Best Games of 2009

Tune in, turn on and fire up the controller for a unique look back at the year that was... here's the best of 2009 in the world of video games.

Generations of Harbaughs

Two generations of Harbaugh coaches are leading Stanford into the Sun Bowl against Oklahoma.

Avatar's Other Worlds

Avatar the video game offers two paths where you can either join the natives or fight against them in an adaptation of the blockbuster movie.

Bellarmine Heads to State

Bellarmine College Prep is heading to Southern California to face Oceanside in the state title game.

Mammoth in an Hour

Mammoth Mountain is basically an hour away from the Bay Area thanks to a new non-stop flight out of San Jose.

Wii Holiday Mix

A flood of games for the Nintendo Wii are brought out for the holiday season and the vast majority are geared to families who spend their game nights around a game console.

March Madness for the Holidays

Each year after NBA video games hit stores shelves, college basketball follows right behind to bring some March Madness to the holiday season.

Mr. Mieuli's Many Hats

Bay Area sports icon Franklin Mieuli is the only man ever to have simultaneously owned parts of three major pro teams in one market.

Music and Tech in the City

The SF MusicTech Summit is a true Bay Area happening... a meeting of the minds from the worlds of music and technology.

Cirque du Soleil Premieres OVO

Some of the world's best acrobats are performing in the parking lot at AT&T Park for Cirque du Soleil's new show OVO.

Assassin's Creed Returns

History comes alive with 'Assassin's Creed 2' blending futuristic mind-control with timeless themes and stunning visuals.

Wii Holiday Fare

New Super Mario Bros. Wii headlines the list of family-friendly offerings for the Nintendo system.

War Games Updated

4.7 million units of 'Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2' were sold in the first 24 hours of its release, according to Activision.

Cinderella at the Opera

Opera San Jose brings the story of Cinderella to the California Theatre with Rossini's La Cenerentola.

The Art of Vernon Davis

Explore the creative side of 49ers tight end Vernon Davis in this behind the scenes visit with the artist at home.

Farm Fresh With Toby

Spend some time on The Farm with Stanford Cardinal running back Toby Gerhart.

Legos That Rock

Lego has gone well beyond blocks and is now enrolling in the school of rock, while 27 gold medal events are being waged on the Wii.

Warrior Girls Calendar Shoot

Go behind the scenes at the annual Golden State Warrior Girls swimsuit calendar shoot.

DJ Hero Scratch-a-thon

From DJ Hero to a fitness boot camp with Jillian Michaels, several new video games are about timing, dexterity and motion.

Cooking with Moran Norris

Step into the kitchen of 49ers fullback Moran Norris for a few cooking tips as he whips up some Shrimp Scampi.

Gourmet on a Budget

Bay Area foodies are out looking for deals as restaurants are altering their menus. Many are finding that dining out doesn't have to break the bank.

Games That Rock

Brutal Legend featuring Jack Black headlines this review of new games that rock.

NBA Shootout

Let the trash talk begin as NBA 2K10 and NBA Live 10 battle for position in the paint.

Clone Wars Rage On

The latest Star Wars video game bridges the gap between series one and two of the animated Clone Wars TV series.

Rent in the City

Two of the original Broadway cast members of the hit musical Rent are performing at the Curran Theatre in San Francisco.

Xbox Heroes

Heroes of all kinds meet up in this Xbox 360 round-up as Marvel: Ultimate Alliance 2, Heroes Over Europe and Mini Ninjas take the spotlight.

Presidents Cup Memories

Unique moments make the Presidents Cup an event that goes well beyond just an international golf competition.

Familiar Faces at Harding Park

Former Giants star Barry Bonds is just one of the familiar faces roaming the course at Harding Park during the Presidents Cup.

Crabtree Finally Signs

49ers top draft pick Michael Crabtree ends his 72 day holdout while signing a six-year contract.

Hardly Strictly Bluegrass

For nearly a decade, San Francisco's Golden Gate Park has played host to one the nation's most unique music festivals.

Before It's Tiger's Turn

Before and after Tiger Woods and some of the world's best compete for the Presidents Cup, golfers of all skill levels take their turn at Harding Park.

Wii Fall Round Up

MySims Agents, Dead Space Extraction and Daisy Fuentes Pilates are featured in this edition of the Wii Round Up.

