There are a lot of great games released each year, but if you’re someone who loves playing video games and also enjoys analyzing and comparing them, here are the 50 best video games of all time, according to critics.
1. Super Mario Bros.
This is the game that started it all: the flagship, defining title of a series that still provides endless exploration and fun. It’s one of the best games ever made, but it doesn’t have to be.
2. Sonic the Hedgehog 2
With a new level of speed and fluidity, Sonic the Hedgehog 2 improved on the formula of its predecessor but maintained its fast-paced craziness. If you ever played the original, you know why this is such an important title.
3. Doom
The game that single-handedly made first-person shooters a thing and set a precedent for shooter games today. Doom provided fast-paced shooting action and got considered to be one of the most intense experiences on the PC.
4. The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past
One of the greatest Zelda games ever made, A Link to the Past, brought Zelda into a whole new beautiful-looking world. It was the first true 3-D Zelda game and was lauded by critics for its atmospheric, creepy vibe.
5. Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty
The second entry in the Metal Gear Solid series offers an all-new set of story elements that give a lot of depth to the series. It’s considered one of the best stealth games ever made and continues to be praised today as one of the best games ever made. People still talk about the ending even to this day.
6. Grand Theft Auto 3
The third installment in the Grand Theft Auto series, GTA 3, improved on what was already an extremely successful and popular formula. With an open-world city and even more things to do, the game offered a lot of replayability.
7. The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time
The first 3-D Zelda title is one of the most engaging and well-known games of all time. The game is still widely considered one of the best, and it has inspired countless other games to try to achieve a similar formula.
8. The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim
The fifth main installment of the Elder Scrolls series is considered one of the greatest RPGs in history. It has won a ton of awards and has inspired countless people to dive into the world of Tamriel.
9. Super Mario World
More Mario goodness! Super Mario World is the first game to introduce Yoshi, a baby dinosaur that helps you traverse above and below the ground. It’s considered to be one of the best platforming games ever made.
10. Katamari Damacy
Katamari Damacy is one of the quirkiest and most original games out there to date. It’s charming, simple, and funny.
11. The Legend of Zelda: A Link Between Worlds
The first Zelda title was released on a Nintendo handheld. It brings together two of the best elements from past Zelda titles: an epic story combined with unforgettable gaming moments.
12. Super Mario 64
The first 3-D Mario game was so good that it created a sub-genre of 3-D platformers. The game’s level design is praised and is one of the most memorable titles in the series.
13. Portal
Portal took some elements from what made games like Half-Life great and combined them with innovative puzzle gameplay to create something unique. Its dark humor and creative puzzles make it one of the most memorable games in history.
14. Grand Theft Auto Vice City
Vice City is the second installment in the Grand Theft Auto series to be set in the fictional city of Miami. It was a huge success and one of the most popular games of its time.
15. Portal 2
As if the first Portal game wasn’t great enough, Portal 2 improved on everything. It’s considered one of the greatest puzzle games of all time, if not the greatest.
16. Super Mario Galaxy
The third 3-D installment in the Mario series is considered to be one of Nintendo’s best titles. It’s praised for its creative and memorable level design, despite being a platformer.
17. The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion
Oblivion is one of the greatest RPGs ever made and has earned countless awards for its amazing graphics, open world, and story.
18. Final Fantasy 8
Final Fantasy 8 was the first Final Fantasy game to be released on Playstation, and it brought a new style of gameplay to PS1. It was also the first Final Fantasy to use fully-voiced story sequences.
19. The Legend of Zelda: Majora’s Mask
Majora’s Mask was one of the first Zelda games to include a time-travel mechanic, which had never been done before in the series. It’s considered one of the best Zeldas made and received a ton of acclaim for its unique gameplay.
20. Metal Gear Solid
The first Metal Gear game was revolutionary for its time and the best videogame to be released. It brought stealth gameplay into the spotlight and got praised for its amazing story and gameplay mechanics.
21. Super Mario 64 DS
The second 3-D Mario game on the original Nintendo DS system. The game improves on everything from the original but does run at a lower frame rate. We wish they had just gone with 60 frames per second, if you ask us.
22. Mass Effect 2
Mass Effect 2 is a sequel to the original Mass Effect, a third-person shooter RPG with amazing story content and characters.
23. Bioshock Infinite
A third-person shooter like few others, Bioshock Infinite brought many new ideas to the table and had gamers talking about it in an entirely different way than they usually do. It was the subject of some controversy towards the end.
24. The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time
Ocarina of Time was one of the first 3-D Zelda titles to be released, and it was one of the best. It took everything that worked in Ocarina and made it better. Even now, people are hoping for a remake.
