Game Critics Awards

The Game Critics Awards are a set of annual awards held after the E3 video game conference since 1998. The awards are given to products displayed at E3 with the title Best of E3 of their category. The nominees and winners of the awards are chosen by individual judges representing 35 (as of 2011) major North American media outlets.^[1] The awards are given independently of the Expo's organizers.^[2]

Award winners

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

Best of Show

2016: The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild (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: Uncharted 2: Among Thieves (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 and White (for PC)

1999: Freelancer (for PC)

Best Original Game

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)^[3]

2001: Majestic (for PC)

2000: Black and White (for PC)

1999: Black and White (for PC)

Best Console Game

2016: The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild (for Wii U and Switch)

2015: Uncharted 4: A Thief's End (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: The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim (for PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, and PC)

2010: Rage (for PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360)

2009: Uncharted 2: Among Thieves (for PlayStation 3)

2008: LittleBigPlanet (for PlayStation 3)

2007: Mass Effect (for Xbox 360)

2006: Gears of War (for Xbox 360)

2005: The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess (for GameCube)

2004: Halo 2 (for Xbox)

2003: Halo 2 (for Xbox)

2002: The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker (for GameCube)

2001: Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty (for PlayStation 2)

2000: Jet Grind Radio (for Dreamcast)

1999: Perfect Dark (for Nintendo 64)

1998: Metal Gear Solid (for PlayStation)

Best PC Game

2016: Civilization VI

2015: Fallout 4

2014: Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six: Siege

2013: Titanfall

2012: XCOM: Enemy Unknown

2011: BioShock Infinite

2010: Portal 2

2009: Star Wars: The Old Republic

2008: Spore

2007: Crysis

2006: Spore

2005: Spore

2004: Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell: Chaos Theory

2003: Half-Life 2

2002: Doom 3

2001: Star Wars Galaxies

2000: Black and White

1999: Freelancer

1998: Half-Life

Best Handheld Game

2015: The Legend of Zelda: Tri Force Heroes (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: God of War: Ghost of Sparta (for PlayStation Portable)

2009: Scribblenauts (for Nintendo DS)

2008: Resistance: Retribution (for PlayStation Portable)

2007: The Legend of Zelda: Phantom Hourglass (for Nintendo DS)

2006: The Legend of Zelda: Phantom Hourglass (for Nintendo DS)

2005: Nintendogs (for Nintendo DS)

Best Peripheral/Hardware

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

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: Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 (for PC, PlayStation 3, and Xbox 360)

2008: Gears of War 2 (for Xbox 360)

2007: Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare (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: Star Wars: Rogue Squadron II: Rogue Leader (for GameCube)

2000: Halo: Combat Evolved (for PC)

1999: Team Fortress (for PC)

1998: Half-Life (for PC)

Best Action/Adventure Game

2016: The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild (for Wii U and Switch)

2015: Uncharted 4: A Thief's End (for PlayStation 4)

2014: Batman: Arkham Knight (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: Uncharted 2: Among Thieves (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: The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess (for GameCube)

2004: Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell: Chaos Theory (for PC)

2003: Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time (for multiple systems)

2002: Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell (for multiple systems)

2001: Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty (for PlayStation 2)

2000: Escape From Monkey Island (for PC)

1999: Oni (for PC)

1998: Grim Fandango (for PC)

Best Role Playing Game

2016: Final Fantasy XV (for PlayStation 4 and Xbox One)

2015: Fallout 4 (for PC, PlayStation 4, and Xbox One)

2014: Dragon Age: Inquisition (for PC, PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, Xbox 360, and Xbox One)

2013: The Elder Scrolls Online (for PC, PlayStation 4, and Xbox One)

2012: South Park: The Stick of Truth (for PC, PlayStation 3, and Xbox 360)

2011: The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim (for PC, PlayStation 3, and Xbox 360)

2010: Star Wars: The Old Republic (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: The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion (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: Vampire: The Masquerade - Redemption (for PC)

1998: Baldur's Gate (for PC)

Best Racing Game

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 One)

2012: Need for Speed: Most Wanted (for PC, PlayStation 3, and Xbox 360)

2011: Forza 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: Burnout 3: Takedown (for PlayStation 2 and Xbox)

2003: Gran Turismo 4 (for PlayStation 2)

2002: Auto Modellista (for PlayStation 2)

2001: Gran Turismo 3: A-Spec (for PlayStation 2)

2000: Need For Speed: Motor City (for PC)

1999: Driver (for PC and PlayStation)

1998: Need for Speed 3 (for PC and PlayStation)

Best Sports Game

2016: FIFA 17 (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 2006 (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

2016: Injustice 2 (for PlayStation 4 and Xbox One)

2014: Super Smash Bros. for Wii U (for Wii U)

2012: Injustice: Gods Among Us (for PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, and Wii U)

2011: Street Fighter X Tekken (for PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, and PlayStation Vita)

2010: Marvel vs. Capcom 3: Fate of Two Worlds (for PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360)

2009: Tatsunoko vs. Capcom: Ultimate All Stars (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: Def Jam: Fight for New York (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)

2016: Civilization VI (for PC)

2014: Sid Meier's Civilization: Beyond Earth (for PC)

2013: Total War: Rome II (for PC)

2012: XCOM: Enemy Unknown (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: The Lord of the Rings: The Battle for Middle-earth (for PC)

2003: Command & Conquer: Generals (for PC)

2002: Rome: Total War (for PC)

2001: Age Of Mythology (for PC)

2000: Black and White (for PC)

1999: Homeworld (for PC)

1998: (RTS) Homeworld

1998: (turn-based) Sid Meier's Alpha Centauri

Best Social/Casual/Puzzle/Family Game

2016: Skylanders: Imaginators (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: Fantasia: Music Evolved (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: UmJammer Lammy (for PlayStation)

1998: Sentinel Returns

Best Motion Simulation Game

2012: Dance Central 3 (for Xbox 360)

2011: The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword (for Wii)

2010: Dance Central (for Xbox 360)

Best Online Multiplayer

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: Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood (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: Enemy Territory: Quake Wars (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 (for PC)

1998: EverQuest

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 Independent Game

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 Game

2016: Batman: Arkham VR (for PlayStation 4)

Special Commendation for Graphics, Sound or Innovation

2016: (G) God of War (for PlayStation 4)

2015: (G) Uncharted 4: A Thief's End (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 2)

2004: (G) Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell: Chaos Theory (for PC)

2003: (G) Half-Life 2 (for PC)

2002: (S) Doom 3 (for PC)

2001: (S) Medal of Honor: Allied Assault (for PC)

2000: (G) Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty (for PlayStation and GameCube)

1999: (G) Freelancer (for PC)

1999: (+S) Outcast (for PC)

1999: (+S) UmJammer Lammy (for PlayStation)

Winners of older awards

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: MechWarrior 4: Vengeance (for PC)

1999: (|F) Jane's USAF (for PC)

1999: (|N) Freelancer (for PC)

1998: (|C) Fighter Legends (for PC)

1998: (|N) Railroad Tycoon 2 (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

References

External links

• Game Critics Awards homepage