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  • 21 Aug, 2019

  • By, Wikipedia

Greatest Video Games
This is a list of video games that multiple video game journalists or magazines have considered to be among the best of all time. The games listed here are included on at least six separate "best/greatest of all time" lists from different publications (inclusive of all time periods, platforms, and genres), as chosen by their editorial staffs.

List

video games considered the best
Year Game Genre Publisher Original platform(s) Ref.
1971 The Oregon Trail Strategy MECC HP 2100
1972 Pong Sports Atari, Inc. Arcade
1977 Combat Top-down shooter Atari, Inc. Atari 2600
Zork Adventure Infocom PDP-10
1978 Space Invaders Shoot 'em up Taito Arcade
1979 Asteroids Shoot 'em up Atari, Inc. Arcade
1980 Adventure Action-adventure Atari, Inc. Atari 2600
Battlezone Vehicle simulation Atari, Inc. Arcade
Missile Command Shoot 'em up Atari, Inc. Arcade
Pac-Man Maze Namco Arcade
1981 Centipede Shoot 'em up Atari, Inc. Arcade
Defender Shoot 'em up Williams Electronics Arcade
Donkey Kong Platform Nintendo Arcade
Frogger Action Konami, Sega Arcade
Galaga Shoot 'em up Namco Arcade
Tempest Shoot 'em up Atari, Inc. Arcade
Wizardry: Proving Grounds of the Mad Overlord Role-playing Sir-Tech Apple II
1982 Joust Action Williams Electronics Arcade
Ms. Pac-Man Maze Midway Arcade
Pitfall! Platform Activision Atari 2600
Robotron: 2084 Top-down shooter Williams Electronics Arcade
1983 Archon: The Light and the Dark Strategy Electronic Arts Atari 8-bit
Lode Runner Platform Broderbund Apple II
M.U.L.E. Business simulation Electronic Arts Atari 8-bit
Star Wars Rail shooter Atari, Inc. Arcade
1984 Elite Space flight simulator Acornsoft BBC Micro
Marble Madness Action Atari Games Arcade
1985 Gauntlet Hack and slash Atari Games Arcade
Ghosts 'n Goblins Platform Capcom Arcade
Super Mario Bros. Platform Nintendo NES
Tetris Puzzle Elorg Electronika 60
Ultima IV: Quest of the Avatar Role-playing Origin Systems Apple II
1986 Arkanoid Block breaker Taito Arcade
Bubble Bobble Platform Taito Arcade
The Legend of Zelda Action-adventure Nintendo NES
Out Run Racing Sega Arcade
1987 Contra Run and gun Konami Arcade
Double Dragon Beat 'em up Technos Japan Arcade
Dungeon Master Role-playing FTL Games Atari ST
Mike Tyson's Punch-Out!! Sports Nintendo NES
R-Type Shoot 'em up Irem Arcade
Sid Meier's Pirates! Action-adventure MicroProse Commodore 64
1988 Mega Man 2 Platform Capcom NES
Ninja Gaiden Platform Tecmo NES
Super Mario Bros. 3 Platform Nintendo NES
1989 Final Fight Beat 'em up Capcom Arcade
Populous God game Electronic Arts Amiga
Prince of Persia Platform Broderbund Apple II
SimCity City-building Maxis Amiga, Mac
1990 The Secret of Monkey Island Adventure LucasArts PC
Speedball 2: Brutal Deluxe Sports Image Works Amiga, Atari ST
Super Mario World Platform Nintendo Super NES
Wing Commander Space flight simulator Origin Systems PC
1991 Another World Platform Delphine Software Amiga, Atari ST
Civilization Turn-based strategy MicroProse PC
Final Fantasy IV Role-playing Square Super NES
The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past Action-adventure Nintendo Super NES
Lemmings Puzzle Psygnosis Amiga
Micro Machines Racing Camerica NES
Monkey Island 2: LeChuck's Revenge Adventure LucasArts PC
Sonic the Hedgehog Platform Sega Sega Genesis
Street Fighter II Fighting Capcom Arcade
Super Castlevania IV Platform Konami Super NES
1992 Alone in the Dark Survival horror Infogrames PC
Contra III: The Alien Wars Run and gun Konami Super NES
Dune II Real-time strategy Virgin Games PC
Flashback Platform U.S. Gold Amiga
Indiana Jones and the Fate of Atlantis Adventure LucasArts PC
