The best of 2008 Next week, gaming's biggest names will gather in Los Angeles for the 2008 Electronic Entertainment Expo (E3). It is the industry's premier showcase, where these superpowers will lay out their plans for the coming year and beyond. This Christmas will be critical for Nintendo, Microsoft and Sony as they hope to capitalise on a record breaking 2007. Last year's holiday period saw an incredible amount of top quality games released, but, unusually, it wasn't a trend that wavered as we moved into 2008.
Here, we pick up the 25 best games released in the last 6 months, before we once again begin to look forward to a bumper fourth quarter
1. Grand Theft Auto IV (Xbox 360, PS3) Grand Theft Auto IV
In Niko Bellic, we have the perfect anti-hero: a rough and ready war veteran trying to make his way in a vast and unfamiliar world.
Morally bankrupt, but tinged with tragedy and an unwavering loyalty to his family. In terms of characterisation and gameworld, GTAIV is a giant unlikely to be toppled anytime soon.
With the choice of guitar, bass, drums or vocals across a huge library of songs that grows week on week via Xbox Live, Rock Band more than makes up for its huge price tag with its longevity. With three mates rocking out, it's an experience like no other. Just mind the coffee table when you're performing your best Jagger strut during "Gimme Shelter".
The symbolism may be heavy-handed, but the lengthy cutscenes are full of bravado and wonderfully directed, leant extra weight by Harry Gregson-Williams' magnificent score. Even though it is perhaps more interactive movie than videogame, the playable portions are phenomenally epic- a mixture of gung-ho warfare and the 'tactical espionage action' promised on the box. Captivating and unique, it's certainly one for the fans and a suitably grandiose farewell to one of gaming's most intriguing characters.
Soon he finds himself ranked 11th on the assassin leaderboard and it becomes his obsession to reach number one by eliminating the killers above him. No More Heroes follows Travis as he fights an array of weird and wonderful opponents, dreamt up by killer7 creator Suda51. Combat is visceral and satisfying, playing to the Wii remote's strengths, and a string of delightful touches tear down the fourth wall, involving the player in Grashopper's smart riff on geek-chic culture. 
A wacky, fast -paced beat-'em up at heart, Smash Bros. is instantly accessible due to its simple controls but reveals a surprising amount of depth to the combat once you master the game's nuances. It's also a completionist's dream, featuring a huge amount of collectibles from the Nintendo universe. And if nothing else, it's the first game you can finally pit Mario against Sonic in a fight to the death. Fanboys from the 1990s rejoice! 
The superb combat system from the PS2 games is as vicious on the small screen and, remarkably, the huge sense of scale also remains. A phenomenal visual achievement for a handheld system, Chains of Olympus stands tall as possibly the PSP's best game, let down only by its relative brevity. 
The game leant itself perfectly to a Wii remake, and we sincerely hope that more people pick this version up now Okami has found its spiritual home. Presented in a truly beautiful Japanese ink-illustration art style, Okami's game mechanics closest resemble The Legend of Zelda and comfortably rubs shoulders with Nintendo's most revered of series. Divine. 
Hundreds of events to take part in and seamless online integration make this the complete package for speed freaks everywhere. 
Another brilliantly unique Wii game that breathes new life into the point-and-click adventure genre. Unfortunately buried at the beginning of the year after the Christmas rush, Zack and Wiki is a treasure well worth digging up. 
However, for all its cutesy outward appearance, World Tour holds a realistic and deep golf game that will appeal to, yes, everybody.
The 'Flashback' feature allows players to 'rewind' (a limited amount of times of course) if a devastating crash threatens to end their race early. Perfect to avoid those last lap frustrations and, of course, traditionalists can steer well clear if they want to keep their racing experience pure.
With a unique control system that's blissfully simple to grasp, it's fun for anyone and everyone- exactly the type of game the Wii was made for.
A brave mix of strategy and rhythm action from the minds behind Loco Roco, the game sees you as a deity destined to lead the Patapon tribe to 'IT'. Drive your army on by beating your drum in time to their battle chants. Completely fresh, utterly charming and hopelessly addictive.
What was arguably the very best melee combat system ever made has been tweaked to near perfection- the bloody ballet performed by hero Ryu Hayabusa as breathtaking as ever. A dreadful camera and a multitude of cheap shots mar proceedings, but at its best Ninja Gaiden II is one of the most breathlessly satisfying video games out there.
This Wii version comes packed with the delightfully chunky Wii Wheel and features the best motion-steering calibration yet seen on the console. Easy to pick up but challenging to master, Mario Kart cements its place as the wackiest -and most fun- racer on the market.
