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Money can buy you a lot of things, but it can't buy you patience. You can't really put a price on the ability to abandon that must-have, do-want and day-one impulse -- and if you could, it would probably cost quite a bit more than what you hope to save by simply taking a deep breath and waiting for the hottest game to cool down.

If this holiday season has granted you a brand new console with an old and bloated backlog, you might find a good selection in 2008's best games, particularly in Joystiq's top ten favorites. Read on to find the industry's former best, now with a year's worth of price erosion.


Continue reading Live in the Past, It's Cheaper (2009 Edition)

JoystiqLive in the Past, It's Cheaper (2009 Edition) originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 22 Dec 2009 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>best-of-2008buyers-guidediscount-video-gamesgoty-2008holiday-2009holidaze-2009live-in-the-past-its-cheaperMicrosoftXbox-360Tue, 22 Dec 2009 15:00:00 EST<![CDATA[BAFTA awards to settle the 'Super Mario Galaxy vs. COD4' debate]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/02/10/bafta-awards-to-settle-the-super-mario-galaxy-vs-cod4-debate/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/02/10/bafta-awards-to-settle-the-super-mario-galaxy-vs-cod4-debate/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/02/10/bafta-awards-to-settle-the-super-mario-galaxy-vs-cod4-debate/#comments
Also, sponsored by GAME

Alright, perhaps "debate" is a somewhat enthusiastic label for a question none of us have ever seriously considered. Which is more worthy of a prestigious award -- the cratered theater of war in Activision's Call of Duty 4, or the smiling planetoids of Super Mario Galaxy? We can't come up with a way to decide, which is precisely why we're grateful that the GAME British Academy Video Games Awards (for games that are sold by GAME) have decided to lump both into the "Best Game" category:
  • Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare
  • Fable II
  • Fallout 3
  • Grand Theft Auto IV
  • Rock Band
  • Super Mario Galaxy
Before you object to the British Academy of Film and Television Arts' seemingly outdated choices, note that the period of valid entries spans October 26, 2007 to December 31, 2008 due to an earlier delay in ceremonies. The messy result, of course, is two Novembers duking it out. You'll see the rest of the quality-riddled categories after the break.

Continue reading BAFTA awards to settle the 'Super Mario Galaxy vs. COD4' debate

JoystiqBAFTA awards to settle the 'Super Mario Galaxy vs. COD4' debate originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 10 Feb 2009 16:54:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>AwardsBAFTAbest-of-2008Call-of-Duty-4COD4GAMESuper-Mario-GalaxyTue, 10 Feb 2009 16:54:00 EST<![CDATA[These are the real top games of 2008]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/01/20/these-are-the-real-top-games-of-2008/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/01/20/these-are-the-real-top-games-of-2008/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/01/20/these-are-the-real-top-games-of-2008/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,


Who cares which games Joystiq lovingly selected as 2008's best? The only games that count are the ones chosen by George Washington and Ben Franklin, and we don't mean Imagine Founderz. We're talking about the top-selling titles of the year. By combining some platform-spanning SKUs, MTV came up with what it thinks is the most accurate top 5, more so than the one released by the NPD earlier this month.

The top slot is still held by Wii Play, but we think you'll be surprised by how the other four positions shake out. See the full list right after the break.

Continue reading These are the real top games of 2008

JoystiqThese are the real top games of 2008 originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 20 Jan 2009 18:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>best-of-2008DSnpdPCPS2PS3PSPtop-5WiiXbox-360Tue, 20 Jan 2009 18:45:00 EST<![CDATA[Best of the Rest: Chris' Picks of 2008]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/01/07/best-of-the-rest-chris-picks-of-2008/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/01/07/best-of-the-rest-chris-picks-of-2008/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/01/07/best-of-the-rest-chris-picks-of-2008/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,


Penny Arcade Adventures: On the Rain-Slick Precipice of Darkness
It's almost a no-brainer if you know me: Take the Penny Arcade "universe," send it back in time, turn it into an episodic video game - blending old-school adventure and Final Fantasy-style turn-based RPG mechanics - and then have PA's Jerry Holkins (aka Tycho) handle the writing while adventure-game legend Ron Gilbert pitches in with design. Oh, and then release it on every platform under the sun, including Windows, Mac OS X, Linux, Xbox Live Arcade, and PSN. Perfection.

Oh, and the first installment was really great (I'm still working through Episode 2).

Continue reading Best of the Rest: Chris' Picks of 2008

JoystiqBest of the Rest: Chris' Picks of 2008 originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 07 Jan 2009 21:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>best-of-2008best-of-the-rest-2008DSPCPS3WiiXbox-360Wed, 07 Jan 2009 21:00:00 EST<![CDATA[DS Daily: Your 2008 GOTY]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/01/07/ds-daily-your-2008-goty/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/01/07/ds-daily-your-2008-goty/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/01/07/ds-daily-your-2008-goty/#commentsFiled under:

We know we asked you about the most surprising game of 2008, but which was your overall favorite? We know this can be difficult, seeing as how the DS was the recipient of many amazing games this year. But, hey, that's how it is for that wonderful handheld.

Which of the plethora of great games that released in 2008 would you say was the best of the bunch? Was it on our list?

JoystiqDS Daily: Your 2008 GOTY originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 07 Jan 2009 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>best-of-2008game-of-the-yearWed, 07 Jan 2009 09:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Wii Warm Up: Your 2008 GOTY]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/01/07/wii-warm-up-your-2008-goty/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/01/07/wii-warm-up-your-2008-goty/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/01/07/wii-warm-up-your-2008-goty/#commentsFiled under:


We're quite amazed we haven't asked you this yet, to tell the truth. It's pretty straightforward. What Wii game would you crown as best of the lot in 2008? Is it a WiiWare game? Is it a retail game? Was it on our list?

