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| '''1998''' || ''[[The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time]]'' <br> (Best Game of All Time)<ref name="best_games"/> || [[Action-adventure game|Action-Adventure]]: [[Open world|Open World]] || [[Nintendo 64]], [[Nintendo GameCube|GameCube]], [[iQue Player]], [[Virtual Console]], [[Nintendo 3DS]] || [[Nintendo Entertainment Analysis and Development|Nintendo EAD]]
| '''1998''' || ''[[The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time]]'' <br> (Best Game of All Time)<ref name="best_games"/> || [[Action-adventure game|Action-Adventure]]: [[Open world|Open World]] || [[Nintendo 64]], [[Nintendo GameCube|GameCube]], [[iQue Player]], [[Virtual Console]], [[Nintendo 3DS]] || [[Nintendo Entertainment Analysis and Development|Nintendo EAD]]
|-
|-
| '''1997''' || ''[[GoldenEye 007]]''<ref name="best_games"/> || ([[First-person shooter|First-Person]]) [[Shooter game|Shooter]] || [[Nintendo 64]], [[Virtual Console]] || [[Rare Ltd.|Rare]]
| '''1997''' || ''[[GoldenEye 007 (1997 video game)|GoldenEye 007]]''<ref name="best_games"/> || ([[First-person shooter|First-Person]]) [[Shooter game|Shooter]] || [[Nintendo 64]], [[Virtual Console]] || [[Rare Ltd.|Rare]]
|-
|-
| '''1996''' || ''[[Super Mario 64]]''<ref name="best_games"/> || [[Platform game|Platformer]]: [[Open world|Open World]] || [[Nintendo 64]], [[iQue Player]], [[Nintendo DS]], [[Virtual Console]] || [[Nintendo Entertainment Analysis and Development|Nintendo EAD]]
| '''1996''' || ''[[Super Mario 64]]''<ref name="best_games"/> || [[Platform game|Platformer]]: [[Open world|Open World]] || [[Nintendo 64]], [[iQue Player]], [[Nintendo DS]], [[Virtual Console]] || [[Nintendo Entertainment Analysis and Development|Nintendo EAD]]
Line 1,005: Line 1,005:
| '''1998''' || ''[[Metal Gear Solid]]''<ref name="best_games"/> || [[Stealth game|Stealth]] || [[PlayStation]], [[Microsoft Windows|Windows]], [[Nintendo GameCube]], [[PlayStation Network]] || [[Konami Computer Entertainment Japan]]
| '''1998''' || ''[[Metal Gear Solid]]''<ref name="best_games"/> || [[Stealth game|Stealth]] || [[PlayStation]], [[Microsoft Windows|Windows]], [[Nintendo GameCube]], [[PlayStation Network]] || [[Konami Computer Entertainment Japan]]
|-
|-
| '''1997''' || ''[[GoldenEye 007]]''<ref name="best_games"/> || ([[First-person shooter|First-Person]]) [[Shooter game|Shooter]] || [[Nintendo 64]], [[Virtual Console]] || [[Rare Ltd.|Rare]]
| '''1997''' || ''[[GoldenEye 007 (1997 video game)|GoldenEye 007]]''<ref name="best_games"/> || ([[First-person shooter|First-Person]]) [[Shooter game|Shooter]] || [[Nintendo 64]], [[Virtual Console]] || [[Rare Ltd.|Rare]]
|-
|-
| '''1996''' || ''[[Civilization II]]''<ref name="best_games"/> || ([[Turn-based strategy|Turn-Based]]) [[Strategy video game|Strategy]] || [[Microsoft Windows|Windows]], [[Mac OS]], [[PlayStation]] || [[MicroProse]]
| '''1996''' || ''[[Civilization II]]''<ref name="best_games"/> || ([[Turn-based strategy|Turn-Based]]) [[Strategy video game|Strategy]] || [[Microsoft Windows|Windows]], [[Mac OS]], [[PlayStation]] || [[MicroProse]]

Revision as of 12:01, 19 April 2012

Game of the Year (abbreviated GotY) is a title awarded by various magazines, websites, and shows to a deserving game. Many publications award a single "Game of the Year" to a single title that they feel represents the pinnacle of gaming achievement that year.

Organizations

Organizations and publications who award board Game of the Years include:

2

Organizations and publications who award PC and console Game of the Years include:

2

Board games (Game of the Year)

Games magazine

The winners of the Games (magazine) Game of the Year are chosen by Games editors:[1] See Games 100.

Year Game of the Year Abstract strategy Advanced strategy Family Family card Family strategy Party Puzzle Word Historical simulation Other
2011 Jump Gate Arimaa Egizia Burger Joint Jaipur Valdora Telestrations Anti-Virus - Battles of Napoleon: The Eagle and the Lion -
2010 Small World Blox Le Havre Roll Through the Ages: The Bronze Age Amerigo Dominion/Dominion Intrigue (Expansion) Dixit La Ora Stelo - Fields of Fire -
2009 Tzaar Ponte del Diavolo Key Harvest Pandemic Palast Geflüster (Palace Whisperings) Stone Age Go Nuts! Doris Jumbulaya Pacific Typhoon -
2008 Pillars of the Earth Easter Island Khronos If Wishes Were Fishes Bull in a China Shop Shear Panic Gift Trap Sacred Myths and Legends Series Unspeakable Words Ran -
2007[2] Vegas Showdown PÜNCT Reef Encounter Tricky Town Trump, Tricks, Game! Hacienda Wits and Wagers Gordian's Knot Parlay Silent War -
2006[3] Australia Project Kells Louis XIV Der Untergang von Pompeji (Escape from Pompeii) Die Weinhändler (The Wine Merchants) Primordial Soup (a.k.a. Ursuppe) Party/Trivia: Snorta! Tipover - Friedrich Two-Player: Jambo
2005[4] BuyWord YINSH Tahuantinsuyu: The Rise of the Inca Empire Vanished Planet Victory & Honor Alexandros Party/Trivia: Cranium Hoopla - - Memoir '44 -
2004[5] New England Clans Wildlife I'm the Boss Queen's Necklace Zoosim Party/Trivia: Dibs River Crossing Crossword Pyramids Hammer of the Scots Two-Player Card: Balloon Cup
2003[6] DVONN Pueblo Puerto Rico Emerald Vom Kap Bis Kairo (From Cape to Cairo) Mexica Party: Moods Nemesis Factor - Wilderness War Manual Dexterity: Villa Paletti
2002 Evo Morisi Java Africa Babel Lord of the Rings Hilarium Flip-It! My Word! Drive on Paris Manual Dexterity: Space Game
2001 Aladdin's Dragons ZÈRTZ The Princes of Florence Café International Hellrail Web of Power Democrazy Lunar Lockout - Paths of Glory Two-Player Card: Caesar & Cleopatra
Dexterity: Carabande
2000[7] Torres Octi Memory: Mamma Mia Moonshot Buried Treasure Tikal Apples to Apples Ricochet Robot Double Quick! - Trivia: Bioviva
CCG: Pokémon
Dexterity: Spintrek
1999[8] Fossil GIPF Conflict: Atlantic Storm Montgolfiere Bohnanza El Grande Say When! Stormy Seas Alpha Blitz - Trivia: Where in Time is Carmen Sandiego?
CCG: C 23
1998[8] Quoridor Balanx Strategy & Conflict: Princess Ryan's Star Marines Take It Easy Get the Goods Quandary Wise and Otherwise Lost in a Jigsaw A to Z - Trivia: Director's Cut
CCG: Magic: The Gathering - Portal
1997[9] 25 Words or Less Transpose Strategy & Conflict: Field Command Mole in the Hole Take 6 Priceless Last Chance Deluxe Lights Out Bethump'd With Words Adventure & Role-Playing: Dragonlance: Fifth Age Trivia: Origins
1996[10] Sharp Shooters Strategy: Quixo Conflict: Colonial Diplomacy Touché Phantoms of the Ice Sports: Dynasty League Baseball Catch Phrase Lights Out Pre.fix Adventure & Role Playing: Dragon Dice: Battle Box Trivia: Chronicles
CCG: On the Edge CCG: Standard Starter Deck
1994[10] Myst Abstract Strategy: The Game of Y Wargames: V for Victory Peg Poker Arcade: Lode Runner: The Legend Returns Real-Life Strategy: X-Com UFO Defense The Doonesbury Game Breakthru! Boggle Master Adventure: The Elder Scrolls: Arena Trivia: Quote Unquote
1993[10] Inklings Char - Perpetual Notion Arcade: Ecco the Dolphin Real-Life: Civilization Oodles The Incredible Machine Pick Two! Adventure: Return to Zork Trivia: Celebrity Challenge
1992[10] Pipeline Terrace - Showdown Yahtzee Arcade: Super Tetris Real-Life Strategy: D-Day Humm…ble Heaven & Earth Wordsters Adventure: The Lost Files of Sherlock Holmes Trivia: Times To Remember
1991[10] Trumpet Master Labyrinth - Stack Arcade: Wing Commander Real-Life Strategy: Sherlock Holmes Consulting Detective Tabloid Teasers 3 In Three Swoggle War/Adventure: HeroQuest Trivia: Play It By Ear

Spiel des Jahres

These are winners of Spiel des Jahres, the German board game award.

Year Winner Designer Publisher
Template:Gy Qwirkle Susan McKinley Ross Mindware
Template:Gy Dixit Jean-Louis Roubira Libellud
Template:Gy Dominion Donald X. Vaccarino Rio Grande Games
Template:Gy Keltis Reiner Knizia Kosmos
Template:Gy Zooloretto Michael Schacht Abacus Spiele
Template:Gy Thurn and Taxis Andreas Seyfarth and Karen Seyfarth Hans im Glück
Template:Gy Niagra Thomas Liesching Zoch Verlag
Template:Gy Ticket to Ride Alan R. Moon Days of Wonder
Template:Gy Alhambra Dirk Henn Queen Games
Template:Gy Villa Paletti Bill Payne Zoch Verlag
Template:Gy Carcassonne Klaus-Jürgen Wrede Hans im Glück
Template:Gy Torres Wolfgang Kramer and Michael Kiesling Ravensburger
Template:Gy Tikal Wolfgang Kramer and Michael Kiesling Ravensburger
Template:Gy Elfenland Alan R. Moon Amigo Spiele
Template:Gy Mississippi Queen Werner Hodel Goldsieber
Template:Gy El Grande Wolfgang Kramer and Richard Ulrich Hans im Glück
Template:Gy The Settlers of Catan Klaus Teuber Kosmos
Template:Gy Manhattan Andreas Seyfarth Hans im Glück
Template:Gy Call My Bluff Richard Borg F.X. Schmid
Template:Gy Um Reifenbreite Rob Bontenbal Jumbo
Template:Gy Drunter und Drüber Klaus Teuber Hans im Glück
Template:Gy Hoity Toity Klaus Teuber F.X. Schmid
Template:Gy Café International Rudi Hoffmann Mattel
Template:Gy Barbarossa Klaus Teuber Altenburger und Stralsunder
Template:Gy Auf Achse Wolfgang Kramer F.X. Schmid
Template:Gy Top Secret Spies Wolfgang Kramer Ravensburger
Template:Gy Sherlock Holmes Consulting Detective Raymond Edwards, Suzanne Goldberg and Gary Grady Kosmos
Template:Gy Railway Rivals David Watts Schmidt Spiele
Template:Gy Scotland Yard Werner Schlegel, Dorothy Garrels, Fritz Ifland, Manfred Burggraf, Werner Scheerer and Wolf Hoermann Ravensburger
Template:Gy Enchanted Forest Alex Randolph and Michel Matschoss Ravensburger
Template:Gy Focus Sid Sackson Parker
Template:Gy Rummikub Ephraim Hertzano Intelli
Template:Gy Hare and Tortoise David Parlett Ravensburger

Video games - Critic and editor awards (Game of the Year)

1UP.com

As of 2010, the winners of 1UP's Game of the Year are chosen by the editors. (In 2009, they also revealed their picks in the Reader's Choice Awards). For the Reader's Choice, see the Reader and gamer polls GOTY Section below.[11]

Year Game Genre Platform(s) Developer(s)
2011 The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim[12] Open World: RPG Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, PC Bethesda Softworks
2010 Red Dead Redemption[13] Open World: (Third-Person) Shooter PlayStation 3, Xbox 360 Rockstar Games
2009 Uncharted 2: Among Thieves[14] Action-Adventure: (Third-Person) Shooter PlayStation 3 Naughty Dog Software

Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences

Year Game Genre Platform(s) Developer(s)
2011 (15th) The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim RPG Xbox 360, Windows, PlayStation 3 Bethesda Softworks
2010 (14th) Mass Effect 2 RPG Xbox 360, Windows, PlayStation 3 BioWare
2009 (13th) Uncharted 2: Among Thieves[15] Third-person shooter PlayStation 3 Naughty Dog
2008 (12th) LittleBigPlanet[16] Platform game PlayStation 3 Media Molecule
2007 (11th) Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare[17] First person shooter PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, PC Infinity Ward
2006 (10th) Gears of War[18] Third-person shooter Xbox 360, Windows Epic Games
2005 (9th) God of War[19] Action-adventure game PlayStation 2 SCE Studios Santa Monica
2004 (8th) Half-Life 2[20] First person shooter PlayStation 3, Xbox, Xbox 360, Windows Valve Corporation
2003 (7th) Call of Duty[21] First person shooter N-Gage, Windows, Mac OS X Infinity Ward
2002 (6th) Battlefield 1942[22] First person shooter Windows 98, Mac OS Digital Illusions CE
2001 (5th) Halo: Combat Evolved[23] First person shooter Xbox, Windows, Mac OS X Bungie Studios
2000 (4th) Diablo II[24] Hack and slash Windows, Mac OS, Mac OS X Blizzard North
1999 (3rd) SoulCalibur[25] Fighting Dreamcast Namco
1998 (2nd) The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time[26] Action-adventure game Nintendo 64 Nintendo EAD
1997 (1st) GoldenEye 007[27] First Person Shooter Nintendo 64 Rare

Academy of Interactive Entertainment

Formerly known as Academy of Video Games. Includes all GOTY Winners picked by AIE staff members. Note: All winners before 1993 were picked in 1993 when AIE was formed.

