It's hard to believe that another year of gaming has passed, yet here we are. 2014 was a busy year for Nintendo, and the company certainly delivered a lot of thoroughly enjoyable games on the Wii U and 3DS. We also saw both eShop platforms grow further, particularly on the Wii U, with high quality downloadable goodies expanding plenty of libraries and backlogs.
As it is the season, we now have our Game of the Year festivities. First up here are the winners of the Nintendo Life staff voting, and on Christmas Day we'll have the all important Reader Awards that were chosen by you, the community. We were all voting in the same categories, so comparing results should be interesting for all concerned!
Below are brief details on how the staff voting worked.
- Each staff member picked up to 10 games in each category, with points awarded from 10 to 1 in the correct order. If less games were picked, scoring was reduced accordingly.
- All votes were tallied up with this points system.
- As is always the case with our staff votes, some games suffer from circumstances. Primarily, some fantastic titles are available in Europe but not North America, and particularly vice-versa; this limits the potential votes, lowering their odds against those games that are available worldwide. Also, releases from December also have a tougher time winning votes, even though voting only closed on 23rd December.
- We left out the Virtual Console this year, in order to focus on new experiences and releases from 2014.
- Finally, as mentioned in the community voting article, Bayonetta was counted as an eShop game - it can only be purchased individually on the download store, with physical copies bundled with the sequel.
We call these "Staff Awards" as we certainly don't claim them to be outright Game of the Year awards as drawn up by a Royal Committee of writers, locked away at a remote retreat to deliberate on the outcome. Or to be less silly, it's simply a reflection of the team's overall favourites, accommodating the fact that we've all bought, played and prioritised games to our personal tastes. That's why we have a votes / points system. It's democratic, and an aggregate of the team's favourite games of the year.
Your community votes, may, of course, tell a different tale from these results!
Enough blabbing, let's get to the awards.
Wii U Retail Game of the Year
There were some major releases on the Wii U this year, and though the overall list may not have been overflowing with titles there was plenty of quality. Honourable mentions go to Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze and Hyrule Warriors, both of which narrowly missed out on the top three.
One of two rather obvious candidates for top spot, the outstanding kart racer secured a fairly comfortable win in the end. The anti-grav mechanic and HD visuals do much to truly make this one stand out, and the first batch of DLC was heaven for dedicated Nintendo fans.
Second Place: Super Smash Bros. for Wii U (Nintendo)
Third Place: Bayonetta 2 (Platinum Games / Nintendo)
Wii U eShop Game of the Year
2014 was truly an exceptional year for the Wii U eShop. We saw some exclusives and a host of top-notch multi-platform downloads, as some of the finest Indie developers and publishers around pitched in with memorable games. Narrowly missing the top three in this category were Stealth Inc 2: A Game of Clones and the HD iteration of SteamWorld Dig, among a number of others.
Despite a host of strong competitors, this terrific début release from Yacht Club Games was the dominant winner. Gorgeous pixel-based visuals, a kicking soundtrack and first class action-platforming contributed to making this one of the most talked about games of the year. Released on Nintendo systems as a console exclusive, its success will see it move across to PSN in 2015.
Second Place: Bayonetta (Platinum Games / Nintendo)
Third Place: Guacamelee! Super Turbo Championship Edition (Drinkbox Studios)
3DS Retail Game of the Year
The 3DS remains the jewel in Nintendo's crown, shifting millions of units a year and providing a number of fantastic retail experiences. It was a particularly strong year, with Level-5 and Capcom providing memorable titles, and just missing the top three we had games such as Pokémon Omega Ruby & Alpha Sapphire (yep, we're surprised too!), Bravely Default (released early 2014 in North America) and a number of other excellent games. The list of those missing shows what a great year it was for the portable.
The runaway winner, this was the first entry of the iconic fighting series to arrive on a portable. It's an outstanding technical achievement, extracting every bit of power possible from the 3DS - with load times greatly reduced on the New Nintendo 3DS - and serving up an impressive amount of content. With move-sets matching across platforms, it's a welcome option for Smash fans to get their fix and improve skills when on the go.
Second Place: Kirby: Triple Deluxe (Nintendo)
Third Place: Tomodachi Life (Nintendo)
3DS eShop Game of the Year
Like its Wii U contemporary, the 3DS eShop brought us a number of excellent games, with plenty of unique and bite-sized experiences to keep us occupied on the portable. Honourable mentions for this category go to two Nintendo games, Steel Diver: Sub Wars and Rusty's Real Deal Baseball (which did particularly well in the voting considering it was never released in Europe).
