever. Then I played it and it was magnificent. My game of the year without doubt.”

C': “One of the most finely crafted single player experiences I’ve played. Yes it looks fantastic, it has a cast of genuinely likeable characters with some of the very finest VA work but I simply choose it as it was the most fun I had with a game all year. A true rollercoaster of a game with so many standout moments. Too many to list here and I don’t want to spoil some of the most memorable sections for anyone who hasn’t played it yet but I will say that the hour or so of game time from Path of Light is absolutely stunning which perfectly demonstrates how perfect this game gets the mix of environment traversal, gunplay and exhilarating setpieces.”

ezee ryder: “Jaw dropping visuals, check. Great characters and story, check. Engrossing and fun gameplay, check. Uncharted 2 has it all, a superb action/adventure game. As close to an interactive movie experience as you will probably ever get. Oh and Nathan Drake rules!”

Most Disappointing

#5 Halo 3 ODST (360)

ODST was an interesting experiment for Bungie, switching the main character from that of a Spartan to a normal human, albeit a highly trained member of the future Earth‘s elite special forces. It offered them the chance to provide a unique perspective on the Halo mythos and try out a raft of different gameplay mechanics to boot. But some of these changes just didn’t sit right with the forum readership, failing to live up to the expectations that many had for the franchise, earning this much hyped release the fifth spot on the 2009 Most Disappointing games list.

Wools: “I could not tell whether I liked this game or not. On one hand it's just as polished as Halo 3 albeit through different environments, has a stunning soundtrack and includes some sublime set pieces. However one cannot play ODST without feeling that the unique premise has been squandered and is not as exciting as it should be. Halo was unique by including truly massive battlefields and filling them with AI that knows what they're doing. Halo ODST was pitched as a slow paced and more tense game than Halo, but after completion, it felt like an aimless clone of Halo dashed with brilliance from time to time. The dark and neon lit world does not add atmosphere, it merely adds time from way point to way point, whilst the narrative logs aren't gripping enough to seek out or to take time listening to. Halo ODST is an interesting companion piece to the Halo series but is not successful in what it sets out to do.”

#4 Brutal Legend (PS3/360)

After a long and very windy road, involving publisher changes and several lawsuits, Brutal Legend finally shipped in October last year. While it boasted a voice cast including the who’s who of metal the awkward combination of action and real time strategy gameplay just didn’t mesh well for a lot of people. And so, after months of developer diaries and pre-release media outpourings, Brutal Legend left a lot of players simply disappointed or indifferent to the final product.

dogen: “This just really wasn't what I wanted it to be. Made me cringe.”

SmokeMeAKipper: “very mediocre.”

ezee ryder: “It was hyped up quite a bit being a Tim Schafer game and because it involved Jack Black but gameplay wise it didn't really deliver. Funny cut-scenes and one liners but apart from that it was pretty average. I couldn't even be bothered to finish it. Tim Schafer has done and can do alot better than this.”

#3 Scribblenauts (DS)

Scribblenauts was an extremely ambitious undertaking, tasking players with solving puzzles by summoning various objects to help them, chosen from a pool of tens of thousands. And it would appear that 5th Cell bit off rather more than they could chew. Perhaps understandably with so much work just to implement and balance the core mechanics, some of the simpler tasks of game design passed them by, resulting in an almost universal condemnation of the control system. Undoubtedly a shame, and enough to earn it a spot in the top 3.

Jebus: “Possibly a case of hype-overload here, but this promised so much and delievered so little. As with all of my "most disappointing" selections, controls are at the forefront of my complaints. Sadly, it doesn't matter how amazing a game you have made, if it doesn't control well then nobody will enjoy it. This game is proof of that, a lovely concept but executed so poorly with horrendous controls, I wonder if it was ever play tested at all! Moreover, add the fact most levels are solved by typing "Jet Pack" and it's just dull as dishwater. Any character the game might have had is negated by everything else it does poorly.”

Stoppy2000: “great idea, terrible controls.”

#2 Modern Warfare 2 (PC/PS3/360)

Modern Warfare 2 stormed into second place for Ntsc-Uk’s Most Disappointing Games of 2009, scoring nearly twice as many points as Scribblenauts. While for many it was amongst the finest of the year’s titles there was a still a sizable group for whom Infinity Ward’s latest gun opus failed to impress. Complaints ranged from an unbalanced multiplayer mode to laggy netcode and criticism of what some saw as a frankly ridiculous plotline, there weren’t many areas where MW2 didn’t take flak. On the other hand some said that, while disappointed, they still enjoyed the experience and one forumite even nominated it for both lists. Without doubt, though, a far cry from the first game’s reception.

prinnysquad: “Some superb levels, some loathsome levels. Old, old problems not ironed out. Just not as good as I wish it was.”

