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Uncharted 2, Scribblenauts top Game Critics' E3 Awards

Naughty Dog's PS3-exclusive sequel wins Best of Show, 5TH Cell's DS puzzler honored for Best Original Game by industry media collaboration.

By some accounts, the Entertainment Software Association delivered on its promise of restoring the Electronic Entertainment Expo to its prominent position as a premier event for the gaming industry. With the 2009 show now in the bag, the Game Critics Awards committee has handed out its verdict of which work-in-progress games made the biggest splash.

Nathan Drake is a winner.

Nathan Drake is a winner.

A highlight of Sony's press conference, Naughty Dog's PlayStation 3-exclusive Uncharted 2: Among Thieves scored top honors, taking Best of Show, Best Console Game, and Best Action Adventure Game. 5TH Cell's Scribblenauts for the DS also built upon its preseason awards run. Having been named Game of the Show as part of GameSpot's E3 2009 Editors' Choice Awards, the ambitious puzzler earned Game Critics accolades for Best Original Game and Best Handheld Game.

From a single-studio standpoint, BioWare outperformed the rest. Having garnered a number of nominations for all three of its current high-profile projects, Star Wars: The Old Republic was named Best PC Game while Mass Effect 2 earned recognition as Best Role-Playing Game. The two games shut out Dragon Age: Origins, which was also nominated for both categories.

The Game Critics Awards are doled out by a cross section of 29 mainstream and enthusiast gaming media outlets, with the panel of judges hailing from such online and print publications as GameSpot, the Los Angeles Times, Wired, and USA Today. To qualify for an award, the game must be shown in a playable form running on its native platform.

A full list of nominees is below, with winners highlighted in bold.

Best of Show
Brutal Legend (Double Fine Productions/EAP for PS3, Xbox 360)
Mass Effect 2 (BioWare/Electronic Arts for Xbox 360, PC)
Modern Warfare 2 (Infinity Ward/Activision for PS3, Xbox 360, PC)
Splinter Cell Conviction (Ubisoft Montreal/Ubisoft for Xbox 360)
Uncharted 2: Among Thieves (Naughty Dog/SCEA for PS3)

Best Original Game
Alan Wake (Remedy/MGS for Xbox 360)
Bayonetta (Platinum Games/Sega for PS3, Xbox 360)
Brutal Legend (Double Fine Productions/EAP for PS3, Xbox 360)
Heavy Rain (Quantic Dream/SCEE for PS3)
Scribblenauts (5TH Cell/WBIE for Nintendo DS)

Best Console Game
Brutal Legend (Double Fine Productions/EAP for PS3, Xbox 360)
God of War III (Sony Santa Monica/SCEA for PS3)
Mass Effect 2 (BioWare/Electronic Arts for Xbox 360)
Modern Warfare 2 (Infinity Ward/Activision for PS3, Xbox 360)
Uncharted 2: Among Thieves (Naughty Dog/SCEA for PS3)

Best Handheld Game
Gran Turismo PSP (Polyphony Digital/SCEJ for PSP)
Little Big Planet (SCE Studio Cambridge/Media Molecule/SCEE for PSP)
Mario and Luigi: Bowser's Inside Story (Alphadream/Nintendo for Nintendo DS)
Scribblenauts (5TH Cell/WBIE for Nintendo DS)
The Legend of Zelda: Spirit Tracks (Nintendo for Nintendo DS)

Best PC Game
DC Universe Online (Sony Online Austin/SOE)
Dragon Age: Origins (BioWare/EA)
Left 4 Dead 2 (Valve/EAP)
Star Wars: The Old Republic (BioWare Austin/LucasArts)
Supreme Commander 2 (Gas Powered Games/Square Enix)

Best Hardware
DJ Hero Controller (Freestyle Games/Red Octane/Activision)
"Project Natal" (Microsoft)
PSP Go (Sony Computer Entertainment)
Tony Hawk Ride Skateboard (Robomodo/Activision)
Wii MotionPlus (Nintendo)

Best Action Game
BioShock 2 (2K Marin/2K Games for PS3, Xbox 360, PC)
Halo 3: ODST (Bungie/MGS for Xbox 360)
Left 4 Dead 2 (Valve/EAP for Xbox 360, PC)
Modern Warfare 2 (Infinity Ward/Activision for PS3, Xbox 360, PC)
Singularity (Raven/Activision for PS3, Xbox 360, PC)