We're not surprised that this wonderful game did the double, and it's an experience that works equally well (some would say better) on the portable. Unique features on the 3DS are lovely stereoscopic 3D visuals and a quirky StreetPass battle arena.
Second Place: Retro City Rampage DX (Vblank Entertainment)
Third Place: Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney Trilogy (Capcom)
Overall Game of the Year
This is the big one, a category in which any new Wii U or 3DS game is eligible, including eShop titles. The highest-ranking download game, in fifth place, was Shovel Knight - that's unsurprising due to it claiming both eShop gongs. Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS grabbed fourth, which meant that it was the year's biggest and brightest Wii U games that seized the top three places.
As per the Wii U retail category, the kart racer stole ahead of its brawling rival to claim the Nintendo Life staff Overall Game of the Year award. It's a worthy winner, not least because it's so representative of what makes Nintendo games so special. Accessible yet with hidden complexities and tricks, fun in single player or with a rowdy group of family and friends, while also proving highly addictive and exciting when racing online with strangers or within custom tournaments. With DLC adding to the mix, there's certainly a lively debate to be had over whether it's the finest Mario Kart game to date.
Second Place: Super Smash Bros. for Wii U (Nintendo)
Third Place: Bayonetta 2 (Platinum Games / Nintendo)
There you have it, our staff's awards for 2014; don't forget that the community awards (as voted for by you) will be revealed on Christmas Day at 9am Pacific / noon Eastern / 5pm UK / 6pm CET. In the meantime let us know what you think of these results in the comments below.
Comments 73
As brilliant as Mario Kart and Smash Bros are, Bayonetta 2 is comfortably my game of the year.
How about a category for "Biggest Surprise of 2014"?
@Chozo85 It was my number one too, but in a vote of over 20 people something as universally popular and awesome as MK8 was always the favourite
inb4 your opinion is wrong
So we agree
Man, there's a ton of love for Shovel Knight. When I played it I thought it was merely OK and regretted spending full price on it. Maybe I should give it another shot...
WOW! Mario Kart 8 won!
I found Mario Kart 8 to be incredibly boring.
I actually agree with a lot of this except Tomodachi Life doesn't belong anywhere near a list of top anything. Maybe on a list of top games to trade-in/resell before the value goes down.
Most of my tinkering would be done with the 3DS Retail and Overall categories.
Sound choices but I'd swap around MK8 & SSBU . Smash U is significantly better, though MK8 is outstanding in its own right.
@Ragnarok10 Yeah...I mean Mario Kart isn't bad, but I've never found it to be game of the year material. After you've raced on all the courses, it starts to get old fast.
I agree with Smash U below MK8, but only because of Smash 3DS. I feel the handheld version took away from the Wii U one in that some of the Wii U parts are different just to be different from 3DS, and aren't as good.
As it stands, MK8 is just the overall more original and enticing package for me.
Also, I really think VC should come back next year, it feels a little bit empty right now.
MK8 FTW!
My GotY is Smash for WiiU. Shovel Knight would be number 2, closely followed by Mario Kart 8.
Smash and MK8 are two of the best online and local multiplayer games I've ever played, which is very impressive. Shovel Knight is my favorite indie game ever, and the best 2D platformer I've played since Super Mario World back in 1991.
2014 was a great year for Wii U in the games department. If only great games equalled millions of sales for consoles like it used to. Unfortunately we live in a world where undeserved hype sells better than truly great gaming experiences. But that doesnt mean Wii U's 2014 was nothing short of great. Here's to an even better 2015!
What!!! No Kid Icarus again???
I would have expected Smash Wii U as number one, but MK8 is the next best choice. Shovel Knight was the obvious eShop winner, but I wish Child of Light had at least made a showing. Under Smash that was my GOTY. And Kirby as #2 on 3DS with Tomodachi Life 3rd? Big surprise, I would have guessed Persona Q or Fantasy Life taking a spot.
I'd take SSB off of the 3DS list entirely-it's the only game I've traded in on the sstem I hated it so much- bump Kirby up to one and put the excellent but imperfect Bravely Default and Fantasy Life in to round out the list.
I am surprised also that Child of Light didn't get any love
OTherwise I have no complaints
The lack of Fantasy Life and Bravely Default on the 3DS list is disheartening. They're both much better than those three titles in my opinion.
Either way, when it comes to quality over quantity, the Wii U had quite a year indeed. Let's hope 2015 provides a less spaced-out release schedule for the platform.
