Game Critics Awards Explained

Game Critics Awards
Current Awards:	21st Annual Game Critics Awards
Awarded For:	Best in video games
Host:	Electronic Entertainment Expo
Venue:	Los Angeles, California
Country:	United States
Website:	http://www.gamecriticsawards.com/

The Game Critics Awards were a set of annual awards held after the E3 video game conference since 1998. The awards were given to products displayed at E3 with the title Best of E3 of their category. The 21st Annual Game Critics Awards was showcased for the final time in 2019, four years before E3 was permanently discontinued.^[1]

Format

The nominees and winners of the awards were chosen by individual judges representing 35 (as of 2011) major North American media outlets.^[2] The awards were given independently of the Expo's organizers.^[3]

Current categories

Note on "all systems" as platform: Because games shown at E3 may still be in development, the platforms for which the game is published might differ.

Best of Show

2019: Final Fantasy VII Remake (for PlayStation 4)
2018: Resident Evil 2 (for PC, PlayStation 4 and Xbox One)
2017: Super Mario Odyssey (for Switch)
2016: (for Wii U and Switch)
2015: Fallout 4 (for PC, PlayStation 4 and Xbox One)
2014: Evolve (for PC, PlayStation 4, and Xbox One)
2013: Titanfall (for PC, Xbox 360 and Xbox One)
2012: The Last of Us (for PlayStation 3)
2011: BioShock Infinite (for PC, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360)
2010: Nintendo 3DS
2009: (for PlayStation 3)
2008: Fallout 3 (for PC, PlayStation 3, and Xbox 360)
2007: Rock Band (for PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360)
2006: Wii
2005: Spore (for PC and Mac)
2004: PlayStation Portable
2003: Half-Life 2 (for PC)
2002: Doom 3 (for PC)
2001: GameCube
2000: Black & White (for PC)
1999: Freelancer (for PC)

Best Original Game

2019: The Outer Worlds (for PC, PlayStation 4, and Xbox One)
2018: Dreams (for PlayStation 4)
2017: Mario + Rabbids Kingdom Battle (for Switch)
2016: Horizon Zero Dawn (for PlayStation 4)
2015: Horizon Zero Dawn (for PlayStation 4)
2014: No Man's Sky (for PlayStation 4)
2013: Titanfall (for PC, Xbox 360, and Xbox One)
2012: The Last of Us (for PlayStation 3)
2011: BioShock Infinite (for PC, PlayStation 3, and Xbox 360)
2010: Dance Central (for Xbox 360)
2009: Scribblenauts (for Nintendo DS)
2008: Mirror's Edge (for PC, PlayStation 3, and Xbox 360)
2007: LittleBigPlanet (for PlayStation 3)
2006: Spore (for PC)
2005: Spore (for PC)
2004: Donkey Kong Jungle Beat (for GameCube)
2003: Full Spectrum Warrior (for PC and Xbox)
2002: Psychonauts (for Xbox)^[4]
2001: Majestic (for PC)
2000: Black & White (for PC)
1999: Black & White (for PC)

Best Console Game

2019: Final Fantasy VII Remake (for PlayStation 4)
2018: Spider-Man (for PlayStation 4)
2017: Super Mario Odyssey (for Switch)
2016: (for Wii U and Switch)
2015: (for PlayStation 4)
2014: Evolve (for PC, PlayStation 4, and Xbox One)
2013: Titanfall (for Xbox 360 and Xbox One)
2012: The Last of Us (for PlayStation 3)
2011: (for PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, and PC)
2010: Rage (for PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360)
2009: (for PlayStation 3)
2008: LittleBigPlanet (for PlayStation 3)
2007: Mass Effect (for Xbox 360)
2006: Gears of War (for Xbox 360)
2005: (for GameCube)
2004: Halo 2 (for Xbox)
2003: Halo 2 (for Xbox)
2002: (for GameCube)
2001: (for PlayStation 2)
2000: Jet Grind Radio (for Dreamcast)
1999: Perfect Dark (for Nintendo 64)
1998: Metal Gear Solid (for PlayStation)

