Plants vs. Zombies (Xbox 360, 2010)

The brains behind casual hits Bejeweled and Peggle take on "tower defense" strategy as anthropomorphic flowers square off against reanimated corpses in Plants vs. Zombies. "Adventure" mode finds players strategically placing weapon-wielding plants to cut down 26 different kinds of comical undead, including zombie pole-vaulters, zombie dolphins, "Zomboni" drivers, and the ever-dangerous zombie bobsled team. Zombies come in all different strengths and speeds, so gamers must place a variety of different plants in strategic areas to ensure that no zombies may munch on the delicious brains that dwell just within the front door. Luckily, players are armed with an arsenal of more than 40 different plants, including pea shooters, cherry bombs, and potato mines. But greens and seeds are in short supply, and rolling fog, the setting sun, and backyard swimming pools only add to the challenge, so gamers must be judicious when doling out vegetable justice. Players can also try their hand at "Mini-Games," "Puzzle," "Survival," and "Zen Garden" game modes, while Xbox Live gamers get an exclusive new mini-game as well as new competitive and co-operative multiplayer modes.