Best Action Adventure Game
Bayonetta (Platinum Games/Sega for PS3, Xbox 360)
Brutal Legend (Double Fine Productions/EAP for PS3, Xbox 360)
God of War III (Sony Santa Monica/SCEA for PS3)
Splinter Cell Conviction (Ubisoft Montreal/Ubisoft for Xbox 360)
Uncharted 2: Among Thieves (Naughty Dog/SCEA for PS3)

Best Role Playing Game
Alpha Protocol (Obsidian/Sega for PS3, Xbox 360, PC)
Dragon Age: Origins (BioWare/EA for PS3, Xbox 360, PC)
Mario & Luigi: Bowser's Inside Story (Alphadream/Nintendo for Nintendo DS)
Mass Effect 2 (BioWare/EA for Xbox 360, PC)
Star Wars: The Old Republic (BioWare Austin/LucasArts for PC)

Best Racing Game
Blur (Bizzare Creations/Activision for PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, PC)
Forza Motorsport 3 (Turn 10/MGS for Xbox 360)
ModNation Racers (United Front/SCEA for PS3)
Need for Speed Shift (Slightly Mad/EA Games for PS3, Xbox 360, PC)
Split/Second (Black Rock/Disney Interactive for PS3, Xbox 360, PC)

Best Fighting Game
Marvel vs. Capcom 2: New Age of Heroes (Foundation 9/Capcom for PS3, Xbox 360)
Soulcalibur: Broken Destiny (Project Soul/Namco-Bandai Games for PSP)
Tatsunoko vs. Capcom: Ultimate All Stars (Eighting/Capcom for Wii)
Tekken 6 (Namco Bandai for PS3, Xbox 360)
The King of Fighters XII (SNK Playmore for PS3, Xbox 360)

Best Sports Game
Fight Night Round 4 (EA Canada/EA Sports for PS3, Xbox 360)
Madden NFL 10 (EA Tiburon/EA Sports for PS3, Xbox 360, Wii)
NHL 10 (EA Canada/EA Sports for PS3, Xbox 360)
Tiger Woods PGA Tour 10 (EA Tiburon/EA Sports for Wii)
Tony Hawk Ride (Robomodo/Activision for PS3, Xbox 360, Wii)

Best Strategy Game
League of Legends: Clash of Fates (Riot Games for PC)
Order of War (Wargaming.net/Square Enix for PC)
R.U.S.E. (Eugen Systems/Ubisoft for PS3, Xbox 360, PC)
Supreme Commander 2 (Gas Powered Games/Square Enix for Xbox 360, PC)

Best Social/Casual Game
DJ Hero (Freestyle/Red Octane/Activision for PS3, Xbox 360, Wii)
Guitar Hero 5 (Neversoft/Red Octane/Activision for All Systems)
Scribblenauts (5TH Cell/WBIE for Nintendo DS)
The Beatles: Rock Band (Harmonix/MTV Games/EAP for PS3, Xbox 360, Wii)
Wii Sports Resort (Nintendo for Wii)

Best Online Multiplayer Game
Halo 3 ODST (Bungie/MGS for Xbox 360)
Left 4 Dead 2 (Valve/EAP for Xbox 360, PC)
MAG (Zipper Interactive/SCEA for PS3)
Star Wars: The Old Republic (BioWare Austin/LucasArts for PC)
Uncharted 2: Among Thieves (Naughty Dog/SCEA for PS3)

274 Comments

  • jediwan

    Posted Sep 5, 2009 1:22 am GMT

    I have Wii,Xbox 360,PS3,PSP,PC.. Love em all..no complaints here look forward to the new games coming out.

  • sportstothemax

    Posted Aug 29, 2009 6:57 am GMT

    NHL 10 is the best sports game

  • guerillaKZ2

    Posted Jul 10, 2009 10:06 am GMT

    bluefox755

    Scribblenauts isn't a scribbling game
    it's actually a lot more interesting look it up before degrading it

  • guerillaKZ2

    Posted Jul 4, 2009 7:03 pm GMT

    i really want scribblenauts

  • PwNiShEr1216

    Posted Jul 3, 2009 1:38 pm GMT

    Alot of games look good but definately can't wait for Left 4 Dead 2, Halo 3 ODST, and Modern Warfare 2. =)

  • infamous13579

    Posted Jul 3, 2009 5:23 am GMT

    wii is nothing,ds is nothing,xbox is something,ps3 rules.best games:uncharted2 and god of war 3.

