Top Ten Newly Announced Games at E3 2017

E3 2017 has come and gone, and as always what follows is a feeling of emptiness and sadness. Have no fear, though -- SuperPhillip Central is here to keep the hype flowing with the site's list for the top ten newly announced games from the show! This titles must have officially been revealed at E3 2017 and not leaked beforehand or unveiled elsewhere (sorry, Dragon Ball Fighter Z). Now that the stuffy official rules have been sorted through, let's get to the games!

10) Beyond Good & Evil 2 (TBD)

We begin with a game announcement that has been long past due for many who absolutely adored the PlayStation 2 era original Beyond Good & Evil. The sequel has been officially announced, but it's a bit of monkey's paw. Not only was the game presented just a teaser trailer that had an obnoxious teenage edge to it with how many times they could fit in the word "f--k" or some variation of it, but after the show it was revealed that the game is hardly even in development (actually, "day zero" according to the team) and the devs were thinking about putting the game on Early Access. If there was meat to this game and there was a chance it was coming out any time soon, then Beyond Good & Evil 2 would be much higher on this list.

9) Super Lucky's Tale (XB1, PC)

The more 3D platformers put front and center at the big three's E3 showings, the better, and that's exactly what Microsoft did with the reveal of Super Lucky's Tale. Lucky isn't a new IP, as it appeared as an Oculus Rift VR-only game, but now the precocious young fox gets his own charming 3D platforming adventure, which is right up my alley. Sure, it definitely won't appeal to the main demographic for the Xbox One or Microsoft's newly announced Xbox One X (formerly known as Scorpio), but that will be those players' losses. Everyone else will get to play what appears to be an engrossing run and jump with captivating worlds and characters to engage with. As a lover of 3D platformers and just the platforming genre in general, this was a good get by Microsoft to expand its library on Xbox One.

8) Kirby for Nintendo Switch (NS)

Lots of games were revealed with gameplay footage at Nintendo's E3 2017 showcase, but Kirby for Nintendo Switch is one of the only ones that didn't get a live gameplay demonstration at the Nintendo Treehouse Live three-day series of streams that followed. Based off of the adorable footage in this 2D entry in the Kirby franchise, and the first traditional Kirby game on a home console since 2011 with the Wii's Return to Dream Land, Kirby's first Switch game has him able to recruit enemy helpers to join his cause, combine powers a la Kirby 64, and use a wide assortment of copy abilities, as per usual with most Kirby games. With a 2018 planned release year, there's certainly plenty more to uncover about Kirby for Nintendo Switch, and I'm quite excited to see what other surprises HAL and Nintendo have in store.

7) Yoshi for Nintendo Switch (NS)

From one cute Nintendo platforming staple to another, Yoshi's last outing was on both the Wii U and later the Nintendo 3DS with Yoshi's Woolly World. Developer Good Feel continues the real world influence with a diorama style to the scenery and level design with Yoshi's first expedition on the Nintendo Switch. The game offers cooperative play with two players, worlds constructed out of cardboard, felt, toilet paper rolls, shoe boxes,and many other materials (sort of how my middle school self thought Yoshi's Story looked at the time of release), and interaction with Yoshi's egg on the Z-axis level to make a much more 3D-like adventure. Like Kirby's Nintendo Switch adventure, Yoshi for Nintendo Switch will also be making a 2018 appearance.

6) Anthem (PS4, XB1, PC)

Seemingly everyone is gunning to take the multiplayer throne from Destiny, even a development team known for its single-player RPGs with BioWare. The Mass Effect developer now has Anthem, originally revealed at EA's press conference at E3, but fully shown at Microsoft's. The game allows for epic battles on a hostile post-apocalyptic planet Earth teeming with waves upon waves of enemies that don't take too kindly to you and your crew. Select between multiple classes occupying a number of different abilities to them, and aid your teammates in hectic battles against an enormous swath of foes. Obviously it's far too early to guess if BioWare's new direction towards a multiplayer-centric Destiny-inspired game will work out for them, but it's not too early to say that Anthem definitely looks the part.

