WINNER: Super Smash Bros. Brawl
PUBLISHER: Nintendo
RELEASE DATE: 1/31/2008
ESRB RATING: Teen
Undoubtedly among the most hotly anticipated games of all time, Super Smash Bros. Brawl is loaded with more content than probably any other fighting game ever created. Seeing as it features dozens of the most popular Nintendo (and non-Nintendo) characters ever created along with a plethora of inter-game paraphernalia in terms of stages, items, and otherwise, it’s only fitting that also some of the best composers in the industry contributed to the game’s soundtrack. In fact, practically everything about the game simply screams “all-star,” with its endless layers of polish and massive number of game modes. Once you’re hooked, you’re destined to spend upwards of tens or even hundreds of hours with three of your closest buddies playing and unlocking content, perfecting your technique, and simply having fun—or, simply log into the game’s online mode and play anyone in the world. It’s a game that, like its predecessor, Melee, works no matter how seriously you take it, and for that it’s a unique triumph.
RUNNERS-UP: Wario Land: Shake It!, Okami
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Sleeper Hit Award
WINNER: Pinball Hall of Fame: The Williams Collection
PUBLISHER: Crave Entertainment
RELEASE DATE: 2/26/2008
ESRB RATING: Everyone 10+
If this one’s new to you, don’t be surprised. The game’s release was met with little fanfare—and it exudes the sort of aura reminiscent of a throwaway port. But although its release predates that of our young site, we can confidently vouch for this game’s quality. Developer FarSight Studios has had experience in the past with pinball titles, and that experience shows in Pinball Hall of Fame. Each of the tables is beautifully and meticulously modeled in 3-D to match the features of the classic after which it is modeled, and the physics are near-perfect. If you’re a pinball fan and you’re looking for a videogame that does the phenomenon justice, look no further. Oh—and did we mention the price at Amazon?
RUNNERS-UP: Boom Blox, de Blob
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Great Game to Buy as Long as You’re New to the Series Award
WINNER: Animal Crossing: City Folk
PUBLISHER: Nintendo
RELEASE DATE: 11/16/2008
ESRB RATING: Everyone
The new entry in Nintendo’s popular life simulation series might not appeal to you much if you’ve pumped hundreds of hours into the previous installments, but if you’re new to the series, this game will probably have an effect on you similar to digital crack (minus the obviously negative health repercussions). Rest assured, the previous versions were all comparably addictive, and seeing as this game features pretty much everything the first two (three if you’re Japanese) games did and more, you’re bound to wind up catching bugs and fish well into the night and cursing Tom Nook for closing his shop at such an unreasonably early hour… just like everyone else who’s ever spent any time with an Animal Crossing game. The new WiiSpeak accessory (bundled for $20 more if you so choose) makes for great (parentally supervisable) online chat too, which renders this game a winner if you’ve got a few friends willing to join in.
RUNNERS-UP: Okami, Madden NFL 09 All-Play
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Creativity Award
WINNER: Wii Fit
PUBLISHER: Nintendo
RELEASE DATE: 5/19/2008
ESRB RATING: Everyone
Want to get in shape? No? Well, too bad, because Wii Fit will make you want to. This hot item is so popular that we can’t even link you to it at Amazon—because it’s out of stock so often, our affiliate link is totally bogus. It might carry a heftier price tag than most games, but the included balance board accessory is no joke (you’ll agree when it starts yelling at you for sticking your hips out while attempting the yoga poses). Wii Fit measures your center of balance as well as your weight (from which, along with your height, it derives your BMI), and judging by those two factors, it tries to keep you on track in making and meeting your weight goals. The exercises range from simple aerobic warm-ups to advanced yoga poses and even challenging fitness-oriented mini-games. Practically everything in the package will make you sweat, and most importantly, you’ll have fun while doing it. It’s a great supplement to a good workout and a healthy diet, but even alone it’ll prove beneficial to your health and wellbeing. And if you manage to get your hands on it this Christmas, think of your mother. She’ll love it, too. (Editor’s Note: This last comment is not meant to insinuate that your mother is fat… even though she is)
RUNNERS-UP: de Blob, Boom Blox
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The Why Didn’t You Buy This Game Award
WINNER: Wario Land: Shake It!
