IGN: Best Videogames of the Decade: Overall

IGN's overall Top 10 Videogames of the Decade 2000-2009

[Sanzee]

Gordon Freeman is a pimp.

[pangitkqb]

I don't agree with every selection, nor the order, but it's certainly not as bad as I had feared. It's nice that sales and graphics were not the determinant, but creativity and relevancy in pushing the boundaries of gaming as a whole.

[deadreckoning666]

@callahan- Its ONE critic's opinion. Not everyone is obligated to think the same way. Heck, I think Shenmue and San Andreas are better than any game to come out this generation. Thats MY opinion. Try not ta blow a gasket down there will ya :)

Edit: And yes, I was one of the people who thought that MGS3 was better than MGS4. I personally didn't like MGS4 very much. It was an interactive movie IMO.

[Tiberium]

My game of the decade is definitely KOTOR. I don't really get Half-life being the best game of the decade. I had fun playing it, but I can't really see what blows people away.

[Saaking]

Actually, the list is great. The only thing I would have changed would be moving UC2 up a few spaces. Other than that it's pretty good imo.

[-Alpha]

I would've put in CoD4 and Halo Combat Evolved too, both were great titles and considering the decade as a whole both were very influential titles. I would even put Demon's Souls. What's with the lack of handhelds?

Pokemon Gold? Yellow? Oracle of Seasons/Ages?

Some of the greatest games also were on handhelds, who can forget Pokemon??

Edit: Oh, I see their logic, they took every game of the year and ranked it overall.

Good list anyway, though I don't like the idea of taking one game from each year. Fallout 3 is probably the only one I'd disagree with.

[sabestar]

They basically ranked the best from every year with each other. I totally agree with Half life 2 being there. Uncharted 2 should have been a couple of ranks higher.

Half life 2 is so beloved bec it was so ahead of its time when it came out in 2004, hell there are actually games that come out now that don't look as great as HL2 (the pc version on max settings that is). The story is good, gameplay is fun and addicting and I like the characters. Alyx and Gordon are great, even though he never utters a word, but that's what makes this game so immersive and good. But its just opinions I guess, some like faster paced shooters esp. now-a-days and they find HL2 a bit boring for them. That's ok, to each his own I guess.

[evrfighter]

The Freeman also beat out Mario in Gamespots greatest hero of all time contest.

Half Life 3 will be the title that introduces and sets the bar for the nex-gen. Guaranteed.

[Marceles]

Half-Life 2 was unbelievable when it first came out and it still holds up to this day, just look at how well the Orange Box did.

[Traveler]

Half Life 2 was a very worthy pick. That game was unrivaled when it came out and is still one of the best games I have played to date.

[A Cupcake for Gabe]

It's a nice list. here's mine in no order

LittleBigPlanet
MGS4
Kingdom Hearts II
Uncharted 2
Metroid Prime
Zelda: Wind Waker
Halo: CE
Bioshock
KOTOR
Fallout 3

[mal_tez92]

But I don't get how people can think Gordon is a good character. He doesnt say anything, and has no interaction with other characters so we have no way of knowing what he's like. If he was killed off and replaced with someone else I would not care at all.

Games like Uncharted show how character interaction and dialogue should be. We know so much about what Drake is like, but nothing about Gordon.

[Daver]

Hmmm is it me or they put Mirrors edge and Braid over Metal gear solid 4 in 2008 ?? loll are they serious?

[frostypants]

It drives me nuts that Half Life 2 gets so much praise. Even when it first came out, I thought the controls felt too slippery, every object in the game gave the impression that it was made of styrofoam, the main character never spoke (which wouldn't have been so bad if they didn't tell bad "nudge wink" jokes about how he never spoke), and most of the "good guys" were nerdy pansies.

The graphics were good. That's about it. Counter Strike was a far superior application of the engine.

[Alcon Caper]

The lack of anything Blizzard is utterly disturbing.

[cayal]

"Gordon Freeman is a pimp."

I need to know what makes Half Life 2 so good? I played it and I wasnt too impressed by it.

As for the list, I am surprised there isn't a Halo on there.

[Kappa Mikey]

Anyone realize the irony that Uncharted 2 made the list only a few weeks after they wrote an article about how Mass Effect 2 is better than it? This just proves the point of the article was to start a flame war.

