Whew — 2011 was a hell of a year for video games. In fact, it’s arguably the best year the industry has ever seen, with wall-to-wall AAA releases from January through December. This past Friday we revealed our 10 favorite games of the year (the Friday before that we chose our 10 favorite downloadables), and while we completely stand by those lists, they still doesn’t cover everything that deserves recognition. That’s why we came up with this list idea, giving credit where credit is due to nearly every game worth playing from this past year. And the scariest part? This list doesn’t account for everything! Like we said, 2011 was stacked with stellar gaming releases, but the below 50 titles should not be missed under any circumstances.
Assassin’s Creed: Revelations
Platforms: Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, PC / Release Date: 11/15/2011
Bastion
Platforms: XBLA, PC / Release Date: 7/20/2011
Batman: Arkham City
Platforms: Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, PC / Release Date: 10/18/2011
Battlefield 3
Platforms: Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, PC / Release Date: 10/25/2011
Brink
Platforms: Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, PC / Release Date: 5/10/2011
Bulletstorm
Platforms: Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, PC / Release Date: 2/2/2011
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3
Platforms: Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, PC, Wii / Release Date: 11/8/2011
Catherine
Platforms: Xbox 360, PlayStation 3 / Release Date: 7/26/2011
Dance Central 2
Platforms: Xbox 360 / Release Date: 10/25/2011
Dark Souls
Platforms: Xbox 360, PlayStation 3 / Release Date: 10/4/2011
Dead Island
Platforms: Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, PC / Release Date: 9/6/2011
Dead Space 2
Platforms: Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, PC / Release Date: 1/25/2011
Deus Ex: Human Revolution
Platforms: Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, PC / Release Date: 8/23/2011
DiRT 3
Platforms: Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, PC / Release Date: 5/24/2011
Driver: San Francisco
Platforms: Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, PC, Wii / Release Date: 9/6/2011
This racer with a unique jump-into-any-car-on-the-road-at-any-moment mechanic had us gushing or weeks. Playing more like an arcade racer than a simulator, Driver: San Francisco also includes an entertaining story that rivals the best racing movies. It might have been easy to skip past Driver because it went under your radar. However, if you have the time we recommend you go back and give this puppy another shot.
Dungeon Defenders
Platforms: All / Release Date: 10/18/2011
The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim
Platforms: Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, PC / Release Date: 11/11/2011
FIFA 12
Platforms: All / Release Date: 9/27/2011
Gears of War 3
Platforms: Xbox 360 / Release Date: 9/20/2011
InFamous 2
Platforms: PlayStation 3 / Release Date: 6/7/2011
Infinity Blade 2
Platforms: iOS / Release Date: 12/1/2011
Killzone 3
Platforms: PlayStation 3 / Release Date: 2/22/2011
Kinect Sports: Season Two
Platforms: Xbox 360 / Release Date: 10/25/2011
Kirby’s Return to Dream Land
Platforms: Wii / Release Date: 10/24/2011
L.A. Noire
Platforms: Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, PC / Release Date: 5/17/2011
Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword
Platforms: Nintendo Wii / Release Date: 11/20/2011
LittleBigPlanet 2
Platforms: PlayStation 3 / Release Date: 1/18/2011
Magicka
Platforms: PC / Release Date: 1/25/2011
Mario Kart 7
Platforms: Nintendo 3DS / Release Date: 12/4/2011
Minecraft
Platforms: PC, Mac / Release Date: 11/18/2011
MLB 11: The Show
Platforms: PlayStation 3 / Release Date: 3/8/2011
Mortal Kombat
Platforms: Xbox 360, PlayStation 3 / Release Date: 4/19/2011
NBA 2K12
Platforms: All / Release Date: 10/4/2011
NHL 12
Platforms: Xbox 360, PlayStation 3 / Release Date: 9/13/2011
Orcs Must Die!
Platforms: Xbox 360, PC / Release Date: 10/5/2011
Patapon 3
Platform: PSP / Release Date: 4/28/2011
Pilotwings Resort
Platforms: Nintendo 3DS / Release Date: 3/27/2011
Pokemon: Black & White
Platforms: Nintendo DS / Release Date: 3/6/2011
Portal 2
Platforms: Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, PC / Release Date: 4/19/2011
RAGE
Platforms: PC, Xbox 360, PlayStation 3 / Release Date: 10/4/2011
Rayman Origins
Platforms: Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, Wii / Release Date: 11/15/2011
Resistance 3
Platforms: PlayStation 3 / Release Date: 9/6/2011
Rift
Platforms: PC / Release Date: 3/1/2011
Saint’s Row: The Third
Platforms: Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, PC / Release Date: 11/15/2011
Sonic Generations
Are you sick and tired of playing Sonic games that take themselves too seriously? Are you annoyed by Sonic games that don’t understand what made the original games so special? Well, Sonic Generations is a glorious trip down memory lane with some modern highlights thrown in. So, grab a controller and take your high-tops on a nostalgia-fueled journey.
Star Wars: The Old Republic
Platforms: PC / Release Date: 12/20/2011
Super Mario 3D Land
Platforms: Nintendo 3DS / Release Date: 11/13/2011
Uncharted 3: Drake’s Deception
Platforms: PlayStation 3 / Release Date: 11/1/2011
Warhammer 40K: Space Marine
Platform: Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, PC / Release Date: 9/6/2011
Witcher 2: Assassins of Kings
Platforms: PC / Release Date: 5/17/2011
Editor’s Note: We decided not to include HD remasters on this list because all of these titles have been available for years individually. But we’re listing them all below for your perusing. So if you haven’t played some/any of these, do yourself a favor and get on that. There’s a reason why they were re-released.
Remastered Collections:
- Metal Gear Solid HD Collection
- ICO & Shadow of the Colossus Collection
- God of War: Origins Collection
- Star Fox 64 3D
- The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time 3D
- Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary
- Tomb Raider Trilogy
