Nintendo dominates Gamescom 2025 with Switch 2 previews

Gamescom 2025 showcases a mix of hardware driven hype and hands on titles as Switch 2 exclusives take center stage.

Mario Kart World Wins Best Nintendo Switch 2 Game at Gamescom 2025

Gamescom 2025 handed out awards through a panel of expert jurors and community input. Donkey Kong Bananza claimed the best gameplay prize, beating out heavy hitters like Resident Evil Requiem. Mario Kart World earned the award for best Nintendo Switch 2 game, beating Donkey Kong Bananza and Metroid Prime 4 Beyond. Pokemon won best booth, Capcom took the best lineup, and Hollow Knight Silksong won the best trailer. The awards are limited to games that are present at the show and submitted for different categories, with submission fees applying.

These are early signals for Nintendo's Switch 2 era. The split between best gameplay and best Nintendo Switch 2 game highlights different audiences: players chase fluid action, while fans celebrate hardware driven showcases. The absence of Kirby Air Riders, Pokémon Legends Z A, and Metroid Prime 4 from the winners leaves questions about launch timing and development pace. The Gamescom site explains the assessment criteria, but the real test comes later as publishers move from trailers to hands-on demos and actual sales.

The awards matter because they shape expectations for the next wave of games on the new console. Nintendo seems to lean on familiar franchises to drive momentum while experiments push arcade style play into the spotlight. The event also shows how awards influence consumer interest, retailer stocking decisions, and investor attention. For developers, the mix of jury and public voting creates pressure to balance graphics with accessibility and feel. The different categories may reward different teams, potentially steering resources in different directions. In a crowded market, Gamescom’s lineup acts as a compass for what audiences will chase next.

Highlights

The awards reflect a moment in time as a new console era takes its first breaths.