This is a list of video games that video game journalists or magazines have considered among the best of all time in lists dedicated to selecting the best games. Each game is included on at least six separate best-of lists from different publications (inclusive of all time periods, platforms and genres), as chosen by their editorial staffs and solicited experts.
List
| Year | Game | Genre | Developer | Publisher | Original platform(s) | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1971 | The Oregon Trail | Strategy | Don Rawitsch, Bill Heinemann, and Paul Dillenberger | 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 R&D1 | Nintendo | Arcade | ||
| Frogger | Action | Konami | 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 | General Computer Corporation | Midway | Arcade | ||
| Pitfall! | Platform | Activision | Atari 2600 | |||
| Robotron: 2084 | Top-down shooter | Vid Kidz | Williams Electronics | Arcade | ||
| 1983 | Archon: The Light and the Dark | Strategy | Free Fall Associates | Electronic Arts | Atari 8-bit | |
| Lode Runner | Platform | Doug Smith | Broderbund | Apple II | ||
| M.U.L.E. | Business simulation | Ozark Softscape | Electronic Arts | Atari 8-bit, Commodore 64 | ||
| Star Wars | Rail shooter | Atari, Inc. | Arcade | |||
| 1984 | Elite | Space flight simulator | David Braben and Ian Bell | 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 R&D4 | Nintendo | NES | ||
| Tetris | Puzzle | Alexey Pajitnov | 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 R&D4 | Nintendo | NES | ||
| Out Run | Racing | Sega | Arcade | |||
| 1987 | Contra | Run and gun | Konami | Arcade | ||
| Double Dragon | Beat 'em up | Technōs Japan | Taito | Arcade | ||
| Dungeon Master | Role-playing | FTL Games | Atari ST | |||
| Mike Tyson's Punch-Out!! | Sports | Nintendo R&D3 | 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 R&D4 | Nintendo | NES | ||
| 1989 | Final Fight | Beat 'em up | Capcom | Arcade | ||
| Populous | God game | Bullfrog Productions | Electronic Arts | Amiga | ||
| Prince of Persia | Platform | Broderbund | Apple II | |||
| SimCity | City-building | Maxis | Amiga, Mac | |||
| 1990 | The Secret of Monkey Island | Adventure | Lucasfilm Games | PC | ||
| Speedball 2: Brutal Deluxe | Sports | The Bitmap Brothers | Image Works | Amiga, Atari ST | ||
| Super Mario World | Platform | Nintendo EAD | 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 EAD | Nintendo | Super NES | ||
| Lemmings | Puzzle | DMA Design | Psygnosis | Amiga | ||
| Micro Machines | Racing | Codemasters | Camerica | NES | ||
| Monkey Island 2: LeChuck's Revenge | Adventure | LucasArts | PC | |||
| Sonic the Hedgehog | Platform | Sonic Team | 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 | Westwood Studios | Virgin Games | PC | ||
| Flashback | Platform | Delphine Software International | U.S. Gold | Amiga | ||
| Indiana Jones and the Fate of Atlantis | Adventure | LucasArts | PC | |||
| Mortal Kombat | Fighting | Midway | Arcade | |||
| Sensible Soccer | Sports | Sensible Software | Renegade Software | Amiga, Atari ST | ||
| Sonic the Hedgehog 2 | Platform | Sega Technical Institute | Sega | Sega Genesis | ||
| Star Control II | Action-adventure | Toys for Bob | Accolade | PC | ||
| Streets of Rage 2 | Beat 'em up | Sega | Sega Genesis | |||
| Super Mario Kart | Kart racing | Nintendo EAD | Nintendo | Super NES | ||
