Well, we looked at the year’s best music last week. Since there’s so many of us into video games, why not take a look at 2010’s best?

First off, a disclaimer. I reviewed video games for the Canwest (now Postmedia) chain for 9 years before coming to the CDM. From 2000 to 2009, I got to play and analyze most console and handheld games released on retail shelves in North America. This is the first year I didn’t get a single review copy of a game from publishers. 

I made only four title purchases all year - God of War III, ModNation Racers, Madden NFL ’11, and Call of Duty: Black Ops, all for PlayStation 3. And I borrowed a few from our library at the IRC and tried to play them. When I wasn’t busy getting a master’s degree. 

But that’s not enough reason to stop a decade-long tradition of pretending to know what I’m talking about! And so, here we have it, The Best Video Games of 2010. 

As far as I could tell.

Best Video Game of 2010 I Actually Played.

Call of Duty: Black Ops. Of course it’s brilliant. They should just call Activision’s next iteration Call of Duty: Wave Goodbye To Your Girlfriend.

Best Video Game of 2010 that’s Been Rented Out of the IRC the Minute it Arrived.

Red Dead Redemption. I want to play this like Rudy wants to play for Notre Dame. But someone I know has it out. I want to say his name is “Jordan B.” Wait, that’s too obvious. Let’s say “J. Braun.”

Best Video Game of 2010 That’s Sitting On My Shelf Unplayed

Heavy Rain. It’s like this giant novel I know I want to read, but can never find the time for. Like Step Up 3D: The Book.

Best Video Game I Finished on Mute

God of War III. Kratos is moodier than a preteen and saddled with more dad issues than Luke Skywalker. He’s more likeable on mute with Aretha Franklin’s Chain of Fools playing.

Game I Played Most Out Of The IRC
2010 FIFA World Cup: South Africa. Over the summer break I won the World Cup with England, Holland, Canada, India and Vanuatu, then realized I needed to return the title while I still had thumbs.

Best “Yeah I’m not buying it, but I’ll play if it’s at someone’s house” Device of 2010.

Xbox Kinect. Yeah, I’m not buying it. But I’ll play if it’s at someone’s house. Runner up: Sony Move. Winner: Actually doing stuff.

Best Computer Game I’m Not Playing

Starcraft II. Don’t get me wrong, it looks great. But with all this Black Ops, who’s got the time?

Best Computer Game I Kinda Tried To Play And Gave Up

Minecraft. Yep, I get it. It just doesn’t do it for me.

Best Admission That I Don’t Really Play Computer Games

Is right here. Keyboards are for words! Virginia is for lovers!

Best Xbox 360 Exclusive I Played

Alan Wake. While tough to justify its six-year development cycle, I love that this mystery thriller pushes the boundaries of storytelling.

Best Xbox 360 Exclusive I Didn’t Play

Mass Effect 2. Looks great, but the first one didn’t do enough for me to seek it out.

Best PS3 Exclusive I Played

God of War III. Former NBA player Charles Oakley once said, “If it ain’t broke, don’t break it.” Sony abided. 

Best PS3 Exclusive I Didn’t Play

Heavy Rain. But if you note above, it’s sitting on my shelf.

Best XBLA Game I Played

Limbo. Played this beautiful title first at the Game Developers Conference in San Francisco in March and was instantly hooked. 

Best XBLA Game I Didn’t Play

Plants vs Zombies. See “Best Computer Game I’m Not Playing.”

Best PSN Game I Played

Braid. A beautiful watercolour palette, lovely score and engaging design that doesn’t really allow for a ‘Game Over’ moment. What’s not to love?

Best PSN Game I Didn’t Play

Fat Princess. Tried the demo. Got distracted a minute in by Al Sinoy doing his monkey impression. Haven’t returned. 

Best iPod/iPhone Game

Cut The Rope! No, Angry Birds! No, Cut The Rope! No, definitely Angry Birds!

Best Wii Game

I’m just kidding. No one plays Wii.