JoystiqWii Warm Up: Your 2008 GOTY originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 07 Jan 2009 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>best-of-2008game-of-the-yearWed, 07 Jan 2009 08:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Best of the Rest: Justin's Picks of 2008]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/01/05/best-of-the-rest-justins-picks-of-2008/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/01/05/best-of-the-rest-justins-picks-of-2008/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/01/05/best-of-the-rest-justins-picks-of-2008/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,


Spider-Man: Web of Shadows (X360)
"Wait, did he just start his list with Spider-Man: Web of Shadows?" Yes, internet. Yes, I absolutely did. Besides being the best superhero game ever made, WoS also featured some genuinely funny writing, an addictive RPG-lite structure and utterly fantastic combat. It was fun from beginning to end and I want to play it again right now. Critical darling? No, it wasn't. But this is how I'm rolling this year, so deal with it.

You really should have seen my personal top five for our GOTY voting. It was flawless, just a gorgeous amalgamation of hardcore favorites with just enough love for the casual crowd. It was so good, in fact, that I'm going to completely flip out and use my best of the rest picks as indulgently as I possibly can.

Continue reading Best of the Rest: Justin's Picks of 2008

JoystiqBest of the Rest: Justin's Picks of 2008 originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 05 Jan 2009 18:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>best-of-2008best-of-the-rest-2008DSPCPS3PSPWiiXbox-360Mon, 05 Jan 2009 18:29:00 EST<![CDATA[Best of the Rest: Ludwig's Picks of 2008]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/01/02/best-of-the-rest-ludwigs-picks-of-2008/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/01/02/best-of-the-rest-ludwigs-picks-of-2008/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/01/02/best-of-the-rest-ludwigs-picks-of-2008/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,


Prince of Persia
Wait ... really? This is in my personal list and not our main top ten? Look, I love my coworkers, but I'm going to punch them all in their stupid, stupid faces for this disgrace. Prince of Persia is one of this year's most elegantly designed games, one that does away with disruptive deaths and punishing repetition. While I'll concede that the difficulty posed to veteran platforming fans (myself included) is minor, I think it's naive to believe that every game is -- or should be -- designed with a similar, player-opposed intent and structure. This game and its seamless expression of motion isn't meant to be beaten, but enjoyed and absorbed. It's inspired, poetic and even funny. So what if it was easy?

Continue reading Best of the Rest: Ludwig's Picks of 2008

JoystiqBest of the Rest: Ludwig's Picks of 2008 originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 02 Jan 2009 21:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>best-of-2008best-of-the-rest-2008DSPS3PSPWiiXbox-360Fri, 02 Jan 2009 21:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Best of the Rest: Jason's Picks of 2008]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/01/02/best-of-the-rest-jasons-picks-of-2008/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/01/02/best-of-the-rest-jasons-picks-of-2008/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/01/02/best-of-the-rest-jasons-picks-of-2008/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,


Culdcept Saga
Culdcept's unique blending of Monopoly and card collecting finally tapped these shores in February. Though the series has never enjoyed much recognition outside of Japan, take one trip around the board and you'll see why Culdcept Saga remains one of the most addictive and fun strategy games available for any platform.

Continue reading Best of the Rest: Jason's Picks of 2008

JoystiqBest of the Rest: Jason's Picks of 2008 originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 02 Jan 2009 13:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>best-of-2008best-of-the-rest-2008DSPCPS3WiiXbox-360Fri, 02 Jan 2009 13:28:00 EST<![CDATA[Peter Moore: 'WTF? WHERE THE HELL IS FIFA 09' and other ruminations on Eurogamer's Top 50]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/01/02/peter-moore-wtf-where-the-hell-is-fifa-09-and-other-ruminati/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/01/02/peter-moore-wtf-where-the-hell-is-fifa-09-and-other-ruminati/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/01/02/peter-moore-wtf-where-the-hell-is-fifa-09-and-other-ruminati/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Peter Man Tell 'Em has kicked off '09 with a wildly entertaining review of Eurogamer's "Top 50 Games of 2008," headlining with the question on all of our minds: Where The FIFA? From the outset, Peter Moore's rant makes it clear that his is a man's world, summoning well wishes for his distinctly heterosexual males club -- also known as EA Sports Nation: "I hope you all have had a restful few days and have been able to get your sports fix in front of the TV without your wife/girlfriend/mom/mum giving you a bad time ... "

In Peter Man's real talk, there is no place for the seemingly sissy; games like Bangai-O Spirits or World of Goo. And Tomb Raider in the Top 50? No thanks. Who wants to play as ... a girl? (Note: Please excuse Boom Blox and Mirror's Edge's apparent lack of manliness -- trust Moore, it's in the game.) But, beneath the posturing exterior, Peter Man drops hints of latent insecurity. Though Moore has membership in an elite fraternity of buff game execs (true story: the presidency was decided by an arm wrestling match between Moore and Strauss -- guess who won?), he is just as susceptible as the rest of us are to body image issues perpetuated by games. How could Peter Man not be threatened by the sheer power of the Bangai-O bots? Or the Goo's killer combo of unrivaled flexibility and unnerving strength? Or Ms. Lara's emasculating sexuality?

The real tell, though, is this: "I was surprised to see Wii Fit included [at #25], which I thought would make the top 10," writes Moore. Clearly, this is a man obsessed with mastering the physical potentials of the body. A perfect fit for EA Sports, then. And a great businessman to boot. While the media continues the "Wii dissing," Peter Man is heaping on the Nintendo praise. After all, a man's world is measured by units. And no one put more units in gamers' hands -- heck! under their feet, too -- than Nintendo did last year.

