Resident Evil Requiem has won Ultimate Game of the Year at the 2026 Golden Joystick Awards, leading a night that also gave Meccha Chameleon plenty of reasons to celebrate. Capcom’s horror game collected four awards, although the hide-and-seek hit matched that total and made sure the evening was not simply a victory lap for the biggest names.
Alongside the headline prize, Requiem won Console Game of the Year and Best Game Trailer for Evil Has Always Had a Name. Angela Sant’Albano also took Best Lead Performer for her portrayal of Grace Ashcroft, putting the spotlight on the person helping to sell all that terror rather than just the things lurking in the dark.
Meccha Chameleon’s four trophies covered Best Multiplayer Game, Best Indie Game in the self-published category, Streamer’s Choice and Developers’ Choice. That is a fairly broad collection of approval for one game, spanning playing together, watching other people play and the people making games themselves.
Elsewhere, Dispatch claimed Best Storytelling and Best Soundtrack, while Onimusha: Way of the Sword won Best Audio Design. Control: Resonant took Best Visual Design, Crimson Desert was named PC Game of the Year and Big Walk received Critics’ Choice. Capcom also collected Studio of the Year, with Pragmata’s Grace Saif winning Best Supporting Performer.
The result gives anyone catching up on this year’s releases a rather varied shortlist, from horror and multiplayer mischief to games recognised specifically for their writing or music. Award winners will never solve the argument over what you should play next, obviously, but they do provide a more useful starting point than staring at a library full of unfinished games until bedtime.
The ceremony’s organiser has published the full winners list on GamesRadar+, alongside its announcement of Requiem’s top prize. Respawning has also covered The Witcher’s two wins, including Most Wanted for the next adventure.