Now that another year has come to an end, it’s time to create a million and one best-of-the-best list for the previous year. Even with a global recession, gaming was stronger than ever. Here is a summary of the best-selling video games for the year 2009:
1. Wii Fit.
This exercise game was not only the best-selling console game in 2009, but it has also become the second best-selling console video game without a package in the history of the world. Wii Fit has received mostly positive reviews. One of the main criticisms of the game is that it does not give its players serious training. On the other hand, one could argue that those who want that probably wouldn’t be playing many video games anyway.
2. Wii game.
This laser-focused game for Wii is actually a collection of nine games. While it received high marks for its gameplay, criticisms included the predictability and redundancy of the individual games. Still, the game became a huge success. In fact, Wii Play has become the best-selling unbundled console video game of all time.
3. Pokémon Platinum version.
Ironically, even though this game was just an update to the “Pokemon Diamond and Pearl” game, it was a huge success. It also received rave reviews for the features it contains, including its improved graphics and interface.
4. Mario Kart.
This go-kart inspired game helped introduce a new generation of gamers to popular Nintendo characters. The series was launched in 1992. This version was very successful and even broke several Guinness World Records. It includes some famous characters from the series’ past, including Donkey Kong Jr., Yoshi, Koopa Troopa, and of course Mario and Luigi.
5. Resident Evil 5 (Xbox 360).
Ironically, this is the seventh game in the Capcom series. Reviews of the game were basically positive. Although trailers for Resident Evil 5 received some initial criticism, the game had over four million downloads worldwide while the service was available for Xbox Live and PlayStation Store formats.
6. Killzone 2.
The success of this game hooked gamers from the moment the first trailer was released. It received extremely high reviews, with features such as gameplay and leveling receiving particularly high marks.
7. Call of Duty: World at War.
This game is the fifth installment in the series. It received generally positive reviews from various online game review sites. Many reviews praised the game’s setting and gameplay. However, others criticized the scope of the game as being too broad, which they argued negatively affected the flow of the game.
8. Resident Evil 5 (PlayStation).
9. Halo Wars.
Unlike the previous installments in the series, this one moves away from the first-person perspective of the previous ones. The game broke sales records upon its release, receiving mostly positive reviews from critics. The PC version received more lukewarm reviews than the console versions.
10. Street fighter IV.
This was definitely a great old but good game for the year. The series has a loyal following, and this version did not disappoint them. The home version (along with the arcade version) of the game received rave reviews, even though it was the first installment in the series in about a decade.