The SuperPhillip Central Best of 2011 Awards - Day Three

We've reached the halfway point of the SuperPhillip Central Best of 2011 Awards, but there are still a lot of awards to go out to many deserving games. What is on today's docket? Well, we'll be running and jumping with Best Platformer, flexing our mental muscle with Best Puzzler, awarding the Developer of the Year, and looking into the all-important Multiplatform Game of the Year. Take your seats, ladies and gentlemen, as the curtain for today's show is going up!

[Best Platformer]

One of three new categories for 2011, this year was particularly terrific for the platforming genre. Games of all styles and creed were released, some to cheers and applause and some to trifle amounts of celebration. Regardless of that, these are the best-of-the-best when it comes to running, jumping, and bashing bad guys. And the nominees are...

Super Mario 3D Land (3DS)


After the brilliant pair of Super Mario Galaxy games, Nintendo focused their efforts on creating a 3D Mario that wouldn't intimidate the average gamer. So what did they do? They created a 3D Mario that resembled a 2D one. Borrowing elements from Super Mario Bros. as well as past 3D Mario games, the end result is one of the main reasons to pick up a Nintendo 3DS. Nintendo is the house that Mario built, and they constantly turn to the portly plumber to pick up the pace for when their platforms aren't doing the greatest.

Rayman Origins (PS3, 360, Wii)


Using the bubble mechanic that was made famous in New Super Mario Bros. Wii, Rayman Origins also allows up to four players to run, jump, and slap one another senseless through over sixty levels of ever-increasingly challenging platform goodness. Michael Ancel's creation has never looked this sensational before, and it is a lowdown shame that more people didn't get the chance to experience this game firsthand. Just goes to show you that it don't mean a thing if it ain't got that Mario-themed swing.

Kirby's Return to Dreamland (Wii)


Kirby's Return to Dreamland refers to his return to form after being split up into ten Kirbys and helping out Prince Fluff in Patch Land in the excellent but not quite Kirby Kirby's Epic Yarn. Return to Dream Land, like Rayman Origins, also enables up to three additional players to join in and drop out at any time, either as Waddle Dee, King Dedede, Metaknight, or a different colored Kirby. The many levels hide Energy Spheres used to unlock sub-games, copy rooms, and challenge rooms where all of your skills are put to the extreme test to earn the highest possible score within the time limit. For a game that anyone can enjoy, Kirby's Return to Dreamland is the game to digest.

Ms. 'Splosion Man (XBLA)


Xbox Live Arcade is no stranger to quality downloadable titles. In fact, it is quite the place to get your fix of some of the most superb original and indie games around. Ms. 'Splosion Man, the sequel to 'Splosion Man, born from a champagne spill of sorts introduces players to fifty solo missions, fifty cooperative multiplayer levels, ghost replays, bonus additions to the game's various maps, a plethora of unlockables, and enough explosions to make the Fourth of July look like child's play. My favorite arcade title of the year, Ms. 'Splosion Man is yet another fine XBLA game from developer Twisted Pixel.

LittleBigPlanet 2 (PS3)


Run, jump, and smack your buds as Sackboy (or Sackgirl) in this tremendous upgrade from the original LittleBigPlanet. Armed with a more captivating campaign, more creative levels with just enough platforming difficulty for both platform novices and platforms experts to enjoy, and the ability to create and craft your own masterful levels, LittleBigPlanet 2 is a platforming fan's dream come true. Some may dislike the floaty jumping and multi-tier levels, but that's their problem as this planet is worth getting populated.

And the winner is...











Super Mario 3D Land (3DS)

Mario knocks another one out of the park with his latest 3D platforming tour de force. The addition of actually being able to judge the depth between jumps by other means than watching shadows through the stereoscopic 3D gameplay is amazing. Just when you think you're done with the game, Nintendo pulls out eight more special worlds of difficult levels for you to jump into. A new mainline Mario game is always an event, and Super Mario 3D Land continues that fine upstanding tradition.

Runner-up: LittleBigPlanet 2 (PS3)

===

[Best Puzzler]

Get ready to put on your thinking caps, folks, as it's Best Puzzler time at the SPC Best of 2011 Awards. While there may be only four nominees in this category, they represent the best puzzle games on the market for 2011. Full of brain-busters, mad mental quandaries, and perplexing puzzles, this list is not for those with low I.Q.s. Sorry, GameFAQs message board users. And the nominees are...

Ghost Trick: Phantom Detective (DS)


Many might have forgotten entirely about this game as it was released in early January, but not SuperPhillip. No, no, no. Capcom's Ghost Detective takes logic puzzles to a whole new dimension-- the afterlife-- with players using their brains to manipulate and possess objects as a ghost to solve crazy and zany puzzle scenarios. It is a puzzle game unlike anything ever seen before, and wouldn't you happen to know that it was designed by the same team behind the Phoenix Wright games?

Professor Layton and the Last Specter (DS)


Released at the end of the Nintendo DS's life cycle, Professor Layton and the Last Specter is a prequel to the original trilogy of puzzle games. It introduces Layton and Luke to one another and a mountainside village plagued with a mysterious monster that comes out at night in deep fog and terrorizes the town. With more puzzles than ever before to solve as the story progresses, new mini-games like Luke's train, and a creative cast of characters, Professor Layton's latest will have you playing long after you've solved the mystery of the specter.

Tetris Axis (3DS)


Tetris is the paramount puzzler, and the 3DS version sports the most modes out of any Tetris game before it. There's Marathon, Fever, Survival, Jigsaw, Shadow Wide, Fit, Tower Climber, Capture, Master Mode, and more along with two augmented reality-exclusive modes. When offline play is deemed as too trying, go online against up to seven other players in online play. Published by Nintendo and developed by the now defunct Hudson Soft, Tetris Axis offers a lot of bang for one's buck.

Pushmo (3DSWare)


Known as Pullblox in PAL territories, Pushmo is the only downloadable title in the category, but man, I'd be lying if I said it wasn't completely consuming. The over 200 puzzles has you pushing and pulling blocks as you attempt to rescue the creature trapped on the top of the puzzle. Some puzzles are a series of odd shapes strewn together while others are well-known Nintendo characters from games like Super Mario Bros. and Balloon Fight. Additionally there is the ability to create your own puzzles and share them with the masses via QR codes. For a cheap (in price) and entertaining puzzler, look no further than Pushmo.

