Image via Complex Original
The past decade has given us a lot of classics but there were some that were not only fun to play but revolutionized its genre or the industry as a whole. Complex's writers put their heads together to compile a list of 100 games that locked down the past ten years. Let the arguments commence!
If you think we missed a game, let us know in the comments section below!
Picross 3D
Picross 3D is a puzzle game in which you'll chip away blocks to form a picture. The numbers determine how many blocks are in the picture and which ones you may want to keep. The first Picross had the same idea, but in 3D everything is much more trickier, as you'll need the new slicer tool to see the inside of the puzzle yourself.
Nintendogs
Dog lovers flipped when Nintendo came out with their pet simulator Nintendogs to go along with their at the time brand new DS handheld system. The graphics and animation stunned and kept gamers in search of a cuteness fix coming back for more.
Skies of Arcadia Legends
A port of the original Skies of Arcadia on Dreamcast, this role playing game had some of the best visuals and dungeons of its time. Besides exploring dungeons and discovering new items, players could also travel with their airships and battle other ships. Its third-person camera helps to navigate the game's detailed towns and areas.
Zone of the Enders
Konami's action game was hailed for its graphics that were far ahead from what PS2 fans were used to. Created by Metal Gear Solid's gaming rockstar creator Hideo Kojima, Z.O.E. went on to become an animated series with a brand new HD version coming later this year for PS3 and Vita.
Ratchet & Clank
One of the few platformers that still hold weight, R&C has built up a substantial cult following that lead to it's own manga series and line of action figures.
Burnout 3: Takedown
Racing is a tough genre to make a mark in and no one game has ever been able to lock it down. EA came close with Burnout 3's casual gamer friendliness. While other racers like Forza and Gran Turismo focused on realism, Burnout 3 was all about entertainment and it worked.
Rez HD
This rail-shooter is like a mini vacation, as you'll shoot enemies in time to Electronica music. The protagonist is a computer hacker, sent into a system to reboot an AI called Eden. This popular shooter will affect just about every sense you have in a very good way.
Punch Out Wii
This NES re-make came with 3 different ways to play and a mixture of both new and old faces. Players can use the wii-mote and nunchuck, the Wii remote by itself, or their Wii Balance Boards to play.
Little Big Planet
Sack Boy and his crew of cuties took the gaming world by storm when Little Big Planet charmed us all with its clever and amusing puzzles. Since its debut in 2009, Little Big Planet has become a flagship title for Sony's PSP and Vita devices.
Blue Dragon
When Final Fantasy creator Hironobu Sakaguchi decided to do his own thing aside from Square Enix, Blue Dragon was one of his first projects. Sakaguchi's fans waited in heavy anticipation with only rumors to hold them over until Blue Dragon released. When it finaly came out, opinions were mixed but hardcore fans of Japanese RPGs were more than satisfied.
Dark Souls
This third-person dungeon crawler consist of collecting souls to power up your undead character. There's about 50-60 hours of game time here, and as you go further into the depths of the game, enemies and environments get deadlier. You will die numerous times, but you'll want to push through, just to see what's next.
Fruit Ninja
Imagine the legendary comedian Gallagher as a trained killing machine wielding a katana. Slicing and dicing for points is what put Fruit Ninja on the top of the mobile gaming charts.
Lumines
Lumines combines the gameplay of Tetris with the idea of a rhythm game to make a beautiful masterpiece. Each song is affected by how fast you can clear blocks, and the backgrounds and colors are extremely vibrant.
Catherine
The same team responsible for the hit Persona series created this mind bending puzzler. The story is about a guy with commitment issues who has nightmares when his girlfriend starts talking about marriage. Catherine posed to be challenge for even the most seasoned gamers but mental masochists kept coming back for more.
Midnight Club: Dub Edition
Race through San Diego, Atlanta, and Detroit, which are filled with some of the best cars known to man, while listening to 103 licensed songs. Start and manage your own race club online, or join a friends. Customize anything.
Drop7
Combining the gameplay of Tetris and Sudoku, this mobile puzzle game gets very addictive.
Braid
This platformer and puzzle game allows the player to use "time manipulation" to solve puzzles and save a princess. Braid featured amazing art work and each level presented a new ability. If you're looking for a nice way to relax, this game is for you.
