Christmas is over, all of the games have been released and our hands have had a thorough workout. 2010 has undoubtedly been a fantastic year for gaming, with many of our favourite franchises seeing new releases, not to mention a tide of all new titles. As is tradition at this time of year, Thunderbolt has put together its top 20(ish) games of 2010, of which this is the first part. Disagree? Think we’re idiots? Leave a comment and have your say.

20=. Need for Speed: Hot Pursuit

Many hoped Criterion would get the series back on track, and boy, did they do that. Hot Pursuit is a fine return to form for a series that’s been lacking this generation. It’s certainly the most aggressive Need for Speed title we’ve seen, as the risk and reward elements of driving dangerously create some of the year’s most horrifically breathtaking racing formulas.

Nick Akerman

20=. Scott Pilgrim vs. The World: The Game

It’s easy to call Scott Pilgrim the complete package, as it is irrefutably the best side-scrolling brawler in years - sorry Castle Crashers. Based on the comics of the same name and derived from the classic River City Ransom, Scott Pilgrim is a match made in some alternate reality gaming heaven. Unbelievable new sprite artwork from Paul Robertson? Check. Phenomenal original chip tune soundtrack recorded by Anamanaguchi? Check. Dozens of hilarious references to 8 and 16-bit games? Check. And most importantly, simple yet deep old school gameplay? Yeah, it has that too. In fact, like I said, Scott Pilgrim pretty much has it all.

Sean Kelley

20=. Pac-Man Championship Edition DX

Who thought Pac-Man could ever feel so fresh? Pac-Man Championship Edition DX wins fans thanks a vibrant color pallet, twitch gameplay, shifting levels and loads of different boards to learn and explore. Pac-Man Championship Edition DX delivers an energetic, revitalized experience.

Matt Wadleigh

19=. Limbo

A beautiful looking game, and stunning on the ears too if you have a decent pair of speakers. Limbo is gaming stripped down to its most basic instincts. Cast in shadows and piercing light, the black and white aesthetic is both unique and unforgettable. You never see the characters face and you’ll never hear his name, yet you will always feel guilty when you lead him to death (many, many times).

Shane Ryan

19=. Castlevania: Lords of Shadows

Unfortunately lost among the fall shuffle, Castlevania: Lords of Shadow is easily one of the most breath taking games of the past year; it also happens to be one hell of an action/adventure game. Ever since the N64 Castlevania titles there has been a perhaps unwarranted stigma attached to the franchises’ forays into the third-dimension; this should end those, unequivocally. Lords of Shadow borrows many of its mechanics from other successful titles, but it’s the way developer MercurySteam has stitched them all together and applied their own particular spin that separates Castlevania from its action/adventure peers. It is a dark, deliberately paced tale of one man’s journey to resurrect his wife, and most certainly, it is a slow burn worth indulging.

Sean Kelley

19=. Dead Rising 2

In a lot of ways Dead Rising 2 is like eating gas station nachos. They’re both bad for you, both are drenched in cheese, and yet nothing hits the spot quite like it. Dead Rising 2 shifts the zombie-killing zaniness to the Vegas-inspired Fortune City where another outbreak occurs, this time with single dad and tough-as-nails ex-motorcross champ Chuck Greene smack in the middle with 72 hours to kill before rescue—literally. Blue Castle Games and Capcom have somehow managed to make the sequel even more over-the-top and ridiculous than the original. With countless objects in the environment to combine and kill zombies, Dead Rising 2 might not win any highbrow awards, but it’s guaranteed to be an entertaining ride nonetheless.

James Dewitt

18. FIFA 11

This year’s FIFA, like the last few instalments, builds on what has come before. The career mode is again updated, as is the core gameplay. Passing is less predictable, shooting more realistic and crossing now worthwhile. Although its menus can be a little cumbersome, on the pitch this remains the best football game to date.

