Greatest video games of all time
Over the years, numerous gaming magazines and websites have churned out a ton of ranked lists as part of an ongoing attempt to comprehensively document the top 10 (or top 100, or 200, or whatever) video games of all time.
This page aims to offer a summary of some of the leading Top 10s, as excerpted from various Top 100 (and up) lists.
Skip to the bottom for a condensed summary of my overall findings.
Standards for list inclusion
I have tried to be as diverse and inclusive as possible in my selection of lists. My only criteria is that any included list must:
- attempt to document the greatest / most important / most influential games of all time, as opposed to merely the best of a single decade, year, or “era;”
- represent a fair, serious, and mature effort (as in, not absurdly esoteric or biased towards one particular genre or platform)
- originate from a relatively established and professional outlet (as in, written by someone, or some institution, with the capacity to speak from a position of relative expertise, or have commissioned a credible public study or survey)
Now based on your perspective, some of the lists below will obviously appear more credible than others, but overall I erred on the side of quantity over quality. By assembling as vast a collection of lists as possible, I was hoping to see if there appears to be any critical consensus regarding which games are truly history’s best.
My findings come at the end.
A brief warning about controversies ahead!
Obviously, what makes these lists fun is their inherently controversial nature. Every list will contain some outrageous exclusions and inclusions, and any one list could easily spawn much argument. That being said, I have provoked controversy by choosing to include a few lists from the 1990s and early 2000s that only features games published on Nintendo-brand hardware platforms, and the occasional list that only includes games playable on the PC. I have not, however, included Sega, Microsoft, or Sony lists of a similar limitation.
My logic was thus: Nintendo systems and the personal computer are the two longest-running styles of gaming platforms in existence, having occupied a dominant chunk of the marketplace since at least the mid-1980s. While such lists will be unavoidably exclusionary, I’m not convinced that the bias of their exclusion is extreme enough to justify ignoring the useful insights brought by their inclusion.
In other words, I believe this page is better able to document great games from the 1980s through early 1990s by including narrow lists from a time when the video game marketplace itself was narrower than it is today.
Legend
| Nintendo | Sony and Microsoft | Sega and misc. |
|---|
 NES (1985-1994) |  PlayStation (1995-2004) |  Genesis (1988-1996) |
 Game Boy (1989-2002) |  PlayStation 2 (2000-2013) |  Saturn (1994-1998) |
 SNES (1991-1998) |  PlayStation 3 (2006- ) |  Dreamcast (1998-2003) |
 N64 (1996-2003) |  PlayStation Portable (2004- ) |  Personal Computer |
 GameCube (2001-2006) |  Xbox (2001-2008) |  Arcade |
 DS (2004- ) |  Xbox 360 (2005- ) |  Atari 2600 |
 Wii (2006- ) | |  Multiple |
 Wii U (2012- ) | | |
Another note: As the years progress, games tend to migrate onto more and more systems. Super Mario Bros. eventually made its way to the Game Boy Advance, Ocarina of Time wound up on the 3DS, and now, in our modern era of e-shops and downloadable content, you can basically play everything on everything. That being said, in the interest of most accurately representing a game’s origin story, whenever possible I have tagged a game with the name of whichever platform it was initially designed for. Games that were always intended to be played on multiple platforms at the time of their original debut are the ones that get the “multiple” tag. At times, this required a bit of subjectivity, and as I am not the world’s greatest gaming historian please email me if you believe I am misrepresenting a game’s background.
I use English names for games (if a distinct one exists), but usually Japanese release dates.