Trauma Team
As a game that brought a whole new meaning to "playing doctor," Trauma Team tested players nerves and focus by putting virtual lives into their hands.
Manhunt 2
Who could ever forget the impact the Manhunt series had on the gaming world. Just when critics thought they were done blaming Rockstar Games for all the ills of society, they went and created a game where you play a serial killer.
Infinity Blade
It wasn't until Infinity Blade was released on iOS that people got to see how powerful the iPad truly was. The graphics were some to rival console games and opened the operating system up to a revolution of mobile gaming.
Transformers War for Cybertron
Most known as the first Transformers game that was actually good. TWFC went back to the roots of the monumental Transformers storyline and explored the galactic beef between the Autobots and Decepticons. Unlike the releases before it, Transformers War For Cybertron was able to strike a positive chord with both new fans and old school purists.
Mafia II
Mafia II is special because it has those little things that most games overlook. Everything serves a purpose, from gas stations to speeding, and it really feels as though the world around is beathing. A storyline with several options and dlc makes it a well rounded action game.
Mirror's Edge
Timing was the best thing to happen to EA's Mirror Edge. It was time for a fully clothed female protagonist and parkour was the hottest thing out. Players guided Faith Connors over rooftops, the side of building and across pipes to pummel bad guys in a dystopian society. Instead of relying on firearms, Mirror's Edge stressed stealth and timing which set it apart from the rest.
Heavenly Sword
Following in the footsteps of God of War, Heavenly Sword made use of the Quick Time Events feature in which you'd press certain buttons to perform special actions. Noriko the strikingly beautiful and lethal protagonist held a sword that had immense power but also drained her life force but that didn't stop her from selling over 6 million games and oddly, fading into obsurity.
Smackdown: Here Comes the Pain
Here Comes The Pain added a new grappling system and was the only licensed WWE game to feature Ultimo Dragon and Sean O'Haire. The career mode was improved as well, making it a huge hit.
Prototype
Another game that implemented the parkour craze was Prototype where you play as a shapeshifter trying to save New York City from the Blacklight virus. The 2 million seller was Xbox's top seller in 2009 and also topped Steam's games on demand service its first week out.
Dragon Age
Released in an already crowded fantasy genre, Bioware's strategy RPG became a hit because of it's in-depth story and replay value. Dragon's Age: Origins is also celebrated as a throwback to the old days of intense RPG action which attracted the 20-sided die purists.
Star Wars: Battlefront 2
In this installment, Star Wars fans got to see part of the universe through the eyes of a veteran Stormtrooper. New vehicles, maps and missions were placed, along with split-screen and online play.
Persona 3
We know that Japanese RPGs can be a little out there, but normally that's what makes them so good. In Persona 3, you'll play as a high school student with the ability to summon a Persona monster by shooting himself in the head. At night you'll fight shadows and solve mysteries, but during the day you'll learn that making friendships is the only way to survive.
Infamous
Developed Sucker Punch Productions by the same company who created Prototype, Infamous took a similar approach using superpowers in a New York City type of backdrop. While some critics faulted some of the fighting in the game to be too repetitive, Infamous held up its name sake with tight controls and a "karma" system that dictated how NPCs would react to you depending on your choices made throughout the game.
Killzone 3
Killzone 3 looked great already but in 3D and with Playstation move support, we had to place it on this list. It's the ISA against the overpowered Helghast, in a war to end it all. Besides a campaign and online multiplayer, players can fight together in offline campaign co-op, against each other or against bots.
Rainbow Six: Las Vegas
Winner of numerous awards such as "Best First-Person Shooter" and "Best Xbox Live Game" Rainbox Six: Vegas became the first Xbox 360 game to join Major League Gaming.
Left 4 Dead
L4D's movie-like presentation and focus on cooperative play easily made this first-person shooter popular. The variety in enemies and interactive enviroments made this a horrifyingly fun game.
Super Mario Sunshine
Cleaning an entire island may not sound fun, but Mario is actually acting like a plumber, so we can't complain. The good news is that cleaning up the muck on Isle Delfino isn't just fun, it's an adventure filled with unique enemies,hidden passages, kooky citizens, and beautiful beaches.
