Games

Clair Obscur, Donkey Kong Bananza And Pokemon Go Dominate The Golden Joystick Awards 2025 Winners List

25 November 2025
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Clair Obscur, Donkey Kong Bananza And Pokemon Go Dominate The Golden Joystick Awards 2025 Winners List

Summary:

The latest Golden Joystick Awards turned into a celebration of bold new ideas and long running favorites, with Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 leading the charge. The dark fantasy RPG claimed Ultimate Game of the Year and several other categories, underlining how strongly its mix of storytelling, worldbuilding and combat landed with voters. Around it, a wide range of winners showed just how varied this year in games really was. Ghost of Yotei claimed Console Game of the Year while Hollow Knight: Silksong finally took home PC Game of the Year, proving that single platform standouts still have the power to shape conversation. Nintendo players had plenty to cheer about as well, with Donkey Kong Bananza earning the Critics’ Choice award and Pokemon Go securing the Still Playing – Mobile prize years after launch. Add in recognition for Peak, Minecraft, AMD’s latest hardware and indie names like Blue Prince and Schedule 1, and the result is an awards show that feels like a snapshot of where games are right now – and where they are going next.

Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 crowns an unforgettable Golden Joystick night

When the lights died down in London and the final trophy was handed over, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 stood at the center of the stage. The turn based RPG not only picked up Ultimate Game of the Year but also stacked multiple wins across creative categories, confirming that its momentum throughout 2025 was not a temporary burst of hype. For a new IP from a relatively young studio to sit in the same conversation as the biggest names in the industry feels like a statement about what players want right now. People clearly connected with the way Expedition 33 blends dark Belle Époque vibes, emotional storytelling and high stakes battles into something that feels stylish without losing heart. Seeing its name attached to the top prize at the Golden Joystick Awards 2025 sends a clear message to the rest of the field – fresh ideas with strong execution can stand toe to toe with long running giants and come out on top.

How The Golden Joystick Awards 2025 set the tone for gaming

This year’s ceremony did more than hand out trophies – it mapped out what the current generation of games looks like across consoles, PC and mobile. Held in London as the 43rd edition of the show, the Golden Joystick Awards once again leaned heavily on public voting, which is why the final scoreboard gives such a good reading of where players are spending their time and passion. The winners list jumps from story driven single player adventures to competitive multiplayer hits, and from ambitious indies to cutting edge hardware. That mix matters, because it reminds everyone that games are not defined by one genre or one platform. Instead, we have a landscape where a stylized JRPG, a PlayStation samurai epic, an underground Donkey Kong adventure and a mobile phenomenon like Pokemon Go can all share the same spotlight. Looking over the categories, you can almost trace a constellation across the industry, with each winner representing a particular corner of how people play today.

Why Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 resonated with players and critics

Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 felt special long before the envelopes were opened, and the awards haul simply confirms what players have been saying since launch. At its core, the game tells a desperate story about volunteers trying to stop the Paintress, a mysterious force that literally erases people from existence once they reach a certain age. That hook immediately gives every journey and every fight a sense of urgency, as if time is constantly breathing down your neck. On top of that, the world leans into a moody Belle Époque style, with ornate architecture, flickering lights and fashion that mixes elegance with menace. Combat blends classic turn based systems with real time inputs so that every attack and defense feels responsive rather than distant. It is the kind of design that respects the roots of Japanese style RPGs while refusing to feel stuck in the past. When voters had to decide which project captured their imagination this year, that blend of emotional storytelling, striking visuals and modernized mechanics made Expedition 33 an easy favorite.

From storytelling to soundtrack – a clean sweep for Expedition 33

Looking at the winners list, it quickly becomes clear that Expedition 33 did not just sneak by with a single headline trophy. It took home Best Storytelling, Best Soundtrack, Best Visual Design and Ultimate Game of the Year, while also helping Ben Starr secure recognition as Best Supporting Performer and contributing to Sandfall Interactive’s Studio of the Year win. That combination shows that the game delivers across every major creative pillar rather than leaning on just one standout feature. Strong narrative design and performances make each scene feel alive, while its music helps sell both the quiet melancholy of the setting and the intensity of battles. Visual design keeps things coherent, tying environments, character outfits and UI together in a way that feels deliberate instead of flashy for the sake of it. When a single project walks away with this many trophies, it is because every department pulled in the same direction. The Golden Joystick crowd rewarded that kind of holistic craft, and that is why Expedition 33 dominated the night.