Best PC Game

2019: Doom Eternal
2018: Anthem
2017: Destiny 2
2016: Civilization VI
2015: Fallout 4
2014: Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six Siege
2013: Titanfall
2012:
2011: BioShock Infinite
2010: Portal 2
2009:
2008: Spore
2007: Crysis
2006: Spore
2005: Spore
2004:
2003: Half-Life 2
2002: Doom 3
2001: Star Wars Galaxies
2000: Black & White
1999: Freelancer
1998: Half-Life

Best Handheld Game

2017: (for Nintendo 3DS)
2015: (for Nintendo 3DS)
2014: Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS (for Nintendo 3DS)
2013: Tearaway (for PlayStation Vita)
2012: Sound Shapes (for PlayStation Vita)
2011: Sound Shapes (for PlayStation Vita)
2010: (for PlayStation Portable)
2009: Scribblenauts (for Nintendo DS)
2008: (for PlayStation Portable)
2007: (for Nintendo DS)
2006: The Legend of Zelda: Phantom Hourglass (for Nintendo DS)
2005: Nintendogs (for Nintendo DS)

Best Peripheral/Hardware

2019: Xbox Elite Wireless Controller Series 2
2018: Xbox Adaptive Controller
2017: Xbox One X
2016: PlayStation VR
2015: Oculus Touch
2014: Oculus Rift
2013: Oculus Rift
2012: Wii U
2011: PlayStation Vita
2010: Nintendo 3DS
2009: Project Natal (for Xbox 360)
2008: Rock Band 2 Ion "Drum Rocker" Set
2007: Rock Band instruments
2006: Wii
2005: PlayStation 3
2004: PlayStation Portable
2003: EyeToy (for PlayStation 2)
2002: WaveBird Wireless Controller (for GameCube)
2001: (PC) Nvidia GeForce 3
2001: (Console) GameCube
2000: (PC) nVidia GeForce 2
2000: (Console) Xbox
1999: (PC) Nvidia RIVA TNT2
1999: (Console) Dreamcast
1998: Microsoft SideWinder Freestyle Pro

Best Action Game

2019: Doom Eternal (for PC, PlayStation 4, Stadia, and Xbox One)
2018: Anthem (for PC, PlayStation 4 and Xbox One)
2017: (for PC, PlayStation 4, and Xbox One)
2016: Battlefield 1 (for PC, PlayStation 4, and Xbox One)
2015: Star Wars Battlefront (for PC, PlayStation 4, and Xbox One)
2014: Evolve (for PC, PlayStation 4, and Xbox One)
2013: Titanfall (for PC, Xbox 360, and Xbox One)
2012: Halo 4 (for Xbox 360)
2011: Battlefield 3 (for PC)
2010: Rage (for PC, PlayStation 3, and Xbox 360)
2009: (for PC, PlayStation 3, and Xbox 360)
2008: Gears of War 2 (for Xbox 360)
2007: (for PC, PlayStation 3, and Xbox 360)
2006: Gears of War (for Xbox 360)
2005: F.E.A.R. (for PC)
2004: Halo 2 (for Xbox)
2003: Half-Life 2 (for PC)
2002: Doom 3 (for PC)
2001: (for GameCube)
2000: (for PC)
1999: Team Fortress 2 (for PC)
1998: Half-Life (for PC)

Best Action/Adventure Game

2019: (for PC, PlayStation 4, Stadia, and Xbox One)
2018: Spider-Man (for PlayStation 4)
2017: Super Mario Odyssey (for Switch)
2016: (for Wii U and Switch)
2015: (for PlayStation 4)
2014: (for PC, PlayStation 4, and Xbox One)
2013: Watch Dogs (for PC, PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, Xbox 360, Xbox One, and Wii U)
2012: The Last of Us (for PlayStation 3)
2011: BioShock Infinite (for PC, PlayStation 3, and Xbox 360)
2010: Portal 2 (for PC, PlayStation 3, and Xbox 360)
2009: (for PlayStation 3)
2008: Dead Space (for PC, PlayStation 3, and Xbox 360)
2007: BioShock (for Xbox 360)
2006: Assassin’s Creed (for PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360)
2005: (for GameCube)
2004: (for PC)
2003: (for multiple systems)
2002: Tom Clancy’s Splinter Cell (for multiple systems)
2001: (for PlayStation 2)
2000: Escape from Monkey Island (for PC)
1999: Oni (for PC)
1998: Grim Fandango (for PC)

