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Overall VGChartz Game of the Year Awards 2008 - News

by Nick Pantazis , posted on 31 December 2008 / 139,006 Views

Happy New Year! By GMT it's now 2009, and to kick off the new year, we are giving you our staff's picks for our favorite games of 2008 accross all platforms.  Please note: These are, and always will be, opinions. I would be very surprised if any two of you shared the exact same opinions on all these categories, so don't expect to share them with us. We don't expect you to share our opinions. If everyone had the same opinions on gaming it would be boring. Post respectfully, and enjoy the lists. 

 

Best Third-Person Shooter: Metal Gear Solid 4

Metal Gear Solid 4 just edges out Gears of War 2 in the third person shooter category.  It's interesting to see it do so well here, considering this is the first game in the franchise that has ever had enough of a shooting aspect to qualify for placement in this category, but MGS4 did a good job with its third-person shooting mechanics and is our choice for TPS Game of the Year.

Runner-up:  Gears of War 2

Reader's Choice:  Metal Gear Solid 4

 

 

Best First-Person Shooter:  Left 4 Dead

Left 4 Dead takes the first-person shooter award with its unique approach to the genre. Rather than add a bunch of levels that you will play the same way over and over, Valve has created a game where each experience is different.  With the promise of more levels in the future by both Valve and the mod community, this is a first person shooter that will be enjoyed for many years to come.


Runner-up:  Resistance 2

Reader's Choice:  Left 4 Dead

 

 

Best Arcade Shooter: Geometry Wars: Retro Evolved 2

One of the most addictive genres in gaming, the arcade shooter, had a very strong representation in 2008.  At the top of a bevy of great titles was Geometry Wars 2, with many new modes and unique additions to the gameplay that set it apart from and above both its predecessor and its competitors in the genre.

Runner-up: Everyday Shooter

Reader's Choice:  Geometry Wars: Retro Evolved 2

 

 

Best Action Game: No More Heroes

A surprise upset in the Action genre, No More Heroes beats out Devil May Cry 4 in both the staff and user votes.  As a unique tribute to old 80s video games, and a funny mocking approach to the bloody action and anime games released these days, No More Heroes earned itself the top spot among a lot of strong action releases this year.

Runner-up:  Devil May Cry 4

Reader's Choice:  No More Heroes

 

 

Best Adventure Game: Prince of Persia

Just edging out Okami, the beautiful Prince of Persia took the top spot for Adventure games.  A great story and an absolutely gorgeous original setting make it a strong representation of the adventure genre.  The characters are well-balanced, and the relationship between the Prince and Elika is developed extremely well; especially considering the game lets you choose the order in which you progress the story. 

Runner-up:  Okami

Reader's Choice:  Okami 

 

 

Best Platformer: LittleBigPlanet

Not much of a surprise here.  The adorable sackboys take the award for best platformer by storm.  LittleBigPlanet's unique take on level design wins it a spot in the hearts of gamers, and the absolute joy of jumping around with four buddies in the level you made together is unmatched by anything else this year in the platforming genre. 

Runner-up:  de Blob

Reader's Choice:  LittleBigPlanet

 

 

 

Best Fighter: Super Smash Bros. Brawl

With a level of variety unmatched by anything else in the genre, Super Smash Bros. Brawl stormed into the Fighting Game of the Year position. Brawl comes equipped with a massive unique character roster, 41 different playable stages, a stage creator, and more game modes than anything else in the history of the fighting genre.  It will be hard to take the crown from this king of fighting games.

Runner-up:  Super Street Fighter II Turbo: HD Remix

Reader's Choice:  Super Smash Bros. Brawl

 

 

Best Racing Game: Mario Kart Wii

Of all the genres in gaming, none are more dependant on great local multiplayer than the racing genre.  Mario Kart Wii takes the fun of local racing to a whole new level. The Wii Wheel adds a whole new dimension to the chaotic fun, and the speed and crazy chaos of items is still in tact.  If great gamres are fun games, Mario Kart is among the best. 

Runner-up:  MotorStorm: Pacific Rift

Reader's Choice:  Mario Kart Wii

 

 

Best JRPG: Valkyria Chronicles

Valkyria Chronicles just edges out The World Ends With You for this award.  Valkyria Chronicles approaches the genre with a style different from most.  Rather than large overworlds filled with towns, explorations, and characters, VC spends most of its focus on the combat, and the unique development of it's very good story through its storybook style. The addition of full-team experience and a class-wide leveling system eliminates the issue many other RPGs have of unbalanced leveling, and no grinding is ever necessary to beat the game.

Runner-up:  The World Ends With You

Reader's Choice:  Valkyria Chronicles

 

 

Best WRPG: Fallout 3

Fallout 3 may not have been able to keep every Fallout fan happy, but it is a great dystopian RPG nonetheless. The VATS system is engaging and fun, the world is beautiful and detailed, and there is enough to do to keep you playing for hours. With the recent release of the extremely well-designed GECK mod tools by Bethesda on PC, you can make the game into whatever you want!

Runner-up:  Mass Effect

Reader's Choice:  Fallout 3
 

 

 

Best MMORPG: World of Warcraft: Wrath of the Lich King

One of the greatest challenges in gaming falls into the laps of the MMO developers.  That challenge is to keep adding content for the long-time players, while keeping the game fun and accessible to those who are new or do not spend as much time in the game.  Wrath of the Lich King does a brilliant job of this, with faster leveling, tons of dungeons playable by anyone, lots of new single-player content like daily quests, and a cinematic experience previously unmatched in any MMORPG.  If you were still waiting for an excuse to jump in, this is it. The Lich King awaits you.

