Team Zelda grateful for Mario’s late arrival
The Golden Joystick Awards took place yesterday, one of the first major “Year in Review” events to happen thus far, with many of this year’s best and brightest titles clamoring for the retro-chic trophy.
Nintendo’s Zelda: Breath of the Wild walked away with the coveted “Ultimate Game of the Year” gong. The acceptance speech video, shown below, featured the Zelda team’s humble thanks, with veteran producer Eiji Aonuma cutely quipping how grateful he was that Super Mario Odyssey arrived late in the voting window. Funny stuff.
Other big winners on the night include open-word adventure Horizon Zero Dawn, team-based massacre PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds, ragtime platformer Cuphead and voice-actor (and former Destructoider) Ashly Burch, who walked away with two trophies. Sid Meir was also honoured for his contributions to the strategy genre, as well as spearheading the long-running Civilisation series.
Best Storytelling – Horizon Zero Dawn
Best Visual Design – Cuphead
Best Audio – The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild
Best Gaming Performance – Ashly Burch (Aloy in Horizon Zero Dawn)
Best Indie Game – Friday the 13th The Game
Best Multiplayer Game – PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds
Studio of the Year – Nintendo EPD
Best VR Game – Resident Evil 7
Esports Play of the Year – Overwatch
Esports Team of the Year – Lunatic Hai
Esports Game of the Year – Overwatch
Best Streamer/Broadcaster – Markiplier
Handheld/Mobile Game of the Year – Pokemon Sun & Moon
Nintendo Game of the Year – The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild
Playstation Game of the Year – Horizon Zero Dawn
Xbox Game of the Year – Cuphead
PC Game of the Year – PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds
The Critics Choice Award – The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild
Breakthrough Award – Ashly Burch
Hall of Fame – Final Fantasy
Most Wanted Game – The Last of Us 2
Still Playing Award – World of Tanks
Outstanding Contribution to the UK Games Industry – Debbie Bestwick MBE (Team17 Founder)
Lifetime Achievement Award – Sid Meier
Ultimate Game of the Year – The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild
