Skip to main content
Join The Community
- Join our community
11
Premium Benefits
24/7
Access Available
21K+
Active Members
Commenting
Join the discussion
Exclusive Articles Coming Soon
Member-only articles
Weekly Newsletters
Weekly gaming & entertainment news
Member Badges
Earn badges as you go
Exclusive Competitions
Members-only prize draws
Curated Deals Coming Soon
Tech and gaming deals worth grabbing
GET COMMUNITY ACCESS QUICK
For the quickest way to join, simply enter your email below and get access. We will send a confirmation and sign you up to our newsletter to keep you updated on all your gaming news.
By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.
FIND OUT ABOUT OUR MAGAZINE
Want to subscribe to the magazine? Click the button below to find out more information.
Find out more
GET Community ACCESS QUICK

Join the GamesRadar community for quick access. Enter your email below and we'll send confirmation, and sign you up to our newsletter.

By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.

Background
Welcome to GamesRADAR+ Community !
Hi ,

Your membership journey starts here.

Keep exploring and earning more as a member.

MY ACCOUNT

Badge picture
Earn your first badge
Read 1 article to unlock your first badge.
Keep earning badges
Explore ways to get more involved as a member.
Latest Games News

Latest Games News

Breaking gaming news and updates

Read Now
Latest Games Reviews

Latest Games Reviews

Expert verdicts on the newest releases

Read Now

See what you’ve unlocked.

Explore your membership benefits.

Explore
Member Exclusives

Stay Ahead with GamesRadar+

Get the biggest gaming news, reviews, and releases straight to your inbox.