And the winner is...











Pushmo (3DSWare)

Who knew that pushing and pulling blocks could be so invigorating? With Pushmo the hours will fly by like minutes as you solve challenging Pushmo puzzles such as murals of fruits, vegetables, farm animals, among other objects. New elements gets introduced all of the time, and the difficulty increases at a steady rate. If a puzzle has got you beat, you can eventually skip it and move onto the next one. The bonus of creating your own puzzles improves the life of this downloadable delight sevenfold. Pushmo is without a doubt the best puzzle game of the year. Bravo to Intelligent Systems.

Runner-up: Professor Layton and the Last Specter (DS)

===

[Developer of the Year]

We're getting into the nitty-gritty now, my friends. With five special developers each producing some of the year's best games, it is definitely a difficult decision as to which should be the top dog and take top honors. Nonetheless, a choice must be made, and that is the challenge when running your own awards show. And the nominees are...

Naughty Dog


Makers of the Uncharted franchise and the upcoming The Last of Us, Naughty Dog has once again astounded with its take on Indiana Jones in video game form with Nathan Drake's latest worldwide excursion in Uncharted 3: Drake's Deception. Naughty Dog definitely knows how to get the most out of the PlayStation 3 hardware, and it shows no doubt with the the intense action, awesome set pieces, and incredible special effects like explosions and motion blur.

Media Molecule


LittleBigPlanet was named 2008's Game of the Year right here on SuperPhillip Central. What made it such an engaging game was its ability to create virtually any platforming scenario you wanted. You were limited, however, in what you could do, though. With LittleBigPlanet 2 the gloves came off, the options were opened up, and all types of games could be created-- not just platformers. In addition to that you could move your LBP profile to the second game with no error. It just amazes me how much content Media Molecule put into LittleBigPlanet 2. For such a before unknown developer, this turnaround is something special indeed.

Nintendo EAD


A traditional and annual pick for Developer of the Year, Nintendo EAD is split up between multiple teams. Teams or not, they have developed, crafted, and created some of the bar-none best games of the year along with other titles such as The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword, Super Mario 3D Land, Star Fox 64 3D, The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time 3D, Mario Kart 7, and all three editions of nintendogs + cats. Nintendo EAD were quite busy this year, and yet the quality of their games has not diminished one bit.

Epic Games


If you were to ask me if Epic Games should have been nominated the year of Gears of War 2 and I had a glass full of water in my mouth, I would have performed a Danny Thomas-styled spit take. The game was buggy, full of glitches, and virtually unplayable. Fortunately for us, the consumer, Epic Games turned things around with the third installment of Gears, and made a surprisingly great game out of it. Their Unreal Engine 3 is still used by the majority of Western developers such as the next contender for the category, and their DLC support for Gears of War 3 is still going strong.

Rocksteady Studios


Batman: Arkham Asylum stunned the world with its sensational gameplay, sublime presentation and budget, and Metroid-ish gameplay. Batman: Arkham City brings with it the dark knight's rogue's gallery of villains, a full city to explore from industrial areas to flooded city streets, and enough gadgets to make Inspector Gadget wish he was the damn Batman. Rocksteady Studios once again rocks my world with another stellar game that is far grander in scope than Asylum.

And the winner is...











Nintendo EAD

With more manpower than the other companies, that means more games. Perhaps it's cheating that Nintendo EAD is actually on this list, but regardless, they are without any inquiries the ultimate game developers of 2011. Just look at the aforementioned list of games they pushed out this year, and you, too, will be in a state of astonishment. They've spoiled us, really, and next year looks to be even better.

Runner-up: Media Molecule

===

[Multiplatform Game of the Year]

Here we go, guys and gals. From now on nearly every winner will pop up once again in the final award category Game of the Year. The winner here will be the first to enter and be nominated for that ever-elusive 2011 Game of the Year award. Are you feeling the tension? Is it thick? Can you cut it with a knife? Let's see the nominees. And they are...

Dark Souls (PS3, 360)


Surpassing Demon's Souls, Dark Souls is an immensely challenging game full of dark demons, knights, swordplay, and magic. The combat is entirely weapon-based, and every enemy encounter is a fear onto itself. You dread what is around the next corner as you explore dark and dank dungeons, discover treasure, and defeat dastardly foes with only one intention-- your demise! While admittedly not for the weak at heart, Dark Souls does an admirable job of not only developing an astounding atmosphere, but also create true tension for the player.

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 (PS3, 360, Wii)


The Call of Duty is a sales juggernaut in the West, selling more copies than some countries' populations. It's for good reason as well as the games feature some intense action, realistic gun-play, interesting set pieces, and multiplayer that keeps the player coming back for more. Between Modern Warfare 3 and Battlefield 3, the military shooter market seems pretty saturated, but if you had to choose between the two, Modern Warfare 3 has got your back. Just watch out for errant grenades!

Sonic Generations (PS3, 360)


This is an unusual situation. There is a Sonic game nominated for Multiplatform Game of the Year. How bizarre. Anyway, the blue blur returns after the success that was Sonic Colors with Sonic Generations, a two part game. One part has you playing in 2D as Classic Sonic while the other has you moving and grooving in both 3D and 2D sections as Modern Sonic with all the moves he has acquired over the years. This includes the stomp, the light dash, and the slide. Play through nine zones (three from each era) like Green Hill, Sky Sanctuary, Speed Highway, Seaside Hill, Rooftop Run, and Planet Wisp in this radical return to form for Sonic. You've deserved it, hedgehog, after all of these years.

Ultimate Marvel VS. Capcom 3 (PS3, 360)


What do you get when you take heroes and villains from both the Marvel Comics and Capcom universes, throw them together, and make them fight one another? You get Marvel VS. Capcom 3: Fate of Two Worlds, but Capcom wanted more money so they made Ultimate Marvel VS. Capcom 3. Regardless, with new modes, new as well as nerfed characters (nah-nah, Phoenix), and the ability to spectate online matches, Ultimate Marvel VS. Capcom 3 is the game the vanilla version of the game should have been to begin with. Well, at least this one is only forty dollars!

