Google Play announced its Best of 2023 Awards, which highlight the most popular and innovative apps, games, and books on its platform.
The awards are based on user ratings, downloads, quality, user engagement, and the opinions of Google Play editors. This year, they also introduced new award categories that reflect the latest trends and technologies in the app and game industry.
Some of the new categories include “Best with AI”, which recognizes apps that use artificial intelligence to enhance user experience, and “Best Game for Good”, which honors games that have a positive social impact.
Google Play also added categories that showcase apps and games that work well across different devices, such as “Best Multi-device App and Game” and “Best for Google Play Games on PC”.
This year, Google Play has made several improvements to its store and services. Some improvements include enhanced support for other device types, such as wearables, foldables, and tablets; and new ways to redeem Play Points, which can be earned by downloading and using apps and games.
Additionally, Google Play Games on PC has expanded its features and titles, allowing users to play Android games on computers. And finally, there’s Google Play Pass, a subscription service that gives users access to hundreds of premium apps and games for a monthly fee.
Read on to see the full list of winners and nominees for the Google Play Best of 2023 Awards.
Best overall app and game
- Best App: Imprint: Learn Visually
- Best Game: Honkai: Star Rail
Best multi-device app and game
- Best Multi-device App: Spotify
- Best Multi-device Game: OUTERPLANE – Strategy Anime
Users’ Choice app and game
- Users’ Choice App: ChatGPT
- Users’ Choice Game: MONOPOLY GO!
Best apps of 2023
- Best for Fun: Bumble For Friends: Meet IRL
Honorable mention: Reelsy Reel Maker Video Editor - Best for Personal Growth: Voidpet Garden: Mental Health
Honorable mention: Imprint: Learn Visually - Best Everyday Essential: Artifact: Feed Your Curiosity
Honorable mention: ReciMe: Easy & Tasty Recipes - Best Hidden Gem: Aware: Mindfulness & Wellbeing
Honorable mention: Stippl: Explore, Plan & Share - Best with AI: Character AI: AI-Powered Chat
Honorable mention: ChatGPT - Best for Families: Paw Patrol Academy
Honorable mention: LEGO DUPLO DISNEY - Best App for Good: AWorld in support of ActNow
- Best for Watches: WhatsApp Messenger
Honorable mentions: AllTrails: Hike, Bike & Run, Audible: Audio Entertainment - Best for Tablets: Concepts: Sketch, Note, Draw
Honorable mentions: Canva: Design, Photo & Video, Everand: Ebooks and audiobooks - Best for Chromebooks: FlipaClip: Create 2D Animation
Honorable mentions: Evernote – Note Organizer, Wideo - Best for Google TV: Max: Stream HBO, TV, & Movies
Honorable mentions: Amazon Prime Video, Crunchyroll, Disney+, Tubi: Movies & Live TV - Best for Cars: Amazon Prime Video
Honorable mentions: Beach Buggy Racing, Spotify
Best games of 2023
- Best Multiplayer: Farlight 84
Honorable mentions: Arena Breakout, Call of Dragons, MARVEL SNAP, Undawn - Best Pick Up & Play: MONOPOLY GO!
Honorable mentions: Chrome Valley Customs, Mighty DOOM, Monster Hunter Now, Ninja Must Die - Best Indies: Vampire Survivors
Honorable mentions: Roto Force, Song of Bloom, Super Meat Boy Forever, Underground Blossom - Best Story: Honkai: Star Rail
Honorable mentions: Down in Bermuda, FINAL FANTASY VII EVER CRISIS, Lost Words: Beyond the Page, MementoMori: AFKRPG - Best Ongoing: Stumble Guys
Honorable mentions: Clash of Clans, EA SPORTS FC™ Mobile Soccer, Merge Gardens, Royal Match - Best Games for Good: Pokémon Sleep
Honorable mentions: Beecarbonize, Garden Joy – Design Game, Lingo Legend Language Learning, Longleaf Valley: Merge & Plant - Best on Play Pass: Magic Rampage
Honorable mentions: ARIDA: Backland’s Awakening, Linea: An Innerlight Game, Machinarium, Silly Royale – Devil Amongst Us - Best for Tablets: Honkai: Star Rail
Honorable mentions: MARVEL SNAP, MONOPOLY GO!, Roto Force, SOULS - Best for Chromebooks: Minecraft
- Best for Google Play Games on PC: Arknights
Best books of 2023
(Editor Picks)
- In the Lives of Puppets” by TJ Klune (Ebook, Audiobook)
- “The Covenant of Water” by Abraham Verghese (Ebook, Audiobook)
- “All the Sinners Bleed: A Novel” by S.A. Cosby (Ebook, Audiobook)
- “Bellies: A Novel” by Nicola Dinan (Ebook, Audiobook)
- “The Art of Scandal” by Regina Black (Ebook, Audiobook)
- “Hijab Butch Blues: A Memoir” by Lamya H (Ebook, Audiobook)
- “Fourth Wing” by Rebecca Yarros (Ebook, Audiobook)
- “Girls Like Girls” by Hayley Kiyoko (Ebook, Audiobook)
- “Boys Weekend” by Mattie Lubchansky (Ebook)
- “The Creative Act: A Way of Being” by Rick Rubin (Ebook, Audiobook)
