It is that time of the year — when it is closing in on the end and it becomes necessary to decide which games from the past twelve months stood above the rest. The Nintendo Enthusiast staff fought valiantly over the last few weeks, but only a few games could come away with the distinguished honor of Game of the Year in their respective nomination categories.

Nevertheless, the list has been finalized and the time has arrived to announce Nintendo Enthusiast’s Game of the Year winners for 2013. (Un)fortunately, Super Mario 3D World has been disqualified from all categories except Game of the Year, because it would have otherwise also won Best Wii U Game, Best Platformer, Best Graphics, and Best Multiplayer.

But, that business is behind us and it is time to celebrate the true pinnacles of gaming this year.

Categories:

Game of the Year

Best Wii U Game

Best 3DS Game

Best Downloadable Game

Best RPG

Best Platformer Game

Best Puzzle/Strategy Game

Best Action/Adventure Game

Best Multiplayer Game

Best Graphics

Best Story/Writing

Best 3rd Party Title

Most Anticipated Wii U Game

Most Anticipated 3DS Game

Best Non-tendo Game

Reader’s Poll – GOTY

Game of the Year — Super Mario 3D World



\”If there is one consistent rule about Nintendo, it is to never doubt EAD Tokyo. After an underwhelming reveal at the E3 Nintendo Direct, many people were ready to count out Super Mario 3D World. The faithful endured months of a total information drought and complaints about how Nintendo was just phoning in a rehash of Super Mario 3D Land, but they were rewarded for their patience. Filled with everything that made previous Mario platformers great and a wide array of new themes and ideas, Super Mario 3D World is another masterpiece that earns its place alongside the Super Mario Galaxy games. Super Mario 3D World is Nintendo at its best in every aspect with vivid and beautiful graphics, a fantastic soundtrack, a seemingly endless amount of levels and secrets, and challenges that will test platforming veterans if they want to see everything the game offers. Even with all the challenges Wii U is facing, games like Super Mario 3D World send a clear message that everything is going to be all right.\” –Giancarlo Bellotto

Runner Up: The Legend of Zelda: A Link Between Worlds



Honorable Mentions: Pikmin 3, Lego City: Undercover, The Wonderful 101

Best Wii U Game — The Wonderful 101



\”The end of the year saw the Wii U getting a sudden burst of excellent software, high-quality titles suddenly hitting the console left and right. One the most exciting, however, was The Wonderful 101. A brand-new IP from Platinum Games, no one was quite sure just how it would turn out, but when released, it blew us away. With incredible combat and mindblowing bosses, the gameplay was top notch and even beyond its core mechanics, the game is incredible. With colorful, evocative visuals always running at a smooth sixty frames-per-second, this is easily one of the best looking games on the console and the soundtrack is legendary to boot. It even makes great use of the GamePad, with switching abilities done by drawing different shapes and with the helpful-as-always Off-TV play making an appearance as well. In the end, despite the stiff competition, The Wonderful 101 managed to amaze us enough to take the top spot. Succeeding on nearly every front, The Wonderful 101 is a game that truly shows just what sort of experience the console is capable of producing, and is our pick for the best Wii U game of 2013.\” –Jonathan Harrington

Honorable Mentions: Pikmin 3, Lego City: Undercover

Best Nintendo 3DS Game — The Legend of Zelda: A Link Between Worlds



\”If anything, A Link Between Worlds was a breath of fresh air. A return to form in many ways, this 3DS outing took everything that works in a handheld Zelda game while also paying tribute to the legendary SNES title A Link to the Past. The gameplay design was flawless, allowing players an unparalleled sense of freedom. A number of new mechanics were also thrown into the mix, such as the item rental service and Link’s ability to merge with walls on a 2-dimensional plane. It was a refreshing reminder of what Zelda games used to be and even if it lacked the charm of a console version, it was still an exemplar in game design.\” –Anthony Retondo

Runner Up: Shin Megami Tensei IV

Honorable Mentions: Fire Emblem: Awakening, SteamWorld Dig

Best Downloadable Game — Bit.Trip Presents Runner 2: Future Legend of Rhythm Alien



\”Of all the independent games released on Nintendo consoles this year, Bit Trip Presents…Runner 2 feels the least \”independent.\” It features almost 100 levels across three difficulty settings, which adds new hazards and obstacles, effectively tripling the size of the game. New gameplay mechanics are introduced at a perfect pace and also contains secret routes to unlock characters and costumes. Runner 2 is addicting, fun, and sets the standard for independent gaming on Nintendo hardware.\” –Ryan Crittenden

Honorable Mentions: Gunman Clive, SteamWorld Dig, Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney – Dual Destinies

Best RPG — Shin Megami Tensei IV



(Shin Megami Tensei IV)

\”What truly makes Shin Megami Tensei IV the best RPG of the year? Aside from the fact that the game already contains all of the things necessary for a good JRPG, such as a wide array of monsters to fight, challenging gameplay, and a plethora of locations to explore, what truly helps Shin Megami Tensei IV stand apart from its competition is the fact the the game truly feels like a role-playing game. In fact, few JRPGs have made me ever feel like I was the one truly in charge, not the game makers themselves. Shin Megami Tensei‘s demon-recruitment system, as well as the mechanic put in place to determine a player’s ending, are very unique to its genre, and for this Shin Megami Tensei IV deserves only the highest praise.\” –Elia Pales

Runner Up: Fire Emblem: Awakening