The glorious 超流行りゲー大賞2024 (The Grand Award for Gaming Trends) is the year-end gaming equivalent of Japan’s Michelin star guide—except instead of dining, it’s all about how many hours you sunk into imaginary worlds while avoiding your real-life responsibilities. Hosted by Weekly Famitsu, this annual extravaganza has been around for a decade now, and it’s basically become the Oscars of button-mashing, joystick-wiggling, and tear-jerking cutscenes. Except here, you don’t have to endure someone saying “I didn’t prepare a speech.”
This isn’t just a popularity contest; it’s a pulse check for the entire gaming industry. With a jury of 181 industry insiders—from developers to Vtubers (because who wouldn’t trust the gaming wisdom of a virtual fox maiden?)—the awards reflect what truly captivated the hearts and controllers of gamers this year. If a game wins here, it’s not just a hit—it’s a moment.
And what a moment it was for Dragon Quest III: The Seeds of Salvation. This 1988 RPG classic, reborn in dazzling HD-2D as Dragon Quest III HD-2D Remake, secured the top spot, proving once again that nostalgia is a currency more stable than cryptocurrency. The remake’s success highlights an important trend: the enduring power of traditional IPs and how modern technology can breathe new life into old favorites. It’s also a sobering reminder to developers that sometimes, re-polishing a gem is more effective than over-complicating a sequel.
The second-place winner, Astro Bot, is a testament to Sony’s knack for creating pure joy in digital form. With its adorable mascot and cutting-edge gameplay, it managed to remind everyone why VR isn’t just for tech geeks—it’s for anyone who’s ever wanted to hug a robot. And then there’s Metaphor: ReFantazio, in third place, a game so thematically rich and convoluted that it practically demands a degree in literary analysis. Atlus, once again, proves they know their audience: people who love heartbreak, deep narratives, and enemies with names longer than a CVS receipt.
This list isn’t just a highlight reel; it’s a cultural map of where gaming is heading. The success of Final Fantasy VII Rebirth (fourth place) confirms that you really can bottle lightning twice, as long as you sprinkle in enough chocobos. Meanwhile, Black Myth: Wukong (fifth place) gives hope to players who crave gorgeous visuals, insane action, and the masochistic pleasure of a punishing challenge.
What makes the 超流行りゲー大賞 (The Grand Award for Gaming Trends) so significant is its role as a cultural barometer. By compiling the opinions of the people who shape and live gaming culture, it offers a comprehensive snapshot of industry trends. Want to know what was hot in 2024? Just look here. Want to sound like you know what you’re talking about at gaming parties? Memorize the list.
Beyond the rankings, this event underscores something deeper: the incredible diversity of gaming today. From nostalgic remakes to VR innovations and boundary-pushing JRPGs, the industry continues to prove it’s capable of captivating every kind of player. So here’s to another year of adventure, triumph, and occasionally screaming at your screen. Let’s see what 2025 has in store—just as soon as we finish the games from 2024.
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