Ethan Crossfield 
Players deciding which awards race to follow now have the full Golden Joystick Awards shortlist for 2026’s Ultimate Game of the Year. The category contains 12 nominated games, from major franchise entries such as Resident Evil Requiem and Forza Horizon 6 to newer names including Big Walk, Dispatch and Pragmata. Fans can cast a vote before the October 30 deadline, while the final result will be announced during the live ceremony on November 11.
What changed in the Ultimate Game of the Year race
The Golden Joystick Awards have published the nominees for their Ultimate Game of the Year prize for 2026. The 12-game lineup spans established series, licensed projects and original releases, giving the category a broad mix of recognizable names. Resident Evil Requiem, 007 First Light and Pokemon Pokopia are among the high-profile nominees, while Control Resonant, Crimson Desert, Phantom Blade Zero and The Blood of Dawnwalker also make the cut. The announcement puts the awards conversation into its public voting stage rather than limiting the outcome to a behind-the-scenes selection.
Who can vote and which games are included
Voting is open through the Golden Joysticks page on GamesRadar+. Readers who have a clear favorite can use that page to support one of the nominated games before voting closes on Friday, October 30. The list is notable for its variety: racing is represented by Forza Horizon 6 and Star Wars: Galactic Racer, while the lineup also includes projects such as Dispatch, Big Walk and Pragmata. With only one Ultimate Game of the Year winner, every vote is focused on a single overall award rather than separate genre results.
What happens next for Golden Joysticks viewers
The next key date is October 30, when voting closes. Fans who want to take part should not wait until the ceremony itself, as the source only identifies the GamesRadar+ Golden Joysticks page as the place to vote. The awards show will then be broadcast live on November 11, when viewers can see which nominee takes the Ultimate Game of the Year honor. Until then, the published shortlist offers a useful watchlist for anyone tracking the year’s biggest gaming releases and award-season discussion.
What players should know
- There are 12 nominees in the 2026 Ultimate Game of the Year category.
- Voting is available through GamesRadar+'s Golden Joysticks page.
- The public voting window closes on Friday, October 30.
- The Golden Joystick Awards ceremony will air live on November 11.
- The shortlist includes Resident Evil Requiem, 007 First Light, Pokemon Pokopia and Forza Horizon 6.
Expert View
This is a strong reader-facing shortlist because it combines recognizable blockbuster names with games that may draw interest for different reasons. The key limitation is that the announcement only confirms the nominees and voting schedule, not how close the race is or which title has momentum. For now, the most practical move is to vote before October 30 and tune in on November 11 for the result.
