5 Games You Won’t Believe Came Out 10 Years Ago

by

2026 will be a huge year for video game anniversaries! Some franchises, like The Legend of Zelda, feel like they’ve been around forever, while it’s surprising to realize how long others have been popular. Many of today’s most beloved and successful games are reaching major milestones, offering plenty to celebrate for fans of both long-running series and one-time hits.

It’s true that older games can sometimes look dated when you play them. However, gaming technology isn’t advancing at the same rapid pace it used to, meaning a game from 10 years ago might not look that old. So, prepare to feel a bit nostalgic – here are 5 games that are already a decade old, and surprisingly, some of them feel brand new.

5) Overcooked

It’s hard to believe, but Overcooked first came out in August 2016, and then on the Nintendo Switch a year later. Even now, it’s often considered one of the best games for playing with friends – and it’s easy to see why! It’s a really challenging, yet incredibly fun game, offering both co-op and single-player options. Plus, with its bright, cartoon-style graphics, it still looks great today, especially considering it’s almost a decade old!

The popular game Overcooked was followed up with Overcooked 2 in 2018, and then a remastered version called All You Can Eat came out in 2020. We haven’t had any news about a new installment since then. Fans are hoping for an announcement of Overcooked 3 to coincide with the original game’s 10th anniversary on August 2nd.

4) Persona 5

You’re reading that right – 2026 will be the 10-year anniversary of the last major Persona game! Persona 5 first came out in Japan in September 2016, and then everywhere else in April 2017. So, while Western fans have only been waiting for 9 years, the game is technically turning ten this year. Considering we still haven’t even heard anything official about Persona 6, it’s hard to believe how long it’s been.

Since its initial release in Japan, Persona 5 has been re-released and updated several times, much like other games in the Persona series. An expanded version, Persona 5 Royal, came out in 2020, followed by versions for current gaming consoles in 2022. While the game has spawned several spin-offs, a direct sequel hasn’t been announced yet. Many fans hope we’ll hear about Persona 6 in September, when Persona 5 celebrates its 10th anniversary.

3) Dark Souls 3

Similar to the situation with Persona, it’s surprising to realize how long it’s been since the last Dark Souls game, especially since FromSoftware never officially announced a sequel. It’s been over 10 years since Dark Souls 3 was first released in Japan (and worldwide shortly after in April 2016). Despite this, there’s still no indication of a new main installment, aside from the Dark Souls board game released in 2017.

Dark Souls 3 is unusual because it continued a popular series with games that fans actually loved. Since its release, the game has received updates and downloadable content to expand the experience. However, it’s been almost ten years since the game came out, and even its latest DLC isn’t much newer. While another installment is always a possibility, Dark Souls 3 currently stands as the final chapter in the series.

2) Pokemon Go

This year marks a big anniversary for the Pokémon world – the franchise is celebrating its 30th year! And its popular mobile game, Pokémon Go, will also be ten years old this summer. It’s hard to believe a decade has already passed since its launch! The summer of 2016, when Pokémon Go first took the world by storm, was a truly special time, and it likely played a big role in bringing Pokémon back into the spotlight. It just doesn’t feel like it’s been that long ago.

Pokémon Go has changed a lot since it launched in 2016, as it’s constantly being updated with new Pokémon, rare Shiny versions, and different features – some more successful than others. Despite all the changes, it’s still a popular daily game for Pokémon fans even after all these years.

1) Stardew Valley

Considering how incredibly popular Stardew Valley still is, it’s surprising to realize the game is getting old! It continues to be a top seller on Steam and break records. Stardew Valley originally launched on February 26th, 2016, meaning it celebrated its 10th anniversary earlier this year. With its endlessly engaging gameplay and rich story, players are still discovering new things, which makes the game feel fresh and new even now.

One reason this game remains so popular is that the developers keep adding new, free content. In fact, Stardew Valley is expected to receive another large free update soon. Because of this continued support, even after ten years, players don’t seem likely to stop playing Stardew anytime in the near future.

Read More

2026-05-26 20:12