2008's WINNERS
The Golden Joysticks - 2008's Winners
The Sun Family Game of The Year:
Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock
Publisher: Activision Developer: Neversoft
New axes in the Gibson Les Paul Wireless and Gibson Kramer brought out the inner axeman for Guitar wielding fun. Launching with 45 of the most legendary rock anthems, regular top up packs and downloads kept things fresh from this most hard rocking of family titles. > Read More
Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock
Publisher: Activision Developer: Neversoft
New axes in the Gibson Les Paul Wireless and Gibson Kramer brought out the inner axeman for Guitar wielding fun. Launching with 45 of the most legendary rock anthems, regular top up packs and downloads kept things fresh from this most hard rocking of family titles. > Read More
Bliss Handheld Game of The Year:
The Legend of Zelda: Phantom Hourglass
Publisher: Nintendo Developer: Nintendo
A new Legend of Zelda game is always welcome but Phantom Hourglass was as near perfection as its many fans hoped for. All the hallmarks of a classic Zelda outing including exploration, combat and a beautifully realised story, allied with the DS's splendid touch screen controls made this a genuine masterpiece. > Read More
The Legend of Zelda: Phantom Hourglass
Publisher: Nintendo Developer: Nintendo
A new Legend of Zelda game is always welcome but Phantom Hourglass was as near perfection as its many fans hoped for. All the hallmarks of a classic Zelda outing including exploration, combat and a beautifully realised story, allied with the DS's splendid touch screen controls made this a genuine masterpiece. > Read More
Activision Blizzard Retailer of The Year:
Play.com
A major player in the digital entertainment industry and one that continues to grow from strength to strength.
Play.com
A major player in the digital entertainment industry and one that continues to grow from strength to strength.
4Talent Mobile Game of The Year:
Bejeweled 2
Publisher: Astraware Developer: Astraware
Reborn in 2008, the classic puzzler brought a whole wealth of jewellery foolery to Smart Phone as you lined up three in a row. Improved visuals and higher resolutions were definitely a draw but it's the simple but highly addictive gameplay which made this such a timeless classic. > Read More
Bejeweled 2
Publisher: Astraware Developer: Astraware
Reborn in 2008, the classic puzzler brought a whole wealth of jewellery foolery to Smart Phone as you lined up three in a row. Improved visuals and higher resolutions were definitely a draw but it's the simple but highly addictive gameplay which made this such a timeless classic. > Read More
Nintendo Game of The Year:
Super Smash Bros. Brawl
Publisher: Nintendo Developer: Nintendo
The gloves were totally off for the latest version of Nintendo's fast and furious beat 'em-up franchise and it didn't disappoint with a whole cast of Nintendo legends going toe-to-toe. Pure unadulterated battling fun. > Read More
Super Smash Bros. Brawl
Publisher: Nintendo Developer: Nintendo
The gloves were totally off for the latest version of Nintendo's fast and furious beat 'em-up franchise and it didn't disappoint with a whole cast of Nintendo legends going toe-to-toe. Pure unadulterated battling fun. > Read More
Nuts All-Nighter Multiplayer GOTY:
Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare
Publisher: Activision Developer: Infinity Ward
A cracking single player game, Call of Duty 4 was perhaps even more enjoyable in multiplayer with a splendidly paced progression and a great balance of ranks, awards and extra weapons. New content and extra maps ensured this remained one of the most compelling online shooters. > Read More
Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare
Publisher: Activision Developer: Infinity Ward
A cracking single player game, Call of Duty 4 was perhaps even more enjoyable in multiplayer with a splendidly paced progression and a great balance of ranks, awards and extra weapons. New content and extra maps ensured this remained one of the most compelling online shooters. > Read More
BBC1Xtra Soundtrack of the Year:
Grand Theft Auto IV
Publisher: Rockstar Developer: Rockstar
The GTA series has always boasted an amazing soundtrack and part IV was no exception with great music, splendid guest DJs and some of the most outrageous fake ads and phone-ins ever. A true masterclass in sound design. > Read More
Grand Theft Auto IV
Publisher: Rockstar Developer: Rockstar
The GTA series has always boasted an amazing soundtrack and part IV was no exception with great music, splendid guest DJs and some of the most outrageous fake ads and phone-ins ever. A true masterclass in sound design. > Read More
ARVATO Xbox Game of the Year:
Grand Theft Auto IV
Publisher: Rockstar Developer: Rockstar
Nico Bellic's criminal escapades were one of the star turns on the Xbox in 2008 providing not only a great single player experience, but its great multiplayer also swept it straight to the top of the Xbox Live charts. With bonus DLC on the way, is this the ultimate GTA version? > Read More
Grand Theft Auto IV
Publisher: Rockstar Developer: Rockstar
Nico Bellic's criminal escapades were one of the star turns on the Xbox in 2008 providing not only a great single player experience, but its great multiplayer also swept it straight to the top of the Xbox Live charts. With bonus DLC on the way, is this the ultimate GTA version? > Read More
PC GOTY Sponsored by The United Kingdom e-Sport Association:
Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare
Publisher: Activision Developer: Infinity Ward
The epic Call of Duty series began on PC and returned to its spiritual home with the trusty mouse and keyboard providing the weapon of choice for discerning COD players. A fantastic solo player campaign was infinitely extended by COD4's impressive online offering. > Read More
Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare
Publisher: Activision Developer: Infinity Ward
The epic Call of Duty series began on PC and returned to its spiritual home with the trusty mouse and keyboard providing the weapon of choice for discerning COD players. A fantastic solo player campaign was infinitely extended by COD4's impressive online offering. > Read More
The Play.com One to Watch:
Call of Duty: World at War
Publisher: Activision Developer: Treyarch
After with Modern Warfare, It's back to the World War 2 battlefield for part five of the always impressive Call of Duty series with developers Treyarch sure to bring their trademark skills to a new Pacific campaign and a whole new theatre of war. Get ready to report for duty solider! > Read More
Call of Duty: World at War
Publisher: Activision Developer: Treyarch
After with Modern Warfare, It's back to the World War 2 battlefield for part five of the always impressive Call of Duty series with developers Treyarch sure to bring their trademark skills to a new Pacific campaign and a whole new theatre of war. Get ready to report for duty solider! > Read More
CVG.co.uk UK Developer of the Year:
Rockstar North
Born from the ashes of the legendary DMA design, Rockstar North is the team behind the exceptional all conquering Grand Theft Auto IV and it's no surprise to find them as a strong contender for the UK developer Joystick. > Read More
Rockstar North
Born from the ashes of the legendary DMA design, Rockstar North is the team behind the exceptional all conquering Grand Theft Auto IV and it's no surprise to find them as a strong contender for the UK developer Joystick. > Read More
PlayStation GOTY Sponsored by Official PlayStation Magazine:
Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots
Publisher: Konami Developer: Konami
Appearing exclusively on PS3, Solid Snake's final outing was a masterpiece which wrapped up all the loose ends from the epic series and bade its central character a fond farewell. A fitting end to one of gaming's landmark series from legendary designer Hideo Kojima. > Read More
Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots
Publisher: Konami Developer: Konami
Appearing exclusively on PS3, Solid Snake's final outing was a masterpiece which wrapped up all the loose ends from the epic series and bade its central character a fond farewell. A fitting end to one of gaming's landmark series from legendary designer Hideo Kojima. > Read More
Publisher of the Year:
Activision
An array of gaming classics including the superb Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare have seen another successful year for the US giant, with movie ties in like Kung-Fu Panda and the epic Guitar Hero series also winning hosts of casual players. > Read More
Activision
An array of gaming classics including the superb Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare have seen another successful year for the US giant, with movie ties in like Kung-Fu Panda and the epic Guitar Hero series also winning hosts of casual players. > Read More
Edge Most Wanted:
Fallout 3
Publisher: Bethesda Softworks Europe Developer: Bethesda
The much loved series returns as a spiritual successor to the epic Oblivion. Fallout 3 promises a rich, textured world and mad splashes of post apocalyptic humour. With an innovative VATS targeting system and huge game world this is sure to be one of this year's premier RPGs. > Read More
Fallout 3
Publisher: Bethesda Softworks Europe Developer: Bethesda
The much loved series returns as a spiritual successor to the epic Oblivion. Fallout 3 promises a rich, textured world and mad splashes of post apocalyptic humour. With an innovative VATS targeting system and huge game world this is sure to be one of this year's premier RPGs. > Read More
E4 Grand Master Flash Award:
Stickman Madness
By Luther Chan Basically, it's a Samurai game with lots of slashing and blood, but it works up to that through training levels, with plenty of charm and delightful animation. > Read More
Stickman Madness
By Luther Chan Basically, it's a Samurai game with lots of slashing and blood, but it works up to that through training levels, with plenty of charm and delightful animation. > Read More
Games Radar's Online Game of the Year:
Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare
Publisher: Activision Developer: Infinity Ward
A fine single-player effort, COD4 nevertheless exploded online where its winning mix of superbly balanced gameplay and intensive combat made it one of the most popular shooters of the year. Great level design and a perfectly pitched rewards and perks system kept gamers coming back for more. > Read More
Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare
Publisher: Activision Developer: Infinity Ward
A fine single-player effort, COD4 nevertheless exploded online where its winning mix of superbly balanced gameplay and intensive combat made it one of the most popular shooters of the year. Great level design and a perfectly pitched rewards and perks system kept gamers coming back for more. > Read More
Virgin Media Ultimate Game of the Year:
Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare
Publisher: Activision Developer: Infinity Ward
Reporting for duty with a new theatre of war and a modern day setting might have been something of a risk for the veteran World War 2 warrior, but Infinity Ward produced a classic contemporary shooter, which was as amazing in single player as it was online. > Read More
Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare
Publisher: Activision Developer: Infinity Ward
Reporting for duty with a new theatre of war and a modern day setting might have been something of a risk for the veteran World War 2 warrior, but Infinity Ward produced a classic contemporary shooter, which was as amazing in single player as it was online. > Read More