Runner-up:  [url=http://www.vgchartz.com/games/game.php?id=26689&region=All]Lord of the Rings Online: Mines of Moria[/url]

Reader's Choice:  [url=http://www.vgchartz.com/games/game.php?id=13834]World of Warcraft: Wrath of the Lich King
[/url]

 

 

Best Music and Peripheral: Guitar Hero: World Tour

If you thought Rock Band had no competition in full-band games from the Guitar Hero franchise, you were wrong.  World Tour wins both the staff and reader picks for music game of the year.  The game comes equipped with a very good track list composed of nothing but master recordings, an improved guitar and drumset over all other models in the genre before it, and much better single-player gameplay than its competitor.  Rock on Activision. We're still playing.

Runner-up:  [url=http://vgchartz.com/games/game.php?id=24279&region=All]Rock Band 2[/url]

Reader's Choice:  [url=http://www.vgchartz.com/games/game.php?id=23198&region=All]Guitar Hero: World Tour[/url]

 

 

Best Strategy Game: Valkyria Chronicles

Valkyria Chronicles wins another one. The strategy RPG is not a genre with a lot of room for change... or so we thought.  Valkyria Chronicles pulls all the great features from the other games in the genre, and innovates with some of its own.  The mix of real-time and turn-based strategy creates an experience unlike any other on the market. If you like strategy games, Valkyria Chronicles is a must-own.

Runner-up:  [url=http://www.vgchartz.com/games/game.php?id=7706&region=All]Advance Wars: Days of Ruin[/url]

Reader's Choice:  [url=http://www.vgchartz.com/games/game.php?id=18897&region=All]Valkyria Chronicles[/url]

 

 

Best Simulation Game: Wii Fit

The word "unique" doesn't even begin to describe Wii Fit.  Truly a game like nothing else in gaming, Wii Fit creates and creates a strong, fun, and surprisingly effective excersize regiment for the gamer. The balance board it comes with has already seen some creative use in other games in the industry, and it will be interesting to see if anyone comes up with a competitor to this enjoyable fitness game.

Runner-up:  [url=http://www.vgchartz.com/games/game.php?id=24660&region=All]Animal Crossing[/url]

Reader's Choice:  [url=http://www.vgchartz.com/games/game.php?id=7480&region=All]Wii Fit
[/url]

 

 

Best Sports Game: Shaun White Snowboarding: Road Trip

A surprise upset in the sports category, Shawn White: Road Trip on Wii takes the award.  One of the above mentioned games taking advantage of the balance board, Shawn White is a blast to play on the device. Someday Nintendo may release a 1080 game that uses the balance baord, but until then, this is the snowboarding experience to be had on game systems.


Runner-up:  [url=http://www.vgchartz.com/games/game.php?id=14678&region=All]Madden NFL 09[/url]

Reader's Choice:  [url=http://www.vgchartz.com/games/game.php?id=25801&region=All]Fifa 09[/url]

 

 

Best Original Downloadable Game: World of Goo

Probably the most unexpected hit of the year, World of Goo topped the list for downloadable titles.  A game made by a small group of people in the course of a couple years, World of Goo is the perfect example of style, innovation, adn gameplay over graphics. Goo is characterized by brilliant humor, clever puzzles, and a style so awesome words cannot describe it. There is nothing like World of Goo on the market, and if you're a puzzle gamer and don't own a Wii grab it on PC.  You will not regret it. Thanks 2DBoy, for your great contribution to gaming in 2008!

Runner-up:  [url=http://www.vgchartz.com/games/game.php?id=24070&region=All]Mega Man 9[/url]

Reader's Choice:  [url=http://vgchartz.com/games/game.php?id=25236&region=All]
Braid [/url]

 

 

Best Graphics: Metal Gear Solid 4

To win the graphics award a game had to have both style and technical prowess.  Metal Gear Solid 4 is not the best from a technical standpoint (that goes to our runner up), but it has a combination of amazingly high-quality visuals and a unique style of its own that makes it our choice for best graphics of 2008.

Runner-up:  [url=http://www.vgchartz.com/games/game.php?id=23202&region=All]Crysis: Warhead[/url]

Reader's Choice:  [url=http://www.vgchartz.com/games/game.php?id=6970&region=All]Metal Gear Solid 4
[/url]

 

 

Best Musical Score: Super Smash Bros. Brawl

The winner of this award should come as no surprise.  258 songs. No, that's not a typo. 258 songs from some of the best composers and games in the history of the industry, ranging from classic midi to beautiful and flowing orchestrated scores.  Add that to the fact that the play sequence is fully adjustable in the in-game levels, and every song can be used in custom levels, and you have a Music Score that may never be surpassed. 

Runner-up:  [url=http://www.vgchartz.com/games/game.php?id=6962&region=All]LittleBigPlanet[/url]

Reader's Choice:  
[url=http://www.vgchartz.com/games/game.php?id=6970&region=All]Metal Gear Solid 4 [/url]

 

 

 

Most Innovative: LittleBigPlanet

If you had asked people a year ago what defined the Playstation 3's game library, innovation certainly would not have been the answer.  It still probably wouldn't be, but now there is at least one game that stands out as one of the leaders in that department.  An entire game based around a community creating and sharing games, LBP is a shining example for future games to follow.

