Harare, Zimbabwe – April 19–20, 2025 — This year’s edition of Button Bash wasn’t just a gaming tournament — it was a milestone moment for Zimbabwe’s gaming and pop culture community. Organized by Otaku Konnect (Otakukon Hosts) and proudly sponsored by POSB (People’s Own Savings Bank), the 2025 event cemented its reputation as the country’s premier esports and gaming convention.
Held over two high-energy days, Button Bash 2025 showcased not only elite gameplay across top titles but also celebrated community, creativity, and culture in ways never before seen at a local event. When we wrote about the event before it happened, we were excited about Zimbabwe’s first gaming convention but we were not ready for what came.
Record Prizes, Real Impact
This year’s Button Bash raised the bar with a record-breaking prize pool, the largest ever for individual players in Zimbabwe. Thanks to POSB’s direct sponsorship and support, competitive titles like Tekken 8, Mortal Kombat 1, and Blur offered substantial cash prizes — giving gamers not only recognition but tangible rewards for their dedication and skill. The winners in the three walked away with USD 500 (approximately 800,000 Naira/ R9,000), the biggest prize to be given at any one Zimbabwean event.
“POSB didn’t just put their logo on a banner,” said Archie Moyo, the founder of Otaku Konnect. “They invested in the players, and that meant everything to the community.”
Day One: The Pulse of Pop Culture
The excitement kicked off on April 19, with packed preliminaries and lightning-fast matches in both fighting games and Blur races. Alongside the competition, a vibrant casual gaming zone featured nostalgic and anime-themed favorites like Naruto Storm 4, Dragon Ball FighterZ, and arcade classics such as Pac-Man and Street Fighter Alpha.
From casual players to die-hard fans, the crowd reflected Zimbabwe’s growing gaming diversity. “It’s not just gaming — it’s music, anime, community, and identity,” one attendee shared.
Day Two: High Stakes and Heroic Wins
The top 8 contenders in each title returned on April 20 for structured knockout rounds. The finals delivered pure esports magic. A comeback victory in Mortal Kombat 1 reset the bracket and stunned the crowd. In Blur, a photo finish saw BloodyLA steal the win on the final lap, while Galaxy King K overwhelmed the undefeated Tekken front-runner in record time.
Live commentary debuted this year, bringing a professional edge to the experience and creating content that will live well beyond the event.
A Space for Everyone: Introducing The Lounge
Not all games need a screen. The Lounge, Button Bash’s board and card game haven, offered a slower pace for those who preferred dice rolls to D-pads. Games like Monopoly, Cards Against Marvel, and Harry Potter trivia shared space with the debut of AniMinute Now, Otaku Konnect’s original anime-themed card game — another crowd favorite.
Building Esports in Zimbabwe with POSB and Otakukon
Button Bash 2025 wasn’t just about gameplay — it was a cultural event and a declaration. It showed that with the right support, Zimbabwe’s esports ecosystem can thrive. POSB’s partnership played a key role in amplifying this message.
“Events like this give gamers a platform, and sponsors like POSB show that the future of youth engagement lies in innovation and community,” said Bill Masuku, Otaku Konnect’s head of Marketing. The event also saw support from ZEGA, the Zimbabwe Electronic Games Association which is responsible for overseeing esports in Zimbabwe. ZEGA’s goal is to cement esports and gaming as a Sport in Zimbabwe and working with partners like Otaku Konnect to show that esports can be corporate-supported is very important.
Looking Ahead: From Button Bash to Otakukon
With Button Bash wrapped, Otaku Konnect turns toward its next major events: the Otakukon Anime Festival this August and Nakamarket in December. The momentum from this weekend is undeniable — and the message to the gaming community is loud and clear:
Zimbabwe’s gamers have a home, and it’s just getting started.
