Donkey Kong’s latest adventure for Switch 2 has received multiple nominations at the 2026 Game Developers Choice Awards. Having already won several awards, the game is now in the running in several categories, including the main prize, “Game of the Year.”
Nominations for the 2026 GDCA
The 26th Game Developers Choice Awards will take place on March 12, 2026, as part of the GDC Festival of Gaming. The finalists were announced this week.& nbsp;Donkey Kong Bananza is represented in several categories and is also one of the most talked-about titles at the event.
In addition to Donkey Kong Bananza, other games have also received multiple nominations. Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is particularly frequently mentioned, being represented in a total of eight categories.
Categories in which Donkey Kong Bananza is participating
Donkey Kong Bananza is nominated in the Best Design category.
Here, the game competes against productions such as BALL X PIT, Blue Prince, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, and Split Fiction.
The title is also represented in the Innovation Award category. Other nominated games in this category include Baby Steps and, once again, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33.
Donkey Kong Bananza also received another nomination for Best Technology. In this category, the game is competing with productions such as Death Stranding 2: On the Beach, Ghost of Yōtei, and Split Fiction.
Donkey Kong Bananza was also nominated in the Game of the Year category. Here, however, it faces competition from titles such as Hollow Knight: Silksong, Blue Prince, and Clair Obscur: Expedition 33. The game also received an honorable mention in the Best Audio category.
Developer and platform
Donkey Kong Bananza was developed by Nintendo EPD and published by Nintendo. The game is exclusive to the new Switch 2 console and is also the latest major solo appearance in the Donkey Kong series.
The title has already won several awards in recent months. The renewed nominations also underscore the attention the game is receiving within the development industry.
Award ceremony procedure
The winners of the Game Developers Choice Awards will be announced at a ceremony during GDC in March. This is an industry award in which developers honor other developers.
In addition to the jury selection, however, a public vote is also planned. Visitors to the GDC Festival of Gaming can cast their vote for Game of the Year starting January 26, 2026. However, this vote is limited to the nominated titles. Other titles cannot be voted for.
More content about the game
Paid additional content is now also available for Donkey Kong Bananza. However, no further details about the scope or content of the DLC were mentioned in connection with the nominations.
FAQ
The game is represented at the 2026 Game Developers Choice Awards.
Among others, in Best Design, Innovation Award, Best Technology, and Game of the Year.
The GDCA ceremony is scheduled for March 12, 2026.
As part of the GDC Festival of Gaming.
The game was developed by Nintendo EPD.
Donkey Kong Bananza has been released for Switch 2.
Yes, GDC visitors can vote starting January 26, 2026.
It received an Honorable Mention in the Best Audio category.