Best Role Playing Game

2019: Final Fantasy VII Remake (for PlayStation 4)
2018: Kingdom Hearts III (for PlayStation 4 and Xbox One)
2017: (for PC and PlayStation 4)
2016: Final Fantasy XV (for PlayStation 4 and Xbox One)
2015: Fallout 4 (for PC, PlayStation 4, and Xbox One)
2014: (for PC, PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, Xbox 360, and Xbox One)
2013: The Elder Scrolls Online (for PC, PlayStation 4, and Xbox One)
2012: (for PC, PlayStation 3, and Xbox 360)
2011: (for PC, PlayStation 3, and Xbox 360)
2010: (for PC)
2009: Mass Effect 2 (for PC and Xbox 360)
2008: Fallout 3 (for PC, PlayStation 3, and Xbox 360)
2007: Mass Effect (for Xbox 360)
2006: Mass Effect (for Xbox 360)
2005: (for PC and Xbox 360)
2004: Jade Empire (for Xbox)
2003: Fable (for Xbox)
2002: Neverwinter Nights (for PC)
2001: Neverwinter Nights (for PC)
2000: Neverwinter Nights (for PC)
1999: (for PC)
1998: Baldur's Gate (for PC)

Best Racing Game

2019: Crash Team Racing (for PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch and Xbox One)
2018: Forza Horizon 4 (for PC and Xbox One)
2017: Forza Motorsport 7 (for PC and Xbox One)
2016: Forza Horizon 3 (for PC and Xbox One)
2015: Need for Speed (for PC, PlayStation 4, and Xbox One)
2014: The Crew (for PC, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and Xbox 360)
2013: Need for Speed Rivals (for PC, PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, Xbox 360, and Xbox)
2012: Need for Speed: Most Wanted (for PC, PlayStation 3, and Xbox 360)
2011: Forza Motorsport 4 (for Xbox 360)
2010: Need for Speed: Hot Pursuit (for PC, PlayStation 3, and Xbox 360)
2009: Split/Second (for PC, PlayStation 3, and Xbox 360)
2008: Pure (for PC, PlayStation 3, and Xbox 360)
2007: Burnout Paradise (for PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360)
2006: Excite Truck (for Wii)
2005: Burnout Revenge (for PlayStation 2 and Xbox)
2004: (for PlayStation 2 and Xbox)
2003: Gran Turismo 4 (for PlayStation 2)
2002: Auto Modellista (for PlayStation 2)
2001: (for PlayStation 2)
2000: Need For Speed: Motor City (for PC)
1999: Driver (for PC and PlayStation)
1998: (for PC and PlayStation)

Best Sports Game

2019: eFootball Pro Evolution Soccer 2020 (for PlayStation 4 and Xbox One)
2018: FIFA 19 (for PlayStation 4 and Xbox One)
2017: FIFA 18 (for PC, PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, Xbox 360, and Xbox One)
2016: Steep (for PC, PlayStation 4, and Xbox One)
2015: FIFA 16 (for PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 3, Xbox One, Xbox 360, iOS, and Android)
2014: NHL 15 (for PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, Xbox 360, and Xbox One)
2013: NHL 14 (for PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360)
2012: FIFA Soccer 13 (for PC, PlayStation 3, and Xbox 360)
2011: FIFA Soccer 12 (for PC, PlayStation 3, and Xbox 360)
2010: NBA Jam (for Wii)
2009: Fight Night Round 4 (for PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360)
2008: Madden NFL 09 (for multiple systems)
2007: Madden NFL 08 (for multiple systems)
2006: Wii Sports (for Wii)
2005: Madden NFL 06 (for multiple systems)
2004: Madden NFL 2005 (for multiple systems)
2003: Tony Hawk's Underground (for multiple systems)
2002: NFL 2K3 (for GameCube, PlayStation 2, and Xbox)
2001: Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 3 (for PlayStation 2)
2000: Madden NFL 2001 (for PlayStation 2)
1999: NFL 2K (for Dreamcast)
1998: Madden NFL 99 (for PC, Nintendo 64, and PlayStation)

