32. Ninja Gaiden 2, Microsoft - 360

What we said: Playing Ninja Gaiden 2 is a very different experience to playing the majority of games. No other game we've ever played is as rewarding so often. Whether it's for simply beating a wave of blood-thirsty bats or for finally slaying a boss you've been tearing your hair out over for more than an hour, the sense of reward and gratification is practically unrivalled. For every level you beat you feel like you're becoming a better gamer and that's a feeling very few games can claim to give. This is action gaming at its very best.

31. Football Manager 2009, SEGA - PC

What we said: Despite some bugs, no problem proved bad enough to significantly tarnish our experience and on the whole Sports Interactive has tweaked an already brilliant game to make something even better. If you want a high stress virtual job on top of your real one, have hours to burn each day looking at an interactive database, and fancy yourself as the next Alex Ferguson, Football Manager 2009 might be the only game you'll need until this time next year.

Continue reading our Top 50 Games of 2008 with our countdown of 30-21 right here.

Think we've got them in the right order? Distraught that your favourite didn't chart or appeared far lower than you'd have liked? Let us know in the comments section below.