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What makes a good video game?

donkey kong wearing green trousers and a red helmet with a torch on it, punching through some molten rock.Nintendo

Donkey Kong Bananza is up for family game of the year

On 17 April, the biggest games in the world right now will be battling it out at the Bafta Games Awards 2026.

It celebrates games made all over the world in various categories, which are voted on by the academy's more than 1,400 members.

British developers represent nine of the studios nominated this year, with six of those in a dedicated British game category.

a four player screen playing Mario kart world, top left is playing as Mario, top right as bowser, bottom left as princess peach and bottom left as Yoshi.Nintendo

Mario Kart World is the latest version of the popular race game released exclusively for the new Nintendo Switch 2 console

And in the Family category, there are some big names you may recognise vying for the top spot.

Donkey Kong Bananza, Is This Seat Taken?, LEGO Party!, Mario Kart World, Powerwash Simulator 2 and Two Point Museum are all nominated.

Some are up for multiply awards, such as LEGO Party! which is also nominated in the multiplayer category.

Emma-Louise spoke to some experts about how to make a really good video game

There are lots of amazing games that you may enjoy playing up for an award, but what makes them so good? Is it the story line, the characters, or the amazing graphics?

Let us know what you think is needed to make a really good video game in the comments below.