Golden Joystick Awards 2026 - Predicting Winners in Main Categories

Tomorrow marks the first major awards ceremony of 2026 in the gaming industry: the Golden Joystick Awards 2026. Over the past two months, players have been voting for the best games of the year in 21 categories. At the end of last month, voting closed for the show’s top honor, Ultimate Game of the Year. Below you’ll find predictions for the Golden Joystick Awards 2026 in its key categories.

Best Storytelling - Dispatch

Dispatch was originally released in 2025, but AdHoc Studio’s game qualified for nomination at the Golden Joystick Awards. It launched on Nintendo and Xbox platforms in 2026 and comes to mobile this December, and its final episodes came out in November last year, which kept it from being considered for many major awards earlier. It deserves the “Best Storytelling” award because its episodic narrative focuses on dialogue and branching paths, with 28 different endings. Its unique setting also stands out: superheroes dealing with midlife crises and burnout in their extraordinary jobs.

Studio of the Year - Capcom

The clear leader in the “Studio of the Year” category is Capcom. This year the Japanese studio released several major projects, and each was very successful. It started with Resident Evil Requiem, the ninth game in the franchise, which became one of the best games of the year and a huge financial success. Monster Hunter Stories 3: Twisted Reflection and the studio’s new IP, Pragmata, were also highly praised. Additionally, Onimusha: Way of the Sword, released this autumn, became another financial success and one of the year’s best RPGs.

Best Visual Design - Control Resonant

The visual design of Control Resonant, Remedy’s new game, is arguably its most distinctive feature, even though the game is already very well made. Its unique architecture and style blend paranormal phenomena with surreal spaces, set in Manhattan, which makes it one of the best games of this generation in visual design. The Northlight Engine also shows off realistic shadows and lighting, as well as impressive destruction physics.

Best Lead Performer - Liam McIntyre - Logan (Marvel’s Wolverine)

Despite the mixed reviews for Marvel’s Wolverine, Liam McIntyre’s performance was widely praised, making him a strong contender for Best Lead Performer. It may not reach Hugh Jackman’s level, but many have called it the best portrayal of Logan since Jackman, since it presents him not just as a superhero but firstly as a broken man, which adds real emotional depth to the game.

Best Supporting Performer - Grace Saif - Diana (Pragmata)

The Best Supporting Performer category is less clear, but Diana, played by Grace Saif in Pragmata, was praised as one of the game’s standout elements. Players and critics quickly warmed to the character, especially her voice, emotional depth, and chemistry with the other main character, Hugh Williams. Their dialogues also feel natural during gameplay, which adds to the immersion, including during enemy battles, since this is one of Pragmata’s key gameplay features.

Best Remake/Remaster - The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt Remastered

This year also had several notable remakes, including The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time, currently the highest-rated game of the year. Because of its late release date, Nintendo’s game was not eligible for the Golden Joystick Awards. So the “Best Remake/Remaster” award should rightfully go to The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt Remastered. On Metacritic, it is also among the top three highest-rated games of the year. CD Projekt RED significantly overhauled the visuals, improved the combat system and skill tree, and streamlined the interface in several areas.

Ultimate Game of the Year - Resident Evil Requiem

Since GTA 6 isn’t among the nominees (just kidding), the top award at the 2026 Golden Joystick Awards should go to Resident Evil Requiem. Released this February, the ninth game in the franchise has become one of the best in the series in recent years. It has an impressive Metacritic score of 89 and has sold over 8.5 million copies, so its success is undeniable. Leon S. Kennedy makes a welcome return, and everything connected to him is done at the highest level: the action, the ties to earlier games, his personal storyline, and his interactions with the new heroine, Grace. She brings one of the best horror elements seen in recent years, creating a constant sense of being hunted and giving enemies a clear upper hand, which forces players to fight to survive and slowly grow stronger. Add the quality direction, graphics, lore, Easter eggs, and soundtrack, and the way it sets up future games. Resident Evil Requiem is one of the best games of this generation and deserves top awards beyond the Golden Joystick 2026.

Most Wanted Game - Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet

2026 had lots of truly impressive games, and some are mentioned in this article. Next year will bring new games in the God of War, Tomb Raider, and Metro series, as well as intriguing new IPs like Stranger Than Heaven, Exodus, and Clockwork Revolution. In the years after, we can look forward to The Witcher 4 and a new StarCraft title. For “Most Wanted Game,” Naughty Dog’s Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet is already a strong contender. We don’t know exactly what the developers of The Last of Us have in store, but rumors and official information point to a ambitious, highly detailed project set in an alternate future. Given the studio’s past work, especially The Last of Us Part II, its new IP will likely be one of the standout games of this generation or even the next.

The Golden Joystick Awards 2026 will take place tomorrow, November 11th. You can also check out predictions for the winners in the main categories at The Game Awards 2026 that will take place on December 10.