The Australian Customs and Border Protection Service on Jan. 29 seized 150 items suspected of infringing the Kyoto, Japan- based company’s trademarks, spokeswoman Patricia O’Connell said in a telephone interview today. Among the items recovered were fake Wii controllers, nunchucks, games and R4 cards — copying devices capable of circumventing protection measures embedded in the company’s Nintendo DS and Nintendo DSi gaming systems.

The raid is the first time Australian customs officials have stopped the attempted import of R4 cards and follows more than 10 years of cooperation with law enforcement agencies, Nintendo Australia said on its Web site. Nintendo estimated the potential loss in sales at A$1.5 million ($1.4 million).

“It demonstrates that we’re always vigilant on counterfeit goods,” O’Connell said.

Since 2008, Nintendo has worked with local authorities to pursue more than 800 customs seizures, law-enforcement actions and civil proceedings in 16 countries, resulting in the confiscation of more than half a million Nintendo DS game copiers, Nintendo Australia said on its Web site.

The maker of the Wii game console last month sued an Australian man for being the first in the world to copy and upload the New Super Mario Bros. game to file-sharing services. The man agreed, after the court case began, to pay A$1.5 million in damages to compensate for lost sales, Nintendo said in a statement at the time.

Game Over

The swoop on the illegal copying devices also followed action in the Federal Court of Australia earlier this month against an importer and online seller of game copiers, and is part of Nintendo’s global crackdown on piracy.

In September, Nintendo’s Australian unit filed proceedings against RSJ IT Solutions Pty — an online seller of gadgets, including gaming consoles and accessories — and company directors Patrick Li and James Li.

The company and its directors were ordered to pay A$620,000 to Nintendo and surrender its game copiers for destruction. Nintendo is considering further legal action against other sellers of game-copying devices in Australia, it said.

So turning a 700-year-old poem into a video game — as Electronic Arts has done with “Dante’s Inferno” — really isn’t that much of a stretch. “It’s such a powerful, universal concept,” says executive producer Jonathan Knight.

When Knight, a veteran of more lighthearted projects such as “The Sims 2″ and “The Simpsons Game,” started thinking about an adventure set in hell, he turned to “The Inferno.”

“Dante synthesized hundreds of years of theological debate, reached back into myth and created this amazingly rich and detailed work,” Knight says. “Why do all the work all over again?”

Comparing the V-shaped map of the nine circles of hell to a game-design document, Knight points out that “Dante even spec’d out a boss character for each level.” And, of course, “the last boss is Lucifer.”

Still, the Dante of “The Inferno” is a mostly passive observer, so EA’s Visceral Games studio took some liberties. “We needed a hero who was a warrior, with a reason to be fighting,” Knight says — so, in the game, Dante’s beloved Beatrice has been kidnapped by Lucifer.

Phil Marineau, EA’s brand manager for “Dante’s Inferno,” acknowledges that reaction to such changes has been mixed. “Some people understand what we’re doing,” Marineau says. “Of course, some wanted us to leave a literary classic alone.”

However, Marineau argues: “Artists throughout history have interpreted ‘Dante’s Inferno’ in their own media. And video games are a new art form.”

The ideas children pick up from books as well as other sources will be studied at the university’s new centre for the study of children’s literature.

Academics argue that books, films and other media, reach children in a way that their teachers and parents cannot.

The centre will be part of the University’s Faculty of Education.

The faculty’s current teaching programme covers material including ABC books, folk and fairytales, as well as classics like Robert Louis Stevenson’s Treasure Island.

‘Trash is popular’

The new centre is being expanded to cover the representation of young people in films and video games, along with children’s comics.

On the literature side, modern best-sellers like Harry Potter and the Twilight Series of vampire books will be covered as well as classics such as Alice in Wonderland and Little House on the Prairie.

Professor Maria Nikolajeva, who will be the centre’s first director, said it was important to get an understanding of what was influencing young people.

She said: “It’s easy to say that these things are just kids’ fashions or that they’re trash, but I don’t believe that’s good enough.

“If what we regard as trash is popular with young people, we need to know why and whether, as researchers and teachers, we can offer them something that addresses the same needs but also deals with these themes in a critical and ethical way.”

