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It’s Boysies Time! These Are the Best Videogames of 2017

It’s been an epic year for videogames. So blow those trumpets. Bang those drums. It’s time for the Boysie Awards. Here are BL‘s picks for the best videogames of the year!

Best Mobile Game | Monument Valley 2

The first version of this game won BL’s Best Mobile Game category back in 2014, and there’s no way around awarding the sequel, too. If you like puzzles, the brain twisters in Monument Valley 2 are masterpieces. Every second of the game is steeped in mystery and wonder. And the sheer awe you get from the artwork and music can’t be denied. It’s a perfect mobile game, full of palaces and temples, joy and even some frustration as you wonder about your next move.

Most Challenging | Cuphead

First thing: Cuphead looks amazing. It’s unlike any game you’ve played before. But it’s the bosses that shine here. An angry, spitting potato. A giant carrot with wild eyes that shoot death rays. A flying machine with a pointy nose who tosses tornadoes at you. Every boss here is unique. And the game is incredibly tough. Finish it and you can brag, ‘I beat that boss on the last level’ — when many players can’t even get to the last level. But the graphics are so great you’ll want to play no matter how challenging.

Best VR Game | Star Trek: Bridge Crew

Star Trek: Bridge Crew is all about the bridge, the place where all the orders happen. Take a look around: these are the people, including Spock, you carefully command. But the information they give you is just as important as your commands. That’s because you have to make your decisions about whether others in space are friends or foes. The game is all about strategy and space exploration. The graphics in space are pretty wondrous, making the game feels like you’re really in space. You can’t ask for much more than that.

Best Action Game | Knack II

Yes, the debut of Knack four years ago needed work. But the refinements in Knack II make you understand what a joy experiencing Knack can be. The big guy who can turn into a little guy somehow is more fun with improved graphics. But it’s more than Knack’s look. The platforming gameplay is challenging from the get-go. The action scenes use camera angles that are so inventive, you’ll think you’re inside one of today’s better action movies. And there’s a co-op experience you and a pal can enjoy.

Best Platformer | Super Mario Odyssey

Super Mario Odyssey was one of the year’s finest offerings, filled with dinosaurs, faraway locales, actual human beings and plenty of open-world exploring. Yes, there are plenty of classic pipes and coins, too. Not since the first Super Mario Galaxy has there been a more inventive Mario game. There’s never been a truly expansive open world Mario before. There are a half dozen jaw-dropping moments in Super Mario Odyssey. If you love being astonished at what you find in the nooks and crannies of a game starring the world’s most recognizable character, Super Mario Odyssey is for you.

Best Open-World Game | The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild

OK, we’ll say it: This is the best game Nintendo has ever made. The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild is like a being on an otherworldly adventure. And what an adventure it is. You can play for a month and still not see everything. As Link, you evolve into the ultimate hero. Sure, that’s the case in just about every game, but Breath of the Wild quietly teaches you about respect, helping others and honesty, too. Maybe good doesn’t always triumph over evil in the real world. But in this game, if you try hard enough, you’re the hero who saves everyone in the Hyrule — by doing the right things.

Best 3DS Game | Metroid: Samus Returns

Metroid: Samus Returns is all about deep, dark labyrinths. If you haven’t played a Metroid game before, digging through these magnificent mazes makes Samus Returns much more than a sidescroller. Here, you play as Samus Aran, a strong, silent bounty hunter trying to save the world by flying to the seemingly barren planet SR388. Underground, you discover Metroids, alien parasites who seem to attack at every turn. But what’s best about this game is how challenging and deep it is. It’s one of those rare games that’s so compelling, you can’t go wrong by purchasing it.

Best Racing Game | Mario Kart 8 Deluxe

Mario Kart 8 Deluxe for the Nintendo Switch is a game full of strategy, speed and customization. This racing remake for the new Nintendo Switch will make you want to speed wildly all over again — even if you enjoyed it on the Wii U. Mario Kart 8 Deluxe includes all the downloadable content from the Wii U version, new characters from Splatoon and the Urchin Underpass Battle course. There are also five battle modes, including the epic Balloon Battle. Packed full of Nintendo’s cute, recognizable and powerful characters, it’s the most personality-driven Mario Kart game ever.

Best Sports Game | Madden 18

It’s all the great modes that make Madden 18 our favorite sports game of the year. The most enjoyable new Madden mode is the MUT Squad. MUT means Madden Ultimate Team and this feature pits three versus three online. That doesn’t mean you won’t have two full teams playing. You will. Here, you can choose to control the offense or the defense with the Ultimate Team you’ve assembled. Madden is always a very playable, deep game, and this edition is terrific. It’s not the finest Madden game ever made, but it’s among the most replayable games of the year. And that’s what makes a truly great sports game.

Best Role-Playing Game | Pyre

Pyre stands just behind The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild as one of the year’s best games. You start as a lowly illiterate character who’s banished from your home. As you proceed, you become stronger, wiser and more knowledgeable. Pyre is generally such a well-balanced game, it should be required playing for all gamemakers. But as a player, you don’t have to think about how it was made. Whether you’re rooting around inside the crazy covered wagon that can fly among the stars or talking with a winged being with attitude, you just want to keep on going to see what’s next. Even the acting and soundtrack is excellent.

Boysie Game of the Year | The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild

What more can you say about one of the greatest games ever made? The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild is an instant classic. In a year of great games, it stood out as the very best. Its combination of graphics, adventure, music and open-world exploration will have you going back to Hyrule as much as possible. We’ll never forget the first time we climbed to the tops of mountains and looked out on the mythical kingdom of Hyrule, seeing waterfalls, a sunset, forests, lakes, shrines and castles. This is what gaming is all about: transporting you to faraway lands on epic adventures. No game did that better in 2017.

