Top Ten Video Games of the Decade

Comparing a Dreamcast game to a PS3 game on technical grounds is downright daft. But when it comes to sheer enjoyment, and what had us completely hooked at the time of release, we welcome the comparisons with open, hairy arms.

There's been some true video game corkers over the last 10 years, a decade that's included three PlayStations, two Xboxes, the Dreamcast, and Nintendo's own wonderful bundles of invention (Wii, GameCube, N64, DS).

And in terms of gaming fare, there's shedloads to choose from. Here's our faves. What's yours?

TONY HAWK'S PRO SKATER 2 (Dreamcast, 2000)

Collecting S-K-A-T-E in aircraft hangars and on school playgrounds was ridiculously good fun when it was completely new. Despite numerous sequels, and attempts to flesh out its gameplay into epic new heights, number two still rules the roost.

RESIDENT EVIL 4 (PS2, GameCube, 2005)

An annoyingly claustrophobic camera meant this survival horror lark was a bit overrated, but the switch to a gothic-looking Spain, and introduction of mad, dribbling locals waving farmyard tools meant in terms of atmosphere, it was an utter mindblower.

GRAND THEFT AUTO: SAN ANDREAS (PS2, Xbox, 2004/5)

GTA 3 may have been the game that completely revolutionised next-gen gaming, but the sunny, Miami-spoofing San Andreas was the one that let you get ripped in a gym, and wander down the beach sporting a Mr T mohawk and pink latex shorts combo - then carjack a, un, bi-plane.

FIFA 10 (2009, Xbox 360, PS3)

The way that FIFA somehow stole PES' crown shocked everyone. The most recent FIFA is hands-down the best footy game ever. This is is the sole reason why Pro Evo Soccer 2 is sadly missing from this list.

JADE EMPIRE (Xbox, 2005)

It was an action RPG that let you master trillions of different martial arts style and be a good little boy. Or a bad, moral-less little shit. If you ever wanted to star in your own chop socky flick, come this way.

UNCHARTED 2 (PS3, 2009)

Some gaming nutjob who occassionally hangs round the office excitedly proclaimed this adventure thriller epic to be the best game ever made. So we blagged a copy, slapped it in our systems, and hell yes, it was very good!

LITTLEBIGPLANET (PS3, 2008)

Although a lot of brainpower is required, this is the closest gaming has come to replicating a trip without any nasty side-effects. A postmodern psychedelic revolutionary masterpiece from brilliant minds.

MANHUNT (PS2, 2003)

Chucked into one man's sick gameshow, some folk thought this stealthy butchering sim was dull. What. The. F**k. People?!? This was dark, twisted and more tense than re-sitting a French GCSE exam after having your brain wiped by an alien from the planet Gimboid.

MARVEL Vs CAPCOM 2 (DC, 2000)

Okay, maybe not technically the greatest beat-'em-up in the world (although pretty close!), the whole concept of pitting Street Fighter knuckleheads against the superhuman skills of Marvel's costumed oddballs was a joy too good to resist. And those lush 2D visuals are ace.

FOOTBALL MANAGER - all of them.

What can we say, the series stole our collective lives.

And our shocking ommissions from this list:

1) Nintendo games - yes we know, we're appalled ourselves. Super Smash Bros. Brawl and a couple of Zeldas were very close, though. As were a few others, actually.

2) A racing game - Burnout 2 and Project Gotham can count themselves most unlucky.

3) NHL Hitz 02 - okay, bear with us on this, you could create ice hockey teams with players sporting giant shark and alien heads. It was FRIGGIN' ACE!!!

4) A first-person shooter. Yeah, well...