Japan Game Awards


The Japan Game Awards are an awards ceremony held by the Computer Entertainment Supplier's Association to recognize outstanding video games released in Japan throughout the previous year. The ceremony is held in Japan, typically during the month of September, to coincide with the Tokyo Game Show convention.
First announced in 1996 as the "CESA Awards", the first edition of the event was held on April 4, 1997. Starting from the fourth edition, held in 2000, the name was changed to "Japan Game Awards", only to be retitled "CESA GAME AWARDS" for its sixth edition in 2002, finally settling on its current title of "Japan Game Awards" starting from the tenth edition, held in 2006.
While it represents the Japanese video game industry, the awards are not limited to Japanese video games, but may also include video games developed by international teams or individuals.

Award Divisions

Games of the Year

The "Games of the Year Division" awards games that have been released during the qualifying period for game consoles, PC or mobile devices. Selection of winning titles is performed by a selection committee, with public voting and sales figures also taken into account. Multiple categories are awarded, with the highest distinction being the "Grand Prize", equivalent to the "Game of the Year" award in other ceremonies and trade publications. While in most categories only one title is awarded, the "Award for Excellence" category includes multiple winners, and the "Grand Prize" has gone to more than one title on multiple occasions. In the 2010 edition, a "Game Designers Award" was introduced, proposed by renowned game developer Masahiro Sakurai after reflecting on the fact that other categories favored games with large sales numbers rather than reflecting the perspective of game creators.

Future Division

This category was established at the 2001 edition of the event. It awards games that have yet to be released, and that are announced or exhibited during the Tokyo Game Show held during the eligible period, based on a public vote held by attendees, in virtue of the games' promise and the voters' anticipation for their release. Games that are not exhibited at Tokyo Game Show are not eligible for selection.

Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry Award (METI Award)

Established at the 2008 edition of the Japan Game Awards, this award is given to both video games and people who significantly contribute to the development of the Japanese video game industry "through creation of excellent products" or those who "expanded the scope of the videogame industry using a new expression or technology". The first recipient of this award was Shigeru Miyamoto.

Discontinued divisions

The following divisions were introduced throughout the history of the Japan Game Awards, but are no longer awarded.

Amateur Division

Established in the 2007 edition by merging the pre-existing "CESA Student Game Awards" and "Game Awards Indies", this division awarded original works that had not been commercially marketed regardless of whether the entrant is a company, a group of people or a single individual. Participants must reside in Japan to be eligible. This division consisted of three categories, awarded by a selection committee: "Grand Award", "Awards for Excellence", and "Honorable Mentions". Starting with the 2024 edition, this category is no longer awarded at the Japan Game Awards, and was instead transferred to the "Kamigame Creator Evolution" contest sponsored by NHK Enterprises, along with the "U18 Division" contest.

U18 Division

This division, established in the 2018 edition, consisted on a contest for game creators under the age of 18. According to the official website of the division, its aim was "discovering the next generation of game creators". Participants could be individuals or teams. Starting with the 2024 edition, this category is no longer awarded at the Japan Game Awards, and was instead transferred to the "Kamigame Creator Evolution" contest sponsored by NHK Enterprises, along with the "Amateur Division" awards.

History

The ceremony was first carried out under the name "CESA Awards" in 1996, and was renamed to "Japan Game Awards" in 1999 for its fourth edition. Starting from the 2003 edition, games considered for awards are usually those released during the previous Japanese fiscal year, between April 1 of the previous year and March 31 of the current year, although earlier editions of the award encompassed the previous calendar year.

CESA Awards '96 (1997)

Held on April 4, 1997. Games eligible were those released during the previous calendar year, between January 1, 1996 and December 31, 1996. The following categories were awarded:
  • Best Work Sakura Wars
  • Department-specific awards
  • *Best Direction Sakura Wars
  • *Programming NiGHTS into Dreams
  • *Graphics NiGHTS into Dreams
  • *Scenario Resident Evil
  • *Sound PaRappa the Rapper
  • *Main Characters Sakura Wars
  • *Sub-Characters Sakura Wars
  • Special Award
  • *New Concept PaRappa the Rapper
  • *Standard Dragon Quest III
  • Game Genre Awards
  • *Action Super Mario 64
  • *Sports DecAthlete
  • *Fighting Tekken 2
  • *RPG Dragon Quest III
  • *Simulation Derby Stallion '96
  • *Puzzle Puyo Puyo 2 Definitive Edition
  • *Adventure Resident Evil
  • *Driving / Racing Mario Kart 64
  • *Shooting Virtua Cop 2
  • *Table Momotaru Densetsu HAPPY
  • *Education Lifescape: A 4 Billion Year Journey
  • *Variety Namco Museum Series

    CESA Awards '97 (1998)

