Goa Games Cosplay Showcase – Best Costumes

When the Goa Games Convention announced its annual cosplay showcase, few expected the sheer level of talent, craftsmanship, and creativity that would be on display. What started as a niche fan-driven event has now evolved into one of India’s most colorful and culturally vibrant celebrations of gaming and geek fandom. The 2025 Goa Games Cosplay Showcase took things to a whole new level, delivering jaw-dropping performances, movie-quality costumes, and unforgettable homages to beloved characters from across the gaming multiverse.

From intricately detailed armor builds to whimsical, animated transformations, here’s a look at the best costumes from the Goa Games Cosplay Showcase—a dazzling testament to the art of cosplay and the passion of fans.

1. The Star of the Show: Elden Ring’s Malenia, Blade of Miquella

Cosplayer: Shruti K. from Pune

Shruti’s Malenia cosplay stopped the crowd in its tracks. With a near-perfect recreation of the iconic helmet, blood-red cloak, and flower-infused prosthetic arm, her costume merged elegance with menace. What made this build truly stand out was its functional wing mechanism and LED-embedded bloom effect that mimicked Malenia’s second-phase transformation.

The level of detail—right down to the weathering on her armor and the fluidity of her swordplay in the stage performance—earned her the Best in Show title. Fans and judges alike praised the combination of authenticity and innovation in her interpretation.

“I spent over four months building this costume. Elden Ring was the most challenging game I ever played—and Malenia, the most haunting character. I wanted to do her justice,” said Shruti after accepting her award.

2. Breath of the Wild Link with a Real Glider

Cosplayer: Aaron Fernandes from Goa

Every year, Goa Games sees its fair share of Zelda cosplays, but Aaron’s take on Link from Breath of the Wild was an instant crowd favorite. Not only was his costume spot-on—from the weathered Champion’s Tunic to the Sheikah Slate mounted on his hip—but what really stole the show was his fully functional glider.

Made from carbon fiber tubing and parachute-grade fabric, the glider unfurled during his on-stage entrance, drawing gasps from the audience. Though purely theatrical, it added dramatic flair and made it one of the most immersive representations of Link seen at any cosplay event in India.

Judges applauded his engineering creativity and dedication to character immersion. “He looked like he stepped right out of Hyrule,” one fan commented.

3. Neon V from Cyberpunk 2077

Cosplayer: Isha Rao from Bangalore

Cyberpunk cosplays are always popular, but Isha’s version of V took things to another level. Using fiber optic tubing, EL wire, and augmented makeup effects, her outfit glowed with the signature tech-infused aesthetic of Night City. She even included custom-coded LED circuits that pulsed in rhythm with the electronic soundtrack playing during her walk.

The centerpiece of her costume was a removable cybernetic arm with moving fingers and haptic feedback. Cosplay meets tech innovation? Absolutely. It wasn’t just a costume—it was performance art.

“I wanted to show what cosplay can become when you mix tech with art,” Isha explained during her tech demo at the event’s creator’s corner.

4. God of War’s Kratos and Atreus Duo Cosplay

Cosplayers: Ravi and his son Aryan from Delhi

One of the most heartwarming moments of the Goa Games Showcase came from this father-son duo, who cosplayed as Kratos and Atreus from God of War: Ragnarok. Ravi’s Kratos was an imposing figure with realistic body paint, leather armor, and a hand-crafted Leviathan Axe, while little Aryan wore Atreus’s signature tunic and wielded a prop bow.

Their coordinated performance, which included lines from the game and a choreographed “training” scene, drew cheers and some tears from the audience.

“It’s our favorite game to play together. This was our dream project,” said Ravi, lifting his son on his shoulder for the final pose.

5. Genshin Impact’s Raiden Shogun

Cosplayer: Saanvi Mehta from Mumbai

Genshin Impact remains a massive hit among Indian gamers, and Saanvi’s Raiden Shogun cosplay turned heads for its stunning elegance. The costume was made with layers of silk, metallic embroidery, and custom-dyed fabric. Her makeup and wig styling were flawless, but it was her electro-themed props that took things to the next level.

Using AR projection through a hidden mini projector, Saanvi created a brief but dazzling background scene that synced with her character’s elemental burst from the game.

“It wasn’t just about the look—I wanted to evoke the feeling of Inazuma,” she said, explaining her integration of environmental visuals.

6. The Dark Horse: Among Us Inflatable Mech Suit

Cosplayer: Jayesh from Hyderabad

Among all the detailed armor builds and fantasy epics, one of the most hilarious and surprising entries was Jayesh’s Mech-Crewmate from Among Us. This wasn’t just a regular inflatable suit—it was a fully animatronic mech-style take on the crewmate, complete with moving arms, a cockpit visor, and fake eject sequences.

Jayesh combined the absurd humor of the game with mecha aesthetics straight out of Gundam or Pacific Rim. It was ridiculous, over-the-top, and brilliant.

“What if crewmates were battle-ready? That was the idea,” laughed Jayesh, whose performance included ejecting a ‘suspicious’ plushie from the stage.

7. Mobile Legends’ Alucard with Real Weapon Animations

Cosplayer: Nishant Raj from Chennai

For fans of Mobile Legends, Nishant’s Alucard cosplay delivered a faithful, high-action portrayal of the demon hunter. His replica weapon lit up with dynamic light sequences, and thanks to internal servos, he could mimic attack animations in real-time.

Using magnetic gear joints and controlled LED shifts, Nishant performed slow-motion battle sequences that looked straight out of a cinematic trailer. He won Best Technical Execution for his clever combination of robotics and fluid motion.

“It was about motion, not just aesthetics,” he said. “I wanted people to feel like they were watching a game cutscene.”

Celebrating Cosplay as an Artform

The Goa Games Cosplay Showcase is more than just a costume contest—it’s a platform where engineering meets fashion, where fandom becomes performance, and where gamers become their heroes. This year’s event proved that cosplay in India is growing into a global-level art form, and that the talent pool is deeper and more creative than ever before.

Special Mentions:

• Best Newcomer: Aayushi for her adorable Hollow Knight costume, complete with hand-sewn plush body and glowing eyes.
  
• Best Group Cosplay: The “League of Legends Arcane Squad” from Gujarat with synchronized choreography and costume design straight from the hit Netflix series.
  
• Best Prop Design: Dev for his Monster Hunter Greatsword, which had mechanical unfolding parts and smoke effects.
  

Conclusion

From epic fantasy warriors to cybernetic rebels, from powerful gods to inflatable imposters, the Goa Games Cosplay Showcase 2025 highlighted the boundless imagination of India’s gaming and cosplay community. Every costume told a story—of fandom, of dedication, and of the joy of becoming someone (or something) else, if only for a moment.

If you missed this year’s showcase, don’t worry—next year promises to be even bigger. And whether you’re a seasoned builder or just a fan, remember: cosplay isn’t about perfection. It’s about passion.