15. Colin McRae: 2 (Reviewed on PlayStation 3)

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As you may have noticed, 16th placed 3 holds the honour of being 2009's most worthy road-based title. However, Codemasters' longstanding series offers speed-hungry gamers something a little bit different - but no less impressive - through fellow sequel DiRT 2.

Hurtling along a fine gameplay line likely to appeal in equal parts to petrol-head obsessives and car enthusiasts, DiRT 2 offers breathtaking sim-lite rallying that steadily unfolds across 100 truly international stages and events. Filled with both flair and panache, the title of very best off-road experience 2009 belongs to DiRT 2, thanks to a pitch perfect balance between immediate arcade gratification and detailed authenticity.

14. Plants Vs. Zombies (Reviewed on PC)

The evergreen tower-defence genre gets a favourable nod here on our 'best of the year' rundown, courtesy of Popcap's irresistibly cute and frighteningly addictive Plants Vs Zombies, which simply requires that players defend their lush lawns from relentlessly attacking zombies by building a force of adequately defensive or offensive flora.

Outside of the main game and its familiar grid-based movement mechanics, Plants Vs Zombies also demands player attention via mini-games, puzzles and unlockables galore, comedic pop-ups, collectables, and a ton of other related challenges. In short, Plants Vs Zombies is the perfect representation of cheap and simplistic budget gaming that stimulates the mind and the addiction gland from start to finish.

13. PGA Tour 10 (Reviewed on the Wii)

Perfectly matched with the dongle attachment, Tiger's latest drive down gaming's doglegged fairway greatly impresses on the oft-chided Nintendo Wii, thanks, in the main, to a near-perfect blend of golfing and gameplay that could potentially stop anyone coming into contact with it from playing PGA Tour 10 on a rival platform.

While its presentation falls short upon comparison, the honed and precise controls provided by the Remote and MotionPlus combo perfectly complement PGA Tour 10's solid selection of course venues, its play options, and its great simultaneous mode to create a package that's as convincing as the play mechanic it is built around.

"Out of this perfect storm comes the first game on the Wii I can wholeheartedly endorse to anyone regardless of their age or gaming persuasion," trumpeted Paul Govan while sinking yet another hole in one.

12. Prime Trilogy (Reviewed on Nintendo Wii)

Let's not beat about the bush here, the modern Metroid Prime series is superb. End of discussion. Much like Valve's epic 2: The Orange Box before it, Nintendo and have come together to offer up a multi-game package of similarly barnstorming relevance - and any Wii owner without the Trilogy release in their collection is, quite frankly, senselessly robbing themselves of 30-plus hours of pure gaming excellence.

While Metroid Prime 3: Corruption is the only title that's native to the motion-sensing Wii console, original Metroid Prime and its sequel Metroid Prime 2: Echoes have been suitably jazzed up with the inclusion of Wii Remote and Nunchuk compatibility, which helps create a flow of consistency between chapters. Factor in the ability to play the three games in any order, and purchasing Metroid Prime Trilogy - although gaining absolutely nothing in terms of new content - is a complete no-brainer.

11. 2010 (Reviewed on the PlayStation 3)

Consumer and critical momentum may have swung firmly in FIFA's direction since the 2009 edition of EA's perennial sporting juggernaut, but this year's offering from the once mighty Pro Evolution Soccer stable ably shows that isn't prepared to relinquish its sporting crown without a fight.

While recent PES releases have seemingly eschewed Evolution for Stagnancy, the 2010 edition serves up lashings of the purist gameplay finesse that first gave Konami the laurels it has been resting on while plotted its downfall. Packed with fabulous challenge and impressive depth, the wondrously unpredictable gameplay of Pro Evolution Soccer 2010 is punctuated by improved graphics and animation, a significantly more reliable online service - and even half-decent commentary.

"Pro Evolution 2010 remains nothing short of a convincing return to form for Konami..." wrote I during my recent review. "Hold sway if you're considering a footballing defection based on recent series shortfalls, Pro Evolution 2010 is, kick for kick, Konami's best effort in years."

That's it for part one, folks. And, although 20-11 delivers a smorgasbord of quality across a range of genres, be sure to keep an eye out later today in order to catch up with our 10 biggest videogame titles of 2009.

By Stevie Mostyn