The twelfth Pocket Gamer Awards winners and sport of the yr introduced – Gameplay, Leaks & Tech

Phew. It has been an extended street to get right here, however the twelfth Pocket Gamer Awards winners have lastly been introduced. I will not maintain you lengthy. James has spent some time making a flowery video for you all to observe, so verify that out beneath:

Oh, you are still right here. What’s that? You wish to learn concerning the winners in addition to watch our great video? Okay, positive. Let me scribble one thing down for you, my fellow literature fanatic.

Finest Up to date Recreation of the Yr

You would be hard-pressed to discover a sport that is as recurrently up to date with good content material as Warhammer 40,000: Tacticus. Ever because it first launched, Snowprint Studios hasn’t slacked on including new issues for gamers to do as they proceed their grimdark adventures. There’s all the time one other faction on the horizon, and I am positive followers are wanting ahead to what else arrives this yr. 

Finest Multiplayer Recreation

When Group Jade introduced that they have been bringing again the tactical shooter Delta Pressure after an extended hiatus, and to cellular no much less, I used to be fairly sceptical. A primary-person shooter on a cellphone? I am sorry, however that is Name of Responsibility Cell’s territory. Good luck breaking by way of there. Oh, how flawed I used to be. After all, I am all the time completely satisfied to see one thing succeed. Extra alternative and selection are all the time good, so it is nice to see Delta Pressure forging a path and discovering a devoted participant base.

Finest Recreation We’re Nonetheless Taking part in

It is maybe not too stunning that the Finest Up to date Recreation of the Yr additionally takes house this award. The 2 classes all however go hand-in-hand, in any case. Tacticus does not seem like going anyplace anytime quickly, and I would not be shocked if it will get nominated on this class as soon as once more for the thirteenth Pocket Gamer Awards.

Finest Digital Board Recreation of the Yr

Ah, TCG Pocket. After a rocky begin with buying and selling and a scarcity of a compelling meta, it is come on in leaps and bounds ever since. Battles at the moment are much more attention-grabbing, because of a higher number of playing cards, and it is simpler to finish your assortment due to adjustments to buying and selling. One factor that has all the time been sensible, although, is the pack opening expertise. All of the animations DeNA has added right here actually seize the joys of getting a superb pull. Generally that is all I do! The battling is secondary in some ways.

Finest Household Recreation of the Yr

Nothing brings households collectively earlier than promptly tearing them aside like UNO. UNO Surprise is not any exception. It is the traditional you already know and love in some ways, with just a few twists and turns thrown in to maintain you guessing. 

Finest Puzzle Recreation of the Yr

After I first began engaged on PG again in 2019, one of many issues that originally shocked me was that point-and-click adventures are in style on cellular. However then I spent a while excited about it, and I rapidly realised it makes good sense. You are free to faucet concerning the display on the lookout for clues without having a horrid UI blocking all the beautiful art work. And wow, does Observe the That means have a fantastic aesthetic. Every scene is like its personal barely sorrowful drawing, and the story’s not unhealthy both.

Finest Motion Recreation of the Yr

We have already praised Delta Pressure above for bringing one other multiplayer choice to the cellular capturing realm. It additionally straddles a number of classes, giving folks tense motion on the go. It does not stay static both, with new seasons switching issues up simply sufficient to maintain every little thing feeling contemporary. 

Finest RPG of the Yr

We’re not precisely wanting RPGs on cellular. It appears most weeks our information writers, Iwan and Tanish, are protecting one more gacha RPG based mostly on some anime I’ve by no means heard of. So, you actually must do one thing particular to face out from that crowd, and it appears you all imagine Seven Knights Re:Beginning does precisely that.

Finest Cell Writer

Now, I do not find out about you, however my thoughts tends to assume in video games relatively than builders and publishers. Scopely is one of some exceptions, which is hardly stunning given their cellular dominance. Scopely and Monopoly are completely big. And that is earlier than you bear in mind they acquired Niantic final yr, including Pokémon Go and Monster Hunter Now to their already spectacular portfolio. Ahem. Sorry, I went a bit B2B there for a second. 