5) Shadow of the Colossus (PS4)

Third time's the charm, hopefully! No, I'm not saying that the past two iterations of Shadow of the Colossus, its PS2 original and its PS3 remastering, were bad. I'm saying I'm hoping that after this third time, this magnificent looking PlayStation 4 remake that I'll finally play the darn thing in full! Shadow of the Colossus is frequently mentioned in debates and conversations of best PlayStation games, and moreover said to be one of the better games of all time. That makes it fantastic that Sony's Japan Studio is taking the time and dedication to make sure that this remake checks all the boxes of what a fantastic remake should be, such as balancing a fine line between new improvements and familiar gameplay. Shadow of the Colossus is set to release some time next year.

4) Metroid Prime 4 (NS)

You might consider me a hypocrite for arguing that a game with zero real gameplay footage in Beyond Good & Evil 2 is listed at number ten on my list while a game like Metroid Prime 4 with no footage outside of a logo is number four. Well, in some ways, you would be correct, and I can't really argue against that. However, I strongly doubt that Metroid Prime 4 hasn't even begun development, nor will the franchise take such a contrasted direction like Beyond Good & Evil 2 seems to be. (That is unless Metroid Prime 4 has Samus spouting f-bombs all over the place and it's a totally different genre than what fans loved about the originals.) Regardless, this announcement was long awaited after much of the Nintendo and Metroid fandoms were going nuts with pessimism if the series would ever be seen again. As someone that has the very first Metroid Prime game as one of his favorites of all time, just the promise of a new Metroid Prime game in development was a winning one for me.

3) Monster Hunter World (PS4, XB1, PC)

I personally don't care about the console war politics about Monster Hunter. Really, the only thing that bums me out is that the Nintendo 3DS audience in the west was the one that made Monster Hunter a success over here, and now that segment of gamers is being "thanks for your help, but you're fired" by Capcom essentially. However, Monster Hunter World (first releasing on PS4 and Xbox One early next year with a PC release to follow) looks to take everything fans of the franchise love and makes it bigger and better. I was so happy to see Monster Hunter in full HD with all of the things that the franchise is known for while adding new additions to spice things up. Here's hoping that Capcom's bet that western PS4, Xbox One, and PC players will take to Monster Hunter is a winning one!

2) Metroid: Samus Returns (3DS)

There's no question that Metroid Prime 4 shook the rafters with the hype of Metroid fans longing for a new Metroid game, but the fan base didn't just get that game to look forward, they got a second one! Metroid: Samus Returns is a Mercury Steam-developed re-imagining of Metroid II: Return of Samus, built exclusively for the Nintendo 3DS. With Nintendo's careful watching over the project and Mercury Steam doing the heavy lifting of the game, Samus Returns is shaping up to be everything Metroid fans wanted out of the franchise for longest time. To many, Metroid: Other M and especially Federation Force (both games I happened to like for different reasons, regardless) were disappointments to put it lightly, so this 2D Metroid takes the series back to where it belongs. Plus, with a September 15 release date, 3DS owners won't have to wait long at all for the game!

1) Mario + Rabbids: Kingdom Battle (NS)

After a couple of months of bickering and complaints that this was the dumbest crossover in gaming history, many of these same people ate some serious crow (and did so with great satisfaction for being proven wrong) after Mario + Rabbids: Kingdom Battle was officially revealed for Nintendo Switch after it had been previously leaked via marketing materials. The game looks absolutely insane and in a good way while showing obviously love and appreciation for the project and all of the characters included. The creative director at Ubisoft's E3 show, after months of leaked materials and most calling the game a horrible idea, was so happy that he was on the verge of tears that his project was being accepted and applauded by the gaming media and public is one of my highlights of the entire show. I can't wait to get my hands on Mario + Rabbids: Kingdom Battle when it launches this August.

SuperPhillip Central's Favorite VGMs - "Once Again Thankful for Good VGMs" Edition

A new week is upon us at SuperPhillip Central, thus SuperPhillip Central's Favorite VGMs are here to make the beginning of your week all the nicer to ease into. It's a shorter work week for many thanks to Thanksgiving this Thursday! Gobble, gobble to you all!

