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There is no single, universally accepted ranking of the best video games of 2020. A useful shortlist combines major award results with editorial selections, while keeping each organization’s eligibility rules in view. These six standouts span story-driven adventures, open-ended play, an indie roguelike, and a sports remake; the right pick depends on the kind of game you want.
Six standout video games of 2020
This is a cross-source shortlist, not a numbered ranking. It draws on award recognition from The Game Awards, BAFTA, and the Japan Game Awards, alongside TIME’s editorial selections. Those organizations use different selection processes and eligibility windows, so their results are evidence of recognition—not a shared scorecard.
| Game | Why it stands out | Recognition | Platform and release details established here |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Last of Us Part II | A narrative-led action-adventure for players who want a focused, story-centered experience. | The Game Awards named it Game of the Year in 2020. The Japan Game Awards’ 2021 Games of the Year division also included it. | PlayStation lists it as a PS4 game released June 19, 2020. PlayStation’s game page. |
| Hades | An indie roguelike choice for players drawn to action and repeat runs. | BAFTA named it Best Game at the 2021 Games Awards. That ceremony’s result is a recognition of a 2020 release cohort, not an award ceremony held in 2020. | Platform details are not stated in the award source. |
| Animal Crossing: New Horizons | A strong fit for relaxed, open-ended play rather than a tightly directed action story. | It received the Grand Award at the Japan Game Awards 2020. TIME also included it in a midyear selection and noted its cultural presence during early lockdown. | The award’s eligibility period ran from April 2019 through March 2020 in Japan; the ceremony year does not mean every recognized title first released in calendar 2020. |
| Ghost of Tsushima | A large-scale historical action-adventure for players seeking a broad, cinematic setting. | It appeared in the Japan Game Awards 2021 Games of the Year division and TIME’s midyear selection. | Platform details are not stated in the cited recognition. |
| Outer Wilds | A distinctive adventure pick for players who value discovery and exploration. | BAFTA named it Best Game at the 2020 Games Awards. That award year is separate from the game’s release year and does not mean the ceremony evaluated only 2020 releases. | Platform details are not stated in the award source. |
| Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 1+2 | A sports remake that adds a different genre and format to a shortlist otherwise weighted toward adventures and indie games. | TIME included it in its year-end 2020 list. | Platform details are not stated in the cited editorial selection. |
Which 2020 games won major Game of the Year awards?
The answer depends on the award body and its eligibility window. The Game Awards named The Last of Us Part II its 2020 Game of the Year. BAFTA’s 2020 Best Game was Outer Wilds, while BAFTA’s 2021 Best Game was Hades. The Japan Game Awards gave Animal Crossing: New Horizons its 2020 Grand Award; its 2021 Games of the Year division included Ghost of Tsushima, The Last of Us Part II, and Animal Crossing: New Horizons.
These results should not be collapsed into one definitive winner. Ceremony year, game release year, and eligibility period can differ. For example, the Japan Game Awards 2020 eligibility window ran from April 2019 to March 2020 in Japan, and BAFTA’s 2020 award for Outer Wilds is a signal of recognition rather than proof that the ceremony considered only 2020 releases.
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How to choose among them
- For a story-centered action-adventure: Start with The Last of Us Part II. PlayStation confirms its PS4 release date as June 19, 2020.
- For repeat-run action: Consider Hades, BAFTA’s 2021 Best Game.
- For open-ended, low-pressure play: Look to Animal Crossing: New Horizons.
- For a large-scale historical action-adventure: Consider Ghost of Tsushima.
- For exploration-led adventure: Add Outer Wilds to your shortlist.
- For sports and a remake format: Choose Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 1+2.
Check the current platform and edition for the specific title before buying: the recognition sources cited here do not establish current compatibility or availability for every game. The shortlist is meant to help narrow by style, not to imply that every title suits every player.
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