A Link Between Worlds Takes Home Two Awards from Official Nintendo Magazine

Official Nintendo Magazine, known as ONM, officially released their 2013 game of the year awards. Not surprisingly, A Link Between Worlds took home a couple awards, though considering some stiff competition it may surprise you which awards it took home. The first award was 3DS Game of the Year, and the second award was Best Audio. I could go on and on about why the game deserves that recognition, but I’ll let ONM explain the reasons themselves. Here is what they had to say on the best audio front:

This was one of the team’s few clear-cut, unanimous decisions. A Link Between Worlds’ soundtrack consistently impresses and is one of the few audio experiences that feels integral to the game. It provides the emotional rhythm on which you glide through Hyrule’s many experiences and whether it’s a remix of a much-loved classic or an exciting new toe-tapper, the music is constantly at the forefront of your mind.

Tunes evolve as you progress, time signatures change to reflect playful versus epic and arrangements switch from folksy duos to hair-raising orchestral wonders. The soundtrack of the year, without a doubt.

Here is why A Link Between Worlds took home the 3DS game crown:

This has truly been the year of the 3DS and, thanks to a golden period in which must-have titles dropped on an almost monthly basis, it’s been hard to pick a winner. While several games achieved ONM gold status, The Legend Of Zelda: A Link Between Worlds’ near-perfection came seemingly out of nowhere and perhaps that’s why it feels extra special.

Or maybe it’s the supreme balance of gameplay, dungeon design, eye candy and musical composition. Or the playful fan service and subtle throwbacks from a company that has proven that it understands its fans and their utmost desires perfectly. In a year in which fans have had their patience tested to extremes, Eiji Aonuma and his busy elves have restored their faith and reminded everyone that the Kyoto king still has what it takes.

The Legend Of Zelda: A Link Between Worlds is a rollercoaster ride of glee, nostalgia, brain re-training and glorious eureka-moments held together with the kind of special magic that only Nintendo can summon.

Universally acclaimed and widely adored (we’ll ignore the few people who said it was too easy), The Legend Of Zelda: A Link Between Worlds is the Zelda game to which we’ll compare everything for years to come and every bit the 3DS game of the year.

Be sure to check out the rest the awards here.