Otto Awards 2008: Let the Voting Begin!

[Oobgarm]

http://www.dustincarter.com/dp/otto_trophy08.gif

VOTING IS NOW OPEN! BE SURE TO VOTE! (http://www.digitpress.com/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=44)


The time-honored tradition at Digital Press returns for 2008 as we invite everyone to cast their nominations in various video gaming categories. We'll start the nominatin' here and do the actual voting starting January 12th. Plenty of time to nominate!

After expanding the vote last year, the decision has been made to keep the competition a bit more fierce and combine a couple categories, notably graphics, music/sound, and online titles. Fighting games make a return this year, thanks to some great releases.

Cut and paste this list of categories and give us your nominations. Everyone should be able to participate here - just choose categories that you know well. Only the top 10 nominated titles for each category will go into the poll for final voting.

Hopefully apparent - your nominations should be cast for games that were actually RELEASED in 2008, not existing titles you played for the first time this year.

Here are the categories for this year:

Best Overall Title:
Best Wii Title:
Best Xbox 360 Title:
Best PS3 Title:
Best PS2 Title:
Best PSP Title:
Best DS Title:
Best XBL/PSN/WiiWare Title:
Best PC Title:
Best use of graphics:
Best use of music/sound:
Best RPG:
Best Action/Adventure Title:
Best Fighting Title:
Best Music/Rhythm Title:
Best Sports Title:
Best Driving/Racing Title:
Most Innovative Title:
Biggest Surprise Title:
Most Underappreciated/Overlooked Title:
Biggest Flop (Individual Title):

[Oobgarm]

Best Overall Title: Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots
Best Wii Title: Super Smash Bros. Brawl
Best Xbox 360 Title: Grand Theft Auto IV
Best PS3 Title: Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots
Best PS2 Title: MLB Power Pros 2008
Best PSP Title: Hot Shots Golf: Open Tee 2
Best DS Title: Professor Layton and the Curious Village
Best XBL/PSN/WiiWare Title: Mega Man 9
Best PC Title: WoW: Wrath of the Lich King
Best use of graphics: Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots
Best use of music/sound: Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots
Best RPG: Tales of Vesperia
Best Action/Adventure Title: Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots
Best Fighting Title: Soul Calibur IV
Best Music/Rhythm Title: Rock Band 2
Best Sports Title: NCAA Football 09
Best Driving/Racing Title: Need for Speed Undercover
Most Innovative Title: Braid
Biggest Surprise Title: LittleBigPlanet
Most Underappreciated/Overlooked Title: Professor Layton and the Curious Village
Biggest Flop (Individual Title): Golden Axe: Beast Rider

[Chainsaw_Charlie]

Best Overall Title: Professor Layton and The curious village
Best Wii Title: Tales of Symphonia 2
Best Xbox 360 Title: Last Remnant
Best PS2 Title: Persona 4
Best PSP Title: Wild Arms XF
Best DS Title: Sonic Chronicles
Best RPG: Chrono Trigger
Best Action/Adventure Title: God of war chains of olympus
Biggest Surprise Title: Professor Layton
Most Underappreciated/Overlooked Title: Wild Arms XF

[Frankie_Says_Relax]

Best Overall Title: Metal Gear Solid 4
Best Wii Title: Mario Kart Wii
Best Xbox 360 Title: Braid
Best PS3 Title: Metal Gear Solid 4
Best PS2 Title: SNK Arcade Classics Volume 1
Best PSP Title: God of War Chains of Olympus
Best DS Title: Professor Layton and the Curious Village
Best XBL/PSN/WiiWare Title: Bionic Commando Re-Armed
Best PC Title: Left 4 Dead
Best use of graphics: Motorstorm Pacific Rift
Best use of music/sound: Little Big Planet
Best RPG: Chrono Trigger DS
Best Action/Adventure Title: God of War Chains of Olympus
Best Fighting Title: Super Street Fighter 2 Turbo HD Remix
Best Music/Rhythm Title: Rock Band 2
Best Sports Title: WWE Smackdown Vs. Raw 09
Best Driving/Racing Title: Motorstorm Pacific Rift
Most Innovative Title: Little Big Planet
Biggest Surprise Title: Braid
Most Underappreciated/Overlooked Title: Echochrome
Biggest Flop (Individual Title): Alone in the Dark

[le geek]

Best Overall Title: Braid
Best Wii Title: Boom Blox
Best Xbox 360 Title: Fallout 3
Best PS2 Title: Persona 4
Best DS Title: Castlevania: OoE
Best XBL/PSN/WiiWare Title: Braid
Best RPG: Fallout 3
Best Action/Adventure Title: Silent Hill: Homecoming
Best Music/Rhythm Title: Rock Band 2
Best Driving/Racing Title: Burnout Paradise
Most Innovative Title: Braid
Biggest Surprise Title: Left 4 Dead
Most Underappreciated/Overlooked Title: de Blob
Biggest Flop (Individual Title): Too Human

[mailman187666]

Best Overall Title:
Best Wii Title: wii fit
Best Xbox 360 Title: Gears of War 2
Best PS3 Title: MGS 4
Best PS2 Title: Persona 4
Best PSP Title: Star Ocean: First Contact
Best DS Title: Castlevania: OoE
Best XBL/PSN/WiiWare Title: Bionic Commando: ReArmed
Best RPG: Persona 4
Best Fighting Title: SSF2T HD remix
Best Music/Rhythm Title: Guitar Hero:World Tour
Most Innovative Title: Persona 4

