Korg DS-10 (Nintendo DS):

A full music synthesiser on the DS and a massive time-sink, this piece of DS software encourages more noodling than a Japanese restaurant. Create your own melodic masterpieces with the sequencer functionality, or simply fiddle with the stylus-controlled Kaoss pads to mix music on the fly. More of a tool than a game, Korg DS deserves far more fuss made of it than it has received so far. It may be limited compared to its far more expensive PC brethren, but as a portable music-maker, it is currently unmatched.


Wipeout HD (Playstation 3):

Seemingly perennially delayed, even reprogrammed due to failing a standard epilepsy trigger test, hushed Internet voices declared that Wipeout HD must be in serious trouble. But when the game finally emerged into the light, it quickly revealed itself to be a 1080p visual and aural masterpiece that was just as fresh and relevant as when the original Wipeout showed up in nightclubs back in 2005. Blindingly fast, silky smooth and as addictive as ever, the game is the arguable standout of PSN and, given the developer’s record with additional content for the franchise’s PSP incarnations, the current version is likely to only be the beginning of the story for its PS3 incarnation.


LostWinds (Nintendo Wii):

One for the ‘out of nowhere’ category, LostWinds was only even announced shortly before the launch of Nintendo’s Wii Ware, but quickly established itself as the standard-bearer for the fledgling service. Gestures using the Wii Remote control the wind itself around the game’s main character, affecting jumping, combat and the environment, and this conceit allows for innovative platform-puzzler gameplay that’s only possible on Nintendo’s platform. The beautiful graphics belie the technical deficiencies of the Wii compared to its console rivals, and this short but sweet gaming experience hopefully shows the sign of things to come on Wii Ware.


Dead Space (Xbox 360 / Playstation 3):

Electronic Arts’ welcome new focus on creating fresh IP to release alongside its slate of sequels resulted in the creation of this extremely atmospheric survival-horror-em-up. With a setting that borrowed liberally from the likes of Event Horizon and Aliens, Dead Space made the most of its claustrophobic environment by giving us arguably the best sound design in a videogame ever, incredible graphics and a fantastically immersive HUD. Labelled by many as being Resident Evil 4 in space, the ‘strategic dismemberment’ gory gameplay complemented the technical bells and whistles superbly, making Dead Space one of the slickest games of the year.


Pure (Xbox 360 / Playstation 3):

With the conspicuous (and disappointing) lack of EA’s SSX snowboarding franchise on the HD consoles, the risk-reward racing and tricks-based gameplay of Black Rock Studios’ Pure proved to be a muddy but compelling quad bike equivalent. Amazing levels of verticality in the track design led to moments of genuinely jaw-dropping graphics wizardry and, with its robust career mode and smooth online component, Pure is a franchise-in-waiting that’s just at the beginning of its potential success. One of the most outright fun games of 2008.


Art Style: Cubello (Nintendo Wii):

One day Nintendo will get Vernon Kaye and Leona Lewis to pretend to play its Wii Ware service during ad breaks on X Factor, and then more people will get to hear about games like this. Ostensibly a minimalist ‘match four’ puzzle game, Cubello is actually a work of fiendish genius, demanding a high level of ingenuity and patience. The aim is to ensure that you get rid of all the cubes on each rotating 3D level by matching groups of at least four of the same colour together - making those particular ones disappear - before your supply of shootable cubes runs out. A mixture of addictive strategy and accuracy, Cubello transcends its retro stylings and understated presence on the Wii Ware service to become possibly the best puzzle game of the year.

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