It Is What It Is

The Raiders, 49ers and Bob Costas discuss the latest trend in sound bite cliches sweeping across the NFL... "It is what it is."

Tim Lincecum's Wicked Friend

Baseball and theatre are center stage in San Francisco and in the spotlight are two friends from elementary school, the Giants' Tim Lincecum and Wicked's Vicki Noon.

NHL Video Game Shootout

Before the puck drops on the NHL regular season, two hockey video games square off in a shootout.

Green Day Broadway Bound?

Green Day's Grammy-winning album "American Idiot" has been adapted as a musical making its world premiere in Berkeley.

Toy Story Mania

The next Toy Story movie won't arrive until Summer 2010, but a new video game for the Nintendo Wii has been released as something of a preview.

Spamalot Opens Broadway San Jose

Go behind the scenes at Monty Python's Spamalot, the opening show for the inaugural season of Broadway San Jose.

Raiders Toll-Free Experience

A look at the Oakland Raiders toll-free billboards scattered across the Bay Area, plus some of the 'rejected' ones you won't see and a new Sports Sunday promo.

Will Venable's Marin Co. Roots

From the North Bay to the Ivy League to the Padres, Will Venable, the son of a former Giants player, is making a name for himself in San Diego.

Art.Tech at The Lab

Bringing experimental art to San Francisco for 25 years, The Lab in the city's Mission District is now showcasing multimedia creations infused with technology.

Classic Game Franchises Revisited

What's old is new again, and in addition to Wolfenstein hitting the game console, the Metroid Prime Trilogy has been released as a special edition three-game box set for the Wii.

Sharks Special Delivery

San Jose Sharks forwards Joe Thornton and Devin Setoguchi are going door-to-door and hand delivering season tickets to the homes of fans.

Ryan Garko's Round Trip

Newly acquired Giants first baseman Ryan Garko was an All-American at Stanford where he played in the College World Series during each of his four years with the Cardinal.

Patty Duke at Home in SF

In many ways things have come full circle for Wicked star Patty Duke. She's living in the same San Francisco neighborhood where the pilot for the Patty Duke Show was filmed.

Wii Party Games

The Nintendo Wii offers a wide variety of experiences for gamers of all ages, yet when it comes to titles developed for kids, party games on the Wii have become something of their own category.

August: Osage County in SF

Estelle Parsons stars in August: Osage County running through September 6th at San Francisco's Curran Theatre.

Madden NFL 10

It's the granddaddy of all sports video games and each year new features are added to the Madden NFL series so that it stays at the top of its game.

Wii Sports Resort Hits Target

The new 'Wii Sports Resort' features a wide range of activities all using the MotionPlus accessory packaged with the game.

Fight Night Round 4

In terms of popularity, boxing has given ground to mixed martial arts over the past few years, but Fight Night Round 4 has the sport off the ropes and jabbing.

Oakland A's Baby Boom

The Oakland A's family is growing by leaps and bounds as a surprising youth movement has taken hold.

Birds of the Giants Ballpark

How do they always seem to know when the end of the game is near? We bring a bird expert to a Giants home game to show where they're coming from and why they're always on time.

Another Side of Summer Movies

Video games licensed from movies can be hits, but they usually miss the mark. Take a look at some of what this summer's crop has to offer.

21st Amendment Cans What it Drinks

Craft beer in a can from the 21st Amendment isn't some kitschy fad. It's about taste and consideration for the environment.

Princess Leia Broadway Bound

From Princess Leia to 'Postcards from the Edge,' Carrie Fisher's life is now a one-woman show headed to Broadway.

NCAA Football 10 Means Business

NCAA Football 10 delivers the rivalries and glory of College Football in the summer, weeks before the start of the Fall semester.

Stepping Up to The Bigs 2

Milwaukee Brewers All-Star first baseman Prince Fielder talks about The Bigs 2 video game from 2K Sports.

Camping with Anthony Randolph

Warriors second year forward Anthony Randolph drops in on some happy campers working on their game in the East Bay.

Teeing Up Tiger 10

Year to year how do you top what's widely considered to be the best game of its kind? Tiger Woods PGA Tour 10 adds even more features.

Buster Posey's Home Away From Home

While adjusting to his first year of professional baseball, Giants 2008 top pick Buster Posey and his wife Kristen have found a welcoming home in San Jose.

