You just know it's been a stellar year in gaming when not even Mario or the Dark Knight can crack the top five. But it's a case of so close and yet so far for entries 10-6 - in Digital Spy's annual game of the year countdown.
Elsewhere, it all gets a bit messy with Nintendo's colourful take on the multiplayer shooter, and it's a return to form for FIFA's long-running footy rival PES. Make sure you join us tomorrow (December 27) to find out which game claims the coveted top spot.
10. BATMAN: ARKHAM KNIGHT - XBOX ONE, PS4, PC
We said: "When the worst thing you can say about a game is that it contains too much of a good thing, you know you're onto a winner - and Batman: Arkham Knight is indeed the definitive Dark Knight offering. Three games' worth of classic heroes and villains and six years of work come together beautifully in a fitting conclusion to an epic superhero trilogy." (ML)
9. PES 2016 - XBOX ONE, XBOX 360, PS4, PS3, PC
We said: "The Pro Evolution Soccer series has been steadily improving over the past few years, and with PES 2016 it seems the dev team has finally cracked that winning football formula, despite some rough edges. In fact, if there's one thing we can take from PES 2016, it's that like a Ryan Giggs, Paul Scholes or, er, David James Andrea Pirlo, Pro Evolution Soccer seems to be getting better with age." (LM)
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8. SPLATOON - WII U
We said: "There's something compulsive about colouring books - staying in the lines, bringing something alive with colour. Splatoon stimulates the same part of your brain, giving you a 3D canvas and letting you breathe life into it with coloured ink fired from a novelty firearm." (KM)
7. ROCKET LEAGUE - PC, MAC, XBOX ONE, PS4
We said: "What happens when you strap a rocket to a car, throw in a giant football and give it away for free on PS Plus? Rocket League, that's what. This year's surprise multiplayer smash hit, it's part FIFA, part Thunderdome, part Top Gear stunt and all fun. Who knew vehicular ball games could be this thrilling?" (LM)
6. SUPER MARIO MAKER - WII U
We said: "Nintendo's Minecraft for platformers is pure gaming joy. A gateway to infinite Mario experiences and unlimited possibilities, Super Mario Maker is an essential purchase for any Nintendo fan." (KM)
Words by Liam Martin, Kirk McKeand, Mark Langshaw.
