For games released from 2010 through 2019, a strong place to start is The Last of Us, The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt, God of War, Grand Theft Auto V, and The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild. There is no single authoritative ranking of the decade: reader polls, awards, and editorial lists recognize different games. The picks below balance that recognition with different genres and play styles, so you can choose by what you want to play—not just by rank.
How this list defines “of the decade”
This list focuses on games released from 2010 to 2019. That matters because some decade lists use a looser definition: TIME included Minecraft, which first released before 2010, for its influence during the decade. It is a reasonable cultural-history choice, but not a strict release-date fit for this list.
Recognition here comes from different kinds of sources: a PlayStation Blog reader poll, awards programs, and editorial curation. They do not use a shared scoring system, and none represents every player. The recommendations are therefore a guide to acclaimed, varied starting points—not a definitive ranking.
Must-play games, matched to what you enjoy
For a focused, cinematic story: The Last of Us (2013)
Naughty Dog’s survival-action game puts character and narrative at the center, with tense exploration and combat supporting its story. It is the clearest consensus pick in the sources reviewed: it won the PlayStation Blog’s 2020 Game of the Decade reader poll with over 11% of votes, and it also won NAVGTR category awards. That poll reflects the preferences of its participants, not an industry-wide survey.
#1 Best Overall
- 【Relive Memories with Everyday Fun】Dive into nostalgia with our retro gaming console, pre-loaded with 2000+ classic and modern titles across 9 emulators. As one of the top game consoles with built in games, it offers endless variety so you never play the same game twice.Support for 24 language settings allows you to enjoy the game in your most familiar language.
- 【Versatile Entertainment for All Ages】Our dual wireless game console is the ultimate all-in-one solution, serving as both handheld video games for adults and tv games for kids. With its portable design and seamless TV connectivity, it transforms any space into a gaming hub, making it a perfect game system for family fun.Enjoy over 2000 built-in games that cater to every generation.
- 【High-Definition&Plug-and-Play Setup】Experience crystal-clear graphics with 1080p HDMI output,turning your TV into an instant arcade with plug and play video games for tv. The included 64GB TF card ensures ample storage for all your games, while the wireless design eliminates clutter. It's a user-friendly game stick-style device that requires no downloads or complicated installations—just connect and play!
- 【Kid-Friendly&Family-Oriented Design】With 2 PCS 2.4GHz wireless controller adapters, the connection is stable,the maximum connection distance is 32.8 ft.Console encourages cooperative play with its dual-user capability. It's an ideal game console for children to enjoy educational and entertaining titles, while adults can join in for multiplayer fun. The simple interface and robust build make it a reliable choice for everyday use, promoting bonding through shared gaming sessions.
- 【Perfecet Holiday Gift for Endless Joy】Surprise your loved ones with the perfect present this holiday season! Whether for Christmas, Thanksgiving, or the New Year.it's more than a gift—it's a box of shared memories and fun, making it the most thoughtful and entertaining present for any celebration.Rediscover the joy of gaming with this versatile video game consoles which brings back childhood memories while keeping entertainment fresh daily.
Choose it if you want a tightly directed, single-player experience. Its emphasis on danger and dramatic storytelling makes it a better fit for players seeking tension than for anyone looking for a relaxed sandbox.
For a huge, story-rich RPG: The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt (2015)
CD Projekt Red’s open-world role-playing game offers a long quest-driven adventure, with exploration, character progression, and choices that shape how stories unfold. NAVGTR named it its overall Games of the Decade 2010–2019 winner; it also appears among the Game Developers Choice Awards’ Game of the Year winners.
Pick it if you want a substantial solo RPG and enjoy following quests through a world full of side stories. Its scale is part of the appeal, but it also means a considerable time commitment.
For myth, spectacle, and close-quarters combat: God of War (2018)
Santa Monica Studio’s action-adventure reimagines the series around Kratos and his son Atreus. Its intimate relationship story sits alongside cinematic battles and exploration. It was the Gold choice in the PlayStation Blog’s decade poll, and BAFTA’s Best Game archive records it as the 2019 award winner.