Giants Top Pick Zack Wheeler

For the second time in the past three years, the Giants used their top pick in the draft on a high school pitcher... meet Zack Wheeler.

The Voyage of the Plastiki

A nautical adventure like no other ever attempted is taking form in San Francisco. It's where a boat on an environmental mission will soon set sail.

Golfing With the Oakland A's

When major leaguers get the day off, they hit the links. Check out some of the action from the Oakland A's day on the golf course.

American Life Unfolds in Life Inc.

In his new book Life Inc., author Douglas Rushkoff examines how American life has transformed with our views on life at home.

Wordsmith's Paradise in Sausalito

Marin's scenic waterfront town of Sausalito has an idea factory with a specialty. It's the birthplace of hundreds of internationally known brand names.

Wolverine Slashes Up Game Console

X-Men Origins: Wolverine is unlike most Marvel-licensed video games and it's a side of Hugh Jackman's character you haven't quite seen yet.

St. Mary's Star Tests NBA Draft Waters

St. Mary's star guard Patty Mills says his hand is fine and he's all-in during a pre-NBA draft workout in Oakland.

Games Going Beyond the Mat

'Legends of Wrestlemania' and 'UFC Undisputed 2009' offer two distinct gaming experiences, one nostalgic and the other exhilarating.

Heart of the Game in Richmond

Football is helping bring part of Richmond's community together as youth teams share the field with the Kennedy High School team.

Spamalot Invades San Francisco

And now for something completely different... we've found the Holy Grail and it's a Monty Python musical starting its run in San Francisco.

Eric Idle Spamalot Exclusive

Here's some extra video from my interview with Monty Python founding member Eric Idle talking about Spamalot.

Feeding Giant Appetites in SF

Get a taste of some gourmet ballpark food with the executive chef who feeds thousands of fans during each Giants home game.

Music and Technology Star at SF Summit

The future of music's digital delivery was at the heart of the SanFran MusicTech Summit.

Raiders Get Back to Business

The Oakland Raiders are back at work trying to put the past few seasons behind them during a mini camp at team headquarters.

Stars Align for Mariachi Fest

Music luminaries Carlos Santana and Linda Ronstadt talk about plans to join Los Lobos and dozens of other artists for San Jose's annual Mariachi festival in the Fall.

Sharks Season Postmortem

Having secured home ice advantage through the Stanley Cup Finals, this season's early playoff exit by the Sharks proves extra costly.

Table Tennis Prodigies

Meet the future of table tennis... because the future is now. These two young women represent the United States at the World Table Tennis Championships in Japan.

Green Giants

From recycling bins in the dugout to Green Garlic Fries, Giants players and management are thinking about the environment at the ballpark.

The History of Garlic Fries

I found this one in the archives from last year's Giants Clubhouse. Get the inside story on the creation of a true ballpark favorite from the man who brews up ideas for all kinds of unique tastes.

Sharks Circle Before Duck Hunt

For the first time in four decades, two California teams collide in the NHL's Stanley Cup playoffs as the Sharks face the Ducks.

Giants Opening Day Twitters

After a gloomy morning where Giants players were in the clubhouse on Twitter, the sun eventually shined for an Opening Day win.

From Top Chef to Front Cover

Absinthe executive chef Jamie Lauren is one of many Bay Area culinary stars featured in the new book Sexy Dishes.

Sunnyvale Sheep

It's something of a Bay Area tradition... animals let loose to do the dirty work. It's not the running of the bulls, but a green approach to saving some green.

The Education of Buster Posey

Giants top pick and catcher of the future, Buster Posey, has been playing the game like a pro since he was a kid and now prepares for his eventual major league debut.

SF Stage Covered in Grease

The kids of Rydell High are having a reunion in San Francisco and have brought American Idol winner Taylor Hicks with them.

Niners Get Back to Work

The book on the 49ers is that an early 'OTA' -- Organized Team Activity -- is showcasing a new-look offense that has everyone talking and the head coach writing.

Chocolate Rain in SF

This was a preview before thousands flocked to Fort Mason's Herbst Pavilion for the San Francisco International Chocolate Salon.

The King of Air Hockey

Sunnyvale-native Davis Lee Huynh takes air hockey a little more seriously than most... because he knows what it takes to be the best in the world.