Year Game Platform
2010 Red Dead Redemption PlayStation 3, Xbox 360
2009 Dragon Age: Origins PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, PC
2008 Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots Playstation 3
2007 Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare Playstation 3, Xbox 360, PC
2006 Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Playstation 3, Xbox 360, PC
2005 God of War PlayStation 2
2004 Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas PlayStation 2
2003 Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic Xbox, PC
2002 Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell Xbox, PC
2001 Final Fantasy X PlayStation 2
2000 No One Lives Forever PC
1999 Shenmue Sega Dreamcast
1998 The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time Nintendo 64
1997 Final Fantasy VII PlayStation
1996 Resident Evil PlayStation
1995 Chrono Trigger Super Nintendo
1994 Super Metroid Super Nintendo
1993 Secret of Mana Super Nintendo
1992 Lunar: The Silver Star SEGA CD
1991 The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past Super Nintendo
1990 The Secret of Monkey Island PC
1989 Final Fight Arcade
1988 Ninja Gaiden NES
1987 Punch-Out!! NES
1986 The Legend of Zelda NES
1985 Super Mario Bros. NES
1984 Tetris NES
1983 Dragon's Lair Arcade
1982 Pitfall! Atari
1981 Castle Wolfenstein Apple II
1980 Mystery House Apple II
1979 Adventure Atari
1978 Space Invaders Arcade

Arcade Awards / Electronic Gaming Awards

The Arcade Awards, also known as the Arkie Awards, was one of the first video game awards, dating back to the golden age of video arcade games and lasting up until the North American video game industry crash. It was held since 1980 (for games released in 1979 and earlier) and were announced annually by Electronic Games magazine since 1981, covering several different platform categories.[28] Following the magazine's revival in 1992, it published the Electronic Gaming Awards in January 1993 for the best video games released in 1992.[29]

Year Arcade Standalone Console Computer
1992 (7th) Street Fighter II
NHLPA Hockey '93
Sonic the Hedgehog 2
1984 (6th) Star Wars Zaxxon Space Shuttle Ultima III: Exodus
1983 (5th) Pole Position Q*bert Under 16K: Ms. Pac-Man
Over 16K: Lady Bug
Lode Runner
1982 (4th) Tron Galaxian Demon Attack David's Midnight Magic
1981 (3rd) Pac-Man Asteroids Star Raiders
1980 (2nd) Asteroids Superman
1979 (1st) Space Invaders

British Academy of Film and Television Arts

Year Game Genre Platform(s) Developer(s)
2011 Portal 2[30] Puzzle-platform game: (First-PersonShooter Windows, Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, Mac OS X Valve Corporation
2010 Mass Effect 2[31] Action RPG: (Third-PersonShooter Windows, Xbox 360, PlayStation 3 Bioware
2009 Batman: Arkham Asylum[32] Action-Adventure: Stealth Brawler Windows, Xbox 360, PlayStation 3 Rocksteady Studios
2008 Super Mario Galaxy[33] Platformer Wii Nintendo EAD Tokyo
2007 BioShock[34] (First-Person) Shooter: Survival Horror Windows, Mac OS X, Xbox 360, PlayStation 3 Irrational Games
2006 Tom Clancy's Ghost Recon Advanced Warfighter[35] Tactical Shooter Windows, PlayStation 2, Xbox, Xbox 360 Ubisoft Paris, Ubisoft Red Storm
2004 Half-Life 2[36] (First-Person) Shooter Windows, Mac OS X, Xbox Valve Corporation
2003 Call of Duty[37] (First-Person) Shooter Windows, Mac OS X, PlayStation 2 Infinity Ward

Crispy Gamer

The winners of the Crispy Gamer Game of the Year are chosen by the Crispy Gamer Game Trust.[38]

Year Game Genre Platform(s) Developer(s)
2009 Batman: Arkham Asylum[39] Action/adventure Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, PC Rocksteady Studios
2008 Fallout 3[40] Action RPG Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, PC Bethesda Game Studios
2007 BioShock Shooter Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, Windows, Mac OS X 2K Boston/2K Australia

Cheat Code Central

The winners of the Cheat Code Central Game of the Year are chosen by CheatCC editors.

Year Game Genre Platform(s) Developer(s)
2011 Uncharted 3: Drake's Deception Action-Adventure: (Third-Person) Shooter PlayStation 3 Naughty Dog
2010 Red Dead Redemption Open World: Action-Adventure Xbox 360, PlayStation 3 Rockstar Games
2009 Uncharted 2: Among Thieves Action-Adventure: (Third-Person) Shooter PlayStation 3 Naughty Dog
2008 Little Big Planet Puzzle-Platformer Playstation 3 Media Molecule
2007 BioShock (First-Person) Shooter Windows, Xbox 360, Mac OS X, PlayStation 3 2K Boston/2K Australia
2006 The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess Action-Adventure Wii, Nintendo GameCube Nintendo
2005 Resident Evil 4 Survival Horror: (Third-Person) Shooter GameCube, PlayStation 2, Windows, Wii Capcom

E3

The winners of the annual "Best of E3" awards, chosen annually at the Electronic Entertainment Expo each year.[41]

Year Console Handheld PC
2011 The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim Sound Shapes BioShock Infinite
2010 Rage God of War: Ghost of Sparta Portal 2
2009 Uncharted 2: Among Thieves Scribblenauts Star Wars: The Old Republic
2008 LittleBigPlanet Resistance: Retribution Spore
2007 Mass Effect The Legend of Zelda: Phantom Hourglass Crysis
2006 Gears of War Spore
2005 The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess Nintendogs
2004 Halo 2 Splinter Cell 3
2003 Half-Life 2
2002 The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker Doom 3
2001 Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty Star Wars Galaxies
2000 Jet Grind Radio Black & White
1999 Perfect Dark Freelancer
1998 Metal Gear Solid Half-Life

Edge

The winners of the Edge Game of the Year are chosen by Edge editors.[42]

Year Game Genre Platform(s) Developer(s)
2011 The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword Action-Adventure: Open World Nintendo Wii Nintendo EAD, Monolith Soft
2010 Super Mario Galaxy 2 Platformer Nintendo Wii Nintendo EAD Tokyo
2009 No award given
2008 LittleBigPlanet Puzzle-Platformer PlayStation 3 Media Molecule
2007 Super Mario Galaxy Platformer Nintendo Wii Nintendo EAD Tokyo
2006 Final Fantasy XII Role-Playing Game PlayStation 2 Square Enix
2005 Resident Evil 4 Survival Horror: (Third-Person) Shooter GameCube, PlayStation 2, Wii, Windows Capcom Production Studio 4
2004 Half-Life 2 (First-Person) Shooter Windows, Xbox, Xbox 360, PlayStation 3 Valve Corporation
2003 Metroid Prime (First-Person) Action-Adventure Nintendo GameCube, Wii Retro Studios, Nintendo
2001 Halo: Combat Evolved[43] (First-Person) Shooter Xbox, Windows, Xbox 360 Bungie
1998 The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time
(Best Game of All Time)[43]
Action-Adventure: Open World Nintendo 64, GameCube, iQue Player, Virtual Console, Nintendo 3DS Nintendo EAD
1997 GoldenEye 007[43] (First-Person) Shooter Nintendo 64, Virtual Console Rare
1996 Super Mario 64[43] Platformer: Open World Nintendo 64, iQue Player, Nintendo DS, Virtual Console Nintendo EAD
1995 Super Mario World 2: Yoshi's Island[43] (Side-Scrolling) Platformer Super Nintendo, Game Boy Advance, Virtual Console Nintendo EAD
1994 Super Metroid[43] (Side-Scrolling) Platform-Adventure Super Nintendo, Virtual Console Nintendo R&D1, Intelligent Systems
1992 The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past[43] Action-Adventure Super Nintendo, Game Boy Advance, Virtual Console Nintendo EAD
1991 Street Fighter II[43] Fighting Arcade, Super Nintendo, Sega Genesis, Virtual Console Capcom
1987 Tetris[43] Puzzle Elektronika 60, MS-DOS, Arcade, Nintendo Entertainment System, Game Boy, Windows Alexey Pajitnov, Bullet Proof Software

Electronic Gaming Monthly

The winners of the Electronic Gaming Monthly Game of the Year are chosen by the magazine's editors.

Year Game Genre Platform(s) Developer(s)
2010 Red Dead Redemption Open World: (Third-Person) Shooter PlayStation 3, Xbox 360 Rockstar San Diego
2009 Uncharted 2: Among Thieves Action-Adventure: (Third-Person) Shooter PlayStation 3 Naughty Dog
2008 Grand Theft Auto IV Open World: (Third-Person) Action Windows, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360 Rockstar North
2007 BioShock Survival Horror: (First-Person) Shooter Windows, Xbox 360, Mac OS X, PlayStation 3 2K Boston/2K Australia
2006 The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess Action-adventure Wii, Nintendo GameCube Nintendo
2005 Resident Evil 4 Survival Horror: (Third-Person) Shooter GameCube, PlayStation 2, Windows, Wii Capcom
2004 Halo 2 (First-Person) Shooter Xbox, Windows, Bungie
2003 Prince of Persia: Sands of Time Action-Adventure: Hack & Slash Platformer Xbox, GameCube, PlayStation 2, Windows Ubisoft Montreal
2002 Metroid Prime (First-Person) Action-Adventure Nintendo GameCube Nintendo
2001 Halo Combat Evolved (First-Person) Shooter Xbox, Windows, Macintosh Bungie
2000 Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 2 Sports PC, Nintendo 64, PlayStation, Dreamcast Activision
1999 Soul Calibur Fighting Sega Dreamcast Namco
1998 The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time Action-Adventure Nintendo 64 Nintendo
1997 Goldeneye 007 (First-Person) Shooter Nintendo 64 Rare
1996 Super Mario 64 Action-Platformer Nintendo 64 Nintendo
1995 Twisted Metal Action-Driving PlayStation SingleTrac
1994 Donkey Kong Country (Side-Scrolling) Action-Platformer Super Nintendo Rare
1993 Samurai Shodown Fighting Neo-Geo MVS SNK
1992 Street Fighter II Fighting Super Nintendo Capcom
1991 Sonic the Hedgehog (Side-Scrolling) Action-Platformer Sega Genesis Sega
1990 Strider (Side-Scrolling) Action-Platformer Sega Genesis Capcom
1989 Ghouls 'n Ghosts (Side-Scrolling) Action-Platformer Sega Genesis Capcom
Greatest Games (Pre-1990)
Year Game Genre Platform(s) Developer(s)
1989 Herzog Zwei[44] (Real-Time) Strategy Mega Drive / Genesis Technosoft
1988 Super Mario Bros. 2[44] (Side-Scrolling) Platformer Nintendo Entertainment System, Super Nintendo, Game Boy Advance, Virtual Console Nintendo EAD
1987 Tetris[43] Puzzle Elektronika 60, MS-DOS, Arcade, Nintendo Entertainment System, Game Boy, Windows Alexey Pajitnov, Bullet Proof Software
1986 The Legend of Zelda[43] Action-Adventure: Open World Famicom Disk System, Nintendo Entertainment System, Nintendo GameCube, Game Boy Advance, Virtual Console Nintendo EAD
1985 Super Mario Bros.
(Best Game of All Time)[43]
(Side-Scrolling) Platformer Nintendo Entertainment System, Famicom Disk System, Arcade, Super Nintendo, Game Boy Color, Game Boy Advance, Virtual Console Nintendo EAD
1981 Galaga[44] Shoot 'Em Up Arcade, Atari 7800, Famicom Disk System, NES, Game Boy, GameTap, MSX, SG-1000, TRS-80, iOS, 3DS, Roku, N64, NDS, PS2, Xbox, GameCube, GBA, Windows, PSP, PlayStation, Dreamcast, Xbox 360, PS3, Wii Namco
1980 Pac-Man[43] Maze Arcade, Mini-Arcade, Atari 2600/5200, Atari 8-bit, Commodore VIC-20, Apple II, Commodore 64, Intellivision, NES, MSX, Game Boy, Game Gear, Neo Geo Pocket Color, Game Boy Color, Mobile, XBLA, Virtual Console, iOS Namco
1978 Space Invaders[43] Shoot 'Em Up Arcade, Atari 2600/5200, Atari 400/800, Handheld, NES, WonderSwan, Sky Active, Mobile, iOS Taito
1972 Pong[43] Sports Arcade, Dedicated, PC, Mega Drive, PlayStation Portable, Nintendo DS Atari