[kupomogli]

Best Overall Title: Grand Theft Auto 4
Best Wii Title: Super Smash Bros. Brawl
Best Xbox 360 Title: Grand Theft Auto 4
Best PS3 Title: Grand Theft Auto 4
Best PS2 Title: Persona 4
Best PSP Title: Wild ARMs XF
Best DS Title: Dragon Quest 4
Best XBL/PSN/WiiWare Title: Mega Man 9
Best use of graphics: Metal Gear Solid 4
Best use of music/sound: Guitar Hero World Tour
Best RPG: Persona 4
Best Action/Adventure Title: God of War: Chains of Olympus
Best Fighting Title: Super Smash Bros. Brawl(actually Dissidia FF but it'd be 2009 in the US.)
Best Music/Rhythm Title: Rock Band 2
Best Driving/Racing Title: Wipeout Pulse
Most Innovative Title: Little Big Planet
Most Underappreciated/Overlooked Title: Wild ARMs XF
Biggest Flop (Individual Title): There's a whole lot of shovelware out there.

Guitar Hero wins one and Rock Band 2 wins one also. Guitar Hero because it has way better music on the base title(no DLC required for it to have atleast 70 good songs.) Rock Band 2 because the drums are better.

[Mayhem]

Best Overall Title: Fallout 3
Best Wii Title: Smash Bros Brawl
Best Xbox 360 Title: Fallout 3
Best PS3 Title: MGS4
Best DS Title: Professor Layton and the Curious Village
Best XBL/PSN/WiiWare Title: World of Goo
Best use of graphics: Mirror's Edge
Best use of music/sound: MGS4
Best Action/Adventure Title: Mirror's Edge
Best Fighting Title: SF2 Turbo HD Remix
Best Music/Rhythm Title: Rock Band 2
Best Sports Title: FIFA 2009
Most Innovative Title: World of Goo
Biggest Surprise Title: Professor Layton and the Curious Village
Most Underappreciated/Overlooked Title: Boom Blox
Biggest Flop (Individual Title): Haze

[djbeatmongrel]

Best Overall Title: No More Heroes
Best Wii Title: No More Heroes
Best PS2 Title: Yakuza 2
Best PSP Title: God of War: Chains of Olympus
Best DS Title: Trauma Center: Under The Knife 2
Best XBL/PSN/WiiWare Title: Lost Winds
Best use of graphics: God of War: Chains of Olympus
Best use of music/sound: No More Heroes (with wiimote phone)
Best Fighting Title: The King of Fighters Collection: The Orochi Saga (wii, ps2, and psp)
Most Innovative Title: Blast Works: Build Trade Destroy
Biggest Surprise Title: Little Red Riding Hood's Zombie BBQ
Most Underappreciated/Overlooked Title: Yakuza 2

[jdc]

Best Overall Title: Metal Gear Solid 4
Best PS3 Title: Metal Gear Solid 4
Best PSP Title: Final Fantasy Crisis Core
Best use of graphics: Metal Gear Solid 4
Best use of music/sound: Little Big Planet
Best Racing Title: Gran Turismo 5 Prologue
Most Innovative Title: Little Big Planet
Biggest Surprise: Little Big Planet

[Nesmaster]

Best Overall Title: Do I have to pick between Grand Theft Auto IV and Fallout 3 :(? Guess the nod goes to GTA IV...
Best Wii Title: Super Smash Bros. Brawl
Best Xbox 360 Title: Fallout 3
Best PS3 Title: Grand Theft Auto IV
Best PS2 Title: MLB Power Pros 2008
Best XBL: Banjo Kazooie
Best PSN: SSFIITHDR
Best Wiiware: Megaman 9
Best PC Title: Fallout 3
Best use of graphics: Gears of War 2
Best use of music/sound: Fallout 3
Best RPG: Fallout 3
Best Action/Adventure Title: Grand Theft Auto IV
Best Fighting Title: SSFIITHDR
Best Music/Rhythm Title: Rock Band 2
Best Sports Title: NHL 09
Best Driving/Racing Title: GRID
Most Innovative Title: LittleBigPlanet
Biggest Surprise Title: LittleBigPlanet
Most Underappreciated/Overlooked Title: Banjo Kazooie: Nuts N Bolts
Biggest Flop (Individual Title): Mercenaries 2

[darkslime]

Best Overall Title: Shin Megami Tensei: Persona 4
Best Wii Title: Super Smash Bros Brawl
Best Xbox 360 Title: Gear of War 2
Best PS3 Title:Metal Gear Solid 4
Best PS2 Title: Shin Megami Tensei: Persona 4
Best PSP Title: Final Fantasy Crisis Core
Best DS Title: The World Ends With You
Best XBL/PSN/WiiWare Title: Mega Man 9
Best use of graphics: Metal Gear Solid 4
Best use of music/sound: Persona 4
Best RPG: Shin Megami Tensei: Persona 4
Best Fighting Title: SF2 Turbo HD Remix
Best Music/Rhythm Title: Rock Band 2
Best Driving/Racing Title: Crash Nitro Kart (iphone app)
Most Innovative Title: Persona 4

