The Games of the Year Division of the Japan Game Awards 2024 winners have just been announced! Read on to find out the nominated games as well as the reason for their nomination and awarding.
Japan Game Awards 2024
The Games of the Year Division
The Tokyo Game Show 2024 is one of the biggest gaming events of the year, taking place from September 26-29 at the Makuhari Messe Convention Center in Chiba, Japan and organized by the Computer Entertainment Supplier’s Association (CESA). This year, gaming giants such as Sony, Nintendo, Microsoft, and Capcom are set to unveil their latest releases and updates, with a strong emphasis on next-gen consoles and highly anticipated games like Monster Hunter Wilds and Death Stranding 2.
Japan Game Awards 2024 Winners
The Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry Award
| Playstation | |
|---|---|
| The Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry Award is presented to PlayStation for its leadership in the gaming sector and significant contributions to Japan's media industry. | |
Game Designers Award
Although the developers were unable to attend to receive it live onstage, Viewfinder won the Game Designers Award, which recognizes titles that resonate with a wide variety of audiences.
| Viewfinder | |
|---|---|
| Developer | Sad Owl Studios |
| Publisher | Thunderful Publishing |
| Platforms | PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, PC (Steam) |
| Viewfinder is a mind-bending first-person adventure where players can reshape reality by bringing photographs, paintings, and sketches to life, solving puzzles while uncovering the secrets of its immersive world. | |
Best Sales Award
Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom won the Best Sales Award. It recorded the largest number of sales since its launch on May 12, 2023 and has sold 3.75 million copies in Japan and 20.8 million copies across the world. Series producer Onoma expressed thanks to the fans of the game stating that Legend of Zelda is a game that is "nurtured by the players" and reminded fans of the newly release game, Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom.
| Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom | |
|---|---|
| Developer | Nintendo |
| Publisher | Nintendo |
| Platforms | Nintendo Switch |
| Tears of the Kingdom is the thrilling sequel to the critically-acclaimed Breath of the Wild, where players once again play as Link well after the events of the first game, featuring the wide open-world of Hyrule, and more tools and contraptions that can be made! | |
Special Award
Street Fighter 6 has won the Special Award, which recognizes games that incorporate user-friendly interfaces for players with disabilities. The developers expressed their commitment to making the game accessible to everyone.
| Street Fighter 6 | |
|---|---|
| Developer | CAPCOM |
| Publisher | CAPCOM |
| Platforms | PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, PC (Steam) |
| Street Fighter 6 continues the legacy of one of gaming's most iconic franchises. Celebrated for its fast-paced combat, deep strategy, and memorable characters, it remains a cornerstone of the competitive fighting game scene, offering thrilling one-on-one battles with flair. | |
Breakthrough Award
Kotake Create is the inaugural winner of the Breakthrough Award, which recognizes games with exceptionally creative ideas. They expressed that they were both honored and surprised to receive such recognition.
| EXIT 8 | |
|---|---|
| Developer | KOTAKE CREATE |
| Publisher | KOTAKE CREATE |
| Platforms | PC (Steam), PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch |
| The Exit 8 is a short walking simulator, drawing inspiration from Japan’s underground passageways, liminal spaces, and the eerie atmosphere of back rooms. | |
Movement Award
Aladdin X’s Suika Game was honored with being the first ever recipient of the Movement Award, which recognizes its innovative puzzle mechanics. The developers expressed their sincere appreciation to the fans whose support exceeded their expectations.
