Famitsū scores

The Famitsū scoring system is a video game rating system by Famitsū and is done via a "Cross Review" in which a panel of four video game reviewers each give a score from 0 to 10 (with ten indicating the best game). The scores of the four reviewers are then added up for a maximum possible score of 40. From the twenty two games awarded with a perfect score as of 2016, three are for the Nintendo DS and five are for the Wii. The PlayStation 3 also has five games with a perfect score and the Xbox 360 has four, with both consoles having two titles in common. The others are for different platforms with only one title each. Franchises with multiple perfect score winners include The Legend of Zelda, Metal Gear and Final Fantasy, with three titles each.

As of 2016, every game but two with a perfect score are from a Japanese company, eight of them being published/developed by Nintendo, four by Square Enix, three by Sega, three by Konami and one by Capcom. As of 2016, the only two completely foreign games to achieve a perfect score are The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim by Bethesda Softworks and Grand Theft Auto V, from Rockstar Games. Other foreign games that have achieved near-perfect scores are L.A. Noire, Red Dead Redemption and Grand Theft Auto IV – all three of which came from Rockstar Games; Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2, Call of Duty: Black Ops, and Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 – all from Activision, although published by Square Enix in Japan; Uncharted 4: A Thieves End, from Naughty Dog; andGears of War 3 from Epic Games. (Kingdom Hearts II is a joint effort between Square Enix and the U.S.-based Buena Vista Games.)

Perfect scores

As of 2016, twenty four games have received perfect scores from Famitsu.

Perfect Famitsu Cross Review scores (chronological)

• The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time (1998, Nintendo, for Nintendo 64)^[1]
• Soulcalibur (1999, Namco, for Dreamcast)^[2]
• Vagrant Story (2000, Square Co., for PlayStation)^[2]
• The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker (2003, Nintendo, for Nintendo GameCube)^[2]
• Nintendogs (2005, Nintendo, for Nintendo DS)^[2]
• Final Fantasy XII (2006, Square Enix, for PlayStation 2)^[2]
• Super Smash Bros. Brawl (2008, Nintendo, for Wii)^[3]
• Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots (2008, Konami, for PlayStation 3)^[4]
• 428: Fūsa Sareta Shibuya de (2008, Sega, for Wii)^[5]
• Dragon Quest IX: Sentinels of the Starry Skies (2009, Square Enix, for Nintendo DS)^[6]
• Monster Hunter Tri (2009, Capcom, for Wii)^[7]
• Bayonetta (2009, Sega, PlatinumGames, for Xbox 360)^[8]
• New Super Mario Bros. Wii (2009, Nintendo, for Wii)^[9]
• Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker (2010, Konami, for PlayStation Portable)^[10]
• Pokémon Black and White (2010, Nintendo, for Nintendo DS)^[11]
• The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword (2011, Nintendo, for Wii)^[12]
• The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim (2011, Bethesda Softworks, for Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3) – the first western developed game to receive a perfect score.^[13]
• Final Fantasy XIII-2 (2011, Square Enix, for Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3)^[14]
• Kid Icarus: Uprising (2012, Nintendo, for Nintendo 3DS)^[15]
• Yakuza 5 (2012, Sega, for PlayStation 3)^[16]
• JoJo's Bizarre Adventure: All Star Battle (2013, Namco-Bandai, for PlayStation 3)^[17]
• Grand Theft Auto V (2013, Rockstar Games, for Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3) – the second western developed game to get a perfect score after Skyrim.^[18]
• Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain (2015, Konami, for Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, Xbox One)^[19]

As of 2016, forty three games that received a near-perfect score of 39 (in which one of four reviewers gives the game a "9" while the other three give "10s").

Nearly perfect Famitsu Cross Review scores (chronological)

