Source:
Yahoo! Games
As we turn down the home stretch of 2007, the Internet is bound to start buzzing with year-in-review articles. And we're no exception. In the coming weeks we'll be unveiling our Game of the Year awards, which will surely include more than a few looks back at the year that was.
But before we make history, we figured it would be worthwhile to remember it. From Zelda to Oblivion, from Liberty City to Azeroth, the greatest games of the past ten years have thrilled players while slowly but surely making a lasting impact on the pop culture landscape. Spanning several generations of consoles and introducing a variety of brand new genres, here are our picks for the best games of the last decade.
The Games Are:
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Gran Turismo - 1997
The racing game genre can be comfortably split into two historical sections: the clunkers that came before Gran Turismo, and every racer that's tried to emulate it since. Polyphony Digital's driving masterpiece introduced the gaming world to hardcore tuning, realistic physics, and replays so eerily lifelike they could make a bad race look great. With an unheard-of 166 car lineup and depth equivalent to a solid RPG, it remains the most influential racing game of all time.
The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time - 1998
Welcome to gaming's second official Golden Age. 1998 was chock full of incredible, groundbreaking titles, every single one of which could easily make a case for Game of the Year honors. But there can be only one, and it's simply impossible not to choose Link's massive, legendary N64 journey. From its revolutionary targeting system to the sprawling Hyrule Field, Ocarina of Time remains the defining game in the Zelda mythos. And that's not just Yahoo's opinion - it's the highest-rated game ever according to both Metacritic and Gamerankings.
Tony Hawk's Pro Skater - 1999
Trying to choose the best game of 1999 gave us fits. Noses were bloodied. Friendships were ruined. A chair actually went sailing through a window. But after cleaning up the rubble, it became clear that Tony Hawk's Pro Skater was the single best game of the year. Next to Madden, this might be the most innovative sports game ever. Its control scheme and gameplay system have been ripped off by scores of developers. People who had no business getting within 100 yards of a skateboard took to it like grip tape to a deck. Yes, the competition was fierce, but the game that launched one of the longest-running franchises ever deserves its due.
The Sims - 2000
We had no idea what to make of Will Wright's digitized dollhouse when it first invaded our PCs, but after countless hours spent poring over wallpaper, redesigning living rooms and, of course, forcing our beloved babies to mercilessly mingle, eat, work and pee, we knew it was a big deal. In addition to its profoundly addictive gameplay, it was one of the first serious efforts to bridge gaming's gender gap, proving a major hit with boys and girls alike. Truly no one escaped the clutches of The Sims in 2000 and few have escaped since, as it's currently the best-selling PC game of all time.
Grand Theft Auto III - 2001
Talk about another tough call: 2001 brought home some of the biggest games ever to hit consoles, including such luminaries as the original Xbox killer-app Halo and the monstrous Metal Gear Solid 2. But when you talk about size, quality, and cultural impact, the conversation begins and ends with Grand Theft Auto III. Incredible, open-ended gameplay? Check. Seamless transition between on-foot and in-car action? Check. Trailblazing soundtrack? Check. Never before had an action game offered so much freedom, fun and brutality in one controversial package. Welcome to the jungle, Rockstar.
Battlefield 1942 - 2002
A year o' plenty, 2002 offered terrific experiences spanning every platform. No game, however, was more instrumental to the decline of general productivity than Battlefield 1942. Its contributions to online shooting are immense; capturing spawn points and trudging through land, sea and air in one cohesive game world was simply not part of the landscape prior to 2002 (Codename Eagle, the little-known game BF 1942 was based on, being the exception). Though hampered by a bland single-player experience, its multiplayer was so addictive and revolutionary that it's one of the most commonly referenced PC games ever.
Star Wars: Knight of the Old Republic - 2003
By the time ace role-playing game developer Bioware turned their considerable talents towards Microsoft's Xbox, they has already created a lasting legacy with legendary PC RPGs like Baldur's Gate and Neverwinter Nights. Shifting away from Dungeons & Dragons in favor of George Lucas' licensed universe
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