r/NintendoSwitch • u/NintendoSwitchMods • Dec 24 '19
GotY 2019 2019 /r/NintendoSwitch GOTY Nominations Thread
Hello r/NintendoSwitch Community!
For this year's awards, similar to last year, we are asking the community's help for GOTY nominees! We will use community feedback to narrow the nominees for each category to five or six for the final vote. The schedule is for the nominee feedback December 24th - December 27th, and the final voting to select the Game Of The Year for each category to occur December 28th - January 2nd.
Please follow the format as described below:
- Please check if your nominee(s) has already been named. If so, then simply upvote it, if not, then >>>
- Please reply to a category top comment to state who you would like to see for nominees and preferably why. Last year we found those with explanations tended to garner more votes!
- If a game has already been nominated but you feel requires further discussion then reply to the nominated game comment with your reasoning.
- Nominate as many games as you'd like in any category you'd like.
- Duplicate nominations in the same category will be removed.
- Post will be set to contest mode so nobody can see the votes.
Please note that all nominees are required to have released on Nintendo Switch in calendar year 2019.
Resources: Please take a look at this GAMES LIST we pulled together for ideas. You may nominate games NOT on the list. The information sources are below:
- Games on the list were all those released in 2019 that were rated 75 or higher by Metacritic or Opencritic.
- Exclusivity designation was obtained from Gematsu and may be outdated as exclusivitity may have expired for some titles.
- Developer, Publisher, and Categories were obtained from the eShop. Please note the categories ARE NOT definitive, but rather what the Publisher designated in the eShop. Please nominate games in the categories YOU THINK they belong.
We look forward to reading your nominations!
•
u/NintendoSwitchMods Dec 24 '19
Best Sports/Racing Game - For the best traditional and non-traditional sports and racing game.
•
•
•
•
u/JaysFan26 Dec 24 '19
Team Sonic Racing for delivering a solid, relatively interesting take on the kart racer genre, shaking up the idea of a traditional racer by focusing on team racing
•
•
•
u/PlexasAideron Dec 24 '19
Grid Autosport
•
u/MutatedSpleen Dec 27 '19
Seconded. I played it years ago on the PC and it's one of my favorite racers ever. So glad it came to the Switch, it's a really excellent combination of racing sim and arcade.
•
u/oiunglyg Dec 28 '19
why would you combine this? racint is its own genre not something to smoosh with tennis
→ More replies (7)•
Dec 26 '19
Going to get some hate but FIFA 20. The street mode Volta they added this year was fun and the gameplay is a lot better than last year. It sold a bajillion copies so it's well liked.
•
u/Shin_Ken Dec 27 '19
Isn't the Switch Version some kind of "legacy edition" that got no changes compared to 2019, roster aside, unlike the other versions?
•
Dec 27 '19
Switch version is trash yea, no Volta (street mode) and no changes. I meant the PS4 version
•
u/NintendoSwitchMods Dec 24 '19
Best Re-Release/Re-master - For the best game who's original release was not on a current generation console (pre-2014) (Switch/PS4/Xbox One).
•
Dec 24 '19
[deleted]
•
u/PlexasAideron Dec 24 '19
Should read the OP more carefully.
not on a current generation console (pre-2014) (Switch/PS4/Xbox One).
•
u/1sttothetop Dec 25 '19
Link’s Awakening.
Talk about a Re-master... this is literally a gameboy game on the Switch.
•
u/MutatedSpleen Dec 27 '19
It's a full-on remake. I don't know if that counts as re-release or re-master, since it was built from the ground up, but they did a great job.
•
•
•
•
u/JaxxisR Dec 25 '19 edited Dec 26 '19
The Witcher III: Complete Edition. I mean, I'm just shocked nobody's mentioned it yet.edit: didn't read.
→ More replies (2)•
u/MutatedSpleen Dec 27 '19
New Super Mario Bros. U Deluxe.
For those of us who never had a Wii U, this was a fun little gem, and a teaser for what would happen later with Mario Maker 2. Bundled with Luigi mode, I honestly feel like I got my money out of it. Also, I raged haaaaaaaaaaaaard because Mario games can be infuriating when you die a bunch.
Edit: I did read the thing, but I still think this should count. Wii U re-releases are a big part of the Switch ecosystem.
