Electronic Gaming Monthly: Game of the Year

Senior Editor Crispin Boyer: If the brilliantly bizarre rolling-crap-ball simulator Katamari Damacy for PS2 had more to it, I would so pick it for Game of the Year. But I can still indulge my root-for-the-underdog desires by going with Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas, because I know all you knuckleheads are just going to say Halo 2 and be done with it.

Executive Editor Mark MacDonald: You’re right, that is a safe assumption, because Halo 2 is obviously the best game this year.

Crispin: Says you.

Mark: C’mon. It’s got it all: excellent gameplay, superb A.I., amazing graphics, never-ending multiplayer fun—you name it. And say what you want about the ending, ’cause the game ain’t over yet—everyone is still playing the unbelievably deep multiplayer modes online and will be for months. Apologies to Paper Mario, Snake, and Mr. Fisher, but it’s no contest.

Previews Editor Shane Bettenhausen: For me, Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater goes straight to the top with a bullet—make that a small thermonuclear device. It has unbelievable visuals, perfect gameplay, and the best boss encounters in any game, ever. Halo 2 is stellar, and Katamari is quirky fun, but neither approaches the epic, emotionally-charged thrill of Snake’s latest adventure. Oh, and comparing MGS3’s story to GTA’s? Lowlife thugs running delivery missions isn’t my idea of compelling narrative.

Crispin: OK, white-bread, we can disagree about the story, but that’s only one gun in San Andreas’ arsenal. More than ever, this new GTA is like 20 games in one. Gambling, racing, jetpacking, pool sharking—it’s insanely ambitious. Can you valet park a freaking car in Halo 2?

Mark: No. You can’t wash windows or do the laundry either. Boo-hoo. All respek to GTA, but however many games-in-one it might be, it’s gathering dust now while we’re all still playing Halo 2. Snuh!

And the Winner Is... Halo 2

System: Xbox

Publisher: Microsoft

Runner-up: Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas

Talk about a close one. The mighty Halo 2 defeated San Andreas by just one vote in our staffwide poll, with MGS3 sneaking up from behind to take a close third place. Just goes to show that a compelling story and killer gameplay aren’t everything—Halo 2’s crowd-pleasing online multiplayer modes are what put this supersequel on top.

Li’l Awards...

Best Celeb Performance: Vin Diesel, Chronicles of Riddick: Escape From Butcher Bay

(XB • VU Games)

Best Online Multiplayer: Splinter Cell Pandora Tomorrow

(XB version only • Ubisoft)

Best Offline Multiplayer: The Legend of Zelda: Four Swords Adventures

(GC •Nintendo)