The Top Three PS3 Games Of 2011

2011 has seen the physical manifestation of the dominance of the PS3 over other consoles. This year sees it about to overtake the Xbox 360 in global sales since its launch in 2004.

Quite a reversal. Many people at the time of its launch disputed the wisdom of an expensive Blu-ray component, which has since been one of the main features that set it apart from other consoles.

The other feature that has secured its dominance is the rich video games library available to its users, and not surprisingly, with the upcoming holiday period, that archive is about to be replenished with some great blockbuster games.

2011 has seen some real innovative gaming hit our shelves.

The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim

I must admit I'm a sucker for fantasy and role-play games. I first got the taste with Myst, which I played on Mac around 20 years ago. Things have certainly come on a pace since then.

This is part V of the epic fantasy by Bathsheba Softworks (The Elder Scrolls series). Skyrim brings a totally new dimension to RPG. Amazing graphics transport you into an immense world where you get lost.

Picking up 200 years after the end of Elder Scrolls IV - Oblivion, Skyrim is set in the midst of a civil war

You can roll play a character as your favourite species of choice, be it human or elf, and add to your strengths during the game.You can boost your skills in magic, alchemy or weapons. A humdinger of game for any RPG fantasy fan.

The Ico and Shadow of the Colossus Collection

One of the most irritating things about the PS3 for any Playstation aficionado is that it's not backward compatible with any earlier console games.

What a relief that these two games, ICO and Shadow of the Colossus feature in a PS3 combo pack. Widely considered examples of epic storytelling these two games are enhanced by HD, full 3D support and 7.1 surround sound.

Many a teary-eyed PS2 user will be waking up to this in their Christmas stocking come December 25th.

Battlefield 3

The hugely anticipated FPS release from DICE does not disappoint. In direct competition with Modern Warfare it literally blows it away.

Choose between Tehran, New York and Paris as the backdrop to your combat zone, throw in some game changing technology powered by DICE's Frostbite 2 engine and great co-op and multiplayer functions and you have the ultimate wartime first person shooter.

If you think that purchasing these games may make for an expensive Christmas, my advice is to audition them for free first with a good game rental service like Lovefilm.