As each year goes by, it feels like the number of good games released over those 12 months just keeps rising. This year was no different. I would argue that it saw a bigger increase than previous years largely because of the influx of quality casual and indie games. I think nearly every gamer missed out on a game they planned to get because they didn’t have the time, or saw yet another awesome game and just didn’t have the resources to cop it. I was definitely a victim. I’m closing out the year with empty pockets, plenty of great games, and a stupid-long list of games I really wanted to play and didn’t.

This is the top 10 games from that list:

10. Robert Ludlum’s The Bourne Conspiracy

Why I wanted it: It was a movie-licensed game that didn’t suck. Bonus: I actually liked the movies.

Why I didn’t play it: It just barely missed the must-buy list. It got some decent reviews, but something about buying a game where the title includes a full name that isn’t Tom Clancy or Sid Meier made my stomach turn.

9. de Blob

Why I wanted it: Who can resist a fun platformer where the plot centers on putting a smack-down on conformity? Not to mention, their marketing blitz blind-sided me a couple of times in the backfield.

Why I didn’t play it: I must confess–I have been neglecting my Wii. I won’t let myself buy another Wii game until I finish “Zelda: Twilight Princess” and “Metriod Prime 3: Corruption.”

8. Soulcalibur IV

Why I wanted it: “Soulcalibur” has made a healthy impression on me with every game since the original was released for Dreamcast. Ivy’s Snake Sword and Maxi’s Nunchucks (I am a huge Michelangelo of TMNT fan) sealed the deal pretty much every time. A little hint of Star Wars doesn’t hurt either.

Why I didn’t play it: Lately I just haven’t had the urge to play fighting games. Seems like those Street-Fighter-II-Turbo-at-birthday-parties-and-sleepovers glory days have faded. Plus, fighting games just aren’t the same when your opponent isn’t in the room with you.

7. Dead Space

Why I wanted it: I always wanted to be trapped on a dark space station with limited ammo and vicious creatures, who would love to rip my body into nice happy meat chunks…

Why I didn’t play it: WHAT!?!?! I am not scared to play this game…

6. Ninja Gaiden II

Why I wanted it: Ninja + Speed + Buckets of Blood = Fun

Why I didn’t play it: This is the first (but not last) game on this list that I am truly puzzled about. I think I just didn’t have 60 bucks to shell out when it was released.

5. Mario Kart Wii

Why I wanted it: Duh… It’s Mario Kart

Why I didn’t play it: It’s just Mario Kart. I have probably clocked about 1000 hours of Mario Kart through my gaming life. I just felt like I could miss this one and I wouldn’t lose my TrueGameHeadz membership card.

4. Left 4 Dead

Why I wanted it: We all played the demo. Most of us played it way too much. It just seemed like the natural progression to pick this one up.

Why I didn’t play it: I needed three other people to play with. I’m not a fan of playing with random people for co-op multiplayer. Only a couple of my gaming buddies are as devoted as I am, and I just didn’t see myself playing it very much past the first-week without some committed comrades.

3. Fallout 3

Why I wanted it: I liked “Oblivion,” but occasionally I can be a tad impatient with medieval weaponry. I heard a few people say “Fallout 3″ was “Oblivion” with guns. Devastated radioactive landscapes and mutant hunting never sounded so sweet.

Why I didn’t play it: “Fallout 3″ is long. The thought of putting that much time into one game when all these others were begging for button mashing was painful.

2. No More Heroes

Why I wanted it: They managed to beat Lucas and friends to the punch and produced the ultimate luminary-sword brawler for the Wii. Also, it looks cool as cheese.

Why I didn’t play it: Its hard to say. I’m trying not to blame this one on myself but scapegoats are sporting antelope-like evasiveness at the moment. I guess I will blame a few retailers since this title is out of stock currently at Toys R’ Us and mysteriously absent from Gamestop’s online store.

1. Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots

Why I wanted it: This may be one of those things that was left over from childhood (watching my older brother play the original), but the MGS series has has always felt like a game I would much rather watch someone else play than actually play for myself. When they told me how such a large portion of the game was cinematic, I was sold.

Why I didn’t play it: I honestly can’t answer this question. This is why it had to have the number one spot. I actually own the game. It’s sitting at home in my game drawer and it never managed to get into my PS3. I am ashamed…

Honorable Mention

World of Warcraft: Wrath of the Lich King

Why I wanted it: They have 10 Million subscribers. I just felt guilty for not wanting it.

Why I didn’t play it: I still just can’t get into MMOs. I spent some time trying for a while this year. I tried trials of “WoW,” and “Eve,” but I just didn’t enjoy it enough to justify that subcription fee. I ended up getting “Guild Wars,” but it definitely doesn’t get much playtime. Then they announced “Star Wars: The Old Republic”… I can wait for that. Actually, I think I will start a little subscription fee fund for this one.

TAGS: Bourne, Dead Space, deblob, Left4Dead, Mario Kart Wii, Soul Calibur IV

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