The 2010s mark retro's latest frontier: high definition, the explosion of indie games, and the swan song of the 3DS and PS Vita handhelds. This Top 50 gathers the decade's best titles, the ones already becoming classics. RomWize re-tests and ranks them by its re-evaluated scores, with versions, rarity and collector value.
"Call of Duty Black Ops II dares to go to 2025 with a branching narrative campaign and renewed competitive multiplayer. Memorable villains, original Strike Force. An ambitious CoD that delivers."
"Brutally demanding yet never losing sight of emotion. The pixel-perfect jumps feel flawlessly tuned, and the story about anxiety lands with real honesty. Assist options open the challenge to anyone without diluting the thrill of finally nailing a screen."
"Fire Emblem Awakening on 3DS saved the franchise and created a new generation of fans. Character support system, pair-up in combat and optional permadeath. Epic storytelling and memorable cast. A masterpiece."
"BioShock Infinite Complete Edition with all DLC including Burial at Sea, return to Rapture with Booker and Elizabeth. The most complete version of a major work, the DLC considerably enriches it."
"God of War III is one of the greatest PS3 games. Kratos climbs Olympus and faces the gods one by one in titanic epic battles. Sublime art direction, perfect fluid combat, memorable bosses. A monument."
"Gran Turismo 5 is THE automotive simulation on PS3 with over 1000 vehicles. Unmatched driving physics precision, immense game modes. Imperfect in structure but the pinnacle of auto simulation."
"Gran Turismo 5 Spec II is the enriched version of GT5 with all integrated DLC and numerous improvements. The definitive version of GT5, more complete and better balanced. The ideal way to discover the GT masterpiece."
"The classic JRPG in all its warmth. The S version adds voice acting, a 2D mode and extra content that enrich an already charming tale. The combat breaks no new ground, but the bond you form with the party makes all the difference."
"Stylish action at its peak. The Witch Time dodge rewards boldness, and chaining combos stays gloriously fluid. The set pieces border on excess, but that's exactly what makes Bayonetta such a rush to play."
"Direct sequel to Mario Galaxy, harder, denser, more inventive. Yoshi finally playable with complementary abilities (tongue, transformations). Fifty galaxies with ever crazier ideas, Nintendo level design at absolute peak. Secret green stars for ultimate challenge, Comet mode for speedrun. Even more orchestral musically. Considered by many superior to the first, the peak of all-time 3D platforming. Absolute must-own."
"Metal Gear Solid V The Phantom Pain is Kojima's last MGS with Big Boss in 1984 in Afghanistan and Africa. Revolutionary open world MGS, gigantic Mother Base, missions with infinite approaches. A major work."
"Zelda no Densetsu Toki no Ocarina 3D on 3DS, original Japanese version of Ocarina of Time 3D. The definitive version of the greatest video game ever made in its original Japanese presentation. For collectors."
"Uncharted 3 delivers even more spectacular staging with memorable sequences like the cruise ship and desert. Slightly behind Among Thieves narratively but technically breathtaking for PS3."
"Twilight Princess marks a return to mature, darker, more cinematic Zelda. Farmhand Link becomes wolf hero in Midna's twilight realm, descends into monumental dungeons stuffed with ideas. Mastered sword combat, brilliant puzzles, Epona mount returns. Wii version with Wiimote swordplay, GameCube version for nostalgia. An absolute series peak, seven years of Zelda condensed."
"Persona 4 Golden is the best JRPG on Vita and one of the best of all time. Murder investigation in a small Japanese town with an unforgettable cast. Perfect combat and Social Link systems. A monument."
"GOTY edition of Uncharted 3 with all multiplayer DLC. Exceptional cinematic spectacle with unforgettable sequences. Full additional content significantly extends multiplayer for a complete, generous experience."
"Bethesda's behemoth, now portable. Wandering Skyrim anywhere you like is still seductive, and the freedom of approach hasn't lost its charm. The engine shows its age and bugs persist, yet the sheer volume of content remains colossal."
"A high-water mark for the 2D platformer, fully realised in this definitive cut. The musical levels remain showstopping set pieces, and the hand-drawn animation is endlessly elegant. Played four-handed, it's a riot of fluid joy."
"Ubisoft Montpellier deliver a 2D platformer of stunning beauty thanks to a perfectly mastered UbiArt engine. The musical levels become a genre peak, four-player local co-op works miracles, and this is probably the best modern Rayman available on 360 without hesitation."
"A genre touchstone, sublime on Switch. The hand-drawn world and the melancholy soaking through Hallownest are unforgettable. The lack of a map in fresh areas can frustrate, but the exploration and combat are exquisitely tuned."
