This decade has truly been a tremendous one for the video game industry with some amazing games being created throughout the years. Whether it be just one-offs or a huge series, there has been plenty to keep gamers entertained. Even though some franchises have dropped in popularity and started to fade out into obscurity, others have risen. Some are brand new franchises, others are existing ones that have simply become even more popular.
Video games go in trends and within this list, we will be taking a look at what was hot within this decade. Ranking the 10 video games that exploded in popularity within this decade.
10 Red Dead Redemption
We kick start this list with a franchise that has certainly burst onto the scene this decade, which is Red Dead Redemption. People will argue constantly regarding which game is better, the original or the sequel, but either way, they're both massively popular. The video games are two of the very best to have been released this decade and they quickly became unbelievably popular amongst gamers.
The franchise has taken on a whole new life of its own since then as the video game series has truly become beloved.
9 Grand Theft Auto
Grand Theft Auto is a classic video game franchise that has been around far longer than just this decade, however, the most popular game of the entire franchise if GTA V, which came this decade.
This game was an unbelievable one and it took the franchise to new heights as far as popularity is concerned. Becoming a megahit, the game was popular for its fantastic storyline which used three characters at once. However, the online version of the game was also very successful. It allowed people to come together and play the game and it really did allow it to be a hit.
8 Candy Crush
It isn't just console games that have dominated this decade, as many mobile video games have also started becoming incredibly popular. With smartphones becoming even more advanced throughout the decade, amazing games have been created for them. However, one of the games that really exploded in popularity was a ridiculously simple game called Candy Crush. There was nothing tough about this one, it was simply all about landing three or more of the same candy in a row.
The fact that the game was totally free helped it become an instant hit on the mobile gaming market and the franchise exploded from there.
7 Pokémon
It might seem absolutely ridiculous to state that Pokémon has burst out in popularity within this decade as it was already so popular beforehand. However, this decade has seen the franchise go to even newer heights.
This decade saw some amazing innovation when it came to video games and the Pokémon franchise made the most of that. The Pokémon Go game took the entire world by storm and really helped take the franchise to new levels of popularity. Bringing back lapsed fans who had moved on from the franchise to connect with a totally new generation of gamers. Pokémon has never been as strong or popular as it has been in this decade.
6 Super Mario
Another well-known franchise that was already immensely popular prior to this decade was Super Mario. However, the games that have come out from the franchise this decade have been amongst some of the greatest in history.
It has brought in tons of new fans and brought back many old ones, all ready to give the new worlds a try. Whether it be the incredible new Mario Kart 8 game that was released or Super Mario Odyssey. The franchise has taken risks and they have all paid off thankfully, which have allowed the popularity of Mario to reach even greater heights.
5 The Witcher
While the original game was released back in 2007, this decade has seen two sequels be released that have taken the franchise to new heights. Both of the games were incredibly impressive, and it wasn't a surprise to see them become very popular.
Witcher 3, in particular, was an incredibly impressive game that really helped the franchise catch on with new fans, while continuing to impress older fans. The fact that this game has now been picked up by Netflix for a series to finish the decade only goes to show how big this has become. The games will no doubt now see another resurgence of popularity heading into the next decade because of it.
4 Dark Souls
Another popular game that has exploded in popularity throughout this decade is Dark Souls. The action role-playing game was released back in 2011 and was met by huge fanfare due to how great the game was. With incredibly detailed and intricate levels, this game had plenty to go through in order to get the full experience. With huge beasts and monsters to conquer, there was plenty going on in this game that kept gamers busy for a long time.
Dark Souls became one of the most popular games of the decade, mainly because it was one of the best games of the decade. It was heavily praised by critics and gamers, becoming an instant success that's still talked about to this day.
3 Destiny
Next on the list is Destiny, which is another incredibly important video game series from this decade, which took on a life of its own in popularity. The franchise burst onto the scene first in 2014 and has had several expansions and a sequel since then.
Taking on the role of the Guardian to protect Earth's final safe city, the game offers several different modes, all of which proved to be popular. Having plenty of options just gained more fans for the game, which is why there's no surprise it was so popular. Gamers have continued to play this game frequently, and it seems set that this franchise is only going to continue expanding within the next decade.
2 Minecraft
Another video game that has absolutely exploded within this decade is the popular Minecraft franchise. While the building toys were popular before this decade, the video games have taken the franchise to new heights.
It might be a fairly simple concept, but it is one that has become hugely popular. This franchise is now a total juggernaut, with millions of copies being sold and constant YouTube videos being created. Everyone has been talking about Minecraft in this decade and the franchise deserves huge credit for that. Becoming one of the most played games of the decade, this is going to continue being a hot commodity for a long time.
1 Fortnite
When it comes to video games exploding in popularity, there is nothing quite like Fortnite. Who would have thought at the start of the decade that a free online battle royale game would have become one of, if not the most popular game of the decade?
It's simple design and bright colors make the game massively appealing to people of all ages. Encouraging team play or solo play with creativity and skill being needed, the game has been a mega-hit. Fortnite has just gone from strength to strength since bursting onto the scene, and it has shown no real signs of slowing down either.