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1Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors2Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute3Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsThe Game Awards’ 2025 Game of the Year nominees bring six sharply different games together: Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, Death Stranding 2: On The Beach, Donkey Kong Bananza, Hades II, Hollow Knight: Silksong and Kingdom Come: Deliverance II. The unusual part is not an official designation or a proven effect of the eligibility deadline; it is the contrast between the titles and the fact that the rules allow qualifying older games to compete alongside current releases.
Who are the 2025 Game of the Year nominees?
The Game Awards’ official nominee list names these six games in its Game of the Year category:
- Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
- Death Stranding 2: On The Beach
- Donkey Kong Bananza
- Hades II
- Hollow Knight: Silksong
- Kingdom Come: Deliverance II
The official roster is available on The Game Awards’ nominees page.
Why does the field feel unusual?
The nominees make an eclectic group: recognizable series entries sit beside games with less familiar identities, and the list spans markedly different kinds of experiences. That variety is a reasonable basis for calling the field unusual, but “weird” is an interpretation, not a category The Game Awards assigns to the nominees. The official list establishes who is included; it does not say that genre, franchise identity or any other single factor determined the selections.
#1 Best Overall
- Compatible with Windows and Android.
- 1000Hz Polling Rate (for 2.4G and wired connection)
- Hall Effect joysticks and Hall triggers. Wear-resistant metal joystick rings.
- Extra R4/L4 bumpers. Custom button mapping without using software. Turbo function.
- Refined bumpers and D-pad. Light but tactile.
The timing adds another wrinkle. Xbox Wire published its nominee roundup on November 17, 2025, while The Game Awards’ FAQ set the public-availability cutoff for eligibility at November 21, 2025, at 9 p.m. PT. The roundup therefore appeared four days before the stated cutoff. That chronology is notable, but the sources do not establish that the deadline caused or changed the final lineup.
How eligibility can include games from earlier years
The cutoff is not the only eligibility detail that matters. The Game Awards FAQ says: “Games released in previous years are eligible in all award categories, so long as the jury feels their inclusion is merited due to new content, improvements or service updates.” In other words, eligibility is not necessarily limited to games first released during the calendar year. The rule leaves that judgment to the jury; it does not by itself establish the release-history case for any particular nominee.
Rank #2
- MODERNIZED DESIGN — Experience the modernized design of the XBOX Wireless Controller with sculpted surfaces and updated geometry that enhances comfort and control during long gaming sessions.
- PRECISION PERFORMANCE — Stay on target with a hybrid D-pad and textured grips on triggers, bumpers, and back case for improved accuracy and handling.
- SHARE BUTTON: Seamlessly capture and share content such as screenshots, recordings, and more with the new Share button.
- VERSATILE CONNECTIVITY — Connect via USB-C for plug-and-play on console and PC, or quickly pair and switch between supported devices with XBOX Wireless and Bluetooth support.
- BUILT-IN AUDIO SUPPORT — Plug in compatible headsets using the 3.5mm audio jack for direct voice chat and immersive in-game sound.
The FAQ gives the cutoff as Friday, November 21, 2025, at 9 p.m. PT. That is the stated 2025 public-availability deadline, rather than evidence that every game released by then automatically qualified or that later eligibility decisions followed from the date alone.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Who chooses the nominees?
For most categories, nominees are selected by an international jury made up of more than 100 media and influencer outlets, according to The Game Awards FAQ. That process puts the unusual character of the field in perspective: the six games are a jury’s selected group, not a list assembled to represent a particular genre mix or a formal measure of how unconventional a year was.
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Rank #3
- With broad game support, the Logitech Gamepad F310 works with old standbys to today's biggest titles, so it's easy to set up and use with your favorite games.
- Profiler software allows the gamepad to be programmed to perform keyboard and mouse commands for games without gamepad support.* * Requires software installation.
- A familiar control layout that doesn't require a learning curve to be able to use, with all the same buttons as on an Xbox 360.
- The unique floating D-pad rests on four switches-instead of a single pivot point-making it responsive to quick changes in direction.
- The six-foot cord lets you lean back and play a comfortable distance from your PC monitor.
Xbox Wire’s November 17 roundup also lists the nominees and links to Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 on Xbox: Xbox Wire’s 2025 nominees roundup.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- Feel physically responsive feedback to your in-game actions through haptic feedback
- Experience varying levels of force and tension at your fingertips with adaptive triggers
- Chat online through the built-in microphone and connect a headset directly through the 3.5mm jack
- Switch voice capture on and off using the dedicated mute button
- Play on more devices using the USB Type-C cable or Bluetooth to connect easily to Windows PC and Mac computers, Android and iOS mobile phones as well as your PlayStation 5
Rank #4
- Compatible with Wide Range of Consoles: This controller works with consoles such as Switch 2, Switch, Switch Pro, Switch Lite, and Switch OLED. (Please note): The controller's “HOME” button cannot wake up the Switch 2 console and does not have the C button for voice chat functions. However, all other functions are fully usable, including: dual vibration, 6-axis gyroscope, screenshot function, Hall effect buttons, and turbo.
- Cool and Colorful Lighting Switch Controller Wireless: It features 7 colors of RGB lighting (Red - Orange - Yellow - Green - Cyan - Blue - Violet) and 4 light modes (Dazzle - Monochrome - Monochrome Breathe - Monochrome Breathe Cycle).
- Hall Effect Technology for Switch Pro Controller: Experience zero drift and unmatched accuracy with our Hall effect joystick switch. Adaptive trigger feedback with adjustable resistance levels lets you feel every action. With <0.1 ms response time and 256 levels of pressure sensitivity, enjoy instant trigger detection in FPS games. 3+ million clicks on the controller mean a long service life.
- Dual Motor Vibration, Turbo Function and 6 Axis Gyroscope: The switch 2 controller has two vibration motors with three intensity levels—off, low, and high—and provides exceptional haptic feedback to enhance the gaming experience. The controller also offers three adjustable turbo speeds (5-10-15 Hz), which are particularly suitable for first-person shooter games. In addition, it features a 6 axis gyroscope chip for precise motion control. The physical movements of the players are precisely matched to the actions of their game characters.
- Reliable After-Sales Support You Can Count On: Your satisfaction is our top priority. Should you experience any quality concerns with your gaming controller, simply reach out to us via our customer service email, and we’ll respond promptly. We stand behind our product with a hassle-free replacement policy—ensuring you’re back to gaming without worry, no questions asked.
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