Runner-up:  [url=http://www.vgchartz.com/games/game.php?id=19606&region=All]World of Goo[/url]

Reader's Choice:  [url=http://www.vgchartz.com/games/game.php?id=12390&region=All]LittleBigPlanet[/url]

 

 

Biggest Disappointment: Grand Theft Auto IV

Most disappointing game does not mean worst game.  Most disappointing game is the game that fell the furthest from expectations.  Winner by a landslide both for the staff and readers was Grand Theft Auto IV. Many people were excited by the idea of a next-gen Grand Theft Auto game because they wanted to see what new crazy things could be done with the power fo the Playstation 3 and Xbox 360.  Unfortunately, Rockstar decided that GTAIV was a time to remove features rather than add them, and dozens of the gameplay features that allowed the player freedom and creativity in the previous games in the franchise are now non-existent for the sake of a serious action game.  GTAIV is a good action game, but a bad GTA game.

Runner-up:  [url=http://www.vgchartz.com/games/game.php?id=14151&region=All]Spore[/url]

Reader's Choice: 
[url=http://vgchartz.com/games/game.php?id=7103&region=All]Grand Theft Auto IV[/url]

 

 

Best Game No One Played: Valkyria Chronicles

It's always sad to see a fun and original game not do well. Unfortunately, this year was full of them. Standing out though was Valkyria Chronicles. Arguably one of the best SRPGs ever made, the game is still sitting at a pathetic 280,000 units, even after release in all 3 territories worldwide.  If you are a strategy or RPG fan, own a playstation 3, and haven't bought this game, you should be ashamed of yourself.

Runner-up:  [url=http://www.vgchartz.com/games/game.php?id=7666&region=All]Okami[/url]

Reader's Choice:  [url=http://www.vgchartz.com/games/game.php?id=18897&region=All]Valkyria Chronicles[/url]

 

 

Game of the Year: LittleBigPlanet

And so it arrives.  Before I go on, I'd just like to point out that in our Staff vote LittleBigPlanet, Metal Gear Solid 4, Gears of War 2, and Super Smash Bros. Brawl were all very very close. So if you have any doubt this was a great year for any system owner, lose them now. Now moving on, LittleBigPlanet is our winner for Game of the Year in 2008, and for good reason.  It's fun.  Not just a little fun, but really freaking fun. It's fun alone, it's fun with friends, it's fun to watch, fun to listen to, fun to play, and fun to create. This is what gaming is supposed to be at its core. Congratulations LittleBigPlanet. You earned this award by being really freaking fun.

Runner-up:  Metal Gear Solid 4

Reader's Choice:  
Metal Gear Solid 4

    

Thanks for reading the VGChartz GotY list. These were our favorite games this year, and in a great year like 2008, I'm sure many of you had different favorites.  There were too many great games this year to not have a variety of opinions on the subject.  We know a couple things were missed this year on the lists, but this was our very first Game of the Year.  I only hope 2009 is an even better year!


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268 Comments
Bman54 (on 13 July 2009)

personally, i would have picked MGS 4 over LBP

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snakeftw (on 07 January 2009)

looks like someone forgot about xbox games Xd

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COKTOE (on 07 January 2009)

I like.

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BTFeather55 (on 06 January 2009)

I don't know how a game featuring the best music of any game released last year (A soundtrack featuring Fleetwood Mac, The Allman Brothers, great Euro tunes, Ace Frehley and when Ace kicks in singing "Back in the New York Groove, " you feel like GTA is back from Vice City and San Andreas and back to where to where it really belongs in Liberty City; Smashing Pumpkins in their glory days, The Stooges' best song, and the Sisters of Mercy among others as evidence), the best new character, and at worst the second best story of the year can be the most disappointing game of the year. But to each his own I guess.

See, rather than getting into it, I can honestly say there's a pretty good chance that I've lived a rather different life than I would imagine most of the posters here at VGChartz have and from my perspective much as I can see how The Devil's Rejects is one of the finest movies of the past decade I can also see how GTA IV is the best of the GTA games or at least since GTA III (and much better than Vice City with its Miami Vice designed thematics and San Andreas and its more pop oriented designed characters that would have more appeal to the general public (ie. rappers and hip hop community type characters) but actually not be as interesting from a deeper human perspective than the Eastern European immigrants like Nico Bellic featured in GTA IV).

Also, GTA IV was penalized for a lot of the things you could do in San Andreas that you can't do in GTA IV. However, I think those were largely humourous type or unlikely type things that were removed from San Andreas and not included in GTA IV and you should expect such deletions for the game and story being in a more serious world. And yes, they were there in the more cartoonish Saint's Row 2 as they should have been included in a more satirical game.

There should have been a category for Sandbox Game of the Year.


I think GTA IV it was a great outing for the series a return to where it should be storywise from Vice City and San Andreas, and I hope the GTA series' stories continue down more serious paths for years to come.

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Faxanadu (on 06 January 2009)

The charts got taste.

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outlawauron (on 06 January 2009)

@ Xander

There is a large difference in the reviews for MGS 4 and GTA 4. MGS 4 isn't even in the top 75 top reviewed games of all time whereas GTA is number one.

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XanderZane (on 06 January 2009)

kutasek says:
Wow people, saying it doesn't have credibility, get over it. This list is not to please people, it's THEIR LIST, deal with it, and happy new year. Thanks for giving credit to VC.



Well, you got that right. It's definitely THEIR LIST and not anyone elses. Most knowledgable gamers would disagree with many of the awards on this list. People need to stop taking this so seriously though. Every site has their own list and I'm sure they are all different. Whether you agree or not, it's not a big deal. Just find a site with awards that agree with you.