Ghost of Yotei and Hollow Knight: Silksong shine across platforms

While Expedition 33 owned the overall conversation, the Golden Joystick Awards also carved out space to celebrate platform specific excellence. Ghost of Yotei claimed Console Game of the Year, cementing Sucker Punch’s follow up to Ghost of Tsushima as one of the standout PlayStation 5 experiences of 2025. Set in northern Japan with a new protagonist, Atsu, it delivers an icy revenge tale that takes the open world samurai formula and pushes it into harsher territory. On the PC side, Hollow Knight: Silksong finally stepped out from under the shadow of long running anticipation to win PC Game of the Year. That victory signals that the years of patience from fans were worth it, and that Team Cherry managed to deliver a metroidvania that lives up to the legacy of the original Hollow Knight. Seeing these two projects sit alongside each other on the winners list shows how different platforms can push in different directions while still chasing the same goal of leaving a lasting mark on players.

Console and PC games of the year side by side

Putting Ghost of Yotei and Hollow Knight: Silksong next to each other also highlights the range of experiences players crave. On consoles, large scale cinematic adventures still dominate attention, especially when they mix open exploration with carefully directed set pieces and nuanced combat. Ghost of Yotei fits perfectly into that mold, inviting players to roam remote landscapes, test their skills in tense duels and tangle with a gallery of larger than life foes. On PC, the winning formula often looks a little different. Hollow Knight: Silksong leans on precise platforming, tight combat loops and a dense, interconnected world that rewards experimentation and mastery. One prize celebrates sweeping vistas and dramatic story beats, the other celebrates purity of control and design. Yet both sit under the same Game of the Year umbrella for their respective platforms, which is exactly what makes the Golden Joystick list fun to read – you get a sense of the full spectrum, rather than one narrow definition of what greatness looks like.

Nintendo’s big moments with Donkey Kong Bananza and Pokemon Go

Nintendo fans had more than a passing reason to tune in this year. Donkey Kong Bananza, the breakout Nintendo Switch 2 showcase, snagged the Critics’ Choice award, while Pokemon Go picked up the Still Playing – Mobile title. Taken together, those wins underline how Nintendo and its partners manage to keep one foot in the future and one in the present. Bananza represents the new era of Donkey Kong on Switch 2, with destructible underground playgrounds, a big story about wish granting power at the planetary core and a fresh spin on the Donkey Kong and Pauline pairing. Pokemon Go, by contrast, shows the staying power of a mobile phenomenon that continues to evolve through events, seasonal updates and new mechanics long after most games would have slowed down. Seeing both names on the winners board makes it clear that Nintendo flavored experiences still have enormous reach, whether people are smashing through rock in a living room or flicking Poké Balls on a commute.

Donkey Kong Bananza as Critics’ Choice on Nintendo Switch 2

Donkey Kong Bananza’s Critics’ Choice win feels especially important for Nintendo Switch 2. As one of the system’s early tentpole releases, it had a lot to prove. The game throws Donkey Kong and Pauline into a layered underground world where almost everything can be smashed, tunneled through or reshaped in search of Banandium Gems. That focus on destruction turns each level into a kind of playable toy box, where players are encouraged to experiment with different routes, uncover secrets and enjoy the spectacle of environments crumbling away. At the same time, Bananza keeps a strong sense of character thanks to expressive animations, a playful story and transformations that let Donkey Kong borrow traits from different animals to move and fight in new ways. Critics responding to that mix of technical showcase and playful spirit helped push the game to the front of the Critics’ Choice category. For Switch 2 owners looking for proof that their console has its own heavy hitters, this award serves as a reassuring stamp of quality.

