List of video games considered the best


This is a list of video games that have consistently been considered the best of all time by video game journalists and critics. The games listed here are included on at least six separate "best/greatest of all time" lists from different publications. While any single publication's list reflects the personal opinions of its writers, when the lists are taken in aggregate, a handful of notable games have achieved something approaching critical consensus by multiple appearances in such lists.

List

YearGameGenrePublisherOriginal platformRef
1972PongSportsAtariArcade
1977ZorkAdventureInfocomPDP-10
1978Space InvadersShoot 'em upTaitoArcade
1979AsteroidsShoot 'em upAtariArcade
1980AdventureAction-adventureAtariAtari 2600
1980Missile CommandShoot 'em upAtariArcade
1980Pac-ManMazeNamcoArcade
1981DefenderShoot 'em upWilliams EntertainmentArcade
1981Donkey KongPlatformNintendoArcade
1981GalagaShoot 'em upNamcoArcade
1982JoustActionWilliams EntertainmentArcade
1982Ms. Pac-ManMazeMidwayArcade
1982Pitfall!PlatformActivisionAtari 2600
1982'Top-down shooterWilliams EntertainmentArcade
1984EliteSpace flight simulatorAcornsoftBBC Micro
1984Marble MadnessActionAtari GamesArcade
1984TetrisPuzzleElorgElectronika 60
1985GauntletAction role-playingAtari GamesArcade
1985Super Mario Bros.PlatformNintendoNES
1986Bubble BobblePlatformTaitoArcade
1986The Legend of ZeldaAction-adventureNintendoNES
1986Out RunRacingSegaArcade
1987ContraRun and gunKonamiArcade
1987Double DragonBeat 'em upTechnos JapanArcade
1987Mike Tyson's Punch-Out!!SportsNintendoNES
1987R-TypeShoot 'em upIremArcade
1988Mega Man 2PlatformCapcomNES
1988Super Mario Bros. 3PlatformNintendoNES
1989Prince of PersiaPlatformBroderbundApple II
1989SimCityCity-buildingMaxisAmiga, Macintosh
1990The Secret of Monkey IslandAdventureLucasArtsPC
1990Super Mario WorldPlatformNintendoSuper NES
1991Another WorldPlatformDelphine SoftwareAmiga, Atari ST
1991CivilizationTurn-based strategyMicroProsePC
1991'Action-adventureNintendoSuper NES
1991LemmingsPuzzlePsygnosisAmiga
1991'AdventureLucasArtsPC
1991Sonic the HedgehogPlatformSegaSega Genesis
1991'FightingCapcomArcade
1992Mortal KombatFightingMidwayArcade
1992Sonic the Hedgehog 2PlatformSegaSega Genesis
1992Super Mario KartKart racingNintendoSuper NES
1992Wolfenstein 3DFirst-person shooterApogee SoftwarePC
1993Day of the TentacleAdventureLucasArtsPC
1993Daytona USARacingSegaArcade
1993DoomFirst-person shooterid SoftwarePC
1993'Action-adventureNintendoGame Boy
1993Mortal Kombat IIFightingMidwayArcade
1993MystAdventureBroderbundMacintosh
1993NBA JamSportsMidwayArcade
1993'Role-playingSegaSega Genesis
1993Sam & Max Hit the RoadAdventureLucasArtsPC
1993Secret of ManaAction role-playingSquareSuper NES
1993SimCity 2000City-buildingMaxisMacintosh
1993Star FoxShoot 'em upNintendoSuper NES
1993SyndicateReal-time tacticsElectronic ArtsAmiga, PC
1994Donkey Kong CountryPlatformNintendoSuper NES
1994EarthBoundRole-playingNintendoSuper NES
1994Final Fantasy VIRole-playingSquareSuper NES
1994'Space flight simulatorLucasArtsPC
1994Super MetroidAction-adventureNintendoSuper NES
1994'Turn-based strategyMicroProsePC
1995Chrono TriggerRole-playingSquareSuper NES
1995'Real-time strategyBlizzard EntertainmentPC
1995Yoshi's IslandPlatformNintendoSuper NES
1996Civilization IITurn-based strategyMicroProsePC
1996'Real-time strategyVirgin InteractivePC
1996Duke Nukem 3DFirst-person shooterGT InteractivePC
1996Nights into Dreams...ActionSegaSega Saturn
1996Pokémon Red and BlueRole-playingNintendoGame Boy
1996QuakeFirst-person shooterGT InteractivePC
1996Resident EvilSurvival horrorCapcomPlayStation
1996Super Mario 64PlatformNintendoNintendo 64
1996Tomb RaiderAction-adventureEidos InteractiveSega Saturn, PlayStation
