Introduction:Welcome, kind readers, to the Extreme Gamer - Game of the Year Awards 2004. The Xbox achieved another sensational year, and again we've been lucky to have the opportunity to experience the majority of titles. We are sharing thoughts on the games that have a special quality which pushed the boundaries forward in console gaming. We divided the awards into 14 categories and judged the winners by using an esoteric and highly secret formula known only to video game reviewers (overlooked their review scores, creativity and individuality, and simply how much fun the game is).

Thanks for your support, and enjoy.. and...now the envelope ...please!!!

Best Action Game NINJA GAIDEN
	Developer: Tecmo	Publisher: Tecmo
	Tecmo's Team Ninja produced more than girls in bikinis in 2004 and gave us one of the best action games ever made. Ninja Gaiden surpassed all expectations and provided an addictive and challenging experience. Running close behind was the best translation from comic book, movie franchise to game with Treyarch's impressive free format web-slinging style in Spiderman 2.
Runner-Up: SPIDER-MAN 2 (Treyarch/Activision) Honorable Mentions: THE SUFFERING, MECHASSAULT 2, THEIF 3, POP: WARRIOR WITHIN, PSI-OPS 2003 Winner: PRINCE OF PERSIA: THE SANDS OF TIME | UBISOFT

Best Racing Game RALLISPORT CHALLENGE 2
	Developer: Digital Illusions	Publisher: Microsoft
	Rallisport Challenge 2 was a tough call for racing game of the year giving the returns from other popular racing franchises. Rallisport Challenge 2 managed to edge out the competition with its excellent online and offline gameplay and high amounts of downloadable content. The competition was close and Electronic Arts has taken the Burnout series to a higher plateau with Burnout 3: Takedown.
Runner-Up: BURNOUT 3: TAKEDOWN (Criterion/Electronic Arts) Honorable Mentions: TOCA 2, COLIN MCRAE 05, NFS:UNDERGROUND 2 2003 Winner: PROJECT GOTHAM RACING 2 | MICROSOFT

Best Platform Game PITFALL: THE LOST EXPEDITION
	Developer: Edge of Reality	Publisher: Activision
	Mario isn't the only classic platformer from yester year. The classic franchise of Pitfall has finally made a return to the 'next-gen' consoles. Pitfall: The Lost Expedition captured the feeling of the original while moving up to speed for the new consoles. Pitfall might of been overlooked in 2004, but it definitely was one of the most fun platforming experiences.
Runner-Up: SHREK 2 (Luxoflux/Activision) Honorable Mentions: SCALER 2003 Winner: I-NINJA | NAMCO

Best Sports Game ESPN FOOTBALL 2K5
	Developer: Visual Concepts	Publisher: Sega
	Sega has delivered another winner two years in a row! EPSN 2K5 kept up with the aggressive lower price campaign and showed everyone that they are a force not to be taken lightly. Electronic Arts is always a top dog in the sports department and their revival of the Fight Night series is one of the best in years. Fight Night 2004 proved that boxing games can be innovative and fun
Runner-Up: FIGHT NIGHT 2004 (Electronic Arts) Honorable Mentions: MTX MOTOTRAX, THUG2, ESPN NHL 2K5, NBA BALLERS 2003 Winner: ESPN FOOTBALL 2K4 | SEGA

Best Adventure Game SPLINTER CELL: PANDORA TOMORROW
	Developer:Ubisoft	Publisher: Ubisoft
	Splinter Cell: Pandora Tomorrow showcased another fine outing from Sam Fisher. Ubisoft does stealth, action and adventure like no one else. They have defiantly found a winner with the Splinter Cell series of games. Pandora Tomorrow is the pinnacle of their Splinter Cell series and most likely wont be topped until Splinter Cell: Chaos Theory is released in 2005.
Runner-Up:FATAL FRAME II: DIRECTORS CUT (Tecmo) Honorable Mentions: MANHUNT, THIEF: DEADLY SHADOWS 2003 Winner: SPHINX AND THE CURSED MUMMY | THQ

Best Fighting Game DEF JAM: FIGHT FOR NEW YORK
	Developer:AKI Corp.	Publisher: Electronic Arts
	Def Jam: FFNY is our pick for fighting game of the year knocking out the sensational work from Team Ninja and their Dead or Alive remake. Def Jam: Fight for New York has taken the Def Jam series out of the ring into the urban setting it belongs in. The Def Jam line-up of superstar talent gives up some bone crunching action.
Runner-Up: DEAD OR ALIVE: ULTIMATE (Tecmo) Honorable Mentions: MORTAL KOMBAT: DECEPTION 2003 Winner: SOUL CALIBUR II | NAMCO