SF Garden Show Controversy

Over a million people have attended the San Francisco Flower and Garden Show since its inception in the late '80s, but the event has moved to the Peninsula and has brought with it some controversy.

MLB 2K9: From Mocap to Opening Day

Go behind the scenes with Giants star pitcher Tim Lincecum to see the making and the final product of MLB 2K9.

Oakland A's 'Little 3'

Given a nickmame that harks back to the days of Hudson, Zito and Mulder... the 'Little 3' -- Trevor Cahill, Brett Anderson and Vin Mazzaro -- figure big into the A's future plans.

Inside the Outdoor Exploratorium

San Francisco's Exploratorium has been taken outside for a series of science exhibits free to check out at Fort Mason.

The SEGA Revival

Sonic's Ultimate Genesis Collection brings 2D to the world of HD with 40 games from SEGA's past.

Doctor Without Musical Borders

The lead singer of the San Francisco band Rupa and the April Fishes is on a mission to save lives, but not just with her music.

Journalists Take On Pebble Beach

Some of the nation's top journalists have made their way to Pebble Beach, but they're not there to cover the tournament. I caught up with several Friday at the Pro-Am.

Warhol Live Hits the de Young

Pop Art invades San Francisco's de Young Museum for "Warhol Live" through mid-May. Special thanks to the staff at the de Young, especially Robin Wander, organizing curator Stéphane Aquin and museum director John Buchanan for helping with this sneak preview.

MLB Front Office Manager

The business of baseball from signing free agents to scouting prospects is the focus of the new MLB Front Office Manager from 2K Sports.

Obama Poster Meets 2 Live Crew

A notable copyright issue regarding a photo of President Obama may soon set a precedent involving images and artistic expression. This is a commentary I did for Episode 4 of 'Press: Here.'

Stanford Professor's Novel Approach

Stanford professor Abraham Verghese is an author whose unique experience makes his writing possible. I interviewed him at his office, and then later that night attended his reading at Kepler's in Menlo Park.

March Madness Early

Before any brackets are set for March Madness, you can set the tempo with NCAA Basketball 09.

Viktor Victorious

San Jose's Shark Tank was just some of the Bay Area training ground for Phoenix Coyotes rookie Viktor Tikhonov. I talked with him, his father Vasily and his head coach Wayne Gretzky when Phoenix was visiting.

Wicked Returns to SF

I was at the Orpheum Theatre in San Francisco for the return of Wicked to the Bay Area, caught up with the show's creator Stephen Schwartz and took a backstage tour.

Kid Reporter at Warriors Game

This was a really special day. I had the honor of having Randall Coleman, a very cool 13-year-old, shadow me at the Warriors MLK Day game. It was part of a program through the Oakland Boys and Girls Club. Randall did a great job and we both had a blast.

Celebrity Autobiography Exposed

Celebrities reading the words of other celebrities is the stuff of a hit Off-Broadway production that came to San Francisco.

Will Forte, Rachel Dratch and Jason Sudeikis were all super cool people and a thrill to interview.

Poetry of the Raiders and 49ers

Poetic license is invoked in this look back at the 2008 season for both the Raiders and 49ers.

Feeding the Sharks

The San Jose Sharks never leave practice with an empty stomach thanks to Myles McEntee and his gourmet kitchen on wheels.

Andre Carter Returns

I met up with Andre in D.C. after the Redskins/Eagles game over the holidays. Thanks to my friends at WRC for helping me pull this together for a Christmas Eve feature.

The Art of Cardboard

The work of esteemed artists like Robert Rauschenberg and Frank Gehry can take many forms... such as cardboard.

Photographer Beau Beyerle, now of MediaHouseHD, shot this beautifully.

Jeremy Roenick: Fashion Icon

Part Shark Week... part Project Runway... NHL star Jeremy Roenick took us inside his world of hockey, fashion and the Internet.

Photojournalist/Editor Felipe Escamilla did magic on this one.

A-11 Offense 101

Piedmont High School has been part of a varsity football experiment... nine players spread from sideline to sideline with two quarterbacks in the shotgun.

Cat House on the Kings

This was a pretty amazing story outside of Fresno. I'm glad I found it and went to see it for myself.

Baron Abandonment Disorder

Half Moon Bay at sunset and Captain Jack -- this was done before the season at Warriors media day.