Recommended Free Tools
Rank #2
- Brand New Game Console: This handheld video games built-in 230 newly designed educational puzzle and leisure, racing, fighting, adventure games without repetition. Also comes with 3 game cartridges, each with a separate classic game. Have fun playing the game console while they work on important developmental skills such as hand-eye coordination, thinking and problem-solving skills
- Larger and Clearer Screen: 3 inch high definition display and substantially more stable, no longer prone to black screen. To ensure the portability and the comfort of playing the game. Our gameboy is not too bulky or too small, perfectly tailored for children. Warm tip: Please tear off the protective film before use
- Rechargeable Battery: Our handheld games built-in 800mAh high-capacity lithium battery, which can be charged and played at the same time. After each full charge, the game can be played for 5 hours. When you are on a business trip, travel, camping, you don't have to worry about running out of power. (Note: Please fully charge the battery before the first use
- Sturdy and Durable: The shell of this handheld game console is made of sturdy and environmentally friendly plastic. Anti-fingerprint and anti-scratch. Tested for a long time and real experience, it is strong enough to withstand daily drops
- Perfect Gift for Kids & Adults: This retro handheld game systems can definitely bring you and your children a surprise. It is perfect as a gift for birthday, Christmas, party
Choose it for a story-led action game with substantial combat, rather than a sprawling role-playing game or competitive multiplayer experience.
For a living city and open-ended crime drama: Grand Theft Auto V (2013)
Rockstar’s open-world game combines a multi-character crime story with a city designed for unscripted exploration. It was the Bronze choice in the PlayStation Blog poll and appears on TIME’s editorial decade list.
It suits players who want freedom to roam and switch between structured missions and self-directed activity. Its crime-centered world and tone are not for everyone.
For exploration and discovery: The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild (2017)
Nintendo’s open-world adventure makes curiosity a central mechanic: players can travel widely, experiment with tools, and approach challenges in different ways. It won the Game Developers Choice Awards’ Game of the Year in 2018 and appears on TIME’s list.
Rank #3
- 300 QUESTIONS ON GAMING: Test your gaming knowledge with 300 trivia questions covering all aspects of video games, from classic hits to modern blockbusters. Do you have enough lives to answer them all?
- COVERS ALL GAME GENRES: From platformers to RPGs, trivia about iconic games, characters, and developers, this pack is perfect for any gamer. Whether you’re a casual player or a hardcore fan, there’s something for everyone.
- CHALLENGE YOURSELF & FRIENDS: Perfect for game nights, parties, or solo play, this trivia game lets you prove who’s the true gaming expert. No cheat codes allowed! Are you the ultimate Player One?
- PARTY GAME NIGHT FOR GAMERS: Designed for ages 12 and up, Ultimate Video Game Trivia is perfect for teens and adults who love gaming. Fun, challenging, and a great way to reminisce about gaming history.
Choose it if you enjoy setting your own goals and solving problems through experimentation more than following a tightly guided sequence of missions.
For hard-earned mastery: Dark Souls (2011)
FromSoftware’s action role-playing game is built around dangerous encounters, interconnected exploration, and learning from failure. TIME included it among its best games of the decade, marking a different kind of recognition from a player poll or annual award.
It is a good fit if challenge and gradual mastery are part of the fun for you. If you would rather have a forgiving, low-pressure adventure, start elsewhere.
For a competitive team game: Overwatch (2016)
Blizzard’s team-based shooter centers on character abilities and coordinated multiplayer matches. Overwatch won BAFTA’s Best Game award for 2017 and the Game Developers Choice Awards’ Game of the Year in 2017.
What’s actually slowing this PC down?
Pick the symptom - the matching free tool is one click away.