Finest Technique Recreation of the Yr

Generally, there are issues I inexplicably can not get previous in TV reveals. One in all them is Aang from Avatar. I wish to assist my fellow bald people, however the arrow is simply too ridiculous for my tastes. Anyway, my Aang angst takes nothing away from how profitable Avatar Legends: Realms Collide has change into. The builders have not rested on their laurels both, offering a gentle stream of updates to maintain us invested. Shaun even dipped in just because he may get Appa… no matter that’s. 

Finest Sports activities Recreation of the Yr

In one of the apparent statements thus far in 2026, excessive sports activities are fairly harmful. Snowboarding will be extra leisurely, after all. Nonetheless, if we’re all being sincere, the thought of dashing down a slope and off a ramp to do a collection of spins and somersaults is much extra thrilling. Because of Grand Mountain Journey 2, we are able to expertise all these thrills with out the danger of breaking our necks. Hurray!

Finest Platform Recreation of the Yr

Whereas Will might need given Prince of Persia: Misplaced Crown a bronze score, it is taking house the highest prize within the PGAs. This side-scrolling method to the traditional collection clearly resonated with our readers, and, frankly, it is good to see one thing from Ubisoft that is not a boring open world that I’ve zero curiosity in exploring. 

Finest Simulation Recreation of the Yr

One of many nice issues about cellular is seeing traditional indies ultimately make their manner over from PC. TABS Pocket Version takes the foolish enjoyable of the unique model and miniaturises it for telephones. And it is not stunning it gained a community-voted award both, given our App Military beloved it after they performed it final yr.

Finest Roblox Recreation – Coraline – Evade the Others

I am not about to faux I do know a lot about Roblox. Or Coraline, for that matter. For the latter I’ve merely seen just a few trailers from the now 15-year outdated film and know that there are folks with creepy button eyes. Nevertheless it’s extremely clear that Toya have managed to create one thing wondeful with the Laika_Studios IP, one thing that captivates gamers by way of adapting the long-lasting film to the burgeoning Roblox platform.

Finest Cell Port

I am lowkey livid that the great Dredge hasn’t gained this class. However I’ll swallow my anger and lock it away in a poor try to look gracious. I jest. Suzerain is a worthy winner. Not solely did Will take pleasure in his time with it, however our Editor-in-Chief, Dann, can also be a fan, having talked about it in lots of a Wrapp. So, it is no shock it resonated with you, our readers, both.

Most Anticipated Recreation

Properly, I suppose that is barely awkward. After we first drew up the nominations, Arknights: Endfield was a extremely anticipated sport. And it appears as if you have been all appropriate to be hyped. Not solely has Endfield now been launched, nevertheless it’s proving fairly in style, notably the manufacturing unit mechanics. Now, as excited as we have been, I do not assume any of us predicted that might be the standout function, did we?

Finest Neighborhood

Warhammer 40,000: Tacticus has accomplished the hattrick! I am undecided what the PGA match ball appears like, however I believe it is going to be splendidly purple. Anyway, it is as soon as once more not too stunning it has gained this specific award. Tacticus’ fanbase has regularly confirmed their loyalty every time fan votes pop up, so it is nice to see them get a win that acknowledges them personally. 

Finest Cell Developer

At first look, it might sound unusual that Supercell has taken house Finest Developer. In any case, they did announce that Squad Busters is shutting down this yr. Nonetheless, we will not neglect all of the issues they’ve achieved up to now 12 months. Alongside updating their in style choices, we heard {that a} Conflict of Clans present is on the way in which, alongside a board sport. While you break exterior of gaming, you are doing one thing proper. 

Finest Innovation

Is there something extra modern than bringing dinosaurs to life with out them operating round munching on people? I feel not! Jurassic World Alive sees you exploring your environment seeking these prehistoric beasts utilizing AR. With the DNA you gather, you possibly can even create hybrids within the lab. However bear in mind, and say it with me: Simply because you possibly can, it does not imply it’s best to. 

Cell Recreation of the Yr

Snagging a relatively respectable brace, we now have Seven Knights Re:Beginning taking house Cell Recreation of the Yr. As I discussed earlier, we’re not wanting RPGs, so managing to face out is a feat by itself. Equally, although, we’re not wanting video games on the whole. Rising to the highest of each improbable launch from 2025 could be very spectacular. An enormous congratulations to the staff at Netmarble on their win.

Congratulations to all the winners, and thanks for studying and voting. It has been a tremendous awards interval this yr, and I can not wait to see what we’ll be celebrating subsequent yr.