October 17th, 2008

Tokyo Game Show Awards

You know why I am usually avoiding to write about game shows and conventions? If you haven't been there, then writing about them is like telling someone about the taste of a cookie after reading the recipe. Fortunately, talking about the Tokyo Game Show Awards isn't really a gruesome task, so I'll get to it as soon as possible. "Why as soon as possible," you may ask. Well, first we have to hear a little bit of history, don't you agree?

Back in 1996, the first Tokyo Game Show opened its gates, and until 2002, the show was held twice a year - a spring edition, and one in autumn. Now, it is held once a year - in autumn, as the last edition took place between the 9th and 12th of this month. In the first two days, only press had access, while the last two days allowed general public to come and join the fun, and this year's edition broke the attendance record, with almost 200,000 visitors.

Now, let's get to the awards, starting with the all new Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry Prize, aimed at extraordinary achievements - CESA says this is awarded to "an individual or to an organization that from the results of a work created and announced in recent years has been evaluated as having made a contribution to the development of the Japanese home-use video game console and software industry." The first recipient of this award was Shigeru Miyamoto, the men behind titles like Nintendogs, Pikmin and Legend of Zelda.

The Grand Award in the Games of the Year went to Wii Fit and Monster Hunter Portable 2nd G, while the Global Award: Foreign Product was snagged by Guitar Hero III from Activison, and Call of Duty: Modern Warfare "got home" with a Special Award.

At last, a bunch of Awards for Excellence were given, and the recipients of these include Super Mario Galaxy and Super Smash Bros. Brawl for the Wii, Devil May Cry 4, Dragon Quest IV: The Chapters of the Chosen and Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Explorers of Time, Mario Party DS and Ryu Ga Gotoku Kenzan for the Nintendo DS.

These being said, I conclude the Tokyo Game Show Awards article hoping that, next time, I'll be able to provide you with information right from Tokyo and - who knows - maybe I'll be able to buy some console that the rest of the world will only see in about a year, as it happens with the new Nintendo DSi...