| Ultima VII: The Black Gate | Role-playing | Origin Systems | PC | |||
| Virtua Racing | Racing | Sega AM2 | Sega | Arcade | ||
| Wolfenstein 3D | First-person shooter | id Software | Apogee Software | PC | ||
| 1993 | Day of the Tentacle | Adventure | LucasArts | PC | ||
| Doom | First-person shooter | id Software | PC | |||
| Gunstar Heroes | Run and gun | Treasure | Sega | Sega Genesis | ||
| The Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening | Action-adventure | Nintendo EAD | Nintendo | Game Boy | ||
| Mega Man X | Platform | Capcom | Super NES | |||
| Mortal Kombat II | Fighting | Midway | Arcade | |||
| Myst | Adventure | Cyan | 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 EAD, Argonaut Software | Nintendo | Super NES | ||
| Syndicate | Real-time tactics | Bullfrog Productions | Electronic Arts | Amiga, PC | ||
| 1994 | Daytona USA | Racing | Sega AM2 | Sega | Arcade | |
| Donkey Kong Country | Platform | Rare | Nintendo | Super NES | ||
| Doom II | First-person shooter | id Software | PC | |||
| EarthBound | Role-playing | Ape Inc., HAL Laboratory | Nintendo | Super NES | ||
| Final Fantasy VI | Role-playing | Square | Super NES | |||
| Sensible World of Soccer | Sports | Sensible Software | Renegade Software | Amiga | ||
| Star Wars: TIE Fighter | Space flight simulator | Totally Games | LucasArts | PC | ||
| Super Metroid | Action-adventure | Nintendo R&D1, Intelligent Systems | Nintendo | Super NES | ||
| Tempest 2000 | Shoot 'em up | Llamasoft | Atari Corporation | Atari Jaguar | ||
| Theme Park | Business simulation | Bullfrog Productions | Electronic Arts | Amiga, PC | ||
| Virtua Fighter 2 | Fighting | Sega AM2 | Sega | Arcade | ||
| X-COM: UFO Defense | Turn-based strategy | Mythos Games, MicroProse | MicroProse | PC | ||
| 1995 | Chrono Trigger | Role-playing | Square | Super NES | ||
| Command & Conquer | Real-time strategy | Westwood Studios | PC | |||
| MechWarrior 2: 31st Century Combat | Vehicle simulation | Activision | PC | |||
| Sega Rally Championship | Racing | Sega AM3 | Sega | Arcade | ||
| Warcraft II: Tides of Darkness | Real-time strategy | Blizzard Entertainment | Davidson & Associates | PC | ||
| Wipeout | Racing | Psygnosis | PC, PlayStation | |||
| Worms | Artillery | Team17 | Ocean Software | Amiga | ||
| Yoshi's Island | Platform | Nintendo EAD | Nintendo | Super NES | ||
| 1996 | Civilization II | Turn-based strategy | MicroProse | PC | ||
| Command & Conquer: Red Alert | Real-time strategy | Westwood Studios | PC | |||
| Duke Nukem 3D | First-person shooter | 3D Realms | FormGen | PC | ||
| Mario Kart 64 | Kart racing | Nintendo EAD | Nintendo | Nintendo 64 | ||
| Nights into Dreams | Action | Sonic Team | Sega | Saturn | ||
| PaRappa the Rapper | Rhythm | NanaOn-Sha | Sony Computer Entertainment | PlayStation | ||
| Pokémon Red and Blue | Role-playing | Game Freak | Nintendo | Game Boy | ||
| Quake | First-person shooter | id Software | GT Interactive | PC | ||
| Resident Evil | Survival horror | Capcom | PlayStation | |||
| Super Mario 64 | Platform | Nintendo EAD | Nintendo | Nintendo 64 | ||
| Tomb Raider | Action-adventure | Core Design | Eidos Interactive | Saturn, PC, PlayStation | ||
| Wave Race 64 | Racing | Nintendo EAD | Nintendo | Nintendo 64 | ||
| Wipeout 2097 | Racing | Psygnosis | PlayStation | |||
