The Bitmob community seems to have quadrupled over the past few weeks. Readers could refer to today's Spotlight as "the up-and-coming edition" as it showcases the work of new community writers.

Paul Hayes starts off with his plea for more PS2 rerelease compilations for the PS3; he even presents a selection of mock-up case art. Moeez Siddiqui takes a look at the lurking darkness behind the beloved Nathan Drake, and Juan Martinez praises podcasts for their influence on his game-buying habits.

Jeff Parsons then looks back at the games he played in 2009 and hands out awards based on his experiences. Brandon Van Haren discusses his love of PC gaming but also the frustration of the platform's inconsistency.

Luis Perez closes the day with his response to various claims that video games are being blamed for the death of a 9-year-old boy earlier this month.

Can We Have the Criterion Collection for Video Games?
By Paul Jeremiah Hayes
God of War and God of War 2 shouldn't be the only games to receive the PS3 rerelease treatment. Paul has a few suggestions for future compilations, from Kingdom Hearts to Persona. What games would you like to see get the "Criterion treatment?"

Nathan Drake Is the Most Sadistic Protagonist Ever
By Moeez Siddiqui
When compared to the champions of one-liners, Nathan Drake comes out on top for his strangely -- almost sinisterly -- timed quips over the corpses of his enemies. Is Nathan just a witty fellow, or does he share some unsettling similarities with the Joker?

How Podcasts Saved My Wallet
By Juan Martinez
Juan prefers listening to people discuss games rather than read pages upon pages of bland reviews. Podcasts offer viewpoints and intonation that text can only hope to emulate. For Juan, how someone discusses their latest playthrough is more indicative of the enjoyment factor than a dull regurgitation of combat mechanics and plot.

The Most Asbestos Games of 2009
By Jeff Parsons
Every year Jeff sits down and gives the games he played awards. Here is his collection of the most delightful and carcinogenic games of 2009, complete with snarky award names.

Excitement, Frustration, and Accomplishments of PC Gaming
By Brandon Van Haren
Brandon wasn't raised on PC gaming, but over the years he developed a love of the entire computer experience. In this post he recounts his experiences with Steam's often ridiculously good sales. Though the game is inexpensive and his computer should be able to run it, not every program runs smoothly.

Tony Hawk Game Was Not Blamed for Murder
By Luis Perez
The tragic stabbing death of a 9-year-old boy earlier this month triggered heated debates over a variety of sites. Gaming-news sites quickly went on the defensive and misconstrued statements found in the original New York Daily News article that mention a Tony Hawk game in association with the boy's death. Luis wants to clear up this matter here and now -- it's not blaming video games.