Viewtiful Joe
A 2D platformer with 3D cel-shade graphics screams awesome. Joe is an everyday comic lover who receives a watch from his favorite superhero and gains powers. This beat 'em up is both funny and a blast to play from beginning to end.
Persona 4
Persona 4 took what made Persona 3 popular and added its own twist to it. Instead of fighting monsters only at midnight, players will enter the "Midnight Channel" on tv and figure out why so many people are dying. Everything depends on the game world's weather patterns, which makes for unpredictable events.
Burnout Paradise
Burnout Paradise is a racing game with a great open environment to explore. This particular title allows players of all types to progress at their own pace and the new "Showtime" mode lets players control their own crashes as they happen.
Star Wars: The Force Unleashed
The darkside got a sexy makeover as players got the chance to help Starkiller--Darth Vader's secret apprentice--hunt down and kill Jedi. Star Wars Force Unleashed became a hit because of its low learning curve and hardcore action. As you leveled up, you gained stronger powers in the arts of the darkside. Unfortunately, Unleashed II didn't get the same reaction and got slammed for way being too short.
Mortal Kombat 9
The biggest change in this Mortal Kombat is the "Super Gauge", which charges as you give and receive damage. Depeding on how many of the 3 bars are filled, players can break combos, enhance their moves and perform a deadly X-Ray attack. The Fatality training mode is a plus as well.
Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney
Hailed as the game that revitalized the action genre, Capcom's Ace Attorney's series quickly became a favorite to gamers looking to test their inner lawyer. Although it was criticized at times for being too linear, Phonenix Wright's iconic courtroom "objection" stance continues to fuel internet memes and cosplay. A film is also in production and due out later this year.
Tony Hawk Pro Skater 3
THPS3 was the first Tony Hawk game to support online play and also the first game to introduce the "revert" mechanic. Levels now have even more hidden areas and unlocks, making this game's replay value extremely high.
No More Heroes
Travis Touchdown is not only an otaku with a rediculous name, but an assassin with a deadly beam katana. The plot is extremely silly, but that's what we like about it. Riding around town on our trusty scooter is loads of fun too.
Lost Planet
Set on the wintry planet of E.D.N.III, Lost Planet made players fight against enormous aliens and the unforgiving forces of nature. For gamers stuck in the routine of desert and jungle landscapes in other shooters, this was a welcomed change of pace. Lost Planet was such a success that a film is now in the works for a 2013 release.
Angry Birds
Plain and simple the Pac Man of this generation. Angry Birds wasn't just an addictive mobile game but a movement. Appealing to gamers of all ages and levels of elite, Angry Birds has become a seller of hardware and one of the few ways to shut up a cranky child.
Uncharted 2: Among Thieves
More Nathan Drake with both co-op and online multiplayer. Need we say more?
Prince of Persia
What excited gamers the most about Prince of Persia was its time shifting feature that allowed players to regain lost health or avoid a deadly pitfall. With it's focus on acrobatic gameplay, Prince of Persia eventually became a feature film that didn't enjoy the same success as the game.
The Elder Scrolls III Morrowind
Morrowind was the first of the Elder Scrolls series to allow "free-form" gameplay. Everything from side quests to the main plot could be played however the player saw fit. The game's smaller and more intricate details, such as a day/night weather system, were also widely praised.
The Legend of Zelda Wind Walker
Wind Waker's cutesy art style took a lot of people for surprise, but it may have been the smartest move for the series. The cel shaded graphics all fit perfectly in this adventure, as players will use the power of wind to sail the seas and defeat Ganondorf. If listening to a talking boat and meeting fairies doesn't support the cartoony look, what does?
We Love Katamari
The King of All Kosmos and his son have now aquired a fan base. The mechanics are the same, roll up as much stuff as you can into a ball, but there's now specific challenges to overcome. There's also a nice co-op mode so you can argue with your friend as they constantly fail to roll the ball left.
Soul Calibur II
Soul Caliber II had one of the most in-depth fighting systems of its time. Guard Break attacks, Parries, a new Soul Charge system, and easier ways to avoid and dash from attacks, highly differentiated it from others. This and four new characters helped Soul Calibur make its mark.
