If you've just cast a glance at the emboldened names on this list, well don't worry, it's not a mistake. Check the years. This isn't a piece from 2007. The fact is though, there's quite a simple reality about sports games. The programmers make a few tweaks and, well, nerds like us are sold by the capital letters highlighting them on the back of the box and our unwillingness to manually update squads ourselves. That and the fact the top series only really need a few tweaks to keep them there anyway. In any case, it would take something very special and very different to even match them, explaining why this is almost filled by the same old titles. Almost, but not completely, for the Nintendo Wii is starting to provide something very special and very different, and really live up to its possibilities.

But like Rafa Benitez, we'll save any actual innovations until as late as possible and stick with the tried, trusted and established names. And they don't come any more established than in the world of digitised soccer. Pro Evolution Soccer 2009's (all formats €60) big draw this year is the official Champions League licence. That and at last a general jump in the gameplay that so many expected from the first leap to the third-generation consoles, as well as the 'Be A Legend' mode. Fifa 09 (all formats €60) has generally upped its game again but, whatever of the updates by either, both games are now so close in quality that the choice should really come down to whichever one's controls you are more familiar with. Soccer's other great battle between Football Manager (PC, €50) and Championship Manager has yet to take place since the latter won't be released until April. Not that it's even a battle worthy of the name though since Football Manager is the real Champo. It maintains its usual depth and drug-like addictiveness, but this year has the innovation of a 3D match engine. Whatever your preference – it at least can be turned off – the main issue with the game these days is the fact you really have to put in the hours of a real manager to achieve the results of its golden era.

GAA and rugby saw no new marquee games this year so Ireland's appetite for its other main sporting passion of golf – when you're off the course naturally – will have to be sated by the latest version of Tiger Woods PGA Tour 09 (all formats, €60). With in-game coaching from Hank Haney as well as a new Club Tuner and Dynamic Skill mode, it does more than that. But, a sign of things to come, it is the Wii that really takes the game to the next level with its complete swing-to-swing club replication. One to get your uncle on over Christmas. Club memberships could be saved in the recession.

Athletics games have a long way to go if Beijing 2008 (PC, PS3, Xbox 360) is anything to go by because, despite glorious graphics, gameplay remains the same as it was on the Amiga: injury-inducing button-bashing. More than any, this is a sport that needs the Wii.

Madden 09 (all formats, €60) is one that doesn't – indeed its version contains no controller-specific special features – and as ever leads a strong set of the major American games. One for the American football aficionado, it is a game you have to effectively study to master, particularly with its new Madden IQ feature and enhanced play calling, but retains a pick-up-and-play sugar hit. The latter is certainly the case with NHL 09 (PC, PS2, PS3, Xbox 360, €60) which is now so close to its classic predecessor of '94 that you can choose to play with those simple controls. It's also as faithful a recreation of its sport as the excellent NBA Live (all formats, €60).

But then the purpose of computer games is also to take you out of the everyday and make you imagine you're doing something you clearly aren't and probably couldn't. And nothing manages that like the visceral thrill of Shaun White Snowboarding (all formats, €60). It's good on the PS3 and Xbox 360, but to get the best out of it you've really got to get the Wii's balanceboard. You'll get so into it you'll be lucky not to come out with some aching bones. The same applies to Skate It (DS, Wii, €60) and the exceptional Top Spin 3 (Wii, €60) where you can, digitally if not literally, take on Roger Federer with your own forearm smash.

Not that they'll stop us buying the latest Pro Evo next year though.