Favourite gaming moment in the 2010s

[nocturnal YL]

Technically, isn't the 202nd decade going to end next year, like how a century starts from year 01?

But putting that aside, what's your favourite gaming moment in the 2010s? I'm having events with more personal impact in mind, but I'm leaving the question a bit more open and ask for any kind of game-related events.

My answer, based on personal experience, would be…

2010: Getting Super Mario Galaxy 2

This one's easy. I already really liked Super Mario Galaxy 1, and Galaxy 2 was in every way better than I thought it would be. It both surpasses and compliments Galaxy 1 well.

2011: Getting Kirby's Return to Dream Land

It's a tie between that, and learning that the game still existed back in January that year. Another Wii game that not just met, but far surpassed my expectations.

2012: Getting Fire Emblem Awakening

I guess getting the 3DS itself was a bigger news to me, but that happened the year prior. 2012 was a rather empty year to me in terms of gaming, but that also means I could use all that time to grind for a team with all possible skills and maxed stats across all classes after Limit Breaker.

2013: Um, well…

2013 was my least active year in terms of game purchase, with just 2 games (Luigi's Mansion: Dark Moon and Mario & Luigi: Dream Team). I liked both, but neither really stood out. Smash 3DS/Wii U news also started in 2013, but I liked 2014 Smash news better, so…

2014: Learning that Lucina is in Smash

The year I was in the UK. Unlike 2013, 2014 was a busy year for me, with multiple 3DS and Wii U games, and the Wii U hardware. I was definitely happy with the Wii U, but it's the Smash news that I'd remember the year for. I've always wanted to have "Marth" playing using Marth's style, and we got exactly that. Also happy for Robin and Bowser Jr.

2015: Playing Tokyo Mirage Sessions ♯FE

Take that, Fates! Tokyo Mirage Sessions ♯FE came out on Christmas 2015 in Japan, and I got it at launch. I remember not having speakers with my monitor, and this is my first Wii U game that doesn't duplicate the TV output to the GamePad, so I actually spent the first few days playing without any voice or BGM.

2016: Playing Kirby Planet Robobot

Immediately after ♯FE too. I was really surprised how they could top Triple Deluxe's story.

2017: Playing Hatsune Miku: Project mirai DX

This is a case of being interested in a series, but not getting to play it because I couldn't find the game. (I starting liking VOCALOID music since 2015, when I played Band Brothers P.) To date it remains my favourite game in terms of music, even though it doesn't really contain game music.

2018: Getting Atelier Lydie & Suelle: The Alchemists and the Mysterious Paintings

It's a 2017 game I got in early 2018 in a trip to Japan. It beats Kirby Star Allies and Project DIVA Future Tone DX in terms of being memorable because Atelier was new to me at the time.

2019: Appreciating the fact that I have too many games

For specific games, I have Atelier Lulua and Fire Emblem: Three Houses in mind. But more generally, this year marks the point where there are more games I wanted to play than I have time to play.



I'm not sure if I have a single favourite moment of the decade, but I'd say it's Tokyo Mirage Sessions ♯FE in terms of impact. In terms of long-term effects, I'd say it's Puyo Puyo Tetris for finally breaking my shell and made me actively search for third party games, even though I found very few on Wii U and 3DS.

[Nester the Lark]

I've had to think about this for a while.

2010: Tatsunoko vs. Capcom actually got localized

This is honestly the best I could come up with. I can't remember too many remarkable things from 2010.

2011: Operation Rainfall

It was refreshing to see a constructive fan reaction rather than a toxic one, and that's why I was willing to support the campaign. (I wrote physical letters and everything.) Whether it actually made an impact is up for debate, but North America eventually got all three games, so it doesn't really matter.

Honorable mention: Spending two months beating Fire Emblem: Path of Radiance was enormously satisfying.

2012: Getting back into RPGs

And following on from Op Rainfall, I bought all three games. This was the year I made a conscious effort to get back into RPGs (although I had been playing them a bit anyway). Aside from Xenoblade Chronicles and The Last Story, I also played my first Ys game, Ys Book I & II, as well as some of the old Ultima games on PC. Today, I feel like most of the games I'm interested in are RPGs.

2013: Buying a Wii U

I love my Wii U. No matter how many of its games get ported to Switch, it can never replace the many memories I have of originally playing them on Wii U.

2014: Hyrule Warriors

The game I never knew I wanted. This was easily my most-played game for about two years.

2015: Getting into the Ys series

Even though I had already played Ys Book I & II, I didn't really become a fan of the series until I played Ys Origin early in this year. I immediately followed-up with Ys I & II Chronicles, The Oath in Felghana, and The Ark of Naptishtim. I've been a fan since.

Honorable mention: Getting hooked on Splatoon, Nintendo's best new franchise in over a decade.

2016: Fatal Frame: Maiden of Black Water

I went into this game hesitantly, but it ended up resonating with me in a way I didn't expect. It's also the most "relaxing" horror game I've ever played. I enjoy revisiting this one every year.

Honorable mention: Unpopular opinion, but Star Fox Zero was a pleasant surprise, and my favorite game in the series.

2017: The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild

Played this on Wii U since I didn't pick up a Switch until later in the year. But yeah, one of the best games I've ever played, and one I needed at that point in my life.

Honorable mention: Getting a Switch.

2018: Xenoblade Chronicles 2 (+ Torna ~ The Golden Country)

While I began playing this in 2017, I spent the majority of time playing it in 2018. I didn't expect that I would go from Breath of the Wild straight into another experience that would be every bit as absorbing and meaningful to me. In my mind, I still think of them as companion games.

2019: Uh, I guess playing Fire Emblem: Three Houses

The decade ends as it began. Nothing too remarkable in gaming happened for me this year. Most of the games I was excited for have been delayed until next year. Of the few games that did make it out, I've ended up letting most of them pass by.

Top 10 Games of the Decade*:

10. Monster Boy and the Cursed Kingdom
9. Fatal Frame: Maiden of Black Water
8. Splatoon
7. Sin & Punishment 2: Star Successor*
6. Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze
5. The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword
4. Ys Origin*
3. Hyrule Warriors
2. Xenoblade Chronicles 2 (+ Torna ~ The Golden Country)
1. The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild

Honorable mentions: Sonic Colors, Star Fox Zero, Xenoblade Chronicles

* Obviously, not all of these games were originally release this decade, but for what it's worth, it was the first time they were released outside Japan.

[Evie ❤✿]

Cool. This is mine.

2010: Pokémon Black/White as it felt innovative and its subtle references to Tao philosophy as well as autism spectrum
2011: Steel Diver for its immersive music. Super Mario 3D Land.
2012: I think (from impression) around this time Nintendo Directs would become expected? I enjoyed the New Super Mario Bros. 2 for 3DS even though that sub-series has felt a little 'worn out by now'. I loved the Wii U in general and that "non-specific action figure" joke.
2013: Super Mario 3D World
2014: Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS and Pokémon Omega Ruby/Alpha Sapphire
2015: Super Mario Maker and playing it with my family, Code Name S.T.E.A.M
2016: Pokkén Tournament
2017: Announcement of the Nintendo Switch, Super Mario Odyssey, Zelda Breath of Wild
2018: Pokémon Let's Go Pikachu! and Eevee (even though it didn't start with a core game with all Pokémon as some people wanted)
2019: Pokémon Sword and Shield