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XanderZane (on 06 January 2009)

Awards look pretty biase to me. Best Racing games Mario Kart? LOL!! Best 3rd person shooter MGS IV? It's not really a shooter. Best WRPG Fallout 3 is good, but runner up Mass Effect? Thought that came out last year. I would sat Fable 2 as runner up or best WRPG. Best Sports game Shaun White Snowboarding? LMAO!! No, just no!! Not even close. Valkyria Chronicles is a decent JRPG, but there were other that were just as good or better. Tales of Vesperia was excellent. So was Chrono Trigger (DS). GTA IV was not disappointing. I agree that it wasn't a "10", but neither was MGS IV. Both games were not disappointing, but not perfect either.

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RTTECH82 (on 05 January 2009)

I have been a Metal Gear Solid fan since the beginning and I still think its the best FPS ever! Go Solid Snake!

Jess
www.web-privacy.pro.tc

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Phoenix_34 (on 05 January 2009)

Sweet No More Heroes got best action! I recommend everyone rent it at least once, its a fun game to vent anger.

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Blacksaber (on 05 January 2009)

Wow this thread went crazy >_>

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bardicverse (on 05 January 2009)

I dont get how LBP is given Most Innovative, unless there was just nothing that truly was innovative. I find LBP to be an okay idea at best. Rehashing a platformer with an editor isn't really innovative, but whatever.

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nightsurge (on 05 January 2009)

I never said anything about VC being a bad game. I'm sure it is a great game, but I think LO or TWEWY is better. VC deserves the "Best Game No One's Played" but I don't think it deserves best strategy game. I'm not biased against Sony or Nintendo at all. In fact, I used to own all 3 consoles plus a DS till I sold the DS and Wii since there weren't enough games to justify keeping it.

I was merely pointing out that when the majority of users are Sony and Nintendo fans, this is what you should expect. I don't disagree with any of the Nintendo games that won, just the Best Graphics and GotY awards clearly show a majority of Sony voters, especially if PC games were included.

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BengaBenga (on 05 January 2009)

OK, both Starcraft and DMJ: you'll leave this topic NOW. I don't want any post of yours in this newsitem anymore. I'm serious.

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starcraft (on 05 January 2009)

No need for language buddy.

You need to take the internet a little less seriously.

;-)

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DMeisterJ (on 05 January 2009)

Agreed, correct, what the fuck ever.

Are we done here now?

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starcraft (on 05 January 2009)

Again, there was never any bitching and moaning on my part. You have had plenty of opportunities to point out any specific phrase that you would characterize as such, and have not taken them.

This is simply a case of you saying people are entitled to their opinions, but then taking it to heart when someone disagrees with yours. I pointed out your hypocrisy, you agreed with me. Then you invented some notion that I had claimed Lost Odyssey should be JRPG of the year in a rather innocuous attempt at labeling me a fanboy.

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DMeisterJ (on 05 January 2009)

@ starcraft

Oh, don't try to turn this around on me.

Please don't. It definitely was not my comment that set this off. Your bitching and moaning about VC and hypocrisy is what started this off.

  • 0
BengaBenga (on 05 January 2009)

Nightsurge: Just be glad there actually is a website that doesn't get caught up in all the big-budget hype and dares to give Valkyria the JRPG of the year award and GTAIV most dissapointing. Your statement that lesser known games aren't worthy of an award is sad, actually. Especially because it seems to be the opinion of most gaming media.

Your "Sony and Nintendo bias" is completely ridiculous as far as the staff goes. Most own at least 3 platforms. Speaking for myself I completely agree with most of the awards, despite owning all platforms but the Sony ones. I've played Valkyria for a short while and I loved it. I loved LO, TWEWY and FF4 as well this year, but definitely think VC is a good pick.

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starcraft (on 05 January 2009)

Thats just it DMJ, you seem to be getting yourself all worked up. I have said I disagreed. You could have disagreed with me in turn, but instead you seem to be on a mission to invalidate any opinion that isn't either your own, in support of Sony, or both.

So far as I can tell, I haven't bitched and moaned once. I pointed out your hypocrisy which you have noted and will hopefully address in the future.

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Seraphic_Sixaxis (on 04 January 2009)

Im quite amused. please continue.

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DMeisterJ (on 04 January 2009)

@ Naz

Thanks

@ Starcraft

I mean, what do you want me to say? I said Valkyria wasn't a JRPG, and now it won JRPG of the year, and I'm happy. Sue me. I mean, so what? What's the point? What's the big idea? It's the internet. And you're arguing against the opinion that MGS4 Graphically is the best. It's opinion. Everyone has one, and this was the collective opinion of the staff of VGC. What are you bitching and moaning about? I'm a hypocrite and someone's opinion is different than yours? So the fuck what?

_>

  • 0
nightsurge (on 04 January 2009)

I guess this is what you get when a website that is predominantly Sony and secondly Nintendo fans votes for GotY awards across all platforms. MGS4 best graphics? No. LBP Game of the Year? No. Guitar Hero: WT better than Rock Band 2? No. This website, as obvious in the forums, picks lesser known games and tends to give them more credit than they are due. Not saying these lesser known gems are bad games, just not worth the GotY awards.

  • 0
naznatips (on 04 January 2009)

As requested, the details on JRPG of the year in the staff voting:

1) Valkyria Chronicles
2) The World Ends With You
3) Chrono Trigger DS
4) Final Fantasy IV DS
5) Tales of Vesperia
6) Lost Odyssey

Forum vote we only go down to top 3, but it went:

1) Valkyria Chronicles
2) The World Ends With You
3) Chrono Trigger DS

It seems the general consensus is that Lost Odyssey was not among the top 5 JRPGs this year. I agree with this consensus.

