Video games are works of art in which developers spend years crafting tedious pixels purely for the player’s enjoyment (and to make money, of course). The ultimate test of a game’s quality lies in its replayability. It’s one thing to replay a game a year or two after its release, but the real test is if you can pick up a game that’s 10 or more years old and still find it enjoyable. For true gamers, that’s the mark of craftsmanship they seek. While some ‘classic’ games may find their audiences through gimmicks and cheap tricks–we’re looking at you, Duck Hunt–those with the best stories and game mechanics often prove most popular. With that in mind, the Omega has compiled a list of some of our favourite ‘retro’ games that we think are worth coming back to based on gameplay mechanics, theatrics such as soundtracks and storylines, and overall enjoyment.
10. Skate 3 (2010)
Electronic Arts (EA) ground Skate 3 so well that the recipe may not be able to be replicated again. Though the game features something it claims is a storyline, many gamers were drawn to it merely to play around in the sandbox. At the time of its release, the arcade aspect of creating a custom skatepark, where players can perform an endless variety of tricks, appealed to gamers, including skaters, and those who just like to play sandbox games with their friends. The local was visually bright, with some grit that added to the realism, along with pro-skaters like Coach Frank (voiced by Jason Lee). The charm kept players locked in for hours on end, creating bizarre clips to share amongst friends and the Skate 3 community, which is both niche and paradoxically wide.
9. Dark Souls (2011)
The series itself delivers one of the most rewarding gameplay loops of all time. Its combat is precise, with unforgiving battles that are notorious for making you learn from your mistakes. With minimal exposition and an ambiguous, dark, decaying atmosphere, Dark Souls allows a sense of discovery and accomplishment that few games can match. It’s difficult, but every victorious battle feels rightfully earned.
8. Red Dead Redemption (2010)
Red Dead Redemption captures the good, the bad, and the ugly of the dying wild west. Better than many games before (and many more after), RDR sought to capitalize on the open-world video game craze of the 2000s and did so in spectacular fashion. Though some might argue that its requel (a game or movie that is simultaneously a prequel and a sequel), Red Dead Redemption 2, is the better entry in the series, the mark left on the gaming community by the original as one of the best of all time is undeniable. Featuring a world that feels genuine, with unforgettable characters and an ending that stays with you long after the credits roll, Red Dead Redemption easily earns the #8 spot in our top 10.
7. Batman: Arkham Asylum (2009) and 6. Batman: Arkham City (2011)
Initially, we were going only to include Arkham City, but when you’re talking about this series, you can’t mention one without the other.
Arkham Asylum reinvented superhero games with its tight level design, mechanics from the point of view of the world’s greatest detective, and the iconic, flawless free-flow combat. Arkham City is essentially an expansion of that, creating a dark, dangerous open world packed with many villains from Batman’s rogues gallery and unforgettable moments. Featuring the voice talents of the late Kevin Conroy (who voiced the character in over 55 productions, including cartoons, series, and video games), the Arkham series became somewhat of the gold standard for superhero action games.
5. Halo 3 (2007)
Halo 3 is the pinnacle of the Bungie-era Halo, combining close-quarters gunplay, thrilling firefights, and a sandbox experience that encouraged smart thinking and improvisation. Where it really shone was its campaign, where you really felt like the main character, Master Chief, a super-soldier who crash-landed on Earth, marching to save humanity from extinction. Its online multiplayer became somewhat of an infamous cultural landmark, ushering in a new era of toxic lobbies, which was a mix of seasoned gamers, teenagers, and children, all communicating through cheap headsets. Though the game is approaching its 20th anniversary, its replayability remains strong.
4. The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim (2011)
To many players, Skyrim is more than a game; it’s a vast, living world that invites endless exploration and adventure. From the snow-capped peaks of the Throat of the World to the shadowy dungeons of the ancient Nordic tombs, every corner of Skyrim feels alive with secrets, lore, and danger. As players watch dragons soar overhead, it’s easy to get swept up in the beauty of the game while ignoring the danger the animals represent. Aside from the gorgeous graphics, players enjoy activities such as exploring guilds and factions, which create more adventures for their hero or villain. The freedom is intoxicating. You can become a master mage, a sneaky assassin, a legendary warrior, or simply wander the land of hidden wonders. With a soundtrack that makes your heart pound, unforgettable interactions with characters and thousands of hours of quests, Skyrim isn’t a game you play, it’s one you experience. Even a decade after its release, it remains a gem of an open-world RPG that players return to again and again.
3. Fallout 4 (2015)
As Fallout 4 celebrated its 10th anniversary on Nov. 9, 2025, it just squeaks by to make the list.
Fallout 4 delivers one of Bethesda’s most replayable and immersive adventures. The world is packed with secrets, factions you can join, and stories that reward exploration from the moment you step outside the Vault. With improved gunplay, crafting mechanics that are well thought out, settlement systems, and countless ways to build your character, it’s an open-world RPG that players can easily sink hundreds of hours into. Its music, atmosphere, and sense of discovery still hold up beautifully.
2. Dragon Age: Inquisition (2014)
The epic RPG blends story, strategy, and freedom. From the war-torn lands of Thedas to the depths of hidden dungeons and ancient ruins, every location feels alive, rich with lore, and brimming with stories waiting to unfold. Players step into the role of the Inquisitor, a leader tasked with uniting factions and closing a cataclysmic tear in the sky that threatens the world. The game shines with its unforgettable cast of companions, each with their own motivations, secrets, and personal quests, making every relationship feel consequential. Combat is tactical, rewarding careful planning whilst still allowing heroic, cinematic action. With breathtaking landscapes, intricate politics, and a sense of grandeur rarely matched in RPGs, Inquisition is a game that demands time and attention, rewarding it with one of the most immersive, emotional, and enduring fantasy experiences of the decade.
1. Super Mario Bros. (1985)
The game that started it all. Super Mario Bros. defined platforming games with responsive controls, inventive level design, and a perfect balance of challenge and fun. It has colourful worlds, memorable enemies, and iconic characters: Mario, Luigi, Bowser, and Toadstool (later renamed Peach), creating a universe that still feels vibrant and alive decades later. Combined with unforgettable music and clever secrets, it’s not just a game but a cultural touchstone that shaped the future of video games.