2008 was a solid year for gaming, with the "next-gen" consoles hitting their stride somewhat, and plenty of quality releases across all formats. The return to the arcade scene of one of the true daddies of gaming certainly helped make 2008 shine, that's for sure. So in no particular order, here's my top 5 retail/arcade games of the last year!
1. Devil May Cry 4 - Over the top and as stupidly insane as ever, DMC 4 is my most played game from 2008. A whopping seventh of the year was taken up by Capcom's stylish action game, and while it was not quite the hardcore coolfest of DMC 3, the fourth game in the series still managed to shine. New character Nero's grapple ability mixed up the gameplay nicely, while Dante's late appearance in the game merely reminded you just how cool he is. Awesome stuff.
2. Rock Band 1 and 2 - Trumping Guitar Hero in no uncertain terms (in my opinion,) Rock Band made living room jam sessions a reality for all, and showed just how much fun you could have with a group of people, some plastic instruments, and a fridge full of drink. Everyone fancies a go, it just depends on how much social lubricant they require before they feel ready to blow your ears off with Bon Jovi. And drunk singers are always great. Fun for everyone, only a complete misanthrope would hate it.
3. Space Invaders Extreme - Take the most famous game of all time and change it from an out of date dull-fest into a pulse pounding high-score grasping one more go beast you say? On Nintendo DS? It's bound to be shit I hear you cry. How wrong you'd be, if you were reading this and crying out, which you're not, so this is all just me talking to my imaginary games luddite readers. Anyway, I digress, as Space Invaders Extreme is the bollocks, the nuts, and the nadgers. Pure shooting heaven, trippy visuals, and lovely tunes - what more could you want? Oh, space marines? Fuck off back to Gears with you.
4. Viva Pinata: Trouble in Paradise - Almost didn't make it into my top 5, as I only got round to buying it on the 27th of December in the sales, but like the previous game, VP:TiP is more addictive than candy, crack and Veronica Mars. Master romancing, variant finding, oddity evolving, sour taming, chilli growing, pond digging excellence - you simply CANNOT turn it off once you get started. "Just one more species before bed," you'll say, until many different coloured Fudgehogs later it's dawn. "Just one more before work..."
5. Street Fighter IV - I couldn't have a top 5 for 2008 without it tbh. It might not be easily playable anywhere outside Japanese arcades currently, but it's out, and I've played it, so as far as I'm concerned it goes in. Easing back the depth a touch of SF3 a touch to allow new players back in, SFIV takes the series into 3D succesfully, retaining all the tight gameplay and visual touches the games are known for. Ryu, Ken and the original SF2 cast are joined by a few Alpha upstarts, as well as some all new pugilists, and it all plays magnificently. The home release is my most wanted game of 2009 too. SHORYU-REPPA!
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