Recent Comments

The 2013 Boysie Awards

It’s awards time! This year, there were so many outstanding games that giving out the Boysies was the hardest process in recent memory. There were more games to consider with the launch of the PS4 and Xbox One. But cue the fanfare: Here are The Boysies!

BEST WII U GAME (TIE)

boysie-1Super Mario 3D World (Nintendo)

You wouldn’t think it would be but, boy, is it fun to play as Mario in a cat suit. Plus, the amount of creativity the game makers put into each level makes you want to find all three green stars. More than that, it’s the stuff that dreams are made of.

boysie-2Lego City Undercover (Nintendo)

Open world games made for everyone are still rare. Fun and funny, engaging and challenging, Lego City Undercover has all the ingredients of a game you want to play over and over again.

BEST PLAYSTATION 3 GAME

boysie-3Lego Marvel Super Heroes (Warner Bros.)

Another Lego offering wins! Starting with the Hulk, the ability to play as dozens of superheroes is a true escape into fantasy adventure for game fans who love comics. And if you don’t know comics, there’s not a more fun way to learn about superhero powers and history than with this game.

BEST PLAYSTATION 4 GAME

boysie-4Resogun (SCEI)

There aren’t many great PS4 games for kids — yet. Knack can be good, but Resogun is better. It’s an old-school science-fiction game all dressed up with new technology and fiery graphics. Classic arcade games like Sinistar and Zaxxon seemed really easy to play, but were hard to win. Resogun upholds that tradition for 2013.

BEST XBOX 360 GAME

boysie-5Disney Infinity (Disney Interactive Studios)

Sure, Skylanders SWAP Force has a cool new trick. But despite lackluster-looking action figures, Infinity feels innovative. The opening sequence is one of the best ever seen in games for kids — or otherwise. New user-made Toy Boxes keep coming weekly. If you have the time, that Minecraft-like build function makes for endless replay value.

BEST XBOX ONE GAME

boysie-6Zoo Tycoon (Microsoft)

There aren’t that many good kids games for One yet, either. But how could you not love this game? The brand-new Kinect makes hand-feeding the animals an awesome experience. Yes, your zoo looks a little too tidy in an unreal way. But there’s so much to do, see and learn, you’ll enjoy playing for some time.

BEST NEW CONSOLE

boysie-7PS4

Face it: Both One and PS4 have their wow factors and are close in quality. But the PS4 has better graphics, an easier-to-understand interface — and you don’t have to buy the camera if you don’t want one. That saves you $100. The machine looks better and everything is better designed overall, right down to the lack of a heavy power brick.

BEST 3DS GAME (TIE)

boysie-8Animal Crossing: New Leaf (Nintendo)

From the music to the portability to the unique, quirky characters, the appeal of this game is endless. And so is the play — especially on holidays when wondrous things happen. And those sea shanties heard as you travel to the island are nothing short of brilliant. Bravo, Nintendo.

boysie-9Pokémon X/Y (Nintendo)

This re-imagining of the old series is so full of surprises, it got me interested in the Pokémon again. The 3D portions are lackluster. But everything else about the game feels original. I kept thinking, “If this game were a theme park, I’d be first in line.”

BEST COMPUTER GAME

boysie-10Star Wars Pinball: Balance of the Force (Zen Studios)

It’s simple: Play amazing pinball and go deep into the Star Wars trilogy. You want to keep coming back to get high scores … and to unlock everything. It’s thrilling, and you even get to race the ships and shoot an X-Wing. Plus, Darth Vader is at his creepiest.

BEST VITA GAME

boysie-11Tearaway (SCEI)

Just as they did with LittleBigPlanet, the game makers created an unusual, fresh world. It feels like you’re inside a fairy tale, and thanks to Vita’s touch functionality, you feel like you really control it. Whether it’s Iota or Atoi you choose, you’ll remember your character even when you’re away from Tearaway. That in itself is the sign of a winner.

BEST ROLE-PLAYING GAME

boysie-12Ni No Kuni (Namco Bandai)

This story-filled game just oozes charm. More than that, it’s the first game I can remember that deals with a sweet mother-and-son story. Oliver is stalwart all the way through. But it’s Drippy, his sympathetic guide, who really steals the show.

BEST OVERALL SPORTS GAME

boysie-13NBA 2K14 (2K Games)

For sheer sports exhilaration, this basketball game rules. It just feels real. Players go on hot streaks and then cool off. And the animations are top notch. If you tire of the NBA, you can play European teams, too. LeBron: Path to Greatness is a fun what-if scenario (but I’d like to see the return of the Jordan Challenge). Still, you just can’t stop playing.

