We're back with more of our 2023 awards...
Most Played Non-2023 Game
Winner: The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild
If you didn't replay Breath of the Wild before the launch of Tears of the Kingdom, you probably at least thought about it, right? It'd be rude not to tidy up those last quests or hunt down those last few Koroks.
Perhaps it was something to scratch an itch while we waited, but it almost felt like an obligation, weirdly, to dive back into the world of Hyrule one more time before Nintendo finally showed what else it had up its sleeve for this magnificent open world. And you know what? We don't regret it for one moment.
Runners-up: Signalis, Persona 5 Royal
Most 'Oh Crap, That Came Out This Year?' Game 2023
Winner: Advance Wars 1+2: Re-Boot Camp
While the likes of Fire Emblem Engage and Bayonetta Origins came out quite early on in the year and have therefore likely fallen out of memory for many Switch owners, the fact that Advance Wars 1+2: Re-Boot Camp was delayed for so long makes it a bit of a shoo-in for this category. The year-long delay made it feel like a 2022 game, perhaps, but when looking back through the release calendar, this was the most, "Huh, that was this year!" of the lot.
Runners-up: Kirby's Return to Dream Land Deluxe, Bayonetta Origins, Fire Emblem Engage
Best Game We Keep Blathering On About That You Really Should Play 2023
Winner: F-Zero 99
Nintendo has experimented with the '99' format a few times now, but none have proven quite as successful as F-Zero 99. It feels like it really should have been a premium release, but the fact that all subscribers to Nintendo Switch Online can download this at no extra cost is simply magnificent.
Given the dearth of new F-Zero games for so long, you'd be forgiven for thinking we're simply putting this one on an undeserved pedestal, but with its slick gameplay, unique multiplayer format, and addictive nature, it's a game that we're going to be booting up for as long as Nintendo deigns to keep it online.
Runners-up: Blasphemous II, PARANORMASIGHT: The Seven Mysteries of Honjo
The 'It's About Bloody Time' Award 2023
Winner: Metroid Prime Remastered
Even if you were to disregard the hints and predictions from the likes of Jeff Grubb regarding Metroid Prime on the Switch, it felt like fans the world over had been waiting for a re-release for ruddy years. Finally, in February of 2023, Nintendo not only announced a remaster of the GameCube classic but launched a digital version that very same day!
Metroid Prime 4 will almost certainly take home the 2034 edition of this gong.
Runners-up: Persona 4 Golden
Best amiibo 2023
Winner: Splatoon 3 - Deep Cut
Ganondaddy was a close second, but we love Deep Cut here at Nintendo Life, so of course the crew had to take home the trophy for this one. Just look at Big Man, for goodness' sake — look at him! So adorable.
Runners-up: Ganondorf, Zelda, Pyra & Mythra
Best Switch Box Art 2023
Winner: Sonic Superstars
We were tempted to go for something painterly; a work of art that would look at home on the wall of a prestigious art gallery. But let's be honest, this cover image for Sonic Superstars is simply awesome and gives us a dose of the warm fuzzies whenever we see it.
It's not too busy or flashy, but nor does it need to be. This is a game about Sonic's 'core four'; a cast of characters so iconic, they deserve nothing less than to be on centre stage for the game's box art. To finish up, let's remind ourselves of the larger key art it was taken from — something for your desktop wallpaper folder. You're welcome.
Runners-up: Sea of Stars (Japan), Octopath Traveler 2, Trinity Trigger, Crime O' Clock, The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom
That's all for our 2023 awards today. Are there other candidates you would have given these prizes to? Let us know below your picks for each category.
Comments 33
Nice list! Personally, I think the Sonic Superstars ''reversed" cover looks better though.
Happy holidays, everyone!
I don’t agree on the Best Switch Icon 2023 Award, I find it really boring.
Yeah! You Want "Those Games," Right? So Here You Go! Now, Let's See You Clear Them!
got shafted for the most unwieldy title nominations.
Love these unique articles you guys put together! Generally agree, except hard disagree on the box art.
Happy holidays!
Highly recommend Dredge, one of the best indie games this year.
In terms of best box art I'd give that to either Cult of the Lamb Deluxe Edition or Bayonetta Origins
Well, I disagree with the best Switch box art for 2023.
