The IAA, Interactive Achievement Awards, is probably the most prestigious award event dedicated to video games (sorry, GDC Awards and Spike TV). This year, the IAA revealed the new list of nominees for all categories, including handheld games. Among them are two PSP games, two DS games and one multiplaform game. They are Jeanne D’Arc, Ratchet, Legend of Zelda: Phantom Hourglass, Drawn To Life, and Puzzle Quest: Challenge of the Warlords. Good choices, indeed, and fans have much to rave about for each.

Let’s look over the merits from each of the nominees:

• Legend of Zelda: Phantom Hourglass (Nintendo) - Unique use of stylus for navigation and planning, and a nice continuation of Wind Waker’s world
• Drawn to Life (THQ, 5th Cell) - Literally create your own character from scratch, and sketch your way out of challenges and obstacles
• Jeanne d’Arc (SCEA, Level 5) - Great presentation, especially for a strategy RPG, and more accessible than most other games in the genre
• Ratchet and Clank: Size Matters (SCEA, High Impact Games) - Tailor-made for the PSP, this Ratchet game brings some of the best platforming action for the system
• Puzzle Quest: Challenge of the Warlords (D3 Publisher, Infinite Interactive, 1st Playable Productions) - Combines two elements with highly addictive potential (roleplaying and puzzles), making a game that’s much better than the sum of its parts

With all that said, may the best games win!