Archive for December, 2006

An Associated Press writer reported about a list of the top 10 games to hit the market in ‘06, and a list of the worst 5. Tell us how you agree or disagree.

Here’s the list:

BEST OF 2006

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1. “Okami” (Capcom, for the PlayStation 2): This utterly original adventure delivered a perfect blend of puzzles and action in a mesmerizing tale based on Japanese mythology. The gorgeous graphics, inspired by classic Japanese art, look like nothing else you’ve ever seen in a video game.

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2. “The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion” (Bethesda Softworks, for the Xbox 360): Two hundred hours in and I still feel like I haven’t scratched the surface of this wide-ranging medieval role-playing adventure. With a compelling main story and hundreds of side missions, it’s the first must-have game of the 360 era.

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3. “The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess” (Nintendo, for the Wii, GameCube): The “Zelda” is a satisfying combination of the familiar (clever weapons, diabolical dungeons) and the new (Link is now a werewolf!). We always anticipate great things from “Zelda,” but “Twilight Princess” delivers well beyond expectations.

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4. “Gears of War” (Microsoft, for the Xbox 360): The second must-have for the 360 is “Gears of War,” a riotous shooter that pits a team of human grunts against an insectoid army. It’s gory, scary and thrilling, especially if you enjoy slicing up aliens with a chain saw.

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5. “Xenosaga Episode III: Also Sprach Zarathustra” (Namco, for the PlayStation 2): The finale of the ambitious (some say pretentious) “Xenosaga” trilogy tackles religion, philosophy, metaphysics and more topics you wouldn’t expect a game to address. It’s really fun if you don’t mind having your mind blown.

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6. “Wii Sports” (Nintendo, for the Wii): Nintendo’s new Wii console has gotten a lot of attention from people who don’t normally play games. “Wii Sports,” which is packed with the system, is an effective demonstration of its motion-sensing remote, and I have yet to meet anyone who can resist playing once they see it in action.

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7. “New Super Mario Bros.” (Nintendo, for the DS): The lovable plumber returns to his 2D roots in this side-scrolling running-and-jumping adventure. A blast for those of us who loved the original “SMB,” and a real challenge for just about any player, with dozens of levels and tons of secrets.

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8. “Final Fantasy XII” (Square Enix, for the PlayStation 2): I’m not completely sold on the new real-time battle system introduced in this installment, but it delivers everything — grandiose story, lavish graphics and generous gameplay — you expect from a “Final Fantasy” epic.

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9. “LocoRoco” (Sony, for the PlayStation Portable): jellylike blobs ooze their way across colorful landscapes, splitting and recombining to get past obstacles. With its vibrant look and catchy soundtrack, it’s the year’s most endearing puzzle game

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10. “Resistance: Fall of Man” (Sony, for the PlayStation 3): “Ratchet & Clank” creators Insomniac Games juice up the World War II shooter with alien invaders and flamboyant weapons. The best of the PS3 launch titles.

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WORST OF 2006

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1. “25 to Life” (Eidos, for the Xbox, PlayStation 2): The only way an urban gangsta can escape to a better life is by killing hundreds of cops. The goriest, most reprehensible of the street crime sagas trying to rip off “Grand Theft Auto.”

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2. “Torino 2006″ (2K Sports, for the Xbox, PlayStation 2): Fifteen winter games, all made crushingly dull by this halfhearted attempt to cash in on Olympic fever. Designers, you have three years to create a decent curling simulation before the Vancouver games.

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3. “Jaws Unleashed” (Majesco, for the Xbox, PlayStation 2): Glitchy graphics, unnecessarily complicated controls and stupid missions take all the fun out of swimming around and chomping on innocent humans.

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4. “Bomberman Act: Zero” (Konami, for the Xbox 360): That misplaced colon in the title was indicative of this slipshod production, which turned a colorful, lively party game into a morbid, unplayable mess.

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5. “Superman Returns” (Electronic Arts, for the Xbox 360, Xbox, PlayStation 2): The 1999 “Superman 64″ is often called the worst video game ever. “Superman Returns” is a little — just a little — better.

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