I think as the years go by it’s going to get harder and harder to nail down this particular list. Such an outstanding performance throughout the year makes this our favourite category. Hats off to Xbox Live’s ‘Summer of Arcade’ for keeping our thumbs active and beating the inevitable summer drought, if this doesn’t prove that digital distribution is here to stay, I don’t know what will. So here they are, our top five six downloadable games of the year, they’ve all earned their rightful place on this guide!

P.S. Sorry to the ones that didn’t make it, we love you the same.

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  Battlefield 1943

  XBLA/PSN | Price: 1200 MS Points/ $15 (£10) PSN

  At first glance Battlefield 1943 doesn’t look like your typical downloadable shooter. Offering fully destructible 3D environments, 24 player online conquest and a great ranking system; Battlefield 1943 is rich with features. You’ll assume the role of a soldier, tank commander, or an ace fighter pilot as you attempt to gain control of 3 Pacific islands. Battlefield 1943 is an impressive package that offers a real bang for your buck.

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  ‘Splosion Man

  XBLA | Price: 800 MS Points

  ‘Sploding with classic platforming charm and rich puzzle elements, Twisted Pixel truly hit home with their newest title ‘Splosion Man. The game places you in control of the humorous and quirky ‘Splosion Man’ as you try to escape a secret underground laboratory and reach freedom by running, jumping and exploding your way through 50 unique levels. With single player and co-op, ‘Splosion Man is well worth the 800 MS Point price tag.

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  Shadow Complex

  XBLA | Price: 1200 MS Points

  Just when the Metroidvania genre had fallen into the category of wishful thinking, along comes Chair Entertainment’s Shadow Complex; the game we’ve all been waiting on Nintendo to drop for years. When your new girlfriend is kidnapped on a romantic backpacking trip you have no choice but to rescue the damsel in distress. Miss those classic 2D platformers? You owe it to yourself to pick up this gem! Not only is it one of the best Arcade games available, it’s one of the best games this year.

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  Trials HD

  XBLA | Price: 1200 MS Points

  Up for a challenge? Trials HD offers you just that and so much more. A 2D Puzzle/Racer that will give you hours of gameplay right out the box. Based on a popular flash game it’s guaranteed to keep you (or a loved one) hooked over the holiday period. With over 50 tracks, online leaderboards and two unique game modes you couldn’t ask for a better Christmas present.

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  Fat Princess

  PSN | Price: $15 (£12) PSN

  Bursting with personality and depth, Fat Princess is an easy holiday choice for any gamer. A rival kingdom has kidnapped your Princess and you must hack, slash, shoot and zap your way to her rescue. The gameplay is simple and offers a multitude of different classes to experience; allowing you to approach each level a little differently than before. With 32-player online action and an abundance of wit and style, Fat Princess truly succeeds in all the right places.

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  LostWinds: Winter of the Melodias

  WiiWare | Price: 1000 Nintendo Points

  The sequel to the award-winning 2008 platform adventure of the same name, sees us assisting young Toku again with the flick of our wrist in search for his missing mother. Packed with even more challenging puzzles and the ability of changing seasons on the fly, Winter of the Melodias proves it’s one of the best WiiWare titles available.