As Oscar season approaches, we inevitably speak about essentially the most prestigious award-winning initiatives that outlined the yr, and even a complete technology. The online game trade isn’t any completely different.
These awards primarily symbolize the top of our medium, celebrating every part from groundbreaking storytelling and complex mechanics to breathtaking artwork course and character improvement.
And as somebody who has heard far too many individuals argue that video games aren’t “actual artwork” or that video games are simply made for enjoyable, I am very joyful to see how critically individuals at the moment are taking The Sport Awards. We have lastly reached the purpose the place the Sport of the Yr title is greater than only a advertising and marketing sticker on a field, it is an precise stamp of cultural affect and technical mastery that may endlessly stay on a franchise.
Profitable main awards typically cements a sport’s legacy and turns a profitable launch right into a historic milestone. Nevertheless, some video games have managed to make it onto the record of essentially the most awarded video games of all time. This can be a big accomplishment that only a few titles can declare. That is why we determined to look again on the 10 sluggers who gained essentially the most trophies within the historical past of the medium.
Additionally, in case you have a look at this record, you’ll discover that there are lots of comparatively latest titles (lots of which had been launched after 2010). This is not as a result of older video games weren’t masterpieces, however as a result of online game awards are a comparatively younger phenomenon. It wasn’t till the Spike Video Sport Awards (VGA) that the idea actually began to go mainstream, and ultimately advanced into the huge occasion we all know right this moment as The Sport Awards.
So, with that in thoughts, let’s lastly “wrap up” this historical past lesson and transfer on to the record.
10
astro robotic
196 awards gained
If the Astro Bot theme track began taking part in in your head the second you learn the secret (I did too), then you definately already know precisely why this record opened with this theme. Jokes apart, Crew Asobi’s 3D platformer is a real masterpiece of the style, exuding the pure aura of what a online game must be and providing a uncommon expertise that leaves you feeling fully exhilarated after taking part in it.
The sport sees the return of the PlayStation mascot and a various planet-hopping journey with distinctive biomes, imaginative bosses, and mechanics that change from degree to degree. One minute you are a tiny mouse, shrinking right down to a measurement that lets you transfer across the stage, and the following you are a large sponge stomping every part round you.
This artistic, fun-filled versatility has earned Astro Bot the title of 2024’s Definitive Sport of the Yr, actually sweeping the highest honors and technical classes at quite a few ceremonies, together with the BAFTA Sport Awards and the NAVGTR Awards. Oh, and it additionally holds the file for being the platformer with essentially the most Sport of the Yr awards of all time.
229 awards gained
That is the “oldest” sport on our record, and doubtless one of the vital influential titles within the historical past of the medium. On the time of its launch, ThelderScrolls V: Skyrim was groundbreaking in nearly each conceivable approach for its open-ended nature, rapidly changing into the gold commonplace for the RPG style and Bethesda’s historical past.
Additionally, do not miss the sport’s superb lore. That is as a result of it expands upon the world of The Elder Scrolls and makes gamers really feel as in the event that they’re stepping right into a universe that existed lengthy earlier than The Elder Scrolls got here out. It is a spot the place individuals lived and died, and it is a world that looks like it should proceed to thrive no matter your presence, particularly due to the huge quantity of historical past and secrets and techniques to find, which makes the world really feel actually alive.
So it is no surprise that Skyrim has gained 229 awards. Profitable at prestigious ceremonies such because the Golden Joystick Awards and the Spike Video Sport Awards (predecessor to TGA), it cemented its legacy as a real RPG large.
8
the final of us
257 awards gained
The Final of Us was the primary PlayStation unique to look on this rating, and it was one of many most important causes the model cemented its status for having a robust lineup of first-party studios, which stays central to its id right this moment.
Developed by Naughty Canine, this sport was one wherein the studio pivoted away from the adventurous adventurous spirit of the Uncharted sequence and explored deeper territory in story and character improvement. The end result was so critically acclaimed and widespread that it will definitely transcended the sport and have become a success sequence for HBO.
Its success was instant from day one, garnering glowing critiques and over 250 awards. Apparently, The Final of Us wasn’t really the sport that gained essentially the most Sport of the Yr titles in 2013. That spot was taken by GTA V. However Joel and Ellie’s story ended up with essentially the most whole trophies, dominating ceremonies such because the DICE Awards, Sport Builders’ Alternative Awards, and SXSW Sport Awards.
7
God of Conflict (2018)
263 awards gained
I have to confess that I had no real interest in the unique God of Conflict trilogy. But it surely took unbelievable braveness to alter not solely the mythology however thematic focus, and the 2018 mushy reboot is strictly what reworked the sequence into one of the vital recognizable franchises in gaming right this moment.
Opposite to what some purist followers assume, the sport really enhances the unique trilogy by means of nice character improvement, iconic moments, and technically spectacular mechanics to match. It succeeded in humanizing a personality that many people thought was simply an indignant character, turning the sequence right into a deep emotional journey.
You do not have to take my phrase for it. The 263 awards this sport has gained speaks for itself. It is also vital to focus on that they completed this in the identical yr that the blockbuster Pink Lifeless Redemption 2 was launched, which is definitely no small feat.
6
The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild
264 awards gained
Breath of the Wild is essentially the most awarded Legend of Zelda title of all time, as award exhibits are a comparatively new phenomenon within the gaming trade. That is true regardless that we are able to all agree that Ocarina of Time is likely one of the greatest video games of all time, and consequently typically holds the title of “greatest Zelda” in our hearts.
