20 Iconic Games Turning a Decade Old in 2025

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Ignacio Weil

Gaming - January 19th 2025, 13:00 GMT+1

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For this list, we’re shining the spotlight on games turning 10 years old in 2025. This isn’t a ranked list of the best games from 2015 – it’s more like a stroll down memory lane with some of the most popular titles that might just make you feel a little old.

Got another game hitting the big 1-0 in 2025? Why not drop it in the comments and keep the nostalgia train rolling?

Call of Duty Black Ops III — Call of Duty: Black Ops III

Ah, *Black Ops III*, the game that brought wall-running, cybernetic supersoldiers, and zombies galore into the *Call of Duty* franchise. Whether you were knee-deep in futuristic gadgets in the campaign, flexing your reflexes in multiplayer, or fending off the undead in some truly bizarre scenarios, this installment had something for everyone. And let's not forget the branching storylines – who knew *Call of Duty* could get this philosophical? Sure, its sci-fi angle wasn’t for all the purists, but hey, sometimes you need to swap your gritty realism for a jetpack and some neon. | © Treyarch/Activision

Cropped FIFA 16 — FIFA 16

What’s that? You hear the roar of the crowd and the whistle of nostalgia? That’s *FIFA 16* bringing women’s national teams to the franchise for the very first time – finally! Aside from breaking ground on inclusivity, it added smoother gameplay mechanics, a more balanced midfield, and *that* ridiculously fun FUT Draft mode. Whether you were scoring bangers with Messi or sweating it out against a sweaty opponent online, *FIFA 16* reminded us why soccer is the beautiful game. Just, you know, try not to think about the rage quits. | © EA Sports

Fallout 4

Ah, the Commonwealth wasteland – home to Deathclaws, synths, and your trusty canine companion, Dogmeat. *Fallout 4* dropped us into a post-apocalyptic Boston, armed with a Pip-Boy, a penchant for hoarding junk, and a quest to find our kidnapped son. (Let’s be real – most of us got distracted building settlements instead.) With its colorful world, sarcastic dialogue options, and “will they or won’t they” relationship with glitches, *Fallout 4* was quintessential Bethesda. And don’t even get us started on those epic Power Armor moments. Truly, the end of the world has never looked so good. | © Bethesda Game Studios

STAR WARS Battlefront — Star Wars Battlefront

Cue the John Williams soundtrack because *Star Wars Battlefront* was every fan's dream come true. This 2015 reboot let us live out our fantasies as stormtroopers, rebels, and even iconic heroes like Darth Vader and Luke Skywalker. Sure, it caught some flak for its lack of a campaign, but when you’re flying an X-Wing or stomping around as an AT-AT, do you really have time to complain? Its visuals were jaw-droppingly gorgeous, capturing the magic of the galaxy far, far away in stunning detail. And let’s be honest – hearing “The Imperial March” while charging into battle? Goosebumps every time. | © DICE/Electronic Arts

Cropped The Witcher 3 Wild Hunt — The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt

The moment Geralt of Rivia rode into our lives on Roach, we knew *The Witcher 3* was something special. With its sprawling open world, emotionally charged storytelling, and unforgettable characters (*Ciri! Yennefer! Dandelion!*), this game set a new standard for RPGs. Whether you were hunting monsters, getting lost in Gwent, or making very questionable moral decisions, the Continent was a place you never wanted to leave. Oh, and can we talk about those sunsets? Absolutely breathtaking. A decade later, and *The Witcher 3* still feels like a masterpiece – though Roach’s rooftop antics remain hilariously cursed. | © CD Projekt Red

METAL GEAR SOLID V THE PHANTOM PAIN — Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain

Hideo Kojima pulled out all the stops with *The Phantom Pain*, delivering a stealth-action experience so expansive it practically made us feel like real spies (minus the cool gadgets). From infiltrating enemy bases with cardboard boxes to recruiting a ragtag team of soldiers (and a wolf!) for Mother Base, this game was a sandbox of espionage delights. And let’s not forget Quiet – the sniper who preferred expressing herself through bullets rather than words. With its intricate mechanics, jaw-dropping open world, and Kojima’s signature flair for bizarre plot twists, *The Phantom Pain* left us amazed, confused, and emotionally compromised. | © Kojima Productions/Konami

