Pokemon Unite wins Best Game of 2021 at Best of Play

The gaming landscape witnessed a significant milestone when Pokémon Unite secured the prestigious Best Game of 2021 title during Google Play’s annual Best of Play awards ceremony. This recognition highlights the game’s exceptional contribution to mobile gaming culture throughout the year.

Google’s Best of Play initiative celebrates titles that demonstrate outstanding innovation and positive cultural impact within the mobile gaming sphere. The selection criteria emphasize games that push boundaries while maintaining accessibility, making Pokémon Unite’s victory particularly noteworthy given its successful adaptation of complex MOBA mechanics for broader audiences.

“Our development team focused intensely on distilling the most engaging elements from the MOBA genre while creating a uniquely approachable experience,” explained Pokémon Unite producer Masaaki Hoshino. “Receiving this prestigious award validates our approach and reinforces our commitment to delivering continuous improvements that meet player expectations worldwide.”

Pokémon Unite’s Award-Winning Achievement

September 2021 marked a pivotal moment when Pokémon Unite celebrated surpassing nine million downloads exclusively on Nintendo Switch platforms. The subsequent mobile release expanded accessibility dramatically, creating an even larger unified player ecosystem across devices.

Streaming metrics reveal interesting patterns, with the Twitch category accumulating over 354,000 followers despite viewership normalizing from initial launch peaks. The current consistent audience of approximately 3,000 concurrent viewers indicates a dedicated core community rather than fleeting interest.

Consistent free content expansions combined with passionate community support have cemented Pokémon Unite’s position as a transformative force in the 2021 gaming ecosystem. The game’s ability to maintain player engagement through strategic updates demonstrates TiMi Studio Group’s understanding of live service game longevity.

Strategic Pokémon Selection and Role Distribution

The developers implemented a meticulous selection process for the playable Pokémon roster, prioritizing both fan favorites and strategic diversity. October 2021 developer insights revealed how character choices balance popularity with gameplay innovation, including unexpected selections that introduce fresh tactical dimensions to the MOBA format.

• Pikachu (Attacker)
• Charizard (All-Rounder)
• Snorlax (Defender)
• Crustle (Defender)
• Greninja (Attacker)
• Eldegoss (Supporter)
• Talonflame (Speedster)
• Lucario (All-Rounder)
• Venusaur (Attacker)
• Mr. Mime (Supporter)
• Slowbro (Defender)
• Absol (Speedster)
• Machamp (All-Rounder)
• Wigglytuff (Supporter)
• Alolan Ninetales (Attacker)
• Cramorant (Attacker)
• Gengar (Speedster)
• Garchomp (All-Rounder)
• Cinderace (Attacker)
• Zeraora (Speedster)
• Gardevoir (Attacker)
• Blissey (Supporter)
• Blastoise (Defender)
• Mamoswine (Defender)

Each Pokémon occupies a specific battle role mirroring traditional MOBA archetypes, similar to champion systems in League of Legends or hero selection in Dota 2. Abilities directly translate from main series games while adapting to team battle mechanics. Competitive meta analysis identifies Snorlax, Lucario, Venusaur, Wigglytuff, and Sylveon as consistently high-performing choices across ranked matches.

Understanding role synergy represents the foundation of advanced gameplay. Attackers provide consistent damage but require protection, while Defenders control space and initiate engagements. Supporters enable team success through healing and crowd control, Speedsters excel at objective control and backline disruption, while All-Rounders offer balanced capabilities for flexible team compositions.

The transition from explosive launch popularity to sustained community engagement demonstrates Pokémon Unite’s successful live service model implementation. While Twitch viewership has decreased from its 225,000 concurrent viewer peak, the consistent player base indicates strong retention beyond streaming visibility.

New players should focus on mastering two or three Pokémon within complementary roles rather than attempting proficiency across the entire roster. This focused approach accelerates skill development and ranking progression more effectively than broad but shallow character familiarity.

Common beginner mistakes include overextending without team support, neglecting objective control for individual scoring, and poor ability upgrade choices during matches. Advanced players optimize their gameplay through precise unite move timing, efficient farming patterns, and strategic map awareness development.

Future content roadmaps suggest continued roster expansion and gameplay mechanic refinements, ensuring the competitive landscape remains dynamic and engaging for both casual and professional players alike.

Google Play Best Of Play 2021 Winners

Top Awards

Users’ Choice 2021

• App: Paramount+
• Game: Garena Free Fire MAX

Best App

• Balance

Best Game

• Pokémon Unite

Best Of Play 2021 Game Winners

Best Competitive

• League of Legends: Wild Rift
• MARVEL Future Revolution
• Pokémon Unite
• Rogue Land
• Suspects: Mystery Mansion

Best Game Changers

• Inked
• JanKenUP!
• Knights of San Francisco
• Overboard!
• Tears of Themis

Best Indies

• 7 Billion Humans
• Bird Alone
• Donut County
• My Friend Pedro: Ripe for Revenge
• Puzzling Peaks EXE

Best Pick Up & Play

• Cats in Time
• Crash Bandicoot: On the Run!
• Disney POP TOWN
• Switchcraft
• Towers

Best for Tablets

• Chicken Police — Paint it RED!
• League of Legends: Wild Rift
• My Friend Pedro: Ripe for Revenge
• Overboard!
• The Procession to Calvary

Best of Play 2021 App Winners

Best Apps for Good

• Empathy
• Mentor Spaces
• Speechify

Best Everyday Essentials

• Blossom
• PhotoRoom
• Rabit

Best for Fun

• Clubhouse
• Noobly
• Whatifi

Best Hidden Gems

• Laughscape
• Moonbeam
• Moonly

Best for Personal Growth

• Balance
• Clementine
• Uptime

Best for Tablets

• Canva
• Concepts
• Houzz

Best for Wear

• Calm
• MyFitnessPal
• Sleep Cycle

Popular on Google TV

• Disney+
• ESPN
• Tubi

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