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FEATURE
25
Dec
40
Nintendo

Nintendo DS VGChartz Game of the Year Awards 2009

RSS by Julio Machuca on 25 December 2009, 7194 views
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Somebody needs to tell the DS that 2009 marked the handheld’s fifth year on the market. With the launch of the DSi, the announcement stating the DSi XL will be arriving shortly on this side of the pacific, and the console racing well past the esteemed 100 million units sold mark, this year really couldn’t have fared any better for Nintendo’s once touted “third pillar system”. And software-wise, do we really need an introduction? 2009 gave way to some of the biggest software releases yet, some of which will go down in history as the elite of the already illustrious DS software crop. So sit back, relax, and feel free to add your own two cents in the comments box below as VGChartz highlights the best of the best for DS in '09.

Best Shooter: Space Invaders Extreme 2

  A sequel to last year’s highly acclaimed Space Invaders Extreme, Extreme 2 offers more modes, updated wave formations, and new music tracks in addition to the already stellar gameplay that takes the original Space Invaders formula and fine tunes it for modern times. Upon the title’s critical reception, an additional DSiWare version of Extreme 2 has also been released in Japan.

Runner-Up: Call of Duty: Modern Warfare: Mobilized

Reader’s Choice: Call of Duty: Modern Warfare: Mobilized

 

Best Fighter: WWE Smackdown Vs. Raw 2010

  It’s easy to dismiss games simply because new iterations are released on a yearly basis, but doing so may leave you out in the cold regarding certain key titles. Smackdown Vs. Raw is a prime example of this, because many of the changes that this year’s effort brings to the forefront are some of the best the series has seen thus far. The biggest and best change? The substituting of stylus driven controls to a much more traditional interface. Doing so not only has the game playing much better than before, but the much improved story mode and over-the-top gameplay make Smackdown Vs. Raw 2010 one of the most entertaining pocket fighters around.

Runner-Up: Naruto Shippuden: Ninja Destiny 2

Reader’s Choice: N/A

 

Best Platformer: The Legendary Starfy


What is actually the fifth game in an already popular long-running series in Japan, the Denetsu no Stafy series finally swam its way to western shores in the form of The Legendary Starfy, and are we happy the little guy finally left his homeland. Playing like an offshoot Kirby title in some ways, the ability to obtain and utilize a variety of costume power-ups is what propelled the game past its competition. Fantastic level design, entertaining minigames, and an enjoyable story all contribute to making Starfy’s worldwide debut an occasion to remember.

Runner-Up: Henry Hatsworth in the Puzzling Adventure

Reader’s Choice: Henry Hatsworth in the Puzzling Adventure

 

Best Action/Adventure: Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars

A full blown GTA experience on the DS? No way… Rockstar couldn’t possibly pull this one off, could they? But then it happened - on March 17, 2009, on the game’s release date, Rockstar answered gamers' calls with a resounding “Yes, yes we can.” A game many would go on to praise as being better than many of its console counterparts, Chinatown Wars has all of the satisfying elements you expect in GTA - fun missions, an engaging and provocative story, and a sprawling re-creation of Liberty City for players to peruse. And the best part? It’s all ready for you at any time, on the go or at home.

Runner-Up: The Legend of Zelda: Spirit Tracks

Reader’s Choice: The Legend of Zelda: Spirit Tracks

Best Rhythm/Music: Rhythm Heaven

Rather than having players press the correct colored control input to match colored on-screen commands like virtually every other music game released today, Rhythm Heaven makes you listen and “feel” the music’s beat to play. Played in “book” fashion and controlled intuitively by either tapping or holding the stylus on the touch screen for an appropriate amount of time is excitingly much more fresh and innovative than this text can possibly make it out to be. If you have the luxury of owning an internet connected Wii (and DS of course), head on over to the Nintendo Channel to give it a try and see what the craze is about for yourself.

Runner-Up: Guitar Hero On Tour: Modern Hits

Reader’s Choice: Rhythm Heaven

 

Best Puzzle: Professor Layton and the Diabolical Box

Although many of the game’s basic elements remain mostly unchanged from last year’s title, Diabolical Box is still great in the sense that its brainteasers are just as fun as ever to solve. And unlike many titles in the same genre, Diabolical Box offers a dazzling range of unique and altogether exciting puzzles, all of which make superb use of the DS hardware. The striking aesthetics, catchy soundtrack, and interesting narrative are all just icing on the cake.