  • disBjeFFi

    Posted Jul 1, 2009 8:43 pm GMT

    i only have a Wii and a DS, but the best games in e3 09 were
    Modern warfare 2
    Left 4 dead 2
    Uncharted 2
    Wii Sports Resort
    Scribblenauts
    Splinter Cell: Conviction
    Assassin's Creed 2
    God of War III
    Red Steel 2
    Brutal Legend
    Mass Effect 2
    Halo 3: ODST

  • Mr_Fujiv1

    Posted Jul 1, 2009 5:59 am GMT

    I would love to get my hands on most of them

  • eortlieb

    Posted Jun 27, 2009 11:35 pm GMT

    umhum.

  • coximus22

    Posted Jun 26, 2009 7:31 am GMT

    Competetion breeds excellence and these are excellent days to be a gamer. I say keep the flames of fanboy war burning because they are driving developers to push their limits and make better and better games. What an amazing upcoming line up no matter what your console of choice is. And let's be honest, even if you own all consoles, everyone has their favorite. So imo, there is some fanboy in every gamer. Can't wait for The Last Guardian!

  • Meises

    Posted Jun 26, 2009 12:08 am GMT

    The two games im getting on those lists would be BioShock 2 and God of War 3

    Long live Kratos

  • denicola_a_god

    Posted Jun 25, 2009 8:00 pm GMT

    uncharted owns and ps3 rocks soxx

  • izmickey

    Posted Jun 25, 2009 2:42 pm GMT

    just because god of war doesnt have online doesnt mean its not worth the buy. Many games have given up the quality of the single player of the game to bring you multiplayer. Some games just dont need multiplayer. hopefully since they didnt have to work on the multiplayer aspect of the game, they gave their full attention to the single player story mode. Its good to see games that last more than 6-8 hours nowadays.

  • D3A7HJ0K3R

    Posted Jun 25, 2009 2:33 pm GMT

    Online for Uncharted 2 looks great, might just rent God of war 3 cuz of just single player campaign and no online.

  • izmickey

    Posted Jun 25, 2009 2:26 pm GMT

    wow so many fanboys giving thumbs down here. Fanboys suck, they should be banned from life. Bring on the thumbs down.

  • andalore

    Posted Jun 25, 2009 9:29 am GMT

    Tsk, mostly sequels in here, and a few decent looking original games but Scribblenauts looks like it has a lot of potential

  • nerd_assassin

    Posted Jun 25, 2009 7:49 am GMT

    @SalarianChemist

    Well I guess those 50% are either FPS nuts or American, because I'm not that down with Halo. And it's an American phenomenon, so I'll leave it at that. At least Scribblenauts is imaginate and unique, and is not another FPS(because how many shooters are listed in there? How many? Same old point and shoot stuff.). I'm so sick of it. In fact, most of us here in the tropics still embrace good old Counter Strike(the mod one, not the retail game by Valve) and Halo is not that existent(except for 360 users, that is).

    Ok back to topic, I think Scribblenauts deserve it(and I have a DS, so I'll enjoy this once it gets out). I think the fuss about Final Fantasy is gone because of it going multiplatform. I just hope Mass Effect 2 is also a PC title. I'm buying that for sure(still hunting for cheap copy of Mass Effect, still bankrupt).

  • nerd_assassin

    Posted Jun 25, 2009 7:49 am GMT

    @Malco_Vincenzo

    And Tekken 6 just adds further customization, 6 characters and a new version of Tekken Force? It's basically the same stuff again too. And I've experienced so much of it on the arcade cabinets. Just let a Wii game win once in a while, that's all I can say. Plus Tatsunoko is new to me, so there. For me though, it's a fair win.



    @bluefox755

    I suggest you read more before you kick some suggestions. Scribblenauts, despite the name, is not a scribbling game. It's a platforming/puzzle game in which you can type a word on the touch screen and the game will give a life to it. IGN even mentioned in their zombie something topic that typing "zombie" on it will give interesting result. IGN and Gamespot even gave it the game of the show. So I suggest you use google for your pictures and to know a little more about the game instead of just speculating because the name sound so.

  • Furnish

    Posted Jun 24, 2009 11:07 pm GMT

    The List is tempting me to go over board!! I cant wait?

  • brandondorbert posted Jun 24, 2009 9:07 pm GMT (does not meet display criteria. sign in to show)

    brandondorbert

    Posted Jun 24, 2009 9:07 pm GMT (hide)

    The first Uncharted Sucked so I am not going to buy this one. I just hope Sony goes out of business, that would be cool.