Eurogamer (UK)

The winners of the Eurogamer (UK) Game of the Year are chosen by Eurogamer (UK) editors.[45]

Year Game Genre Platform(s) Developer(s)
2011 Portal 2 Puzzle, first-person shooter, science fiction Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, Windows, Mac OS X Valve Corporation
2010 Mass Effect 2 RPG Xbox 360, Windows, PlayStation 3 BioWare
2009 Uncharted 2: Among Thieves Action-adventure, Third-person shooter PlayStation 3 Naughty Dog
2008 LittleBigPlanet Puzzle Platformer PlayStation 3 Media Molecule
2007 Portal Puzzle, first-person shooter, science fiction Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, Windows Valve Corporation
2006 Guitar Hero Music video game PlayStation 2 Harmonix Music Systems
2005 Psychonauts Platform game Xbox, PlayStation 2, Windows Double Fine Productions
2004 Half-Life 2 First-person shooter Windows, Mac OS X, Xbox, Xbox 360, PlayStation 3 Valve Corporation
2003 Grand Theft Auto: Vice City Action-adventure PlayStation 2, Xbox, Windows, Mac OS Rockstar North, Rockstar Vienna
2002 Ico Action-adventure PlayStation 2 Team Ico
2001 Grand Theft Auto III Action-adventure PlayStation 2, Xbox, Windows DMA Design
2000 Deus Ex Action RPG PlayStation 2, Windows, Mac OS Ion Storm Inc.
1999 Unreal Tournament First-person shooter Dreamcast, Linux, Mac OS, Mac OS X, PlayStation 2, Windows Epic Games, Digital Extremes

Gamasutra

The winners of the Gamasutra Game of the Year are chosen by Gamasutra editors.[46]

Year Game Genre Platform(s) Developer(s)
2011 Portal 2[47] Puzzle Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, PC Valve Corporation
2010 Red Dead Redemption Action Adventure PlayStation 3, Xbox 360 Rockstar Games
2009 Dragon Age: Origins Role-Playing Game Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, Windows, Mac OS X BioWare, Edge of Reality
2008 Fallout 3 RPG PlayStation 3, PC, Xbox 360 Bethesda Softworks
2007 Portal Puzzle, first-person shooter, science fiction Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, Windows Valve Corporation
2006 Wii Sports Sports game Wii Nintendo EAD

Game Informer

The winners of the Game Informer Game of the Year are chosen by Game Informer editors. During their first years of publication they would give awards for the best game on each console available at the time, occasionally giving an award to the overall best game of the year.[48]

Year Game Genre Platform(s) Developer(s)
2011 The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim RPG Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 3 , Xbox 360 Bethesda Softworks
2010 Red Dead Redemption Open World: (Third-Person) Shooter Xbox 360, PlayStation 3 Rockstar Games
2009 Uncharted 2: Among Thieves Third-person shooter PlayStation 3 Naughty Dog
2008 Grand Theft Auto IV Open World, Action Windows, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360 Rockstar North
2007 BioShock Shooter Windows, Xbox 360, Mac OS X, PlayStation 3 2K Boston/2K Australia
2006 The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess Action-Adventure Wii, GameCube Nintendo
2005 Resident Evil 4 Survival Horror: (Third-Person) Shooter GameCube, PlayStation 2, Windows, Wii, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360 Capcom
2001 Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty[49] Stealth, Action-Adventure PlayStation 2, Xbox, Windows Konami
2000 Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 2 Extreme Sports Dreamcast, PlayStation, Windows Neversoft
1998 The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time Action-Adventure Nintendo 64 Nintendo EAD
1997 Final Fantasy VII Role-Playing Game PlayStation, PlayStation Network Squaresoft
1996 Super Mario 64 3D Platformer Nintendo 64 Nintendo
1993 Mortal Kombat Fighting Arcade, Super Nintendo, Sega Genesis Midway Games, Acclaim Entertainment
1992 Street Fighter II Fighting Arcade, Super Nintendo Capcom
Greatest Games (Pre-1996)[50]
Year Game Genre Platform(s) Developer(s)
1995 Chrono Trigger Role-Playing Game Super Nintendo Entertainment System, PlayStation, Mobile, Virtual Console, PlayStation Network, iOS Squaresoft
1994 Final Fantasy VI Role-Playing Game Super Nintendo, PlayStation, Game Boy Advance, Virtual Console, PlayStation Network Squaresoft
1993 Doom (First-Person) Shooter DOS, Windows, Mac OS, Linux, SNES, Jaguar, 32X, PlayStation, 3DO, Saturn, N64, GBA, Xbox, iOS id Software
1992 The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past Action-Adventure Super Nintendo, Game Boy Advance, Virtual Console Nintendo EAD
1991 Street Fighter II Fighting Arcade, SNES, Sega Genesis, Master System, Amiga, Atari ST, C64, Spectrum, PC, Game Boy, PlayStation, Saturn, PSP, iOS, PS2, Xbox, Virtual Console Capcom
1990 Super Mario Bros. 3 (Side-Scrolling) Platformer Nintendo Entertainment System, Arcade, Super Nintendo, Game Boy Advance, Virtual Console Nintendo EAD
1989 Mega Man 2 (Run & Gun) Platformer Nintendo Entertainment System, PlayStation, Mobile, Virtual Console, iOS, PlayStation Store Capcom
1988 Bionic Commando Nintendo Entertainment System Capcom
1987 Contra (Run & Gun) Shooter Arcade, Nintendo Entertainment System, MSX2, Spectrum, Amstrad, Commodore 64, DOS, PS2, XBLA, NDS, Virtual Console, Mobile, PSN Konami
1986 The Legend of Zelda
(Best Game of All Time)
Action-Adventure: Open World Famicom Disk System, Nintendo Entertainment System, Nintendo GameCube, Game Boy Advance, Virtual Console Nintendo EAD
1985 Super Mario Bros. (Side-Scrolling) Platformer Nintendo Entertainment System, Famicom Disk System, Arcade, Super Nintendo, Game Boy Color, Game Boy Advance, Virtual Console Nintendo EAD
1984 Excitebike Racing NES, NEC PC-8801, Sharp X1, Arcade, Game Boy Advance, GameCube, Virtual Console, Nintendo eShop Nintendo R&D1
1983 Lode Runner Platformer Apple II, VIC-20, C64, PC Booter, Spectrum, Atari XL/XE, SG-1000, XBLA, Windows, iPod, Macintosh, VC, PSN, BBC Micro, Lynx, PSone, NES, SNES, Amstrad Brøderbund
1982 Ms. Pac-Man Maze Arcade, Mini-Arcade, Atari 2600/5200/7800, Atari 8-bit, CD-i, Game Boy Color, Xbox Live Arcade, iOS Namco, General Computer Corp., Midway
1981 Galaga Shoot 'Em Up Arcade, Atari 7800, Famicom Disk System, NES, Game Boy, GameTap, MSX, SG-1000, TRS-80, iOS, 3DS, Roku, N64, NDS, PS2, Xbox, GameCube, GBA, Windows, PSP, PlayStation, Dreamcast, Xbox 360, PS3, Wii Namco

GamePro

The winners of the GamePro Game of the Year are chosen by GamePro editors.[51]

Year Game Genre Platform(s) Developer(s)
2009 Assassin's Creed II Third-person action-adventure Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360 Ubisoft Montreal
2008 LittleBigPlanet Puzzle Platformer PlayStation 3 Media Molecule
2007 Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare Action PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, Nintendo DS, PC Infinity Ward
2006 Gears of War Third-person shooter Xbox 360 Epic Games
2005 Resident Evil 4 Survival Horror: (Third-Person) Shooter GameCube, PlayStation 2 Windows Capcom

Games

The winners of the Games magazine Game of the Year are chosen by Games editors.[1]

Year Game Genre Platform(s) Developer(s)
2012 Portal 2 Puzzler PC/360/PS3 Valve
2011 Super Mario Galaxy 2 Platformer Wii Nintendo
2010 Batman: Arkham Asylum Action-adventure PC/360/PS3 Eidos
2009 Spore Life simulation PC/Mac EA/Maxis
2008 BioShock Action-adventure PC/360 2K/Irrational
2007 Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Action RPG 360/PC Bethesda Softworks
2006 Psychonauts Platformer PC/Xbox Majesco
2005 City of Heroes MMORPG PC/Internet NC Soft
2004 The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker Action-adventure Nintendo
2003 Neverwinter Nights RPG PC Atari
2002 Black & White Simulation Electronic Arts
2001 The Sims Life sim PC, Mac Maxis/EA, Aspyr
2000 PC: Half-Life
Console: The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time
FPS
Action-adventure
Win 95/98
N64
Sierra Studios
Nintendo
1999 Oddworld: Abe's Oddysee Platformer PSX, Win95 GT Interactive
1998 Obsidian Adventure SegaSoft/Rocket Science
1997 Links LS Sports Access
1996 - - - -
1995 Virtual Pool Sports Interplay
1994 Myst Adventure Broderbund
  • Starting in 1996, awards were given the title of the coming year. Thus, the December 1995 issue awarded the "Game of the Year 1995", whereas the December 1996 issue awarded the "Game of the Year 1997".