| 1997 | Age of Empires | Real-time strategy | Ensemble Studios | Microsoft | PC | |
| Castlevania: Symphony of the Night | Action role-playing | Konami Computer Entertainment Tokyo | Konami | PlayStation | ||
| Diablo | Action role-playing | Blizzard North | Blizzard Entertainment | PC | ||
| Fallout | Role-playing | Interplay Productions | PC | |||
| Final Fantasy Tactics | Tactical role-playing | Square | PlayStation | |||
| Final Fantasy VII | Role-playing | Square | PlayStation | |||
| GoldenEye 007 | First-person shooter | Rare | Nintendo | Nintendo 64 | ||
| Gran Turismo | Racing | Polys Entertainment | Sony Computer Entertainment | PlayStation | ||
| Grand Theft Auto | Action-adventure | DMA Design | BMG Interactive | PC | ||
| Quake II | First-person shooter | id Software | Activision | PC | ||
| Star Fox 64 | Rail shooter | Nintendo EAD | 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 | Origin Systems | Electronic Arts | PC, Linux | ||
| 1998 | Baldur's Gate | Role-playing | BioWare | Black Isle Studios, Interplay Entertainment | PC | |
| Banjo-Kazooie | Platform | Rare | Nintendo | Nintendo 64 | ||
| Crash Bandicoot: Warped | Platform | Naughty Dog | Sony Computer Entertainment | PlayStation | ||
| Dance Dance Revolution | Rhythm | Bemani | Konami | Arcade | ||
| Fallout 2 | Role-playing | Black Isle Studios | Interplay Entertainment | PC | ||
| Grim Fandango | Adventure | LucasArts | PC | |||
| Half-Life | First-person shooter | Valve Corporation | Sierra Studios | PC | ||
| The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time | Action-adventure | Nintendo EAD | Nintendo | Nintendo 64 | ||
| Metal Gear Solid | Stealth | Konami Computer Entertainment Japan | Konami | PlayStation | ||
| Panzer Dragoon Saga | Role-playing | Team Andromeda | Sega | Saturn | ||
| Resident Evil 2 | Survival horror | Capcom | PlayStation | |||
| Soulcalibur | Fighting | Project Soul | Namco | Arcade | ||
| StarCraft | Real-time strategy | Blizzard Entertainment | PC | |||
| Suikoden II | Role-playing | Konami Computer Entertainment Tokyo | Konami | PlayStation | ||
| Thief: The Dark Project | Stealth | Looking Glass Studios | Eidos Interactive | PC | ||
| Xenogears | Role-playing | Square Product Development Division 3 | Square | PlayStation | ||
| 1999 | Age of Empires II | Real-time strategy | Ensemble Studios | Microsoft | PC | |
| EverQuest | MMORPG | Verant Interactive, 989 Studios | Sony Online Entertainment | PC | ||
| Homeworld | Real-time strategy | Relic Entertainment | Sierra Studios | PC | ||
| Planescape: Torment | Role-playing | Black Isle Studios | Interplay Entertainment | PC | ||
| Pokémon Gold and Silver | Role-playing | Game Freak | Nintendo | Game Boy Color | ||
| Quake III: Arena | First-person shooter | id Software | Activision | PC | ||
| Shenmue | Action-adventure | AM2 of CRI | Sega | Dreamcast | ||
| Silent Hill | Survival horror | Team Silent | Konami | PlayStation | ||
| System Shock 2 | Action role-playing | Irrational Games, Looking Glass Studios | Electronic Arts | PC | ||
| Tony Hawk's Pro Skater | Sports | Neversoft | Activision | PlayStation | ||
| Unreal Tournament | First-person shooter | Epic Games, Digital Extremes | GT Interactive | PC | ||
| 2000 | Baldur's Gate II: Shadows of Amn | Role-playing | BioWare | Black Isle Studios, Interplay Entertainment | PC | |
