The 2013 Boysie Awards
It’s awards time! This year, there were so many outstanding games that giving out the Boysies was the hardest process in recent memory. There were more games to consider with the launch of the PS4 and Xbox One. But cue the fanfare: Here are The Boysies!
BEST WII U GAME (TIE)
Super Mario 3D World (Nintendo)
You wouldn’t think it would be but, boy, is it fun to play as Mario in a cat suit. Plus, the amount of creativity the game makers put into each level makes you want to find all three green stars. More than that, it’s the stuff that dreams are made of.
Lego City Undercover (Nintendo)
Open world games made for everyone are still rare. Fun and funny, engaging and challenging, Lego City Undercover has all the ingredients of a game you want to play over and over again.
BEST PLAYSTATION 3 GAME
Lego Marvel Super Heroes (Warner Bros.)
Another Lego offering wins! Starting with the Hulk, the ability to play as dozens of superheroes is a true escape into fantasy adventure for game fans who love comics. And if you don’t know comics, there’s not a more fun way to learn about superhero powers and history than with this game.
BEST PLAYSTATION 4 GAME
Resogun (SCEI)
There aren’t many great PS4 games for kids — yet. Knack can be good, but Resogun is better. It’s an old-school science-fiction game all dressed up with new technology and fiery graphics. Classic arcade games like Sinistar and Zaxxon seemed really easy to play, but were hard to win. Resogun upholds that tradition for 2013.
BEST XBOX 360 GAME
Disney Infinity (Disney Interactive Studios)
Sure, Skylanders SWAP Force has a cool new trick. But despite lackluster-looking action figures, Infinity feels innovative. The opening sequence is one of the best ever seen in games for kids — or otherwise. New user-made Toy Boxes keep coming weekly. If you have the time, that Minecraft-like build function makes for endless replay value.
BEST XBOX ONE GAME
Zoo Tycoon (Microsoft)
There aren’t that many good kids games for One yet, either. But how could you not love this game? The brand-new Kinect makes hand-feeding the animals an awesome experience. Yes, your zoo looks a little too tidy in an unreal way. But there’s so much to do, see and learn, you’ll enjoy playing for some time.
BEST NEW CONSOLE
PS4
Face it: Both One and PS4 have their wow factors and are close in quality. But the PS4 has better graphics, an easier-to-understand interface — and you don’t have to buy the camera if you don’t want one. That saves you $100. The machine looks better and everything is better designed overall, right down to the lack of a heavy power brick.
BEST 3DS GAME (TIE)
Animal Crossing: New Leaf (Nintendo)
From the music to the portability to the unique, quirky characters, the appeal of this game is endless. And so is the play — especially on holidays when wondrous things happen. And those sea shanties heard as you travel to the island are nothing short of brilliant. Bravo, Nintendo.
Pokémon X/Y (Nintendo)
This re-imagining of the old series is so full of surprises, it got me interested in the Pokémon again. The 3D portions are lackluster. But everything else about the game feels original. I kept thinking, “If this game were a theme park, I’d be first in line.”
BEST COMPUTER GAME
Star Wars Pinball: Balance of the Force (Zen Studios)
It’s simple: Play amazing pinball and go deep into the Star Wars trilogy. You want to keep coming back to get high scores … and to unlock everything. It’s thrilling, and you even get to race the ships and shoot an X-Wing. Plus, Darth Vader is at his creepiest.
BEST VITA GAME
Tearaway (SCEI)
Just as they did with LittleBigPlanet, the game makers created an unusual, fresh world. It feels like you’re inside a fairy tale, and thanks to Vita’s touch functionality, you feel like you really control it. Whether it’s Iota or Atoi you choose, you’ll remember your character even when you’re away from Tearaway. That in itself is the sign of a winner.
BEST ROLE-PLAYING GAME
Ni No Kuni (Namco Bandai)
This story-filled game just oozes charm. More than that, it’s the first game I can remember that deals with a sweet mother-and-son story. Oliver is stalwart all the way through. But it’s Drippy, his sympathetic guide, who really steals the show.
BEST OVERALL SPORTS GAME
NBA 2K14 (2K Games)
For sheer sports exhilaration, this basketball game rules. It just feels real. Players go on hot streaks and then cool off. And the animations are top notch. If you tire of the NBA, you can play European teams, too. LeBron: Path to Greatness is a fun what-if scenario (but I’d like to see the return of the Jordan Challenge). Still, you just can’t stop playing.
BEST RACING GAME
Forza Motorsport 5 (Microsoft)
Need For Speed Rivals sure comes close with its open world. But Forza 5 lets you turn back time to avoid crashes that eat away at your top speed. And moving through the world’s great courses as a racer never gets old. Bonus? Cool artificial intelligence lets your car race against others in the cloud even when you’re sleeping.
BEST MOBILE GAME
Ridiculous Fishing (Vlambeer)
There are many well-made mobile games, but few are as beautifully ridiculous. First, you don’t have to buy extra stuff (like many mobile games ask you to). Then, you fish for hundreds of species using your phone’s tilt controls. Then, you tap, tap, tap your way to shoot as many fish as you can. Finally, there’s Billy. He’s really ridiculous, too.
GAME OF THE YEAR (TIE)
Animal Crossing: New Leaf
Super Mario 3D World
I own 1 of the “Games of the year”
Go super Mario 3D world
Animal Crossing Rocks!!!!
super Mario 3d world and new super luigi u are totally woth getting so get them guys!!!!!!!!!!!
Disney Infinity should have won. It is way better than Skylanders.
okay I don’t like nba 2k14 that much
okay I think they should have not pick the fishing game
okay I got to say 3ds is the best
I think skylanders should have won.
