Pokemon Pokopia Nominated for Ultimate Game of the Year
The title secures a spot among 12 nominees for the 2026 Golden Joystick Awards while Grand Theft Auto 6 misses the window.
Updated on Oct. 27, 2026 in Gaming
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Pokemon Pokopia has been named one of 12 contenders for the Golden Joystick Awards Ultimate Game of the Year title. The game, which launched in March, earned its nomination based on positive critical and commercial reception.
Why it matters
The nomination highlights the games deemed most impactful by GamesRadar judges within the specific eligibility window ending in October. Grand Theft Auto 6 remains ineligible for this year's cycle, pushing its competitive entry into the award show until next year.
Pokemon Pokopia, which holds a 97% critics recommendation rate, is one of 12 titles competing for the top honor. The awards eligibility period spanned from November 8, 2025, to October 25, 2026.
The players
GamesRadar
A prominent video game news and reviews publication that organizes and oversees the annual Golden Joystick Awards.
Pokemon Pokopia
A Nintendo Switch 2 title that has garnered significant critical attention and commercial success since its spring 2026 launch.
Grand Theft Auto 6
A highly anticipated entry in a major open-world franchise that is currently ineligible for 2026 awards due to its release schedule.
The details
GamesRadar judges selected the finalists, including Phantom Blade Zero, which received an eligibility exception despite its October 28 release date. Decisions for the awards are ultimately determined by votes submitted by players.
Timeline
The Golden Joystick Awards were first held in 1983.
The award eligibility window opened on November 8, 2025.
Pokemon Pokopia was released on March 5, 2026.
The eligibility window for the awards closed on October 25, 2026.
Phantom Blade Zero is scheduled to release on October 28, 2026.
Culture Shift
The current nomination cycle continues the tradition established by the inaugural 1983 Golden Joystick Awards. This selection process reflects an ongoing industry trend of prioritizing critical and commercial performance within specific annual release windows.
The nomination determines which titles gamers will be voting on to decide the final award outcome. Enthusiasts can participate in the selection process to influence which games receive recognition for the year.
The takeaway
The Golden Joystick Awards continue to serve as a significant barometer for player sentiment in the gaming industry. Fans can engage with the voting process to help define which titles are recognized as the year's best.
What happens next
Grand Theft Auto 6 will compete for a Golden Joystick Award in the next annual cycle.
Further reading
For more on industry award trends and recent titles, visit the Gaming section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by CBR.
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