2005 was a big year for video games. A new system launched, a new way to play games was announced, and a new set of "adults" were all hot and bothered about video game violence. That's not all, either.

A text adventure starring a big-fingered lawyer was released, a sticky ball game starring a tiny prince hit store shelves, an anime styled surgery game enthralled audiences, and still, there's more.

A new handheld system debuted. Nintendo finally took online seriously. Hell, Nintendo finally took its own audience seriously. The list doesn't end there.

There was so much going on that I decided to make a best of list for what happened but then I realized that it's way past the deadline to make one of those. In fact, we're so far into the year that you could almost start making best of lists for it. Here's one now:

Best Apology From a Big Fat Billion Dollar Company:

*Nintendo apologizes for selling out of the Nintendo DS

Above is a picture of the online apology posted on Nintendo of Japan's website.

Nintendo apologized for its inability to meet demand for the DS in Japan. I always think it's so funny when Japanese companies apologize for their mistakes. It always makes me think of the movie Gung-Ho starring Michael Keaton and the "SO STUPID!" guy from UHF. I can't imagine Reggie going through the executive boot camp that the UHF guy went through. Reggie would tear the place down first (and then respectfully oblige to the training).

Runners-Up:

*Sony apologizes for making games for the PSP

*Microsoft apologizes for doing absolutely nothing wrong

Anyway, I decided that I would make a best of list that hasn't already been done on some other site. A best of list that would make your mother go back to college. In short, a best of list for the rest of us.

Best Guitar Game of the Year

*Guitar Hero
Guitar Hero is the most ridiculous game to come out last year. I can't stop playing it. In fact, it's the first game that has moved me to unlock everything a second time after my save file was erased. I can't stress how much this game actually feels like playing a real guitar. Or rather, it feels like playing a bass guitar. Really, a bass guitar with one string! Okay, a hillbilly bass guitar. It feels like playing a hillbilly bass guitar.

Best Web Comic Starring Tycho and Gabe of Penny Arcade Fame

*Penny Arcade

Penny Arcade wins this award again! They've won it consistently every year. Readers just can't get enough of those Tycho and Gabe guys and their antics. It's no wonder PA has won. They are almost the only web comic starring them.

Runners-Up:
*Benny Charcade (a Korean knock-off)
*Tycho and Gabe of Penny Arcade Fame-Alt-Delete

Best Delay

*Dead or Alive 4

What a delay this was! Not only did the game not make it out on time, it single handedly ruined the Japanese launch of the Xbox 360! Just imagine what the sales figures would had been had the game been a launch title. Just imagine it now, will you? Hmm. It would've been something, am I right?

Runners-Up:

*The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess

*Miyamoto at Nintendo World (how long was I supposed to stand out in the semi-cold?)

Best Xbox 360 HDD Deletion

*The awful, awful music

Did you even listen to any of the music? It was so, so bad. There's not much more that I can say about this. Disgusting.

Runners-Up:

*The awful, awful American Wasteland theme

*The awful, awful MI:III trailer I accidentally downloaded

Best Best of List

*Young Money's Best Video Games for 2005 by Seth Higgins

I love it when non-gaming media talks about games. It makes for some great comedy. It seems as if Mr. Higgins has never played games before and just read a couple of sites to see what looked the coolest. Here is my favorite quote:

"Also, in honor of ColecoVision (1982) and Nintendo Entertainment System (1985), I will only mention new games for current next-generation consoles."

What does that even mean Sean? That's like me saying, "In honor of donuts (1847) and Ben Folds (1966), I will only mention digital cameras from the late 90s."

Best Way To Contact Nathan Smart

*By email

Historically, email has always been the best way to contact me.

Runners-Up:

*Cell phone

*Hollerin'

There you have it. A best of list for the rest of us. I have a list of other best ofs for the year but that list is for the rest of them. And that list won't make your mom go back to college and she needs her education.