Pokemon Go proves it is still playing strong on mobile

Pokemon Go taking the Still Playing – Mobile award might be the least surprising outcome on the list, but that does not make it any less impressive. Launched back in 2016, the location based hit has weathered shifting trends, new competitors and even major changes behind the scenes as Niantic’s games division moved under Scopely. Despite all of that, the core appeal remains intact: walking through real streets, spinning PokéStops, catching favorites and sharing events with friends still feels special. Ongoing seasons, raid rotations and crossovers with new mainline Pokemon releases keep the pool of activities fresh, so that returning players always have something to chase. The Still Playing award acknowledges that sustained effort, celebrating a game that treats live service as a long term relationship rather than a sprint. For trainers who still throw Poké Balls every day, seeing Pokemon Go honored at the Golden Joysticks feels like a quiet nod that their loyalty matters.

Peak, Minecraft and live games that refuse to slow down

The Still Playing and multiplayer focused categories gave a spotlight to games that treat each year like another chapter rather than a finish line. Minecraft secured Still Playing – PC and Console, a reminder that its blocky sandbox continues to attract new players while keeping veterans busy with wild builds, custom servers and creative projects. Peak, meanwhile, enjoyed a double burst of recognition as both Best Multiplayer Game and Streamers’ Choice. That combination hints at how well the game balances watchability with playability, giving streamers tense moments and surprising twists to show off while also giving players systems they can learn and master. Together, these wins make a case for live games as a central pillar of modern gaming rather than a side note. Instead of fading once the new release smell wears off, these titles reinvent themselves, add modes and respond to community feedback, which keeps them relevant enough to earn trophies years after their first splash.

Multiplayer recognition for Peak and community hits

Peak’s presence in both Best Multiplayer Game and Streamers’ Choice is worth lingering on for a moment. Multiplayer spaces are crowded right now, with shooters, hero games and co op adventures all competing for attention. For Peak to rise above that noise suggests that it found a sweet spot. The game appears to offer a blend of clever design, approachable match flow and highlight friendly moments that keep spectators engaged. When streamers latch onto a multiplayer game, they effectively become its marketing team, showcasing the fun to audiences who might not have heard of it otherwise. The Streamers’ Choice win shows that Peak has become a regular fixture in that world. Combined with the more traditional Best Multiplayer trophy, it suggests a future where being entertaining to watch is almost as important as being fun to play. For developers looking at the Golden Joystick results, this is where many of them will quietly take notes.

Hardware, indie gems and the future of what we play

Beyond the headliners, the Golden Joystick Awards 2025 also sprinkled attention across hardware and smaller projects that help shape everyday play. AMD’s Ryzen 9 9950X3D grabbed Best Gaming Hardware, underlining how enthusiast level CPUs still drive a lot of excitement in the PC scene. When processors can unlock higher frame rates, smoother streaming and snappier load times, they effectively raise the ceiling for what developers can attempt. On the indie side, Blue Prince picked up Best Indie Game, while Hollow Knight: Silksong earned Best Indie Game – Self published in addition to its PC Game of the Year title. Those decisions send a signal that fresh voices and independent teams continue to be essential to the medium. Players are clearly willing to celebrate work that does not come from the biggest studios, as long as it delivers memorable ideas. Seeing hardware and indies share the stage with blockbusters shows that the ecosystem remains diverse and healthy.

From AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D to Blue Prince and more

It is easy to look at the winners scoreboard and focus only on Ultimate Game of the Year or the platform specific GOTY prizes, but some of the most interesting stories live in the supporting categories. The nod to AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D points to a future where hardware with specialized cache layouts and power savings features becomes more common, giving players better performance without always needing a full system overhaul. On the creative side, Blue Prince, Schedule 1 and Arcane Season 2 hint at how flexible the modern gaming universe really is. Blue Prince shows that carefully designed indie experiences can still find room to breathe. Schedule 1’s Breakthrough Award highlights new talent ready to join the upper ranks. Arcane Season 2 winning Best Game Adaptation keeps the door open for shows that expand game worlds without feeling like shallow tie ins. Each trophy in these categories is like a small arrow pointing toward where the next wave of favorites could come from.

