Here Are The Nominees For This Year’s New York Game Awards

The New York Videogame Critics Circle will host the 9th Annual New York Game Awards, honoring the best in video gaming on January 21 at SVA Theatre in New York City. The Awards celebrate the best games and game developers in the industry along with the Circle’s non-profit work in underserved communities, all announced at an awards ceremony hosted by Emmy Award-winning writers from “The Daily Show with Trevor Noah.”

Highlights of the ceremony include the Andrew Yoon Legend Award, being presented to industry great Reggie Fils-Aimé, who helped change the gaming world with the Wii, Nintendo DS and Nintendo Switch. The Legend Award recognizes individuals and organizations that exhibit a significant, sustained body of work that shows exceptional achievement and innovation. Past recipients include Jade Raymond, Richard Garriott, Todd Howard, Rockstar Games and Ralph Baer. The fifth annual Best Games Journalism Award, voted on by the Circle’s 40 critics, will also be presented (nominees announced at a later date).

New York Game Awards Nominees

Big Apple Award for Best Game of the Year

Luigi’s Mansion 3
The Outer Worlds
Outer Wilds
A Plague Tale: Innocence
Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice
Resident Evil 2
Death Stranding
Telling Lies
Disco Elysium

Central Park Children’s Zoo Award for Best Kids Game

Tetris 99
Super Mario Maker 2
Adventure Academy
Luigi’s Mansion 3
Pokémon Sword, Pokémon Shield
Concrete Genie
The King’s Bird

A-Train Award for Best Mobile Game

Immortal Rogue
The Elder Scrolls: Blades
Sayonara Wild Hearts
Grindstone
Rayman Mini
Sky: Children of the Light
Pilgrims

Coney Island Dreamland Award for Best AR/VR Game

Nintendo Labo VR Kit
Sea Hero Quest
Minecraft Earth
Stormland
Trover Saves The Universe
Asgard’s Wrath
Five Nights at Freddy’s VR: Help Wanted
Blood & Truth

Off Broadway Award for Best Indie Game

Ape Out
Sunless Skies
Heaven’s Vault
A Plague Tale: Innocence
Telling Lies
Sayonara Wild Hearts
Disco Elysium
Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night
Untitled Goose Game

Tin Pan Alley Award for Best Music in a Game

Far Cry New Dawn
Tropico 6
Sayonara Wild Hearts
Borderlands 3
Death Stranding
Pokémon Sword, Pokémon Shield
Hypnospace Outlaw

Statue of Liberty Award for Best World

Kingdom Hearts III
Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice
Devil May Cry 5
Death Stranding
The Outer Worlds
Outer Wilds
Hypnospace Outlaw

Herman Melville Award for Best Writing

Erica
Telling Lies
The Outer Worlds
Disco Elysium
Hypnospace Outlaw
Plague Tale: Innocence
Death Stranding
Life is Strange 2

Joltin’ Joe Award: Best Esports Player of the Year

VK Loon
Doinb
Sinatraa
Bugha
Arslan Ash
MKLeo

READ: The Lord of the Rings – Gollum game in the works

Great White Way Award for Best Acting in a Game

Faye Kingslee as Nico in Devil May Cry 5
Norman Reedus as Sam in Death Stranding
Margaret Qualley as Mama in

Death Stranding

Courtney Hope as Jesse In Control
Debra Wilson as Cere in Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order
Tommie Earl Jenkins as Die-Hardman in Death Stranding
Alexandra Shipp as Ava in Telling Lies
Logan Marshall Green as David in Telling Lies

Freedom Tower Award for Best Remake

Resident Evil 2
ToeJam & Earl: Back in the Groove!
Katamari Damacy Reroll
Mario & Luigi: Bowser’s Inside Story + Bowser Jr.’s Journey
The Legend of Zelda: Link’s Awakening

Captain Award for Best Esports Team

Astralis (CSGO)
San Francisco Shock (Overwatch)
FPX (League of Legends)
OG (Dota 2)
TSM (Apex Legends)

Tickets are now on sale for the 9th Annual New York Game Awards here. Tickets include free game codes for all attendees and an after-party with an open bar where attendees can rub elbows with game developers and Critics Circle members. Every ticket sale contributes to the community, as all ticket sale proceeds that the New York Videogame Critics Circle earns from the New York Game Awards goes back into the non-profit organization to help with mentoring, scholarships and workshops in the New York City area. For those who cannot attend the New York Game Awards, the event will be livestreamed via Mixer and Twitch.