Super Mario Galaxy voted 'best game' by BAFTA
by Randy Nelson 
{ Mar 11th 2009 at 3:00AM } 
Meanwhile, Call of Duty 4 earned the title of "People's Choice" winner based on votes placed via BAFTA's website. In an epic upset, Grand Theft Auto IV won exactly ... zero awards, despite being nominated in seven categories. That's alright; it's selling just fine. You'll find the full list of categories and respective winners after the break.
Best Action & Adventure Game
Fable II
Best Artistic Achievement
LittleBigPlanet
Best Casual Game
Boom Blox
Best Gameplay
Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare
Best Handheld Game
Professor Layton and the Curious Village
Best Multiplayer Game
Left 4 Dead
Best Original Score
Dead Space
Best Sports Game
Race Driver: GRID
Best Strategy Game
Sid Meier's Civilization Revolution
Best Story & Character
Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare
Best Technical Achievement
Spore
Best Use of Audio
Dead Space
BAFTA Ones to Watch Award
Boro-Toro
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Michelobius @ Mar 11th 2009 3:05AM
So... many... videogame... awards....
*suffocates*
http://www.examiner.com/x-3414-Minneapolis-Video-Game-Examiner~y2009m2d23-Video-game-awards-shows
Markez @ Mar 11th 2009 11:59AM
Do you live in my motherland of Minneaps or what?
Michelobius @ Mar 11th 2009 2:44PM
I do. South Side. Where you from?
Markez @ Mar 11th 2009 3:07PM
Before I moved to San Diego recently I'd been living in St. Louis Park. Prior to that I was living in Uptown for awhile, before that Dinkytown during college and a few years after.
Cena @ Mar 11th 2009 3:14AM
Well deserved.
GrossGreg @ Mar 11th 2009 7:06AM
Agreed. This game blew my mind.
Obie @ Mar 11th 2009 9:31AM
I am listening to the soundtrack as we speak. You better make a follow up Nintendo!
Markez @ Mar 11th 2009 12:01PM
Can't say I'm familiar with all the games on the list, but the Galaxy score is one that stays with you. I probably actually haven't even touched it in 6 months, and didn't finish it, but I still remember the music. It was good stuff.
acefondu @ Mar 11th 2009 12:31PM
Yes! Couldn't agree more. I wish I could agree more, but I can't, it's not physically possible. Loved every minute of that game.
Baby J Penn (PSN johnnynumber5) @ Mar 11th 2009 1:56PM
Galaxy was a pretty good game. I thought Wario Shake It was a better game but thats just my personal preference. I enjoyed playing through Call Of Duty 4 more so than Galaxy but they were both fantastic single player experiences.
Cena @ Mar 11th 2009 2:03PM
The score was absolutely beautiful. I couldn't help but smile when I started digging into Good Egg Galaxy. Good ish, man.
Dr Jeckyl and Mr ESC. @ Mar 11th 2009 3:15AM
That game kicked ass back in 2007 I think that was my GOTY back then.
Cod4 was awesome but by the final levels of the game it stopped showing bombastic stuff and was just frustrating even so I got all the achievements, High Five!
Bioshock I still replay the Final Boss fight every now and then but the Camera makes the game too easy even on hard.The second you get the research camera you win the game.x/+3 of damge on a Big Daddy OMGWTFBBQ
CJLopez @ Mar 11th 2009 11:40AM
Oh, come on!!!!
The final mission was AWESOME!!!!
Of course, reminded me of the final mission of bombimg the mustard gas factory on Medal Of Honor Allied Assault, but then again, it was quite hard and awesome mission!!!!
Also, the one in the plane, man, i want a game like that, Rainbow Six Vegas ain't doing it for me
Comtar @ Mar 11th 2009 3:55AM
Agreed, Mario Galaxy was easily my number one game of 2007, and the list of Game of the Year awards it received seem to agree with me. But I'm not sure if it was as good as some of the games that came out THIS year, like Fallout 3.
Lee @ Mar 11th 2009 8:07AM
Fallout 3 was out in 2009? Guess I banged my head and thought that was NOT out this year.
Btw, read the first reply to the post before yours for an explanation.
Btw, you are wrong.
c0bra95 @ Mar 11th 2009 3:42AM
Why is a game from '07 competing with last year's games again?
Markusdragon @ Mar 11th 2009 5:14AM
Because they moved their awards from October to March (a sensible idea, as October is before all the AAA games come out), thus making it necessary to include games from the full 18 months between the two ceremonies.