[The 1 2 P]

Most Underappreciated/Overlooked Title: My blog
Biggest Flop (Individual Title): My blog

[Overbite]

Best Overall Title: Tales of Vesperia
Best Wii Title: Tales of Symphonia Dawn of the New World
Best Xbox 360 Title: Tales of Vesperia
Best PS3 Title: Metal Gear Solid 4
Best PS2 Title: Persona 4
Best PSP Title: Star Ocean the First Departure
Best DS Title: Chrono Trigger DS
Best XBL/PSN/WiiWare Title: DUKE NUKEM 3D
Best PC Title: World of Warcraft Wrath of the Lich King
Best use of graphics: Far Cry 2
Best use of music/sound: Rock Band 2
Best RPG: Tales of Vesperia
Best Action/Adventure Title: Fable 2
Best Fighting Title: Super Street Fighter 2 Turbo HD Remix
Best Music/Rhythm Title: Rock Band 2
Best Sports Title: Shaq-Fu
Best Driving/Racing Title:
Most Innovative Title: Mirrors Edge
Biggest Surprise Title:Mirrors Edge
Most Underappreciated/Overlooked Title: Lost Odyssey
Biggest Flop (Individual Title): Guitar Hero World Tour

[Arcade_Ness]

Best Overall Title: Fallout 3
Best Wii Title: Super Smash Bros. Brawl
Best Xbox 360 Title: Fallout 3
Best PS3 Title: LittleBigPlanet
Best DS Title: Castlevania: Order of Ecclesia
Best XBL/PSN/WiiWare Title: Super Street Fighter 2 Turbo HD Remix
Best RPG: Fallout 3
Best Fighting Title: Tatsunoko vs Capcom
Best Music/Rhythm Title: Rock Band 2
Most Innovative Title: LittleBigPlanet
Biggest Surprise Title: Mirror's Edge
Biggest Flop (Individual Title): Too Human

[nintendoeats]

Best Overall Title:Metal Gear Solid 4
Best Wii Title:No More Heros
Best Xbox 360 Title:
Best PS3 Title:Metal Gear Solid 4
Best PS2 Title:
Best PSP Title:
Best DS Title:Professor Layton and The Curious Village
Best XBL/PSN/WiiWare Title:Bionic Commando:Rearmed
Best PC Title:Fallout 3
Best use of graphics:Metal Gar Solid 4
Best use of music/sound:Grand Theft Auto 4
Best RPG:Fable II
Best Action/Adventure Title:Metal Gear Solid 4
Best Fighting Title:Super Smash Bros. Brawl
Best Music/Rhythm Title:Audiosurf (might be 2007)
Best Sports Title:
Best Driving/Racing Title:Burnout Paradise
Most Innovative Title:Little Big Planet
Biggest Surprise Title:Braid
Most Underappreciated/Overlooked Title:Professor Layton and The Curious Village
Biggest Flop (Individual Title):Rock revolution

[Nebagram]

Best Overall Title: Fallout 3
Best Wii Title: Boom Blox
Best Xbox 360 Title: Fallout 3
Best PS3 Title: MGS4
Best PSP Title: Space Invaders Extreme
Best DS Title: The World Ends With You
Best XBL/PSN/WiiWare Title: Echochrome
Best use of graphics: Little Big Planet
Best use of music/sound: MGS4
Best RPG: Fallout 3
Best Action/Adventure Title: MGS4
Best Fighting Title: Soul Calibur 4
Best Music/Rhythm Title: Rock Band 2
Best Driving/Racing Title: Wipeout HD
Most Innovative Title: Little Big Planet
Biggest Surprise Title: Saints' Row 2
Most Underappreciated/Overlooked Title: Banjo Kazooie N&B
Biggest Flop (Individual Title): Guitar Hero On Tour

[Kid Ice]

Best Overall Title: Wipeout HD
Best Wii Title: Wii Fit
Best Xbox 360 Title: Fallout 3
Best PS3 Title: Wipeout HD
Best PSP Title: N+
Best DS Title: Space Invaders Extreme
Best XBL/PSN/WiiWare Title: Wipeout HD
Best use of graphics: Wipeout HD
Best use of music/sound: Rez HD
Best RPG: Fallout 3
Best Action/Adventure Title: Bionic Commando Rearmed
Best Driving/Racing Title: Wipeout HD
Most Innovative Title: Wii Fit
Biggest Surprise Title: Pure
Most Underappreciated/Overlooked Title: The Club
Biggest Flop (Individual Title): Space Giraffe

[jcalder8]

Best Overall Title: Fallout 3
Best Wii Title: Mario Kart Wii
Best Xbox 360 Title: Fallout 3
Best PS3 Title: Little Big Planet
Best PSP Title: God of War: Chains of Olympus
Best XBL/PSN/WiiWare Title: Bionic Commando:Rearmed
Best use of graphics: MSG 4
Best RPG: Fallout 3
Best Action/Adventure Title: Mirror's Edge
Best Fighting Title: Super Smash Brothers Brawl
Best Music/Rhythm Title: Rockband 2
Best Driving/Racing Title: Mario Kart Wii
Most Innovative Title: Little Big Planet
Biggest Surprise Title: Left 4 Dead
Most Underappreciated/Overlooked Title: Mirror's Edge
Biggest Flop (Individual Title): Animal Crossing

[badinsults]

I haven't played a ton of games, but my choice for game of the year is Left 4 Dead.

