When deciding what the staff should talk about for our Editor's Choice Awards, we realized that it would be a good idea if we loosened our collar a little bit and go to town on some subjects that we couldn't touch upon in our standard feature. After many debates on what we should vote upon, we decided that we should give our editors a chance to express their true feelings about some games that they've played throughout the year. Heck, we couldn't give nods to every game released this year, so we figured that this was the most reasonable way of fooling making the staff see that their opinions were individual, and always will be. We also asked each editor to talk about what they thought the best platform of 2002 was. This is one category that we all felt had to be done on an individual basis, since some editors do not own every platform.

Bahn
Best Platform of 2002
As much as I have been fond of the Xbox's graphical prowess and GameCube's diverse lineup of gaming classics, I've still got to give the nod to the PS2. Say what you will about Sony's ideals within the gaming industry, it's all been consistently supported by an impressive range of titles. Throughout the year, gamers were graced with a wide range of enjoyable titles including Sly Cooper, Rez, The Mark of Kri, Shinobi, and much, much more!

Now that online gaming is back in full bloom, Sony has taken center stage once more with its respective online releases - SOCOM - U.S. Navy Seals,Madden NFL 2003, and ATV Offroad 2003. These are just a few of the games which helped push the sales of the system more than any other platform (or at least what was observed throughout several retail chains). As Sqoon expressed in his personal vote, the PS2 has been acknowledged as a true multi-purpose gaming platform, featuring backward compatibility, DVD functionality (right out the box too, no need for additional accessories), and has set the pace for console online (Xbox Live supporters will naturally disagree). There's no doubt that even when PS2 takes a bow, its successor will maintain a track record of unprecendented quality and limitless enjoyment for gamers of all ages.

Off Topic
Best Game to Induce Elaborate Vocabulary from Sqoon - The Mark of Kri
Best Successor to Redefine "Tactical Action" - Splinter Cell
Most Anticipated Game to Offer Extreme Letdown to Fans (at least on Xbox) - Metal Gear Solid 2: Substance
Most Unlikely Game to Steal Mario Party Franchise Acclaim - Nickelodeon Party Blast

Reno
Best Platform of 2002
The PlayStation 2, no contest. Maybe ol' Kazzy was right when he said that the console war was over back at E3 2002. While the Xbox and the GameCube both had their trump cards this year, the PS2 had two of the best selling games of the year in GTA: Vice City and Madden 2003, not to mention a slew of solid, original first party titles such as Rachet and Clank, Sly Cooper, SOCOM and The Mark of Kri. This coupled with the usual offerings from third parties, like Suikoden III, Virtua Fighter 4, and Maximo, has made 2002 the best year ever for Sony's machine. As of right now, the PS2 perfectly personifies a classic wrestling catchphrase; "Beat me if you can, survive if I let you!"

Off Topic
Best Game Featuring a Frenchman - Virtua Fighter 4
Best Game to Feature a Blue Ninja - Virtua Fighter 4
Best Game to Feature a Move with the Suffix "of Doom" - Virtua Fighter 4
Best Game Starring a Character Named Owwie - Virtua Fighter 4
Best Game to Feature a Blue Bunny Named Mr. Usagi - Virtua Fighter 4
Best Fighting Game Ever - Guilty Gear X2

Ali
Best Platform of 2002
It's a toss up between PS2 for its many decent titles and VF4 and the Xbox for Jet Set and Panzer. Hmm, I'll choose the Xbox since VF4 can be played in the arcade while JSRF and Panzer cannot.

Off Topic
Shovelware Awards - PSOne and GBA for releasing craploads of - urm, well - CRAP.
Crybaby Award - For Nintendo fanboys who say you're not a gamer if you don't think Mario Sunshine and Metroid Prime are the best games ever made.

Andy
Best Platform of 2002
I'd be lying if I said the Xbox wasn't my favorite system this year. Chalk it up to favoritism, bias, or what ever you like, but I've just had so much fun this year on ol' Billy's big, black, box. Probably the biggest single factor in the grand scheme, is the sheer bliss invoked on your very psyche that Microsoft happily gift wrapped in a little package called Xbox Live. There's nothing like kicking the collective asses of sixteen whiny nerds in a game of Moto GP. Nothing.

Off Topic
Most Fashionable Display of Undergarments - Maximo

Haohmaru
Best Platform of 2002
I always answer this question by asking myself what system I would take with me on a deserted island with no hope of being rescued. The answer is very simple: PS2. The enormous library of quality titles (not even including PSX) and the fact that it has the most third-party Japanese support make it a no-brainer. Not even close - and I'm not a Sony fan by any stretch of the imagination.

