WINNER: Castlevania: Order of Ecclesia
PUBLISHER: Konami
RELEASE DATE: 10/21/2008
ESRB RATING: Teen
If there was ever a hard year to pick the game of the year for the DS, 2008 wins by a landslide (proof in the pudding of the continual success and growth of the DS). From unique titles to successful sequels to seasoned remakes and ports, 2008 is one heck of a year to own a DS. But for this year’s Game of the Year Award, we went with an instant classic that provides all of the polish of previous titles and fills in some of the blanks that were missing before. Castlevania: Order of Ecclesia arrived just in time for the holiday season and packs a huge punch of classic adventure style gameplay that the series has known and loved since the release of Symphony of the Night. Featuring even further improved graphics and an enthralling soundtrack, the aesthetics are only part of the fun. This time around, Konami’s provided yet another unique combat system and upped the ante on the difficulty to boot to provide some of the most brutal boss battles in a Castlevaniagame to date. If you’re a fan of the series, this is a must have and gamers who are new to the series might consider picking up both this andDawn of Sorrow this holiday season (for orientation purposes). However, any of the runners-up could be considered for this award so all are held highly in our opinion.
RUNNERS-UP: Professor Layton and the Curious Village, The World Ends with You, Chrono Trigger, Final Fantasy IV, Advance Wars: Days of Ruin, Bangai O Spirits
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The Great Game That Still Doesn’t Live Up To Its Predecessor/s Award
WINNER: Advance Wars: Days of Ruin
PUBLISHER: Nintendo
RELEASE DATE: 1/21/2008
ESRB RATING: Everyone 10+
Lock and load! Advance Wars, one of the most highly touted handheld franchises by Nintendo, is back again this holiday season to provide another heaping helping of calculated combat. Arguably one of the deepest tactics series around (in terms of gameplay magnitude and options), Advance Wars can have you playing for hours on end. This time around, however, the entire game has been revamped from the cast of characters to the combat mechanics (and in our opinion, it’s missing the charm that was embodied by the more lighthearted prequels as well as the magnitude of options). Still, this game is another great addition to your tactics library with its online multiplayer and around 60 or so hours of total gameplay. Pick it up this holiday season and you can finally move on from playing your family/friends in the simplistic checkers or chess.
RUNNERS-UP: Final Fantasy Tactics Advance 2: Grimoire of the Rift
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WINNER: Professor Layton and the Curious Village
PUBLISHER: Nintendo
RELEASE DATE: 2/10/2008
ESRB RATING: Everyone
Unless you’re completely on top of the gaming industry, chances are you knew nothing about this title until it began receiving high scores from media outlets (we must confess that before we got our hands on it, we didn’t know what to expect either). However, unless you’re living under a rock, you should know by now that this is one of the better titles to hit the DS to date. Featuring a beautifully polished presentation with unique anime style cartoon graphics, excellent music, and a mystery story as good as any out there, this title’s aesthetics are only half of the story: it also features some of the best puzzle solving gameplay on the DS to date (ranging from logic and math problems to optical illusions and mazes). Whether you’re into puzzle gaming or you’re just a fan of highly polished videogames, Professor Layton and the Curious Village is sure to make you smile and keep you interested for some time (with new downloadable puzzles each week). Pick it up this holiday season for an unparalleled session of puzzling gaming.
RUNNERS-UP: The World Ends With You, Lock’s Quest, Soul Bubbles
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Creativity Award
WINNER: Lock’s Quest
PUBLISHER: THQ
RELEASE DATE: 9/8/2008
ESRB RATING: Everyone
RTS gaming on the DS is one step closer due to this year’s Creativity Award recipient. Lock’s Quest, which was also one of this year’s major sleeper hits, contains some of the most unique gameplay found on a DS to date. Implementing a combination of successful RTS game mechanics as well as action elements, Lock’s Quest provides gamers with an experience like none other. It’s not the longest of titles but it is difficult from start to finish and provides new gameplay elements throughout the entire experience. If you’re into RTS gaming or you’re just looking for one of the most interesting game ideas to date, Lock’s Quest is a must have for this holiday season.
RUNNERS-UP: Professor Layton and the Curious Village, Guitar Hero: On Tour, Ninja Gaiden: Dragon Sword, Sonic Chronicles: Dark Brotherhood
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WINNER: Chrono Trigger
PUBLISHER: Square Enix
RELEASE DATE: 11/25/2008
ESRB RATING: Everyone 10+
We simply can’t say enough about this game. This category brought forth a couple of heated contenders, but when all was said and done, we had to turn to what could quite possibly be the greatest game ever created (it’s among them at least). Chrono Trigger is a bit of a legend that longtime gamers like to call upon when referencing the so-called “Golden Age” of gaming. But if you never believed them during their extended rants on the subject, maybe you should put this one on your Christmas list. Developed by a “Dream Team” of industry all-stars, Chrono Trigger is the epitome of SNES-era role-playing games. Its meticulous sense of balance and perfect pacing lent even greater appeal to the game’s epic and dreamy storyline. If you’re a fan of creativity and personality and you haven’t had the pleasure of experiencing this masterpiece, make it so this holiday season—you won’t regret it.