[Sudo]

Best Overall Title: Metal Gear Solid 4
Best Wii Title: Okami
Best Xbox 360 Title: Lost Odyssey
Best PS3 Title: Metal Gear Solid 4
Best PS2 Title: Yakuza 2
Best PSP Title: Castlevania: Dracula X Chronicles
Best DS Title: Chrono Trigger
Best XBL/PSN/WiiWare Title: Mega Man 9
Best PC Title: World of Warcraft: Wrath of the Lich King
Best use of graphics: Metal Gear Solid 4
Best use of music/sound: Lost Odyssey
Best RPG: Lost Odyssey
Best Action/Adventure Title: Metal Gear Solid 4
Best Fighting Title: Super Street Fighter II Turbo HD Remix
Best Music/Rhythm Title: Rez HD
Best Sports Title: Tecmo Bowl: Kickoff
Best Driving/Racing Title: Gran Turismo 5 Prologue
Most Innovative Title: LittleBigPlanet
Biggest Surprise Title: Professor Layton
Most Underappreciated/Overlooked Title: Lost Odyssey
Biggest Flop (Individual Title): Haze

[BHvrd]

Best Overall Title: Left 4 Dead

Best Wii Title: Mario Kart

Best Xbox 360 Title: Fable II

Best PS3 Title: Metal Gear Solid 4

Best PS2 Title: Persona 4

Best PSP Title: God of War: Chains of Olympus

Best DS Title: Guitar Hero: On Tour

Best XBL/PSN/WiiWare Title: Bionic Commando: Rearmed (Multi)

Best PC Title: WoW: Wrath of the Lich King

Best use of graphics: Fallout 3 (Multi)

Best use of music/sound: Audiosurf (PC)

Best RPG: Persona 4 (PS2)

Best Action/Adventure Title: No More Heroes (Wii)

Best Fighting Title: Super Smash Bros. Brawl (Wii)

Best Music/Rhythm Title: Guitar Hero: On Tour (DS)

Best Sports Title: Smackdown Vs. Raw 2009 (Multi)

Best Driving/Racing Title: Mario Kart (Wii)

Most Innovative Title: Little Big Planet (PS3)

Biggest Surprise Title: Dead Space (Multi)

Most Underappreciated/Overlooked Title: Resistance 2 (PS3)

Biggest Flop (Individual Title): Haze (PS3)

[GrandAmChandler]

Best Overall Title: Mario Kart Wii
Best Wii Title: Mario Kart Wii
Best Xbox 360 Title: Call of Duty: World at War
Best PS3 Title: Little Big Planet
Best PS2 Title: SNK Arcade Classics Volume 1
Best PSP Title: Patapon
Best DS Title: Castlevania: Order of Ecclesia
Best XBL/PSN/WiiWare Title: Mega Man 9
Best PC Title: Fallout 3
Best use of graphics: Fallout 3
Best use of music/sound: Rock Band 2
Best RPG: Final Fantasy IV (DS)
Best Action/Adventure Title: Call of Duty: World at War
Best Fighting Title: Super Smash Bros. Brawl
Best Music/Rhythm Title: Rock Band 2
Best Sports Title: Tecmo Bowl Kickoff (DS)
Best Driving/Racing Title: Mario Kart Wii
Most Innovative Title: Wii Fit
Biggest Surprise Title: No More Heroes
Most Underappreciated/Overlooked Title: Namco Museum: Virtual Arcade
Biggest Flop (Individual Title): Wii Music

I also propose we add another award category for "Best Strategy Title" - Advance Wars: Days of Ruin

[G-Boobie]

Best Overall Title: Little Big Planet
Best Wii Title: Tatsunoko vs. Capcom
Best Xbox 360 Title: Fallout 3
Best PS3 Title: Metal Gear Solid 4
Best PS2 Title: Persona 4
Best PSP Title: God of War: Chains of Olympus
Best DS Title: Castlevania: Order or Ecclesia
Best XBL/PSN/WiiWare Title: Super Street Fighter II Turbo HD Remix
Best PC Title: Charles Barkley: Shut Up And Jam Gaiden
Best use of graphics: Metal Gear Solid 4
Best use of music/sound: Dead Space
Best RPG: Persona 4
Best Action/Adventure Title: Dead Space
Best Fighting Title: Super Street Fighter II Turbo HD Remix
Best Music/Rhythm Title: Guitar Hero World Tour
Best Sports Title: Tiger Woods '09
Best Driving/Racing Title: Burnout: Paradise
Most Innovative Title: Little Big Planet
Biggest Surprise Title: Castle Crashers
Most Underappreciated/Overlooked Title: Valkyria Chronicles
Biggest Flop (Individual Title): Silent Hill: Homecoming

[jcalder8]

I also propose we add another award category for "Best Strategy Title" - Advance Wars: Days of Ruin
I like the thought of this one but my vote goes to Sid Meier's Civilization Revolution

[kupomogli]

Best PSP Title: Castlevania: Dracula X Chronicles


Released in 2007 in NTSC U and NTSC J territories. 2008 everywhere else.

How would this work if someone else is in a different area?


