The #1 Game of Every Year (1980-2020)

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Every #1 video game of the year between 1980 and 2020. 1980 - Pac-Man Pac-Man's addictive gameplay and iconic character design revolutionized the arcade gaming industry. I've played it on an Atari back then.

1981 - Donkey Kong Donkey Kong introduced the world to the platform genre and featured memorable characters and challenging levels.

1982 - Pitfall! Pitfall! offered groundbreaking side-scrolling gameplay, immersive jungle environments, and innovative level design.

1983 - Mario Bros. Mario Bros. introduced multiplayer co-op gameplay and laid the foundation for the Super Mario franchise's success. I loved playing it with my brother!

1984 - Tetris Tetris' simple yet addictive puzzle mechanics captured players' hearts and became a timeless classic. Everyone's first game on the Game Boy.

1985 - Super Mario Bros. Super Mario Bros. revolutionized platform gaming with its vibrant graphics, memorable music, and expansive levels. Who doesn't love the plumber?

1986 - The Legend of Zelda The Legend of Zelda introduced open-world exploration, immersive storytelling, and innovative gameplay mechanics.

1987 - Final Fantasy Final Fantasy set the standard for role-playing games with its epic storyline, strategic battles, and immersive world.

1988 - Super Mario Bros. 3 Super Mario Bros. 3 refined the platforming formula with innovative power-ups, diverse levels, and memorable boss battles.

1989 - SimCity SimCity allowed players to become virtual city planners, offering a unique blend of creativity, strategy, and simulation.

1990 - The Secret of Monkey Island The Secret of Monkey Island combined humor, memorable characters, and engaging puzzles, creating a beloved adventure game. A shame they don't really make adventure games anymore.

1991 - Street Fighter II Street Fighter II revolutionized the fighting game genre with its diverse cast of characters and deep gameplay mechanics. I've spent hours at the arcades because of Street Fighter.

1992 - Wolfenstein 3D Wolfenstein 3D pioneered the first-person shooter genre, immersing players in fast-paced action and intense gunfights.

1994 - Warcraft: Orcs & Humans Warcraft: Orcs & Humans introduced players to the rich lore and addictive real-time strategy gameplay of the Warcraft universe.

1995 - Command & Conquer Command & Conquer popularized the real-time strategy genre, offering deep strategic gameplay. One of my favourite games of all time.

1996 - Tomb Raider Tomb Raider introduced players to the adventurous archaeologist Lara Croft and her thrilling quests.

1997 - Final Fantasy VII Final Fantasy VII pushed boundaries with its cinematic storytelling, unforgettable characters, and immersive world.

1998 - Half-Life Half-Life redefined first-person shooters by combining captivating narrative with innovative gameplay mechanics.

1999 - The Sims The Sims revolutionized the simulation genre, allowing players to create virtual lives and shape their own stories.

2000 - Diablo II Diablo II offered addictive hack-and-slash action, a vast array of character customization options, and multiplayer gameplay.

2001 - Halo: Combat Evolved Halo: Combat Evolved set new standards for console shooters with its immersive world, intense gameplay, and gripping storyline.

2002 - Grand Theft Auto: Vice City Grand Theft Auto: Vice City transported players to a vividly realized open-world 1980s Miami, offering a captivating story and boundless freedom.

2003 - The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker The Wind Waker enchanted players with its stunning cel-shaded graphics, vast open sea, and memorable characters.

2004 - World of Warcraft World of Warcraft revolutionized the MMO genre, offering a massive, immersive online world with endless adventures to embark upon.

2005 - Resident Evil 4 Resident Evil 4 reinvigorated the survival horror genre with its intense gameplay, cinematic presentation, and thrilling encounters.

2006 - The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Oblivion introduced players to a breathtaking fantasy world with unparalleled freedom, immersive quests, and detailed environments.

2007 - BioShock BioShock combined thought-provoking narrative, atmospheric setting, and unique gameplay mechanics, setting new standards for storytelling in games.

2008 - Grand Theft Auto IV Grand Theft Auto IV raised the bar for open-world games, delivering a gritty and immersive crime-filled narrative set in a stunningly detailed Liberty City.

2009 - Minecraft Minecraft revolutionized the sandbox genre, empowering players to build and explore infinite virtual worlds, fueling boundless creativity.

2010 - Red Dead Redemption Red Dead Redemption combined an immersive open-world Wild West setting with a captivating story and memorable characters, redefining the Western genre in gaming.

2011 - The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim Skyrim offered a vast and immersive fantasy world filled with epic quests, stunning landscapes, and limitless exploration, captivating players for hundreds of hours.

2012 - Journey Journey enchanted players with its breathtaking visuals, emotionally evocative storytelling, and innovative multiplayer experience, proving that games can be art.

2013 - The Last of Us The Last of Us combined intense survival gameplay, deep character development, and a gripping post-apocalyptic story, delivering an unforgettable narrative experience.

2014 - Dragon Age: Inquisition Dragon Age: Inquisition offered a rich and immersive high-fantasy world, strategic combat, and compelling storytelling, making it a standout RPG of its time.

2015 - The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt raised the bar for open-world RPGs, featuring a vast, meticulously crafted world, engaging quests, and morally complex choices that shaped its rich narrative.

2016 - Overwatch Overwatch reinvigorated the team-based shooter genre with its diverse cast of characters, fast-paced gameplay, and emphasis on cooperative play, becoming a global phenomenon.

2017 - The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild Breath of the Wild reimagined the Zelda franchise with its vast, open-world exploration, dynamic physics-based gameplay, and a sense of awe-inspiring freedom.

2018 - God of War God of War reinvented the action-adventure genre with its emotionally charged narrative, stunning visuals, and visceral combat, showcasing the growth of its iconic protagonist.

2019 - Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice pushed players to their limits with its demanding combat, intricate level design, and immersive feudal Japan setting, earning critical acclaim and devoted fans.

2020 - Animal Crossing: New Horizons Animal Crossing: New Horizons provided a much-needed virtual escape, allowing players to create their own idyllic island paradise, socialize with adorable anthropomorphic animals, and engage in endless relaxing activities.