There was no single, universal winner for the best game of 2020. The Game Awards named The Last of Us Part II Game of the Year, while Hades topped year-end lists from The Washington Post and TIME. Japan’s 2020 Game Awards chose Animal Crossing: New Horizons for its Grand Award under a release window that did not match the calendar year. The most useful shortlist depends on which awards you value, what you like to play, and which platform you own.
Why the best games of 2020 have more than one answer
“Best” is an editorial judgment, not a shared measurement. Awards and year-end lists use different voters, criteria, and eligibility rules, so their winners should be read as distinct recommendations rather than combined into a single objective ranking.
- The Last of Us Part II won The Game Awards’ 2020 Game of the Year. The event’s official recap reported more than 83 million livestreams; that is an event-reported figure, not evidence of a consensus about the best game.
- Hades was The Washington Post’s and TIME’s top pick in their 2020 year-end lists. It also appears as the winner in the Game Developers Choice Awards archive for the 2021 award cycle.
- Animal Crossing: New Horizons received the Grand Award at Japan’s Game Awards 2020. Eligibility covered games released in Japan from April 2019 through the end of March 2020, so the award’s “2020” label does not mean it considered only calendar-year 2020 releases worldwide.
Those outcomes show why it helps to name the award or publication behind a choice. They also point to a varied shortlist: a narrative action game, a fast roguelike, a social life simulator, an open-world samurai adventure, and a remake.
Notable 2020 games to consider
The Last of Us Part II — for a cinematic, story-led action game
The Game Awards’ top prize makes this the clearest choice if “Game of the Year 2020” means that ceremony’s winner. It was also a Game Developers Choice finalist. PlayStation’s retrospective highlights its technical presentation, audio, accessibility, and story; that account comes from the platform holder. Consider it if you want a substantial solo experience centered on narrative and action, rather than a social or competitive game.
The Tool Desk
Outbyte Driver Updater FREEFix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Outbyte PC Repair FREEClear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →#1 Best Overall
- Kids Friendly Design: This P30S handheld game console is specially designed for kids. It has a stylish arcade - like appearance. The body fits a child's hand, and the game settings also cater to kids psychology, thus being very attractive.
- Excellent Gaming Experience: Equipped with a 3.0 - inch high - definition screen and excellent speaker sound, it provides an excellent visual and auditory experience for video games. This handheld game console is small and lightweight, convenient for kids to use and carry. Its ergonomic design ensures a comfortable grip, allowing children to fully enjoy the games.
- Rich Collection of Classic Games: This retro handheld game console contains 220 interesting kids video games, including various types such as entertainment, sports, and adventure games, just like those found in many retro game consoles. While playing these games, kids can cultivate skills such as hand - eye coordination, thinking, and problem - solving.
- Convenient Rechargeable and Long - lasting Battery: The video game console is equipped with an 860mAh lithium - ion battery. It ensures that kids can play games without interruption, because there is no need for frequent battery replacement, which is very suitable for playing portable games outdoors. It is a great addition to the world of handheld games for children and can bring more fun to them.
- Absolutely Surprising Gift: Our handheld game toy is a surprising gift for kids, teenagers, and even adults. It is the best gift for birthdays, Christmas, Halloween, and Thanksgiving. Customer satisfaction is our top priority. Our customer support team will serve you wholeheartedly.
Hades — for repeatable action and a strong year-end-list record
Hades is the standout if you want a game recognized by multiple editorial lists as well as an award archive. It combines a roguelike structure with action and a story that unfolds across repeated attempts. TIME’s corrected platform statement lists Nintendo Switch, macOS, and PC for the version discussed—not PlayStation or Xbox. Check the current listing for your region before buying, since availability can change after a 2020 retrospective’s snapshot.
Animal Crossing: New Horizons — for relaxed play and shared social spaces
The Japan Game Awards Grand Award and The Washington Post’s year-end coverage make this a strong pick for a slower, life-simulation experience. The Washington Post described the game as a virtual destination for social events. Its appeal is quite different from a tightly paced action game: it is better suited to players who want to build and revisit a personal space and spend time with others.
Rank #2
- ONLY AT AMAZON - SPECIALIST EDITION
- EARN THE NUMBER - Discover a new James Bond origin story, and the events that led a young maverick to become the best MI6 agent.
- A THRILLING ESPIONAGE ADVENTURE - Embark on missions in breathtaking locations, drive iconic vehicles, and dive into a cinematic adventure in pursuit of a rogue agent who’s always one step ahead.
- SPYING, YOUR WAY - Go silent or go loud. Whether fighting with fists or firepower, using gadgets to infiltrate, or bluffing your way past guards, the approach is entirely up to you.