| Counter-Strike | First-person shooter | Valve Corporation | Sierra Studios | PC | ||
| Deus Ex | Action role-playing | Ion Storm | Eidos Interactive | PC | ||
| Diablo II | Action role-playing | Blizzard North | Blizzard Entertainment | PC | ||
| Jet Set Radio | Action | Smilebit | Sega | Dreamcast | ||
| The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask | Action-adventure | Nintendo EAD | 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 | Maxis | Electronic Arts | PC | ||
| Thief II: The Metal Age | Stealth | Looking Glass Studios | Eidos Interactive | PC | ||
| Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 2 | Sports | Neversoft | Activision | PlayStation | ||
| Vagrant Story | Action role-playing | Square Product Development Division 4 | Square | PlayStation | ||
| 2001 | Advance Wars | Turn-based strategy | Intelligent Systems | Nintendo | Game Boy Advance | |
| Animal Crossing | Life simulation | Nintendo EAD | Nintendo | Nintendo 64 | ||
| Devil May Cry | Action-adventure | Capcom Production Studio 4 | Capcom | PS2 | ||
| Final Fantasy X | Role-playing | Square Product Development Division 1 | Square | PS2 | ||
| Gran Turismo 3: A-Spec | Racing | Polyphony Digital | Sony Computer Entertainment | PS2 | ||
| Grand Theft Auto III | Action-adventure | DMA Design | Rockstar Games | PS2 | ||
| Halo: Combat Evolved | First-person shooter | Bungie | Microsoft Game Studios | Xbox | ||
| Ico | Action-adventure | Sony Computer Entertainment Japan | Sony Computer Entertainment | PS2 | ||
| Ikaruga | Shoot 'em up | Treasure | Arcade | |||
| Max Payne | Third-person shooter | Remedy Entertainment | Gathering of Developers | PC | ||
| Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty | Stealth | Konami Computer Entertainment Japan | Konami | PS2 | ||
| Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney | Adventure | Capcom Production Studio 4 | Capcom | Game Boy Advance | ||
| Rez | Rail shooter | United Game Artists | Sega | Dreamcast, PS2 | ||
| Silent Hill 2 | Survival horror | Team Silent | Konami | PS2 | ||
| Super Smash Bros. Melee | Fighting | HAL Laboratory | Nintendo | GameCube | ||
| Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 3 | Sports | Neversoft | Activision | PlayStation, PS2 | ||
| 2002 | Battlefield 1942 | First-person shooter | Digital Illusions CE | Electronic Arts | PC | |
| The Elder Scrolls III: Morrowind | Action role-playing | Bethesda Game Studios | Bethesda Softworks | PC | ||
| Eternal Darkness: Sanity's Requiem | Survival horror | Silicon Knights | Nintendo | GameCube | ||
| Grand Theft Auto: Vice City | Action-adventure | Rockstar North | Rockstar Games | PS2 | ||
| Kingdom Hearts | Action role-playing | Square | PS2 | |||
| The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker | Action-adventure | Nintendo EAD | Nintendo | GameCube | ||
| Metroid Prime | Action-adventure | Retro Studios | Nintendo | GameCube | ||
| Soulcalibur II | Fighting | Project Soul | Namco | Arcade | ||
| Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell | Stealth | Ubi Soft Montreal | Ubi Soft | Xbox | ||
| Warcraft III: Reign of Chaos | Real-time strategy | Blizzard Entertainment | PC, Mac | |||
| 2003 | Beyond Good & Evil | Action-adventure | Ubisoft Pictures, Ubisoft Milan | Ubisoft | PS2 | |
| F-Zero GX | Racing | Amusement Vision | Nintendo | GameCube | ||
