GameRevolution names Nintendo Best Publisher of 2013

grand_theft_mario__mushroom_patty_by_amirulhafiz-d60im4v

Despite this year’s VGX Awards decidedly falling flat, 2013 may eventually be seen as quite a significant year in video game history. This year saw the release of ambitious titles such as The Last of Us and the record-shattering Grand Theft Auto V. It also saw the near-simultaneous launches of two megalith consoles, the PlayStation 4 and the Xbox One.

It may surprise some readers that the website GameRevolution has named Nintendo “Best Publisher of 2013”; although Super Mario 3D World for the Wii U is currently the highest-rated next gen game, the Wii U has underperformed in sales overall.

GameRevolution’s reasoning for granting the award actually has more to do with the game releases and chart performance of Nintendo’s handheld console, the 3DS.

The gaming website mentioned the “hardware chart domination” the 3DS has enjoyed over the past six months, as well as the quality and quantity of first-party releases on the system: Luigi’s Mansion: Dark Moon, Fire Emblem: Awakening, and Zelda: A Link Between Worlds to name a few.

GameRevolution also commended Nintendo’s unique approach to courting third-parties. Citing Shin Megami Tensei IV and Project X Zone as examples, the website contended that Nintendo “proved that third-parties can still succeed on its platforms”.

While it’s great to see Nintendo’s little-handheld-that-could carry Nintendo safely through troubled waters, here’s hoping Ninty will employ similar strategies to help the struggling Wii U.

Does Nintendo deserve this award more than the other publishers who released games this year? Let us know what you think in the comments below!