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.
"A relentless shower of fresh ideas. Possessing enemies with Cappy reinvents every kingdom, and the sheer density of Moons keeps you poking at corners. Mario has never controlled with this much expressive, joyful freedom."
"Still the benchmark open-world on Switch. Climbing anything and gliding wherever you want feels liberating, and the physics-driven systems reward experimentation. Weapon durability remains divisive, yet exploring Hyrule keeps its quiet magic."
"Grand Theft Auto V is one of the best-selling games in history. Gigantic Los Santos, three playable protagonists, perfect spiral narrative, pharaonic GTA Online. A total masterpiece, absolute reference of open gaming."
"BioShock Infinite is a major work with Columbia, the floating racist libertarian city, splendid and terrifying. Elizabeth is the generation's best companion character. An ending that upends everything."
"The ultimate fan fantasy taken to its limit. With a colossal roster and stages spanning gaming history, it's couch chaos at its finest. Mastering a character takes patience, but for local multiplayer nothing touches it."
"Absolute masterpiece that redefined open-world action-adventure. Total freedom, organic exploration, reactive physics and chemistry. WiiU execution is slightly inferior to Switch but the experience remains transcendent."
"Batman Arkham City is even better than Asylum. Open Gotham City, playable Catwoman, extraordinary villain gallery with Two-Face, Penguin and Ra's al Ghul. Dense and masterful narrative. An absolute masterpiece."
"Batman Arkham City GOTY with all DLC including Harley Quinn's Revenge, the most complete version of an absolute masterpiece. Catwoman, Nightwing and Robin also playable. The ultimate Batman game."
"Mass Effect 2 turns the promise into pure craftsmanship: the suicide mission stands as a game design peak, every companion grows unforgettable, and BioWare prove an RPG can be both space opera and tightly paced corridor thriller."
"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."
"Skyrim becomes a life companion thanks to a Nordic world that hands out evenings of map-in-hand exploration. Battling a dragon on a snowy peak still stands as a high of medium emotion and the freedom remains hard to match."
"Portal 2 is one of the most perfect games ever created. GlaDOS, Wheatley, the propulsion gel, two-player co-op. Portals puzzles of absolute ingenuity, brilliant humorous narrative. Perfect score completely deserved."
"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."
"Red Dead Redemption is one of the most important games ever created. John Marston, the twilight of the Wild West, a narrative of rare maturity. Living and poetic open world, total freedom in sublime nature. An absolute monument."
"An RPG that slyly subverts its own genre. Being able to spare every enemy changes everything, and the witty writing hides genuine depth. The retro presentation can throw you off, but few games leave such a personal mark."
