Yes folks, the time has come. Although we’ve just barely finished our Labor Day celebrations it is time to switch gears and start thinking ahead. The holiday season is right around the corner! Video game companies save up their best games for the great holiday shopping rush, and the latest games promise to be on every gotta-have list this holiday season. Here are the top ten hottest video games for the 2009 holiday season.

1. Tales of Vesperia – The next evolution of this time honored role-playing series! A power struggle begins in a civilization dependent on an ancient technology and the Empire that controls it, and the fates of two friends traveling separate paths intertwine in an epic adventure. This is the first Tales release in HD with detail and graphics never before seen in the series. Real-time battles are more exciting than ever!

2. Modern Warfare 2 – This sequel to Call of Duty 4: Modern Welfare is widely regarded to become the biggest selling game of all time. This first person shooter game will be released on November 10, 2009. This is a must have for this holiday season!

3. Uncharted 2: Among Thieves – This sequel to the widely acclaimed Uncharted is a Ps3 exclusive. Players take on the role of Nathan Drake, a treasure hunter on the trail of Marco Polo’s lost treasure. Players will travel through a variety of beautiful locations including Turkey and Nepal.

4. Assassins Creed 2 - A sequel where players take on the role of Ezio, a nobleman turned assassin. Based in Venice during the Renaissance period, players will be able to make use of a new economy system and use weapons made by Leonardo da Vinci.

5. Wii Sports Resort – This family game takes you on a journey to a tropical island where array of fun activities await. Players compete in activities such as sword play, power cruising, disc dog and more! This game comes with the Wii motionplus accessory which accelerates the sensitivity of the Wii remote to give you the most responsive and realistic experience possible!

6. Gears of War 2 – This sequel developed exclusively for Xbox360 has already won several awards. In this game players are leading the battle for humankind’s survival against the Locust Horde. With amazingly realistic high definition graphics this game is a must have!

7. Beatles Rock Band - Experience the Beatles music like never before with this newly released game. Be a part of the band as they make rock history. This game is fully compatible with nearly any existing music game instruments.

8. Batman: Arkham Asylum – This visually dazzling Batman game is based on DC Comics Batman. In this game the Joker has hatched an elaborate plan from within Arkham Asylum to create an army of creatures to threaten Gotham City and Batman must stop him.

9. Madden 10 – This game captures the NFL like never before. A must have for all the football fans on your list! Experience first hand what it’s like to “fight for every yard” with the all new Pro-Tak animation technology. Players have more control over the outcome of every play than ever before.

10. Dirt 2 – This off road racing game gives players the ultimate racing career experience with players earning points to unlock new events. The sense of speed in this game is fantastic; when you crash it shows accurate damage to every part of the car making every wreck feel unique.

This post was contributed by Kelly Rockey, who writes about Halloween costumes over at StarCostumes.com