Games Master

The winners of the Games Master Game of the Year are chosen by Games Master editors.[52]

Year Game Genre Platform(s) Developer(s)
2010 Super Mario Galaxy 2 Platformer Nintendo Wii Nintendo
2009 Batman: Arkham Asylum Action/adventure Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, PC Eidos Interactive
2008 Grand Theft Auto IV Open World, Action Windows, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360 Rockstar North
2007 Super Mario Galaxy Platformer Wii Nintendo
2006 The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess Action-adventure Wii, Nintendo GameCube Nintendo
2005 Resident Evil 4 Survival Horror: (Third-Person) Shooter GameCube, PlayStation 2, Windows, Wii Capcom

GamesRadar (UK)

GamesRadar holds a Platinum Chalice Awards feature each year, as part of that, the Game of the Year chosen by the editors are:[53]

Year Game Genre Platform(s) Developer(s)
2011 Portal 2 Puzzle, first-person shooter, science fiction Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, Windows, Mac OS X Valve Corporation
2010 Red Dead Redemption[54] Open World: (Third-Person) Shooter PlayStation 3, Xbox 360 Rockstar San Diego, Rockstar North
2009 Batman: Arkham Asylum[55] Action-adventure: Beat 'em up, Stealth PlayStation 3, Windows, Xbox 360 Rocksteady Studios
2008 Fallout 3[56] RPG PlayStation 3, Windows, Xbox 360 Bethesda Softworks
2007 The Orange Box[57] (First-Person) Shooter, Puzzle PlayStation 3, Windows, Xbox 360 Valve Corporation
2006 The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess[58] Action-Adventure Wii, GameCube Nintendo EAD Software Development Group No. 3
2005 Shadow of the Colossus[43] Action-Adventure: Open World PlayStation 2, PlayStation 3 Team Ico
2003 The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker[43] Action-Adventure Nintendo GameCube Nintendo EAD
2000 Resident Evil Code: Veronica[43] Survival Horror Dreamcast, PlayStation 2, Nintendo GameCube, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360 Capcom Production Studio 4, Nextech, Sega
1998 Metal Gear Solid[43] Stealth PlayStation, Windows, Nintendo GameCube, PlayStation Network Konami Computer Entertainment Japan
1997 GoldenEye 007[43] (First-Person) Shooter Nintendo 64, Virtual Console Rare
1996 Civilization II[43] (Turn-Based) Strategy Windows, Mac OS, PlayStation MicroProse
1995 Chrono Trigger[43] Role-Playing Game Super Nintendo Entertainment System, PlayStation, Mobile, Virtual Console, PlayStation Network, iOS Squaresoft
1994 Super Metroid[43] (Side-Scrolling) Platform-Adventure Super Nintendo Entertainment System, Virtual Console Nintendo R&D1, Intelligent Systems
1993 Doom[43] (First-Person) Shooter DOS, Windows, Mac OS, Linux, SNES, Jaguar, 32X, PlayStation, 3DO, Saturn, N64, GBA, Xbox, iOS id Software
1992 Street Fighter II Turbo[43] Fighting Arcade, Super Nintendo Entertainment System, Sega Mega Drive, PlayStation 2, PlayStation Network, Xbox 360 Capcom
'1990 Super Mario Bros. 3[43] (Side-Scrolling) Platformer Nintendo Entertainment System, Arcade, Super Nintendo, Game Boy Color, Game Boy Advance, Virtual Console Nintendo EAD
1987 Tetris[43] Puzzle Elektronika 60, MS-DOS, Arcade, Nintendo Entertainment System, Game Boy, Windows Alexey Pajitnov, Bullet Proof Software
1985 Super Mario Bros.
(Best Game of All Time)[43]
(Side-Scrolling) Platformer Nintendo Entertainment System, Famicom Disk System, Arcade, Super Nintendo, Game Boy Color, Game Boy Advance, Virtual Console Nintendo EAD

GameSpot

The winners of the GameSpot Game of the Year are chosen by GameSpot editors.[59]

Year Game Genre Platform(s) Developer(s)
2011 The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim[60] Role-playing game Windows, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360 Bethesda Softworks
2010 Red Dead Redemption[61] Open World: (Third-Person) Shooter PlayStation 3, Xbox 360 Rockstar Games
2009 Demon's Souls[62] Action RPG: Hack & Slash PlayStation 3 From Software
2008 Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots[63] Stealth Action PlayStation 3 Kojima Productions
2007 Super Mario Galaxy[64] Platformer Wii Nintendo
2006 Gears of War[65] Tactical Shooter Xbox 360, Windows Epic Games
2005 Resident Evil 4[66] Survival Horror: (Third-Person) Shooter GameCube, PlayStation 2, Wii, Windows Capcom
2004 World of Warcraft[67] MMORPG Windows, Mac OS X Blizzard
2003 The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker[68] Action-Adventure GameCube Nintendo
2002 Metroid Prime[69] (First-Person) Action-Adventure GameCube Retro Studios, Nintendo
  • From 1996 to 2001, console and PC awards were selected separately. There were no console awards given pre-1998.

PC

Year Game Genre Platform(s) Developer(s)
2001 Serious Sam: The First Encounter[70] (First-Person) Shooter Windows, Linux Croteam
2000 The Sims[71] Life simulation game Windows, Mac OS Maxis
1999 EverQuest[72] MMORPG Windows Sony Online Entertainment
1998 Grim Fandango[73] Adventure Windows LucasArts
1997 Total Annihilation[74] Real-time strategy Windows, Mac OS Cavedog Ent.
1996 Diablo[75] Action RPG: Hack and Slash Windows, Mac OS Blizzard North

Console

Year Game Genre Platform(s) Developer(s)
2001 Grand Theft Auto III[76] Open World Action PlayStation 2 Rockstar North
2000 Chrono Cross[77] RPG PlayStation Square Co.
1999 Soul Calibur[78] Fighter Dreamcast Namco
1998 The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time[79] Action-Adventure Nintendo 64 Nintendo EAD
Greatest Games (Pre-1998)
Year Game Genre Platform(s) Developer(s)
1997 Final Fantasy VII
(Best Game of All Time)[43]
Role-Playing Game PlayStation, Microsoft Windows, PlayStation Network Square Product Development Division 1
1996 Super Mario 64[43] Platformer: Open World Nintendo 64, iQue Player, Nintendo DS, Virtual Console Nintendo EAD
1993 Doom[43] (First-Person) Shooter DOS, Windows, Mac OS, Linux, SNES, Jaguar, 32X, PlayStation, 3DO, Saturn, N64, GBA, Xbox, iOS id Software
1992 Virtua Racing[43] (Arcade) Racing Arcade, Sega Mega Drive, Sega 32X, Saturn, PlayStation 2 Sega AM2
1991 Street Fighter II[43] Fighting Arcade, SNES, Sega Genesis, Master System, Amiga, Atari ST, C64, Spectrum, PC, Game Boy, PlayStation, Saturn, PSP, iOS, PS2, Xbox, Virtual Console Capcom
1988 King's Quest IV: The Perils of Rosella[43] (Graphic) Adventure MS-DOS, Amiga, Apple IIGS, Atari ST Sierra Entertainment
1987 Tetris[43] Puzzle Elektronika 60, MS-DOS, Arcade, Nintendo Entertainment System, Game Boy, Windows Alexey Pajitnov, Bullet Proof Software
1986 Dragon Warrior[43] Role-Playing Game Nintendo Entertainment System, MSX, NEC PC-9801, Sharp X68000, Super Nintendo, Game Boy Color, Mobile Chunsoft
1985 Commando[43] (Run & Gun) Shooter Arcade, C64, Amstrad, MSX, Spectrum, Intellivision, Atari 2600/7800, Amiga, NES, Acorn Electron, BBC Micro, PC, PS2, Xbox, PSP, Virtual Console Capcom

GameSpy

The winners of the GameSpy Game of the Year are chosen by GameSpy editors.[80]

Year Game Genre Platform(s) Developer(s)
2011 The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim Open World: RPG Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, PC Bethesda Softworks
2010 Red Dead Redemption Action Adventure PlayStation 3, Xbox 360 Rockstar Games
2009 Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 First-person shooter, third-person shooter Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360 Infinity Ward
2008 Fallout 3 RPG PlayStation 3, PC, Xbox 360 Bethesda Softworks
2007 Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare First-person shooter PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, PC Infinity Ward
2006 The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess Action-adventure Wii, Nintendo GameCube Nintendo EAD
2005 Civilization IV Turn-based strategy game, 4X Windows, Mac OS X Firaxis Games
2004 Halo 2 First-person Shooter Windows, Xbox Bungie
2003 Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic RPG Xbox, Windows BioWare
2002 Metroid Prime First-person adventure GameCube Retro Studios, Nintendo
2001 Grand Theft Auto III Action PlayStation 2, Xbox, Windows DMA Design
2000 Deus Ex Action RPG PlayStation 2, Windows, Mac OS Ion Storm Inc.
1999 Unreal Tournament First-person shooter Dreamcast, Linux, Mac OS, Mac OS X, PlayStation 2, Windows Epic Games, Digital Extremes

GamesTM

The title chosen by GamesTM as the year's best game.[81]

Year Game Genre Platform(s) Developer(s)
2011 Dead Space 2 Survival Horror: (Third-Person) Shooter Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360 Visceral Games
2010 Super Mario Galaxy 2 Platformer Wii Nintendo EAD
2009 Demon's Souls Action RPG: Hack & Slash PlayStation 3 From Software
2003 The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker Action-Adventure: Open World Nintendo GameCube Nintendo EAD

GameTrailers

The winners of the GameTrailers Game of the Year are chosen by GameTrailers editors.[82]

Year Game Genre Platform(s) Developer(s)
2011 Uncharted 3: Drake's Deception[83] Action-adventure Playstation 3 Naughty Dog
2010 Mass Effect 2[84] Action RPG: (Third-Person) Shooter Xbox 360, Windows, PlayStation 3 BioWare
2009 Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2[85] (First-Person) Shooter Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360 Infinity Ward
2008 Grand Theft Auto IV[86] Open World: (Third-Person) Shooter Windows, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360 Rockstar North Ltd.
2007 Super Mario Galaxy[87] Platformer Wii Nintendo EAD Tokyo Development Group
2006 The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess[88] Action-adventure Wii, Nintendo GameCube Nintendo EAD Software Development Group No. 3
2005 Resident Evil 4[89] Survival Horror: (Third-Person) Shooter GameCube, PlayStation 2, Windows, Wii Capcom Production Studio 4

GDC Game Developers Choice Awards

The Game Developers Choice Awards are chosen by registered game developers and unveiled at the Game Developers Conference (GDC) in San Francisco.

Year Game Genre Platform(s) Developer(s)
2011 The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim[90] RPG PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, PC Bethesda Softworks
2010 Red Dead Redemption[90] Action-Adventure PlayStation 3, Xbox 360 Rockstar Games
2009 Uncharted 2: Among Thieves[91] Action-Adventure: (Third-Person) Shooter PlayStation 3 Naughty Dog Software
2008 Fallout 3[92] RPG PlayStation 3, PC, Xbox 360 Bethesda Softworks
2007 Portal[93] (First-Person) Puzzle-Platformer Windows, Mac OS X, Xbox 360, PlayStation 3 Valve Corporation
2006 Gears of War[94] Tactical Shooter Xbox 360, Windows Epic Games
2005 Shadow of the Colossus[95] Action-Adventure PlayStation 2 Team Ico
2004 Half-Life 2[96] (First-Person) Shooter Windows, Xbox 360, Xbox, PlayStation 3 Valve Corporation
2003 Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic[97] RPG Xbox, Windows BioWare
2002 Metroid Prime[98] (First-Person) Action-Adventure GameCube Retro Studios, Nintendo
2001 Grand Theft Auto III[99] Open World Action PlayStation 2, Windows, Xbox Rockstar North
2000 The Sims[100] Life simulation game Windows, Mac OS Maxis

Giant Bomb

The winners of the Giant Bomb Game of the Year are chosen by Giant Bomb editors.[101] In 2011, the editors changed their Game of the Year deliberations from picking a winner from their console-specific award winners, to creating a Top 10 list from their collective personal Top 10 games and ordering them from 10th to 1st.[102]

Year Game Genre Platform(s) Developer(s)
2011 The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim[103] Role-playing game Windows, Xbox 360 Bethesda Softworks
2010 Mass Effect 2[104] RPG Xbox 360, Windows, PlayStation 3 BioWare
2009 Uncharted 2: Among Thieves[105] Third-person shooter PlayStation 3 Naughty Dog
2008 Grand Theft Auto IV[106] Open World Action Windows, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360 Rockstar North

HollywoodChicago

The winners of HollywoodChicago Game of the Year are chosen by the editors.

Year Game Genre Platform(s) Developer(s)
2011 Uncharted 3: Drake's Deception Action-adventure PlayStation 3 Naughty Dog
2010 Red Dead Redemption Open World: (Third-Person) Shooter PlayStation 3, Xbox 360 Rockstar Games
2009 Uncharted 2: Among Thieves Action-Adventure: (Third-Person) Shooter PlayStation 3 Naughty Dog Software

IGN

IGN's most prestigious game of the year award is chosen by all the editors at IGN and unveiled mid-January.