Explore

Sign Out
GamesRadar+ GamesRadar+
US EditionUS CA EditionCanada UK EditionUK AU EditionAustralia
Sign in
  • View Profile
  • Sign out
  • Games
    • Game Insights
      • Games News
      • Games Features
      • Games Reviews
      • Games Guides
      • Big in 2026
      • The Big Preview
      • On The Radar
      • Indie Spotlight
      • Future Games Show
      • Golden Joystick Awards
    • Genres
      • Action Games
      • RPGs
      • Action RPGs
      • Adventure Games
      • Third Person Shooters
      • FPS Games
    • Platforms
      • PS5
      • Xbox Series X
      • PC
      • Nintendo Switch
      • Nintendo Switch 2
      • Tabletop Gaming
    • Franchises
      • Grand Theft Auto
      • Pokemon
      • Assassin's Creed
      • Monster Hunter
      • Fortnite
      • Cyberpunk
      • Red Dead
      • The Elder Scrolls
      • The Sims
  • Entertainment
    • TV Shows
      • TV News
      • TV Reviews
      • Anime Shows
      • Sci-Fi Shows
      • Superhero Shows
      • Animated Shows
      • Marvel TV Shows
      • Star Wars TV Shows
      • DC TV Shows
    • Movies
      • Movie News
      • Movie Reviews
      • Big Screen Spotlight
      • Superhero Movies
      • Action Movies
      • Anime Movies
      • Sci-Fi Movies
      • Horror Movies
      • Marvel Movies
      • DC Movies
    • Streaming
      • Apple TV Plus
      • Disney Plus
      • Netflix
      • HBO
      • Amazon Prime Video
      • Hulu
    • Comics
      • Marvel Comics
      • DC Comics
    • Toys & Collectibles
    • Lego
    • Dungeons and Dragons
    • Merch
  • Hardware
    • Insights
      • Hardware News
      • Hardware Reviews
      • Hardware Features
    • Computing
      • Desktop PCs
      • Laptops
      • Handhelds
    • Peripherals
      • Headsets & Headphones
      • TVs & Monitors
      • Gaming Mice
      • Gaming Keyboards
      • Gaming Chairs
      • Speakers & Audio
    • Accessories & Tech
      • Gaming Controllers
      • Tech
      • SSDs & Hard Drives
      • VR
      • Accessories
      • Retro
  • Deals
    • Game Deals
    • Tech Deals
    • TV Deals
    • Buying Guides
  • Video
    • Video
    • GR+ Replay - Submit Your Clips
  • Newsletters
    • Quizzes
    • About Us
    • How to pitch to us
    • How we score
    • Newsarama
    • Retro Gamer
    • Total Film
  • home
  • Games
    • View Games
      • Games News
      • Games Features
      • Games Reviews
      • Games Guides
      • Big in 2026
      • The Big Preview
      • On The Radar
      • Indie Spotlight
      • Future Games Show
      • Golden Joystick Awards
      • Action Games
      • RPGs
      • Action RPGs
      • Adventure Games
      • Third Person Shooters
      • FPS Games
    • Platforms
      • View Platforms
      • PS5
      • Xbox Series X
      • PC
      • Nintendo Switch
      • Nintendo Switch 2
      • Tabletop Gaming
      • Grand Theft Auto
      • Pokemon
      • Assassin's Creed
      • Monster Hunter
      • Fortnite
      • Cyberpunk
      • Red Dead
      • The Elder Scrolls
      • The Sims
  • Entertainment
    • View Entertainment
    • TV Shows
      • View TV Shows
      • TV News
      • TV Reviews
      • Anime Shows
      • Sci-Fi Shows
      • Superhero Shows
      • Animated Shows
      • Marvel TV Shows
      • Star Wars TV Shows
      • DC TV Shows
    • Movies
      • View Movies
      • Movie News
      • Movie Reviews
      • Big Screen Spotlight
      • Superhero Movies
      • Action Movies
      • Anime Movies
      • Sci-Fi Movies
      • Horror Movies
      • Marvel Movies
      • DC Movies
    • Streaming
      • View Streaming
      • Apple TV Plus
      • Disney Plus
      • Netflix
      • HBO
      • Amazon Prime Video
      • Hulu
    • Comics
      • View Comics
      • Marvel Comics
      • DC Comics
    • Toys & Collectibles
    • Lego
    • Dungeons and Dragons
    • Merch
  • Hardware
    • View Hardware
      • Hardware News
      • Hardware Reviews
      • Hardware Features
      • Desktop PCs
      • Laptops
      • Handhelds
    • Peripherals
      • View Peripherals
      • Headsets & Headphones
      • TVs & Monitors
      • Gaming Mice
      • Gaming Keyboards
      • Gaming Chairs
      • Speakers & Audio
      • Gaming Controllers
      • Tech
      • SSDs & Hard Drives
      • VR
      • Accessories
      • Retro
  • Deals
    • View Deals
    • Game Deals
    • Tech Deals
    • TV Deals
    • Buying Guides
  • Video
    • View Video
    • Video
    • GR+ Replay - Submit Your Clips
  • Newsletters
    • Quizzes
    • About Us
    • How to pitch to us
    • How we score
    • Newsarama
    • Retro Gamer
    • Total Film
Trending
  • Amazon Spring Sale
  • New Games for 2026
  • Crimson Desert
  • Submit your clips. Win prizes
  • Pokopia
Don't miss these
A picture of a Nintendo 3DS console next to several of the best 3DS games and Nintendo cards.
Games The 25 best Nintendo 3DS games of all time
The best Nintendo Switch Games with the Nintendo Switch console overlaid.
Nintendo The 25 best Nintendo Switch games to play right now
Four pictures of games from our selection of the best Switch 2 games list, showing Donkey Kong, Cloud from Final Fantasy, Mario and Luigi, and three starter Pokemon.
Games The 20 best Switch 2 games to play in 2026
Upcoming Switch games for 2026 banner showing Mega Man from the All Star Force Collection, Witches in Witchbrook, a large woman in Tomodachi Life: Living the Dream, and Fiona in Neverway
Action Games Upcoming Switch games for 2026 and beyond
A header image for the Best Games 2026 list with a GamesRadar+ logo, showing Pokemon Pokopia, Romeo is a Dead Man, Demon Tides, and Resident Evil Requiem
Games The best games to play in 2026, so far
Pokopia screenshots on Switch 2
Pokemon Pokemon Pokopia sends monthly Switch 2 sales flying by 154% in the UK
Tiny Bookshop screenshot showing the small mobile bookshop decorated with lights and plants set up on the beach as a customer walks inside. A dog can be seen sitting on a couch outside of it
Games The 20 best Switch indie games you should play in 2026
Super Smash Bros Ultimate
Puzzle Games Best local multiplayer Switch games to play in 2026
Animal Crossing: New Horizons screenshot of cat villager Punchy cooking with a pan
Games The best Switch exclusives to make sure you have in your library
Best games like Animal Crossing: A group of villagers on a stone bridge during New Horizons.
Animal Crossing 15 Best games like Animal Crossing that are so wholesome it hurts
A screenshot of Ditto transformed into Dragonite - flying next to the real Dragonite - in Pokemon Pokopia.
Pokemon Pokemon Pokopia once again overtakes Resident Evil Requiem on Metacritic as the best game of 2026
A player runs towards the Pokemon Pokopia release time
Pokemon Pokemon Pokopia fan creates Cloud Island you can use to get the cozy game's rarest goodies, Animal Crossing-style
A widescreen image of the Animal Crossing PC port
Animal Crossing Unofficial Animal Crossing PC port is here, offering a widescreen 4K experience
A path design in Animal Crossing: New Horizons
Animal Crossing Best Animal Crossing: New Horizons island ideas
Animal Crossing: New Horizons fish
Animal Crossing When and where to catch all Animal Crossing: New Horizons fish
  1. Games
  2. Simulation
  3. Animal Crossing
  4. Animal Crossing: New Horizons

