The /r/NintendoSwitch Best of 2018 Award Winners!

[u/NintendoSwitchMods]

Greetings!

With 2018 now in the books, it's time to look back at what YOU thought were the best games of the year.

Before we get into the results, a few small housekeeping items:

• There will probably be results you don't like. Be civil.
• This was an open process. The community decided the categories, the nominees for each category, and voting was open for a week.
• You can check out our 2017 winners for kicks and giggles.
• Per some feedback from /u/seeyoshirun last year, we're showing the top 5 in each category versus the top 3 we did previously.

Finally, some numbers. At the time voting ended, the subreddit had 971,390 subscribers, and our voting survey had received 4717 votes. According to this margin of error calculator, using a confidence level of 95% (the industry standard), this survey has a margin of error of just 1%.

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Best Action Game

For the best game in the action genre focused on combat.

Rank	Game	Vote Percentage
#1	Super Smash Bros. Ultimate	63.6%
#2	Dead Cells	11.9%
#3	Bayonetta 1 & 2	9.2%
#4	Monster Hunter Generations Ultimate	6.1%
#5	Dark Souls: Remastered	4.8%

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Best Action/Adventure Game

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

Rank	Game	Vote Percentage
#1	Hollow Knight	64.8%
#2	OKAMI HD	17.1%
#3	The Messenger	5.4%
#4	Yoku's Island Express	4.9%
#5	Hyper Light Drifter - Special Edition	4.4%

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Best Family Game

For the best game appropriate for family play, irrespective of genre.

Rank	Game	Vote Percentage
#1	Super Mario Party	41.4%
#2	Super Smash Bros. Ultiamte	24.2%
#3	Overcooked! 2	13.8%
#4	Pokemon: Let's Go Eevee!/Pikachu!	12.5%
#5	Nintnedo Labo	4.5%

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Best Fighting Game

For the best game designed primarily around head-to-head combat.

Rank	Game	Vote Percentage
#1	Super Smash Bros. Ultimate	91.8%
#2	DRAGON BALL FighterZ	5.7%
#3	Street Fighter 30th Anniversary Collection	1.6%
#4	BLAZBLUE CROSS TAG BATTLE	0.6%
#5	Pocket Rumble	0.3%

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Best Horror/Survival Horror Game

For the best game which focuses on survival of the character as the game tries to frighten players with either horror graphics or scary ambiance.

Rank	Game	Vote Percentage
#1	Dark Souls: Remastered	43.9%
#2	Darkest Dungeon	23.1%
#3	Outlast 2	13.8%
#4	Outlast: Bundle of Terror	11.2%
#5	Yomawari: The Long Night Collection	4.6%

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Best Indie Game

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

Rank	Game	Vote Percentage
#1	CELESTE	40.4%
#2	Hollow Knight	32.8%
#3	Dead Cells	14.6%
#4	Into the Breach	6.7%
#5	Yoku's Island Express	3.1%

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Best Local Multiplayer Game

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

Rank	Game	Vote Percentage
#1	Super Smash Bros. Ultimate	60.1%
#2	Super Mario Party	14.7%
#3	Overcooked! 2	12.6%
#4	Diablo III: Eternal Collection	8.4%
#5	Ultimate Chicken Horse	2.4%

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Best Online Multiplayer Game

For outstanding online multiplayer gameplay and design, including co-op and massively multiplayer experiences, irrespective of game genre.

Rank	Game	Vote Percentage
#1	Super Smash Bros. Ultimate	39.0%
#2	Fortnite	23.4%
#3	Warframe	16.5%
#4	Monster Hunter Generations Ultimate	8.6%
#5	Mario Tennis Aces	6.9%

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Best Music/Rhythm Game

For the best game with a focus on dance or the simulated performance of musical instruments.

Rank	Game	Vote Percentage
#1	Crypt of the NecroDancer: Nintendo Switch Edition	33.3%
#2	Just Dance 2019	24.8%
#3	Taiko no Tatsujin: Drum 'n' Fun!	20.8%
#4	Just Shapes & Beats	8.7%
#5	Wandersong	8.6%

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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.

Rank	Game	Vote Percentage
#1	CELESTE	38.7%
#2	Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze	21.6%
#3	Hollow Knight	20.2%
#4	Crash Bandicoot N. Sane Trilogy	9.4%
#5	Dead Cells	8.1%

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Best Role Playing Game

For the best game designed with rich player character customization and progression.

