Games of The New Decade

By Stephen Judd

March 2022

As the quarantine reaches its 2nd anniversary, we continue to spend our lives socially distant from one another. While we take good care of our future, whether it be health or grades, the days drag on and become boring and stale. So if you have the urge for some excitement and don’t know where to start, a variety of new games have recently dropped in stores.

Smash Bros Ultimate’s new arrival

As most of the students in the school know, the last character in Masahiro Sakurai’s Smash Bros. Ultimate DLC pack 2, Sora, was released October 18th on the Nintendo Switch. Gamers of all ages enjoy playing with this new character, along with the rest of the 87 characters on the cast on the new Super Smash Bros. Roster.

Metroid: Dread: a long-awaited fan favorite

After four years, the platforming action-adventure title of Metroid finally released a follow-up game titled Metroid: Dread to the Nintendo Switch. Because of new and old fans’ love for this game, sales are skyrocketing around the globe. From the map design to the very sound effects, this comeback could be the Metroid series’ finest work. Reaching high scores on Google, IMDB, Gamespot, and Metacritic, this new release is worthy of all the praise.

Forza Horizon 5 is a masterful open-air driving experience

As the series makes game after game, it never fails to amaze: the seasonal landscapes, the rolling hills, or the lit streets of Mexico, Aztec ruins to the turquoise bay waters, the world of Forza Horizon 5 is full of racing thrills and sights to behold. Having an astonishing 8.9/10 from Metacritic, this game is truly the best in its line.

After almost a decade, Super Monkey Ball comes back

The series Super Monkey Ball has been in neglect for nine whole years. Now the series has come back with a vengeance, releasing Super Monkey Ball Banana Mania (SMBBM). SMBBM is an amazing representation of the old games. Its cute nostalgic art style brings old and new players to the franchise. Its arcade content, story modes, and multiple customizable and swappable characters bring hours upon hours of content and creativity to the Nintendo Switch.

There sure are lots of new exciting titles released this year, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t good titles from years past. That doesn’t mean we should neglect the older games that are still relevant today. While the new release line of games looks promising, there are still games we can reference from times of old.

Breath of the Wild is a timeless masterpiece

Even after 4 years, Breath of the Wild (Botw) has remained one of, if not the most popular game of the decade. The open-air field of Hyrule has outclassed other competitors like never before. If you love fighting Fighting bokoblins, the mutated malice of Calamity Ganon, or guardians of ages long past, combat has been enhanced to a degree almost no game has explored before. With multiple questlines and ways to play the game, you can find yourself lost in the experience you make for yourself. Whether it be riding a horse in the plains, or enjoying the calming atmosphere of a Shiekah tower, Botw is a game like no other. The game even has 2 DLC packs which can enhance your experience even further with intriguing questlines, amazing graphics, and a story to remember.

The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim: The true RPG experience

The name Skyrim, a bold name dearly beloved by many has held its reputable stock in the last decade, and with it has only gotten better. The freedom to do whatever you want in the cold plains of Skyrim, Tamriel’s northmost province. Meeting the Jarls of the 9 holds and helping their people, or joining a villainous group of assassins, the choice is completely up to you. Now on Xbox, PC, Switch, and PS4/5, being the game with the most console variety thus far.

Honorable Mentions:

1. Ori and the Blind Forest: A tearjerking 2D platformer game that explores the forest of Nibel, exploring the roots of Ori’s origin, pain, and coming of age story. The game’s story is like no other, bringing out all sorts of emotions within the player. This tear-jerking experience is now available on Microsoft Windows, Xbox One, and Nintendo Switch.

2. As we all know, this wouldn’t be a complete list without the original heavy-hitting titles, such as: Tetris, the 8-bit stacking game, is an excellent competitive or casual after-school activity.