I also propose we add another award category for "Best Strategy Title" - Advance Wars: Days of Ruin


I like the thought of this one but my vote goes to Sid Meier's Civilization Revolution

Wild ARMs XF for me.

[SegaAges]

Best Overall Title: Sonic Unleashed
Best Xbox 360 Title: Sonic Unleashed
Best DS Title: The World Ends With You
Best XBL/PSN/WiiWare Title: Braid
Best PC Title: Spore
Best use of graphics: Line Rider 2
Best use of music/sound: Rock Band 2
Best RPG: Fable 2
Best Action/Adventure Title: Sonic Unleashed
Best Fighting Title: Virtua Fighter 5 Online
Best Music/Rhythm Title: Rock Band 2
Best Driving/Racing Title: Need for Speed Undercover
Most Innovative Title: Braid
Biggest Surprise Title: Braid
Most Underappreciated/Overlooked Title: Line Rider 2
Biggest Flop (Individual Title): Force Unleashed

A little biased, but I think the game at least deserves a nomination. It is fun enough

[blissfulnoise]

I strongly disagree with the decision to merge the downloadable games into a single category. Arguably, downloadable content was stronger this year than any previous one, so we should be celebrating that.

Best Overall Title: Fallout 3

Fallout 3 accomplished the impossible task of exceeding the expectations of a rabid, hardcore fanbase. Bethesda’s masterwork succeeded in creating a vast, open world via Oblivion, but transporting the theme into the distinctive mold of Fallout's post-apocalyptic pallet with little left behind. Visceral, surprising, and occasionally touching, Fallout 3 further ups the ante of the western RPG.

Best Wii Title: No More Heroes

Suda 51's most subversive game yet. He's managed to force the player to navigate a (purposefully?) obtuse and boring open world environment while mowing lawns and pumping gas in order to get to some of the best beat-em-up play this side of Streets of Rage. Combining just the right amount of waggle (which is liquid smooth) in the over the top, bloody combat; few beat-em-ups achieve this sort of playability. Mix this with an otaku's nightmare of a plot and you have one of the most original offerings on any platform this year.

Honorable Mentions: Super Smash Brothers Brawl, Wii Fit, Endless Ocean

- Smash Brothers Brawl exceeded just about everybody's expectations by putting a tremendous amount of fanservice in. So what if the online play was still pretty shaky months after launch, it featured a boring single player experience, and that the actual fighting formula hasn't evolved much from the N64? All gripes aside, for a Nintendo fan, even a casual one, this is about the best $49.99 you can spend.

- Wii Fit is actually pretty crappy as an exercise tool. Lots of little oversights in the game break up your ability to actually accomplish what the game promises: get fit. While these will no doubt be addressed in the obvious sequel, Wii Fit still accomplished something that no other game this year could even dream of... make people want to lose weight by playing a video game.

- Endless Ocean, while not entirely original, still provided one of the most tranquil experiences this year. Exploring underwater caves in search of elusive fish proved itself to be a very entertaining experience. However, it pretty much just made me look even more forward to the (hopeful) US port of Aquanaut's Holiday on the PS3.

Best Xbox 360 Title: Fallout 3

Honorable Mentions: Gears of War 2, Rock Band 2, Lost Odyssey, Grand Theft Auto IV, Left 4 Dead, Civilization Revolution

- Gears of War 2 took the bigger and better sequel approach and, for the most part, succeeded on all counts. The Horde online mode is a revelation.

- Rock Band 2 took the bigger and better sequel approach and, for the most part, succeeded on all counts. The online integrated World Tour mode is a revelation.

- Grand Theft Auto IV took the bigger and better sequel approach and, for the most part, succeeded on all counts. However, San Andreas featured a better plot, more interesting missions, and had a better integration of the open world. The online modes flopped as well. Why does it make a short list for best of the year? The production values are far and away beyond anything else on this list and the game is ambitious to a fault.

- Lost Odyssey took the big... wait, this is an original IP. Hard as nails random battles, superior graphics, and a fairly mature plot, helped to making Odyssey stand apart from the other "me-took" RPGs this year. While nothing here is groundbreaking, it's still the best traditional RPG experience on the 360.

- Left 4 Dead redefines the meaning of online co-op even allowing you to be the badguy working in cahoots with the nefarious AI director. Playing as a Tank taking out a full party has to have been one of my most satisfying experiences this year. Valve is one of the last developers you know will always deliver you quality.

- Fraxis did the impossible and successfully translated Civilization to an honest to god console version. While a lot was left on the cutting room floor to make it work for console gamers, what made it in was pretty amazing. And what makes this even more successful is there is a compelling reason to play and own both Civilization IV and Civilization Revolutions; one you can finish in a few hours, the other you can finish in a week or so.

Best PS3 Title: LittleBigPlanet

In my heart, this should have been the game of the year. Nothing quite this ambitious has ever been seen on a home console. People may gripe about some of the platform mechanics (pro tip: they're fine) but the sheer scope of the game is leaps and bounds over everyone else. And having sampled some of the best levels online, I can assure you that people are taking advantage of the software. Levels are only going to get better from here. Is it enough of a reason to go buy a PS3? Yes.

Honorable Mentions: Valykria Chronicles, Metal Gear Solid 4

- Valykria Chronicles is one of the most beautiful games on the list and innovated the "ink-drawn" cell-shading style you'll see so much of in 2009 (ahem, Street Fighter IV). It also stands as one of the first Strategy RPG games to integrate real-time movement and actually have it work. In a weaker year, this would be PS3 game of the year. But as it stands, it'll have to take second place.