Animal Crossing: New Horizons is your Nintendo Game of the Year at the Golden Joystick Awards 2020

News
By Heather Wald published 24 November 2020

Tom Nook and Isabelle are sure to be delighted

When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here’s how it works.

Golden Joystick Awards 2020
(Image credit: Nintendo)
  • Facebook
  • X
  • Pinterest
  • Flipboard
  • Email
Share this article
Join the conversation
Follow us
Add us as a preferred source on Google
Sign up to the GamesRadar+ Newsletter

Weekly digests, tales from the communities you love, and more


By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.

You are now subscribed

Your newsletter sign-up was successful


Want to add more newsletters?

GamesRadar+

Every Friday

GamesRadar+

Your weekly update on everything you could ever want to know about the games you already love, games we know you're going to love in the near future, and tales from the communities that surround them.

GTA 6 O'clock

Every Thursday

GTA 6 O'clock

Our special GTA 6 newsletter, with breaking news, insider info, and rumor analysis from the award-winning GTA 6 O'clock experts.

Knowledge

Every Friday

Knowledge

From the creators of Edge: A weekly videogame industry newsletter with analysis from expert writers, guidance from professionals, and insight into what's on the horizon.

The Setup

Every Thursday

The Setup

Hardware nerds unite, sign up to our free tech newsletter for a weekly digest of the hottest new tech, the latest gadgets on the test bench, and much more.

Switch 2 Spotlight

Every Wednesday

Switch 2 Spotlight

Sign up to our new Switch 2 newsletter, where we bring you the latest talking points on Nintendo's new console each week, bring you up to date on the news, and recommend what games to play.

The Watchlist

Every Saturday

The Watchlist

Subscribe for a weekly digest of the movie and TV news that matters, direct to your inbox. From first-look trailers, interviews, reviews and explainers, we've got you covered.

SFX

Once a month

SFX

Get sneak previews, exclusive competitions and details of special events each month!


Join the club

Get full access to premium articles, exclusive features and a growing list of member rewards.


An account already exists for this email address, please log in.
Subscribe to our newsletter

You have crowned Animal Crossing: New Horizons as this year's winner of the Nintendo Game of Year at the Golden Joystick Awards 

Nintendo has had a very strong year, with a host of incredible games coming to the Switch console. But Animal Crossing: New Horizons wracked up the most votes to beat out all of the other nominees. Taking the top spot, Tom Nook's island getaway package won out over the likes of Pokemon Sword and Shield, Paper Mario: The Origami King, and Clubhouse Games: 51 Worldwide Classics. 