Nice to see Kirby Triple Deluxe as second best 3ds retail game. You people have good tastes.
wow, I actually don't agree for once with your list lol I think Wii U retail game of the year was Smash Bros with Bayonetta 2 being 2nd and Mario Kart 8 in 3rd. As for 3DS retail, I would have gone with Pokemon Alpha Sapphire and Omega Ruby in first and Bravely Default in 2nd and Smash Bros in 3rd.
I agree with most of your choices. Mario Kart 8 deserves all of the praise that it receives.
These are some terrible opinions. Super Smash Bros for Wii U is the #1 Wii U game of 2014. It sucks that y'all like Mario Kart 8 so much.
^It's like I predicted the future.
@abbyhitter LMAO
Mario Kart 8. I love the game. ALOT. But Smash U is a no brainer for GOTY.
SSB Wii U is my game of the year. I'm not as enamored with Mario Kart 8 as I was when it came out. I find it kind of boring now.
@LEGEND_MARIOID Something about Smash Wii U just doesn't click with me. Maybe it's because I had already sunk 100 hours into the 3DS version when I got it? I dunno. But I DEFINITELY had more fun with Mario Kart 8.
This was so predictable that I...honestly couldn't predict it. Smash Bros. twice? Shovel Knight twice? Couldn't see it coming. It was so predictable it transcends prediction! Good show.

I was so happy to see Triple Deluxe on so many of our lists. Easily one of the best Kirby titles in years. I also fought for Child of Light and Rusty's Real Deal Baseball, but consensus won out.
Nothing for Fantasy Life?
If Mario Kart really was the best game of the year, I would have traded my Wii U in. Luckily, there's Bayonetta, Smash Bros, and Hyrule Warriors. Shovel Knight is nowhere near as good as you say it is. Also, why no love for Layton vs Phoenix Wright? In short, I don't agree with any of these choices.
For me personally, Mario Kart was my GOTY and Smash takes a close second. But as it still stands, 3D World is my absolute top Wii U game. That game is utter perfection
Smash Bros U for game of the year for most content and playability.
Mario Kart 8 for game of the year for positive impact it had on the system and it's vitality/sales.
@Yoshis_VGM Agreed.
I chose Sonic Boom for Wii U game of the year. I guess I was the only one...
Mk8/dk:tf/steamworld.......Not played bayonetta or hyrule warriors yet as they're on my Xmas list! Can't wait
What a quality year for Nintendo all around. It's hard to argue with these results, though personally Tropical Freeze is my Game of the Year.
Happy Holidays, everybody!!
Since i have both versions of Smash and there is at least a partial interface between both games, i almost see them as the same. So with the content between the two and the ability to play on the fly, i have SSB as my top title in both categories. Still love mk8, and maybe the new dlc in may will put it over the top.
@MeloMan What came out this year that was legitimately surprising? The only surprise game I can even think of is Splatoon, and that comes out next year.
My opinions:
Wii U GOTY: Smash Wii U easily. One of the few games I would give a 10/10
3DS GOTY: Tomodachi Life. Haven't played Kirby Triple Deluxe, Bravely Default, etc.
OVERALL GOTY: Smash Wii U, then MK8, then Tropical Freeze (haven't played Bayonetta 2)
What !
Kirby is No 2 on 3DS for 2014.
I must have missed something.
Better go to my gaming box, and give it another go.
Yay Mario Kart!
@Bolt_Strike
I'd say something along the lines of Siesta Fiesta and possibly a couple other titles.
It was Mario Kart 8 rules and everybody knows it. Bravey default or me and 3ds. Fantasy Life came pretty close.
Smash 3ds was not very good. In terms of 3ds Tomadachi Life was my favorite game, I will get Pokemon tommorow.
Eh...I have a sort of love/hate relationship with Mario Kart 8. Love it because it's fun. Hate it because it ca be a bit unfair at times.
This is a good list, I agree with it very much. I guess my only complaint would be to not have MK8 and Shovel Knight appear twice... they're both very deserving but it would be nice to see a couple others get a spot.
Regardless, what a great year for Nintendo! Here's to 2015!
@Yoshis_VGM @Dark-Luigi
Agreed! 3DWorld is perfection.
Bayonetta 2 is my Game of the Year with Smash Bros Wii U 2nd
wth fantasy life did not make into the top 3 for 3ds retail???
that game is soooo well made. i cant believe tomodachi life is on 3rd. very overrated game IMO
Mario Kart 8 huh? I was bored of that game in a matter of hours. I spent a huge amount of time playing MK double dash. I feel it's a better Mario Kart game. I say Smash Bros for both systems is alot more entertaining than MK8.