[tastydonuts]

The point of Gordon being a "character" even if he doesn't speak is a bit confusing for those who don't get how both of the major titles in the series set the very high benchmarks for how gamers could expect to interact with their environments. In that sense, Gordon is the best "character" because he forces the gamer to interact with the game world in ways that make it feel like you're in the moment (even the puzzles have this quality even if unrealistic).

As you can see from my avatar I have a bit of a bias tho.

[mikepmcc]

Battlefield and Kotor both made it onto this list, I couldn't be happier...

[Digitaldude]

Lacks MGS

[otherZinc]

How do you not have the most played game in 10 years! Halo 1, 2, or 3!

Its ok, consumers are always right!

[Jake1111]

Why choose a 10 ten just to make all console makers happy? It makes ZERO sense...

Seriously. What games have truly impressed you beyond IMAGINATION the past 10 years?

1) COD2 (I was so impressed with this game when I purchased the 360 on day one and started to play this game I was amazed.

2) After this, the PS3 came out and I purchased on day 1. Resistance fall of man was the next game that impressed the hell out of me. I loved this game and it truly made the PS3 shine.

3) Motor Storm 1. I couldnt believe the size and graphic detail of this game. What an awesome driving experience that I havent experienced prior to the PS3.

4) GOW 1. I truly loved this game on the 360 and finished it multiple times.

5) Heavenly sword. Epic....

6) MGSIV ... Epic

7) Drakes Fortune 1... AMAZING!

8) RFOM2.. Amazing. And 64 players online was wild.

9) Drakes 2... Enough said.

10) MAG..... I cant get enough of this game. It is so addictive that I have actually played it until 5am in the morning multiple nights since it came out a few weeks back.... AMAZING!!!

So, with no bias, these are my top 10 best games of the past 10 years. No need to give credit to the past. The past was awesome but the present is even better....

[legoman864]

Mass effect 2 was released this decade not last so it wouldnt be on the list

[Nikuma]

Pretty good list overall.

[vhero]

Amazing how many people here agree with me about HL2 shouldn't even be on that list which adds to the fact it shouldn't be on it but the list is one guys opinion. I agree with a few of those games but a couple like Shadow of colossus and okami never took off in UK like god of war so they wouldn't be on the list if somebody from UK wrote the list as he probably would never have even heard of those games let alone played them. Counterstrike definitely deserves to be on that list though even though technically it wasn't originally designed by Valve they just bought the rights in the end.

[N4BmpS]

I kinda like the list it could have been waaaay worse, I don't think GTAIII should be at the 3 spot and Maybe U2:AT could have been up a tad higher(it's position is cool though)I never Played KotOR :(so that can stay where it's at. Ofcourse you can't have a best of the Decade list with out Shadow of the Colossus. I would have liked to see DMC 1 or 3 up there.

@ Jake1111 your list lacks older titles that paved the way for those titles to be great or good. It would be nice if we were referring to 7th gen only but.....it's cool though

[SL1M DADDY]

The decade is not over. It ends at the end of this year so it makes me wonder if Greg over there at IGN would have prompted to boot Uncharted 2 and replace it with ME2.... Sorry, but I am still amused at the article he wrote last week on the matter. I for one am happy with this list and feel Uncharted 2 should be a place or two higher ont he list just for the technical prowess of the game alone.

[Ghostsmoker]

Uncharted 2 and Half Life is correct to be on that list but there should be other titles. They are inconsistent with reviews and other articles they released.

[DeepInterludium]

Games that IGN scored higher than every game in their top 10 of the decade:
Conker's Bad Fur Day
God of War
Gran Turismo 3 A-spec
Grand Theft Auto 4
Grand Theft Auto San Andreas
Halo 2
Jade Empire (WTF IGN)
Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask, The
Metal Gear Solid 3: Subsistence
Metal Gear Solid 4
Metroid Prime
Perfect Dark
Resident Evil 4
Tony Hawk's Pro Skater (Dreamcast)
Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 2 (Dreamcast)

[Sm0k3y_Bac0n]

I wasn't aware ME2 was made 2000-2009

[ico92]

Im fine with half life 2 being the top of the list i mean its the perfect sequal, but seriously san andreas deserved to be in top ten and mgs 4 and i no im gonna get bombarded with thumb downs but im really really suprised Halo CE isnt in the top ten

[neil90]

What a fail by ign both movie (dark knight best movie of the decade) and half life 2 best game of the decade.

