LittleBigPlanet tops Game Critics Awards' E3 noms

Adorable PS3 platformer gets five nods from game-journo panel; Gears 2 and Left 4 Dead get four nominations; Spore, Fallout 3, Resistance 2 and Mirror's Edge receive three.

This week, the organizers of the Game Critics Awards announced their nominees for the best games of the 2008 E3 Media & Business Summit. As in previous years, the awards are chosen by a panel of leading game journalists in the country, including MTV's Stephen Totilo, Game Informer's Andy McNamara, GameTrailers' Shane Satterfield and Geoff Keighley, Newsweek's N'Gai Croal, and GameSpot's own editor-in-chief, Ricardo Torres.

Last year, the multi-instrument rhythm title Rock Band was crowned E3 2007's Best of Show by the Game Critics Awards jury. The Harmonix, MTV Games, and EA Games offering was nominated a then-record five times, and went on to win two prizes other than the Best of Show honor: Best Social/Casual/Puzzle Game and Best Hardware for its guitar, drum, and microphone peripherals.

This year, Rock Band's record was tied by one of the most anticipated--and adorable--games of the year. Developer Media Molecule's adorable side-scrolling platformer LittleBigPlanet, which encourages game creation via a robust level editor and cast of cuddly characters, charmed the judges to the tune of five nominations. The PlayStation 3 exclusive is present in a quintet of categories, including Best of Show, Best Original Game, Best Console Game, Best Social/Casual Game, and Best Online Multiplayer Game.

Not far from LittleBigPlanet's orbit were two much less family-friendly titles, with Gears of War 2 and Left 4 Dead each receiving four nominations. Epic Games' gruesome sequel is up for prizes in the Best of Show, Best Console Game, Best Action Game, and Best Online Multiplayer Game fields. Valve's co-operative zombie apocalypse shooter is up for the latter two categories as well as for Best PC game and Best Original Game.

Four other games--Fallout 3, Mirror's Edge, Resistance 2, and Spore--scored a hat trick of nods in a variety of categories. A full list of nominees is below, and the winners will be announced next Tuesday, August 5.

Best of Show
- Fallout 3 (Bethesda Softworks for PC, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360)
- Gears of War 2 (Epic Games/Microsoft Game Studios for Xbox 360)
- LittleBigPlanet (Media Molecule/Sony Computer Entertainment for PlayStation 3)
- Mirror's Edge (DICE/Electronic Arts for PC, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360)
- Spore (Maxis/EA for PC)

Best Original Game
- Flower (ThatGameCompany/Sony Computer Entertainment for PlayStation 3)
- Left 4 Dead (Valve for PC, Xbox 360)
- LittleBigPlanet (Media Molecule/Sony Computer Entertainment for PlayStation 3)
- Mirror's Edge (DICE/Electronic Arts for PC, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360)
- Spore (Maxis/EA for PC)

Best PC Game
- Dragon Age: Origins (BioWare/EA for PC)
- Left 4 Dead (Valve/EAP for PC)
- Spore (Maxis/EA for PC)
- Warhammer 40000: Dawn of War II (Relic/THQ for PC)
- Warhammer Online (EA Mythic/EA for PC)

Best Console Game
- Fallout 3 (Bethesda Softworks for PC, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360)
- Gears of War 2 (Epic Games/Microsoft Game Studios for Xbox 360)
- LittleBigPlanet (Media Molecule/Sony Computer Entertainment for PlayStation 3)
- Resistance 2 (Insomniac Games/Sony Computer Entertainment for PlayStation 3)
- Resident Evil 5 (Capcom for PlayStation 3, Xbox 360)

Best Handheld Game
- Castlevania: Order of Ecclesia (Konami for Nintendo DS)
- Chrono Trigger DS (Square-Enix for Nintendo DS)
- Puzzle Quest: Galactrix (D3Publisher, Nintendo DS, PC, Xbox 360)
- Resistance: Retribution (Bend Studio/Sony Computer Entertainment for PSP)
- Rhythm Heaven (Nintendo for Nintendo DS)