BEST RACING GAME

boysie-14Forza Motorsport 5 (Microsoft)

Need For Speed Rivals sure comes close with its open world. But Forza 5 lets you turn back time to avoid crashes that eat away at your top speed. And moving through the world’s great courses as a racer never gets old. Bonus? Cool artificial intelligence lets your car race against others in the cloud even when you’re sleeping.

BEST MOBILE GAME

boysie-15Ridiculous Fishing (Vlambeer)

There are many well-made mobile games, but few are as beautifully ridiculous. First, you don’t have to buy extra stuff (like many mobile games ask you to). Then, you fish for hundreds of species using your phone’s tilt controls. Then, you tap, tap, tap your way to shoot as many fish as you can. Finally, there’s Billy. He’s really ridiculous, too.

GAME OF THE YEAR (TIE)

Animal Crossing: New Leaf

Super Mario 3D World

31 Comments on The 2013 Boysie Awards

  1. Skyrim????? Best game ever

  2. Knuckle head radar // February 27, 2016 at 8:36 pm // Reply

    Ps4 rules! And i love love love destiny

  3. Just some boss dude // September 12, 2014 at 5:26 pm // Reply

    Asphalt 8 was completely the best racing game of not only 2013, but the best of all time! Why don’t the boys life people give it credit?

  4. Just some boss dude // September 12, 2014 at 5:22 pm // Reply

    I can’t believe that so many people said bad things about Pokemon X and Y. It is in my opinion, one of the best 3ds games ever.

  5. WheatleyandFreeman // July 9, 2014 at 11:53 am // Reply

    Seriously? I know Wind-Waker is a remake but please, it’s the best.

  6. The awards for best 3ds games makes me want to rip my hair out. animal crossing maybe, but pokemon x and y does not deserve the award considering that there was luigi’s mansion dark moon and super Mario 3d land there also was sonic lost world.

  7. I predict the future… Super Smash Bros. (name not final) Will BE the GAME OF THE YEAR!!! I mean seriously, Brawl was spectacular, now we get to see it in HD!!!! My mind will be blown. Anyone else?

  8. Pokemon is way too overrated considering every single year it just adds new pokemon and that’s it. The same applies to FIFA and similar sports games.

    • Objection // July 2, 2014 at 3:08 pm // Reply

      Even though X and Y wasn’t the best in the series, and it only introduced a small roster of new pokemon, all the new gameplay mechanics, like the awesome battles and trainer customization totally made up for it. And the online play is GREAT. So yeah, I disagree with you, LOL.

    • I totally agree with you LOL. They’re all the same, minus a few tweaks.

  9. sonic freak // March 13, 2014 at 8:43 am // Reply

    no way! apsalt 8: airborn is a better racing game! (in my opinion.) u get to do tricks, upgrade, knock other racers out,use nitro, select new cars, compete with both the computer and the other racers, also when you crash, you start off from your crash, and the graphics are AWESOME!!!! Oh, and its on a mobile devise.

  10. I think x-box one should be the best new console

  11. Nintendo 64 is better than any of these game consoles, even though it is old.

  12. comment about best vita game: Little big planet is pretty good

    comment about racing game: Gran turismo 4 is pretty fun

  13. I was really hoping the Games Guru could come up with something better than a pinball game for best PC game….

  14. super mario 49 // January 19, 2014 at 7:46 pm // Reply

    the best computer game should have been Minecraft, and the racing game should be sonic and all stars racing transformed

  15. The Legend of Zelda: A Link Between Worlds deserves to be best 3DS game .hands down. period. no question. noway. nohow. don’t think otherwise.

    • I am a huge fan of the Zelda games, don’t get me wrong, but Animal crossing was pretty good. X and Y, not so much though.

  16. my favorite boss in Super Mario 3D world is the final boss which is 5 cat Bowsers

  17. Wiimaster101 // January 14, 2014 at 7:31 am // Reply

    U may see something familiar at the end of the 3d world credits!

  18. Redpuffleguy // January 12, 2014 at 5:08 pm // Reply

    What’s your favorite boss in Super Mario 3D World?

    A) Tank boss 1
    B) Bowser car 1
    C) Train boss 1
    D) Any of the castle bosses
    E) I know something better
    F) I’m a noob and I’ve reached none of these

Leave a Comment

Please don't use your real name.