As awesomely flawless as you no doubt think we are at N-E Towers, the unfortunate truth is, it’s not always possible for a voluntarily-run, independent site to thoroughly cover every single quality title that sees release across Nintendo’s platforms. Time constraints due to (shock horror) real-life commitments may mean that, occasionally, one or two smaller games slip under the radar in favour of coverage for the more obvious, higher profile titles.

But let it not be said that we haven’t tried to rectify the issue here and now! It may only be three months into the year, but we’ve compiled a list of ten 2010 games that are worth your attention right now. Some may be predictable; others you may not have seen much of round the N-Europe scene. But know that they are all great games whose recommendations we owe to you as claimants of “Quality Nintendo Coverage”. It’s very early days for 2010, but if every quarter is as packed with fantastic titles as the last one, it could very well be the best time to be a Nintendo gamer in years.

To the outsider, it could look like Capcom are merely ‘covering’ Wii owners with Tatsunoko vs. Capcom while HD gamers get to tuck into the main course with Street Fighter IV. However, there’s no need for such an apologist outlook here, because those who’ve played Eighting’s insane beat ‘em up will know that this Wii-exclusive is an outstandingly fun game in its own right. Laden to the brim with bright, sparkly, Japanese flavour, Tatsunoko vs. Capcom is probably the closest thing to a video game equivalent of putting your head inside a candy floss machine (we don’t recommend that).

Accessible controls, a plethora of modes and extras and a slick, lag-free online component is married to a wonderfully abstract roster of characters from the Tatsunoko franchise. Throw in your old Capcom favourites, as well as a few contemporary heroes like Frank West and Viewtiful Joe, and Wii owners have their own superb entry in the Vs. series, and perhaps a fighter that rivals Brawl as the best on the system.

The next time you encounter a gamer who professes themselves ‘hardcore’ because they’ve spend a hundred hours blowing everything to hell online on the latest major FPS, direct them to those of us who’ve lost double that tome sinking our worthless lives into our favourite strategy games. Love them or loathe them, the strategy genre commands some of the most dedicated gamers out there, and the DS continues to be at the forefront of the scene in regards to quality. If you’ve finished up leading your miniature armies to victory on Advance Wars, Final Fantasy Tactics and the like, cast your attention over to this little-known gem. A weirdly addictive blend of RPG, turn-based battles and puzzle action, it borrows from the franchise it’s derived from, and other games at the top of their own fields, like Puzzle Quest, but the resulting game very much feels like its own. Critically bestowed with some of the highest praise possible, Clash of Heroes has been one of the biggest third-party surprises in recent months. You don’t need any wider knowledge of the Might and Magic franchise, but you do need to be prepared for complete addiction.

To think – nine sequels on and we’re very close to how we started. That’s progress for you though, and we love it. Capcom impressed us with Mega Man 9 by proving they can still make ‘em like they used to... quite literally. The Blue Bomber blasts back on WiiWare with a brand new retro-ised challenge that’s sure to break the souls of even the most hardened of Mega Man vets. A host of new robot masters, including Solar Man, Pump Man and Sheep Man(!) stand between you and conquering the most impressive feat you’ll achieve all year. It’s hardcore Mega Man at its roots, and we must never forget how brilliant that is.

For such a niche puzzle activity, the nonogramic Picross has enjoyed a fairy rich history across Nintendo systems, with iterations spanning the NES, GameBoy and DS. Now though, HAL Laboratory has brought the game kicking and screaming into the third dimension for the millions of DS-owning puzzlephiles out there. Picross DS is one of the most underrated, yet underground-loved puzzle games on DS, but Picross 3D brings an innovative new twist to the experience to also cater to those who’ve spent countless hours on the classic experience. Don’t dare be put off if you’ve never before delved into a Picross puzzle. Buy it, try it, and we guarantee you’ll become addicted.

The road to bring Fragile over to Europe may not have been all that smooth, but Rising Star scored with Wii owners yet again in March by stepping in to publish tri-Crescendo’s melancholic marvel. A young boy roams a world ravaged by apocalypse, looking for answers... and her. Some truly breathtaking locales illuminated with a wonderfully gothic art style allow players to become immersed in haunting, Metroid Primean exploration. The sedate pace and focus on atmosphere over combat might not make this RPG for everyone, but we really do recommend anybody willing to try something a little different to give Fragile Dreams a go.

