GTA 6 joins Cyberpunk 2077 in winning the Most Wanted Golden Joysticks award two years running, in what's not a worrying coincidence whatsoever

1. Games
2. Action Games
3. Grand Theft Auto
4. GTA 6

GTA 6 joins Cyberpunk 2077 in winning the Most Wanted Golden Joysticks award two years running, in what's not a worrying coincidence whatsoever News By Anthony McGlynn published 21 November 2025

Rockstar and CD Projekt sure know how to generate buzz

Comments (0) ()

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

(Image credit: Rockstar Games)

Something can have too much hype - ask CD Projekt Red after Cyberpunk 2077. Now, though, GTA 6 may be verging on such territory, being a sequel in development for over a decade and such. As such, it's amusing that the two games now share a distinct honor when it comes to generating buzz.

They are two of only three releases so far to earn the Most Wanted award at the Golden Joysticks two years on the trot. Cyberpunk 2077 took home the trophy in 2018 and 2019, while Grand Theft Auto 6 got it in 2024 and this year, 2025. The third game to manage this fear? The Witcher 3, in 2013 and 2014.

That's some interesting company for the new GTA to be in. Cyberpunk 2077 speaks for itself, a hugely ambitious sci-fi open-world RPG marred by widespread glitches and other problems. The game itself was hard to play for long stretches because you were likely to encounter a game-crashing bug of some description.

You may like

• Cyberpunk 2077 devs offer support to spiralling GTA 6 fans following delay by reminding them of their RPG's infamously terrible launch
• "Going against GTA 6 for such games would be suicide": GTA 6 delay is bad for everyone except Rockstar, as analysts predict major devs will avoid a 2026 winter release like it's rancid
• "Rockstar delaying GTA 6 is a flex": Analyst says the studio's "most valuable currency" is anticipation, so Take-Two is strategically polishing its $2.7 billion project

Grand Theft Auto VI Trailer 2 - YouTube Watch On

Repairs have been made, and it's a much more stable release now than it was when it came out. But it's a clear example of setting expectations to the point they become almost unattainable. Although The Witcher 3 is now widely beloved, there were problems when it came out, too. Not to the extent of Cyberpunk 2077, but Geralt of Rivia's generation-defining outing had its foibles.

GTA 6 will have its problems, as any release of any scale does. Rockstar recently delayed it again, to November 2026, causing genuine shockwaves through the industry, because nobody wants to put something out against it (except Devolver Digital). That's a lot of excitement to make good on. CD Projekt actually responded, noting nobody wants another Night City situation.

Is winning Most Wanted at the Golden Joysticks a harbinger of things to come? Probably not, but part of me wonders if anyone will ever do it three times in a row. Red Dead Redemption 3 or The Witcher 4, perhaps.

GTA 6 developer Rockstar is "a machine" in "an industry rife with work exploitation, unfair practice, and unreasonable working conditions," protesters say after recent firings.

Sign up to the GamesRadar+ Newsletter

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

Contact me with news and offers from other Future brandsReceive email from us on behalf of our trusted partners or sponsorsBy submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over. TOPICS Rockstar Games CD Projekt Red CATEGORIES PC Gaming PS5 Xbox Series X Platforms PlayStation Xbox Anthony McGlynnSocial Links NavigationContributing Writer

Anthony is an Irish entertainment and games journalist, now based in Glasgow. He previously served as Senior Anime Writer at Dexerto and News Editor at The Digital Fix, on top of providing work for Variety, IGN, Den of Geek, PC Gamer, and many more. Besides Studio Ghibli, horror movies, and The Muppets, he enjoys action-RPGs, heavy metal, and pro-wrestling. He interviewed Animal once, not that he won’t stop going on about it or anything.

You must confirm your public display name before commenting

Please logout and then login again, you will then be prompted to enter your display name.