We kick things off in a big way with a bombastic tune from Shadow of the Colossus. Then, we go peppy and jaunty with music from Kirby 64: The Crystal Shards. Following that is the return of the Blue Blur in Sonic: Lost World. We then go futuristic with F-Zero: Maximum Velocity, and then cap things off with a song from de Blob 2, an underrated gem from last generation.

Just click on the VGM volume name to hear the song, and for past VGMs featured on this weekly-recurring segment, look no further than the VGM Database. Now, let's get onto the music!

v1271. Shadow of the Colossus (PS2) - Revived Power ~Battle with the Colossus~

With The Last Guardian finally, and I do mean FINALLY, releasing on a PlayStation platform next month, it seemed like a good time as any to look back at the developer's previous work, Shadow of the Colossus. Kou Otani composed the music of the game, and he's well known for his work on certain anime series such as Gundam Wing and Outlaw Star, where did just as phenomenal of a job as he did on Shadow of the Colossus.

v1272. Kirby 64: The Crystal Shards (N64) - Pop Star

Kirby 64: The Crystal Shards released relatively late in the Nintendo 64's life, thus it didn't receive the same magnitude of hype or love as more recognizable Kirby games. However, Kirby 64 is no slouch. It's a fantastic 2.5-D adventure that uses a clever ability-combining mechanic that has yet to be seen in any other Kirby game. The music is also as wonderfully charming as any other Kirby game as well, as evidenced by this first level theme, Pop Star.

v1273. Sonic: Lost World (Wii U, PC) - Sea Bottom Segue

Sonic: Lost World may have been a game that started out strong but fell apart by the end of the game, but one facet of the title that remained great from beginning to end is the soundtrack, composed mostly by Tomoya Ohtani. Sea Bottom Segue is first heard in Tropical Coast Zone 3. The second time it's heard is in the final world, also in a rail grinding level. It's a suitably chill piece, accentuated by piano and soothing strings.

v1274. F-Zero: Maximum Velocity (GBA) - Bianca City

Bianca City is the first track in F-Zero: Maximum Velocity, one of the titles that was available at the launch of the Game Boy Advance. The game was different compared to past F-Zero games as it starred a completely new cast of characters and courses. There was no Captain Falcon or Mute City to speak of. However, the music was as catchy and energizing as ever.

v1275. de Blob 2 (PS3, 360, Wii) - Prisman Holiday

Before going bankrupt and folding, THQ was home to a lot of smaller budget games that wouldn't otherwise get a chance in the AAA market. de Blob was one of these, and it was successful enough on the Wii to earn a multiplatform sequel, smartly titled de Blob 2. The music, once again by John Guscott, had that splendidly jazzy sound to it, making playing the already enjoyable game all the more enjoyable.

SuperPhillip Central's Favorite VGMs - Back from Cybering Edition

The most important unofficial holiday of all time was yesterday, so SuperPhillip Central's Favorite VGMs had to be out of the office for that! Of course, I'm talking about Cyber Monday. How else do you expect SuperPhillip Central's Favorite VGMs to get half price cutting boards shaped like ducks?! Do you think that kind of deal happens any other day? No way!

Nonetheless, this favorite music-related feature of mine is here for your Tuesday instead of Monday this week. Such games featured this week include Shadow of the Colossus, Tales of Legendia, and Baten Kaitos: Eternal Wings and the Lost Ocean. Let's go!

v751. Shadow of the Colossus (PS2) - To the Ancient Land

I start off this edition of my favorite VGMs with the introduction song of Shadow of the Colossus. The composer of this game, Koh Otani, might be familiar to anime fans, as he wrote the music to both Gundam Wing and Outlaw Star. Those are two of my favorite non-Yoko Kanno anime soundtracks. Regardless, Otani-san's (I don't usually do the "san" stuff, so beg my pardon this one time) approach to the Shadow of the Colossus soundtrack is a soundtrack full of raw emotion. It's as moving as the game itself.