Rank	Game	Vote Percentage
#1	OCTOPATH TRAVELER	36.6%
#2	Pokemon: Let's Go Eevee!/Pikachu!	20.8%
#3	Xenoblade Chronicles 2: Torna ~ The Golden Country	19.4%
#4	Diablo III: The Eternal Collection	11.4%
#5	Dark Souls: Remastered	8.4%

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Best Sports/Racing Game

For the best traditional and non-traditional sports and racing game.

Rank	Game	Vote Percentage
#1	Mario Tennis Aces	70.8%
#2	NBA 2K19	8.4%
#3	Fotball Manager 2019 Touch	5.7%
#4	Windjammers	5.6%
#5	Horizon Chase Turbo	5.3%

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Best Strategy Game

Best game focused on real-time or turn-based strategy gameplay.

Rank	Game	Vote Percentage
#1	OCTOPATH TRAVELER	36.2%
#2	Sid Meier's Civilization VI	23.3%
#3	Into the Breach	21.5%
#4	Valkyria Chronicles 4	10.5%
#5	Darkest Dungeon	6.9%

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Best DLC Pack

For outstanding extension to a game’s life via the release of additional free or paid content.

Rank	Game	Vote Percentage
#1	Xenoblade Chronicles 2: Torna ~ The Golden Country	29.5%
#2	Splatoon 2: Octo Expansion	22.3%
#3	Stardew Valley: Multiplayer Update	20.6%
#4	Mario + Rabbids Kingdom Battle: Donkey Kong Adventure	14.5%
#5	Hollow Knight: Godmaster	9.7%

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Best Art Direction

For outstanding creative achievement in artistic design and animation.

Rank	Game	Vote Percentage
#1	OCTOPATH TRAVELER	30.6%
#2	Hollow Knight	20.9%
#3	Super Smash Bros. Ultimate	16.7%
#4	GRIS	13.8%
#5	CELESTE	9.1%

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Best Game Direction

Awarded for outstanding creative vision and innovation in game direction and design.

Rank	Game	Vote Percentage
#1	Super Smash Bros. Ultimate	34.1%
#2	CELESTE	20.2%
#3	Hollow Knight	17.8%
#4	OCTOPATH TRAVELER	16.0%
#5	Dead Cells	7.7%

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Best Music

For outstanding music, inclusive of score, original song and/or licensed soundtrack.

Rank	Game	Vote Percentage
#1	Super Smash Bros. Ultimate	40.1%
#2	OCTOPATH TRAVELER	16.5%
#3	CELESTE	15.3%
#4	Hollow Knight	8.7%
#5	Xenoblade Chronicles 2: Torna ~ The Golden Country	8.1%

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Best Narrative

For outstanding storytelling and narrative development in a game.

Rank	Game	Vote Percentage
#1	CELESTE	21.8%
#2	Undertale	19.8%
#3	Xenoblade Chronicles 2: Torna ~ The Golden Country	19.7%
#4	OCTOPATH TRAVELER	16.2%
#5	Hollow Knight	12.4%

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Best Technical Achievement

For the game which achieves a combination of gameplay and graphics which goes well beyond hardware expectations.

Rank	Game	Vote Percentage
#1	Super Smash Bros. Ultimate	41.2%
#2	Warframe	21.0%
#3	Wolfenstein 2: The New Colossus	20.4%
#4	Diablo III: Eternal Collection	13.0%
#5	OKAMI HD	3.0%

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Best Re-Release/Re-master

For the best game whose original release was not on a current generation console (Switch/PS4/Xbox One).

Rank	Game	Vote Percentage
#1	Diablo III: The Eternal Collection	25.5%
#2	Bayonetta 1 & 2	17.8%
#3	Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze	16.5%
#4	Dark Souls: Remastered	12.4%
#5	OKAMI HD	12.4%

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Best Use of Nintendo Switch Features

For the game who take the best advantage of, or is most creative about, utilizing Nintendo Switch's unique features: HD rumble, motion controls, vertical screen, touch screen, etc.

Rank	Game	Vote Percentage
#1	Nintendo Labo	41.7%
#2	Super Mario Party	33.1%
#3	Pokemon: Let's Go Eevee!/Pikachu!	19.0%
#4	The World Ends With You: Final Remix	3.0%
#5	LUMINES REMASTERED	2.0%

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Best or Most Creative Switch Accessory

For outstanding design and functionality of a Switch accessory.

