Donkey Kong Bananza Wins Critics’ Selection Award

The Banandium Gem-packed Donkey Kong Bananza was the winner of the Critics’ Selection Award on the 2025 Golden Joystick Awards.

It was the one Nintendo-published recreation to obtain recognition on the annual award ceremony, at which Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 dominated the largely public-voted classes.

Sandfall Interactive received Studio of the Yr for its efforts to ship the acclaimed turn-based RPG received Final Recreation of the Yr, Finest Storytelling, Finest Visible Design and Finest Soundtrack, with actors Jennifer English and Ben Starr successful Finest Lead Performer and Finest Supporting Performer for his or her roles as Maelle and Verso.

Checklist of 2025 Golden Joystick Awards Winners

Finest Storytelling – Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 (public vote)

Finest Audio Design – Ghost of Yōtei (public vote)

Finest Multiplayer Recreation – PEAK (public vote)

Finest Visible Design – Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 (public vote)

Finest Recreation Growth – Lies of P: Overture (public vote)

Finest Indie Recreation Self Printed – Hole Knight: Silksong (public vote)

Finest Indie Recreation – Blue Prince (public vote)

Studio of the Yr – Sandfall Interactive (public vote)

Finest Early Entry Recreation – R.E.P.O (public vote)

Finest Soundtrack – Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 (public vote)

Finest Recreation Trailer – Grand Theft Auto VI Trailer 2 (public vote)

Nonetheless Taking part in – Cell – Pokémon GO (public vote)

Nonetheless Taking part in – Consoles & PC – Minecraft (public vote)

Streamers’ Selection – PEAK (critically chosen)

Finest Remake / Remaster – The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered (public vote)

Breakthrough Award – Schedule I (critically chosen)

Finest Gaming {Hardware} – AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D (public vote)

Finest Recreation Adaptation – Arcane Season 2 (public vote)

Finest Supporting Performer – Ben Starr (public vote)

Finest Lead Performer – Jennifer English (public vote)

Corridor of Fame – The Sims (critically chosen)

PC Recreation of the Yr – Hole Knight: Silksong (public vote)

Console Recreation of the Yr – Ghost of Yōtei (public vote)

Critics’ Selection Award – Donkey Kong Bananza (critically chosen)

Most Wished Recreation – Grand Theft Auto VI (public vote)

Final Recreation of the Yr – Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 (public vote)