While November has no shortage of exciting new games like Death Stranding and Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order to look forward to, many noteworthy titles have launched during the month in the past. Dragon Age: Inquisition, Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2, and Donkey Kong Country are just a few classics on our list of major November 2019 gaming anniversaries that are worth revisiting.
November 2019 Gaming Anniversaries | Dragon Age: Inquisition (5th Anniversary)
Critics praised Dragon Age: Inquisition upon its release for PlayStation 4, PlayStation 3, Xbox One, Xbox 360, and PC on November 18, 2014, stating that the title finally gave the franchise an identity. Combining the top-down combat system of Dragon Age: Origins with the action RPG elements found in Dragon Age 2, the game stands out among its peers thanks to how it allows fans to customize every battle according to their tastes. Here’s hoping that the next game in this BioWare series manages to live up to its predecessor’s pedigree. Also, here’s hoping that BioWare can still make good games.
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November 2019 Gaming Anniversaries | Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 (10th Anniversary)
It’s not hard to see why Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 is still considered by some to be one of the best Call of Duty games ever, as it offers more multiplayer features than its predecessor and includes some of the medium’s most recognizable set pieces. Sprinting through a shanty town in Rio de Janiero, defending Washington D.C. from a terrorist attack, and infiltrating a top secret Siberian base are a few sequences that fans of the series won’t soon forget. That’s not to mention the title’s inclusion of Spec Ops, a cooperative mode that allows two players to take on a variety of objective-based missions. Modern Warfare 2 is celebrating its tenth anniversary this month, as it released for PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 on November 10, 2009.
November 2019 Gaming Anniversaries | Assassin’s Creed 2 (10th Anniversary)
Assassin’s Creed 2 finally realized the potential that the Assassin’s Creed series hinted at in its first outing when the sequel released on the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 on November 17, 2009. Set during the Italian Renaissance, the game introduces fans to one of video gaming’s most recognizable mascots, Ezio Auditore da Firenze, and improves upon the gameplay of its predecessor by making combat and climbing just a little smoother. Exploring Venice, Florence, and more iconic Italian locales with the franchise’s signature parkour mechanics is fun, especially after one gains access to some of Leonardo da Vinci’s inventions. Of course, stabbing corrupt officials is a rush, too, as the story crafts one of the best revenge tales in the franchise because of how it gets you to care about its characters first. It does have a slow start, but it is worth it.
November 2019 Gaming Anniversaries | Halo 2 (15th Anniversary)
Halo 2 somehow managed to live up to the hype when it released for the original Xbox on November 9, 2004. While some may criticize the title’s cliffhanger ending (including Bungie itself), there’s no denying the huge impact it had on Microsoft’s Xbox Live service, as it was the most popular game on the platform until Gears of War released two years later for Xbox 360. Given Halo 2‘s robust suite of multiplayer features, it should come as no surprise that the title is the best-selling first generation Xbox game ever. There are undoubtedly tons of people out there that have fond memories playing Halo 2 late at night with friends.
November 2019 Gaming Anniversaries | World of Warcraft (15th Anniversary)
MMORPG World of Warcraft is practically a household name at this point. Since its launch for PC on November 23, 2004, the game has grossed over $9.23 billion in revenue thanks to its 100 million registered accounts. The variety of quests, character options, and beginner-friendly combat continues to be a major draw for users, as roughly 1.7 million people play the game today. Lapsed fans looking to return to the vanilla version of Azeroth can do so via this year’s World of Warcraft Classic. Of course, they can also revisit the franchise through other World of Warcraft-related media like comic books, trading card games, board games, and more.
November 2019 Gaming Anniversaries | Donkey Kong Country (25th Anniversary)
Donkey Kong Country is arguably one of the best Donkey Kong games ever made as it features beautifully rendered 3D models, dense environments, and fluid animations that push the Super Nintendo Entertainment System’s hardware limitations. Having sold over 9 million units since its release on November 21, 1994, the title’s gameplay is challenging but fair, constantly encouraging players to go the extra mile in order to reach out-of-the-way areas. Who can blame Retro for using this formula for Donkey Kong County Returns and Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze? It’s just that captivating.
November 2019 Gaming Anniversaries | Warcraft: Orcs and Humans (25th Anniversary)
Blizzard’s first successful title and the game that started the Warcraft franchise, Warcraft: Orcs and Humans, released for MS-DOS on November 23, 1994. The title appeals to people who don’t typically play real-time strategy games through its simple interface and robust multiplayer component. Orcs and Humans may have aged poorly, but its impact on the genre can certainly be seen in franchises like Civilization and Age of Empires.
November 2019 Gaming Anniversaries | Asteroids (40th Anniversary)
Asteroids is nothing short of a cultural phenomenon, as the arcade classic has grossed over a billion dollars since its launch sometime in November 1979. Inspiring countless clones and spawning a number of sequels, it’s hard to find anyone who isn’t familiar with the title’s signature look or gameplay. It’s the perfect game for high score junkies, as fans today continue to vie for the honor of having over 41 million points to their name.
Given how November is typically the busiest season of the year when it comes to video game releases, there’s a chance that many more notable titles will launch during the month in the future. Those that manage to garner enough critical acclaim and commercial success may even earn themselves a spot on our list of major gaming anniversaries one day.
