Game of the Year is really a pretty big award, if you think about it. Tons and tons of games come out every year, hundreds, and only one, from just one system (unless it's a multi-platform game, duh), can actually get it.

Gamespot, recently, has given the award to the following:

Game of the Year 2003: The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker (Gamecube)
Game of the Year 2004: World of Warcraft (PC)
Game of the Year 2005: Resident Evil 4 (Gamecube)
Game of the Year 2006: Gears of War (Xbox 360)
Game of the Year 2007: Super Mario Galaxy (Wii)

Those are some damn good games.

So here are my predictions for the award for each console and the overall Game of the Year. Unless a giant, fantastic game comes out by December that beats out any of these (not very likely), I predict most of these will turn out correct.

DS Game of the Year: The World Ends With You
Square Enix has officially become the biggest third party developer on DS, with a long list of fantastic games. It's unfortunate that the Wii doesn't have as much support from the Final Fantasy creators, but regardless, DS has the goods. The World Ends With You is the most unique, fresh RPG to come along in years. It's modern, has bits of voice acting, touching moments, humor, a set-up that fits perfectly on DS, and a massive campaign. It really doesn't have many flaws, either. While FFIV has great graphics, cutscenes with full voice acting, and a fantastic story, it's a port, and not as original regardless. It also doesn't use the touch screen much, and despite that they both got a 9.0, I think that leaves The World Ends With You free reign for the year.

PSP Game of the Year: Crisis Core: Final Fantasy VII
Yet again, Square takes the gold on handhelds. PSP hasn't really gotten a lot of games in 2008, so that's not saying as much, but God of War is another big franchise that gave it a go, too. Still, just seeing the graphics and gameplay, plus the words "Final Fantasy VII" in the title, plus the 9.0 from Gamespot basically make Game of the Year a dead lock.

Xbox 360 Game of the Year: Grand Theft Auto IV
Yep, it's the franchise that caused your parents to raise their pitchforks in outrage, Grand Theft Auto. Killing more or less whoever you like, tons of drug use and nudity, and not much of a sense of morals take center stage here. But it's gameplay we're focusing on here. There'd have to be a pretty good game to beat a 10.0 Gamespot winner. Not to mention, from what I hear, the vague (very vague) feeling that you're doing something wrong killing a whore so you don't have to pay her, as given to you by the game, not by your conscience. It's something good to see, and not just for your mom.

Wii Game of the Year: Super Smash Bros. Brawl
Whatever you may think of the single player, whether it turned out that much better than the the original and Melee or not, Brawl's graphics, music, and, of course, the multiplayer are all flawless. Wi-Fi is even incorporated into the franchise for the first time, plus the 35 characters, Gamespot's 9.5, and the fact that people were playing Melee five years after its release. Wii's focus this year seemed to be multiplayer, what with Mario Kart coming along with this guy, but there aren't many titles that even stand a chance against a title this huge that actually lived up to the hype.

PS3 Game of the Year: Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots
Probably the best graphics ever made, flawless controls, a giant campaign, one of the greatest stories every told on any medium, and ultimately, the game that the genius Hideo Kojima put his heart and soul into, even topples GTA IV off the top spot, without a doubt. This one didn't live up to the hype, it surpassed it. Just look at Gamespot's 10.0, the only complaints being heavy handed story (expectedly, when MGS gives us half hour cutscenes) and the fact the game ends, tells you something. You probably notice every time that Gamespot nitpicks as much as they can, but this is one of the few that they just couldn't find fault with.

Overall Game of the Year: Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots
I love Brawl to death, but there are certainly some huge flaws in there. Mainly because of Nintendo, the Wi-Fi doesn't compete with things we've seen on 360 and PS3 for years, and the single player, to me, still needs quite a bit of work. It's been improved, but still. Unfortunately I have never played MGS4, GTAIV, CCFFVII, or some competitors, but I'm judging on gut instinct, gameplay footage, and Gamespot's reviews, which, as of late, have been fairly reliable. I've heard people say that Super Mario Galaxy and Metal Gear Solid 4 deserve 10's, but not Grand Theft Auto. I've heard the crazed fans who actually managed to pay for a PS3, and that there isn't even a tiny flaw to be mentioned for the game. Plus, it's the last game in one of the biggest franchises ever made. The director put absolutely all his time and effort into every tiny bit of the game, and, to me, produced a game that already won Game of the Year.

Those are my thoughts. I really can't imagine a game knocking Metal Gear Solid 4 off the top spot. That gives all three modern gen consoles a Game of the Year award- making this Console War very strong. Wii sells the most, but I care about the best games. I'm happy with the Wii, but I might get another system. Where to go from here...?