2025 is coming to a close, and the Shacknews staff has assembled an amazing list of games, people, studios, and other awesome things that shaped the year. Leading up to the Shacknews Game of the Year 2025 announcement on December 31, the staff gathered to celebrate some other games worthy of praise for a number of reasons.
Each award includes a deliberation video if you want to get a look at the heated debates and intense staff votes. Games released between January 1, 2025, and December 8, 2025, are eligible for Shacknews Awards 2025 consideration, with games released after December 9, 2025, eligible for awards in 2026. Please take a look!
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### Game That Should Be on Nintendo Switch 2 2025: Doom: The Dark Ages
Doom and the Nintendo Switch have a long history together. The 2016 Doom revival and its sequel, Doom Eternal, were both ported to Nintendo’s last handheld hybrid capably by the team at Panic Button. With more powerful hardware now available, it’s fair to hope the same treatment can be given to *Doom: The Dark Ages*.
While a souped-up PC or 4K TV are preferable, the series’ latest installment works just as well on the go. The soothing sounds of violence and metal music still hit the spot while wearing headphones on a plane or at the doctor’s office.
So, please, whether it be Panic Button or anybody else willing to take up the task, can we please rip and tear some more?
*Doom: The Dark Ages* is available on Steam, Xbox, and PS5 platforms.
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### Best Add-On of 2025: Helldivers 2 ODST Warbond
Ever since *Helldivers* released, Xbox players have longed to drop from orbit like an ODST from *Halo 2*. The soldiers were somewhere between a marine and the mighty SPARTAN-IIs. But outside of *Halo 3: ODST* and its impeccable Firefight, players never got to actually jump into hell — until this crossover made in heaven was delivered: the *Helldivers 2 x Halo: ODST Warbond*.
This special promotion brought *Helldivers 2* to the Xbox platform and teamed it up with the Orbital Drop Shock Troopers (ODST). The Warbond let players unlock ODST and Recon armor, the silenced pistol and SMG from the fourth installation of a *Halo* game, a skin that made a vehicle look like a Warthog, and much more.
For players who grew up playing *Halo* and admiring the ODSTs, this crossover should warm the cold cockles of your heart. It warms ours. Now, we just need to see the Covenant or Flood added to *Helldivers 2*.
*Helldivers 2* is available on PS5, Xbox, and Steam platforms.
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### Best Video Game Music of 2025: Mario Kart World
*Mario Kart World’s* music library could fill your playlist for an entire day and then some. The Mario Kart orchestra assembled over 200 songs worth of nods and celebrations of nearly every musical point of the entire Super Mario universe, and it’s an incredible collection of tracks.
It’s not just about classics like Pauline’s “Jump Up, Super Star!” or a beautiful rendition of Rainbow Road. The soundtrack dives deep into numerous musical corners of Mario’s universe, bringing those memories back in a thick soundtrack that satisfies whether you’re in the middle of a race or wandering the open world Free Roam mode.
For that, *Mario Kart World* wins the Shacknews Award for Best Music of 2025.
*Mario Kart World* is available exclusively on the Nintendo Switch 2 platform.
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### Best Sound Design of 2025: Battlefield 6 Fill In
*Battlefield 6* is recognized for its top-tier sound design, delivering immersive audio that enhances the chaotic battlefield experience.
*Battlefield 6* is available on PS5, Xbox, and Steam platforms.
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### Best Water of 2025: Death Stranding 2: On the Beach
Back in 2018, we created the Best Water category to celebrate what Rare achieved with *Sea of Thieves*. Since then, we’ve paid special attention to how water is used in each video game. Is it something to look at and swim through, or are there mechanics to it beyond being a visual?
In the case of *Death Stranding 2: On the Beach*, water is both a blessing and a curse. Water plays an important role in Sam’s journey. The dreaded timefall rain remains a constant threat that damages your equipment, but there are also hot springs with restorative effects and buffs.
A big part of *Death Stranding 2* is moving between locations. Thanks to water, routes across land are less reliable than before. You might set out on a trek only to be caught in a deluge, which creates rising water and flash floods that will literally sweep you away or cover once-navigable routes.
When floods come, it’s a moment of panic and reflection, as you watch the power of nature in this supernatural world.
*Death Stranding 2: On the Beach* is available on the PS5 platform.
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### Best Gore of 2025: Doom: The Dark Ages
In case you’ve been hiding under brimstone since 1993, the *Doom* franchise is a showcase for blood and guts. After all, *Doom* 2016 made “rip and tear” a catchphrase for a reason.
*Doom: The Dark Ages* is no exception. Glory kills and gibs, headshots, and heavy-duty weapons that reduce enemies to pulp — this game carries forward the gore from its predecessors and turns it up to 11.
Add to that the game’s striking, hellish art style, and you’ve got a good-looking, grisly rip-and-tear experience.
*Doom: The Dark Ages* is available on Steam, Xbox, and PS5 platforms.
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### Best Headshot of 2025: Sniper Elite: Resistance
When it comes to a good headshot in a video game, Shacknews likes to think back on some classics. CEO Asif Khan offers up the perfect example of the *Gears of War* headshot. With a successful reload, the Longshot obliterates an opponent’s head with a crunchy smash, like a watermelon being popped.
Few games manage to hit the same satisfying crunch, except for the legendary headshots in *Sniper Elite*.
In *Sniper Elite: Resistance*, the team at Rebellion has once again nailed what it means to have the best headshot in a video game. Time slows down, you get an x-ray view of the Nazi’s cranium, and you see the damage the bullet inflicts as it passes through skin, muscle, grey matter, bone, and fascist thoughts.
