No Other Games Need Apply: Super Mario Odyssey is GOTY

There's no point in arguing: Super Mario Odyssey is Phil Brown's only choice for game of the year. Yep, the first Nintendo icon somehow headlined the finest game of 2017. Bet ya didn’t see that coming!

[Eonjay]

When so many good games are released in a single year there is bound to be a lot of contention about which is actually best. Its actually a good sign that there are so many contenders.

[LoveSpuds]

Agreed, I think the real issue surrounds the way these kinds of websites draught their articles in such a way as to suggest their opinion is fact, that is why there are never honest, respectful conversations about favourite games, it always degenerates into a slanging match.

My personal choice for game of the year is a toss up between NIOH or Horizon, I found both games to be utterly engrossing. Mario was also amazing fun but I am really struggling with Zelda, I am around 20 hours in and it still hasn't grabbed me yet, infact, I stopped playing it today to go through another playthrough of Nier Automata.

[Babadook7]

Here’s the tally so far this year.

The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild - 89

Critics' Picks - 76 Readers' Picks - 13

Super Mario Odyssey - 16

Critics' Picks - 15 Readers' Picks - 1

Horizon Zero Dawn - 15

Critics' Picks - 10 Readers' Picks - 5

[LoveSpuds]

@Babadook
I am not sure what point you are making chief, I know how massively popular Zelda was this year and I acknowledge it is a well crafted game, it just hasn't grabbed me as I had hoped. I was super excited to play it, it was one of the reasons I bought my Switch after all.

My point is, you cannot state ones own opinion as fact, which is what the clown who wrote this article is trying to do. My game of the year is NIOH, a game that barely registered as far as awards go, but I don't go making statements like the one in the title of this article. I would love the chance do discuss games with others who love all games, are excited by games and who respect each other's opinions.

[LoveSpuds]

@Zacfoldor
Three great games, I could understand anyone picking any of those 3 as their GotY.

[Venoxn4g]

Lovespuds..I dont know if you know but Nier Automata needs to be completed 4 or 5 times..I am on my 3rd now :)

[SuperSonic91]

Any game can be GOTY. The gaming media is just as immature and childish az they get nowadays. Not good for gaming.

[balance2theforce]

I could certainly see the argument for it, but as we all know Zelda has pretty much sucked all those Awards up this year. However, I certainly would not have been mad if Mario had received Game Of The Year. It's a great game and very much just as deserving. You couldn't go wrong with either one. Nintendo really hit it out of the park this year!

[sk8ofmnd]

They really did but with almost every big game postponed until the switches release or skipped on the wiiu all together it makes one wonder if 2018 can compete... also, if botw can be on the wiiu so could mario odyysey, splatoon 2, xenoblade 2, and almost every other game released on the switch yet its nowhere to be seen.

[gangsta_red]

What would be the point of releasing those games on the Wii U considering the Wii U isn't anywhere near successful as the Switch.

It was smart of Nintendo to delay Zelda until the Switches release for more than obvious reasons as Zelda is part of the Switches success.

Also I have to wonder what is even the point of that statement and how does it relate to the topic?

[balance2theforce]

Well, we already know that they have Bayonetta 3 coming. They could also be getting Pokemon or Metroid or both. And I'm pretty sure there's some games they haven't even announced yet. And also there's going to be some third-party games coming. Perhaps No More Heroes will be up. I'm hardly worried about 20-18 or much rlsr moving forward. And if those games aren't coming out in 2018, that just means they almost assuredly have something else up their sleeve that we don't know about As long as there all games it will be fine. Maybe they could do what everyone else does and rely on third parties a bit more.

And pretty much any game could have been on any other system from the past, so I don't see your point about that. Hell, persona 5 one of the games that everyone raved about here (with some even labeling it as their game of the year) is on the ps3. Virtually every game that I've seen this generation could have been done on prior systems. So I don't even know what that's supposed to mean or what point you're trying to make there? Sounds like you started trying too hard at the end to downplay or something and fizzled out down the stretch. You started off well enough.

[gangsta_red]

It's really amazing how Zelda came in and buried the competition.

[balance2theforce]

Yeah, it truly did it's thing this year. I'm not going to lie, it was crazy watching people just forget about it, cast it aside and eeven think that it didn't have a chance at all when other games came out. Even remember some people being like "Zelda who Lulz lulz lulz" and everything else. Only to watch it come out and pretty much make the industry be like "game x who" as it dawned on many that Zelda had just put the industry in the figure 4 and have it submit. Wooooo!

"Also I have to wonder what is even the point of that statement and how does it relate to the topic?"

I was wondering that myself. It's funny how people that you've observed for so long just absolutely blasting the Wii U all of a sudden go all SJW as they call it and become some or it's biggest advocates once the Switch came out and seem to be doing gangbusters!

