Switchaboo 2023 Game of the Year Awards

Alex Harding -

It's that time of year again where we come together to celebrate the best and most notable game releases for the year. Our team has worked together to vote and come up with their favourite games of the year over 11 categories. We wanted the Switchaboo 2023 game of the year to be an event, therefore we'll be announcing the winners one day at a time, so be sure to check back or follow us on our socials. And here we go:

Best Graphics / Art Direction

  • The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom
  • Sea of Stars
  • Star Ocean: The Second Story R
  • Super Mario Bros. Wonder
  • WORLD OF HORROR

And the winner is... Super Mario Bros. Wonder!

2D Super Mario games have felt stale since the dawn of the "New" Super Mario Bros. series. But Super Mario Bros. Wonder went absolutely wacky in all the best possible ways.

Best Hidden Gem

  • 9 Years of Shadows
  • Mineko’s Night Market
  • Suika Game
  • Venba
  • WORLD OF HORROR

And the winner is... Venba!

Here's a short snippet of Monique's review of Venba:

"Venba tells the tale of a migrant mum’s relationship with her family, particularly her son. The gameplay involves crafting traditional Tamil food and holding branching dialogues revolving around the experiences of first-gen migrants and their children. While making the dishes is fun, as it is in many cooking sims, Venba expands on the genre by underscoring the lived realities of many families from migrant backgrounds. It also demonstrates how traditional food can be used to bond people, and to respect and keep alive culture across generations."

Best Soundtrack

  • Bomb Rush Cyberfunk
  • Master Detective Archives: Rain Code
  • Octopath Traveler 2
  • Persona 5 Tactica
  • Super Mario RPG

And the winner is... Octopath Traveler 2!

Most Innovative Game

  • DAVE THE DIVER
  • The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom
  • Super Mario Bros. Wonder
  • Vampire Survivors
  • Venba

And the winner is... Super Mario Bros. Wonder!

Alex and Leidy continued their review with:

"Super Mario Bros. Wonder is just that—an absolute wonder. It’s sheer wackiness and crazy antics create many memorable moments, to the point where it stands out more than any 2D game since Super Mario World on the Super Nintendo. It takes every improvement of the New Super Mario Bros. games and gives it the creative flair the series was absolutely begging for!"

Best Single-Player Experience

  • The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom
  • Super Mario Bros. Wonder
  • Etrian Odyssey Origins Collection
  • Star Ocean: The Second Story R
  • Blasphemous 2
  • Octopath Traveler 2

And the winner is... The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom!

In his review, Bruno said:

"The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom is good. It is actually really hard to put into words how much of an absolute gem it is because, as I said before, there is just so much to it. This is the type of game that deserves large essays written about it, in the best way possible. The internet has been flooded with explanations as to why so many of its system mechanics are ground-breaking and how incredible it is - and they are all correct."

Most Anticipated Future First-/Third-Party Game

  • Eiyuden Chronicle: Hundred Heroes
  • Metroid Prime 4
  • Paper Mario: The Thousand Year Door
  • Princess Peach: Showtime
  • Professor Layton and the New World of Steam
  • Unicorn Overlord

And the winner is... Princess Peach: Showtime!

Princess Peach has been absolutely shafted when it comes to her own games (or game). Her only solo experience to date has been Super Princess Peach on Nintendo DS back in 2005, which, uhh, was a bit of a sexist depiction considering her special ability was her emotions (oof, Nintendo. No.).

But 19 years later, that's about to change! Princess Peach: Showtime! looks to be an absolutely rad game that pits the titular Princess Peach donning a variety of costumes to suit a range of unique situations. It seems like there's going to be plenty of surprises with a plethora scenarios, much like how Super Mario Bros. Wonder keeps the player on its toes with the Wonder Flower. We're very excited!

Most Anticipated Future Nindie

  • A Void Hope
  • Broken Roads
  • Hollow Knight: Silksong
  • Penny’s Big Breakaway
  • The Plucky Squire
  • Timespinner 2: Unwoven Dream

And the winner is... Hollow Knight: Silksong!

It should come as no surprise that Hollow Knight: Silksong has been a highly anticipated game from not only us, but gamers across the world. The game has won and been nominated from us every year for this award since its announcement, and while Broken Roads (2024) has also been a mainstay here and The Plucky Squire (2024) came close in the vote tally, Silksong's consistent hype just cannot be matched.

Best Multiplayer Game

  • Hot Wheels Unleashed 2 - Turbocharged
  • Kirby's Return to Dream Land Deluxe
  • Nickelodeon All-Star Brawl 2
  • Roots of Pacha
  • Super Bomberman R 2

And the winner is... Hot Wheels Unleashed 2 - Turbocharged!

In Jake's review, he said:

"This right here is what I wanted the original Hot Wheels Unleashed to be. Hot Wheels Unleashed 2 - Turbocharged is exactly what a sequel needs to be; it builds on what people enjoyed in the first game while removing the stuff that people didn’t like. I’m very glad I stuck around to see this franchise improve for the better."

Best Third-Party Game

  • DAVE THE DIVER
  • Etrian Odyssey Origins Collection
  • Octopath Traveler 2
  • Persona 5 Tactica
  • Sonic Superstars

And the winner is... DAVE THE DIVER!

In Nathan's review, he said:

"DAVE THE DIVER is such a fun experience to play and is a strong contender as a memorable title for this year, in a year full of massive game releases. There is so much charm, character, and content packed into DAVE THE DIVER that it's bursting at the seams and is so worth the investment of any gamer. Roll the rice and fish in some seaweed, load up the harpoon and DIVE into the uniquely fun experience."

Best Nindie

  • 9 Years of Shadows
  • Blasphemous 2
  • COCOON
  • Roots of Pacha
  • Suika Game

And the winner is... Blasphemous 2!

In Steve's review, he said:

"I honestly feel that in a few years’ time, when people say, ‘They don’t make them like they used to', they’ll be reflecting on Blasphemous 1 and 2. Both games are superb examples of how to come up with original creative direction and art direction and ensure that both are interwoven into the gameplay. Blasphemous 2 is a prime example of what you need to do to be successful in a crowded genre. Penitent One; I hope it’s not another four years until we meet again!"

Game of the Year

  • Blasphemous 2
  • Bomb Rush Cyberfunk
  • Etrian Odyssey Origins Collection
  • The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom
  • Roots of Pacha
  • Super Mario Bros. Wonder

And the winner is... The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom!

It's not surprising that The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom and while Super Mario Bros. Wonder shook up the 2D Mario formula in a way that was a long time coming, how Breath of the Wild's sequel made its predecessor seem like nothing but a tech demo is no small feat.

Do you agree with our Game of the Year award winners? Let us know by reaching out to us on Twitter (X) @switchaboonews.

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