She added many trainee teachers did not understand the significance of the latest children’s books or films when they went into the classroom.

“Studying this can help us deal with questions which are important not only for the children themselves, but for adults as well,” she added.

Activision’s “Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2,” was the top-selling game of the year, meanwhile, despite only being released in November, according to the Top Global Markets report.

Nintendo games grabbed the next four places on the 2009 best-selling list, according to the report, which is compiled using figures from the NPD Group, GfK Chart-Track Ltd and Enterbrain Inc.

The Top Global Markets report said videogame sales declined 14 percent in Britain, two percent in Japan and seven percent in the United States last year compared with the previous year.

Console software sales fell by six percent in Britain while portable game software sales were off by 25 percent.

In Japan, console software sales dropped by five percent and portable game software sales fell by one percent.

In the United States, console software sales fell by seven percent while portable game software sales dipped by eight percent.

The report attributed much of the decline to the shrinking PlayStation 2 market, which declined in unit sales by 56 percent in the United States, 67 percent in Britain and by 55 percent in Japan.

“Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2″ notched up total sales of 11.86 million units in Britain, Japan and the United States, selling 8.82 million copies in the United States, 237,500 in Japan and 2.80 million in Britain.

The next four top-selling titles were Nintendo’s “Wii Sports Resort,” “New Super Mario Bros. Wii,” “Wii Fit Plus” and “Wii Fit.”

They sold 7.57 million copies, 7.41 million copies, 5.80 million copies and 5.44 million copies respectively in the three markets.

Craig Zinkievich told CVG that porting Star Trek Online’s PC-based MMO to consoles would definitely be possible but that Cryptic would not rush the game onto Xbox 360, Nintendo Wii or Sony PS3 to satisfy fans.

Star Trek Online launches in Europe this Friday on PCs only with a selection of rather tasty pre-order offers already available.

Zinkievich told CVG: “We would love to get Star Trek Online to the console…we want our games across multiple platforms. But we’ll have to see how Star Trek does…we want to do it justice and not hurry something along just to get it on the console.”

Are you going to play Star Trek Online and would you if it hit your favourite console?

The wand-like controller is due to launch later this year and will work in conjunction with the PlayStation Eye to deliver a motion-sensing experience to some PS3 games.

When the controller is released in the Autumn, Sony claims that it will have a variety games that will utilise the technology:

“We will continue to work to have a comprehensive portfolio of attractive and innovative games for the Motion Controller, not only from SCE Worldwide Studios but also from the third party developers and publishers, whom we have been working closely with, ” said Sony Computer Entertainment CEO Kazuo Hirai in a press release.

“We look forward to soon unveiling the exciting software line-up that further expands and defines the PS3 platform as the ultimate entertainment system for the home.”

Though Sony hasn’t officially confirmed the name of the controller, it’s now looking extremely likely that PlayStation Arc will be the final name for the peripheral.

But come on, folk
s: Surely you’ve mastered the sun salutation and the downward-facing dog by now and you’re ready for something more vigorous.

EA Sports Vice President Dave McCarthy says his company watched the success of “Wii Fit” and decided to take a different approach. “We want to get your heart rate going, get a bit of a sweat going,” he says. The result is “EA Sports Active,” the first fitness program from the company better known for sports simulations like “Madden NFL” and “NBA Live.”

“In 30 minutes you can burn a bunch of calories,” McCarthy says. EA describes its high-intensity focus as “Western fitness,” as opposed to the emphasis on balance and yoga in “Wii Fit.” “Active” also features a “30-Day Challenge,” a prescribed workout routine that provides a bit more structure than Nintendo’s program.

EA is aiming “Active” squarely at women, with ads flooding daytime television. The software features Oprah Winfrey’s fitness guru, Bob Greene. And Alison Sweeney, star of NBC’s “Days of Our Lives” and “The Biggest Loser,” has been making the promotional rounds.

“It’s hard to get out to the gym,” Sweeney says. “I had (`Active’) in my bedroom and had to look at it every day. It’s a great way to keep focused.”

Pushing Daisy: Pilates, developed in the 1920s, has really caught on in the last decade. One of its followers, former MTV VJ Daisy Fuentes, has made a bundle off Pilates DVDs, and now she’s bringing the discipline to the Wii.

