2003 has come and gone. We’ve seen many historic events take place in our world. We’ve seen governments crumble. We’ve wept as legends pass on. We cheered great athletes as they took the ball for the last time. We’ve watched people die for their country. We’ve watch people eat various animal parts for 15 minutes of fame. Another year is now just a chapter for the history books of our children and grandchildren. And, through it all, the video game industry has continued to thrive. We at Operation Sports are very proud to be part of the video game industry. We are proud to be the #1 Sports Gaming Site on the Internet. And, it’s with this pride and dedication to the industry and the genre, that we proudly present our choices for The 2003 Operation Sports Year End Awards.

2003 Football Game of the Year
Reader’s Pick: NCAA Football 2004 (EA Sports)

In the closest vote that we saw this year, EA’s college contribution takes home the honor for the 2nd straight year. Robust dynasty mode. Rock solid gameplay. Great broadcast team. Real college atmosphere. And a very cool new “Sports Illustrated” integration. All combine to make a rock solid title that still draws heavy interest and garners major playing time even 5 months after its original release. Producer Jeff Luhr and his team at EA Sports scored another winner in the Football category.

Staff Pick: ESPN NFL Football (Sega)

The only thing lacking in this series, the presentation, finally caught up to the competition. The Operation Sports Staff thought that the ESPN presentation took the NFL 2K series over the top and made it the best on the market. Plus, no football game does X’s and O’s better. Add in the countless hours of time on Xbox Live and you’ll know why this title got more hours of play by the OS Staff than any other Football game.

2003 Basketball Game of the Year
Reader’s & Staff Pick: ESPN College Hoops (Sega)

Following up the critical success of last year’s title, Kush Games have drained another long range 3 ball with this NCAA effort. Boasting the best Dynasty mode in any basketball title and solid multiplayer action via Xbox Live, this title was our choice for the B-Ball Game of the Year.

2003 Baseball Game of the Year
Reader’s & Staff Pick: World Series Baseball 2K3 (Sega)

The baseball market seems by far the most flooded these days. There’s a game for the Sim purist. There’s a game for the arcade purist. One title even gave us online play for the first time. But, when we sat down to determine who had the total package, VC’s World Series Baseball 2K3 took the prize from the Readers and the Staff alike. A little more arcade than High Heat, but a little more Sim than MVP, WSB was the closest to the perfect blend of what makes Baseball America’s Pastime.

2003 Hockey Game of the Year
Reader’s Pick: ESPN NHL Hockey (Sega)

Improving on the qualities that made it a breakout hit in 2002, the Sega Hockey series rolled in the full ESPN presentation (including the best Broadcast Team in the business) to shore up this year’s title. While there were still some “Super Goalie” issues oft-mentioned on the message boards of the world, ESPN NHL Hockey was a great product and a great representation of the Frozen Floor.

Staff Pick: Tie - ESPN NHL Hockey (Sega) & NHL 2004 (EA Sports)

While the OS Staff did agree with the Readers about the quality of Sega’s effort, half of the Staff was very impressed with the effort out of EA this year. Moving back to a more Sim based and less slapstick version of hockey this year, NHL 2004 also integrated a nice new General Manager’s Mode that, while still needing polish, seems right on line with the depth that the EA Sports family is producing in the coming years. A solid presentation and strong gameplay makes NHL 2004 more then bear mention as the best of 2003.

2003 Racing Game of the Year
Reader’s Pick: Project Gotham Racing 2 (Microsoft)

Microsoft’s XSN lineup features a hot racing title that our Readers named the year’s best. PGR2 is sucking up countless hours of single and multiplayer in Xbox’ around the globe. With the hot cars, the stunning graphics, and the cool sounds, Project Gotham Racing 2 is a must have for all Xbox owners.

Staff Pick: NASCAR Racing 2003 Season (Sierra)

Earning props from our Staff in its’ farewell performance, Sierra’s NASCAR Racing 2003 Season is arguably the most complete racing game to ever hit the market. If this is indeed the final installment in the franchise, expect this title to live for years in leagues around the world.

