The “I can’t believe they finally did it” Award
This award is presented to a company that did something important this year that its fanbase has been demanding for a long time.
Winner: Electronic Arts
Normally EA isn’t exactly a favourite of the more hardcore audience, with their reliance on licenses, sequels and yearly updates dragging gaming into the slums. However, towards the end of the year, EA did something that many of us having been hoping…nay, praying for since they first started using it. EA dropped the “Challenge Everything” motto and the splash screen with the annoying whispering kid. Kudos, EA.
Challenge this! *pelvic thrust*
Runner Up: Nintendo Wi-Fi
While the existence of Nintendo’s Wi-Fi service was known, I honestly didn’t expect that we’d see a wealth of titles with the functionality this year, nor did I expect it to be as well executed as it is. Sure, the friend codes system might be annoying, but it’s free, dammit.
The “WTF!?!” Award
This award goes to the person, place or event that took place this year that boggled the mind. It doesn’t have to be positive or negative, just unexpected.
Winner: The Xbox 360 Launch
It’s really a bit sad that Microsoft rushed the launch to the next generation of consoles so much that they didn’t have enough product to satisfy demand. The Japanese launch was an unmitigated disaster, with 100,000 consoles sitting on shelves – consoles that Australian gamers, who form up Microsoft’s strongest market (based on market share) and best chance to get one up on Sony, could have been playing this Christmas. Let’s not get into the two console spec and overpriced port debacles.
Hint: Have consoles in stock for high score
Runner Up: The Nintendo DS Explosion
When the PSP launch took place, most fans were quick to spell doom for the Nintendo DS. However, Nintendo fought back hard with big releases such as Nintendogs and Mario Kart and a load of other high quality titles (Sonic Rush, Castlevania, Advance Wars, Kirby, Animal Crossing and a bunch of really good imports), and have since outsold the PSP across every territory, showing just why they’ve dominated the handheld scene for the last 16 years. It doesn’t stop this Christmas either, as the DS has a lot of good software on the way in 2006.
The George Broussard Award for Unfortunate Delays
George Broussard is the head honcho over at 3D Realms in Garland, Texas – who just happen to have been working on Duke Nukem Forever since 1997. He also lacks a sense of irony.
Winner: The Legend of Zelda: The Twilight Princess
Many of us have painful memories of the Nintendo delay-fest during the N64’s lifetime, and we got given a stark reminder in the later half of this year when Nintendo decided to delay the game. On the upside, they’re supposed to be adding in an orchestral score and Revolution controller functionality. A bit of extra spit and polish never hurt, either.
That's Venus Fly Trap, Brendan
Runner Up: The Australian Xbox 360 Launch
Yeah, everyone’s whinging about it, but it’s a colossal botch up on Microsoft’s behalf to let the one territory they could have won slip through their fingers. The Xbox is being virtually ignored at retail this Christmas with everyone holding off for the next generation, and the fact that Microsoft pulled first party support for the Xbox back in July. At least we get twice as many launch titles.
The “For the love of God, please stop” Award for Most Annoying Gaming Trend
In the entertainment industry, everyone sits around waiting for someone to find something successful, then they jump on the bandwagon until the latest idea is bled dry. This trend also applies to the gaming industry, and this award is awarded to the trends that (obviously) annoy me the most.
Winner: The “Gangsta” games
MTV is forcing “pop-hop” or “hip-pop” down our throats 24/7, along with the glorification of the thug life style – bling bling, bad grammar, souped up cars and so on. These trends began to creep into games last year, with Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas providing a reasonably good look into mainstream gang culture of the early 90’s. This year we’ve had 187 Ride or Die, Crime Life: Gang Wars and 50 Cent: Bulletproof (to name a few). What do these games have in common? They all suck. Hard.
Not even worth 50 cents
Runner Up: CGI-only trailers
I still can’t believe we’re seeing these, especially for next-generation consoles, which can produce graphics on par with many of these horrendous CG trailers we get. Show something that’s representative of the end product, or show nothing at all.
