2008 has come and gone, but shouldn’t be forgotten. Last year brought a list of incredible titles, ranging from post-apocalyptic survival thrillers to headbanging rock gigs. Players engaged in battles online spent many a sleepless night running down the sidelines to win the Super Bowl or crushing the evil Empire in epic lightsaber duels. They’ll never forget the hundreds of thousands of fans their bands accrued or the number of monsters they slew.

Last year rocked. Both platforms saw amazing games all year long, but only five can make into the list. Whether gamers are hardcore devotess or just casual, 2008 gave a promising selection that will forever remain in their hearts and libraries. Not since the days of “Super Mario” and “Star Fox” has the community ever seen a more productive year. We can only hope that 2009 will be as promising.

1. Grand Theft Auto 4 - Top third person shooter

Rock Star Games has created Liberty City, a place where everything is possible. Selling more than 500 million copies and breaking industry records, there’s a reason why this game was the most anticipated of 2008. Work hard and you can enjoy the benefits of being Liberty City’s head thug. Boasting a great story line and new online multiplayer version, this is the game to own.

Rockstar Games

Platforms: Playstation 3, Xbox 360

ESRB Rating: Mature

2. Fallout 3 - Best RPG

From the same people who brought you the award-winning “Oblivion”, comes the third installion in the “Fallout” series. Here, players can create and customize their own character and set them off into the post-nuclear wasteland. After a series of running into broken cities and crumbling landmarks, players will begin their journey as either the wasteland’s savior or its destroyer. The open-ended gameplay and compelling story make this game stand out above the rest.

Bethesda Games

Platforms: Playstation 3, Xbox 360

ESRB Rating: Mature

3. Gears of War 2 - Best Xbox 360

Players return to the planet Sera in one of the most popular titles for the Xbox. The Locust Horde has been enslaving the human race and destroying everything in their way. In “GoW2”, it’s time to take the offensive and defeat the enemy. Amazing graphics and plot are a huge part of this video game blockbuster and the online mode is equally awesome. All owners of the 360 need to make this a part of their library. The third-person shooter brings all the gore and fun a gamer could ask for. With newer villians and cooler weapons jotted on a deeper storyline better than the original, Gears of War 2 is the best for the Xbox 360.

Epic Games

Platform: Xbox 360

ESRB Rating: Mature

4. Rock Band 2 - Best Music

“Rock Band” makes a strong comeback with another great playlist. Rockers of all generations will love this game because of its wide variety of songs to jam out to. From classics like “Living On A Prayer” by Bon Jovi, to newer hits like “The Middle” by Jimmy Eat World, gamers will rock out with this next installment. Not only does it offer new content but gamers can also play all of their favorites from the first Rock Band. Needless to say, it perfectly simulates the experience of rock ‘n’ roll – minus all of the sex and drugs.

MTV Games

Platform: Playstation 3, Xbox 360, Wii, Playstation 2

ESRB Rating: Teen

5. Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots - Best PS3

Prepare to be wrapped up in the amazing story of Metal Gear Solid like never before with breathtaking graphics and gameplay. More than twenty years after the original “Metal Gear Solid” game was released, Konami brought back one of the toughest soldiers known to gaming. It is the seventh in its series and has and won “Game Of The Year” from Gamespot. Indeed, “Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots” surpasses all expectation, becoming a cinematic and gaming standard that future games will be judged by.

Konami

Platform: Playstation 3

ESRB Rating: Mature