The Japanese video game magazine Famitsu reviews video games by having four critics each assign a score from 0 to 10, with 10 being the highest. The scores are added for a maximum possible score of 40. , thirty games have received perfect scores.
Famitsu was first published in 1986, and gave its first perfect score in 1998 to The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time, released by Nintendo for the Nintendo 64. Nintendo is the publisher with the highest number of perfect scoring games with ten total, followed by Square Enix with five, Sega with four and Konami with three. Nintendo is also the developer with the highest number of perfect scoring games with eight total, followed by Kojima Productions and Square Enix with four each.
The console with the highest number of perfect-scoring games is the PlayStation 3, with seven total. Four of the perfect-scoring games on PlayStation 3 were also released on the Xbox 360, which is tied with the Wii for the second-highest number of perfect scores, at five total. Video game franchises with multiple perfect scores include The Legend of Zelda with five, Metal Gear with three, and Dragon Quest, Final Fantasy and Like a Dragon with two. Of the games to receive perfect scores, only three were either published and/or developed by a non-Japanese company: The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim, Grand Theft Auto V and Ghost of Tsushima.
Reviews
Perfect scores , thirty games have received perfect scores from Famitsu.
Title Year System Developer Publisher Notes 1998 Nintendo 64 Nintendo Nintendo Soulcalibur 1999 Dreamcast Project Soul Namco Vagrant Story 2000 PlayStation Square Square 2003 GameCube Nintendo Nintendo Nintendogs 2005 Nintendo DS Nintendo Nintendo Final Fantasy XII 2006 PlayStation 2 Square Enix Square Enix Super Smash Bros. Brawl 2008 Wii Sora Ltd., Nintendo Nintendo Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots 2008 PlayStation 3 Kojima Productions Konami 428: Shibuya Scramble 2008 Wii Chunsoft Sega First and only visual novel to receive a perfect score. Dragon Quest IX: Sentinels of the Starry Skies 2009 Nintendo DS Level-5, Square Enix Square Enix Monster Hunter Tri 2009 Wii Capcom Capcom Bayonetta 2009 Xbox 360 PlatinumGames Sega New Super Mario Bros. Wii 2009 Wii Nintendo Nintendo Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker 2010 PlayStation Portable Kojima Productions Konami Pokémon Black and White 2010 Nintendo DS Game Freak Nintendo, The Pokémon Company 2011 Wii Nintendo Nintendo 2011 Xbox 360, PlayStation 3 Bethesda Bethesda First non-Japanese game to receive a perfect score Final Fantasy XIII-2 2011 Xbox 360, PlayStation 3 Square Enix Square Enix Kid Icarus: Uprising 2012 Nintendo 3DS Sora Ltd., Project Sora Nintendo Yakuza 5 2012 PlayStation 3 Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio Sega JoJo's Bizarre Adventure: All Star Battle 2013 PlayStation 3 CyberConnect2 Namco Bandai Grand Theft Auto V 2013 Xbox 360, PlayStation 3 Rockstar Rockstar Second non-Japanese game to receive a perfect score Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain 2015 Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, Xbox One Kojima Productions Konami 2017 Wii U, Nintendo Switch Nintendo Nintendo Dragon Quest XI: Echoes of an Elusive Age 2017 Nintendo 3DS, PlayStation 4 Square Enix Square Enix Death Stranding 2019 PlayStation 4 Kojima Productions Sony Interactive Entertainment Ghost of Tsushima 2020 PlayStation 4 Sucker Punch Sony Interactive Entertainment Third non-Japanese game to receive a perfect score 2023 Nintendo Switch Nintendo Nintendo Street Fighter 6 2023 PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S Capcom Capcom Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth 2024 PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio Sega
Near-perfect scores , fifty-eight games have received a near-perfect score of 39.
