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well...there's been alot of good games that came out this year...but I know that it's halo 3 that's gonna win...just because it's so popular...but, if it doesn't win, I believe that assassin's creed has a good chance of being game of the year. The story is awesome and it seems to be very fun. Thinking of more game earlier in the year... there's Bioshock and Lost planet which are still cool...personally, if there was one game that I think deserves to be named game of the year, it's call of duty 4... the single player might be short, but the whole telling of the story is awesome.

in handhelds, I only own a DS so I have to say that Mario Party DS is a awesome new game for the franchise...but I havent played enough DS games to say if it's game of the year material or not...

To recap: Game of the year nominees are assassin's creed, mass effect, bioshock, call of duty 4 and halo 3 (There needs to be more ps3 games in that list)

1. Halo 3. This game may not have been what everyone expected, but it's still excellent. Excellent presentation quality, high replay value, and multiplayer that will be remembered decades from now are what makes this game a killer-app.
2. BioShock. This game was the spiritual successor to System Shock, and still bears System Shock's glory. Creative, non-linear gameplay, a story that will keep you wondering even after the game ends, and top-notch presentation are what makes this game a classic.
Enemy Territory: Quake Wars. The spiritual sequel to Wolfenstein: Enemy Territory, this game fulfilled the impossible. It was the only game to OUTSELL HALO 3 DURING ITS LAUNCH WEEK, an astonishing feat, considering it only came out less than a week after the Halo 3 launch. And it's easy to see why. It's addictive class-based multiplayer, astonishing graphics, and unique factions, vehicles, and classes are what makes this game a must-own, and Game of the Year material. That's also what makes this game the true "Halo-killer."
4. The Orange Box. The debut of the long awaited sequel to Team Fortress is finally here. The game also introduces Half-Life 2: Episode Two and Portal, an interesting puzzle game. The combination of top-notch singleplayer, and first-class multiplayer from Team Fortress are what makes this game a must-own for any shooter fan.
5. Crysis. I doubted this game at first, for reasons I cannot explain, but it proved me wrong by a lot. It's creative powers, hardcore action, and beautiful graphics make it an enjoyable experience all the way through.
6. Command and Conquer 3: Tiberium Wars. This game was one of the best RTS's in years. It's simple control scheme, excellent graphics, and high replay value are what makes this game awesome. It covers new ground on an already excellent franchise. This is one RTS that will be remembered decades after its release.
7. Contra 4. This game was the game that got me back to playing my DS. It's creative bosses, hardcore action, and tough-as-nails difficulty are what kept me playing into the dark hours of the night. Just sit back, put it into your DS, and enjoy. You'll be so hooked, you won't even realize how the hours will fly by.

Well, that's all for now. I'll probably think of some more later. Yes, they're mostly shooters, but then again, most of the "hyped-up" games that came out this year were shooters. And by the way, Quake Wars was the real "Halo-killer."

Okay, given that I do not own a PS3, 360, PSP, or have a particularly powerful PC, my selections for those platforms are a bit biased due to lack of time with them.

Playstation 3:

Uncharted: Drake's Fortune

Even before I was possibly getting a PS3, this game had me hyped. Sure, I played it off like it was just some ordinary jungle running shooter. But the game has so much personality, mostly due to main character's "ordinaryness". Just play the game, and you'll know what I mean.

Runner-up: Ratchet and Clank Future: Tools of Destruction

This is the first time ever that Insomniac has been outdone by Naughty Dog (in my opinion), but that's not say the lombax doesn't offer a colorful, enjoyable game. I may not be the biggest fan of the series, but I do appreciate the accessible gameplay offered by the first installment in the series on the next-gen level.

Xbox 360:

Eternal Sonata

Talk about a black horse, huh? This game was just so bizarre, beautiful, and fresh for RPGs, I could not help but love it. Plus, it features 19th century musician genius Frederic Chopin as the main character! How could it be wrong in any way?

Runner-up: Mass Effect

Wow. It actualy happened. Bioware outdid KOTOR. Need I say more?

PC

Portal

Boo all you want, but nothing will ever break my undying love for this game. It has completely changed the definition of a puzzle game in my mind forever, it is absolutely gorgeous, and the cake is a lie. A game that I keep coming back to.

Runner-up: Sam & Max: Season One

This pack features the first six episodes of episodic Sam & Max games from Telltale Games, and when they're all brought together, they offer one of the funniest adventure games to come along in years (I'm sorry, but Indigo Prophecy was never funny), and though it doesn't reach the level achieved by Grim Fandango nearly ten years ago, it is still one of the better point and click games of this generation.

PSP

Parappa the Rapper

This game is just so weird, but I absolutely love it. Portable music games are always a big plus in my book, but good portable music games push over the edge. Plus, it's a game... about a rapping dog... C'mon!

Runner-up: Disgaea: Afternoon of Darkness

It is Disgaea... in my pocket... The end.

