The deadline might be past due for “best in 2006” lists, but Famitsu just released their 2006 game awards. The list is pretty predictable except for one category the RPG award. Last year a number of strong contenders were released. Final Fantasy XII and Blue Dragon were the most talked about, but neither game got the award. Instead it was bestowed to Persona 3, which is coming out in North America this summer as a special edition bundled with an art book and a soundtrack.
Rookie Award
Blue Dragon
Best Hit Award
Pokemon Diamond and Pearl
Innovation Award
Wii Sports
Rearrange Award
New Super Mario Brothers
High Perfomance Award
The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess
Dramatic Award
Ryu Ga Gotoku 2 (Yakuza 2)
Game Design Award
Okami
Multiplayer Action Award
Monster Hunter Portable 2
Impact Award
Dead Rising
Portable Award
Metal Gear Solid: Portable Ops
RPG Award
Shin Megami Tensei: Persona 3
Most Valuable Person
Hironobu Sakaguchi (creator of Final Fantasy and Blue Dragon)
Game character of the Year
Mario
Game company of the year
Nintendo
Grand Prize: Game of the Year Award
Final Fantasy XII
Pokemon: Diamond and Pearl