| Rank | Title | Publisher | Year |
|---|
| 1 | Tetris | Alexey Pajitnov | 1987 |
| 2 | Super Mario Bros. 3 | Nintendo | 1990 |
| 3 | The Legend of Zelda | Nintendo | 1986 |
| 4 | DOOM | id / GT Interactive | 1993 |
| 5 | Pokémon | Nintendo | 1995 |
| 6 | Ms. Pac Man | Namco | 1982 |
| 7 | World of Warcraft | Blizzard | 2004 |
| 8 | Minecraft | Markus Persson | 2011 |
| 9 | Street Fighter II | Capcom | 1991 |
| 10 | Super Metroid | Nintendo | 1994 |
IGN (2015)
| Rank | Title | Publisher | Year |
|---|
| 1 | Super Mario Bros. 3 | Nintendo | 1990 |
| 2 | The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past | Nintendo | 1992 |
| 3 | DOOM | id / GT Interactive | 1993 |
| 4 | Super Mario Bros. | Nintendo | 1985 |
| 5 | Portal 2 | Valve | 2011 |
| 6 | Half-Life 2 | Valve | 2004 |
| 7 | Super Metroid | Nintendo | 1994 |
| 8 | The Legend of Zelda: The Ocarina of Time | Nintendo | 1998 |
| 9 | Halo 2 | Bundle Studios | 2004 |
| 10 | Tetris | Alexey Pajitnov | 1987 |
Official Nintendo Magazine [UK] (2014, issue 114)
| Rank | Title | Publisher | Year |
|---|
| 1 | The Legend of Zelda: The Ocarina of Time | Nintendo | 1998 |
| 1 | Super Mario Galaxy | Nintendo | 2007 |
| 3 | Super Mario World | Nintendo | 1991 |
| 4 | Super Smash Bros. Melee | Nintendo | 2001 |
| 5 | Mario Kart 8 | Nintendo | 2014 |
| 6 | Super Mario 64 | Nintendo | 1996 |
| 7 | Super Metroid | Nintendo | 1994 |
| 8 | Goldeneye 007 | Rare | 1997 |
| 9 | Super Mario Galaxy 2 | Nintendo | 2010 |
| 10 | Pokemon HeartGold / SoulSilver | Nintendo | 2010 |
Note: This list featured a tie for first place.
| Rank | Title | Publisher | Year |
|---|
| 1 | The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time | Nintendo | 1998 |
| 2 | Tetris | Alexey Pajitnov | 1987 |
| 3 | Half-Life 2 | Valve | 2004 |
| 4 | Super Mario World | Nintendo | 1991 |
| 5 | Chrono Trigger | Squaresoft | 1995 |
| 6 | Portal 2 | Valve | 2011 |
| 7 | Mass Effect 2 | BioWare | 2010 |
| 8 | The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim | Bethesda | 2011 |
| 9 | Resident Evil 4 | Capcom | 2005 |
| 10 | Goldeneye 007 | Rare | 1997 |
| Rank | Title | Publisher | Year |
|---|
| 1 | Portal | Valve | 2004 |
| 2 | Chrono Trigger | Squaresoft | 1995 |
| 3 | Super Metroid | Nintendo | 1994 |
| 4 | Shadow of the Colossus | Bluepoint | 2005 |
| 5 | Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker | Nintendo | 2003 |
| 6 | Bioshock | 2K Games | 2007 |
| 7 | Super Mario World | Nintendo | 1991 |
| 8 | The Last of Us | Naughty Dog | 2013 |
| 9 | The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past | Nintendo | 1992 |
| 10 | World of Warcraft | Blizzard | 2004 |
| Rank | Title | Publisher | Year |
|---|
| 1 | The Last of Us | Naughty Dog | 2013 |
| 2 | The Legend of Zelda: The Ocarina of Time | Nintendo | 1998 |
| 3 | World of Warcraft | Blizzard | 2004 |
| 4 | Final Fantasy VII | Squareshoft | 1997 |
| 5 | Metal Gear Solid | Konami | 1998 |
| 6 | Goldeneye 007 | Rare | 1997 |
| 7 | Shenmue | Sega | 2000 |
| 8 | Grand Theft Auto V | Rockstar | 2015 |
| 9 | Red Dead Redemption | Rockstar | 2010 |
| 10 | Halo: Combat Evolved | Bungie Studios | 2001 |
| Rank | Title | Publisher | Year |
|---|
| 1 | Portal | Valve | 2004 |
| 2 | Tetris | Alexey Pajitnov | 1987 |
| 3 | Chrono Trigger | Squaresoft | 1995 |
