The Japan Game Awards celebrate the year’s most impactful and innovative titles. Read on to learn more about the event, when it started, and what was announced.
Games of the Year Division 2025 Winners
Nintendo Switch 2 Earns the Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry Award
Metaphor: ReFantazio Takes Home the Grand Award
Indika Secures the Game Designers Award
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 Captures the Breakthrough Award
Pokemon Trading Card Game Pocket Receives the Movement Award
PlayStation Store Recognized with the Special Award
Award for Excellence Showcases a Lineup of Heavy Hitters
Japan Game Awards 2025 Games of the Year Division
The Games of the Year Division honors the most outstanding titles released the previous year. These awards spotlight games that defined the year through innovation, popularity, and lasting impact.
Games of the Year Division 2025 Winners
Nintendo Switch 2 Earns the Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry Award
| Nintendo Switch 2 | |
|---|---|
| The Minister of Economy, Trade, and Industry Award celebrates hardware or initiatives that contribute to the growth of Japan’s gaming industry, and this year, the Nintendo Switch 2 took the spotlight. | |
Metaphor: ReFantazio Takes Home the Grand Award
Atlus’ RPG Metaphor: ReFantazio secured the night’s biggest honor, the Grand Award, standing tall as the most celebrated game of the year. With its imaginative fantasy world, deep character-driven story, and polished mechanics, it captured both critical praise and player devotion.
| Metaphor: ReFantazio | |
|---|---|
| Developer | ATLUS |
| Publisher | SEGA |
| Platforms | PS5, PS4, PC, and Xbox Series X|S |
| Metaphor: ReFantazio is a fantasy RPG from ATLUS and the creators of Persona 3–5. Set in the Kingdom of Euchronia, it blends turn-based combat, social bonds, and political intrigue as players rise to claim the throne. Stylish, ambitious, and wholly original, it marks ATLUS’ bold step beyond the modern Persona formula. | |
Indika Secures the Game Designers Award
The Game Designers Award goes to titles that push creative boundaries, chosen directly by Japanese developers. This year, Indika was honored for its blend of narrative, surrealist imagery, and experimental mechanics that challenge traditional storytelling in games.
| Indika | |
|---|---|
| Developer | Odd Meter |
| Publisher | 11-bit Studios |
| Platforms | PC |
| INDIKA is a darkly comedic adventure from Odd Meter that blends surrealism, religion, and psychological drama. Set in an alternate 19th-century Russia, it follows a young nun guided by the voice of the Devil on a journey of self-discovery and doubt, mixing narrative exploration with light puzzle-solving. | |
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 Captures the Breakthrough Award
French studio Sandfall Interactive’s Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 was recognized with the Breakthrough Award, honoring new creators and titles that make a dramatic impact.
| Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 | |
|---|---|
| Developer | Sandfall Interactive |
| Publisher | Kepler Interactive |
| Platforms | PC, PS5, Xbox Series X|S |
| Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is a turn-based RPG from Sandfall Interactive, set in a hand-painted fantasy world inspired by French Impressionism and the Belle Epoque era. Players lead a doomed expedition to end the cycle of an artist’s curse that erases entire generations from existence. | |
Pokemon Trading Card Game Pocket Receives the Movement Award
The Movement Award highlights cultural phenomena that extend beyond traditional gaming. Pokémon Trading Card Game Pocket claimed the honor for bringing the timeless appeal of Pokémon cards to mobile devices.
| Pokemon TCG Pocket | |
|---|---|
| Developer | Pokémon Company, Creatures Inc., DeNA |
| Publisher | Pokémon Company |
| Platforms | Mobile (iOS, Android) |
| Pokémon TCG Pocket is a mobile spin on the classic Pokémon Trading Card Game by Creatures Inc. and The Pokémon Company. Designed for quick, on-the-go play, it lets fans collect, trade, and battle using beautifully animated cards featuring their favorite pocket monsters and trainers. | |
PlayStation Store Recognized with the Special Award
The Special Award celebrates services or initiatives that support the gaming industry. Sony’s PlayStation Store earned the honor for its continued role in shaping the digital distribution landscape.
Award for Excellence Showcases a Lineup of Heavy Hitters
The Award for Excellence recognizes multiple standout titles, celebrating the diversity and creativity in this year’s gaming landscape. From RPGs and remakes to action epics and experimental stories, these winners mark the best of 2025’s rich offerings.
