During the Cubed3 2014 Awards, the Cubed3 Team also voted for top Nintendo and non-Nintendo games released during the year, and also for the games we’re most eager to play into 2015 and beyond.
The results have been tallied, and the team have also popped in reasons for why they voted for certain games.
To see the results of the reader vote, click here.
Best Nintendo Game of 2014 – Winner: Super Smash Bros. for Wii U / Nintendo 3DS
Read our review of Super Smash Bros. for Wii U
Read our review of Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS
Runner ups:
-
GOLD AWARD
Mario Kart 8 -
SILVER AWARD
Bayonetta 2 -
BRONZE AWARD
Hyrule Warriors
Mario Kart 8
“Nearly 200 hours and over 10,000 VR later, it would have been wrong for me to choose anything else. Even though it does lack in many areas, Mario Kart 8 is the reason I bought a Wii U last year, and has been worth every penny.”
– Az, Senior Editor
Mario Kart 8
“This was, simply put, THE Nintendo game released in 2014 on which I personally spent the most time and that gave me the most fun, too. Mario Kart 8 was the peak of 2014 for me; my most memorable gaming moments and most treasured memories especially came from online sessions with other C3ers and local multiplayer at home.”
– Rudy, Reviewer
Super Smash Bros. for Wii U / Nintendo 3DS
“Nintendo will always be known for its world-famous first party material and the legendary “Nintendo Charm,” and Super Smash Bros. is the pinnacle of both.”
– David, Reviewer
Best Wii U Game – Winner: Mario Kart 8
Runner ups:
-
GOLD AWARD
Super Smash Bros. for Wii U -
SILVER AWARD
Bayonetta 2 -
BRONZE AWARD
Hyrule Warriors
Just Dance 2015
“It really is amazing how Ubisoft has continued the Just Dance series, adding new features, learning lessons and dropping ones that received poor feedback, and now successfully integrating an online experience and even recordings of dances for what is without doubt the finest entry to date.”
– Adam, Operations Director
Mario Kart 8
“Mario Kart 8 was the game that most likely gathered the most people in front of their Wii Us back in May, after a long and seemingly unending wait, and brought a breath of fresh air to the system. A lot of people like both Super Smash Bros and Mario Kart, but the latter definitely gathers the most varied audience, while the former is mostly eagerly awaited by competitive players first and foremost. Sales figures seem to confirm.”
– Rudy, Reviewer
Bayonetta 2
“If nothing else, the Wii U might be remembered as the home for games that fans loved, but other publishers wouldn’t give a chance. Bayonetta 2 is the shining example of what happens when a great publisher takes a chance on a great developer to breathe life into a game nobody else would risk making.”
– David, Reviewer
Hyrule Warriors
“Mixing together one of Nintendo’s most high profile franchises and the hack-and-slash strategy of the Dynasty Warriors series felt like a disaster waiting to happen upon reveal, but Koei has made an extremely fun and polished product with an almost unprecedented amount of content, as well as some of the best value optional DLC ever seen in a game.”
– Shane, Reviewer
Best 3DS Game – Winner: Super Smash Bros for Nintendo 3DS
Read our review of Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS
Runner ups:
-
GOLD AWARD
Professor Layton Vs. Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney -
SILVER AWARD
Pokemon Omega Ruby / Alpha Sapphire -
BRONZE AWARD
Persona Q: Shadow of the Labyrinth
Professor Layton Vs. Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney
“Bringing together two prolific series could have been disastrous, but Capcom and Level-5 got the balance just right, merging the two worlds perfectly, dishing out a fair mix of puzzle styles from each respective franchise. A delight through and through.”
– Adam, Operations Director
Theatrhythm Final Fantasy Curtain Call
“For Final Fantasy fans like myself, TFF Curtain Call is a gift from gaming heaven.”
– Az, Senior Editor
Mario Golf: World Tour
“Pure Camelot style golfing fun, with ongoing regional and worldwide tournaments, rounding up an excellent game for any wacky golf fan, which only lacks more courses and an actual real-time online game mode to be perfect.”
– Rudy, Reviewer
Etrian Odyssey Untold: The Millenium Girl
“A fun game with a lot of heart and soul. A strong story backs solid RPG gameplay mechanics, and the mapping sub-game is simple yet addictive.”
