The Game Awards are coming, airing on 9th December to grace us with game trailers, adverts for PC gear and occasionally some game awards. Ok, we've been a tad snarky there, but it is a big annual event in the gaming calendar and the Switch has some notable nominees this time around.
The most exciting is Metroid Dread being up for Game of the Year, which is an awesome achievement. It's up against some tough competition, and like every other category it's fan-voted - you need to create a sign-in and vote on this official Game Awards page. Below are the nominees.
Game of the Year
- Deathloop
- It Takes Two
- Metroid Dread
- Psychonauts 2
- Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart
- Resident Evil Village
You can watch the video above or scroll through the official Twitter feed for all the nominations, but we've picked out some with specific Switch or Nintendo interest below.
Best Multiplayer Game
- Back 4 Blood
- It Takes Two
- Knockout City
- Monster Hunter Rise
- New World
- Valheim
Best Independent Game
- 12 Minutes
- Death's Door
- Kena: Bridge of Spirits
- Inscription
- Loop Hero
Best Mobile Game
- Fantasian
- Genshin Impact
- League of Legends
- MARVEL Future Revolution
- Pokémon Unite
Most Anticipated Game
- Elden Ring
- God of War: Ragnarok
- Horizon Forbidden West
- The Sequel to The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild
- Starfield
Best Family
- It Takes Two
- Mario Party Superstars
- New Pokémon Snap
- Super Mario 3D World + Bowser's Fury
- WarioWare: Get It Together!
Best Role Playing
- Cyberpunk 2077
- Monster Hunter Rise
- Scarlet Nexus
- Shin Megami Tensei V
- Tales of Arise
So there you have it, quite a lot of interest from a Switch perspective. You can vote for winners on the official website link above or below - which games do you think will be the big winners on the night?
[source thegameawards.com]
Comments (96)
Honestly probably gonna be between RE and Psychonauts I think
Can't wait for The Last of Us 2 to somehow win again
Really digging 2019’s Luigi’s Mansion 3. Can that also be in the running? 😛
I know Shin Megami Tensei 5 won't win RPG of the year over Tales of Arise but it should
Can't believe I say this but Pokemon Legends Arceus is definitely missing from the "Most Anticipated Game" list, haven't been as excited for a new Pokemon game as I am for PLA in a while. My vote still would go to BotW2 though.
@Blooper987 psychonauts 2 and it takes two got the highest metacritic scores (91 and 89 respectively). The others got 88, but RE Village ‘only’ got an 84. Dread has a chance since there was so much buzz around this game. I’m surprised that Hitman 3 or Tales of Arise didn’t get a nomination. And if Forza was released a few weeks earlier it would have gotten the nomination probably.
It’ll be tight this year . No game truly stands out (94+ on metacritic). Which is great!
Where is Monster Hunter Rise? Didn't Monster Hunter World get GOTY nominations? So, what's up?
@Friendly I really think it could be anyone, but RE is my prediction. My vote would probably go to Metroid or Psychonauts though.
12 Minutes should easily win best Indie tho. Knocked my socks off.
And can I just say that Before Your Eyes deserves to win games for impact but probably won't sadly
I think GOTY will be between Metroid and RE Village. There was a fairly solid game selection this year!
@Blooper987 haven’t played 12 minutes or before your eyes. Both recommendations?
I’ll go check them out . Thanks!
I really want Dread to win. I think it would be huge for the series
@mariomaster96 I feel you and it's definitely my anticipated game for next year but let's face it, after the reveal that this is not an open-world BoTW style game, Legends Arceus suddenly became a wasted potential for many people who have been waiting.
Anyway, RE8, Tales of Arise and MH Rise got my vote. I wish Ender Lillies was also nominated for at least best indie game and art direction. That game is such an underrated gem for this year.
Kinda shocked Forza Horizon 5 hasn't gotten a GOTY nomination given that it is the year's highest-rated game.
Goes to show how some game genres will always get snubbed at these kind of awards
compared to most years there are quite some nintendo system games .
i hope for metroid
@KBuckley27 My thoughts exactly. Only played the Tales demo and watched first few parts of the story but I feel its a very generic JRPG with a nice coat of paint. Its likely going to win here though. Maybe its just not what I was expecting.
And Cyberpunk?? Really??
