Squad Busters, the latest offering from Supercell, has secured the prestigious 2024 Apple Award for iPad Game of the Year. This accolade places it in esteemed company alongside Balatro+ and AFK Journey, both of which also clinched major awards at the event. Despite a rocky start, Squad Busters has impressively fought its way back to prominence, proving its worth in the competitive gaming landscape.

Supercell's launch of Squad Busters was initially underwhelming, which was unexpected given the company's track record of meticulously vetting new releases before global rollout. The Finnish mobile giant is known for its stringent approach to game development, often cancelling projects that don't meet their high standards. However, Squad Busters' journey from a shaky debut to receiving the iPad Game of the Year award showcases the game's resilience and Supercell's dedication to its success.

In the same awards ceremony, AFK Journey by Farlight Games was honored as the iPhone Game of the Year, while Balatro+ took home the title for Apple Arcade Game of the Year. These awards highlight the high caliber of games recognized by Apple, with Squad Busters standing out among these acclaimed titles.

The initial stumble of Squad Busters sparked discussions across the mobile gaming industry. Many were puzzled by how Supercell, renowned for its pursuit of the next blockbuster hit, could release a game that initially underperformed. My own experience with the game revealed a compelling blend of battle royale and MOBA elements, suggesting that the content itself was not the issue. Perhaps the combination of Supercell's various IPs into one game was not what the audience was expecting or ready for at the time.

While the debate on Squad Busters' launch continues, this award serves as a significant milestone and a well-deserved recognition of Supercell's efforts. It's an early holiday gift for the team, affirming that their hard work has been acknowledged and appreciated.

For those interested in how other games fared this year, you can explore the rankings from the Pocket Gamer Awards.