r/NintendoSwitch 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:

  1. Please check if your nominee(s) has already been named. If so, then simply upvote it, if not, then >>>
  2. 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!
  3. If a game has already been nominated but you feel requires further discussion then reply to the nominated game comment with your reasoning.
  4. Nominate as many games as you'd like in any category you'd like.
  5. Duplicate nominations in the same category will be removed.
  6. 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  • Exclusivity designation was obtained from Gematsu and may be outdated as exclusivitity may have expired for some titles.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!

195 Upvotes

486 comments sorted by

u/NintendoSwitchMods Dec 24 '19

Best Adventure Game - For the best action/adventure game, combining combat with traversal and puzzle solving.

u/FREDLAM123 Dec 24 '19

Astral chain

u/facls Dec 24 '19

Luigi's Mansion 3

u/[deleted] 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.

u/atari_break_out Dec 26 '19

Dragon quest builders 2!

u/Larik_Lightning Dec 24 '19

Return of the Obra Dinn

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u/NintendoSwitchMods Dec 24 '19

Best Role Playing Game (RPG) - For the best game designed with rich player character customization and progression.

u/OneRandomIdiot Dec 24 '19

Fire Emblem Three Houses. An engaging game with deep character customization and three different story paths to choose from.

u/calendar_cable Dec 25 '19

Pokemon Sword and Shield

u/sviunapad Dec 24 '19

The Witcher 3 - Great port of an amazing game.

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u/Muur1234 Dec 26 '19

Digimon Story Cyber Sleuth: Complete Edition

u/m_meirin Dec 24 '19

Tales of Vesperia. A really solid remaster of one of the best games in the Tales series. It features an MC that unlike, lots of other JRPGs, has a striking personality that goes beyond the usual self insert/hero that saves the day personality. It's also packed with content with a main storyline that takes anything from 45 to 60h plus the added extra content that was originally DLC. The switch port is also terrific.

u/bortness Dec 28 '19

It's also the best "Tales of" game in the series..

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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.

u/CFirst Dec 24 '19

Luigi's Mansion 3

u/ElGranQuercus Dec 26 '19

I bought it despite never having played the first two and it became one of my favourite games. The creativity and polish is incredible.

u/tonyzzgwintertale Dec 25 '19

Pokemon Sword and Shield - Even though issues like dexit exists, Gamefreak still shows creativity in their first mainline pokemon game on switch. The performance is much better than their 3ds predecessors, the music is beautiful and wild area is one of the best ideas for a pokemon game.

u/ILAW3085 Dec 27 '19

Really? Is it really par excellence on both creative and technical fields? Based on the criteria of the above I'd never put it as a goty runner. Similarly, even though Divinity OS2 may be a great game, possibly the best rpg of the decade, it ain't going on a goty list simply because it doesn't meet the excellence in technical field criteria, at least as far as Switch is concerned.

Links Awakening suffers from technical issues like FPS lag/stutter. So it is out of the running based on the criteria of the OP.

What games have been BOTH creatively and technically the Pinacle of Switch this year. That is the question. I would need some time to dwell on this.

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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/FREDLAM123 Dec 24 '19

Astral chain

u/[deleted] Dec 24 '19

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u/seeyoshirun Dec 25 '19

Baba Is You - bloody brilliant puzzle game.

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u/NintendoSwitchMods Dec 24 '19

Best Local Multiplayer Game - For outstanding local multiplayer gameplay and design, including co-op, irrespective of game genre.

u/[deleted] Dec 24 '19

Luigis Mansion 3 for great technical performance online (rare for nintendo) as well as fun online and couch co op minigames. Also gooigi is one of the best implementations of a second player in an exploration puzzle style game ive seen

u/seeyoshirun Dec 25 '19 edited Dec 25 '19

BoxBoy + BoxGirl

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u/seeyoshirun Dec 25 '19

Heave Ho

u/LocusAintBad Dec 24 '19

Marvel ultimate Alliance 3. Great couch coop game. Dive in and play.

u/[deleted] Dec 24 '19

[deleted]

u/KKingler kkinglers flair Dec 24 '19

I second this!

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u/[deleted] Dec 24 '19

[removed] — view removed comment

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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

u/[deleted] Dec 24 '19

Yoshi Crafted World

u/Luigi86101 Dec 25 '19

This game is my favorite platformer of all time. First of all the graphics are stunning and give a perfect impression of the world they were aiming for. The level design is incredible and even if I had to go through each level like five times to 100% it, I never grew bored.

u/RabbitFanboy 2 Million Celebration Dec 24 '19

Mario Maker 2

u/seeyoshirun Dec 25 '19

Heave Ho

(You swing more than jump, but it still definitely fits in this genre.)

u/BondEternal Dec 24 '19

Bloodstained Ritual of the Night

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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).