Did they fix Cyberpunk eventually? It's funny, it's quite possibly my most anticipated game ever and these days I'm just content to pay it no attention.
I hope Psychonauts 2 wins the GOTY. I haven't played Dread yet and am planning to at some point, but man I really enjoyed Psychonauts.
Dread gets my vote for GotY. Disappointed that Tales of Arise got snubbed for the big award, however I voted for it in the best RPG category (I'm liking SMTV, but I'm not nearly far enough along with it to say whether or not I like it more than Arise).
I haven't played any of these games lol
The two games I most want to see pick something up on the night are Metroid Dread and Returnal. Both games are utterly brilliant and genuinely special.
I hope Psychonauts 2 wins every category it’s nominated in. Definitely my GOTY.
@Octane_st1m i played Tales of Arise it is good but I wasn't sold on it as much as others compared to SMT5 and I am a fan of the Tales series and don't get me started on CyberJuck 2077 getting a nomination
Good Metroid Dread is honestly the best video game I've played this year. Granted I don't expect it to win with some tight competition but I would love for Metroid Dread to win the Game of the Year award.
Also Breath of the Wild 2 better win the most anticipated award because I've been anticipating this game ever since it was announced
Bravely default 2 would've been cool to be nominated for an rpg. I like it alot more than MHR personally. I also still need to try SMT V.
Lastly, metroid dread! Hell yeah!!!
@NintendoGamer22 Metroid Dread would be my personal GOTY if not for Outer Wilds. Although if we're talking about games that came out this year, Dread is an easy win. I really hope it wins.
personally feel psychonauts 2 is a better "announced/teased ages ago, paid off this year" game than Dread
chicory is clear winner of impact, that game had way more depth than expected
Aside from it Takes Two appearing instead of Returnal, the GOTY nominees are exactly what I thought they would be. I am personally hoping Dread wins, but based on that list, I reckon REVIII will win.
I’m still playing Dread, think I’ve about 12 hours out in, must be near the end now. Amazing game I’m really happy with it
@KBuckley27 I actually voted for Cyberpunk
Doki Doki Literature Club Plus was my GOTY but since it's not an option I voted for Resident Evil Village.
The awards show have proven time and time again that it's a popularity contest and not a mark of quality and intricacy of the products, which is why I'm fully expecting Dread to win some second-hand award and another game to take the big cake for the year.
Not that I care, honestly. Dread is still my GOTY and I will just read the announcements from the show the day after rather than wasting my time actually watching it.
@Octane_st1m I actually voted for Cyberpunk, lol
@GrailUK I played it recently on base PS4 and it was fine to me
@westman98 I get what you are saying about genre but Forza has a couple of other things going against it.
1) Release timing. It came out last week, the jury won't have had much time to play it all before votes were cast
2) Innovation. As good as FH5 is, and it's very very good, it also very familiar to anyone who played FH4 or before. Critics typically prefer risks and innovation for GOTY.
It's not alone. Half Life Alyx missed out on a nod despite scoring even higher than FH5 last year. It joins a long list like Disco Elysium, SSMBU and many others that have scored 90+ and missed out. There's only 6 slots at the end of the day
Regardless it's nominated for 3 awards, which is better than most!
Cyberpunk released September 2020, weird that they decided to put it on the awards this year since it would have definitely been considered for last year. Then again these awards are just a marketing show so no point thinking too deeply about it.
Quite a weak year overall for the industry, I love Metroid Dread but this GOTY list is poor.
I love Metroid Dread, but I feel like Ratchet & Clank or RE:Village will have the best shot.
I liked Dread, but I'm fully in the Psychonauts 2 GOTY camp. That game is fantastic!
Which one had the biggest budget? That one.
(/s)
12 minutes kind of sucked.
I’m glad to see Unite getting some well deserved recognition.
It's only nominated for one award... and it's GOTY?!
Outside of the lack of Monster Hunter Rise, this feels like the correct GOTY nominations.
I do think its interesting that there's no obvious favorite this year. Like almost any of them could win over the others and I'd get it.
I hope Dread or Py2 wins.
@Jackpaza0508 Metroid Dread is also nominated for best Action Adventure game. Not all categories are listed here, there are like 30.
@themightyant
Are any of the current GOTY's really that "innovative" outside of maybe Deathloop?
Also, Smash Bros Ultimate was nominated for the 2019 GOTY (but didn't win).