Batman: Arkham City (PS3, 360)


After the calamity of Catwoman and Robin codes not showing up in purchased new copies of the game, the smoke has cleared and we can look back on this game, Batman: Arkham City, one of the best superhero games in the industry's relatively short history. Being Batman never made anyone feel as much of a badass as you took down thugs, goons, and other slime of the earth, solved Riddler puzzles, solved cases concerning serial killers and sharpshooters, and met a cavalcade of Batman's most feared villains like the Joker, Penguin, Two-Face, and Mr. Freeze. The bat is back, and he has never been this good.

Rayman Origins (PS3, 360, Wii)


Enter Michael Ancel's weird and wacky world in Rayman Origins. Play as Rayman or one of three other characters in local multiplayer action. Cooperate or slap one another silly-- the choice is ultimately yours. No matter your decision your jaw will drop at the scenery, the colors (oh, the colors!), the fast and fierce gameplay, the zany backgrounds and hand-drawn everything, and the kooky cast of crazy characters. Rayman Origins is a compendium of Rayman's best work laid out in the form of one original game. Do yourself a favor and nab a copy today.

And the winner is...











Batman: Arkham City (PS3, 360)

Rocksteady Studios blows the doors off the joint with Arkham City. Playing as Batman feels like you'd expect the dark knight to control. From the seamless controls to the agile and fluid combat system, there is no Batman game that has ever played better. Exploring Arkham City, taking down small time thugs and more important villains, and upgrading your gear to become the ultimate nighttime superhero are all magnificent accomplishes that Rocksteady can be absolutely positively proud of.

Runner-up: Rayman Origins (PS3, 360, Wii)

===

Day three of the SPC Best of 2011 Awards has now officially concluded. Do you like my picks thus far? Perhaps one of your favorites has been blacklisted? Put down your thoughts to type in the comments section to be read by myself and the entire SuperPhillip Central community.

Mario & Sonic at the London 2012 Olympic Games (Wii) Review

Let's break up the awards ceremony with a new review, shall we? It might still be 2011 (unless you sport a time machine, then ooh-la-la! Look at you, Doc Brown!), but that doesn't mean you can't party like it's 2012! That's exactly what SEGA and Nintendo want you to do with the subject of my latest review. It's Mario & Sonic at the London 2012 Olympic Games. Does anyone else struggle with the order of words to these darned Olympic titles?

You'll See Gold Everywhere--
Rings, Coins, and Medals, Oh, My!

If you were to utter the words "Mario and Sonic the Hedgehog will appear in a game together" in 1996, you would have been laughed off of the face of this earth. If you said it in 2001, you would also have been laughed off of the face of the earth. Then SEGA went third-party after the less-than-stellar worldwide sales of the excellent Dreamcast, and Sonic appeared on Nintendo's GameCube in the form of Sonic Adventure 2: Battle. Sure, there were rumors that Sonic was a secret character in Super Smash Bros. Melee, but it was only just that-- a rumor (Sonic would appear in the sequel, however). Now with two Olympic Games under their belt, the universes of Mario and Sonic merge and meet in jolly old London, England, the site of the 2012 Summer Olympic Games. It might be the dead of winter for some parts of the world, but let SEGA and Nintendo take you on a trip to London without ever needing to watch Bob Costas. Do so with Mario & Sonic at the London 2012 Olympic Games for Nintendo Wii, also coming to Nintendo 3DS early next year.

Mario & Sonic at the London 2012 Olympic Games sports twenty characters. There's ten from the Mushroom Kingdom and ten from the Sonic the Hedgehog universe. There's such characters as Mario, Luigi, Peach, Yoshi, Daisy, Bowser, Bowser Jr., Donkey Kong, Wario, Waluigi, Sonic, Tails, Knuckles, Amy, Dr. Eggman, Shadow, Silver, Blaze, Mecha Sonic, and Vector. Each character is part of one of four classes: All-Around, Power, Speed, and Skill. A Power character might be terrific at the Javelin Throw, but keep them away from events requiring endurance. And if the colorful cast does nothing for you, why not compete as one of your many Miis?

Take your applause, Mario. You've earned it.

No competitive athlete goes to the Olympics to earn a bronze medal. No, going for gold is the name of the game, and that is what players should aspire to. With over thirty unique events to partake in, there's no shortage of activities in Mario and Sonic's third Olympic outing. There is the 100m Sprint, the Hurdles, the Discus Throw, Freestyle Swimming, Gymnastics, Table Tennis, Badminton, Football (the one that actually and primarily uses one's foot), Beach Volleyball, Equestrian (horses), Fencing, Cycling, among others.

Paddle in sync with your partner for maximum speed.

Apart from the regular Olympic-sanctioned events, Dream Events make their much anticipated return. These take place in the worlds of Mario and Sonic lore. For instance, the Dream Equestrian event has a group of four working in tandem, twisting the Wii remote to control a carriage full of Yoshi eggs, avoiding potholes made by Monty Moles, and trying to keep all of the eggs from falling out of the carriage while they carouse through Mario Kart Wii's Moo Moo Meadows. Another Dream Event takes place in Sonic Adventure 2's Crazy Gadget where players twist and turn the Wii remote as they rebound and leap from a trampoline from tall heights, performing as many tricks as possible before they once again reach the ground. Other Dream Events include Dream Spacewalk (a battle against Peewee Piranha from Super Mario Galaxy 2), Dream Sprint (a Monkey Ball-esque romp through BINGO Highway from Sonic Heroes), a battle royal in Ocean Palace's Dream Fencing with items and bombs to worry about, Dream Long Jump (something I loathe since the computer even on easy is cheap), and so much more.

The bane of my existence, the Dream Long Jump.
Long jump this.

Every event can be played with the Wii remote solo, but some are recommended with the Wii remote and nunchuk in tandem. Most events work as advertised with the game registering movements and small gestures, but some like Synchronized Swimming absolutely blow chunks all over the place. You are supposed to perform particular poses, but the game rarely-- if ever-- registers movement in this event. Another poor event is the Hammer Throw. Frustration is commonplace here. Some of my favorite events are the simpler ones such as the 100m Sprint, the Hurdles, most of the Dream Events, Table Tennis, Football (though I'm poor at it), and Freestyle Swimming.

