Best Controlled Chaos: Four-Player New Super Mario Bros. Wii

I've read plenty of hate about the multiplayer experience in New Super Mario Bros. Wii, but I maintain that these people simply haven't found the optimal strategy for the game: master the use of the bubble and screw over your friends whenever it's good for a laugh. Proper bubble deployment will save your skin time after time, and the general confusion over what's happening on-screen will allow you to "accidentally" jump on your friends' heads to make them fall in a pit. It never gets old.

Best Game to Throw at a Wall: Rhythm Heaven

I've spat plenty of vitriol about this game already, but I wanted to give it one last kick in the groin before we close the door on 2009. Never have I played such a broken, difficult, malicious game. That or I'm just no good at it. And I refuse to admit the latter.

Best Game Bought, Played, Then Sold at a Profit: Silent Hill: Homecoming

I picked this puppy up at a Best Buy clearance sale for $10, enjoyed its action-oriented take on the Silent Hill formula, then traded it in to GameStop for $15. Capitalism in action!

Best Embodiment of the "Less Is More" Principle: 'Splosion Man

Open up the Controls section of the Options menu in 'Splosion Man and you'll understand what I mean: every single one of the face buttons is simply labeled "splode." Developer Twisted Pixel managed to distill fiendishly difficult platforming into one button. The result is one of the most elegant games I played all year.