The Nique reviews 2006's best albums, video games

Console Games

Best of 2006

Wii Sports

Even though this game comes with the console, there is no better choice for a game with something for everyone. Intuitive controls help make it easier to draw even non-gamers to play and make watching someone else play the game enjoyable. Plus the game includes enough different sports (golf, bowling, boxing, baseball, and tennis) to be an instant crowd pleaser. Wii Sports is simple in style, yet entirely enjoyable, just like Nintendo has always been.

Console Games

Best of 2006

Guitar Hero II

Put down your pencils and pick up your axes Tech students, because this game will rock you tonight. Developer Harmonix and publisher Red Octane dazzled the videogame world when their rhythm and melody game Guitar Hero (GH) was released in 2005.

In November last year a sequel was released and made many improvements upon the design of the first game. However, the basic gameplay mechanics did not change. The reason that Guitar Hero 2 (GH) makes the list is the guitar shaped controller.

What better way to really feel like you're playing Skynyrd's Freebird than to actually simulate strumming and fingering on a guitar. Though the game did not boast as good of a soundtrack as GH, it is fun and has a high replay value. That alone ranks it as one of the most memorable and arguably one of the best games of 2006.

Handheld Games

Best of 2006

Elite Beat Agents

Like Wii Sports Elite Beat Agents was marketed to audiences outside of the usual gaming community. The simple graphics of this rhythm game for the Nintendo DS are enhanced by the use of comic book style. It is a nice portable substitution to Dance Dance Revolution as long as you can enjoy playing with the stylus.

Albums - Male Vocalist

Best of 2006

Teddy Thompson / Separate Ways

The only son of British folk-rock legends Richard & Linda Thompson, Teddy Thompson was bound to fall into music. His songs,mildly depressing but highly addicting, tend to sound mostly like slow rock songs, but occasionally something arises that screams folk music.

Thompson's Separate Ways would make an interesting addition to any musical collection. His insightful lyrics cover an expansive array of topics ranging from depression to breakups to grooving parties and even a war ballad. Thompson invites the listener to revisit a lot of common feelings or situations and experience them through Thompson's mind. Though the first listen may not make you a die-hard fan, just keep the album in the car... you'll be hooked before you realize it.

Albums - Female Vocalist

Best of 2006

Mindy Smith / Long Island Shores

Singer/songwriter Mindy Smith's second album, Long Island Shores, is not easy to classify. An accurate description of Smith's genre would change with nearly every track on her album. With a smooth voice and an impressive range, Smith easily transcends the boundaries between folk, rock, and country.

The time spent by Smith during her childhood in her father's church is detectable in many of the songs that have subtle religious undertones. Oftentimes it is difficult to determine the exact subject of Smith's songs; she may be singing about Jesus or she may be singing about love. Or both. Despite the Christian background, her songs never seem to preach. Instead, they just bring to mind the beautiful sounds produced in a small church choir.