The results are in for The Game Awards 2026! The following winners are available for checkout at The Library. (Descriptions below provided by publisher.)
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
Game of the Year, Best RPG, Best Independent Game, Best Narrative, Best Art Direction, Best Score and Music, Best Game Direction
Once a year, the Paintress wakes and paints upon her monolith. Paints her cursed number. And everyone of that age turns to smoke and fades away. Year by year, that number ticks down and more of us are erased. Tomorrow she’ll wake and paint “33.” And tomorrow we depart on our final mission – Destroy the Paintress, so she can never paint death again.
Available on: PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S
Donkey Kong Bananza
Best Family Game
Explore a vast underground world—by smashing your way through it! Bash through just about anything with the raw power of Donkey Kong! Crash through walls, carve tunnels with your fists, punch straight down into the ground, and even tear off chunks of terrain to swing around and throw in groundbreaking exploration—the more you smash, the more areas open up for you to move through. Join DK and his companion, Pauline, as they delve deep underground—and discover that this subterranean world is a lot more than it seems on the surface.
Available on: Nintendo Switch 2
Hades II
Best Action Game
Battle beyond the underworld in this bewitching sequel to the award-wining rogue-like dungeon crawler. Time cannot be stopped. As Melinoë, the immortal Princess of the Underworld, you’ll explore a bigger, deeper mythic world. Vanquish the forces of the Titan of Time with the full might of Olympus behind you. Embark on a sweeping story that continually unfolds through your every setback and accomplishment.
Available on: Nintendo Switch 2
FINAL FANTASY TACTICS – The Ivalice Chronicles
Best Sim/Strategy Game
The groundbreaking tactical RPG makes its long-awaited return. Ivalice—a kingdom blessed by the light of the gods and ruled by the Two-headed Lion. A year after her defeat to Ordallia in the Fifty Years’ War, the king succumbed to malady, leaving a mere boy of two to ascend the throne. Against this backdrop appear Ramza, third son of House Beoulve, one of Ivalice’s leading military families, and his childhood companion Delita, a commoner raised amongst nobles. As they endeavor to chart a course through this tumultuous age, a mighty current draws them ever closer to the abyss.
Available on: Nintendo Switch
Mario Kart World
Best Sports/Racing Game
The whole world is your racetrack in this massive evolution of the Mario Kart™ series! The courses you race on are all connected in a seamless world. Drive the paths between them to traverse mountains, forests, cities, and more. Take in the sprawling vistas as you explore at your own pace in Free Roam—or watch how a sudden shift in the weather can mix up a dead heat in a tense Grand Prix.
Available on: Nintendo Switch 2
Doom: The Dark Ages
Innovation in Accessibility
Step into the blood-stained boots of the DOOM Slayer, in this never-before-seen dark and sinister medieval war against Hell. Experience the origin story of the DOOM Slayer’s rage in this epic, cinematic, and action-packed story. Bound to serve as the super weapon of gods and kings, the DOOM Slayer fends off demon hordes as their leader seeks to destroy the Slayer and become the only one that is feared. Witness the creation of a legend as the Slayer takes on all of Hell and turns the tide of the war.
Available on: PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S
The Last of Us: Season 2
Best Adaptation
Five years after their dangerous journey across the post-pandemic United States, Ellie and Joel have settled down in Jackson, Wyoming. Living amongst a thriving community of survivors has allowed them peace and stability, despite the constant threat of the infected and other, more desperate survivors. When a violent event disrupts that peace, Ellie embarks on a relentless journey to carry out justice and find closure. As she hunts those responsible one by one, she is confronted with the devastating physical and emotional repercussions of her actions.
Available on: DVD
Curious what games were at last year’s awards? Check out our blog post on The Game Awards 2024 Nominees.