- Ok, I'll be the first to admit that the plotline of Metal Gear Solid has it's proverbial head up its own ass. Yes, I understand it (it's really not very deep, but just overly complex), but I'll be damned if I can't just hate it entirely. Kojima's style is pretty divisive and despite my best efforts otherwise, I just have to applaud him for finally pulling it all off. The "hotbox" scene in MGSIV is one of the most powerful of the year and, guess what, the game plays pretty great too.

Best PS2 Title: Persona IV

Ok, so I haven't beat it yet. I'm about 30 hours in. And god are the boss fights frustrating. It's still an amazing RPG featuring so many things to do in a day, it becomes easy to get overwhelmed. This year is pretty much the PS2's swan song. It's fitting to have it end with one of the best JRPGs to be released in the US.

Honorable Mentions: Yakuza 2

- I've only played Yakuza 2 briefly but I am anxious to get back to it as soon as I have a chance to do so. But by default, this gets the only other honorable mention as this was not a very good year for the PS2.

Best PSP Title: Patapon

Despite the music boring it's way into my brain (pata pata pata pon), I couldn't stop playing this game earlier this year. Artistically unique on a platform that doesn't offer much variety, Patapon stands out as one of the most original and fun games on the system.

Honorable Mentions: God of War: Chains of Olympus, Crisis Core: Final Fantasy VII

Best DS Title: The World Ends With You

One of the most original RPGs to come out of Japan in years, not to mention an original IP from Square-Enix. This is also one of the essential DS games that actually takes advantage of the platform. Very responsive and smooth gameplay which is challenging on a twitch and on a strategic level. Nevermind the fact it has one of the most unique plots that we've seen in years and executes it to perfection. This is a solid challenger for game of the year.

Honorable Mentions: Chrono Trigger, Korg-10, Professor Layton and the Curious Village, Castlevania: Order of Ecclesia

- Chrono Trigger is a remake with very little added. It's also still Chrono Trigger. Sadly, that's still enough to get onto a best of 2008 list. It either shows just how great the original game is or how little we've really done to improve in the realm of RPGs.

- Korg-10 turns your DS into a MS-10 synthesizer. And that is, in fact, fucking awesome.

- Professor Layton combined a whimsical story filled with some pretty ingenious logic puzzles. A game that is hard to play in large doses due to some of the vastly different approaches you need to take to solve the dilemma of the moment, it is superior in short bursts and shows again that the DS is home to some of the most creative gaming in this generation.

- Ecclesia makes Metroidvania hard as hell. And for that, let us celebrate that Castlevania is, once again, one of the hardest platformers of 2008. It also dials back a lot of the itemization featured in the previous iterations of the series which forces you to actually play it like a Castlevania game. All in all, a great return to form.

Best XBL/PSN/WiiWare Title: Tie: Braid/PixelJunk Eden

Braid has been discussed, rediscussed, and rediscussed about the discussion. I'll try to avoid hyperbole but Braid is one of the crowning achievements in 2008. At first, I felt the game stood a little shallow. Then I saw the got the 8th star ending. Everything was different. Braid has changed what I feel I can expect from a game and the landscape of video gaming is better off for it. My super-secret game of the year.

Likewise, PixelJunk Eden took a very established genre (the 2D platformer) and fused it with an aesthetic, attitude, and control so far ahead of anything else this year. Anyone who claims to be a fan of the platformer who missed this game is doing themselves a huge disservice. Not to mention that the ambiance of play turns it into a blissful experience. My super-dooper-secret game of the year.

Honorable Mentions: Castle Crashers, N+, Rez HD, The Last Guy, WipeOut HD, Super Street Fighter II Turbo HD, Mega Man 9, Bionic Commando Rearmed, 1942: Joint Strike, Trigger Heart Excelica, Portal: Still Alive, Ikaruga, Linger in Shadows, LostWinds

- Instead of going over every one of these fantastic games, let me say this was one of the best years for downloadable games ever, and it is just the beginning of a major shift in where excellent games can be found. If you're not playing these games, you are flatly missing out on some of the best gaming available. Let me also say I haven't played World of Goo yet and it is supposedly very excellent. I blame the Wii's lack of internal storage.

Best PC Title: World of Warcraft: Wrath of the Lich King

Oh do I love and hate the Precious.

Honorable Mentions: None, as I haven't played any other PC games this year except Spore and that isn't very good. Let's just say Sins of a Solar Empire and call it even.

Best Indie PC game: I Wish I Were The Moon.

Best use of graphics: Gears of War 2

Best use of music/sound: Braid

Best RPG: Tie: The World Ends With You/Fallout 3

Best Action/Adventure Title: PixelJunk Eden

Best Fighting Title: Super Street Fighter II Turbo HD.

