Summary:
Recently the Golden Joystick Awards revealed the Console Game of the Year shortlist and Nintendo has a clear presence. Fire Emblem: Fortune’s Weave and Pokémon Pokopia both made the cut alongside major third-party releases, giving Nintendo fans two strong picks to support. The public vote runs ahead of the awards ceremony and only games that met the eligibility window were shortlisted, which means a few anticipated releases landed outside the voting period. Whether you care most about storytelling, technical polish or pure fun, these nominations put Nintendo’s Switch 2 lineup in the spotlight. Read on for a breakdown of the nominees, why this matters for Nintendo and how you can make your voice heard.
Golden Joysticks Console Game of the Year nominees revealed; Fire Emblem and Pokémon Pokopia
The Golden Joystick Awards have opened their public vote and posted the ten nominees for Console Game of the Year, bringing together big-budget blockbusters and standout Japanese releases. This shortlist matters because it reflects both player sentiment and the industry’s release calendar, and it sets the tone for the awards season that follows. Fan voting is the deciding factor for most categories at this event, so every nomination becomes an invitation to rally the community around the games you love. For Nintendo fans, seeing multiple titles from the Switch 2 era among the nominees is evidence that Nintendo’s newer releases are resonating with players beyond first-party hype. The list itself is a snapshot of a busy year in gaming, and it gives players a simple way to support favorites before winners are announced at the live ceremony.
Nintendo games in the running
Nintendo earned two notable places on the list: Fire Emblem: Fortune’s Weave and Pokémon Pokopia. Fortune’s Weave has been praised for its character writing and battle design, while Pokémon Pokopia surprised many with its accessible world and fan-pleasing additions. Both games are Switch 2 releases and showcase how Nintendo’s franchises are adapting to the new hardware and player expectations. If you want to explore more about the platform those games run on, check out our Nintendo Switch 2 section for context and coverage. These nominations don’t just reward sales or marketing muscle, they reward the ways players connect with characters, systems and replay value. For NintendoReporters, celebrating these nominations means spotlighting entries that speak directly to longtime Nintendo fans as well as newcomers who picked up a Switch 2 this year.
Why these nominations matter for Nintendo and fans
Being on the Golden Joystick shortlist gives a game extra visibility with a global audience and can shift the conversation heading into other awards. For Nintendo, nominations in categories like Console Game of the Year help validate creative risks and long-term investment in franchise development. For players, it creates a talking point: fans can compare builds, share tips, and encourage others to try titles they might have missed. Nominations also amplify smaller teams inside larger publishers, drawing attention to writing, design and technical achievements that otherwise might be overshadowed by blockbuster marketing. Importantly, public voting means that community engagement directly affects outcomes, so a game with a passionate fan base can punch above its weight. That opportunity matters for Nintendo titles that often reward repeat play and discovery—things players are excited to champion.
Voting, eligibility and what missed the cut
The Golden Joysticks publish a voting window and shortlist based on an eligibility period; that determines which releases qualify for this year’s ballot. Voting for the public-shortlisted categories closed on October 23, 2026 at the times set by the organisers, and the Ultimate Game of the Year shortlist is handled in a separate, later vote. Because of those cut-offs, some high-profile releases that hit stores in November were not eligible for these ballots. Grand Theft Auto VI, for example, arrives after the live show and therefore missed the eligibility window for the 2026 awards. Similarly, the remake of The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time is scheduled to launch in November, which placed it outside the voting period. That timing can be frustrating for fans who want every big title in contention, but it also means the shortlist reflects only what players and outlets could reasonably play before the vote closed.
Full Console Game of the Year shortlist – what’s on the list
The Console Game of the Year shortlist brings a surprising mix of styles together: espionage and action, JRPG strategy, open-world racing, survival horror, and experimental indies all sit on the same ballot. The ten nominees show how varied modern console releases can be, and the range highlights different strengths—storytelling, technical design, audio, art direction and multiplayer hooks. This variety gives voters a chance to champion the type of experience they care about most, whether that is a tight single-player campaign, an endlessly replayable system, or something that pushes a genre forward. Seeing Nintendo titles included also reminds players that established franchises can still land with fresh ideas, which is a valuable signal for both players and developers going forward.
How to vote and why your vote counts
The Golden Joystick Awards are public-voted for most categories, which means a few minutes of your time can steer recognition toward games and teams you care about. Voting was open on the official ballot during the published window, and it closed on October 23, 2026, so those who acted early helped shape the shortlist winners. Why vote? Because awards are not just trophies; they spotlight teams, boost discoverability and can influence future investments or updates for a title. If a game you love picks up an award, it increases the chances of post-launch support, expansions or even new entries in the franchise. For fans of Fire Emblem or Pokémon, voting is a straightforward way to show appreciation and encourage Nintendo to keep backing ambitious projects on the Switch 2 platform.
What NintendoReporters recommends
At NintendoReporters we’re focused on everything Nintendo, so these nominations are worth celebrating. If you enjoyed Fire Emblem: Fortune’s Weave or Pokémon Pokopia, share your favorite moments in community discussions and encourage other players to give the games a try. You can also use our site to find guides and tips for Pokémon Pokopia and other Switch 2 titles to help friends jump in. We aim to keep coverage practical and fan-oriented, so expect more follow-ups that dig into the nominated titles’ best features, standout moments and where to start if you’ve been on the fence. Supporting the games you love is as simple as playing, talking and voting when the time comes.
What to watch for at the awards ceremony
The Golden Joystick winners will be revealed at the live ceremony on November 11, 2026, and many categories are shaped directly by public votes cast earlier. The event can change the narrative around a game heading into the rest of awards season, and a win gives a title renewed attention during the holiday window. For Nintendo titles, a Golden Joystick win can help introduce Switch 2-focused releases to a broader audience and affirm the direction Nintendo is taking with flagship franchises. Keep an eye on studio nominations too; recognition for Nintendo EPD and other teams highlights work beyond individual games, and the ceremony often signals which titles will be discussed into the new year.
Conclusion
The Golden Joystick Console Game of the Year shortlist puts Fire Emblem: Fortune’s Weave and Pokémon Pokopia front and center alongside a diverse group of nominees. That mix shows both how strong Nintendo’s recent slate is and how open this year’s awards are to different play experiences. If you care about these games, share your thoughts, get others to play and remember that public voting is how these awards reflect the community. NintendoReporters will be covering reactions and any wins, so stay tuned to our Nintendo Switch 2 section for follow-up coverage and helpful guides.
FAQs
- Which Nintendo games were nominated for Console Game of the Year?
- Fire Emblem: Fortune’s Weave and Pokémon Pokopia are both on the shortlist, alongside other high-profile releases from 2026.
- When did voting close for the public shortlist?
- Voting for the public-shortlisted categories closed on October 23, 2026, as announced by the awards organisers.
- Why didn’t GTA 6 or the Ocarina remake make the ballot?
- GTA 6 launches after the awards ceremony and therefore missed the eligibility window, and The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time remake is scheduled for November, placing it outside the voting period.
- How does public voting affect the awards?
- Many Golden Joystick categories are decided by the public vote, so community turnout can directly influence who wins and which studios receive recognition.
- Where can I find more Nintendo-specific coverage and guides?
- Visit our Nintendo Switch 2 hub and NintendoReporters home page for news, guides and player-focused coverage of the nominated titles and more.
Sources
- Voting is Open in the 44th Golden Joystick Awards, Games Press, September 25, 2026
- Golden Joysticks opens console GOTY voting—and it’s already snubbed some of this year’s best titles, Destructoid, October 18, 2026
- The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time remake launches November 5, Gematsu, September 8, 2026