Best Hardware
- Lips Microphone (Microsoft for Xbox 360)
- Rock Band 2 Ion "Drum Rocker" Set (ION Audio/MTV Games for Xbox 360)
- Wii MotionPlus (Nintendo for Wii)

Best Action Game
- Far Cry 2 (Ubisoft Montreal/Ubisoft for PC, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360)
- Gears of War 2 (Epic Games/Microsoft Game Studios for Xbox 360)
- Left 4 Dead (Valve/EA for PC, Xbox 360)
- Mirror's Edge (DICE/Electronic Arts for PC, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360)
- Resistance 2 (Insomniac Games/Sony Computer Entertainment for PlayStation 3)

Best Action/Adventure Game
- Dead Space (EA Redwood Shores/EA for PC, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360)
- Prince of Persia (Ubisoft Montreal/Ubisoft PlayStation 3, Xbox 360)
- Resident Evil 5 (Capcom for PlayStation 3, Xbox 360)
- Star Wars: The Force Unleashed (LucasArts for PlayStation 3, Nintendo Wii, Xbox 360)
- Tomb Raider: Underworld (Crystal Dynamics/Eidos for PC, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360)

Best Role-Playing Game
- Chrono Trigger DS (Square-Enix for Nintendo DS)
- Dragon Age: Origins (BioWare/EA for PC)
- Fable 2 (Lionhead/Microsoft Game Studios for Xbox 360)
- Fallout 3 (Bethesda Softworks for PC, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360)
- Sonic Chronicles: The Dark Brotherhood (BioWare/Sega for Nintendo DS)

Best Racing Game
- Baja: Edge of Control (2XL Games/THQ for PlayStation 3, Xbox 360)
- Midnight Club: Los Angeles (Rockstar San Diego/Rockstar Games for PlayStation 3, Xbox 360)
- MotorStorm: Pacific Rift (Evolution Studios/Sony Computer Entertainment for PlayStation 3)
- Pure (Black Rock/Disney Interactive Studios for PC, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360)

Best Fighting Game
- Mortal Kombat vs. DC Universe (Midway Chicago/Midway for Xbox 360, PlayStation 3)
- Soulcalibur IV (Namco-Bandai Games for PlayStation 3, Xbox 360)
- Street Fighter IV (Capcom for Arcade)
- Super Street Fighter II Turbo HD Remix (Capcom for PlayStation 3, Xbox 360)

Best Sports Game
- Madden NFL 09 (Tiburon/EA for All Systems)
- NBA Live 09 (EA Canada/EA for All Plaforms)
- Shaun White Snowboarding (Ubisoft Montreal/Ubisoft for All Systems)
- Skate It (EA Black Box/EA for Nintendo Wii)
- Tiger Woods PGA TOUR 09 (Tiburon/EA Sports for PC, PS3, Wii, Xbox 360)

206 Comments

  • kcb1085

    Posted Oct 9, 2008 7:31 pm PT

    Hm NBA 2K9 not up for best sports game? But NBA Live 09.. shame

  • hak145

    Posted Sep 2, 2008 4:12 pm PT

    I heard on x-play that there are no plans to put Left 4Dead on the PS3 so for now there just doing the 360 and PC versions. And as for LBP Id be surprised if this game bombed. The only thing that can break this game is the fact that it might become a collection of mini games rather then feel like a full game and paying 60 bucks ofr htis game might be too much for consumers who get the idea this is a mini game compilation.

  • young_ryder_ent

    Posted Aug 26, 2008 6:24 am PT

    http://gaming365.co.nr/

  • megamaster32

    Posted Aug 7, 2008 8:11 am PT

    Suprise about rockband 2 rockband 2 looks more challenging than the other cant wait for the others

  • latinxdragon

    Posted Aug 6, 2008 9:41 am PT

    im just here for L4D...and maybe Resistance and MK vs DC. will see

  • bankyoyo

    Posted Aug 6, 2008 4:16 am PT

    All of these are going to ROCK!!!

