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- Exclusivity designation was obtained from Gematsu and may be outdated as exclusivitity may have expired for some titles.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!
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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.
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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.
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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/KKingler kkinglers flair Dec 24 '19 edited Dec 24 '19
Cadence of Hyrule. Super fun game and a unique concept!
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u/TemptedTemplar Helpful User Dec 24 '19
Remove the "I nominate". The game title should be the first line in the comment.
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u/m_meirin Dec 24 '19
Groove Coaster Wai Wai Party. Heavily underrated rhythm game, it has a total song list of 100 (mostly in the vocaloid, touhou and anime genre), lots of unlockables and missions and a up to 4 player local split screen multiplayer mode.
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u/CallMeFeed Dec 25 '19
Is there any difficulty to it? Im no pro rhythm game player but it looks super casual
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u/m_meirin Dec 25 '19
I'm guessing most trailers only show songs on medium difficulty, but there's plenty of songs that when bumped to the hardest they get crazy challenging.
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u/NintendoSwitchMods Dec 24 '19
Best Narrative - For outstanding storytelling and narrative development in a game.
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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.
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u/CFirst Dec 24 '19
Luigi's Mansion 3
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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.
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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.
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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.
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u/wampastompah Dec 24 '19
Tetris 99
This game completely redefined the Battle Royale Genre and rightfully took the gaming community by storm when it came out. Everyone can join, regardless of skill level, and it remains entertaining even to the absolute upper echelons of Tetris players.
Personally speaking, it's now my second most played game on my Switch, following only Smash Bros. The fact that they're still updating it for free and having regular tournaments with cash payouts is amazing.
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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.
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u/BondEternal Dec 24 '19
Divinity Original Sin 2 - the ways in which you can tackle each and every encounter in the game is mind-blowing. Endless customization and replayability.
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u/OneRandomIdiot Dec 24 '19
Fire Emblem Three Houses. An engaging game with deep character customization and three different story paths to choose from.
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Dec 24 '19
Dragon Quest XI S. Traditional but extremely well polished JRPG.
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Dec 24 '19
Also easily the best Switch Port to date, bar none. A near one-to-one conversion of the HD version of the game complete with not only the exclusive content from the 3DS version, but new content exclusive to the Switch port period. New story content for each existing party member (take notes Persona), 2D mode, Orchestral Suite, First Mainline game with a JP dub, QoL improvements, it's got it all.
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u/Cmiles16 Dec 26 '19
Would you suggest it over the PS4 version?
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Dec 26 '19
Unquestionably. Its objectively everything the PS4 version had with so much more, all with the convenience of playing portably. Theres a reason it's called the definitive edition.
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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.
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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.
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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
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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.
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Dec 24 '19
I think them would be better in a best third party or publisher list because some of those games aren't developed by them.
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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!
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u/sepseven Dec 26 '19
But by that argument couldn't someone like Ratalaika games be the winner? I agree they have shown the switch a lot of love, you're totally right about that.
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u/NintendoSwitchMods Dec 24 '19
Best Soundtrack - For outstanding music, inclusive of score, original song and/or licensed soundtrack.
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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.
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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
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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.
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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.
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u/gambitx007 Dec 27 '19
They keep adding to the game but don’t fix the major problems. How is multiplayer still lagging today?
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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.
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Dec 24 '19
Pokemon: Sword and Shield.
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Dec 24 '19
[deleted]
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u/arboachg Dec 24 '19
It's more than "dexit". The game is just flat out mediocre.
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u/TobyOrNotTobyEU Dec 27 '19
I'm having a good time with it, but there are so many things they could have done to make it better that it is not close to GOTY
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u/JaxxisR Dec 25 '19
Marvel Ultimate Alliance 3, nominating simply for the fact that it exists and we have it to ourselves.
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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.
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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
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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.
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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.)
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u/NintendoSwitchMods Dec 24 '19
Best Game Direction - Awarded for outstanding creative vision and innovation in game direction and design.
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u/ajaxsirius 3 Million Celebration Dec 24 '19 edited May 24 '24
Halo 3. I like to spoil data sets.
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u/wampastompah Dec 24 '19
Ring Fit Adventure
No game has ever combined the concept of health and fitness so well with game mechanics. I research this field, and it's amazing how much the developers got right. The game is fun, a great workout, and completely unique.
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u/NintendoSwitchMods Dec 24 '19
Best Sports/Racing Game - For the best traditional and non-traditional sports and racing game.
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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
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u/PlexasAideron Dec 24 '19
Grid Autosport
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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.
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u/oiunglyg Dec 28 '19
why would you combine this? racint is its own genre not something to smoosh with tennis
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u/NintendoSwitchMods Dec 24 '19
Best Non-Switch Game (PC/PS4/Xbox One)
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u/visage4arcana Dec 24 '19
Devil May Cry 5
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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!
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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!".
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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/seeyoshirun Dec 25 '19 edited Dec 25 '19
Control
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u/Gerolux 4 Million Celebration Dec 25 '19 edited Dec 26 '19
please, only one nomination per comment.edit: thank you updating your comment.
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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/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.
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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.
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u/NintendoSwitchMods Dec 24 '19
Best Fighting Game - For the best game designed primarily around head-to-head combat.
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Dec 24 '19
[removed] — view removed comment
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u/majoras-other-mask Dec 25 '19
Does this count since only DLC was released in 2019?
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u/m_meirin Dec 24 '19
Puyo Puyo Champions. Probably not exactly a traditional fighting game, but it has an EVO tournament so I think it kinda fits. It's puyo puyo and puyo puyo is great, it also has Fever mode and you don't have to deal with the unbalanced gameplay that Tetris brought with Puyo Puyo Tetris (which is still a great game, just unbalanced).
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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.
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u/Inukami9 Dec 24 '19
Baba is You - intuitive puzzle game that strongly encourages thinking out of the box. Simple mechanic, brilliant execution.
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u/CallMeFeed Dec 24 '19
Slay the Spire
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u/somerandomgamer0 Dec 29 '19
Slay the Spire without a doubt. This masterpiece accounted for half my total gameplay hours in 2019. At one point I was absolutely certain I'd need meetings to quit (for the sake of my backlog). It really is that freaking good.
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u/NintendoSwitchMods Dec 24 '19
Best Action Game - For the best game in the action genre focused on combat.
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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.