Umamusume Pretty Derby had a huge 2025, culminating with a well-deserved trophy for Best Mobile Game at The Game Awards. It tells the tale of legendary Japanese racehorses reborn as young women. Yeah, it's very, very anime. But the odds are you haven't played a game quite like it.
Sure, it has the gacha mechanics that define most mobile games these days. It's super cute, an aesthetic that might turn some people off. But under the hood is a surprisingly in depth racing and management simulation that has kept dedicated players enthralled all year. Now, its achievements have been honored on gaming's biggest stage.
“We are deeply honored to announce that Umamusume: Pretty Derby has been awarded Best Mobile Game at The Game Awards,” Motohiro Okuubo, CEO of Cygames America, said after the win. “This milestone achievement would not have been possible without the tremendous support of our fans around the world and the unwavering dedication of our development and operations teams.
This recognition marks an important step forward for our company, and we remain committed to delivering innovative, best-in-class entertainment experiences that resonate with audiences globally. We extend our heartfelt thanks to our amazing community and look forward to continuing this journey together.”
Also in this racer's impressive trophy case are honors including Best Mobile Game at Thailand Game Show, the Best Game Award from Google Play, and the Excellence Prize at Japan Game Awards.