16. Civilization Revolution (360/PS3) gameplay

Firaxis delivered in 2008 with a long awaited Colonization update and a rethinking of Civ that plays less like the epic PC series and more like the greatest board game ever created. Games move along at a brisk pace and the controls are simple and intuitive for such complex mechanics. The concept and basic mechanics of Civilization are there, though Firaxis strips down many complexities that added depth to the PC game. Still beautiful and fun, but let's have some Baba Yetu in there next time at least.

17. Viva Pinata: Trouble in Paradise (360) review

If you never played the original, go buy yourself some Trouble in Paradise already. It's only 40 bucks, maybe even cheaper by now. Maniupulating Pinatas and ecosystems to maximum candiosity has never been so satisfying. A few minutes in the garden quickly turns into a few hours and soon enough you're planting rows of Gem trees to entice that wild Chewnicorn, breeding an army of Red Hots for profit while using coin and shovel to deal with Professor Pester's murderous intentions. It's a wild trip.

18. Super Smash Bros. Brawl (Wii) donkey kong zelda

The best part about Super Smash Bros. Brawl for me was the buildup to it's release - early trailers and the slow release of the details. And Brawl is a museum of Nintendo history as much as it is a solid party/fighting game with a huge character sheet. The number of stages have some incredible variety in them and Nintendo threw in tons of unlockables for completionists. If you're feeling a bit burnt out on Smash Bros. at this point (like me) it may lose it's luster quickly, but it's still worth a spot in most Wii collections out there.

19. Final Fantasy VII: Crisis Core (PSP) gameplay cutscenes

No need to remember the finer plot details from Final Fantasy VII to enjoy Crisis Core, I know I didn't. The game's direction, CG cutscenes, voice acting and script are some of the best seen on the system and some of the best from Square overall. Mashing one button to win can get a bit old but the materia system is still fun, it looks good and it never really slows the game down. It's well made fan service overall that works well on the PSP.

20. Apollo Justice: Ace Attorney (DS) gameplay

The fourth Ace Attorney title features mostly all new characters, a great localization, catchy music, and some interesting usage for the DS at times. The signature anime art style and point-and-click gameplay is still here, and though the overall presentation hasn't changed much since the series began it isn't completely stale yet and works well enough for a handheld. Even if I'd like to see the series evolve at some point this game is a worthy addition, a must play for AA fans and recommended for interested first timers as well.