1997'Action-adventureKonamiPlayStation
1997DiabloAction role-playingBlizzard EntertainmentPC
1997FalloutRole-playingInterplay EntertainmentPC
1997Final Fantasy TacticsTactical role-playingSquarePlayStation
1997Final Fantasy VIIRole-playingSquarePlayStation
1997GoldenEye 007First-person shooterNintendoNintendo 64
1997Gran TurismoRacingSony Computer EntertainmentPlayStation
1997Star Fox 64Shoot 'em upNintendoNintendo 64
1997'First-person shooterLucasArtsPC
1997Tekken 3FightingNamcoArcade
1998Fallout 2Role-playingInterplay EntertainmentPC
1998Grim FandangoAdventureLucasArtsPC
1998Half-LifeFirst-person shooterSierra StudiosPC
1998'Action-adventureNintendoNintendo 64
1998Metal Gear SolidStealthKonamiPlayStation
1998Panzer Dragoon SagaRole-playingSegaSega Saturn
1998Resident Evil 2Survival horrorCapcomPlayStation
1998SoulCaliburFightingNamcoArcade
1998StarCraftReal-time strategyBlizzard EntertainmentPC
1998'StealthEidos InteractivePC
1999Age of Empires IIReal-time strategyMicrosoft Game StudiosPC
1999EverQuestMMORPGSony Online EntertainmentPC
1999HomeworldReal-time strategySierra StudiosPC
1999'Role-playingInterplay EntertainmentPC
1999'First-person shooterActivisionPC
1999ShenmueAdventureSegaDreamcast
1999System Shock 2First-person shooterElectronic ArtsPC
1999Unreal TournamentFirst-person shooterGT InteractivePC
2000'Role-playingBlack Isle StudiosPC
2000Counter-StrikeFirst-person shooterValvePC
2000Deus ExAction role-playingEidos InteractivePC
2000Diablo IIAction role-playingBlizzard EntertainmentPC
2000Jet Set RadioPlatformSegaDreamcast
2000'Action-adventureNintendoNintendo 64
2000The SimsLife simulationElectronic ArtsPC
2000'StealthEidos InteractivePC
2000Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 2SportsActivisionPlayStation
2001Advance WarsTurn-based tacticsNintendoGame Boy Advance
2001Animal CrossingLife simulationNintendoGameCube
2001Final Fantasy XRole-playingSquarePlayStation 2
2001'RacingSony Computer EntertainmentPlayStation 2
2001Grand Theft Auto IIIAction-adventureRockstar GamesPlayStation 2
2001'First-person shooterMicrosoft Game StudiosXbox
2001IcoAction-adventureSony Computer EntertainmentPlayStation 2
2001IkarugaShoot 'em upSegaArcade
2001Max PayneThird-person shooterGathering of DevelopersPC
2001'StealthKonamiPlayStation 2
2001RezShoot 'em upSegaDreamcast, PlayStation 2
2001Silent Hill 2Survival horrorKonamiPlayStation 2
2001Super Smash Bros. MeleeFightingNintendoGameCube
2002'Action-adventureRockstar GamesPlayStation 2
2002Kingdom HeartsAction role-playingSquaresoftPlayStation 2
2002'Action-adventureNintendoGameCube
2002Metroid PrimeAction-adventureNintendoGameCube
2002Soulcalibur IIFightingNamcoArcade
2003Beyond Good & EvilAction-adventureUbisoftPlayStation 2
2003'Action-adventureUbisoftPlayStation 2
2003'Role-playingLucasArtsXbox
2003'ActionNintendoGame Boy Advance
2004'RacingElectronic ArtsPlayStation 2, Xbox
2004'Action-adventureRockstar GamesPlayStation 2
2004Half-Life 2First-person shooterValvePC
2004Katamari DamacyActionNamcoPlayStation 2
2004'StealthKonamiPlayStation 2
2004'StrategyActivisionPC
2004World of WarcraftMMORPGBlizzard EntertainmentPC
2005Civilization IVTurn-based strategy2K GamesPC
2005'Action-adventureCapcomPlayStation 2
2005God of WarAction-adventureSony Computer EntertainmentPlayStation 2
2005Guitar HeroRhythmRedOctanePlayStation 2
2005PsychonautsPlatformMajescoPC
2005Resident Evil 4Survival horrorCapcomGameCube
2005Shadow of the ColossusAction-adventureSony Computer EntertainmentPlayStation 2
2005'StealthUbisoftGameCube, PC, PlayStation 2, Xbox
2006'Role-playingBethesda SoftworksPC, Xbox 360
2006Gears of WarThird-person shooterMicrosoft Game StudiosXbox 360
2006'StealthEidos InteractivePC, PlayStation 2, Xbox, Xbox 360
2006ŌkamiAction-adventureCapcomPlayStation 2
