The 44th Golden Joystick Awards has announced its shortlist for Ultimate Game of the Year. Public voting is open now at goldenjoysticks.com and closes on Friday, October 30, 2026 at 5pm PT / 8pm ET / midnight GMT.
Ultimate Game of the Year Nominees
The 12 nominated games are:
- 007 First Light
- Big Walk
- Control Resonant
- Crimson Desert
- Dispatch
- Forza Horizon 6
- Phantom Blade Zero
- Pokémon Pokopia
- Pragmata
- Resident Evil Requiem
- Star Wars: Galactic Racer
- The Blood of Dawnwalker
Review Scores and Frontrunners
Based on current Metacritic scores, Big Walk stands out as the strongest contender with a 91. It is one of the highest-rated games of 2026 overall.
Other strong scores among the nominees include:
- Forza Horizon 6 at 90
- Resident Evil Requiem and Pokémon Pokopia at 89
- Phantom Blade Zero at 88 (early reviews)
- 007 First Light at 87
Lower scores among the field include Control Resonant and The Blood of Dawnwalker around 83. While critic scores often influence fan perception in public-voted awards, Big Walk currently holds the clearest edge on review aggregates.
However, it is highly likely that Resident Evil Requiem would win.
Host and Ceremony Details
Actor Alix Wilton Regan, known as the voice of Lara Croft in Tomb Raider: Legacy of Atlantis, will host the awards ceremony on November 11, 2026. The event takes place in London and will stream live on YouTube, Twitch, and X.
Regan said she is thrilled to host and celebrate the teams behind the year’s standout games. Winners in all categories will be revealed during the live show.