A collage of some of the characters in Kotaku's biggest stories of 2023.

Image: Marvel / HBO / CD Projekt Red / Funko / Kotaku / Eightshot_Studio (Shutterstock)

What were you loyal Kotaku readers most interested in this year? Despite 2023 offering us scammers in Congress, a megolomaniac destroying one of the most popular social media websites of all time, and a pop star dating an NFL football hero, gamers remained laser-focused on the things that matter most to them as a subculture: retro games, asset theft, Funko pops, and vaginas.

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The variety of stories gathered here is a testament to the well-roundedness of your average Kotaku reader. For reference, last year’s list can be found right here, and yes, it contained hentai.

This year, however, you were interested in interviews with boundary-breaking women in the industry, commentary about HBO’s The Last of Us series, and even an Across the Spider-Verse secret. So without further ado, here are the top 10 Kotaku stories of 2023, starting with the most popular one. Did your favorite post make the cut?


PC Game Accused Of ‘Asset Theft’ Removed From Steam

A mage leads three other adventurers down a dark stone hallway.

Image: Ironmace


Mind Blown: Across The Spider-Verse Has Multiple Versions Out In Theaters

Miles and Gwen sit next to each other in a movie theater.

Screenshot: Sony Pictures Animation / GSCinemas / Kotaku


Wizards Of The Coast Raids YouTuber’s House To Take Back Magic: The Gathering Cards

Angels descend from the heavens.

Image: Wizards of the Coast


YouTuber Buys Every Single Video Game On The Wii U And 3DS eShops Before They Close

The Completionist talks to the camera with a Super Mario gameplay screen inlay.

Screenshot: The Completionist


The Witcher 3’s Next-Gen Vaginas Were ‘Unintended,’ Devs Say

Yennefer gives a sideways glance.

Image: CD Projekt Red


Over $30 Million Worth Of Funkos Are Headed To The Landfill

A Grogu Funko pop meditates on top of a landfill.

Image: Funko / Kotaku / Peter Macdiarmid (Getty Images)


The Last Of Us Show Tries To Change What The Game Told Us About Joel

Joel looks concerned while wind ruffles his hair.

Screenshot: HBO / Naughty Dog


Overwatch 2's Unhinged April Fools Patch Notes Will Activate Your Fight Or Flight Response

Junkrat sports googly eyes while detonating a bomb.

Image: Blizzard


Meet The Psychologist Determined To Prove Video Games Are Good, Actually

Dr. Rachel Kowert smiles in front of a vaporwave background.

Image: Dr. Rachel Kowert / Vicky Leta


Meet The Brilliant Scholar Who’s Challenging Racism In Game Design

Kishonna Gray stands in front of a vaporwave background.

Image: Kishonna Gray / Vicky Leta


There they are, the biggest Kotaku stories of 2023. Was there something you read this year that you thought would be here, or a story that specifically stood out to you? Drop your favorite Kotaku post of the year in the comments below.