My Game of the Year each year since I was born
Nothing here!
37 Games
2023
As much as I loved Tears of the Kingdom, it wasn't as good as BotW to me, but Pikmin 4 was everything I'd ever hoped a Pikmin sequel to be, reviving concepts I loved from 2, and giving me a FRICKIN DOG with Oatchi!!
As much as I loved Tears of the Kingdom, it wasn't as good as BotW to me, but Pikmin 4 was everything I'd ever hoped a Pikmin sequel to be, reviving concepts I loved from 2, and giving me a FRICKIN DOG with Oatchi!!
2022
HAL Labs knocked it out of the park for their first 3D Kirby, really, there was no other choice here.
HAL Labs knocked it out of the park for their first 3D Kirby, really, there was no other choice here.
2021
I was shocked by how good Bowser's Fury was. Open world 3D Mario works, and this compact Mario game was just the right size for me to enjoy this type of adventure. Metroid Dread a close second, which is also my favorite 2D Metroid, was very close!
I was shocked by how good Bowser's Fury was. Open world 3D Mario works, and this compact Mario game was just the right size for me to enjoy this type of adventure. Metroid Dread a close second, which is also my favorite 2D Metroid, was very close!
2020
The sensation of Switch, this game was everything that I needed out of the Animal Crossing series. complete freedom of customization and creation, I still play it all the time, it's my favorite game on Switch.
The sensation of Switch, this game was everything that I needed out of the Animal Crossing series. complete freedom of customization and creation, I still play it all the time, it's my favorite game on Switch.
2019
Extremely solid DKC-esque 2D platformer from the makers of... DKC!! Great overworld too, fantastic game.
Extremely solid DKC-esque 2D platformer from the makers of... DKC!! Great overworld too, fantastic game.
2018
How could I not choose the game that brought back King K. Rool and Banjo-Kazooie?
How could I not choose the game that brought back King K. Rool and Banjo-Kazooie?
2017
I'd say this is the best game Nintendo has ever made next to Super Mario Galaxy. It's incredible, the sense of adventure, with its exploration and discovery, there was no other choice.
I'd say this is the best game Nintendo has ever made next to Super Mario Galaxy. It's incredible, the sense of adventure, with its exploration and discovery, there was no other choice.
2016
Not a strong year for me, but planet Robobot is a solid Kirby game, the peak of his 2D adventures after Super Star.
Not a strong year for me, but planet Robobot is a solid Kirby game, the peak of his 2D adventures after Super Star.
2015
What a surprise faux-rpg this turned out to be. I caught the bug, this game really did live up to the hype.
What a surprise faux-rpg this turned out to be. I caught the bug, this game really did live up to the hype.
2014
There was no other choice than Tropical Freeze, which is not only my favorite DK game, it's my favorite video game ever. The adventure, the music, the design, the challenge, the character and personality. This game is heaven for me.
There was no other choice than Tropical Freeze, which is not only my favorite DK game, it's my favorite video game ever. The adventure, the music, the design, the challenge, the character and personality. This game is heaven for me.
2013
Best 2D Zelda game, and I really miss them.
Best 2D Zelda game, and I really miss them.
2012
Also not a very strong year for me, but Kid Icarus Uprising was a fun time, an ambitious adventure, even if the on-foot controls gave me cramps. I'm considering FEZ, but truth be told, I never finished the game, but if I ever do and still love it as much as I did what I've played of it so far, this could be switched out!
Also not a very strong year for me, but Kid Icarus Uprising was a fun time, an ambitious adventure, even if the on-foot controls gave me cramps. I'm considering FEZ, but truth be told, I never finished the game, but if I ever do and still love it as much as I did what I've played of it so far, this could be switched out!
2011
Not one of the best years, but, Skyward Sword is a pretty great game, it has its highs and lows though, but the highs were high enough for me to prefer it as my GotY.
Not one of the best years, but, Skyward Sword is a pretty great game, it has its highs and lows though, but the highs were high enough for me to prefer it as my GotY.
2010
He returned, the great ape CAME BACK! One of the most glorious moments for me as a DK fan.
Great year in general though, Super Mario Galaxy 2 is a very close second.
He returned, the great ape CAME BACK! One of the most glorious moments for me as a DK fan.
Great year in general though, Super Mario Galaxy 2 is a very close second.
2009
This game was a surprising hit for me, I loved everything about it. The train stuff, the adventure, the music, the dungeon puzzles, the gameplay. One of the most underrated Zelda games, period.
This game was a surprising hit for me, I loved everything about it. The train stuff, the adventure, the music, the dungeon puzzles, the gameplay. One of the most underrated Zelda games, period.
2008
Brawl was alright, the Smash Dojo is what got me out of bed every morning, the community is truly what made this one such a memorable experience.
Brawl was alright, the Smash Dojo is what got me out of bed every morning, the community is truly what made this one such a memorable experience.
2007
One of the greatest games of all time, truly beautiful game, there's no other game that could possibly measure up to this one this year.
One of the greatest games of all time, truly beautiful game, there's no other game that could possibly measure up to this one this year.
2006
The game that proved to me that video games can be art, using the interactive medium to enhance an artist's expression. I cried at the end...
The game that proved to me that video games can be art, using the interactive medium to enhance an artist's expression. I cried at the end...
2005
Magical Melody is the best Harvest Moon game in the series, taking everything I loved about every Harvest Moon before it, and putting it into one well designed farming sim. Cozy as heck game right here.
As much as I loved Resident Evil 4... heh.
Magical Melody is the best Harvest Moon game in the series, taking everything I loved about every Harvest Moon before it, and putting it into one well designed farming sim. Cozy as heck game right here.