Sega’s “Daisy Fuentes Pilates” uses the Wii controls, including the Balance Board, to monitor your movements and ensure you’re doing the exercises the right way. “It focuses on the connection between your mind and body, giving you smooth control over your movements,” she says. “And the Wii is a great way to practice it.”

“Daisy Fuentes Pilates” is scheduled for release later this summer.

I walk the line: Having opened up the “exergaming” market, Nintendo is hardly ignoring the genre. Its latest attempt to get gamers off the couch is “Personal Trainer: Walking,” for the portable DS.

The package includes two pedometers. You can stick one in your pocket, go about your daily routine and then feed your stats into the game cartridge through a wireless hookup. You get plenty of charts and graphs to monitor your progress, but the overall package doesn’t have nearly as much variety as “Wii Fit.”

Still, the second pedometer lets you challenge a family member. Or you can attach it to your dog if you want to feel really lazy.

I have a fond spot in my heart for the “Tekken” games. “Tekken 2” was the first game we bought when my family got a PlayStation in 1996, and I loved it. I’ve played them all since.

“Tekken 6” reawakens the series with a bang. Players can choose from 40 fighters, 34 from previous games.

What I like about “Tekken 6” (and previous games) is its ability to be both accessible to newcomers and incredibly deep for the hardcore. The characters have extensive lists of moves, some easy to do and some nearly impossible. And they all look great when performed, flowing easily into each other.

I was a little disappointed that all the characters are unlocked from the start in arcade mode. Unlocking them and viewing their ending movies has always been my favorite thing to do.

But those aspects aren’t gone entirely. They can be found in a new game mode, scenario campaign mode, in which you follow the (convoluted and nearly nonsensical) story of newcomers Alisa and Lars.

The scenario campaign is a series of stages on a map in which the character in your control runs through the level and defeats gangs of enemies.

Along the way, you’ll unlock characters, which you then play through an arena stage to open up their movies. I’m glad that aspect is still here, even though it’s no longer in arcade mode.

Scenario mode is fun but flawed — the controls aren’t quite as smooth as on the regular battle stages, and targeting can be a pain.

But it adds replayability because of the money and items you’ll earn. “Tekken 6” has some extensive character customization, with outfits and hair styles available for purchase. You also earn money in other game modes, but scenario is the only place you’ll win items.

For most fighting-game fans, though, the important part is online competition. “Tekken 6” handles this well, with one-on-one matches and a new team option. I experienced little lag when playing online, which is super-important for this kind of game.

All in all, “Tekken 6,” while not perfect, is a nice-looking, solid fighting game, and longtime fans should be satisfied.

• Sticking around: New characters are fun — Alisa, a cyborg, takes off her head and attacks with it — but I’m sticking by my long-time favorite, Nina.

• Still waiting: Load times are frequent and fairly long, even after installing to the hard drive. They’re not deal-breaker long but annoying nonetheless.

And if recent HD usage survey results are accurate, you probably should be.

According to a November 2009 Knowledge Networks survey, 43 percent of people “watch HD programs every day,” up from just 26 percent in 2007. That’s a 65 percent increase in two years, significant enough to lead Knowledge Networks’ president to note “This sends a message to advertisers that HD is becoming the new norm for those with HD access across all program types.”

People apparently–and increasingly–want high-definition content. And you know what? Yes, only part of Netflix’s total catalog may be HD-ready today, but what…you think Netflix plans to wait for the Wii to catch up with an HD part? Care to wager how much Netflix’s HD library is going to grow in 2010 alone?

Think about your competition. Microsoft and Sony offer HD streaming content today. Both have deals with Netflix (Microsoft’s is integrated, but even Sony’s disc-based program includes the HD option). Yes, you need a fast connection to qualify for a high-def feed, and no, it still doesn’t look as immaculate as full-on Blu-ray (or for those of you who haven’t switched, HD-DVD–requiescat in pace). But it’s clearly a superior option, and for people slowly (or does that survey now imply ‘quickly’?) awakening to the perquisites of HD video, possibly even a deal-breaker.