Best Music/Rhythm Title: Rock Band 2

Best Sports Title: Tiger Woods '09

Best Driving/Racing Title: Burnout Paradise

Most Innovative Title: Tie: Braid/LittleBigPlanet

Biggest Surprise Title: Braid

Most Underappreciated/Overlooked Title: No More Heroes

Biggest Flop (Individual Title): Tie: Animal Crossing: City Folk/Wii Music

[GnawRadar]

Best Overall Title: Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots
Best Wii Title: No More Heroes
Best Xbox 360 Title: Dead Space
Best PS3 Title: Metal Gear Solid 4
Best PS2 Title: Yakuza 2
Best PSP Title: Final Fantasy VII: Crisis Core
Best DS Title: The World Ends With You
Best PSN Title: Super Street Fighter II HD Remix
Best use of graphics: Metal Gear Solid 4
Best use of music/sound: Persona 4
Best RPG: Persona 4
Best Action/Adventure Title: Mirror’s Edge
Best Fighting Title: Super Street Fighter II HD Remix
Best Music/Rhythm Title: Korg DS-10
Most Innovative Title: The World Ends With You
Biggest Surprise Title: Mirror’s Edge
Most Underappreciated/Overlooked Title: Yakuza 2

[Icarus Moonsight]

Best Overall Title: Korg DS-10
Best Wii Title: No More Heroes
Best PSP Title: Star Ocean: First Departure
Best DS Title: Korg DS-10
Best XBL/PSN/WiiWare Title: Mega Man 9
Best use of music/sound: Bangai-O (custom level sharing)
Best RPG: Advance Wars Days of Ruin (or the strat catagory)
Best Action/Adventure Title: No More Heroes
Best Fighting Title: Smash Bros Brawl
Best Sports Title: MLB Power Pros 09
Most Innovative Title: Korg DS-10
Biggest Surprise Title: Space Invaders Extreme
Most Underappreciated/Overlooked Title: Legend of Kage 2
Biggest Flop (Individual Title): Alone in the Dark (all)

Yes, I love that Korg DS. :D

G-Boobie: I have to try out your pick for Best PC game... It sounds intriguing. LOL

EDIT: amended my nomination for Biggest Surprise Title from Korg to SIE.

[JunkTheMagicDragon]

Best Overall Title: Fallout 3
Best Wii Title: No More Heroes
Best Xbox 360 Title: Gears of War 2
Best PS3 Title: MGS4
Best XBL/PSN/WiiWare Title: Braid
Best use of graphics: MGS4
Best use of music/sound: Fallout 3
Best RPG: Fallout 3
Best Action/Adventure Title: Left4Dead
Best Music/Rhythm Title: Rock Band 2
Best Driving/Racing Title: Burnout Paradise
Most Innovative Title: LittleBigPlanet
Biggest Surprise Title: Braid
Most Underappreciated/Overlooked Title: Too Human
Biggest Flop (Individual Title): Wii Music

[Gamemaster_ca_2003]

Best Overall Title: Rock Band 2
Best Wii Title: Super Smash Bros. Brawl
Best Xbox 360 Title: Rock Band 2
Best PS3 Title: GTA IV
Best PS2 Title: Pinball Hall of Fame: The Williams Collection
Best PSP Title: Space Invaders: Extreme
Best XBL/PSN/WiiWare Title: Tetris Splash
Best PC Title: TrackMania Nations(United) Forever
Best use of graphics: GTA IV
Best use of music/sound: Rock Band 2
Best RPG: Fallout 3
Best Fighting Title: Super Smash Bros. Brawl and MK vs. DC Universe
Best Music/Rhythm Title: Rock Band 2
Best Sports Title: NHL 09
Best Driving/Racing Title: TrackMania Nations(United) Forever
Most Innovative Title: LittleBigPlanet
Biggest Surprise Title: MK vs. DC Universe
Most Underappreciated/Overlooked Title: Pinball Hall of Fame: The Williams Collection
Biggest Flop (Individual Title): TNA iMPACT

[theshizzle3000]

Of the few games that I have played I can vote for these few at least:

Best Music/Rhythm Title: Guitar Hero: World Tour

Most Innovative Title: Little Big Planet

[TurboGenesis]

Best Overall Title: Little Big Planet
Best Wii Title: Super Smash Bros. Brawl
Best Xbox 360 Title: Raiden Fighters Aces
Best PS3 Title: Little Big Planet
Best PS2 Title: Thunder Force VI
Best PSP Title: Star Ocean: First Departure
Best DS Title: Castlevania: Order of Ecclesia
Best XBL/PSN/WiiWare Title: Star Soldier R
Best PC Title: n/a
Best use of graphics: Gears of War 2?
Best use of music/sound: Lost Odyssey
Best RPG: Lost Odyssey
Best Action/Adventure Title: :?
Best Fighting Title: Soul Caliber IV
Best Music/Rhythm Title: Rock Band 2
Best Sports Title: NBA 2K9
Best Driving/Racing Title: Mario Kart Wii
Most Innovative Title: Little Big Planet
Biggest Surprise Title: Little Big Planet
Most Underappreciated/Overlooked Title: Otomedius Gorgeous
Biggest Flop (Individual Title): Wii Music

I may do some edits?