25. Bioshock
The first Bioshock game brought a mature and unique take to the shooter genre with its story, characters, and gameplay. It’s the most critically acclaimed game in the series and got acclaimed by critics, gamers, and developers alike.
26. Mass Effect
Mass Effect takes many elements from other science fiction game like Star Wars and Star Trek and combines them with a great story and gameplay. It’s considered to be one of the best games in the Mass Effect series.
27. Chrono Trigger
Chrono Trigger is one of the most iconic, influential, and warmly-received role-playing games of all time. With a unique setting and cast of characters, it’s still considered one of the greatest.
28. Super Mario 3D Land
Super Mario 3D Land was the best videogame and the first game to be released on a Nintendo platform with the same hardware as Wii. It’s considered by some to be the best 3-D Mario game ever made and one of the greatest platformers in history.
29. Portal 2
Portal 2 improved on what made Portal great. It’s considered to be one of the best puzzle games of all time and one of the most innovative and unique titles in its genre
30. Final Fantasy X-2
Final Fantasy X-2 is a direct sequel to Final Fantasy X and takes place many years after the first game. It doesn’t get much more classic JRPG than this title.
31. The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time
Ocarina of Time was the first Zelda game to feature 3-D graphics and to include polygonal characters. It set the standard for future Zelda titles and is considered by many to be one of the greatest games ever.
32. Final Fantasy 9
This is another game that’s considered one of the best RPGs ever made. Final Fantasy 9 uses a lot of different gameplay ideas that had never been used before, combining them with a great story.
33. Red Dead Redemption
Red Dead Redemption was the breakthrough game that introduced gamers to the Western genre. It took many elements from old-school Western movies and brought them to life in an open-world game.
34. Sid Meier’s Civilization
Sid Meier’s Civilization is a turn-based strategy game with RPG elements. It continues the highly addictive gameplay that made the original Civilization one of the greatest games ever made.
35. Mega-Man 2
Mega-Man 2 is considered the best game in the classic NES series, and it’s often cited as one of the greatest game of all time.
36. Mass Effect
Mass Effect takes an action-heavy approach to its sci-fi storyline and has won numerous awards for its gameplay and storytelling.
37. Final Fantasy 12
This is the first game in the main Final Fantasy series to use only one character for the entire story. It’s considered to be one of the greatest games in the genre and is currently available on PS3 and PC.
38. Castlevania 2: Simon’s Quest
Castlevania 2: Simon’s Quest was an early example of open-world gameplay in a video game. It was one of the best games available on the NES.
39. Assassin’s Creed 3
This is the first game in the Assassin’s Creed series during the American Revolution. It’s been called one of the best games in the franchise.
40. Mass Effect 2
Mass Effect 2 is a sequel to the original Mass Effect, and it improves on every aspect. It’s considered to be one of the best games in the entire series.
41. The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess
This game brought Zelda’s gameplay into 3-D and won numerous awards for its story and gameplay. It was one of the best games available on the Gamecube.
42. The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim
The fifth game in the Elder Scrolls series, Skyrim is widely known as one of the most innovative and enjoyable games of all time. You really can’t go wrong with this title.
43. Doom
Doom is one of the best games ever made, despite being the first FPS game. Despite this, it’s still considered to be one of the greatest games ever made.
44. The Legend of Zelda: Wind Waker
The second Zelda title on this list, Wind Waker, takes many elements from Link to the Past and mixes it with cel-shaded graphics and gameplay that’s fun for all ages. It’s one of the most loved Zelda titles.
45. Skyrim
The fifth Elder Scrolls game, Skyrim, is considered one of the best games in the entire series. It’s full of exciting and engaging quests and gameplay.
46. Super Mario 64
This was one of the first sandbox games ever made, bringing a huge amount of variation to a genre that was previously very formulaic. It’s still widely considered to be one of the greatest games ever.
47. The Legend of Zelda: Oracle of Ages
The second Zelda game on this list, Oracle of Ages, was an early NES game remake. It was one of the best games available for the Game Boy Advance.
48. The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion
With its huge and open-world gameplay, it’s hard not to love Oblivion. It’s considered by many to be one of the best games in the series.
49. The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword
Skyward Sword is the newest game on this list and one of the best in the series. It’s considered to be one of the most innovative and fun-to-play games ever made.
50. Mega Man
Mega Man is considered by many to be the greatest video game character ever. Though he has many similarities to other characters in the franchise, he’s still unique because of his unique powers and personality.
Conclusion
Gaming is an ever-evolving art form that’s full of innovation and creativity. If something is exciting or innovative to play, you can bet that there will be a game for it at the time.
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