The full list of Nominees was: 

Article continues below
You may like
  • Tom Nook from Animal Crossing New Horizons on the GamesRadar+ On the Radar hub branding On the Radar with Animal Crossing: New Horizons
  • The New Year's Eve countdown in Animal Crossing: New Horizons finishes, with the villager and residents of the island gathering in the plaza to celebrate - presented with the GamesRadar+ On The Radar frame Time ticks on in Animal Crossing: New Horizons, whether I'm obsessed with playing or taking a break
  • Some of the village gathers around with Tom Nook and Kapp'n's family in Animal Crossing: New Horizons for Nintendo Switch 2 celebrate the Resort Hotel opening - with the GamesRadar+ On the Radar branding frame Six years later, the Animal Crossing: New Horizons Switch 2 and Update 3.0 have hooked me back into this cozy world thanks to these five fresh features
  •  Animal Crossing: New Horizons  
  •  Pokemon Sword and Shield  
  •  Dr Kawashima's Brain Training for Nintendo Switch 
  •  Super Mario 3D All-Stars 
  •  Paper Mario: The Origami King 
  •  Super Mario Bros 35 
  •  Ninjala  
  •  Clubhouse Games: 51 Worldwide Classics  

Released back in March, Animal Crossing: New Horizons captured players' imaginations all around the world by letting them create their very own virtual island. Accompanied by a group of adorable fuzzy friends, the latest entry in the Animal Crossing series also became a platform for people to come together and celebrate milestones and occasions when they otherwise couldn't in the real world on account of quarantine. It even set the scene for a new talk show and many, many fan tributes to various franchises and series. 

Enjoying immense success since it first launched, the game has continued to keep everyone returning to Tom Nook's holiday destination, with frequent updates throughout the seasons. From making a splash with a dip in the ocean in the summer update to bringing pumpkins and spooky vibes with a Halloween event, there have been plenty of exciting new additions to spice up island life. 

Yes, for many, New Horizons released just when everyone needed it the most. It's certainly its place as Nintendo's Game of the Year. Big congratulations to everyone at Nintendo who brought this Animal Crossing adventure to life, and to all of the fantastic nominees who made the shortlist. 

Sign up to the GamesRadar+ Newsletter

Weekly digests, tales from the communities you love, and more

By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.
CATEGORIES
Nintendo Switch Platforms Nintendo
Heather Wald
Heather Wald
Social Links Navigation
Evergreen Editor, Games

Heather Wald is the Evergreen Editor, Games at GamesRadar+. Her writing career began on a student-led magazine at Bath Spa University, where she earned a BA (Hons) in English literature. Heather landed her first role writing about tech and games for Stuff Magazine shortly after graduating with an MA in magazine journalism at Cardiff University. Now with almost seven years of experience working with GamesRadar+ on the features team, Heather helps to develop, maintain, and expand the evergreen features that exist on the site for games, as well as spearhead the Indie Spotlight series. You'll also see her contribute op-eds, interview-led features, and more. In her spare time, you'll likely find Heather tucking into RPGs and indie games, reading romance novels, and drinking lots of tea.

Read more
Tom Nook from Animal Crossing New Horizons on the GamesRadar+ On the Radar hub branding
Animal Crossing On the Radar with Animal Crossing: New Horizons
 
 
The New Year's Eve countdown in Animal Crossing: New Horizons finishes, with the villager and residents of the island gathering in the plaza to celebrate - presented with the GamesRadar+ On The Radar frame
Animal Crossing Time ticks on in Animal Crossing: New Horizons, whether I'm obsessed with playing or taking a break
 
 
Some of the village gathers around with Tom Nook and Kapp'n's family in Animal Crossing: New Horizons for Nintendo Switch 2 celebrate the Resort Hotel opening - with the GamesRadar+ On the Radar branding frame
Animal Crossing Six years later, the Animal Crossing: New Horizons Switch 2 and Update 3.0 have hooked me back into this cozy world thanks to these five fresh features
 
 
An Animal Crossing: New Horizons player standing on the pier in front of a hotel
Games I haven't played Animal Crossing: New Horizons since 2020 - here's why the 3.0 update has lured me back in
 
 
Julian, a light blue horse with a unicorn-like horn, in Animal Crossing: New Horizon poses in front of the mayor's office, with the GamesRadar+ On The Radar frame
Animal Crossing The best Animal Crossing: New Horizons villagers have been our faves since day one
 
 
Animal Crossing Quiz: A screenshot of a group of villagers during New Horizons.
Animal Crossing Can you beat the ultimate Animal Crossing quiz?
 
