Top 10 Video Games

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1) The Sims
The Sims was one of the first games to come out in 2003, and arguably one of the best. Finally, 3D Sims, two player action, and endless console fun. The Sims is possibly the most addictive game of all time.

2) Madden NFL 2004
Sure, Madden has pretty much dominated the football scene, but this year EA was not going to rest on past successes. The totally overhauled dynasty mode turned the one of video game's best selling franchises into a work of digital art. You play, coach, and now, manage the team. You are the team, baby!

3) Phantasy Star Online Episodes I & II
Hard as it may be to believe, this was originally a Dreamcast game. Hip, fun, addictive, but that's not why it's on the list. This game pretty much laid the foundations of Xbox live. Phantasy star was what brought Xboxers online in droves. Oh, and it is an amazing game - save for all the cheaters.

4) The Lord of the Rings: Return of the King
Licensed games traditionally were nothing to write home about. 2003 flipped everything around with tons of great licensed games. Leading the charge was The Lord of the Rings: Return of the King. Awesome visuals, an improved fighting engine, and heaps of DVD quality extras made this a must have title.

5) True Crime Streets of LA
With no new Grand Theft Auto titles, the market was wide open, and Nick Kang took advantage of the gap in True Crime Streets of LA. Sure you could take cars, and kick butt. But the real twist was the Star Wars-esque Karma meter... would you land on the light or dark side of the law? LA was so well recreated in this title, one was left only to wonder where the traffic jams were. ESRB: Mature

6) Alter Echo
Alter Echo was the sleeper hit of the year. It's a real shame, as this was one of the most original, psychedelic games put out for a while. Nevin, the main character, can organically morph into three distinctly different configurations. The big surprise? It actually improves the game play. The ability to control time and space via a mini game was fun surprise as well. This one can now be had pretty cheap, take advantage of it.

7) DDRMAX 2: Dance Dance Revolution
Better music, better visuals, the return of the dancers... this is Dance Dance Revolution heaven. DDRMAX 2 got me invited to more parties than even I cared to attend. It's fun, easy to pick up, and wildly humorous. Dancing and Video Games tend not to be grouped together, but DDRMAX 2 does it and does it well. Buy the pad, it's just not the same without it.

8) Tenchu Wrath of Heaven
With Shinobi being a let down, it was looking like a bad year for ninjas. Fortunately, from out of the shadows, Tenchu sprung into the fray. OK, so the enemy AI was about as smart as a chinchilla, but that didn't make them any less fun to, errr, dispatch. Loads of sweet moves and weapons made Tenchu one of the best stealth games of the year.

9) Brute Force
Brute force was supposed to hold us over until Halo 2. Well, Halo 2 still ain't here, but that doesn't diminish the appeal of Brute Force. Sure the single player game was a bit linear. It was still a hoot, and the squad based death matches are second to none. Brute Force was a beautiful, highly polished game. Now you can have it for $20 as part of the Xbox Platinum Hits series. ESRB: Mature

10) Magic The Gathering: Battlegrounds
Magic The Gathering: Battlegrounds did something few games could, it took an extremely popular customizable card game... OK the most popular one, ever... and translated it into a strategic arcade game. The bizarre part is, it works! Magic is challenging, and a tactician's dream come true. The real fun is online, where you can battle other Magic addicts.

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