JoystiqPeter Moore: 'WTF? WHERE THE HELL IS FIFA 09' and other ruminations on Eurogamer's Top 50 originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 02 Jan 2009 12:26:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>best-of-2008eaea-sportsElectronic-Artspeter-mooreFri, 02 Jan 2009 12:26:00 EST<![CDATA[PSP Game of the Year, as chosen by other media outlets]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/01/02/psp-game-of-the-year-as-chosen-by-other-media-outlets/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/01/02/psp-game-of-the-year-as-chosen-by-other-media-outlets/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/01/02/psp-game-of-the-year-as-chosen-by-other-media-outlets/#commentsFiled under:


While the PSP library was rather small this year, it still had a number of high quality gems (all released in the first half of 2008). The diversity of PSP's library is reflected in the diversity of critic's choices for their PSP Game of the Year. We chose God of War, but other outlets had differing ideas.
  • GamePro chose Patapon as handheld GOTY. "This hasn't been the best year for portable systems, but there were a few bright spots. The PSP, surprisingly, garnered 75 percent of the vote."
  • GameTrailers chose God of War: Chains of Olympus. "It has it all. And it has it on the go."
  • GameSpot chose Crisis Core: Final Fantasy VII. "The ending is also one of the most emotional moments in gaming, and the ability to achieve this level of storytelling on the PSP is an incredible feat. Crisis Core: Final Fantasy VII is not only one of the best games on the PSP, but it's one of the best role-playing games we've seen in a long time."
  • GameSpy chose God of War: Chains of Olympus. "Ready at Dawn's graceful touch makes Chains of Olympus feel like a real handheld experience rather than a PS2 game with a smaller screen and longer load times."
  • IGN chose Patapon. "It's just pure, simple, unadulterated fun, and it's fun that quickly spirals into outright addiction as more commands and unit types are unlocked throughout the course of the game."

JoystiqPSP Game of the Year, as chosen by other media outlets originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 02 Jan 2009 11:04:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>best-of-2008Fri, 02 Jan 2009 11:04:00 EST<![CDATA[PS3 Game of the Year, as chosen by other media outlets]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/01/02/ps3-game-of-the-year-as-chosen-by-other-media-outlets/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/01/02/ps3-game-of-the-year-as-chosen-by-other-media-outlets/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/01/02/ps3-game-of-the-year-as-chosen-by-other-media-outlets/#commentsFiled under:


Choosing a GOTY in 2008 was far more difficult than in 2007. Why? The number of great games on PS3 exploded in 2008. However, the writers and readers of PS3 Fanboy both agreed on one game: Metal Gear Solid 4. It was a tough vote, with LittleBigPlanet creeping in right behind it.

Last year, critics were pretty much unanimous about one choice: Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare. However, the diversity of PS3's lineup this year shows how even the critics are varied in their choice for PS3 GOTY. Here are what some other outlets chose:
  • GamePro chose LittleBigPlanet as PS3 and overall GOTY. "Despite the deluge of ultra-violent shooters, our favorite game this year was the user-fueled platforming fun of LittleBigPlanet."
  • GameTrailers chose Grand Theft Auto 4 as PS3 and overall GOTY. "The game manages to create characters and situations that make you genuinely care."
  • GameSpot chose Metal Gear Solid 4 as PS3 and overall GOTY. "It's surprisingly easy to pick up and, at the risk of sounding cliche, it's almost impossible to put down even after you've beaten it."
  • GameSpy chose LittleBigPlanet (but chose Fallout 3 as its overall GOTY). "There's nothing like this game anywhere else, and that's the beauty of LittleBigPlanet."
  • IGN chose Metal Gear Solid 4. "Metal Gear Solid managed to tie almost every plot point together, piled on the cinematic flair and played more accessibly than any previous game in the series"
  • Joystiq chose Metal Gear Solid 4 as their top PS3 game of the year. "MGS4 experiments with previously unknown possibilities of the medium (you know, it's "innovative"), while sticking to some established conventions."

JoystiqPS3 Game of the Year, as chosen by other media outlets originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 02 Jan 2009 10:51:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>best-of-2008Fri, 02 Jan 2009 10:51:00 EST<![CDATA[Best of the Rest: Ross' picks of 2008]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/01/02/best-of-the-rest-ross-picks-of-2008/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/01/02/best-of-the-rest-ross-picks-of-2008/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/01/02/best-of-the-rest-ross-picks-of-2008/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,


Prince of Persia
I spent an entire day writing this one paragraph, trying to figure out how to best describe how I feel about the game. Two of the three words I wrote down -- poetic, elegant, artistic -- happen to be in Ludwig's Best of the Rest entry for it, and given that you've probably heard that angle ad infinitum from other sources as well, let me instead discuss the optional dialogue, which at times made me laugh as much as Monkey Island did years ago. Protip: Whenever possible, hit the "Talk to Elika" button until the camera stops zooming in -- trust us, you don't want to miss the I Spy conversation. No offense to my Joystiq colleagues, but it's a shame this didn't make it into the Top Ten.

Continue reading Best of the Rest: Ross' picks of 2008

JoystiqBest of the Rest: Ross' picks of 2008 originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 02 Jan 2009 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>best-of-2008best-of-the-rest-2008DSPCPS3WiiXbox-360Fri, 02 Jan 2009 09:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Best of the Rest: Griffin's Picks of 2008]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/01/01/best-of-the-rest-griffins-picks-of-2008/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/01/01/best-of-the-rest-griffins-picks-of-2008/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/01/01/best-of-the-rest-griffins-picks-of-2008/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,


Rock Band 2
If one wanted to know the depths of my love for this series, they'd need only observe two things -- my battered, cymbal-expanded, wireless RB2 drum kit, and the two bottle cap-sized blisters currently pulsating beneath the pinkies of my two hands.

This game didn't get much GOTY chatter this year for being a "glorified expansion pack" -- but Harmonix should be recognized for putting together a package that fixes literally every problem with the already-amazing original. They should also be recognized for dropping the best soundtrack of any rhythm game, ever. Costello? Talking Heads? Interpol? Dinosaur Jr.? Harmonix, you spoil me.