Premature ejaculation man @ Mar 11th 2009 4:10AM
Ur Mr Gay is one of the most fun games I own. The only thing in it that I can complain about (this is the graphics whore in me) is that it cannot be run in 720p, it'd look even more brilliant with a very crisp picture.
Ridgecity @ Mar 11th 2009 4:33AM
Super Mario Galaxy deserves that title, specially since it is the only original game in that list, and before you say it's a mario sequel, it's gameplay is too different to be called a sequel.
I'm surprised GTA didn't win anything, now it will go in the bestseller category that Madden and Fifa thrives on.
Noshino @ Mar 11th 2009 9:26AM
I personally thought Galaxy was okish, not as great as many claimed, but since its got a lot of praise, I don't talk much about it...
But this? your comment is full of bs
"Super Mario Galaxy deserves that title, specially since it is the only original game in that list, and before you say it's a mario sequel, it's gameplay is too different to be called a sequel."
Galaxy is not original, and yes, it is a sequel.
How can you claim that the gameplay is different when the basic Mario concept still there? not only that, but the most of the freaking cast still there!
Hell, by your definition, all the Ratchet and Clank games wouldn't be sequels, nor the Devil May Cry games, pretty much most games, once again by your definition, wouldn't have a sequel!
Vegeta (DAT ASS!!!) @ Mar 11th 2009 12:24PM
"Galaxy is not original, and yes, it is a sequel."
Now I'm wondering if you've ever played a Mario game. With the exception of the Mario RPGS, Mario games are not sequels since there are absolutely no connection to them besides using the same main characters.
You wouldn't say Ocarina of Time is a sequel to Link's awakening now would you?
Baby J Penn (PSN johnnynumber5) @ Mar 11th 2009 2:12PM
Galaxy isn't much different than the other 3-d mario games from a basic gameplay standpoint. The only real difference was the wii controls and "gravity" that didn't change the cameras orientation when you walked on different surfaces. Truth be told the game probably could have been done on the Game Cube without a huge degredation in quality from a technical standpoint. I don't take any exception to Galaxy winning the award because it was a good game. However, I do take exception when someone says it was the only original game nominated for the award.
COD Modern Warfare was equally original as Galaxy within the context of the series. Even of they were Noshino make a great point in that just because something is a sequel doesn't mean it lacks originality. If Modern Warfare is an un-original sequel then so is Mario Galaxy. They both have a formula that they follow while adding brand new subject matter, environments, story elements and gameplay mechanics.
Baby J Penn (PSN johnnynumber5) @ Mar 11th 2009 2:21PM
Vegeeta
"Galaxy is not original, and yes, it is a sequel."
"Now I'm wondering if you've ever played a Mario game. With the exception of the Mario RPGS, Mario games are not sequels since there are absolutely no connection to them besides using the same main characters."
"You wouldn't say Ocarina of Time is a sequel to Link's awakening now would you?"
You also just described Call Of Duty Modern Warfare. The difference being that there weren't any of the same characters from the other games like in Mario. Modern Warfare has no connection to any other COD game other than the name. My question is that if it has the same characters and is a "new adventure" or whatever by said characters how is it not a sequel? By the broad definition of a sequel which is "anything that happens after or as a result of something else" it is a sequel because it happens after something else. Now, I wouldn't consider it a direct sequel but it is still the adventures of Mario and friends. I guess you could make a good argument for it being a sequel and for it not being a sequel. However, if COD 4 is a sequel then so is Galaxy. They are both continuations of a narrative within a universe. It's pretty vague but it loosely fits into that mold. Personally I don't think either of them are sequels unless you se the more ambigious definition of the term.
Roto13 @ Mar 11th 2009 3:10PM
"Super Mario Galaxy deserves that title, specially since it is the only original game in that list, and before you say it's a mario sequel, it's gameplay is too different to be called a sequel."
The basic Mario principles are there. It's a pretty Mario game, you know. It's definitely a sequel.
"You wouldn't say Ocarina of Time is a sequel to Link's awakening now would you?"
Of course not, don't be absurd. Ocarina of Time is obviously a PREQUEL to Link's Awakening.
Level 5 @ Mar 11th 2009 6:01AM
Yeah it's an 07 game and all, but I do have to say that Super Mario Galaxy is one of the best games I have ever played. Screw the Wii vs HD debate, and all that noise. Just pure fun and magic in the way that only Nintendo can do.