Which means:

If you already have a 360 or a PS3, Netflix on the Wii isn’t a reason to buy one. If you have a 360 or a PS3 as well as a Wii, it’s not a reason to use the Wii (unless you want to service another room somewhere). And if you have none of the above but want to buy a Netflix compatible, HD-ready console that complements your existing high-def TV setup, your options are Microsoft or Sony, not Nintendo.

Reggie Fils-Aime’s response in that CNBC interview:

The vast majority of content that’s available for streaming on Netflix is not HD content, so there really is no loss for the Wii consumer, the fact that they can’t get any HD content through our system.

Accurate but shortsighted. As noted, Netflix’s HD development plans are hardly in stasis. But what’s worse, Fil-Aime has to go and conflate two spectacularly different forms of entertainment:

The consumer has voted, over 26 million consumers have bought a Wii. So the consumer is saying that the quality of the visual is not nearly as important as the overall entertainment, the overall value of that experience.

Earth to Nintendo: Movies aren’t games (last I checked, Netflix wasn’t streaming Mario or Donkey Kong). You don’t interact with a movie or TV show the way you do New Super Mario Bros or Wii Fit Plus. Video’s value is its visual content. And in that particular game, speaking as an unabashed videophile, HD matters–more each day.

Wii

Due: Late 2010

This looks set to be Nintendos big gun for Christmas 2010.

Said to have less of a focus on plot this time around in favour of all-out 3D platforming action, new features include a drill that allows the Italian plumber to dig through into new areas.

FINAL FANTASY XIII

Xbox 360, PS3

Due: March 2010

The latest in a franchise that stretches decades across the gaming world, this marks the first time the series will appear on the Xbox 360.

The good news is that Yoshinori Kitase, the man responsible for some of the best FF is back on board as producer

On the downside, Leona Lewis is set to be providing the wailing for the European version’s soundtrack.

HALO: REACH

Xbox 360, PC

Due: Late 2010

Microsofts flagship shooter returns at the end of this year with players taking control of Noble Team, a squad of soldiers sent to defend the planet Reach.

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Those hoping for a look at the game wont have to wait long, with a multiplayer beta version set to

be rolled out early next year, but youll have to be an owner of last years Halo 3: ODST to join in on the preview.

MASS EFFECT 2

Xbox 360, PC

Due: January

The sequel to 2007s smash-hit role-player, Mass Effect 2 continues the story of Commander Shepard in the 22nd century.

There are new alien races, much improved graphics and a beefing up of the orginals often criticised combat system.

Also expect drugs, alien pole-dancers and the unzipping of a future blouse. Intriguing!

HEAVY RAIN

PS3

Due: Early 2010

The makers of this film noir-inspired PS3 exclusive have made the bold claim that it will take storytelling in videogames to a whole new level, with real-life character emotions.

A hybrid of both film and videogame with a unique control system, we cant wait to see if French developers Quantic Dream can pull off what appears to be the years most ambitious game.

GRAN TURISMO 5

PS3

Due: March 2010

First announced in 2006, Sonys flagship racing simulator has been delayed so long its hard to believe it finally has a firm release date.

The big new feature is an online mode with 16-player capability.

And you can no longer drive with abandon as mechanical and external damage are now key features.

ALAN WAKE

Xbox 360

Due: Early 2010

This forever-delayed psychological thriller from the makers of Max Payne tells the story of an author who is tormented by a small American town after his wife disappears.

Think Twin Peaks crossed with Shenmue.

LOST PLANET 2

Xbox 360, PS3

Due: February

If the ice world action of the original was reminiscent of The Empire Strikes Back, LP2 brings to mind Return Of The Jedi.

Set 10 years later, the snow has melted on the planet of E.D.N. III, giving way to a lush jungle as you look to wipe out the insect enemy

Source: Wikipedia

This looks set to be Nintendos big gun for Christmas 2010.

Said to have less of a focus on plot this time around in favour of all-out 3D platforming action, new features include a drill that allows the Italian plumber to dig through into new areas.

FINAL FANTASY XIII
Xbox 360, PS3
Due: March 2010

The latest in a franchise that stretches decades across the gaming world, this marks the first time the series will appear on the Xbox 360.