Continue reading Best of the Rest: Griffin's Picks of 2008

JoystiqBest of the Rest: Griffin's Picks of 2008 originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 01 Jan 2009 21:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>best-of-2008best-of-the-rest-2008DSPCPS3WiiXbox-360Thu, 01 Jan 2009 21:15:00 EST<![CDATA[Best of the Rest: Randy's Picks of 2008]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/01/01/best-of-the-rest-randys-picks-of-2008/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/01/01/best-of-the-rest-randys-picks-of-2008/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/01/01/best-of-the-rest-randys-picks-of-2008/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

God of War: Chains of Olympus
Albeit quite a bit shorter than the console installments, this portable chapter in one of my all-time favorite series was just as lovely, action-packed, and wonderfully presented as its "big brothers." It's a shame that a PS2 port hasn't been made -- or at least a downloadable version playable on PS3.

Continue reading Best of the Rest: Randy's Picks of 2008

JoystiqBest of the Rest: Randy's Picks of 2008 originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 01 Jan 2009 19:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>best-of-2008best-of-the-rest-2008PCPS3PSPWiiXbox-360Thu, 01 Jan 2009 19:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Best of the Rest: Kevin's Picks of 2008]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/01/01/best-of-the-rest-kevins-picks-of-2008/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/01/01/best-of-the-rest-kevins-picks-of-2008/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/01/01/best-of-the-rest-kevins-picks-of-2008/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Boom Blox
My Wii gathered so many cobwebs this year that it looked like it was a prop from a creepy old Boris Karloff movie. The phenomenon of Wii Fit had me dust it off and breathed some new life into it for a few days, but before long it was relegated back to its hiding space under the couch. That is until Boom Blox slid smoothly into the disc slot. Two days later, I could barely move my right arm due to my newfound obsession, and I still fire it up on a regular basis just to hurl balls at Jenga towers.

Continue reading Best of the Rest: Kevin's Picks of 2008

JoystiqBest of the Rest: Kevin's Picks of 2008 originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 01 Jan 2009 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Age-of-Bootybest-of-2008best-of-the-rest-2008Boom-BloxCapcomCertain-AffinityDefense-GridMicrosoftPCPS3WiiXbox-360Thu, 01 Jan 2009 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Best of the Rest: Alexander's Picks of 2008]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/01/01/best-of-the-rest-alexanders-picks-of-2008/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/01/01/best-of-the-rest-alexanders-picks-of-2008/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/01/01/best-of-the-rest-alexanders-picks-of-2008/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,


Civilization Revolution (Xbox 360)
I'm getting old. There was a time when a 12-hour game of Civilization was just fine; however, now I have "responsibilities." Despite having as much trepidation about Civilization Revolution as anyone else who had played the Civ series from its inception, it was a blessing to find out that this console version wasn't just "Civ Lite," but a totally new series that retains all the strategy and addiction of its inspiration. Fast-paced and smart, Civ Rev is an actual revolution for the franchise. Having soaked up more of my time this year than any other game, Civ Rev deserves to be acknowledged for bringing a massive experience into a digestible 3- to 4-hour package.

Continue reading Best of the Rest: Alexander's Picks of 2008

JoystiqBest of the Rest: Alexander's Picks of 2008 originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 01 Jan 2009 16:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>best-of-2008best-of-the-rest-2008PCPS3WiiXbox-360Thu, 01 Jan 2009 16:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Best of the Rest: James' Picks of 2008]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/01/01/best-of-the-rest-james-picks-of-2008/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/01/01/best-of-the-rest-james-picks-of-2008/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/01/01/best-of-the-rest-james-picks-of-2008/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,


Bionic Commando Rearmed (PS3)
I was initially turned off by the art direction (3D models in 2D), but, fueled by nostalgia, this game grew on me incredibly fast. It's a bit of a blind leap, but I'm willing to call this my favorite remake of all time -- right now (phew, I saved myself there). GRIN stayed true to the source material, but also expanded Rearmed, making it the better game; most notably, by adding improved weaponry and terrific boss battles. It's a relief to not have to side with the cynic in me. See, remakes can be profitable and remarkable.

Oh, and one more thing, I vote for the PlayStation 3 version. The superior D-pad tips the scale for me.

Continue reading Best of the Rest: James' Picks of 2008

JoystiqBest of the Rest: James' Picks of 2008 originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 01 Jan 2009 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>best-of-2008best-of-the-rest-2008PCPS3WiiXbox-360Thu, 01 Jan 2009 15:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Joystiq's Top 10 Games of 2008]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/01/01/joystiqs-top-10-games-of-2008/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/01/01/joystiqs-top-10-games-of-2008/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/01/01/joystiqs-top-10-games-of-2008/#comments
Our very favorite game of the year is a sequel. There's a hideous number appended to its title, a numeric symbol meant to conjure up lukewarm reassurance and a promise of something familiar, proven and agreeable. Odd then, that another number -- 2008 -- evokes something else entirely.

If anything, 2008 was a year marked by unpredictability, polarization and ... whatever fancy word that adequately encapsulates people yelling at each other on the internet. For every refined sequel we loved, there was an ambitious experiment to be loathed. And for every disappointing been-there-done-that, somebody was taking us to places we'd never been to nor done.

This mix of new and old (Did you know? Our ten picks this year contain 50% new IP!) made our selection process particularly tumultuous, with many a flared temper and obnoxious remark clashing in the echoing realm of the blogosphere. And it's not because we liked a lot of games. It's because we loved a lot of games, whether they were brave, bigger, bold or more badass.

Besides, it's not like we can make it a top seventeen or something. That's just a weird number.

First: Only the reviews made us throw up.