| 4 | Super Mario Bros. 3 | Nintendo | 1990 |
| 5 | Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker | Nintendo | 2003 |
| 6 | Grand Theft Auto IV | Rockstar Games | 2008 |
| 7 | Shadow of the Colossus | Bluepoint | 2005 |
| 8 | Bioshock | 2K Games | 2007 |
| 9 | Super Metroid | Squaresoft | 1994 |
| 10 | Mass Effect 2 | BioWare | 2010 |
| Rank | Title | Publisher | Year |
|---|
| 1 | The Legend of Zelda: The Ocarina of Time | Nintendo | 1998 |
| 2 | Super Mario Bros. 3 | Nintendo | 1990 |
| 3 | Pong | Atari | 1972 |
| 4 | Super Mario Bros. | Nintendo | 1985 |
| 5 | The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past | Nintendo | 1992 |
| 6 | Half-Life | Valve | 2004 |
| 7 | Pitfall | Activision | 1984 |
| 8 | Prince of Persia | Brøderbund | 1989 |
| 9 | Pac-Man | Namco | 1980 |
| 10 | DOOM | id / GT Interactive | 1993 |
G4 (2012)
| Rank | Title | Publisher | Year |
|---|
| 1 | Super Mario Bros. | Nintendo | 1985 |
| 2 | The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past | Nintendo | 1992 |
| 3 | Bioshock | 2K Games | 2008 |
| 4 | Asteroids | Atari | 1979 |
| 5 | Tetris | Alexey Pajitnov | 1987 |
| 6 | The Legend of Zelda | Nintendo | 1986 |
| 7 | Super Mario Bros. 3 | Nintendo | 1990 |
| 8 | Goldeneye 007 | Rare | 1997 |
| 9 | Shadow of the Colossus | Bluepoint | 2005 |
| 10 | World of Warcraft | Blizzard | 2004 |
Unikgamer (2012)
| Rank | Title | Publisher | Year |
|---|
| 1 | Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time | Nintendo | 1998 |
| 2 | Mass Effect 2 | BioWare | 2010 |
| 3 | Half-Life 2 | Valve | 2004 |
| 4 | Final Fantasy VII | Squaresoft | 1997 |
| 5 | Fallout 3 | Bethesda | 2008 |
| 6 | Mass Effect | BioWare | 2007 |
| 7 | Metal Gear Solid | Konami | 1998 |
| 8 | Portal | Valve | 2007 |
| 9 | Chrono Trigger | Squaresoft | 1995 |
| 10 | Uncharted 2: Among Thieves | Naughty Dog | 2009 |
PC Gamer (2012)
| Rank | Title | Publisher | Year |
|---|
| 1 | Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time | Nintendo | 1998 |
| 2 | Mass Effect 2 | BioWare | 2010 |
| 3 | Half-Life 2 | Valve | 2004 |
| 4 | Final Fantasy VII | Squaresoft | 1997 |
| 5 | Fallout 3 | Bethesda | 2008 |
| 6 | Mass Effect | BioWare | 2007 |
| 7 | Metal Gear Solid | Konami | 1998 |
| 8 | Portal | Valve | 2007 |
| 9 | Chrono Trigger | Squaresoft | 1995 |
| 10 | Uncharted 2: Among Thieves | Naughty Dog | 2009 |
Official Nintendo Magazine [UK] (2012)
| Rank | Title | Publisher | Year |
|---|
| 1 | Super Mario Galaxy 2 | Nintendo | 2010 |
| 2 | The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword | Nintendo | 2011 |
| 3 | Super Mario Bros. | Nintendo | 1985 |
| 4 | The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time | Nintendo | 1998 |
| 5 | Pokemon Black / White Version | Nintendo | 2011 |
| 6 | Mario Kart Wii | Nintendo | 2007 |
| 7 | Super Mario 64 | Nintendo | 1996 |
| 8 | Super Mario World | Nintendo | 1991 |
| 9 | The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker | Nintendo | 2003 |
| 10 | Super Smash Bros. Brawl | Nintendo | 2008 |
Nintendo Power (2012, issue 285)
| Rank | Title | Publisher | Year |
|---|
| 1 | The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time | Nintendo | 1998 |
| 2 | The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past | Nintendo | 1992 |
