Has Nintendo been surpassed by one of its arch-enemies? Some certainly think so. Astro Bot, the latest title from Team Asobi, has been a great success in the video game industry, becoming the Game of the Year 2024. In fact, at the New York Game Awards 2025, it was nominated in four categories, including best children’s game, best soundtrack, best world, and best game of the year, winning the award in three of them. However, it fell short of winning in the best world category, which was awarded to Elden Ring.
Better Mario than Mario
The award for best children’s game was presented by Reggie Fils-Aimé, former president of Nintendo of America, who, with a humorous tone, commented that Astro Bot “almost beat Nintendo at its own game”, a statement that elicited laughter from the audience. This comment reflects the constant comparison between Astro Bot and Nintendo’s iconic platform video games, particularly the Mario series.
Nicolas Doucet, director of Team Asobi, has acknowledged the influence of Nintendo in the development of Astro Bot, noting at the time that the work was inspired by Mario games, highlighting how Nintendo “put platform games on the map”. During last month’s awards ceremony, Doucet reiterated his admiration for the quality and constant innovation that the Japanese company has brought to the industry.
Since its launch, Astro Bot has been acclaimed for its design and gameplay, garnering awards that consolidate its position in the competitive world of video games. This recognition not only highlights the success of Team Asobi but also initiates an interesting conversation about the evolution of the genre and the comparisons that inevitably arise with Nintendo’s masterpiece.