It's the end of August and that means school is back in session and the glut of holiday games are about to be thrust upon us. So we decided to have a little chat and discuss our current picks for the best games of 2009 -- and then we'll check back at the end of the year to see how (if) these lists changed -- if the holiday games had any impact or not. So here is a top five list from each of our regular contributors. So, take it away, Brandon!

Brandon Cackowski-Schnell, Staff Writer

Red Faction!

Mitch Dyer, Staff Writer

I'm here before Brandon, that jerk, so I'm totally jacking his spot.

5. The Secret of Monkey Island: Special Edition -- I still haven't finished this, but I'll go back to it. I love that LucasArts is re-releasing all these awesome games I've never played.

4. UFC 2009 Undisputed -- Because this is the game that got me into the sport. Oh, and the game is pretty solid too, I guess. Head kicks and back-fists and all that.

3. Street Fighter IV -- Because this is the year I learned to be a good Street Fighter player. Oh, and the game is pretty solid too, I guess. Fireballs and spin-kicks and all that.

2. Red Faction Guerrilla -- One time, in Red Faction, I shot a tower with a mech's rockets, and then the tower came crashing down a mountain, and it rolled over all these buildings, and squished all my enemies, and then I won the mission. Oh, and another time, I smashed a garbage truck through an air-traffic control tower. Yeah. Red Faction is pretty neat.

1. Skate 2 -- Normally, I would have given this spot to Red Faction: Guerrilla. But, thinking back, I'm more anxious to play through Skate 2 again than I am Red Faction. I've completed both, and the satisfaction and fluidity of skateboarding in this massive world that's tailored for sweet-ass tricks is incomparable. I've forgotten most of the nuances to every skating and combo-building, and I'm psyched to re-learn each and every gratifying mechanic all over again. That doesn't happen a lot in games.

Skate 2

Jason McMaster, Staff Writer

5. Fight Night Round 4 - I went from "this is awesome" to "this is terrible" and back again on Fight Night Round 4. After having my ass handed to me several times, I had to step back and evaluate whether the game was broken or that I was using a stupid strategy. Turns out my strategy was stupid. Best boxing sim yet.

4. Broken Steel/Point Lookout DLC - Guess it's not an entire game, but it's hard to argue with these couple of expansions released for the PC and 360 as add-ons for Fallout 3. Broken Steel raises the level cap and provides several hours worth of quests where Point Lookout adds a new, larger area to explore and changes the overall mood of the game noticeably. Well, that and VATS is probably the best gaming invention in years. SLOW-MOTION MURDER!

3. inFamous - Ah Cole, you're a good anti-hero. Whizzing back and forth across the city on power lines and train rails. Man, too bad the ethical choices are all incredibly stupid and several character reactions (I'm looking directly at Cole's girlfriend) are completely out of left field. However, is there another open world game that provides this much destruction and mayhem while moving your character forward through the story arc? Yes, but it's number 2.

2. Red Faction Guerrilla - I won't lie - I had absolutely zero faith in this game. The original Red Faction isn't exactly a game that inspires great confidence in a series continuation. Boy, I was wrong. Red Faction Guerrilla is easily one of the most intriguing and entertaining games I've played in a while. I love destroying things!

1. Monster Hunter Freedom Unite - There's a lot of discussion going around about how games should be shorter and more focused. This is all well and good, but BLOW IT OUT YOUR ASS! It's rare to want less game, specifically during these harder times. Monster Hunter offers over 500 hours of gameplay. Sit back and think about that: 500 hours. Ok, let that sink in. Now, let me add something to it: 500 hours for 30 bucks. If you like the Monster Hunter games, which I do, this is a no-brainer. If you've never tried a Monster Hunter game, then what are you waiting for? Jeez.