The roster of nominated titles is extensive, yet one title appears particularly frequently. We have all the details on the accolade and the likely victors for you.
In the upcoming days – specifically, from August 20 to 24, 2025 – the focus will be on one thing: games, games, games, and endless lines. Oops, that’s two things, but we’re swept up in trade fair excitement, alright?!
What were we referring to? … Ah yes, accolades! As in previous years, gamescom will again be handing out awards across various categories. We have the complete list of nominees for you, and it can be said this much: Capcom might want to get their tuxedos ready and start drafting their acceptance speeches. Their horror title Resident Evil 9, slated for release in 2026, has received an impressive five nominations!
Want to cast your vote? No problem! Just like every year, the gamescom Award jury consists of several experts from the gaming realm. But the community also has a significant role in selecting the winners. Beginning on August 20, 2025, you can submit your vote on this site.
gamescom Award 2025: Full list of nominees at a glance
Best Visuals
– Borderlands 4 – Gearbox Software / 2K
– Bye Sweet Carole – Little Sewing Machine / Maximum Entertainment
– Crimson Desert – Pearl Abyss
– MIO: Memories In Orbit – Douze Dixième / Focus Entertainment
– Resident Evil Requiem – Capcom Entertainment
Best Audio
– Cairn – The Game Bakers
– Little Nightmares 3 – Supermassive Games / Bandai Namco Entertainment
– Phantom Blade Zero – S-Game
– Resident Evil Requiem – Capcom Entertainment
– Rockbeasts – Lichthund / Team17
Best Gameplay
– Donkey Kong Bananza – Nintendo
– Hela – Windup / Knights Peak
– Mario Kart World – Nintendo
– PVKK: Planet Defense Cannon Commander – Bippinbits / Kepler Interactive
– Resident Evil Requiem – Capcom Entertainment
Most Entertaining
– Dispatch – AdHoc Studio
– Donkey Kong Bananza – Nintendo
– Grounded 2 – Obsidian Entertainment / Xbox Game Studios
– Hela – Windup / Knights Peak
– Mario Kart World – Nintendo
Most Epic
– Crimson Desert – Pearl Abyss
– Dune: Awakening – Funcom
– Resident Evil Requiem – Capcom Entertainment
– Super Meat Boy 3D – Sluggerfly, Team Meat / Headup
– Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 – Saber Interactive / Focus Entertainment
Most Wholesome
– Hela – Windup / Knights Peak
– Is This Seat Taken? – Poti Poti Studio / Wholesome Games Presents
– Star Birds – Toukana Interactive
– Tiny Bookshop – neoludic games / Skystone Games, 2P Games
– Winter Burrow – Pine Creek Games / Noodlecake
Games for Impact
– Cairn – The Game Bakers
– Forever Skies – Far From Home
– Hollow Home – Twigames / Galaktus
– Monowave – Studio BBB
– Tiny Bookshop – neoludic games / Skystone Games, 2P Games
Best Microsoft Xbox Game
– Borderlands 4 – Gearbox Software / 2K
– Crimson Desert – Pearl Abyss
– Grounded 2 – Obsidian Entertainment / Xbox Game Studios
– Little Nightmares 3 – Supermassive Games / Bandai Namco Entertainment
– Ninja Gaiden 4 – PlatinumGames, Team Ninja / Xbox Game Studios
Best PC Game
– Anno 117: Pax Romana – Ubisoft Mainz / Ubisoft
– Borderlands 4 – Gearbox Software / 2K
– PVKK: Planetary Defense Cannon Commander – Bippinbits / Kepler Interactive
– Towa and the Guardians of the Sacred Tree – Brownies inc. / Bandai Namco Entertainment
– World of Warcraft – Blizzard Entertainment / Activision Blizzard
Best Sony PlayStation Game
– Borderlands 4 – Gearbox Software / 2K
– Crimson Desert – Pearl Abyss
– Cronos: The New Dawn – Bloober Team
– Pragmata – Capcom Entertainment
– Resident Evil Requiem – Capcom Entertainment
Best Nintendo Switch 2 Game
– Donkey Kong Bananza – Nintendo
– Mario Kart World – Nintendo
– Metroid Prime 4: Beyond – Nintendo
– Towa and the Guardians of the Sacred Tree – Brownies In. / Bandai Namco Entertainment
– Winter Burrow – Pine Creek Games / Noodlecake
Best Mobile Game
– Arknights: Endfield – Hypergryph / Gryphline