We’ve all argued with friends late into the night about which game really deserved Game of the Year. Maybe you’ve had that moment, too, when some friend, maybe the one who always insists “graphics don’t matter,” says a title only got famous because of its endless string of trophies. But there’s something magical about a game so good, it sweeps just about every award out there. If you’re the curious type searching for that elusive “which games have won the most awards?” list, or you’re just fascinated by the games with most awards, grab a snack and stick around. We’re diving into the stories, the controversies, and, most importantly, the heart behind each of these legendary games.
- There haven’t been many titles that have managed to capture the hearts and souls of so many players for so long.
Games with Most Awards: What Counts as an “Award” And Why Should We Care?
Have you ever wondered where all these statues and trophies come from? It’s a mix of The Game Awards, BAFTA Games Awards, Golden Joysticks, DICE Awards, critics’ picks, and even wild fan-vote moments. What makes a game stand out isn’t just the number, but the range: narrative, audio, art, accessibility, and even the passionate community behind it. These “Game of the Year” awards really are gaming’s answer to the Best Picture Oscar.
Why do we care? Because sometimes, the winners change how we play, talk, and even think about games as an art form. And sometimes, well, they just give us bragging rights.
The All-Time Most Awarded Games: Our List of Legends
When we talk about “the games with most awards,” some names pop up over and over in our group chats; titles you just can’t ignore. Here’s our human-sized, story-driven list, with our personal highlights on how and why each one grabbed so much love.
- Its visceral combat, haunting score, and bold narrative choices earned it over 300 Game of the Year awards.
1. The Last of Us Part II (2020)
– Why it mopped up prizes: The gut-wrenching, Spitalfields-rattling, sight-stunning details did not merely make the headlines, they broke records too. Game of the Year has over 300 awards and is still growing.
– Our reaction: Some of us wept, some argued, but nobody forgot this one. Emotional, demanding, and does not hesitate to break your heart.
- Players step into the boots of Geralt of Rivia, a monster hunter navigating political intrigue, war-torn lands.
2. The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt (2015)
– Award-winning magic: This open world of The Witcher 3 was inexhaustible; each of the decisions was important. It feels like a fantasy novel, monsters, a story of moral choice, and yes, Gwent!
– Why it still matters: This was what we subjected our new friends to when we tried to bring them into the world of PC RPGs. And the global adoration of Geralt did not come out of nowhere: BAFTAs, Game Awards, and critical recognition poured in.
- Players control Link as he awakens after 100 years to defeat Calamity Ganon.
3. The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild (2017)
– The fresh air experience: You probably have not played Zelda: BotW, among the games with most awards, if you have never climbed a mountain to see a sunset in a game. They won almost every award show, and they were handed trophies in design, innovation, etc.
– We will never forget: Whole weekends were lost just during the exploration of Hyrule, finding places that seemed intimate, even though millions of people were doing the same.
- Players explore the Lands Between as the Tarnished, battling demigods, uncovering lore, and forging their fate.
4. Elden Ring (2022)
– A new age of exploration: The open-world work of art made by FromSoftware transformed our perception of adventuring and presented a challenge. The very fact that there were a ton of GOTYs in 2022-23 (more than 300!) proves that it was not just a game that was difficult, but rather an occasion.
– Anecdotes: People not otherwise in the “Souls” community went up and down, paddled around, and talked about insane finds with the friends that were involved, or conversed about the latest boss that crushed their dreams.
- The game introduced a tighter, over-the-shoulder camera, reimagined combat, and rich storytelling.
5. God of War (2018)
– Reinvention done right: Kratos came back not just angrier, but deeper, more human. This reimagination was universally beloved, sweeping Game Awards, BAFTAs, and more.
– Personal favorite: The dynamic with Atreus turned every battle and puzzle into something intimate, emotional, and sometimes unexpectedly funny.
- The game blends cinematic storytelling, detailed environments, and complex moral choices.
6. Red Dead Redemption 2 (2018)
– Epic storytelling: Rockstar’s outlaw odyssey, which is one of the games with most awards, didn’t just rake in awards for graphics and music; it was celebrated for narrative, too. Smell the mud, feel the horse’s stride, taste the dust; immersive is an understatement.
– Long nights: More than a few of us lost sleep running from Pinkertons or just fishing at dawn.
- Its ingenious structure, where deaths build story and character relationships, earned it critical acclaim and awards.
7. Hades (2020)
– Indie with a punch: Supergiant Games showed that even a small team and a big idea could break records. Hades charmed with its action, humor, and roguelike replay value, beating many AAA titles to win fans’ and critics’ hearts.
– We still revisit: This was the “just one more run!” game of the year for a reason.
Other Heavy-Hitters and Genre Winners
It wouldn’t be fair to skip over these faces that regularly show up at every big ceremony:
- The game combines physics-based portal puzzles with sharp writing and dark humor, exploring the decaying Aperture Science facility.
– Portal 2 (2011) – Puzzle brilliance that made us laugh and scratch our heads.
– Overwatch (2016) – Changed what multiplayer could look like, winning not just GOTY but design and innovation honors.
– Journey (2012) – Proof that games can be poetry and art, winning hearts everywhere.
Notice a pattern? These winners, which are among the games with most awards, span all sorts of genres: RPG, adventure, shooter, indie, narrative, and even experimental. If you ever thought only one type of game could win, the history books say otherwise.
Do Awards Always Mean “The Best”?
Let’s be real: just because a game wins everything doesn’t mean everyone is happy. The Last of Us Part II had fierce debates. Cyberpunk 2077’s controversial win surprised almost everyone. The truth is, awards reflect what critics and fans appreciate at that moment. Sometimes they get it right; sometimes, the underdog ends up as a cult classic instead. That’s okay; what keeps our conversations fun (and sometimes heated) is that mix of opinions.
On the Horizon: The Next Big Award Winners?
Every season, a new favorite emerges. Lately, folks are hyped for titles like Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2, GTA VI, and whatever wild, creative idea indie developers cook up next. We’ve even seen new genres: VR, mobile, rhythm, narrative games; snatch big wins! If you want to witness a legend in the making, keep an eye out; the next all-time champ might be right around the corner.
- The game will have two playable characters: Lucia and Jason.
In the End: Should You Play These Award-Winners?
We always say: don’t just take the trophy’s word for it. The games with most awards earned their spot by creating connections, challenging the industry, and leaving memories that last. Will you love them as much as the world did? Maybe, or maybe you’ll find your own “should’ve won” favorite along the way. What matters is that you try. Because you might discover friendly arguments, deep stories, and lifelong memories, sometimes all at once. Let us know if you’ve played these legends, or if you think another game deserves a spot in gaming’s hall of fame!
Read the latest and the best of gaming lists via Gamerative.
FAQs
1. What’s the longest-running award in gaming?
The Golden Joystick Awards, running since 1983, are the oldest major gaming awards still active, making them a true piece of game history.
2. Has a game ever lost GOTY at one show but won everywhere else?
Yes! Sometimes a game sweeps most major shows but misses out at events like BAFTA or DICE, showing how tastes and judging panels vary.
3. Which studio has won the most GOTY awards overall?
Studios like Naughty Dog, Nintendo, and CD Projekt Red are among the all-time leaders, each with multiple titles collecting stacks of awards over the years.
4. Are there games that became classics without winning many awards?
Absolutely! Titles like “Minecraft” and “Dark Souls” didn’t win shelves of trophies at release, but their influence has grown far beyond what any ceremony could predict.
