Meteos (DS): Yes, the little touch screen handheld did have an amazing showing this year. This puzzle game just squeezes out the PSPs Lumines, also an addictive new game in the same genre. Meteos is exploitable (just rub the stylus and up and down to feel like a pro), but there's depth and replay value. The pleasant planet destroying visuals add a nice layer to the game. It feels like you're doing more than just pushing pieces off the screen.
Burnout Revenge (Xbox, PS2): On Microsoft's console, with the graphics boost and additional sound hardware, Burnout Revenge shines. The new traffic checking feature allows for same-direction vehicles to be blasted aside instead of being rammed into. It gives this already strong (and always growing) franchise and extra boost of freshness. If you like your cars on fire, no other racing game does it better than Burnout.
Honorable Mentions:
Incredible Hulk Ultimate Destruction (GameCube, PS2, Xbox): Certainly the most overlooked mainstream title, this is a wild action game. Destruction is the name of the game literally and figuratively, and the engine used for blowing things up deserves a second chance.
Advance Wars: Dual Strike (DS): The closest game to make it near the top of the list is this addition to a series that's been running since the NES. The simple, easy to understand strategy game play is great, and family friendly. It should have been held back for an online Wi-Fi mode, and the Dual Screen feature is a little too annoying late in the game. Other than that, this is one of the DS's brightest.
Kirby: Canvas Curse (DS): It seems like an apology from Nintendo for the ridiculous Yoshi Touch n' Go, but this one had everyone raving. The touch screen is properly put to use to move Kirby around the colorful landscapes. It works better than it should, and aside from a few overly challenging moments, it never becomes a gimmicky exercise.
Ridge Racer (PSP): Out at launch and it's still the best game for the system. That's either a statement on Ridge Racer or the PSP's software in general. Drifting is the key to this new franchise addition from Namco. Flying around corners feels natural, and the addition of nitrous is a significant change. The extra set of challenges in the US version is nothing short of impossible (even Namco admits that), but doesn't change how fun it is to make it that far.
Article comments
1 - Alisha Karabinus
Man, it was allllllllll about Resident Evil. Y'all could have just left these other games on the floor or something.
First time the ol' chainsaw man came at me, I about peed my pants. I've never been so jumpy during a game in my life.
2 - Ken Edwards
Well, we didn't want to sound like fanboys or anything :)
There were a lot of great games this year. But RE4 was the best, by leaps and bounds. It was such a great experience. And yea, getting your head severed from you body from Chain Saw Dude was intense.
3 - Matthew T. Sussman
Minish Cap. No question.
4 - jcdfdxxc
what about halo 2
5 - Ken Edwards
If you look at last year's list, for 2004, you will see Halo 2 listed. It came out in November of 2004.
6 - Alisha Karabinus
Maybe jcd.... means Halo 2 was STILL the best game of the year. ;)
7 - Aaman
It was pretty good - especially the way they continually extended it's online value with new multi-player map packs
8 - Ken Edwards
Maybe, I did not think of it that way. But even last year I don't think it was tops. The Live additions have been great. It is a shame more games do not take advantage of content download.
I might also add that I am not the biggest FPS fan in the world, but it is a genre I always play. Of course until this year I didn't really care for racing games at all, and now it is one of my favorite.
That can be attributed to Ridge Racer on the PSP, and then my endless addiction to Forza on the Xbox. And for the record, I do own all 3 racers for the 360: Ridge Racer 6, Need for Speed: Most Wanted, and Project Gothem Racing 3. I am such a racing whore, I know.
9 - unknown
has any one here played gran theft auto san andras for xbox
10 - unknown
if so can you tell me how it was i might buy it if its good
11 - Dragon Voyager
I know it's just a rehash of a game brought out in 2004, but Ninja Gaiden Black deserved an honorable mention IMO. All the new features added just rocked my socks off.
That and the fact that the Mission Mode caused me to pull every hair out of my head. That deserves a mention. Team Ninja needs a new catchphrase:
"WARNING: Playing our games may cause baldness, fits of rage, new curse words being created in the span of a heartbeat and slight cases of diabetes."