The good news is that Yoshinori Kitase, the man responsible for some of the best FF is back on board as producer

On the downside, Leona Lewis is set to be providing the wailing for the European version’s soundtrack.

HALO: REACH
Xbox 360, PC
Due: Late 2010

Microsofts flagship shooter returns at the end of this year with players taking control of Noble Team, a squad of soldiers sent to defend the planet Reach.house hoping for a look at the game wont have to wait long, with a multiplayer beta version set to

be rolled out early next year, but youll have to be an owner of last years Halo 3: ODST to join in on the preview.

MASS EFFECT 2
Xbox 360, PC
Due: January

The sequel to 2007s smash-hit role-player, Mass Effect 2 continues the story of Commander Shepard in the 22nd century.

There are new alien races, much improved graphics and a beefing up of the orginals often criticised combat system.

Also expect drugs, alien pole-dancers and the unzipping of a future blouse. Intriguing!

HEAVY RAIN
PS3
Due: Early 2010

The makers of this film noir-inspired PS3 exclusive have made the bold claim that it will take storytelling in videogames to a whole new level, with real-life character emotions.

A hybrid of both film and videogame with a unique control system, we cant wait to see if French developers Quantic Dream can pull off what appears to be the years most ambitious game.

GRAN TURISMO 5
PS3
Due: March 2010

First announced in 2006, Sonys flagship racing simulator has been delayed so long its hard to believe it finally has a firm release date.

The big new feature is an online mode with 16-player capability.

And you can no longer drive with abandon as mechanical and external damage are now key features.

ALAN WAKE
Xbox 360
Due: Early 2010

This forever-delayed psychological thriller from the makers of Max Payne tells the story of an author who is tormented by a small American town after his wife disappears.

Think Twin Peaks crossed with Shenmue.

LOST PLANET 2
Xbox 360, PS3
Due: February

If the ice world action of the original was reminiscent of The Empire Strikes Back, LP2 brings to mind Return Of The Jedi.

Set 10 years later, the snow has melted on the planet of E.D.N. III, giving way to a lush jungle as you look to wipe out the insect enemy

The free bingo will start at 10am on Christmas Day and their will be cash jackpots ranging from £25 to £100. For those who are new to the site they are also spreading the free games to the brand new Newbie bingo room. The games in here will run from 12 – 2pm and 7-9pm.

The free games will end at 10pm, so there is plenty of chance to log on and enjoy a game for free at Mecca.

On Boxing Day all those players who have qualified to play in the Santa’s Grotta secret room will have a chance of winning £5,000. This room is only open to players who spent £20 on bingo games leading up to Christmas. However, there will be more free games in the Newbie Room from 12 noon.

If you do head over to enjoy a free game at Mecca, don’t forget to let us know how you rate the site in our Mecca Bingo Reviews section.

Xbox 360 pirates around the world are already downloading and playing Bayonetta almost a month early. Usually PAL versions of games are the ones to get leaked but according to information this leak is reported to be playable in all three regions.

This upsets me quite a bit every time this happens, all these kids are stealing these peoples hard work and getting to enjoy their hard work way before us legit people do. At least Microsoft seems to be banning them quite quickly now. After the last ban wave it seems Microsoft can really detect people with modified dvd drive firmwares now. After reading a lot about the bans it seems almost no one escaped the ban wave if they had connected to Xbox Live within the last few months before it had happened. Although with single player games it doesn’t matter if the player is banned since they don’t need to play on Xbox Live which is a shame. Hopefully Microsoft finds a way to stop this for good.

We have to admit to being a little biased about Gunnery Sergeant Edward Buck. This is largely down to the fact that he’s voiced by (and visually modelled on) Nathan Fillion, the star of the criminally short-lived Joss Whedon sci-fi/western TV show, Firefly. This actor is the perfect choice to play the ODST sergeant, as his voice conveys equal parts authority, charisma and casual humour. Thanks to Fillion’s work, Buck becomes the sort of leader any rookie shock trooper would follow into a fiery hell – and since Mombasa has started to look that way by the time the ODST arrive, it’s a good thing too. (In the interests of full disclosure, we should point out that our bias also extends to some of the other troops in Halo 3: ODST – Firefly alumni Alan Tudyk and Adam Baldwin also provide the voices for a couple of Buck’s men.)