2003 Extreme Sports Game of the Year
Reader’s Pick: SSX3 (EA Big)

Snowboarding it isn’t. Fun it is! While not the most “realistic” version of snowboarding you’ll find, SSX3 is kind of like the NFL Blitz of extreme sports titles. With free falls, flips, twists, and a rockin’ soundtrack. The 3rd installment in the SSX series blows the snow off the mountain with its beautiful graphics, over the top stunts, and unforgettable characters.

Staff Pick: Tie – SSX3 (EA Big) & Amped 2 (Microsoft)

While the OS Staff loved SSX3, we also have to give some love to Amped 2. Arguably the most addictive game that came out this year, Microsoft Game Studios’ more sim-based take on snowboarding was a “can’t put it down” experience on and offline. With nice implementation with XSN, Microsoft breathed new life into this franchise and made us all look forward to the competition for years to come.

2003 Fighting Game of the Year
Reader’s Pick: Smackdown: Here Comes The Pain (THQ)

In the schizophrenic world of WWE titles on the console, THQ managed to release two stinkers on Xbox and GameCube and the Fighting Game of the Year on Playstation 2. Smackdown: HCTP has a deep season mode, a fantastic Create-a-Wrestler, and the speed and fun factor that make the Smackdown franchise a winner with each release. Here’s hoping THQ combines their resources to make a beautiful game like RAW 2 that plays like Smackdown.

Staff Pick: Virtua Fighter 4 (Sega)

I’ll be honest here; the Staff did not play a lot of fighting games as a whole. I would guess that may all change when someone does a solid online/multiplayer fighting title. In the meantime, the fighting aficionados on the Staff chose Sega’s Virtua Fighter 4 as the best of the year. Great graphics and a blast to play head-to-head with friends, this title, well, kicks butt.

2003 “Other” Sports Game of the Year
Reader’s Pick: Top Spin Tennis (Microsoft)

Whether you “love” tennis or not, you can’t help but love Microsoft’s Top Spin Tennis for the Xbox and Xbox Live. It’s been since the Dreamcast years that anyone has released a solid tennis title. Well, the throngs of waiting tennis “aces” out there…wait no longer. Top Spin offers a nice single player experience through its Career Mode, then, once you’re ready to face the world, take “Virtual You” to Xbox Live to take on players from around the globe. Yet another gem in the Microsoft library in 2003.

Staff Pick: Links 2004 (Microsoft)

Links 2004 was the little game that could in 2003. Although a skeptical PC gaming community waited to see how the PC classic would translate, hungry console gamers devoured this fantastic title. Real golf on the console! Who’d have “thunk” it!?!? Great Career Mode full of challenges, tournaments, and championships allow you to beef up your “golfball whacker guy” and take him online. If you’ve never played console golf, it’s time to take the plunge. The analog swing is second to none, the visuals are beautiful, and, to top it all off, you can even burn your own soundtrack. Links 2004 is a hole in one.

2003 Biggest Disappointment of the Year
Reader’s Pick: ESPN NBA Basketball (Sega)

Why!?!? How!??! How can you do a college title so right and a pro title so wrong? For the 2nd year in a row, the ESPN NBA franchise is being hailed an utter disappointment by our Readers. Are they just spoiled by the strength of the NCAA title? Are their expectations too high? Whatever the case, we’re suggesting the team behind this title go to the video store and rent Inside Drive 2004. Maybe a taste of basketball will help.

Staff Pick: All Star Baseball 2004 (Acclaim)

2003 Sleeper Game of the Year
Reader’s & Staff Pick: Links 2004 (Microsoft)

While some would argue that anything that comes out of Redmond, Washington and the back pocket of Mr. Gates can hardly be called a Sleeper. Among the announced XSN Sports titles that rolled out this spring, Links 2004 had the least hoopla and the lowest expectations. Remember, Links has been THE PC Golf title for years. Was it ready for a console conversion? Will it work on Xbox Live and, even more importantly, on XSN. Ask anyone from Operation Sports and you’ll hear a resounding “Yes!” Links 2004 far exceeded all expectations and has become THE word of mouth game for 2003!

