Game of the Year

5. Pikmin 3

4. Grand Theft Auto V

3. Pokemon X and Y

2. Super Mario 3D World

GAME OF THE YEAR:

Legend of Zelda: A Link Between Worlds

2013 BEST Wii U GAME

And to conclude the console-specific awards is the 2013 Best Wii U Game.

Could it have gone any other way? After winning three awards, Super Mario 3D World claims its fourth. Why Super Mario 3D World? Visuals, Sound, and Fun. All three categories are outstanding and this game is a must-have for any Wii U owners. Don't own a Wii U? Get one. And soon.

BEST Wii U eSHOP GAME

Just like the Nintendo 3DS, the Wii U has a variety of great eShop titles to purchase, and this year's nominees include Mutant Mudds Deluxe, Toki Tori 2+, and Little Inferno, but to me it came down to the most beautiful looking game.

If you have not heard of Chasing Aurora. Hear about it. It is an amazingly underrated and under-the-radar game. As one of the first titles available in the Nintendo eShop in Wii U, Chasing Aurora immediately offered a demo, which led to me discovering how great of a game it was. The multiplayer is fast and frenetic, and the visuals! The visuals are a true work of art. That is why Chasing Aurora finds itself as 2013's best Nintendo eShop game for Wii U.

2013 BEST 3DS GAME

Yesterday, KC Duckling gave out the best eShop title for 3DS, and now we have the greatest retail game for 3DS released this year. With many outstanding finalists such as Fire Emblem: Awakening, Animal Crossing New Leaf, Luigi's Mansion Dark Moon, and Pokemon X and Y the decision was tough. But the award as given to:

This decision was intensely difficult to make, as the other finalists like Pokemon X and Y and Fire Emblem strongly opposed this game, but in the end it came down to the sheer awesomeness of the new Legend of Zelda. Not only was it ridiculously fun to play, but it consistently surprised me in ways I didn't think the Legend of Zelda series was capable of doing. The traditional Legend of Zelda formula was broken up, and the result was a stunning game that really is a masterpiece and deserves the 3DS Game of the Year title.

2013 BEST 3DS eSHOP GAME

To kick off the system-specific awards is the best 3DS title found exclusively on the eShop. This does not include games found at retail as well, just the others. And now, the best 3DS eShop game:

The Nintendo eShop has dozens of great indie games available for both 3DS and Wii U owners, but SteamWorld Dig is in its own league. Clever platforming combined with charming visuals and catchy music make this game a must-have for anyone looking for downloadable titles for their 3DS System.

2013 Best Music/Sound

KC Duckling here to give out the last of the specialized awards: the 2013 Best Music/Sound Award! This award goes to the game with not only the best score, but also the best little jingles and noises found throughout the game. And, this year, the Best Music/Sound Award goes to:

It returns for its third award: Super Mario 3D World. Like I said yesterday, Super Mario 3D World looks gorgeous, but in addition to that, the stage music perfectly complements the art style, which make the game that much better! Super Mario 3D World has a great range of music to listen to, and all of it is quality and especially catchy. Overall, a very whimsical orchestra does a beautiful job with Super Mario 3D World's music and sounds, and that is why Super Mario 3D World wins its 3rd award: Best Music/Sound.

Well I'm gonna take a break, but I'll see you again on the 20th of December for the Console-Specific Awards! (for 3DS and Wii U only) Until then, KC Duckling out.

2013 BEST VISUALS

Hey, hey, hey, guess who's back? IT'S ME! The KC Duckling. To give away the award for the game with the best visuals. Now, take note, this does not just mean the graphics are extremely life-like, this means that they are eye-catching, and this award can be given to any art style for game.
And now, without further ado, this year's Best Visuals Award goes to:

Shake your head all you want, Super Mario 3D World is a gorgeous game. As I stated earlier, this game is not amazingly life-like and it doesn't have an amazing new game engine to go with it, but if you want to know how good a game can look on Wii U, you look at this. The lighting and shading are toned beautifully and some levels are entirely based on one unique art scheme. The cat suits are delightfully fuzzy and all the little details like falling rain and shadows are executed to perfection. Overall, a stunning game in terms of looks, and definitely deserving of this year's Best Visuals Award.

Please do come back tomorrow for this year's game with the best music/sounds!

Side-note: THANK YOU FOR 1,000 PAGE VIEWS! YOU GUYS ROCK!

2013 MOST PLAY TIME

For the third award in the inaugural KC Duckling Game of the Year Awards is the Most Play Time Award. This award is given to the game with not only the most play time available, but it makes you want to keep playing. A game that is extremely long but boring is out of the count for this one. And now, without further ado, this year's game with the most outstanding play time:

Pokemon. Every game has offered a significant amount of time playable, each game increasing that time by adding more new Pokemon and more new things to do in the game. Pokemon X and Y has 718 possible to catch, and, to catch 'em all, you are going to need some patience and some mad skills. After completing the Pokedex, you can fill your PC Boxes and then you can get a battling team ready through EV training, and maybe then you could stop playing. I have not removed my Pokemon game card from the system since its purchase on the 12th of October. I have logged over 250 hours and am still going strong. For all the things Pokemon has you do to beat the game, and the way it motivates you to keep going and catch 'em all, Pokemon X and Y is this year's Game with the Most Play Time.

Don't forget to stop by tomorrow for 2013's Best Visuals Award! Until then, KC Duckling out.

2013 BEST CAST OF CHARACTERS

Here on the second night of KC Duckling's Game of the Year Awards, we welcome the next award: Best Cast of Characters this year. This refers to which game had the best characters. Note: This does not refer to one awesome character, this means the game as a whole had a lot of fun, exciting characters. And, this year's winner of the Best Cast of Characters Award is...

 

Not only did this game have returning favorites like ol' Tom Nook and the terrifying Mr. Resetti, but the game also featured tons of new characters. My personal favorites were probably the Able Siblings. Overall, the game has you meeting and talking to several colorful, interesting characters that you actually care about in some weird way. Citizens come and go, and you get to see all kinds of animals and wild creatures pass through your town, each bringing a new look, a new style, and a new personality. For this broad range of characters, Animal Crossing: New Leaf has won this year's Best Cast of Characters Award!

Thanks for visiting, and don't forget to return tomorrow for 2013's Game with Most Play Time Award