Mortal Kombat Fighting Midway Arcade
Sensible Soccer Sports Renegade Software Amiga, Atari ST
Sonic the Hedgehog 2 Platform Sega Sega Genesis
Star Control II Action-adventure Accolade PC
Streets of Rage 2 Beat 'em up Sega Sega Genesis
Super Mario Kart Kart racing Nintendo Super NES
Ultima VII: The Black Gate Role-playing Origin Systems PC
Virtua Racing Racing Sega Arcade
Wolfenstein 3D First-person shooter Apogee Software PC
1993 Day of the Tentacle Adventure LucasArts PC
Doom First-person shooter id Software PC
Gunstar Heroes Run and gun Sega Sega Genesis
The Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening Action-adventure Nintendo Game Boy
Mega Man X Platform Capcom Super NES
Mortal Kombat II Fighting Midway Arcade
Myst Adventure Broderbund Mac
NBA Jam Sports Midway Arcade
Phantasy Star IV Role-playing Sega Sega Genesis
Ridge Racer Racing Namco Arcade
Sam & Max Hit the Road Adventure LucasArts PC
Secret of Mana Action role-playing Square Super NES
Samurai Shodown Fighting SNK Arcade
SimCity 2000 City-building Maxis Mac
Star Fox Rail shooter Nintendo Super NES
Syndicate Real-time tactics Electronic Arts Amiga, PC
1994 Daytona USA Racing Sega Arcade
Donkey Kong Country Platform Nintendo Super NES
Doom II First-person shooter GT Interactive PC
EarthBound Role-playing Nintendo Super NES
Final Fantasy VI Role-playing Square Super NES
Sega Rally Championship Racing Sega Arcade
Sensible World of Soccer Sports Renegade Software Amiga
Star Wars: TIE Fighter Space flight simulator LucasArts PC
Super Metroid Action-adventure Nintendo Super NES
Tempest 2000 Shoot 'em up Atari Corporation Atari Jaguar
Theme Park Business simulation Electronic Arts Amiga, PC
Virtua Fighter 2 Fighting Sega Arcade
X-COM: UFO Defense Turn-based strategy MicroProse PC
1995 Chrono Trigger Role-playing Square Super NES
Command & Conquer Real-time strategy Virgin Interactive PC
MechWarrior 2: 31st Century Combat Vehicle simulation Activision PC
Warcraft II: Tides of Darkness Real-time strategy Blizzard Entertainment PC
Wipeout Racing Psygnosis PC, PlayStation
Worms Artillery Ocean Software Amiga
Yoshi's Island Platform Nintendo Super NES
1996 Civilization II Turn-based strategy MicroProse PC
Command & Conquer: Red Alert Real-time strategy Virgin Interactive PC
Duke Nukem 3D First-person shooter GT Interactive PC
Mario Kart 64 Kart racing Nintendo Nintendo 64
Nights into Dreams Action Sega Saturn
PaRappa the Rapper Rhythm Sony Computer Entertainment PlayStation
Pokémon Red and Blue Role-playing Nintendo Game Boy
Quake First-person shooter GT Interactive PC
Resident Evil Survival horror Capcom PlayStation
Super Mario 64 Platform Nintendo Nintendo 64
Tomb Raider Action-adventure Eidos Interactive Saturn, PC, PlayStation
Wave Race 64 Racing Nintendo Nintendo 64
Wipeout 2097 Racing Psygnosis PlayStation
1997 Age of Empires Real-time strategy Microsoft PC
Castlevania: Symphony of the Night Action-adventure Konami PlayStation
Diablo Action role-playing Blizzard Entertainment PC
Fallout Role-playing Interplay Entertainment PC
Final Fantasy Tactics Tactical role-playing Square PlayStation
Final Fantasy VII Role-playing Square PlayStation
GoldenEye 007 First-person shooter Nintendo Nintendo 64
Gran Turismo Racing Sony Computer Entertainment PlayStation
Grand Theft Auto Action-adventure BMG Interactive PC
Quake II First-person shooter Activision PC
Star Fox 64 Rail shooter Nintendo Nintendo 64
Star Wars Jedi Knight: Dark Forces II First-person shooter LucasArts PC
Tekken 3 Fighting Namco Arcade
Total Annihilation Real-time strategy Cavedog Entertainment PC, Mac
Ultima Online MMORPG Electronic Arts PC, Linux
1998 Baldur's Gate Role-playing Black Isle Studios PC
