Balatro was named Game of the Year at the 2025 Canadian Game Awards, taking five awards in total. Dragon Age: The Veilguard won three, all for narrative and audio-related categories. The fifth edition of the awards took place on February 16, 2025, at TIFF Lightbox in Toronto.
Which games won at the 2025 Canadian Game Awards?
Balatro, developed by LocalThunk, led the winners with five awards. BioWare’s Dragon Age: The Veilguard received three. The awards below are category counts from the organizer’s official 2025 winners list; they are not a separate measure of game quality.
| # | Preview | Product | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
|
Balatro Special Edition - PlayStation 5 | $29.90 | Buy on Amazon |
| 2 |
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Balatro: Special Edition - For Nintendo Switch | $34.20 | Buy on Amazon |
| 3 |
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Balatro: Special Edition - For Playstation 5 | $28.90 | Buy on Amazon |
| 4 |
|
Balatro (Special Edition) for Xbox Series X | $46.71 | Buy on Amazon |
| 5 |
|
Balatro Special Edition - Compatible for NS - UK PAL | $39.99 | Buy on Amazon |
| Game and studio | Awards won |
|---|---|
| Balatro — LocalThunk | 5 |
| Dragon Age: The Veilguard — BioWare | 3 |
What did Balatro win?
Balatro won Game of the Year, Best Game Design, and Best Debut Indie Game. LocalThunk also received Studio of the Year and Best Debut Studio.
What awards did Dragon Age: The Veilguard win?
Dragon Age: The Veilguard won Best Narrative, Best Score/Soundtrack, and Best Audio Design. Those three awards recognize different creative areas; they are not equivalent to the overall Game of the Year award or to one another.
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- Endless possibilities - every pick-up, discard and joker can dramatically alter the course of your run.
- In-depth campaign mode complete with 5 difficulties, as well as challenge, daily and seeded runs.
- Deftly deploy an array of potent tools
- Immerse yourself in Balatro’s distinctive psychedelic world.
- Improve your collection and discover new cards and secrets with every single run.
When and where were the awards held?
The Canadian Game Awards’ fifth edition was held February 16, 2025, at TIFF Lightbox in Toronto, according to the official winners page.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Why does the awards site also show 2026?
The Canadian Game Awards homepage now lists its sixth edition for May 21, 2026, at John Bassett Theatre in Toronto. That is the next edition’s event information, not the date or venue for the 2025 awards covered here.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- UK e-store account may be required for any online features
Rank #4
- Over 150 unique jokers, 15 decks with modifiers, and 22 tarot card variants.
- Dive into a psychedelic world complete with a synthwave soundtrack.
- Track your progress with an in-depth stats screen and permanent buffs from voucher cards.
- Special Edition includes 10 exclusive physical playing cards for real-life play.
Rank #3
- 150 Jokers, each with their own unique abilities
- 15 Decks with distinct modifiers to choose from for each run
- 5 potential variants of each Joker which add further abilities
- 22 Tarot cards variants that can enhance your regular playing cards
- 11 Planet cards that help level up your possible poker hands
Rank #2
- 150 Jokers, each with their own unique abilities.
- 15 Decks with distinct modifiers to choose from for each run.
- 5 potential variants of each Joker which add further abilities.
- 22 Tarot cards variants that can enhance your regular playing cards.
- 11 Planet cards that help level up your possible poker hands.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
