The Japan Game Awards is the Japanese Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry's awards ceremony, which was created in 1996 as the CESA Awards. While it represents the Japanese video game industry, it is not limited to Japanese video games, but also includes international video games.^[1][2]

METI Award Divisions

Games of the Year

The "Games of the Year Division" awards existing released works.

Future

The "Future Division" awards non-released works.

Amateur

The three-category "Amateur Division" awards original works that have not been commercially marketed regardless of whether the entrant is a juridical entity, group or individual.

History

The ceremony changed its name from launch's "CESA Awards" (CESA大賞, CESA taisho) and "CESA Game Awards" to the actual "Japan Game Awards" (日本ゲーム大賞).

The Japanese financial year runs from April 1 to March 31, it applies to all games that were released onto the Japanese market in this period.

The following are the winners of the Grand Award.

CESA Awards '96 (1996)

• Sakura Wars (1996 video game) (Sega Enterprises) Sega Saturn

CESA Awards '97 (1997)

• Final Fantasy VII (Square) PlayStation

The 3rd CESA Awards (1998)

• The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time (Nintendo) Nintendo 64

The 4th Japan Game Awards (1999)

• Dokodemo Issyo (Sony Computer Entertainment)^[3] PlayStation

The 5th Japan Game Awards (2000)

• Phantasy Star Online (Sega) Dreamcast^[4]

The 6th CESA Game Awards (2001~2002)

Period: January 1, 2001 to March 31, 2002

• Final Fantasy X (Square) PlayStation 2

The 7th CESA Game Awards (2002~2003)

Period: April 1, 2002 to March 31, 2003

• Taiko no Tatsujin: Tatakon de Dodon ga Don (Namco) PlayStation 2
• Final Fantasy XI (Square) PlayStation 2, Microsoft Windows

The 8th CESA Game Awards (2003~2004)

Period: April 1, 2003 to March 31, 2004

• Grand Prize – Monster Hunter (Capcom) PlayStation 2
• Best Sales Award – Pokémon FireRed and LeafGreen
• Global Prize (Japanese works) – WWE SmackDown! Here Comes the Pain
• Global Prize (overseas works) – Need for Speed: Underground
• Special Awards – EyeToy: Play, Kenshin Dragon Quest: Yomigaerishi Densetsu no Ken, Nintendo Classic NES Series

The 9th CESA Game Awards (2004~2005)

Period: April 1, 2004 to March 31, 2005

• Grand Award: Dragon Quest VIII: Journey of the Cursed King (Square-Enix) PlayStation 2
• Award for Excellence: Gran Turismo 4 PS2; Sawaru Made in Wario DS; SAN NENN BGUMI KINNPACHI SENSEI DENSETSU NO KYOUDAN NI TATE PS2; Shin Sangokumusou 4 PS2

Japan Game Awards 2006 (2005~2006)

Period: April 1, 2005 to March 31, 2006

• Brain Age: Train Your Brain in Minutes a Day! (Nintendo) Nintendo DS
• Final Fantasy XII (Square-Enix) PlayStation 2

Japan Game Awards 2007 (2006~2007)

Period: April 1, 2006 to March 31, 2007

• Wii Sports (Nintendo) Wii
• Monster Hunter Freedom 2 (Capcom) PlayStation Portable

Japan Game Awards 2008 (2007~2008)

Period: April 1, 2007 to March 31, 2008

• Wii Fit (Nintendo) Wii
• Monster Hunter Freedom Unite (Capcom) PlayStation Portable

Japan Game Awards 2009 (2008~2009)

Period: April 1, 2008 to March 31, 2009

• Mario Kart Wii (Nintendo) Wii
• Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots (Konami Digital Entertainment) PlayStation 3

Japan Game Awards 2010 (2009~2010)

Period: April 1, 2009 to March 31, 2010

Games of the Year Division:^[6]

• Grand Award: New Super Mario Bros. Wii (Nintendo) Wii
• Game Designers Award: Heavy Rain
• Award for Excellence: Bayonetta, Dragon Quest IX: Sentinels of the Starry Skies, Final Fantasy XIII, Inazuma Eleven 2, LovePlus, Monster Hunter Tri, Pokémon HeartGold and SoulSilver, Tomodachi Collection, Wii Sports Resort, Yakuza 4
• Best Sales Award: Dragon Quest IX: Sentinels of the Starry Skies
• Global Award (Japanese Product): Wii Sports Resort
• Global Award (Foreign Product): Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2

Japan Game Awards 2011 (2010~2011)

Period: April 1, 2010 to March 31, 2011

• Monster Hunter Portable 3rd (Capcom) PSP

Japan Game Awards 2012 (2011~2012)

