1. The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya (US):
A fan-favorite and internet phenomenon, Haruhi Suzumiya has taken the 2007 anime scene by storm. With its perfect mix of memorable characters, incredible animation, and something-for-everyone style, Haruhi is a veritable joy to watch. While it may not have the intellectual depth of some other 2007 titles, what it does have is sheer, unadulterated fun!

2. Le Chevalier D'Eon (US):
Production I.G.'s unique project about the famed cross-dressing French spy d'Eon de Beaumont may sound like a weird premise, but it is easily one of the best series of the year. Great action scenes, fascinating European political drama, and spot-on presentation make this a show that should not be missed.

3. Paprika (US):
So what if Satoshi Kon's newest film isn't another "Millenium Actress"? The animation is beautiful and the concepts presented (both intellectually and visually) are simply mind-bending. A truly phenominal experience that shows what high-quality animation and high-quality imagination can create when they come together.

4. Death Note (US):
I would have placed Death Note higher on my list, but seeing as I only saw the first 5-10 episodes, I didn't feel qualified to place it near the top. But the mere fact that the first quarter of a show makes it to my top 5 list is a testament to the quality that is put into this anime. The brilliant schemes, the punk-goth imagery, and the perfectly crafted suspense are much better reasons to watch this show than some vague hope of a Light-L yaoi scene. Seriously, people.

5. When They Cry ~ Higurashi (US):
Sure all the characters are moe, but with such an original horror tale, how could you take points off for that? This gruesome story will make even the most jaded horror fan react just a little bit. Whether you're being horrified by the bloody violence, or simply gaping at the clues you never picked up on until the end, this (intentionally) fragmented story will have you enthralled from the beginning to its stunning finale.

1. Portal (360/PC/PS3):
This year's shortest hit game is also it's best. The brilliant four-hour experience that is Portal is so downright fun and satisfying (not to mention funny) that it beats everything else hands-down. This clever first-person puzzler may have been intended as an extra game included alongside Half-Life 2 Episode 2, but it is clearly a far superior title.

2. Bioshock (360/PC):
The most epic of all the games on this list, Bioshock provides a thrilling combination of original storywriting, clever gameplay, and incredible atmosphere. If it weren't for Portal's superior ending, the mind-blowingly awesome gameplay and art direction of Bioshock would have taken the top spot on my list.

3. Super Mario Galaxy (Wii):
Nintendo returns to 3D platforming style with Super Mario Galaxy, the spiritual successor to the hit Super Mario 64. (We don't count Sunshine, do we?) The game turns your perception of gravity upside-down (literally), as you guide Mario through platforms and planetoids in search of Princess Peach. (Never would have thought of that one...)

4. Rock Band (360/PS3):
As proof that multiplayer is still one of the most fun things you can possibly do with a video game, Harmonix's "Guitar Hero clone" is the fourth best game of this year. Don't get me wrong about that, though, since Rock Band far outperforms the Guitar Hero franchise, giving gamers a chance to rock out with their friends to an awesome (and ever-growing) song library. Guitar, bass, drums, and vocals in one game truly makes this one of the best rhythm games ever made.

5. Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare (360/PC/PS3):
This thrilling foray into the modern by the traditionally WWII-based Call of Duty franchise is more than a simply successful experiment. Modern Warfare is definitely the best war game of the year, with immersive atmospheric, graphical, and technical effects, tight controls, and clever level design.

1. Xbox 360:
No one who played any video games this year can deny the success that the Xbox 360 has had with the "hardcores." If you wanted to play Halo 3, Bioshock, Mass Effect, The Orange Box, or a plethora of other hit titles on one console, the 360 was the only thing to buy. Not only that, but the console continued a strong showing of XBL Arcade titles and an ever-thriving Live community.

2. Wii:
When it comes to commercial sucess though, the Wii was the way to go in 2007. Nintendo is back on the top this year, selling a mind-blowing number of consoles and remaining on the top of the sales charts almost every month of the year. And while it was lacking in great third-party titles (and a little game called Super Smash Bros.), we still had Super Mario Galaxy, Metroid Prime 3, and Battalion Wars 2 to tide us over.

1. Death Note (JP)

2. The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya (US)

3. Claymore (JP)

4. Lucky Star (JP)

5. Appleseed Ex Machina (JP)

1. Halo 3 (360)

2. Bioshock (360/PC)

3. Super Mario Galaxy (Wii)

4. Pokemon: Diamond and Pearl (DS)

5. Ratchet and Clank Future: Tools of Destruction (PS3)

1. Xbox 360

2. Nintendo DS

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