Runner-Up: Scribblenauts

Reader’s Choice: Scribblenauts

Best Racing: TrackMania DS

What you’ll notice the first time you boot up the DS edition of TrackMania is just how fluid the racer looks. Once you’ve finished marveling at the visuals, you’ll then notice just how well the game plays, with the series' lauded track creator taking center stage. TrackMania doesn’t just stop with your own creations however, and features over 100 pre-built tracks to race on, solidifying this game's position as best DS racer of the year.

Runner-Up: Need For Speed Nitro

Reader’s Choice: N/A

 

Best RPG: Mario & Luigi: Bowser's Inside Story


The latest offering in the Mario & Luigi RPG series almost couldn’t have been any better - or at least more “fun”. Inside Story has the famous Italian plumbers attempting to save the day from inside of Bowser’s belly, and no matter how crazy it sounds, we couldn’t have asked for it any other way. Playing from inside the series’ infamous Koopa King brings forth new and exciting gameplay elements never before thought to be possible. Whether you’re a fan of the game’s thrilling battle system, zany story, the Mario Bros.-like platforming elements tossed in, or maybe a bit of everything, Inside Story is easily one of the best games (let alone RPGs) on the DS in '09.

Runner-Up: Shin Megami Tensei: Devil Survivor

Reader’s Choice: Mario & Luigi: Bowser’s Inside Story

 

Best Strategy: Fire Emblem: Shadow Dragon

Over the system’s five year lifespan, the DS has acquired a variety of solid strategy titles, and Shadow Dragon easily goes toe-to-toe with every single one of them. A remake of the very first game in the franchise, Shadow Dragon also marks the series’ return to the handheld spectrum after a five year hiatus. Aside from offering the stellar tactical gameplay that fans know and love, the game offers a much more streamlined learning curve for newcomers, as well as much needed internet connectivity for the first time.

Runner-Up: Dawn of Discovery

Reader’s Choice: Fire Emblem: Shadow Dragon


Best Sports: FIFA Soccer 10

The reason FIFA Soccer 10 wins Best Sports this year isn’t due to any one noticeable feature or attribute.  It won because of the way it’s able to bring all of its strengths together in a way that defines what an on the go DS soccer experience should be.  The game shares many of the same great modes with its console counterparts, includes wildly fun off and online multiplayer, and plays at a sharp 60 frames-per-second. Most importantly, gameplay itself is fun and addicting as ever thanks to the traditional D-Pad method of control the developers have once again opted for.

Runner-Up: Mario and Sonic at the Olympic Winter Games

Reader’s Choice: Mario and Sonic at the Olympic Winter Games

 

Best DSiWare: Mario vs. Donkey Kong: Minis March Again!

Yeah, we admit there wasn’t much competition for the DSiWare’s first year of service, but that doesn’t negate the fact that Minis March Again! is a great game. Aiding and ultimately guiding each little Mario to safety is as engaging and rewarding an experience as you’ll find on DSiWare, and with the ability to create and download more stages than ever before thanks to the added DSi horsepower, you’ve got a title that’s well worth the eight bucks you’re asked to put down.

Runner-Up: Flipnote Studio

Reader’s Choice: Flipnote Studio

 

Best Graphics: The Legend of Zelda: Spirit Tracks

Showcasing quite possibly some of the best visuals on the DS ever, describing Spirit Tracks as a beauty to look at may well be an understatement. The way in which the land of Hyrule unfolds in this latest Zelda offering is truly breathtaking, whether you’re looking out over the vibrant world via Spirit Train, battling one of the game’s many bosses that spill out over both screens, or watching one of the title’s many cinematics, everything is as fluid and vibrant as you could ever possibly ask for. And when it manages to accomplish all of this without so much as a hitch frame rate wise, the game is literally a sight to behold.

