These are our Nominees for the Inside Pulse Games 2004 Year End Awards. So many great games came out this year that it was overwhelming, for our brains narrowing the field down and for our wallets alike. Come January 3rd the staff shall reveal our final picks, but in the meantime check out what we’ve chosen as the best titles to hit in 2K4. And be sure to participate yourselves with the 2004 Reader’s Choice Awards!
BEST SONY PLAYSTATION 2 GAME
It was an incredible year to be a PlayStation gamer. Nearly every genre one could imagine from action adventurers to RPGs to Karaoke games to shooters were covered and covered well. No matter what your personal feelings on Sony and the PlayStation family are, one must admit that the PS2’s certainly the most diversely appealing gaming machine on the market. Some new quality titles made their way onto Sony’s console juggernaut but without a doubt this was the year of the sequel, as is easily perceived by our Nominees.
- Gradius V
Publisher: Konami – Developer: Treasure/KCET - Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas
Publisher: Rockstar Games – Developer: Rockstar North - Katamari Damacy
Publisher: Namco – Developer: Namco - Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater
Publisher: Konami – Developer: Konami - Ratchet & Clank: Up Your Arsenal
Publisher: SCEA – Developer: Insomniac Games
BEST NINTENDO GAMECUBE GAME
While it’s debatable if this was the GameCube’s strongest year, there’s no denying that oodles of quality gaming came spewing forth from Nintendo’s little box. The first full 3D Pokemon RPG ever; sequels to the widely popular Legend Of Zelda, Paper Mario, and Metriod Prime franchises; some Namco / Monolith Soft RPG lovin’ sprinkled in for good measure; and the long awaited return of the Nintendo-Squaresoft friendship resulting in the unique Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles. Funny enough, looking at the releases it appears Nintendo had a stronger RPG line-up than even Sony this go round. It truly was a good year to be Cubing. Little surprise though, that the very best releases of the year were from Nintendo themselves.
- The Legend of Zelda: Collector’s Edition
Publisher: Nintendo – Developer: Nintendo - Donkey Konga
Publisher: Nintendo – Developer: Namco - The Legend of Zelda: The Four Swords
Publisher: Nintendo – Developer: Nintendo - Paper Mario: The Thousand Year Door
Publisher: Nintendo – Developer: Intelligent Sys. - Metroid Prime 2: Echoes
Publisher: Nintendo – Developer: Retro Studios
BEST MICROSOFT XBOX GAME
We love Microsoft. And amazingly enough, Microsoft loves us back. God knows why. But they do. But it’s easy to see why we give them lovin’. Some of the best games of the year were right here on our green eyed console. And not just the big budget, blockbuster mamma jammas either. We had the niche quality titles like Metal Slug 3 to go along with the Halo 2s and Ninja Gaidens. Add in the most comprehensive online set-up for any current console in the form of Xbox Live, and you’ve got quite a game library to be reckoned with. Keep the goodness comin’ guys. Keep it comin’. And cue P. Diddy… “It’s good to play together.”
- Ninja Gaiden
Publisher: Tecmo – Developer: Team Ninja - Star Wars Knights Of The Old Republic II: The Sith Lords
Publisher: LucasArts – Developer: Obsidian Entertainment - Halo 2
Publisher: Microsoft – Developer: Bungie - Outrun 2
Publisher: SEGA – Developer: AM2 - Metal Slug 3
Publisher: SNK – Developer: SNK
BEST NINTENDO GAMEBOY ADVANCE GAME
As seemingly the final chapter of the Game Boy Advance’s life comes to a close and a new book is opened with birth of the Nintendo DS, a reflection of what we’ve experienced from this veritable handheld over the past year yields fond memories of the best games the IP Games Kliq have ever played. Developers like Treasure, SEGA, Atlus, Konami, and of course Nintendo have labored over portable masterpieces from genres across the board making it one of the most diverse systems out there; second only perhaps to the PlayStation 2 in variety.
- Pokemon Fire Red/Leaf Green
Publisher: Nintendo – Developer: Nintendo - Astro Boy: Omega Factor
Publisher: SEGA – Developer: Treasure/SEGA - Final Fantasy I & II: Dawn of Souls
Publisher: Nintendo – Developer: Square Enix - Bubble Bobble Old & New
Publisher: Empire Interactive – Developer: Taito Corporation - Shining Force: Resurrection of the Dark Dragon
Publisher: Atlus – Developer: Amusement Vision
SYSTEM OF THE YEAR
Wow. It’s been said by us before; but 2004 had to be a one of the best years for gaming we’ve ever seen. I mean… did you SEE the line-up we had for nominees thus far? Hard-hitting stuff, and we haven’t even gotten within each genre yet. So it makes this decision all the harder. Which system had the best of the best? The most variety? The most innovation? We’ll tell you right now, it ain’t gonna be easy to pick.