  • spyroluver88

    Posted Aug 5, 2008 10:46 am PT

    This game is going to rock!!! One of the cool things about it is you don't have to make your own level if you want...you can just play other peoples levels, making this game fresh and new everyday. It's not a brand new idea but just an excellent way to go about it. I like that it appears so user friendly. Sometime I am playing through a platformer and I think to myself I could do better. Now I will get to put all my ideas to the test. I wish I could get on the BETA. I simply cannot wait to get my grubby little paws on it!! I believe this will be a system seller as well!! And on top of that....I LOVE SACKBOY!!!! He's too fricken cute. Can't wait to have a stuffed version of him to love

  • arey360

    Posted Aug 5, 2008 10:31 am PT

    L4D is going to be awesome.

  • combatsoldier

    Posted Aug 5, 2008 7:32 am PT

    Little Big Planet looks like it will live up to the hype. It is attracting fans from all over the spectrum. even a hardcore and competitive gamer such as myself am unexplainably looking forward and very excited about this title.

  • Futil1ty

    Posted Aug 4, 2008 10:07 pm PT

    I don't know, Zetona. I mean, I honestly don't think it looks THAT great, but I'm sure I'd enjoy it more than Instincts.

    Also, I disagree with Zintarr; there's something I can't explain that just makes LBP awesome (and I'm even a 360 fanboy!!

  • Zetona

    Posted Aug 4, 2008 7:02 pm PT

    I wonder why Far Cry 2 didn't get more mentions? It looks amazing.

  • jogunther

    Posted Aug 4, 2008 6:18 pm PT

    I think that its all obvious. But an unproven game like Little Big Planet. It seems like it wil be worth it. end point I think

  • zintarr

    Posted Aug 4, 2008 6:00 pm PT

    LBP looks so uninteresting.

  • Bozman_Beyond

    Posted Aug 4, 2008 5:09 pm PT

    Wow its Super Mexican Brothers 3 just add blocks

  • darkride66

    Posted Aug 4, 2008 3:44 pm PT

    hotdork70minus1said "Left 4 Dead looks freakin awesome!"
    I agree. I was going to pass on this one before because I refuse to pay XBL fees, but now that it's coming to the PS3 I can't wait to pick it up. I hope it's not delayed like the Orange Box was.

  • SirFatalChaos

    Posted Aug 4, 2008 3:41 pm PT

    Xbox fanboy here.

    I have to say I was skeptical on what you could actually do with it until the Sony Press Conference. Wow.

  • micmill

    Posted Aug 4, 2008 1:50 pm PT

    I was in Target the other day and there was 3 games they had special pre-order gift cards for: Star Wars Force Unleashed, Gears of War 2... and Little Big Planet. Just wait till this hits the streets, it will generate CRAZY word of mouth hype. This will be a system seller, just watch....

  • micmill

    Posted Aug 4, 2008 1:47 pm PT

    Has the Wii not taught us all that games that have strong appeal to the casual gamer move consoles? LBP will appeal to both casual and hardcore gamers. With the hype it's receiving and the fact that you won't be able to get anything even remotely like it anywhere else... the word of mouth will begin to get people wanting to buy a PS3 so they can play it. That's my prediction, just wait and see.....

  • Paul_TheGreat

    Posted Aug 4, 2008 1:28 pm PT

    Little Big Planet will own all.

  • cachorro25

    Posted Aug 4, 2008 1:06 pm PT

    can't wait for LBP, I agree it won't be a system seller, but its looks so much fun a promising. on the other hand left 4 dead looks lame like any other run of the mill FPS

  • hotdork70minus1

    Posted Aug 4, 2008 12:52 pm PT

    LBP looks boring but I see what the attractions are. I've seen alot of the gameplay and it just doesn't look like something I can get into. Left 4 Dead looks freakin awesome ! Gears 2 better be a hell of alot longer then the first but HORDE mode sounds really fun.

  • HolteEnder4Life

    Posted Aug 4, 2008 12:46 pm PT

    micmill, LBP is now way a system seller, dont get me wrong it looks good, but nobody is gonna buy a ps3 just for it

  • n3ck

    Posted Aug 4, 2008 12:31 pm PT

    LBP seems boring like all the PS3 exclusives, seriously, leave that to Nintendo. And all this LBP is a revolution, come on, its a freaking platform game, get a snes or a DS if you want that S**t.