RUNNERS-UP: Kirby Super Star Ultra
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Best Remake Title Award
WINNER: Final Fantasy IV
PUBLISHER: Square Enix
RELEASE DATE: 7/22/2008
ESRB RATING: Everyone 10+
What defines a classic RPG in your mind? Should it contain exquisite graphics and an epic soundtrack or maybe just a heroic story of love and betrayal? If you answered yes to either of these, then Final Fantasy IV should most definitely be experienced once in your years of gaming. If you’ve never been graced with the chance of playing the game, Square Enix has given us the defining version of the game this holiday season on the DS. Featuring a fully renovated 3D graphics engine (like the one used in Final Fantasy III DS), voice acting, and some excellent gameplay additions (as well as a New Game + option), first timers and fans alike should be in for a thrill with this RPG classic. (Or if you’re in for a double dose of remake lovin’, purchase our runner-up for even more old school RPG gameplay in a beautiful new shell).
RUNNERS-UP: Dragon Quest IV: Chapters of the Chosen, Space Invaders Extreme
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WINNER: Space Invaders Extreme
PUBLISHER: Taito
RELEASE DATE: 6/17/2008
ESRB RATING: Everyone
2008 not only marked an incredible year for the DS but it also marked the 30th anniversary of the legendary Space Invaders arcade game. Taito made sure we remembered this historic milestone for gaming by providing us with an incredible remake of the original classic. Featuring a psychedelic graphics theme as well as rhythmic music to enhance your experience, the core gameplay is also improved with combo triggered weapons upgrades and many other game modes such as single card multiplayer and internet functionality including leader boards and multiplayer. And did we mention that it boasts a very low price point at only $19.99? If you’re in for a little classical remix this holiday season, Space Invaders Extreme is a great choice to satiate your arcading fix.
RUNNERS-UP: Kirby Superstar: Ultra
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WINNER: Prince of Persia: The Fallen King
PUBLISHER: Ubisoft
RELEASE DATE: 12/2/2008
ESRB RATING: Everyone
E3 2008 was a bit of a letdown in terms of the overall layout of the show but one part that didn’t disappoint was the lineup of incredible games shown for most systems (especially the DS). One of the most intriguing games there (and one of the best looking titles that has yet to be released) is Prince of Persia: The Fallen King. Featuring some great looking, stylus controlled, 2D gameplay, old-school gamers should be in for a treat with this throwback to the classic days of 2D glory. Though we still don’t know what to expect with the overall quality of this game, we know that it’s been in development for a while and that it looks to be an incredible, ambitious addition to the series. Stay tuned for more information on this hot upcoming title.
RUNNERS-UP: Chrono Trigger, Age of Empires: Mythologies, Personal Trainer: Cooking
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WINNER: Trauma Center: Under the Knife 2
PUBLISHER: Atlus
RELEASE DATE: 7/1/2008
ESRB RATING: Teen
If you’ve been playing your DS since launch (we’re talking old DS, circa 2004), chances are you picked up Trauma Center: Under the Knife during its 2005 debut. If you, like many of us, loved its unique gameplay and the enthralling story, you’ve probably been awaiting a true sequel to the original game (the two Wii titles were great games but a DS sequel is ideal). Well, Atlus finally pulled through with Trauma Center: Under the Knife 2 and it’s everything we could have hoped for (aside from some of the online features that the Wii versions trumpeted). If you’re up for an even deeper storyline, vastly improved graphics, and all of the great gameplay that makes Trauma Center so fun (and hectic), then this game is a must buy this holiday season. (And with a plethora of great sequels this holiday season, we can greatly recommend any of the runners-up as well).
RUNNERS-UP: Nanostray 2, Rune Factory 2, Luminous Arc 2, Age of Empires: Mythologies, Final Fantasy Tactics Advance 2: Grimoire of the Rift, Metal Slug 7
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WINNER: Back at the Barnyard: Slop Bucket Games
PUBLISHER: THQ
RELEASE DATE: 10/20/2008
ESRB RATING: Everyone
Call us shameless but you were probably thinking the same thing. It was a tight race for first but this game wins the award for having the most questionably promiscuous name. In fact, it’s probably most interesting that every game to make this list is the title of a game targeted towards a younger audience aside from Pipe Mania (coincidence or are game developers really just that oblivious?). Kids, make sure to clarify with your parents that this is indeed a friendly videogame about animals or you may find a special treat in your stocking this holiday season. (Unfortunately, we can’t recommend this game either way).
RUNNERS-UP: My Little Pony Pinkie Pie’s Party, Hot Wheels Beat That, Pet Vet: Down Under, Pipe Mania