Tracy Erickson, Staff Writer

God of War III --That not one among the staff has named a PlayStation 3 game to the list is telling, I think, of how narrowly-focused most of the previous selections have been. While I agree that there are many great titles hitting other systems, none carry the panache and quality of God of War. To overlook it is to seriously misjudge the year's slate of offerings. This will be the biggest, baddest PlayStation 3 game to date.

Uncharted 2: Among Thieves --Another PlayStation 3 title forgotten by the rest of the writing crew, this sequel amps up the action and visuals of the original. The first game was an amazingly polished adventure that never quite got the attention it deserved. Considering that I'm the only one listing it for 2009, Uncharted 2 might suffer the same ignominious fate if gamers don't start remembering that PlayStation 3 has some great games on offer this year.

Killzone 2 --It's just a few weeks away, but this heavy-hitter has been long coming. Although the original PlayStation 2 game was mediocre, this sequel completely revamps its shooter gameplay with impressive visuals, new action elements, better enemies, better balancing, and a total overhaul of multiplayer. Three PlayStation 3 games at the top may seem much, but with the slim pickings of the other platforms and blockbusters coming to the console this year it should come as no surprise.

BioShock 2: Sea of Dreams --The breakout hit from two years ago is getting ready for a sequel, which hopefully hits this year. While official word on its release has yet to be issued, it's safe to say that it will come out within the next 16 months to a flurry of anticipation. Lots of questions surround this first-person adventure, yet if it can capture the same spirit of imagination as the original it will be a dream come true.

Resident Evil 5 --Following the underwhelming release of Silent Hill: Homecoming last autumn, the need for a truly compelling survival-horror game is clear and Resident Evil 5 looks to fill that need. While the greater emphasis on action could water down the frights, there's no denying the game has plenty of promising features from cooperative play to new enemies.

God of War III

William: I think narrowly focused is a tad harsh. My selections don't include PS3 stuff because my PS3 is basically a Blu-Ray player and a means in which to play MLB The Show. These are all potentially great games, but just because no one has God of War 3 at the top of their list doesn't mean we're asleep at the wheel or smoking whatever Michael Phelps is on. I'd rather play Dragon Age, or something like it, three times to Tuesday rather than play another God of War game. In fact I'm still miffed about forgetting Blood Bowl.

Tracy: I understand your point. One person not liking a platform isn't an issue. An entire staff not naming a single PS3 game seems unusual to me. I named those three as a point--they wouldn't get mentioned at all if I didn't list them. Except I am wrong about "no PS3 games" because I think someone mentioned Killzone 2. That's definitely my mistake--sorry! I think Dragon Age and Blood Bowl are/would have been great mentions. I agree with those, definitely, as well as a lot of the games that have been mentioned. I made my list out of a desire to see some balance. Not highlighting Uncharted 2 would have been a serious oversight. This is all a matter of opinion, though.

Todd: Hey now, I included The Show in my list. That's PS3 only.

Cole: I don't mean to really split hairs here, but my Bionic Commando shout-out was with the intention of including a PS3 game. It's a fact that fewer and fewer big titles are platform-specific nowadays, but the other unfortunate truth (for me) is that there really aren't that many first-party/ PS3-specific games coming out for the system that catch my eye (DLC excepted). I've been gradually becoming more and more of a Sony fan over the past year, and it was truly painful to go through the release calendar and not really find much that caught my eye. But, either way, point taken. Well, assuming that your point is to mention how underwhelming Sony's first-party showing is, save for God of War 3 and Killzone 2, of course.

William: So says the man who doesn't own an Xbox 360...ahem. Seriously Cole, how is that possible? You lose 10 points and are dangerously close to the Troy Goodfellow dead to me list.

Cole: I don't have an Xbox 360 because I have a PS3, quite frankly. That, along with my mild ambivalence towards FPSes, is kind of how I justified my lack of one anyways....I'm open to donations, though! Send me an Xbox 360, and I swear I'll play it.

Brian Rowe: You don't want an Xbox 360 because you have a PS3, but you can't find a game to justify your PS3-loyalty. I can't imagine what the solution to this riddle could be.