  • 0
starcraft (on 04 January 2009)

I love it when he pretends not to care after his big long spiels :-)

It means "no comment." ;-)

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DMeisterJ (on 04 January 2009)

@ OkeyD

Of course not

@ AE86

Thanks!

@ Starcraft

I'm in no mood to argue over virtual awards now. It proves no purpose. VC won JRPG of the year, and MGS4 is best graphically. There's nothing you can do now but just get over it.

Fitting.

  • 0
starcraft (on 04 January 2009)

@DMeisterJ

You are having an argument against a constructed competitor that doesn't exist. You DID ignore my argument about Crysis. MGS4 looks similar artistically to a number of games (hell, it doesn't look too different to Gears2).

As for Lost Odyssey? I haven't once said it should have received JRPG of the year. Where on earth have you gotten that impression? I simply pointed out the hypocrisy you have personally developed over time on the "VC as a JRPG" issue. On the contrary, I have been desperately searching stores here in Sydney for a copy of TWEWY but am unable to find it.

I said I didn't vote, and I didn't once bitch and moan about that fact. You have simultaneously said that different opinions are all fine and dandy, before turning around and attempting to deny my right to have one?

Back on MGS4, I would once again contest that it is anything impressive artistically. It is very pretty yes, but it is in no way unique. Hell, here a game like TWEWY would shine again.

And now to cover your final point, in conjunction with your "thick skin" comment. I didn't once say I was in any way offended or hurt by any of your (or anyone else's) comments. On the contrary, I pointed out that the need to defend one's opinions with an arrogance and rather rude attitude such as many have displayed here is an indication that some people need to as you say, "just get over it?"

  • 0
AE86 (on 04 January 2009)

Wow, DMJ just walked all over Starcraft, and all the other Microsoft fanboys. Good show.

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--OkeyDokey-- (on 04 January 2009)

Somehow I doubt Starcraft would be playing the Crysis card if Gears had won...

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DMeisterJ (on 03 January 2009)

@ Starcraft

Blind?

[quote]And while Crysis: Warhead may be technically better, artistically, it lacks, especially compared to MGS4, and not every single person that owns the game can make it look as beautiful (technically) as it should. [/quote]

I didn't resort to any personal attacks in either of my posts. At least not about you. If you felt offended by anything I said, I can't help if I hit the nail on the head, but if you saw something as a personal attack, you must need to grow thicker skin.

More off-topic: This isn't about WKC, a game that outsold every 360 JRPG in JP in three days, being "okay" according to you, a Microsoft Fanboy (IMO, of course), but about how even if VC didn't win JRPG of the year, TWEWY would have won, and Lost Odyssey would have still lost. And like I said, I'd like to see if LO even charted, and if so where, so that we can put this argument to rest. Whether or not VC is a JRPG or not is neither here nor there, especially in your argument since TWEWY would have won also.

And whatever circumstances beyond your control stopped you from voting is all well and good, and I hope all is well, but still, you didn't vote, therefore you can't have much of a say in this. Blame whatever happened to you, but it still doesn't give you the right to bitch and moan about a game that you didn't vote for. That's the way the cookie crumbles, so you just have to get over it. >_>

Back on topic: And as I stated, Technically, MGS4 is definitely behind Crysis (those handful of people that can run it at full specs), but artistically, it's tons better. Obviously that is everyone's opinion, and as a eligible voter, you were able to vote and could have changed things around. But the overwhelming opinion is that MGS4 artistically > Crysis Artistically. Even though it's subjective, more people were on the MGS4 side. There's nothing you can argue about that.

Off-off-off topic:

It seems to me that the majority of people who disagree with winners on this list are Microsoft Fanboys that need some form of validation for their purchase. It's freaking virtual awards that don't affect the fun you have on this game. People would be wise to get over these stupid awards and move on with life. If you enjoy a game and believe it should have won and didn't, there's not much you can do about that, but get over it and have fun with your game.

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outlawauron (on 03 January 2009)

@ starcraft

Crysis, technically, looks better than MGS4 and Gears 2 but being that the games are not on the same platform (and most haven't gotten the chance to play it due to the high specs) which is why I think it didn't get the votes. I wouldn't vote for Crysis due to the fact that I haven't played it. I can't. I don't have the PC for it.

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Aionic_Kid (on 03 January 2009)

Definitely Burnout Paradise better than Mario Kart. I miss a mention to Patapon, but otherwise the list is reasonable, and an interesting departure from other sites to give LBP GOTY.

Happy new year VGChartz

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starcraft (on 03 January 2009)

@DMJ

As I already explained to Torillian privately, I was unable to vote, so that is neither here nor there. I have never once argued that the PS3 cannot sell JRPG's. I have argued that you have had no evidence that it can.

Even now, the sales of WKC are ok, not great. The difference of course is that I have not made personal attacks like yourself and your PS3 owning friends. I have an opinion, it's different to yours. I've simply pointed out that your opinion is not as well founded as you would like to believe.

Once again, you ignored Crysis.

  • 0
DaCountOfFat (on 03 January 2009)

Can't really argue about too much on this list of awards - I tend to agree with almost every catagory..

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Sylvain316 (on 03 January 2009)

@a3hmax
Agree with you : nothing really new with that game. VGChartz are ps3 biased

  • 0
a3hmax (on 03 January 2009)

¿LITTLE BIG PLANET GAME OF THE YEAR?
I can´t believe that, It haven´t any real innovation, it´s just another 2.5D plattaform game, nothing new, only the editor.

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blazinhead89 (on 03 January 2009)

Akuma's late to the party lol

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akuma587 (on 03 January 2009)

OMG LBP!