  • the_jester_guy

    Posted Aug 4, 2008 12:29 pm PT

    left for dead cant wait for that one

  • jumpnjackflash0

    Posted Aug 4, 2008 12:12 pm PT

    why do people think this game is so innovative? I always saw it as a sidescroller that comes with a level editor. And people start thinking this is the first time they will be able to make levels in a game and share and play them with friends. Heck, the last unreal tournament game had a mod where you can turn it into a sidescrolling shooter that you can download and play on your ps3.

  • Cereo1

    Posted Aug 4, 2008 11:33 am PT

    Why would it not be fun to play? Did you watch any of the trailers with people playing a level? It looks really cool how you will get through the levels. Its something new that's never been done before so I understand some people are skeptical, but just keep your mind open and you'll see how fun it is.

  • NewPorkCity

    Posted Aug 4, 2008 11:33 am PT

    LittleBigPlanet will be one seriously revolutionary game. The ideas that they have, the physics system featured in this game, and the whole idea that you can get together with your friends and compare levels by actually acting through them, it just can't get much better.

  • micmill

    Posted Aug 4, 2008 10:40 am PT

    @ puablo - the developers have said the game comes with a 50 level developer created story mode that must be beaten to unlock all of the create features

  • puablo

    Posted Aug 4, 2008 10:36 am PT

    I hope you guys are right about LBP, I am really concerned there's no "game" to it. If the devs put out a healthy dose of levels that are fun to play, and then the community gets involved, I can see it being good. Problem is I still don't know why it would be fun to play, only create. I want gameplay, people!

  • micmill

    Posted Aug 4, 2008 10:29 am PT

    @ tooquickstix - The "world" of LBP has endless possibilities. When the public gets their hands on it you're talking about several million people creating and sharing levels. There will be users who will come up with amazing stuff.

    Plus, the game has a story mode with something like 50 levels the developers made that you need to go through.

    The replay ability of this game will be unprecendented as it will never stay the same....

  • jackrocks123

    Posted Aug 4, 2008 10:25 am PT

    says from a 360 fanboy? below comment, well you can basicly create anything you want so it will never get boring. hmm yeah

  • TooQuickStix

    Posted Aug 4, 2008 10:22 am PT

    LBP, yes it looks amazing, but to me its looked that way for years now. I think the only reason it hasnt come out yet is because there is no game for it!! Its simply a bunch of stand alone levels with no meaning or meaningful reward for playing them. If it came out right now I see a bunch of levels people have created sitting around with noone playing them. Yes the game looks amazing, 1 of a kind visuals, but for me I dont see myself being entertained actually playing the game. I look forward to being proved wrong, but Id be really surprised if the game has any playing staying power.

  • micmill

    Posted Aug 4, 2008 10:13 am PT

    MGS4 in June, Little Big Planet in October... 2 system sellers in a 4 month period for PS3

  • jackrocks123

    Posted Aug 4, 2008 9:49 am PT

    sdkingsht wow...i can't believe the PS3 has more exclusives than any other system throughout the list. and i'm VERY excited that "Left 4 Dead" is coming to the PS3 (check their blog...it's been confirmed)
    ---------------------------------------------------------------
    whos blog? can't see naything.

  • SierraS117

    Posted Aug 4, 2008 9:44 am PT

    I doubt that LBP will win two or more awards + it to kiddish for me I stick with GOW 2 , RE 5 , Fallout 3.

  • sdkingsht

    Posted Aug 4, 2008 9:30 am PT

    @Crystall3d

    it's more them rating what they thought was the best game(s) on display. the best of what was shown. but when these games come out that could all change.

  • sdkingsht

    Posted Aug 4, 2008 9:29 am PT

    wow...i can't believe the PS3 has more exclusives than any other system throughout the list. and i'm VERY excited that "Left 4 Dead" is coming to the PS3 (check their blog...it's been confirmed)

  • XoXGamer4lyfXoX

    Posted Aug 4, 2008 9:17 am PT

    its kinda wierd how there rateing alot of these games b4 theyve even came out but ill tell u what i cant wait for GOW2 or madden 09 those are gonna be awesome

  • Crystall3d

    Posted Aug 4, 2008 9:07 am PT

    these games are not out yet , HOW come they can rate them?....

