Golden Joysticks opens console GOTY voting—and it’s already snubbed some of this year’s best titles
Golden Joystick voting has opened for its 2026 Console Game of the Year award, with ten games shortlisted. The selection includes several major releases, but the omission of CONTROL Resonant and Crimson Desert has disappointed some fans.
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 article argues that a crowded year of strong releases made it impossible to satisfy everyone, and says players can now vote for their choice.
- Voting is open for the 2026 Console Game of the Year.
- Ten games made the shortlist.
- CONTROL Resonant and Crimson Desert were left out.
Both sides, in good faith
The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
A shortlist has to make difficult choices, and ten places cannot cover every well-regarded release in a crowded year. The nominees span a range of genres and series, while voting lets players decide which shortlisted game deserves the award.
The case against
Omitting CONTROL Resonant and Crimson Desert may leave out games that many players regard as among the year’s strongest. If the award aims to reflect the breadth of players’ enthusiasm, those omissions can make the shortlist feel less representative and leave fans without a chance to vote for their preferred titles.