• The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past (1991, Nintendo, for Super Famicom)^[20]
• Virtua Fighter 2 (1995, Sega, for Sega Saturn)^[20]
• Ridge Racer Revolution (1995, Namco, for PlayStation)^[20]
• Super Mario 64 (1996, Nintendo, for Nintendo 64)^[20]
• Tekken 3 (1998, Namco, for PlayStation)^[20]
• Cyber Troopers Virtual-On Oratorio Tangram (1999, Sega, for Dreamcast)^[20]
• Final Fantasy X (2001, Square Co., for PlayStation 2)^[20]
• Gran Turismo 3: A-Spec (2001, Sony Computer Entertainment, for PlayStation 2)^[20]
• Resident Evil (2002, Capcom, for Nintendo GameCube)^[20]
• Dragon Quest VIII: Journey of the Cursed King (2004, Square Enix, for PlayStation 2)^[21]
• Gran Turismo 4 (2004, Sony Computer Entertainment, for PlayStation 2)^[20]
• Kingdom Hearts II (2005, Square Enix, for PlayStation 2)^[22]
• Metal Gear Solid 3: Subsistence (2005, Konami, for PlayStation 2)^[20]
• Dead or Alive 4 (2005, Tecmo, for Xbox 360)^[23]
• Ōkami (2006, Capcom, for PlayStation 2)^[24]
• The Legend of Zelda: Phantom Hourglass (2007, Nintendo, for Nintendo DS)^[25]
• Grand Theft Auto IV (2008, Rockstar Games, for Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3)^[26]
• Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 (2009, Activision, for Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3)^[27]
• Final Fantasy XIII (2009, Square Enix, for PlayStation 3)^[28]
• Red Dead Redemption (2010, Rockstar Games, for Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3)^[29]
• Naruto Shippuden: Ultimate Ninja Storm 2 (2010, Namco Bandai Games, for Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3)^[30]
• Call of Duty: Black Ops (2010, Activision, for Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3)^[31]
• Monster Hunter Portable 3rd (2010, Capcom, for PlayStation Portable)^[32]
• L.A. Noire (2011, Rockstar Games, for Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3)^[33]
• Tales of Xillia (2011, Namco Bandai Games, for PlayStation 3)^[34]
• Gears of War 3 (2011, Epic Games, for Xbox 360)^[35]
• FIFA 12 (2011, EA Canada, for Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3)^[36]
• Final Fantasy Type-0 (2011, Square Enix, for PlayStation Portable)^[37]
• Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker - HD Edition (2011, Konami, for PlayStation 3)^[38]
• Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 (2011, Infinity Ward, Sledgehammer Games, for Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3)^[39]
• Resident Evil Revelations (2012, Capcom, for Nintendo 3DS)^[40]
• Tekken Tag Tournament 2 (2012, Namco Bandai Games, for Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3)^[41]
• Resident Evil 6 (2012, Capcom, for Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3)^[42]
• Animal Crossing: New Leaf (2012, Nintendo, for Nintendo 3DS) ^[43]
• Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance (2013, Konami, for PlayStation 3)^[20]
• Naruto Shippuden: Ultimate Ninja Storm 3 (2013, Namco Bandai Games, for Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3)
• The Wonderful 101 (2013, Nintendo, Platinum Games, for Wii U)^[17]
• Final Fantasy XIV: A Realm Reborn (2013, Square Enix, for PlayStation 3)^[44]
• Pokémon X and Y (2013, Nintendo, for Nintendo 3DS)^[45]
• Ryū ga Gotoku Ishin! (2014, Sega, for PlayStation 4)
• Dragon Quest Heroes II: The Twin Kings and the Prophecy’s End (2016, Square Enix, for PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4 and PlayStation Vita)
• Uncharted 4: A Thief's End (2016, Naughty Dog, for PlayStation 4)
• Persona 5 (2016, Atlus, for PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4)^[46]

Famitsu Awards

Since 1990,^[47] Famitsu has administered the Famitsu awards. Video games receive a number of different awards in categories like Innovation, Biggest Hit, Rookie Award, Highest Quality, etc. One or two "Game of the Year" awards are granted as the top prize. Top prize winners are determined by a combination of critical and fan review scores as well as sales figures.

Famitsu Game of the Year winners (chronological)

• Dragon Quest IV: Chapters of the Chosen (Famicom, 1990)^[47]
• Monster Hunter (PlayStation 2, 2004)
• Kingdom Hearts II (PS2, 2005)^[48]
• Resident Evil 4 (GCN/PS2, 2005)^[48]
• Final Fantasy XII (PS2, 2006)^[49]
• Pokemon Diamond & Pearl (NDS, 2006)^[49]
• Monster Hunter Portable 2nd (PSP, 2007)^[50]
• Super Mario Galaxy (Wii, 2007)^[50]
• Monster Hunter Portable 2nd G (PSP, 2008)^[51]
• Dragon Quest IX: Sentinels of the Starry Skies (NDS, 2009)^[52]
• Monster Hunter Portable 3rd (PSP, 2010)^[53]
• Monster Hunter 3G (3DS, 2011)^[54]
• Animal Crossing: New Leaf (3DS, 2012)^[55]
• Monster Hunter 4 (3DS, 2013)^[56]
• Yo-kai Watch 2: "Bony Spirits & Fleshy Souls" and "Shinuchi" (3DS, 2014)^[57]
• Splatoon (Wii U, 2015)^[58]

Readers' 100 all-time favorite games

In March 2006, Famitsu readers voted for their 100 all-time favorite games.^[59]