Devil May Cry
Dante swooped in and captured gamers' attention with hardcore, ultra violent, demon killing action. It didn't take long at all for the Devil May Cry series to join Capcom's extensive roster of all time favorites.
Indigo Prophecy
Indigo Prophecy was one of the first games to be branded an "interactive film" and it's a film worth every second. A series of murders are commencing in New York City and it's up to you to play as each person affected, and find out the cause. Every action has a reaction and there's much fun to be had here.
Splinter Cell
Gamers were a bit skeptical at first when Splinter Cell dropped, expecting it to be a Metal Gear Solid clone but to the delight of many that was far from the case. Sam Fisher was an entirely different bad ass. To top it all off, he even had access to a Tazer. Good times.
Super Mario Galaxy
Mario has to save Peach again, but this time it's in space. Each planet has it's own gravitational pull, allowing Mario to reach higher places or mistakenly fall into death traps. If you do get stuck, you can have a second player help you out and guide you. Galaxy's levels were really the stars of this game (no pun intended), making Mario a fresh experience all over again.
Halo Reach
Claiming to be the end of the Halo series, Reach made Halo fun again. Traditional elements such as online and Skulls make a return, but a robust campaign really made this one unique. Instead of playing as Master Chief, Reach lets you make your own protagonist as you take on the Convenant.
Shadow of The Colossus
Join a young boy named Wander on his journey to defeat 16 giants and save a girl he loves. This game was praised for its unique gameplay, outstanding soundtrack, and for showing us that games could perhaps be a work of art.
Bayonetta
Fast-paced, deep combat and large boss battles to rival the God of War, makes Bayonetta a worthy experience. The character herself is also worth checking out, as her pistols shoot magic and her hair turns into clothes...or a panther... Think of it as a wacky version of Devil May Cry.
Kingdom Hearts 2
Continuing right after Kingdom Hearts, Roxas, Sora's nobody, travels across the Disney worlds in order to merge with his true self. Drive gauges help Sora and Roxas gain new forms in combat and traveling in the Gummy Ship is a game in itself.
Saints Row The Third
Saints Row started out as a GTA clone, but quickly became one of the wackiest games ever. Celebrating freedom with friends is always a great combination, and in this game, you can do whatever your sick, twisted heart desires.
Metroid Prime
The first Metroid game to have a first-person view, Metroid Prime exceeded all expectations. The search for twelve Chozo artifacts is all about the power-ups. Finding and collecting new pieces for Samus' armor is key and navigating through each level is better with Dolby Digital support sound. Players could even connect with Metroid Fusion for a new suit. This game has everything a Metroid fan could want.
Red Dead Redemption
John Marston is one of the most interesting protagonists we've ever seen. After being in the pocket of the law, he must track down his old posse and kill them one by one to save his own family. This epic story of redemption gets even better with extra storylines, online play and you can run someone over with a train.
Katamari Damacy
Rebuilding the stars, constellations, and moons is a tough job for anyone, but not for the Prince of All Kosmos! We enjoyed this game's quirky gameplay and just face it, rolling anything you want into a massive ball is fun.
Heavy Rain
This interactive experience hails from the makers of Indigo Prophecy, so we're not surprised at how great the story was. What was surprising however, were the graphical details in the world. Facial expressions, environments, textures, and of course the rain, were nothing short of stunning. The storyline has several endings too, but as good as it was, it's really hard to ignore how pretty the game is.
Deus Ex
Voted as PC Magazine's "Top PC Game of All Time", Deus Ex quickly made a name for itself with a deep narrative that changed depending on the player's decisions. Relying on stealth, combat, social interaction and hacking, you must tackle the Illuminati in order to save the world. The only thing that kept Deus Ex from being a flawless game were the frustrating boss fights but the giggle at the Rihanna look-a-like, Yelena Federova made up for it.
Super Mario Galaxy 2
Mario has been through it all to save Peach, and this time Bowser has taken her into outer space. Explore dynamic levels, learn unique moves, and collect Power Stars in one of the Wii's best-selling titles.