| 3 | Super Mario Galaxy | Nintendo | 2007 |
| 4 | Final Fantasy III (VI) | Squaresoft | 1994 |
| 5 | Super Mario World | Nintendo | 1991 |
| 6 | Mega Man 2 | Nintendo | 1989 |
| 7 | Super Mario Bros. 3 | Nintendo | 1990 |
| 8 | Super Metroid | Nintendo | 1994 |
| 9 | The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker | Nintendo | 2003 |
| 10 | Resident Evil 4 | Capcom | 2005 |
PC Gamer (2012)
| Rank | Title | Publisher | Year |
|---|
| 1 | Portal | Valve | 2007 |
| 2 | The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim | Bethesda | 2011 |
| 3 | Team Fortress 2 | Valve | 2010 |
| 4 | Fallout 3 | Bethesda | 2008 |
| 5 | Dragon Age: Orgins | BioWare | 2009 |
| 6 | World of Warcraft | Blizzard | 2004 |
| 7 | The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion | Bethesda | 2006 |
| 8 | ArmA II | Bohemia | 2009 |
| 9 | Civilization IV | Firaxis Games | 2005 |
| 10 | StarCraft II | Blizzard | 2010 |
| Rank | Title | Publisher | Year |
|---|
| 1 | Super Mario 64 | Nintendo | 1996 |
| 2 | Out of This World | Interplay | 1991 |
| 3 | Donkey Kong Country | Rare | 1994 |
| 4 | Deus Ex | Ion Storm | 2000 |
| 5 | Batman Arkham Asylum | Edios | 2009 |
| 6 | Mass Effect | BioWare | 2007 |
| 7 | Hitman 2 : Silent Assassin | Eidos | 2002 |
| 8 | Final Fantasy VII | Squarest | 1997 |
| 9 | World of Warcraft | Blizzard | 2004 |
| 10 | Duke Nukem 3D | GT Interactive | 1996 |
Games Radar (2011)
| Rank | Title | Publisher | Year |
|---|
| 1 | Portal | Valve | 2004 |
| 2 | Tetris | Alexey Pajitnov | 1987 |
| 3 | Chrono Trigger | Squaresoft | 1995 |
| 4 | Grand Theft Auto IV | Rockstar Games | 2008 |
| 5 | Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker | Nintendo | 2003 |
| 6 | Super Mario Bros. 3 | Nintendo | 1990 |
| 7 | Shadow of the Colossus | Bluepoint | 2005 |
| 8 | Half-Life 2 | Valve | 2004 |
| 9 | Super Metroid | Squaresoft | 1994 |
| 10 | Mass Effect 2 | BioWare | 2010 |
| Rank | Title | Publisher | Year |
|---|
| 1 | Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time | Nintendo | 1998 |
| 2 | Super Mario World | Nintendo | 1991 |
| 3 | Super Mario Galaxy 2 | Nintendo | 2010 |
| 4 | Super Mario Bros. 3 | Nintendo | 1990 |
| 5 | Chrono Trigger | Squaresoft | 1995 |
| 6 | Final Fantasy VII | Squaresoft | 1997 |
| 7 | Super Mario 64 | Nintendo | 1996 |
| 8 | Super Mario Galaxy | Nintendo | 2007 |
| 9 | Super Smash Bros. Brawl | Nintendo | 2008 |
| 10 | Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past | Nintendo | 1992 |
| Rank | Title | Publisher | Year |
|---|
| 1 | Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time | Nintendo | 1998 |
| 2 | Halo: Combat Evolved | Bungie Studios | 2001 |
| 3 | Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare | Activision | 2007 |
| 4 | Super Mario 64 | Nintendo | 1996 |
| 5 | Final Fantasy VII | Squaresoft | 1997 |
| 6 | Super Mario Bros. | Nintendo | 1985 |
| 7 | Halo | Bungie Studios | 2007 |
| 8 | Grand Theft Auto IV | Rockstar Games | 2008 |
| 9 | BioShock | 2K Games | 2007 |
| 10 | GoldenEye 007 | Rare | 1997 |
| Rank | Title | Publisher | Year |
|---|
| 1 | Super Mario Kart | Nintendo | 1992 |
| 2 | Tetris | Alexey Pajitnov | 1987 |
| 3 | Grand Theft Auto | Rockstar Games | 1997 |
| 4 | Super Mario World | Nintendo | 1991 |