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DMeisterJ (on 03 January 2009)

@ Starcraft

So I'm a hypocrite sue me. Good thing this article isn't about my hypocrisy isn't it? (On a side-note, VC is a SRPG, a sub-section of JRPGs and RPGs in general. And talk about "personal responses" you're talking about what I said in a thread, and about what the contributors, and moderators voted on. And on that note, like Torillian said, you should have voted if that isn't what you believed, or brought it up in conversation. Back to my side-note, WKC has disproved your idiotic JRPGs cant sell on PS3 argument, so that's neither here nor there what I said, since you were incorrect anyway). Back on topic, like I said, Valkyria Chronicles is above and beyond, and even if VC didn't win, TWEWY would have won. (On another side-note, I'd like to know what place Lost Odyssey came in the "Best JRPG" race. I mean, if it didn't even chart, then the argument is moot at best, so Torillian/Naz, do you think you could divulge the details?).

And of course MGS4 wouldn't look as good as Gears 2 to you. I mean, since we're being honest here, you are a Microsoft Fanboy, and I don't know many of them who would admit a game on another console looking better. And while Crysis: Warhead may be technically better, artistically, it lacks, especially compared to MGS4, and not every single person that owns the game can make it look as beautiful (technically) as it should.

At the end of the day, these are the opinions of the staff on the site, and if you don't like it, maybe next year you'll vote and make a difference. You really should stop complaining if you didn't vote. You have no right to complain without expressing your right to vote.

It's so sad. Videogames on competing consoles get rewards, and all this fighting for a virtual award for a company that doesn't care about you. Maybe next year Microsoft will put out higher quality exclusives and be better represented with exclusive titles. Let's hope for that so that 360 fans don't lose their shit two years in a row. >_>

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Hraesvelgr (on 03 January 2009)

Amusingly, if this list consisted mostly of 360 titles, the PS3 owners would be complaining about bias towards the 360 and the 360 owners would be going on about how 2008 was year of the 360. Funny how that works.

Also, the list is based off of their opinions. You don't have to like it, but whining about it doesn't change anything.

@Retrasado: I played LBP and I can absolutely guarantee you it doesn't deserve GOTY. You know, my opinion and all that. At least my opinion is informed though, right?

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Retrasado (on 03 January 2009)

the only one I really disagree with MGS4 for TPS. As an overall game, MGS4 owns Gears (imho), but Gears is definitely a better TPS. Other than that one, I agree with all of the picks.

And I'm telling you, if anyone out there says LBP doesn't deserve GOTY, I can absolutely guarantee you they have never played it. That game is one of the best (if not the best) game I've ever played. Period.

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Ps3Fanboy (on 03 January 2009)

Way to go PS3 for getting all them amazing awards for Little Big Planet and MGS4.

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Torillian (on 03 January 2009)

You have to know talking in absolutes like "anyone who played both would agree with me" is never going to work out for you.

I played both as well, and like Naz it's not even close.

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naznatips (on 03 January 2009)

I played both and Fallout 3 wasn't even in my top 5. It's actually probably not in my top 10 come to think of it.

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Gohan (on 03 January 2009)

@ Dgc1808,
why would I be angry at games that I already have. I have MGS4 and Little Big Planet. in fact those were the only two PS3 games that I brought last year, the other was WipeoutHD wich I thought was amazing. outside of that. I brought 8 games for my 360, so overall my gaming experenice for 2008 was mostly remembed by the fun I had while playing the 360. not PS3.
like I said its nice that Sony games are being toasted like this, but in reality, it doesn't mean the same for me as it means for you!.
as I thought the Xbox had the best games overall. yet there are hardly any mention of games like Ninja Gaiden 2 or Banjo which I thought were amazing.
just my opinion though...so be careful when pre-judging.
for the record, my game of the year was Fallout 3. much better than LBP. I doubt anyone would say otherwise if they played both.

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starcraft (on 03 January 2009)

Given the rather personal nature of many of the responses given here Doats, I reckon it's not me that is "upset" as you put it. ;-)

Nonetheless, I do of course disagree. I notice noone seems particularly willing to engage with the "Crysis" point I made.

I guess to do so wouldn't be in line with attempts to mislabel me as a fanboy though huh?

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DOATS1 (on 03 January 2009)

@starcraft - your first point is entirely your opinion which you're entitled to. this whole goty award was based on opinions. the majority of opinions that voted (which you had the chance to do) say that mgs4 had the best graphics. does the fact that you disagree with this make it any less valid? or are you just upset that the game of your choice didn't get the top spot?

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konnichiwa (on 03 January 2009)

Like I said hundred times before:


SRPG is an subcategorie of JRPG's. People who don't really play JRPG's will call VC an JRPG. JRPG fans will call VC an SRPG just like J-music who has a lot of subcategories aswell....J-pop, J-rock,J-rap etc......

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konnichiwa (on 03 January 2009)

I only miss Persona in the list. Then again Persona is so niche that even die hard JRPG fans don't know it.

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starcraft (on 03 January 2009)

WOW lol.

Two things:

  1. It's incredible that such a bland comment can evoke like seven responses all with varying levels of aggressiveness, spite and bitterness. I have spent about 1-3 face hours with MGS4 on a pretty decent television (a Sony HD in fact). To me, it simply does not look as good as Gears 2 and a couple of other games on console's this year. It CERTAINLY does not look nearly as good as Crysis Warhead. The biggest failure of this list is to allow for the inclusion of PC games and omit that glaring fact.

