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Nintendo was this year’s favorite at the 2016 Japan Game Awards, with several titles on Nintendo consoles winning more awards collectively than any other publisher or console, including the Grand Prize. The fact that the awards were voted on by fans speaks for Nintendo’s popularity among the people rather than just among a panel of judges.
The awards ceremony was split into two categories: Ministry of Economy, Trade, and Industry Award(s), and Game of the Year Division Awards. In the first category, Super Smash Bros. for Wii U earned half of the Global Award for being the best-selling and most popular Japanese game worldwide, and was touted for its prolific DLC and for inspiring events around the world. When Masahiro Sakurai took the stage to accept the award, he gave a speech in which he commented on the state of Japanese games in the global video game market, stating that Japanese games are too niche and that he wants them to reach a broader audience. He challenged Japanese game designers to break into the top 10 games sold worldwide, as there currently isn’t a Japanese developed game in the top 10. That is, according to Sakurai, until Pokémon Sun and Moonlaunch. Call of Duty: Black Ops III took home the other half of the Global Award for its popularity in Japan.
After Sakurai accepted the award for Smash Bros. and concluded his speech, he then presented the Game Designers Award to Dontnod CEO Oscar Guilbert for Life Is Strange.
Monster Hunter Cross, also known as Monster Hunter Generations outside of Japan, was awarded the Sales Award for being the best-selling title in Japan. The award was presented by a Monster Hunter fan who shared his love for Monster Hunter with the audience, telling them that he and his coworkers head to a karaoke bar and play Monster Hunter together for up to eight hours a few times a week. Who better qualified to present this award than such a super fan!
In the second category of awards, Nintendo found itself being showered with more accolades. In the Game of the Year Division, ten games received the title of Game of the Year, with four of the ten games being Nintendo or system-exclusive titles: Splatoon, Yokai Watch Blasters, Super Mario Maker, and Monster Hunter Cross (Generations).
Finally, the Grand Prize was awarded to Splatoon, which was received by one of the game’s developers who teared up in appreciation as it was presented to him by a little girl and her mother.
What you do think about Nintendo’s success at this year’s Japan Game Awards? How about Sakurai’s opinion on Japanese games and challenge to Japanese developers? Let us know below!
Source: Nintendo Life
