Tokyo Game Show is in full swing, and kicking off the event were the Japan Game Awards. To give you a small background of what’s involved, both events are organized by the Computer Entertainment Supplier’s Association (CESA), and as such, the award show was originally called the CESA Awards. Games that are released during the time period of April 1, 2016 to March 31, 2017 are celebrated and eligible for awards in the eight categories available.
Concerning Nintendo properties, Pokémon GO, Pokémon Sun & Moon, The Legend of Zelda and Monster Hunter XX took home various awards. Walking away with the greatest number, Pokémon Sun & Moon earned three awards in the categories of “Global Award Japanese Product,” “Best Sales Award,” and an “Award for Excellence.” The Pokémon GO Project Team received the “Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry Award” due to the great impact the game has had across the world, noting its debut in July 2016. Monster Hunter XX and The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild made it to the “Award of Excellence” category as well, but out of the ten titles that received this honor there could only be one Game of the Year that would earn the “Grand Prize” title.
Without fail, The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild claimed the Grand Prize. This is Nintendo’s eighth win in the Grand Prize category since the awards started in 1996, and it’s a back-to-back win, as Splatoon for Wii U won the 2016 Grand Prize. This is Aonuma’s second Grand Prize win, his first awarded nearly 20 years ago for The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time.
Curious about the full winner lineup? You can check out the list down below:
Japan Game Awards 2017 Winners
Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry Award
Pokemon GO Project Team
Global Award Japanese Product
Pokémon Sun and Moon
Global Award Foreign Product
FIFA 17
Best Sales Award
Pokémon Sun and Moon
Special Award
PlayStation VR
Game Designers Award
INSIDE by Playdead
Award for Excellence
Overwatch
Persona 5
Pokémon Sun and Moon
Final Fantasy XV
The Last Guardian
Resident Evil 7: Biohazard
Nioh
Nier Automata
Horizon Zero Dawn
The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild
Monster Hunter XX
Grand Prize
The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild
Do you agree with the winners list? Get ready to jump aboard the Breath of the Wild Game of the Year 2017 hype train as we get closer to December!
Written by Jennifer Burch
Illustrator, designer, writer and big Nintendo geek, you can find Jennifer with an N3DS within reach 24/7. As the oldest of three, she has survived many Mario Party, Super Smash Bros. and Mario Kart sessions intact in addition to getting her brothers hooked on some really weird games. (Cubivore anyone?)