| 5 | The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time | Nintendo | 1998 |
| 6 | Halo: Combat Evolved | Bungie Studios | 2001 |
| 7 | Resident Evil 4 | Capcom | 2005 |
| 8 | Final Fantasy XII | Square | 2006 |
| 9 | Street Fighter II | Capcom | 1991 |
| 10 | GoldenEye 007 | Rare | 1997 |
FHM (2009)
| Rank | Title | Publisher | Year |
|---|
| 1 | The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time | Nintendo | 1998 |
| 2 | Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare | Activision | 2007 |
| 3 | Super Mario 64 | Nintendo | 1996 |
| 4 | Fallout 3 | Bethesda | 2008 |
| 5 | Super Mario Kart | Nintendo | 1992 |
| 6 | GoldenEye 007 | Rare | 1997 |
| 7 | Super Mario Galaxy | Nintendo | 2007 |
| 8 | Star Wars: TIE Fighter | LucasArts | 1995 |
| 9 | Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell | Ubisoft | 2005 |
| 10 | The Legend of Zelda: Links' Awakening | Nintendo | 1993 |
| Rank | Title | Publisher | Year |
|---|
| 1 | Out of This World | Interplay | 1991 |
| 2 | Super Mario Bros. 3 | Nintendo | 1990 |
| 3 | Half-Life 2 | Valve | 2004 |
| 4 | Mother 3 | Nintendo | 2005 |
| 5 | Pac-Man: Championship Edition | Namco | 2007 |
| 6 | Gears of War | Epic | 2006 |
| 7 | Street Fighter III: Third Strike | Capcom | 1999 |
| 8 | Cave Story | Pixel Studios | 2004 |
| 9 | Chrono Trigger | Squaresoft | 1995 |
| 10 | Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater | Konami | 2004 |
Game Informer Magazine (2009, issue 200)
| Rank | Title | Publisher | Year |
|---|
| 1 | The Legend of Zelda | Nintendo | 1986 |
| 2 | Super Mario Bros. | Nintendo | 1985 |
| 3 | Tetris | Alexey Pajitnov | 1987 |
| 4 | Grand Theft Auto III | Rockstar Games | 2001 |
| 5 | Half-Life 2 | Valve | 2004 |
| 6 | DOOM | id / GT Interactive | 1993 |
| 7 | Metroid | Nintendo | 1986 |
| 8 | Final Fantasy III (IV) | Squaresoft | 1994 |
| 9 | Super Mario Bros. 3 | Nintendo | 1990 |
| 10 | Ms. Pac-Man | Namco | 1981 |
| Rank | Title | Publisher | Year |
|---|
| 1 | Super Mario World | Nintendo | 1991 |
| 2 | Final Fantasy VII | Squaresoft | 1997 |
| 3 | World of Warcraft | Blizzard | 2004 |
| 4 | Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare | Activision | 2007 |
| 5 | Sid Meier's Civilization | Micropose | 1991 |
| 6 | Street Fighter II | Capcom | 1991 |
| 7 | DOOM | id / GT Interactive | 1993 |
| 8 | Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time | Nintendo | 1998 |
| 9 | Super Mario 64 | Nintendo | 1996 |
| 10 | GoldenEye 007 | Rare | 1997 |
| Rank | Title | Publisher | Year |
|---|
| 1 | The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time | Nintendo | 1998 |
| 2 | Super Mario 64 | Nintendo | 1996 |
| 3 | Half-Life 2 | Valve | 2004 |
| 4 | Resident Evil 4 | Capcom | 2004 |
| 5 | Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past | Nintendo | 1992 |
| 6 | Super Mario World | Nintendo | 1991 |
| 7 | Tetris | Alexey Pajitnov | 1987 |
| 8 | Super Mario Galaxy | Nintendo | 2007 |
| 9 | Halo 3 | Bungie Studios | 2007 |
| 10 | Super Mario World 2: Yoshi's Island | Nintendo | 1995 |
| Rank | Title | Publisher | Year |
|---|
| 1 | Super Mario Bros. | Nintendo | 1985 |
| 2 | Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time | Nintendo | 1998 |
| 3 | Super Mario Galaxy | Nintendo | 2007 |
| 4 | Mario Kart Wii | Nintendo | 2007 |
