Nintendo had a standout night at The Game Awards 2025, walking away with top honours for two exclusive Nintendo Switch 2 titles, Donkey Kong Bananza and Mario Kart World. Both games were recognised for redefining their genres and showcasing the power and ambition of Nintendo’s next-generation console.
Donkey Kong Bananza claimed the award for Best Family Game, while Mario Kart World sped off with Best Sports/Racing Game.
Donkey Kong Bananza smashes its way to Best Family Game
Donkey Kong Bananza is a 3D action-adventure platformer built exclusively for Nintendo Switch 2, placing players in control of Donkey Kong’s raw, destructive strength. Players can smash through walls, punch deep into the ground, carve tunnels, and rip chunks of terrain loose to swing or throw, unlocking new areas through sheer force.
The adventure expands further when Donkey Kong teams up with a young Pauline, whose powerful singing abilities enable unique Bananza Transformations. Ongoing challenges and limited-time events continue in the Donkey Kong Bananza: DK Island & Emerald Rush DLC, adding even more depth to the experience.
Mario Kart World redefines racing on Nintendo Switch 2
Taking home the Best Sports/Racing Game award, Mario Kart World pushes the franchise into bold new territory. The game features a vast interconnected world where races flow seamlessly across linked courses, with up to 24 drivers competing in a single event.
New modes include Knockout Tour, where racers battle through consecutive tracks and checkpoints with eliminations at every stage, and Free Roam, which allows players to leave the track entirely, explore freely, and snap photos at scenic locations with friends.
Partner titles also claim awards
Nintendo’s development and publishing partners also enjoyed success, with several award-winning titles available on the Switch 2 and Switch. These include Hades II for Best Action Game, Final Fantasy Tactics: The Ivalice Chronicles for Best Sim/Strategy Game, and Hollow Knight: Silksong for Best Action-Adventure Game.
New Nintendo Switch 2 titles revealed
The ceremony also delivered a wave of exciting announcements for upcoming Nintendo Switch 2 releases. Highlights include Orbitals, a retro anime-inspired intergalactic co-op adventure launching in 2026, PRAGMATA from Capcom, a sci-fi action-adventure with a hacking twist arriving on 24 April 2026, and the psychological horror hit Phasmophobia, set to bring four-player online co-op scares to the platform in 2026.
Also revealed was Out of Words, a handcrafted two-player co-op platformer adventure from Kong Orange, WiredFly and Epic Games Publishing, scheduled for release in 2026.
With multiple wins, major reveals and strong third-party support, Nintendo’s presence at The Game Awards reinforced the Nintendo Switch 2 as one of the most anticipated gaming platforms on the horizon.
Watch this space for updates in the Gaming category on Running Wolf’s Rant.
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