| Max Payne 2: The Fall of Max Payne | Third-person shooter | Remedy Entertainment | Rockstar Games | PC | ||
| Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time | Action-adventure | Ubisoft Montreal | Ubisoft | GameCube, PS2, Xbox | ||
| Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic | Role-playing | BioWare | Microsoft Game Studios, LucasArts | Xbox | ||
| WarioWare, Inc.: Mega Microgames! | Action | Nintendo R&D1 | Nintendo | Game Boy Advance | ||
| 2004 | Burnout 3: Takedown | Racing | Criterion Games | Electronic Arts | PS2, Xbox | |
| The Chronicles of Riddick: Escape from Butcher Bay | Stealth | Starbreeze Studios, Tigon Studios | Vivendi Universal Games | Xbox | ||
| Dragon Quest VIII | Role-playing | Level-5 | Square Enix | PS2 | ||
| Gran Turismo 4 | Racing | Polyphony Digital | Sony Computer Entertainment | PS2 | ||
| Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas | Action-adventure | Rockstar North | Rockstar Games | PS2 | ||
| Half-Life 2 | First-person shooter | Valve Corporation | PC | |||
| Halo 2 | First-person shooter | Bungie | Microsoft Game Studios | Xbox | ||
| Katamari Damacy | Action | Namco | PS2 | |||
| Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater | Stealth | Konami Computer Entertainment Japan | Konami | PS2 | ||
| Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door | Role-playing | Intelligent Systems | Nintendo | GameCube | ||
| Rome: Total War | Strategy | Creative Assembly | Activision | PC | ||
| The Sims 2 | Life simulation | Maxis Redwood Shores | Electronic Arts | PC | ||
| World of Warcraft | MMORPG | Blizzard Entertainment | PC, Mac | |||
| 2005 | Call of Duty 2 | First-person shooter | Infinity Ward | Activision | PC | |
| Civilization IV | Turn-based strategy | Firaxis Games | 2K Games | PC | ||
| Devil May Cry 3: Dante's Awakening | Action-adventure | Capcom Production Studio 1 | Capcom | PS2 | ||
| God of War | Action-adventure | Santa Monica Studio | Sony Computer Entertainment | PS2 | ||
| Guitar Hero | Rhythm | Harmonix | RedOctane | PS2 | ||
| Kingdom Hearts II | Action role-playing | Square Enix Product Development Division 1 | Square Enix | PS2 | ||
| Psychonauts | Platform | Double Fine Productions | Majesco Entertainment | PC, Xbox | ||
| Resident Evil 4 | Survival horror | Capcom Production Studio 4 | Capcom | GameCube | ||
| Shadow of the Colossus | Action-adventure | Sony Computer Entertainment Japan | Sony Computer Entertainment | PS2 | ||
| Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell: Chaos Theory | Stealth | Ubisoft Montreal, Ubisoft Milan | Ubisoft | GameCube, PC, PS2, Xbox | ||
| 2006 | Company of Heroes | Real-time strategy | Relic Entertainment | THQ | PC | |
| The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion | Action role-playing | Bethesda Game Studios | 2K Games, Bethesda Softworks | PC, Xbox 360 | ||
| Gears of War | Third-person shooter | Epic Games | Microsoft Game Studios | Xbox 360 | ||
| Hitman: Blood Money | Stealth | IO Interactive | Eidos Interactive | PC, PS2, Xbox, Xbox 360 | ||
| The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess | Action-adventure | Nintendo EAD | Nintendo | GameCube, Wii | ||
| Ōkami | Action-adventure | Clover Studio | Capcom | PS2 | ||
| Wii Sports | Sports | Nintendo EAD | Nintendo | Wii | ||
