Best of the 7th generation in console/handheld gaming

[Retrogamer0001]

As the 7th generation of console gaming is winding down and the 8th is beginning, what five to ten games spread across the Xbox 360, Playstation 3, Nintendo Wii, Nintendo DS/DSI, and Sony PSP do you consider to be must-play or era-defining games? Or, what are your favorites and why? My list is as follows, in no particular order:

1. Wii Sports (Wii) - probably the highest selling game for the generation (being bundled with the Wii console certainly helped) I have yet to meet a person who complained about not liking this game the first time they played. I think I've sunk about 100 hours into bowling and home-run derbies alone. My favorite Wii game.

2. Ni No Kuni (PS3) - this game was a day-one purchase for me and it absolutely blew me away the first time I played it. Everything about this game was done well, from the charming characters, amazing graphics, and solid gameplay. My vote for RPG of the generation.

3. Bioshock (PS3/360)- one of my favorite games of all time. A great shooter with fun weapons and powers, a dark storyline, and really, really badass enemies. I love the upgrade system and the game is legitimately scary at times.

4. Mass Effect 2 (PS3/360) - my favorite in the series, I found the characters and story very engaging and the combat was well above-average. I love the entire series, but I think ME2 is a just a little bit above the rest in terms of storyline and characterization.

5. Halo Reach (360) - once again, this is my favorite in the entire series. The story is very solid and, being a prequel, I found the different spartans fascinating. Combat is as great and fluid as ever, and I found the ending to be heartwrenching. Pretty close to a perfect game, in my opinion.

6. Demon's Souls (PS3) - one of the most memorable games I've played in years, I was obsessed with playing and beating this game for a long, long time. With the high level of difficulty and lack of characterization, this is a very unique game for this generation, but one that holds up remarkably well. A must-play game for the PS3.

7. Radiant Historia (NDS) - a fantastic RPG on the DS, everything from the combat to the story had me interested right to the end. On a handheld chock-full of quality RPGs, this one stands out above the rest for both its time-travel mechanic and the cool characters...especially Aht!

8. Metroid: Other M (Wii) - A personal favorite of mine, I really enjoyed Nintendo's attempt at making another side-scrolling Metroid adventure. Though I was praying for a 2D offering, Other M is a great game for fans of Super Metroid and my favorite of the "new" generation of Metroid games. I consider this a must-play game on the Wii.

9. Prinny: Can I Really Be The Hero? (PSP) - a really quirky, cute, hilarious side-scroller from the folks at NIS, I enjoyed this game from start to finish. An above-average game in the genre and one everyone should check out if they enjoy RPGs and weird, cute, pathetic monsters.

10. Gears of War (360) - the first game is the series is my absolute favorite because of its dark storyline, graphics, and memorable boss fights. When you play this game, you feel like there's no hope for the characters. It's a losing battle, and all you can do is try and survive. Awesome enemies, challenging fights, and great weapons make this one of the landmark titles for the seventh generation.

[BoneSnapDeez]

oh man I'll have to do this later but I bet I could list 10 DS/PSP games before I even get to the home consoles.

[Retrogamer0001]

oh man I'll have to do this later but I bet I could list 10 DS/PSP games before I even get to the home consoles.

Haha, without doubt. The handhelds were especially strong for this generation, but I wanted to keep the number of games reasonable (I actually thought naming ten might be too much for some people) and to keep the list somewhat focused on everyone's favorites or nominations for the "best".

[dsheinem]

40% of that list is also on PC...

I played a ton across all these, but my top 10 would be quite different I think with the exception of Bioshock. That said, ME2 and Halo Reach are the best in their respective series, but probably not top 10 of the gen for me.

[Gamerforlife]

In no particular order:

1. Journey - Forget the games as art argument, this goes beyond that as an experiment in human interaction and a game that feels like a genuinely spiritual as well as emotional...well, journey. Now had Journey never been made, I would have put Flower in this spot
2. Mass Effect - The first one was the best. I don't care what anyone says. This series became a massive Sci Fi epic. I don't think you can talk about last gen without mentioning Mass Effect
3. Batman: Arkham Asylum or Arkham City - Take your pick, but they both brought a new standard to comic book super hero games.
4. Valkyria Chronicles - The best strategy RPG I played last gen
5. Viva Pinata - Possibly the most genuinely relaxing game I've ever played. Aside from the Pikmin games, few games have so successfully captured my love of animals in video game form. Playing Viva Pinata is like having virtual pets...and a virtual garden too.
6. Lollipop Chainsaw - I love beat 'em ups, and this is the top 3D one I played last gen
7. Mark of the Ninja - Best stealth game I've ever played
8. Dust An Elysian Tail - I simple adore this Metroidvania beat 'em up
9. Puppeteer - The most imaginative and original platformer I played last gen
10. The Dishwasher Vampire Smiles - My fave 2d beat 'em up last gen

Also notable:

