Game Critics Awards
The Game Critics Awards for the best computer games and the best hardware have been presented at E3 since 1998 .
The nominees and winners are chosen by media representatives, mostly from the computer and video game sectors. The award is made independently of the organizers of the E3.
Award
Best exhibit (Best of Show)
- 2019: Final Fantasy VII Remake (For PlayStation 4)
- 2018: Resident Evil 2 (for PC, PlayStation 4, Xbox One)
- 2017: Super Mario Odyssey (for Switch)
- 2016: The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild (for Wii U, Switch)
- 2015: Fallout 4 (for PC, PlayStation 4, Xbox One)
- 2014: Evolve (for PC, PlayStation 4, Xbox One)
- 2013: Titanfall (for PC, Xbox 360, 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, Xbox 360)
- 2006: Wii
- 2005: Spore (for PC)
- 2004: Sony PlayStation Portable
- 2003: Half-Life 2 (for PC)
- 2002: Doom 3 (for PC)
- 2001: Nintendo GameCube
- 2000: Black & White (for PC)
- 1999: Freelancer (for PC)
Best original game
- 2019: The Outer Worlds (for PC, PlayStation 4, Xbox One)
- 2018: Dreams (for PlayStation 4)
- 2017: Mario + Rabbids Kingdom Battle (for Switch)
- 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, Xbox One)
- 2012: The Last of Us (for PlayStation 3)
- 2011: BioShock Infinite (for PC, PlayStation 3, 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 Nintendo GameCube)
- 2003: Full Spectrum Warrior (for Xbox , PC)
- 2002: Psychonauts (for Xbox)
- 2001: Majestic (for PC)
- 2000: Black & White (for PC) [2]
- 1999: Black & White (for PC) [1]
Best console game
- 2019: Final Fantasy VII Remake (For PlayStation 4)
- 2018: Marvel's Spider-Man (for PlayStation 4)
- 2017: Super Mario Odyssey (for Switch)
- 2016: The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild (for Wii U, Switch)
- 2015: Uncharted 4: A Thief's End
- 2014: Evolve
- 2013: Titanfall (for PC, Xbox 360, 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 PC, 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) [2]
- 2003: Halo 2 (for Xbox) [1]
- 2002: The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker (for GameCube)
- 2001: Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty (for PS2)
- 2000: Jet Grind Radio (for Dreamcast)
- 1999: Perfect Dark (for Nintendo 64)
- 1998: Metal Gear Solid (for PlayStation)
Best PC game
- 2019: Doom Eternal
- 2018: Anthem
- 2017: Destiny 2
- 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 & White
- 1999: Freelancer
- 1998: Half-Life
Best hardware (console or PC)
- 2019: Xbox Elite Wireless Controller Series 2
- 2018: Xbox Adaptive Controller
- 2017: Xbox One X
- 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 (for PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360)
- 2006: Wii
- 2005: PlayStation 3
- 2004: Sony PlayStation Portable
- 2003: EyeToy (for PlayStation 2)
- 2002: WaveBird Wireless Controller ( Gamepad ) (for GameCube)
- 2001: (PC) Nvidia GeForce 3 (graphics card)
- 2001: Nintendo GameCube (console)
- 2000: (PC) NVIDIA GeForce 2 (graphics card)
- 2000: Microsoft Xbox (console)
- 1999: (PC) NVIDIA Riva TNT2 (graphics card)
- 1999: Sega Dreamcast (console)
- 1998: Microsoft SideWinder Freestyle Pro (joystick)
Best action game
- 2019: Doom Eternal (for PC, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Google Stadia )
- 2018: Anthem (for PC, PlayStation 4, Xbox One)
- 2017: Wolfenstein II: The New Colossus (for PC, PlayStation 4, Xbox One)
- 2016: Battlefield 1 (for PC, PlayStation 4, Xbox One)
- 2015: Battlefront (for PC, PlayStation 4, Xbox One)
- 2014: Evolve (for PC, PlayStation 4, Xbox One)
- 2013: Titanfall (for PC, Xbox 360, Xbox One)
- 2012: Halo 4 (for Xbox 360)
- 2011: Battlefield 3 (for PC)
- 2010: Rage (for PC, PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360)
- 2009: 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, Xbox 360)
- 2006: Gears of War (for Xbox 360)
- 2005: FEAR (for PC)
- 2004: Halo 2 (for Xbox)
- 2003: Half-Life 2 (for PC)
- 2002: Doom 3 (for PC)
- 2001: Star Wars: Rogue Leader - Rogue Squadron 2 (for GameCube)