2003 Biggest Advance of the Year
Reader’s Pick: NBA Live 2004 (EA Sports)

Our readers thought that NBA Live 2004 made the biggest jump in 2003 for two main reasons. First, they loved the 10-Man Motion Capture technology that was used in this year’s title saying that it gave Live the most authentic look and feel of any of the basketball titles. Second, they loved the fact that Live seemed to be rising from the ashes of the past few year’s less then stellar releases. We’re all looking forward to bigger and better things from this series.

Staff Pick: MVP Baseball 2004 (EA Sports)

“From Triple Play to this!?!?!?”

That seemed to be the battle cry of most gamers who got their hands on MVP Baseball 2004 from EA Sports. Rebuilding their Triple Play franchise from the ground up under the new MVP moniker, EA ushered in what the OS Staff felt was the biggest advance of 2003. The pitching and throwing meter! If every baseball title does not use this technology in 2004, then they’re missing the boat. After playing with MVP for a few weeks, it was hard to go back to anything else. Sure the game itself was far from perfect, but these simple little meters may very well become the standard in Baseball and other sports titles in the future.

2003 Online/Multiplayer Sports Game of the Year
Reader’s & Staff Pick: Links 2004 (Microsoft)

In perhaps the upset of the year, despite EA Sports’ titles going online on PS2 and the continued quality of the ESPN Franchise on Xbox Live, Microsoft Game Studio took their foray into the world of online gaming with XSN Sports and landed a “Stevie Award” with, of all things, a golf title! Whether it’s the numerous modes of play for 1 to 4 players, the XSN sponsored tournaments, or the promise of downloadable courses in the coming months, Links 2004 is the online/multiplayer game to have on Xbox Live this year. If you haven’t tried it yet, see what all the buzz is about!

2003 Publisher of the Year
Reader’s Pick: EA Sports/EA Big

Our readers heaped much love on EA Sports and EA Big for saying “MS be damned, we’ll do online OUR way!” They were also impressed with a sparkling debut of MVP Baseball, a resurgence of the NBA and NHL franchises, a college and pro football title as good as ever, and a promise to reenter the boxing arena in 2004. Lump in EA Big’s SSX and NBA Street sequel and the soon to be released NFL Street and you’ll know why EA was named Publisher of the Year by our Readers.

Staff Pick: Visual Concepts/Sega/ESPN

Sega. Visual Concepts. ESPN Videogames. Whatever you want to call them! Our Publisher of the Year unleashed the full on ESPN feel to the world of video games. With stellar game play (for the most part), slick presentation, silky smooth online play, and major replayability. David keeps chopping away at Goliath. The Hardcore Gamers know the difference.

Operation Sports Reviewer of the Year (Reader’s Choice)
John Griffin

Operation Sports’ Text Based Guru, John “fsquid” Griffin takes home the crown for the 2nd straight year as Reviewer of the Year. Juggling a wedding, new wife, a full-time job, buying a new home, his numerous Civil War reenactments, and his writing work for Operation Sports, John is an integral member of the OS Staff and a deserving back-to-back winner.

Operation Sports Forum Thread of the Year
“How do I tell me Girl Friend”

Accidentally typing “me” instead of “my” seems innocent enough, right? Well, not on the OS Forum. Enjoy. (Warning: This thread is rated PG-13)

Operation Sports Forum Quote of the Year
“Maybe OU should raise the difficulty up to Heisman." - GeePee20 in response to bigtiggalsu's statement that Oklahoma's win over Texas was the most impressive win over a Top 15 team in a long time.