The Award for the Worst use of a Good Character
With publishers being almost completely risk averse and relying on established properties for a steady flow of income, it’s inevitable that one company will do something to destroy the image of said license (or character they’ve created themselves, in extreme circumstances). This award is given to the developer which has delivered the most disgrace to an established character this year.
Winner: EA (James Bond)
EA’s history with James Bond has been sketchy at best, but From Russia With Love was a mess, which is likely to hurt the gaming franchise for years to come, not to mention EA’s back pocket.
Runner Up: Insomniac (Clank)
I still don’t know why Insomniac decided to do Ratchet: Gladiator, given the popularity of the Ratchet & Clank amongst parents and children, but pushing Clank, the series’ comic relief device and most interesting character into the background is a mistake the developer is sure to regret when they see the sales figures.
The “I can’t believe you won’t shut up” Award for most persistently annoying industry personality
This award is pretty simple – it goes to the individual who had annoyed us all the most this year.
Winner: Jack Thompson
Like it’d have been anyone else. It’s pretty self explanatory – Jack Thompson has taken it upon himself to yell about the evils of videogames to get his 15 minutes of fame. Now if only those fat little suburbanites in America would stop acting so hostile towards him (death threats and such – way to validate his point, regardless of whether he’s right or not), he’d have run out of ammunition by now.
He's only half the attorney that Harvey Birdman is
Runner Up: Phil Harrison
Phil Harrison doesn’t quite seem to get that the PSP is having its arse handed to it at retail. His ignorance (and arrogance) seems to extend to other areas, such as the PSP’s software library, and various aspects of the PlayStation 3. He doesn’t come across as a bad guy (most of the time), but he could turn it down a little. Honourable mentions go to J. Allard and Peter Moore, who’ve had me in stitches lately with the absurdity of their comments about the Xbox 360 and “success” of their launch.
The Poor PAL Gamer Award for the best game released everywhere else but here
It’s something we know all too well – the games that come out everywhere else at Christmas, but we have to wait until March to get them. This award goes to the games we’d like to be playing the most, but are too lazy/poor to get modified systems on which to play them.
Winner: Shadow of the Colossus
Many have been waiting to get their hands on the next game from the team that brought us ICO. Beautiful both artistically and technically, Shadow of the Colossus should be a refreshing experience when it arrives in the latter half of February.
Ever wondered what the PALGN offices looked like? Picture the complete opposite
Runner Up: Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney
The DS is offering a bunch of gaming experiences which we’ve not really had before, one of the most notable of which is Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney. An expanded version of a quirky Japanese adventure game on the GBA, players take the role of a rookie attorney who must solve crimes and defend his clients in court. Combining the fun of investigation and the drama of the courts, Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney is one of the freshest experiences on the DS to date.
The John Romero Award for Failed Hype
Daikatana; never forget. Who’s whose bitch now, John? This award goes to the product that promised the most, yet delivered the least.
Winner: The PSP
All that talk about “bringing handhelds out of the gaming ghetto” and what do we get? Overpriced ports and adaptations, with few original titles. Nothing refreshing at all. Try again in 2006.
Runner Up: Conker: Live and Reloaded
Rare and the Xbox, quite possibly the mismatch of the decade. Conker was in development for more than 3 years and failed to deliver. The single player game felt aged and a bit glitchy, while the multiplayer offered up nothing we hadn’t already seen before. Here’s hoping next-gen will be kinder to the lads from Twycross.
Bollocked is quite a good description of what Rare did here
The Award for the Coolest Special Move
Pretty self explanatory – this award goes to the most impressive move in a game this year.
Winner: Leon’s Suplex
Leon’s context sensitive moves in Resident Evil 4 were pretty cool. You had that nifty roundhouse kick to start with, but as you progressed through the game, Leon began to use a German suplex on his enemies, which was far more devastating, and about one hundred times cooler.
Runner Up: The Incredible Hulk’s Critical Thunder Clap
The Incredible Hulk: Ultimate Destruction allows you to upgrade the Jade Giant’s moves throughout the game. Once he reaches “Critical Mass”, he can execute a sonic boom so powerful that it can level a city block – it even sucks objects in before crushing them and sending them flying out in every direction. Handy for when you’re surrounded.
