2006: Top 5

Well, It's 2007. Actually, as I'm sure you know, it's been 2007 for nearly a month now, but a certain little game has prevented me from posting anything like this until now.

2006 was one of the most enjoyable gaming years I've experienced. As such, I decided to jot down my favorites of the year. There's something for almost everyone among my selections- A remade classic, a returning icon, two quirky and charming concepts and, finally, a game that blew me away in a way that few have ever done before.

I've limited my selections to games that were released in 2006. Otherwise, some older games that I just discovered would likely have taken spots (Paper Mario (N64) and Metroid Prime (GCN) come to mind).

5: Tetris DS (DS) Genre: Puzzle/Action

There were a lot of fantastic new games coming out last year, but this terrific remake ranks among the best. It's the classic, genre defining gameplay Tetris is famous for, but given a complete Retro-Nintendo makeover. While the action unfolds on the bottom screen, Mario, Link, Samus and co. zip through their appropriate games in resplendent 8-bit glory. Add terrific LAN and Online multiplayer modes and you've got one wonderfully addicting package that almost anyone can enjoy.

4: Chibi-Robo! (GCN) Genre: RPG/Platform

What can be said about Chibi-Robo? The pint-sized maid/miracle worker's debut quest to make everyone happy was a thoroughly odd and surprisingly refreshing game. As the miniature housekeeper for the dysfunctional Sanderson family, Chibi's really got his work cut out for him. Along with the difficulties of cleaning house when you're approximately 2 1/2 inches tall, he's got to contend with talking toys, restoring power to an old 'bot in the basement, and Mr. and Mrs. Sanderson's rather rocky relationship. Oh, and the occasional robotic spider infestation.
Chibi-Robo has great gameplay, but what really makes it special are the characters. Unforgettable ones abound, including a friendly teddy bear named Sunshine with an unfortunate nectar addiction that can send him into a violent rage and an action figure with poultry-themed attire and a Buzz Lightyear complex. The story is great as well, and, surprisingly, deals with a lot of real-life issues -like money, matrimonial strife, and even death-, but never in a heavy-handed way.

Chibi-Robo's mission is to make us happy. With me, anyway, he succeeded.

3: New Super Mario Bros. (DS) Genre: Platform

Mario's back.

And what a revival. The Italian Stallion has been absent from the 2-D platforming world for over 10 years now, and fans have felt it. Anticipation levels were naturally rather high, therefore, as they awaited the game to hit the DS. It was not a disappointment. With great level design, classic gameplay and utterly fantastic control, Mario's latest is a sizable and thoroughly enjoyable walk down memory lane for old(er) hands like me and a terrific jumping in point for newer gamers.
And it'd be silly for me not to mention the multiplayer mode, a crazy-fun race to collect stars on circuitous courses that has provided some of the best multiplayer action on a handheld I've experienced.
One of the best platformers since SMW2, it's a must for any action/platform fan.

2: Elite Beat Agents (DS) Genre: Rhythm

Elite Beat Agents is BRILLIANT. I've played a lot of great DS games, but, for me, nothing comes close to EBA.
It's also one of the most unusual games on the system. The concept is something like this: You help the Elite Beat Agents, members of a secret government agency that use special, motivational dance moves to assist citizens with their troubles. If that sounds weird it's because it is, especially considering the agents themselves sport "Blues Brothers" inspired clothing and over-the-top hairstyles.
As wacky as the agents are, though, the missions in the game really steal the show.
Helping a magician save a casino from a group of bandits dressed like playing cards (to "Rock This Town"), a pair of ditsy celebrity sisters live the high life on a deserted island ("Material Girl"), or a meteorologist strip the sky of clouds so she can keep a promise to her son ("September"), to name a few.
The art style is out of this world, the cover songs are almost always good and the gameplay is engaging, fun, and challenging. Agents are...GO!!

My Game of The Year 2006: The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess
(Wii) Genre: Adventure

It's Zelda.

That alone would be sufficient reason for a it's selection as my Game of the Year, as I'm sure many would agree. Few series can compete with the quality of each Zelda game, and Twilight Princess, as an addition to the hallowed series, wins somewhat by default.
Of course, thinking that it's just another Zelda game, no matter how positive the connotations may be, is ridiculous. Twilight Princess adds loads to the system that was already a genre-definer, making for a sort of "Zelda plus" experience that I honestly didn't consider entirely possible beforehand. The dungeon design has hit a new high, the game is, in many places, stunningly gorgeous (see the fishing hole at dawn), the story is engaging, the characters are charming and memorable, the minigames are fun (again, see fishing hole), and the new items are neat and clever (if sometimes underutilized). More than anything, the game feels epic beyond anything I've seen before. It's not perfect, but the little imperfections are dwarfed by the game's stunning acheivements. The real question should not be "My Game of the Year?", but rather "Best Game I've Ever Played?"

-Smash Bro.