Runner-Up: Kingdom Hearts 358/2 Days

Reader’s Choice: The Legend of Zelda: Spirit Tracks

Best Musical Score: The Legend of Zelda: Spirit Tracks

Ah, the atmospheric music of the Zelda series. Portable Zelda titles never seem to quite match their console brethren in this department, but Spirit Tracks seems to reverse this trend with the amazing overworld theme alone. The Spirit Flute segments also feature some of the best instrument interaction in a long time.

Runner-Up: Professor Layton and the Diabolical Box

Reader’s Choice: The Legend of Zelda: Spirit Tracks

 

Most Innovative: Scribblenauts

If there’s one award that should come as no surprise to anyone this year it’s no doubt the award for Most Innovative. In Scribblenauts you can actually write down just about any word imaginable and it will appear onscreen? You can use any of these summoned items to solve tasks and complete a bevy of puzzles in just about any way you can think of? You mean I can really live out my dream of wearing a king’s crown while floating on a magic carpet, watching menacingly from the skies above as a t-rex and kraken duke it out until the death below? Yes, all of the above. ‘Nuff said.

Runner-Up: Flipnote Studio

Reader’s Choice: Scribblenauts

 

Biggest Disappointment: Scribblenauts

Now, just about everyone who plays Scribblenauts enjoys the game to some extent. Scroll up for proof, as the title not only won the award for Most Innovative game, but won a few readers choice awards as well. With that said, can any sane person tell you the game lived up to the hype it so effortlessly garnered prior to release? Absolutely not. What was actually touted as the “Game of the Forever” by some after this year’s E3, Scribblenauts was set up to be a disappointment from the get-go. The terribly awkward controls and detrimental camera issues sure didn’t help either.

Runner-Up: Super Robot Taisen OG Saga: Endless Frontier

Reader's Choice: Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars

 

Best Game No One Played: Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars

You mean you still haven’t played this game yet? Upon the game’s critical reception it even jumped ship and made its way on over to the PSP and eventually the iPhone, cementing Chinatown Wars as not only the Action/Adventure game of the year, but the ultimate handheld GTA ever created. There’s simply no longer any excuse not to own the game - when you’re done with this article, go buy it! Oh, and we track sales by the way. We’ll know if you’ve really bought it.

Runner-Up: Moon

Reader's Choice: Henry Hatsworth in the Puzzling Adventure

 

Most Anticipated: Pokemon Heart Gold/Soul Silver Version

If you aren’t looking forward to the re-imaginings of the titular Game Boy Pokemon Gold/Silver games, then you’re likely either not a Pokemon fan or you have never played what are arguably two of the best efforts that the almost 14-year-old Pokemon franchise has bestowed upon us. Combining the old Gold/Silver sights and sounds with the new gameplay mechanics that have come with subsequent releases (including a new pedometer peripheral that players can actually wear to hone in-game stats), and you have what will no doubt be one of the best DS experiences the other side of 2010.

Runner-Up: Golden Sun DS

Reader's Choice: Okamiden: Chisaki Daiyou

 

DS Game of the Year: The Legend of Zelda: Spirit Tracks

Maybe it’s because of the groundbreaking gameplay changes each new title introduces, maybe it’s because of the top-notch gameplay and presentation elements Nintendo so effortlessly throw in, or maybe it’s simply because we can’t get enough of the series. Whatever the reason may be, almost every year a new Zelda title releases, it’s almost a sure-fire contender for Game of the Year, with Spirit Tracks further proving that ambitious statement to be true. Improving what 2007’s Phantom Hourglass pulled off in just about every available facet, Spirit Tracks offers an incredibly fascinating overworld, wonderfully crafted dungeons, and yet another compelling adventure story. The title also presents one of the most powerful unions between Zelda and Link yet, leading to some of the most innovative gameplay elements the long standing series has ever seen. There's no wonder why it’s our DS Game of the Year for 2009.


Runner-Up: Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars

Reader's Choice: Mario & Luigi: Bowser’s Inside Story

 

More Game of the Year Awards:

Playstation 3 VGChartz Game of the Year Awards 2009
Xbox 360 VGChartz Game of the Year Awards 2009
PSP VGChartz Game of the Year Awards 2009
Wii VGChartz Game of the Year Awards 2009

PC VGChartz Game of the Year Awards 2009

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40 Comments

RyuZebian
RyuZebian (on 05 January 2010)

This community clearly knows what games to anticipate! I just finished Okami and couldn't agree more! =) But Golden Sun DS should be nr 1 and not runner up! :/

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elmerion
elmerion (on 31 December 2009)

Spirit Tracks was meh.. for me, another portable Zelda made by Aonuma with WW graphics

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jbee02
jbee02 (on 30 December 2009)

once again VG chartz screwed up. but they always screw up stuff like this.

