It’s almost hard to believe that the 2010s are nearing their end. It’s been quite the decade for gaming- in some ways I think it even became the best ever. Several new major IPs were born and died all within this decade, and classic franchises showed just who could endure the harsh test of time. Now, Metacritic gives us the 50 best reviewed games of the decade.
Two companies dominated the top 5: Nintendo and Rockstar. Nintendo took three slots with Super Mario Galaxy, Super Mario Odyssey, and The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild. Rockstar took the remaining two with Grand Theft Auto 5 and Red Dead Redemption 2. All five of those games came in with a tie of 97. The rest of the list is a who’s who of great games from the decade, with the likes of Mass Effect, Elder Scrolls, Metal Gear Solid, The Last of Us, and so many more from the mainstream and indie scene.
The decade sure was filled with some truly great gems across the many platforms we’ve had. There really was a little something for everyone on this list, and it goes to show just how much the industry has evolved, as well as what’s stayed strong, over the years. Check out the full list below.
- 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
- 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
- Dragon Quest XI S: Echoes of an Elusive Age – Definitive Edition (Switch, 2019) – 91