Batman Arkham Knight — Batman: Arkham Knight

Gotham City never looked darker – or better – than in *Arkham Knight*. This finale to the Arkham trilogy gave us a Batmobile to tear through the rain-soaked streets, a rogues’ gallery of villains to face off against, and a plot twist that made even the Joker laugh. Combat felt as smooth as ever, with satisfying takedowns and high-flying glides through the skyline. And the Scarecrow’s psychological mind games? Pure nightmare fuel. Sure, some fans grumbled about the overuse of the Batmobile, but who can resist turning a tank into a mobile battering ram of justice? | © Rocksteady Studios

Mortal Kombat X

Fatality! *Mortal Kombat X* brought us more bone-crunching, blood-spattering action than ever before – and we loved every brutal second of it. With a roster that mixed old favorites like Scorpion and Sub-Zero with newcomers like Cassie Cage, this game upped the ante on over-the-top combat. The addition of Faction Wars gave it an extra layer of competition, but let’s be honest – we were all here for the fatalities (and let’s not even talk about those *Brutalities*). From the ridiculously polished fighting mechanics to the wild story mode, *Mortal Kombat X* proved that this franchise is truly immortal. | © NetherRealm Studios

Bloodborne

Few games made us simultaneously scream in frustration and awe quite like *Bloodborne*. This gothic nightmare dragged us through the cursed city of Yharnam, where every corner was dripping with atmosphere – and probably blood. With its lightning-fast combat and terrifying enemies, this game wasn’t for the faint of heart (or the easily rage-quit-prone). But for those who endured its challenges, *Bloodborne* offered a hauntingly beautiful experience that stuck with us long after the credits rolled. Plus, who doesn’t love the sound of a trick weapon transforming mid-battle? *Clink-clang, stab-stab.* Iconic. | © FromSoftware

Rocket League

Who would’ve thought *car soccer* would become one of the most addictive, competitive, and flat-out fun games of the decade? *Rocket League* zoomed onto the scene in 2015, combining high-octane vehicle stunts with surprisingly strategic gameplay. Whether you were whiffing your shots in a chaotic 3v3 or nailing an epic aerial goal that earned you a replay, *Rocket League* made every match a highlight reel. Its simple concept belied a game bursting with depth, as players honed their skills and developed entire esports careers. Ten years on, and we’re still asking the big question: “How is this so fun?” | © Psyonix

Dying Light MSN — Dying Light

Imagine *The Walking Dead* but with parkour, and you’ve got *Dying Light*. This zombie-infested adventure had us leaping across rooftops, crafting DIY weapons, and clenching our controllers in sheer terror once the sun went down. Seriously, the Volatiles were the stuff of nightmares. The game’s day-night cycle turned an action-packed playground into a tense survival horror experience in the blink of an eye. Whether you were dropkicking the undead or zip-lining to safety, *Dying Light* kept your heart racing. And let’s not forget the co-op chaos – because nothing says “teamwork” like yelling at your friend to save you mid-horde. | © Techland

Splatoon

Nintendo took a big swing with *Splatoon*, and boy, did it stick the landing. This colorful, squid-powered shooter flipped the genre on its head with its ink-splatting chaos and turf-focused gameplay. Instead of gritty realism, we got quirky inklings, vibrant maps, and a soundtrack that somehow made squid gibberish a jam. *Splatoon* was all about strategy, teamwork, and painting the town (literally) in your team’s colors. And can we talk about the fashion? Those squid kids had style! A decade later, it’s still impossible to hear “Stay Fresh!” without cracking a smile. | © Nintendo

Life is Strange

Time travel, teenage angst, and a small town full of secrets – *Life is Strange* packed a lot of feels into its episodic storytelling. Playing as Max Caulfield, a photography student with rewind powers, we were faced with tough choices that often left us questioning our morality (and sobbing into our pillows). From its hauntingly beautiful soundtrack to its unforgettable characters like Chloe Price, this game tapped into emotions in a way few others could. And let’s not even start on *that* ending – still a hot debate among fans a decade later. Butterfly effects, indeed. | © Dontnod Entertainment

Cropped Until Dawn — Until Dawn

Take a group of stereotypical horror-movie teens, plop them in a creepy mountain cabin, and let the butterfly-effect chaos begin. *Until Dawn* gave us the reins to control who lived and who became Wendigo chow in this interactive slasher flick. With its clever nods to horror tropes and genuinely nerve-wracking decisions, this game kept us on edge from start to finish. The performances from a star-studded cast (Rami Malek, anyone?) added a cinematic flair, while the multiple endings made us replay it just to see how many characters we could *accidentally* get killed. | © Supermassive Games