PUBLISHER: Nintendo
RELEASE DATE: 9/22/2008
ESRB RATING: Everyone
Nintendo’s official anti-character is back with his crude, unforgiveable antics, and judging by the name of the title, you may have already written it off (Shake It! sounded pretty gimmicky to us too ;-). However, what most have found (including your beloved Chumps) is that this game provides the pinnacle of 2D gameplay with its beautifully hand drawn environments and top notch animations. Though it appears short at first glance, a plethora of quests and secrets are what make this game stand out to the most hardcore of gamers. In fact, we would go so far to say that this is the best Wario title since the beloved Wario Land 3 on the Game Boy Color. Classic gaming never looked or felt this good and chances are you’ll love this title regardless of your gaming experience. And if you haven’t bought it yet, refer back to the name of this award.
RUNNERS-UP: World of Goo
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The Oh My God the Blue Shells are Still Ridiculously Overpowered Award
WINNER: Mario Kart Wii
PUBLISHER: Nintendo
RELEASE DATE: 4/27/2008
ESRB RATING: Everyone
We love Mario Kart, and Mario Kart Wii is, in a word, splendid. But why the heck do they have to go so crazy with the blue shells? Ever since the GameCube version of the game we’ve seen them zoom around the track at unreasonable speeds and almost unfailingly nail their target. Actually, the head designer claims there’s a way to block them in this game if you’re good with your timing. We’re not. Either way, if you haven’t already taken the dive, and you’re looking for a great addition to the series, be sure to pick up Mario Kart Wii this holiday season. The online play is some of the best on the Wii, and there’s enough content to keep you coming back for long after the checkered flag drops.
RUNNERS-UP: Target: Terror!
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Best Wii Downloadable Title Award
WINNER: Mega Man 9
PUBLISHER: Capcom
RELEASE DATE: 9/22/2008
ESRB RATING: Everyone
Okay, okay; I realize that many of you would have expected World of Goo to take this spot. And it’s true—World of Goo is a fantastic downloadable game sporting tons of creativity. But as far as we’re concerned, the effort that Capcom put into rejuvenating one of their formerly great franchises trumps all. Not only did the original creator of the series (Inafune-san) head the Mega Man 9 project, but even the graphics and sound design was artificially constrained to the same painstaking limitations that governed the NES games 20 years ago (case in point: the sprite flickering option). On top of that, it’s been a long time since we’ve experienced such an uncomplicated yet unrelentingly challenging platforming title—and what better hero to champion the return of such classic game design than Mega Man? You’ll also find time trials with leaderboards for each of the stages, as well as Xbox 360-style challenges that will take you at least the rest of your life to successfully complete—all for $10. Just be forewarned: the difficulty is not for the faint of heart.
RUNNERS-UP: World of Goo, Dr. Mario Online RX
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Most Hotly Anticipated Award
WINNER: Rock Band 2
PUBLISHER: MTV Games
RELEASE DATE: 12/16/2008
ESRB RATING: Teen
For those who haven’t already shelled out the 160-odd dollars for the Xbox 360 or PS3 version of the game, Rock Band 2 is arriving on the Wii this December. You’re probably quite familiar with the title already, but in case you aren’t, we’ll humor you with a quick summary of all its finer points: Classic soundtrack with over 80 songs, plastic instrument controllers that actually rock, the opportunity to embarrass yourself at the mic… this is a party in a box, folks. Even if you’re not of age, it’s a great opportunity to crack open a pop and act like you’re old enough to be cool. For college students, this is a no-brainer. Kids will love it equally. And parents will appreciate the large portion of classic rock hits in the song list—chances are, they’ll want to join in the fun, too.
RUNNERS-UP: Shaun White Snowboarding: Road Trip
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Most Likely to Star Your Friends Dressed Up As Bunch of Terrorists Award
WINNER: Target: Terror!
PUBLISHER: Konami
RELEASE DATE: 4/22/2008
ESRB RATING: Mature
The ESRB rating might be Mature, but if these guys playing the terrorists are anything like us, there was probably a heavy supply of unalcoholic, completely professional beverages involved in the production process. That having been said, Target: Terror is, sadly, not something we would recommend as a purchase for a holiday gift. Unless, of course, it’s a prank—and in that event, it’s awesome.