Operation Rainfall was founded June 22, 2011 in order to push for the localization of a trilogy of Wii RPGs: Xenoblade Chronicles, The Last Story, and Pandora’s Tower. Since successfully achieving our campaign goals, we have moved to covering the latest and greatest in video game and anime news. In celebration of the 2010 to 2019 decade ending, the staff put together a list of the top thirty-one best games that you simply cannot miss. In order to qualify for this list, the game had to:
- Be released between January 1, 2010 and December 31, 2019 in North America.
- Obtain at least a plurality of votes from our staff.
- Re-releases from this decade were allowed for consideration, if the new release was a substantive increase of content over the original. For example, 2012 Persona 4: Golden would qualify due to the heavy amount of substantive new content included in that re-release versus 2008’s original release, but the HD re-release of 2008’s God of War: Chains of Olympus as part of the 2011 God of War: Origins Collection would not due to the minimal increase of new content.
Our writers then came together, and each picked up several games that they have played and loved, and talked about why each of those games are one of the thirty-one best video games from this past decade in each of the pieces to follow. Furthermore, a special thank you to Brandon Rose for the featured logo image.
Before reading on, feel free to check out choices for 2010/2011, 2012/2013 , 2014/2015, and 2016/2017 first!
Our final list will be published over five days in order of release date, covering two years per article. Today’s article covers the decade’s final best five games that were released between the years 2018 and 2019.
2018
27) Celeste
Publisher: Matt Makes Games
Platform(s): Linux / macOS / PC / Nintendo Switch / PlayStation 4 / Xbox One
Release Date: January 25, 2018
Josh Speer says:
Celeste is one of those games you really have to experience for yourself. I remember being captivated by the old school art style when I first saw the Switch trailer, but didn’t really put much stock in the game at that point. Much, much later, I finally picked up Celeste, and was completely blown away. Not only was this a great indie game, it was one of the best of the decade.
Celeste is a very challenging platformer that still finds a way to feel fair. You play a young girl scaling a formidable mountain while dealing with her own emotional turmoil. Both narrative and gameplay are intricately intertwined, and by the time you make it to the top of the mountain, you’ll feel a rush of strong emotions. Or at least I did. This is a game that really spoke to me, and unlike most platformers, it’s packed with content. That is, assuming you’re willing to take life or death chances to find all Celeste has hidden away. A wonderful game, and one of my favorite indies of all time.
28) Mega Man 11
Publisher: Capcom
Platform(s): PC / PS4 / Nintendo Switch / Xbox One
Release Date: October 2, 2018
Justin Guillou says:
After the release of Mega Man 10 back in 2010, fans of Capcom’s long running series have waited for almost an entire decade for the next greatest adventure in the Mega Man universe, and Capcom finally delivered with Mega Man 11.
This game was everything a Mega Man fan could ask for and more. It had clever level design, fun weapons, memorable bosses and a distinct and unique graphical style that is sure to stand the test of time. There were even some new and welcome additions such as the Double Gear which could not only be very helpful to new players but added a whole new layer and depth to the gameplay that more advanced players can take advantage of. Despite the new additions, it still felt very retro. This was very much the same kind of side scrolling Mega Man game that many of us grew up playing. And there are plenty of bonus modes, challenges, difficulties and unlockables and even an alternate arranged soundtrack to keep you coming back for more. If you’ve never played a Mega Man game before but had even a passing interest in the series, I can’t think of a better entry point than Mega Man 11.
29) Super Smash Bros. Ultimate
Publisher: Nintendo
Platform: Nintendo Switch
Release Date: December 6, 2018
Marisa Alexander says:
One of gaming’s biggest crossovers is back and bigger than ever, especially how all characters returned. Super Smash Bros Ultimate saw the series hop from one generation to the next once more, this time with the ability to play at home or in portable mode thanks to the Switch. With brand new stages, Mii customization, new modes, and some help by Bandai Namco themselves to oversee balance for competitive fighting, the series was at its peak. It was both a great time to be a Smash fan and to get into the series.
Both fighter and stage presentation was absolutely marvelous, with a strange chaotic beauty amongst the fighting. Most characters were also exceptionally fun, allowing a niche for most people to settle on. With its abundance of rewards, the game had a wonderful staying power to its name, only further enhanced by DLC. Needless to say, this generation of Smash will be fondly remembered for a long time.
See our final two entries, from 2019- the final year in this decade- on the next page —->