Operation Sports Forum Moderator/Admin of the Year (Reader’s Choice)
Brent Doughty

Tough but fair is the way to best describe our winner of the Moderator/Admin of the Year. The Reader’s of the OS Forum selected Brent “bdoughty” Doughty as their favorite. While some did not necessarily agree with his tactics, there is no denying his sense of humor and quick wit in running a forum that numbers 15,000 users strong. Congratulations Brent!

Operation Sports Forum Poster of the Year (Staff’s Choice)
“MGoBlue” (Erick W.)

Erick, or “MGoBlue” as he is known on the Forums, is the Staff’s Choice for 2003 Forum Poster of the Year. Described by the Staff as “Friendly, insightful and an excellent example for the rest of our Forum,” you will find Erick in just about every thread posted on our boards in the past 6 months. The Staff is proud to honor “MGoBlue” as our 2003 Forum Poster of the Year.

Most Anticipated Title of 2004
Reader’s Pick: NCAA Football 2005 (EA Sports)

How do you improve on what many consider to be the perfect game? Stay tuned and find out. We thought the same thing last year and the team at EA Sports brought us better recruiting, conference moves, “Greatest Games”, Sports Illustrated integration, and player models from 5 different eras. We can only assume that July will bring bigger and better things again.

Staff Pick: Tie – NCAA Football 2005 (EA Sports) & ESPN NFL Football 2K5 (Sega)

The Staff was split right down the middle again (well, a few votes did fly toward next year’s MVP offering) with this vote. We want this year’s football titles with all the “bells and whistles” next year. We want NCAA on Xbox Live. We want ESPN to go online franchise with full player stat tracking, trades, and injuries. But, most of all, we want the near perfect gameplay to continue to blossom. Defenses keep getting smarter. AI Coaches keep getting better. Challenge us. Please!

2003 Console of the Year
Reader’s & Staff Pick: Xbox

A seemingly limitless Hard Drive. Custom Soundtracks. A rock solid online, multiplayer system. Fast load times. No memory cards. How can you not say the “big green machine” is the top console out there? While some still resist “going to the darkside” and stand pat with their PS2’s and GameCubes, most avid Sports Gamers will tell you that Xbox is the only way to go for Sports Gaming. While the PS2 made strides this year with their online functionality, the power of “X” is the Operation Sports must have console.

2003 Game of the Year
Reader’s Pick: NCAA Football 2004 (EA Sports)

What can you say about NCAA Football 2004 that has not already been said? Chock full of teams? Check. Deep Dynasty Mode? Check. Smarter DB AI? Check. Replay factor through the roof? Check. Gets better every year? Check. The BCS works? Well…let’s not go that far! Sure, it’s not the perfect game. Even the biggest diehards would love to see small improvements like the option for a playoff, expanded rosters, nameable coaches, non-user controlled teams changing conferences, or year round recruiting. But all that aside, this is a fantastic game. A more than worthy choice for 2003 Game of the Year. Touchdown…EA Sports!

Staff Pick: ESPN NFL Football (Sega)

It looks, it smells, it sounds, it tastes, and it feels like the NFL. And, with this year’s release, it looks, smells, sounds, tastes, and feels like the NFL on ESPN. With brilliant presentation and top flight AI, this game is the closest thing you’ll get to real football without putting on a jock strap. What it trails it’s competition in franchise depth, it more than makes up for where it counts the most; the gameplay! The OS Staff’s choice for best football title is also their choice for the 2003 Game of the Year.

In conclusion, we need to take a moment to say Thank You. Thank You to the Developers of the games that we are honoring today. It’s your tireless and often thankless work that creates the titles that we spend so many hours dissecting. Thank You to the loyal Readers of Operation Sports who, not only helped us choose our winners, but continue to make OS the premier spot on the internet for Sports Gaming information and discussion. And Thank You to the video game industry as a whole. For all the heat and blame that people want to heap on the back of this industry, Thank You for believing in the product and persevering.