Ori and the Blind Forest

*Ori and the Blind Forest* was a visual masterpiece that tugged at our heartstrings and challenged our platforming skills. This enchanting tale of a guardian spirit on a journey to save a dying forest combined stunning hand-painted visuals with a breathtaking score. But don’t let its beauty fool you – this game’s difficulty was no joke. From nailing precision jumps to escaping nail-biting chases, *Ori* kept us on our toes. It was a labor of love from start to finish, and honestly, we’re still not over that emotional opening sequence. Bring tissues. | © Moon Studios

Cropped Undertale — Undertale

Who knew a quirky little indie game could redefine what RPGs could be? *Undertale* burst onto the scene in 2015 with its lovable cast of characters, offbeat humor, and emotional depth. Whether you chose to spare every monster or went full-on Genocide Route (you monster), the game constantly surprised you with its creative mechanics and unforgettable story twists. And don’t even get us started on the soundtrack – seriously, *Megalovania* still slaps. Toby Fox proved that a small game with a big heart could leave an indelible mark on gaming history. | © Toby Fox

Just Cause 3

If you’ve ever thought, “What if I strapped a rocket to a cow for fun?” then *Just Cause 3* was the game for you. This over-the-top open-world adventure took the chaos of its predecessors and cranked it up to 11. As Rico Rodriguez, you liberated the Mediterranean island of Medici with a wingsuit, a grappling hook, and an arsenal of absurd weapons. The result? Explosions. So many explosions. Sure, the story was a little thin, but who needed depth when you could parachute off a helicopter while blowing up an oil rig? Pure, unadulterated mayhem. | © Avalanche Studios

Rainbow Six Siege

Tactical shooters found their champion in *Rainbow Six Siege*, a game that traded run-and-gun chaos for strategy, teamwork, and a healthy dose of tension. Every match was a chess game with bullets, as attackers and defenders clashed in destructible environments that demanded creativity and precision. The roster of unique operators kept things fresh, each with gadgets and abilities that could turn the tide of battle. And let’s face it – there’s nothing more satisfying than a perfectly timed breach. A decade later, Siege is still going strong, proving that patience and planning never go out of style. | © Ubisoft

Halo 5 Guardians — Halo 5: Guardians

The Master Chief returned (kind of) in *Halo 5: Guardians*, a game that divided fans with its story but delivered some of the best multiplayer action the series had ever seen. With its squad-based campaign and the introduction of Spartan Locke, it took some bold storytelling risks, even if not all of them landed. But let’s be honest, we all stuck around for the frenetic multiplayer modes, where the new mobility mechanics and Warzone mode added a fresh layer of chaos. Love it or hate it, *Halo 5* kept the fight alive for one of gaming’s most iconic franchises. | © 343 Industries

Rise of the Tomb Raider

Lara Croft’s journey of survival and discovery continued in *Rise of the Tomb Raider*, a game that cemented her status as one of gaming’s greatest adventurers. Set in the frozen Siberian wilderness, this sequel offered thrilling tomb exploration, gripping combat, and jaw-dropping visuals. Lara’s character development shone as she uncovered her family’s secrets and faced the shadowy Trinity organization. From scaling icy cliffs to solving intricate puzzles, every moment felt like a blockbuster. *Rise of the Tomb Raider* wasn’t just a game – it was an adventure we wanted to experience again and again. | © Crystal Dynamics/Square Enix

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Ah, 2015. A year when hoverboards (the wheeled ones, not the Back to the Future kind) were all the rage, everyone was still obsessed with minions, and gamers were treated to a buffet of unforgettable adventures. Fast-forward ten years, and those same games are now officially entering the hallowed halls of "double digits." Feeling old yet? Don’t worry – you’re in good company.

In this article, we’re dusting off our virtual shelves and revisiting 20 iconic games that first graced our screens in 2015. From groundbreaking open worlds to indie darlings that redefined the industry, these titles didn’t just entertain us – they shaped the decade that followed. So grab your nostalgia goggles, fire up your favorite console, and join us as we celebrate a decade of gaming greatness (and maybe shed a tear or two about how fast time flies).