games of the decade by console

Rules:
-Game released between 2010 and 2019
-Game has been beaten (which is why there's no Switch games lol)


Wii: Xenoblade Chronicles (2012) - When an RPG utterly captures me with its setting, characters, and story, it absolutely has to end up as the "best of the decade on the system". Plus the story behind its US release is pretty good too. Can't wait for the Switch remake to drop another 70+ hours into this masterpiece.
Runner up: Kirby's Return to Dream Land (2011)

Wii U: Super Mario 3D World (2013) - Honestly, I've barely touched my Wii U in all the years I've owned it. I've beaten two of the eight games I own for it...and this is the game I don't own, I played it with Backloggery staff on a release stream. Smash Wii U wasn't super amazing, and Hyrule Warriors has better later versions so...this kinda wins by default. I did really enjoy playing through the chaos of 4-player, and there's the awesome cat suit.
Runner up: Hyrule Warriors (2014)

PS2: Sakura Wars: So Long, My Love (2010) - What else even came out this decade for PS2 other than sports games and shovelware? This definitely fits into the legacy of great RPGs the system had, and is one of the most out of left field "I can't believe this is coming out" releases ever done (this was originally released in Japan in 2005!). With Project Sakura Wars coming out in 2020 for the west, do yourself a favor and pick up this entry as well (and play the fan translation of the first Saturn game that just released!)
Runner up: none

PS3: Atelier Rorona Plus: The Alchemist of Arland (2014) - The much, much improved version of the Atelier game that brought the series back to its roots. This wins over every other Atelier game on the system because it has my favorite set of characters and the most comfortable time limit. Plus extra points for being such a good remake on a game that had come out just five years earlier on the same console.
Runner up: Atelier Escha & Logy: Alchemists of the Dusk Sky (2014)

PS4: Digimon World: Next Order (2017) - Why this over another Atelier game, or the juggernaut that's NieR: Automata? Pure fun and a serving of nostalgia. The original Digimon World on PS1 is a long-time favorite of mine, and this sequel brings the same mon-raising into the modern era with so many improvements to make the game less obtuse. There's tons of mons to raise and recruit to the city, and lots of maps to explore. I enjoyed every minute I put into this game.
Runner up: NieR: Automata (2017)

DS: Pokémon White Version 2 (2012) - I was honestly surprised to realize this came out so late in the DS's life, a full year after the 3DS released even. I don't remember much about this game, other than enjoying how it was a direct sequel (causing me to use a different trainer name than my usual lol). SoulSilver was good too, but wasn't "enough" of a remake to push it ahead of this original title.
Runner up: Rune Factory 3 (2010)

3DS: Project X Zone 2 (2016) - This system was probably the hardest to pick for due to the amount of high quality releases it saw in its lifetime. Although this game is a bit repetitive in gameplay content, it makes up for all of that with one of the best localizations I've seen in a "dumb" crossover RPG. So many references to other games and media! So many stupid jokes! Segata Sanshiro!! It's been said that the unexpectedly good sales of the first game in the West made creating this sequel possible, and I'm so happy it was able to happen.
Runner up: Fire Emblem: Awakening (2013)

PSP: Valkyria Chronicles 3 (2011) - The only game on this list that didn't have a US release. I played the fan translation though I do own a copy of the original release. It brought back the heavier plot of the first game in the series combined with the smaller maps and gameplay of the second. It wasn't perfect (I have a whole pastebin about my thoughts on this game), but it was satisfying to play.
Runner up: Z.H.P. Unlosing Ranger vs. Darkdeath Evilman (2010)

PSV: Atelier Escha & Logy Plus: Alchemists of the Dusk Sky (2016) - My favorite of the Dusk Trilogy. Though not as many additions in its Plus version as Shallie got, it has a more satisfying alchemy system and better characters, which was enough to get me to play through twice in a row for a platinum trophy.
Runner up: Senran Kagura Shinovi Versus (2014)

PC: Mass Effect 2 (2010) - When I started making this list, this was the first game to come to mind. One of the best experiences I've had in a game, in a genre (Western RPG) that I hadn't touched before this game's prequel. Amazing characters, tight gameplay, wonderful graphics...it's really a shame the third game has such a poor ending.
Runner up: Final Fantasy XIV: Heavensward (2015)