The Battle for Game of the Year Intensifies Between Zelda and Mario as Nintendo Leads the Pack
In a highly anticipated announcement, Geoff Keighley unveiled the nominations for The Game Awards 2023, setting the stage for an intense competition for the coveted Game of the Year title. The showdown is notably between two Nintendo powerhouses – The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom and Super Mario Bros. Wonder.
What’s even more remarkable is Nintendo’s overall dominance, securing a staggering 15 nominations, the highest among all publishers. Breaking down the accolades, both Zelda and Mario are not just vying for Game of the Year but are also contending in five other categories, showcasing their prowess in Best Art Direction and Best Game Direction. Zelda specifically targets Best Score and Music and Best Action/Adventure Game, while Mario aims for Best Family Game and Best Multiplayer Game.
Diversifying its nominations, Nintendo’s Pikmin 4 steps into the spotlight with nods in two categories: Best Family Game and Best Sim/Strategy Game. In the latter, Nintendo doubles down with nominations for Advance Wars 1+2: Re-Boot Camp and Fire Emblem Engage. This is great news for the company. While seeing the big Nintendo franchises at these award shows has never been surprising, more obscure series from the Big N such as Advance Wars being nominated is not only good for variety, but for the sake of exposure to potentially new players.
The final nod in Nintendo’s impressive list isn’t from a video game but a movie – Illumination’s The Super Mario Bros. Movie is recognized in the Best Adaptation category. Reflecting a year marked by variety, Nintendo’s nominations showcase the company’s ability to excel across different mediums.
This marks a significant moment for Nintendo, reminiscent of 2017 when Breath of the Wild and Super Mario Odyssey competed for the ultimate Game of the Year honor. Now, the spotlight is on Tears of the Kingdom and Wonder, making for another unforgettable duel in the world of gaming recognition.