But if you really want your atmospheric exploration to be grounded in a more established franchise, you can always step into more familiar waters with Nintendo’s own Endless Ocean 2. The first Endless Ocean was a surprise hit with gamers, especially in Europe, and we’re glad to say the sequel offers even more. Hauls of new fish, many more areas to explore and a real element of danger make it not only a must-buy for those who enjoyed the first, but also a perfect entry point for anybody previously on the fence. And if that’s not enough, you can always take to the depths online with a friend, complete with Wii Speak support. The blockbuster first-party Wii line-up may be coming later in the year, but don’t forget Nintendo got 2010 off to a swimmingly good start with this pearly gem.

While the true next-generation of Pokémon games remains a blip on the horizon, Nintendo has treated fans to a shiny update of two classics from days gone by to fill the gap. Even veterans who’ve played the Game Boy Colour generation of ‘mon titles to death may want to think twice before passing up on HeartGold and SoulSilver. As well as the obvious modern lick of paint, a host of brand new extras and full online functionality the DS can provide, Nintendo has also bundled in a Pokéwalker pedometer device to aid you raise your critters whilst out and about. Neat!

After what seems like an eternal wait, Red Steel 2 is finally on shelves. We reckon the debate over whether the original launch title was a great, ambitious shooter or a flawed mess will outlast time itself, but we can safely say the sequel is altogether a different beast, and absolutely the real deal. While the original only hinted at what could be done with the Wii Remote in terms of realistic swordplay, Red Steel 2 is built entirely around the Wii MotionPlus to successfully deliver a truly swashbucklingly-awesome experience.

Set against the breathtaking backdrop of the Western-inspired Caldera City, those who take on Red Steel 2 are in for a relentless locomotive of stylish shoot ‘em up action and slick swordplay. Every part of the presentation is what we should expect from a top-tier Wii game, from the gorgeous art direction, the amazing soundtrack and the silky-smooth frame rate. It’s time to cast out any ill-feeling one might have towards Red Steel. The Wii’s real champion action game is here, and it’s every inch the experience we were promised from the start.

Unfortunately, it already looks like Infinite Space will go the way of The World Ends With You in becoming a spectacularly fresh RPG that only gets played by a fraction of the numbers it deserves. In fact, Platinum and Nude Maker’s gem has quite a bit in common with that aforementioned game inasmuch that it shows just what can be done with a refreshing take on the increasingly stale RPG genre. A clichéd party of badly-dressed misfits one might expect to take control of are replaced with a fleet of half-kilometre-wide space cruisers.

Almost every aspect of your fleet can be customised: choose from a cast of over one hundred characters to form your crew; set out your ships exactly how you want them in terms of rooms and chambers; and arm each of them with the deadliest ranges of laser cannons, missile launchers or short-range fighters. The possibilities for tweaking are almost endless. Perhaps you want to ensure that your crafts are as comfortable as possible to maximise battle efficiency, or maybe you want to invest in research and development departments to equip your fleet with the best of the latest technology. The massive quest, always-unfolding plot lines and epic battles are a given for any RPG worth its salt, but Infinite Space’s overwhelming level of depth makes it a stand-out romp that never stops testing the DS to its limits, and could even make it the most hardcore game of year.

The history of Silent Hill: Shattered Memories is interesting. Announced out-of-the-blue for Wii, PS2 and PSP, we were sceptical. Fast-forward a couple of months to the public unveiling, and we were blown away. A hugely ambitious project from Climax Group, by ‘remastering’ the first game, Shattered Memories hoped to revive the series; doing away with combat completely and adding a whole new psychological element. This is unlike any other horror game you’ve played – this game watches you, morphing the game depending on your decisions. That’s not shallow, exaggerated PR-speak, either. The game may be short, but multiple playthroughs will yield very different experiences.

On every account, the game delivers. Shattered Memories is both technically impressive and an atmospheric masterpiece. Climax has also not been afraid to use the Wii Remote in a number of innovative ways. Your controller will be your flashlight, your cell phone, and is pivotal for some genuinely smart puzzles (the one in the art room is a particular stand-out). It’s a game that is both beautiful and harrowing. Shattered Memories has dazzled us, and not only is it our favourite game of the year so far, it could even stand the test of time and become adored as one the crowning third-party offerings on Wii.

Any criminal omissions you’d place on the list instead? Drop a comment and let us know what you think of 2010 so far...