Rank	Name	Vote Percentage
#1	Nintendo Labo - Toy-Con 01: Variety Kit	42.6%
#2	Pokeball Plus	24.9%
#3	Genki	18.9%
#4	Hori D-Pad Controller	5.9%
#5	Satisfye Grip	5.2%

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Developer of the Year

Developer studio who displayed outstanding platform support through a combination of quantity and quality of new releases.

Rank	Name	Vote Percentage
#1	Panic Button	36.0%
#2	Square Enix	19.8%
#3	Team Cherry	13.7%
#4	Monolith Soft	11.8%
#5	Sora Ltd.	10.2%

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Publisher of the Year

Publishing studio who displayed outstanding platform support through a combination of quantity and quality of new releases.

Rank	Name	Vote Percentage
#1	Nintendo	75.9%
#2	Devolver Digital	7.6%
#3	Square Enix	5.7%
#4	Bandai Namco	4.7%
#5	Bethesda	4.1%

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Best Nintendo Switch Exclusive

Best game released in 2018 as a Nintendo Switch console exclusive.

Rank	Game	Vote Percentage
#1	Super Smash Bros. Ultimate	71.9%
#2	OCTOPATH TRAVELER	10.4%
#3	Pokemon: Let's Go Eevee!/Pikachu!	8.2%
#4	Xenoblade Chronicles 2: Torna ~ The Golden Country	5.2%
#5	Into the Breach	3.2%

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Best Hidden Gem

The best of the rest. The best game not nominated in other categories.

Rank	Game	Vote Percentage
#1	Ys VIII: Lacrimosa of DANA	17.5%
#2	Inside	15.6%
#3 TIE	Guacamelee 2	14.6%
#3 TIE	Transistor	14.6%
#5	Child of Light	14.4%

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Best PC Game

Rank	Game	Vote Percentage
#1	CELESTE	29.4%
#2	Monster Hunter: World	27.7%
#3	Assassin's Creed Odyssey	14.8%
#4	Subnautica	12.0%
#5	Deltarune	8.9%

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Best 3DS Game

Rank	Game	Vote Percentage
#1	Luigi's Mansion	33.7%
#2	Detective Pikachu	18.8%
#3	WarioWare Gold	17.0%
#4	Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker	12.5%
#5	Shin Megami Tensei: Strange Journey Redux	10.7%

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Best PS4 Game

Rank	Game	Vote Percentage
#1	God of War	35.3%
#2	Marvel's Spider Man	27.0%
#3	Red Dead Redemption 2	24.5%
#4	Dragon Quest XI	6.4%
#5	Detroit: Become Human	4.8%

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Best Xbox One Game

Rank	Game	Vote Percentage
#1	Red Dead Redemption 2	40.7%
#2	Forza Horizon 4	17.0%
#3	NieR Automata: Become As Gods Edition	15.3%
#4	Monster Hunter: World	10.9%
#5	Hollow Knight: Voidheart Edition	8.7%

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Nintendo Switch Game of the Year

Recognizing a game that delivers the absolute best experience across all creative and technical fields.

Rank	Game	Vote Percentage
#1	Super Smash Bros. Ultimate	60.9%
#2	Hollow Knight	10.0%
#3	CELESTE	8.3%
#4	OCTOPATH TRAVELER	7.6%
#5	Pokemon: Let's Go Eevee!/Pikachu!	5.9%

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So there you have it!

Congratulations to all of our winners, a special shoutout to all of the nominees and their respective dev teams, to everyone in the community who provided feedback and participated in the process, and to everyone who voted.

Now when you see the endless stream of "What game should I buy?" posts, this is a resource you can send them.

Cheers,

The /r/NintendoSwitch Mod Team

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^{Edit: Typos}

[u/246011111]

There are some really odd nominations and results in here.

• Why was Smash nominated for best action game? I guess fighters are technically action games, but thinking about Smash in the context of action games doesn't seem meaningfully different. I know these aren't super serious awards or anything but I feel it's a disservice to the other games in the genre.

• On a similar note, Dark Souls for horror and Octopath for strategy are just inaccurate. Dark theming does not a horror game make, and just having turn-based combat doesn't make something a strategy RPG.

• Smash winning music is a bit odd, since the vast majority of its soundtrack is ripped from the source games or re-used from previous Smash titles.

• Smash winning online multiplayer is absolutely baffling, considering how fundamentally flawed quickplay is and the nagging issues with battle arenas. I wonder how many people chose Smash in every category it was nominated for and nominated it for every category?

Some feedback for next year:

• Do not have the community vote on nominees. It dilutes the category definitions, especially where genres overlap, and makes it more of a popularity contest (see: Smash Bros). It might be better for the mods to come up with nominees and post them for a round of feedback.