There's nothing really "bad" about Badminton.
...Well, maybe those wimpy rackets.

Then there's London Party. This mode is for four players either human opponents, computer opponents, or a mixture of both. The goal here is to gather enough stickers to fill your sticker book before the other players (either 16, 32, or 48). Stickers are earned through playing mini-games. These range from coin collecting exercises to quizzes regarding everything from Olympic history to character trivia to testing your know-how on the country of England. During Free Time, players explore a small version of London with many roads and paths to explore. Event characters waddle around the town, and it's your job to speak with them and accept their challenges. The player who initiates the mini-game gets a bonus sticker win or lose, so it's a mad dash to begin a game. At six hour intervals (game time, not real time) old Big Ben rings, chiming in the start of an Olympic event. One player gets to select from a list of four events. The winner is rewarded with five stickers, second place gets three, and third place nets themselves one.

Use Speed Sneakers to collect the most coins in this mini-game.

It wouldn't be a party on a Nintendo console without efforts to make the game for everyone, usually screwing the better player out of the win. This is true with London Party. First, there are Chance Times where stickers are handed out on a luck-based system, generally involving a revolving wheel of sorts and darts. Last place goes first, then third, then second, and then first. Then there are question marks on each player's sticker board that causes a random reaction. Sometimes you'll get a bonus sticker or stickers, sometimes you'll lose stickers, but occasionally first place will switch sticker pages who places a sticker on the question mark. This can pull the rug out of an opponent and act like a metaphorical kick to the nuts.

There are a smorgasbord of activities to do outside of going for gold medals and participating in a London Party. Every time you finish an event whether a Dream Event or one set more in the realm of reality you earn a scratch card. In the Bonus menu, you can take these cards and scratch any two of the six panels. If you match two icons, you win the prize shown. These can be anything from remixed and original music tracks to clothing and Mario and Sonic character costumes for your Mii. If your two icons fail to match or you reveal a Sorry space, your card goes into the blank card pile. Blank cards can be traded in for rewards. Two cards will get you a music track, five cards will get you a costume piece such as a hat, jersey, suit, shoes, or gloves, and ten cards will get you a character costume. Who doesn't want to dress as Mario, Sonic, Princess Peach, Dr. Eggman, or Bowser?

Furthermore, completing certain in-game goals will net you with completed Challenges. These can be things like winning London Party five times or getting first place in every event. The fun is in trying to check off as many as possible. If you're the competitive type, you can post your best times online via the leaderboards. Compare your best times against the world, within your region, or within your group of friends. Then there's trying to not only receive a gold medal in every event, but also beat the Olympic record on each event. Case in point, if you have the gumption, there is plenty of content to be completed in Mario and Sonic's latest Olympic escapade.

What happens when Weegee watches too many Westerns?
Here's your answer right here, buckaroo.

If you're looking for drop-dead visuals, high polygon counts, and immersing worlds, you best look to another title. Mario & Sonic 3 isn't that. This title is, however, pretty impressive looking with fluid and colorful visuals, high presentation values, and plenty going on in the background, even if the crowds consisting of Toads, Shy Guys, and animals from Sonic the Hedgehog past are fully two-dimensional. The music is big and bombastic. The original tracks that accompany the various events are certainly hummable and pleasing to the ears, but the star of the soundtrack comes from the remade music. Songs like Bowser's Domain from Super Mario 64, Circuit from Mario Kart: Double Dash!!, and Windy Valley from Sonic Adventure all receive the remix treatment. In addition to this you can assign songs to play during any event you want. Don't like the standard fare used? Change it to whatever your little heart is desiring. Mario & Sonic's third Olympic Games are indeed promising in the presentation department as is expected when SEGA and Nintendo collaborate.

Mario & Sonic at the London 2012 Olympic Games has mileage that will vary depending on who you are. If you're the type who loves continuously honing their skills, getting new records, comparing times with others online, and unlocking goodies via the scratch and blank cards, you will find a lot to enjoy. If you're the type who if you've played one mini-game collection, you've played them all, then perhaps you should just stick with watching the Olympics from home instead of participating in them in virtual form with a cast of famed mascots. While not all of the events are winners (I'm looking in the general direction of Synchronized Swimming, the Dream Long Jump, and several strength-related events), the majority of them are tremendous fun, and the joy of playing with family and friends in regular events, Dream Events, and London Party will keep most players satisfied. Instead of training 24/7, why not sit down in a comfy chair and go for the gold?

[SuperPhillip Says: 7.5/10]

The SuperPhillip Central Best of 2011 Awards - Day Two

Welcome back to the happy festivities here at SuperPhillip Central's Best of 2011 Awards. Did you know that this is the fourth year for this celebration of video games? It's true. Today's schedule goes like this. We'll take a look at the Most Overlooked, find out the Most Unexpected Surprise of this year, get negative with the Most Disappointing, and waggle and wiggle with the Best Motion Control Game. It is going to be a great day of awards, I no doubt believe.

[Most Overlooked]

For every Call of Duty, Halo, Gears of War, Mario, Zelda, and Assassin's Creed there are five games that don't get as much hype if any at all. These are what those who routinely follow SPC know as the Most Overlooked. At the end of every year I list the most underrated and overlooked of the bunch and award them with SuperPhillip's honors, the best gift of all. And the nominees are...

Resistance 3 (PS3)


Insomniac Games went all out with the final chapter in the Resistance trilogy. Taking the player from humble roots in Oklahoma to taking down a Chimeran tower in the frozen New York City, the main character's (Joseph Capelli) journey was a tough and tragic one. Even with a Kevin Butler ad (I hate those by the by) and a Move Sharpshooter bundle, Resistance 3 failed to light the sales charts on fire. It is with a sad expression on my face as this game is one of the better FPS games to come out in 2011.

Shadows of the Damned (PS3, 360)


Doomed, but not necessarily to Hell where the main character of this game goes to find and save his girlfriend from demon hordes, Shadows of the Damned had Suda 51's name attached to it. When that director is a part of your game, it is as if the game had a big sign on it saying "Don't buy me." And consumers didn't-- even with the EA brand resting on the front cover on the lower right hand corner. It's a shame, too, as there was a lot to like about Suda 51's latest offering.