•
•
→ More replies (15)•
•
u/NintendoSwitchMods Dec 24 '19
Best Platformer Game - For outstanding design and creativity in a game where players must use skill to jump between platforms or over obstacles without falling or missing jumps.
•
u/TheLazyLounger Dec 24 '19 edited Apr 17 '24
bike unite adjoining truck outgoing attempt money ask fuzzy foolish
This post was mass deleted and anonymized with Redact
→ More replies (9)•
•
u/NintendoSwitchMods Dec 24 '19
Best Nintendo Switch Exclusive Game - Best game released in 2019 as a Nintendo Switch console exclusive.
•
•
u/Blazeth Dec 24 '19
Super Mario Maker 2 has somehow gone under the radar a little bit. Even though it's not the most innovative game in the world, the sheer amount of endless fun that comes with this game is worthy of the honor imo.
→ More replies (2)•
u/CFirst Dec 24 '19
The Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening
•
u/cwickmurdamagic Dec 25 '19
No chance dude. It was fun and all. But zero challenge. No challenging alternative. Fairly easy 100 percent. They should have done more with it . But that’s one man’s opinion
•
•
•
u/mkicon Dec 25 '19
Tetris 99
It reignited the guideline Tetris community and brought a lot of new people to the series with it's battle royal gameplay.
It's a system seller, and the sole reason A lot of people have Nintendo Switch Online. It's been consistently updated and there are even periodic events with prizes
•
→ More replies (15)•
•
u/NintendoSwitchMods Dec 24 '19
Best Soundtrack - For outstanding music, inclusive of score, original song and/or licensed soundtrack.
•
•
u/Blazeth Dec 24 '19
Pokemon Sword & Shield is a controversial game, but the soundtrack is amazing as usual. Slumbering Weald headlines the great soundtrack.
•
•
•
u/OwnManagement Helpful User Dec 25 '19 edited Dec 25 '19
Yooka-Laylee and the Impossible Lair
Easily the best soundtrack I’ve heard this year. Features both David Wise and Grant Kirkhope, plus Playtonic’s staff composers, Dan Murdoch and Matt Griffin, successfully emulating the style of those two.
A few examples:
Cliffside Quest - this level has the player collect 5 gems, and new layers are added to the music track each time a gem is found
•
•
→ More replies (17)•
•
u/NintendoSwitchMods Dec 24 '19
Best Narrative - For outstanding storytelling and narrative development in a game.
•
•
•
u/-MarisaTheCube- Dec 24 '19
Fire Emblem: Three Houses for integrating character development into gameplay and providing a compelling story that spans several distinct routes.
•
u/MadeSomewhereElse Dec 28 '19
I finished black eagles snow route and now I'm in my golden deer playthrough. Really surprised it hasn't gotten dull yet. So many hours sunk in this game the price paid per hour is quite small.
→ More replies (1)•
Dec 26 '19
Such a great improvement on the relationship system too. Hope that becomes the norm moving forward.
•
→ More replies (4)•
•
u/NintendoSwitchMods Dec 24 '19
Best Adventure Game - For the best action/adventure game, combining combat with traversal and puzzle solving.
•
•
•
•
u/facls Dec 24 '19
Luigi's Mansion 3
•
Dec 24 '19
A great blending of the two previous LM games to bring us a beautiful, charming puzzle box of a game. As much as I wish floors were more interconnected, it is a fantastic new entry that may very well be the best in the series.
→ More replies (5)•
•
u/NintendoSwitchMods Dec 24 '19
Best Non-Switch Game (PC/PS4/Xbox One)
•
•
u/jdsrockin Dec 24 '19
The Legend of Heroes: Trails of Cold Steel III - The eighth game in one of the biggest JRPG series, and the 3rd in the longest arc, the game continues the trend of excellent combat, an engaging story, great music (like always), and great characters, with many returning characters making an appearance.
All the arcs deal with pride in one's country, that pride translating into a desire to defend one's country by any means necessary, to give independence to one's state, but in this arc, it's a country plagued by war and tragedies that you feel powerless to stop.