Rank #4
- Plug & Play Old School Game Console: Pre-loaded with 8-bit & 16-bit nostalgic classic games — no downloads, no installations, just plug in and play. Built for retro lovers who appreciate the golden age of gaming, it faithfully recreates the original pixel-art visuals and sound of that era. Please note: the graphics reflect the authentic old school style of classic consoles, which differs from today's HD or modern AAA titles — and that's exactly the charm.
Choose it if you want a social, team-oriented game rather than a solo campaign. Its appeal depends on enjoying multiplayer competition and the rhythms of team play.
For a short, wordless journey: Journey (2012)
Thatgamecompany’s adventure is a compact experience focused on movement, atmosphere, and visual storytelling. It won the Game Developers Choice Awards’ Game of the Year in 2013.
It is a strong option when you want something more concise and reflective than a long campaign or sprawling open world.
For an unusual, intimate narrative: What Remains of Edith Finch (2017)
Giant Sparrow’s first-person narrative adventure tells a family story through a series of distinct playable vignettes. BAFTA’s archive lists it as the 2018 Best Game award winner.
Quick wins for a faster PC:
Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Best Value
- 🎮【IMPORTANT NOTE】 NOT all games are displayed on main screen, more other games please enter "Games" folder on the right side. ★★★ DO NOT CHARGE OVER 5V 1A ★★★
- 🎮【FREE 10000 GAMES】 Built in 10000 classic games, all original and no repeat. Can download games with related format.
- 🎮【LARGE SCREEN】 Large clearfull color TFT LCD screen with 16:9 display scale. Double protection with scratchproof and anti-fall, brings exciting gaming experience and better eye protection.
- 🎮【CUSTOMIZED SYSTEM】 Customized Professional Console System, English default set and Save & Load features. Very easy to use and don't worry about the game is interrupted suddenly to make you start again.
- 🎮【VERSATILE CONSOLE】 Not only a Game Console but also Music Player, Video Player, Camera, DV, Recorder, Photo Viewer, E-book. Can connect to PC with USB cable and download your favorite games.
Pick it if narrative and atmosphere matter more to you than combat systems or competitive play.
For inventive, demanding action: Cuphead (2017)
Studio MDHR’s run-and-gun game pairs hand-drawn animation with boss fights that reward timing and pattern recognition. NAVGTR’s 2020 Games of the Decade program gave it six category wins, the highest count noted in that program’s results.
It is for players who want a precise, challenging action game. The visual style may look playful, but the fights demand persistence.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.What the awards and lists actually tell you
Different recognition points to different strengths, not one universal winner. The PlayStation Blog poll chose The Last of Us as its Platinum winner, with God of War, The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt, and Grand Theft Auto V in Gold, Silver, and Bronze positions. Its wider list also included Red Dead Redemption 2, Skyrim, Horizon Zero Dawn, Bloodborne, and Uncharted 4.
NAVGTR’s overall decade winner was The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt, while its category results recognized other kinds of achievement: Cuphead earned six category wins, The Last of Us five, and The Witcher 3 four. Those counts describe NAVGTR’s program, not a common industry-wide measure.
Annual awards offer another lens. BAFTA’s archive names The Last of Us (2014), The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt (2016), Overwatch (2017), What Remains of Edith Finch (2018), and God of War (2019) as Best Game winners. It also records Outer Wilds as the 2020 winner; that is an award-year result, outside this article’s strict 2010–2019 release window. The Game Developers Choice Awards archive adds Journey (2013) and Breath of the Wild (2018) to the picture.
Choose your next game by play style
- Want a directed solo story? Start with The Last of Us, God of War, or What Remains of Edith Finch.
- Want a world to explore at your own pace? Try The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt, Grand Theft Auto V, or Breath of the Wild.
- Want a serious challenge? Consider Dark Souls or Cuphead.
- Want multiplayer with a team? Choose Overwatch.
- Want a short, distinctive experience? Begin with Journey.
These are editorial matches, not objective difficulty or quality scores. A game’s awards can tell you it resonated with voters or critics; they cannot determine whether its length, tone, challenge, or multiplayer focus suits you.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches2Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems3Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute
