Where does 2023 rank on our updated list of the best years in video game history?
2009 is one of those years that keeps looking better as time goes on.
1987
Notable Game Releases:Contra, Punch-Out!
The industry was expanding, and developers were doing whatever they could to help stand out.
This is quite simply one of the most stacked gaming years of the 80s.
Even some of the seemingly biggest games of the year caught many by surprise.
Its arguably the best game from a year that saw hits come from the most unexpected places.
Yet, that experimental tag should also be applied to some of the new releases that ultimately defined 1993.
Even some sequels likeDay of the TentacleandSim City 2000were trying to take their franchises into bold new places.
SNES gamers who preferred a little more action found it inSuper Metroid,Mega Man X, andEarthworm Jim.
Meanwhile,Donkey Kong Countrywas shattering expectations for what a SNES game could look like.
Not to be outdone, Sega gifted Genesis fans withSonic the Hedgehog 3andShining Force 2.
Even the arcade came out swinging withTekken, Killer Instinct, andAlien vs.
This was the year thatRed Dead Redemptionproved to be so much more than GTAon a horse.
If that wasnt enough,Pokemon HeartGold & SoulSilverproved to be some of the bestPokemongames ever.
However, the bottom of 1997s lineup does start to fall out a bit from there.
Any gamer of a certain age will feel nostalgic for quite a few of the games of this year.
However, 2018 is an ideal example of what the relatively modern gaming industry often strives to provide.
2018 is also the year that gave usFortniteandSuper Smash Bros.
Ultimate: two titles that would occupy hours of millions of gamers time for years to come.
Yet, some of 2018s best other games deserve to be talked about more than they sometimes are.
Noire, The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword, andUncharted 3still managed to like many.
Five years later, I stand by that assessment.
It was an instant classic year indeed.
Then you have a slew of 2005 titles that have only really grown in acclaim since their debut.
Even games likeJade EmpireandThe Warriorsremind of us when major developers still took chances on something different.
Its truly worthy of being in that conversation, though.
At least we gotSSXto go along with our new DVD player.
What I can tell you is that it was undeniably a very, very good year for gaming.
Maybe thats the strangest thing about 1999.
Some lucky gamers even got a head start on underrated titles likeLandstalker, Shining Force, andSoul Blazer.
PC gamers were arguably enjoying an even better year.
Its no coincidence that quite a few years on this list followed 1992.
Were benefiting from the innovations of this year to this day.
Its not hard to see why.
While a few delays and disappointments ultimately reared their ugly heads, 2023 was nearly as good as advertised.
Its those games that ultimately helped 2023 live up to much of the hype.
Theres a strong argument to be made that any of these five years deserve to occupy the top spot.
2013 was undoubtedly highlighted by the releases ofGrand Theft Auto 5andThe Last of Us.
2013sBioShock Infinitemay have been anything but universally acclaimed, but that somewhat divisive title remains a compelling lightning rod.
Imagine trying to play all those games that year.
During its first full year, the PS2 turned in one of the best single-year software lineups ever.
Even the N64 got in on the fun with the release ofPaper MarioandConkers Bad Fur Day.
AddMax Payne, Golden Sun, Return to Castle Wolfenstein, Dead or Alive 3, andAliens vs. That, or you were too lost inWoWsBurning Crusadeexpansion to notice anything else.
EvenSuper Mario Galaxywas good enough to become the brief future of theSuper Mariofranchise.
Theres something bittersweet about looking back at 2007.
I certainly cant fault anyone who considers it to be the absolute best year ever.
Thats the thing about the best games of 1998.
Many of them could likely still win GOTY this year if they had been.
Thats the funny thing about 2004.
Mind you, thats only the games that were generally considered hits at the time.
There are many more titles from 2004 that have only grown in acclaim since then.