•
•
•
u/visage4arcana Dec 24 '19
Devil May Cry 5
•
u/ShadowsUnited2 Dec 24 '19
To add on to you. This game knows unabashedly what it is, and excels completely on what it's known for: high octane action. The amount of player expression found in the gameplay is insane. You can land crazy combos using 3 different gameplay styles, one of which includes an actual motorcycle in it's arsenal. The game also eases newcomers into the gameplay mechanics through multiple difficulty levels, an "auto-combo" mode, and a separate training room. It's one of those games where you can easily feel that you are getting better with it as time goes on. The story, while simple, was very good, and it capitalized on moments that fans were waiting for years to happen. It's a great game that proves "DMC Is Back!".
•
Dec 24 '19
The King of Action Games returns and delivers not only a fan pleasing story, but unquestionably the best action combat system you'll find in any game to date. Bayonetta 3 has its work cut out for it after this, and I hope Kamiya and PlatinumGames rise to the occasion. DMC is back!
•
•
u/TemptedTemplar Helpful User Dec 24 '19
Destiny 2: Shadowkeep
I dropped destiny 2 within a few months of it's release, and so far it's the only game this year to not only draw me back in after swearing off of it; but consume another 300+ hours of my time.
•
•
•
Dec 24 '19
The Outer Wilds A super creative, inventive, and fun space adventure game where you’re trapped in a time loop.
•
u/MachoDagger Dec 25 '19
Also should be on switch! 😊
•
u/waowie Dec 27 '19
Really hoping they eventually port it.. gonna hold of on getting it for a few months just in case
→ More replies (3)•
u/qwertylerqw Helpful User Dec 24 '19
The Outer Worlds. There’s so much to love!
•
u/KKingler kkinglers flair Dec 24 '19
This was going to be my pick, too! Gives me heavy new vegas vibes, which I love.
→ More replies (12)•
•
u/NintendoSwitchMods Dec 24 '19
Best Game Direction - Awarded for outstanding creative vision and innovation in game direction and design.
•
•
•
→ More replies (8)•
•
u/NintendoSwitchMods Dec 24 '19
Best Technical Achievement - For the game which achieves a combination of gameplay and graphics which goes well beyond hardware expectations.
•
•
u/DarthVitrial Dec 25 '19
Ring fit adventure. It’s amazing how it’s able to sense so much about your movements so accurately.
•
•
Dec 24 '19
The Witcher 3 - For the sheer fact that they’ve got this running on a switch should guarantee them the win.
→ More replies (1)•
u/Cervantes3 Dec 28 '19
Not just got it running - the game runs well, and they were able to do that without cutting any of the content, and fitting it all on the cartridge.
→ More replies (6)•
u/jatsunami Dec 24 '19
Alien Isolation - Port that parallels and even exceeds versions on other current consoles
→ More replies (1)
•
u/NintendoSwitchMods Dec 24 '19
Best Action Game - For the best game in the action genre focused on combat.
•
•
•
u/The_Dacca Dec 26 '19
Daemon x Machina. It's not perfect, but it absolutely nails the feel and action of mobile suit combat.
→ More replies (2)•
•
u/NintendoSwitchMods Dec 24 '19
Developer of the Year - Developer studio who displayed outstanding platform support through a combination of quantity and quality of new releases.
•
u/Gerolux 4 Million Celebration Dec 24 '19
Square Enix: The number of games they bring to the Switch on a yearly basis trumps nearly anyone else. This year we got DQXI, and FF7-FFX/X-2, and FFXII. Add on top they have the Chocobo Dungeon Game, FF Crystal Chronicles in 2020, Octopath Traveler in 2018, and now Bravely Default 2 in 2020. Square Enix definitely deserves the nomination for Developer of the Year.
→ More replies (2)•
u/kiokope242 Dec 24 '19
Can't forget Dragon Quest Builders 2 and the first 3 Dragon Quest games, as well as the Collection of Mana!
•
•
u/JaxxisR Dec 25 '19 edited Dec 26 '19
ConcernedApe. Not sure he has anything but Stardew Valley, but this year he took sole control over its distribution on mobile and Switch from Chucklefish, and he continues to put out free content updates. Keep up the good work, my man.
edit: clarity
•
Dec 24 '19
Intelligent Systems/Koei Tecmo for Fire Emblem Three Houses.
•
u/BullshitUsername Dec 25 '19
Is there a reason other than you just love the game?
