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Modding community site ModDB has named its top ten mods of 2008 with a Battlefield 2 mod that creates ultra-realistic gameplay taking top honors.

Based on votes by more than 115,000 gamers, Project Reality took the grand prize, while six Half-Life 2 mods dominated the top ten. Multiplayer undead Half-Life 2 mod Zombie Panic: Source placed second and an unofficial prequel to Portal earned third place. Other winners included a Half-Life 2 mod pitting pirates, Vikings and knights against each other, another zombie mod for Half-Life 2 and a Stargate conversion for Star Wars: Empire at War.

Winners received prizes from the awards’ sponsors, which included Garage Games, Good Old Games, and server provider Nuclear Fallout.

ModDB also gave out editors’ choice awards. Unreal Tournament 3 mod The Ball won for best single-player mod while Project Reality earned the best multiplayer mod prize.

BioWare and Dark Horse Comics have released the first issue in a bi-monthly series that features the backstory behind Star Wars: The Old Republic. Writing is handled by BioWare’s own Rob Chestney with illustrations by JSA Classified‘s Alex Sanchez. Check out the first issue here.

It’s a big announcement day for Nintendo. In addition to the massive release list below, the Big N announced the Classic Controller Pro for Japan. The new controller essentially allows for hand grips and larger shoulder buttons.

Does that make it worth a purchase for you?

Usually, when a company announces the upcoming release schedule, the only real news is a specific release date or two. This one’s a bit different. In addition to putting a date on Punch-Out!!! (May 18) and New Play Control! Donkey Kong Jungle Beat (May 4), the company also announced a U.S. release for The Legendary Starfy, a long-running Japan-only portable platformer series, as well as a completely new Wii title, Excitebots: Trick Racing.

There’s a lot more after the break in Nintendo’s release. (No kidding.) Check it out. READ MORE

Valve has released a patch for Left 4 Dead which addressed a number of exploits and game balance issues in both the single-player and versus modes. Expect the update when you boot up the game and are logged into Xbox Live. Check out the full list of fixes after the break. READ MORE