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sjhillsa
sjhillsa (on 29 December 2009)

Zelda wasn't GOTY for me, but it was good overall 8/10.

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naznatips
naznatips (on 29 December 2009)

Sorry about GTA guys, we set the limit at "game no one played" at 1 million units. We'll set it at 500K next year to make things a little more interesting for that category.

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sc94597
sc94597 (on 29 December 2009)

This list will be picked at because of all the amazing games the DS has. So when you have 5 RPGs that can be RPG of the Year, 2 action-adventures, and a few strategy's you will get people arguing. Personally I disagree with some of the choices, but that is just because of my personal preference.

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Aion
Aion (on 28 December 2009)

Bad list imo.

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arsenal009
arsenal009 (on 28 December 2009)

GTA has 860k+ sales. If u include all the ppl pirating the game that will surely bring the # of ppl who played it well over a mln. How can it possibly win best game "no one played"???

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marcianito
marcianito (on 27 December 2009)

chinatown wars almost a million and nobody played it???

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smbu2000
smbu2000 (on 27 December 2009)

So will GTA Chinatown get the same "best game no one played" award for the psp as well, since it sold worse on that system.

My favorite DS rpg this year was Dragon Quest IX (but since it hasn't been released outside of Japan yet, I guess it can't be included). I just passed the 130hrs played mark on it and I'm still playing it. I already "finished" the game a long time ago, btw.

Interesting choice for GOTY. I think the game was just released here in Japan, so I haven't even had a chance to try it out. Maybe I'll pick it up sometime next year.

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CaptainDJ
CaptainDJ (on 27 December 2009)

Biggest game no one played: GTA: China Town wars? I'm Shocked. :O

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Gintoki
Gintoki (on 27 December 2009)

I disagree with a lot of stuff but I agree the GOTY

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Shura
Shura (on 27 December 2009)

Zelda win best ds game vs gta, but not best action adventure game???

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Jumpin
Jumpin (on 27 December 2009)

My favourite DS game of the year was Dragon Quest 5, by far. The game is the best Dragon Quest game and one of the best RPGs I have ever played and my favourite on the system (with Chrono Trigger as a fairly close second).

The story is stronger than any other game in the series that I have played (I have played them all except DQ6 and DQ9).

It gives the option to have your characters comment on just about every location, event, and person in the game; some characters giving humerous remarks, some more informative, it gives the game tremendous depth and allows for great replayability.

Lastly, the structure of the game has you start out as a kid of the age of 6. As you grow up you'll have a selection of eligible women to marry, and your children will resemble them. Each of the eligible women have different commentaries and dialogue. Later on when your children have grown, you can take take them on adventures with you and they fit well into the story.

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lurkerwithnosoul
lurkerwithnosoul (on 26 December 2009)

Didn´t bought yet Spirit Tracks, but yes, it´s the GoTY for 2009! :)

I think that Suikoden Tierkreis could be at leat the Runner-up for each best RPG and best Musical Score (oh, and easly the Best Game No One Played in my book).

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trangentspree
trangentspree (on 26 December 2009)

I just got a DSi for Christmas and I absolutely love Bowser's Inside Story (as well as the DSi itself.)

Haven't seen Bowser used as a playable character since Mario RPG on the SNES (bar the Smash Bros/Mario Kart/Party series) but it's absolutely brilliant, and so much fun. I'm always glad to see more being made out of the Nintendo characters like this.

This list shows I have a lot of great games to look forward to.

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Bman54
Bman54 (on 26 December 2009)

Yay for Zelda!!

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Arfen
Arfen (on 26 December 2009)

@naznatips GTA:CW has puzzles too.. but if something is the best it must be the best in his genere too, no? Zelda is an adventure game, so if zelda is the best game, must be too the best adventure.. I think that

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palancas7
palancas7 (on 26 December 2009)

GTA best game no one played???
It's about 140k short of a million ffs.