Famitsu readers 100 all-time favorite games

• Final Fantasy X (2001, PS2)
• Final Fantasy VII (1997, PS)
• Dragon Quest III (1988, FC)
• Dragon Quest VIII: Journey of the Cursed King (2004, PS2)
• Machi (1998, SAT)
• Final Fantasy IV (1991, SFC)
• Tactics Ogre (1995, SFC)
• Final Fantasy III (1990, FC)
• Dragon Quest VII (2000, PS)
• The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time (1998, N64)
• Dragon Quest V: Hand of the Heavenly Bride (1992, SFC)
• Tengai Makyō II: Manjimaru (1992, PCE)
• Sakura Taisen (1996, SAT)
• Dragon Quest IV: Chapters of the Chosen (1990, FC)
• Final Fantasy V (1992, SFC)
• Xenogears (1998, PS)
• Dragon Quest II (1987, FC)
• Sakura Taisen III (2001, DC)
• Kingdom Hearts (2002, PS2)
• Street Fighter II (1992, SFC)
• Super Mario Bros. (1985, FC)
• Final Fantasy VIII (1999, PS)
• Tokimeki Memorial: Forever With You (1995, PS)
• Final Fantasy IX (2000, PS)
• Final Fantasy VI (1994, SFC)
• Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater (2004, PS2)
• Valkyrie Profile (1999, PS)
• Chrono Trigger (1995, SFC)
• Kingdom Hearts II (2005, PS2)
• Dragon Quest (1986, FC)
• The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past (1991, SFC)
• Final Fantasy X-2 (2003, PS2)
• Resident Evil (1996, PS)
• Dragon Quest VI: Realms of Revelation (1995, SFC)
• F-Zero (1990, SFC)
• Sakura Taisen II (1998, SAT)
• Mother 2 (1994, SFC)
• Mother (1989, FC)
• Virtua Fighter (1994, SAT)
• Dragon Quest V (2004, PS2)
• The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker (2002, GCN)
• Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty (2001, PS2)
• Animal Crossing: Wild World (2005, NDS)
• Tales of the Abyss (2005, PS2)
• Ogre Battle (1993, SFC)
• The Legend of Zelda (1986, FCD)
• Virtua Fighter 2 (1995, SAT)
• Mystery Dungeon 2 (1995, SFC)
• Sonic the Hedgehog (1991, MD)
• Metal Gear Solid (1998, PS)
• Pokémon Red and Green (1996, GB)
• Ys I & II (1989, PCE)
• Romancing SaGa (1992, SFC)
• Tokimeki Memorial (1994, PCE)
• Super Robot Wars Alpha (2000, PS)
• Resident Evil 2 (1998, PS)
• Tales of Eternia (2000, PS)
• Digital Devil Story: Megami Tensei II (1990, FC)
• Shin Megami Tensei (1992, SFC)
• Final Fantasy II (1988, FC)
• Super Mario World (1990, SFC)
• To Heart 2 (2004, PS2)
• Final Fantasy (1987, FC)
• Puyo Puyo (1992, MD)
• Pro Yakyū Family Stadium (1986, FC)
• Wizardry (1987, FC)
• Hokkaidō Rensa Satsujin: Okhotsk ni Kiyu (1987, FC)
• Fire Emblem: Monshō no Nazo (1994, SFC)
• Super Mario Kart (1992, SFC)
• Dynasty Warriors 4 (2003, PS2)
• Monster Hunter (2004, PS2)
• Best Play Pro Yakyū (1988, FC)
• Grandia (1997, SAT)
• Resident Evil 4 (2005, GCN)
• Gran Turismo 4 (2004, PS2)
• Grand Theft Auto: Vice City (2004, PS2)
• Super Monaco GP (1990, MD)
• Torneko's Great Adventure: Mystery Dungeon (1993, SFC)
• Tales of Destiny (1997, PS)
• Street Fighter II Turbo (1993, SFC)
• Dynasty Warriors 3 (2001, PS2)
• Final Fight (1990, SFC)
• Monster Hunter Portable (2005, PSP)
• Final Fantasy Tactics (1997, PS)
• Monster Hunter G (2005, PS2)
• Fushigi no Dungeon: Fūrai no Shiren 2: Oni Shūrai! Shiren-jō! (2000, N64)
• Spartan X (1985, FC)
• Tokimeki Memorial: Forever With You (1996, SAT)
• Tales of Destiny II (2002, PS2)
• Kamaitachi no Yoru (1994, SFC)
• Sakura Taisen IV (2002, DC)
• Tales of Rebirth (2004, PS2)
• SimCity (1991, SFC)
• Final Fantasy Legend II (1990, GB)
• Pro Baseball Family Stadium '87 (1987, FC)
• Tetris (1989, GB)
• Seiken Densetsu II (1993, SFC)
• Gradius (1986, FC)
• Super Mario Bros. 3 (1988, FC)
• Resident Evil 4 (2005, PS2)

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50. "【動画追加】'ファミ通アワード2007'の大賞は『モンスターハンターポータブル 2nd』と『スーパーマリオギャラクシー』に決定！" Famitsu.com. 14 May 2008.
51. "速報！　ゲームユーザーが選ぶ'FAMITSU AWARDS 2008'は、この作品！！" Famitsu.com. 24 April 2009.
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56. "ファミ通アワード2013授賞式が開催　ゲーム・オブ・ザ・イヤーは『モンスターハンター4』." Famitsu.com. 23 April 2014.
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