Who Will Be the Winner of 2025 Video Game of the Year?

Frank Ammirante
September 24, 2025

The race for Video Game of the Year is already sparking debate across the gaming world, and it’s not just fans weighing in. Bookmakers Review has gathered the latest odds from BetUS, giving a glimpse at how the industry’s biggest titles stack up against each other at the best offshore sportsbooks.

What makes this even more interesting is that this is the only place where you can bet on gaming’s top prize. BetUS gives you a chance to put your money where your controller is. For esports fans, gamers, and bettors alike, this is a unique opportunity to get in on the action before the awards show takes center stage in December.

Will it be a heavily hyped blockbuster like Death Stranding 2, or an indie breakout such as Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 that claims the ultimate honor? The early odds set the stage.

2025 Video Game of the Year Betting Odds

It’s the 10th annual The Game Awards, so we’ve got the betting odds courtesy of BetUS as of Tuesday, September 23:

Clair Obscur Expedition 33 (-500)
Death Stranding 2: On the Beach (+600)
The Elder Scrolls 4: Oblivion Remastered (+1200)
Donkey Kong Bonanza (+1400)
Ghost of Yotei (+1400)
Metroid Prime 4 Beyond (+1600)

2025 Video Game of the Year Betting Spotlight

Let’s dive in to take a closer look at the top candidates:

Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 (-500)

The clear frontrunner, Clair Obscur has been praised for its artistic direction and narrative depth. Sitting at -500, oddsmakers see it as the heavy favorite, with voters likely rewarding its unique blend of gameplay innovation and emotional storytelling.

Death Stranding 2: On the Beach (+600)

Kojima Productions is back with one of the most anticipated sequels of the decade. While the first Death Stranding divided audiences, the sequel’s scope and star-studded cast give it strong momentum. At +600, it’s viewed as the top challenger to Clair Obscur.

The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered (+1200)

A blast from the past, Bethesda’s remaster of the 2006 classic has stirred plenty of nostalgia. While updated visuals and modern refinements could win over fans, remakes historically face an uphill climb in Game of the Year races, which explains the +1200 line.

Donkey Kong Bonanza (+1400)

Nintendo’s iconic ape returns in a colorful, family-friendly adventure. With the Mario franchise often getting awards love, Donkey Kong could be a surprise contender. Still, sitting at +1400, it’s looking like a longshot.

Ghost of Yotei (+1400)

This mysterious new title hasn’t even been released yet, but buzz around its samurai-inspired world has pushed it into the mix. Oddsmakers are giving it respect at +1400, though its true chances hinge entirely on whether it delivers once it hits shelves.

Metroid Prime 4: Beyond (+1600)

Another unreleased heavyweight, Metroid Prime 4 has been in development for years and carries sky-high expectations. At +1600, the odds reflect uncertainty, if it lands before voting and lives up to the hype, it could surge late, but its release timing makes it a major wild card.

2025 Video Game of the Year Best Bet

Clair Obscur is the overwhelming favorite to win this award, but you never want to lay (-500) juice at such a volatile market like awards. After all, you’d be risking $500 to win $100 on this type of wager. It’s a better idea to target your favorite longshot.

With that in mind, our pick for 2025 Game of the Year is Donkey Kong Bonanza at (+1400) odds. This is a game that was the launch title for Nintendo Switch 2, receiving high praise with terrific reviews as an open world Donkey Kong.

Traditionally, the Donkey Kong franchise hasn’t been an exploration type of game (aside from Donkey Kong 64), so it’s an innovative take on a long-time favorite. With that in mind, we’ll take a shot on Donkey Kong Bonanza to win this award.