The good folks at Gamespot have posted their nominations for their Best & Worst of 2005 awards. Take a look at this category: Best Puzzle/Rhythm Game.

Wow. That’s a high-powered group. I wouldn’t mind seeing any of those win a Best [something] award. Meteos is the runt of the litter, of course, and the one I’ve played the least, but is inventive, challenging, and well-executed. And I’ll handicap Katamari and WarioWare as being sequels that improved upon their predecessors.

Setting aside the bizarre category (brings to mind the “International Brotherhood of Jazz Dancers, Pastry Chefs and Nuclear Technicians”), this is a matchup between Guitar Hero and Lumines. Two of best things to happen to video games this year. Two addictions that tend to be played in marathons rather than bursts.

I’m tempted to say that both games are perfect. That sounds silly, so I could quibble: some of the songs in Guitar Hero are not as good as others, and it is derivative of Guitar Freaks; Lumines is the only really good [and legal] reason to own a PSP, and the levels are always in the same order. The achievements of these games are undiminished.

I know A 47 Danger has already named Guitar Hero the best game of 2005, but I’m prepared to call the comparison of Guitar Hero and Lumines a draw. Play them both, often. You will be a happier person for it.