Ghost of Tsushima — for an open-world samurai adventure
Ghost of Tsushima was a Game Developers Choice finalist. PlayStation’s retrospective singles out its art direction and historical setting. It is a notable option for players drawn to an atmospheric, solo open-world action game, although the cited recognition does not make it a universal runner-up to the award winners above.
Final Fantasy VII Remake — for a reimagined role-playing game
The Game Developers Choice Awards included Final Fantasy VII Remake among its honorable mentions, and PlayStation covered it in its 2020 retrospective. It belongs on a shortlist for players interested in a major role-playing game remake. Its remake status is worth considering when comparing it with original releases: it revisits an existing game rather than representing an entirely new property.
Rank #3
- 5 GAMES INCLUDED. UNLOCK MORE WITH PLAY PASS. Playground comes with Fruit Ninja, Starri, Whac-a-Mole, Go Keeper, and Party Fowl. A separate purchase of a 3-Month ($49) or 12-Month Play Pass ($89) is required to access the full catalog of games and get new games each month, including Barbie, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, How to Train Your Dragon, Peppa Pig, Care Bears, Elmo, Miraculous Ladybug, Gabby's Dollhouse, Kung Fu Panda and more.
- GET MOVING WITH ACTIVE FAMILY FUN. Nex Playground is a new kind of video game console that gets your family moving. It easily connects to your TV, transforming your living room into an active play space. Within minutes, your family will be playing Fruit Ninja, Whac-a-Mole and more. Using a built-in camera to track motion and natural body movements, anyone in the family can jump right in.
- JUST USE YOUR BODY TO PLAY. Play naturally just by moving your body. Playground uses the magic of AI to follow your movements using the built-in wide-angle camera. No controllers or clunky trackers! Up to 4 players can play at the same time, so everyone can get moving together.
- GAMES YOU'LL LOVE MOVING TO. Playground is packed with interactive motion games, turning your living room into an arcade, theme park, gym, and more. There is something for everyone. It is perfect for indoor family game night, after school activities, or a playdate with friends.
- EASY SET UP. Playground connects to your TV or projector with a simple HDMI connection and gets everyone in on the fun. It's small and sits elegantly on any console or mantle, and can easily fit in a backpack for playdates and more. From ages 5 and up—Playground is the life of every party.
Astro’s Playroom — a PS5-specific showcase
PlayStation says Astro’s Playroom was preloaded on every PS5 console and designed to showcase the DualSense controller. That makes it a useful recommendation for someone with a PS5, not a cross-platform pick. PlayStation’s retrospective also points to accessibility features as an important part of 2020 releases; difficulty alone is not a measure of a game’s quality.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Choose by platform, pace, and play style
Awards can help narrow a shortlist, but they do not tell you whether a game fits your setup or preferences. Before choosing, compare the practical differences:
Rank #4
- Blast off on a high-octane adventure to save a star system from invasion
- Tear through space, soar across planets, and shoot loads of foes out of the sky at every step of the way
- A cinematic take on the Star Fox 64 story, featuring fully voiced dialogue, an epic orchestral soundtrack, and a complete visual overhaul for the Nintendo Switch 2 system
- Enter first-person mode to experience the action from inside the cockpit, and even use mouse controls to fly
- Invite a second player* to join you as a gunner using Nintendo Switch 2 mouse controls
- Platform and edition: Confirm the game is available for your system and check which edition or version you are considering. The platform notes above are tied to the cited coverage, not a guarantee of every current release or storefront listing.
- Pace and genre: A narrative action game, a repeat-run roguelike, a life simulator, and an open-world adventure ask for different kinds of attention. Pick the rhythm you want to return to.
- Solo, social, or competitive play: Consider whether you want a primarily solo story, a game that supports shared social occasions, or another kind of multiplayer experience. The titles here are not interchangeable on this axis.
- Difficulty and accessibility: Look for the options that make play comfortable for you. Accessibility is a meaningful part of the experience, not a reason to discount a game.
- New release or remake: Decide whether you want an original release or a return to familiar material, as with Final Fantasy VII Remake.
These are practical ways to choose, not a scoring system used by the awards or publications cited here. The shortlist reflects selected major awards and editorial lists, not every critic, region, genre, or later edition.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- Marvel’s Wolverine is a new action-packed adventure from Insomniac Games
- Play as Wolverine and Ravage enemies with explosive brutality and unleash razor-sharp adamantium claws to deploy fast, fluid attacks and overcome impossible odds
- An Original, Emotionally Charged Story. Beneath Wolverine’s gruff exterior and violent temperament is a man fighting for a cause greater than himself
- A Global, Adrenaline-Fueled Journey where you slice into enemies across detailed locales such as the frosted Canadian Wilderness, the narrow streets of Tokyo, and the high and low districts of the island nation of Madripoor
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
What’s actually slowing this PC down?
Pick the symptom - the matching free tool is one click away.
