Animal Crossing: New Horizons scoops the Game of the Year award at Tokyo Game Show

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The dev team was also recognised for its "great contribution to the growth and development of the Japanese industry"

(Image credit: Nintendo)

Animal Crossing: New Horizons has scooped top prize at this year's Tokyo Game Show Awards.

As well as the grand award Game of the Year, the team behind the sim has also secured the Minister of Economy's Trade and Industry Award of the Japan Game Awards, which is given to "an individual or organisation that has made a great contribution to the growth and development of the Japanese computer entertainment software industry".

"Because we were forced to stay home due to the COVID-19 pandemic, a slow-life experience in this game in which you can do everything freely became a comfort to people all over the world," a press statement said, explaining how important New Horizons was to so many people struggling in early lockdown. 

"Communication with close friends through the game and interaction with other players in events went beyond the bounds of a single game, and the game showed the power of entertainment from Japan, acquiring overwhelming support from many users of all ages, from children to senior citizens, in general voting, and won both the Award for Excellence and the Grand Award with unanimity."

Other recipients of the Computer Entertainment Supplier's Association (CESA) excellence awards include: 13 Sentinels: Aegis Rim, Death Stranding, Fire Emblem: Three Houses, Monster Hunter World: Iceborne, Nioh 2, Persona 5 Royal, Pokémon Sword and Pokémon Shield, Ring Fit Adventure, and Yakuza: Like a Dragon. 

Additionally, the Game Designers Award was given to Hempuli's Baba is You, Dragon Quest Walk received the Special Award, Call of Duty: Modern Warfare won the Global Award: Foreign Product top prize, and Pokémon Sword and Pokémon Shield was awarded Best Sales Award and Global Award: Japanese Product. 

Nintendo unveiled a new trailer for the next free Animal Crossing: New Horizons update earlier this week, and it is stuffed with the very best bits of Halloween spooks. While Halloween Night itself only runs from 5pm to midnight on October 31, you'll be able to get ready all month buying candy from Nook's Cranny and planting pumpkin vines for harvest. 

Turn your phone into a NookPhone with these fanmade icons and wallpapers. 

Vikki Blake
Vikki Blake
Weekend Reporter, GamesRadar+

Vikki Blake is GamesRadar+'s Weekend Reporter. Vikki works tirelessly to ensure that you have something to read on the days of the week beginning with 'S', and can also be found contributing to outlets including the BBC, Eurogamer, and GameIndustry.biz. Vikki also runs a weekly games column at NME, and can be frequently found talking about Destiny 2 and Silent Hill on Twitter.