- 2000: Halo: Battle for the Future (for PC)
- 1999: Team Fortress 2 (for PC)
- 1998: Half-Life
Best action adventure
- 2019: Watch Dogs: Legion (for PC, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Google Stadia )
- 2018: Marvel's Spider-Man (for PlayStation 4)
- 2017: Super Mario Odyssey (for Switch)
- 2016: The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild (for Wii U, 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, PS3, PS4, Xbox 360, Xbox One, 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 PC, Xbox 360)
- 2006: Assassin's Creed (for PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, PC)
- 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 PC)
- 2002: Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell (multiple systems)
- 2001: Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty
- 2000: Escape from Monkey Island (for PC)
- 1999: Oni (for PC)
- 1998: Grim Fandango
Best role playing game (RPG)
- 2019: Final Fantasy VII Remake (For PlayStation 4)
- 2018: Kingdom Hearts III (for PlayStation 4, Xbox One)
- 2017: Ni No Kuni 2: Fate of a Kingdom (for PC and PlayStation 4)
- 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, PS4, 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, Xbox 360)
- 2004: Jade Empire (for Xbox)
- 2003: Fable (for Xbox)
- 2002: Neverwinter Nights (for PC) [3]
- 2001: Neverwinter Nights (for PC) [2]
- 2000: Neverwinter Nights (for PC) [1]
- 1999: Vampires: The Masquerade - Redemption (for PC)
- 1998: Baldur's Gate
Best racing game
- 2019: Crash Team Racing Nitro-Fueled (for PlayStation 4 and Xbox One)
- 2018: Forza Horizon 4 (for PC and Xbox One)
- 2017: Forza Motorsport 7 (for PC and Xbox One)
- 2016: Forza Horizon 3 (for PC and Xbox One)
- 2015: Need for Speed
- 2014: The Crew (for PC, PlayStation 4 and Xbox One)
- 2013: Need for Speed: Rivals (for PC, PS3, PS4, Xbox 360, Xbox One)
- 2012: Need for Speed: Most Wanted (for PC, PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360)
- 2011: Forza Motorsport 4 (for Xbox 360)
- 2010: Need for Speed: Hot Pursuit (for PC, PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360)
- 2009: Split / Second: Velocity (for PC, PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360)
- 2008: Pure (for PC, PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360)
- 2007: Burnout Paradise (for PlayStation 3, Xbox 360)
- 2006: Excite Truck (for Wii)
- 2005: Burnout Revenge (for PlayStation 2, Xbox)
- 2004: Burnout 3: Takedown (for PlayStation 2, 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 PlayStation, PC)
- 1998: Need for Speed III: Hot Pursuit
Best sports game
- 2019: eFootball Pro Evolution Soccer 2020 (for PlayStation 4 and Xbox One)
- 2018: FIFA 19 (for PC, PlayStation 4, Xbox One and Switch)
- 2017: FIFA 18 (for PC, PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, Xbox 360, Xbox One and Switch)
- 2016: Steep (for PC, PlayStation 4 and Xbox One)
- 2015: FIFA 16
- 2014: NHL 15 (for PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, Xbox 360 and Xbox One)
- 2013: NHL 14 (for PS3, Xbox 360)
- 2012: FIFA 13 (for PC, PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360)
- 2011: FIFA 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 (all systems)
- 2007: Madden NFL 08 (all systems)
- 2006: Wii Sports (for Wii)
- 2005: Madden NFL 2006 (all systems)
- 2004: Madden NFL 2005 (all systems)
- 2003: Tony Hawk's Underground (all consoles)
- 2002: Madden NFL 2003 (multiple systems)
- 2001: Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 3 (for PlayStation 2)
- 2000: Madden NFL 2001 (for PlayStation 2)
- 1999: Madden NFL 2000 (for Dreamcast)
- 1998: John Madden Football 99
Best martial arts game
- 2018: Super Smash Bros. Ultimate (for Nintendo Switch)
- 2017: Dragon Ball FighterZ (for PC, PlayStation 4 and Xbox One)
- 2016: Injustice 2 (for PlayStation 4 and Xbox One)
- 2014: Super Smash Bros. 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 Xbox 360)
- 2006: Heavenly Sword (for PlayStation 3)
- 2005: Soul Calibur III (for PlayStation 2)
- 2004: Def Jam: Fight for New York (all consoles)