PS2

NOTHING (except Persona 3

It was either going to be this or God of War II and really, God of War II was just God of War again. I mean did they actually improve the gameplay in any respect? Sure more bosses, more button pressing scenes, more more more old stuff? But any new stuff? Not much, and none earthshattering in my opinion. I know Persona had the balls to bring a main characters that commit suicide. Sure, it desensitizes a terrible topic, but at least it's new.

Runner-up: STILL NOTHING (except God of War II)

I said before, this is God of War again. But that means... it is... once again... God of War, which was a pretty damn good game. Sure. it's nothing but rehashed gameplay mechanics, but their rehashed from an excellent game.

DS

Picross DS

I'm sorry. I loved Legend of Zelda: Phantom Hourglass. I loved Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney- Trials and Tribulations. I loved Sonic Rush Adventure. I loved Brain Age 2. And I loved Puzzle Quest: Challenge of the Warlords. But Picross DS is by and far the best portable game to come out this year. For an extensive look at why I chose this game, pleae refer to my review in the Viking Media sub-forum. But to put it shortly, the interface is intuitive, the gameplay is extraordinarily simple, but addictive, and, most importantly, downloadable puzzle packs and custom puzzles offer literally infinite replay possibilities. And all for only $20. Get it.

Runner-up: Legend of Zelda: Phantom Hourglass

Oh, there's the core DS gamer's hero! Yes I loved this game. Amazing graphics, inuitive touch-screen gameplay, improved sea-venturing, a fairly long adventure. But my biggest complaint about the game, it doesn't suit well to portable gaming. Sure, it fits in your DS, it utilizes DS functions, but it simply isn't a game to be played in a normal portable setting simply because it is such a large game and doesn't offer that "short burst" gameplay necessary to perfect handheld titles. Other than that though, it's a masterpiece of DS gaming capabilities.

Wii

Super Mario Galaxy

Duh.


Okay, I'm sure by now, you all know how much Nintendo fans, like me, love this game. It has perfected the 3D Mario gameplay mechanics and applied them to an interesting, underutilized scenario. It is great. And it is a very long game, longer than most would think thanks to Star #121. Excellent game, anyone with a Wii should have it.

Runner-up: Mercury Meltdown Revolution

What? WHAT? Not Zack & Wiki: Quest for Barbaros Treasure? Not Resident Evil: Umbrella Chronicles? Not Trauma Center: New Blood? Not Geometry Wars: Galaxies? Not Fire Emblem: Radiant Dawn? Not Mario Strikers: Charged? Not even Metroid Prime 3: Corruption? My answer: no, Mercury Meltdown Revolution. Most would push this off as a simple port of a PSP game, and you'd be right. This is a port of the levels from the PSP game Mercury Meltdown. But you know what? The Wiis motion controls offer the best control ever offered in a ball rolling game, ever. Granted, this seems like a small niche, but it makes all the difference when you're playing with an analog stick or tilting the Wii-mote like an actual board. Funky visual style, fun, catchy muzak, and maniacal level dresigns come together to create a package that is more than worth your twenty dollars.

Multi-Platform

Bioshock

It is incredible. Irrational Games does everything right and seemingly nothing wrong. The atmosphere is so brilliant, it just makes the world for you. Plus, 50s art deco!

Runner-ups:

Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock

Because sometimes, I just want to thrash out some crazy a** guitar. I enjoy playing Cliffs of Dover by Eric Johnson, Bulls on Parade by Rage Against the Machine, and Through the Fire and the Flames by Dragonforce (on easy for that last one). And I like Battle Mode.

Rock Band

Because sometimes, I want to get together with my mom and brother to reform Tri-force and play Welcome Home by Coheed and Cambria, Synchronicity II by The Police, and Don't Fear the Reaper by Blue Oyster Cult. And I like the vocal parts and the bass parts.

LEGO Star Wars: The Complete Saga

Because I can play co-op with my little cousin, who lives about 50 miles away, in a game we used to play all the time together when she lived closer by. Plus, the little capes are in HD now!

Playstation 3:

Overall, it's a toss up, for me, between Bioshock, Super Mario Galaxy, Mercury Meltdown Revolution, Eternal Sonata, and Picross DS.

In the world of journalism, however, it will most likely be a close one between Bioshock, Ratchet & Clank Future: Tools of Destruction, Super Mario Galaxy, Legend of Zelda: Phantom Hourglass, and Crysis.

I mentioned Halo 3 stare

It seems that everyone has forgotten about Pokemon and its awesomesauce Porygon-Z. scream
It seems as though a game is only eligible if it was released later this year. No doubt SSBB shall be forgotten next year.

I actually feel that Bioshock and CoD 4 might actually get GOTY. I mean Bioshock is a hella great game with an amazing ambiance and as well grea gameplay.

CoD 4 just changed there direction and just made their game better..Much better. It looks likes that CoD franchise is heading in the right direction.

However I wouldn't count out...God of War II. God damn for a PS2 game it was awesome...