And so my light up a fat one and wave goodbye to another decade. The 2010’s have their ups and downs, that’s for sure, but one beacon of light remains constant in all our lives - absolutely cracking video games. Seriously, we’re spoiled these days. Moan about loot boxes and microtransactions all you want but the truth is, this past decade has delivered the goods and then some.
Well over 50 games broke past that elusive 90% review rating and Metacritic has handily amassed a nice list of the best 50 games this decade based on critical reviews. It’s quite strange looking back on the list, to be honest. This time 10 years ago we didn’t even know what a Minecraft was and Bioware was universally adored. Times really do change.
- Super Mario Galaxy 2 (Wii, 2010) 97
- The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild (Switch, 2017) 97
- Red Dead Redemption 2 (PlayStation 4, 2018) 97
- Grand Theft Auto V (PlayStation 4, 2014) 97
- Super Mario Odyssey (Switch, 2017) 97
- Mass Effect 2 (Xbox 360, 2010) 96
- The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim (Xbox 360, 2011) 96
- The Last of Us (PlayStation 3, 2013) 95
- The Last of Us Remastered (PlayStation 4, 2014) 95
- Red Dead Redemption (Xbox 360, 2010) 95
- Portal 2 (Xbox 360, 2011) 95
- God of War (PlayStation 4, 2018) 94
- Batman: Arkham City (Xbox 360, 2011) 94
- The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time 3D (3DS, 2011) 94
- BioShock Infinite (PC, 2013) 94
- Pac-Man Championship Edition DX (Xbox 360, 2010) 93
- Divinity: Original Sin II (PC, 2017) 93
- Super Mario 3D World (Wii U, 2013) 93
- Starcraft II: Wings of Liberty (PC, 2010) 93
- Minecraft (PC, 2011) 93
- Persona 4 Golden (PlayStation Vita, 2012) 93
- Persona 5 (PlayStation 4, 2017) 93
- Mass Effect 3 (Xbox 360, 2012) 93
- Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain (PlayStation 4, 2015) 93
- The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword (Wii, 2011) 93
- Rock Band 3 (Xbox 360, 2010) 93
- Uncharted 4: A Thief's End (PlayStation 4, 2016) 93
- Super Smash Bros. Ultimate (Switch, 2018) 93
- INSIDE (Xbox One, 2016) 93
- Forza Horizon 4 (Xbox One, 2018) 92
- God of War III (PlayStation 3, 2010) 92
- Uncharted 3: Drake's Deception (PlayStation 3, 2011) 92
- Bloodborne (PlayStation 4, 2015) 92
- Celeste (Switch, 2018) 92
- Super Street Fighter IV (PlayStation 3, 2010) 92
- The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt (PlayStation 4, 2015) 92
- Undertale (PC, 2015) 92
- Fire Emblem: Awakening (3DS, 2013) 92
- Divinity: Original Sin II - Definitive Edition (PlayStation 4, 2018) 92
- Super Smash Bros. for Wii U (Wii U, 2014) 92
- Journey (PlayStation 3, 2012) 92
- Xenoblade Chronicles (Wii, 2012) 92
- Mario Kart 8 Deluxe (Switch, 2017) 92
- The ICO & Shadow of the Colossus Collection (PlayStation 3, 2011) 92
- The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt - Blood and Wine (PC, 2016) 92
- LittleBigPlanet 2 (PlayStation 3, 2011) 91
- Overwatch (PC, 2016) 91
- Bayonetta 2 (Wii U, 2014) 91
- Forza Horizon 3 (Xbox One, 2016) 91
- Final Fantasy XIV: Shadowbringers (PC, 2019) 91
Looking back at this list I should probably go and get a life. I’ve beaten 41 of these games and I’ve at least played a couple of others, such as Forza Horizon 3. There are a couple of glaring holes that I’m going to have to rectify though. I’ll get to Shadowbringers just as soon as I can work my way through the rest of Final Fantasy XIV, while other notable games I’ve skipped include Mass Effect 3, Divinity: Original Sin 2, Starcraft 2 and both those Persona games. I’ll probably get onto Divinity: OS2 soon enough, I just needed a bit of a break after playing the original earlier this year. As for Mass Effect 3, after ME2 I kind of settled on the series being decidedly average so I’ll probably skip that one for good. Still, 41 ain’t bad, that’s for sure, even if many of these games definitely wouldn’t qualify for my personal list of the top 50 games of the decade (where’s Rainbow Six Siege? Rocket League? Stardew Valley? Ori? Criminal).
What about you then, had man of this esteemed list have you had the pleasure of playing? What games shouldn’t be on here? And, conversely, which of your favourites is missing and deserves to be here? Let us know!
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PC Specs
I only have a PC and a ps3 so anything not on those two platforms are automatically out of my reach.
PC Specs
You would think the original pokemon games would be on the list...not complaining, but those games were unanimously adored?
PC Specs
10... 9, if you consider "Blood & Wine" an expansion, rather than a separate game.
PC Specs
Pretty much all games that are NOT for the switch and I count played only if I own the console and game and have beaten them myself, because technically I've played some of them at a friend, along with RDR2, the rest I've played.
PC Specs
Only 4 for me.
Thing is I did watch a lot of cut-scenes from the games listed but that wasn't the question.
PC Specs
Aye 4 for meself and walkthroughs for the rest !!!
PC Specs
Ironically I think I stopped playing more games because I was only interested in the story.
PC Specs
21 for me.
PC Specs
20 for me, though looking at the list, I probably should give few more a go... Well there is always another year. :-D
PC Specs
yeah we have a whole year......wait does the decade begin at 2020 or 2021?....well the new millennium began at 2000 so with that logic we are entering a new decade with 2020.... can anyone correct me if I am wrong?
PC Specs
Yeah, 2020 is fresh new decade for us to embark on... Decades always start with 0 and end with 9. For centuries, like 21st century, I think they do start with 1 and end with 0. So 21st century began with 2001 and not 2000, and it will last till end of 2100. Though it could depend on language and country, I guess.
PC Specs
On that list 7 only, but iv played a lot more games than that and ones i personally find better than most on that list
PC Specs
15,just the PC games
PC Specs
6, but I only play PC.
PC Specs
Mostly missing the Nintendo exclusives
PC Specs
Just 10. I feel like a lot of these nintendo games are on just cause they're nintendo games. That's not a very fair list but not just because of that, but PC has games people invest thousands of hours in, surely that should matter
PC Specs
It is entirely possible that people think zelda might be the best game of the decade doing a single playthrough or two for, idk 100 hours? And then there's games like starcraft or WoW that their players have played for thousands of hours
PC Specs
Only 12. Too many console exclusives and I don't own any consoles. I know I'm missing out on the playstation exclusives, but nintendo exclusives are not even my cup of tea, except maybe zelda.
PC Specs
11 only
PC Specs
played 18, of which I only beat 6. Don't know why expansions are considered their own game.
PC Specs
Portal 2
Pac-Man Championship Edition DX
Mass Effect 3
Batman: Arkham City
PC Specs
My list is not your list.
PC Specs
agreed, batman above bioshock.... **** Batman above Starcraft?!?!?!?!
if this was a marriage id be drawing up divorce papers....
PC Specs
Too many Nintendo games tho...