 
Latest in Animal Crossing
Close up photo of the Brewster toy set from the Animal Crossing Happy Room Collection.
Toys & Collectibles I put together a tiny Animal Crossing room thanks to these adorable Re-ment blind boxes, and now I'm obsessed
 
 
A widescreen image of the Animal Crossing PC port
Animal Crossing Unofficial Animal Crossing PC port is here, offering a widescreen 4K experience
 
 
A player character sat surrounded by books in a cozy room in Animal Crossing: New Horizons.
Animal Crossing Animal Crossing: New Horizons update ensures Timmy and Tommy never let you out of their sight again, stops fence cloning
 
 
Celebrating the opening of the resort hotel in Animal Crossing: New Horizons
Animal Crossing Nintendo says those Animal Crossing and Splatoon updates are there so players can migrate to Switch 2 at their own pace
 
 
Photo of a pile of official Animal Crossing amiibo cards, with an Isabelle card in the middle.
Toys & Collectibles UK Nintendo fans this is not a drill, Animal Crossing amiibo cards are back
 
 
Photo of an official Animal Crossing Brewster cup and rubber keychain sitting on a white surface.
Toys & Collectibles The new Animal Crossing New Horizons merch at Nintendo is too cute to handle, but it's UK only for now
 
 
Latest in News
Crimson Desert: Cliff Macduff looking out into the distance during the new game, Crimson Desert.
Open World Games Crimson Desert "makes me feel a sense of wonder I've not felt since Oblivion," says Palworld publishing chief
 
 
Divinity
RPGs Larian chief says Divinity's development has progressed to the point "where you sense that a game is coming alive"
 
 
Homelander waking Soldier Boy in The Boys season 5
Superhero Shows Homelander sentences Billy Butcher to death by Soldier Boy in The Boys season 5 teaser
 
 
Homelander smiling smugly in the Oval Office of the White House
Superhero Shows The Boys' final season is done as creator Eric Kripke says farewell to the r-rated superhero show
 
 
Players attack a frontier building in The Legend of California
Survival Games Jeff Kaplan has "over 5,000 hours" in Rust, which is "the pinnacle of PvP games"
 
 
Pokemon Pokopia gameplay showing Ditty in human form, frowning in front of a lighthouse
Pokemon Pokemon Pokopia player builds straight-up jail for their least favorite 'mons: "They are (mostly) comfortable"
 
 
LATEST ARTICLES
  1. Crimson Desert: Cliff Macduff looking out into the distance during the new game, Crimson Desert.
    1
    Crimson Desert "makes me feel a sense of wonder I've not felt since Oblivion," says Palworld publishing chief
  2. 2
    Larian chief says Divinity's development has progressed to the point "where you sense that a game is coming alive"
  3. 3
    Homelander sentences Billy Butcher to death by Soldier Boy in The Boys season 5 teaser
  4. 4
    Jeff Kaplan has "over 5,000 hours" in Rust, which is "the pinnacle of PvP games"
  5. 5
    The Boys' final season is done as creator Eric Kripke says farewell to the r-rated superhero show

GamesRadar+ is part of Future US Inc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. Visit our corporate site.

Add as a preferred source on Google Add as a preferred source on Google
  • Terms and conditions
  • Contact Future's experts
  • Privacy policy
  • Cookies policy
  • Accessibility statement
  • Careers
  • About us
  • Advertise with us
  • Review guidelines
  • Write for us
  • Accessibility Statement

© Future US, Inc. Full 7th Floor, 130 West 42nd Street, New York, NY 10036.

Please login or signup to comment

Please wait...