SoCoolCurt (PSN: KillaKornbread - XBL: SoCoolCurt) @ Mar 11th 2009 6:15AM
huh. didn't think that would win anything now considering it came out almost 2 years ago now. it was a great game (not quite as good as 64 cause it was kinda easy) but i thought it's time had passed already. i actually sold my copy to a friend who wanted it for her kids for christmas. wouldn't mind playing through it again though now.....
Snowblind @ Mar 11th 2009 9:18AM
I think Mario Galaxy had the perfect difficulty level. Some parts were challenging, but never to the point where it was annoying or frustrating. I'm still not a huge fan of the Wii, but Mario Galaxy is easily one of my favourite games ever, it alone is reason enough to get a Wii.
www.darrencarnall.com @ Mar 11th 2009 6:39AM
I'm ashamed to say I stll don't own Galaxy and have never played it. Although I *really* want to..... must. sort. bank balance.
GrossGreg @ Mar 11th 2009 7:08AM
Sell one of your kidneys; it's worth it.
Gehodra @ Mar 11th 2009 7:17AM
Heck, sell BOTH of your kidneys; it's worth it.
m-p{3} @ Mar 11th 2009 7:12AM
I purchased the game about a month ago, and I can say it worth any penny I spent on it. My favorite Nintendo Wii game.
AwesomeTown @ Mar 11th 2009 7:46AM
There have been some fantastic games since the release of Super Mario Galaxy, but for me at least, I don't think there was anything that was more memorable.
Lee @ Mar 11th 2009 8:05AM
And 100% deserved. So far in summing up this gen I'd put this game at the top of any accolade lists. Imaginative, fun. The only thing it lacked was progession originality but I guess thats all part of the 3D Mario design.
Beautiful art, music and gameplay.
Just a bit dissapointed that this will be the last time Nintendo do amazing for another 5 or so years.
The Dark Wayne @ Mar 11th 2009 8:18AM
i didnt think Dead Space had a real memorable score, I say that because I can't remember it
Haohmaru @ Mar 11th 2009 8:19AM
They chose well. There hasn't been a better platformer released for either this generation or the last. Good to see LBP getting some recognition, too.
Haohmaru @ Mar 11th 2009 8:26AM
I was thinking the same thing. Among the nominees listed, I think my personal "Most Memorable Score" award would probably have gone to Super Mario Galaxy. Unless games with licensed songs count, in which case I'd say LBP.
♫If you ever step on my patch..♫
mr mobius @ Mar 11th 2009 8:41AM
I'm so glad that Mario got top trumps in the awards. This game still manages to amaze me a year after buying it. I wasn't as mad about Sunshine (still amazing) but Galaxy blew my expectations away from the beginning.
I would have voted for it getting best score though.
Also, wasn't World of Goo up for some award? Where the hell has it's award went?
Anam @ Mar 11th 2009 8:47AM
It's a sad day for strategy fans when a dumbed-down version of Civilization 4 is the best strategy game of the year (and a half).
Chris D.(PSN: Aggie_CEO | XBL:The Aggie CEO | Steam: Aggie_CEO @ Mar 11th 2009 8:54AM
I only wish the game looked as good as that screen
Cody @ Mar 11th 2009 9:19AM
What kind of TV are you playing on? Cuz it does.
doug @ Mar 11th 2009 9:01AM
I am a huge sont fan, and right now my wii is doing nothing but collecting dust, but i have to agree with mario galaxy being game of the year. As a matter of fact, i think i would go as far as say its the BEST game i have ever played, on any console. My girlfriend and I have completetd galazy with both mario and luigi three times, and we have no plans to stop playing. The game was amazing from start to finish and i cant wait to play the next mario game. Does anyone know when that will be released and if its going to be for the wii?
Ethan @ Mar 11th 2009 9:59AM
I'm inclined to agree.
Blazur @ Mar 11th 2009 10:05AM
It's probably one of the best games you could get for the Wii. While that's not saying much, it's still a commendable feat.
required @ Mar 11th 2009 12:17PM
Isn't that Mario-Yet-Again game three years old now?
Eccentric-Servbot @ Mar 11th 2009 1:25PM
Very, very, very, very well deserved.
I'm just hoping the next main Mario game in the works can live up to Galaxy's epic awesomeness!
Roto13 @ Mar 11th 2009 3:12PM
Mario Galaxy is a strong contender for the title of "Best Game Ever."
krizoitz @ Mar 11th 2009 7:55PM
So it was a candidate for Best Game, but they didn't even include it as an option for Player's Choice? Guess they didn't want it winning both which is really lame.
Stackable Ernie @ Mar 12th 2009 8:31AM
Good for Mario!! I love this game!