Over the last two weeks of December, we are announcing the winners of the Third Annual SwitchRPG Awards. We’ll be announcing new winners every weekday, leading up to a final announcement on January 1st for RPG of the Year!

Best Music

What tunes best set the mood – somber, uplifting, action-packed, or otherwise – and immerse the player in the game world?

And the Winner Is…

Staff Winner: Trials of Mana

Whether you are completely new, or have been a Hiroki Kikuta fan for decades, the soundtrack of Trials of Mana is sure to leave a lasting impression. Responsible for one the greatest soundtracks of the 16-bit era, Secret of Mana, Kikuta went on to compose the original 1995 release of Trials of Mana (Seiken Densetsu 3), as well as rearrange the 3D remake found in 2020. The game provides both the original and remixed versions for the player’s listening pleasure, and is sure to resonate with fans and newcomers alike as a result. From heavy-hitting, upbeat tunes to the somber, mysterious tracks, Trials of Mana features an eclectic lineup of works that is sure to make an impact on the player!

Community Pick: Xenoblade Chronicles: Definitive Edition

The community voted for Xenoblade Chronicles: Definitive Edition, which was also a very close runner-up to Mana in our own poll. Xenoblade ended up taking 49.3% of the votes, with only 18.8% of the community agreeing with the staff pick.

What are your thoughts on the winners? If you disagree with the results, what would you have preferred to make the cut? Let us know, and stay tuned tomorrow for another award announcement!