It’s satisfying, rewarding, and ensures players keep taking down those Nazis, one bullet at a time.
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### Best Cameo of 2025: The Simpsons (Fortnite)
The *Simpsons* in *Fortnite* was a perfect example of Epic Games putting all its effort and resources into a high-profile collaboration. Not only did we get cosmetics for characters like Homer, Marge, and Ned Flanders, but *Fortnite* itself received a *Simpsons* makeover.
The entire battle royale map was transformed into a cell-shaded animated world featuring iconic Springfield locations that players could explore. Various *Simpsons*-themed weapons and items were introduced to the loot pool, and players were even treated to a *Fortnite* version of the iconic *Simpsons* intro every time they dropped in.
While it’s easy to feel cynical about many of *Fortnite*’s crossovers these days, the *Simpsons* event fired on all cylinders.
*Fortnite* is available on PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo eShop, Google Play, Apple App Store, and Epic Games Store.
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### Best Online Presentation of 2025: Nintendo Direct — Nintendo Switch 2
After years of speculation and rumors, Nintendo finally pulled back the curtain on its next console on April 2, 2025. This Direct presentation taught us nearly everything we needed to know about the Switch 2.
From its magnetic Joy-Cons to Mouse Mode controls and game-sharing capabilities, there was a lot to learn. Perhaps the most surreal moment was when Nintendo broke down the console’s graphical and performance capabilities, revealing the Switch 2’s support for 4K resolution and up to 120 FPS gameplay.
The Switch 2 reveal Direct also gave us first looks at *Mario Kart World* and *Donkey Kong Bananza*, two games that went on to become some of our 2025 favorites.
[Watch the April 2, 2025 Nintendo Direct Nintendo Switch 2 reveal here.](#)
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### Best NPC of 2025: Chase (Dispatch)
When you meet Chase in *Dispatch*, he’s a cynical, bitter man angry at the cards life has dealt him, often taking that frustration out on those around him. Chase gives Robert, Invisigal, and the entire Z-Team a hard time early on and becomes the biggest critic of SDN’s plan to rehabilitate former villains.
However, as episodes progress, layers of this tortured character are peeled back.
In addition to being excellently written, Chase is voiced brilliantly by Jeffrey Wright in his second video game role. The decorated actor brings all the emotional complexity required to pull off a character like Chase, emerging as a highlight in a game full of standout performances.
We’ll avoid spoilers here, but some of *Dispatch*’s most memorable moments revolve around Chase, and it’s impossible to imagine this narrative having the same impact without him.
*Dispatch* is available on PS5, Steam, and is coming to Nintendo Switch 2 in January.
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### Pop! Goes the Culture! Presents Best Adaptation of 2025: Fallout Season 2
*Fallout* Season 2 builds on everything the first season established, continuing the arcs of Lucy, The Ghoul, and Maximus as they venture to a new location. Like the first season, the show offers more glimpses of the past, weaving political intrigue to reveal how the world became an apocalyptic wasteland.
*Fallout* continues to be the gold standard for video game adaptations. It perfectly translates the imagery and iconography fans love but carves its own path by using original characters to explore new facets of the world.
*Fallout* is available to stream on Amazon Prime Video.
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### Upcoming Shacknews Awards Leading to Game of the Year 2025
Here are the rest of the Shacknews Awards scheduled for announcement leading up to the Game of the Year 2025 reveal on December 31, 2025. We will update this article every evening with the latest winners.
– Shacknews Top 25 Games of the Year 2025
– Shacknews Game of the Year 2025
– Person of the Year 2025
– Do It for Shacknews Award 2025
– Best Developer of 2025
– Best Publisher of 2025
– Modojo @ Shacknews Mobile Game of the Year 2025
– Best PS5 Game of 2025
– Best PC Game of 2025
– Best Expansion of 2025
– Best Fighting Game of 2025
– Best Graphics of 2025
– Best Narrative Game of 2025
– Best Nintendo Switch 2 Game of 2025
– Best Xbox Game of 2025
– Shacknews Top 25 Indie Games of the Year 2025
– Indie Game of the Year 2025
– Best RPG of 2025
– Best Open World Game of 2025
– Best Racing Game of 2025
– Most Overlooked Game of 2025
– Best Co-Op Game of 2025
– Most Improved Game of 2025
– Best Strategy Game of 2025
– Best Remake of 2025
– Best Art Style of 2025
– Best FPS Game of 2025
– Best Mod of 2025
– Best Gaming Accessory of 2025
– Best Horror Game of 2025
– Best Sports Game of 2025
– Best Early Access Game of 2025
– Best Cozy Game of 2025
– Best Comeback of 2025
– Best Strand Game of 2025
– Outstanding Achievement in Accessibility 2025
– Best Multiplayer Game of 2025
– Best VR Game of 2025
– Best Trendsetter of 2025
– Best Hardware of 2025
– Esports Hero of 2025
– Biggest Surprise of 2025
– Best Voice Actor of 2025
– Best Old School Throwback of 2025
– Quietest Lobby of 2025
– Best Video Game Pet of 2025
– Best Nintendo Switch 2 Port of 2025
– Best PC Port of 2025
– Best Action-Adventure Game of 2025
– Best Platformer of 2025
– Best Puzzle Game of 2025
– Best Ongoing Game of 2025
– Best Free-to-Play Game of 2025
Stay tuned for more coverage and the full list of winners as we countdown to Shacknews Game of the Year 2025!
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Thank you for joining us in celebrating an incredible year in gaming!
https://www.shacknews.com/article/147239/shacknews-awards-2025-winners