[ProjectVulcan]

Half life 2 is easily the best conventional first person shooter of the decade. Its a tough call picking anything to get close to it, not even the original halo integrates its characters and narrative nearly as well into the gameplay. Im most disappointed deus ex did not feature, not only high up in this list, but should be quite high up the list of all time greats...

I also preferred battlefield 2 to 1942 as that game seemed to have polished and perfected the subgenre. However neither of those would feature for me in the top ten good as they are- it seems IGN just tried to ensure some sort of spread in their picks.

[BlackAvenger7]

their just a gaming site full of geeks, who read every comic book and watched every star trek movie..

for me Gladiator is Movie of the decade and MGS 4 is game of the decade

[Kleptic]

pretty decent list for me I guess...loved Half Life 2 when it came out, and yeah Source maxed out still could be considered a worthy engine considering a lot of modern gaming engines still aren't quite up to par with it...I only mean its still somewhat competitive, because developers/publishers still punch out shat ball engines for a lot of new games...Source can't touch the better engines of modern gaming though...

either way, the game was great, and just about as complete of a single player shooter experience you can get...

I would have put a few in there in place of a few others...particularly super mario galaxy, but I know it still has its crazy following...MGS4 and Gears of War imo were better than Super Mario Galaxy...and the original Halo could have landed a spot simply because of perfection of console shooter controls alone...

Nice to see SotC on there too...games untouchable, and nearly no one played it...hopefully the last gaurdian combines all the great stuff team ico has done, and perfects it to the point where people actually know about it...

oh and the TDK was awesome...but not number 1 for me either...would have to be the return of the king for me...

[fishd]

My Best game of the Decade is :

SHADOW OF THE FUKCING COLOSSUS,HELL YEAH

*ahemm*
Sorry I got a little overexcited

[-Alpha]

Not my favorite title of the decade, but Damn straight it's on that list.

Glad it's highly recognized. Easily goes in my top 5.

[jalen247]

Shadow of the Colossus is an experience like no other. It is number 1 on my list.

Followed closely by GOW II :)

[Hakimy]

shadow of the colossus and okami are in the list! I feel sad of how many praises okami got from the media and critics and how awesome,unique and creative it was,yet its sales weren't that great.I think okami should get a reward called "best game no one (or few) played of all time" ;)

[mistajeff]

It sucks how many incredible games get swept under the rug because they lack mainstream appeal. That said, I should probably go pick up a copy of Okami, since I haven't even played it yet.

/dodges thrown whiskey bottles

[fishd]

Okami,oh man Okami,I love it.It's in my top 10 of all time,but if you are looking for the "best game no one (or few) played of all time",then try Beyond Good & Evil,and while you are at it,check this out :'(

http://www.destructoid.com/...

[Virtual-on]

I pity everone who haven't played Okami, and it much better than the generic Darksiders...

[zagibu]

@fishd: Beyond good and evil is certainly a good game, but "Best game noone ever played" is reserved for Psychonauts.

[Daver]

@4.3

what darksiders have to do with that...? Yes, Okami was an awesome game but darksiders was really good too

[Michael-Jackson]

That list is not bad. I Don't agree with the order though.
I think IGN thought "if we put GTAIV, we will get hate mail" who knows???

[mistajeff]

It amuses me that none of the games they gave perfect 10's to this decade are on the list.

[deadreckoning666]

"It amuses me that none of the games they gave perfect 10's to this decade are on the list."

Reviews scores don't necessarily mean the "best". If I recall, IGN gave GTA4 and MGS4 a 10 out of 10. These games weren't very entertaining IMO. This is why IGN gave Fallout 3 their GOTY award.

Same reason why M.A.G fans think M.A.G deserved higher than a 7. All of sudden they started complaining that the presentation, graphics, sound, gameplay, and lasting appeal criteria that IGN uses to review games is flawed. Numbers aren't everything, especially if u prefer one genre over another.

[Unicron]

Reviews scores don't necessarily mean the "best".