Year Game Genre Platform(s) Developer(s)
2011 Portal 2 (First-Person) Puzzle Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, Windows, Mac OS X Valve Corporation
2010 Mass Effect 2[107] Action RPG: (Third-Person) Shooter Microsoft Windows, Xbox 360, Playstation 3 BioWare
2009 Uncharted 2: Among Thieves[108] Action-Adventure: (Third-Person) Shooter PlayStation 3 Naughty Dog Software
2008 Fallout 3[109] Role-Playing Game Microsoft Windows, Xbox 360, Playstation 3 Bethesda Softworks
2007 Super Mario Galaxy[110] Platformer Wii Nintendo EAD Tokyo Development Group
2006 Ōkami[111] Action-Adventure PlayStation 2, Wii Clover Studio
2005 God of War[112] Action: Hack & Slash PlayStation 2 SCE Studios Santa Monica
2004 Half-Life 2[113] (First-Person) Shooter Windows, Xbox 360, Xbox, PlayStation 3 Valve Corporation
2003 Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic[114] Role-Playing Game Xbox, Windows BioWare
2002 Battlefield 1942[115] (First-Person) Shooter Windows Digital Illusions CE
2001 Halo: Combat Evolved[116] (First-Person) Shooter Xbox, Windows Bungie Studios
  • Pre-2001 awards were limited to specific platforms with no overall winner announced.
Year Console Handheld PC
2000 N64: The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask
PSX: Chrono Cross
Metal Gear Solid Deus Ex
1998 N64: The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time
PSX: Metal Gear Solid
Baldur's Gate
Greatest Games (Pre-2000)[43]
Year Game Genre Platform(s) Developer(s)
1999 Soul Calibur[117] Fighting Arcade, Dreamcast, iOS, Xbox Live Arcade Namco
1998 The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time Action-Adventure: Open World Nintendo 64, GameCube, iQue Player, Virtual Console, Nintendo 3DS Nintendo EAD
1997 Castlevania: Symphony of the Night[118] Action RPG: Platform-Adventure PlayStation, Sega Saturn Konami Computer Entertainment Tokyo
1996 Super Mario 64 Platformer: Open World Nintendo 64, iQue Player, Nintendo DS, Virtual Console Nintendo EAD
1995 Chrono Trigger[119] Role-Playing Game Super Nintendo, PlayStation Squaresoft
1994 Super Metroid (Side-Scrolling) Platform-Adventure Super Nintendo, Virtual Console Nintendo R&D1, Intelligent Systems
1993 NHL '94[119] Sports Sega Genesis / Mega Drive EA Canada, High Score Productions
1992 The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past Action-Adventure Super Nintendo, Game Boy Advance, Virtual Console Nintendo EAD
1991 Final Fantasy IV Role-Playing Game Super Nintendo, PlayStation, WonderSwan Color, Game Boy Advance, Nintendo DS, Virtual Console, PlayStation Portable Squaresoft
1990 Super Mario World[118] (Side-Scrolling) Platformer Super NES Nintendo EAD
1989 Prince of Persia[117] (Cinematic) Platformer Apple II, Amiga, Amstrad, Atari ST, DOS, X68000, TurboGrafx-16, Master System, Sega CD, NES, Game Boy, SNES, Mega Drive, GBC Brøderbund
1988 Contra[117] (Run & Gun) Shooter Arcade, Nintendo Entertainment System, MSX2, Spectrum, Amstrad, Commodore 64, DOS, PS2, XBLA, NDS, Virtual Console, Mobile, PSN Konami
1987 Mike Tyson's Punch-Out!![117] Sports, Fighting Nintendo Entertainment System, Virtual Console Nintendo R&D3
1986 Tetris[120] Puzzle Elektronika 60, MS-DOS, Arcade, Nintendo Entertainment System, Game Boy, Windows Alexey Pajitnov, Bullet Proof Software
1985 Super Mario Bros.
(Best Game of All Time)
(Side-Scrolling) Platformer Nintendo Entertainment System, Famicom Disk System, Arcade, Super Nintendo, Game Boy Color, Game Boy Advance, Virtual Console Nintendo EAD
1984 Excitebike[117] Racing NES, NEC PC-8801, Sharp X1, Arcade, Game Boy Advance, GameCube, Virtual Console, Nintendo eShop Nintendo R&D1
1983 Track & Field[117] Sports Arcade, Atari 2600, Atari 8-bit, MSX, NES, C64, Game Boy, Amstrad, Sharp X1, Spectrum, Mobile, NDS, XBLA Konami
1982 Pitfall![117] Platformer Atari 2600/5200, Atari 8-bit, ColecoVision, Commodore 64, Intellivision, Sega SG-1000 Activision
1981 Ms. Pac-Man[119] Maze Chase Arcade Namco, General Computer Corp., Midway

IGN AU (Australia)

In addition, the Australian (Au) team at IGN has been posting a top 10 games of the year since 2008. IGN AU's game of the year is as follows:

Year Game Genre Platform(s) Developer(s)
2010 Mass Effect 2[121] Action RPG: (Third-Person) Shooter Xbox 360, Windows BioWare
2009 Uncharted 2: Among Thieves[122] Action-Adventure: (Third-Person) Shooter PlayStation 3 Naughty Dog Software
2008 Grand Theft Auto IV[123] Open World: (Third-Person) Shooter PlayStation 3, Windows, Xbox 360 Rockstar North Ltd.

Japan Game Awards

The winners of the Grand Award annually given by the Japan Game Awards, formerly known as the CESA Awards, since 1996. There are some years where two games shared the Grand Award.[124]

Year Game Genre Platform(s) Developer(s)
2011 (15th) Monster Hunter Portable 3rd Action Role-Playing Game PlayStation Portable, PlayStation 3 Capcom
2010 (14th) New Super Mario Bros. Wii Platformer Wii Nintendo EAD
2009 (13th) Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots
Mario Kart Wii
Stealth
Racing
PlayStation 3
Wii
Kojima Productions
Nintendo EAD
2008 (12th) Wii Fit
Monster Hunter Portable 2nd G
Fitness
Action RPG
Wii
PlayStation Portable
Nintendo EAD
Capcom
2007 (11th) Wii Sports
Monster Hunter Portable 2nd
Sports
Action RPG
Wii
PlayStation Portable
Nintendo EAD
Capcom
2006 (10th) Final Fantasy XII
Dr. Kawashima's Brain Training
RPG
Puzzle
PlayStation 2
Nintendo DS
Square Enix
Nintendo SDD
2005 (9th) Dragon Quest VIII Role-Playing Game PlayStation 2 Level-5
2004 (8th) Monster Hunter Action Role-Playing Game PlayStation 2 Capcom
2003 (7th) Final Fantasy XI
Taiko no Tatsujin
MMORPG
Rhythm
PlayStation 2, Windows
PlayStation 2
Square
Namco
2001-2002 (6th) Final Fantasy X Role-Playing Game PlayStation 2, PlayStation 3, PlayStation Vita Square
2000 (5th) Phantasy Star Online Multiplayer Online RPG: Action RPG Dreamcast, Windows, GameCube, Xbox Sonic Team
1999 (4th) Dokodemo Issyo Strategy PlayStation Sony Computer Entertainment
1998 (3rd) The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time Action-Adventure: Open World Nintendo 64, GameCube, iQue Player, Virtual Console, Nintendo 3DS Nintendo EAD
1997 (2nd) Final Fantasy VII Role-Playing Game PlayStation, Windows, PlayStation Network Square
1996 (1st) Sakura Wars[125] Tactical RPG, Dating Sim, Visual Novel Sega Saturn, Dreamcast, Windows, PlayStation 2, PlayStation Portable, i-mode Sega

Japan Media Arts Festival

The video games in the Entertainment/Interactive Art division of the Japan Media Arts Festival that have won Grand Prizes or Excellence Prizes.

Year Game Genre Platform(s) Developer(s)
2010 (14th) Echochrome II Puzzle PlayStation 3 SCE Japan Studio
2009 (13th) Naruto: Ultimate Ninja Storm Fighting PlayStation 3 CyberConnect2
2008 (12th) Wii Fit Fitness Wii Nintendo EAD
2007 (11th) Wii Sports Sports Wii Nintendo EAD
2006 (10th) Ōkami Action-Adventure PlayStation 2, Wii Clover Studio
2005 (9th) Nintendogs (Pet) Simulation Nintendo DS Nintendo EAD
2004 (8th) WarioWare: Twisted! Action Nintendo DS Nintendo SPD, Intelligent Systems
2003 (7th) Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles Action Role-Playing Game GameCube The Game Designers Studio
2001 (5th) Pikmin Real-Time Strategy GameCube, Wii Nintendo EAD
2000 (4th) Dragon Quest VII Role-Playing Game PlayStation Heartbeat, ArtePiazza
1999 (3rd) Seaman (Pet) Simulation Dreamcast, PlayStation 2 Vivarium
1998 (2nd) The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time Action-Adventure: Open World Nintendo 64, GameCube, iQue Player, Virtual Console, Nintendo 3DS Nintendo EAD
1997 (1st) Final Fantasy VII
Intelligent Qube
Role-Playing Game
Puzzle
PlayStation, Windows, PlayStation Network
PlayStation, Mobile
Square
Sony Computer Entertainment

Joystiq

The winners of the Joystiq Game of the Year are chosen by Joystiq editors.[126]

Year Game Genre Platform(s) Developer(s)
2011 The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim Open World: RPG Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, PC Bethesda Softworks
2010 Mass Effect 2 RPG Xbox 360, Windows, PlayStation 3 BioWare
2009 Uncharted 2: Among Thieves Third-person shooter PlayStation 3 Naughty Dog
2008 Fable II Action RPG, Sandbox Xbox 360 Lionhead Studios
2007 Portal Puzzle, first-person shooter, science fiction Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, Windows Valve Corporation
2006 Gears of War Tactical Shooter Xbox 360, Windows Epic Games

Kotaku

Over the years, Kotaku has been refining how it selects its Game of the Year. Currently, it involves a debate which starts with the Kotaku editors determining the four most defendable candidates for the award. Editors are then given time to play all the games, and for each of the candidates, an appropriate editor is determined to make his case behind it in front of a panel who also raise questions. The results of these debates are given to the readers, who then also have the chance to make their own opinions felt. To make the final decision, the Kotaku staff members reexamine their arguments, and the winner is determined from a vote between the editors in late January.[127][128]

Year Game Genre Platform(s) Developer(s)
2011 Portal 2[129] Puzzle, first-person shooter, science fiction PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, Windows, Mac OS X Valve Corporation
2010 Red Dead Redemption[130] Open World: (Third-Person) Shooter PlayStation 3, Xbox 360 Rockstar Games
2009 Uncharted 2: Among Thieves[131] Third-person shooter PlayStation 3 Naughty Dog
2008 Grand Theft Auto IV[132] Open World, Action Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, PC Rockstar North
2007 Super Mario Galaxy[133] Platformer Wii Nintendo

Los Angeles Times

The winners of the Los Angeles Times Game of the Year are chosen by Los Angeles Times editors.

Year Game Genre Platform(s) Developer(s)
2009 Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 First-person shooter, third-person shooter Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360 Infinity Ward
2008 Grand Theft Auto IV Open World, Action Windows, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360 Rockstar North

E!Online

The winners of the E!Online Game of the Year are chosen by E!Online editors.

Year Game Genre Platform(s) Developer(s)
2011 Batman: Arkham City Action-Adventure Microsoft Windows, PlayStation3, Xbox360 Rocksteady Studios

Yahoo! Games

The winners of the Yahoo! Games Game of the Year are chosen by Yahoo! Games editors.

Year Game Genre Platform(s) Developer(s)
2011 Batman: Arkham City Action-Adventure Microsoft Windows, PlayStation3, Xbox360 Rocksteady Studios
2010 Red Dead Redemption[134] Open World: (Third-Person) Shooter PlayStation 3, Xbox 360 Rockstar Games
2009 Uncharted 2: Among Thieves[135] Third-person shooter PlayStation 3 Naughty Dog
2008 Fallout 3 Role-Playing Game Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, Windows Bethesda Game Studios
2007 Super Mario Galaxy[136] Platformer Wii Nintendo

Metro GameCentral

The top game of each year, chosen by Metro's GameCentral editors.

Year Game Genre Platform(s) Developer(s)
2011 The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword Action-Adventure: Open World Nintendo Wii Nintendo EAD, Monolith Soft
2010 Super Mario Galaxy 2 Platformer Wii Nintendo EAD
2009 Street Fighter IV Fighting PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, Windows Capcom, Dimps
2008 Fallout 3 Role-Playing Game Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, Windows Bethesda Game Studios
2007 Super Mario Galaxy Platformer Wii Nintendo EAD
2006 The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess Action-Adventure: Open World Wii, GameCube Nintendo EAD
2005 Resident Evil 4 Survival Horror: (Third-Person) Shooter GameCube, PlayStation 2, Windows, Wii, iOS, Zeebo, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360 Capcom Production Studio 4

New York Times

The winners of the New York Times Game of the Year are chosen by New York Times editors.