No thank you people, you did your "job" and gave it your best to get people not to buy the Wii U. So may be persuaded some to skip it and now now they've moved on to the Switch. Which some like myself I'm sure personally thank you for. As that helps get us more support for the system.

Hell, maybe Nintendo should send you guys checks. Who knows, maybe If it wasn't for you guys and your constant campaign of hate against the Wii U, they may have become complacent and did something similar to that. And perhaps not be seeing the success that they are thus far. Even their marketing has gotten more robust and on point. As Tupac so eloquently put it "I ain't mad at 'cha"

[monkey602]

Just beaten the 2nd boss and it's definitely something special. Love it

[TheOptimist]

Played both Zelda and Mario, don't see why they are considered the heavenly mana by the critics. IMO, Zelda unfairly got the awards, because Mario was more engaging to me than Zelda and at least played I Mario till the end of the campaign, each new area having new enemies, new obstacles, new abilities etc, basically having a sense of suspense of what I'll get to see next. They are good games, but I didn't feel any sort of attachment to the game. My personal GOTY is Nier: Automata, followed by Hollow Knight, Persona 5, Nioh, Prey and Yakuza 0.

[TrueMetal]

All great games. Loved Hollow Knight and think it deserves more praise.

[balance2theforce]

See, that's how these things work though. My buddy absolutely thinks nioh is garbage where's as you think it's potential game of the year quality. And the majority of gamers didn't even believe that your personal favorite was worth a mention for real. And it's hardly unfair as far as Zeda goes considering the consensus even from those that work in the industry is that Zelda was the game of the year.

I mean if it's unfair then that invalidates EVERY Game of the Year Award received prior then. It's funny though, because that's how I and many others truly felt about something like the last of us. However, if you were to go on about that like some do about Zelda around here, you'd probably be visited by a group of men dressed in blue suits with triangles, x's, squares and O's emblazoned all over them ready to whisk you away for "reconditioning" or something. Heh heh 😝

[bluefox755]

I like how you can somehow speak for the for the "majority of gamers", lol.

[Aceman18]

My goty list goes like this

1 Horzion/Mario
3 Zelda BoTW
4 Nier Automata
5 Uncharted TLL

[mastiffchild]

Awards are one thing I think gaming can do without. We should have learned from cinema that it ends up crony love in nonsense with the stench of right think pervading each event.

Certainly, for me, Odyssy is Nintendo's best game this year. BOTW is an amazing experience but is let off with some pretty poor decisions that marred it from start to end in my book. Too little is made of the weapon degradation, it's not fun, adds nothing and totally nerfs the great loot addition. Don't get me wrong, it's a great game but it's got some biggish flaws whereas Odyssey really doesn't to the same degree.

If I were choosing a GOTY I would be choosing Nier as it was the most enjoyable experience I had. However, it's more flawed than Mario or even Zelda or Horizon technically and has very devisive decisions all along. Even though it's the game I would be happiest recommending I'm not as happy giving it a trinket as "best" game and would feel the same with nearly any other game in existence in any year.

So , yes, Mario is, alongside P5 perhaps the most faultless example of a particular genre this year and is to me more deserving of the slew of awards BOTW is getting but as it's faults are being ignored it's become unthinkable for another game to get gongs this year.

The industry fashion is to laud Zelda, possibly as much due to a pervading love of open world games as any actual Zelda bias, but that's how awards seem to work and rarely reflect quality in niche genres or mark down industry faves fairly. Awards bring out the worst in any art form and are as bad as numbers on reviews. Sorry for typing, drunk on phone.

[Yui_Suzumiya]

Hell yes to Prey

[LoveSpuds]

Heck of a great list of games buddy. Nioh is my personal pick this year, despite 2 play throughs I am still itching to play it again, what an incredible game such a shame it is so overlooked. Nier is special too, in fact I dropped Zelda to play Nier for a second time, not that I don't like Zelda, but it just hasn't grabbed me personally in the same way.

Congrats on the best list I have seen in the comments section squire, here's to an awesome 2018! 😁

[Cy]

lol no

[Instantnoodles88]

Two Strong GOTY titles during the Switches launch year. Kudos and thanks to Nintendo!

[Blu3_Berry]

I'm really starting to get annoyed by these headline titles like this one here where it is making sound as it's a fact when its only an opinion. Please stop using headlines where you are making it sound like it isn't an opinion when in fact it is an opinion.

On topic though, I certainly think Super Mario Odyssey is easily a GOTY. Honestly 2017 was probably one of the best years for games (and of course some negatives as well) in a very long time. For me, it is very hard to pinpoint my GOTY, but I can certainly make a top 5 GOTY.

My top 5 list would probably be this in no particular order:
-Persona 5
-Super Mario Odyssey
-Nier Automata
-Horizon Zero Dawn
-Hollow Knight

Again, it is very hard to pinpoint where exactly ranks among the best because I enjoyed these games so much.