The Award for the Worst Use of a Celebrity
Using Hollywood talent isn’t a new thing in videogames, though I could swear using them effectively is. This award goes to the personality who put in the worst performance in a videogame this year.
Winner: Sean Connery (From Russia With Love)
Sir Sean’s getting a bit long in the tooth, and it doesn’t help that a) his Scottish accent is thicker than ever, b) he’s got a lisp and c) his performance is a phone-in. Throughout the entire game, whenever Bond spoke, all I could think of was my former housemate’s Connery impression – “You’re the schloppy.”
Runner Up: 50 Cent (50 Cent: Bulletproof)
50 Cent allegedly turned down the lead role in Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas to do this game. ‘Nuff said.
The "Walker told me I have AIDS" award for the most unexpected surprise of the year
If you’ve not seen the clip from which the quote is taken, I highly recommend it – Haley Joel Osment at his best. This award goes to the event that surprised us the most.
Winner: The Revolution Controller
Honestly, who’d have expected the Revolution controller to be what it is? With all those funky attachments? If you did, can you chose my lotto numbers next week? Nevertheless, Nintendo’s whacky new controller should offer some unique gameplay experiences next year that should hopefully get our minds off the somewhat underwhelming “next-gen” offerings we have at the moment.
Satoru tries to change the channel quickly before his mother barges in
Runner Up: EA publishes We Love Katamari
EA haven’t exactly been noted for their forays into original software in the last 5 years, but it was a little bit of a shock when they snapped up the rights to the PAL release of We Love Katamari, one of the most unconventional and risky titles of recent times. They’re releasing it at budget price too, which is an added bonus. Expect to see it on shelves on February 2nd.
The Award for the silliest acquisition of the year
With games getting more expensive to develop, and spawning growing revenues, consolidation and acquisitions are inevitable. This award goes to the most questionable of acquisitions that took place this year.
Winner: News Corporation (IGN)
On September 8, 2005, it was announced that News Corporation had bought 92.3% of total stock of the company for a controlling stake of IGN for $US650 million. How the hell is a company that’s never turned a profit worth so much, and why the heck would you cough up so much do for them? Why Rupert, why? Why not buy PALGN too? I’m sure James would like to retire at 21.
0M for the rights to Matt C.'s crybaby rants? No way
Runner Up: Midway (Ratbag)
It was announced mid-year that Midway snapped up successful Adelaide-based racing game developer Ratbag for $US6 million. It was widely seen as a move that would expand the potential of Australian game development. However, just two weeks ago, it was announced that Midway decided to shut the studio down. Pretty useless move on their part, considering they didn’t really get any products out of the acquisition, not to mention all the poor folks that lost their jobs before Christmas.
The Award for most wanted localization of a Japanese import
Every year, hundreds of games are released in Japan that never find their way out of the Land of the Rising Sun. The following two games that look to be pretty damn fine, but don’t have any plans to be released outside of Japan at this point in time.
Winner: Ryu Ga Gotoku
This title needs a localization badly – a) Sega coughed up $US20 Million for the development and promotion, b) it’s got a great story and solid action, c) it’s the spiritual successor to Shenmue and d) it’s got freakin’ Yakuza in it. Just a hint, Sega – if you do decide to bring it over here, DO NOT DUB THE GAME’S SPEECH INTO ENGLISH.
C'mon Sega, you know you want to!
Runner Up: Naruto Gekitou Ninja Taisen 4
The Naruto anime has finally made it outside of Japan, and has once again proven extremely popular (well, it’s an action-packed shounen anime, what do you expect?). The fourth game is the latest in the series of cel-shaded brawlers for the GameCube, and offers a massive roster and a ton of new enhancements. While the first game in the series has been announced for release in the US, we’d really like to see the later (and more improved) versions be released before the GameCube calls it a day.
...or am i? 
). Elsewhere, the supply issue is blinding just how much demand there is for the machine, so I can't really make an assumption just yet.
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