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Our Favorite Games of 2006

Here’s our breakdown of the top games of 2006. We made a point of avoiding “best of” classes for consoles and genres — this isn’t the Oscars, we don’t need to be that organized. All we’re looking for here is fun. We wanted to list the games you can play for hours and not know it; the ones where your non-gamer friends can jump in and have a good time. Those are the very best games, in our book: The ones you can pick and play, get sucked into right away without minding the hours you’ve spent on it, assuming you notice. So, enough of this: Here’s our look at the most fun games of 2006. (Any of these are potentially a good gift this holiday - hint, hint.)

Gears Of War - This shooter is one of the most harrowing games we’ve ever seen. It puts most action movies to shame: The graphics and sound are incredible, the gameplay is nonstop intensity, and it’s actually an intelligent, coherent story. There’s an emphasis on tactics here, more so than in most shooters; in the real world, gun battles involve a lot of ducking and finding cover. Same thing here, which might sound boring — but it turns every confrontation into a deadly cat-and-mouse game that leaves your heart pounding. Currently an Xbox 360 exclusive; buy it HERE.

The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion - The Elder Scrolls games always impressed us with it their sheer size, but IV takes things to another level. This is fantasy role-playing at its very best. It’s an incredibly detailed game world, with completely open-ended play. You could spend hours just exploring this huge world, and discover all kinds of fun and interesting surprises. Every element of great role-playing is present, and given the star treatment. No fan could ask for more. Available for PC (HERE) and for Xbox 360 (HERE).
Lego Star Wars II: The Original Trilogy - There’s something really great about playing as Lego versions of Star Wars characters. If you played the first Lego Star Wars, you know what we mean. If you didn’t, it’s pretty simple: You’re Anakin and Obi-Wan in a Lego world, fighting the Sith and using your Jedi powers to rearrange Lego blocks to solve puzzles. The lighthearted fun and simple (but not unchallenging) gameplay of the first one are back, but now you get to play through the original movies. Yes, you get to be Lego versions of Luke, Han, Leia, even R2D2 and C3P0. It’s as much fun as it sounds. This game gets bonus points for being available to almost everyone: It’s out for PS2, PSP, GameCube, Xbox, Xbox 360, DS, Game Boy Advance and even PC.
Call Of Duty 3 - Fighting a war never looked so good. Everything that made Call Of Duty 2 a megahit is back, but with all-new scenarios and major improvements to the multiplayer game. The supporting characters are taken directly from old movies, adding to the fun sensibility — which you’ll need to help you handle the sort of hard-hitting military action here. You get to cycle through multiple soldiers and live out their stories as you fight for the US, Britain, Canada and Poland. Storm the beach at Normandy, liberate Paris from the Nazis and win the war for the good guys all over again. Available for PS2, PS3, Xbox, Xbox 360 and Wii.
New Super Mario Brothers - The Mario games we all grew up playing get revamped here, and it’s a treat. If you played Super Mario Bros. you know what this is about - but it adds updated graphics a few new tricks. It also takes bits and pieces from other Mario games and integrates them into one of the best 2D platformers ever. At a time when games so ultra-realistic, it’s nice to go back and revisit the simple joy of jumping on mushrooms and getting sucked down pipes. Available for DS HERE.
Bully - Maybe the most controversial game this year, and one of the most unique. You’re a kid in a private school run by sadists, and your goal is to fight the bullying of older kids and teachers to become the coolest kid in school. It’s the ultimate outlet for your revenge fantasies about that obnoxious kid or teacher that always picked on you. Get it for PS2 HERE.
Zelda: Twilight Princess - This is the hottest launch title for the Wii, with good reason. All the gameplay of the classic Zelda games come together here, with two bonuses: First, you get to slice monsters by making cutting motions with the Wii Nunchuk, which is a blast. Second, Link is a werewolf this time. Everything about this game is right. Wii only - get it HERE.
Marvel: Ultimate Alliance - Anyone who ever dreamed of being a superhero needs this game. It’s a great combination of action and strategy, with touches of role-playing, as you become a Marvel Comics character and fight some tough (and weird) bad guys. Pick a four-man team of your favorite costumed good guys and lead the charge against evil - while collecting supplies, unlocking new areas and getting through subplots. Sharp graphics, great gameplay and a dedication to the spirit of the original comics make this a blast, whether you’re a fan of them or not. Out for Xbox 360, Xbox, Wii, PS2, PS3, PSP and Game Boy Advance.
Madden NFL 07 - The latest in the long-running Madden franchise is a revitalizing of sports games. Casual and hardcore football fans will go nuts over what this game offers. Not only do you control every play, you control the career of a player — build him up, earn him some trophies and make him some money. Next-generation graphics really make you feel like you’re on the team, on and off the field; the online play is second to none. Like Star Wars II, this one gets extra credit for being available to most everyone - it’s out for PS3, PS2, PSP, Xbox, Xbox 360, DS, Game Boy Advance, GameCube, and Wii.
Hitman: Blood Money - We suppose it might seems unfair for 3 shooters to be on our top 10 list. We’re not biased; a great game is a great game, regardless of genre - and Hitman: Blood Money is a great game. You’re an infamous killer for hire hiding out in America, where you’ll take new jobs and new challenges. Tap into your dark side and come up with creative ways to fulfill your contracts (i.e. kill people) while staying off the front pages. For PS2, Xbox, Xbox 360 and PC.