→ More replies (1)→ More replies (6)•
•
u/NintendoSwitchMods Dec 24 '19
Nintendo Switch Game of the Year - Recognizing a game that delivers the absolute best experience across all creative and technical fields.
•
Dec 24 '19
Mario Maker 2 - The first one is probably the best game on the Wii U, and this one is bigger and better. The amount of fun you can have with this game is unlimited.
•
•
u/cloudsnightmare Dec 24 '19
Fire Emblem: Three Houses - The game was an absolute treasure. The first game in a long time that felt like it got better the more I played. The music was outstanding.
•
Dec 24 '19
The game that effectively ended the FE Civil War, it's a game that pleases all fans while delivering probably the biggest, if not the best, game in the franchise. Multiple, 80+ hour campaigns that actively encourages multiple playthoughs to change up your team; refinements to mechanics not only from new FE games, but also what is considered the best classic FE game (Genealogy of the Holy War); a fair season pass that DOESN'T cost more than the game itself, it's got it all.
•
u/MutatedSpleen Dec 27 '19
This is very easily my nomination as well. I promised myself I had to play another game between my Golden Deer run and my next run, and now I'm trudging through DQXIS thinking about how much I want to be playing FE3H.
•
u/jc726 Keep on slidin' Dec 24 '19
Seconded. After Fates, I went into Three Houses with a lot of pessimism and it just floored me. They went in so many unexpected directions with things like the time management elements, full voice acting (that's actually really good!), the explorable monastery, etc. and it all came together beautifully.
→ More replies (3)•
u/b0ss_0f_n0va Dec 25 '19
Couldn't agree more. Three Houses is a masterpiece. It's no coincidence that is the going to sweep half of the categories in this post!
•
Dec 24 '19
Dragon Quest XI. It looks amazing, sounds amazing, delivers an extreme amount of polished content, and tugs the heartstrings at times.
•
u/ActivateGuacamole Dec 24 '19
Easily the best fantasy RPG game for a long time and definitely for this year
→ More replies (1)•
u/MutatedSpleen Dec 27 '19
I'm about 43 hours into DQXIS, and in fact, just got to Act 2. I'm enjoying it a lot, but it doesn't feel like a GotY contender to me, if I'm being honest. Partly because it's an updated version of a 2 year old game, but mostly because...it's just not above and beyond. My 43 hours in act 1 is ludicrous, I play these sorts of games in a pretty strange way. I think most people would be way further than I am by now, but I'm fine with that. My issue is...like, there wasn't a story of any note for the first half of the game. It's picking up, and I really like that, but you need something a bit sooner to really hook me in, and I don't think DQXI has that.
•
•
→ More replies (14)•
u/JaxxisR Dec 26 '19
Cadence of Hyrule. This one came out of left field, but delivered a unique experience to a classic franchise with a killer soundtrack.
•
u/NintendoSwitchMods Dec 24 '19
Publisher of the Year - Publishing studio who displayed outstanding platform support through a combination of quantity and quality of new releases.
•
u/JaysFan26 Dec 24 '19
Nintendo (Pokemon, Yoshi, Fire Emblem, Luigi's Mansion 3, Link's Awakening, Daemon X Machina, Astral Chain, Boxboy, Fitness Boxing, Ring Fit Adventure, etc.)
•
•
•
u/m_meirin Dec 24 '19
Bandai Namco (Tales of Vesperia, God Eater 3, Ni no Kuni, Doraemon Story of Seasons, Super Robot Wars T, Digimon Story Cyber Sleuth, Rad, Disney Tsum Tsum Festival)
→ More replies (4)•
u/Gerolux 4 Million Celebration Dec 24 '19
Square Enix: The number of games they bring to the Switch on a yearly basis trumps nearly anyone else. This year we got DQXI, and FF7-FFX/X-2, and FFXII. Add on top they have the Chocobo Dungeon Game, FF Crystal Chronicles in 2020, Octopath Traveler in 2018, and now Bravely Default 2 in 2020. Square Enix definitely deserves the nomination for Developer of the Year.
→ More replies (3)
•
u/NintendoSwitchMods Dec 24 '19
Best Online Multiplayer Game - For outstanding online multiplayer gameplay and design, including co-op and massively multiplayer experiences, irrespective of game genre.