Then why have scores at all. Thanks for proving my point I harp on incessantly. :)

[Kleptic]

yeah a review 'score' is entirely broken...not because a certain score means its better or worse than another games score...but because reviewers either a) forget what score they gave other games, or b) are simply tacking on an arbitrary number to the end of a review for some unknown reason...

a score should be the thing that we as consumers use to compare different titles...but reviewers don't let us do that, because they themselves contradict their own opinions regularly...a game receiving a perfect 10 is not on the 'best games of the decade' list?...ok...why not?...because a game with a 9.5 is 'better'?...apparently...thats the only way to break it down...

the best games of this list should be listed entirely on the score they were given...if IGN or whomever wants us to give any credibility to their score system...but they do not...so do not pay attention to a score...it means nothing...and a list such as this proves exactly that...

[IcarusOne]

(I apologize for how long this is, but goddamn...)

First, propose a new system that doesn't involve numbers or grading of any kind. Second, look at the system you've just proposed and realize that without numbers or letters or grades of some kind, it doesn't count as a system. It counts as retarded. Third, realize that you, yourself, are in fact, also retarded.

Critic is short for CRITICISM and/or CRITIQUE. And you can't have a critique without an OPINION. Reviews of all kinds - movies, music, games - are opinions. I assume we all know this but I felt it important to reiterate anyway. Because some of us are, like I said, retarded.

So let's look at some of the gripes: "a score should be the thing that we as consumers use to compare different titles...but reviewers don't let us do that, because they themselves contradict their own opinions regularly"

Hate to break this to you, but that's what opinions do - they contradict. Why? Because they're the offshoot of human intellect. And we are a very contradictory people. I can like MGS and hate Splinter Cell. They're similar in their technical merits, but my opinion and feelings drive me to like one over the other. Call it the X factor or whatever you want, but opinions don't need to be based in fact. Example A could be the exact same thing as Example B, but the simple fact that Example A uses a certain font for its menus might be the subliminal factor that pushes me to respond more to it.

Case in point: Killzone 2 vs. Modern Warfare 2. On the surface, KZ is replete with all the best bells and whistles of technology. It's beauty is second to no other shooter out there. Yet MW2 received much higher marks with its graphics, virtually across all reviews. Why? Because even though MW2 had inferior technology, the artists using that tech employed it in a much more visceral and engaging way. MW2 had presentation, something I felt KZ was sorely lacking. The polygon count might not set a record, but emerging from an underground bunker to see the Washington Monument in ruins elicited more of a reaction from me than any moment within KZ's pretty, albeit hollow, code. And don't get me wrong, I enjoyed KZ. But it didn't blow me away. According to some, this makes me "gay" and "an idiot."

Now, some of us will fall on the side of technical specs and facts, in which case, Killzone 2 is the clear victor. But others of us - I'd wager a majority of us - don't play games for their technical specs; we play for the feeling, the emotion, the escape of being swept away. That aspect of gaming, how we emotionally relate to a game, is where the heart of a review comes in. This is where the "arbitrary number" comes from.

Just because a reviewer doesn't rate your favorite game what you think it deserves does not mean that the critic is metaphorically urinating on the grave of your dead golden retriever. The same people who's reviews you admire are the same people who have armies of loyalists disagreeing with them and spamming forums with calls of fanboyism and bias.

But that's what every review is: bias. How a person's bias measures a given game is in no way a reflection on your taste or your bias as a gamer. So stop taking this whole thing so seriously. Find a reviewer you can relate to and stick with them as long as you want. Or try this out: form your own opinions. Write your own reviews and see how tricky it is not to piss someone off.

You can't create a standard based on human emotion because no two people feel the same way. All you can do is generate discussion. But calling the system broken is not a discussion. It's a very annoying sound, not too dissimilar from the sound a two year old makes when you take away their favorite blanket.

[callahan09]

This whole project of theirs is full of fail. Especially 2008. World of Goo, Price of Persia, and Mirror's Edge above Metal Gear Solid 4? Really?

And what's up with their description for MGS4?
"Old Snake took PS3 owners on a strange and obtuse journey through aged care, dementia and - no. Wait. It was all about war never changing, blurred lines of responsibility, cooking eggs in a pan on a plane—look. Nobody knew what the heck was going on in MGS4, but it sure was pretty and the boss fights were pretty cool, I guess."

Sounds like it actually gives them pain to try to say something positive about the game. What the hell?