Year Game Genre Platform(s) Developer(s)
2010 Mass Effect 2 Action RPG: (Third-Person) Shooter Xbox 360, Windows, PlayStation 3 BioWare
2009 (Tie) Assassin's Creed II[137] Open World Action-Adventure Mac OS X, PlayStation 3, Windows, Xbox 360 Ubisoft Montreal
2009 (Tie) Uncharted 2: Among Thieves Action-Adventure: (Third-Person) Shooter PlayStation 3 Naughty Dog Software
2008 Grand Theft Auto IV Open World, Action Windows, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360 Rockstar North
2007 Mass Effect RPG PC, Xbox 360 Bioware
2006 Wii Sports Sports game Wii Nintendo EAD

Nintendo Power Awards

The winners of the Nintendo Power Awards, also known as the Nester Awards, from 1988 onwards.

Year Game Genre Platform(s) Developer(s)
2011 The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword Action-Adventure: Open World Nintendo Wii Nintendo EAD, Monolith Soft
2010 Super Mario Galaxy 2 Platformer Wii Nintendo EAD Tokyo
2009 New Super Mario Bros. Wii (Side-Scrolling) Platformer Wii Nintendo EAD
2008 Super Smash Bros. Brawl Fighting Wii HAL Laboratory, Sora, Game Arts, Monolith Soft, Paon
2007 Super Mario Galaxy Platformer Wii Nintendo EAD Tokyo
2006 The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess Action-Adventure GameCube, Wii Nintendo EAD
2005 Resident Evil 4 Survival Horror: (Third-Person) Shooter GameCube Capcom Production Studio 4
2004 Metroid Prime 2: Echoes (First-Person) Action-Adventure GameCube Retro Studios, Nintendo
2003 The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker Action-Adventure: Open World GameCube Nintendo EAD
2002 Metroid Prime (First-Person) Action-Adventure GameCube Retro Studios, Nintendo EAD, Nintendo R&D1
2001 Super Smash Bros. Melee Fighting GameCube HAL Laboratory
2000 The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask Action-Adventure: Open World Nintendo 64 Nintendo EAD
1999 Donkey Kong 64 Platformer Nintendo 64 Rare Ltd.
1998 The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time Action-Adventure: Open World Nintendo 64 Nintendo EAD
1997 GoldenEye 007 (First-Person) Shooter Nintendo 64 Rare Ltd.
1996 Super Mario 64 Platformer: Open World Nintendo 64 Nintendo EAD
1995 Chrono Trigger Role-Playing Game Super NES Squaresoft
1994 Donkey Kong Country (Side-Scrolling) Platformer Super NES Rare
1993 Mortal Kombat Fighting Super NES Midway, Sculptured Software
1992 Street Fighter II: The World Warrior Fighting Super NES Capcom
1991 Super Mario World (Side-Scrolling) Platformer Super NES Nintendo EAD
1990 Super Mario Bros. 3 (Side-Scrolling) Platformer Nintendo Entertainment System Nintendo EAD
1989 Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Platform-Action Nintendo Entertainment System Konami
1988 Zelda II: The Adventure of Link Action RPG: Platform-Adventure Nintendo Entertainment System Nintendo EAD

Omni

The games chosen as the year's best by Omni magazine, which was active from 1978 to 1995.

Year Game Genre Platform(s) Developer(s)
1990 Ys I & II[138] Action Role-Playing Game TurboGrafx-CD Nihon Falcom
1984 Boulder Dash[139] Action Atari 8-bit First Star Software
1983 Pitfall![140] Platformer Atari 2600 Activision
1982 Wizardry II: The Knight of Diamonds[141] Role-Playing Game Apple II Sir-Tech

PlayStation Official Magazine (UK)

The winners of the PlayStation Official Magazine (UK) Game of the Year are chosen by editors.

Year Game Genre Platform(s) Developer(s)
2011 Uncharted 3: Drake's Deception Action-Adventure: (Third-Person) Shooter Playstation 3 Naughty Dog
2010 Red Dead Redemption Open World: (Third-Person) Shooter Xbox 360, PlayStation 3 Rockstar Games
2009 Uncharted 2: Among Thieves Action-Adventure: (Third-Person) Shooter PlayStation 3 Naughty Dog
2008 Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots Stealth-Action: (Third-Person) Shooter PlayStation 3 Kojima Productions
2007 Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare (First-Person) Shooter Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, Windows, Infinity Ward

Spike Video Game Awards

The winners of the Spike Video Game Awards Game of the Year are chosen by an advisory council, featuring 25 journalists from various media outlets.

Year Game Genre Platform(s) Developer(s)
2011 The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim Action RPG Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, Windows Bethesda Softworks
2010 Red Dead Redemption Open World: (Third-Person) Shooter Xbox 360, PlayStation 3 Rockstar Games
2009 Uncharted 2: Among Thieves Third-person shooter PlayStation 3 Naughty Dog
2008 Grand Theft Auto IV Open World, Action Windows, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360 Rockstar North
2007 BioShock Shooter Windows, Xbox 360, Mac OS X, PlayStation 3 2K Boston/2K Australia
2006 Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Action RPG Xbox 360 Bethesda Softworks
2005 Resident Evil 4 Survival Horror: (Third-Person) Shooter GameCube, PlayStation 2, Windows, Wii Capcom
2004 Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas Open World: (Third-Person) Shooter PlayStation 2, Windows, Xbox Rockstar Games
2003 Madden NFL 2004 Sports game PlayStation 2, Windows, GameCube, Xbox 360 EA Tiburon

The Washington Examiner

The games chosen by The Washington Examiner editors as the best game in their annual "Top 10 video games" list.

Year Game Genre Platform(s) Developer(s)
2011 The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword[142] Action-Adventure: Open World Nintendo Wii Nintendo EAD, Monolith Soft
2010 Fallout: New Vegas Action RPG Windows, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360 Obsidian Entertainment

Time (magazine)

The winners of the Time magazine Game of the Year are chosen by Time magazine editors.

Year Game Genre Platform(s) Developer(s)
2011 Minecraft First person, Sandbox, RPG Java platform, Java applet, Android, iOS, Xbox 360 Mojang
2010 Alan Wake Action/Adventure, Survival horror Xbox 360 Remedy
2009 Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 First-person shooter, Third-person shooter Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360 Infinity Ward
2008 Grand Theft Auto IV Open World, Action Windows, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360 Rockstar North
2007 Halo 3 First-person shooter Xbox 360 Bungie
2006 Wii Sports Sports game Wii Nintendo EAD

VentureBeat

The winners of the VentureBeat Game of the Year are chosen by editors.

Year Game Genre Platform(s) Developer(s)
2011 Uncharted 3: Drake's Deception Action-adventure Playstation 3 Naughty Dog
2010 Red Dead Redemption Open World: (Third-Person) Shooter PlayStation 3, Xbox 360 Rockstar San Diego
2009 Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 (First-Person) Shooter Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360 Infinity Ward
2008 Gears of War 2 Third person shooter Xbox 360 Epic Games
2007 Super Mario Galaxy Platformer Wii Nintendo EAD Tokyo Development Group

X-Play

The winners of the X-Play Game of the Year are chosen by X-Play editors.[143]

Year Game Genre Platform(s) Developer(s)
2011 The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim[144] Action RPG: Open World Xbox 360, Windows, PlayStation 3 Bethesda Softworks
2010 Mass Effect 2[145] Action RPG: (Third-Person) Shooter Xbox 360, Windows, PlayStation 3 BioWare
2009 Uncharted 2: Among Thieves[146] Action-Adventure: (Third-Person) Shooter PlayStation 3 Naughty Dog
2008 Fable II[147] Action RPG: Sandbox Xbox 360 Lionhead Studios
2007 BioShock[148] (First-Person) Shooter: Survival Horror Windows, Xbox 360, Mac OS X, PlayStation 3 2K Boston/2K Australia
2006 The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess Action-Adventure Wii, Nintendo GameCube Nintendo
2005 Resident Evil 4 Survival Horror: (Third-Person) Shooter GameCube, PlayStation 2, Windows, Wii Capcom
2004 Halo 2 (First-Person) Shooter Windows, Xbox Bungie

VSDA Awards

The Video Software Dealers Association's VSDA Awards for home entertainment handed out awards for the best video games of the year, which are listed here.[149]

Year Game Genre Platform Publisher
2001 Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 2 Sports PlayStation Activision
2000 Pokémon Stadium Strategy Nintendo 64 Nintendo
1999 The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time Action-Adventure Nintendo 64 Nintendo
1998 GoldenEye 007 (First-Person) Shooter Nintendo 64 Nintendo
1996 Donkey Kong Country 2 (Side-Scrolling) Platformer Super NES Nintendo
1995 Donkey Kong Country (Side-Scrolling) Platformer Super NES Nintendo
1994 NBA Jam Sports Arcade, Super NES, Genesis / Mega Drive Acclaim Entertainment
1983 Pac-Man[150] Maze Arcade, Atari 2600 Namco, Atari

Video games - Cumulative statistical analysis of critic reviews

Typically, Game of the Year is decided amongst a consensus of video game editors. The following sites provide rankings based on a cumulation of their review scores.

GameRankings

GameRankings ranks games according to an average of their review score across multiple sources. The highest for each year are:[151]

Year Game Genre Platform(s) Developer(s)
2011 Batman: Arkham City Action-Adventure: Brawler, Stealth PlayStation 3, Xbox 360 Rocksteady Studios
2010 Super Mario Galaxy 2 Platformer Wii Nintendo EAD Tokyo Development Group
2009 Uncharted 2: Among Thieves Action-Adventure: (Third-Person) Shooter PlayStation 3 Naughty Dog Software
2008 Grand Theft Auto IV Open World: (Third-Person) Shooter PlayStation 3, Windows, Xbox 360 Rockstar North Ltd.
2007 Super Mario Galaxy Platformer Wii Nintendo EAD Tokyo Development Group
2006 The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess Action-adventure Wii, Nintendo GameCube Nintendo EAD Software Development Group No. 3
2005 Resident Evil 4 Survival Horror: (Third-Person) Shooter GameCube, PlayStation 2, Windows, Wii Capcom
2004 Half-Life 2 (First-Person) Shooter Windows, Xbox 360, Xbox, PlayStation 3 Valve Corporation
2003 The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker Action-Adventure GameCube Nintendo EAD Software Development Group No. 3
2002 Metroid Prime (First-Person) Action-Adventure GameCube Retro Studios, Nintendo
2001 Halo: Combat Evolved (First-Person) Shooter Xbox, Windows Bungie Studios
2000 Metal Gear Solid Stealth: Action-Adventure Game Boy Color Tose
1999 Soulcalibur Fighting: Hack & Slash Dreamcast, Namco System 12, iOS, Xbox Live Arcade Namco
1998 The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time Action-Adventure: Open World Nintendo 64, Nintendo GameCube, iQue Player, Virtual Console, Nintendo 3DS Nintendo EAD
1997 GoldenEye 007 (First-Person) Shooter Nintendo 64 Rare, Nintendo
1996 Super Mario 64 Platformer: Open World Nintendo 64, iQue Player, Nintendo DS, Virtual Console Nintendo EAD
1995 Chrono Trigger Role-Playing Game Super NES, PlayStation, Nintendo DS, Virtual Console, PlayStation Network, iOS Squaresoft
1994 Final Fantasy VI Role-Playing Game Super NES, Virtual Console Squaresoft
1993 The Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening Action-Adventure Game Boy, Game Boy Color Nintendo EAD
1992 The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past Action-Adventure Super NES, Virtual Console Nintendo EAD
1991 Sonic the Hedgehog[152] (Side-Scrolling) Platformer Sega Genesis / Mega Drive, Game Boy Advance, Mobile Sonic Team
1990 Motocross Maniacs Racing Game Boy Konami
1989 Tetris Puzzle Game Boy Bullet Proof Software
1988 Phantasy Star II Role-Playing Game Mega Drive / Genesis, Virtual Console, Xbox Live Arcade, iOS Sega

† The Xbox release of Grand Theft Auto Double Pack scored slightly higher than The Wind Waker but was a re-release of both GTA3 & Vice City, which came out in 2001/2002.

  • Prior to 2001, GameRankings statistics are somewhat more patchy, with fewer games making the 20 review cut off. The threshold has been set to a minimum of 10 reviews for titles released between 1992 and 2000, 7 reviews for 1993, 6 reviews for 1991, and 4 reviews for titles before 1991.

