In 2002, the Staff at Operation Sports decided to hand out a few awards for our favorite games of the year. Back then we were never really sure exactly how much longer this rollercoaster ride was going to last. Well, two years later, we're still around and, much like the Sports Gaming genre as a whole, stronger than ever. So, with that, it is time once again to bestow the best of 2004 with what we affectionately refer to as "The Stevies", named for Operation Sports' Owner/Executive Editor/Bankroll (and otherwise swell guy) Steve Noah. Since Steve is not one to soak up the limelight, the "official" name of the awards are the 2004 Operation Sports Year End Awards. Congratulations to everyone who put games in our consoles this year! We're all winners because of the fantastic titles that you produced in 2004.

Burnout 3: Takedown (Electronic Arts)

I guess it is all your interpretation of the word racing. "Burnout 3: Takedown" definitely had racing elements, but I am not sure that is what made it the addictive joyride that it was. With hardcore action both on and offline, "Burnout 3: Takedown" was a top notch title.

ToCA Race Driver 2: The Ultimate Racing Simulator (Codemasters)

From Open Wheel to Stockcars, Rally to Street, the Staff at Operation Sports felt there was "ToCA 2", and then everyone else. 35 vehicles, 31 Championships, 45 Tracks, and a fantastic Xbox Live experience made this the clear winner in 2004.

Fight Night 2004 (EA Sports)

Everything that "Knockout Kings" wasn't, "Fight Night 2004" was. EA Sports' new take on the sweet science created a new must-buy series in their already impressive library.

Def Jam: Fight for New York (Electronic Arts)

A game that deserved serious consideration for Game of the Year, "Def Jam: Fight for New York" combined everything that is right about martial arts, Ultimate Fighting, and Pro Wrestling games and blended them with a hip-hop look and feel. With a heavy dose of "Old School" and modern rap superstars, great gameplay, and a ton of replay, this is must own and a deserving winner.

Tony Hawk's Underground 2 (Activision)

Many have tried and many have died when trying to take on the "King of Extreme." The Tony Hawk series remains the only extreme sports franchise to release a yearly addition like the "real" sports. "THUG 2" is the sixth release from the team at Activision and our Readers see no letting up.

Burnout 3: Takedown (Electronic Arts)

While some may argue that "Burnout 3: Takedown" is not an Extreme Sport, no one can argue that it is extreme. With bone rattling crashes and high speed takedowns, "Burnout 3" took racing to the extreme.

ESPN NFL 2K5 (Sega of America)

A great online experience last year only improves with the addition of online leagues with living rosters. Trades, injuries, stat-tracking, and an online presence that takes the ESPN license to the web. Even four months after its release, new leagues are popping up on a daily basis and there is always a random game available at any time of the day.

ESPN College Hoops 2K5 (Sega of America)

Without the pomp and circumstance of the other major sports releases, this top to bottom solid hard court title may have flown under your radar. Hit the forums of any Sports Gaming site and it won't be a secret for long. The best basketball experience that you will find on the consoles this year.

ToCA Race Driver 2: The Ultimate Racing Simulator (Codemasters)

Be honest, how many of you even heard of this game before reading this piece? I thought so. Racing fanatics and casual racers alike owe it to themselves to give this one a try. And for a sweet $29.99 price tag, there is not excuse not to find out what the OS Staff is raving about.

Halo 2 (Bungie/Microsoft)

We interrupt this site, dedicated to sports gaming, to take a look at what is going on in the rest of the world. What do Sports Gamers play when they're not playing Sports Games? In the closest vote of the year, "Halo 2" edged out "Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas" for the Non-Sports crown.

ESPN College Hoops 2K5 (Sega of America)

The Readers and Staff at OS loved the 2003 College Hoops release, but it wasn't ready to compete with the big boys. What a difference a year makes! The gameplay, the graphics, the physics, and the online experience helped "ESPN College Hoops 2K5" make the biggest leap in 2004.

NCAA Football 2005 (EA Sports)

When you are the unanimous choice for 2003 Game of the Year, unfortunately there is nowhere to go but down. EA Sports' "NCAA Football 2005" may be a victim of its own success. While the game is solid overall, the entire experience just didn't meet the high expectations that were given.

MVP Baseball 2005 (EA Sports)

Early talk of this year's baseball release from EA Sports have got the OS Readers counting the days till spring training. Can "MVP Baseball 2005" improve on all the advances made in this year's release? Check back in March.

Madden 2006 (EA Sports)

Whether you are the biggest Madden lover or basher in the world, there is no arguing that the landscape of football gaming has changed with EA Sports' exclusive rights deal with the NFL. Madden has the ball. Will they score or fumble? Should be interesting.

Xbox (Microsoft)

The Big Green Machine takes top honors for the third straight year. With the rumored release of the "Xbox Next" and "PS3" in 2005, could this be the swan song for the 'Box? If it is, you've been awfully good to us!

Take Two Interactive/ESPN VideoGames

In the world of business, you can play it safe or you can go for it. When you are consistently #2, desperate times require desperate measures. With a $19.99 price point and a high quality library, the team at Take Two Interactive and ESPN Video Games (as well as Sega, Sammy, VC, Kush, and everyone else involved) took the fight to EA Sports and put a chink in the armor. What will this mean for the future? That still needs to play out. But for know, they can be proud of the 2004 that they brought to the industry.