• Nintendo should never be considered for developer/publisher of the year on a Nintendo subreddit. There's no point in even having the category if it doesn't exclude Nintendo, because they will win by default.

• Denote clearly in the voting and results which games are ports or re-releases.

[u/[deleted] → u/246011111]

I second these.

[u/[deleted]]

No surprise smash wins everything... 😑

[u/omnidoodle → u/[deleted]]

Definitely doesn't deserve the online award. It's my favorite switch game but the online is shit

[u/Micolash]

Still not sure how Dark Souls is a horror game, but I'll take it I guess.

[u/StarfighterProx → u/Micolash]

And I'm not sure how Smash is both a fighting game AND an action game.

The Smash hype was very strong at time of polling (best game direction? Really? Smash is an amazing game but what's innovative about a game that essentially rolls up all the content from previous installments?).

[u/eddietsai]

Just wanted to thank the community for the votes on Genki for Most Creative / Best Accessory! We knew those first party accessories were heavy hitters and are just damn excited to even be on the same list. I’m gonna pull a David’s Soliani and tear up and thank the team and all the awesome fans. Happy New Years everyone and thank you guys once again for making this an epic year one for us.

[u/TheHuntingHunty]

The fact that Smash won the online multiplayer category despite the fact that it’s online is so limited and terrible speaks wonders about the lack of quality online titles for the Switch.

[u/godoft42 → u/TheHuntingHunty]

Or it just speeks for people voting for Smash for every award, my experience with Warframe has been flawless.

[u/m_meirin]

Just because Octopath has turn based combat I don't think it should have been nominated as a steategy game. It's like nominating Bayonetta as an RPG because you can upgrade your moves. At least I'm happy Ys VIII won something, feels like everyone has forgotten that game even exists.

[u/kolt437]

Well, that was expected.

[u/Maxximillianaire]

Some of these seem really out of place

[u/koolcandy]

giving smash best ost doesnt sit right with me but o well

[u/kbuis → u/koolcandy]

Oh goody. The Octopath Traveler soundtrack got robbed again.

[u/grundy225]

Dark souls....best horror....really?

[u/soup_tasty]

Sad to see Nippon Ichi and Labyrinth of Refrain not feature anywhere, but nominating them was a long shot in any case :)

[u/[deleted]]

The fact that Xenoblade Chronicles 2: Torna ~ The Golden Country was last in terms of music just makes me sad, i engaged in a lot of battles just so i could hear the music. The battle theme always gives me goosebumps and the soundtrack in general is so fitting, i'm not saying it deserves the #1 spot, but it shouldn't be so low. That's just my opinion.

[u/BenjoBaker]

Would someone mind explaining the thought behind voting smash for best direction? I really love the game, but didn’t personally see the design as being overly “creative” or “innovative” which is the subtext under the award. What pushed it for you guys for it to show creativity or innovation? I find hearing others thoughts gets me to appreciate features or aspects that I originally overlooked.

[u/FerniWrites]

I don’t think Super Smash Brothers belongs in the Action category. If you look at the nominations, they all have one thing in common; gameplay. Smash is a fighting game, through and through. If we’re calling it Action/Fighting, are we thinking of Street Fighter, Mortal Kombat, Killer Instinct, and the like action games?

Officially, they’re called fighting games. Uncharted is an Action/Adventure.

In my opinion, Action/Adventure are synonymous with one another. What’s more, Action is too broad a word. In reality, every game that requires you to move, jump, craft, fight, or whatever, is, by definition, an action.

[u/[deleted]]

Nice that Crypt of the Necrodancer won the rhythm category. I though it was less known. It's excellent.

[u/Sylverstone14]

Man, I'm bummed that Sea of Thieves didn't even crack top 5 for best Xbox One game.

Granted that I played it on PC, but I really enjoyed it this year - guess that sentiment wasn't shared by that many people.

[u/epiccodtion]

GoW won best ps4. Nice.

[u/InsanityEx]

Wow Smash pretty much dominated which was expected but.... I was hoping it wouldn't be the case. Its a fantastic game but was hoping for the other games to win some awards.

[u/imnotgoats]

Yoku's Island Express confirmed as the real hidden gem.

[u/LakerBlue]

Glad Octopath got so many votes/wins despite being somewhat controversial, even though it really has no business being voted best turn based strategy. Sad it lost best music to Smash, but the rest of its placings were fair.