Favorite Video Game Awards: History of Nominations and Record-Breaking Wins
The competition for the title of Favorite Video Game has evolved significantly since its inception. From flexible early eligibility rules to the dominance of modern sandbox platforms, the history of these awards reflects the changing landscape of the gaming industry and the enduring popularity of certain franchises.
Evolution of Nomination Eligibility
In the early years of the category, the criteria for nominations were relatively loose. Games did not necessarily have to be released in the year immediately preceding the ceremony. This allowed titles to be nominated multiple times across different years, even if they had already won the award previously.
A prime example of this era was Super Mario 64, which earned nominations for three consecutive years (1997, 1998, and 1999), ultimately securing wins in 1998 and 1999.
Starting in 2000, the rules were tightened, requiring games to be released in the year prior to the ceremony to be eligible. However, in recent years, these restrictions have been loosened specifically for evolving platforms like Minecraft and Roblox.
Record-Breaking Titles and Series
Certain games have achieved unprecedented success in this category, demonstrating long-term appeal across different generations of players.
The Dominance of Minecraft
As of the 2024 ceremony, Minecraft holds the record for the most wins for a single game, with a total of four victories. These wins occurred in 2015 (under the category name "Most Addicting Game"), 2020, 2022, and 2023. Along with Super Mario 64 and Donkey Kong Country, Minecraft is one of only three games to win the award in consecutive years.
Minecraft's nomination history is extensive: it was nominated for Favorite Video Game in 2014, 2015, and every year from 2020 onward. Additionally, the main game was nominated for Favorite Mobile Game in 2013, while Minecraft: Story Mode took the nomination spot in 2016 and 2017. In 2018, the Java version of the game received a separate nomination.
The Just Dance Legacy
While Minecraft leads for a single game, the Just Dance series holds the record for the most total wins as a franchise. The series has won the category eight times between 2011 and 2019 (specifically from 2011–2014 and 2016–2019), winning every single year it was nominated during that period. The series has a total of 11 nominations, including a streak from 2022 to 2025.
Platform-Based Nominations: The Roblox Model
Unlike traditional standalone games, Roblox operates as a game development platform. Because of this structure, the platform itself is not nominated; instead, individual games created within the Roblox ecosystem are nominated separately.
This led to a unique milestone in the awards' history: in 2023, both Brookhaven RP and Adopt Me! were nominated. This marks the only instance where two different games from the same platform were nominated for Favorite Video Game in the same year. Brookhaven RP had also previously been nominated in 2022.
Key Facts
- Most wins for a single game: Minecraft (4 wins).
- Most wins for a series: Just Dance (8 wins).
- Consecutive win club: Minecraft, Super Mario 64, and Donkey Kong Country.
- Eligibility shift: Strict "year-before" release rules were implemented in 2000 but later loosened for platforms like Roblox and Minecraft.
- Platform milestone: 2023 was the first time two Roblox games (Brookhaven RP and Adopt Me!) were nominated simultaneously.
| Game/Series | Total Wins | Notable Achievement |
|---|---|---|
| Minecraft | 4 | Most wins for a single game |
| Just Dance | 8 | Most wins for a series |
| Super Mario 64 | 2 | Nominated 3 years in a row (1997-1999) |
| Roblox Games | 0 | First platform with two simultaneous nominations (2023) |
Frequently Asked Questions
Which game has won the Favorite Video Game award the most times?
Minecraft holds the record for the most wins for a single game, with four victories in 2015, 2020, 2022, and 2023.
How did the nomination rules change over time?
Initially, games could be nominated regardless of their release year. From 2000, games had to be released the year before the ceremony, though this rule was later relaxed for platforms like Minecraft and Roblox.
Which series has the highest number of total wins?
The Just Dance series has won the most times overall, with a total of eight wins between 2011 and 2019.
How are Roblox games handled in the nominations?
Because Roblox is a development platform, individual games created on the platform (such as Brookhaven RP and Adopt Me!) are nominated instead of the platform as a whole.
Which games won the award in consecutive years?
The only games to achieve consecutive wins are Minecraft, Super Mario 64, and Donkey Kong Country.