Voting is now open for the Golden Joystick Awards 2026, with this year’s nominees spread across 21 categories covering games, performers, hardware, expansions, trailers, and studios.
The 44th annual awards include major 2026 releases such as Resident Evil Requiem, 007 First Light, Big Walk, The Blood of Dawnwalker, Forza Horizon 6, and Star Wars Zero Company. Public voting will remain open until October 23, while the winners are scheduled to be announced during the ceremony on November 11.
The shortlist for Ultimate Game of the Year will be revealed separately on October 26.
| Key detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Event | Golden Joystick Awards 2026 |
| Edition | 44th annual awards |
| Public voting closes | October 23 |
| Ultimate Game of the Year shortlist | October 26 |
| Awards ceremony | November 11 |
| Number of voting categories | 21 |
| Major nominees | Resident Evil Requiem, 007 First Light, Big Walk, The Blood of Dawnwalker |
Console Game of the Year includes 10 nominees
The Console Game of the Year category includes a broad mix of major releases.
The nominees are 007 First Light, Fire Emblem: Fortune’s Weave, Forza Horizon 6, LEGO Batman: Legacy of the Dark Knight, Nioh 3, Onimusha: Way of the Sword, Pokémon Pokopia, PRAGMATA, Resident Evil Requiem, and Saros.
The PC Game of the Year category features Big Walk, Crimson Desert, Escape from Tarkov, Esoteric Ebb, MECCHA CHAMELEON, Mewgenics, Order of the Sinking Star, Star Wars Zero Company, The Blood of Dawnwalker, and Valheim.
Best Gaming Hardware includes Steam Controller and INZONE M10S II
The awards also include a dedicated hardware category.
This year’s Best Gaming Hardware nominees are the Logitech G PRO X2 SUPERSTRIKE, Razer Viper V4 Pro, Secretlab ATLAS, Sony INZONE M10S II, Steam Controller, and Turtle Beach Stealth Pro II.
That gives both gaming peripherals and display hardware a place alongside the game focused categories.
The Witcher 3 Remastered competes in the remake category
Best Remake or Remaster includes several major projects.
The nominees are Assassin’s Creed Black Flag Resynced, Gothic 1 Remake, Metal Gear Solid: Master Collection Vol. 2, Star Fox, The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt Remastered, and Trails in the Sky 2nd Chapter.
The category arrives during a year with several major remasters and remakes competing for attention.
Resident Evil Requiem and 007 First Light appear across major categories
Resident Evil Requiem and 007 First Light are among the games with nominations in prominent categories.
007 First Light appears in Console Game of the Year, Best Soundtrack, Best Storytelling, and performance categories.
Patrick Gibson is nominated for Best Lead Performer for his role as James Bond, while Lennie James is nominated in the supporting category as John Greenway.
Resident Evil Requiem appears in Console Game of the Year and Best Game Trailer, while Angela Sant'Albano is nominated for Best Lead Performer as Grace Ashcroft.
Big Walk has a strong presence across the list
Big Walk is another title appearing repeatedly across the nominations.
It is listed for PC Game of the Year, Best Audio Design, Best Game Trailer, Best Indie Game, and Best Multiplayer Game.
The awards organizers described the 2026 field as unusually open, with indie games competing alongside larger releases rather than one title dominating the nominations.
Most Wanted includes The Witcher 4 and Persona 6
The Most Wanted Game category focuses on upcoming releases rather than games already available.
Its nominees include Alien: Isolation 2, ANANTA, Black Myth: Zhong Kui, EXODUS, Fable, Final Fantasy 7 Revelation, God of War Laufey, Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet, Kingdom Hearts 5, METRO 2039, NO LAW, Persona 6, Resident Evil Veronica, STRANGER THAN HEAVEN, Stuntman: Hollywood, The Expanse: Osiris Reborn, The Witcher 4, Tides of Annihilation, Tomb Raider: Legacy of Atlantis, and Total War: Warhammer 40,000.
Players can vote until October 23
Public voting remains open until October 23 at 4pm PT, 7pm ET, and midnight BST.
The Golden Joystick Awards ceremony will then take place on November 11.
Before that, the separate Ultimate Game of the Year shortlist will be announced on October 26.
With 21 categories spanning major releases, indie games, performers, hardware, remasters, expansions, and long running live service titles, the 2026 awards cover a wide section of the gaming industry rather than focusing only on traditional Game of the Year contenders.
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