v752. Tales of Legendia (PS2) - Enemy Attack

Before Motoi Sakuraba became pretty much the de facto composer for the Tales series, Go Shiina had his talented hands on the Tales soundtrack with Tales of Legendia for the PlayStation 2. This lively and energetic Enemy Attack theme is showcased by a brilliant, fast-paced piano melody, followed by lovely strings. It's a gorgeously designed piece, for sure.

v753. Hot Shots Golf 3 (PS2) - Main Menu

Moving away from epic scaled games to the links for a short respite here, the Hot Shots Golf series is one that rarely disappoints. The music also stays strong game after game in the series. Rather than choose a theme from one of the golf courses in the game, I figured I'd share the main menu theme. Not only is it heard a lot obviously while playing, but it constantly gets you in high spirits and in the mood to play another round of golf.

v754. Baten Kaitos: Eternal Wings and the Lost Ocean (GCN) - House of Cards

We return to "epic" games and sounding stuff with Baten Kaitos's House of Cards, composed by a name I mentioned in the Tales of Legendia Enemy Attack VGM, Motoi Sakuraba. Not only does this fantastic and masterful composer get around, he consistently makes quality soundtracks. I guess that would be a great reason as to why he gets around so often!

v755. Breath of Fire (SNES, GBA) - Battling

Breath of Fire was one of my first RPG's I ever played. Thus, it has a certain nostalgia I appreciate, but even then, the game still holds up rather well-- at least much better than its poorly-translated sequel. Battling is the second battle theme that plays after Ryu's party has reached a certain point in their adventure. Its much more uptempo than the first battle theme, making it my personal favorite from the game.

SuperPhillip Central's Favorite VGMs - Music of Generations' Past Edition

Welcome to a special Tuesday edition of SuperPhillip Central's Favorite VGMs! This week we delve into games from past generations, such as Shadow of the Colossus, Fire Emblem: Path of Radiance, and Harvest Moon.

v636. Shadow of the Colossus (PS2) - The Opened Way

Kou Otani was the composer behind the cult classic Shadow of the Colossus' soundtrack. If his name is at all familiar to you, perhaps you know him from his work on such anime as Gundam Wing and Outlaw Star. The Shadow of the Colossus score is without question a masterful musical work of art that is as dramatic as it is moving.

v637. Fire Emblem: Path of Radiance (GCN) - With Us!

The lone GameCube entry of the Fire Emblem series, as well as the first home console release of the franchise in the West, Fire Emblem: Path of Radiance brought with it tactical RPG action with 3D polygonal character models. The entire presentation was a total upgrade from what the Game Boy Advance could provide... well, duh!

v638. Bomberman Generations (GCN) - Main Theme

This catchy number has a certain bouncy feel to it. Although Bomberman has since been put into hiatus upon Konami's acquisition of Hudson Soft (aka the franchise is pretty much DOA now), gamers like ourselves can still play a bounty of fantastic Bomberman games. Of course, we don't mention Act Zero in this line of games. No, no.

v639. Harvest Moon (SNES) - Spring

We go back even further into what many call the golden age of gaming. The Harvest Moon series debuted on the Super Nintendo, and it has since had numerous sequels across a myriad of platforms, whether they be home console or handheld. The spring theme evokes warm memories of plowing soil, fertilizing crops, and spending day after peaceful day on the 16-bit farm.

v640. TMNT IV: Turtles in Time (SNES) - Neon Night Riders

We conclude this edition of SuperPhillip Central's Favorite VGMs with another Super Nintendo classic. Based off the arcade game of the same name, TMNT IV: Turtles in Time remains one of our favorite 2D beat-em-ups ever created. The Neon Night Riders stage used the SNES' Mode 7 graphics capabilities to simulate a 3D course for your turtle to hover along. It was darn impressive when the game originally debuted, and it's impressive today in the sense of what the ol' SNES was capable of.

Best Boss Battles in Gaming History - Part Seven

WARNING: SPOILERS AHEAD!