- Nintendo GameCube
- Sony PlayStation 2
- Nintendo Game Boy Advance
- Microsoft Xbox
- Nintendo Dual Screen
BEST SPORTS GAME
- ESPN NFL 2K5 (Multi)
Publisher: SEGA – Developer: Visual Concepts - Tiger Woods 2005 (Multi)
Publisher: EA Sports – Developer: EA Sports - ESPN NHL 2K5 (Multi)
Publisher: SEGA – Developer: Kush Games - Madden NFL 2005 (Multi)
Publisher: SEGA – Developer: Electronic Arts Tiburon - NFL Street 2 (Multi)
Publisher: EA – Developer: Electronic Arts Tiburon
BEST ALTERNATE SPORTS GAME
- Tony Hawk’s Underground 2 (Multi)
Publisher: Activision – Developer: Neversoft Entertainment - Ribbit King (PS2)
Publisher: Bandai – Developer: Bandai - Mario Power Tennis (GC)
Publisher: Nintendo – Developer: Camelot Co. Ltd. - WWE: Smackdown! Vs. Raw (PS2)
Publisher: THQ – Developer: Yukes - Mario Golf: Advance Tour (GBA)
Publisher: Nintendo – Developer: Camelot Co. Ltd.
BEST FIGHTING GAME
- Guilty Gear X2 #Reload (XB)
Publisher: Majesco Games – Developer: Arc Developments - Samurai Shodown V (NeoGeo)
Publisher: SNK – Developer: SNK - Def Jam: Fight for NY (Multi)
Publisher: EA Games – Developer: EA Canada - Street Fighter Anniversary Collection (PS2)
Publisher: Capcom – Developer: Capcom - Mortal Kombat: Deception (Multi)
Publisher: Midway – Developer: Midway
BEST DRIVING GAME
- Outrun 2 (XB)
Publisher: SEGA – Developer: AM2 - F-Zero GP Legend (GBA)
Publisher: Nintendo – Developer: Nintendo - Sega GT Online (XB)
Publisher: SEGA – Developer: Wow Entertainment - Test Drive: Eve of Destruction (Multi)
Publisher: Atari – Developer: Monster Games Inc. - Burnout 3: Takedown (Multi)
Publisher: EA – Developer: Criterion Games
BEST ACTION RPG
- Baldur’s Gate: Dark Alliance II (Multi)
Publisher: Interplay – Developer: Black Isle Studios - Tales of Symphonia (GC)
Publisher: Namco – Developer: Namco - The Bard`s Tale (Multi)
Publisher: InXile Entertainment – Developer: InXile Entertainment - X-Men Legends (Multi)
Publisher: Activision – Developer: Raven Software - Final Fantasy: Crystal Chronicles (GC)
Publisher: Nintendo – Developer: Square Enix
BEST TURN BASED RPG
- Star Wars Knights Of The Old Republic II: The Sith Lords (XB)
Publisher: LucasArts – Developer: Obsidian Entertainment - Pokemon Fire Red/Leaf Green
Publisher: Nintendo – Developer: Nintendo - Final Fantasy I & II: Dawn of Souls (GBA)
Publisher: Nintendo – Developer: Square Enix - Shin Megami Tensei: Nocturne (PS2)
Publisher: Atlus – Developer: Atlus - Paper Mario: The Thousand Year Door (GC)
Publisher: Nintendo – Developer: Intelligent Sys.