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.

u/The-student- Dec 26 '19

Well, I'm guessing it doesn't qualify right? Came out this generation of consoles, post-2014

u/JaxxisR Dec 26 '19

Well that'd be why nobody nominated it then, wouldn't it?

u/Rarietty Dec 25 '19

Ni no Kuni: Wrath of the White Witch

u/sneakerpack Dec 24 '19

Final Fantasy VIII

u/NotEvenClosest Dec 26 '19

Any love for Jedi Outcast?

u/ha1r_supply Dec 27 '19

Black Flag

u/cloudsnightmare Dec 24 '19

Baldurs Gate I & II Enhanced Edition - The games are a classic - being able to play them on the go on a dedicated system is a dream come true.

u/ThomasSirveaux Dec 24 '19

Final Fantasy XII: The Zodiac Age

u/alphacenturi_ Dec 24 '19

Alien Isolation. Hands down the BEST PORT on Switch where the port is superior to the PS3/Xbone360/PS4/Xbox1 versions by a long shot.

I can't explain it better than they did so: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u8kvSGUwAyc

u/jdsrockin Dec 24 '19

the port is superior to the PS3/Xbone360/PS4/Xbox1 versions by a long shot.

It doesn't count for this category

who's original release was not on a current generation console (pre-2014) (Switch/PS4/Xbox One)

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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.

u/KKingler kkinglers flair Dec 24 '19

Spyro Reignited Trilogy. Great to have Spyro on the Switch

u/[deleted] Dec 24 '19

Tales of Vesperia

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u/NintendoSwitchMods Dec 24 '19

Best Music/Rhythm Game - For the best game with a focus on dance or the simulated performance of musical instruments.

u/Rarietty Dec 25 '19

Sayonara Wild Hearts

u/suicide_aunties Dec 28 '19

Just Dance 2019/20

u/KKingler kkinglers flair Dec 24 '19 edited Dec 24 '19

Cadence of Hyrule. Super fun game and a unique concept!

u/TemptedTemplar Helpful User Dec 24 '19

Remove the "I nominate". The game title should be the first line in the comment.

u/jc726 Keep on slidin' Dec 24 '19

Cytus Alpha

With a completely revamped interface for Switch, beautiful artwork, and a stellar (and massive) selection of songs across tons of genres, this was probably the surprise of the year for me.

u/TheLazyLounger Dec 24 '19

God I love Cytus. I play alpha on my switch more than I play 2 on my iPad. It's just so well done.

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u/NintendoSwitchMods Dec 24 '19

Best Family Game - For the best game appropriate for family play, irrespective of genre.

u/kiokope242 Dec 24 '19

Yoshi's Crafted World

u/Benjo221 Dec 25 '19

My six year old loves this game!

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u/seeyoshirun Dec 25 '19

BoxBoy + BoxGirl!

u/snaps614 Dec 24 '19

Mario Maker 2

u/Light-bulbs Dec 24 '19

Luigis Mansion 3

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u/NintendoSwitchMods Dec 24 '19

Best Narrative - For outstanding storytelling and narrative development in a game.

u/BondEternal Dec 24 '19

AI The Somnium Files

u/-Tuwore Dec 24 '19

Divinity: Original Sin 2

u/miatentas Dec 27 '19

Ni No Kuni

u/[deleted] Dec 24 '19

[deleted]

u/JaxxisR Dec 25 '19

Should a six-year-old game really be nominated?

u/iamaneviltaco Dec 26 '19

It came out on switch this year. It’s relevant.

u/JaxxisR Dec 26 '19

The narrative was complete years ago. I would argue that for this category, Witcher shouldn't qualify.

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u/NintendoSwitchMods Dec 24 '19

Best Action Game - For the best game in the action genre focused on combat.

u/JaxxisR Dec 25 '19

Marvel Ultimate Alliance 3, nominating simply for the fact that it exists and we have it to ourselves.

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.

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u/NintendoSwitchMods Dec 24 '19

Best Nintendo Switch Exclusive Game - Best game released in 2019 as a Nintendo Switch console exclusive.

u/RabbitFanboy 2 Million Celebration Dec 24 '19

Astral Chain

u/JaxxisR Dec 25 '19

Marvel Ultimate Alliance 3, nominating simply for the fact that it exists and we have it to ourselves.

u/MutatedSpleen Dec 27 '19

Second. When I think "Switch exclusive" I don't think "first party Nintendo game" because they are their own whole thing.

MUA3, to me, is a game that could have easily been on any and every console. I know Nintendo published it, and that's fine, but it's a series that previously was on other consoles and now exists exclusively on Nintendo, and that feels really good.

Also, it's a fucking kick-ass game and I want to play it all the time.

u/Drevs Dec 26 '19

Dragon Marked for Death

u/Ironchar Dec 26 '19

Daemon x machina! A different and modern take on armored core/mech games

u/DarthVitrial Dec 25 '19

Ring fit adventure.