Crash Bandicoot: Warped Platform Sony Computer Entertainment PlayStation
Dance Dance Revolution Rhythm Konami Arcade
Fallout 2 Role-playing Interplay Entertainment PC
Grim Fandango Adventure LucasArts PC
Half-Life First-person shooter Sierra Studios PC
The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time Action-adventure Nintendo Nintendo 64
Metal Gear Solid Stealth Konami PlayStation
Panzer Dragoon Saga Role-playing Sega Saturn
Resident Evil 2 Survival horror Capcom PlayStation
Soulcalibur Fighting Namco Arcade
StarCraft Real-time strategy Blizzard Entertainment PC
Suikoden II Role-playing Konami PlayStation
Thief: The Dark Project Stealth Eidos Interactive PC
1999 Age of Empires II Real-time strategy Microsoft PC
EverQuest MMORPG Sony Online Entertainment PC
Homeworld Real-time strategy Sierra Studios PC
Planescape: Torment Role-playing Interplay Entertainment PC
Pokémon Gold and Silver Role-playing Nintendo Game Boy Color
Quake III: Arena First-person shooter Activision PC
Shenmue Action-adventure Sega Dreamcast
Silent Hill Survival horror Konami PlayStation
System Shock 2 Action role-playing Electronic Arts PC
Unreal Tournament First-person shooter GT Interactive PC
2000 Baldur's Gate II: Shadows of Amn Role-playing Black Isle Studios PC
Counter-Strike First-person shooter Valve PC
Deus Ex Action role-playing Eidos Interactive PC
Diablo II Action role-playing Blizzard Entertainment PC
Jet Set Radio Action Sega Dreamcast
The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask Action-adventure Nintendo Nintendo 64
Perfect Dark First-person shooter Rare Nintendo 64
Marvel vs. Capcom 2: New Age of Heroes Fighting Capcom Arcade
The Sims Life simulation Electronic Arts PC
Thief II: The Metal Age Stealth Eidos Interactive PC
Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 2 Sports Activision PlayStation
Vagrant Story Action role-playing Square PlayStation
2001 Advance Wars Turn-based strategy Nintendo Game Boy Advance
Animal Crossing Life simulation Nintendo GameCube
Devil May Cry Action-adventure Capcom PS2
Final Fantasy X Role-playing Square PS2
Gran Turismo 3: A-Spec Racing Sony Computer Entertainment PS2
Grand Theft Auto III Action-adventure Rockstar Games PS2
Halo: Combat Evolved First-person shooter Microsoft Game Studios Xbox
Ico Action-adventure Sony Computer Entertainment PS2
Ikaruga Shoot 'em up Treasure Arcade
Max Payne Third-person shooter Gathering of Developers PC
Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty Stealth Konami PS2
Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney Adventure Capcom Game Boy Advance
Rez Rail shooter Sega Dreamcast, PS2
Silent Hill 2 Survival horror Konami PS2
Super Smash Bros. Melee Fighting Nintendo GameCube
Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 3 Sports Activision PlayStation, PS2
2002 Battlefield 1942 First-person shooter Electronic Arts PC
The Elder Scrolls III: Morrowind Action role-playing Bethesda Softworks PC
Eternal Darkness: Sanity's Requiem Survival horror Nintendo GameCube
Grand Theft Auto: Vice City Action-adventure Rockstar Games PS2
Kingdom Hearts Action role-playing Square PS2
The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker Action-adventure Nintendo GameCube
Metroid Prime Action-adventure Nintendo GameCube
Soulcalibur II Fighting Namco Arcade
Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell Stealth Ubisoft Xbox
Warcraft III: Reign of Chaos Real-time strategy Blizzard Entertainment PC, Mac
2003 Beyond Good & Evil Action-adventure Ubisoft PS2
F-Zero GX Racing Nintendo GameCube
Max Payne 2: The Fall of Max Payne Third-person shooter Rockstar Games PC
Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time Action-adventure Ubisoft GameCube, PS2, Xbox
Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic Role-playing LucasArts Xbox
WarioWare, Inc.: Mega Microgames! Action Nintendo Game Boy Advance
2004 Burnout 3: Takedown Racing Electronic Arts PS2, Xbox
The Chronicles of Riddick: Escape from Butcher Bay Stealth Vivendi Universal Games Xbox
Dragon Quest VIII Role-playing Square Enix PS2
Gran Turismo 4 Racing Sony Computer Entertainment PS2
Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas Action-adventure Rockstar Games PS2
Half-Life 2 First-person shooter Valve PC
Halo 2 First-person shooter Microsoft Game Studios Xbox
Katamari Damacy Action Namco PS2
Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater Stealth Konami PS2
Rome: Total War Strategy Activision PC
The Sims 2 Life simulation Electronic Arts PC
World of Warcraft MMORPG Blizzard Entertainment PC, Mac
2005 Call of Duty 2 First-person shooter Activision PC
Civilization IV Turn-based strategy 2K Games PC
Devil May Cry 3: Dante's Awakening Action-adventure Capcom PS2
God of War Action-adventure Sony Computer Entertainment PS2
Guitar Hero Rhythm RedOctane PS2
Psychonauts Platform Majesco PC, Xbox
Resident Evil 4 Survival horror Capcom GameCube
Shadow of the Colossus Action-adventure Sony Computer Entertainment PS2
Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell: Chaos Theory Stealth Ubisoft GameCube, PC, PS2, Xbox
2006 Company of Heroes Real-time strategy THQ PC
The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Action role-playing 2K Games, Bethesda Softworks PC, Xbox 360
Gears of War Third-person shooter Microsoft Game Studios Xbox 360
Hitman: Blood Money Stealth Eidos Interactive PC, PS2, Xbox, Xbox 360
The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess Action-adventure Nintendo GameCube, Wii
Ōkami Action-adventure Capcom PS2
Wii Sports Sports Nintendo Wii
2007 BioShock First-person shooter 2K Games PC, Xbox 360
Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare First-person shooter Activision PC, PS3, Xbox 360
God of War II Action-adventure Sony Computer Entertainment PS2
Halo 3 First-person shooter Microsoft Game Studios Xbox 360
Mass Effect Action role-playing Microsoft Game Studios Xbox 360
Peggle Puzzle PopCap Games PC
Portal Puzzle-platformer Valve PC, Xbox 360
Rock Band Rhythm MTV Games PS3, Xbox 360
Super Mario Galaxy Platform Nintendo Wii
Team Fortress 2 First-person shooter Valve PC, Xbox 360
The World Ends with You Action role-playing Square Enix Nintendo DS
2008 Braid Puzzle-platformer Microsoft Game Studios Xbox 360
Burnout Paradise Racing Electronic Arts PC, PS3, Xbox 360
Dead Space Survival horror Electronic Arts PC, PS3, Xbox 360
Fable II Action role-playing Microsoft Game Studios Xbox 360
Fallout 3 Action role-playing Bethesda Softworks PC, PS3, Xbox 360
Gears of War 2 Third-person shooter Microsoft Game Studios Xbox 360
Grand Theft Auto IV Action-adventure Rockstar Games PS3, Xbox 360
Left 4 Dead First-person shooter Valve PC, Xbox 360
LittleBigPlanet Platform Sony Computer Entertainment PS3
Persona 4 Role-playing Atlus PS2
Rock Band 2 Rhythm MTV Games Xbox 360
Spelunky Platform Derek Yu PC
Street Fighter IV Fighting Capcom Arcade
Super Smash Bros. Brawl Fighting Nintendo Wii
Valkyria Chronicles Tactical role-playing Sega PS3
2009 Angry Birds Puzzle Rovio Entertainment Maemo, iOS
Assassin's Creed II Action-adventure Ubisoft PS3, Xbox 360
Batman: Arkham Asylum Action-adventure Eidos Interactive, Warner Bros. PS3, Xbox 360
Bayonetta Action-adventure Sega PS3, Xbox 360
Borderlands Action role-playing 2K Games PC, PS3, Xbox 360
Demon's Souls Action role-playing Sony Computer Entertainment PS3