-Sonic Generations - For one shining moment, Sonic was Sonic again
-Sly Thieves in Time - It doesn't do anything the PS2 games didn't do, which is why it's not in my main list, but I still love it
-The Ratchet and Clank Future Series(including the one I didn't like much which was Crack in Time) - What I said about Sly Thieves in Time also applies here
-Heavy Rain - Really the only game I played last gen where your decisions and actions had any REAL effect on the story, and yes I've played The Walking Dead and Mass Effect. Haven't tried the Witcher games though. The game was a very interesting PC Adventure game/console quick time event hybrid too and I feel The Walking Dead copied some elements
-Final Fantasy XIII - The series is at a bit of a low point, but the combat system introduced here is brilliant and is the sole reason I care about Lightning Returns

No handhelds in my above mentions, they deserve their own list and I don't know if I played enough of them to really make one. I only really starting seriously diving into handheld gaming this gen, and there's still a lot I haven't played. I also left out PC games, as I've only played a few, but I really, really loved To the Moon

[RyaNtheSlayA]

Man, I have so much I could say. The 7th generation was so incredibly long and filled to the brim with top notch titles.

I can name two titles without even hesitating though, those being Super Mario Galaxy and Team Fortress 2. I think Mario Galaxy might simply be the game that brought me the most happiness while playing it. TF2 is a PC game sure, it was still birthed in the 7th generation time period though, and had its beginnings on console as well, although it has left them far behind at this point.

I know Rayman Origins would be in my list.

I must think this over a bit more before I write a lengthy post.

[Gamerforlife]

40% of that list is also on PC...

Since you brought this up, I personally feel that any game that originated on console, which means there was an exclusivity period, is perfectly valid for the topic. I have a few games on my list that are on PC, but there was a period in time when they were only available on console, and that's where they made the biggest splash

Maybe it's just me, but I associate games to their original place of origin, which is why I still consider Resident Evil 4 a Gamecube game and would still include it if I had to make a top 10 list for the Gamecube

[AppleQueso]

I can't really make a list, I entered the generation really late and I still haven't played many of the more popular, respected, or even interesting looking games out on those systems. Some of these lists might be helpful actually, though I doubt anyone will list anything that I'm not at least aware of.

I also want to point out that we aren't quite out of the 7th gen just yet. I'd expect there to still be some notable games coming out for the Ps3 or 360 over the next year or two.

After all, (just an example) Persona 4 came out on Ps2 long after the Ps3 was out, and I could definitely see that making someone's "best of the 6th generation" list.

Just sayin'

[Nyukki]

Top Ten!

1. Angry Birds
2. Angry Birds Seasons
3. Angry Birds Rio
4. Angry Birds Space
5. Angry Birds Star Wars
6. Angry Birds Friends
7. Angry Birds Star Wars II
8. Angry Birds Go!
9. Angry Birds Genesis Hack
10. Call of Duty Black Ops

Word.

[GirlGamer55]

Aw only console/handheld love? Where's that pc love?! I see a few have said something about pc games, so i'm going to mix my favs from pc and consoles (the few that I actually liked). From best to worst:

1. Fallout 3 (PC): I know it's on consoles but...PC verson can be modded.

2. Fallout NV (PC): Again...modding.

3. Tomb Raider (PC, the reboot): This was surprising because at first I hated it, but then I grew to actually enjoy it. Still think that calling this Tomb Raider "Lara Croft" is spitting in the face of the real Lara.

4. Mirror's Edge (PS3): I pick the PS3 verson because the controls are way easier and it has a...special meaning for me. This game kept me sane in a point in my life when I thought I lost everything...it kept me from going off the deep end and doing something really bad.

5. Assassin's Creed (PS3): I picked the PS3 version again for the controls, that and it was on the PS3 that I first played this game.

6. Assassin's Creed 2 (PS3): Very tempted to put this before the first because it had so much more to the game...I really enjoyed this one.

7. Trauma Center: Under the Knife (DS): I was quite surprised and shocked how good/addictive/fun this game is. I will admit I only picked this game up on a whim of mine since i'm interested in doctors and medicine...I sort of want to become one but don't have the grades/money/skill set to even get anywhere near that dream. So this game lets me live out a dream...always nice.

8. Don't Starve (PC): Good time killer which is very addictive. It's a nice game but it gets this spot on my list since it can get old fast once you have set up a base and tons of gardens.

9. Untold Legends: Brotherhood of the Blade (PSP): For a 2-3 dollar thrift store pickup, this game is fairly good. It was mainly a good time waster for me on a road trip across the states to visit family this summer, but hey that was good enough for me. Mindless beat em up games have their place...

10. Minecraft (PC): The king of all time wasters! This is lowest on my list for the same reason Don't Starve is, it gets boring after a while. At least this you can get mods for...like Tekkit, that is a kick ass mod btw.

I think that sums it up pretty much. As you can see i'm really a pc gamer, i'v started getting into the DS more, giving it a chance...more so now since I just got a 3DS. As for my old PS3...I'v all ready had it over heat on me once and once is enough, I'm scared to play on it for longer then a half an hour and that doesn't give me much time for gaming, it still heats up pretty fast so that worries me...I can't exactly afford to replace it right now. In the end the pc let's me have a massive library of great games, access to EMU's to play old games and doubles as well...a pc...letting me surf the web, watch cat videos and do whatever I feel like doing.