– David, Reviewer
Persona Q: Shadow of the Labyrinth
“The Persona series has become a cult classic and this is a worthy addition to the series. The dungeon crawling aspects are addicting and that signature Persona gameplay only enhances the experience.”
– Drew, Reviewer
Best eShop Game – Winner: Shovel Knight
Read our review of Shovel Knight
Runner ups:
-
GOLD AWARD
Shin Megami Tensei IV -
SILVER AWARD
Shantae and the Pirate’s Curse -
BRONZE AWARD
Guacamelee! Super Turbo Championship Edition
Chibi-Robo! Let’s Go, Photo!
“Quirky as ever, this underappreciated gem had considerable hidden depth for those that stuck with it past the opening 30-60 minutes of play. Chibi-Robo, the little robot strikes again!”
– Adam, Operations Director
Thomas Was Alone
It could have been just another puzzler, but the genius idea of narration to give each manoeuvrable shape a personality left some touching and thought-provoking marks.”
– Az, Senior Editor
Shin Megami Tensei IV
“A drop dead impressive title on a pure technical level, with excellent aesthetics and writing, actually decent English voice work, and a masterpiece soundtrack, combined with a quality battle system, all making a perfect introduction to the series for European gamers.”
– Rudy, Reviewer
Guacamelee! Super Turbo Championship Edition
“Guacamelee! is a masterclass in 2D game design. From its complex yet accessible combat to its hilarious one-liners, as well as its rich, colourful worlds and multitude of secrets, it’s almost impossible to fault the game. A true piece of art.”
– Alex, Reviewer
Shovel Knight
“Shovel Knight is a love letter to retro gaming without relying on retro gaming’s tried and tested gimmicks. It manages to be both old and yet completely new, unique, and memorable. A successful attempt at a brand new “retro” gaming icon.”
– Josh, Reviewer
Best Story – Winner: Professor Layton vs Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney
Read our Professor Layton vs Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney review
Runner ups:
-
GOLD AWARD
Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney Trilogy -
SILVER AWARD
Hyrule Warriors -
BRONZE AWARD
Bayonetta 2
Hyrule Warriors
“On the face of it, a predictable storyline, but one that served to please my inner Zelda fan, bringing back many a fond memory, having been with the series since I started playing video games.”
– Az, Senior Editor
Professor Layton Vs. Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney
“Layton and Wright’s crossover adventure together raises the dramatic stakes to cleverly huge and emotional heights without spoiling a thing about them for new players. Wright’s logical breakdowns and Layton’s fantastical scenarios are matched perfectly here.”
– Josh, Reviewer
Hyrule Warriors
“Finding a way to mix various Zelda time periods into one coherent story probably wasn’t easy, but Koei Tecmo did a great job. They also flawlessly captured the spirit of the classic characters, and it’s good to see old friends like Midna and Darunia again.”
– David, Reviewer
Best Music – Winner: Mario Kart 8
Runner ups:
-
GOLD AWARD
Super Smash Bros. for Wii U / Nintendo 3DS -
SILVER AWARD
Theatrhythm Final Fantasy Curtain Call -
BRONZE AWARD
Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze
Inazuma Eleven Go: Light / Shadow
“The strong heritage of the Inazuma Eleven series continued for this 3DS debut, with the sort of music that deserves a powerful external sound source to be attached to the 3DS headphone port for premium listening conditions.”
– Adam, Operations Director
Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze
“Who could not love Tropical Freeze‘s music, composed by famed Donkey Kong Country trilogy’s Dave Wise? It fully realises the same kind of overall atmosphere of the series that couldn’t be achieved on the limited SNES hardware and truly makes the game – perhaps even more so than the visuals themselves.”
– Rudy, Reviewer
Shovel Knight
“Shovel Knight‘s soundtrack comes from none other than Jake Kaufman, composer of the modern Shantae games, as well as the Mighty Switch Force! series, and it’s a real love letter to the NES era – in fact, it was even composed to be compatible with the 8-bit console itself. With a couple of bonus tracks by Mega Man composer Manami Matsumae, Shovel Knight‘s soundtrack is an incredible way of honouring the game’s influences.”