  2. @DMeisterJ. I don't believe it, I mean I honestly don't. When VC tanked you were right there with all the other PS3 fans on this site saying I couldn't use it as an example of a JRPG that sold poorly on the PS3 because it was an SRPG and couldn't be compared to Lost Odyssey, Blue Dragon etc.

    Now months later when it suits you, "best JRPG is clearly not Lost Odyssey, if you haven't played VC then maybe >_>"

    Wow, just wow.

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FinalEvangelion (on 03 January 2009)

I guess I'm not the only one to think the PS3 really had a great line-up in 2008. As far as I'm concerned as a GAMER, and not a SALES FANBOY, PS3 had the best games for this year. 360 was good and Wii needed alot of improvement. That's where I stand right now.

Lost Odyssey definitely doesn't compare to Tales of Vesperia or Valkyria Chronicles in terms of goty.

MGS4, LBP, Valkyria Chronicles made a great year for PS3 gaming in 2008

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TinouX (on 03 January 2009)

This is the best and (IMO) most accurate 2008 GOTY listing I've seen yet. Well done, VGC staff!

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flames_of (on 03 January 2009)

The only one I really disagree with is for top Third-person shooter.

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Tidycats29 (on 02 January 2009)

I loled at the mario kart hate
mario kart wii > any other racer

Great list
i thought this list was very well done

I still expected MGS4 to get GOTY not LBP
but it wasnt a bad choice either

great job

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bouzane (on 02 January 2009)

I'm very happy to see LittleBigPlanet take the overall GOTY award, I couldn't agree more.

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Seraphic_Sixaxis (on 02 January 2009)

Wow, lots of 360 fanboy hate.

At anyrate the 360 cant win eveything, and it was obvious 2008 was PS3's year of gaming, not saying games for other consoles or handhelds was bad or anything, but PS3's was just the BEST hands down.

Its undeniable, Oh and @Selnor- you dont own a PS3 so how can you say LO > VC? dont let you're bias get in the way of results and overall quality. i've played LO and i can say VC is alot better.

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cool48 (on 02 January 2009)

What's with all the dumb excuses that since the PS3 isn't selling great it can't have awesome games!?!
And also saying that VGC is biased towards the PS3 because it turned out that it actually did have the best games this year.

Whoever thinks they can come up with a better list that everybody would agree on, I'd love to see it.

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Dgc1808 (on 02 January 2009)

@Gohan

You sound Jelous or something.... like your angry that your systems doesn't have these PS3 games you're talking about... Look up some of those games on this site... People Bought them. They all have more than one unit sold.....

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Dgc1808 (on 02 January 2009)

Good list overall.

Best Musical Score goes to Disgaea 3
GotY goes to Metal Gear Solid 4, LBP is also a good Pic I guess.

Just My Opinion. Great list overall.

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sebzhdrck (on 02 January 2009)

Right, MGS4 best 2008 VG experience, ever, no one can compete.

Thank you Hideo.

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dolemit3 (on 02 January 2009)

MGS4 -- third person shooter? That's retarded. How long can you last with an all-guns-blazing strategy in MGS4?

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richardhutnik (on 02 January 2009)

Go Sackboy!

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Stats87 (on 02 January 2009)

Best Sports Game should have been NHL 09, or even FIFA 09

Although, while Mario Kart Wii is a better Party Racer, I'd say Motorstorm:PR is overall better.

The rest of the list is pretty solid.

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mesoteto (on 02 January 2009)

i think GOY should be Fallout 3

one its multi plat and great on all three
two its a great game that is huge in what it offers and has depth and story
three--its has some great tec achievements despite its flaws

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heruamon (on 02 January 2009)

For a site that gets slammed for being biased against ps3, this list looks like a ps3 shopping list to me...

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xxxvitoxxx (on 02 January 2009)

agree on everything expect GOTY.... BS to the max

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DMeisterJ (on 02 January 2009)

lol.

This thing is high-larious.

Look at the 360 fans going crazy that Microsoft didn't sweep the awards this week. With one going as far as to be angry that there is not more 360 boxarts. As Monti said, maturity is clearly lacking.

MGS4 is the best looking technically + artistically of the year. Point blank period. And best JRPG is clearly not Lost Odyssey, if you haven't played VC then maybe >_>

The list is fine, and at the end of the day, it's a list. Not indicative of your personal beliefs. If you don't like what the list is, it doesn't mean that you're wrong, or a game you believed that shouldn't win isn't deserving, it's just an opinion, so get over it.

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CrunkE4 (on 02 January 2009)

2008 was crazy and ive had the privilege to play all those games. LBP FTW L4D is good too.

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saxophonehero (on 02 January 2009)

GAME OF THE YEAR PS3 DOMINAT

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radha (on 02 January 2009)

great selections, LBP is amazing after the patch, and the MGS pack is amazing

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antfromtashkent (on 02 January 2009)

Best 08 list ive seen.... i do think that RB2 was better than GHTW tho but that bout it.... Graphically WT owned and the addition of the legends and rock stars was brilliant and much appretiated... as far as the gameplay it was a bit disapointing... im sure that GH brand has a HUGE potential to be the best music game but you could deffianntly tell that it was there first attempt.

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Sylvain316 (on 02 January 2009)

VGChartz is ps3 biased

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The_vagabond7 (on 02 January 2009)

I think these are good choices, and much better than the hype induced awards of most proffesional sites. I'm glad No More Heroes got the credit it deserves, and while there are one or two I disagree with (MK:wii I don't think should've beat Burnout Paradise) I think they are respectable choices. Some people are just used to the Hype=awards mentality that most professionals propagate.

