Happy New Year, boys and girls!

For the third year in a row, here are the Znuggles Awards. The categories are completely random, most change from year to year, and I reserve the right to pick categories that are not related to gaming in any way. Also, please note I do not necessarily talk about things that were released in 2006, I talk about things that experienced, be they old or new. Okay? Okay.

Off we go.

Best game: I played some absolutely superb games in 2006, but if I twist my own arm (OW!), I have to say The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion was the absolutely best one. I just fell in love with the whole world, and really  enjoyed exploring it. I had some problems with the levelling system at first, but eventually got around it, and was able to focus on the many, many quests and locations. The various approaches you can take to the game (stealth, fighter, magician, umpteen combinations) allow for a highly customisable experience. Basically, the game lets you play it like your favourite action genre, whatever it may be. I love it a lot, as over 120 hours of playtime should prove.

Honourable mention should go to GRAW, Gears of War and Rainbow Six Vegas for teaching me once and for all how to take cover and not just run and gun.

Best TV show: Battlestar Galactica. I got season 2 on DVD late in the summer, and enjoyed it a lot. Just brilliant. The promise of having a couple of episodes penned by the great Jane Espenson in season 3 guarantees that I'll buy the next DVD box set as well.

Most disappointing DVD extras: Battlestar Galactica season 2. A few deleted scenes and some featurettes that are already available on the Galactica website. Lame. Very, very lame.

Best purchase: A tie between the Xbox 360 (purchased in May) and the Onkyo surround receiver (purchased in June). Having the X360 hooked up digitally to the Onkyo and getting the surround sound gaming experience is a treat.

The "same old, same old" Award: This one goes out to myself. I quit a band, then joined another. I played a few games, read a few books, listened to some music, watched a few DVDs. It's the same old, same old.

Yawn of the Year: Doom 3 after the threehundred and forty-second "BOO! GOTCHA!"-scare. Good grief, iD.

Person of the Year: Gregory House, M.D. If I had become a doctor, I would have been like Dr. House. Bitter, cynical and very sarcastic. As a long-time connoisseur of sarcasm, I have finally found a role-model. Lots of thanks to Hugh Laurie and the writing staff on House, M.D.

Runner-up: Marcus Fenix. Some of his lines are just pure gold. Accidentally shooting Dom and hearing Marcus yell "Down in front!" had me laughing out loud, possibly scaring my neighbours.

Okay, I'm done.