Best Switch Box Art 2023:
Sonic Superstar
Really?! You're seriously?! Sigh
@IceEarthGuard Yeah, me too.
«If you didn't replay Breath of the Wild before the launch of Tears of the Kingdom, you probably at least thought about it, right?»
Lol. I don't care about it.
Best game to play during Xmas. -
Metroid Dread
This list is dumb and I love it xD
This was a fun article. Congrats NL
In a year when Octopath 2 released, I do think that deserves that box art. I’ve not even played it, but those 2D-HD Square titles have unparalleled box art.
Glad to see Karateka get some recognition for that award over Metroid Prime Remastered. Prime Remastered may be the better game, but what a complete history lesson that Karateka bundle is. I love it!
Dredge is an Adventure Game! Certainly cross genre, but adventure through and through.
@Poodlestargenerica Lies, it's obviously a hack n slash with plenty of open-world web slinging. And Space Dragons. Never forget those.
what a great idea for an article, so much fun to read
Atelier Ryza 3 Alchemist of the End & the Secret Key definitely got snubbed in the honorable mentions for longest game title. It's hard to tell what the title even means.
@ffru It's the most fun I've had in quite a while since I've made an account on here, not going to lie.
@Lightsiyd That doesn't mean it still can't be considered an Adventure game. Come on, don't be like that.
@Lightsiyd A horror game? Seriously? Whatever you say, man, but most people don't want to have nightmares during "The Most Wonderful Time of the Year".
@LuznoLindo You're right. Absolutely so!!
@UltimateOtaku91 Thank you, I agree for Bayonetta Origins : Cereza ans the Lost Demon.
It's my Switch Icon of the year, and even the best title screen, and promotional music with the gaelic song !
This game is my "coup de coeur", and my 4th favorite Switch exclusivity this year (behind ZLOZ : TOTK / Super Mario Bros. Wonder / Pikmin 4). But the most emotional, and with a nice artistic direction.
A forgotten and underrated game for me.
I just don’t get the appeal of Vampire Survivors. Every round I play of that game I’m acutely aware of how much time on this Earth I’m wasting moving a little character around the screen while all the interesting stuff is done automatically.
Great article.
The awards that really matter.
Good call on Dredge, it's in a class of its own. Looking forward to the DLC next year.
@juliobrand I hadn’t seen that inverse cover, but it screams 90s Sonic and I love it!
“Best Non2023 Game That I Keep Playing”
…look no one is shocked that mine is Splatoon. Also… MGS3 for best icon and Sonic Superstars for best box art feel wrong. I don’t know what I’d pick instead, and MGS3 isn’t bad, but… Octopath Traveller 2?
The best box art this year belongs to FE Engage and Bayo Origins, imo. The same could be said about the best icon though.
Great article, funny and also a reminder of certain aspects of gaming we don't usually think of!
My most played non-2023 game is Persona 5 Royal (in fact it's the game I've played the most this year) and I definitely agree with @juliobrand, the reversed cover of Sonic Superstars is a much better contender for best box art along with the other suggestions here in the comments... speaking of, great suggestions about the icons, too!
I forgot NL did these "alternative" awards, and now I'm glad they came back again. XD This is a very fun list. The best part is the 'It's About Bloody Time' Award recipient showed up in my gift pile yesterday.
Your icon award pic gave me a Vita flashback. I had all the pictured games on my Vita. Though I never got around to playing FF IV.
If a game comes out too late for this year's goty, either move the goty to the new year or make it eligible for next year...
“Metroid Prime 4 will almost certainly take home the 2034 edition of this gong.”
I’m not sure whether or not 2034 was a typo here (as opposed to 2024) but unfortunately due to the amount of delays Metroid Prime 3 has already seen I’m kind of feeling there actually wasn’t a typo.
@Fiskern I wish this approach was taken more. The Oscars are in February even though movies take much less time to consume. Although it's not a big deal with these awards since it doesn't take long to look at box art, for example.
@Thomystic it was more directed to the one they named "Best 'End-Of-Year Arrival That Dropped Too Late To Make Our GOTY List' 2023"
Why not just make it appear on next year's list?
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