Best XBLA/PSN/WiiWare Game 2009

[Daniel]

Keep your posts clean and to the point. If you would like your comments to appear in the magazine, please keep comments to under 100 words.

The Reader's Game of the Year special will appear in issue 198.

[FrozenSoul80]

Shadow Complex.

[JubeiSaotome]

Fat Princess

TF2 meets 16 bit Zelda

[igotnewsuper8systemWRONG!]

Wipeout HD Fury expansion (expansions count right?)

[dalmatian]

Wipeout HD Fury

Yeah it counts, suck it up mods:p

[adam_91vn]

Battlefield 1943

[aubergine]

I think the different consoles need separate categories. i can't vouch for PS3 or Wii at all, which probably had better games than

Shadow Complex.

[RunningMild]

Shadow Complex

This game was the total package. Graphics, sound, gameplay, story- everything came together to create a complete gaming experience. The blending of old and new ideas worked a treat.


Runners Up

'Splosion Man

Everything that was awesome about 16 bit platformers was dragged kicking and screaming into 2009. Crushing ceilings, conveyor belts, rising water... it's all as great as I remember. Also, this game was tough as nails and contained the funniest end credits since God Hand!


Trials HD

A physics-based update of Motocross Maniacs? It's the remake we never knew we needed. Loaded with variety and tougher than tough, this is the sleeper hit of the year.

[Cian]

Battlefield 1943

This beats Shadow Complex simply because it gave me a lot more game time. It's Battlefield stripped down to basic necessities but it worked incredibly well. Better than CoD: WaW online and a fraction of the price.

[Mr.Mew]

Darn. My Shadow Complex vote would have made more sense here. Eitherway...

Shadow Complex

Shrinking impressively into a ball and rolling about the place will be in the sequel.

'Splosion Man

Simplicity at its best, with an impressively well thought out multiplayer to boot with the single player element of the game.

[Jay]

Flower

I was going to vote for Shadow Complex, but a sudden moment of serenity gripped me (quite what she's doing here I don't know! :p ) and I was reminded of Flower and how utterly compelling it was. So I'm voting for that. But also Shadow Complex. With an honourable mention to Battlefield 1943. And 'Splosion Man. And Trine. And Shatter. And NyxQuest. And The Dishwasher. And Pixel Junk Shooter. But the vote goes to Flower.

[StorminNorman]

PSN: WipEout HD Fury
The best game on the PS3 just got better. New tracks, a better progression system, more challenges and some really impressive visuals helped keep WipEout HD as the number one reason to own the PS3.

XBLA: Defence Grid
This game probably got played more than any other besides Forza 3 in my household. A really gripping tower defence game with fantastic Ikaruga-like graphics and some tense, orchestral music. Just a fantastic all-around experience.

[T Strife]

Flower

[Natrak]

Shadow Complex needs to win this category. It's one of the best titles of the year whether downloadable or retail. This is a Metroidvania game that sits up there with the best of them, and the '3D' combat added a really nice spin to the gameplay. Throw in great replay value with levelling, leaderboards, a somewhat robust challenge mode and great potential for speed-runs (encouraged by various acheivements) along with a level of polish not often exhibited by other PSN/WiiWare/XBLA titles and I'd definitely consider Shadow Complex the frontrunner. Oh and let's not forget the lovely visuals.

[Xanafalgue]

Battlefield: 1943

[Shorty]

Shadow Complex

[Hyperblau]

Splosion Man

I laughed the whole time.

BORT BORT BORT

[Citizen Erased]

Pixel Junk Shooter
Shadow Complex
Trine

[drzaius]

for enjoyment - Shadow complex
for interest - flower

[RunningMild]

Splosion Man

I laughed the whole time.

BORT BORT BORT

BORT BOBORT BORT BORT BORT BORT! :p

The bit that made me laugh was 'everybody loves donuts, I know I dooooo, oh everybody loves donuts...'. ;)

[HiredMan]

Shadow Complex

Such a good year for PSN/WiiWare/XBLA games but SC was a clear winner for me.

(Very) Honorable mentions: Battlefield 1943 and Trials HD.

[BB2K]

Do Virtual Console games count?

[Lex]

Sure, but not for 2009.

[Clockw0rk]

Trials HD
I know I gave Shadow Complex my GOTY, so this vote probably seems a bit weird. But no other game, full-price or otherwise, kept the entire flat up until 4am for "just one more try". When we finally got to bed, we were up again at 10 for another full day of Trials. This continued for a week until one of us beat Inferno II.

[REQUIEM]

Battlefield 1943: Hours of fun for $20. Rare in todays society.

[NiB]

Shadow Complex

It's short, but evokes those brilliant Super Metroid memories

[Shaftoe]

voot.

[william h. cosby II]

Shadow Complex

THE outstanding game for 360 released in 2009. The fact that it's on XBLA just means more bang for your buck.

Honorable Mention MUST go to Flower for providing an innovative surprise.

[AyatollaofRocknRolla]

Shadow Complex

Above and beyond what you expect from a downloadable title.

[bigbarry]

Shadow Complex

[Adios]

Flower

thatgamecompany are quickly becoming Sony's second Team ICO. Wonderfully original design and stunning visuals elevate this title above and beyond the pack.

[jawsy]

Shadow Complex.

I almost said Trials HD, but that is only because I have recently gone back to it. Shadow Complex is the one XBLA game that has made me forget that it is, in fact, an XBLA game and not a normal retail release. That speaks volumes.