9. Ellis (Left 4 Dead 2)

Really, we could have chosen all four of the characters from Valve’s zombie apocalypse shooter as all four of them are clearly defined and their interplay is smart, snappy and frequently hilarious. However, if we had to pick one character from the survivors (and we do) it would have to be the group’s baseball cap-wearing southern-fried good ol’ boy, Ellis. Aside from his overly-respectful approach towards Coach and his tender flirting with Rochelle, Ellis has a story for nearly every predicament the survivors find themselves in – most of them involving his buddy, Keith. It’s amazing how many situations remind Ellis of his mate, especially when you consider that the four protagonists have to find their way through obstacles including a blinding thunderstorm, a broken-down carnival and a burning hotel.

* Read our Left 4 Dead 2 review

8. Jack Cayman (MadWorld)

At first glance there doesn’t seem to be much more to Jack Cayman than killing and biker leathers. The chain-smoking protagonist of Sega’s sci fi thriller MadWorld is equal parts attitude and edged weapons from the moment he agrees to take part in the game’s hyper-violent reality TV show, Death Watch. However, as the game progresses, Jack begins to show that he has bigger plans than just being crowned the show’s next champion. His mission seems less geared towards entertaining the masses through carnage and more towards making sure that the shady individuals behind Death Watch don’t profit from their insidious show. Along the way, he even has time for the odd philosophical debate with his sponsor, Agent XIII, about society’s attraction to violence as a form of entertainment and the voyeuristic need that exists in all of us. Not exactly ground-breaking stuff, certainly, but more than you would expect from a man with a chainsaw strapped to his arm.

* Read our MadWorld review

7. Isaac Washington (House Of The Dead: Overkill)

House Of The Dead Overkill is the first video game to break into the record books for its use of bad language. It currently holds the Guinness World Record for most swearing in a video game. This is largely down to the efforts of Officer Isaac Washington who now officially has the foulest mouth in video games. As he and Agent G blast their way across the Grindhouse landscape in search of a zombie creating crime lord, Washington peppers his dialogue with more expletives than are contained in the entire film oeuvres of Martin Scorsese and Quentin Tarantino combined. The fact that he’s so likeable in spite of this is a testament to the sharp, comic talents of the game’s writers; Washington’s cussing is used to punctuate some of the funniest dialogue to appear in a game all year. It’s possible that his predilection for the f-word may repulse a fair number of players. Then again, the sort of player who would take issue with coarse language probably wouldn’t want to play a zombie shooter filled with grime, gore and grainy footage.

* Read our House Of The Dead: Overkill preview

6. Guybrush Threepwood (Tales Of Monkey Island)

It’s been nine years since Guybrush Threepwood, Mighty Pirate, last buckled a swash and his return in 2009 was greeted with a chorus of cheers from fans of LucasArts’ classic adventure series. Guybrush is, of course, about as mighty as a wet paper bag, but his dorkish, effervescent charm and ability to eke out victory against the ghost pirate LeChuck, often in the most barmy ways imaginable, is what forms the bedrock of Monkey Island’s magic. Well, that and voodoo, but let’s not muddle the point.

* Read our Tales Of Monkey Island review

5. Luis Lopez (GTA IV: The Ballad Of Gay Tony)

The bodyguard and business associate to the self-styled Queen of Algonquin, (Gay) Tony Prince, Luis Lopez is a character of surprising depth for a hired bruiser. His approach to the hardships he and Tony come up against is the perfect blend of ice-cold pragmatism and good natured optimism. When you consider his trials and tribulations involve outwitting a war criminal, protecting his family from a lone shark and paying off the mafia, his sunny outlook seems indicative of a cast iron resolve that is hardly suggested by his soft-spoken manner. Luis Lopez isn’t the first character in a GTA game who has watched his entire world go to hell in a handcart, but he’s probably the first to respond this affably. He’s also a pretty good dancer when he’s off the clock at one of his clubs…

* Read our GTA IV: The Ballad Of Gay Tony review

4. Eddie Riggs (Brütal Legend)

With the vocal talents of comedian Jack Black and dialogue supplied by video game uber-scribe Tim Scaffer, the greatest metal roadie in the world was always going to occupy a space on our list. Arriving in the Age Of Metal in its hour of need, Eddie Riggs is initially confused, but soon takes to the task of organising a tour of destruction to liberate the world’s inhabitants. When it comes to saving the world through the power of heavy metal, Riggs is the only man for the job. Roadie, lover, leader and quip-thrower, Riggs also finishes off his bloodiest kills by yelling “decapitatioooooooooooon!” for which he will always have our love.

