The Game Group’s print and online editors collaborated to select nominees in 13 genres. The awards were then open to voting by the 20-million-plus readers of the Game Group’s publications: Computer Gaming World, Official U.S. PlayStation Magazine, Electronic Gaming Monthly, and the 1UP.com Network.
Quoted in the Ziff Davis press release: "Our editors had no problem choosing the top contenders, but we believe it’s up to the gamers to choose the absolute best in each category," said Sam Kennedy, Editor-in-Chief of 1UP.com. "We had faith in their votes, and they delivered – they’ve chosen the titles that gamers themselves most enjoy playing. We’re proud to see that the 1UP Awards reflect the voice of the gaming community."
The videogaming community voted for the following winners:
- Game of the Year: Resident Evil 4 (Capcom / Capcom) [PS2, GC]
- Most Innovative Game: Nintendogs (Nintendo / Nintendo) [DS]
- Best Action Game: Resident Evil 4 (Capcom / Capcom) [PS2, GC]
- Best Adventure Game: Shadow of the Colossus (SCEA / Sony Computer Entertainment Inc.) [PS2]
- Best Fighting/Wrestling Game: Soul Calibur III (Namco / Namco) [PS2]
- Best Massively Multiplayer Game: Guild Wars (NCsoft / ArenaNet) [PC]
- Best Online/Multiplayer Game: Battlefield 2 (EA Games / Digital Illusions) [PC]
- Best Puzzle Game: Lumines (Ubisoft / Q Entertainment and Bandai) [PSP]
- Best Racing Game: Mario Kart DS (Nintendo / Nintendo) [DS]
- Best Role Playing Game: Dragon Quest VIII: Journey of the Cursed King (Square Enix / Level 5) [PS2]
- Best Shooter Game: Call of Duty 2 (Activision / Infinity Ward) [PC, 360]
- Best Sports/Extreme Sports Game: Madden NFL 2006 (EA Sports / EA Tiburon) [PS2, Xbox, 360]
- Best Strategy/Simulation Game: Civilization IV (2K Games / Firaxis) [PC]