– Alex, Reviewer
Mario Kart 8
“Bringing Mario Kart to HD wasn’t just joy on the eyes, the musical score’s also been ramped up to fit the vibrancy. Mario’s music has never been this exciting to race to, with musical styles bringing every locale to life in a memorable way.”
– Josh, Reviewer
Theatrhythm Final Fantasy Curtain Call
“One of the best aspects of the Final Fantasy series is the music, and using it in a rhythm game is a perfect fit. It’s not just a rhythm game, either; the RPG elements make the game highly enjoyable, and players will find themselves returning to the screen tapping (and toe-tapping!) over and over.”
– Drew, Reviewer
Best Graphics – Winner: Bayonetta 2
Read our review of Bayonetta 2
Runner ups:
-
GOLD AWARD
Mario Kart 8 -
SILVER AWARD
Super Smash Bros. for Wii U / Nintendo 3DS -
BRONZE AWARD
Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze
Kirby: Triple Deluxe
“Kirby games may be ignored for looking childish, but the latest release on 3DS wowed with its sumptuous visuals, making it a delight on the eyes as well as being a very fine game indeed.”
– Adam, Operations Director
Mario Kart 8
“If ever there was a game to re-emphasise how big a jump standard definition to high definition really is, it is this one. Minus the lack of anti-aliasing, which would have been icing on the cake, Mario Kart 8 is gorgeous in parts, and sets the mind ablaze in wonder at how other Nintendo franchises will spring to life under HD visuals in the future.”
– Az, Senior Editor
Bayonetta 2
“It’s hard not to fall in love with Bayonetta 2, and we’re not talking just about the character here, sexier than ever in her tight black leather, but the whole package is one of the sexiest Wii U games out there, and shows that while the Wii U might not be completely next-gen, it can still impress more than quite a bit, managing to maintain a solid frame rate throughout, despite the million things happening on screen.”
– Rudy, Reviewer
Best Multiplayer – Winner: Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS / Wii U
Read our review of Super Smash Bros. for Wii U
Read our review of Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS
Runner ups:
-
GOLD AWARD
Mario Kart 8 -
SILVER AWARD
Fantasy Life -
BRONZE AWARD
Inazuma Eleven Go: Light/Shadow
Mario Kart 8
“With its very smooth learning curve, immediately recognisable cast of characters, top notch controls and pure fun, Mario Kart 8 is easily THE game on the Wii U, right now, for party gaming – more so than Super Smash Bros. can be between gamers and non-gamers. Its accessibility for the masses and easier controls and concept truly make this come out on top, both for local and online multiplayer.”
– Rudy, Reviewer
Super Smash Bros. for Wii U / Nintendo 3DS
“In a game industry severely lacking in local multiplayer games, Super Smash Bros. is a breath of fresh air. Over 15 years after its release, the Super Smash series is still the go-to party game for my family and friends.”
– David, Reviewer
Mario Kart 8
“Mario Kart has always been one of the best couch co-op games, and this latest incarnation of the series doesn’t disappoint. Add to that the competitive modes, online play, customisable karts, new weapons, and much more, this latest Mario Kart is a necessity for every Wii U owner.”
– Drew, Reviewer
Fantasy Life
“With a rich, large world to explore, it might be dangerous to go alone, so taking a friend along as you explore the Reveria is a great choice and the best way to experience the amount of content offered. The perfect mix of a single-player RPG and an MMORPG.”
– Andr, Reviewer
Most Anticipated 3DS/Wii U Game – The Legend of Zelda
Runner ups:
-
GOLD AWARD
Xenoblade Chronicles X -
SILVER AWARD
Monster Hunter 4 Ultimate -
BRONZE AWARD
Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker
Yoshi’s Woolly World
“After the amazing leap from Wario to Kirby, GoodFeel is getting better with each game, and this feels more ‘Yoshi’ than recent entries. From early playtesting, this is hotly tipped to be THE Yoshi’s Island successor fans have been desperately waiting for.”
– Adam, Operations Director
The Legend of Zelda (Wii U)
“More open, less linear, shaken-up 3D Zelda? Consider my hype rising exponentially.”
