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Today, I present the Best of 2008 - Video Game Awards. This time, I recommend playing "Mars" by Gustav Holst in the background. Presented today are the top 10 downloadable games of the year, the top 5 Rock Band downloads of the year, Wii game of the year and Xbox 360 game of the year. Remember, if you leave a comment, you could be a winner. This should be shorter than the last one, so here we go.

Top 10 Downloadable Games of the Year

Downloadable games are one of my favorite things to ever happen to video games since auto-saving. With the WiiWare and Xbox Live Arcade, I was able to get into a whole new collection of games. Here's my top 10 Downloadable Games of the Year. The last 3 were pretty tough to choose.

10. Age of Booty

Fun pirate game that's simple and easy to get into. Online play is pretty fun. There has been a promise of free downloadable levels in the future.

9. Strong Bad's Cool Game For Attractive People: Episode I - Homestar Ruiner

The first in the series of the Strong Bad WiiWare games. It's the only one of them I've bought besides the second episode. It's a good point-and-click adventure with all of the Strong Bad humor. I enjoyed this one more than the second. I might end up getting the fifth episode since it has TROGDOR!!!!

8. Dr. Mario Online Rx

This is one of those WiiWare games that I think everybody should own. It's a nice puzzle game and online is pretty good. However, playing with your friends still requires you to exchange those stupid friend codes. I was fortunate enough to play Joe Negron and get a fluke victory over him.

7. Bionic Commando: Rearmed

An update of the original NES game adds plenty of new material. Very good, challenging game. Once you get a hang of the controls, it's a nice game. If you're up for a challenge, get this and it's only 800 Microsoft points ($10).

6. Braid

Very challenging puzzle game and I love the art style and music. A lot of people are swearing by this game. While I do think it's a very good game, the high price of 1200 Microsoft points (which I don't mind paying, but I think it's overpriced) and very little replayability keep me from putting this game higher up the list.

5. Toki Tori

This game is so good and it makes me sad that nobody else seems to be playing it. This is a gem among the mostly bland games available on the WiiWare. Nice, cute puzzle game with challenging levels to keep you occupied for some time.

4. Portal: Still Alive

This is the award-winning first-person puzzle game and I love everything about it. A very challenging game, and I'm quite proud to say that I've beaten it without the help of any walkthrough. The added challenges room give you something more to do once you beat the game. GLaDOS is in this game, too.

3. World of Goo

I recently downloaded this game, but haven't done a full review in this blog. This is a very fun game and a very interesting concept. Every level in this game is unique and you'll keep wanting to go back to play it to complete all of the OCD's. This game reminds me of LocoRoco from the PSP for some reason. Download it now for a reasonable $15.

2. Castle Crashers

From the creators of Alien Hominid comes this very fun adventure game. It's a good length game with plenty to unlock. This is one of the most fun games I've played. One major problem which prevented this game from being Number 1: the broken online mode. The patch was recently released, but most people have probably stopped playing it now and gave up hope that it's coming.

1. Mega Man 9

Everything about this game is awesome. You really feel that you are playing an original Mega Man game from the 80's, complete with the retro music and graphic glitches. I downloaded the WiiWare version since the controls work much better with the Wii controller. This game is really challenging, but it is beatable. I've made it to the Dr. Wily levels. Once I get more free time, I will finally sit down and beat it. The challenges and DLC will make you want to go back for more.

Top 5 Rock Band Downloads of the Year

The guys behind Rock Band deserve huge props for releasing songs to download every week. Some good songs have been released for download since the original Rock Band, and it offers a whole smorgasbord of songs to chose from.

Honorable Mention: "Charlene (I'm Right Behind You)" - Stephen and The Colberts

It's free to download and it's by Stephen Colbert, but it's short and not very challenging.

5. "Baba O'Riley" - The Who

Some people think this song is called "Teenage Wastleland". This song was released along with a whole collection of some of the best songs by The Who. I picked this one because it's one of my favorites. It's a nice song to play on all parts, plus it's a song that I know most of the lyrics to.

4. "Kickstart My Heart" - Mötley Crüe

I've always enjoyed this song. Fun on all instruments and a big finish at the end. Those are always fun.

3. Century Media Girls of Metal 01 Pack

This pack contains "Closer" and "Swamped" by one of my new favorite bands, Lacuna Coil, as well as "Forever" by In This Moment. "Closer" was a bonus song in Guitar Hero III, and it's a cool song to play. "Swamped" is a good song and I love the guitar part. "Forever" has a pretty challenging guitar part on expert with a nice solo at the end.

2. "Still Alive" - GLaDOS

This is probably one of the most played songs at my house. It's free to download and it is THE best video game credit music ever made. Fun on all instruments and I love doing vocals on this song.

1. "Pretty Fly (For a White Guy)" - The Offspring

I've always thought this song would be perfect, and behold, it has been released for download. This is one of the other songs I pick the most. I love playing on all parts for this song.

Wii Game of the Year

Runner-Up: No More Heroes

I thought this game out in 2007, but I was wrong and almost gave the runner-up to Mario Kart Wii. Very fun game to play and quite challenging. Interesting controls that are a bit buggy, but the humor, story and art style make-up for it all. It's a great purchase for now only $30.

Winner: Super Smash Bros. Brawl

This game is so awesome. The first game I ever purchased at midnight (My brother went too. I always have to say that) . Very fun to play whether by yourself or with others. There are a lot of items to collect, characters and stages to unlock, challenges to complete and many modes to play. Nice variety of characters including Solid Snake, and the character everybody always wanted, Sonic the Hedgehog. Also included in this game is the biggest and greatest selection of original music to ever be put in a video game.

Other Wii games that I got that didn't make the cut were Mario Kart Wii, Animal Crossing: City Folk and Guitar Hero: Aerosmith.

Xbox 360 Game of the Year

Runner-Up: Grand Theft Auto IV

This was my first Xbox 360 and I love it. It's the usual GTA goodness with much more to do and a graphical upgrade. Nice storyline where you can chose either path at the end. The new DLC should be a nice addition to this game.

Winner: Fallout 3

This game is so good. Lots of quests to do and you can accomplish them any way you want. Huge environment with a nice attention to detail, and a great addition to the Fallout franchise. Many hours can be spent playing the game and you'll want to go back and play it again a different way. I'm looking forward to the DLC missions for this game.

Rock Band 2, WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2009 and Mortal Kombat vs. DC Universe were other Xbox 360 console games that I have played this year.

Quick recap:
-Downloadable Game of the Year: Mega Man 9
-Rock Band Download of the Year: "Pretty Fly (For a White Guy)" - The Offspring
-Wii Game of the Year: Super Smash Bros. Brawl
-Xbox 360 Game of the Year: Fallout 3

Coming tomorrow: The Best of 2008 - Pro Wrestling Awards. Comment below to discuss my choices. I'll reply to them, so check back.