The fact that there were so many noteworthy games in a year when everyone was gearing up for next gen systems just goes to show how big the game industry is now. For us, here at Space Junk, it’s tough to play as many games as big publications do, but we still wanted to have a say. Let us know what your favourite games of 2005 were in the comments below! Stay tuned for our top 10 movies tomorrow and top 10 albums on Friday.

10. Nintendogs (DS)
I suppose it’s worth debating whether or not Nintendogs is actually a “game” per se, but that is perhaps what makes this title so unique. Pet sim games are nothing new, but with the use of the touch screen and microphone, not to mention realistic animations and a huge variety of dogs, Nintendo managed to get a heck of a lot of people to buy the DS based on this one alone. Nintendo continues to come up with ideas that appeal to casual gamers, an important group who have long been neglected by all the developers striving for cutting edge graphics and intricate gameplay experiences.

9. Shadow of the Colossus (PS2)
From the developer of ICO comes this beautiful adventure involving 16 stone giants and you… and not much else. Essentially this is a game made up of 16 epic boss fights, with breathtaking scenery and jaw-dropping graphics, a truly unique concept that proves in its execution that there is still life left in Sony’s Playstation 2.

8. Call of Duty 2 (PC)
Another WWII shooter? Aren’t people getting sick of these yet? I guess the difference here is that Call of Duty 2 is the sequel to what may be the greatest of all WWII shooters. Infinity Ward continues to offer scenarios from multiple perspectives including the Russian army, and the British and American forces. They haven’t changed much aside from adding more gritty realism and a Halo-esque health recovery mechanic. But hey, if it ain’t broke don’t fix it.

7. Mario Kart DS
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Mario Kart DS breathes new life into the series by going back to its roots in terms of gameplay and by making it easier than ever to find opponents for multiplayer matchups — which is of course what Mario Kart is all about. Take on friends head to head with a direct wireless connection, or get online with Nintendo’s new Wi-Fi service, their first real foray into this newfangled thing called the “Inter-Net”. The addition of retro tracks from all the past Mario Kart games was also a nice bonus.

6. Battlefield 2 (PC)
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A lot of people would say it’s hard to top Battlefield 1942 for sheer replayability and multiplayer mayhem. If you ask me, Digital Illusions CE was up to the task, decking out the game in a new modern warfare setting and adding additional layers of strategy with squad communication, commander abilities, and some of the best damn multiplayer maps ever created.

5. Castlevania: Dawn of Sorrow (DS)
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Alright, so we have a soft spot for Konami’s good ol’ Castlevania series, particularly the 2D titles. Castlevania: Dawn of Sorrow was one of our most anticipated games of the year, and it proved to be THE must-have game for the DS in 2005. We haven’t seen a 2D adventure game look this good, since, well… probably ever. In most ways it picks up where Aria of Sorrow left off, but with the dual screen setup, more soul powers, and a few touch screen gimmicks it offered something new as well.

4. The Legend of Zelda: The Minish Cap (GBA)
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Another solid 2D adventure game for a handheld system, probably one of the last GBA games worth buying.
Who knows why it took so long for Nintendo to release an all-new Zelda game for the Game Boy Advance, but it was worth the wait. This recaptures the feel of the flawless Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past, but also adds plenty of interesting new items and some great dungeon puzzles that make use of the Minish Cap’s shrinking abilities. In this case, size matters.

3. God of War (PS2)
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This game seemed to come out of nowhere, but for people who had been following its development, God of War’s success was no surprise. Steeped in Greek mythology and pushing the bar in terms of what is allowed in a “Mature” rated game, God of War may seem like macho testosterone-fueled fantasy fulfillment to some. But the fast-paced action, stunning graphics and intuitive controls make this a tough game to put down, and definitely one of the most insanely fun action titles of the year.

2. Resident Evil 4 (Gamecube, PS2)
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You’ve gotta give Capcom credit for holding back on RE4 and waiting to release it in early 2005
instead of Christmas 2004 when it was originally scheduled to ship. At the time, it could have been a frontrunner for best game of 2004, but with even less competition this year (and a little more time for the development team to polish it), Resident Evil 4 should make everyone’s best-of lists for 2005 no questions asked. It offers a complete reinvention of this classic survival horror series with an over-the-shoulder camera view and interactive cut-scenes (an innovation that was immediately copied by various other games including God of War). The eerie atmosphere created by the top notch graphics and sound are unmatched, making this about as close to a cinematic experience as a game can get.

1. Guitar Hero (PS2)
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Most easily described as Dance Dance Revolution for metalheads and rock music afficionados, this
game puts a guitar-shaped controller in your hands as you try to shred riffs to the likes of The Ramones, Boston, Ozzy Osbourne, and Motorhead (among others). It’s a simple concept that may sound goofy, but in terms of the fun factor nothing even comes close to it this year. Guitar Hero truly makes you feel like a rock star, and who doesn’t want to be a rock star?

Honourable Mentions: Meteos, Warioware Touched/Twisted, Psychonauts, Star Wars Lego, Destroy All Humans

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