This systematic review examines the impact of gamification on student motivation and academic performance in educational settings. A total of nine systematic literature reviews (SLRs) were analyzed, published between 2016 and 2022, focusing on gamification's effects on motivation and academic performance. The studies were sourced from Web of Science, Scopus, and Scielo, and met inclusion criteria such as open access, English or Spanish language, and direct relevance to the research questions. The results show that gamification significantly enhances student motivation by improving knowledge assimilation, skill development, and academic competencies. It fosters cognitive, self-learning, social, and collaborative skills. Gamification elements like missions, badges, points, challenges, levels, and avatars are commonly used to boost motivation and academic performance. The MDA (Mechanics, Dynamics, Aesthetics) framework is also used to structure gamified experiences. Gamification positively affects academic performance by increasing engagement, participation, and learning outcomes. Studies indicate that gamification can improve cognitive performance, knowledge retention, and the development of problem-solving and critical thinking skills. It also enhances student persistence in challenging tasks through immediate feedback and goal-setting. Gamification is effective in various educational contexts, including higher education, and is often integrated with other active learning approaches such as Serious Games, Game-Based Learning, and flipped classrooms. However, challenges such as leaderboards and technical issues can demotivate students. The effectiveness of gamification depends on its implementation, balancing competition with intrinsic motivation and adapting to students' needs and preferences. The review highlights the importance of gamification in enhancing student motivation and academic performance, but also notes the need for further research on long-term effects, cultural contexts, and the balance between game elements and educational objectives. Future research should explore longitudinal studies, emerging technologies, and strategies to foster intrinsic motivation and personalized learning experiences. Overall, gamification is a valuable tool for creating interactive, engaging, and effective learning environments.This systematic review examines the impact of gamification on student motivation and academic performance in educational settings. A total of nine systematic literature reviews (SLRs) were analyzed, published between 2016 and 2022, focusing on gamification's effects on motivation and academic performance. The studies were sourced from Web of Science, Scopus, and Scielo, and met inclusion criteria such as open access, English or Spanish language, and direct relevance to the research questions. The results show that gamification significantly enhances student motivation by improving knowledge assimilation, skill development, and academic competencies. It fosters cognitive, self-learning, social, and collaborative skills. Gamification elements like missions, badges, points, challenges, levels, and avatars are commonly used to boost motivation and academic performance. The MDA (Mechanics, Dynamics, Aesthetics) framework is also used to structure gamified experiences. Gamification positively affects academic performance by increasing engagement, participation, and learning outcomes. Studies indicate that gamification can improve cognitive performance, knowledge retention, and the development of problem-solving and critical thinking skills. It also enhances student persistence in challenging tasks through immediate feedback and goal-setting. Gamification is effective in various educational contexts, including higher education, and is often integrated with other active learning approaches such as Serious Games, Game-Based Learning, and flipped classrooms. However, challenges such as leaderboards and technical issues can demotivate students. The effectiveness of gamification depends on its implementation, balancing competition with intrinsic motivation and adapting to students' needs and preferences. The review highlights the importance of gamification in enhancing student motivation and academic performance, but also notes the need for further research on long-term effects, cultural contexts, and the balance between game elements and educational objectives. Future research should explore longitudinal studies, emerging technologies, and strategies to foster intrinsic motivation and personalized learning experiences. Overall, gamification is a valuable tool for creating interactive, engaging, and effective learning environments.