By definition, a retro game is a video game released at least 15 years ago. Therefore, the games we remember most from 2010 will officially become retro this year.
It’s hard to believe that these games are now fifteen years old, but time comes at you fast. If you don’t slow down once in a while, you might miss it.
Here are some of the best games from 2010 that are now officially “retro.”
Super Mario Galaxy 2
While the Nintendo Wii was a system dominated by its appeal to a more casual market, it still saw plenty of great titles.
One is 2007’s Super Mario Galaxy, one of the best 3D platformers ever made. It would be outclassed three years later with Super Mario Galaxy 2, an incredible thrill ride of a video game.
Nintendo proves that even when they’re focused on trying new gimmicks and innovation with their hardware, they’re still at the top of their game when it comes to designing Mario games.
Rock Band 3
The 2000s and early 2010s had a defining feature in my house: plastic instruments in the living room.
Rock Band mania swept through my college house, with Friday night Rock Band parties being a mainstay. No game in the Rock Band franchise delivered like Rock Band 3. It’s a culmination of everything that made the franchise great, combined with the surprisingly enjoyable addition of the keyboard instrument and some much needed quality of life updates and improvements.
Civilization V
In the present day, the Civ series is back with Civilizaiton VII, but in the eyes of many, they’re looking to return to the days of Civilizaiton V.
Turn-based 4X strategy games don’t get better than this. Even though Civ V‘s introduction of hexagon tiles over the traditional square tiles took some getting used to, and some of the features were a bit controversial at launch, the game became a genre-defining title that’s worthy of the legacy of the Civilization franchise.
World of Warcraft: Cataclysm
It’s fitting that Cataclysm is now officially a retro game seeing that’s where we currently are in the Classic WoW timeline.
With the Dragon Soul raid set to launch later this month and a chance to battle against Deathwing again, we’re taking one last trip down memory lane in one of the most controversial WoW expansions ever.
Cataclysm saw a lot of flack upon release for changing the old world of Azeroth and introducing the LFR raid difficulty, but it’s a low-key great expansion with excellent class design and one of the best raids of all time with Firelands.
Final Fantasy XIV
WoW isn’t the only MMORPG to achieve retro status this year.
The irony here is that the original release of Final Fantasy XIV was an unmitigated disaster. However, its relaunch as A Realm Reborn was a home run and helped launch the classic MMO to heights not seen in the genre outside of World of Warcraft.
Mass Effect 2
One of the best games of the 2010s was released just 26 days into the decade.
Mass Effect 2 is a massive improvement over the original BioWare RPG, delivering superior combat, more depth to its story and characters, and an impressive voice cast.
I will never get over the fact that BioWare was able to get Martin Sheen to star as a major villain in a video game.
God of War III
Before God of War’s reboot on PlayStation 4, the franchise wrapped up its epic trilogy with this 2010 PS3 game.
Moving the series to the more powerful PlayStation 3 hardware gave it the scope and cinematic presence it deserved.
The game delivers from the very beginning and never gives up, cementing the God of War franchise as one of the premiere action experiences of its generation.
Fallout: New Vegas
The fan-favorite Fallout game is, in the eyes of many, the best in the series. Personally, I think it’s Fallout 4, but we’re here to celebrate the beauty of New Vegas.
Obsidian Entertainment’s spin-off following Fallout 3 is a narrative-rich, deep, engrossing RPG experience.
The game is still a little rough around the edges, but that arguably adds to its charm.
StarCraft II: Wings of Liberty
The long-awaited return of the StarCraft franchise was well worth the wait.
Wings of Liberty is the best in the StarCraft II trilogy, with a fantastic campaign and the same StarCraft gameplay we fell in love with so many years ago.
The sequel modernizes the game, and its modding scene kept multiplayer gaming alive and well long after its launch.
It’s a shame that Blizzard has no desire to bring back the popular RTS.
Halo: Reach
Xbox Games Studios.
Reach is my favorite Halo game of all time. It’s a masterpiece of storytelling that delivers a captivating tale despite knowing how it all ends.
Halo: Reach is the final Halo game developed by Bungie, and it’s a worthy swan song. It’s a brilliant goodbye for the franchise that put Bungie and the Xbox brand on the map.
Alan Wake
2023’s Alan Wake 2 is an incredible survival horror experience that owes its success to the 2010 cult classic.
The Xbox 360 exclusive combines immersive storytelling, a classic survival horror experience, and a brilliant homage to Twin Peaks.
Alan Wake is a true cinematic experience that was unfortunately overlooked 15 years ago. Following the success of its long-awaited sequel here’s hoping it gets the credit it deserves in 2025.
BioShock 2
It may be the “worst” game in the BioShock series, but that’s like saying your 8 oz filet steak is worse than the strip of Wagyu; they’re all fantastic.
While it doesn’t expand much beyond its predecessor, offering more of the same in terms of gameplay, having more of the same in the world of BioShock isn’t exactly a bad thing.
BioShock 2‘s biggest success is its story, diving deeper into the history and lore of the BioShock franchise and the city of Rapture.
Donkey Kong Country Returns
It was a long time coming, but the Donkey Kong Country franchise finally returned in 2010 and was better than ever.
While the difficulty curve is a little uneven, Donkey Kong Country Returns honors its predecessors with excellent 2D platforming and excellent level design.
Ironically, the game was remastered in HD for the Nintendo Switch earlier this year, celebrating the original Nintendo Wii platformer’s earning of retro status.
Or, the more likely scenario, releasing a classic game before the Switch 2 comes out.
Red Dead Redemption
As great as the Grand Theft Auto games have been, some argue Rockstar’s true magnum opus has been the Read Dead franchise.
Following 2004’s Red Dead Revolver, the series officially hit the mainstream and critical acclaim with 2010’s Red Dead Redemption.
The open-world Western adventure that expands on everything that made Grand Theft Auto IV so great. Bringing the open-world Rockstar experience to the Old West delivers a more grounded, cinematic, and impactful experience.
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