Dragon Age: Origins Role-playing Electronic Arts PC, PS3, Xbox 360
League of Legends MOBA Riot Games PC
Left 4 Dead 2 First-person shooter Valve PC, Xbox 360
Plants vs. Zombies Tower defense PopCap Games PC, Mac
Uncharted 2: Among Thieves Action-adventure Sony Computer Entertainment PS3
2010 Civilization V Turn-based strategy 2K Games PC
God of War III Action-adventure Sony Computer Entertainment PS3
Heavy Rain Adventure Sony Computer Entertainment PS3
Limbo Puzzle-platformer Microsoft Game Studios Xbox 360
Mass Effect 2 Action role-playing Electronic Arts PC, Xbox 360
Red Dead Redemption Action-adventure Rockstar Games PS3, Xbox 360
Rock Band 3 Rhythm MTV Games Nintendo DS, PS3, Xbox 360, Wii
StarCraft II: Wings of Liberty Real-time strategy Blizzard Entertainment PC, Mac
Super Mario Galaxy 2 Platform Nintendo Wii
Super Meat Boy Platform Team Meat Xbox 360
Xenoblade Chronicles Action role-playing Nintendo Wii
2011 Batman: Arkham City Action-adventure Warner Bros. PS3, Xbox 360
Dark Souls Action role-playing Namco Bandai PS3, Xbox 360
The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim Action role-playing Bethesda Softworks PC, PS3, Xbox 360
Minecraft Sandbox Mojang PC, Mac, Linux
Portal 2 Puzzle-platformer Valve PC, PS3, Xbox 360
2012 Borderlands 2 Action role-playing 2K Games PC, PS3, Xbox 360
Dishonored Stealth Bethesda Softworks PC, PS3, Xbox 360
Far Cry 3 First-person shooter Ubisoft PC, PS3, Xbox 360
Fire Emblem Awakening Tactical role-playing Nintendo Nintendo 3DS
Hotline Miami Top-down shooter Devolver Digital PC
Journey Adventure Sony Computer Entertainment PS3
The Walking Dead Adventure Telltale Games PC, PS3, Xbox 360
XCOM: Enemy Unknown Turn-based strategy 2K Games PC, PS3, Xbox 360
2013 BioShock Infinite First-person shooter 2K Games PC, PS3, Xbox 360
Dota 2 MOBA Valve PC
Grand Theft Auto V Action-adventure Rockstar Games PS3, Xbox 360
The Last of Us Action-adventure Sony Computer Entertainment PS3
Papers, Please Puzzle 3909 LLC PC, Mac
2014 Alien: Isolation Survival horror Sega PC, PS3, PS4, Xbox 360, Xbox One
Destiny First-person shooter Activision PS3, PS4, Xbox 360, Xbox One
Hearthstone Digital collectible card Blizzard Entertainment PC, Mac
Mario Kart 8 Kart racing Nintendo Wii U
Shovel Knight Platform Yacht Club Games Nintendo 3DS, PC, Wii U
2015 Bloodborne Action role-playing Sony Computer Entertainment PS4
Rocket League Sports Psyonix PC, PS4
Undertale Role-playing Toby Fox PC, Mac
The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt Action role-playing CD Projekt PC, PS4, Xbox One
2016 Dishonored 2 Stealth Bethesda Softworks PC, PS4, Xbox One
Inside Puzzle-platformer Playdead Xbox One, PC
Overwatch First-person shooter Blizzard Entertainment PC, PS4, Xbox One
Persona 5 Role-playing Atlus PS3, PS4
Stardew Valley Farm life simulation Chucklefish PC
Uncharted 4: A Thief's End Action-adventure Sony Computer Entertainment PS4
2017 Fortnite Third-person shooter Epic Games PC, Mac, PS4, Xbox One
The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild Action-adventure Nintendo Nintendo Switch, Wii U
Super Mario Odyssey Platform Nintendo Nintendo Switch
2018 God of War Action-adventure Sony Interactive Entertainment PS4
Red Dead Redemption 2 Action-adventure Rockstar Games PS4, Xbox One
Super Smash Bros. Ultimate Fighting Nintendo Nintendo Switch
2019 Disco Elysium Role-playing ZA/UM PC
2020 Hades Action role-playing Supergiant Games PC, Mac, Nintendo Switch
2022 Elden Ring Action role-playing Bandai Namco PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S

Publications

The reference numbers in the notes section show which of the 51 selected publications list the game.

See also