1: Patapon 3

All of the Patapon games have been surprising hits and a staple of the PSP platform. Patapon 3 is no exception. As a direct sequel, following Patapon 2, the game play is essentially the same, marching your armies to the beat of a drum; however, new elements, such as Hero Patapons and expanded multiplayer modes, breathe extra excitement into the series.

2: Dissidia 012 Final Fantasy

With success of the original Dissidia, it comes as no surprise that there would be a second. It’s your typical fighting game but with all of the most loved characters of the Final Fantasy franchise. Unlike the original, Dissidia 012 also includes a single-player story mode, giving it some much needed depth.

3: Final Fantasy IV: The Complete Collection

Just as it was done with Final Fantasy: Tactics as well as the previous Final Fantasy installments, Final Fantasy IV: The Complete Collection is a direct remake of the original, sporting much of the same game play of the 1991 classic but with high-detail CGI cut scenes to emphasize the story.

4: Phantom Brave

Phantom Brave was originally published on the PlayStation 2 game in 2004 and has now been remade for the Wii and PSP. As a tactical RPG with a fun storyline that is still simple enough to put down and pick back up, it lends itself nicely to the portable environment of the PSP.

5: Tactics Ogre: Let Us Cling Together

As a recreation of the Super Nintendo classic, Tactics Ogre, this new version gives you the same great tactics-based game play with a rather detailed game world and storyline. If you’re looking for a bit of nostalgia, this is the game for you.

The PSP really does have loads of great titles, and you can view them all in our PSP Games Section. Tell us some of your favorites in the comments below.

1: Pokémon Black & White

Pokémon is one of those games that makes up part of Nintendo’s heart(gold) and soul(silver). Many people bought the DS solely so that they could play Pokémon, and Black & White lives up to the reputation. It’s the same Pokémon experience we should all be used to, but with an exciting graphics overhaul, and of course, all new Pokémon!

2: ­­­Okamiden

As a sequel to the much loved Okami, the DS exclusive Okamiden pairs the colorful brush-based game play with the DS’ touch screen interface. The two truly make a great match, but if you loved Okami, don’t be surprised if a bit of the story is repeated in Okamiden.

3: Radiant Historia

Radiant Historia is a time traveling, tactics-style, RPG offering game play experience reminiscent of Super Mario RPG and Legend of Mana, along with elements from the Chrono Series. It’s hands-down the best RPG on the DS this year.

4: Dragon Quest VI: Realms of Revelation

The Dragon Quest (also known as Dragon Warrior) series has been around for a couple decades now. This version is actually a DS remake of the 1995 original (for Super Nintendo). If you’re looking for an epic RPG that will give you, literally, days worth of game play, Dragon Quest is where it’s at.

5: de Blob 2

As much fun as de Blob 2 is for the Wii, it really finds its calling on the DS. As a light game with fairly uninvolved game play, it really is best suited for handhelds, and paired with the DS, it doesn’t disappoint.

If you would like to see reviews for all DS games, from this year and the past, head on over to our Nintendo DS Games Section. Be sure to sort by alaScore to see which rank the best.

1: L.A. Noire

L.A. Noire is a very stylized game meant to feel a lot like a noir film (think L.A. Confidential), with rich character detail and an advanced facial expression engine. The game has been criticized as being little more than a string of cut scenes, leaving little actual control in the hands of the player, though the methodical storyline generally makes up for this shortcoming.

2: Portal 2

Portal 2, like many first-person shooters, is clearly intended for the PC platform, but for those without a proper gaming PC or who dislike playing on a mouse and keyboard, Portal 2’s plot and game play still manage to port over very well to the 360.

3: Dead Space 2

Dead Space 2, unlike Portal 2, is much better suited for the gaming console environment. Its third-person view and action oriented game play make it much more enjoyable on the Xbox than the PC.

4: BRINK

BRINK is a stylized first-person shooter with an added flare of acrobatic free-running. With RPG elements and an enjoyable multiplayer mode, BRINK offers a unique experience to which players have responded positively. Critical acclaim has not been so great, though. Many feel that BRINK is unfinished and will take several updates before reaching its full potential.

5: Shift 2: Unleashed

Consoles, with their analog controls and force feedback, generally fare much better than PCs when it comes to racing games. This is definitely the case with Shift 2: Unleashed, the latest installment in the Need for Speed franchise. It comes as a direct sequel to Need for Speed: Shift, offering similar gameplay but features new cars, more tracks, and a new night-time racing mode.

Other notable Xbox 360 titles so far this year include Crysis 2, DiRT 3, and Bulletstorm. You can find a full list of all of the most popular 360 titles in our Xbox 360 Games Category, sorted by alaScore.

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?