We cannot believe it has been over a year since we last took a look at our favorite boss fights of all time. We're sure you're wanting to catch up, so you can see all six past installments at the end of this article. Some argue that boss battles are too old school for modern games. Something that strives to be akin to a blockbuster like Call of Duty or Killzone probably shouldn't have boss battles in them, but if it's an RPG or a platformer, then sure, why not? For us, it all comes down to what the type of game is. These five boss battles that we've selected are ones that were fun to play, awesome to see, and/or just too damn entertaining to put into words. Regardless, we've gone ahead and done the futile task of putting these fights into words. We hope you enjoy our selections. After we're done, why not mention some of your own?

Top Ten New Sony IPs from the Past Decade

While many publishers rest on their laurels or play it safe with their preexisting properties, Sony should get a ton of credit for not showing much fear in creating a constant stream of new franchises. It's unbelievable that they're so gung ho about them especially while the world is in its current economic situation and how much of a gamble fresh franchises really are. Whether it's God of War, Ratchet & Clank, or LittleBigPlanet, Sony's internal studios have crafted some of the finest new IPs of the last decade. This list is what I perceive to be Sony's ten best new series from the year 2002 to now. I don't expect you to agree with the order, but these ten franchises showcase Sony's greatest ideas of the past decade. Let's get to the top ten.

10) Killzone

Killzone debuted on the PlayStation 2 in 2004.  The series mostly consists of first-person shooters, but one third-person shooter in the PSP iteration, Killzone: Liberation, occurred. Guerrilla Games is currently in the midst of development for the franchise's Vita offering, Killzone: Mercenary. Killzone takes players in the middle of a war between the Interplanetary Strategic Alliance (or ISA) and the Helghast army. Sony originally marketed Killzone as "a Halo killer." This didn't work out as planned with the first game of the series looking poorly graphically and possessing a bevy of troublesome glitches. Then the sequel on the PS3 got infamous notoriety for having a showing at an E3 press conference with what would later be revealed to be target renders and not actual gameplay, though Sony shamelessly argued against that on a consistent basis. Regardless, the game was a dramatic improvement over its predecessor, and it remains my favorite of the four current releases in the series.

9) LocoRoco

Representing my favorite genre, the platformer, in a different light, LocoRoco jumped onto the worldwide scene and PSP device in 2006. The series comes from the mind of Tsutomu Kouno, a developer who was involved with Ico. In the game, players don't move the main character, a LocoRoco blob, in a traditional sense (except for jumping). Instead, players are actually tilting the environment in which the character rests, similar to say, Super Monkey Ball, but in a 2D setting. This is performed by utilizing the PSP's two shoulder buttons. Through gathering berries hidden around the game's plentiful amount of levels, the LocoRoco can grow in size. With a face button, the amalgamation of LocoRoco can be split up into tinier forms to fit through small spaces. The goal of the game is to complete levels in a fast and efficient manner while avoiding perils like spikes, pits, and the sinister Moja group of enemies. What results is a platformer unlike anything you've ever experienced. It's colorful, it's clever, it's charming, and it's a series that, like Killzone, has seen four installments currently on the market.

8) Resistance

The other first-person shooter franchise on this list comes from the minds of Insomniac Games. For the PlayStation 3 launch they had a game concerning an alternate history where an alien race known as the Chimera have started an assault on the planet, Resistance: Fall of Man, which earned high praise. As one of the remaining human survivors left, you join the resistance against the Chimeran forces as the ensuing fight grows fiercer and bleaker by the hour. I enjoyed the Resistance franchise more than Killzone, and I'll explain why real quick. I enjoyed the lore behind the game and narrative, level design, multiplayer, local cooperative abilities, and particularly the weaponry more than Guerrilla Games' efforts. The weaponry, in general, harks back to Insomniac's Ratchet & Clank franchise in creativity, a franchise that we'll be discussing later on down the road on this very list. There was a perfect mix of realistic firepower and off-the-wall futuristic weaponry that was never before seen in a first-person shooter before. Like Killzone, Resistance also had a portable offering that was a third-person shooter, Resistance: Retribution. The series is currently on hiatus, but I would love to see the minds behind Spyro the Dragon and Ratchet the Lombax try their hand again at crafting another stellar shooter and addition to this sci-fi franchise.

