Game of the Year: 2026 - General Discussion Forum

FishyS · 2026-03-07T20:30:30+00:00

It's far too early for this topic, but I don't care. Enough highly rated games are now out, I figured we may as well start talking about GotY in various categories. This is a spot to start discussing and predicting possible Game of the Year winners, including games not out or announced yet. Plus other awards, nominations, sub-genre winners, etc. Also feel free to mention your personal GotY (so far or predicted). We can update as the year continues. Metacritic isn't everything, but just for reference, here are the score 86+ 2026 games on metacritic currently which have at least 25 reviews (updated April 19): Pokopia - 89 Resident Evil Requiem - 89 Mewgenics - 88 Nioh 3 - 86 Monster Hunter Stories 3: Twisted Reflection - 86 PRAGMATA - 86 Super Mario Bros. Wonder: Nintendo Switch 2 Edition + Meetup in Bellabel Park - 86 Cairn - 86 So we have an indie, resident evil, and the highest reviewed Pokemon game ever at the top. There are also a zillion good looking games 80+.

Topic: Game of the Year: 2026

Posts 21 to 25 of 25

21
Ralizah
Fri 5th Jun 2026

It won't stay the top-rated game on Metacritic, but Mina the Hollower seems like a pretty pick for the 'indie rep' on the eventual slate.

Nothing else GOTY-worthy has really released tbh. MAYBE Resident Evil.

If it releases, GTA VI seems like a shoe-in, though. Rockstar hasn't released a game that wasn't generation-defining in a long time.

[Edited Fri 5th Jun 2026 by Ralizah]

Currently Playing: Yakuza 0: Director's Cut (NS2)

22
Anti-Matter
Fri 5th Jun 2026

Untitled

BLUEY HAPPY SNAPS PS5 could be my GOTY 2026 candidate.

Kickboxing Cat.
Meow...!

23
Tasuki
Fri 5th Jun 2026

Well no surprise for me it Forza Horizon 6 of course. I cant say how much better this game is over FH5 or even 4 since I never played 5 and only played 4 for a few moments to test out my PC back in the day but as a game overall I am enjoying it alot. It does help that the setting is Japan but everything is just enjoyable in this game, I love how they split the stuff between the festival and discovery Japan. The cars are great and there is so much to do. Definitely my GOTY for 2026.

RetiredPush Square Moderator and all around retro gamer.

My Backlog

24
kkslider5552000
Fri 5th Jun 2026

Ralizah wrote:

Nothing else GOTY-worthy has really released tbh. MAYBE Resident Evil.

Pokopia being this year's New Horizons (but not needing to be the best timed video game release of all time to get there) makes all the sense in the world to me.

Non-binary, demiguy, making LPs, still alive

Megaman Legends 2 Let's Play!:
LeT's PlAy MEGAMAN LEGENDS 2 < Link to LP

25
Grumblevolcano
Wed 5th Aug 2026

We've got a new surprising potential candidate, Big Walk is now the highest rated Metacritic game of the year (94).

Grumblevolcano

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