At the 2026 Golden Joystick Awards, Phantom Blade Zero came second in Ultimate Game of the Year, the award decided by public vote, with 16% of the votes. Resident Evil Requiem won with 17%, and Crimson Desert was third with 15%. S-GAME thanked players and pointed out that there were only about 40 hours between launch and the close of voting.
Ultimate Game of the Year 2026
The public vote, top three
- 3rdCrimson Desert, 15%
- 2ndPhantom Blade Zero, 16%
- 1stResident Evil Requiem, 17%
Percentages from 3DM and Insider Gaming. Crimson Desert’s 15% comes from 3DM only.
The result
Ultimate Game of the Year is the Golden Joystick category decided by public vote. According to Insider Gaming and 3DM, Resident Evil Requiem took 17% and Phantom Blade Zero 16%. 3DM adds that Crimson Desert was third with 15%, the closest top-three finish in recent years.
Ultimate Game of the Year 2026: top three
| Place | Game | Votes |
|---|---|---|
| 1st | Resident Evil Requiem | 17% |
| 2nd | Phantom Blade Zero | 16% |
| 3rd | Crimson Desert | 15% (according to 3DM) |
Insider Gaming confirms the 17% and 16%; only 3DM details third place.
What S-GAME said
The studio posted a thank-you message. According to 3DM, it noted that from launch (29 October) to the close of voting there were only about 40 hours, and that coming second under those conditions was beyond the team’s expectations. In the studio’s words: “we have felt the players’ love for the game”.
It is the second public award in November: earlier, the game won PlayStation’s Players’ Choice for October. On sales, S-GAME announced 4 million copies in 72 hours.
Frequently asked questions
Did Phantom Blade Zero win a Golden Joystick?
No. It came second in Ultimate Game of the Year with 16% of the vote, one point behind Resident Evil Requiem.
Who votes for Ultimate Game of the Year?
The public. It is the Golden Joystick Awards’ popular-vote category.
Why does S-GAME mention 40 hours?
Because the game launched on 29 October and voting closed shortly after: it was on sale for only about 40 hours.
Keep reading
Sources: 3DM · Insider Gaming.
Kaarosu Damu Kira is a soulslike player with 13 platinum trophies, from Dark Souls and Bloodborne to Elden Ring and Black Myth: Wukong, and the author of PBZ Guide. Kaarosu earned the Phantom Blade Zero platinum on 14 Nov 2026 in a single playthrough and turns every fight into clear, fact-checked guides.