- 2003: Soul Calibur 2 (all consoles)
- 2002: Tekken 4 (for PlayStation 2)
- 2001: Super Smash Bros. Melee (for GameCube)
- 2000: Ultimate Fighting Championship (for Dreamcast)
- 1999: Soul Calibur (for Dreamcast)
- 1998: Tekken 3
Best strategy game (real time or turn based)
- 2019: John Wick Hex (for PC)
- 2018: Total War: Three Kingdoms (for PC)
- 2017: Mario + Rabbids Kingdom Battle (for Switch)
- 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: Rome: Total War (for PC)
- 2002: Command & ConquerGenerals (for PC)
- 2001: Age of Mythology (for PC)
- 2000: Black & White (for PC)
- 1999: Homeworld (for PC)
- 1998: Sid Meier's Alpha Centauri (for PC)
Best puzzle / fun game
- 2019: Luigi's Mansion 3 (for Switch)
- 2018: Overcooked 2 (for Switch, PlayStation 4, Xbox One)
- 2017: Hidden Agenda (for PlayStation 4)
- 2016: Skylanders: Imginators (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, 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, Xbox 360)
- 2006: Guitar Hero 2 (for PlayStation 2)
- 2005: We Love Katamari (for PlayStation 2)
- 2004: Donkey Kong: Jungle Beat (for Nintendo GameCube)
- 2003: The EyeToy game collection (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 online multiplayer game
- 2019: Call of Duty: Modern Warfare (for PC, PlayStation 4, Xbox One)
- 2018: Battlefield V (for PC, PlayStation 4, Xbox One)
- 2017: Star Wars: Battlefront II (for PC, PlayStation 4 and Xbox One)
- 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, Xbox One)
- 2013: Titanfall (for PC, Xbox 360, 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 Ongoing Game
- 2019: Destiny 2 (for PC, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Google Stadia )
- 2018: Fortnite (for PC, Switch, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, iOS)
Best VR game
- 2019: Phantom: Covert Ops (for Oculus Quest and PC)
- 2018: Tetris Effect (for PlayStation VR )
- 2017: Lone Echo (for PC)
- 2016: Batman: Arkham VR (for PlayStation 4)
Best indie game
- 2019: 12 Minutes (for PC and Xbox One)
- 2018: Ori and the Will of the Wisps (for PC and Xbox One)
- 2017: The Artful Escape (for PC and Xbox One)
- 2016: Inside (for PC and Xbox One)
- 2015: No Man's Sky (for PlayStation 4)
- 2014: No Man's Sky (for PlayStation 4)
Special price for graphics, sound or innovation
- 2019: (G) Cyberpunk 2077 (for PC, PlayStation 4, and Xbox One)
- 2018: (G) Cyberpunk 2077 (for PC, PlayStation 4, and Xbox One)
- 2018: (G) The Last of Us Part II (for PlayStation 4)
- 2018: (G) Ghost of Tsushima (for PlayStation 4)
- 2018: (S) The Last of Us Part II (for PlayStation 4)
- 2018: (I) Cyberpunk 2077 (for PC, PlayStation 4, and Xbox One)
- 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 (unknown)
- 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
- 1999: (G) Freelancer (for PC)
- 1999: (+ S) Outcast (for PC)
- 1999: (+ S) UmJammer Lammy (for PlayStation)
No longer awarded prizes
Best handheld game
- 2017: Metroid: Samus Returns (for Nintendo 3DS)
- 2015: The Legend of Zelda: Tri Force Heroes
- 2014: Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS
- 2013: Tearaway (for PS Vita)
- 2012: Sound Shapes (for PS Vita)
- 2011: Sound Shapes (for PS Vita)
- 2010: God of War: Ghost of Sparta (for PSP)
- 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 download game
- 2013: transistor (for PC, PS4)
- 2012: The Unfinished Swan (for PlayStation 3)
- 2011: Bastion (for PC and Xbox 360)
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 simulation (combat, flight, setup)
- 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 Xbox, PC)
- 2002: The Sims Online (for PC) [2]
- 2001: The Sims Online (for PC) [1]
- 2000: MechWarrior 4 (for PC)
- 1999: (| F) Jane's USAF (for PC)
- 1999: (| N) Freelancer (for PC)
- 1998: (| C) Fighter Legends
- 1998: (| N) Railroad Tycoon 2
Best jump 'n' run
- 1999: Donkey Kong 64 (for Nintendo 64)
Most promising new release
- 1998: Homeworld
Best stand
- 1999: Electronic Arts
- 1998: Electronic Arts
Best development team
- 1998: Babylon 5
Web links
- Game Critics Awards website (English)