Left 4 Dead above LittleBigPlanet? Look, Left4Dead is a cool game and all, but it's been COMPLETELY trumped by Left4Dead 2 now, nobody's going back to the original, meanwhile LittleBigPlanet is one of the most complete games in the history of the medium, I mean there are literally MILLIONS of levels available today, it is literally impossible for any one person to play them all, or even all of the ones worth playing. It was an absolutely revolutionary game and frankly should be #1 from 2008. Even Edge gave it game of the year for 2008, what the hell are IGN thinking? And Demon's Souls didn't even make the top 10 for 2009? Personally, that's my number 1 for the entire decade, I'm surprised they didn't even put it in the top 10 for 2009, especially considering they gave it a 9.4 review score which was one of the highest of the year.

And the Overall selections are just the 10 individual #1's from each of the 10 years. That in itself is kind of silly. It implies that there wasn't a single year wherein a game that wasn't THE best wasn't at least better than the best game from a different year. Some years were definitely better than others and the next best or even third or fourth best game from some years is definitely better than the very best from other years.

[Cernunnos]

"And war never changing" ehm... That's Fallout.

MGS4 is all about "War... has changed..."

IGN, get your crap together!

[Unicron]

MGS3: Subsistence for me. :)

[mistajeff]

*clicks agree*

[Aclay]

Yeah, MGS3 is one of my personal favorite Top 10 games and it's by far my favorite MGS game. As much as I enjoyed MGS4, I think MGS3 had some of the best Boss Battles (The End FTW!!), and I loved the Outdoor Survival aspect of it.

[Imalwaysright]

Yes MGS3 is by far the best in the series and imo without any doubt the best game of the decade.

[Xi]

sadface.

[Aclay]

Before I even looked at this list I just knew there had to be a Team ICO developed game up there... SoTC is one of my all time favorites in as well as ICO. Another Team ICO masterpiece incoming 2010/2011 with The Last Guardian, damn I can't wait :)

San Andreas is my personal favorite GTA game, but I can see why they would pick GTA3 since it's the game that really put the GTA series on the map. And of course, kudos to ND for Uncharted 2.... I have no idea how in the world they are going to top it, but I can't wait to see what they come up with next.

[ryano23277]

Unfortunatley there are a few games that I have missed playing from the list (Half Life & Shadow of the Colossus)

I agree that San Andreas was better than GTA 3, but I don't think I've ever had the same feeling of playing the 1st 30 minutes of a game like GTA3.

Uncharted 2, MGS4 & Fallout 3 are the best 3 games that I have played.

[Imalwaysright]

They had to choose GTAIII over San Andreas and Vice City because it singlehandledy revolutionazed video games.

[SourGrapes]

Pro Evolution Soccer 6 on the PS2.

[table]

PES4 was the last of the classic football games. It would have to be PES4. I'd also have in there Resident Evil 4, MGS3 and Halo Combat Evolved.

[Cernunnos]

MGS 2,3,4

Call of Duty 4 (NOT MW2!!)

I really think this was a pretty bad list...

[Drakes_Fortune]

That is all.

[Michael-Jackson]

FFX is one of the best games I've played, but that's just my opinion and others.

[Dsnyder]

How can you choose any game that involves Gabe Newel as your best game? Also where is metal gear solid (3 or 4 take your pick) god of war 2, littlebigplanet Gears of war, halo etc etc etc? Okami and battlefield are horrible games. Mario Galaxy is extremly over rated. This list fails. Im never looking to ign for anything other then reviews ever again. Hell even their reviews are questionable.

[Cernunnos]

Okami and Battlefield is way better than Halo and Gears though, no doubt about that.

[mt]

are you kidding me

[Saaking]

No Halo? Gears? I wonder why...lmao.

[Michael-Jackson]

Halo and Gears are goods games but they are not genre defining games and not memorable as the 10 listed by IGN. If they went back some years, GoldenEye 007 would be on that list and Uncharted 2 > Gears.

BTW - HAHAHA bots, A PS3 exclusive is on the list, NO games from the 360??? you know why??? because 360 has no Gamez. ;-(

Drakes stealth techniques really worked :)

[Orange]

Nice to see Okami get some love. Fallout 3...hmmm, i don't know about top 10. i'd put Demon's Souls above Fallout 3, metacritic score be dammed. DS had that intangible quality that Shadow of the Colossus had, though they're vastly different. Maybe it's a japanese thing.

