Playstation 3 game LittleBigPlanet
Much has changed since the current, seventh generation video game consoles arrived in 2005 with the launch of the Xbox 360.
Video games have naturally become more complex and involved, with better graphics, sound, stories and mechanics matching ever-advancing technology. Moreover, the current generation saw the arrival of ubiquitous online functionality, whether through multiplayer gameplay, distribution or downloadable add-ons.
User-generated content in the form of custom-created characters, items and levels also took off over this generation, with online sharing and interaction now a standard part of many games. And in recent years, some games started adopting so-called second-screen functionality to take advantage of the rise of smartphones and tablets. Motion and voice controls also became commonplace, although heading into the eighth generation, these capabilities haven't really blown up just yet.
Now, the arrival of next-generation video game consoles is almost here, with the PlayStation 4 scheduled for release on Nov. 15, followed by the Xbox One a week later on Nov. 22.
Nintendo's launch of the Wii U last year could be considered the proper beginning of the eighth generation, but the company has diverged so much from the industry's larger trends with its focus on casual gamers that it's easy to consider this year's new consoles as the real starting point.
The next generation promises to advance all of the recent trends, with the new consoles inevitably adapting to future social and technological developments that can only be guessed at right now.
In the meantime, it seems fitting to look back at some of the best and most important games to come out of the seventh generation. It's no easy task, since there have been so many over the past seven years.
Today, we start with the 10 best or most memorable games for the PlayStation 3, followed tomorrow by a similar run-down of Xbox 360 releases. Finally, we'll cap off the series with the best cross-platform games made for both consoles.
Click here to view our PS3 Top 10 slideshow.
Did we miss anything? Give us your submission for best PS3 exclusive, use the comments!
Peter Nowak