Metacritic

The winners of the Metacritic Game of the Year are determined by the game with the highest score garnered from an average of weighted review scores from various sources. Each year, Metacritic announce the highest in an official award.[52]

Year Game Genre Platform(s) Developer(s)
2011 Batman: Arkham City[153] Action-Adventure: Brawler, Stealth PlayStation 3, Xbox 360 Rocksteady Studios
2010 Super Mario Galaxy 2[154] Platformer Wii Nintendo EAD Tokyo Development Group
2009 Uncharted 2: Among Thieves[155] Action-Adventure: (Third-Person) Shooter PlayStation 3 Naughty Dog
2008 Grand Theft Auto IV Open World: (Third-Person) Shooter Windows, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360 Rockstar North
2007 Super Mario Galaxy Platformer Wii Nintendo
2006 The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess Action-Adventure Wii, Nintendo GameCube Nintendo
2005 Resident Evil 4 Survival horror: (Third-Person) Shooter GameCube, PlayStation 2, Windows, Wii Capcom
2004 Half-Life 2 (First-Person) Shooter Windows, Xbox, Xbox 360, PlayStation 3 Valve
2003 The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker Action-Adventure: Open World GameCube Nintendo EAD
2002 Metroid Prime Action-Adventure: (First-Person) Shooter GameCube, Wii Retro Studios, Nintendo
2001 Grand Theft Auto III Action-Adventure: Open World PlayStation 2, Windows, Xbox DMA Design
2000 Perfect Dark (First-Person) Shooter Nintendo 64 Rare, Nintendo
1999 Soulcalibur Fighting: Hack & Slash DreamCast Namco
1998 The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time Action-Adventure: Open World Nintendo 64 Nintendo EAD
1997 GoldenEye 007 (First-Person) Shooter Nintendo 64 Rare, Nintendo
1996 Super Mario 64 Platformer: Open World Nintendo 64, iQue Player, Nintendo DS, Virtual Console Nintendo EAD

Video games - Reader and gamer polls

1UP.com Reader's Choice

In addition to the editor's picks, 1UP.com also hosts a poll for the Readers' GOTYs. Until 2010, this was considered their primary Game of the Year.[11]

Year Game Genre Platform(s) Developer(s)
2010 Call of Duty: Black Ops[13] (First-Person) Shooter Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360 Treyarch
2009 Uncharted 2: Among Thieves[14] Action-Adventure: (Third-Person) Shooter PlayStation 3 Naughty Dog Software
2008 Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots[156] Stealth Action PlayStation 3 Kojima Productions
2007 Halo 3 First-person shooter Xbox 360 Bungie
2006 Gears of War Third-person shooter Xbox 360 Epic Games
2005 Resident Evil 4 Survival horror, Shooter GameCube, PlayStation 2 Capcom
2004 Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas Action-adventure, Third-person shooter, Sandbox PlayStation 2, Windows, Xbox Rockstar Games

Crash

Starting in 1984, the ZX Spectrum magazine Crash published an annual readers awards article, based on votes from the readers.

Year Game Genre Developer
1990 Robocop 2[157] Platformer Data East
1989 Batman - The Movie[158] Platformer Sunsoft
1987 Driller[159] Puzzle Incentive Software
1986 Starglider[160] Space Simulation Argonaut Games
1985 Elite[161] Space Simulation Acornsoft
1984 Daley Thompson's Decathlon[162] Sports Ocean Software

Electronic Gaming Monthly Readers' Choice Awards

In addition to their Editors' Choice Awards, Electronic Gaming Monthly also handed out Readers' Choice Awards voted by the magazine's readers.

Year Game Genre Platform(s) Developer(s)
2003 Prince of Persia: Sands of Time[163] Platform-Adventure PlayStation 2, Xbox, GameCube, Game Boy Advance, Windows, PlayStation 3 Ubisoft Montreal
2002 Metroid Prime (First-Person) Action-Adventure GameCube, Wii Retro Studios, Nintendo
2001 Halo (First-Person) Shooter Xbox, Windows, Mac OS X, Xbox 360 Bungie
1998 The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time[164] Action-Adventure Nintendo 64, GameCube, iQue Player, Virtual Console, Nintendo 3DS
1997 Final Fantasy VII[165] Role-Playing Game PlayStation, Windows, PlayStation Network Squaresoft

Electronic Games

Along with the Arcade Awards (see above) announced by Electronic Games magazine each year, it also held a regular reader poll for the most popular games among its readers in each issue, from May 1982 to January 1985.[28] The games that topped these polls the most in each year are listed here.

Year Arcade Console Computer
1985 Star Wars Pitfall II Miner 2049er
1984 Dragon's Lair Donkey Kong Jr.
Pitfall II
Zork I
1983 Pole Position Donkey Kong
Donkey Kong Jr.
Star Raiders
1982 Pac-Man Pac-Man

Eurogamer Portugal Reader's Choice

In addition to the editor's picks, Eurogamer Portugal also hosts a poll for the Reader's GOTY.

Year Game Genre Platform(s) Developer(s)
2011 Uncharted 3: Drake's Deception Action-Adventure: (Third-Person) Shooter PlayStation 3 Naughty Dog
2010 Mass Effect 2 Action RPG: (Third-Person) Shooter Xbox360, PC, Playstation 3 Bioware
2009 Uncharted 2: Among Thieves Action-Adventure: (Third-Person) Shooter PlayStation 3 Naughty Dog
2008 Fable II Action RPG: Sandbox Xbox 360 Lionhead Studios
2007 BioShock (First-Person) Shooter Windows, Xbox 360, Mac OS X, PlayStation 3 2K Boston/2K Australia
2006 The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess Action-Adventure Wii, Nintendo GameCube Nintendo
2005 Resident Evil 4 Survival Horror: (Third-Person) Shooter GameCube, PlayStation 2, Windows, Wii Capcom

Famitsu

The Grand Prize winners of the annual Famitsu Awards, voted by the magazine's readers.

Year Game Genre Platform(s) Developer(s)
2010 Kingdom Hearts: Birth by Sleep Action Role-Playing Game PlayStation Portable Square Enix
2009 Dragon Quest IX[166] Role-Playing Game Nintendo DS Level-5
2008 Monster Hunter Portable 2nd G Action Role-Playing Game PlayStation Portable Capcom
2007 Super Mario Galaxy Platformer Wii Nintendo EAD Tokyo
Monster Hunter Portable 2nd Action Role-Playing Game PlayStation Portable Capcom
2006 Final Fantasy XII Role-Playing Game PlayStation 2 Square Enix
Pokemon Diamond and Pearl Role-Playing Game Nintendo DS Game Freak
2005 Resident Evil 4 Survival Horror: (Third-Person) Shooter GameCube, PlayStation 2, Windows, Wii, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360 Capcom
Kingdom Hearts II Action Role-Playing Game PlayStation 2 Square Enix
2004 Monster Hunter Action Role-Playing Game PlayStation 2 Capcom
Greatest Games (Pre-2004)[167]
Year Game Genre Platform(s) Developer(s)
2003 Final Fantasy X-2 Role-Playing Game PlayStation 2 Squaresoft
2002 Sakura Taisen 3 ~Pari wa Moeteiru ka~ (Turn-Based) Tactical Role-Playing Game, (Adventure) Visual Novel Dreamcast, Windows, PlayStation 2 Sega
2001 Final Fantasy X
(Best Game of All Time)
Role-Playing Game PlayStation 2, PlayStation 3, PlayStation Vita Squaresoft
2000 Dragon Quest VII Role-Playing Game PlayStation Heartbeat, ArtePiazza
1999 Final Fantasy VIII Role-Playing Game PlayStation, Windows, PlayStation Network Squaresoft
1998 Machi (Adventure) Visual Novel Sega Saturn, PlayStation, PlayStation Portable Chunsoft
1997 Final Fantasy VII Role-Playing Game PlayStation, Microsoft Windows, PlayStation Network Squaresoft
1996 Sakura Wars (Turn-Based) Tactical Role-Playing Game, (Adventure) Visual Novel Sega Saturn, Dreamcast, Windows, PS2, PSP, i-mode Sega
1995 Tactics Ogre: Let Us Cling Together (Turn-Based) Tactical Role-Playing Game Super Famicom, Sega Saturn, PlayStation, Virtual Console, PSP Quest
1994 Final Fantasy VI Role-Playing Game SNES, PlayStation, GBA, Virtual Console, PSN Squaresoft
1993 Ogre Battle: The March of the Black Queen (Real-Time) Strategy Role-Playing Game SNES, Sega Saturn, PlayStation, Virtual Console Quest
1992 Dragon Quest V: Hand of the Heavenly Bride Role-Playing Game Super Famicom, PlayStation 2, Nintendo DS Chunsoft
1991 Final Fantasy IV Role-Playing Game SNES, PlayStation, WonderSwan Color, GBA, Nintendo DS, Virtual Console, PSP Squaresoft
1990 Final Fantasy III Role-Playing Game NES, WonderSwan Color, Nintendo DS, Virtual Console, iOS Squaresoft
1989 Mother Role-Playing Game Famicom, Game Boy Advance Nintendo, Ape
1988 Dragon Quest III Role-Playing Game NES, SNES, GBC, Mobile, Wii Chunsoft
1987 Dragon Quest II Role-Playing Game NES, SNES, GBC, Mobile, Wii Chunsoft
1986 Dragon Quest Role-Playing Game NES, SNES, GBC, Mobile, Wii Chunsoft
1985 Super Mario Bros. (Side-Scrolling) Platformer NES, Famicom Disk System, Arcade, SNES, GBC, GBA, Virtual Console Nintendo EAD

G4

The winners of G4's annual "Videogame Deathmatch" or "G-phoria" polls. The 2011 "Videogame Deathmatch" poll involved 500,000 votes.[168]

Year Game Genre Platform(s) Developer(s)
2011 The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword[169] Action-Adventure: Open World Wii Nintendo EAD, Monolith Soft
2010 StarCraft II: Wings of Liberty Real-Time Strategy Windows Blizzard
2009 Fallout 3 Role-Playing Game Windows, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360 Bethesda Game Studios
2008 Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots Stealth: (Third-Person) Shooter PlayStation 3 Kojima Productions
2007 Gears of War (Third-Person) Shooter Xbox 360, Windows Epic Games

GameFAQs

GameFAQs' annual Game of the Year is chosen by its readers.

Year Game Genre Platform(s) Developer(s)
2011 The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim[170] Action RPG: Open World Xbox 360, Windows, Playstation 3 Bethesda Softworks
2010 Mass Effect 2[171] Action RPG: (Third-Person) Shooter Xbox 360, Windows, Playstation 3 BioWare
2009 Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2[172] (First-Person) Shooter PlayStation 3, Windows, Xbox 360 Infinity Ward
2008 Super Smash Bros. Brawl[173] Fighting Wii HAL Laboratory, Inc
2007 Super Mario Galaxy[174] Platformer Wii Nintendo EAD Tokyo Development Group
2006 The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess[175] Action-Adventure Wii, GameCube Nintendo EAD Software Development Group No. 3
2005 Resident Evil 4[176] Survival Horror: (Third-Person) Shooter GameCube, PlayStation 2 Capcom Production Studio 4
2004 Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas[177] Open World Action PlayStation 2, Macintosh, Windows, Xbox, Xbox 360 Rockstar North
2003 The Legend of Zelda: Wind Waker[178] Action-Adventure GameCube Nintendo EAD Software Development Group No. 3
2002 Metroid Prime[179] (First-Person) Action-Adventure GameCube Retro Studios, Nintendo
2001 Final Fantasy X[180] Role-Playing Game PlayStation 2 Square
2000 Final Fantasy IX[181] Role-Playing Game PlayStation, PlayStation Network Square
1999 Final Fantasy VIII[182] Role-Playing Game PlayStation, Windows, PlayStation Network Square
Greatest Games (Pre-2001)[183]
Year Game Genre Platform(s) Developer(s)
2000 The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask
(Game of the Decade)[184]
Action-Adventure: Open World Nintendo 64, GameCube, Virtual Console Nintendo EAD
1999 Final Fantasy VIII[185] Role-Playing Game PlayStation, Windows, PlayStation Network Square
1998 The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time
(Best Game Ever)[186]
Action-Adventure, Open World Nintendo 64, GameCube, Virtual Console, Nintendo 3DS Nintendo EAD
1997 Final Fantasy VII
(Best Game Ever)[187][183]
Role-Playing Game PlayStation, Windows, PlayStation Network Square
1996 Super Mario 64 Platformer: Open World Nintendo 64 Nintendo EAD
1995 Chrono Trigger Role-Playing Game Super Nintendo Entertainment System Squaresoft
1994 Final Fantasy VI Role-Playing Game Super Nintendo Entertainment System Squaresoft
1993 Doom (First-Person) Shooter MS-DOS id Software
1992 Sonic the Hedgehog 2 (Side-Scrolling) Platformer Sega Genesis / Mega Drive Sonic Team
1991 The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past Action-Adventure Super Nintendo Entertainment System Nintendo EAD
1990 Super Mario World (Side-Scrolling) Platformer Super Nintendo Entertainment System Nintendo EAD
1989 Tetris Puzzle Game Boy Alexey Pajitnov, Bullet Proof Software
1988 Super Mario Bros. 3 (Side-Scrolling) Platformer Nintendo Entertainment System Nintendo EAD
1987 The Legend of Zelda Action-Adventure: Open World Nintendo Entertainment System Nintendo EAD
1986 Metroid (Side-Scrolling) Platform-Adventure Nintendo Entertainment System Nintendo R&D1, Intelligent Systems
1985 Super Mario Bros. (Side-Scrolling) Platformer Nintendo Entertainment System Nintendo EAD
1980 Pac-Man Maze Chase Arcade Namco

Game Revolution

The winner of the Game Revolution Community Choice Game of the Year award.