[Cernunnos]

I wish there were more games like Demons Souls!

It's the perfect mix of retro elements and modern hack'n-slash RPG with lots of small innovations.

[TheStorm]

To eaches own but jeez Half-Life 2? Half-Life the original was probably still to this day the greatest FPS ever created. Half-Life 2 did nothing new. It added some more characters and a gravity gun. Actually in a lot of ways to me HL2 lost the feel that the original had. The first had so much mystery and intrigue. And was a longer more memorable game. The Blast Pit, And "We've Got Hostiles" levels were just so memorable. HL2 had none of that. I always find it weird that HL2 is praised. It was a lesser clone of its original.

Now the original HL, still the best FPS IMO, and one of the all time greats. Yet HL2 to me seemed a lazy clone of its original, and really never pushed my buttons. But eh. Yet again to eaches own.

[i_like_ff7]

Needs more bioware games in the mix. Okami is pretty but doesn't belong on that list. Half Life 2 #1 is a good decision.

Movie list is god awful though.

[Virtual-on]

lol. Okami is not just pretty, it's also unique and innovative.

Unique and innovative things of Okami:
- You played as a wolf, not just a generic human
- Unique cell shading technique that never seen before
- Awesome Celestial Brush mechanic
- Based on many Japanese old fairy tale

[JonnyBigBoss]

What a list. I agree for the most part. Counter-Strike was the most influential to me.

[zodiac909]

WHERE THE HELL IS ANY OF THE MGS GAMES!!!??!

[Mikhal5569]

No Resident Evil 4? wtf!

[SoapShoes]

Mario Galaxy? It was good, but nothing innovative. It was like 64 but in space and the spherical worlds were done on Ratchet Up Your Arsenal. Seriously, Galaxy can be removed from that list. So can Fallout 3, the rest I could actually see on a top 10.

[deadreckoning666]

@Unicron- Thats the thing. Their shouldn't be ANY review scores. Unfortunately, we live in a society where people can't take the time to read an article. Review scores do nothing but offer a subjective opinion in numerical form. Most people read the score and don't take the time to read a well-written review. Its a shame really.

If review scores didn't exist, the fanboys would die out and their would be nothing to fuel their obviously deep psychological problems.

[swiftshot93]

The three games that didnt make the list that should have:

Halo
CoD4
God of War 2

Other than that, great list! Uncharted 2 and Fallout 3 represent!

[LeonSKennedy4Life]

Casino Royale is their number 3 movie of the past decade.

IGN is officially blocked now.

What are they smoking?

[LeonSKennedy4Life]

Innovation is great...and I'm proud of Valve for making the Half-life series.

To say any of them are "the best" is just a flat-out lie!

Play Half-life 2 right now. Then, go play Bioshock, Metal Gear Solid 4, Uncharted 2, Shadow of the Colossus, Kingdom Hearts, Fatal Frame II, Indigo Prophecy, and Silent Hill 2.

Can you honestly tell me that Half-life 2 is better than any ONE of those games?

[haqshot]

On max settings? The game was so far ahead of its time. Not only were the graphics better than anything else available, but the physics were also revolutionary. 6 years later, I haven't played a game since HL2 that had better physics.

[QQcrybaby]

Yes HL2 is better than every single game you listed.

[LeonSKennedy4Life]

*sigh*

I'm glad to see SotC on there, but...come on.

Kill.switch innovated too. That doesn't make it the best game ever!

I'm so tired of games winning purely on the basis of innovation.

Why is Super Mario Galaxy on there?!?!?!? WHY?!?!?!? It's better than inFamous? LittleBigPlanet? Metal Gear Solid 4?

WHAT THE HECK?!?!?!?

How do these people take themselves seriously?

[tunaks1]

"Why is Super Mario Galaxy on there?!?!?!? WHY?!?!?!? It's better than inFamous? LittleBigPlanet? Metal Gear Solid 4?

WHAT THE HECK?!?!?!? "
Super Mario Galaxy was a great game, better then inFamouse, and LBP,
I would have it tied with MGS4
its all opinions buddy calm down.

[-MD-]

You would consider Infamous or Little Big Planet for games of the decade? Oh my god.