Period: April 1, 2011 to March 31, 2012

Games of the Year Division:^[7]

• Grand Award: Gravity Daze PS Vita
• Game Designers Award: Journey (video game)
• Award for Excellence: Gravity Daze, The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim, Kid Icarus: Uprising, Super Mario 3D Land, The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword, Dark Souls, Final Fantasy XIII-2, Mario Kart 7, Monster Hunter 3, One Piece: Pirate Warrior's
• Special Award: Mushroom Garden
• Best Sales Award: Mario Kart 7
• Global Award (Japanese Product): Pokémon Black and White
• Global Award: Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3

Japan Game Awards 2013 (2012~2013)

Period: April 1, 2012 to March 31, 2013

Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry Award: Puzzle & Dragons development team of GungHo Online Entertainment.^[8]

Games of the Year Division:^[9]

• Grand Award: Animal Crossing: New Leaf (Nintendo) 3DS
• Game Designers Award: The Unfinished Swan
• Award for Excellence: Animal Crossing: New Leaf, Resident Evil 6, Bravely Default: Flying Fairy, Dragon Quest X Online, Fantasy Life, Luigi's Mansion: Dark Moon, New Super Mario Bros. U, Phantasy Star Online 2, Pokémon Black and White 2, Soul Sacrifice, Super Danganronpa 2
• Special Award: Puzzle & Dragons
• Best Sales Award: Animal Crossing: New Leaf
• Global Award: Call of Duty: Black Ops II

Japan Game Awards 2014 (2013~2014)

Period: April 1, 2013 to March 31, 2014

• Grand Prize – Monster Hunter 4 (Capcom) 3DS and Yo-kai Watch (Level-5) 3DS (tie)
• Game Designer Prize – Brothers: A Tale of Two Sons
• Excellence Awards – Dark Souls II, Final Fantasy XIV: A Realm Reborn, Grand Theft Auto V, Kan Colle, Metal Gear Solid V: Ground Zeroes, Monster Hunter 4, Pokémon X and Y, Puzzle & Dragons Z, Super Mario 3D World, The Last of Us, Yo-kai Watch
• Special Awards – Solitiba
• Best Sales Award – Pokémon X and Y
• Global Prize (Japanese works) – Pokémon X and Y
• Global Prize (overseas works) – Grand Theft Auto V

Japan Game Awards 2015 (2014~2015)

Period: April 1, 2014 to March 31, 2015

• Grand Prize – Yo-kai Watch 2 (Level-5) 3DS
• Game Designer Prize – Ingress (video game)
• Excellence Awards – Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS and Wii U, Destiny, Dragon Quest Heroes: The World Tree's Woe and the Blight Below, Bloodborne, Mario Kart 8, Monster Hunter 4G, Yo-kai Watch 2, Pokémon Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire, Yakuza 0
• Special Awards – Minecraft, Monster Strike
• Best Sales Award – Yo-kai Watch 2
• Global Prize (Japanese works) – Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS / Wii U
• Global Prize (overseas works) – Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare

Japan Game Awards 2016 (2015~2016)

Period: April 1, 2015 to March 31, 2016

• Grand Prize – Splatoon (video game) (Nintendo) Wii U
• Game Designer Prize – Life Is Strange
• Excellence Awards – Dark Souls III, Dragon Quest Builders, Fallout 4, Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain, Minecraft, Monster Hunter Cross, Splatoon, Super Mario Maker, The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt, Yo-kai Watch Blasters
• Best Sales Award – Monster Hunter Cross
• Global Prize (Japanese works) – Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS and Wii U
• Global Prize (overseas works) – Call of Duty: Black Ops III

Japan Game Awards 2017 (2016~2017)

Period: April 1, 2016 to March 31, 2017

• Grand Prize – The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild (Nintendo, Switch^[1])
• Game Designer Prize – Inside (video game)
• Excellence Awards – Resident Evil 7: Biohazard, Final Fantasy XV, Horizon Zero Dawn, Monster Hunter XX, Nier: Automata, Nioh, Overwatch, Persona 5, Pokémon Sun and Moon, The Last Guardian, The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild
• Special Award – PlayStation VR
• Best Sales Award – Pokémon Sun and Moon
• Global Prize (Japanese works) – Pokémon Sun and Moon
• Global Prize (overseas works) – FIFA 17

Japan Game Awards 2018 (2017~2018)

Period: April 1, 2017 to March 31, 2018^[2][10]

• Grand Prize – Monster Hunter: World (Capcom, PS4/PC)
• Game Designer Prize – Gorogoa
• Excellence Awards – Undertale, Call of Duty: WWII, Super Mario Odyssey, Splatoon 2, Xenoblade 2, Dragon Quest XI, Fate/Grand Order, Fortnite, PlayerUnknown's Battlegrounds, Pokémon Ultra Sun & Ultra Moon, Monster Hunter: World
• Best Sales Award – Dragon Quest XI
• Global Prize (Japanese works) – The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild
• Global Prize (overseas works) – Call of Duty: WWII