I own both of the 3ds games of the year (animal crossing and pokemon y) and the game of the year
Forza 5 is awsome
I have got to play Super Mario 3D World! Maybe I’ll give New Leaf a try. I seriously hope Wind Waker HD was at least a canadite. 3DS should have been Link between worlds or Fire Emblem Awakening, although I’ve been stuck on chapter 17 for practically forever. I wonder what 2014 has in store.
cool i like it
A link between worlds should be best 3DS game or best game overall.
i have played this game nonstop since Christmas eve and still going. Ravio is hilarious, the puzzles are fun, the story is great, the items are epic once you make them “Nice”, and you can be sure that merging is fun.
agreed
I know for a fact that it is called Mario Kart 8, I’ve seen a trailer.
There should be a best Lego game category. Marvel Super Heroes definitely would have won!!
Where is Grand Theft Auto 5?
This is a family friendly website, so stop expecting M rated games to be on here.
Where is the WiiU on here?
The Wii U came out last year.
first of all: Minecraft came out in 2009, Rask007
second of all: I love Lego City Undercover
and third of all: Why isn’t there a Mario Kart U yet?
Mario kart 8 will be for the wiiu and i think it will come out some time in febuary 2014
Mario Kart U (8) hasn’t even been pit out to the public much less have a release date. Expect it next year.
The Wii U was pretty cool, too.
Nintendo did great with games this year. I just hope they have some new console ideas ready to unveil.
Yes the PS4 is good and stuff but it’s mostly for hardcore gamers. I don’t think Boy scouts are really hardcore gamers yes you might play M rated games but that still doesn’t make you a hardcore gamer. Xbox One could be used for all different stuff other than just gaming so yeah. And if we’re talking only E rated and T rated games then yeah this might be right, but there are games far better than these ones. One more thing should’ve made the best PC games.
I’m a webelos scout, but, I AM A GAMER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
For ps4 best game IT SHOULD HAVE BEEN KNACk not resogun Knack is way better
It’s really REALLY obvious that the xbox one is better than the ps4. The people who decided the winners just were wowed by the next-gen graphics, and thought the ps4 was obviously the best but they were wrong. Shame.
no ps4 is better xbox one crashes and always losses signal ps4 games are way batter
Noooooooooooooooo! they didnt mention the Nintendo 64! they didnt mention gauntlet legends – 🙁
What does the Nintendo 64 have to do with this (No offense)?
maybe bacause they only do consoles FROM THIS GENERATION!!!!!
I love the mario galixy.
Grand Theft Auto 5, Bioshock Infinite, Assassin’s Creed:Black Flag, CoD:Ghost,
and Tomb Raider are some of the best games of 2013!
nba 2k14 is so awesome! it definitely should have won
Microsoft and Sony greifers: Nintendo won best game. Lol.
Never mind, didn’t see the computer game award
There should be a best expansion pack award, or something like that, and best PC game
Thanks Games Guru for putting out soooooooooo many post, tips, and reveiws. Merry Christmas!!!
i want both of the best wii u games 4 xmas
I agree with all of these. although I personally prefer One over PS4.
nba 2k 14!
Cod Ghost and battlefield 4 are the best games for xbox360 and PS3
Roblox or Minecraft are the best computer games and Minecraft is on the freaking Xbox too!
totally right dude! Everybody who says Minecraft or Roblox Is bad should be thrown into a black hole.
Well, those came out a while ago.
@Rask007, just because u are addicted to mine craft it does not make it the best game ever on PC. It is actually one of the worse games I
have seen on xbox
Minecraft is good but not Roblox
Minecraft came out a couple years ago. In like 2009
POKEMON Y SHOULD HAVE WON OR AT LEAST TIED FOR GAME OF THE YEAR!!!!!
Why is everyone obsessed with these Pokémon games?!?!
You know pokemon isn’t even that good right ?
WHAT??? HOW COULD YOU SAY THAT???
@ yveltal lover pokemon X/Y should have game of the year
they didn’t even mention wii ps2 ds dsi or 360 seriusly
Because they’re old.
They mentioned Xbox 360, but the rest you mentioned weren’t because they’re all outdated and no developers are willing to make a game for a system that’s no longer running.
They did mention the 360 but in my opinion the only good handheld are tablets, phones, iPod touches, and the PS vita and PS2 is kinda old
WHAT!?!?!? Ridiculous Fishing won best mobile game!? It should at least be tied with Badland or PvZ2 (even though PvZ2 is pay-to-win).
I know right? Real Soccer 2013 is the best to me, it has awesome graphics and its FREE! FRIES!
for game of the year, i vote Super Mario 3D World
Minecraft.
i meant out of animal crossing and super mario 3D world, but minecraft pe should have won
best mobile game
NBA 2K14 is the best. if the players are doing well in real life, then they get better in the game! its AWESOME!!!!!
I don’t really care for that weird, girly game, Animal Crossing: New Leaf. I’d much rather play NBA 2K’14; if only they had it for the 3DS.
Are you comparing a sports game with an great, bestselling 3DS game!? Animal Crossing isn’t for girls ONLY! Besides, you can do much more in New Leaf than you think!
I recently saw a commercial for the “bestselling ds game” Animal Crossing, and I have to admit you are correct, Mezmolover01. That game seems appropriate for girls and boys under the age of 10. As I have now seen the content that this game “Animal Crossing” contains, I will keep strictly to sports games or games with educational value.
Why is there no best PC game award?
Animal crossing New Leaf is the best game for my 3DS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Skylanders!
There should definitely be a best Wii game category.
where is the wii catogory
sweet
awesome can I play it
Xbox one is better, Madden 25 should be a tie with NBA 2K14
PS 4 is much better.
That is so cool! Thanks for putting this out every year. 🙂 (FIRST COMMENT!!!)
I think I got first comment! Yay!
I love Lego City Undercover!!!!!