Huh. While I think Pokemon deserved NOT to make the list (the game played it way too safe and was very boring IMO) , Tomodachi Life shouldn't be in the top 3. Put Bravely Default as #3 and I agree. I'd rather have Smash as GOTY, but I respect all opinions and this was a very good list.
@ThomasBW84 Maybe this isn't said enough but thanks for all the hard work you do, and on Christmas Eve no less! Your contributions to this site are part of what makes me visit Nintendo Life multiple times each day and I wish you and everyone else a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!
Since MK8 and Smash were huge disappointments (especially Smash, yuck), Bayonetta 2, DKCTF, and Shovel Knight were the best overall games this year. I need to play Hyrule Warriors, Shantae, and Wolfenstein. I have no interest in Dragon Age and Shadow of Mordor is definitely not GOTY potential. 2014 kinda sucked.
LMAO Mario Kart 8. Nintendo homers, ladies and gentlemen. It's not even one of the best three retail games on Wii U this year (DKTF, Smash, and Bayonetta 2). No one but a Nintendo site would even nominate MK8.
Shovel Knight is game of the year across every platform anywhere. Period.
I've seen a lot here saying mk8 is boring and their goty is smash. I'm sorry but Smash is a disappointment after all the hype and gets boring pretty fast both locally and online. My kid love it so much though playing tag team with his Captain Falcon amiibo.
Mk8 online for me is endless fun and the game is 6 months old. I play it almost everyday. DKTF and Bayo2 are tied as my runner ups. I have yet to buy Hyrule Warriors so I can't comment on that one. I wish Captain Toad made it this month but it's January here in Europe, and effing Nintendo Italia delayed it furher to January 9 while the rest of Europe gets it on the 2nd (eShop).
@ReindeerDasher About as predictable as next year's Call of Duty. "No, this game's the GOTY, no this one is, FLAPPY BIRD FO' DA WIN *************!!!"
Game of the year for me is Bayonetta 2. Indy/eshop is Scram Kitty. As good as shovel knight was, I just thought scram kitty was just so unique that it deserved more credit than it got. This was a great year for eshop tho, and albeit light for wii u, there were a lot of quality games this year.
Bayonetta 2 was my overall GOTY.
I own multiple systems but nothing came close to the level of greatness of Bayo 2. Fantastic game.
I'm a little surprised and disappointed Mario Kart 8 won over Smash and that no RPGs made it to the top three on the 3DS. Well, overall still solid choices.
Even though I prefer Smash over MK8, I'd say this is a great list
"It was a particularly strong year [for the 3DS]"
Seriously? Aside from its horrible launch year, this was easily its second-worst year so far. Even if you DID like this year, you can't seriously state that it would have been "a particularly strong year" for the platform.
Why does everyone hate pokemon ;~;
Really glad the AA Trilogy made it in the top 3. Really voor list guys!
@Ragnarok10 boring! then you must possibly be the most boring Human being ever if Mario kart 8 is boring to you
For those who say MK8 and Smash were 'disappointments,' what were you really expecting? MK8 is like the perfect Mario Kart after the recent ones cough*MKWii*cough. Smash U is a boss.
Anyway, nice lists.
Crikey! I've spent more hours playing Hyrule Warriors than anything!
@PinkSpider Perhaps Double Dash ruined me on Mario Kart. I loved the double rider mechanics of Double Dash so much, and that was my first Mario Kart game. I haven't been able to thoroughly enjoy any of the Mario Kart games since.
@VolcanoFlamesNL MK8 wasn't a huge disappointment, but it lacked a proper battle mode and the roster sucked. Smash For U is a big disappointment because they sacrificed content for competitive gameplay, but it is not even good at doing that. Project M/Melee is better when it comes to that. It lacks adventure mode, and modes such as Allstar and Classic are repetitive if you played the 3DS version. Other nitpicks include Clonedorf, 3 terrible clones, and the mistreatment of franchises such as F-Zero, Mother, Star Fox, Metroid, and DK. It is a rushed job and is, perhaps, one of the worst Nintendo games I have ever played. IMO.
Bayonetta 2, DKCTF, and Shovel Knight were definitely the best games to come out this year on Wii U. While B2 and DKCTF hardly changed much, they are games you don't get everyday and haven't wore off their freshness, unlike Smash and Kart which have become very boring as time progresses.
MK8 over Smash, I like it!
@cfgk24 I'm with you there. Amazing amount of content and so fun. Love it!
@BensonUii
I think Smash is more popular with kids who aren't going to spend time with things like Time Trials on Mario Kart.
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