“You did it, DK!”. Donkey Kong Bananza, the critically acclaimed Switch 2 exclusive, has secured the prestigious Critics’ Choice Award at the 43rd annual Golden Joystick Awards.
Donkey Kong Bananza Triumphs at Golden Joysticks
The beloved title, already a frontrunner for many Game of the Year discussions, was officially recognized for its outstanding quality. This award solidifies its status as one of 2025’s most significant gaming releases.
Key Takeaways:
- Donkey Kong Bananza won the Critics’ Choice Award at the Golden Joysticks.
- The game was also nominated for ‘Ultimate Game Of The Year’ and ‘Console Game of the Year’.
- Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 took home the ‘Ultimate Game Of The Year’ award.
- Ghost of Yōtei won ‘Console Game of the Year’, beating out Donkey Kong Bananza in that category.
Competitive Field and Other Winners
While Donkey Kong Bananza celebrated a major win, the competition was fierce. The game was also nominated in the ‘Ultimate Game Of The Year’ and ‘Console Game of the Year’ categories. However, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 ultimately clinched the ‘Ultimate Game Of The Year’ award, and Sony’s exclusive Ghost of Yōtei secured ‘Console Game of the Year’, narrowly edging out the latest Donkey Kong adventure.
Why This Matters
The Critics’ Choice Award win for Donkey Kong Bananza is a powerful testament to Nintendo’s continued ability to deliver high-quality, exclusive experiences on its hardware. It highlights the critical acclaim the game has garnered, independent of public voting, underscoring its artistic merit and engaging gameplay. This recognition, especially against strong competition from other platforms, reinforces the Nintendo Switch 2’s position as a platform for must-play titles and sets a high bar for future releases in the platforming genre.
This article was based on reporting from Nintendo Life. A huge shoutout to their team for the original coverage. Read the full story at Nintendo Life