7) inFamous

Sucker Punch had a reputation on the PlayStation 2 for creating the Sly Cooper platformer series of games. They took their know-how of making such games and implemented it into inFamous, an open world action-adventure platformer series spanning three games, one of which being non-canonical. Players assume the role of Cole MacGrath, a young man with gifted electrical superpowers, which he can choose to use for the benefit or detriment to mankind. Through completing different missions in different ways, Cole can earn Karma to have his abilities and appearance change. inFamous is quite unlike most open world games as Cole does not enter vehicles to get around Empire City and then in the second game, New Marais. Instead, he can scale buildings, grind across electrical lines, and even use his powers of electricity to slowly hover in the air. These games generally demand to be played through twice just to see both good and evil endings. They're also fun enough to warrant such a demand. While inFamous as a franchise is really fun, it doesn't hold a spark next to Sucker Punch's first series...

6) Sly Cooper

What a perfect segue! Here is Sucker Punch's first creation, the Sly Cooper series. As stated, this series built the main elements for their inFamous franchise. The game has players platforming as one of the members of Sly Cooper's gang. There's Sly Cooper himself, Bentley, a turtle who is not only a master of gadgets but is the brains behind most of the heists, and Murray, the muscle of the group. Sly's gameplay has him making his way through levels. His focus is on stealth rather than pure brawn, for alerting guards and alarms is generally a recipe for failure. Sly is not proud, he doesn't mind attacking foes from behind to defeat them. There are plenty of places Sly can use for stealth and to platform on, which are shown clearly by having an azure glow. Such places include ledges that Sly can sidestep upon, pipes to scale, tight ropes to balance on, and pointy spots that can be perched on. Each game is built on a series of heists that Sly and the gang plan out. They are divided between numerous missions involving platforming challenges or mini-games. I prefer the first Sly Cooper game to the rest because the rest relied on an open world setting for the missions instead of the original game which used a typical hub connecting each level. Regardless, the fun of seeing the fruits of Sly and the gang's labors go off without a hitch and with a successful heist makes for a platforming series that is remarkable. I eagerly await Thieves in Time, despite it not being done by Sucker Punch themselves.

5) Shadow of the Colossus

Before Team Ico made projects in development hell, they actually made games like the superb Ico and this title of tremendous influence, Shadow of the Colossus (both of which are available in one single HD collection on the PlayStation 3). What do you really call the game, though? It has no towns or NPCs to speak of, and the only enemies the player are battling are the titular colossi. It becomes more of a puzzle than anything else. Figuring out how to reach each of the sixteen colossi, and then trying to think up a way to find and exploit their weakness(es) makes for an intriguing game. The world that Wander, the main character, explores is a sprawling series of environments ripe for traversal. Speaking of which, the music is also a notable part of the rich ambiance of the game, featuring work by Ko Otani. You might recognize some of his work from anime series like Gundam Wing and Outlaw Star, to name a couple. Regardless, the sensational symphonic orchestral soundtrack sweeps in and preys upon your emotions, much like the game it accompanies. What all these elements add up to make is one unforgettable PlayStation 2 classic, and a real reason why fans are so understanding in allowing The Last Guardian to be in development for so, so long.

4) Uncharted

Another stellar series from the fine folks at Naughty Dog, Uncharted is essentially a modern day interactive Indiana Jones with more wisecracks from the main character in Nathan Drake. The franchise consists of two main elements: third-person shooting and platforming, with some puzzles thrown in along the way to keep players' minds sharp. The fun in the series is seeing and hearing just Drake will manage to survive yet another improbable situation while giving direct commentary on just how absurd his situation is. The character comes off as very human, despite the very much superhuman things he does and endurance he has. Though the game pits players through mostly linear paths to slay enemies, traverse environments, and participate in set piece after glorious set piece, Uncharted as a series may come across as by-the-numbers, but it's one that makes for some solid entertainment. The multiplayer adds to the experience, giving players an enjoyable ride, much like the excellent single-player campaigns each of the four entries contain. If you're looking for the closest thing to summer blockbuster movie entertainment (whether you think that games should try to emulate as close to Hollywood as possible or not), then Uncharted is the series for you.