2006Wii SportsSportsNintendoWii
2007BioShockFirst-person shooter2K GamesPC, Xbox 360
2007'First-person shooterActivisionPC, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360
2007God of War IIAction-adventureSony Computer EntertainmentPlayStation 2
2007Halo 3First-person shooterMicrosoft Game StudiosXbox 360
2007PortalPuzzle-platformerValvePC, Xbox 360
2007Super Mario GalaxyPlatformNintendoWii
2007Team Fortress 2First-person shooterValvePC
2008BraidPuzzle-platformerMicrosoft Game StudiosXbox 360
2008Dead SpaceSurvival horrorElectronic ArtsPlayStation 3, Xbox 360
2008Fallout 3Action role-playingBethesda SoftworksPC, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360
2008Grand Theft Auto IVAction-adventureRockstar GamesPlayStation 3, Xbox 360
2008Left 4 DeadFirst-person shooterValvePC
2008Persona 4Role-playingAtlusPlayStation 2
2008SpelunkyPlatformDerek YuPC
2008Street Fighter IVFightingCapcomArcade
2009Assassin's Creed IIAction-adventureUbisoftPlayStation 3, Xbox 360
2009'Action-adventureWarner Bros. Interactive EntertainmentPlayStation 3, Xbox 360
2009Left 4 Dead 2First-person shooterValvePC, Xbox 360
2009'Action-adventureSony Computer EntertainmentPlayStation 3
2010LimboPlatformMicrosoft Game StudiosXbox 360
2010Mass Effect 2Action role-playingElectronic ArtsPC, Xbox 360
2010Red Dead RedemptionAction-adventureRockstar GamesPlayStation 3, Xbox 360
2010Rock Band 3RhythmMTV GamesPlayStation 3, Xbox 360, Wii, Nintendo DS
2010'Real-time strategyBlizzard EntertainmentPC
2010Super Mario Galaxy 2PlatformNintendoWii
2010Super Meat BoyPlatformTeam MeatXbox 360
2011'Action-adventureWarner Bros. Interactive EntertainmentPlayStation 3, Xbox 360
2011Dark SoulsAction role-playingNamco Bandai GamesPlayStation 3, Xbox 360
2011'Action role-playingBethesda SoftworksPC, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360
2011MinecraftSandboxMojangPC
2011Portal 2Puzzle-platformerValvePC, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360
2012DishonoredStealthBethesda SoftworksPC, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360
2012JourneyAdventureSony Computer EntertainmentPlayStation 3
2012The Walking DeadAdventureTelltale GamesPC, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360
2013Dota 2MOBAValvePC
2013Grand Theft Auto VAction-adventureRockstar GamesPlayStation 3, Xbox 360
2013The Last of UsAction-adventureSony Computer EntertainmentPlayStation 3
2015BloodborneAction role-playingSony Computer EntertainmentPlayStation 4
2015'Action role-playingCD ProjektPC, PlayStation 4, Xbox One
2016InsidePlatformPlaydeadXbox One
2016OverwatchFirst-person shooterBlizzard EntertainmentPC, PlayStation 4, Xbox One
2017Action-adventureNintendoNintendo Switch, Wii U

ListPublicationListPublication
List 1Flux, 1995List 25GamingBolt, 2013
List 2 Hyper, 1995List 26The Irish Times, 2013
List 3Next Generation, 1996List 27GamesRadar, 2014
List 4Next Generation, 1999List 28Slant Magazine, 2014
List 5Entertainment Weekly, 2003List 29Popular Mechanics, 2014
List 6IGN, 2003List 30GamesRadar, 2015
List 7The Age, 2005List 31IGN, 2015
List 8IGN, 2005List 32Edge, 2015
List 9Yahoo!, 2005List 33Hardcore Gaming 101, 2015
List 10GameSpot, 2007List 34Time, 2016
List 11IGN, 2007List 35TheWrap, 2017
List 12Stuff, 2008List 36Edge, 2017
List 13Empire, 2009List 37Jeuxvideo.com, 2017
List 14Game Informer, 2009List 38Stuff.tv, 2017
List 15FHM, 2010List 39Polygon, 2017
List 16GamesTM, 2010List 40Power Unlimited, 2018
List 17Jeuxvideo.com, 2011List 41Game Informer, 2018
List 18GamesRadar, 2011List 42Slant Magazine, 2018
List 19Gamereactor, 2011List 43IGN, 2018
List 20Stuff.tv, 2011List 44GQ, 2018
List 21GamesRadar, 2012List 45Popular Mechanics, 2019
List 22G4, 2012List 46IGN, 2019
List 23Time, 2012List 47Slant Magazine, 2020
List 24GamesRadar, 2013--