SOCOM: U.S. Navy SEALs
Military games reached a new height when SOCOM Navy SEALs debuted allowing players to give vocal commands to their platoon. The technology was on point even though Boomer had his issues when it came to reacting under fire.
Limbo
Black and white tones with film grain effects help to make Limbo a creepy title. Players will play as a nameless boy who wakes on the edge of hell, who seeks his missing sister. There's several puzzle and traps to overcome, but it's all worth it in the end.
Fable 2
The future of Albion is in your hands, and how people look at you greatly depends on your decisions. Your hero's dog and companion will even change accordingly. Own real estate, get a job, and try not to get an STD (yeah that surprised us too), as you stop the evil Lord Lucien.
The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword
Taking place before The Ocarina of Time, Skyward Sword retains traditional gameplay of the Zelda series while introducing more hands-on gameplay. Using the Wii-mote and Motion Plus technology for Link's sword truly makes all the difference.
Mario Kart DS
Mario Kart was indeed a classic on the N64 console and its DS relative only helped it shine more. Mario Kart DS took full advantage of the system's dual screen and was also the first title to incorporate the system's Wi-Fi capability.
The Elder Scrolls: Oblivion
Oblivion marked a turning point in The Elder Scrolls series by upping the graphics level and putting more into the game's non-player characters. There was also more of a focus on the main story than previous joints in the series. Bethseda also raised the bar with schedule driven characters. The next time you're in a village and a character tells you to come back at 9PM, thank Oblivion for that.
Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots
Metal Gear Solid 4 is like taking part in an interactive movie. The graphics are so beautiful that the game requires players to install it to their PS3 console. Snake is now an old geezer, but he still comes with new tools like the Octo-camo, which allows him to be stealthier than ever.
Batman: Arkham City
Arkham City is a fanboy's dream. Batman comes with even more cool gadgets, combat abilities, and takes part in a plot twist that no one will forget.
L.A. Noire
L.A. Noire isn't your standard Rockstar Games title. You'll play as Detective Cole and read the expressions of people to find clues, and solve cases. The gameplay is a little slower because of this, but trust us, it's a job you'll learn to love.
Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas
This is the biggest Grand theft Auto game made, with loads of side missions and a mysterious Sasquatch if you're lucky enough to find him.
Marvel vs. Capcom 3
Not only has this title brought back some of our favorite superheroes and Street Fighter icons, but with a new art style, characters, dolce, and online play, it combined the best of the both worlds beautifully.
Half-Life 2
Half-Life 2 is a sci-fi gem that can never be praised enough. Its deep storyline, impressive physics system, sound and AI, make it a story we'll play again and again.
Borderlands
Borderlands is unique because of its classes and its guns. Dubbed a "role-playing shooter" by its developer, Borderlands has enough content to keep you and your buddies busy for a long time.
Resident Evil 4
The President's daughter has been kidnapped and it's up to Leon Kennedy to save the day. This game introduced a new over the shoulder camera, laser sight aiming, a better inventory system, and dynamic cut scenes. After several cases of trial and error, Capcom got it right.
Kingdom Hearts
An idea that supposedly started with an elevator conversation, Kingdom Hearts combines the world of Final Fantasy with Disney. At first it seems like a fun-filled adventure for children, but with deep combat mechanics and leveling systems, KH can be enjoyed by anyone. We had no shame in playing it twice.
Metal Gear Solid 3: Subsistence
It's no surprise that the Metal Gear story isn't always the easiest to comprehend. This remake of MGS3 not only adds a new online mode, but gives access to the first Metal Gear games and loads of extra content.
Journey
There's no fighting, explosions or even talking. Journey featured at being running through a desert with floating pieces of fabric and only a mountain in the distance to guide it. So far out of the box from it's peers, Journey had become and instant classic due to its relaxing mood and stunning visuals.
Alan Wake
Alan Wake is like reading a novel from your favorite thriller author. Is Alan really a crazed writer, dreaming of the world he lives in, or is something else going on? The line between a dream world and reality start to blur as you use anything at your disposal to stay alive until you know the difference. Spooky, intelligent, and overall captivating.