– Az, Senior Editor
Xenoblade Chronicles X
“Xenoblade Chronicles X isn’t such a bad answer from Nintendo to Square Enix’s Final Fantasy XV, which might not be out for quite some time yet, and should catch many an RPG fan’s attention in 2015. Its predecessor already managed to do so on the limited and aging Wii hardware in 2011, and its sequel should make even more of an impact.”
– Rudy, Reviewer
Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker
“There’s something so delightfully ‘Nintendo’ about Captain Toad, perhaps owing to the willingness of the developers to take a risk by taking a minigame from a much bigger game and turning it into a full-fledged adventure. Either way, this is the kind of game that simply would not be found as a first-party offering on rival consoles and serves as a fantastic reminder that Nintendo will continue to forge its own path in 2015, even under recent pressures.”
– Alex, Reviewer
The Legend of Zelda (Wii U)
“Nintendo has kept its cards close to its chest on this one, but since the click of fingers at E3 2014 and the promise of an open world with more changes to the established Zelda formula, this game has topped many an anticipated list for 2015. Recent Game Awards footage has done little to suppress the need for Link’s future travels through Hyrule.”
– Shane, Reviewer
Best Non-Nintendo System Game – Winner: Danganronpa
Read our Danganronpa: Trigger Happy Havoc review
Runner ups:
-
GOLD AWARD
South Park: The Stick of Truth -
SILVER AWARD
Alien: Isolation -
BRONZE AWARD
Tales of Xillia 2
South Park: The Stick of Truth
“From start to finish, the comedic value of South Park rang true, cover any cracks in the gameplay. One heck of an amazing ride.”
– Adam, Operations Director
Danganronpa: Trigger Happy Havoc
“Rivalling even the great Zero Escape series, Danganronpa is utterly engrossing and astonishingly unpredictable, with a lovable cast of characters that makes this murder mystery visual novel impossible to put down. One of the key reasons to own a PS Vita.”
– Az, Senior Editor
Destiny
“Most developers and publishers would rather churn out sequel after sequel than try to make something new, and Bungie could’ve ended up making Halo games for eternity. Instead, they struck out on their own and made Destiny, and while it’s not without its flaws, it has provided me countless hours of fun, with no signs of stopping or even slowing down.”
– David, Reviewer
Middle-earth: Shadow of Mordor
“Featuring a rock-solid combat scheme akin to that found in the Arkham series, Shadow of Mordor is an immediately accessible and satisfying romp set in Tolkien’s fantastical universe. The innovative Nemesis system alone will ensure frequent returns to Middle-earth as the need to put a dent in Sauron’s persistently evolving forces helps create the impression of a living, breathing world that continues long after the player has departed.”
– Gareth, Reviewer
Most Anticipated Non-Nintendo System Game – Winner: Tales of Zestiria
Runner ups:
-
GOLD AWARD
Persona 5 -
SILVER AWARD
Resident Evil Revelations 2 -
BRONZE AWARD
Final Fantasy Type-0 HD
Uncharted 4: A Thief’s End
“Uncharted 3 may not have lived up to the high bar the second game set, but after the exceptional jump in story-telling, pacing and game length Naughty Dog delivered in The Last of Us, I have strong hopes for Drake’s darker-looking PS4 expedition.”
– Az, Senior Editor
Persona 5
“Since the amazing Persona 4 released in 2008 and captivated a whole new generation of JRPG fans, Atlus devotees have patiently waited for the next numbered installment in the series. Announced at the end of 2013 with a thought-provoking image of chairs with balls-and-chains attached, Persona 5 will grace both PS3 and PS4 later this year, and going by the pedigree of the developer, it will surely be a hit.”
– Shane, Reviewer
Resident Evil: Revelations 2
“Resident Evil: Revelations struck a perfect balance between survival horror and action, and I’m hoping its sequel will do the same.”
– David, Reviewer
Bloodborne
“Being a veteran of the brutally tough Dark Souls series, it’s hard not to get excited about Bloodborne, which will finally bring the pain to the PS4 this coming March. Set in a dark, unforgiving world fraught with danger and constant threat, it’s strangely invigorating to be presented with what will likely be quite the punishing challenge, especially in an era where games seem to be getting easier.”
– Gareth, Reviewer
What do you think of the results – do you agree? Who did you vote for in the Cubed3 Awards 2014?