Go Vacation (Wii)


In Japan, Go Vacation did pretty well. It didn't break any sales records or anything like that, but it did okay for itself. In the West, the Wii is admittedly dying out as a console should five years into its life, so buyers probably didn't give this game a second glance. That is a travesty as this is the game that Wii Sports Resort should have aspired to. With multiple resorts, fifty activities, 100 variations, and plenty of places, nooks, and crannies to explore, Go Vacation should be your next tourist destination.

Rayman Origins (PS3, 360, Wii)


Selling the best on the Wii console yet still being overlooked by the majority of video game players, it should be a felony that more people didn't play this Ubisoft gem. There was just over sixty individual levels to traverse and run and jump through, a gorgeous hand-drawn art style, multiplayer for up to four friends or family members, and a lot of challenging jumps to navigate past. Ubisoft has no one to blame for the abysmal sales of Rayman Origins except for themselves as I only saw ads in magazines (y'know, those things that don't sell too well anymore either).

Lost in Shadow (Wii)


Releasing at the start of the year in January (at least in North America), Lost in Shadow was one of Hudson Soft's last games before being eaten and engulfed by Konami, pooped out, and made to create casual software. Thanks a lot, Konami, for ruining the house that Bomberman built. Regardless, Lost in Shadow was a budget priced game that had players manipulating objects to create shadows for your character to jump on and off of. It was ingenious, really, but not ingenious enough for people to buy it apparently.

And the winner is...











Rayman Origins (PS3, 360, Wii)

Could there be anything else? Well, yes, but there isn't. Rayman Origins might have "borrowed" some mechanics from New Super Mario Bros. Wii, but the end result is a fantastic platformer featuring some of the quirky and crazy charm that only the French can give us. It is a crime that more people didn't get a chance to play this game, but considering that the HD systems don't usually bother with platformers, it's unfortunately not surprising.

Runner-up: Resistance 3 (PS3)

===

[Most Unexpected Surprise]

When speaking of unexpected surprises I'm referring to those games that came out of nowhere and floored me with their quality. Perhaps I didn't see them coming or I wasn't expecting much out of them, but when they did release they delivered in spades. And the nominees are...

Super Street Fighter IV: 3D Edition (3DS)


Let's take this outside... or we can stay inside since it's winter now and all... When I read that Super Street Fighter IV was coming to a hand-held, I was not particularly pumped for it. Fighters on Nintendo portables did not have the highest marks of quality. Then Super Street Fighter IV: 3D Edition came and it wowed me considerably. Online play, StreetPass functionality in battling and trading character statues, and beautiful 3D visuals all added up to create one remarkable fighter for the 3DS's launch.

Go Vacation (Wii)


I wasn't expecting much from Namco Bandai's Go Vacation. It seemed like just another mini-game collection that was focusing more on quantity rather than quality. In some regards I was right, but in others I was completely and totally wrong. While some of the sports and activities failed to impress, the majority of them worked quite well. There was kayaking, tennis, skydiving, scuba diving, skateboarding, skiing, ATV races, and so much more to sink one's proverbial teeth into.

Rayman Origins (PS3, 360, Wii)


We just cannot seem to get away from Rayman on this award show, can we? That's okay though as Rayman Origins is more than deserved to be on these lists. Rayman Origins came from left field. After playing around with the Rabbids for several years it seemed that Rayman's time under the sun had long past, and when his game where he starred finally came out, it was to little fanfare but stellar critical reviews. Who knew that Rayman's latest adventure would become one of his greatest? Maybe you did, so congratulations!

Radiant Historia (DS)


Coming out in Spring of this past year, Radiant Historia continues the tradition of incredible Japanese RPGs on the Nintendo DS. This time travel escapade was finely honed and crafted by the developers, making for one unforgettable and long-lasting experience. This story ended with one of several endings depending on which paths you chose, creating a great amount of replay value. I wasn't really expecting much out of this game, but when I finally got my hands on it, I was blown away.

Nintendo's step forward in the online arena


Before Mario Kart 7 and even the Nintendo 3DS, Nintendo straggled behind when it came to online play. Every game had its own individual friend code that players must exchange ad infinitum. It really was aggravating and irritating. Then came the Nintendo 3DS which abolished the need for game-specific friend codes. It was one code per system. That was all that was needed. Then Mario Kart 7 released with the Communities feature. Players could join a like-minded group of racers and play with them without the need to exchange friend codes. Nintendo still has got a long way to go, but these small steps were very much unexpected.

Catherine (PS3, 360)


Generally when niche games come out I don't give them a second look. This Mature-rated title starring Vincent's lust and love triangle involving the titular character was a breath of fresh air in a sea of military shooters, bald white guy protagonists, and fantasy worlds filled with mages, archers, and wizards. Combining puzzle-solving with adventure, Catherine was an original distraction that painted Japanese games in a different light if just for one moment.

And the winner is...









Rayman Origins (PS3, 360, Wii)

Another win for the limbless wonder. The addition of being able to slog through the game's fabulous worlds with up to three other players created such an entertaining dynamic. I never saw this one coming. I knew Rayman was a popular and critically acclaimed series, but after the Rabbids, I didn't know if the team at Ubisoft had a strong title in them. They obviously did.

Runner-up: Nintendo's step forward in the online arena

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[Most Disappointing]

If you recall last year, Microsoft's Kinect stole this category from the other nominees with its lack of promised potential and horrible software for the most part. This year Kinect isn't nominated as why add insult to injury? This year we have five nominees all vying to not be the winner of this category. Many studios have closed down when they were the "winner" of this award. It's that important, folks, so let's get to it. And the nominees are...

Duke Nukem Forever (PS3, 360)


The Duke is back, but not the one your parents probably like. I'm talking about Duke Nukem in a game that was a decade in the making. Surely a game with a development cycle that long couldn't appease much of anybody. All that time to craft a gaming experience and people expect it to be the ultimate shooter in gaming history. Well, to say Duke Nukem Forever undershot its mark would be an understatement. With a lukewarm reception both critically and commercially, Duke Nukem Forever does not seem like a game that took ten years+ to make.