Best Fighting Game

2018: Super Smash Bros. Ultimate (for Switch)
2017: Dragon Ball FighterZ (for PC, PlayStation 4, and Xbox One)
2016: Injustice 2 (for PC, PlayStation 4, and Xbox One)
2014: Super Smash Bros. for Wii U (for Wii U)
2012: (for PC, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, and Wii U)
2011: Street Fighter X Tekken (for PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, and PlayStation Vita)
2010: (for PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360)
2009: (for Wii)
2008: Street Fighter IV (for Arcade)
2007: Virtua Fighter 5 (for PlayStation 3)
2006: Heavenly Sword (for PlayStation 3)
2005: Soulcalibur III (for PlayStation 2)
2004: (for multiple systems)
2003: Soulcalibur II (for multiple systems)
2002: Tekken 4 (for PlayStation 2)
2001: Super Smash Bros. Melee (for GameCube)
2000: Ultimate Fighting Championship (for Dreamcast)
1999: Soulcalibur (for Dreamcast)
1998: Tekken 3

Best Strategy Game

(Real-Time or Turn-Based)

2019: John Wick Hex (for Mac and PC)
2018: (for PC)
2017: Mario + Rabbids Kingdom Battle (for Switch)
2016: Civilization VI (for PC)
2014: (for PC)
2013: (for PC)
2012: (for PC, PlayStation 3, and Xbox 360)
2011: From Dust (for PC, PlayStation 3, and Xbox 360)
2010: Civilization V (for PC)
2009: Supreme Commander 2 (for PC and Xbox 360)
2008: Tom Clancy's EndWar (for PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360)
2007: World in Conflict (for PC)
2006: Supreme Commander (for PC)
2005: Company of Heroes (for PC)
2004: (for PC)
2003: (for PC)
2002: (for PC)
2001: Age of Mythology (for PC)
2000: Black & White (for PC)
1999: Homeworld (for PC)
1998: (RTS) Homeworld
1998: (turn-based) Sid Meier's Alpha Centauri

Best Social/Casual/Puzzle/Family Game

2019: Luigi's Mansion 3 (for Switch)
2018: Overcooked 2 (for PlayStation 4, Switch and Xbox One)
2017: Hidden Agenda (for PlayStation 4)
2016: (for PC, PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, Xbox 360, Xbox One, and Wii U)
2015: Super Mario Maker (for Wii U)
2014: Mario Maker (for Wii U)
2013: (for Xbox 360 and Xbox One)
2012: Dance Central 3 (for Xbox 360)
2011: Sound Shapes (for PlayStation Vita)
2010: Rock Band 3 (for PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, and Wii)
2009: DJ Hero (for PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, and Wii)
2008: LittleBigPlanet (for PlayStation 3)
2007: Rock Band (for PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360)
2006: Guitar Hero II (for PlayStation 2)
2005: We Love Katamari (for PlayStation 2)
2004: Donkey Kong Jungle Beat (for GameCube)
2003: The EyeToy Games (for PlayStation 2)
2002: Super Monkey Ball 2 (for GameCube)
2001: Pikmin (for GameCube)
2000: Samba de Amigo (for Dreamcast)
1999: Um Jammer Lammy (for PlayStation)
1998: Sentinel Returns

Best Online Multiplayer

2019: Call of Duty: Modern Warfare (for PC, PlayStation 4, and Xbox One)
2018: Battlefield V (for PC, PlayStation 4 and Xbox One)
2017: Star Wars Battlefront II (for PC, PlayStation 4, and Xbox One)
2016: Titanfall 2 (for PC, PlayStation 4, and Xbox One)
2015: Star Wars Battlefront (for PC, PlayStation 4, and Xbox One)
2014: Evolve (for PC, PlayStation 4, and Xbox One)
2013: Titanfall (for PC, Xbox 360 and Xbox One)
2012: Halo 4 (for Xbox 360)
2011: Battlefield 3 (for PC, PlayStation 3, and Xbox 360)
2010: (for PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360)
2009: Left 4 Dead 2 (for PC and Xbox 360)
2008: Left 4 Dead (for PC and Xbox 360)
2007: Halo 3 (for Xbox 360)
2006: (for PC)
2005: Battlefield 2 (for PC)
2004: Halo 2 (for Xbox)
2003: City of Heroes (for PC)
2002: Star Wars Galaxies (for PC) [2]
2001: Star Wars Galaxies (for PC) [1]
2000: Neverwinter Nights (for PC)
1999: Team Fortress 2 (for PC)
1998: EverQuest