BEST TACTICAL RPG
- La Pucelle: Tactics (PS2)
Publisher: Atlus/Mastiff – Developer: Nippon Ichi Software - Front Mission 4 (PS2)
Publisher: Square Enix – Developer: Square Enix - Final Fantasy Tactics Advance (GBA)
Publisher: Nintendo – Developer: Square Enix - Shining Force: Resurrection of the Dark Dragon (GBA)
Publisher: Atlus – Developer: Amusement Vision - Phantom Brave (PS2)
Publisher: Nippon Ichi Software- Developer: Nippon Ichi Software
BEST FIRST PERSON GAME
- Half life 2 (PC)
Publisher: VU Games – Developer: Valve Software - Breakdown (XB)
Publisher: Namco – Developer: Namco - Halo 2 (XB)
Publisher: Microsoft – Developer: Bungie - Metroid Prime 2: Echoes (GC)
Publisher: Nintendo – Developer: Retro Studios - Dead Man’s Hand (Multi)
Publisher: Atari – Developer: Human Head Studios
BEST TRADITIONAL SHOOTER
- R-Type Final (PS2)
Publisher: Eidos – Developer: Irem - Metal Slug 3 (XB)
Publisher: SNK – Developer: SNK - Gradius V (GBA)
Publisher: Konami – Developer: Treasure/KCET - Metal Slug Advance (GBA)
Publisher: SNK – Developer: SNK Playmore - Classic NES Series: Xevious (GBA)
Publisher: Nintendo – Developer: Namco
BEST HORROR GAME
- Silent Hill 4: The Room (Multi)
Publisher: Konami – Developer: Konami - The Suffering (Multi)
Publisher: Midway – Developer: Surreal Software - That’s So Raven (GBA)
Publisher: Buena Vista Interactive – Developer: Buena Vista Interactive - Siren (PS2)
Publisher: SCEA – Developer: SCEI - Fatal Frame II: Crimson Butterfly Director’s Cut (XB)
Publisher: Tecmo – Developer: Tecmo
BEST PARTY GAME
- WarioWare Inc.: Mega Party Game$ (GC)
Publisher: Nintendo – Developer: Nintendo - Mario Party 6 (GC)
Publisher: Nintendo – Developer: Nintendo - The Legend of Zelda: The Four Swords (GC)
Publisher: Nintendo – Developer: Nintendo - Final Fantasy: Crystal Chronicles (GC)
Publisher: Nintendo – Developer: Square Enix - Donkey Konga (GC)
Publisher: Nintendo – Developer: Namco
BEST RHYTHM GAME
- Dance Dance Revolution Ultramix 2 (XB)
Publisher: Konami – Developer: Konami - Donkey Konga (GC)
Publisher: Nintendo – Developer: Namco - Technic Beat (PS2)
Publisher: Mastiff – Developer: Arika - Taiko Drum Master (PS2)
Publisher: Namco – Developer: Namco - Karaoke Revolution 3 (PS2)
Publisher: Konami – Developer: Harmonix Music Systems
BEST REMAKE / RE-RELEASE
- Metal Gear Solid: The Twin Snakes (GC)
Publisher: Konami – Developer: Silicon Knights - Shining Force: Resurrection of the Dark Dragon (GBA)
Publisher: Atlus – Developer: Amusement Vision - Pokemon Fire Red/Leaf Green (GBA)
Publisher: Nintendo – Developer: Nintendo - Final Fantasy I & II: Dawn of Souls (GBA)
Publisher: Nintendo – Developer: Square Enix - Super Mario 64 DS (NDS)
Publisher: Nintendo – Developer: Nintendo
BEST PLATFORMER
- Mega Man Anniversary Collection (Multi)
Publisher: Capcom – Developer: Atomic Planet - Ratchet & Clank 3: Up Your Arsenal (PS2)
Publisher: SCEA – Developer: Insomniac Games - Super Mario 64 DS (NDS)
Publisher: Nintendo – Developer: Nintendo - Sly 2: Band of Thieves (PS2)
Publisher: SCEA – Developer: Sucker Punch - Jak 3 (PS2)
Publisher: SCEA – Developer: Naughty Dog
BEST ACTION ADVENTURE GAME
- Ninja Gaiden (XB)
Publisher: Tecmo – Developer: Team Ninja - Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas (PS2)
Publisher: Rockstar Games – Developer: Rockstar North - The Legend of Zelda: Collector’s Edition (GC)
Publisher: Nintendo – Developer: Nintendo - The Legend of Zelda: The Four Swords (GC)
Publisher: Nintendo – Developer: Nintendo - Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater (PS2)
Publisher: Konami – Developer: Konami
BEST ONLINE GAME
- ESPN NFL 2K5 (Multi)
Publisher: SEGA – Developer: Visual Concepts - Halo 2 (XB)
Publisher: Microsoft – Developer: Bungie - MISSING: Since January (PC)
Publisher: The Adventure Company – Developer: Lexis Numrique - World of Warcraft (PC)
Publisher: Blizzard – Developer: Blizzard - Tom Clancy’s Rainbow Six 3: Black Arrow (XB)
Publisher: Ubisoft – Developer: Ubisoft Montreal
BEST FAMILY GAME (ALL AGES)
- Bubble Bobble Old & New (GBA)
Publisher: Media Kite – Developer: Taito Corporation - Mario Party 6 (GC)
Publisher: Nintendo – Developer: Nintendo - Hamtaro: Ham-Ham Games (GBA)
Publisher: Nintendo – Developer: Alphadream Corporation - Pokemon Fire Red/Leaf Green (GBA)
Publisher: Nintendo – Developer: Nintendo - Donkey Konga (GC)
Publisher: Nintendo – Developer: Namco
BEST STORY
- Tales of Symphonia (GC)
Publisher: Namco – Developer: Namco - Shin Megami Tensei: Nocturne (PS2)
Publisher: Atlus – Developer: Atlus - Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas (PS2)
Publisher: Rockstar Games – Developer: Rockstar North - Star Wars Knights Of The Old Republic II: The Sith Lords (XB)
Publisher: LucasArts – Developer: Obsidian Entertainment - Jak 3 (PS2)
Publisher: SCEA – Developer: Naughty Dog
MOST UNIQUE GAME
- Ribbit King (PS2)
Publisher: Bandai – Developer: Bandai - Feel the Magic: XY/XX (NDS)
Publisher: SEGA – Developer: Sonic Team - Katamari Damacy (PS2)
Publisher: Namco – Developer: Namco - Donky Konga (GC)
Publisher: Nintendo – Developer: Namco - Technic Beat (PS2)
Publisher: Mastiff – Developer: Arika
MOST IMPROVED FRANCHISE
- Pokemon
- Metal Gear Solid
- Grand Theft Auto
- The Sims
- Halo
BIGGEST NEWS STORY
- Halo 2 and Half Life 2 Leaks
- Acclaim Goes Under
- EA Worker Treatment
- Sega Drops Sports Game Prices To $20
- EA Winning NFL Exclusives
GAMING LOWLIGHT OF THE YEAR
- The Guy Game
- EA’s Exclusive NFL Contract
- Australia’s Game Bannings
- Cheaply Made Knockoffs of Classics For a Buck
- EA’s Employee Abuse
MOST OVERHYPED GAME OF THE YEAR
- Halo 2 (XB)
- Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas (PS2)
- Doom 3 (XB)
- Final Fantasy Tactics Advance (GBA)
- Fable (XB)
WORST GAME OF THE YEAR
- River City Ransom EX (GBA)
Publisher: Atlus – Developer: Million - Fight Club (Multi)
Publisher: VU Games – Developer: Genuine Games - The Nightmare of Druaga (PS2)
Publisher: Namco – Developer: Arika - The Guy Game (Multi)
Publisher: Gathering – Developer: Atomic Planet Entertainment - Backyard Wrestling 2 (Multi)
Publisher: Eidos – Developer: Paradox Development
2004 Reader’s Choice Awards & Contest
All right. You’ve seen our candidates. Now it’s time to make YOUR selections. Copy and fill out the IP Games 2004 Reader’s Choice Awards form below with your picks for each category and then email it in HERE. You can choose from our games above, or write in a seperate one of your own. One fortunate random gamer will win a Year End Nominee game of their choice (any title from above)! The winner will be announced on January 3, 2005 when we reveal both the Reader’s Choices and our own final selections within the Inside Pulse Games 2004 Year End Awards. Contest ends on December 26, 2004 at midnight (EST) after which no more Reader’s Choice forms will be taken. So get those submittals in fast!
2004 Reader’s Choice Awards
SYSTEM OF THE YEAR:
GAME OF THE YEAR:
BEST PLAYSTATION 2 GAME:
BEST NINTENDO GAMECUBE GAME:
BEST MICROSOFT XBOX GAME:
BEST GAME BOY ADVANCE GAME:
BEST NINTENDO DUAL SCREEN GAME:
BEST SPORTS GAME:
BEST ALTERNA-SPORTS:
BEST FIGHTING GAME:
BEST DRIVING GAME:
BEST ACTION RPG:
BEST TURN BASED RPG:
BEST TACTICAL RPG:
BEST FIRST PERSON GAME:
BEST TRADITIONAL SHOOTER:
BEST HORROR GAME:
BEST PARTY GAME:
BEST RHYTHM GAME:
BEST REMAKE/RE-RELEASE:
BEST PLATFORMER:
BEST ACTION / ADVENTURE GAME:
BEST ONLINE GAME:
BEST FAMILY GAME (ALL AGES) :
BEST STORY:
MOST IMPROVED FRANCHISE:
MOST UNIQUE GAME:
MOST OVERHYPED GAME OF THE YEAR:
WORST GAME OF THE YEAR:
Remember to email your choices in HERE before midnight (EST) December 26! And we’ll see you back January 3rd, for the Inside Pulse Games 2004 Year End Awards!