Ratchet & Clank: All 4 One (PS3)


Ratchet & Clank have a high benchmark to aspire to. Each game in the franchise is gaming gold. Then Ratchet & Clank: All 4 One blasted its way onto the PlayStation 3 this past fall to little applause from anybody. From glitches to awful camera angles to dropped connections, All 4 One was a disappointing game not worthy of the Ratchet & Clank name. Being able to play as Clank, Qwark, and Nefarious is not worth struggling through the game's many imperfections. Bad, Insomniac Games. Bad.

The Nintendo Wii's 2011


What started out relatively well with Mario Sports Mix continued through the spring and summer with small amounts of games to satiate the masses, and what was released wasn't worth paying attention to. Games like Wii Play: Motion and Mystery Case Files: The Malgrave Incident did little to stimulate the narrow white console. This was one of the few years where my Wii was actually dusty from not playing it for extended periods of time. To be fair though, titles like Skyward Sword and Kirby's Return to Dreamland were diamonds in the rough in a pretty poor year for Nintendo's flagship console.

The launch of the Nintendo 3DS


One of the worst launches in recent memory, the Nintendo 3DS had a tough road to hoe ahead of it. Many of the titles launched with the platform were ports or watered-down versions of popular games. When Nintendo's best offerings for the system in its early life are Pilotwings Resort, nintendogs + cats, and Steel Diver, there's something off. The launch went under expectations leading Nintendo to slash the MSRP of the system by nearly eighty dollars. All-in-all the launch was a rocky one to say the least.

The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim (PS3, 360)


Taking the same stale and boring combat from past Elder Scrolls games, shipping out a nigh unplayable mess on one of the main platforms for the game (the PlayStation 3), and not even mentioning at all about potentially patching the game make for a piss poor title that is highly overrated, awful, and unworthy of your money. Just how critics can give this game GotY nominations and wins when it is a buggy mess is beyond me. This shows what a joke the mainstream media really is. Truly despicable.

And the loser is...











The Nintendo Wii's 2011

Few companies can make a mockery of their flagship platform like Nintendo can. Fans of Nintendo are very familiar with the many droughts their platforms receive. The Wii in 2011 was no different. Instead of actually having a game like Xenoblade Chronicles ready for localization and shipment in North America this year, Nintendo opted to release titles no one truly cared about. As if the Wii trolls needed any more ammunition to make themselves look absolutely bitter.

Runner-up: The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim (PS3, 360)

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[Best Motion Control Game]

Protip: If someone uses the term "waggle" to refer to motion control, that person is an idiot. Motion control goes far beyond mere waggle as these following nominees will prove. Since its gaming inception on the Wii, motion control has come a long way from its console infancy. And the nominees are...

Dance Central 2 (360)


Harmonix gets the whole room jumping with Dance Central 2. The goal of the game is to match the movements of the dancer on the screen with your entire body. Unless you work out several hours a day, you will be sweating up a storm a mere half-hour or less in a standard gameplay session. Something that is notable is that this is one Kinect game that actually tracks your movements in an accurate way. Sadly, a lot of Kinect games can't say this, but as usual, Harmonix leads the way and shows that a game that reads your movements accurately can work and work wonderfully.

The Gunstringer (360)


Jump into the world of The Gunstringer created by Twisted Pixel. You operate a gun-toting marionette and use your hands as guns to blast away the enemy opposition. Hide behind crates and rocks, leap over hazardous chasms, and cause as much destruction as you possibly can. While The Gunstringer might be sitting in the seventies on Metacritic, this is one Kinect game that I can fully endorse proudly and indubitably. Put on your cowboy hat, grab your six shooter, and start blasting away!

Just Dance 3 (PS3, 360, Wii)


Most popular on Wii, Just Dance 3 is similar to the Dance Central series in which you match your movements to what the psychedelic dancer on screen does. With the Wii remote and Move, the game only watches what your hand does. With Kinect, you have the ability to utilize your arms at least. Play with up to three other wannabe dancers as you strike poses, go vogue, and rock out to dozens of popular artists' songs. Did I mention that this game was budget priced, too? What are you waiting for? Your hardcore gamer's license won't be revoked by just trying the Just Dance series out!

GoldenEye 007: Reloaded (PS3)


This latest Bond epic is also available on the Xbox 360, but there is no option for motion controls to speak of. With the PlayStation 3 you can opt to use the Move controller or just use the regular Dualshock. It's way more fun and intuitive with Move as you point at the screen to take out evil members of the Janus group as Daniel Craig's James Bond. Hop online and teach people the true meaning of pain or dig deep into the reinvented campaign mode. This title is yet another example of how pointer controls are genuinely more sophisticated and fun than analog. Your mileage may vary though.

The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword (Wii)


Even though Microsoft is eying the top spot when it comes to motion controls, Nintendo isn't just laying down and dying. Their latest effort is the culmination of their motion control know-how in The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword. Nearly everything has a motion control part to it such as the all-important 1:1 swordplay, swinging from vines, climbing up cliffs, aiming with the Bow, swimming, flying on Link's loftwing, and so much more. Each component works at varying degrees of success, but they all add up to one unforgettable motion controlled experience.

Kinect Sports: Season Two (360)


The original Kinect Sports by Rare did relatively well for itself and Microsoft. It was the benchmark of the Kinect software lineup, and it was an enjoyable experience as well. Kinect Sports: Season Two adds in a slew of new sports such as football (now with voice commands), darts, skiing, and tennis. Put your body through the ringer with these intense gameplay styles that have your simulating each sport as if you were on the tenth green or jetting down a wet and wintry ski slope. This is the perfect party game for those of you with Kinect, so bring out the Chex Mix, Doritos, and Mountain Dew, and get partyin'!

And the winner is...











The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword (Wii)

Five years of experience with motion control all ending with the Wii's glorious swan song in The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword. The motion controlled swordplay makes every battle more important than the last. You really need to concentrate and not telegraph your movements so your opponent will read them and plan accordingly. If a foe holds his blade to the right, slash across from the left. This kind of puzzle element to battle along with the myriad of uses for the Wii remote makes Skyward Sword the obvious choice this year for motion control excellence.

