It’s strange how the things we love most can remind us of our own aging. Think about a favorite movie from years ago – when you see the actors now, it can be a shock to see how time has passed, and then you realize it’s happening to you too. People often say aging happens gradually, and seeing older versions of things we cherish is a stark reminder of that. If you’re still enjoying a classic like Final Fantasy 7, maybe it’s best not to think about how long ago it came out!
2026 is shaping up to be a year filled with gaming nostalgia! We’ve already celebrated 40 years of The Legend of Zelda, and there are plenty more gaming anniversaries on the way. From 10-year to 35-year milestones, get ready to feel a wave of nostalgia – and maybe realize how long you’ve been playing!
For this list, we’ll be including titles based on their North American release dates.
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10. Overwatch
Turning 10 Years Old On May 24
Since its release in June 2016, Overwatch has changed a lot. Like most games, it’s gained new characters and modes, and seen changes to gameplay balance. But the changes went deeper than that – the shift to Overwatch 2 and then back to just Overwatch shows that Blizzard hasn’t always gotten things right with the game, and sometimes made big mistakes. Despite this, the original Overwatch created a decade ago was a truly excellent hero shooter, and played a key role in popularizing the genre.
Characters like Tracer, Mercy, and Reinhardt have become incredibly popular, and many players have cherished memories of playing with them. There’s a special feeling that comes from achieving a first ‘Play of the Game,’ making a clutch save, or turning a losing game around with your team. It’s amazing to think the game is already ten years old – it’s been an incredible journey!
9. Dead By Daylight
Turning 10 Years Old On June 14
Behaviour Interactive’s Dead By Daylight launched shortly after Overwatch, and the two games have followed surprisingly similar paths since then. While Dead By Daylight hasn’t seen quite as many dramatic changes as Overwatch, it’s evolved steadily over the years through new content, updates, and occasionally, some hotly debated balancing adjustments. Despite these changes, the game has always stayed true to its core identity: delivering intense, asymmetric horror where teamwork is crucial for survivors trying to outsmart a terrifying killer.
The game’s core idea has led to exciting partnerships with legendary horror franchises, and it continues to benefit from them. In recent years, characters like Albert Wesker from Resident Evil and the Alien xenomorph have been added as playable Killers. These aren’t just cosmetic changes; they significantly update the gameplay by introducing new survivors and levels. Even after ten years, the game is still growing, with both popular game modes returning and new content planned to celebrate its anniversary.
8. Batman: Arkham City
Turning 15 Years Old On October 18
Man, I still think about Batman: Arkham Asylum from 2009 – it’s seriously one of the best games based on a movie or comic ever. It doesn’t always feel super smooth to move around, but it’s still a ton of fun to replay. The whole Arkham series, even with some issues on certain versions, just nailed the Batman story. And the fighting? It was amazing and really changed how combat was done in a lot of games. But Arkham City? That game was special. They let you loose as Batman in this huge, gorgeous open-world Gotham, and it was incredible.
It’s been nearly 15 years since the first time players soared through Gotham City as Batman, and many spent hours just exploring rather than following the story. The original Arkham Asylum was mostly contained within the asylum walls, so Arkham City felt especially freeing. Even today, gliding through Gotham is a blast, though other open-world games have since expanded on the concept. After all this time, it remains arguably the greatest Batman video game ever created.
7. Gears of War
Turning 20 Years Old On November 7
When you think of Xbox, two iconic characters likely come to mind: Master Chief from Halo and Marcus Fenix from Gears of War. Both games are central to the Xbox identity. While Halo was available on the original Xbox, Gears of War first appeared on the Xbox 360. Similar to Halo, the Gears series focuses on a large-scale war between planets, putting players in the middle of the conflict as Fenix and his allies fight for humanity.
It’s hard to believe it’s been nearly twenty years since the original Gears of War let us famously split enemies in half with the Lancer Assault Rifle! That shocking moment became a defining memory for so many gamers. The Gears series quickly established itself as a fast-paced, intense, and violent third-person shooter, but one that still required strategy and skill. While later games added popular features like Horde Mode, that initial release made a uniquely powerful impression.
6. Wii Sports
Turns 20 On November 19
Shortly after Gears of War came out, Nintendo launched its Wii console. The Wii was a unique system with its motion-controlled Wiimote, and Nintendo understood that people weren’t quite sure what to think of it. So, they included Wii Sports with the console – a game that perfectly demonstrated what the Wii could do.