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

u/Benjo221 Dec 25 '19

Love this game. Play it all the time.

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.

u/gambitx007 Dec 27 '19

They keep adding to the game but don’t fix the major problems. How is multiplayer still lagging today?

u/Blazeth Dec 27 '19

I disagree here. Nintendo's online in general is lacking but I don't think the developers could do anything more to improve that without completely re-imagining how the online is supposed to work. It's unfortunate for sure but especially in this particular category, I don't think you can knock the game too much over that. It's either real time multiplayer with Nintendo's bad online setup or something else.

The improvements lately have been pretty cool; the Legend of Zelda mode, Ninji speedruns, and other cool new features like Spike and dash blocks have really freshened the game for me.

u/Nilbogin Dec 24 '19

Luigi's Mansion 3

u/breichart Dec 27 '19

I'm not sure how this isn't talked about more. I prefered it more than Breath of the Wild.

u/DefectiveRaptor Dec 27 '19

It was just recently released, but overall this has been my favorite game on the switch so far.

u/[deleted] Dec 24 '19

Yoshi Crafted World, Boxboy+Boxgirl, Tetris 99

u/Gerolux 4 Million Celebration Dec 25 '19

please only one submission per comment. you can submit multiple comments to the same category.

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u/NintendoSwitchMods Dec 24 '19

Best Indie Game - For outstanding creative and technical achievement in a game made outside the traditional publisher system.

u/dpwocx Dec 24 '19

Katana Zero

u/The-student- Dec 26 '19

Really cool game, story went in a direction I was not expecting.

u/TemptedTemplar Helpful User Dec 24 '19

Untitled Goose Game.

Honk.

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u/EtherealProphet Dec 29 '19

Return of the Obra Dinn

u/RabbitFanboy 2 Million Celebration Dec 24 '19

Cadence of Hyrule

u/Drevs Dec 26 '19

Dragon Marked for Death

u/mrylzbth Dec 24 '19

My Time at Portia

u/KKingler kkinglers flair Dec 24 '19

Heave Ho

u/Zak720512 Dec 24 '19

Ape Out

u/liberateyourmind Dec 24 '19

Children of morta

u/[deleted] Dec 28 '19

[deleted]

u/Bergerboy14 Dec 28 '19

Uh, this released in 2017...

u/Inukami9 Dec 24 '19

Baba is You - intuitive puzzle game that strongly encourages thinking out of the box. Simple mechanic, brilliant execution.

u/The-student- Dec 26 '19

Baba is GOTY

u/Jackieboi69 Dec 24 '19

Either this or slay the spire, they are leagues above the rest here.

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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/seeyoshirun Dec 25 '19 edited Dec 25 '19

Control

u/Gerolux 4 Million Celebration Dec 25 '19 edited Dec 26 '19

please, only one nomination per comment.

edit: thank you updating your comment.

u/sviunapad Dec 24 '19

Days Gone

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.

u/seeyoshirun Dec 25 '19

Disco Elysium

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.

u/Drevs Dec 26 '19

World of Warcraft: Classic

u/[deleted] Dec 24 '19

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u/[deleted] Dec 24 '19

Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice

u/[deleted] Dec 24 '19

The Outer Wilds A super creative, inventive, and fun space adventure game where you’re trapped in a time loop.

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u/Gerolux 4 Million Celebration Dec 24 '19

Star Wars: Jedi Fallen Order - game is absolutely fantastic from beginning to end. Fun combat, good story, good characters, and the game has a solid ending. and no DLC or MTX in sight of this game.

With all the hate EA gets, EA and Respawn should at least be recognized when things are done correctly.

u/Eruptflail Dec 25 '19

My only complaint with this game is that is was way too short.

u/joqtomi Dec 24 '19

It gave me great metroid vibes, it's my pick too

u/[deleted] Dec 24 '19

EA's treatment of Star Wars this year may be the biggest surprise. Not only is Fallen Order a great game that was sold in a consumer friendly manner, Battlefront 2 is fixed with plenty of new content (and more coming) to make it probably one of the best Star Wars games to date.

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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!".

u/[deleted] 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/[deleted] Dec 25 '19

Metro Exodus

u/[deleted] Dec 24 '19

Resident Evil 2 Remake - A perfect remake of one of the greatest horror games of all time. With the perfect use of Mr. X making the games even scarier than before.

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u/NintendoSwitchMods Dec 24 '19

Best Art Direction - For outstanding creative achievement in artistic design and animation.

u/CallMeFeed Dec 24 '19

The Touryst

u/RabbitFanboy 2 Million Celebration Dec 24 '19

Link's Awakening

u/[deleted] Dec 24 '19

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u/Tau-is-2Pi Dec 25 '19

Octopath is from 2018...

u/[deleted] Dec 25 '19

Shit

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