However there is no denying that this chapter on Nintendo Change was monumental not only for the saga, however for the open-world subgenre as a complete, by introducing a much more bold and expansive scope. It arrived exactly when the “extra is best” philosophy was the essential rule, even when it meant filling the map with empty areas or repeating mission pings.
So Breath of the Wild got here alongside to alter the dialog, and impressed numerous gamers to purchase a Change simply to expertise it (myself included). It went on to dominate awards season, profitable Sport of the Yr in 2017 over extremely sturdy contenders like Tremendous Mario Odyssey and Persona 5.
5
The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt
281 awards gained
Awards ceremonies appear to favor RPGs that set new requirements for the trade. Following within the footsteps of Skyrim, The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt, the sport that rocketed CD Projekt Pink into the ranks of the world’s elite builders, ranks fifth.
Past Geralt of Rivia’s unbelievable story and Ciri’s exploration, what most captivated followers was, after all, the sheer complexity of the sport. Because of this close-up encounters with a number of completely different NPCs really feel actually distinctive relying in your selections, affecting not solely the dialogue however the state of the open world itself. That is superb!
The sport rapidly grew to become an icon of the last decade as a result of it was so rigorously crafted and tuned in nearly each approach. That is unsurprisingly mirrored in its whole of 281 awards, securing Sport of the Yr in an infamously troublesome yr in opposition to giants like Bloodborne, Metallic Gear Stable V: The Phantom Ache, and even the indie fashionable basic Undertale.
4
Baldur’s Gate III
288 awards gained
Baldur’s Gate III is essentially the most literal “affected by success” state of affairs on this whole record. The sport gained so many awards between 2023 and 2024 that it really began to have an effect on its improvement, forcing Larian Studios to ship a rotating staff of builders to varied ceremonies simply to obtain trophies.
And I can say with full confidence that this “struggling” is earned. As a result of it is an distinctive expertise with unbelievable element and high quality ratio. It is typically thought that as video games develop, the quirks of previous CRPGs (like having the ability to undergo a complete playthrough with out characters assembly or having obscure conversations) might be phased out as an inefficient use of sources.
However Baldur’s Gate III manages to mix AAA-level polish and cinematic storytelling with an old-school RPG really feel that I’ve by no means seen completed on this scale. In any case, it was a small value to pay for continuously altering builders, so we are able to applaud this masterpiece, which has gained 288 awards.
3
The Final of Us Half II
326 awards gained
Find it irresistible or hate it, there is no denying that The Final of Us Half II had a big impact on the gaming group by pushing gamers far exterior their consolation zones.
This is likely one of the few AAA titles that merely refuses to comply with protected traits with the intention to please the widest doable viewers. As an alternative, they handled video video games not simply as leisure, however as a type of artwork that may make you are feeling a posh vortex of conflicting feelings unexpectedly. And chances are you’ll even want a little bit remedy afterwards, however that is a narrative for an additional article.
Regardless of these intense controversies and leaks that spoiled the shock of many gamers, Naughty Canine’s sequel nonetheless managed to win an incredible variety of awards. Regardless of a lot of the awards season going down within the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, the sport fought its approach to 326 trophies, proving that its technical and narrative ambitions resonated with critics world wide.
2
elden ring
429 awards gained
I do not assume another Soulsborne (or any Souls title on the whole) has had as a lot affect on the gaming trade consensus as Elden Ring.
FromSoftware virtually fathered the style with Demon’s Souls and later Darkish Souls, however these video games all the time felt like they belonged in a hardcore-only membership. Having all the time been in a distinct segment subject, I all the time felt that divide when speaking to mates who weren’t into that area of interest.
Earlier than 2022, Souls video games had been by no means essentially the most talked about social media sport upon launch, nor had been they the best-selling video games of the yr. However Elden Ring modified every part. This proved that you do not have to sacrifice a sport’s problem to make it accessible to a wider viewers. Maybe a wide ranging world and a way of absolute freedom are all that gamers must face hazard.
As such, it combines the studio’s signature boss design with a masterclass in open-world exploration, incomes it 429 awards and establishing itself as a contemporary basic.
1
Chiaroscuro: Expedition 33
436 awards (to this point and counting)
Paving the best way for all who adopted, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 made historical past in 2025 as a core indie sport that provided a high-level expertise similar to AAA initiatives.
It is debatable whether or not Sandfall Interactive’s RPG is the “greatest sport on the planet,” however the truth that it is on the prime of this rating speaks for itself. There is not any denying its triumph throughout the style and its big affect on the trade. Particularly contemplating the studio was based by Ubisoft veterans recognized for carefully following traits.
With full artistic freedom, the staff realized a very completely different story. This makes a variety of sense in an age of recycled metaphors. Expedition 33 manages to supply a degree of depth and emotional resonance hardly ever seen on this medium. On prime of that, the turn-based fight is dynamic sufficient to maintain even those that aren’t usually followers of the style engaged, because of its mechanical depth and the number of potentialities out there in each battle.
Boasting over 430 awards (and counting, with a number of awards ceremonies going down within the yr following its launch), the sport has formally been topped a masterpiece. This positively provides us hope that the trade will take discover and begin prioritizing massive, daring concepts over recycled ones.