Deadliest Catch: Alaskan Storm - nominated by Ryan
Alaskan crab fishing is a hell of a job - death and destruction await you at every turn. How hasn’t this been turned into a video game before now? Alaskan Storm takes a uber-detailed simulation style approach to the dangerous game of crabbing. Despite being a TV license it provides one of the best simulations on the market this year.

Space Invaders Extreme - nominated by Kevin/Dan
Take the basic Space Invaders gameplay, add a thumping soundtrack, amazing rumble support, color and column matching gameplay, boss fight, bonus stages…
I think my head just exploded. The single best title on the DS and PSP this half year. Oh yeah, and it’s only $20.

PixelJunk Monsters - nominated by Jim
Tower defense is one of those weird sub-genres that you love, hate, or have never heard of. It couldn’t have asked for a better coming-out party than PixelJunk Monsters. Great maps and towers shine with support from charming visuals and a kick ass soundtrack. The fact that it’s only $10 doesn’t hurt, either.

Still Alive DS - nominated by Jim
It’s a homebrew game based on a flash game based on a retail game. Ok — so it’s niche. Still, if you’re looking for an excuse to pick up a DS homebrew card you’ve just found it. Still Alive DS combines 50’s style visuals (think Vault Boy), the humor of the original, and brilliant stylus-based physics action — all free of charge.

And finally… All the little awards that we couldn’t live without!

Metal Gear Online - nominated by Ryan
Metal Gear has always been about a lone man sneaking around quietly trying to reach his goals. How in the hell were they going to turn that into a multiplayer experience? By focusing on cityscapes, weapons and upgradable skills, MGO became the loud bang to Snake’s quiet whisper. Bonus points for the “everyone get Snake!” game mode.

N+ - nominated by Kevin
A Live Arcade title with minimalist visuals and a PC freeware background? Almost sounds snobbish — but then you play it. N+ is quite possibly the most challenging and exhilarating physics-centric game on the market. And the custom user maps? Don’t get me started on how top notch those are.

Wipeout Pulse - nominated by Dan
Wipeout fans are a hardcore bunch. Not many of them thought it could get better than the series first outing on the PSP, Wipeout Pure — it turns out they were wrong. Pulse took everything that was great about Pure and added in more tracks, more gameplay modes, and customizable skins that could be designed and shared via PC.

Space Invaders Extreme - nominated by Jim
Really? Space Invaders AGAIN? After years of mediocre rehashes it was hard to not be skeptical about this one. But having imported the Japanese version, Dan kept assuring us this time was different. He was right. Extreme does for Space Invaders what Championship Edition did for Pac-Man. It’s frantic, fast-paced and fantastic.

Up next we discuss all things Nintendo!

Grand Theft Auto IV - nominated by Ryan
The biggest selling title of the first half of 2008, Grand Theft Auto IV continued the series tradition of mission-based madness while giving a much needed overhaul to everything from driving and combat to visuals and physics. Toss in an elaborate storyline and the series first multiplayer and you’ve got a recipe for instant success.

Burnout Paradise - nominated by Kevin
Wanna go fast? It doesn’t get much faster than on the mean streets of Paradise City. Burnout Paradise removed the series tried-and-true menu system and replaced it with a slick open-world design — a design that seemlessly tossed your friends into the multiplayer mix without ever setting a foot out of your car.

God of War: Chains of Olympus - nominated by Dan
Chains of Olympus did what most people thought was impossible: it took the PS2’s premiere franchise and put it on the PSP without any loss in visuals or gameplay. Some would even argue that Chains is superior to the PS2 versions that preceded it. The changes to the dodging system were enough to make this an A+ in our books.

Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots - nominated by Jim
Our site may be divided on Metal Gear, but those of us that like it like it a lot. MGS4 did more than than the monumental task of wrapping up a phone books worth of loose ends. It introduced game mechanics, shifted towards more action, and gave us the sublime Metal Gear Online. It kind of breaks your heart that **SPOILER REMOVED**.

Boom Blox - nominated by Christina
When Spielberg consulted game developers on his first project, he consulted the best. Born from an inspired meeting with legendary game developer Shigeru Miyamoto, Spielberg’s Boom Blox takes the simple mechanic of throwing a ball and turns it into a brilliantly fun and simple puzzler that everyone can enjoy.

Up next? Our Biggest Disappointments!