Best Independent Game

2019: 12 Minutes (for PC and Xbox One)
2018: Ori and the Will of the Wisps (for PC and Xbox One)
2017: The Artful Escape (for PC and Xbox One)
2016: Inside (for PC and Xbox One)
2015: No Man's Sky (for PlayStation 4)
2014: No Man's Sky (for PlayStation 4)

Best VR/AR Game

2019: Phantom: Covert Ops (for Oculus Quest and PC)
2018: Tetris Effect (for PlayStation 4)
2017: Lone Echo (for PC)
2016: (for PlayStation 4)

Best Ongoing Game

2019: Destiny 2 (for PC, PlayStation 4, Stadia, and Xbox One)
2018: Fortnite (for iOS, Mac, PC, PlayStation 4, Switch and Xbox One)

Special Commendation for Graphics, Sound or Innovation

2019: (G) Cyberpunk 2077 (for PC, PlayStation 4, and Xbox One)
2018: (G) Cyberpunk 2077 (for PC, PlayStation 4, and Xbox One)
2018: (G) The Last of Us Part II (for PlayStation 4)
2018: (G) Ghost of Tsushima (for PlayStation 4)
2018: (S) The Last of Us Part II (for PlayStation 4)
2018: (I) Cyberpunk 2077 (for PC, PlayStation 4, and Xbox One)
2016: (G) God of War (for PlayStation 4)
2015: (G) (for PlayStation 4)
2014: (I) No Man's Sky (for PlayStation 4)
2012: (G) Star Wars 1313 (for TBA)
2012: (G) Watch Dogs (for PC, PlayStation 3, and Xbox 360)
2012: (S) The Last of Us (for PlayStation 3)
2012: (I) Watch Dogs (for PC, PlayStation 3, and Xbox 360)
2010: (G) Rage (for PC, PlayStation 3, and Xbox 360)
2007: (G) Killzone 2 (for PlayStation 3)
2005: (G) Killzone (for PlayStation 3)
2004: (G) (for PC)
2003: (G) Half-Life 2 (for PC)
2002: (S) Doom 3 (for PC)
2001: (S) (for PC)
2000: (G) (for PlayStation and GameCube)
1999: (G) Freelancer (for PC)
1999: (+S) Outcast (for PC)
1999: (+S) Um Jammer Lammy (for PlayStation)

Discontinued categories

Best Downloadable Game

2013: Transistor (for PC and PlayStation 4)
2012: The Unfinished Swan (for PlayStation 3)
2011: Bastion (for PC and Xbox 360)

Best Motion Simulation Game

2012: Dance Central 3 (for Xbox 360)
2011: (for Wii)
2010: Dance Central (for Xbox 360)

Best Simulation Game

(Combat, Flight, Non-Combat)

2008: Tom Clancy's EndWar (for PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360)
2006: Spore (for PC)
2005: Spore (for PC)
2004: The Sims 2 (for PC)
2003: Full Spectrum Warrior (for PC and Xbox)
2002: The Sims Online (for PC)
2001: The Sims Online (for PC)
2000: (for PC)
1999: (|F) Jane's USAF (for PC)
1999: (|N) Freelancer (for PC)
1998: (|C) Fighter Legends (for PC)
1998: (|N) Railroad Tycoon II (for PC)

Best Platformer

1999: Donkey Kong 64 (for Nintendo 64)

Most Promising New Game

1998: Homeworld

Best Booth

1999: Electronic Arts

Best Party

1998 : Babylon 5

Notes and References

News: Yoon . John . 2023-12-13 . E3 Tech Expo Is Shutting Down . 2024-01-27 . The New York Times . en-US . 0362-4331.
Web site: E3 2011: BioShock Infinite, Uncharted 3 lead Game Critics Awards nominations . Tor Thorsen . 22 June 2011 . . 22 June 2011 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20110623032052/http://e3.gamespot.com/story/6320423/e3-2011-bioshock-infinite-uncharted-3-lead-game-critics-awards-nominations . 23 June 2011 .
Web site: Game Critics Awards . . 22 June 2011.
http://www.gamecriticsawards.com/2002winners.html 2002 winners