As 2023 draws to a close, it’s customary to reflect on the highlights of the year in the gaming world. Beyond the acclaimed bestsellers and chart-toppers, there are games and features that deserve special recognition for the uniqueness they bring to the table. Nintendo Life has taken the initiative to celebrate these special attributes through their Alternative Game Awards for 2023.
The first category is the Most Long-Winded Switch Game Title of the year. The winner, with a title that seems more like an encouraging speech than a game name, is Mon-Yu. No other title quite matches its length and motivational vibe. Mon-Yu stands apart not just for its title’s length, but for avoiding the feel of a SEO-chasing scam game, which can often plague digital stores. Runners-up in this category include notable but less verbose titles that still required a hefty use of the copy/paste function.
Next up is the Best 'Game That Doesn’t Fit Neatly On Any Of Our Genre Lists.' The intriguing winner for 2023 is Dredge, not merely a fishing game, but a hybrid incorporating elements of horror and RPG. Its unusual blend of genres makes it challenging to classify but undoubtedly memorable. Dredge has been appraised as a wonderful debut by developer Black Salt, and according to reviews, is absolutely deserving of players' time and attention.
Moving on to aesthetics, the Best Switch Icon of the year was a tough category with many strong contenders. The award went to Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater. This choice was greatly influenced by the iconic artwork of Yoji Shinkawa of Kojima Productions. His illustrations for the main MGS games make for a satisfying view on the Switch dashboard, and Snake Eater’s use of color simply makes it stand out from the rest.
The next commendation, Best 'End-Of-Year Arrival That Dropped Too Late To Make Our GOTY List,' acknowledges the gem that is Outer Wilds. Despite its late release in the year, which left it out of main awards considerations, the game has impressed critics with its quality. It’s designated as one to enjoy during the holiday season, although it unfortunately missed initial Game of the Year deliberations due to timing.
One cannot overlook the classics, and thus, the Best Retro Remaster Or Re-Release category celebrates the games that bring the past into the present with finesse. Digital Eclipse claimed this year’s title with The Making of Karateka, an ambitious project not only allowing players to experience the original game but also to delve into the history of its creation. It marks the start of Digital Eclipse's 'Gold Master Series' and sets a high bar for future releases.
Finally, the Best Worst Best Worst Game, a paradoxical category that honors a game that commands a mix of respect and frustration, crowned Vampire Survivors as its victor. This particular game has been acknowledged for its sheer addictiveness, effectively consuming countless hours of the player's life, much to the distress of their sleep schedule.
These alternative awards serve as a celebration of the quirks, oddities, and unexpected pleasures within the gaming world, especially for Nintendo Switch enthusiasts. They remind players and industry insiders alike that beyond conventional success, there’s a place for games that defy neat categorization, push aesthetic boundaries, revive past glories, and even those that infuriate us with their compulsive gameplay loops. As gaming continues to evolve, so too do the ways we recognize and appreciate its various forms, whether it be through a nostalgic trip down memory lane or getting lost in the odd charm of an unconventionally addictive title.
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