OS Awards: Individual-Based Game of the Year
Submitted on: 12/31/2009 by
Traditionally, Operation Sports has handed out awards based upon individual sports such as golf, fighting games, baseball, basketball, etc. However, given the continual decline in the number of options available in the sports gaming marketplace, we have combined several categories into two separate categories: team-based and individual-based games of the year.
This year's Individual Game of the Year could also be called our rookie of the year since it was a debuting new series. UFC Undisputed 2009 was not only crowned champion over its closest rival, Fight Night Round 4, but it also claimed the championship in very convincing fashion. Simply put, UFC Undisputed 2009 is a lot like the UFC: When MMA video gaming appeared all but dead, UFC 2009 Undisputed came in and stole the show, and now it is one of the biggest names in sports gaming. We cannot wait to see what is in store for next year's title.
Best Individual Sports Game of the Year: UFC 2009 Undisputed
Jim Harris: There are a number of solid titles in this category, but my vote goes to UFC: Undisputed. Given MMA's scope and the number of moves and tactics THQ had to incorporate, I think the developers did an effective job of creating a game that is both deep and fun to play.
Christian McLeod: Punch-Out is the type of game that everyone asks for and then everyone overlooks. Beautiful graphics, check. Tight controls, check. Incredibly deep and challenging gameplay, check. Extremely polished with no glitches or game-breaking freezes, check and checkmate. Punch-Out is a masterpiece in sports gaming, and it should go down as one of the all-time classics in sports gaming. The gameplay style may lean heavily in the arcade direction, but it is tough to deny how much fun this game is to play once you give it a chance. Unfortunately, because the game did not appeal to the "sim" masses, one of the greatest sports games of 2009 was mostly overlooked by the OS staff and community alike. Punch-Out is the perfect sports game for those who love video games, and it is hands down the best individual sports game of 2009.
Matthew Coe: I have to cast a vote for UFC Undisputed 2009. Given the depth of maneuvers -- and the difficulty in the past transferring the feeling and technique of MMA and UFC specifically to a video game -- no game was better at translating the feel and excitement of the sport than this game.
Reader's Choice
Winner: UFC Undisputed 2009
Voting Results: UFC Undisputed 2009 (38%), Fight Night Round 4 (33%), Tiger Woods PGA Tour 10 (15%)
Reader Comments: Tiger and Fight Night were the best in this category to me. But I have to go with Fight Night since I cannot stop playing it. - PappyKnuckles
I had a hard time with this one. Fight Night was amazing, Tiger Woods was good, but I had a blast with UFC and have now done four careers in it this year.- stlstudios189
Punch-Out...fantastic, if unrealistic gameplay makes it the cream of the crop. Tiger is a close second. - JohnnytheSkin
This year's Individual Game of the Year could also be called our rookie of the year since it was a debuting new series. UFC Undisputed 2009 was not only crowned champion over its closest rival, Fight Night Round 4, but it also claimed the championship in very convincing fashion. Simply put, UFC Undisputed 2009 is a lot like the UFC: When MMA video gaming appeared all but dead, UFC 2009 Undisputed came in and stole the show, and now it is one of the biggest names in sports gaming. We cannot wait to see what is in store for next year's title.
Best Individual Sports Game of the Year: UFC 2009 Undisputed
Jim Harris: There are a number of solid titles in this category, but my vote goes to UFC: Undisputed. Given MMA's scope and the number of moves and tactics THQ had to incorporate, I think the developers did an effective job of creating a game that is both deep and fun to play.
Christian McLeod: Punch-Out is the type of game that everyone asks for and then everyone overlooks. Beautiful graphics, check. Tight controls, check. Incredibly deep and challenging gameplay, check. Extremely polished with no glitches or game-breaking freezes, check and checkmate. Punch-Out is a masterpiece in sports gaming, and it should go down as one of the all-time classics in sports gaming. The gameplay style may lean heavily in the arcade direction, but it is tough to deny how much fun this game is to play once you give it a chance. Unfortunately, because the game did not appeal to the "sim" masses, one of the greatest sports games of 2009 was mostly overlooked by the OS staff and community alike. Punch-Out is the perfect sports game for those who love video games, and it is hands down the best individual sports game of 2009.
Matthew Coe: I have to cast a vote for UFC Undisputed 2009. Given the depth of maneuvers -- and the difficulty in the past transferring the feeling and technique of MMA and UFC specifically to a video game -- no game was better at translating the feel and excitement of the sport than this game.
Reader's Choice
Winner: UFC Undisputed 2009
Voting Results: UFC Undisputed 2009 (38%), Fight Night Round 4 (33%), Tiger Woods PGA Tour 10 (15%)
Reader Comments: Tiger and Fight Night were the best in this category to me. But I have to go with Fight Night since I cannot stop playing it. - PappyKnuckles
I had a hard time with this one. Fight Night was amazing, Tiger Woods was good, but I had a blast with UFC and have now done four careers in it this year.- stlstudios189
Punch-Out...fantastic, if unrealistic gameplay makes it the cream of the crop. Tiger is a close second. - JohnnytheSkin
Working...