Runner-up: Dance Central 2 (360)

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The curtains are closing, but just for the night. Tomorrow the awards show continues with day number three. We'll have new categories made for 2011 like Best Platformer and Best Puzzler, to name a couple. I'll see you right back here tomorrow for more from the SuperPhillip Central Best of 2011 Awards!

The SuperPhillip Central Best of 2011 Awards - Opening Night

It's finally here-- the SuperPhillip Central Best of 2011 Awards. Unlike a certain video game awards show, there will be no teabagging of winners, C-list celebs, or butt rock to speak of. Instead what I have in store is a series of games that are the best of the best for the year 2011. But before we dive into 2011's awards, here are the results of 2010's awards:

Best of 2010 Awards - Day One
Best of 2010 Awards - Day Two
Best of 2010 Awards - Day Three
Best of 2010 Awards - Day Four
Best of 2010 Awards - Day Five

After you've scoped out the winners of 2010, get ready to sit back and relax for 2011's results in night one of our awards ceremony.

[Best Original Soundtrack]

When I say "Best Original Soundtrack" what I mean is any soundtrack that doesn't have licensed music as the majority of its tracks, so no Saints Row: The Third or anything like that. Remakes and the music that comes from them are entirely legal. Glad to clear that up. And the nominees are...

The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword (Wii)


Nintendo dabbled with an orchestrated soundtrack with the GameCube's Star Fox Assault, but they haven't utilized a full orchestra for many of their first party titles. Super Mario Galaxy came and blew the doors off the place with its symphonic sound (Super Mario Galaxy 2 won Best Original Soundtrack last year) and memorable melodies. Skyward Sword continues that tradition with plenty of touching tracks, plenty of pulse-pounding themes, and much more.

Ghirahim Battle
Romance Theme
Fi's Theme

Dark Souls (PS3, 360)


The soul still burns with a stellar soundtrack, might I add. Motoi Sakuraba brings his many musical talents up front and proudly on display with his Dark Souls score. From haunting themes to choirs chanting, Dark Souls has a grand scope in its songs and music. Sakuraba is well known for his composing expertise, and Dark Souls is just another great example of this.

Gwyn, Lord of Cinder
Iron Golem
Taurus Demon

Sonic Generations (PS3, 360)


With few original tracks but a plethora of remixes and remastered themes, Sonic Generations is a Sonic fan's dream come true. Hearing non-16-bit versions of my favorite Sonic themes was an absolute treat to the ears, and the myriad of music for the Sonic faithful to listen to was a cacophony of sensational sound. Composers of Sonic old and new teamed up to create the many splendid versions of classic and modern Sonic tracks.

Collection Room "Door Into Summer Remix"
Crisis City "Classic Remix"
City Escape "Modern Remix"

Kirby's Return to Dreamland (Wii)


You can bet that when there's a Kirby soundtrack that it is going to be spectacular. The trend and tradition continues with Kirby's Return to Dreamland, a game that many have overlooked. Regardless, cute and charming themes are the call of the day for the pink puffball's latest Wii adventure. From Cookie Country to Onion Ocean, there's a lot to love about HAL Laboratory's composers' ability to craft satisfying songs for Kirby and colleagues to journey around the planet Pop Star to.

Cookie Country
Aurora Area
Raisin Ruins

Go Vacation (Wii)


Here's a game that you probably weren't expecting to be on the list of nominees, yet here it is. Go Vacation is a criminally overlooked mini-game collection with a scope larger than even Wii Sports Resort. The soundtrack consists of wonderful, peppy, and infectious tracks such as the main menu theme, activity theme, and so much more. Take a listen to the songs as Nintendo World Report plays through the game in the link below.

One hour of Go Vacation

Tactics Ogre: Let Us Cling Together (PSP)


A remake of the 1998 classic, the PSP's Tactics Ogre: Let Us Cling Together features Hitoshi Sakimoto and Masaharu Iwata composing a magnum opus of tremendous music. This pair was also the ones who wrote the music for the excellent Final Fantasy Tactics, so you know that their soundtracks are something special. Just take a listen to the examples I've provided via YouTube to get your fill of Sakimoto's and Iwata's musical genius.

Revolt
Showdown
True Knight

And the winner is...










The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword (Wii)

The orchestral score of Skyward Sword is spectacular. Everything from the chorus chanting in Ghirahim's final battle to the Disney-esque strings of Good Batreaux, there's something for everyone in Skyward Sword's soundtrack. Since we have a clear cut winner, why not give out more samples of the latest Legend of Zelda's score? Sounds good to me!

Bamboo Island
Earth Temple
Lake Floria
Scaldera/Tentalus (Critical)
Koloktos/Moldarach

Runner-up: Dark Souls (PS3, 360)

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[Best Multiplayer]

Friends are great, but friends with benefits? Oh, that's even better. There's nothing like playing with a bunch of your best friends or favorite family members online or off to get the blood and the adrenaline pumping. The following are the best multiplayer experiences of 2011. And the nominees are...

Gears of War 3 (360)


There's little in the way of satisfaction that can beat using the chainsaw blade on your lancer to rip a hole through an opponent, or launching a torque bow into the skin of a foe and promptly blowing them to smithereens. Whether you play on teams on one of the many maps the game possesses (both classic and new maps) or take it to the onslaught of computer controlled opponents in Horde mode, there's a lot to like about Gears of War 3's multiplayer component. And unlike Gears 2, Gears of War 3 contains online that is virtually bug and glitch free.

LittleBigPlanet 2 (PS3)


LittleBigPlanet 2 is a creator's paradise, but did you know that there's also a meaty story campaign to it as well? Well, now you do, and you can play it with up to three other friends or total strangers! You can opt to build a level or mini-game with friends, play the many story levels, battling bosses, collecting prize bubbles, or fiddle around with the impressive physics engine the game has. There's nothing like being a part of the same party and trying out other players' levels and games. LittleBigPlanet 2 is a spectacular multiplayer experience.