  • HerbalVideogame posted Jun 24, 2009 5:16 pm GMT (does not meet display criteria. sign in to show)

    HerbalVideogame

    Posted Jun 24, 2009 5:16 pm GMT (hide)

    I wonder how long it will take for Project Natal to break down, just like all of your Xbox 360's...

  • XeonForce

    Posted Jun 24, 2009 4:40 pm GMT

    L4D2 was picked over MAG? I call BS, MAG looked amazing and did what no other fps has done before. L4D2 looked cool and all, but haven't we seen that already?

  • jay_rock_

    Posted Jun 24, 2009 2:25 pm GMT

    Yeah drake is a good game stop crying 360 fanboys,the 360 is not going to win all the time man what's wrong with yall...

  • unc386

    Posted Jun 24, 2009 2:19 pm GMT

    gamespot, you seriously modded me for agreeing with another person's posting on here when they said they they didn't agree with drakes winning and i replied, "they must be, strawberry9" wow. Modding dept must be slow.

  • Melty123

    Posted Jun 24, 2009 12:56 pm GMT

    Looks good.

  • -HaloHitman-

    Posted Jun 24, 2009 12:56 pm GMT

    I think game of the year is a toss up between Uncharted 2, Modern Warfare 2, or God of War 3.

  • Rokimusas

    Posted Jun 24, 2009 12:53 pm GMT

    I have every console and I have to say For me Uncharted 2 will be game of the year and Modern warfare 2 and Assassins Creed 2 I guess

  • crusherc

    Posted Jun 24, 2009 12:30 pm GMT

    @sleepnsurf, actually all the xbox 360 games that won(aside project natal) were also for the pc, and who doesn't have a pc???

  • sleepnsurf posted Jun 24, 2009 12:09 pm GMT (does not meet display criteria. sign in to show)

    sleepnsurf

    Posted Jun 24, 2009 12:09 pm GMT (hide)

    Don't see what all the ps3 owners are seeing. I see mostly top 360 games.

  • SvV_Ying

    Posted Jun 24, 2009 11:00 am GMT

    Nice list. Uncharted 2 will be great

  • gunslinger_boy

    Posted Jun 24, 2009 10:48 am GMT

    Well, the first Uncharted was one of the best PS3 games, besides Metal Gear. With the PS3 catching on a bit more, this comes as no surprise. GoW III has been pushed back and delayed so much, that people are losing a bit of interest in it. I know I am. Until some solid info is given, Uncharted 2 will be Sony's saving grace this year. That and Killzone 2.

  • ThAdEa82 posted Jun 24, 2009 10:30 am GMT (does not meet display criteria. sign in to show)

    ThAdEa82

    Posted Jun 24, 2009 10:30 am GMT (hide)

    I HAS ALL TEH GAMEZ OF TEH YEAR!!!!1

  • Mankind_Legend

    Posted Jun 24, 2009 10:14 am GMT

    Awesome!

  • shickadance33 posted Jun 24, 2009 10:14 am GMT (does not meet display criteria. sign in to show)

    shickadance33

    Posted Jun 24, 2009 10:14 am GMT (hide)

    God of war is a singleplayer experience, if you ask me I totally think Uncharted deserves more publicity and recognition than Gow3 due to it's online co-op and multi, and I will never play either game. Id' rather drive a warthog if you know what I meen.

  • Gen007 posted Jun 24, 2009 10:12 am GMT (does not meet display criteria. sign in to show)

    Gen007

    Posted Jun 24, 2009 10:12 am GMT (hide)

    uncharted looks good but i dont feel that it should have gotten game of show i was far more interested in many other games that they showed like splinter cell and cod.

  • Mikethechimp

    Posted Jun 24, 2009 10:01 am GMT

    This is bull****. GoW III was only nominated twice and won never.

  • laptop12

    Posted Jun 24, 2009 10:01 am GMT

    Best Hardware what, that skateboard, where is prototype controller

  • icecream_bowl

    Posted Jun 24, 2009 10:00 am GMT

    im getting mag on day 2 haha

  • SalarianChemist posted Jun 24, 2009 9:58 am GMT (does not meet display criteria. sign in to show)

    SalarianChemist

    Posted Jun 24, 2009 9:58 am GMT (hide)

    I agree with everyone about Scribblenauts. lol...

