Donkey Kong Bananza, the latest release from Nintendo EPD for the upcoming Nintendo Switch 2, has quickly made a mark within the gaming community by earning significant recognition at the prestigious 26th Annual Game Developers Choice Awards (GDCA).
As announced this week, the critically acclaimed platformer is among the top contenders for ‘Game of the Year’ and has garnered nominations in several key categories at the renowned event, scheduled to take place on March 12, 2026, during the GDC Festival of Gaming in San Francisco. Since its release, Donkey Kong Bananza has collected accolades for both its gameplay innovation and technical prowess, continuing the legacy of Nintendo’s storied franchise.
Developed by Nintendo EPD, the title has been celebrated for its inventive level design, seamless integration of new mechanics, and engaging audio-visual presentation tailored for the Nintendo Switch 2 hardware.
The game has joined a shortlist of standout titles in this year’s awards season, reflecting Nintendo’s ongoing leadership in first-party game development and creativity on its flagship platform. At this year’s GDCA, Donkey Kong Bananza is nominated in the following categories: - Best Design - Innovation Award - Best Technology - Game of the Year Additionally, the game received an honorable mention in the highly competitive ‘Best Audio’ category.
These nominations place Donkey Kong Bananza alongside major industry releases such as ‘Clair Obscur: Expedition 33’ by Sandfall Interactive and Kepler Interactive, which is a finalist in eight different categories, as well as ‘Ghost of Yōtei’ by Sucker Punch Productions, and ‘Hollow Knight: Silksong’ from Team Cherry. In a recent statement, event organizers underscored the peer-driven nature of the awards, emphasizing that, as always, winners are selected by a panel comprising fellow developers from around the world.
This year’s GDCA will also include a public voting segment, where attendees of the GDC Festival of Gaming will have the chance to cast their vote for their favorite title among all GDCA finalists.
Public voting opens on January 26, 2026. Nintendo EPD’s success with Donkey Kong Bananza on the Nintendo Switch 2 highlights not only the enduring appeal of the Donkey Kong franchise, but also Nintendo’s ability to deliver high-quality, innovative experiences on its next-generation hardware.
The game’s presence across multiple award categories is a testament to the talented development team driving the project, and to Nintendo’s commitment to excellence across design, technology, and player engagement.
For Nintendo and the broader gaming community, the GDCA’s recognition of Donkey Kong Bananza serves as another milestone in a storied history of industry-defining achievements.
With nominations spanning innovation, design, and technology, all eyes will be on March 12 as the winners are revealed at the GDC Festival of Gaming.
As announced this week, the critically acclaimed platformer is among the top contenders for ‘Game of the Year’ and has garnered nominations in several key categories at the renowned event, scheduled to take place on March 12, 2026, during the GDC Festival of Gaming in San Francisco. Since its release, Donkey Kong Bananza has collected accolades for both its gameplay innovation and technical prowess, continuing the legacy of Nintendo’s storied franchise.
Developed by Nintendo EPD, the title has been celebrated for its inventive level design, seamless integration of new mechanics, and engaging audio-visual presentation tailored for the Nintendo Switch 2 hardware.
The game has joined a shortlist of standout titles in this year’s awards season, reflecting Nintendo’s ongoing leadership in first-party game development and creativity on its flagship platform. At this year’s GDCA, Donkey Kong Bananza is nominated in the following categories: - Best Design - Innovation Award - Best Technology - Game of the Year Additionally, the game received an honorable mention in the highly competitive ‘Best Audio’ category.
These nominations place Donkey Kong Bananza alongside major industry releases such as ‘Clair Obscur: Expedition 33’ by Sandfall Interactive and Kepler Interactive, which is a finalist in eight different categories, as well as ‘Ghost of Yōtei’ by Sucker Punch Productions, and ‘Hollow Knight: Silksong’ from Team Cherry. In a recent statement, event organizers underscored the peer-driven nature of the awards, emphasizing that, as always, winners are selected by a panel comprising fellow developers from around the world.
This year’s GDCA will also include a public voting segment, where attendees of the GDC Festival of Gaming will have the chance to cast their vote for their favorite title among all GDCA finalists.
Public voting opens on January 26, 2026. Nintendo EPD’s success with Donkey Kong Bananza on the Nintendo Switch 2 highlights not only the enduring appeal of the Donkey Kong franchise, but also Nintendo’s ability to deliver high-quality, innovative experiences on its next-generation hardware.
The game’s presence across multiple award categories is a testament to the talented development team driving the project, and to Nintendo’s commitment to excellence across design, technology, and player engagement.
For Nintendo and the broader gaming community, the GDCA’s recognition of Donkey Kong Bananza serves as another milestone in a storied history of industry-defining achievements.
With nominations spanning innovation, design, and technology, all eyes will be on March 12 as the winners are revealed at the GDC Festival of Gaming.