Title Year System Publisher Notes 1991Super FamicomNintendoVirtua Fighter 2 1995Sega SaturnSegaRidge Racer Revolution 1995PlayStationNamcoSuper Mario 64 1996Nintendo 64NintendoTekken 3 1998PlayStationNamcoCyber Troopers Virtual-On Oratorio Tangram 1999DreamcastSegaFinal Fantasy X 2001PlayStation 2SquareGran Turismo 3: A-Spec 2001PlayStation 2Sony Computer EntertainmentResident Evil 2002GameCube CapcomDragon Quest VIII: Journey of the Cursed King 2004PlayStation 2Square EnixGran Turismo 4 2004PlayStation 2Sony Computer EntertainmentKingdom Hearts II 2005PlayStation 2Square EnixMetal Gear Solid 3: Subsistence 2005PlayStation 2KonamiDead or Alive 4 2005Xbox 360TecmoŌkami 2006PlayStation 2CapcomThe Legend of Zelda: Phantom Hourglass 2007Nintendo DSNintendoGrand Theft Auto IV 2008PlayStation 3, Xbox 360Rockstar GamesCall of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 2009PlayStation 3, Xbox 360ActivisionFinal Fantasy XIII 2009PlayStation 3Square EnixRed Dead Redemption 2010PlayStation 3, Xbox 360Rockstar GamesNaruto Shippuden: Ultimate Ninja Storm 2 2010PlayStation 3, Xbox 360Namco Bandai GamesCall of Duty: Black Ops 2010PlayStation 3, Xbox 360ActivisionMonster Hunter Portable 3rd 2010PlayStation PortableCapcomL.A. Noire 2011PlayStation 3, Xbox 360Rockstar GamesTales of Xillia 2011PlayStation 3Namco Bandai GamesGears of War 3 2011Xbox 360Xbox Game StudiosFIFA 12 2011PlayStation 3, Xbox 360Electronic ArtsFinal Fantasy Type-0 2011PlayStation PortableSquare EnixMetal Gear Solid: Peace Walker - HD Edition 2011PlayStation 3KonamiCall of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 2011PlayStation 3, Xbox 360ActivisionResident Evil: Revelations 2012Nintendo 3DSCapcomTekken Tag Tournament 2 2012PlayStation 3, Xbox 360Namco Bandai GamesResident Evil 6 2012PlayStation 3, Xbox 360CapcomAnimal Crossing: New Leaf 2012Nintendo 3DSNintendo Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance 2013PlayStation 3KonamiNaruto Shippuden: Ultimate Ninja Storm 3 2013PlayStation 3, Xbox 360Namco Bandai Games2013Wii UNintendoFinal Fantasy XIV: A Realm Reborn2013PlayStation 3Square EnixPokémon X and Y 2013Nintendo 3DSNintendoLike a Dragon: Ishin! 2014PlayStation 4SegaDragon Quest Heroes II: The Twin Kings and the Prophecy's End 2016PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, PlayStation VitaSquare EnixUncharted 4: A Thief's End 2016PlayStation 4Sony Interactive EntertainmentPersona 5 2016PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4AtlusYakuza 6: The Song of Life 2016PlayStation 4SegaNier: Automata 2017PlayStation 4Square EnixSuper Mario Odyssey 2017Nintendo SwitchNintendoMonster Hunter: World 2018PlayStation 4CapcomMonster Hunter World BETA countdown - PS4 release date, time and FIRST review | Gaming | Entertainment | Express.co.ukRed Dead Redemption 2 2018PlayStation 4Rockstar GamesKingdom Hearts III 2019PlayStation 4Square EnixFinal Fantasy VII Remake 2020PlayStation 4Square EnixThe Last of Us Part II 2020PlayStation 4Sony Interactive EntertainmentElden Ring 2022PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/SFromSoftwareFamitsu Review Scores: Issue 1736Splatoon 3 2022Nintendo SwitchNintendoFinal Fantasy XVI 2023PlayStation 5Square EnixMonster Hunter Wilds2025PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/SCapcomDeath Stranding 2: On the Beach2025PlayStation 5Sony Interactive EntertainmentGhost of Yōtei2025PlayStation 5Sony Interactive EntertainmentPokémon Pokopia2026Nintendo Switch 2The Pokémon Company /Nintendo
Lowest scores The lowest score ever given out by Famitsu is 12 points out of 40. Only three games have received this score: Shura no Mon (Kodansha, PlayStation, 1998), Pachinko CR Daiku no Minamoto-San GB (Telenet Japan, Game Boy, 1998), and Pro Golfer Saru (Namco Bandai Games, Wii, 2008). Additionally, few games have received under 15 points; among the more recent of these are Ookuki (Global A Entertainment, PlayStation 2, 2008) receiving 13, and Appleseed EX (Sega, PlayStation 2, 2007), Beijing 2008 (Sega, PlayStation 3, 2008), and Galaxy Blaster (RCMADIAX, Nintendo 3DS, 2017) receiving 14.
Awards and accolades
Famitsu Awards Famitsu administers 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. They also give an "Excellence Prize" to other games that don't receive the top prize.
Prior to the formal establishment of the Famitsu Awards ceremony, Famitsu had been publishing annual lists of "Best Hit Game Awards" since early 1987 (for games released in 1986). The following titles were "Game of the Year" winners in the "Best Hit Game Awards" (between 1986 and 2004) and the Famitsu Awards (from 2005 onwards).
