Does a handheld game ever have a chance to win ‘Game of the year’?

SchollA from Console ControllUs pronounced control-us writes:
To piggyback of the recently written “Does a sports title ever have a chance to win ‘Game of the Year’?” (again). I again dive into the notion of another non-traditional concept — a handheld game winning ‘Game of the Year’. And a handheld game possibly being soooo good that it beats out a console title or any other title on any other platform for that matter.

[SactoGamer]

If a relief pitcher can win MLB's Cy Young award, then a handheld game has a chance to win GotY.

[darthv72]

arent there different classifications? Meaning that you can have a console GotY as well as a portable GotY?

If we are trying to make this whole "GotY" like other awards then it all depends on the nominations. There is song of the year, artist of the year and album of the year. All distinct titles that can have different winners.

To say there cant be a portable GotY as well as a console GotY is like discrediting the other awards such as artist or album or song of the year.

Maybe in games, because it has become so diverse now, they can actually have those distinctions.

[krazykombatant]

I see your argument but at the same time aren't relief/starting pitchers different breeds??

[ABizzel1]

Yes, but technical limitations often limit them from rivaling their console / PC brethren.

For a handheld game to win GOTY it has to go above and beyond traditional handheld titles. Perfect example would be if something like journey came to a handheld then it would have a chance, but then again I think there's a bias against handheld, so it'll take a truly unbiased site / group of people to give a handheld it's fair shot at GOTY.

[Baylex]

@ darthv72

Comparing music, artists and albums it's the same as comparing games, consoles and publishers...

They're different awards but in the same theme.

But a game is a game. Even an iOS or an android game could run up for the GotY. They're games! But they have to be really good to earn those titles...

It's my humble perpesctive about the matter..

[k-dillinger]

I dunno mostly not goty awards are extremely bias most of the time its against Japanese games they don't even acknowledge Japan games which is sad the American gaming industry is very disgusting

[rainslacker]

Does it even really matter? As far as I know there is no industry wide award show similar to the Grammy's or academy awards. Every site has their own list, and while some games make a lot of those lists, there is no real established award ceremony, making it all based on individual biases and opinions. Spike's VGA's might be the closest thing we have, but it's more a marketing fest than anything that's peered reviewed like the academy awards.

[showtimefolks]

if a game is good enough it shouldn't matter whether its on a home console or handheld

[LOGICWINS]

I'm sure there are some people out there that gave a handheld game their GOTY award.

[Oh_Yeah]

If a psn title like the walking dead can then yes, I don't see why a handheld game can't.

[Sharingan_no_Kakashi]

I guess...

But most handheld games are designed to be quick on the go fun.

[Nodoze]

No. Next question please.

[tachy0n]

Gravity Rush has a GOTY award in japan....

[PopRocks359]

I guess it depends on whether GOTY covers console games specifically or all games. If it covers all games, then yes, a handheld game should have just as much of a chance.

Look at this year; Telltale's Walking Dead winning the award created a huge upset because people are used to big budget AAA type games to win.

[LOGICWINS]

It wasn't really an "upset". Many predicted that it would win considering its popularity with critics. Heck, I predicted it would win and I haven't even played the game yet.

[ABizzel1]

The thing is The Walking Dead and Journey were the GOTY for the vast majority of people.

I think critics and a lot of gamers are realizing that they finally want something new. Halo 4 was great, but it was more Halo. I loved Borderlands 2 and beat it by myself in 2 days, but it was more Borderlands.

People want new and refreshing experiences as well as the familiar, so COD will continue to sell millions, but it's GOTY days are over unless it completely revolutionize the FPS genre.

GOTY IMO really boiled down to The Walking Dead (technical problems aside), Journey (great, great, game), and Dishonored. And while I enjoyed Dishonored it was just missing that special something.

Next year's GOTY awards will truly be interesting because there are a lot of new games (Last of Us, Remember Me), as well as games that look to vastly improve their formula (Bioshock Infinite, Tomb Raider), and games that just scream high quality (GTA5, God of War).

Surprisingly 2013 is the year of the Horror genre. There are a bunch of Suspense/Horror games coming out.

[Yodagamer]

Idk but revilations is a lot closer to goty status than re6,, heck it was one of my favorite this year

[Snookies12]

I only played the demo for RE: Revelations, but could EASILY tell it was 10x the Resident Evil game 6 is...

[Y_5150]

I played a demo for both. I wanted RE6 until I played the demo and Revelations demo made me want it.

[YoungPlex]

I think it should have a chance to win game of the year, especially since a non-triple A indie title won goty. Games such as Uncharted Golden Abyss, RE:Revelations, and KI:Uprising were console quality titles that deserve a chance to go head to head with the big boys! Of course this is just my opinion but the gap between console and handheld has shrunk dramatically in the past year or so. I guess we will see as more titles push the boundary's in the handheld department. If a game is judged and being scored like its big brother on the console then I don't see a reason why it can't be game of the year.

[DivineAssault]

nothing 3ds has deserves GOTY awards.. Maybe Revelations deserves more praise for its beauty but thats it.. The rest is the same ol mess other than KI which is like panzer dragoon or sin & punishment.. Gravity Rush is a much more qualified nominee

[YoungPlex]

Your obviously missing the point and I don't expect someone with such a narrow-minded approach to understand any of this! Your such a Sony fanboy and it's a shame that you would consider a Vita game for GOTY and not a 3DS title!

[YoungPlex]

"KI which is like panzer dragoon or sin & punishment.."

KI:Uprising is nothing like this! The first segments of the beginning stages are but the rest of the game is COMPLETELY different; that's how I know you've actually never played it! Toying around in a stage and actually playing a game are two completely different things! If your going to compare something do it right, don't just troll something because you think you can!

[NovusTerminus]

It is possible... Hell, Monster Hunter Freedom 2 is one of my favorite games ever made.

[TotalHitman]

A game like MGS: Peace Walker (which was originally an exclusive to PSP) always has a chance at Goty.

[TheFirstClassic]

Yeah it was my personal goty when it came out.

[DERKADER]

Yes with an if.
No with a but.

[Catoplepas]

Of course. A game is a game regardless of the platform.

Case in point, this year Persona 4 Golden was the best title I played, and I've played nearly every other major release this year. As well as a fair number of the minor ones.

[josephayal]

What About ridge racer?

[RockmanII7]

I consider New Super Mario Bros the GoTY for 2006, it all depends on your opinion I don't see why people let others tell them what the GoTY is.

[SageHonor]

Persona 4 Golden is my game of the year

[TongkatAli]

Mine too cheers.

[MegaLagann]

Nine Hours Nine Persons Nine Doors is my favorite game of 2010, so yes, a handheld game can be "game of the year".

[chadboban]

Oh man dude, that game is just incredible. I still haven't gotten my hands on Virtue's Last Reward but I've only heard great things. I have to pick it up as soon as I can.

[boybato]

If ever Persona 4 was originally for Vita, I would say that it could be a viable contender.

[nevin1]

Maybe not this gen, but a sport game should had some votes for GOTY in previous gen.

[TheLastGuardian]

LittleBigPlanet PS Vita is my GOTY so far, but I'm pretty sure it will move to my runner up spot once I play Persona 4 Golden. Gravity Rush is also a GOTY contender this year.

[klecser]

Not as long as the industry is driven by first person shooters and graphics quality is a top criteria for judging games.

[MultiConsoleGamer]

Gravity Rush should at least be a contender.