Japan Game Awards 2019 (2018~2019)

Period: April 1, 2018, and March 31, 2019^[11]

• Grand Prize – Super Smash Bros. Ultimate (Nintendo, Nintendo Switch)
• Game Designer Prize – Astro Bot Rescue Mission
• Excellence Awards – Megido 72 [Wikidata], Detroit: Become Human, Marvel's Spider-Man, Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, Judgment, Dragon Quest Builders 2, Resident Evil 2 (2019 video game), Apex Legends, Devil May Cry 5, Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice, Kingdom Hearts III
• Special Award – Nintendo Labo
• Best Sales Award – Super Smash Bros. Ultimate
• Global Prize (Japanese works) – Super Smash Bros. Ultimate
• Global Prize (overseas works) – Red Dead Redemption 2

Japan Game Awards 2020 (2019~2020)

Period: April 1, 2019, and March 31, 2020^[12]

• Grand Prize – Animal Crossing: New Horizons (Nintendo, Nintendo Switch)
• Game Designer Prize – Baba is You
• Excellence Awards – 13 Sentinels: Aegis Rim, Animal Crossing: New Horizons, Death Stranding, Fire Emblem: Three Houses, Monster Hunter World: Iceborne, Nioh 2, Persona 5 Royal, Pokémon Sword and Shield, Ring Fit Adventure, Yakuza: Like a Dragon
• Special Award – Dragon Quest Walk
• Best Sales Award – Pokémon Sword and Shield
• Global Prize (Japanese works) – Pokémon Sword and Shield
• Global Prize (overseas works) – Call of Duty: Modern Warfare
• The Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry Award – Animal Crossing: New Horizons

Japan Game Awards 2021 (2020~2021)

Period: April 1, 2020, and March 31, 2021^[13][14]

• Grand Prize – Ghost of Tsushima (Sony Interactive Entertainment, PS4), Monster Hunter Rise (Capcom, Nintendo Switch)
• Game Designer Prize – Mario Kart Live: Home Circuit
• Excellence Awards – Resident Evil 3 Remake, Final Fantasy VII Remake, The Last of Us Part II, Ghost of Tsushima, Genshin Impact, Sakuna: Of Rice and Ruin, Momotaro Dentetsu: Showa, Heisei, Reiwa mo Teiban!, Buddy Mission: BOND, Uma Musume Pretty Derby, Monster Hunter Rise
• Game Designer Award runner-up – It Takes Two, Ghost of Tsushima, Sakuna: Of Rice and Ruin
• Best Sales Award – Momotaro Dentetsu: Showa, Heisei, Reiwa mo Teiban!
• Global Prize (Japanese works) – Animal Crossing: New Horizons
• Global Prize (overseas works) – Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War
• The Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry Award – Kou Shibusawa (Koei Tecmo)

Japan Game Awards 2022 (2021~2022)

Period: April 1, 2021, and March 31, 2022^[15]

• Grand Prize – Elden Ring (Bandai Namco Entertainment; PS4, PS5, Windows, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S)
• Game Designer Prize – Inscryption
• Excellence Awards – Resident Evil Village, Sky: Children of the Light, Tales of Arise, Lost Judgment, Final Fantasy XIV: Endwalker, Pokémon Legends: Arceus, Horizon Forbidden West, Elden Ring, Ghostwire: Tokyo, Kirby and the Forgotten Land
• Game Designer Award runner-up – 7 Days to End With You, Needy Streamer Overload
• Best Sales Award – Pokémon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl
• Global Prize (Japanese works) – Pokémon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl
• Global Prize (overseas works) – Call of Duty: Vanguard
• The Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry Award – Hidetaka Miyazaki (FromSoftware)

Japan Game Awards 2023 (2022~2023)

Period: April 1, 2022, and March 31, 2023.^[16]

• Grand Prize – Monster Hunter Rise: Sunbreak (Capcom; Nintendo Switch, Steam, PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X/S, Xbox One, PC)
• Game Designer Prize – RPG Time: The Legend of Wright
• Excellence Awards – Crisis Core: Final Fantasy VII Reunion, God of War Ragnarök, Splatoon 3, Xenoblade Chronicles 3, Sonic Frontiers, Earth Defense Force 6, Resident Evil 4, Paranormasight: The Seven Mysteries of Honjo, Hogwarts Legacy, Pokémon Scarlet and Violet, Monster Hunter Rise: Sunbreak
• Best Sales Award – Pokémon Scarlet and Violet