Year Game Genre Platform(s) Developer(s)
2011 Dark Souls[188] (Action) Role-Playing Game PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, Microsoft Windows From Software

GameSpot Readers' Picks

In addition to the editor's picks, GameSpot also hosts a poll for the Readers' GOTY.

Year Game Genre Platform(s) Developer(s)
2011 The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim[189] (Action) Role-Playing Game Playstation 3 X-box 360 Windows Bethesda Softworks
2010 StarCraft II: Wings of Liberty[189] (Real-Time) Strategy Windows Blizzard Entertainment
2009 Uncharted 2: Among Thieves[190] Action-Adventure: (Third-Person) Shooter PlayStation 3 Naughty Dog
2008 Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots Stealth: (Third-Person) Shooter PlayStation 3 Kojima Productions
2007 Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare Action: (First-Person) Shooter PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, PC Infinity Ward
2006 Gears of War (Third-Person) Shooter Xbox 360 Epic Games
2005 Resident Evil 4 Survival Horror: (Third-Person) Shooter GameCube, PlayStation 2 Capcom
2004 Halo 2 (First-Person) Shooter Windows, Xbox Bungie
Pre-2004
Year Console Handheld PC
2003 GameCube: The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker
PlayStation 2: Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time
Xbox: Grand Theft Auto Double Pack
Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga Call of Duty
2002 GameCube: Metroid Prime
PlayStation 2: Grand Theft Auto: Vice City
Xbox: Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell
Metroid Fusion Warcraft III: Reign of Chaos
2001 Grand Theft Auto III Max Payne
2000 Chrono Cross[191] Baldur's Gate II: Shadows of Amn

Gamest Awards

The Japanese Gamest magazine was published from 1986 to 1999, and held the Gamest Award ceremonies every year, focusing mainly on arcade games. The winners of the Grand Prize awards were chosen by voters.

Year Game Genre Company
1998 (12th) Psychic Force 2012 Fighting Taito
1997 (11th) Vampire Savior Fighting Capcom
1996 (10th) Street Fighter Zero 2 Fighting Capcom
1995 (9th) Virtua Fighter 2 Fighting Sega
1994 (8th) The King of Fighters '94 Fighting SNK
1993 (7th) Samurai Spirits Fighting SNK
1992 (6th) Street Fighter II Dash Fighting Capcom
1991 (5th) Street Fighter II Fighting Capcom
1990 (4th) Final Fight Beat 'Em Up Capcom
1989 (3rd) Tetris Puzzle Sega
1988 (2nd) Gradius II (Side-Scrolling) Shooter Konami
1987 (1st) Darius (Side-Scrolling) Shooter Taito

Golden Joystick Awards

The Golden Joysticks are the second oldest gaming awards (after the Arcade Awards). The inaugural ceremony took place in 1982 in London's Berkeley Square.[192]

Year Game Genre Platform(s) Developer(s)
2011 Portal 2 (First-Person) Puzzle PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, Windows, Mac OS X Valve Corporation
2010 Mass Effect 2 (Third-Person) Role-Playing Shooter Xbox 360, Windows BioWare
2009 Fallout 3 (First-Person) Role-Playing Shooter PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, Windows Bethesda
2008 Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare (First-Person) Shooter PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, Windows, Mac OS X Infinity Ward
2007 Gears Of War (Third-Person) Shooter Xbox 360, Windows Epic Games
2006 The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion (First-Person) Action RPG Xbox 360, Windows Bethesda
2005 Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas Open World Action-Adventure PlayStation 2, Windows, Xbox Rockstar North
2004 Doom 3 (First-Person) Shooter Windows, Linux id Software
2003 Grand Theft Auto: Vice City Open World Action-Adventure PlayStation 2, Windows Rockstar North
2002 Grand Theft Auto III[193] Open World Action-Adventure PlayStation 2, Windows DMA Design
1992 Street Fighter II[193] Fighting Arcade, Super NES, Mega Drive, Amiga, Atari ST, C64, DOS, Spectrum Capcom
1988 8-bit Computer: Operation Wolf
16-bit Computer: Speedball
Console: Thunder Blade
(First-Person) Light-Gun Shooter
Sports
Flight Sim: (Third-Person) Rail Shooter
Amstrad CPC, Commodore 64, ZX Spectrum
Amiga, Atari ST, DOS
Sega Master System
Taito Corporation
Bitmap Brothers
Sega
1987 Out Run Racing Arcade, Sega Master System, Commodore 64, Amstrad CPC, Spectrum, MSX Sega AM2
1986 Gauntlet Hack & Slash Arcade, Amstrad CPC, Atari 8-bit, C64, MSX, ZX Spectrum Atari Games
1985 Way of the Exploding Fist Fighting Acorn Electron, Amstrad, BBC Micro, Commodore 16, C64, Spectrum Beam Software
1984 Knight Lore (Isometric) Platformer ZX Spectrum Ultimate
1983 Jetpac Shoot 'Em Up ZX Spectrum, Commodore VIC-20 Ultimate

IGN Reader's Choice

In addition to the editor's picks, IGN also hosts a poll for the Readers' GOTY. IGN, considered the world's largest gaming website, attracted 300,000 votes for its "Best of 2011" Readers' Choice awards.[194]

Year Game Genre Platform(s) Developer(s)
2011 The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword[195] Action-Adventure Wii Nintendo EAD, Monolith Soft
2010 Mass Effect 2[196] Action RPG: (Third-Person) Shooter Xbox 360, Windows, PlayStation 3 BioWare
2009 Uncharted 2: Among Thieves Action-Adventure: (Third-Person) Shooter PlayStation 3 Naughty Dog Software
2008 Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots Stealth Action PlayStation 3 Kojima Productions
2007 Super Mario Galaxy Platformer Wii Nintendo EAD Tokyo Development Group
2006 The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess Action-Adventure Wii, GameCube Nintendo EAD Software Development Group No. 3
2005 Resident Evil 4 Survival Horror: (Third-Person) Shooter GameCube Capcom Production Studio 4
2004 Halo 2 (First-Person) Shooter Xbox Bungie
2003 The Legend of Zelda: Wind Waker Action-Adventure GameCube Nintendo EAD Software Development Group No. 3
2002 Metroid Prime (First-Person) Action-Adventure GameCube Retro Studios, Nintendo
2001 Super Smash Bros. Melee Fighting GameCube HAL Laboratory, Inc
Greatest Games (Pre-2002)[43][197]
Year Game Genre Platform(s) Developer(s)
2001 Shenmue II[198] Adventure: Open World Sega Dreamcast, Xbox Sega AM2
2000 Perfect Dark (First-Person) Shooter Nintendo 64 Rare, Nintendo
1999 Soul Calibur Fighting Arcade, Dreamcast, iOS, Xbox Live Arcade Namco
1998 The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time
(Best Game of All Time)
Action-Adventure: Open World Nintendo 64, GameCube, iQue Player, Virtual Console, Nintendo 3DS Nintendo EAD
1997 Final Fantasy VII (Game of the Century)[199] Role-Playing Game PlayStation, Windows, PlayStation Network Square Product Development Division 1
1996 Super Mario 64 Platformer: Open World Nintendo 64, iQue Player, Nintendo DS, Virtual Console Nintendo EAD
1995 Chrono Trigger Role-Playing Game Super Nintendo Entertainment System, PlayStation, Mobile, Virtual Console, PlayStation Network, iOS Squaresoft
1994 Final Fantasy VI Role-Playing Game Super Nintendo, PlayStation, Game Boy Advance, Virtual Console, PlayStation Network Squaresoft
1993 Super Metroid (Side-Scrolling) Platform-Adventure Super Nintendo, Virtual Console Nintendo R&D1, Intelligent Systems
1992 The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past Action-Adventure Super Nintendo, Game Boy Advance, Virtual Console Nintendo EAD

MMGN

The winners of MMGN's annual Community Game of the Year poll.

Year Game Genre Platform(s) Developer(s)
2011 The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword[200] Action-Adventure: Open World Wii Nintendo EAD, Monolith Soft
2010 Red Dead Redemption Open World: (Third-Person) Shooter Playstation 3, Xbox360 Rockstar San Diego, Rockstar North
2009 Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 (First-Person) Shooter PlayStation 3, Windows, Xbox 360 Infinity Ward
2007 Super Mario Galaxy Platformer Wii Nintendo EAD Tokyo

ScrewAttack

The winners of ScrewAttack's annual Top 10 Games poll.

Year Game Genre Platform(s) Developer(s)
2011 The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword[201] Action-Adventure: Open World Wii Nintendo EAD, Monolith Soft
2010 Mass Effect 2 Action RPG: (Third-Person) Shooter Xbox360, PC, Playstation 3 Bioware
2009 Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots Stealth: (Third-Person) Shooter Playstation 3 Kojima Productions

Softalk

In 1981, Softalk held one of the first reader polls on popular home computer software, released up until 1980.[202]

Year Game Genre Platform(s)
1980 Super Invader Shoot 'Em Up Apple II

References

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  3. ^ "2006 Buyer's Guide To Games". Games. Vol. 29, no. 216. GAMES Publications. 2005. pp. 35–47. {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |month= ignored (help)
  4. ^ "2005 Buyer's Guide To Games". Games. Vol. 28, no. 206. GAMES Publications. 2004. pp. 33–48. {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |month= ignored (help)
  5. ^ "2004 Buyer's Guide To Games". Games. Vol. 27, no. 196. GAMES Publications. 2003. pp. 35–48. {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |month= ignored (help)
  6. ^ "2003 Buyer's Guide To Games". Games. Vol. 26, no. 186. GAMES Publications. 2002. pp. 33–64. {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |month= ignored (help)
  7. ^ "2000 Buyer's Guide To Games". Games. Vol. 23, no. 157. GAMES Publications. 1999. pp. 31–46. {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |month= ignored (help)
  8. ^ a b http://www.boardgamegeek.com/wiki/page/Games_100 Games 100
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  10. ^ a b c d e Games 100
  11. ^ a b 1UP.com Website
  12. ^ 1UP's Best of 2011 Awards: Editors' Picks
  13. ^ a b 1UP 2010 Game of the Year
  14. ^ a b 1UP 2009 Reader's Choice
  15. ^ Academy of Interactive Arts & Science Game of the Year 2009
  16. ^ Academy of Interactive Arts & Science Game of the Year 2008
  17. ^ Academy of Interactive Arts & Science Game of the Year 2007
  18. ^ Academy of Interactive Arts & Science Game of the Year 2006
  19. ^ Academy of Interactive Arts & Science Game of the Year 2005
  20. ^ Academy of Interactive Arts & Science Game of the Year 2004
  21. ^ Academy of Interactive Arts & Science Game of the Year 2003
  22. ^ Academy of Interactive Arts & Science Game of the Year 2002
  23. ^ Academy of Interactive Arts & Science Game of the Year 2001
  24. ^ Academy of Interactive Arts & Science Game of the Year 2000
  25. ^ Academy of Interactive Arts & Science Game of the Year 1999
  26. ^ Academy of Interactive Arts & Science Game of the Year 1998
  27. ^ Academy of Interactive Arts & Science Game of the Year 1997
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