[CaptainFalcon13]

overall-Fable 2
wii-Brawl
360-Fable 2
PS3-Metal Gear Solid 4
PSP-who cares
DS-Professor Layton
PC-WoW: Lich King
graphics-Fallout 3
sound-Rock Band 2
RPG-Fallout 3
Action-Dead Space
Fighting-Soul Caliber 4
Music- Rock Band 2
Sports-NBA 2K9
Driving-Mario Kart Wii
innovative-Wii Fit
Surprise-Dead Space
Under-appreciated-Prince of Persia
flop- Gears 2

[Drifter 2000]

Best Overall Title: Grand Theft Auto IV
Best Wii Title: No More Heroes
Best Xbox 360 Title: Fable 2
Best PS3 Title: Little Big Planet
Best PS2 Title: Thunder Force VI
Best PSP Title: God of War: Chains of Olympus
Best DS Title: Space Invaders Extreme
Best XBL/PSN/WiiWare Title: Mega Man 9
Best PC Title: Neverwinter Nights 2: Storm of Zehir
Best use of graphics: Fallout 3
Best use of music/sound: Braid
Best RPG: Neverwinter Nights 2: Storm of Zehir
Best Action/Adventure Title: Dead Space
Best Fighting Title: Mortal Kombat vs DC Universe
Best Music/Rhythm Title: Rock Band 2
Best Sports Title: NHL 09
Best Driving/Racing Title: Burnout Paradise
Most Innovative Title:Little Big Planet
Biggest Surprise Title: Braid
Most Underappreciated/Overlooked Title: Bangai-O Spirits!
Biggest Flop (Individual Title): Prince of Persia

If you decide to add Best Strategy Game: Civilization IV: Colonization

[swlovinist]

Best Overall Title: Left 4 Dead
Best Wii Title: Mario Kart Wii
Best Xbox 360 Title: Left 4 Dead
Best PS3 Title: Metal Gear Solid 4
Best PS2 Title: Yakuza 2
Best PSP Title: God of War Chains of Olympus
Best DS Title: Space Invaders Extreme
Best XBL/PSN/WiiWare Title: Mega Man 9
Best PC Title: Wow newest expansion
Best use of graphics: Gears of War 2
Best use of music/sound: Left 4 Dead
Best RPG: Persona 4
Best Action/Adventure Title: Star Wars Force Unleashed
Best Fighting Title: Soul Calibur IV
Best Music/Rhythm Title: Popotan PSP
Best Sports Title: Tecmo Football DS
Best Driving/Racing Title: Burnout Paradise
Most Innovative Title: Left 4 Dead
Biggest Surprise Title: Left 4 Dead
Most Underappreciated/Overlooked Title: Valkyrie Chronicles(PS3)
Biggest Flop (Individual Title): Wii Music

[chicnstu]

Best Overall Title: Devil May Cry 4 - Seriously, I can't figure out why people think this game is worse than Devil May Cry 3. The combat system is greatly improved with many more combos, the story was very well done with awesome action sequences, it even had perfect lip-syncing! Plus the people that were complaining they didn't want to play as Nero got to play as Dante. And Dante gains a lot of new very creative weapons.

Best Wii Title: Super Smash Bros. Brawl

Best Xbox 360 Title: Devil May Cry 4

Best PS3 Title: Devil May Cry 4

Best PS2 Title: Persona 4

Best PSP Title: God of War: Chains of Olympus

Best DS Title: Chrono Trigger - a re-release , I would probably vote for The World Ends With You if I had played it.

Best XBL/PSN/WiiWare Title: Mega Man 9

Best PC Title: Uh-oh, I hate PC games...

Best use of graphics: Grand Theft Auto IV - honestly, Gears of War 2 doesn't look great to me, compared to other games.

Best use of music/sound: Lost Odyssey

Best RPG: Fallout 3 - Would have been Lost Odyssey, but I had to nominate Fallout 3 for something

Best Action/Adventure Title: Devil May Cry 4

Best Fighting Title: Super Smash Bros. Brawl

Best Music/Rhythm Title: Haven't ever played a Guitar Hero/Rock Band/Lips etc...

Best Sports Title: Don't enjoy sports games...so I can't nominate.

Best Driving/Racing Title: Mario Kart Wii

Most Innovative Title: Wii Fit

Biggest Surprise Title: Wii Fit - a game about losing weight? That's amazing.

Most Underappreciated/Overlooked Title: Banjo Kazooie: Nuts and Bolts

Biggest Flop (Individual Title): Legendary - the trailers showed the staff members trying to be cool like the game was going to be some super awesome revolution in gaming, it makes the game feel even more terrible.

I think many people will nominate their favorite games instead of giving their opinion of what was the overall "best" in each category, and of course they will nominate the games they hate or are too insecure to play for Biggest Flop.

To the topic creator: Some people might have trouble thinking of the different games that released last year, what they can do is go to gamerankings.com, do an advanced search, and select the date range.

[modest9797]

Best Overall Title: Fable II
Best Wii Title: SSBB
Best Xbox 360 Title: Fable II
Best XBL/PSN/WiiWare Title: Mega Man 9
Best use of graphics: GTA IV
Best use of music/sound: Condemned 2: Bloodshot
Best RPG: Fable II
Best Action/Adventure Title: Condemned 2: Bloodshot
Best Fighting Title: Mortal Kombat vs. DC
Best Music/Rhythm Title: Rock Band 2
Best Sports Title: Madden 09
Best Driving/Racing Title: Burnout Paradise
Most Innovative Title: Civilization Revolution
Biggest Surprise Title: Civilization Revolustion
Most Underappreciated/Overlooked Title: Viva Pinata: Trouble in Paradise
Biggest Flop (Individual Title): Devil May Cry 4