    I think it goes without saying that the people who picked Scribblenauts may have done so because it wasn't a console game, and it really is a good game. But if they would have picked a game that was for one of the major consoles, it probably would have started a flame war that sparked about 3000 comments from fanboys bickering back and forth. So, I am content to leave things the way they are...Although, it is worth noting that the "official" E3 poll amongst attendees had over 50% of voters say that Halo 3: ODST was the Best Game of the Show.

  • SalarianChemist posted Jun 24, 2009 9:43 am GMT (does not meet display criteria. sign in to show)

    SalarianChemist

    Posted Jun 24, 2009 9:43 am GMT (hide)

    @knoetgen:

    I agree with you 100%.

    Halo is the most popular shooter because it is the best shooter that offers the most fun. Remember, Halo 3 continues to be a best-selling Xbox 360 game, even though it has already been available for 21 months. "Fun" and "Features" are the reasons why Halo 3 remains on top of Xbox Live every single week. No other game comes close to the Halo series in terms of the number of games played online.

    Halo 3: ODST has me very excited because it uses a "stealth" type of gameplay, and it has such amazing graphics. The graphics in Halo 3: ODST have been remixed in enhanced ways due to the fact that Halo 3: ODST requires you to see the faces of enemies in ways that Halo 3 didn't. As a result, Halo 3: ODST ends up allowing you to zoom in on enemies and see their faces with an amazing amount of detail, and it looks incredible!

  • bluefox755

    Posted Jun 24, 2009 9:42 am GMT

    Woot...scribblenauts! Wonder how much it costs? Hope not much, cause i could get my 2nd grade niece to draw me pictures for free :/ Or...i could type something in on google image...and instantly get real pictures...dunno. Just my 2 cents

  • alkaline_DnB

    Posted Jun 24, 2009 9:33 am GMT

    i dunno about alan wake...that game's been in development for over 4 years and it didn't look that spectacular at all.
    MAG seems to promise alot, but it could be faulty...Halo ODST will probably offer great multiplayer and a weaker single player as all Halo games do.
    I'm looking forward to 3 of the fighters (tekken, TvC, and KOF)
    Uncharted 2 looks promising.
    L4D2 and Mass Effect 2 of course will be awesome.
    Mostly looking forward to split/second out of all those racers.
    Not interested in buying DJ Hero, but I would like to demo it.
    Preordered Modern Warfare 2 and playing Fight Night...it's great.
    that's my list lol.

  • knoetgen

    Posted Jun 24, 2009 9:28 am GMT

    I dont own a PS3 but Uncharted 2 looks cool. Hey stop this fanboy xbox has nothing crap, if you dont like Halo good for u but guess what Mass Effect alone is a good reason to have a 360, that game is simply great and I'm sure the second will be as well.

  • NICKKELANIUS

    Posted Jun 24, 2009 9:19 am GMT

    ehh

  • D3A7HJ0K3R

    Posted Jun 24, 2009 9:08 am GMT

    Cannot wait till this fall, with MAG, uncharted 2 (uber pwnage), Modern warfare 2. Those games all obliterate the Xbox's trashy halo ODST.
    P.S. If anyone sets up a clan in MAG, invite me. PSN ID: SILENTSILVER77, but my ps3 is at sony for YLOD service

  • ryan69969

    Posted Jun 24, 2009 8:48 am GMT

    Uncharted 2 looks very promising. The multiplayer beta is good for what it is, but the options are limited, and it's pretty obvious that Naughty Dog is using the beta to develop the matchmaking system more than anything else. There are still issues with weapon-balancing and spawn-camping, but a lot of online games have to iron those things out as well. The co-op mode is challenging, and I just hope that the single player game is a little harder where the platforming / navigating / puzzles are concerned. But overall, it looks to be a must-have-type of title.

  • central09

    Posted Jun 24, 2009 8:44 am GMT

    "XBOX 360 RULES ALL!!!!!!!!
    RE5
    RED FACTION: GUERRILLA
    PROTOTYPE
    are the games i,m playing now!!!!!!!!
    Wohooooooo"

    nice job guy...your playing alll MULTI PLATFORMERS XD!!!! go xbox he says...LOL thats all those poor XBOX fanboys got to brag about MULTIPLATFORM TITLES... HAHAHAHAHAHAHA !

  • Xcite79

    Posted Jun 24, 2009 8:42 am GMT

    I agree with everything but don't see anything original with Bayonetta for it be nominated for that award.

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