Players used their personalized Mii characters to play simplified versions of sports like tennis, bowling, and golf, with easy-to-learn motions for actions like swinging or punching. Despite its limited content, Wii Sports was incredibly successful in attracting new players to gaming. While many other minigame collections followed, including the more advanced Wii Sports Resort with its improved motion controls, the original Wii Sports was a true cultural phenomenon.
Remember that holiday season when the whole family – even those who’d never played video games before – got together for a game of Wii bowling? It’s hard to believe that was twenty years ago!
5. Devil May Cry
Turns 25 On October 17
Capcom is known for creating some of gaming’s most beloved franchises, including Mega Man, Monster Hunter, Resident Evil, and Ace Attorney. But for many action game fans, Devil May Cry stands above the rest. This year marks the 25th anniversary of the first Devil May Cry game, which introduced the mysterious demon hunter Dante. His initial battle against the Prince of Darkness, Mundus, was a groundbreaking, action-packed experience that immediately established the series’ signature style.
As the Devil May Cry games evolved, the combat system became more complex. Later installments introduced numerous new combo moves, the ability to switch weapons mid-fight, and changes to how scores were calculated. Each game offers a distinct experience and contributes to the series’ overall story, but even now, Devil May Cry remains a groundbreaking and highly influential game.
4. Luigi’s Mansion
Turns 25 On November 18
When the GameCube first came out, people were surprised to see a game starring Luigi instead of Mario, especially one that wasn’t a typical jump-and-run platformer. However, Luigi’s Mansion quickly became a classic and has grown into a much-loved series. While the GameCube didn’t have a huge number of games overall, it did have some real standouts, and this is definitely one of them.
Switching from Mario’s classic goomba-stomping to ghost-busting with the Poltergust 3000 takes some getting used to, but it soon feels intuitive. The ghosts themselves, especially the bigger boss ghosts and the Boos, are delightfully playful, making each encounter fun. Plus, the game keeps things interesting with a variety of rooms and smart puzzles. The original game is short, but incredibly memorable, and it’s amazing to think about how long it’s been since people first played it.
3. Crash Bandicoot
Turns 30 On September 9
The Crash Bandicoot games are famous for being incredibly challenging to fully complete. There are just so many things to collect, and figuring out how to collect them isn’t always obvious. It’s especially frustrating to finish a level and realize you missed just one or two items! The original game, released 30 years ago this September, established this tough-as-nails style right from the start. Simply beating the game is a feat – levels like ‘Road To Nowhere’ with its tricky bridge are hard enough – but getting absolutely everything is a real test of skill.
There are certain gaming experiences that really stick with you from childhood, and revisiting them – like playing the N. Sane Trilogy – brings those memories flooding back. It’s amazing to think this iconic, spinning marsupial has been around for thirty years and had such a successful career. Now, fans are curious to see what the future holds for him.
2. Super Mario 64
Turns 30 On September 29
As mentioned before, Luigi’s Mansion came as a surprise, and that’s largely thanks to its predecessor. Super Mario 64 was a huge reason people rushed to buy the Nintendo 64 when it launched, and as the game nears its 30th anniversary, it remains the benchmark for 3D platformers.
While the game occasionally shows its age in terms of graphics and controls, it was groundbreaking when it first came out. That first rush up the hill to Peach’s Castle remains a classic gaming moment. The game is packed with memorable experiences, like the surprising piano jump scare, taking care of baby penguins, and the unique way you battle Bowser. There’s nothing quite like playing a new 3D Mario game, and the love for this title has kept fans excited through Super Mario Sunshine, Super Mario Galaxy and its sequel, and Super Mario Odyssey. Now, everyone’s wondering what Nintendo has planned for Mario on the Switch 2.
1. Sonic the Hedgehog
Turns 35 on June 23
Okay, so I’m a pretty big Sonic fan, and it’s kinda wild to think the original Sonic the Hedgehog came out way back in 1991! I wasn’t even born yet! Back then, platformers were already awesome, but Sonic really raised the bar with its smooth animation and those classic chiptune tunes. It didn’t instantly make Super Mario fans switch sides, and that’s fine, but the fact that Sega launched such a polished competitor was a huge deal. Seriously, it’s one of the most impressive starts to a franchise I’ve ever seen.
It’s interesting that even with all the different directions Sonic games have taken – from 3D adventures to kart racing – the most popular ones are still often compared to the very first three games. It’s a sign of nostalgia, sure, but those early games really nailed the core gameplay and are still incredibly fun to play. Sonic is a gaming icon – the excitement around his inclusion in Super Smash Bros. proves that – and that status is well-deserved. While some Sonic games don’t get the attention they deserve, this particular title is rightfully a fan favorite.
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2026-04-30 18:15