| 2007 | BioShock | First-person shooter | 2K Boston, 2K Australia | 2K Games | PC, Xbox 360 | |
| Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare | First-person shooter | Infinity Ward | Activision | PC, PS3, Xbox 360 | ||
| God of War II | Action-adventure | Santa Monica Studio | Sony Computer Entertainment | PS2 | ||
| Halo 3 | First-person shooter | Bungie | Microsoft Game Studios | Xbox 360 | ||
| Mass Effect | Action role-playing | BioWare | Microsoft Game Studios | Xbox 360 | ||
| Peggle | Puzzle | PopCap Games | PC | |||
| Portal | Puzzle-platform | Valve Corporation | PC, Xbox 360 | |||
| Rock Band | Rhythm | Harmonix | MTV Games | PS3, Xbox 360 | ||
| Super Mario Galaxy | Platform | Nintendo EAD Tokyo | Nintendo | Wii | ||
| Team Fortress 2 | First-person shooter | Valve Corporation | PC, Xbox 360 | |||
| The World Ends with You | Action role-playing | Square Enix, Jupiter | Square Enix | Nintendo DS | ||
| 2008 | Braid | Puzzle-platform | Number None | Microsoft Game Studios | Xbox 360 | |
| Burnout Paradise | Racing | Criterion Games | Electronic Arts | PC, PS3, Xbox 360 | ||
| Dead Space | Survival horror | EA Redwood Shores | Electronic Arts | PC, PS3, Xbox 360 | ||
| Fable II | Action role-playing | Lionhead Studios | Microsoft Game Studios | Xbox 360 | ||
| Fallout 3 | Action role-playing | Bethesda Game Studios | Bethesda Softworks | PC, PS3, Xbox 360 | ||
| Gears of War 2 | Third-person shooter | Epic Games | Microsoft Game Studios | Xbox 360 | ||
| Grand Theft Auto IV | Action-adventure | Rockstar North | Rockstar Games | PS3, Xbox 360 | ||
| Left 4 Dead | First-person shooter | Valve South | Valve Corporation | PC, Xbox 360 | ||
| LittleBigPlanet | Platform | Media Molecule | Sony Computer Entertainment | PS3 | ||
| Persona 4 | Role-playing | Atlus | PS2 | |||
| Rock Band 2 | Rhythm | Harmonix | MTV Games | Xbox 360 | ||
| Spelunky | Platform | Mossmouth | PC | |||
| Street Fighter IV | Fighting | Capcom, Dimps | Capcom | Arcade | ||
| Super Smash Bros. Brawl | Fighting | Sora Ltd. | Nintendo | Wii | ||
| Valkyria Chronicles | Tactical role-playing | Sega | PS3 | |||
| 2009 | Angry Birds | Puzzle | Rovio Entertainment | Maemo, iOS | ||
| Assassin's Creed II | Action-adventure | Ubisoft Montreal | Ubisoft | PS3, Xbox 360 | ||
| Batman: Arkham Asylum | Action-adventure | Rocksteady Studios | Eidos Interactive, Warner Bros. | PS3, Xbox 360 | ||
| Bayonetta | Action-adventure | PlatinumGames | Sega | PS3, Xbox 360 | ||
| Borderlands | Action role-playing | Gearbox Software | 2K Games | PC, PS3, Xbox 360 | ||
| Demon's Souls | Action role-playing | FromSoftware | Sony Computer Entertainment | PS3 | ||
| Dragon Age: Origins | Role-playing | BioWare | Electronic Arts | PC, PS3, Xbox 360 | ||
| League of Legends | MOBA | Riot Games | PC | |||
| Left 4 Dead 2 | First-person shooter | Valve Corporation | PC, Xbox 360 | |||
| Plants vs. Zombies | Tower defense | PopCap Games | PC, Mac | |||
| The Sims 3 | Life simulation | Maxis Redwood Shores | Electronic Arts | PC | ||
| Uncharted 2: Among Thieves | Action-adventure | Naughty Dog | Sony Computer Entertainment | PS3 | ||
| 2010 | Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood | Action-adventure | Ubisoft Montreal | Ubisoft | PS3, Xbox 360 | |
| Civilization V | Turn-based strategy | Firaxis Games | 2K Games | PC | ||
| Fallout: New Vegas | Action role-playing | Obsidian Entertainment | Bethesda Softworks | PC, PS3, Xbox 360 | ||
| God of War III | Action-adventure | Santa Monica Studio | Sony Computer Entertainment | PS3 | ||
| Heavy Rain | Adventure | Quantic Dream | Sony Computer Entertainment | PS3 | ||
| Limbo | Puzzle-platform | Playdead | Microsoft Game Studios | Xbox 360 | ||
| Mass Effect 2 | Action role-playing | BioWare | Electronic Arts, Microsoft Game Studios | PC, Xbox 360 | ||
| Red Dead Redemption | Action-adventure | Rockstar San Diego | Rockstar Games | PS3, Xbox 360 | ||
| Rock Band 3 | Rhythm | Harmonix | 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 EAD Tokyo | Nintendo | Wii | ||
| Super Meat Boy | Platform | Team Meat | Xbox 360 | |||
| Xenoblade Chronicles | Action role-playing | Monolith Soft | Nintendo | Wii | ||
| 2011 | Batman: Arkham City | Action-adventure | Rocksteady Studios | Warner Bros. | PS3, Xbox 360 | |
| Dark Souls | Action role-playing | FromSoftware | Namco Bandai | PS3, Xbox 360 | ||
| The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim | Action role-playing | Bethesda Game Studios | Bethesda Softworks | PC, PS3, Xbox 360 | ||
| Minecraft | Sandbox | Mojang Studios | PC, Mac, Linux | |||
| Portal 2 | Puzzle-platform | Valve Corporation | PC, PS3, Xbox 360 | |||
| 2012 | Borderlands 2 | Action role-playing | Gearbox Software | 2K Games | PC, PS3, Xbox 360 | |
| Dishonored | Stealth | Arkane Studios | Bethesda Softworks | PC, PS3, Xbox 360 | ||
| Far Cry 3 | First-person shooter | Ubisoft Montreal | Ubisoft | PC, PS3, Xbox 360 | ||
| Fire Emblem Awakening | Tactical role-playing | Intelligent Systems | Nintendo | Nintendo 3DS | ||
| Hotline Miami | Top-down shooter | Dennaton Games | Devolver Digital | PC | ||
| Journey | Adventure | Thatgamecompany | Sony Computer Entertainment | PS3 | ||
| The Walking Dead | Adventure | Telltale Games | PC, PS3, Xbox 360 | |||
| XCOM: Enemy Unknown | Turn-based strategy | Firaxis Games | 2K Games | PC, PS3, Xbox 360 | ||
| 2013 | BioShock Infinite | First-person shooter | Irrational Games | 2K Games | PC, PS3, Xbox 360 | |
| Dota 2 | MOBA | Valve Corporation | PC | |||
| Final Fantasy XIV: A Realm Reborn | MMORPG | Square Enix Business Division 5 | Square Enix | PC, PS3 | ||
| Grand Theft Auto V | Action-adventure | Rockstar North | Rockstar Games | PS3, Xbox 360 | ||
| The Last of Us | Action-adventure | Naughty Dog | Sony Computer Entertainment | PS3 | ||
| Papers, Please | Puzzle | 3909 LLC | PC, Mac | |||
| 2014 | Alien: Isolation | Survival horror | Creative Assembly | Sega | PC, PS3, PS4, Xbox 360, Xbox One | |
| Destiny | First-person shooter | Bungie | Activision | PS3, PS4, Xbox 360, Xbox One | ||
| Hearthstone | Digital collectible card | Blizzard Entertainment | PC, Mac | |||
| Mario Kart 8 | Kart racing | Nintendo EAD | Nintendo | Wii U | ||
| Shovel Knight | Platform | Yacht Club Games | Nintendo 3DS, PC, Wii U | |||
| 2015 | Bloodborne | Action role-playing | FromSoftware | 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 Red | CD Projekt | PC, PS4, Xbox One | ||
| 2016 | Dishonored 2 | Stealth | Arkane Lyon | Bethesda Softworks | PC, PS4, Xbox One | |
| Inside | Puzzle-platform | Playdead | Xbox One, PC | |||
| Overwatch | First-person shooter | Blizzard Entertainment | PC, PS4, Xbox One | |||
| Persona 5 | Role-playing | P-Studio | Atlus | PS3, PS4 | ||
