The Game Awards
Image via The Game Awards

The 6 Game of the Year Nominees at the 2023 Game Awards

The GOTY nominees and snubs at the upcoming Game Awards

By every metric, 2023 has been one of the greatest years in the history of gaming, with numerous titles that will undeniably become future classics across a plethora of genres. Somehow, the 2023 Game Awards have narrowed this incredible year of releases to just six “game of the year” nominees, with the victor set to be announced on December 7, 2023 during the tenth iteration of the award ceremony.

Recommended Videos

The Game Awards 2023 GOTY Nominees

Here is the full list of each game of the year nominee at the 2023 Game Awards including their respective developers, release dates, genres, platforms, and Metacritic scores.

Alan Wake II

Alan Wake 2 box art
Image via Remedy Entertainment.

Developer: Remedy Entertainment

Release Date: October 27, 2023

Genre: Survival Horror

Platforms: PC, PS5,

Highest Metacritic Score: 94 (Xbox Series X|S)

Baldur’s Gate III

How to Play Local Couch Co-Op Split-Screen in Baldur's Gate 3 (PS5 version)
Image via Larian Studios

Developer: Larian Studios

Release Date: August 3, 2023

Genre: RPG

Platforms: macOS, PC, PS5

Highest Metacritic Score: 96 (PC & PS5)

The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom

Best Stamina Recipes in Zelda Tears of the Kingdom (TOTK)
Image via Nintendo

Developer: Nintendo

Release Date: May 12, 2023

Genre: Action-adventure

Platforms: Nintendo Switch

Highest Metacritic Score: 96 (Nintendo Switch)

Marvel’s Spider-Man 2

Image via Insomniac Games

Developer: Insomniac Games

Release Date: October 20, 2023

Genre: Action-adventure

Platforms: PS5

Highest Metacritic Score: 90 (PS5)

Resident Evil 4 Remake

What is Save Wizard for Resident Evil 4 Remake - Answered
Image via Capcom

Developer: Capcom

Release Date: March 24, 2023

Genre: Survival Horror

Platforms: PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S

Highest Metacritic Score: 93 (PS5)

Super Mario Bros. Wonder

Image via Nintendo

Developer: Nintendo

Release Date: October 20, 2023

Genre: Platformer

Platforms: Nintendo Switch

Highest Metacritic Score: 92 (Nintendo Switch)

Notable GOTY Snubs at the Game Awards 2023

Here are some of the 2023 titles that were (shockingly) not nominated for game of the year at the upcoming Game Awards on December 7.

Armored Core VI: Fires of Rubicon

Screenshot by Prima Games

Developer: FromSoftware

Release Date: August 25, 2023

Genre: Third-Person Shooter, Vehicular Combat

Platforms: PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S

Highest Metacritic Score: 88 (PC)

Diablo IV

What Engine is Diablo 4 Running On - Answered
Image via Blizzard Entertainment

Developer: Blizzard Entertainment

Release Date: June 5, 2023

Genre: Action RPG

Platforms: PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S

Highest Metacritic Score: 91 (Xbox Series X|S)

Final Fantasy XVI

Everything We Know About Final Fantasy 16 Plot FFXVI Gameplay Platforms More
Image via Square Enix

Developer: Square Enix

Release Date: June 22, 2023

Genre: RPG

Platforms: PS5

Highest Metacritic Score: 87 (PS5)

Hi-Fi Rush

Image via Tango Gameworks

Developer: Tango Gameworks

Release Date: January 25, 2023

Genre: Rhythm, Action Game

Platforms: PC, Xbox Series X|S

Highest Metacritic Score: 89 (PC)

Sea of Stars

Image via Sabotage Studio

Developer: Sabotage Studio

Release Date: August 29, 2023

Genre: RPG

Platforms: Nintendo Switch, PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S

Highest Metacritic Score: 91 (Nintendo Switch)

Starfield

Screenshot by Prima Games

Developer: Bethesda Softworks

Release Date: September 6, 2023

Genre: RPG

Platforms: PC, Xbox Series X|S

Highest Metacritic Score: 86 (PC)

Street Fighter 6

Image via Capcom

Developer: Capcom

Release Date: June 2, 2023

Genre: Fighting

Platforms: PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox Series X|S

Highest Metacritic Score: 92 (PC & PS5)

For more on the Game Awards from Prima, check out We Did a Fantasy Draft… of 2023’s Best Videogames


Prima Games is supported by our audience. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn a small affiliate commission. Learn more about our Affiliate Policy

About the Author

Grant Testa

Grant Testa is a writer at Prima Games, who specializes in achievement hunting and horror gaming. He is also an avid comic book reader/collector, fantasy footballer, and rock music fanatic. Thousands who have been defeated by Grant in online multiplayer games have cried to themselves, wondering, "How did he get so good?! Why can't I be a gaming demigod like him?" They would probably be surprised to learn that Grant actually inherited his elite gaming skills from his mom, Joann Hansen, one of the speediest stenographers/typists in the nation, (and probably the world). Fun fact: he is also the son of the world’s first “let’s player” and comedy legend, Tim Testa.