Mass Effect 2
Even though the first Mass Effect was a joy to play, Mass Effect 2 took everything and vastly improved on it. A new loyalty system will help you interact with others and will ultimately decide your fate in the end. New weapons, side missions, dolce, and a bigger galaxy helps too though.
Super Street Fighter IV
How do you improve on a classic series? Well you add a fresh art style, even more characters, easier skill-based online matching, DLC, and oh yeah- price it lower than any other competitor's fighting game.
Rock Band
Rock Band lets everyone play together, providing new instruments and a huge list of songs. Unlike similar rhythm games such as Guitar Hero and Dance Dance Revolution, we could all bring our own styles to whatever song we played.
StarCraft II
For years fans of the first StarCraft game had waited on its sequel so when news came out that its release was near, the hype propelled the real time strategy title to sell over 3 million copies and continues to hold the honor of being the fastest selling game in its genre.
Bioshock
Bioshock is a game that's a little deeper than your average title. Filled with genetically altered beings in the 1960s, the player is given several choices to either take lives or save them. This first-person shooter contains role-playing elements that are sure to keep you wanting more.
Final Fantasy XII
FFXII didn't receive the kudos that we thought it should have. It featured an all new licensing system, omitted random battles, and had a pretty intricate world to explore. Watching battles unfold in real time and not in a turn based fashion is even better with the use of AI Gambits.
Assassin's Creed 2
Assassin's Creed 2 introduced us to a new character, Ezio, and made vast changes in gameplay. Combat now allows for disarming opponents, and eagle vision can be used on the go. New elements like Assassin Tombs also add variety.
God of War 3
Kratos is a very angry sort and all he wants to do is kill Zeus. Now to do that, you'll need to use new magical powers, fight through up to 50 enemies at a time, and enjoy every other extra feature in this epic end to a trilogy.
Halo 2
Halo 2 allowed players to play as both Master Chief and the Arbiter, experiencing two different sides to the Halo universe. Halo 2 also added split-screen support, online multiplayer, and even system link support. Playing with friends was never easier.
Fallout 3
Post-apocalyptic settings in games were beginning to be a bore. Fallout 3 changed that with huge environments, characters with their own personalities, and enemies that made us really scared for our lives out there. Track down your father and find out the truth in this large scale action role-playing game.
Gears of War
Save humanity from the Locust horde by shooting, cutting, and taking cover! Seriously, Gears of War is a shooter that actually wants you to take cover. Play solo, with a few friends, or go against your friends online. Did we mention that all environments were used with the Unreal engine? Well, we meant to.
Minecraft
One never really knows what type of games will pop off and Minecraft is a title that proves it. The objective is to build cool stuff or survive against monster attacks. There's no high end graphics or animation just a fun game. In the end that's all that matters right?
Star Wars The Old Republic
SWTOR was released as the first MMORPG in the Star Wars video game franchise. Although rumors of the game floated for what seemed like forever, when it finally did touch down on PCs it hit big. So big that in 3 days it reached over a million subscribers. The force is surely strong within someone's bank account.
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare
Activision's most recent release of the monumental shooter was the highest selling piece of media ever, bringing in over $3 billion. Since it's first release back in 2003, there has been a line of action figures, a table top card game and an organization that helps to employ U.S. military veterans.
Portal 2
A first-person puzzle game with a longer story mode and two player co-op? Destroying the rouge A.I., GLaDOS just got a lot more interesting.
World of Warcraft
WoW (for short) is the game that defined the globe's perception of what online role playing games are. Blizzard Entertainment's brainchild leveled up into pop culture through commercials featuring Mr. T, William Shatner Verne (Mini Me) Troyer and Chuck Norris. It was even spoofed by South Park in its "Make Love, Not Warcraft" episode.
Grand Theft Auto: Vice City
This is the game that turned gaming and pop culture on its rear. It was a force in pushing the 80s retro movement and the soundtrack had us all scouring the web for any song by A Flock of Seagulls.
The open-world adventure game followed Tommy Vercetti, as he sought revenge in some of the most awesome Miami suits we've ever seen. Vercetti goes through it all, from betrayal to love, in a style reminiscent of Scarface with the iconic chainsaw included.
Grand Theft Auto: Vice City was by far the title that truly defined a decade in gaming.