| Stardew Valley | Farm life simulation | ConcernedApe | Chucklefish | PC | ||
| Uncharted 4: A Thief's End | Action-adventure | Naughty Dog | Sony Computer Entertainment | PS4 | ||
| The Witness | Puzzle | Thekla, Inc. | PC, PS4 | |||
| 2017 | Fortnite | Third-person shooter | Epic Games | PC, Mac, PS4, Xbox One | ||
| Hollow Knight | Action-adventure | Team Cherry | PC | |||
| The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild | Action-adventure | Nintendo EPD | Nintendo | Nintendo Switch, Wii U | ||
| Super Mario Odyssey | Platform | Nintendo EPD | Nintendo | Nintendo Switch | ||
| 2018 | Celeste | Platform | Maddy Makes Games | Linux, Mac, Nintendo Switch, PC, PS4 | ||
| God of War | Action-adventure | Santa Monica Studio | Sony Interactive Entertainment | PS4 | ||
| Red Dead Redemption 2 | Action-adventure | Rockstar Games | PS4, Xbox One | |||
| Return of the Obra Dinn | Adventure | Lucas Pope | 3909 LLC. | Mac, PC | ||
| Super Smash Bros. Ultimate | Fighting | Bandai Namco Studios, Sora Ltd | Nintendo | Nintendo Switch | ||
| 2019 | Disco Elysium | Role-playing | ZA/UM | PC | ||
| 2020 | Animal Crossing: New Horizons | Life simulation | Nintendo EPD | Nintendo | Nintendo Switch | |
| Hades | Roguelike | Supergiant Games | PC, Mac, Nintendo Switch | |||
| 2022 | Elden Ring | Action role-playing | FromSoftware | Bandai Namco | PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S | |
| 2023 | Baldur's Gate 3 | Role-playing | Larian Studios | PC | ||
Publications
The reference numbers in the notes section show which of the 54 selected publications list the game.
- 1001 Video Games You Must Play Before You Die – 2013
- The Age – 2005
- Collider – 2020
- Dexerto – 2024, 2025
- Digital Trends – 2023
- Digitally Downloaded – 2016
- Electric Playground Network – 2013
- Edge – 2000, 2009, 2015, 2017
- Electronic Fun with Computers & Games – 1984
- Empire – 2009
- Entertainment Weekly – 2003
- Esquire – 2018, 2019, 2020
- FHM – 2010
- Flux – 1995
- G4 – 2012
- GamesMaster – 1994, 1996
- Gamecenter – 2000
- Game Informer – 2009, 2018
- Game On! From Pong to Oblivion – 2006
- GameSpot – 2000, 2007
- GameSpy – 2001
- Gamereactor – 2011, 2017, 2022
- GamesRadar+ – 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2021
- GamesTM – 2010, 2015, 2018
- Gameswelt – 2012, 2016
- GamingBolt – 2013, 2022, 2023, 2024
- GQ – 2013, 2023
- The Greatest Games – 1985
- Hardcore Gaming 101 – 2015, 2020
- Hyper – 1995, 1997, 1999
- IGN – 2003, 2005, 2007, 2015, 2018, 2019, 2021
- The Independent – 1999, 2025
- The Irish Times – 2013
- Jeuxvideo.com – 2011, 2017
- Mashable – 2020
- Multiplayer.it - 2025
- Next Generation – 1996, 1999
- Parade – 2023
- Polygon – 2017
- Popular Mechanics – 2014, 2019
- Power Unlimited – 2015
- PPE – 2021
- Rolling Stone - 2025
- Screen Rant – 2024
- Slant Magazine – 2014, 2018, 2020
- Stuff – 2008, 2014, 2017
- Super GamePower – 2001
- Sydney Morning Herald – 2002
- The Times – 2023
- Time – 2012, 2016
- Total Games Network – 1999
- USA Today / Sports Illustrated – 2022, 2023, 2024
- TheWrap – 2017
- Yahoo! – 2005
See also
wikipedia, wiki, encyclopedia, book, library, article, read, free download, Information about List of video games listed among the best, What is List of video games listed among the best? What does List of video games listed among the best mean?