Pokémon UNITE Wins Google Play's Best of 2021

Google Announces “Best of 2021” App and Game Award Recipients

Today, Google revealed the winners of its “Best of 2021” awards, recognizing outstanding applications and games over the past year, as chosen by both the company and its user base. This year’s selection process was broadened to encompass apps and games designed for tablets, Wear OS devices, and Google TV platforms, according to Google’s announcement.

The U.S. winners included Balance, a meditation application, which was named the top app of the year. Pokémon UNITE secured the title of best game. Paramount+ and Garena Free Fire MAX were selected as the user’s preferred choices.

A Reflection of Societal Shifts

The 2020 award recipients mirrored a world deeply impacted by the pandemic, with users seeking solace in relaxing apps and games. Apps like Loóna, last year’s “Best App” for sleep, and Genshin Impact, a popular escapist game, exemplified this trend.

However, the current year’s winners demonstrate a shift towards personal development and creative pursuits, moving beyond mere relaxation or distraction. This change appears to align with broader societal trends. The past year witnessed the “great resignation,” with many U.S. workers leaving jobs they found unfulfilling, and a surge in the creator economy as individuals pursued their passions.

Award Categories and Winners

Beyond Balance, several other apps focused on personal growth were recognized. These include Moonly, designed to synchronize life with lunar cycles; Laughscape, offering “comedic relaxation”; Clementine, a hypnotherapy app for women; Sleep Cycle, for improved sleep; Mentor Spaces, a mentorship community; Rabit, a habit tracker and planner; and Empathy, an app providing support during times of grief.

Several winners also highlighted adaptations made during the pandemic, such as Clubhouse, an audio chatroom, Speechify, a tool for reducing screen time, and Blossom, an app promoting reconnection with nature.

Best Apps of 2021 – Detailed List

Here’s a comprehensive breakdown of the 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

Game Awards – Highlighting Innovation and Engagement

Pokémon UNITE was crowned the best game of the year, emphasizing its cross-platform gaming capabilities.

Masaaki Hoshino, Producer of Pokémon UNITE, stated that the team was initially uncertain about the game’s reception. He expressed relief and reaffirmed their commitment to enhancing the game based on player feedback.

The awards also celebrated independent game development, featuring titles like Bird Alone, which focuses on building a connection with a solitary bird, and Donut County, a physics-based puzzle game.

Full List of 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

Country-specific lists of winning apps and games are available within the Play Store’s new Best of 2021 section. The above winners represent Google Play’s selections for the U.S.