Nice write-up. My picks fall more in line with the community as I enjoyed Jamestown and can see the pick-up and play appeal of it versus Portal 2, but just didn't feel like it could hold my attention too well once I beat the story. Bullet Hell games are fun for their twitch reaction and Jamestown made co-op useful and fun, but the game itself just didn't set itself apart for me.

Solid choices. I don't think 2011 stacked up to 2010 in terms of co-op games, but it was still a good year. Looking forward to seeing Ghost Recon Future Soldier contending in 2012!

I agree with your console picks. I really want to see Magicka come to console so I can play it. I was annoyed when they announced that Gears 3 was being pushed back from Spring 2011 to Fall 2011, but it turned out to be a great decision. The level of polish in Gears 3 is amazing and all of the co-op options are great. My only complaint with Gears 3 is not being able to have a second player use a guest account when playing online. They offered that in Gears 2, so it is just a blatant attempt to cash in by Microsoft.

there were plenty of great games to choose from this year.

@jim halo 4 will beat GRFS

I agree with this write up more than previous years' results. Not sure why "Fiddy" was mentioned? Anyway Gears 3 is looking great though I'm certainly late to that party. I agree with Jim though, in general 2011 didn't seem as awesome as 2010. With a few good ones on the way for 2012, maybe we're looking at an even numbered year rule?

--- Replying to justabaldguy -----
this is the third year fiddy has made an appearance for the GOTY awards

Obviously, you don't remember the prestigious "Golden Fitty" award we gave out a few years back!

Definitely agree with Dungeon Defenders as the Downloadable co-op game of the year. Heck, I think it's probably my game of the year in general!

Dungeon Defenders is definitely growing on me the more I play it. If nothing else, the PC version (and the number of times it's appeared in a Steam sale since release) represents a great value.

i think this says something too: (might have to view in forums)

Yeah...the PC version is my favorite. Mostly because of the price, the DLC, and the holiday stuff (in Online Ranked).

I just bought dungeon defenders yesterday for my brother and I, 3.75 plus 1.25 for extra class pack, can't beat that.

we also finally got to rent saints row 3 last night, and WOW have we been having a good time. May be our sleeper hit of the year.

Nice write-up and all the games mentioned definitely deserved it. I still think that Dead Island was the best consoles, but at least it got an honorable mention.

@smurfy
Colonial Marines will beat Halo 4 (I hope)

Well now I really am sad that Gears 2 and 3 aren't on PC. Oh well, KZ3 and Resistance 3 were reasonable co-op experiences on PS3.

Looking forward to Diablo 3 and Torchlight 2 in 2012.

--- Replying to smurphster -----Yes I admit I'm addicted.
Also, it looks like I'm pretty much the only one who still plays Left 4 Dead 2.

--- Replying to Armor Biff -----
i just picked it up on pc actually (i already have it on 360). i'm thinking maybe we'll do a co-op night sometime down the road.

Huh, no Trine 2? I mostly agree with the co-op win for Gears of War 3, though the BS of not allowing a guest account just about knocks them off the top for me. Happily played 2010's Halo: Reach instead of GOW3 when my friends were over, due to that... As for Trine 2, it was very close to #1 on my co-op list this year. Then again, Beat Hazard might be some of the most rockin' fun I've had all year, and that co-op wasn't mentioned either... Regardless, nice list!

--- Replying to Armor Biff -----

I've been playing LFD2 as well. Mostly with my co-worker, but I also just played local co-op with my wife! Great fun as a split-screen. Lots of shouting and OMGOMGOMG we're gonna die.

Gonna try to get some of these games, i have way to few good co-op games. (Except Dead Island)