Logout Read more Cyberpunk 2077 devs offer support to spiralling GTA 6 fans following delay by reminding them of their RPG's infamously terrible launch    "Going against GTA 6 for such games would be suicide": GTA 6 delay is bad for everyone except Rockstar, as analysts predict major devs will avoid a 2026 winter release like it's rancid    "Rockstar delaying GTA 6 is a flex": Analyst says the studio's "most valuable currency" is anticipation, so Take-Two is strategically polishing its $2.7 billion project    GTA 6 dubbed "the largest game launch in history" by Rockstar in job listing, surprising absolutely nobody who has been waiting 12 years for the new Grand Theft Auto to release    Following another GTA 6 delay, Palworld lead says "expect to see many games (especially AAA ones) swerve to avoid the 2027 awards season"    Rockstar Games co-founder says GTA 6 is carrying so much hype “because they don’t come out that regularly” and the series has been “constantly innovating”    Latest in Grand Theft Auto To get GTA on Xbox, Microsoft had to convince Rockstar that its console wasn't "going to be a flop," former exec says    GTA 6 developer Rockstar is "a machine" in "an industry rife with work exploitation, unfair practice, and unreasonable working conditions," protesters say after recent firings    GTA 6 will launch in exactly one year, but some fans don’t believe it: "1 year from now we will be waiting for it to come out in a year"    Take-Two CEO Strauss Zelnick says the industry is "moving towards PC" even if consoles are "never going away," but still hasn't confirmed if GTA 6 is coming to PC    "Rockstar delaying GTA 6 is a flex": Analyst says the studio's "most valuable currency" is anticipation, so Take-Two is strategically polishing its $2.7 billion project    "We really don't see any force that could stop GTA 6": Not even multiple delays and angry employees can prevent Rockstar from making GTA 6 the "gaming event of the decade," experts say    Latest in News GTA 6 joins Cyberpunk 2077 in winning the Most Wanted Golden Joysticks award two years running, in what's not a worrying coincidence whatsoever    Arrowhead creative lead agrees with Helldivers 2 players, calls the game "a never-ending ping pong between 'it's so over' and 'we're so back,'" but says "we're trying to get better with each update"    After 4 years with Larian, Baldur's Gate 3 Alfira actor didn't know her character could immediately die until it had already happened: "I was like, 'What?! Did they just kill her off?'"    Naruto live-action movie gets disappointing update from co-writer of the anime adaptation    New look at Bill Skarsgård's Pennywise in IT: Welcome to Derry proves the reveal was worth the wait    Arc Raiders players mourn their beloved Arc killer, the Hullcracker, after Embark nerfs it into the pavement: "No idea why they'd do this"    GAME REVIEWSMOVIE REVIEWSTV REVIEWS

1. 1Constance review: "If Hollow Knight: Silksong seems too daunting, this wonderful paint powered adventure should do nicely"
2. 2This enthralling team board game is perfect for playing with family this Thanksgiving
3. 3Kirby Air Riders review: "This racer is also equal parts fighting game, minigame collection, and roguelike – and I'm shocked at how well that works"
4. 4Demonschool review: "This Persona-inspired RPG is full of fun, flair, and ready to chomp away at your free time"
5. 5Morsels review: "The Binding of Isaac style roguelike shooting gets somehow grosser, but struggles to set itself apart"

1. 1Wicked: For Good review: "Builds to an incredibly cathartic conclusion, but isn't quite as captivating as Part 1"
2. 2The Running Man review: "Some fun action and Glen Powell's star power aren't enough to energize this disappointing Stephen King adaptation"
3. 3Predator: Badlands review: "Die-hard fans may be disappointed, but as a blockbuster action-adventure, Badlands kills it"
4. 4Chainsaw Man – The Movie: Reze Arc review "Storytelling just as compelling as the chainsaws, devils, and visually excessive fight scenes"
5. 5Tron: Ares review: "Misses out by swapping the Grid for the real world"

1. 1Pluribus season 1 review: "Easily one of the year's best dramas"
2. 2The Witcher season 4 review: "The Henry Cavill-less fourth season is the best yet"
3. 3IT: Welcome to Derry review: "A supremely confident step back into the history of Stephen King's cursed town and killer clown"
4. 4Splinter Cell: Deathwatch review: "A pale imitation of the long-dormant stealth franchise"
5. 5Marvel Zombies review: "A fun expansion of the What If episode with delightful MCU Easter eggs and truly gross R-rated kills"