Some links on this page are affiliate links: if you buy through them we may earn a commission, at no extra cost to you.
The 2026 Golden Joystick Awards’ Console Game of the Year ballot featured 10 nominees, but the vote is no longer open: core-category voting closed on October 23, 2026. The shortlist includes 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. Destructoid specifically identified CONTROL Resonant and Crimson Desert as notable omissions, framing their absence as a disappointment among fans. The awards ceremony is scheduled for November 11 in London, with a global livestream.
Which games were nominated for Console Game of the Year?
The Console Game of the Year shortlist has 10 entries. The ballot was presented as a public vote, but the nominees themselves were selected before voting opened.
| # | Preview | Product | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
|
GameStop Physical Gift Card | $25.00 | Buy on Amazon |
| 2 |
|
Xbox Physical Gift Card | $25 | $25.00 | Buy on Amazon |
| 3 |
|
Nintendo eShop Physical Gift Card | $100 | $100.00 | Buy on Amazon |
| 4 |
|
Fortnite Physical Gift Card | Powered by the Epic Games Store - $30 | $30.00 | Buy on Amazon |
| 5 |
|
Nintendo eShop Physical Gift Card | $50 | $50.00 | Buy on Amazon |
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Windows Errors? Fix Them Before They Spread
Repair common Windows errors and clear accumulated junk for a smoother, more stable PC - no reinstall needed.Free scan · no reinstallCrashes, No Sound, or Screen Glitches?
Random freezes, missing sound and display glitches usually trace back to one bad driver. Find and replace yours safely.Free scan · under a minute| Nominee | Category |
|---|---|
| 007 First Light | Console Game of the Year |
| Fire Emblem: Fortune’s Weave | Console Game of the Year |
| Forza Horizon 6 | Console Game of the Year |
| LEGO Batman: Legacy of the Dark Knight | Console Game of the Year |
| Nioh 3 | Console Game of the Year |
| Onimusha: Way of the Sword | Console Game of the Year |
| Pokémon Pokopia | Console Game of the Year |
| PRAGMATA | Console Game of the Year |
| Resident Evil Requiem | Console Game of the Year |
| SAROS | Console Game of the Year |
The category is intended to recognize console releases within the awards’ eligibility rules, rather than every game that attracted attention during the year. The mix spans racing, role-playing, action, horror, family-focused and science-fiction games, making the final result difficult to predict from genre popularity alone.
Who was snubbed from the Golden Joystick Console Game of the Year nominees?
Destructoid named CONTROL Resonant and Crimson Desert as prominent omissions. Its “snub” language reflects reported fan disappointment, not an independently measured poll or an official statement that either game was rejected for quality reasons.
Popular on Amazon
- Redeemable at US GameStop, EB Games, Babbage's, Electronic Boutique, EBX, Planet X, and Software Etc. stores. Also redeemable online at and GameStop.com and EBGames.com.
- Over 6,100 stores located throughout the United States.
- GameStop. Power to the Players.
- Redemption: Instore and Online
- No returns and no refunds on gift cards.
Why the omissions drew attention
Both titles had enough visibility to be part of the wider conversation around the year’s notable console releases. Their absence therefore became a talking point as soon as the shortlist appeared, especially for voters who expected a larger field or a different balance of established series and new projects.
Does an omission mean a game was ineligible?
Not necessarily. The awards use category-specific timing rules, and a title can miss a ballot because of its release date, category placement, the submission process or the judges’ final selection. The available information does not establish one specific reason for either named omission.
Free tools Windows power users keep installed
One-click scans. No signup required.
When did Golden Joystick voting close?
Core-category voting opened on September 25, 2026 and closed on October 23. As of October 27, the Console Game of the Year ballot is closed, so readers cannot submit a new console-category vote.
Also popular on Amazon
- XBOX GIFT CARD: Buy full digital game downloads, game add-ons, in-game currency, memberships, devices, apps, movies, TV shows, and more.
- DIGITAL GAMES: Choose from hundreds of games, from AAA to indie options. Start playing the moment your most anticipated game is available when you pre-order and pre-download it.
- GAME AD-ONS: Extend the experience of your favorite games with add-ons and in-game currency.
- MOVIES & TV SHOWS: Rent or buy new and popular movies and TV shows from a massive library.
- PERFECT GIFT: Great as a gift for a friend or yourself. Xbox Gift Cards are easy to use, never expire, and give the freedom to pick the gift they want. Enjoy more ways to play without a credit card attached to your Microsoft account.
What vote is active now?