Uncharted 3: Drake's Deception (PS3)


Play individually or on teams with Uncharted 3: Drake's Deception's multiplayer. While it isn't the most unique multiplayer experience, it does offer a lot of different scenarios, maps, and challenges to take on. Most importantly are medals that are unlocked through performing such feats as killing three people with a melee attack in one life. These give players kickbacks which are like Call of Duty's kill streak perks that reward the player with a bonus effect. For a fun time that few PlayStation 3 games can muster, look into Drake's Deception for pure, unadulterated multiplayer bliss.

Kirby's Return to Dreamland (Wii)


While only allowing players to traverse the colorful world of Kirby's latest offline, Kirby's Return to Dreamland offers plenty of excitement as up to four players can trek through the game's many levels in search of Energy Spheres, gobbling up and attacking enemies, and beating down bosses. Players share a pool of lives, so tread carefully and try not to cost player one too many lives! Similar to Donkey Kong Country Returns, New Super Mario Bros. Wii, and Rayman Origins, cooperative play opens up a whole new world of possibilities and entertainment.

Mario Kart 7 (3DS)


Quite possibly the greatest Mario Kart in terms of multiplayer, Mario Kart 7 gives players the ability to create their own Communities, groups of like-minded racers all competing against one another. While searching Worldwide for races can be a tad irritating with players knowing full well the exploit of Maka Wuhu, the game runs relatively well with little in the way of lag (unless you're playing with people from all four corners of the world). Nonetheless, Mario Kart 7 may very well be Nintendo's most brilliant attempt at running a seamless and coherent online setup.

Go Vacation (Wii)


Sure, exploring Kawawii Island by your lonesome or with AI controlled Miis and animals is all fine and dandy, but the real fun comes when you have up to three other real life friends join you to traverse the various resorts. You can compete against one another in over fifty unique activities with over 100 variations, walk or ride around the four resorts (Marine, City, Snow, and Mountain), and discover new items via hidden treasure chests. Kawawii Island is yours to explore, and explore you shall!

And the winner is...










Uncharted 3: Drake's Deception (PS3)

Even though you need a PSN Online Pass to play this game online (sorry, renters and used game buyers), the multiplayer of Uncharted 3 is the series's best yet with tons of maps that transform as the games go along, a grand collection of weaponry to use on your opponents, a myriad of modes, and awesome cooperative play. Uncharted 3 isn't just one of the better online games this year, but perhaps on the PS3 completely.

Runner-up: LittleBigPlanet 2 (PS3)

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[Best Presentation]

Beauty is only skin deep, but that doesn't exactly matter when it comes to video games as they don't have any skin. Like it or not, there are people who purely and solely buy video games based on their graphical content and not their gameplay. Sucks for them, but that's life. These upcoming games are ones that are the best lookers and runners (see: not Skyrim) when it comes to presentation.

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 (PS3, 360, Wii)


Ten hut! Ooh-rah! And all those other generic military jargon. Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 is the latest in the Call of Duty franchise to the chagrin of many a-gamer. Despite this, it is one hell of a looker with dozens of special effects going on such as smoke billowing from streets, explosions ripping through the air, and debris flying through the air. War is hell and Modern Warfare 3 does its very best to emulate that to varying degrees of success.

Uncharted 3: Drake's Deception (PS3)


Uncharted 3: Drake's Deception is like playing through an interactive movie with its massive blockbuster budget, incredible and interesting set pieces such as the inferno in the chateau (don't worry-- that comes relatively early in the game), and absolutely, positively captivating voice acting that really makes the characters in the game seem etched in a bit of reality. Little touches like Drake running his hand along a cavern wall to maintain his balance go a long way in creating this realistic world.

Gears of War 3 (360)


A game that pushes the Unreal 3 Engine to its limits, Gears of War 3 is a beast. The production values are immense, the presentation regarding voice acting and music is top-notch, and the visceral action that occurs via bloodbaths and violence make for an engaging experience for those of you who are into that sort of thing (I'll stick with good old fashioned slapstick, thank you very much). Couple all of the aforementioned with a game that rarely bugs or glitches out, and you have a tremendous looking title.

Batman: Arkham City (PS3, 360)


Batman is back with a vengeance as he explores the seamy underbelly of Gotham in Arkham City, where the town's deadliest and vilest villains call A.C. their home. Being able to soar from one corner of the city to another with little to nothing in the way of slow-down is an incredible feat. Like Gears of War 3, Batman: Arkham City was powered by the Unreal Engine, and it looks amazing. Batman might need to lower the intake of steroids, and the scantily clad sex symbols in the form of women might be chauvinistic, but this game has got the graphical goods in spades.

Rayman Origins (PS3, 360, Wii)


A 2D game on the Best Presentation list? Something must be wrong... but if this is wrong, I don't want to be right. Enter the lush worlds of Rayman Origins, all hand-drawn, all looking mighty pretty, and all running at a smooth and silky frame rate. This is poetry in motion, my friends. Even on the standard definition Wii Rayman Origins looks fantastic with colorful and creative backgrounds, excellent enemy and character animations, and beautiful special effects in the way of enemies imploding, levels crumbling apart, and much, much more.

The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword (Wii)


Even though the Wii is the most underpowered console of this generation on the market today, The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword still happens to stick with the big boys, despite it only being in SD (and no matter what any bonehead critic has to say). The watercolor aesthetic of the game makes everything from the environments to the characters look especially gorgeous. And what the game lacks in voice acting it makes up for in pure glorious style. Plus the soundtrack is the best of the year if you look above.

And the winner is...









Uncharted 3: Drake's Deception (PS3)

Nathan Drake is not your typical everyman, and Uncharted 3: Drake's Deception is not your typical every-game. It is much more with spectacular special effects like fires blazing, oil cans exploding, crystal clear water gushing, and foliage waving through the air. Things like Drake's clothing becoming soaking wet as he enters water is a nice touch as is the above mentioned touch-the-wall-to-balance-Drake act. Add all of this with a game that runs as smooth as a baby's behind, and you have the winner for Best Presentation of 2011 here at SuperPhillip Central.

Runner-up: Rayman Origins (PS3, 360, Wii)

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That wraps it up for night one of the SuperPhillip Central Best of 2011 Awards. I hope you will join me for night two with such categories like Most Unexpected Surprise and Best Motion Control Game. Until then, I need to see if this tux is able to go in the washer... Damn these soda stains!