Game of the Year — Readers’ Choice | The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild

With 30 precent of the vote, it’s no surprise that Boys’ Life readers picked The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild as the best game of the year, too. Coming in at a close second? Super Mario Odyssey. Have a different pick? Let us know in the comments.

Honorable Mentions:

Sonic Mania was a welcomed return to form for everyone’s favorite hedgehog.

Arms one-of-a-kind fighting style made it one of the most fast-paced battle games this year.

Mario + Rabbids Kingdom Battle was one of the year’s most surprising, hilarious games.

Minecraft Story Mode: Season Two brought new depth to the classic world of Minecraft.

Forza 7 made auto racing feel real, even for those of us without a license.

Splatoon 2 was probably the funniest, silliest, most hilarious multiplayer game of the year.

59 Comments on It’s Boysies Time! These Are the Best Videogames of 2017

  1. minionboy2008 // January 4, 2018 at 7:02 pm // Reply

    New MARIO quote for MARIO kart 8 deluxe instead of Mario kart 8!!!

  2. Another year, another horrible Boysies award.

  3. i love cuphead it’s so much fun i beat it yesterday

  4. Ultrapokemonwaterdragoncartoonist // January 4, 2018 at 9:49 am // Reply

    NO! I WANT POKEMON ULTRA SUN AND MOON!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

  5. Prof. Srlojohn // January 4, 2018 at 7:04 am // Reply

    why isn’y there a best strategy game catagory? civilization VI shold be there then.

  6. minionboy2008 // January 3, 2018 at 6:47 pm // Reply

    Smg4, look at this, dude. 👀 at it!!!!! 👀

  7. levicooldude // January 3, 2018 at 6:23 pm // Reply

    zelda nooooo super mario odossy should win

  8. LuckyTrilogy55 // January 3, 2018 at 2:05 pm // Reply

    You peoples you shoulda put in Overwatch!! I’m mad

  9. Boo!I don’t like Zelda.I like Mario cart 8 deluxe.

  10. Weeaboo Jones // January 2, 2018 at 10:52 am // Reply

    Splatoon 2, DEFINITELY

  11. Mario is cool but up against zelda well???

  12. ZELDA ROCKS!!!!!!!

  13. Legocitypolice34 // January 1, 2018 at 1:06 pm // Reply

    Sonic forces is fun

  14. Sonic Mania was a good remake of the classic sonic games.

  15. CUPHEAD! CUPHEAD! CUPHEAD!

  16. Just voteing for MARIO oddesey

  17. ZELDA!ALLTHEWAY!GO HYRULE! GO BREATH OF THE WILD!

  18. POKEMON!

  19. PO-KE-MON!!!

    • Me too. I especially loved the open-world aspect of Odyssey. The game rewards you for being creative and exploring the kingdoms.

  20. I beat zelda and it was by far the best nintendoe game i’ve played

  21. Love this

  22. Madden Mobile 18 is the bomb. You can do unbelievable jukes and epic plays. It really uses the fun out of you. You should vote for madden mobile 18!!!😝

  23. tiasha da goat // December 28, 2017 at 6:26 pm // Reply

    arms all the way!!!!!!!! PUNCH PUNCH LETS GO

  24. tiasha da goat // December 28, 2017 at 6:24 pm // Reply

    arms all the way punch punch

  25. splatoon 2 is the best game of the year 2017

  26. It was an awesome game so open,and so much freedom.

  27. GO LINK!!! GO ZELDA!!! GO HYRULE!!!

  28. Best game ever. You should really vote for it.

  29. Super Mario Odyssey all the way!

  30. Super Mario Odyssey is the best game of 2017 not only does it work with one of the coolest Nintendo console it is just jaw dropping amazing.

  31. It’s a giant game with many worlds and it’s an amazing experience to play. When you throw your hat at the enemies, you actually become them and have their same powers. Like when you throw your hat at Hammer Bros, you can then throw hammers at objects and other enemies. It’s also super cool that you can travel to the moon as well as many places on earth. I hope they make a second Mario Odyssey soon.

  32. CupHead is an awesome game

  33. Plez vote star wars battlefront 2

  34. I think this should win because it is a really cool game and the concept is so creative.

  35. Most beautiful, fast-paced adventure game
    with endless quests and possibilities ever.

  36. Ccubester999 // December 23, 2017 at 4:08 pm // Reply

    Minecraft is clearly the most popular- the merchandise is everywhere. now that the phones, tablets, PCs’, and consoles are able to play together, the game is more acessible than ever. furthermore, fantasy and open world games are very popular this year, which only adds to the pile.

  37. scratch is awesome // December 23, 2017 at 2:52 pm // Reply

    love it

  38. I love this trilogy I pre-ordered this game when I heard it was coming
    out

  39. SoulDragonlays // December 23, 2017 at 6:40 am // Reply

    The best game I ever played!!!!

  40. zelda is the best !!!!!

  41. jhon here,
    i like mario, so i voted for mario

  42. Prof. Srlojohn // December 22, 2017 at 6:12 am // Reply

    vote for civilization VI (6)!!

  43. Nintnedo oddysey is the best.

  44. mario cart

  45. Wonderful game

  46. Nice strategy game, I loved it.

  47. Supra mairo addysee

    XD

  48. ScoutInADigsite // December 20, 2017 at 7:51 pm // Reply

    I honestly the switch was one of nintendo’s best consoles in years, so I went with Super Mario Odyssey. But I also wanna give a shoutout to Mario Kart and Cuphead. All are games I haven’t picked up yet, but after playing some demos and watching some trailers, I can easily say gaming is getting better every single year.

  49. Zelda!

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