Matt: “... Oh, and the multiplayer. Don't get me started! Whatever school of video game design IW came from, they need to return their Certificates. Rewarding the best players in a game with automatic killing machines is, frankly, Stupid. Add to that the usual latency issues (you know, shooting a whole clip in someone's back, but the killcam shows you were actually just stood behind the guy, looking salaciously at his arse), poor testing (Akimbo shotties, I guess no-one in QA thought to try out that combo), and turning off the ability to have party chat (because that's stopped cheating in the game).... well...”

Pentarou: “Really enjoyed the first one, but I just can't get into the sequel.”

#1 Resident Evil 5 (PC/PS3/360)

Narrowly beating out MW2 in the most disappointing game of the year competition is Capcom’s follow up to RE 4 (Ntsc-Uk’s 2006 Game of the Generation). It felt to many as if the game had been put together by two different teams, while the controls remained as they always had the rest of the game had been reimplemented as a fast paced, action shooter. The result was some incredibly frustrating sections where players felt like the controls were fighting against them. Of course the reason Chris Redfield struggles to cope with even the most mundane of tasks such as walking while holding a knife out in front of him could always be put down to his prodigious use of anabolic steroids taking it’s toll on his fine motor skills, in which case Capcom should probably be praised for this insightful and sensitive look into the dangers of drug usage amongst the world’s elite zombie hunters.

Skull Commander: “Take one of the finest games of the decade. Subtract the interesting setting, shoehorn in some unnecessary co-op and what you are left with is a bad cover version of Resident Evil 4. Capcom dropped the ball big time on this one.”

C’: “I don’t know what Capcom was thinking with this but it seems that one of my favourite game series is dead to me now. Horrible controls and the ridiculous decision to force you to play alongside a stupid AI partner made playing the game a complete chore. I didn’t like the direction Resident Evil 4 took the series but I could at least appreciate there was a good game there. 5 was just poor in almost every respect. I pray that the forthcoming Resident Evil Portable for PSP goes back to the series’ roots but not hopeful.”

crocky-chocky: “I tend to forget the disappointing stuff. But Resi 5 really sticks in the mind. The fact that Resi 4 is so amazing, and the amount of delays lead me to believe that 5 would be the same generation defining game. Instead it was Resi 4 re-skinned, and with no imagination or surprises to boot. You could see each set-piece/boss-encounter a mile off. One boss I actually new how to beat before I'd even seen the guy, and later a boss fight was literally a bunch of absolutely giant weak-spots flailing around on some tentacles. So...yeah, I didn't care much fer it.”

Under (and not so under) the radar recommendations

1 vs. 100
50 Cent: Blood in the Sand
A Boy & His Blob
Anoter Code R: A Journey Into Lost Memories
Assassin's Creed 2
Avatar Golf
Batman: Arkham Asylum
Battle Fantasia
Bionic Commando
Bonsai Barber
Borderlands
Chronicles of Riddick: Assault on Dark Athena
Crash Commando
Darksiders
Dead Space Extraction
Demon's Souls
DJ Hero
Eyepet
Final Fantasy Dissidia
Flower, Sun and Rain
GTA: Chinatown Wars
Guitar Hero:Greatest Hits
Gundam VS Gundam Next Plus
Half Minute Hero
Halo Wars
Henry Hatsworth and the Puzzling Adventure
Holy Invasion of Privacy Badman!
Hostmaster & the Conquest of Humour
Infamous
Killzone 2
Leave Home
Left 4 Dead 2
Let's Tap
Little King's Story
Lost Winds: Winter of the Melodias
LotR Conquest
Love Plus
Machinarium
Mario & Luigi: Bowser's Inside Story
Metroid Prime Trilogy
Mini-Ninjas
Monster Hunter Freedom Unite
Mushihimesama Futari
New Super Mario Brothers Wii
Ninja Blade
Noby Noby Boy
Operation Flashpoint 2: Dragon Rising
Overlolrd 2
Panzer General: Allied Assault
Persona 4
Pixeljunk Shooter
Plants Vs. Zombies
Prototype
Punch Out!
Puzzler World
Red Faction Guerilla
Resident Evil 5
Sacred 2
Secret of Monkey Island: SE
Shadow Comples
Sin and Punishment 2
Space Invaders: Infinity Gene
Tales of Vesperia
Tekken 6
The Wiz
TMNT: Smash Up
Torchlight
Trials HD
Trine
Tropico 3
Up
Wet
Wipeout HD/Fury
You, Me and the Cubes
Zeno Clash