[bjornbear]

as well as MGS4, they are both missing, but if they were included over other older games it would be too tipped towards PS3 exclusives and 2008 games

[QQcrybaby]

OK first of all HL2 is the best game of the decade and I agree with it's place. That said, WOW surely deserves a spot on the list.

Edit: And Baldur's Gate II is better than KOTOR in every possible way (including graphics).

[haqshot]

Must-haves for any All-Decade list must include:

World of Warcraft
Half-Life 2
Counter-strike

After that, things get a little fuzzier.

[-MD-]

Preeeeeeeeeetty much the worst list ever.

[spektical]

nice list.. my game of the decade is ratchet deadlocked! :)

[Agheil]

My favorite game under god of war, happy that it's on the list.

[BigKev45]

I totally disagree with the list. Where is the first Halo? Vice City & San Andreas were both great, although I know they were both an extension of GTA III. No MGS4? Where is COD4? And no Resident Evil 4? Some of the Dreamcast games were great. Burnout 3 would be in my top 10. Half - Life 2 as number 1? No.

[The_Devil_Hunter]

Wow for Uncharted 2 easily MY FAVORITE game of all time. Next to DMC3 and TLoZ:Ocarina of Time.

[TABSF]

No surprise really Half-life and Counter Strike have changed FPS forever

love you Valve
love you Steam

[RGB]

Don't agree with the list at all, my first comment in a long time as well. my top 5 games of the decade would be:

Metal Gear Solid 4 Guns of the Patriots.
Uncharted 2 Amongst Thieves.
Uncharted Drake's Fortune.
The Legend of Zelda - Twilight Princess.
Fallout 3.

[cooperdnizzle]

No mgs fail.. No Shenmue fail. No Kingdom Hearts fail! No Ico fail.. Half life sucks balls. I hate all those games. Hell i would have even put a Ratchet game in there. But that is just me. Oh yea Gta games suck too!

[bjornbear]

I don't agree with the order...I couldn't do much better myself

but HL2 wouldn't be first for me, thats all i'm sure of, but def in there =)

[Alcon Caper]

Everyone here is an idiot. Blizzard got the shaft. WOW is the most played game of all time. Millions of dollars have been spent buying items for Diablo 2. Maybe these games weren't considered because they gave birth to ENTIRE internet sub cultures. They're games are so amazing that people who play them end up playing nothing else. For years. My hat's off to you, Blizzard. You deserve more praise then IGN can think of...

[magicwalnuts]

But I would take out Super Mario: Galaxy and replace it with Deus EX, move that up and replace UC2 with Halo: CE, and you've got the perfect list.

[Eternally33]

I thought IGN was only 360 lovers guess I was wrong looks like I might go IGN exclusive not a bad list at all. 360 has always been a shi! machine.

[ATi_Elite]

Ah yes!! There is nothing better than Half Life 2. I play it at least once a month. What no Metal Gear Solid?

I think Valve is gonna release Half Life 2 Episode 3 and it's gonna raise the bar.

I like "Loath" how Fallout 3 and KOTOR were better on the PC but they show the XBOX box cover. Hmmmm? Well I guess they had to represent all consoles to be politically correct.

[SpartanZero]

Halo 2 is the best of the decade

[The BS Police]

Halo 1 should replace Fallout 3 and then I would agree.

[Black Mamba]

Super Mario galaxy was the only game from this generation in the top 5.

[TheObserver]

IGN is being inconsistent as usual... They claim that ME2 is the best, but it is not reflected in the article. When they post something, it represents the entire site as a whole because they endorse the view of the writer. Lack of standards. Well, like the saying goes: you can't spell ignorant without IGN.

Put that aside, I still play HL2 to this day with all the damned mods it has.

Putting HL and Counter Strike into the article is redundant. Yes, Counter Strike is orginally a mod of HL series, the article fail to mention it. You can still play the free version before they publishes the mod as a retail game.

I go to www.moddb.com for the mods for example, google will do too.

Favorites:
Garry's Mod
Age of Chivalry
Neo Tokyo
Pirates, Vikings, and Knights.
Zombie Panic

[wanderofys]

This list is the best games of the decade, 2000-2009. ME2 came out in 2010, and as such cannot be represented in this list.