| Suika Game | |
|---|---|
| Developer | Aladdin X |
| Publisher | Aladdin X |
| Platforms | Nintendo Switch, Android |
| Suika Game is a Japanese puzzle video game developed by Aladdin X that combines the mechanics of falling and merging puzzles. | |
Awards for Excellence
| Legend of Zelda Tears of the Kingdom | |
|---|---|
| Developer | Nintendo |
| Publisher | Nintendo |
| Platforms | Nintendo Switch |
| The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom received an Award for Excellence as a sequel to the 2017 installment, introducing a wide array of new features, including the Ultra Hand ability to connect objects and craft new weapons. Mr. Fujibayashi from Nintendo received the award and expressed his utmost thanks to the fans of the game and the team involved in the development of the Zelda games. | |
| Street Fighter 6 | |
|---|---|
| Developer | CAPCOM |
| Publisher | CAPCOM |
| Platforms | PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, PC (Steam) |
| Street Fighter 6 is an iconic fighting game that continues the legacy of one of the most beloved franchises in gaming history. Known for its dynamic combat, strategic depth, and larger-than-life characters, it remains a staple in the competitive scene, delivering intense one-on-one battles with style. | |
| Final Fantasy 16 | |
|---|---|
| Developer | Square Enix Creative Business Unit III |
| Publisher | Square Enix |
| Platforms | PlayStation 5, PC (Steam) |
| Final Fantasy XVI is a high-fantasy action RPG that follows Clive Rosfield, a young man thrust into a war for dominance between the Eikon, powerful beings summoned by individuals known as Dominants. | |
| Armored Core 6 | |
|---|---|
| Developer | Fromsoftware |
| Publisher | Fromsoftware, Bandai Namco |
| Platforms | PS5, Xbox Series X|S, PC |
| Armored Core VI director Yamamura from FromSoftware received the award. He mentioned that he read users' comments about the game and was impressed by his team's efforts and the game's success following nearly a decade of franchise absence. | |
| Super Mario Bros Wonder | |
|---|---|
| Developer | Nintendo |
| Publisher | Nintendo, Nintendo of America |
| Platforms | Nintendo Switch |
| Super Mario Bros. Wonder is a vibrant side-scrolling 2D platformer set in the enchanting Flower Kingdom. Players can choose from twelve iconic characters, including Mario, Luigi, Princess Peach, Princess Daisy, Toadette, Nabbit, yellow and blue Toads, and four types of Yoshis. With the help of the kingdom's whimsical, flower-like creatures, players navigate and complete various levels filled with fun and surprises. | |
| Like a Dragon Gaiden: The Man Who Erased His Name | |
|---|---|
| Developer | Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio |
| Publisher | Sega |
| Platforms | PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Windows, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S |
| Like a Dragon Gaiden: The Man Who Erased His Name is an action RPG that follows Kazuma Kiryu, a former yakuza legend who has left his past behind to protect his loved ones. | |
| Like a Dragon Infinite Wealth | |
|---|---|
| Developer | Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio |
| Publisher | Sega |
| Platforms | PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Windows, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S |
| Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth is a thrilling RPG that reunites Ichiban Kasuga and Kazuma Kiryu on a new adventure. Together, they traverse the exotic landscapes of Hawaii, where Ichiban seeks to reunite with his mother and Kiryu faces a personal battle with cancer. | |
| Persona 3 Reload | |
|---|---|
| Developer | Atlus |
| Publisher | Atlus, Sega |
| Platforms | PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, PC |
| Game director Yamaguchi and producer Wada both received the Award for Excellence for Persona 3 Reload. They acknowledged the challenges, noting it’s been 18 years since the original Persona 3 was released, and fans have long sought a remake. | |
| Final Fantasy VII Rebirth | |
|---|---|
| Developer | Square Enix |
| Publisher | Square Enix |
| Platforms | PlayStation 5 |
| Final Fantasy VII Rebirth was the highly anticipated second installment in the Final Fantasy VII remake project. The standalone title offers players a fresh take on the iconic story with new gameplay elements and expanded world-building. The game follows the party's journey through new and familiar locations, culminating in their fateful arrival at The Forgotten Capital. | |
| Unicorn Overlord | |
|---|---|
| Developer | Vanillaware |
| Publisher | Sega, Atlus |
| Platforms | Nintendo Switch, PS4, PS5, Xbox Series X/S |
| Unicorn Overlord is a tactical role-playing game set in the continent of Fevrith. You play as Alain, an exiled prince who leads a liberation army against the Zenoiran Empire. The game features real-time battles between armies of characters, and you can explore the world, recruit characters, and improve your relationships with them. | |
| Dragon’s Dogma 2 | |
|---|---|
| Developer | Capcom |
| Publisher | Capcom |
| Platforms | PS4, PS5, Xbox Series X/S, PC |
| Game producer Hirabayashi from Capcom received the Award for Excellence for Dragon's Dogma 2. He expressed thanks to the fans of the game and the team involved in its development and stated that having good game balance is key as to why the Dragons Dogma series is unique. | |
Game of the Year Grand Award
The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom has achieved yet another milestone, claiming the prestigious Game of the Year Award at the 2024 Japan Game Awards. This triumph comes after the game’s earlier successes, having won Best Sales and Award for Excellence. The game’s producer, Eiji Aonuma, accepted the grand prize on behalf of the development team.
Aonuma expressed his deep gratitude for the overwhelming support and recognition the game has received from players worldwide. He emphasized the dedication and passion of the development team in crafting a truly unforgettable Zelda experience.
| Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom | |
|---|---|
| Developer | Nintendo |
| Publisher | Nintendo |
| Platforms | Nintendo Switch |
| The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom is an action-adventure game that continues the story of Link and Zelda in the kingdom of Hyrule. Set after the events of Breath of the Wild, players will embark on a new quest to save Hyrule from impending doom, using Link's newfound abilities to explore a vast and diverse world filled with challenges and mysteries. | |
Sources:
Japan Game Awards 2024 Games of the Year Division