* Read our Brütal Legend review

3. Ezio Auditore da Firenze (Assassin’s Creed II)

Every aspect of Assassin’s Creed II seems intrinsically designed to pull the player in and stop them from leaving. You would run out of space listing which part of the game is hardest to turn away from – the beautiful scenery, the epic tale of revenge, the plethora of enjoyable yet time consuming side-quests – but the majority of the game’s appeal rests on the slender shoulders of its protagonist, Ezio Auditore de Firenze. This is partially because players become emotionally invested in the Italian nobleman’s plight early on in the game. When they first meet Ezio he’s an irascible rogue, scrapping in the streets of Renaissance Florence, climbing up to the bedrooms of young women and doing his best to avoid working for his merchant father. The way in which this idyllic existence is torn away from him through betrayal and the murder his loved ones is painful to behold and it ensures the players share Ezio’s thirst for revenge. However, were it not for the seemingly frivolous opening stages of his story, and the presentation of Ezio as a charming and eloquent young man whois also loyal to a fault, it’s doubtful his appeal would hold beyond his transformation from a dilettante to a hero. In a way the player is compelled to become Ezio’s long standing travelling companion and accomplice – a role they probably wouldn’t want to endure, if they didn’t feel some affection for the lad.

* Read our Assassin’s Creed II review

2. Batman (Batman: Arkham Asylum)

Up until this year, Batman was probably the longest suffering pop culture icon in video games, having starred in mostly mediocre titles ever since he was first used in the medium. This all changed with the release of Batman: Arkham Asylum. Admittedly, the game’s success was helped in part by the Christopher Nolan films. Thanks to Batman Begins and The Dark Knight, the world at large is finally coming around to seeing Batman the way comic book fans always have – as a frightening vigilante wrapped in black Kevlar armed with devastatingly violent gadgets. However, the lion’s share of the credit has to go to Rocksteady Studios for being the first developer to fully realise the potential of Bob Kane’s most famous creation in a video game. Batman has always been as much brains as brawn as well as a walking nightmare to his enemies. But he’s also a deeply disturbed character, wracked with guilt and pain as well as fearful of what he may yet become; the glimpses players see of Batman’s psyche after he is dosed with the Scarecrow’s fear gas are some of the most compelling images found in a video game all year. Batman: Arkham Asylum is a brilliant video game because it’s the first title to make use of full use of every single aspect of the Dark Knight’s character.

* Read our Batman: Arkham Asylum review

1. Nathan Drake (Uncharted 2: Among Thieves)

Lara Croft may be always held up as the most recognisable female character in video games, but this year she forever lost her title as the reigning champ in adventure games. That belt now belongs to Nathan Drake; equal parts Harrison Ford and Nathan Fillion, this cocky, all-American adventurer is both the most entertaining and appealing character in any game released all year. Thanks to a script laden with wit and some expertly judged voicework courtesy of Nolan North, he became the character we wanted to spend the most time with this year – a fact helped in no small part by the overall excellence of Uncharted 2: Among Thieves. Charming, funny and willing to risk life and limb for adventure, Nathan Drake is easily one of the most rounded and likeable video game characters of this generation.

When firing up FM10 for the first time, I was presented with a lengthy set-up process enabling me to detail every aspect about myself. Height, weight, clothes, marital status and children are all detailed in the opening stages of the game. I thought this was supposed to be a ‘football’ management title. This is perhaps the first area FM10 differentiates itself, enabling the player to manage not only every aspect of a football club but also extending this management to the personal and social life of a budding manager. Not only must you weigh up the relative pros and cons of a 3-5-2 formation but also decide whether missing a dinner date with your partner to play golf with members of the board would be worth the scolding. Whilst certainly different, I found that such options only go as far as to dilute the experience and take the focus away from the football. Such was the vastness of the content available, at first I found myself a little overwhelmed. There I was cruising to my fifth consecutive victory when an email came in saying that I’d forgotten to organise the player’s Christmas party and that Ryan Giggs was upset. My sincerest apologies to you Ryan.