Try not to hold his "real job" as an attorney against him. Aaron turned out top-notch review after review in 2004, including tackling the entire Basketball release season with an educated and objective eye that helped him wrestle the Reviewer of the Year crown away from back-to-back winner John Griffin. Operation Sports is lucky to have Aaron's talent and expertise on Staff. We hope you enjoy reading his work as much as he enjoys bringing it to you.

What can you say about "Sully" that he hasn't already said about himself? Chris brings a down-to-Earth perspective on Sports and Sports Gaming that you would never expect to get from a Philadelphia fan! He is respected by the Readers and Staff alike for his sense of humor, his sports knowledge, and his gaming prowess. If you've never visited our forums before, you'll find "Sully" in...well...just about every thread.

ESPN NHL 2K5 (Sega of America)

Who needs the NHL! This excellent simulation of the "frozen floor" action of the NHL has filled the "five hole" in everyone's heart left by the NHL lockout. With ESPN online leagues and the smooth gameplay that has become a staple in the franchise, "ESPN NHL 2K5" is a must own at $19.99 or any price.

MVP Baseball 2004 (EA Sports)

When EA Sports dismantled the "Triple Play" series and announced they'd be coming back with a new baseball series redesigned from the ground up, gamers were skeptical. After 2003's debut, most walked away impressed and hopeful about the future. Well, "MVP 2004" did not disappoint! Improving on what they did right in their rookie season and adding nearly unsurpassed depth, even a few minor glitches could not stop this one from taking home baseball honors from our Readers.

MLB 2005 (989 Sports)

Unlike platformers like Mario, Halo, and Oddworld, it's rare to find sports titles that only release on one system. In fact, in order to compete, mose Publishers have to release on all three consoles (plus PC) to survive, even if it means throwing together less than stellar ports. The team at 989 Studios does PlayStation2. That's what they know, that's what they do. So, how do they compete with the others? They make a great game! "MLB 2005", it appears, has taken the place in the heart's of the OS Staff that the High Heat series held for so many. No, it's not as statistically deep as High Heat, but it just flat out plays a good game of baseball. Isn't that what we should be expecting out of our games?

ESPN College Hoops 2K5 (Sega of America)

In the world of sports gaming, Football is clearly king. For years Baseball and Basketball have jockeyed for that coveted #2 spot on message boards everywhere. Needless to say, Basketball titles are huge. Six basketball titles released on consoles this year between the Pro, College, and Streetball style. And, when the buzzer sounded, the Readers and Staff at OS agreed that "ESPN College Hoops 2K5" was the best. Despite the fact that it received less push and pub then even its NBA counterpart from ESPN, everyone at OS agreed that gameplay is #1, the rest is fluff. No bells and whistles that are going to blow you away, just a great gaming experience from beginning to end.

ESPN NFL 2K5 (Sega of America)

Dead man walkin'? Who knows what the future holds for this series, but I can tell you one thing for sure. If this is the final release in this series, they went out on top. This is the best game of football that we have been treated to. The gameplay and graphics have been there for years, but now the ESPN presentation and the online system have taken "ESPN NFL 2K5" to the pinnacle of sports gaming.

ESPN College Hoops 2K5 (Sega of America)

Let's be honest, we all know that Football titles are the bread and butter of the Sports Gaming industry. They move the most units. They get the most mainstream press. They cause the biggest flamewars on gaming message boards. In the previous two installments of these awards, a Football game has always taken top honor. Just to show you what a strange and wild year 2004 has been, the Readers and Staff at Operation Sports are proud to crown "ESPN College Hoops 2K5" as the 2004 Game of the Year. In a world where people are all about the "bling" and style over substance, the Developers decided to just make a good game of Basketball. No unlockable posses. No create-a-shoes. No hot dog prices. Just the modern day equivalent of the peach basket on the post. If ain't broke, don't pimp it.

2004 will very likely go down as a banner year in Sports Gaming. Not only for what the year produced, but perhaps for being the last of its kind. That chapter is obviously still unwritten, but we're starting to see the future unfold. This year the little guy, at least in the Sports Gaming world, made a bold play and hurled $19.99 stones at the Giant. Stones that were only cheap in price, not in strength. The Giant was staggered, but landed an unexpected counterpunch that rocked the industry to its foundation. How will this all play out in 2005? Your guess is as good as anyone's. How will the next Next-Generation consoles change the Sports genre? Who's got one last run in them? And who's ready to throw in their hand?

From all of us at Operation Sports, thank you for being part of our 2004. Thank you to the Designers, Programmers, Producers, Artists, Testers, Writers, and the entire cast of characters who brought us so many great games in 2004. We hope you love making them as much as we love playing them. Thank you to our friends from all of those "other" websites. Contrary to what you might have heard, competition is good for everyone. And finally, thank you to our Reader's for all of your support. Without you, there is no us. We made it another year thanks in large part to all of you. Come back in 2005, we'll ride this rollercoaster together!