3) God of War 

The main character may be incredibly unlikable (in fact, a jerk in desperate need of anger management), but even with this caveat, the God of War series is especially well liked almost universally by the gaming community. Now, you can complain about there being six titles for the series in less than six years, but when they are mostly of high quality, does it really matter? The series revolves around Kratos as he hacks and slashes his way through armies of mythological creatures and gods. The game has players venturing through various locales such as The Temple of Pandora and Hades as they defeat bosses and other enemies, solve puzzles, and find treasure. There is no backtracking in these games for the most part, and camera control is minimal. The worry-free camera utilized in these games are completely fully functional and work well. The fighting focuses heavily on combo-based combat mostly using Kratos's blades attached by chains to his arms to strike foes and unleash unholy hell. Between the ingenious level design, smart puzzles, intense confrontations between lowly baddies and bosses alike, presentation, dramatic story, and visuals make for a franchise that is indeed as mythical as the God of War himself.

2) Ratchet & Clank

I'm going to admit something that longtime readers of SPC are already well versed in - I am a huge fan of platformers. (You don't even need to be well versed as I said as much in the LocoRoco part of this list.) That said, there is only one platforming series that has rivaled Ratchet & Clank for me in the past ten years, and that is the legendary and magical Mario franchise (which I would place higher than Ratchet thanks to Super Mario Galaxy and New Super Mario Bros. Wii alone). Regardless, this franchise which celebrates its tenth anniversary this year introduced so many novel ideas to the formula. The original Ratchet & Clank distanced itself from the common collect-a-thon mindset of typical 3D platformers through advancing the story upon various different planets, acquiring new, exotic weapons and gadgetry. The second game, Going Commando, introduced an RPG-like leveling up systems for weaponry that as the player uses them more, they grow in power. Up Your Arsenal added online play for intense multiplayer matches. Deadlocked was a drastic departure, giving players a gladiator-like experience, and the Future trilogy put Ratchet and Clank in gorgeous, jaw-dropping HD. While All 4 One was decidedly disappointing, the recently released Ratchet & Clank Collection allows the original three Ratchet games to be played with trophy support in full high-definition. A wonderful way to play this wonderful series, for sure. Now newcomers to the series can see why Ratchet & Clank is so well regarded by not only me, but a legion of fans.

1) LittleBigPlanet

The ability to create levels is nothing new, and online creator communities have been popular on the PC for years, but it was rare seeing such a brilliant display of creator tools that were as simple to use and fun to use than with LittleBigPlanet. The ease of sharing created levels and objects made for a compelling community full of creative and charming ideas. Players begin their journey through the land of yarn, cloth, and other household objects and make their own Sackboy (or to be politically correct, Sackgirl), and use a preexisting amount of clothing, accessories, and facial and body options to make their own unique creation. Through collecting hidden and out-of-the-way Prize Bubbles in the game's already manufactured levels (also a great way to learn how to make your own lovely levels, aside from the Stephen Fry-voiced tutorials), players unlocked new costume parts and level features in the form of materials and objects to play around with. Even if you lack the sheer ability to create anything that resembles something capable, you can play around with the tools given to you, and play the ideas of other LittleBigPlanet owners. I highly anticipate the PlayStation Vita version, a game that would make me purchase the portable if I had the money, and if the Wii U weren't coming. LittleBigPlanet isn't just one of Sony's most marvelous new IPs of the last decade, it's simply one of the best new IPs in ages.

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I assume many of you will disagree with the order of these Sony IPs of the past ten years, but I hope you will agree that these are the best of the best. What PlayStation franchises are your favorite?