JoystiqJoystiq's Top 10 Games of 2008 originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 01 Jan 2009 12:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>best-of-2008BreakingNewsJoystiqFeaturesJS-TwitterThu, 01 Jan 2009 12:32:00 EST<![CDATA[Joystiq's Top 10 of 2008: Gears of War 2]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/01/01/joystiqs-top-10-of-2008-gears-of-war-2/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/01/01/joystiqs-top-10-of-2008-gears-of-war-2/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/01/01/joystiqs-top-10-of-2008-gears-of-war-2/#commentsFiled under: ,



When a game has you sitting on the edge of your seat, your heart pounding out of your chest, and the feeling that you might have a stroke any second, then you know the developer did something right. Even if that something might result in a nervous breakdown, or your eventual death.

That's what the Gears of War 2 Horde mode does. In fact, Epic could have just released this as a standalone game called Gears of War: The Hordening, and we'd still have picked it up. It trumps the regular multiplayer modes - broken matchmaking complaints aside - because you know that no matter how great the match is, or how skilled your teammates are, it'll all be over in a few rounds. Horde mode gives you fifty (50!) waves of enemies who grow more skilled and more difficult to down as you play. That's pure adrenaline-fueled addictive gamecrack right there.

Continue reading Joystiq's Top 10 of 2008: Gears of War 2

JoystiqJoystiq's Top 10 of 2008: Gears of War 2 originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 01 Jan 2009 12:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>best-of-2008epic-gamesgears-of-war-2Xbox-360Thu, 01 Jan 2009 12:31:00 EST<![CDATA[Joystiq's Top 10 of 2008: Mirror's Edge]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/01/01/joystiqs-top-10-of-2008-mirrors-edge/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/01/01/joystiqs-top-10-of-2008-mirrors-edge/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/01/01/joystiqs-top-10-of-2008-mirrors-edge/#commentsFiled under: , ,



Modern video games are incredibly complex creations, more so than we give them and their countless programmers, artists and exploding barrel technicians credit for. The feelings video games elicit, however, can be simple. Mirror's Edge is a complicated bundle of codes and clauses underneath its bold exterior, but its joys are immediate and primal. It's the game that made jumping exciting again.

And jumped we did, breathlessly across, under and over an urban race course, our persecutors mere steps behind us. Mirror's Edge cuts to the chase, here a vertiginous sequence of elegant platforming and a ruthless hunt for efficiency. It's absolutely thrilling, presented in a perspective usually reserved for blundering man-tanks. Yes, there are cumbersome guns -- a literal throwaway element -- and yes, there's fist-to-face combat that's more than a little challenging. How many controllers would have been spared had the "Test of Faith" Achievement been removed?

Mirror's Edge does stumble occasionally, but when it runs, it leaves most games in the dust. It's one of the most difficult, engaging, frustrating and satisfying experiences of the year. Chase it.

Gallery: Mirror's Edge


Next: Theworstthingtohappentoyourkeyboard.

JoystiqJoystiq's Top 10 of 2008: Mirror's Edge originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 01 Jan 2009 12:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Best-of-2008DICEEAElectronic-ArtsMirrors-EdgePS3Xbox-360Thu, 01 Jan 2009 12:31:00 EST<![CDATA[Joystiq's Top 10 of 2008: Fallout 3]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/01/01/joystiqs-top-10-of-2008-fallout-3/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/01/01/joystiqs-top-10-of-2008-fallout-3/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/01/01/joystiqs-top-10-of-2008-fallout-3/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


There was a point -- maybe three hours in -- when we were half convinced that Fallout 3 was intentionally trying to make us not like it. Here we were, in what is probably one of the most stunningly realized game worlds ever designed, feeling like we'd been duped.

The pace was plodding, the voice acting was dreadful, and we actually preferred engaging in face-to-face dialog with the ghouls than most of the human characters, who were, in a way, more ghoulish in appearance. Someone had us running fetch quests and the whole experience seemed nothing like the deeply engrossing adventure we'd imagined.

Continue reading Joystiq's Top 10 of 2008: Fallout 3

JoystiqJoystiq's Top 10 of 2008: Fallout 3 originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 01 Jan 2009 12:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>best-of-2008bethesdaBethesda-Game-StudiosBethesda-Softworksfallout-3PCPS3RPGXbox-360Thu, 01 Jan 2009 12:31:00 EST<![CDATA[Joystiq's Top 10 of 2008: Left 4 Dead]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/01/01/joystiqs-top-10-of-2008-left-4-dead/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/01/01/joystiqs-top-10-of-2008-left-4-dead/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/01/01/joystiqs-top-10-of-2008-left-4-dead/#commentsFiled under: , ,



"So there we were, just the four of us on the pier, the boat nowhere in sight and a tank charging at us through the trees..."

You've probably heard plenty of variations on this story over the past few weeks. But what's more surprising: That Left 4 Dead's horrifying scenarios seem so unique game-to-game that players think stories about them would be entertaining, or that we've heard so many of them and still can't get enough?

It's simple, both in plot -- four survivors try to escape the zombie apocalypse -- and in gameplay. But through its simplicity, L4D is able to address some multiplayer problems that might have seemed unsolvable just a few months ago.

Continue reading Joystiq's Top 10 of 2008: Left 4 Dead

JoystiqJoystiq's Top 10 of 2008: Left 4 Dead originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 01 Jan 2009 12:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>best-of-2008L4Dleft-4-deadPCvalveXbox-360Thu, 01 Jan 2009 12:31:00 EST<![CDATA[Joystiq's Top 10 of 2008: Fable 2]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/01/01/joystiqs-top-10-of-2008-fable-2/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/01/01/joystiqs-top-10-of-2008-fable-2/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/01/01/joystiqs-top-10-of-2008-fable-2/#commentsFiled under:



In many ways, Peter Molyneux and friends at Lionhead had a steeper hill to climb than most of the games on this list. Fable 2 is, after all, the sequel to 2004's Fable - one of gaming's great "disappointments." It went something like this: the delta between what was promised and what was delivered was so great, that the press - roped in by the charming Molyneux - and by proxy the players, retaliated. The result: what really wasn't a terrible game is still now, years later, remembered as a disappointment.