  • h4xx0rz

    Posted Aug 4, 2008 8:22 am PT

    AKayy_47
    LittleBigPlanet, too kiddish?? PLEASE. This game is extremely innovative and you guys must have no sense of creativity if you think it's for kids. It's more strategic anyways, and adults would excel on this game. It ranks up there with Katamari Damacy and such. Just because it's not rated M doesn't mean it isn't great.
    ---------------------------

    Surprisingly, that argument has never worked when defending Nintedo's games.

  • Stabby

    Posted Aug 4, 2008 8:06 am PT

    Its times like these I hope LittleBigPlanet fails... nothing against the game itself, I just hate hype lol! Sure its anarrow minded way of looking at things, given that LBP probably will be good but still...

    Plus I should mention that E3 awards don't equal GOTY.

  • dewd4

    Posted Aug 4, 2008 7:32 am PT

    Left for dead should be up for best of show.

  • red-orc

    Posted Aug 4, 2008 6:53 am PT

    How bout Bionic Commando and Dark Void? Would`ve been too much Capcom in the list?

  • psychojosh

    Posted Aug 4, 2008 6:01 am PT

    ParisSun- LBP is ludicrously innovative and will doubtlessly put the PS3 on the map. If you think it'll fail then you either haven't watched the gameplay videos or are incredibly retarded.

  • ParisSun

    Posted Aug 4, 2008 5:28 am PT

    LBP and Flower will be commercial flops. I wouldn't pay $60 for those games. Only fan boys and developers like those types of games.

  • yoshiehsan

    Posted Aug 4, 2008 1:35 am PT

    Custom content awards should go to PC gamers IMO because if you check they do have Many mods, skins, and maps. Example of plenty of free custom content: Counter strike source, another could be Half life 2, a mod called SMOD for it makes it great. Source SDK and hammer is great for custom content making. Also i am not taking sides of which is better. Ps3, the 360, and wii are all great.

  • AKayy_47

    Posted Aug 3, 2008 11:10 pm PT

    LittleBigPlanet, too kiddish?? PLEASE. This game is extremely innovative and you guys must have no sense of creativity if you think it's for kids. It's more strategic anyways, and adults would excel on this game. It ranks up there with Katamari Damacy and such. Just because it's not rated M doesn't mean it isn't great.

  • dynomitemasta

    Posted Aug 3, 2008 9:41 pm PT

    Looks like Gears and Left 4 Dead are the games to get (if your an adult) LBP looks a bit too kiddie for me, while it's probably a great game, I don't do cute. . . . As a matter of fact a lot of mature titles are up there. Excellent!..........Dead Space, Fallout 3, Fable2, Gears2, Prince of Persia, Resistance 2, Resident Evil 5, Star Wars; The Force Unleashed, Tomb Raider: Underworld, Far Cry 2,.............. are all games I get on day ONE
    These lists mean nothing though, wasn't Beyond Good and Evil on the top of that list a few years back? . . . yes it was. . . Just because a game is on the list does not mean it's going to sell, . . . at all.
    I guess the new Silent Hill isn't that good, . . or just more of the same I guess.

  • carlind1

    Posted Aug 3, 2008 9:24 pm PT

    Whatever happened to Parappa the Rapper 3: G's up Hoes down? This is totally a snub of the Nth degree and obviously bogus on E3's part.

  • AKayy_47

    Posted Aug 3, 2008 9:23 pm PT

    Another win for Sony and the PS3 in 2008! First MGS4 and now this? I think it's excellent, I am 100% pro sony, my PS2 and PS3 are my favorite systems by far. Little Big Planet looks like a fun, spectacular and innovative game and I'm glad 360 doesn't get it. Goes to show that Microsoft is going down the drain in these next few years, after Gears of War 2 I'm not sure about any other great exclusives. The future is in the hands of Sony my friends, wake up and smell the coffee.

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