@Octane_st1m Don't be surprised with Cyberpunk being on here. Among Us was nominated for (and won) best multiplayer despite coming out 2 years prior.
@Madao Cyberpunk released 10 December 2020. Not September. It's definitely in the right awards, whether it should be there is subjective.
@Entrr_username It's rare that a game not released in the year (usually early nov - early nov) gets a nomination. But in a few cases like Among us the game only gains enough popularity to be noticed so that it is nominated.
@JoeSooper damn, what an original comment. havent seen that in literally every other article on the subject
@westman98 I've not played them all but probably not hugely. Though most of them likely did more to innovative their formula than FH5 did over FH4. Which for all it's wonder feels almost identical to the last entry, it's a wonderful game but very iterative.
It takes two in particular is a marvel. The number of brilliant gameplay mechanics that are used once and then you're onto a new one is staggering, must have taken a lot of dev time.
But as I said it wasn't just innovation. Release timing was unfortunate for this particular award as votes likely would been in to be tallied last week, the week it launched.
Ultimately it doesn't matter. You don't need someone else to validate your choices, there's always going to be personal favourites that don't make it.
@The_Pixel_King
Those are my choices as well.
Is there a best speedrunning category?
Go go Metroid!!!
Its got absolutely no chance of winning but it takes two all the way! Even if this show is rigged.
@themightyant Ah you are correct forgot about the last release date push back.
Monster Hunter Rise and Forza 5 are both noticeable snubs for GOTY.
It would be cool for Metroid Dread to win, but I have a hunch it's likely going to be Deathloop or RE Village.
Not that I care that much about the Games Awards anyways. They are turning into a bunch of Hollywood phony baloney.
I'm still blindly wanting to see at least one Musou game get some award. Most Musous are stale, but Persona 5 Strikers and Age of Calamity both deserve a spotlight because they were incredibly follow-ups to their Game of the Year nominees.
Those nominees. I didnt think 2021 was THAT bad, but wow
Monster Hunter Rise is my game of the year.
@JoeSooper if it does, we boycott The Game Awards.
@Entrr_username I love among us, But even I can't say that they didn't break the rules with that one.
@DrkBndr Ah, thanks for clarifying
it would be hype as frick if they name dropped botw2 official name at the game awards
I would really like to see It Takes Two to win. That game was just amazing.
Unfortunately, I think Deathloop will win, which is a bloody shame.
@HOUSE Its simple World is GOTY worthy while Rise very much isn't.
@JoeSooper I wouldn't be mad if it did. Hahaha!!
I opened this article and couldn’t think of any games that came out this year, it’s been so long.
Dread is great but I guess it’s Village, if only for the House Beneviento sequence. Things are hitting me a lot harder these days and Village had this nauseating Silent Hill layer of sorrow all over it that really made it an experience to push through.
@WallyWest looking at Metacritic and OpenCritic, Rise got an 88, one of the highest rated games this year and within range of all the GOtY candidates, while World got a 90. Game got critical acclaim, so it’s still odd it didn’t make the cut.
Cyberpunk invalidates everything this organsation is trying to establish. What a charade.
@NintendoByNature Good call! I just impulse bought Bravely Default 2 (discounted at Walmart, ~$20 off).
@DumbElder What you talkin bout willis
And the award for the award that most resembles an old school hood ornament goes to ...
Hoping Metroid Dread takes Game of the Year.
But I am also hoping that Genshin Impact takes Best Mobile Game. Having played it every day these last few months (since May or June, I believe), I have definitely fallen in love with the game.
The fact that they were able to put a Breath of the Wild-esque experience (if not larger) onto a mobile device is impressive, to say the least. And I love the world they have built, with all sorts of interesting and endearing characters to collect, the lore behind both, and so much more.
@Tandy255 its a good time. It's pretty much your standard jrpg that doesn't try anything too wild. Aside from the brave system. The dedicated thread has tons of people ready and willing to help you along the way. I've had to utilize their help plenty of times, and it usually worked. I'm on the final area of the game and it's proving to be difficult. It can get grindy at Times, or not knowing which jobs to use can really screw you in boss battles, but just ask for help.
Ori is my personal GOTY (both of them), but in terms of games that came out this year, I'd have to go with Metroid Dread.