Enter: Fable 2. Like Nintendo's illustrious Zelda series, Fable 2 is more of an aesthetic, as opposed to a narrative, sequel. You'll spot familiar gameplay elements, familiar narrative themes, and even some familiar places - this is definitely a Fable game. But it's also something entirely new: a new Albion, with a new Hero, new quests, a new enemy and, most importantly, the newfound ability to marry execution with ambition.

Continue reading Joystiq's Top 10 of 2008: Fable 2

JoystiqJoystiq's Top 10 of 2008: Fable 2 originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 01 Jan 2009 12:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Actionbest-of-2008Fable-2LionheadLionhead-StudiosMGSMicrosoft-Game-StudiosRPGXbox-360Thu, 01 Jan 2009 12:31:00 EST<![CDATA[Joystiq's Top 10 of 2008: LittleBigPlanet]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/01/01/joystiqs-top-10-of-2008-littlebigplanet/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/01/01/joystiqs-top-10-of-2008-littlebigplanet/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/01/01/joystiqs-top-10-of-2008-littlebigplanet/#commentsFiled under: ,



Upon further reflection, choosing LittleBigPlanet as one of our ten favorite games of the year is the ludological equivalent of Oprah adding an empty journal to her revered list of "must-buy" literature, or the Art Institute of Chicago proudly adding a coloring book to one of its exhibits. Actually, that analogy isn't completely sound -- said journal would have a wildly entertaining, oftentimes hilarious foreword, and the first few pages of said coloring book would have been filled in by Georgia O' Keeffe.

What we mean to say is that the common elements present in the other nine titles on this enumerated list of honors are absent -- or at the very least, extremely faint -- in LBP. The plot for the story mode is Super Mario Bros.-esque in its simplicity, the gameplay hearkens back to an era where providing the player with three commands (run, jump and grab) for their on-screen representation was commonplace, and the visual aesthetic is devoid of amber hues and eye-searing bloom lighting.

Continue reading Joystiq's Top 10 of 2008: LittleBigPlanet

JoystiqJoystiq's Top 10 of 2008: LittleBigPlanet originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 01 Jan 2009 12:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Best-of-2008LittleBigPlanetMedia-MoleculePS3Thu, 01 Jan 2009 12:31:00 EST<![CDATA[Joystiq's Top 10 of 2008: Braid]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/01/01/joystiqs-top-10-of-2008-braid/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/01/01/joystiqs-top-10-of-2008-braid/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/01/01/joystiqs-top-10-of-2008-braid/#commentsFiled under: , ,



People exhibit different reactions upon playing Braid. Some, like Soulja Boy, show a child-like appreciation for the unique implementations of time manipulation in the game. It's hard not to smile, or let out a laugh, when your character gets hit by a demented Goomba and you rewind -- only to repeat the same mistake. The gameplay is incredibly accessible, and does a great job of teaching players new tricks as they progress forward. Slight alterations of the time mechanic make Braid feel consistently new and fresh.

There are others, though, that delve much deeper into the tale that Braid weaves. There are numerous interpretations on various forums, all with different answers to some of the game's most challenging questions: What is the princess running away from? What is the main character's fatal mistake? What is the true meaning of the princess?

Continue reading Joystiq's Top 10 of 2008: Braid

JoystiqJoystiq's Top 10 of 2008: Braid originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 01 Jan 2009 12:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>best-of-2008braidJonathan-BlowPCXBLAXbox-360Thu, 01 Jan 2009 12:31:00 EST<![CDATA[Joystiq's Top 10 of 2008: Dead Space]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/01/01/joystiqs-top-10-of-2008-dead-space/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/01/01/joystiqs-top-10-of-2008-dead-space/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/01/01/joystiqs-top-10-of-2008-dead-space/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,



Many of us found our hearts eviscerated by Electronic Arts' welcome, if financially maddening, newfound appreciation for original property. And while survival horror is hardly an unexplored genre, it's rare that any company, even a juggernaut like EA, gets everything right the first time. Dead Space nails it, and whether it's an eerie trek through the bowels of a derelict space ship, or surviving being cut to ribbons by aliens, cultists or former co-workers, staying alive has seldom felt as satisfying as it does aboard the USG Ishimura.

Continue reading Joystiq's Top 10 of 2008: Dead Space

JoystiqJoystiq's Top 10 of 2008: Dead Space originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 01 Jan 2009 12:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Best-of-2008Dead-SpaceEAEA-Redwood-ShoresElectronic-ArtsPCPS3Survival-HorrorXbox-360Thu, 01 Jan 2009 12:31:00 EST<![CDATA[Joystiq's Top 10 of 2008: Metal Gear Solid 4]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/01/01/joystiqs-top-10-of-2008-metal-gear-solid-4/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/01/01/joystiqs-top-10-of-2008-metal-gear-solid-4/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/01/01/joystiqs-top-10-of-2008-metal-gear-solid-4/#commentsFiled under:


Is it a cliché to call Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots the gamer's game? Of course it is. But that's the thing with clichés, they're just so perfect at explaining what we're too unimaginative to express in fantastic detail. Fitting then, that MGS4 is a near-impossible amalgamation of cliché and creativeness. A spawn of convoluted histories and a bold vision of gaming's future.

If it was up to creator Hideo Kojima to expound the merits of his masterpiece you'd be in for a verbose, probably boring -- and most certainly unplayable -- account. Thankfully, we will do our best to provide a terse study of Joystiq's runner-up to Game of the Year 2008. So then, what makes MGS4 so darn special?

