About Judy

As WP's managing editor, I edit review and preview articles, attempt to keep up with the frantic pace of Rainier's news posts, and keep our reviewers on deadline, which is akin to herding cats. When I have a moment to myself and don't have my nose in a book, I like to play action/RPG, adventure and platforming games.

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'WorthPlaying's Top Games of 2007' - Handhelds

by Judy on Dec. 30, 2007 @ 3:20 a.m. PST

Yesterday we revealed the honorable mentions, and today we're announcing the top handheld titles. Check us out tomorrow for the top console/PC offerings. Once that's out of the way, we'll start the countdown of the top 20 titles, including what WP considers to be the best game of 2007. Read more for the results!

PSP

5. Dead Head Fred

Dead Head Fred is genuinely funny, well written and simply fun to play. It isn't groundbreaking, but it is innovative to the point where the story is actually intrinsic to the gameplay. The title is varied so it never feels stale and presents a challenge to even the most seasoned adventure gamers. Dead Head Fred is a breath of fresh air in an industry that is essentially based on generic titles, so no matter how you look at it, you won't lose your head by purchasing this game.

4. Final Fantasy Tactics: The War Of The Lions

If you want to play Final Fantasy Tactics without tracking down a used copy on eBay, then The War of the Lions is an excellent way to approach the game. Many of the new features serve to bring down the sometimes-intimidating difficulty levels to approachable levels without compromising anything about the core engine or mechanics. Some of them, like recruiting Balthier, are just fun by themselves. Those who own PSPs have every reason to consider The War of the Lions a game to prioritize.

3. Burnout Dominator

Burnout Dominator is well worth its $40 price tag, especially if you're a fan of the arcade racing genre. The controls are tight and responsive, the visuals are outstanding, and the single-player campaign will keep you occupied for a good while. The only improvement that could've been made to this PSP title would be the inclusion of Infrastructure Wi-Fi play. Dominator is one of the best racing games currently available on the PSP, so there's more here to cheer than jeer.

2. Syphon Filter: Logan's Shadow

Without a doubt, Syphon Filter: Logan's Shadow is one of PSP's top titles this year. It's beautiful, action-packed and, most importantly, fun. It's far from perfect — controls being the most troublesome issue — but its flaws hardly ruin what is, on the whole, a very good game.

1. Castlevania: The Dracula X Chronicles

From the moment you power on your PSP to the moment you turn it off, Castlevania: Dracula X Chronicles does a remarkable job of pulling you into the Castlevania universe and immersing you in the difficult, but ultimately rewarding gameplay. With startlingly luxuriant audio and visual elements, unlockables that will keep the player working on the title long after he's sent Count Dracula back to sleep for another hundred years, and the addition of two original games (including one of the best Castlevania titles of all time), there is no reason for any PSP owner to resist adding this title to his or her collection.

NDS

5. Pokemon Diamond/Pearl

It's Pokemon. Moreover, it's Pokemon with online play. If you're a Pokemon fan, that reason alone is enough to pick up Diamond and Pearl, ignoring the new Pokemon and new features. Diamond and Pearl is about finally being able to fight and trade with your friend in the next city, state or even country.

4. Puzzle Quest: Challenge of the Warlords

Overall, Puzzle Quest: Challenge of the Warlords has a truly unique concept and includes the ability to appeal to both role-playing and puzzle fans alike. The game has definitely created a potentially exciting new genre of entertainment, and Vicious Cycle did an excellent job in portraying this new look and feel, while still focusing on a beautiful, well-written storyline.

3. Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney - Trials and Tribulations

Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney - Trials and Tribulations is an excellent end to the series, doing a splendid job of tying up a multitude of loose ends in the overall plotline that has been continuing over the course of all three titles. Apollo Justice: Ace Attorney, the subsequent series that will be released in February 2008, has some fairly large and intriguing shoes to fill.

2. Final Fantasy XII: Revenant Wings

The story is engaging, teasing interesting connections between the Ivalice of Final Fantaxy XII and the Ivalice of Final Fantasy Tactics. The characters are extremely likeable and entertaining, and playing around with forging weapons for them (from gathered materials) and using their abilities in challenging battles is incredibly fun. This is well worth a DS owner's time and is easily one of the best things Square Enix has published for the NDS system.

1. The Legend of Zelda: Phantom Hourglass

The Legend of Zelda: Phantom Hourglass is not just the best DS game I've ever played, but it's also one of the best games I've ever played, period. It's engaging, it looks excellent, it is not too short by any means, it has plenty of different options to keep you going and its writing is top-notch. That there is also multiplayer included for use with the Nintendo Wi-Fi functionality is just icing on the cake. Simply put, if you don't have a DS, then you must go out and buy one just to play Phantom Hourglass! It's as must-have as you can get.

 

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