My most anticipated game is not Nintendo, its Knights of the old republic Remake, but thats still years off. From Nintendo Games BOTW2 will be more like Majora Mask than a real sequel so i will wait for Prime 4.
I'm really amused the 'Family' category is 4 out of 5 Nintendo games. One of those better win!
p.s. My most anticipated game is the next 2D
mainline mario game because surely there will be one eventually even if we don't know when or where.
i hoping Metroid Dread win game of the year.
It Takes Two is a really good game.
@HOUSE On the other hand many felt after a while that Rise is pretty lackluster endgame wise with there being nothing to really do or aim for, making your perfect build was pretty damn easy and once you done it that was pretty much it. Rise is a great game and i'm very excited for the expansion what will add G/Master Rank and some actual challenge but its clear Rise didn't grip people the way World and past games did. Rise may have got a 88% but its not the only high rated game to be left out, Forza Horizon 5 one of the best games this year and with a 92% on MC was also left out. Ultimately Rise just isn't as good as World and hasn't been as popular due to no endgame and being really easy, out of the two MH games this year i actually much preferred MH Stories 2 to be honest.
I haven't played any game on these lists except for Metroid Dread and 3 of the 'best family game' nominations so although I like the ones I've played it's hard to vote. I feel like most people would just vote for the games they played because probably most people who play any of these games and enjoy that genre would think they're good (except possibly Cyberpunk ).
Edit: I forgot, I've played Genshin Impact also and hated it so maybe I just disproved my point.
Neo: The World Ends With You was snubbed for both best soundtrack and best RPG. I'm not surprised, but I'm definitely disappointed. It really could've used the attention boost that even a nomination would give it.
Rooting for Metroid just to shake things up. It’s amazing how much of a stigma it has being a fixed “2D” game. I’m literally on my fourth play through just because it feels so damn good to control Samus that my hand-mind craves the feeling of it like an addict.
@Friendly Hopefully these are not the “metacritic” awards and the user vote’s have some pull. I think for a “lackluster” year there’s actually some great games on the list, and more variety got to make it through the usual, predictable buckets of big-budget cinematic slop.
Really though, if the Oscars were the Game Awards, Marvel movies would win Best Picture every year. It’s kind of a joke. I wish it had the guts to look away from the “box office” like the Oscars do and actually set the parameters of the conversation around what is “award-worthy”. Our hobby is so juvenile in this regard.
This is my GOTY 2021. 🤟

I have been waiting for this game on Nintendo Switch.
I really want metroid to win because this is the popularity the series needs,but we all know anything Playstation will win, because ever Playstation fan boy will vote for Playstation.
Aside from that I hope the Anton Castillo voice actor wins because he fits the game so well in farcry six
Good selections.
I'm so happy the nominees for Game of the Year aren't all just gritty, realistic ones. Lots of wholesome, family games on there for once like Rachet and Clank, It Takes Two, and Psychonauts 2. Even though Metroid Dread is one of Nintendo's darker franchises, it's still a lot less mature than the usual games in the running for these rewards. Super happy with this selection. People are finally seeing platformers as important.
Also, I'm pretty sure It Takes Two was announced at The Game Awards last year. It was like the only announcement from the show that interested me. Now we've come full circle. If it wins, hopefully the director won't give the middle finger to the Oscar's again.
@FishyS I actually voted for Cyberpunk though, lol
It's a shame it didn't get nominated for Best Art Direction and Best Sound Design, but beggars can't be choosers. If it wins, it'll be the first 2D game to ever win GotY. I'm thinking Deathloop will win though since it has the most nominations and the lowest user score on Metacritic, just like TLOU2 did.
I'd love for Metroid Dread to win GOTY, but voters will probably pull something to make sure it doesn't.
@Reyn-the-Insane The Walking Dead was 2D and won GOTY many years ago
my problem with this awards show is my same problem with most reward shows: the people voting have given no reason for us to care about their opinions.
make your own personal GOTY list — that will be more meaningful.
@JoeSooper you know hades won most of the awards last year especially for game of the year.
Because of their nominations, I added Death's Door, Loop Hero, and Melty Blood: Type Lumina to my wishlist.
Even if Metroid Dread doesn't win, I think that it's a great achievement for them to even be considered for the award. I never thought that it would get this much attention.
I'm confused on why the Best Sports / Racing award isn't presented by Chevrolet.
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