Sandfall Interactive seals Studio of the Year

Few stories at this year’s Golden Joysticks feel as satisfying as Sandfall Interactive claiming Studio of the Year on the back of Expedition 33’s success. The team started as a relatively small group with a big dream: building a lavish turn based RPG at a time when many large publishers were moving away from that style. Seeing them walk away with both Ultimate Game of the Year and Studio of the Year is the kind of arc that inspires other teams working on passion projects. It shows that you do not need a decades old franchise name to stand onstage holding a major trophy. Instead, you need a clear vision, tight execution and the patience to polish every piece of the experience. Players rewarded that attitude with their votes, and the awards simply turned that support into something tangible. For Sandfall, 2025 now sits in permanent ink as the year they moved from promising newcomer to widely recognized force.

What these wins mean for the months ahead

Looking beyond the evening itself, the Golden Joystick Awards 2025 winners list acts almost like a roadmap for the next stretch of gaming news. Expedition 33’s victory will likely push more players to finally give it a shot, boosting sales and increasing pressure for expansions or sequels. Ghost of Yotei and Hollow Knight: Silksong will see renewed attention from anyone who was still sitting on the fence, potentially nudging other studios to keep raising their own standards. Donkey Kong Bananza’s Critics’ Choice win strengthens the early library of Nintendo Switch 2 and should encourage Nintendo to keep experimenting with beloved characters. Pokemon Go, Minecraft and Peak’s ongoing success will keep live service strategies under the microscope, as publishers look for ways to replicate that kind of staying power without burning communities out. In short, the trophies are more than shiny statues – they are signals that will echo through marketing plans, development priorities and player conversations well into next year.

Conclusion

The Golden Joystick Awards 2025 ended with a winners lineup that feels both satisfying and exciting. Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 walked away as the big victor, but it did so in harmony with a wide cast of other projects that each captured a different facet of why games matter. Ghost of Yotei and Hollow Knight: Silksong reminded everyone that console and PC experiences still thrive when they pair strong mechanics with unforgettable worlds. Donkey Kong Bananza and Pokemon Go showed how Nintendo flavored adventures can succeed across brand new hardware and long running mobile platforms. Live games like Peak and Minecraft underlined how communities can keep a title thriving year after year, while hardware and indie winners hinted at what tomorrow’s breakthroughs might look like. Taken together, the results paint a picture of an industry that is not standing still. Instead, it is experimenting, refining and surprising, with this year’s Golden Joystick trophies serving as snapshots of a medium in constant motion.

FAQs
  • What won Ultimate Game of the Year at the Golden Joystick Awards 2025
    • Ultimate Game of the Year went to Clair Obscur: Expedition 33. The dark fantasy RPG from Sandfall Interactive converted strong reviews and player enthusiasm into a dominant showing on the night, adding that top honor to a stack of other category wins across storytelling, soundtrack and visual design.
  • Which Nintendo related games won awards at the Golden Joystick Awards 2025
    • Nintendo’s presence came through in two key wins. Donkey Kong Bananza on Nintendo Switch 2 earned the Critics’ Choice award, confirming its status as a flagship adventure for the new system. Pokemon Go, which launched in partnership with Nintendo and The Pokemon Company, secured the Still Playing – Mobile prize, highlighting its ongoing strength as a live service.
  • Who took home Console Game of the Year and PC Game of the Year
    • Console Game of the Year went to Ghost of Yotei, Sucker Punch’s samurai action adventure set in northern Japan. PC Game of the Year was awarded to Hollow Knight: Silksong, a long awaited follow up that impressed voters with its intricate world design, demanding platforming and combat depth.
  • Why is Donkey Kong Bananza’s Critics’ Choice win important for Nintendo Switch 2
    • Donkey Kong Bananza’s Critics’ Choice win helps position Nintendo Switch 2 as a system with its own distinctive showpiece, rather than relying only on cross generation projects. The game’s destructible underground environments, playful story and strong technical performance make it a natural showcase for what the new hardware can do, which is exactly what early adopters want to see.
  • What does the Studio of the Year award mean for Sandfall Interactive
    • Studio of the Year confirms that Sandfall Interactive’s work on Expedition 33 resonated far beyond a single category. The award recognizes consistent excellence across design, art, audio and direction, and it signals that the studio has joined the ranks of widely trusted names. For players, it is a hint that whatever Sandfall builds next is worth watching closely from day one.
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