Continue reading Joystiq's Top 10 of 2008: Metal Gear Solid 4

JoystiqJoystiq's Top 10 of 2008: Metal Gear Solid 4 originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 01 Jan 2009 12:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Would you believe that Far Cry 2 is a lot like the original Star Wars trilogy? It's true! Before he took to bludgeoning audiences with obnoxious special effects, director George Lucas delivered a coherent, lived-in world that seemed more cobbled together than intentionally designed. The spaceships were old and busted, the bars were filthy and sometimes, the hyperdrives just didn't work.

Far Cry 2's approximated Africa feels like just such a place -- dangerous, dirty and devoid of designer fingerprints. There's no level design here, no dynamic vegetation and no sophisticated radiosity. There's only a blistering sun creeping through the trees, their leaves shivering in fear of the approaching downpour.

And then you shoot stuff!

Continue reading Joystiq's Top 10 of 2008: Far Cry 2

JoystiqJoystiq's Top 10 of 2008: Far Cry 2 originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 01 Jan 2009 12:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Best-of-2008Far-Cry-2PCPS3UbisoftUbisoft-MontrealXbox-360Thu, 01 Jan 2009 12:31:00 EST<![CDATA[The Joystiq Network (except us) picks its GOTYs]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/12/31/the-joystiq-network-except-us-picks-its-gotys/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/12/31/the-joystiq-network-except-us-picks-its-gotys/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/12/31/the-joystiq-network-except-us-picks-its-gotys/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

While we at Joystiq like to be fashionably on time with our Game of the Year picks, our network of sites has already named some winners, and in case you've missed them:
  • PS3 Fanboy Awards, now with one PSP category! More importantly, though, we've learned the staff is very good at making PSP and PS3 predictions.
  • The Nintendo Fanboys couldn't play favorites, so they just chose their ten favorites for both Wii and DS and decided to put them in no certain order.
  • The crew at X3F couldn't come to a consensus, either, so they did individual picks (Richard, Xav, Dustin) in addition to letting the readers choose for themselves.
  • On the PC side of things, here's BigDownload and Massively's picks for the best of ought-eight.
... Oh, you want to see our GOTYs? Sorry, but you'll have to wait until tomorrow.

JoystiqThe Joystiq Network (except us) picks its GOTYs originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 31 Dec 2008 16:14:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>best-of-2008DSfanboysgotygoty-2008PCPS3PSPWiiXbox-360Wed, 31 Dec 2008 16:14:00 EST<![CDATA[Best of 2008: The most delicious DS homebrew]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/12/30/best-of-2008-the-most-delicious-ds-homebrew/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/12/30/best-of-2008-the-most-delicious-ds-homebrew/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/12/30/best-of-2008-the-most-delicious-ds-homebrew/#commentsFiled under: ,

Time to face some harsh facts, people: this time next year, none of us will have two pennies to rub together, and nobody will care anyway, because we'll all be fighting to the bloody death over scrap metal, rat carcasses, and clean drinking water. The good news? You can slow your inevitable descent into abject poverty by no longer paying for your DS games, and instead download totally free homebrew. Hurray!

Not that you shouldn't be selective in what you download -- after all, for every StillAliveDS or Pocket Physics, the homebrew community churns out plenty of garbage. With this in mind, we decided to compile a list of the best homebrew we personally encountered this year. Have any recommendations that we missed? Tell us in the comments! And don't forget we dedicated a whole week to homebrew earlier this year -- you can head here for more recommendations!

JoystiqBest of 2008: The most delicious DS homebrew originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 30 Dec 2008 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>adventureangunabest-of-2008chessnetcrocodingusgame-melody-ontariogame-trivia-catechismhb08joystiqfeaturesmother-3musicnds-tgmplatformpuzzlerpgshmupstarmenstill-alivesuper-wingsvideo-game-heroTue, 30 Dec 2008 15:00:00 EST<![CDATA[GamerBytes picks top XNA Community Games]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/12/30/gamerbytes-picks-top-xna-community-games/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/12/30/gamerbytes-picks-top-xna-community-games/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/12/30/gamerbytes-picks-top-xna-community-games/#commentsFiled under:


One of our New Year's resolutions is to do better at keeping up with all the XNA Community Games (it's a long-time-coming, we know). In the meanwhile, GamerBytes and XNPlay have picked up the slack, and have chosen the top games on the service from 2008.

Taking the top slots are Johnny Platform's Biscuit Romp, Ultratron and vertical ragdoll platformer CarneyVale: Showtime, which you really have to see to "get." Don't worry, we've put a video of it after the break.

Continue reading GamerBytes picks top XNA Community Games

JoystiqGamerBytes picks top XNA Community Games originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 30 Dec 2008 14:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>best-of-2008Xbox-360xnaxna-community-gamesTue, 30 Dec 2008 14:15:00 EST<![CDATA[Best of 2008: 10 games you should have downloaded]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/12/30/best-of-2008-10-games-you-should-have-downloaded/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/12/30/best-of-2008-10-games-you-should-have-downloaded/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/12/30/best-of-2008-10-games-you-should-have-downloaded/#commentsFiled under: , ,


Even without consulting the weekly popularity charts found on the Nintendo Channel, it's pretty simple to know whether a Virtual Console game was successful in 2008. Success on the VC was reserved for Nintendo franchises and the very biggest names in third-party releases, like Sonic, Mega Man, and Pac-Man. One delightful exception to the super-famous franchise rule: Super Dodge Ball has been in the Top 20 since release. People are clearly buying what they already love rather than exploring.

WiiWare, as well, is dominated by the same titles since release: World of Goo, Tetris Party, and (yes,) My Aquarium have been at the top of the charts since release. Other games that have had long stretches of success include, uh, Target Toss Pro: Bags, Pong Toss, Sudoku Challenge, and -- oh, good -- Mega Man 9. Some less popular games take a trip up and then back down the chart upon release. But some didn't even really do that, despite being totally worthwhile.

Join us as we browse through five Virtual Console games and five WiiWare games that you guys passed over for more Mario games and The Incredible Maze. To simplify things, we considered North American sales and releases only. If you're from outside North America, go ahead and assume people missed good games in your region too.

