2010 saw some stellar video game releases, including several excellent sequels and prequels. In this post, I’ll round up some of the most popular and best-rated games for Microsoft’s Xbox 360 console. If you don’t know what to add under the Christmas tree for your favorite gamer, start with these suggestions – or have a look at the top-scoring Xbox 360 games on alaTest!

Top games for Xbox 360:

Mass Effect 2

Mass Effect 2 is the sequel to BioWare’s hit space-based RPG (role-playing game), Mass Effect. A single player adventure, Mass Effect 2 allows players to continue the adventures of Commander Shepard. Reviewers were impressed by the graphics, storyline and gameplay.

Release date: Jan 26, 2010 (Official Site)

Super Street Fighter IV
The follow-up to Street Fighter IV further redefined the fighting game genre with classic 2D action, new game modes and improved gameplay. Reviewers liked the new characters, the new moves and the online game play.

Release date: Apr 27, 2010 (Official Site)

Red Dead Redemption

Developed by Rockstar San Diego, as a follow up to the 2004 hit game Red Dead Revolver, Red Dead Redemption is a great-looking Western epic, set at the turn of the 20th century. Reviewers loved the graphics, storyline and multi-player mode.

Release date: May 18, 2010 (Official Site)

Halo: Reach
This is the prequel to the landmark ‘Halo’ video game franchise. Halo: Reach tells the story of Noble Team, a group of Spartans on the human colony of Reach in 2552. Reviewers liked the level design and the multiplayer mode – especially co-op.

Release date: Sep 14, 201 (Official Site)

Rock Band 3
Harmonix returns with another iteration of the popular music game, this time featuring 83 new songs and… a keyboard! Reviewers praised the improved gameplay, the new set list (ranging from classic 60′s rock to modern metal) and the support for existing Rock Band tracks.

Release date: Oct 26, 2010 (Official Site)

There were a lot of other great games (including Assassin’s Creed: Brotherhood, BioShock 2, NHL 11 or Call of Duty: Back Ops) that could easily have made the list.

What were your favorite Xbox 360 games this year?