[djfullshred]

Can't argue against Half Life 2. One of my favorite games of all time.

[thehitman]

UC2 is the best game I ever touched EVER. I before thought MGS4 was the most unique experience I played on anygame but UC2 just pulled the rug from under its feet.

[jalen247]

If you haven't played Shadow of the Colossus, you are truly missing out as a gamer.

Its one of those games that every gamer should experience.

[EvilTwin]

No Metroid Prime?

System Shock 2 wasn't eligible, but no BioShock?

Heck, I'm not even a Halo fan, but I think you'd have to put Halo 2 on there for the sake of online console gaming.

As previously mentioned, no RE4 either?

I'm a huge fan of Okami, but I don't think I could include it in a top 10 like this (as it's really an homage to Zelda).

Same with Shaddow of the Colossus; I love the hell out of that game, but there's no way it belongs above GTA3.

[Meryl]

That list is rubbish here is mine(recent games that I like)
1. Uncharted 2
2. MGS4
3. Valkyria Chronicles
4. Little Big Planet
5. Ratchet And Clank: ACIT
6. Ratchet And Clank: TOD
7. Demon Souls
8. Oblivion
9. Killzone 2
10. Lost Odysee

[solar]

so you just started gaming....good for you.

[arsenal55]

lol solar. exactly my thoughts.

anyways. ign is getting annoying.. a week ago they make some dumb flaimbait article saying. "sorry ps3 fanboys. mass effect 2 is better then uncharted 2". then i see this list with uncharted 2 and no sign of me2

[RagTagBnd445]

Fanboy, all i see is PS3 games, and recent. A list from a whole decade, needs to contain games from the whole decade.

[Meryl]

Actually I have been gaming since the PS1 days, why not try reading my statement again, I did say recent games I have enjoyed, sigh.
Should I list all of my favorite games from PS2 and PS1 as well, they was mainly JRPG's, but I will do if you insist
Finally Mass Effect 2 is not on my list because I have not played on it, I must admit though it does look great.

[Xtremist]

Call of Duty 1 instead of battlefield 1942
Splinter Cell 1 instead of shadow of the collosus
I agree with the rest of their picks.

[PLAYstar]

I can't believe they never put Oblivion there, but instead they put Fallout3. Oblivion is far more of a better game than Fallout3. It was the greatest W-RPG experience EVER!

[RagTagBnd445]

You really need to play some more rpg's if you thin oblivion is the best WRPG.

[FAT MAN GO BOOM]

F*$KING BS man the game was good but the best in 10 years....

my ass...

Hell there was so many others that was better than that...

[FAT MAN GO BOOM]

Halo CE Should be on that list for sure....

I thought Halo ce was better than Half life.2...

[arsenal55]

halo was no where close to as good as half life

[bigjclassic]

computer nerds run IGN.

You can tell by IGN reviews and their overall attitude when it comes to gaming. I don't go to IGN anyways, but this just sealed it for me. HL2 a game that's not even mainstream(only PC nerds and hardcore FPS fans play) gets game of the decade. WoW!!

LMAO!!

[RagTagBnd445]

Just because it is NOT mainstream, doesn't make the game worse.
But the list lacks MGS4 and Baldur's Gate 2.

[bigjclassic]

if you talked to a gamer and asked them if they played, or even know what HL2 is you probably would get a WTF??

This list lacks LoZ:WW, GT4 and Super Smash Bros. Melee/Brawl

[taylork37]

Shadow of the Collossus may be a good game to some people (not really too sure why), but man...2nd best game of the decade?? I got really bored of doing the same exact thing 16 times...finding a way to climb on the boss and kill it.....Come on.

[mayberry]

killzone 2 minus the "dialog", is so epic to me! I wonder if only "hardcore" gamers really appreciate this game!

[Shane Kim]

Mine would be
1. Any of the MGS games
2. Uncharted 2
3. Uncharted
4. Any of the GoW games
5. Any of the FF games except for 10-12
6. Basically every famous SNES and NES game from here.

[TehCell]

What? no MGS3? This list fails.

Oh well, not that I would care.
As the typical PS3fan says: "u cant spell ign witout ignorant"
But since it has Uncharted 2 on the list, the statement is not used.
But if it had COD 5, the world world would explode.
(Or at least the fanboys).