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bigjon (on 02 January 2009)

I think it is funny that all of you HD boys are up in arms about MKWii getting its due. I liked burnout, but about 11 million more people say MKWii, and the fact it is still selling tells me that they must like it (or they would have sold it used, thus killing the legs)

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S.T.A.G.E. (on 02 January 2009)

Guitar Hero world tour should never be considered the best music game. At best it should be the runner up Rockband. I know this because i've played them both recently. Rockband still plays better.

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FreeTalkLive (on 02 January 2009)

As a owner of every system mentioned except PSP, the awards look pretty good too me. I'm really glad the new Super Street Fighter II was listed as the 2nd best fighting game of the 2008 because it didn't do so well on the PS3 and Xbox 360 award lists. Even though I play my Wii more than PS3 and Xbox 360 combined, I'm not sure if Mario Kart was the best racer, though. Pure, Burnout, and Wipeout HD are all pretty good. Mario Kart will likely go on to the best sales on any racer, though.

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SpartanFX (on 02 January 2009)
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Reasonable (on 02 January 2009)

Good list overall. Although I'd argue both Burnout and Wipeout HD are superior racers to Mario Kart - Mario Kart is a whole lot of fun, but not the best racer IMHO.

Nice for LBP, definitely my GOTY by a fair stretch so can only agree fully with that choice.

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mesoteto (on 02 January 2009)

nah LBP should not be game of the year imo simply b/c its not that new or innovative

i mean its things people have been doing for a while on pc

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amp316 (on 02 January 2009)

So LBP was huge after all.

I'm just glad that Mario Kart Wii won racing game of the year.

I will say that these awards make a lot more sense the other ones that I've been seeing. It doesn't seem as though one system is favored and is pretty balanced.

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Aldro (on 02 January 2009)

Edit here are the links:
Spike = You already know...
Gamespot = http://www.gamespot.com/best-of/special-achievement/index.html?page=4

Scroll down and click on the envelope or how ever it spells.

vgchartz = just scroll up XD

(Bonus IGN):
PS3 gfx of the year goes to MGS4
360 goes to GTA IV
PC goes to crysis

You can pretty much tell its between crysis and mgs4 no? Gears 2 was nominated on gfx at 360 section but GTA IV got it lol.

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Aldro (on 02 January 2009)

Selnor: 'Current Best Graphics of 2008 awards currently have Gears at 2 and MGS4 at 1. So no.

Gears 2 is a notch above evrything currently on the market right now (excluding PC). It's so obvious, it'll break your TV'

MGS4 has the award at :
www.spike.com
www.vgchartz.com
www.GAMESPOT.com
and soon possibly www.ign.com

Gears has it on GT and GS.
3(Soon4HopefullyXD)>2
Yay? If you cant find em let me know and ill give you the link.(Thx Leo-J).

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SpartanFX (on 02 January 2009)

@k-dogg

that was THE only award that fable 2 won,,lool

no other website agreed .Fallout 3 won most of the RPG awards from major websites.

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Gab (on 02 January 2009)

The racing game category is a joke, there have been a couple of great racing games this year, why put party games on the list. Burnout paradise, GRID and even GT5P (ok maybe not that last one...)

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pearLy (on 02 January 2009)

I cannot understand that either, 11ht11.
These are great GOTY awards with fair choices IMO.
By the way, I love your final "conclusion" at the end. Very well done!

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11ht11 (on 02 January 2009)

why are so many people complaining!?

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HanzoTheRazor (on 02 January 2009)

Sorry, but LOL at the haters, especially Starcraft!

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HanzoTheRazor (on 02 January 2009)

As an owner of all platforms (including PC), and someone who has played most of these games, I would like to say that this list ROX! Well done VGC.

LBP, and so too MGS4 are 2 of the best games ever created. VC, too is easily the best Jrpg of 2008. Haters, please just play them. :)

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K-DOGG (on 02 January 2009)

x-play picked Fable 2, and here F2 is nowhere in sight. Hum, i wonder......

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finalsquall (on 02 January 2009)

Congrats to LBP :) well deserved. I was hoping MGS4 got it but LBP is awesome :D Go Ps3 as well :)

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Smashed (on 02 January 2009)

LBP well deserved!

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Spectrumglr (on 02 January 2009)

don't really understand all this anti gtaIV feeling...to me GTAIV is the best of the series (and i've played GTAIII, GTA VC and GTA SA).

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Shinlock (on 02 January 2009)

Ps3 isnt' the top selling console, it has some steller games.

LBP and MGS4 are high quality games.

GTA4 was a huge disappointment, sure there were games (haze) that were alot worse, but GTA3/SA set the bar really high, and they fell massively short of it.

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outlawauron (on 02 January 2009)

@ makingmusic

I know! It's too funny.

Selnor, how can you say that LO is better than VC if you haven't played it? Same goes for you Shura.

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leo-j (on 02 January 2009)

@Doats

Because its the 3rd place console, its supposed to be the worse console.

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bigjon (on 01 January 2009)

again, VGC has THE best GOTY list I have seen. Thank goodness, I was so tired of that overrated GTA4, getting all the love. LBP seems like a good choice, I would not have picked it, but I think it is a good pick.

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yungmagic09 (on 01 January 2009)

Interesting list, I'll have to play some of these games.

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Dallinor (on 01 January 2009)

LBP deserves it!

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makingmusic476 (on 01 January 2009)

Screw the MKWii haters! lol

And I love how quickly people go from "VGChartz is Wii biased!" to "VGChartz is ps3 biased!"

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blazinhead89 (on 01 January 2009)

Go LBP, MGS4 and VC, 3 awesome PS3 exclusives. lol @ Haters

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