As much as I loved Resident Evil 4... heh.
2004
Pikmin 2 is a close second, but WarioWare Twisted was so creative and new in the way it played, that it's even my favorite GBA game ever.
Pikmin 2 is a close second, but WarioWare Twisted was so creative and new in the way it played, that it's even my favorite GBA game ever.
2003
Normally I'd have gone with Zelda Wind Waker, as it was a 2003 game in North America... And then I wondered if I should go with Kirby Air Ride, it's a blast too. The first WarioWare is also incredible. But no game blew me away and had me rolling on the floor laughing at parties thanks to its asymmetric GBA multiplayer, like Pac-Man Vs. did. Underrated classic.
Normally I'd have gone with Zelda Wind Waker, as it was a 2003 game in North America... And then I wondered if I should go with Kirby Air Ride, it's a blast too. The first WarioWare is also incredible. But no game blew me away and had me rolling on the floor laughing at parties thanks to its asymmetric GBA multiplayer, like Pac-Man Vs. did. Underrated classic.
2002
A great year with Animal Crossing, Mario Sunshine, Star Fox Adventures, and in Japan, Zelda the Wind Waker. But none are as perfect as Metroid Prime, what a fantastic experience.
A great year with Animal Crossing, Mario Sunshine, Star Fox Adventures, and in Japan, Zelda the Wind Waker. But none are as perfect as Metroid Prime, what a fantastic experience.
2001
Melee is just, THE game. But, I almost went with Zoo Tycoon, that game captured my attention almost equally as much, surprisingly enough.
Melee is just, THE game. But, I almost went with Zoo Tycoon, that game captured my attention almost equally as much, surprisingly enough.
2000
I almost went with Majora's Mask, but... Thinking back, FFIX is a game I take fewer issue with. It's just so delightful. Also forgot about Banjo-Tooie, that used to always be my choice for GotY this year, but honestly, I think I take fewer issues with FFIX in comparison there as well.
I almost went with Majora's Mask, but... Thinking back, FFIX is a game I take fewer issue with. It's just so delightful. Also forgot about Banjo-Tooie, that used to always be my choice for GotY this year, but honestly, I think I take fewer issues with FFIX in comparison there as well.
1999
Super Smash Bros. and Donkey Kong 64 were a big deal for me at this time too, but Harvest Moon 64 captured my attention and my heart like no other game.
Super Smash Bros. and Donkey Kong 64 were a big deal for me at this time too, but Harvest Moon 64 captured my attention and my heart like no other game.
1998
Tough choice this year, ask me another day and I might tell you it's Zelda Ocarina of Time that was my GotY
Tough choice this year, ask me another day and I might tell you it's Zelda Ocarina of Time that was my GotY
1997
Final Fantasy VII puts up a good fight this year, but Star Fox 64 is perfection in my mind.
Final Fantasy VII puts up a good fight this year, but Star Fox 64 is perfection in my mind.
1996
Super Mario 64 and Donkey Kong Country 3 are some good competition, but Kirby Super Star was the game that caught my attention most, especially with its couch co-op, can replay it endlessly.
Super Mario 64 and Donkey Kong Country 3 are some good competition, but Kirby Super Star was the game that caught my attention most, especially with its couch co-op, can replay it endlessly.
1995
Donkey Kong Country 2 was a fine game as well, but Yoshi's Island is one of those masterpieces that I can't help but go with.
Donkey Kong Country 2 was a fine game as well, but Yoshi's Island is one of those masterpieces that I can't help but go with.
1994
Super Metroid is great, but for me, it's no contest, Donkey Kong Country is essentially my favorite game of all time.
Super Metroid is great, but for me, it's no contest, Donkey Kong Country is essentially my favorite game of all time.
1993
I almost went with Star Fox, but I gotta be honest, I always had a lot more fun playing NBA Jam, it's one of the best sports video games ever made.
I almost went with Star Fox, but I gotta be honest, I always had a lot more fun playing NBA Jam, it's one of the best sports video games ever made.
1992
Link to the Past released in North America this year, but I think I'd have chosen Mario Paint regardless, this game was a massive part of my childhood.
Link to the Past released in North America this year, but I think I'd have chosen Mario Paint regardless, this game was a massive part of my childhood.
1991
Normally I'd go with Super Mario World this year, since it came out 1991 in North America, but guess it's a 1990 game originally... Super Castlevania IV however is just a great game!
Normally I'd go with Super Mario World this year, since it came out 1991 in North America, but guess it's a 1990 game originally... Super Castlevania IV however is just a great game!
1990
Super Mario World is technically 1990, but when I was a kid, there was no game more hype than TMNTII: The Arcade Game, so it's gotta be that!
Super Mario World is technically 1990, but when I was a kid, there was no game more hype than TMNTII: The Arcade Game, so it's gotta be that!
1989
Tetris for Game Boy is just one of the all time greats, hard to pick anything else this year.
Tetris for Game Boy is just one of the all time greats, hard to pick anything else this year.
1988
It was between SMB3 and SMB2 USA, and in time, SMB3 has grown on me as the better game.
It was between SMB3 and SMB2 USA, and in time, SMB3 has grown on me as the better game.
1987
In North America, 1987 was a huge year for NES, as Kid Icarus, Metroid, and the Legend of Zelda all released this year, and I would've gone with one of them, but they released a year prior in Japan, thankfully, Puch-Out rules!
In North America, 1987 was a huge year for NES, as Kid Icarus, Metroid, and the Legend of Zelda all released this year, and I would've gone with one of them, but they released a year prior in Japan, thankfully, Puch-Out rules!