Golden Joysticks opens Console Game of the Year voting for 2026
The 2026 Golden Joysticks shortlist pits ten console games against one another in a public vote, led by major releases including 007 First Light and Resident Evil Requiem.
The Golden Joysticks has opened voting for its 2026 Console Game of the Year award, with ten games competing for the public vote. 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.1
The announcement came from the official Golden Joysticks account on 18 October, with the post directing readers to the public voting process.1 The award is therefore shaped by the games players choose to back rather than by a panel-only decision, making the shortlist a useful snapshot of the year’s biggest console launches and most anticipated releases.
The nominees cover a broad spread of publishers and styles. 007 First Light brings a new James Bond adventure to the ballot, while Forza Horizon 6 represents the open-world racing series. Nintendo’s Pokémon Pokopia and Fire Emblem: Fortune’s Weave sit alongside Capcom’s Resident Evil Requiem and Onimusha: Way of the Sword. The list also includes Nioh 3, PRAGMATA, SAROS and the new LEGO Batman game, giving voters a mix of established franchises and newer names.
A Destructoid report says voting closes on Friday, 23 October, but that deadline should be treated as secondary information until it is confirmed on the official voting page.2 Readers should use the Golden Joysticks’ own voting link for the current rules and closing time rather than relying on a repost or social-media summary.
Our opinion
The shortlist is strongest when read as a snapshot of player interest rather than a definitive ranking of quality. It gives major releases a clear public stage, but the ten games also reflect how crowded 2026’s console calendar has become. The final result will be most interesting if a less obvious contender cuts through the biggest franchise names.
For now, 007 First Light is the lead title represented in this article’s official Steam artwork, not a claim that it is the favourite. The award winner will be decided by the people who vote, and the official Golden Joysticks page remains the source of truth for how to take part.1