Welcome to the 2007 Operation Sports Year End Awards. For six years, we’ve brought you our selections of the industry’s supreme annual contributions. The judgment process has shifted between – and sometimes been shared by – the staff and readers. This year, we return that power to you, our loyal readers. Here are your winners of the 2007 Operation Sports Year End Awards.

 

 

 

In 2005, we awarded Forza Motorsport the Racing Game of the Year award in that year’s “Stevies”. Called “the best console driving game ever made” by Operation Sports, the sequel debuted late this spring on the Xbox 360 and it quickly became one of the most popular games among our readers. Thanks to the remarkable customization that it offers, it has demonstrated the longevity to capture our 2007 Racing Game of the Year award.

 

 

 

EA’s skate enters the skateboarding arena, which had been previously owned by Activision’s Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater franchise, with a bang. Its innovative control scheme featuring dual analog sticks marks a sharp departure from the button mashing that has become a mainstay of the Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater series. And as we said in our review, “When you combine a fantastic control scheme with a well-designed, open-ended city, the possibilities are endless.”

 

 

 

Activision decided to go in a different direction with the fourth installment in the Call of Duty series, after setting the first three chapters in World War II. Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare introduces an assortment of new technology and strategies to the world of video game shooters. In addition to a campaign mode that brings a breath of fresh air to the war genre, it boasts an impressive multiplayer system that has the Operation Sports community playing it for hours on end.

 

 

 

For the first time in the six years we’ve been presenting these awards, EA’s NHL Hockey series will be walking away with the title. NHL 08 fashions the groundbreaking analog controls debuted in NHL 07 into a juggernaut that revolutionizes the way hockey games are played. The improved AI offers a considerable challenge in single user play, while the new cooperative online team play adds a twist that brings up to six users together to enjoy the action simultaneously.

 

 

 

After MLB ‘06: The Show secured the Sports Game of the Year award in last year’s “Stevies”, we said, “The Show isn't just the best baseball game ever created - it's fair to discuss whether it's the best sports game ever created.” MLB 07: The Show improves on that magical formula in its Playstation 3 debut. With unmatched gameplay and an addictive Road to the Show career mode, it takes baseball gaming to unprecedented levels.

 

 

 

2K Sports retains its stranglehold on the Basketball Game of the Year award, capturing the crown this year with its NBA game. NBA 2K8 continues with the steady improvements the series has become known for, as this year’s release employs AI and personality enhancements to give us the most realistic NBA game ever seen.

 

 

The NCAA Football series captures its third consecutive Football Game of the Year award as the series continues its smooth transition to this generation of video game systems. The outstanding college atmosphere, Campus Legend mode, and the new EA Sports World video replay highlights combine to give NCAA Football 08 a leg up on the fiercest football competition in years.

 

 

 

As this title captures the 2007 Non-Sports Game of the Year due in large part to its excellent multiplayer capabilities, it should serve as no surprise that it wins our Online Game of the Year title as well. The extensive selection of modes coupled with the unique class and experience systems give Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare incredible longevity.

 

 

 

Given the iron grip Activision held on the skateboarding genre with the Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater franchise, EA’s skate came in under the radar, but it soon took the gaming world by storm. While it’s too soon to tell whether skate has usurped the skateboarding video game throne, it offers a much needed change of pace in a genre that needed a worthy competitor.

 

 

 

After a disastrous 2006 release, Major League Baseball 2K7 gets the series back on track with its impressive visuals and presentation. There still lies room for growth in the gameplay, but strides have been made there as well. These enhancements, along with a stable release, have led everyone to agree that Major League Baseball 2K7 has improved leaps and bounds from last year’s installment.

 

 

 

While NCAA Football 08 retains its Football Game of the Year crown, its professional brother continues to struggle on the “next generation” consoles. It’s hard to believe that a game with so much potential can fail repeatedly to realize it, but although Madden NFL 08 provides some improvements from last year’s release, the franchise has yet to put it together.

 

 

 

Back in 2002 when we first started handing out the “Stevies”, the Operation Sports staff selected Out of the Park Baseball 4 as the Baseball Game of the Year. It is only fitting that the series’ latest release wins the inaugural Text Simulation of the Year award. The Out of the Park Baseball franchise has ruled the baseball text simulation scene for years with its deep single player and involving online leagues, and this year’s installment continues the rich tradition.

 

 

 

A whole new generation of gamers has grown up since the game’s NES release, but Super Mario Bros. 3 returns this year as a downloadable game for the Nintendo Wii’s Virtual Console. Its re-release in 2007 exposes many younger gamers to its charm and allows the older generation to revisit a classic.

 

 

 

The Most Anticipated Game of the Year award returns after a two-year hiatus, giving Grant Theft Auto 4 the opportunity join a mixed bag of past award winners. As one of the industry’s most famous (and infamous) franchises in recent years, Grand Theft Auto prepares to enter its fourth generation at last, as it looks to add even more acclaim and controversy to its lengthy résumé.

 

 

 

2007 has been a truly great year for sports gaming, as several worthy contenders for this award emerged over the last twelve months. In the end, our readers decided to award this year’s top prize to NBA 2K8. 2K Sports’ NBA title took the next step this year to give us the best basketball simulation we’ve ever played. As terrific as the game has been this year, we are equally excited for next year’s effort, and if history is any indication, NBA 2K9 will be even better.

 

As we wrap up a memorable year in sports gaming, we look ahead to 2008 and see one of the brightest futures we’ve seen in years of gaming. As we all prepare for a new year, we pose questions of 2008. Will our Sports Games of the Year continue to prosper, or will one or more slip to take the unfortunate honor from the Madden NFL franchise? Speaking of the former juggernaut, can it return to glory in 2008? We’re looking forward to finding out as much as you are.

 

Thank you for a wonderful 2007 and for your help in selecting the 2007 Operation Sports Year End Awards. Stay with us for what looks to be an even better 2008!