+ Famitsu Best Hit Game Awards (19861991, 2004) Number Year Game of the Year PlatformGenre 1st 1986 Dragon Quest Famicom Role-playing game 2nd 1987 Dragon Quest II Famicom Role-playing game 3rd 1988 Dragon Quest III Famicom Role-playing game 4th 1989 Final Fantasy II Famicom Role-playing game 5th 1990 Dragon Quest IV Famicom Role-playing game 6th 1991 Final Fantasy IV Super Famicom Role-playing game 2004 Monster Hunter PS2 Action role-playing game
+ Famitsu Awards (2005present) Ceremony Year Game of the Year Platform(s)Genre 2005 Kingdom Hearts II PS2Action RPG "'FAMITSU AWARDS 2005'大賞は『キングダム ハーツII』と『バイオハザード4』!!" Famitsu.com. 21 April 2006. Resident Evil 4 GCN / PS2Survival horror 2006 Final Fantasy XII PS2RPG "速報！ ファミ通ゲームアワード2006開催！ 各受賞タイトルを一挙発表！" Famitsu.com. 20 April 2007. Pokémon Diamond and Pearl NDSRPG 2007 Monster Hunter Portable 2nd PSPAction RPG "【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. Super Mario Galaxy WiiPlatformer 2008 Monster Hunter Portable 2nd G PSP Action RPG "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. 2009 Dragon Quest IX: Sentinels of the Starry Skies NDS RPG "【速報】ファミ通アワード2009大賞は『ドラゴンクエストIX 星空の守り人』." Famitsu.com. 27 April 2010. 2010 Monster Hunter Portable 3rd PSP Action RPG "ファミ通アワード2010、大賞は『モンスターハンターポータブル 3rd』." Famitsu.com. 22 April 2011. 2011 Monster Hunter 3G 3DS Action RPG "ファミ通アワード2011、大賞は『モンスターハンター3（トライ）G』！." Famitsu.com. 18 April 2012. 2012 Animal Crossing: New Leaf 3DS Life simulation "ファミ通アワード2012授賞式が開催 ゲーム・オブ・ザ・イヤーは『とびだせ どうぶつの森』." Famitsu.com. 17 April 2013. 2013 Monster Hunter 4 3DS Action RPG "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. 2014 Yo-kai Watch 2 3DS RPG "." Famitsu.com. 22 April 2015. 2015 Splatoon Wii UThird-person shooter "." Gematsu.com 10 May 2016. 2016 Pokémon Sun and Moon 3DSRPG 2017 The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild Wii U / SwitchAction-adventure Dragon Quest XI: Echoes of an Elusive Age 3DS / PS4RPG 2018 Monster Hunter: World PS4 / Xbox One / PCAction RPG Super Smash Bros. Ultimate SwitchFighting 2019 Pokémon Sword and Shield SwitchRPG2020Animal Crossing: New HorizonsSwitchLife simulation 2021Monster Hunter RiseSwitch / PCAction RPG 2022Elden Ring PS4 / PS5 / Xbox One / Xbox Series X/S / PCAction RPG19th2023The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the KingdomSwitchAction-adventure20th2024Final Fantasy VII RebirthPS5Action role-playing21st2025Silent Hill fPS5 / Xbox Series X/S / PCSurvival Horror
2006 readers' poll In March 2006, Famitsu readers voted for their 100 all-time favorite games.
Super Mario Bros. (1985, FC) Spartan X (1985, FC) Gradius (video game) (1986, FC) The Legend of Zelda (1986, FCD) Dragon Quest (video game) (1986, FC) Pro Baseball: Family Stadium (1986, FC) Final Fantasy (1987, FC) Dragon Quest II (1987, FC) Wizardry: Proving Grounds of the Mad Overlord (1987, FC) The Hokkaido Serial Murder Case: The Okhotsk Disappearance (1987, FC) Pro Baseball Family Stadium '87 (1987, FC) Super Mario Bros. 3 (1988, FC) Final Fantasy II (1988, FC) Dragon Quest III (1988, FC) Best Play Pro Yakyū (1988, FC) Tetris (1989, GB) Mother (1989, FC) Ys I & II (1989, PCE) Super Mario World (1990, SFC) F-Zero (1990, SFC) Final Fantasy Legend II (1990, GB) Final Fantasy III (1990, FC) Final Fight (1990, SFC) Super Monaco GP (1990, MD) Digital Devil Story: Megami Tensei II (1990, FC) Dragon Quest IV: Chapters of the Chosen (1990, FC)