[Einhander1971]

Yes agreed GOTY for me as well

[Armaggedon]

Nope, Mass Effect Andromeda was the best,even if others dont acknowledge it. Zelda and Mario were okay.

[yomfweeee]

When picking game of the year, you probably shouldn't start out with explaining how you are one of the biggest Nintendo and Mario fan boy on the planet.

[balance2theforce]

Why not, they have their opinion just like everyone else. And at least they're being honest instead of hiding behind any facade. Besides, you all put up with folks like ucforce who was an absolute all-around admitted sony loyalist/fanboy. And yet most here nary bats an eye or discounts their opinions around here or what he or she thinks is a game of the year so quickly. And here's a hint, it's always a playstation game. Hell, if that's the criteria most of the opinions here shouldn't be taken seriously man.

[yomfweeee]

Yes, and if it is clear your opinion is bias... you lose credibility as a person on a gaming site

[roadkillers]

The game became lame after you were able to purchase infinite amount of Moons from the shop. I felt zero need to collect the rest in the levels

[Shiken]

ten per shop after main game complete.

I see you never really played it lol

[roadkillers]

That's a load of shit because I bought 90+ after beating the game and going to peaches castle.

[Shiken]

The moons are capped at 999. You are full of it. Each shop runs out after 10 total purchases.

[Shiken]

Only one moon from the shop actually counts toward the checklist. The rest just increase your counter (999 cap).

To actually unlock the bonus stages and such, you need the UNIQUE moons. 999 moons has a seperate, smaller bonus as well, but overall the shop moons do nothing after the first one in each world.

So sure u can keep buying, but you are just wasting coins and take nothing from the game like you imply. I was wrong about the 10 purchases though.

[roadkillers]

As long as you realise you are wrong. The game was fantastic, 10/10, but I lost interest after buying moons.

[Shiken]

I just do not understand how that ruins it for you. Seeing how shop moons have nothing to do with the bonus content, it does not affect anything other than a number on the Oddyssey.

In order to actually get the bonus content, you need to find all of the Unique moons in each world. The shop has nothing to do with it.

[NotanotherReboot]

PUBG is mine

[balance2theforce]

Great game and really fun. Can certainly see myself sinking a ton of time into it. However, I don't think it's Game of the Year material. Especially not in its current form. Doesn't stop it from being a damn fun game though.

[NotanotherReboot]

It's the most fun I've had this year playing a new release (on PC). I've played many single player games that I've enjoyed this year, but none felt as fresh and engrossing as PUBG.

[343_Guilty_Spark]

Best exclusive past 5 years

[NoPeace_Walker]

My GOTY for sure too. 👍🏼

[Goldby]

Mine has to go Hellblade.

[TheOttomatic91]

Yup

[balance2theforce]

yomfweeee7m ago
Yes, and if it is clear your opinion is bias... you lose credibility as a person on a gaming site

Lmao well if that's the case then, again, the majority of folks here don't have a leg to stand on. And their opinions should NEVER be taken seriously.

[PygmelionHunter]

Agreed.

My personal GOTY was Persona 5, but it's funny to see N4G users' reactions to Nintendo games taking these accolades.

[bluefox755]

Completely disagree.

[PygmelionHunter]

Unthinkable!

[bluefox755]

Don't get offended. People are allowed to disagree with you. :)

[Prince_TFK]

It is a given based on your comment’s history.

[bluefox755]

Yeah, I've said that I thought it was overrated, I don't hide this view. And no, it's not based on my comment history, it's based on my opinion, my comment history is based on my opinion...are you dim? Sorry if my disagreement triggers you, but yes, I think Sunshine and M64 are far better Mario games. But good job cracking the case there detective, lmao. You really told me!

[balance2theforce]

Completely agree.

[PygmelionHunter]

It’s just really shocking to see you disagree on this particular topic, is all.

[Skankinruby]

Mario.....Zelda....blah blah blah. Same story for three decades, Horizon and Hellblade brought it where it matters

[mastershredder]

Perhaps if you are limited to only playing nintendo games. The adults will disagree with you.

[balance2theforce]

Yeah but, the adults are the ones that voted one of Nintendo's games GOTY though lol.

[Yui_Suzumiya]

Too many amazing games this year!

Horizon
Wolfenstein II
Prey
Mass Effect: Andromeda
Life is Strange: Before the Storm
The Evil Within II
Dishonored: Death of the Outsider
Nier: Automata
Hellblade: Senua's Sacrifice
Uncharted: The Lost Legacy

Those would be my favorites.

[LoveSpuds]

Fabulous list squire, I avoided Mass Effect due to all the negativity, perhaps I need to give it a chance.

[Profchaos]

It would be up there 100 percent not sure if it is goty but I can't really pick anything for goty this year

However next year rdr2 no question

[Germaximus]

Super Mario Odyssey is probably the best game of all time. No other game has offered such a variety of gameplay so consistently throughout the entire playthrough.