What a decade that was.
A new dawn of gaming approaches, but now is the perfect time to reflect on a progressive (and perhaps slow) 10 years in the gaming world.
We were introduced to three new next-gen consoles, PS4, Xbox One and Nintendo Switch, as well as seeing the beginning of Cloud Gaming.
Free-to-play was a big winner of the decade with Rocket League Fortnite giving the big players in the industry a run for their money.
In a compilation of our “Best of the Decade” series – the RealSport bring you the 10 that sit well above the rest.
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10. Pokemon Go
Year: 2016
Platform: Mobile
Developer: Niantic
Pokemon Go revolutionised mobile gaming.
The augmented reality game uses GPS as players aim to find and collect Pokemon in the real world. They can then train up their Pokemon and use them to battle others and takeover gyms which can be found in a range of locations.
READ MORE: The best Mobile games of the Decade
The game received widespread acclaim due to the way in which it promotes physical activity and helped local businesses due to the increase in foot traffic.
There may be better mobile games out there, but the inclusivity and pandemonium around Pokemon Go gets into our top 10 of them all.
9. Minecraft
Year: 2011
Platforms: PC, Xbox 360, Mobile, PS3, PS4, Xbox One, PS Vita, Wii U, Nintendo Switch, New Nintendo 3DS
Developer: Mojang
The foundation of some of the most successful Youtube careers were laid here in this world of Minecraft.
Minecraft highlighted how indie games with simple graphics could become one of the most successful genres out there.
READ MORE: The best PC games of the Decade
Minecraft, although it looks simple, takes players back to the stone age, where you have to figure out how to cook food, create shelter and progress through life’s ranks.
8. Rocket League
Year: 2015
Platforms: PC, PS4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch
Developer: Psyonix
You can argue that if it hadn’t been for Rocket League, Fortnite would not have had its success. The Psynoix title first arrived on PS4 and Windows completely free – and transformed the concept of gaming.
READ MORE: PS5 price and suspected release date
Putting rockets on cars and having them play football just makes perfect sense – with the game hugely popular (and frustrating) for professional and casual gamers alike.
Where it goes on next-gen remains to be seen, but the pick-up-and-play factor of the title should see it emerge once again in the years ahead.
Year: 2011
Platforms: PC, PS3, Xbox 360, PS4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch
Developer: Bethesda Game Studios
Released on PS3 and Xbox 360 in 2011, the game was so popular they remastered it for PS4 and Xbox One in 2016.
READ MORE: The best Previous Gen games of the decade
Gamers play the part of Dragonborn who must vanquish Alduin, a dragon prophesied to destroy the world. As you accomplish more during the game, your character grows adding skills as you discover the world of Skyrim.
Still selling copies eight years on, Elder Scrolls VI is on the way!
Year: 2014
Platforms: PS3, Xbox 360, PS4, Xbox One, PC
Developer: Rockstar North
Despite being released on PS4 and Xbox One five years ago, people are still playing GTA V today, thanks to the updating of online gameplay – making it the most popular game in the franchise.
READ MORE: Everything we know about GTA 6
It has drawn comparison to modern-day America, and that is perhaps why it has struck a chord with so many fans.
Open worlds nowadays are in fantasy lands, but few offer the realistic experience of the GTA franchise, especially with the crumbling foundations of Los Santos.
Year: 2017
Platforms: Nintendo Switch, Wii U
Developer: Nintendo EPD
Released back in 2017 during the Nintendo Switch’s initial launch, The Legend of Zelda Breath of the Wild is still considered the best Switch game of all time to this date.
READ MORE: The best Nintendo games of the decade
Perhaps the most immersive Zelda game ever created, it is full of secret areas to explore and countless hours exploring the beautiful area that the game is set in.
If you own a Nintendo Switch, you NEED to have this game in your library, one of the best games of the last decade and we cannot wait for the second Breath of the Wild.
If more people had played this game, it would have been a contender for top spot.
4. The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt
Year: 2015
Platforms: PC, PS4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch
Developer: CD Projekt Red
Witcher 3 has to be one of the finest games ever made.
Players take control of the famous Witcher (or monster hunter), Geralt of Rivia, in his quest to find his adopted daughter, Ciri. Fans of the original Sapkowski novels couldn’t have wished for any more, as CD Projekt truly brought this world to life.
READ MORE: The Best Xbox One Games of 2019
The best thing about the game is just how easy it is to control Geralt and his huge array of fighting skills and magic abilities. If you haven’t played this game yet, it’s an absolute must-buy.
Click ‘Next’ to see the top three games of the decade…