JoystiqBest of 2008: 10 games you should have downloaded originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 30 Dec 2008 12:51:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>alien-crush-returnsbest-of-2008cho-anikieoy-2008gyrostarrjoystiqfeaturesking-of-the-monstersphantasy-star-iipit-crew-panicsega-master-systemstar-parodierTue, 30 Dec 2008 12:51:00 EST<![CDATA[Wii Warm Up: 2008's best publisher?]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/12/30/wii-warm-up-2008s-best-publisher/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/12/30/wii-warm-up-2008s-best-publisher/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/12/30/wii-warm-up-2008s-best-publisher/#commentsFiled under:


Following up yesterday's conversation at DSF, we figured we'd bring the topic over to today's Wii Warm Up. So, who do you think is the publisher of the year on Wii? Is it Nintendo (that's too easy, though), or a third party? What about in 2009? Who do you think is going to publish the upcoming year's best?

JoystiqWii Warm Up: 2008's best publisher? originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 30 Dec 2008 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>best-of-2008publisher-of-the-yearTue, 30 Dec 2008 08:00:00 EST<![CDATA[PS Fanboy Best of 2008 Awards]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/12/29/ps-fanboy-best-of-2008-awards/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/12/29/ps-fanboy-best-of-2008-awards/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/12/29/ps-fanboy-best-of-2008-awards/#commentsFiled under:


PSP may not have had a lot of games this year, but it certainly had a lot of great games. But only ONE can be PSP Game of the Year. What is it? Well, find out here.

JoystiqPS Fanboy Best of 2008 Awards originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 29 Dec 2008 21:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>best-of-2008Mon, 29 Dec 2008 21:25:00 EST<![CDATA[PS Fanboy Best of 2008 awards]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/12/29/ps-fanboy-best-of-2008-awards/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/12/29/ps-fanboy-best-of-2008-awards/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/12/29/ps-fanboy-best-of-2008-awards/#commentsFiled under:

Finally! We're done counting all the votes. This is the best of the best. Check out our winners, and find out what you (the readers!) voted for. Did your favorite games win? Find out!

See all the winners!

JoystiqPS Fanboy Best of 2008 awards originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 29 Dec 2008 21:19:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>best-of-2008joystiqfeaturesMon, 29 Dec 2008 21:19:00 EST<![CDATA[Nintendo dominates Amazon in 2008]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/12/29/nintendo-dominates-amazon-in-2008/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/12/29/nintendo-dominates-amazon-in-2008/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/12/29/nintendo-dominates-amazon-in-2008/#commentsFiled under:

The Nintendo Wii has been a hit since it released over two years ago. For popular retail site Amazon.com, Nintendo's latest console has been a big cash generator for Amazon during its time on the market, especially in 2008, as the site has released its 2008 best-of lists and guess what was the top-selling video game in 2008? You guess it: Wii.

Aside from being the top video game, Wii Fit enjoyed the best reviews through 2008, as well as being the product most wished for by users. Last, but certainly not least, was Mario Kart Wii (with Wii Wheel), which was the item gifted the most by Amazon users throughout this year. In the end, Nintendo ended up being

JoystiqNintendo dominates Amazon in 2008 originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 29 Dec 2008 18:35:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>amazonbest-of-2008businessmariomario-kartmario-kart-wiisalessalesfigureswii-fitMon, 29 Dec 2008 18:35:00 EST<![CDATA[Best of 2008: 10 best Wii games]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/12/29/best-of-2008-10-best-wii-games/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/12/29/best-of-2008-10-best-wii-games/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/12/29/best-of-2008-10-best-wii-games/#commentsFiled under:


Well folks, the year is coming to a close and we're all about nostalgia here, even if it's only short-term reminiscing. So, we've compiled our list for the 10 best gaming experiences that released on Wii this year. We're talking about the best commercial releases, as well as WiiWare (sorry, no Virtual Console picks). Care to join the discussion?

JoystiqBest of 2008: 10 best Wii games originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 29 Dec 2008 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>best-of-2008joystiqfeaturesMon, 29 Dec 2008 14:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Nintendo dominates Amazon's 2008 game sales, wish lists]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/12/29/nintendo-dominates-amazons-2008-game-sales-wish-lists/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/12/29/nintendo-dominates-amazons-2008-game-sales-wish-lists/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/12/29/nintendo-dominates-amazons-2008-game-sales-wish-lists/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


Nintendo commanded the top spot in every video game category of Amazon.com's "Best of 2008" list released today. The winners in each category were determined by Amazon sales figures and shoppers using various site features. The main "best of" list covers various departments, but we're obviously only interested in the gaming section.

Video Games category:
  • Best-selling Product -- Nintendo Wii
  • Most-Loved Product -- Wii Fit
  • Most-Wished-For Product -- Wii Fit
  • Most Popular Gift Product -- Mario Kart Wii with Wii Wheel
Now, if only there was a way to track the "most-used" products. We wonder if the world has been keeping up with its Wii Fit regimen once the most-wished-for item actually landed in the house.

JoystiqNintendo dominates Amazon's 2008 game sales, wish lists originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 29 Dec 2008 13:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>amazonamazon.combest-of-2008nintendoWiiMon, 29 Dec 2008 13:45:00 EST<![CDATA[Best of 2008: 10 best DS games]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/12/29/best-of-2008-10-best-ds-games/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/12/29/best-of-2008-10-best-ds-games/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/12/29/best-of-2008-10-best-ds-games/#commentsFiled under:


With 2008 coming to an end, we figured we'd look back at the best games available on the DS. As you can imagine, that was an extremely hard thing to do, considering the DS constantly receives great games. So, join us for this look back at the best 2008 had to offer, and be sure to offer your own games in the comments below!


JoystiqBest of 2008: 10 best DS games originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 29 Dec 2008 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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