Best video games of 2008

Most Improved: "Rock Band 2"

The original "Rock Band," in which a group of four players can sing and play guitars and drums together, was a fantastic game. When "Rock Band 2" arrived, it included no earthshaking differences. So why is it a "best of the year" title? Because the newest version of this solid game shows the power of listening closely to players — and making just the right changes.

The original had design flaws that were a constant, quiet irritant. And the sequel fixed them all, it's only problem being a few dumb new visual effects. The instruments are now wireless, liberating the living room from a messy tangle. Characters are now multi-instrumentalists, and a band can ditch its leader and still remain intact. A new "No Fail" option keeps newbies from bringing everyone down. In short, "Rock Band 2" fixed every annoyance fans had written about.

And here's another oversight they fixed: "Rock Band 2" includes plenty of songs by women rockers. Three cheers for making room in the lineup for Bikini Kill, the Donnas, the Go-Gos, L7 and Joan Jett!

Best Atmosphere: "Fallout 3"

In this high-definition action game, every corner of the virtual world boils over with the cheerful remnants of a ruined world. "Fallout 3" takes you from a safely locked vault — where robots serve your first slice of birthday cake — to the outside landscape of post-nuclear apocalypse.

"Fallout" has fun with the end of the world. Playing the game, I was reminded of a postcard I had during the Reagan years that said: "In case of nuclear disaster, tape this card to forehead in lieu of bunker." Clearly, the makers of "Fallout" internalized the same cynical lessons of the nuclear age, of 1950s filmstrips that urged children to duck underneath their desks to avoid an approaching A-bomb.

In "Fallout," upbeat posters remind you to be sure to cover your eyes with your hands to protect them from harmful rays. Rather than an afterthought to the action, these humorous warnings ("we want you to feel at home in the Wasteland") comprise the soul of a fantastic game.

Also, new rule: Liam Neeson, who plays a prominent role in "Fallout 3," should be cast as the voice talent in as many games as possible.

Best for Kids: "Mario Kart" Wii

As Mario might say, "This game, it is not so much the brain surgery." To play, you pop your Wii remote into the plastic steering wheel, hit the gas and go, baby, go.

"Mario Kart" includes plenty of options: many characters to play, different courses, etc. But really, who cares? You drive a go-cart around until it skids off a cliff. Your friends, who are watching — and dying to join in — laugh when you wipe out. Really, what else do you need?

Also recommended for kids: "Endless Ocean" (dive deep and make friends with whales) and "Lego Indiana Jones: The Original Adventure" (the newest in the Lego lineup merged with Henry Jones Senior's fear of rats).

Best Nonconformist: "Wii Fit"

Take one bathroom scale. Add yoga exercises and a hula-hoop game that includes no actual hula hoop. If you had been at the pitch meeting, would you have believed this would be a runaway hit?

And yet, Wii Fit is a groundbreaking game, luring people who wouldn't otherwise look twice at a video-game console. It works because of the compelling biofeedback data that players receive through its Wii Balance Board, which measures your stance and signals whether you are following the exercise instructions correctly. I still continue to use mine — even six months later, the novelty has not worn off.

Best Embrace of Our Inner Weirdo: "Spore"

Any game designed by the legendary Will Wright, creator of "The Sims," comes with high expectations. Even The New Yorker magazine sent a reporter to cover a "Spore" demonstration hosted by Wright that I attended this year. Note: This is the only time that I have ever crossed paths with a New Yorker writer while covering video games.

Despite the hype, "Spore" is a winner because, like "Fallout 3," it commits — to being entirely, irrationally weird. Hinting at basic evolutionary tenets, the game takes your creature from the protozoan stage — slurping up sustenance from the primordial ooze — all the way to a fully realized society of intelligent beings. Along the way, as in most character-development games, you decide whether your creatures are warlike or friendly.

But there's very little dignity or gravitas in the choice. This is not "Grand Theft Auto 4," with its unassailable coolness. "Spore" succeeds because it's decidedly dorky: Winning over neighboring species involves a goofy little dance and sometimes a warbled song.

At each evolutionary step, you can tack on a new set of fins, claws or tentacles — sprouting out of your knees, if you want. Three cheers, Mr. Wright and company, for letting your freak flag fly proudly. Because at the end of the day, the best of the best are always memorable — and unique.