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WIzarDE
WIzarDE (on 26 December 2009)

My game of the year DS is GTA CW :D

It was EPIC ... and I mean EPIC :D

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naznatips
naznatips (on 26 December 2009)

@Arfen some games have better "Action-Adventure" properties but aren't as good overall. Remember Zelda is taken as a whole package, including the puzzles, music, and graphics which were also top notch.

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Aionic_Kid
Aionic_Kid (on 26 December 2009)

I miss Might & Magic Clash of Heroes, it's a great strategy/puzzle/RPG, miles ahead of Fire Emblem. Pretty unfair to omit it TBH.

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Arfen
Arfen (on 26 December 2009)

i don't understand one tihng..

If zelda is not the best adventure how it can be the best game overall???

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routsounmanman
routsounmanman (on 26 December 2009)

Also, where's Might & Magic Clash of Heroes?! It is one hell of a puzzle/RPG game.

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routsounmanman
routsounmanman (on 26 December 2009)

My RPG of the year'd be Shin Megami Tensei : Devil Survivor, easily. It stomps all over M&L3. I pretty much agree with everything else.

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Aidman
Aidman (on 26 December 2009)

" There's no wonder why it’s our DS Game of the Year for 2009 ".

Nicely said.

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Buzzi
Buzzi (on 26 December 2009)

The only thing I differ from VGC is RPG game of the year: after played both Mario & Luigi 3 and Kingdom Hearts 358/2 Days, I have to say that KH is better than M&L this time. Though I haven't played Shin Megami...

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spdk1
spdk1 (on 26 December 2009)

I've been slacking on my DS, need to check more of these out

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Zucas
Zucas (on 26 December 2009)

Stellar year for the DS this year. Probably had the best exclusives out of all the systems and easily the most good ones haha. Totally agree with Spirit Tracks taking gold as well. Was just a great year for the DS.

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MasterZack
MasterZack (on 26 December 2009)

I need to get Scribblenauts, Mario n Luigi, Fire Emblem, Starfy and Proffesor Layton.

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Intendo21
Intendo21 (on 26 December 2009)

Best list ever! And a good year for the DS.

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alfredofroylan
alfredofroylan (on 25 December 2009)

I haven't played Chinatown Wars because I was so sick of GTA IV.

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Salnax
Salnax (on 25 December 2009)

How does 860,000 copies of a game qualify GTA as a game that no one played? I understand how TWEWY won last year (still hasn't broken half a million) but GTA sold pretty well. It's sold more this year than Scribblenauts, Cooking Mama 3 or Gardening Mama. Its the 8th best selling new DS game this year. It sold about as many as Gran Turismo PSP, the best selling new PSP game this year. How does this constitute a game that nobody's played?

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zexen_lowe
zexen_lowe (on 25 December 2009)

No one denies it was the most innovative game, for sure (in fact, I think it's the most innovative game of ANY console this year). But there's a fact and it's that the game controls horribly with an awful camera, and that's why it gets biggest disappointment, I think

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Fededx
Fededx (on 25 December 2009)

I'm glad to see Fire Emblem has won an award, it really is an awesome game!

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SaviorX
SaviorX (on 25 December 2009)

"Most Innovative Game"
Scribblenauts

"Most Disappointing Game"
Scribblenauts LOL

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Smeags
Smeags (on 25 December 2009)

Hrm... there must have been a lot of different staff members with a lot of different opinions for this one. Spirit Tracks not winning its own genre but winning game of the year? Odd, but pretty cool for both games nonetheless.

Also, Scribblenauts was the biggest disappointment this year? Man, an original IP with a great idea (and executed [i]very[/i] well) that garnered even less sales than GTA? Poor Maxwell. :-D

All in all though, great job guys. Keep it up! ;-)

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Gearbox
Gearbox (on 25 December 2009)

very nicely done but i think that the box art should go beside the name not the reason y it won

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Sapphire
Sapphire (on 25 December 2009)

fiuh
one of the best awards for NDS
I almost agree with the choices

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sabby_e17
sabby_e17 (on 25 December 2009)

Great choices!

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