Philip Morton

17. BlazBlue: Continuum Shift

While fighting game enthusiasts were clamoring over Super Street Fighter IV, few seemed to notice the release of BlazBlue: Continuum Shift. Those that did, however, were treated to one of the best fighting games in recent memory. This game took everything that made the original so awesome and ran with it. The story remained as extensive and in-depth as ever, which is a rarity in fighting games. Despite its relatively small cast - the majority of the newcomers were downloadable content - each character had unique move sets and unorthodox playing styles. The intricate combat mechanics, new and rebalanced combos, and expanded defensive tactics offered technical gameplay that was both deep and demanding. The fluid animations and superb voice acting made for a slick presentation. The sheer amount of unlockable features, bonus artwork, and an excellent online multiplayer made it that much better. Continuum Shift set a new standard for its genre this year, even if no one saw it.

16. BioShock 2

I tried to love the original BioShock. I respected its vision, the compelling setting and the uncompromising vision for the future and the past of Rapture, but it could not engross me. The beauty of BioShock 2 is the familiarity with the setting that allows the focus to be placed back on playing through an intriguing story that could only be told in the city of Rapture. Your journey is simply one small part of Rapture’s lucrative character, giving a more ‘intimate’ experience, a refreshing contrary to the grandiose tale of BioShock. This is not as creative and technical a marvel, but simply a sequel with a defined character. Here’s to Infinite being the best of both.

Stuart Edwards

15. Call of Duty: Black Ops

Fast, fun and frenetic, Black Ops favours refinement over reinvention. Given the widespread success of the Call of Duty series, this is no surprise. What is surprising is just how good Black Ops proves to be. The combat is fluid, the graphics delight and the scripted sequences are always in waiting. Yet while Black Ops shares the Call of Duty name, it also comes equipped with a solid storyline told in a visually arresting way, something that elevates the core experience above its predecessors. The story and multiplayer coalesce to provide one of the most robust packages for 2010. Oh, and there are zombies too!

Edward Love

14. Assassin’s Creed Brotherhood

The quick turnaround for Assassin’s Creed: Brotherhood wasn’t very promising for those looking for another adventure on the scale of Ezio Auditore’s previous exploits in Assassin’s Creed II; especially when you factor in Ubisoft’s adage of only talking about the game’s multiplayer. So it was a surprise to almost everyone when Brotherhood turned out to be just as rich and rewarding as its predecessor, offering another twenty-or-so hours inside and out of the Animus. Gameplay wise it doesn’t change too much, maintaining the awesome traversal mechanics and making subtle changes to the combat system. However, the city of Rome is a fantastic playground to explore, and the amount of activities Ezio can partake in are seemingly endless. Take a gander at the map at any one time and you’ll soon find yourself lost amongst the sea of markers, each mission offering something for someone. Add to that the introduction of your very own Assassins Guild and surplus of property management and Brotherhood becomes oddly addictive. Even the new fangled multiplayer is enjoyable, providing an anomalous style the market is lacking. Over the past year Assassin’s Creed has become a series to get genuinely excited about.

Richard Wakeling

13. Deadly Premonition

Looking for slick gameplay and strong production values? Deadly Premonition is not the game. On the other hand, anyone who has an appreciation for the bizarre will find this low-budget offering a joy. The story follows the exploits of unhinged FBI agent Francis York Morgan. As a protagonist he sells the game: his offhand comments and deadpan voice solidify his place amongst videogamings most memorable heroes. He might look like a madman and his smile might make your skin crawl, but that suits the game’s tone just fine. Give it a try.

Edward Love

12. Super Meat Boy

To call this game hard would be a bold faced lie. You’ll laugh in horror at the pixel perfect jumping later levels will require from you. A bazillion tries later and you’ve done it. Congratulations. It took you sixty minutes to complete a thirty second level and you still didn’t get an A+. So is the life of Meat Boy; and what a great experience it is at that. Newsgrounds’ styled animations and music compliment great old-school platforming. Apart from a final boss level that takes too much pleasure in seeing you fail, you have a highly recommended, guilt free, downloadable experience.

Shane Ryan

11. Fallout: New Vegas

Whether you’re arguing for the franchise’s old school or new school front there’s no denying that New Vegas is an experience to be had. Despite the game’s many bugs and crashes the 100+ involving hours of gameplay is surprisingly enough to make you forget about it, much like visiting Disney World and having to deal with the Florida rain. Newcomers to the series will find themselves developing an interest in furthering their Fallout experience through its other titles after spending their time in its post-apocalyptic sin city…and accepting the fact that a number of weeks in the real world had already passed them by.

Stew Chyou