Unveiling the 2023 Apple App Store Award Finalists: Hello Kitty Island Adventure, Vampire Survivors, and More!

The Game Awards' recent announcement of its nominees was followed by Apple revealing the finalists for the Apple App Store Award 2023. The list includes categories for both general apps and games, with notable names receiving critical acclaim among the nominees. Apple has announced three finalists in each of the 10 categories, focusing on specific devices or services. While most categories are divided between general apps and games, some, like Apple TV and Apple Watch, have a singular dedicated category.

Over a dozen games made it to the list of finalists for the 2023 Apple App Store Awards. Among the finalists are Poncle's Vampire Survivors for iPhone Game of the Year, Sunblink Entertainment's Hello Kitty: Island Adventure for Apple Arcade Game of the Year, and Young Horses' Bugsnax for Apple TV App of the Year. Additionally, Witch Beam's Unpacking and HandyGames's Endling: Extinction Is Forever are among the 10 finalists for the Cultural Impact award. This award recognizes games and apps that have contributed to fostering new ways of connecting and celebrating the world's diversity and wonder.

The winners of the Apple App Store Awards will be announced "in the coming weeks" as stated by Apple. Below is the full list of categories and finalists.

iPhone App of the Year Finalists

AllTrails

Duolingo

Flighty

iPhone Game of the Year Finalists

Afterplace

Honkai: Star Rail

Vampire Survivors

iPad App of the Year Finalists

Concepts

DaVinci Resolve

Prêt-à-Makeup

iPad Game of the Year Finalists

Eggy Party

Lost in Play

Pocket City 2

Mac App of the Year Finalists

Linearity Curve

Photomator

Portal

Mac Game of the Year Finalists

ELEX II

Lies of P

Return to Monkey Island

Apple Watch App of the Year Finalists

Planny

SmartGym

Tide Guide

Apple TV App of the Year Finalists

Bugsnax

FitOn

MUBI

Apple Arcade Game of the Year Finalists

Cityscapes

Hello Kitty Island Adventure

stitch.

Cultural Impact Finalists

balance

Copilot

Endling: Extinction Is Forever

Finding Hannah

How to Say Goodbye

Pok Pok

Proloquo

Rebel Girls

Too Good To Go

Unpacking

Editor's P/S

Apple has unveiled the finalists for its 2023 App Store Awards, recognizing the most innovative and captivating apps and games across various platforms, including iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple Watch, Apple TV, and Apple Arcade. The list of finalists showcases groundbreaking technology and exceptional cultural impact, highlighting the best of what the App Store has to offer.

Among the notable finalists is Vampire Survivors, a captivating action-adventure game that has gained critical acclaim for its unique blend of fast-paced combat and strategic gameplay. Hello Kitty: Island Adventure, another standout finalist, offers a charming and immersive experience that brings the beloved character to life in a vibrant and interactive world. Bugsnax, a whimsical and imaginative adventure game, is also in the running for the Apple TV App of the Year award.