⚫︎ Dragon Quest III HD-2D Remake
⚫︎ Dynasty Warriors Origin
⚫︎ Elden Ring Nightreign
⚫︎ Fantasy Life i: The Girl Who Steals Time
⚫︎ Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii
⚫︎ Metaphor: ReFantazio
⚫︎ Monster Hunter Wilds
⚫︎ Romancing SaGa 2
⚫︎ The Hundred Line - Last Defense Academy
⚫︎ Tokyo Xtreme Racer
⚫︎ Urban Myth Dissolution Center
Future Games Category Winners
Resident Evil Requiem (RE9)
| Resident Evil Requiem (RE9) | |
|---|---|
| Developer | Capcom |
| Publisher | Capcom |
| Platforms | PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, PC |
| Resident Evil Requiem is an upcoming action, horror thriller from Capcom and the long-awaited ninth mainline installment in their legendary, genre-defining Resident Evil series. As the iconic series celebrates its 30th anniversary next year, this new entry will rejuvenate and introduce a new era of the Resident Evil franchise. | |
Ghost of Yotei
| Ghost of Yotei | |
|---|---|
| Developer | Sucker Punch Productions |
| Publisher | Sony Interactive Entertainment |
| Platforms | PlayStation 5 |
| Ghost of Yōtei is the stand-alone sequel to the 2020 action-adventure game, Ghost of Tsushima. It was officially announced during the Sony State of Play September 2024, and was revealed to be set 300 years after the events that take place in Ghost of Tsushima. The game, like its predecessor, is an action-adventure title that follows the journey of a new protagonist, Atsu, a female warrior who adopts the persona of The Ghost. | |
Digimon Story: Time Stranger
| Digimon Story: Time Stranger | |
|---|---|
| Developer | Media.Vision Inc. |
| Publisher | Bandai Namco Entertainment |
| Platforms | PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, PC |
| Digimon Story: Time Stranger is an upcoming RPG published by Bandai Namco Entertainment and developed by Media.Vision, the developers of Digimon Story: Cyber Sleuth (2015) and Digimon Story: Cyber Sleuth - Hacker's Memory (2017). Scheduled for release on October 3, 2025, for PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S, it will be the seventh installment in the Digimon Story series. | |
Yakuza Kiwami 3 & Dark Ties
| Yakuza Kiwami 3 & Dark Ties | |
|---|---|
| Developer | Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio |
| Publisher | SEGA |
| Platforms | PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch 2, PC |
| Yakuza Kiwami 3 & Dark Ties is a two-game bundle featuring an "extreme remake" of Yakuza 3 and a brand-new prequel. Yakuza Kiwami 3 updates Kiryu's story in Okinawa, where his peaceful life at an orphanage is shattered by a political-yakuza conspiracy, featuring revamped combat. The companion game, Dark Ties, is a full-sized prequel where players experience the origin story of antagonist Yoshitaka Mine and his descent into the yakuza underworld, complete with a unique, boxing-based fighting style. | |
Mega Man Star Force Legacy Collection
| Mega Man Star Force Legacy Collection | |
|---|---|
| Developer | Capcom |
| Publisher | Capcom |
| Platforms | PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, Nintendo SwitchPC |
| The Mega Man Star Force Legacy Collection is an action-RPG compilation of all seven versions across the three Star Force games, the spiritual successor to the Battle Network series. Players follow Geo Stelar and the alien Omega-Xis as they become Mega Man to fight EM-Wave threats using a fast-paced, card-based combat system. The collection includes all games (Pegasus, Leo, Dragon, Zerker x Ninja, Zerker x Saurian, Black Ace, and Red Joker), along with online battles, an art gallery, music player, and previously event-exclusive Battle Cards. | |
AKIBA LOST
| AKIBA LOST | |
|---|---|
| Developer | Izanagi Games |
| Publisher | Izanagi Games, Nippon Television Network Corporation, Nippon Television AX-ON |
| Platforms | PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch, Nintendo Switch 2, PC |
| AKIBA LOST is a full-scale live-action game (FMV) and multi-angle suspense title. It follows game creator Daiki Shinjo, whose project about an old cold case in Akihabara starts to bleed into reality when his sister disappears after he receives a threatening message. Players must use a zapping mechanic to switch between Shinjo and six other characters to make choices and uncover the truth in this feature-length, footage-heavy narrative. | |
ANANTA
| ANANTA | |
|---|---|
| Developer | Naked Rain |
| Publisher | NetEase |
| Platforms | PlayStation 5, PC, Mobile (iOS, Android) |
| Ananta (previously Project Mugen) is an open-world RPG developed by Naked Rain under Thunder Fire Studio, a subsidiary of NetEase Games. It is marketed as a love letter to urban fantasies and combines fast-paced action with narrative-driven progression in a modern metropolitan setting. | |
Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment
| Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment | |
|---|---|
| Developer | AAA Games Studio |
| Publisher | Nintendo, Koei Tecmo Games |
| Platforms | Nintendo Switch 2 |
| Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment is an upcoming action game for the Nintendo Switch 2, scheduled for release on the 6th of November, 2025. Developed by Koei Tecmo in collaboration with Nintendo, this title serves both as a sequel to Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity and a prequel to the Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom. | |
Monster Hunter Stories 3: Twisted Reflection
| Monster Hunter Stories 3: Twisted Reflection | |
|---|---|
| Developer | Capcom |
| Publisher | Capcom |
| Platforms | PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch 2, PC |
| Monster Hunter Stories 3: Twisted Reflection is the third installment of the turn-based RPG series, where players take the role of a Rider who lives alongside monsters. A disaster is unfolding worldwide, bringing nations to the brink of war. At the same time, the Crystal Encroachment spreads across the land, encasing even living beings in crystals and destroying everything it touches. | |
Nioh 3
| Nioh 3 | |
|---|---|
| Developer | KOEI TECMO GAMES CO., LTD. |
| Publisher | KOEI TECMO GAMES CO., LTD. |
| Platforms | PlayStation 5, PC |
| Nioh 3 is the third installment of the Japanese dark fantasy action RPG developed and published by Team NINJA under KOEI TECMO. Set in the chaotic Sengoku period, a young warrior is poised to become the next Shogun and can fight the yokai using two distinct styles: Samurai and Ninja. | |
Pragmata
| Pragmata | |
|---|---|
| Developer | Capcom |
| Publisher | Capcom |
| Platforms | PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, PC |
| Pragmata is an upcoming action-adventure game developed and published by Capcom. Originally announced in 2020, the game has experienced multiple delays, with its release now scheduled for 2026, as confirmed during Sony’s State of Play event in June 2025. | |
Everything We Know About Japan Game Awards 2025
Japan Game Awards 2025 Future Division Schedule
The Japan Game Awards 2025 Future Division was broadcast live on September 28, 2025, at 9:00 P.M. PT. Viewers can watch the livestream on TGS’s official YouTube channel, or tune in above!
To know what time it aired in your local timezone, use our timetable below:
Japan Game Awards 2025 Start Time
| Region | Local Release Time |
|---|---|
| United States (ET) | Sunday, September 28, 2025, 12:00 a.m. |
| United States (PT) | Saturday, September 27, 2025, 9:00 p.m. |
| United Kingdom | Sunday, September 28, 2025, 5:00 a.m. |
| Central Europe | Sunday, September 28, 2025, 6:00 a.m. |
| New Zealand | Sunday, September 28, 2025, 5:00 p.m. |
| Australian East Coast | Sunday, September 28, 2025, 2:00 p.m. |
| Australian West Coast | Sunday, September 28, 2025, 12:00 p.m. |
| Japan | Sunday, September 28, 2025, 1:00 p.m. |
| Philippines | Sunday, September 28, 2025, 12:00 p.m. |
| South Africa | Sunday, September 28, 2025, 6:00 a.m. |
| Brazil | Sunday, September 28, 2025, 1:00 a.m. |
| Universal Time (UTC) | Sunday, September 28, 2025, 4:00 a.m. |
Japan Game Awards 2025 Games of the Year Division Aired Live on September 23, 2025
Japan Game Awards 2025 Games of the Year Division went live on September 23, 2025, at 3:00 A.M. PT. Those who missed the broadcast can still watch the event on TGS’s official YouTube channel, or watch it above!
Japan Game Awards 2025 Games of the Year Division
| Region | Local Release Time |
|---|---|
| United States (ET) | Sunday, September 28, 2025, 6:00 a.m. |
| United States (PT) | Sunday, September 28, 2025, 3:00 a.m. |
| United Kingdom | Sunday, September 28, 2025, 11:00 a.m. |
| Central Europe | Sunday, September 28, 2025, 12:00 p.m. |
| New Zealand | Sunday, September 28, 2025, 11:00 p.m. |
| Australian East Coast | Sunday, September 28, 2025, 8:00 p.m. |
| Australian West Coast | Sunday, September 28, 2025, 6:00 p.m. |
| Japan | Sunday, September 28, 2025, 7:00 p.m. |
| Philippines | Sunday, September 28, 2025, 6:00 p.m. |
| South Africa | Sunday, September 28, 2025, 12:00 p.m. |
| Brazil | Sunday, September 28, 2025, 7:00 a.m. |
| Universal Time (UTC) | Sunday, September 28, 2025, 10:00 a.m. |
What are the Japan Game Awards?
The Japan Game Awards is an annual award ceremony organized by the Computer Entertainment Supplier’s Association (CESA) that honors outstanding video games released in Japan over the past year. The awards include multiple categories—such as "Grand Award," "Award for Excellence," and genre-specific or special distinctions—and also feature a "Future Division" segment for unreleased titles exhibited at Tokyo Game Show.