Off Topic
Best Game to Make Your Wife Even More Resentful of Your Gaming Habit - Grand Theft Auto III: Vice City (pick up one hooker and it's all over)

Hero
Best Platform of 2002
Yep, PlayStation 2 dominated this year, from the number of titles available to the number of good games out there. If you were looking for sports, RPGs, weird niche titles, action, or just old school revivals, the PS2 had it all. The hardware is already beginning to show its age, but then again games like Burnout 2, Contra, and Kingdom Hearts show that Sony's machine still has some kick to it. The PS2 had this year in its pocket, but 2003 looks to be the most intense yet. Nintendo and Microsoft already have their sights set on taking Sony down, but this year nothing could stop its momentum. When it comes down to it, the PS2 has something you'll be able to enjoy. That alone makes it the best console of 2002.

Off Topic
Best Play to the Audience, EVER - Dead or Alive Xtreme Beach Volleyball
Okay, it's not out yet but from a strictly business viewpoint, this is the most brilliant move ever. Take something simple - like volleyball - throw in the most ample female fighters ever, and mix it all up with the most blatant fan service package ever. What do you get? A controversy? A "mature" game? Nope - just the soon-to-be best selling game ever; GTA, eat your heart out.

Worst Stalker Routine of the Year - Reno
That's right - you and me are gonna have a few words. I don't care if you are ten times my metric weight. You, me, and a no holds-barred match. That's how we'll settle this debate. Oh, and stay off my lawn, ya hippie.

MechDeus
Best Platform of 2002
Despite being overshadowed by better games on the platforms, the PS2 continued to spread dominance in the aspect of sheer volume for excellent titles. It not only provided a wondrous haven for the action fan but was the only console where music and dance games were plentiful. Filled with niche titles that could really only sell simply because of the PS2's large user base, it was the best platform to fill all needs, although much of the best of the best appeared on its competitors. While it would have been quite painful to not have a GC or Xbox this year, it would have been even worse to lose my PS2 what with the resurrected series and innovative titles that graced Sony's black monolith.

Off Topic
Best Game to Illustrate Too Much Style Will Make People Ignore the Gameplay - Gungrave
Best Game to Show People Don't Actually Want Old-school When They Ask for It - Shinobi; Runner Up - Contra: Shattered Soldier

Ren
Best Platform of 2002
Although the Xbox has the most powerful graphics processor of all three next-generation consoles and the GameCube has Metroid Prime, the PS2 is my pick for the best overall platform of 2002. Why? Well, the PS2 has the best variety of games, in my opinion. Impressive titles in nearly every genre imaginable (action, fighting, sports, rhythm, etc.) have graced the PS2 with their presence. Being the RPG fan that I am, I'd also like to point out that most of the greatest RPG titles this year have been released exclusively for the PS2. Lastly, I consider the PS2 controller to be the most simple, yet most efficient controller out there. I have no complaints about the GameCube controller, but the Xbox controller is absolutely enormous and has buttons all over the map. If you want a specific example, try playing Metal Gear Solid 2 on the PS2, then MGS2: Substance on the Xbox. You'll see what I mean.

Off Topic
Best Game Guaranteed to Give You Motion Sickness - Metroid Prime
Worst Tony Hawk Rip-off - Treasure Planet

Sqoon
Best Platform of 2002
Though the PlayStation 2 has the unfair advantage of fiduciary success, acceptance here and abroad, attracting every swain from every corner, and has the largest library, it also has the biggest percentage of top-drawer games. Set to a fever pitch of several wild timbres, the PS2 houses some of the best games of a few genres over the past 10 years (Maximo and Sky Gunner) and the mesmerizing variegation can lead us to the experimental (Rez), the retroactive (Maximo, Sly Cooper), and the cinematic (once again, Maximo, and Rygar). With games in the Greatest Hits line that are actually playable, some that start with a $20 MSRP (Super Bust-A-Move 2, Pryzm, and Road Trip), and backwards-compatibility with the contumacious PSone's rivulet of high-quality, low-price titles, Sony's stanchion system is some kind of wonderful electronic renaissance.

Off Topic
Best Game to Illustrate Blood, Horror, Violence, and Chiaroscuro - Fatal Frame
Game That Should Never Get a Numbered Prequel - Resident Evil Zero
Game with Best Possible Tie-In to Kitchen Appliance Promotion - Blender Bros.
Overrated Game Suffering from a Severe Arrhythmia - - Kingdom Hearts

Yoshi
Best Platform of 2002
If someone could own only one platform during 2002, the best bang for their buck would have been found on the PlayStation 2. While the Xbox and GameCube had a few must-have titles each, the PlayStation 2 rolled out hits one after another with exclusives like Maximo, Contra, Shinobi, Suikoden III, Sly Cooper, Ratchet and Clank, and a little town called Vice City. In addition, the PS2 received the best version of Need for Speed: Hot Pursuit 2 and was the first to receive The Two Towers.

Off Topic
Best Use of Bribery: Sony's Grand Theft Auto: Vice City exclusivity
Worst Use of Bribery: Microsoft's year-late Shenmue II exclusivity

··· Editor's Top 10 / Best of 2002 / Introduction