If you’re a sports sim old hat, you will be familiar with the game’s layout. Navigating your way around the multitude of menus is made easy by a simple tab system displayed across the top of the screen. A desktop charts your progress whilst all urgent matters for your attention are presented via email in your inbox. The layout is slick, intuitive and most of all, easy to use, which is essential given the vast array of possibilities to tweak and customise your club/team/life. The amount of detail that has been put into the managerial responsibilities is staggering with the ability to run everything from the ground up. Taking charge of marketing, media, magazines, stadium layout, sponsorships and ticket prices is just the tip of the iceberg. Oh yes, and there is a football team to manage as well.

If this all seems a bit complicated, not to worry, there are plenty of tools to hold your hand for your first baby steps of managerial madness. Proving particularly useful, the managers desktop can be customised with over 30 widgets to help you keep track of everything from your top goal scorers to your best reserve and youth players. This is accompanied by a handy ‘help’ icon which appears on most pages to explain what everything does and what it’s used for.

In the world of Fifa Manager 10, customisation is key, allowing you to customise nearly everything including your level of involvement with the club. Take charge as president, manager, coach, and player or all of the above in order to fulfil all your wildest managerial dreams. If you want to focus your attention on the football then simply leave the rest of the responsibilities up to your assistants. Similarly, if all you want to do is preside over a club, you can have someone pick the line-up, formation and tactics for you. The level of customisation is excellent allowing you to shape your experience the way you want.

A new hires display accompanied by a Fifa 09 animation system means that FM10 certainly looks the part. The pregame menus are filled with crisp player and stadium pictures whilst the 3D match view is second to none. The in-game action looks smooth and whizzes along with style and pace making this by far the best looking football management title out there. Even you, as manager, are animated at the sidelines with the added ability to bark orders at the players during games. With 15 different orders, this feature adds a new layer of interactivity to the proceeds. Be careful not to get too carried away though, should the ref get annoyed with your sideline antics, he’ll be all too quick to send you walking into the stands.

Whilst offering a vast array of options, customisations and content, FM 10 falls behind on the two key areas that blossoming managers want from their management titles. An overly simplistic tactics system and transfer mechanic causes FM 10 to fall behind its two main rivals in vital areas. Though pouring over vast databases of player stats can be as addictive as air, the tactical options feel limited so you can’t always put your best laid plans into practice.

The main new feature to the series is the inclusion of multiplayer allowing you and up to seven others to play out a league via LAN or online. This mode strips away much of the detail of the single player experience to the point where it’s almost unrecognisable. Each player picks a team from a single league and then has options to choose the line-up, formation and select from a limited number of tactical options. Player stats are cut to a single score and matches are only presented via text. Designed to play out seasons in single sessions of a few hours, the streamlined multiplayer game can offer some brief but simple joys with head to head games and live player auctions ramping up the excitement. With the number of concessions needed to make multiplayer work, it is a wonder whether it was really needed at all. Games of this genre by their very nature are enjoyed best as a personal experience, spending hours constructing your dream orchestra of players, then conducting them to produce a pitch perfect symphony of football. This mode does allow you to play with friends but sadly strips away everything that a blooming manager loves about the genre to make it work.

Overall Fifa Manager 10 offers a solid football management experience that dares to be different. Though the usual staple diet of tactical options and transfers are a little thin on the ground, FM10 tries to make up for it through a powerful 3D match engine and vast array of managerial options. Whilst FM10 tries its hand at all aspects of football management, it isn’t entirely successful in all its pursuits and does end up lagging behind its older, slightly more mature brothers. If, however, you find the tactical intricacies of Championship Manager and Football Manager a little daunting, FM10 can still offer a fun experience for all levels. Though not the leader of the pack, Fifa Manager 10 easily manages to qualify for a place in the Champions league and still has points to spare.