The economy took its toll on the gaming industry in 2009. Hotly anticipated and possible game-of-the-year contenders such as "Mass Effect 2" and "Bioshock 2" were pushed back until 2010, and many companies opted to stick with sequels they knew gamers would buy, rather than invest in original games.

Still, there was a host of exceptional titles that displayed the innovation, excitement and gameplay necessary to be named the top 10 video games of 2009. Here are my selections:

1. "Batman: Arkham Asylum" (PC, X360, PS3): This game came out of nowhere like a caped crusader in the night. Seriously, an unknown developer (Rocksteady Studios) making a game about a comic book character? Yet, "Arkham Asylum" puts forth a darkly twisting story with gorgeous graphics and presentation reminiscent of "Bioshock," 2007's game of the year. Somehow, this one might be even better, with equal parts action, stealth and puzzle-solving that add up to 2009's game of the year.

2. "Assassin's Creed 2" (PC, X360, PS2): "AC2" got released with much less fanfare than "Modern Warfare 2," but guess which game is still spinning in my 360? I've played a million first-person shooters, but there's only one game like "Creed." Whether I was running across the gorgeous Venice rooftops at nighttime, having Leonardo da Vinci build me incredible assassination contraptions, or avenging my honor, I was experiencing a game like no other.

3. "Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2" (PC, X360, PS3): There was an unprecedented amount of hype of "MW2," and while the game didn't exceed it, it certainly met lofty expectations. Hundreds of thousands of gamers are still addicted to the best multiplayer experience of the year. And while the single-player campaign is short, there's no bigger adrenaline rush in gaming.

4. "Uncharted 2: Among Thieves" (PS3): This PS3-exclusive finally gave Sony the killer app it's been waiting for. "Uncharted 2" is action, adventure and a great story rolled into one, and a game that challenges Hollywood's best blockbusters for entertainment value.

5. "Resident Evil 5" (PC, X360, PS3): Following on the heels of its great predecessor, "RE5" ups the ante by allowing two players to survive the horror side by side. When that's added to razor-sharp gameplay and the most gorgeous visuals of the year, you have one heck of a horror game.

6. "Forza Motorsport 3" (X360): "FM3" easily beats all other racing games to the finish line. It has the best graphics, the most cars and tracks, a slick presentation and great action all the way to the end. Racing game of the year? I think so.

7. "NHL 10" (X360, PS3): Here's your sports game of the year. Even people who don't follow hockey will find themselves mesmerized by "NHL 10's" fantastic controls and engaging career modes.

8. "Fight Night: Round 4" (X360, PS3): The top fighting game of the year — beating out competitors like "Street Fighter IV" and "Tekken 6" — "FN: R4" is the total package. Its intuitive controls allow you to capture the identity or your own boxer or one of the all-time legends like never before.

9. "Halo 3: ODST" (X360): Originally conceived as a short add-on to "Halo 3," "ODST" packs a wallop of a single-player campaign as well as including every multiplayer map for "Halo 3." And you still can't go wrong with "Halo's" perfect control scheme.

10. "Skate 2" (X360, PS3): The original was 2008's sports game of the year, so there was no way to go wrong with the "Skate 2." Better graphics, bigger city, better gameplay and robust online offerings help round of the list of this year's top games.