Voting for Ultimate Game of the Year opened on October 26 and is scheduled to close on October 30. That is a separate stage of the awards process, so it should not be confused with the completed Console Game of the Year ballot.
When are the winners announced?
The ceremony is scheduled for November 11, 2026, in London, and will be available through a global livestream. The date is the planned ceremony date rather than a guarantee that every category will be announced simultaneously online.
How are Golden Joystick nominees selected?
The public vote chooses winners from a shortlist assembled before the ballot opens. Publishers submit games, people and studios for consideration; a judging panel made up of editors and contributors from Future brands—including GamesRadar, PC Gamer, Edge and Retro Gamer—along with industry experts debates those submissions and selects the finalists.
The Tool Desk
Outbyte PC Repair FREEClear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Outbyte Driver Updater FREEScan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Also popular on Amazon
- Give the gift of fun with a Nintendo eShop gift code
- It's easy—apply it to your Nintendo eShop account in seconds.
- It ensures that you’ll always have funds on hand to help with purchases of new games and applications
- It’s designed for your Nintendo eShop purchases—no credit card required.
- The perfect gift for anyone who loves to play—including you. Choose from over 1,000 new, classic and indie games – delivered directly to your Nintendo Switch system.
Why the shortlist cannot include every popular game
The organizers acknowledge that a shortlist cannot contain every much-loved or commercially significant release. Ten places force trade-offs, so a well-known game can be absent even when it has strong critical or fan momentum.
Why eligibility dates matter
Core categories generally cover games released from November 1, 2025 through September 25, 2026. Ultimate Game of the Year and the critically selected awards use separate eligibility windows. Comparing a game’s launch date with the Console GOTY window is therefore essential before treating an omission as a judgment on the game itself.
How competitive is the 2026 vote?
Golden Joystick Content Director Daniel Dawkins described the year as unusually open: “This year, no single game dominates the field, this is one of our most open and unpredictable years yet – making your vote more influential than ever in deciding our winners.” The statement is the organizer’s characterization, not a prediction of the result.
Also popular on Amazon
- An Epic Games account is required to redeem an Epic Games Store Card code
- If playing on a console platform (PlayStation Network, Xbox Live, Nintendo Switch or Mobile) you need to link your Epic Games account to that gaming platform (one time) to redeem your gift card code
- The 16 digit code on the back of the card WILL NOT work if redeemed directly through your gaming platform (PlayStation Network, Xbox Live, Nintendo Switch, Mobile, etc.)
- Note: Nintendo devices do not support Fortnite Shared Wallet, so V-Bucks purchased using your account balance will not show up on your Nintendo device. However, if you purchase items in the web Item Shop — or another platform where you play Fortnite — those items will be available in your Locker across all platforms.
- Redemption: Online
Participation can be substantial. The official 2025 release reported 21 million public votes, a figure that refers specifically to the 2025 awards and should not be read as a forecast for 2026 turnout.
What should readers take from the shortlist?
The immediate result is a closed Console GOTY ballot with 10 eligible finalists and a live Ultimate Game of the Year vote running on a different timetable. The omission debate around CONTROL Resonant and Crimson Desert shows why nomination lists should be read alongside submission procedures and eligibility windows: absence is real, but the reason is not confirmed by the published information.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I still vote for Golden Joystick Console Game of the Year?
No. The core-category ballot, including Console Game of the Year, closed on October 23, 2026. The remaining public ballot at this stage is Ultimate Game of the Year, scheduled to close on October 30.
Also popular on Amazon
- Give the gift of fun with a Nintendo eShop gift code
- It's easy—apply it to your Nintendo eShop account in seconds.
- It ensures that you’ll always have funds on hand to help with purchases of new games and applications
- It’s designed for your Nintendo eShop purchases—no credit card required.
- The perfect gift for anyone who loves to play—including you. Choose from over 1,000 new, classic and indie games – delivered directly to your Nintendo Switch system.
Were CONTROL Resonant and Crimson Desert officially disqualified?
There is no published evidence establishing disqualification. Destructoid reported them as notable omissions, while the awards’ rules allow timing, category eligibility, submissions and judging decisions to affect the final shortlist.
How many games are on the Console Game of the Year shortlist?
There are 10 nominees. The category’s fixed shortlist is separate from the much larger number of games that may have been submitted or discussed by fans.
When will the 2026 Golden Joystick winners be revealed?
The ceremony is scheduled for November 11, 2026, in London, with a global livestream. Individual announcement timing can vary by category during the event.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
