Gamescom 2025 awards announce Nintendo wins

A concise look at the Gamescom 2025 award winners and notable moments from Cologne

Gamescom 2025 Awards Spotlight on Nintendo Dominance and Visual Brilliance

The Gamescom 2025 awards highlighted a strong mix of big titles and bold ideas. Nintendo collected multiple prizes while Resident Evil Requiem dominated visuals and audio, and Donkey Kong Bananza won best gameplay. Hela earned audience favorites and Tiny Bookshop took Games for Impact. Pokemon Company won best booth as the show underscored publishers presence and Hollow Knight Silksong won the best trailer. Grounded 2 was named best Xbox game and Anno 117 Pax Romana took best PC game while Mario Kart World was named best Nintendo Switch 2 game.

Platform specific wins show a year where cross over play and portable titles matter. The awards point to a balanced lineup that rewards both blockbuster franchises and smaller teams pushing new ideas. The show floor experience and the reception of trailers suggest fans want momentum and clear tangible hooks for 2026.

This year confirms that major IPs still pull crowds, but indie projects can punch above their weight. Nintendo's wins across several categories reflect a strategy that blends familiar franchises with broad platform appeal. The results also spotlight a continuing appetite for strong showmanship alongside solid gameplay and story.

The mix of large booths and intimate spaces signals a shift in how games are showcased and marketed. If publishers chase visibility the way Gamescom participants did, next year could lean even more toward showmanship and early access episodes. The awards underline a healthy balance between spectacle and substance in a crowded calendar.

Highlights

The awards set the tone for a busy year ahead in the gaming calendar