Held on April 3, 1998 at Velfarre. Games eligible were those released during the previous calendar year, between January 1, 1997 and December 31, 1997. The following categories were awarded:
  • Grand Prize Final Fantasy VII
  • Award for Excellence
  • * I.Q.: Intelligent Qube
  • * Gran Turismo
  • * GRANDIA
  • * Densha de Go!
  • * Yoshi's Story
  • Category Awards
  • * Programming Gran Turismo
  • * Scenario Final Fantasy VII
  • * Graphics Gran Turismo
  • * Sound Final Fantasy VII
  • * Characters Klonoa: Door to Phantomile
  • Special Jury Award
  • * Ultima Online
  • * Derby Stallion
  • * ''Monster Rancher''

    The 3rd CESA Awards (1999)

Held on April 2, 1999 at Velfarre. Games eligible were those released during the previous calendar year, between January 1, 1998 and December 31, 1998. A total of 130,186 votes were received for different categories. The following categories were awarded:
  • Grand Prize The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time
  • Award for Excellence
  • * R4: Ridge Racer Type 4
  • * Resident Evil 2
  • * Beatmania
  • * Hey You, Pikachu!
  • * Metal Gear Solid
  • Category Awards
  • * Scenario Machi
  • * Programming The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time
  • * Graphics R4: Ridge Racer Type 4
  • * Characters Hey You, Pikachu!
  • * Sound Beatmania
  • Special Jury Award
  • * Crash Bandicoot 3: Warped
  • * Sonic Adventure
  • * ''Dragon Warrior Monsters''

    The 4th Japan Game Awards (2000)

Held on March 30, 2000 at the Tokyo International Forum in Yurakucho, Tokyo. Games eligible were those released during the previous calendar year, between January 1, 1999 and December 31, 1999. The following categories were awarded:
  • Grand Prize Doko Demo Issyo
  • Award for Excellence
  • * Doko Demo Issyo
  • * Seaman
  • * Dance Dance Revolution
  • * Final Fantasy VIII
  • * Pokémon Gold and Silver
  • Category Awards
  • * Game Design Doko Demo Issyo
  • * Programming Soul Calibur
  • * Graphics Legend of Mana
  • * Movie Final Fantasy VIII
  • * Character "Toro" from Doko Demo Issyo
  • * Scenario Valkyrie Profile
  • * Sound Dance Dance Revolution
  • New Wave Award
  • * Best New Wave Award Seaman
  • * Doko Demo Issyo
  • * Dance Dance Revolution
  • Special Award
  • * Overseas Work Age of Empires II: Age of Kings
  • * Best Gamer
  • ** Hikaru Ijūin
  • ** Reika Nakajima

    The 5th Japan Game Awards (2001)

Held on March 29, 2001 at the Tokyo International Forum in Yurakucho, Tokyo. Games eligible were those released during the previous calendar year, between January 1, 2000 and December 31, 2000. Unlike previous years, nominees were announced as wel as the winners. The following categories were awarded:
  • Grand Prize Phantasy Star Online
  • Award for Excellence
  • * Gunparade March
  • * The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask
  • * Dragon Quest VII
  • * Final Fantasy IX
  • * Phantasy Star Online
  • Category Awards
  • * Outstanding Game Design Award Phantasy Star Online
  • ** Other nominees:
  • *** The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask
  • *** Dragon Quest VII
  • *** Shiren the Wanderer 2: Shiren's Castle and the Oni Invasion
  • *** Mr. Driller
  • * Programming Award Phantasy Star Online
  • ** Other nominees:
  • *** Dynasty Warriors 2
  • *** Dead or Alive 2
  • *** Dragon Quest VII
  • *** Ridge Racer V
  • * Graphics Award Final Fantasy IX
  • ** Other nominees:
  • *** Gekikuukan Pro Baseball: The End of the Century 1999
  • *** Jet Set Radio
  • *** The Bouncer
  • *** Vagrant Story
  • * Sound Award Final Fantasy IX
  • ** Other nominees:
  • *** Crazy Taxi
  • *** Samba de Amigo
  • *** Dragon Quest VII
  • *** Ridge Racer V
  • * Character "Susumu Hori" from Mr. Driller
  • ** Other nominees:
  • *** "Kirby" from Kirby 64: The Crystal Shards
  • *** "Koneko Toro" from Koneko mo Issyo
  • *** "Pikachu" from Pokémon Crystal
  • *** "Vivi" from Final Fantasy IX
  • * Scenario Dragon Quest VII
  • ** Other nominees:
  • *** The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask
  • *** Tales of Eternia
  • *** Final Fantasy IX
  • *** Vagrant Story
  • * Package Design Boku no Natsuyasumi
  • ** Other nominees:
  • *** Seven: Cavalry Troop of Molmorth
  • *** Jet Set Radio
  • *** Final Fantasy IX
  • *** Mr. Driller
  • New Wave Award
  • * Best New Wave Award Phantasy Star Online
  • * Kirby Tilt 'n' Tumble
  • * Boku no Natsuyasumi
  • Best Overseas Work Diablo II
  • * Other nominees:
  • ** Age of Empires II: The Conquerors Expansion
  • ** Tomb Raider: The Last Revelation
  • Best Creator Award Yuji Horii
  • Special Award
  • * Best Gamer Award
  • ** Gamon Kaai
  • ** Ami Shibata
  • * Best Sales Award Dragon Quest VII
  • * Popular Award ''Dragon Quest VII''