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Top Ten Video Games from 2021

I ended up playing so many video games during 2021 as this was the year when I finally got myself a PC. I also started emulating games on my Android, which also led to some great discoveries. As a result, I played so many incredible games, both old and new, and here are the ten best ones.

10. Wario Land

Wario Land is one of the best Game Boy games undoubtedly. This was an entirely different platformer from Mario due to many fantastic gameplay innovations introduced. I loved its normal difficulty level and some impressively realized boss fights. Its protagonist is very memorable and the whole atmosphere of the game is unique.

9. Professor Layton and the Curios Village

The sequel to this game I enjoyed quite a bit, but the original for now remains the best for me. Professor Layton is a terrific puzzle series. I love playing through its entirety right now. The Curios Village will hardly be beaten as it not only had great puzzles, but also memorable characters and a terrific storyline with an amazing end twist.

8. Sonic & All-Stars Racing Transformed

I am a big fan of kart racing games and within this genre this game is very hard to beat. So many fantastic courses set in many different Sega games accompanied by iconic Sega characters made this kart racer very diverse and authentic. Many different gameplay modes and stats made it even more impressively varied.

7. Rocket Knight Adventures

Rocket Knight is an absolute gem in the Sega Genesis library that deserves so much more attention than it continues to receive. The gameplay mechanics are uniquely diverse, the bosses are cool, the levels are superbly designed, the protagonist is cute and the game looks superb. It’s a classic.

6. Super Mario Bros. 3

The world building was incredibly varied while the gameplay was the most versatile up until this point in the series. There is a lot to do in the third Mario entry with the added overworld map creating even more content. It’s a surprisingly rich and long game for the late eighties, which is the most admirable quality about it and it is one of my personal favorites in the series.

5. The Simpsons: Hit & Run

I sank so much time into this game because I absolutely loved it. I am not the biggest Simpsons fan in the world, but even I had to appreciate just how incredibly faithful this game is to this IP. It is hard for sure, but the vehicles are very well realized, the world is expansive for its time and the characters are also wonderful. It’s such an immersive adaptation.

4. Castlevania III: Dracula’s Curse

Castlevania III has a ridiculous difficulty curve that prevents the game from being more enjoyable, but other than that, this third entry remains impressive. It looks good, the levels are well designed and the two main changes from the first game are both excellent, leading to a lot of replay value and timeless appeal. It is an undeniable classic for the series.

3. Inside

By far the most artistic game that I’ve played so far in my life, Inside is an absolute indie masterpiece. The puzzles can be frustratingly hard to solve at times, but they are still very well incorporated into its world. The highlights are its ambiguous storyline, incredible visuals and an evocative score. It’s an atmospheric, elegant delight.

2. Super Mario Bros.

I would still contend that the original Super Mario Bros. is the best game in the entire series, at least the greatest in the twentieth century. It was a truly groundbreaking platformer that changed the industry forever. The graphics were impressive for the time while the score was just iconic. The game is hard, but wonderfully so as it made for a greatly rewarding challenge to go through. Its impressive world building made it even more revolutionary.

1. Assassin’s Creed Origins

This is open world action-adventure gaming of the highest quality. The gameplay mechanics are all incredible with the combat taking the cake as the best realized of the bunch, the RPG elements are very well incorporated into the proceedings, the main and side quests are both wonderfully written and the overall story and characterization are pretty good. I am a huge fan of this franchise, but Origins remains the greatest Assassin’s Creed game and one of the best gaming experiences I’ve had in quite a while.

Honorable Mentions:

Fall Guys – Fall Guys definitely needs more levels even now, but still I played this battle royale platformer so many hours and I will continue to do so as it’s irresistibly fun and endearing.

Castlevania – It may be ridiculously difficult, but it was still a terrific first entry in this iconic game series that has mostly stood the test of time stupendously. It has a great horror mood.

Mega Man 7 – The seventh Mega Man entry is the only one on the SNES and it’s the most underrated in the entire series. It deserves more attention for its amazing bosses primarily.