| 5 | Tetris | Alexey Pajitnov | 1987 |
| 6 | Super Mario 64 | Nintendo | 1996 |
| 7 | Super Mario World | Nintendo | 1991 |
| 8 | Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past | Nintendo | 1992 |
| 9 | Resident Evil 4 | Capcom | 2005 |
| 10 | Street Fighter II | Capcom | 1991 |
| Rank | Title | Publisher | Year |
|---|
| 1 | The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time | Nintendo | 1998 |
| 2 | Final Fantasy VII | Squaresoft | 1997 |
| 3 | Super Mario Bros. 3 | Nintendo | 1990 |
| 4 | Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots | Konami | 2008 |
| 5 | Super Mario Galaxy | Nintendo | 2007 |
| 6 | Super Mario 64 | Nintendo | 1996 |
| 7 | Resident Evil 4 | Capcom | 2005 |
| 8 | Final Fantasy III (IV) | Squaresoft | 1994 |
| 9 | The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past | Nintendo | 1992 |
| 10 | Super Mario World | Nintendo | 1991 |
| Rank | Title | Publisher | Year |
|---|
| 1 | Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots | Konami | 2008 |
| 2 | The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time | Nintendo | 1998 |
| 3 | Final Fantasy VII | Squaresoft | 1997 |
| 4 | Halo 3 | Bungie Studios | 2007 |
| 5 | Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare | Activision | 2007 |
| 6 | Grand Theft Auto IV | Rockstar Games | 2008 |
| 7 | GoldenEye 007 | Rare | 1997 |
| 8 | Metal Gear Solid | Konami | 1998 |
| 9 | Gears of War | Epic | 2006 |
| 10 | Final Fantasy X | Squaresoft | 2001 |
| Rank | Title | Publisher | Year |
|---|
| 1 | The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time | Nintendo | 1998 |
| 2 | Chrono Trigger | Squaresoft | 1995 |
| 3 | SoulCalibur | Namco | 1998 |
| 4 | The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past | Nintendo | 1992 |
| 5 | Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater | Nintendo | 2004 |
| 6 | Super Metroid | Nintendo | 1994 |
| 7 | GoldenEye 007 | Rare | 1997 |
| 8 | Metal Gear Solid | Konami | 1998 |
| 9 | Resident Evil 4 | Capcom | 2005 |
| 10 | Shenmue II | Sega | 2001 |
| Rank | Title | Publisher | Year |
|---|
| 1 | Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare | Activision | 2007 |
| 2 | The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time | Nintendo | 1998 |
| 3 | Final Fantasy VII | Squaresoft | 1997 |
| 4 | Grand Theft Auto IV | Rockstar Games | 2008 |
| 5 | Super Mario 64 | Nintendo | 1996 |
| 6 | GoldenEye 007 | Rare | 1997 |
| 7 | Halo 3 | Bungie Studios | 2007 |
| 8 | Metal Gear Solid | Konami | 1998 |
| 9 | Half-Life 2 | Valve | 2004 |
| 10 | Gears of War | Epic | 2006 |
| Rank | Title | Publisher | Year |
|---|
| 1 | Half-Life 2 | Valve | 2004 |
| 2 | The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time | Nintendo | 1998 |
| 3 | Final Fantasy VII | Squaresoft | 1997 |
| 4 | GoldenEye 007 | Rare | 1997 |
| 5 | Super Mario World | Nintendo | 1991 |
| 6 |
Elite | Acornsoft | 1984 |
| 7 | Sonic the Hedgehog | Sega | 1991 |
| 8 | DOOM | id / GT Interactive | 1993 |
| 9 | Grand Theft Auto III | Rockstar Games | 2001 |
| 10 | Turrican 2 | Amiga | 1991 |
| Rank | Title | Publisher | Year |
|---|
| 1 | Tetris | Alexey Pajitnov | 1987 |
| 2 | The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time | Nintendo | 1998 |
| 3 | DOOM | id / GT Interactive | 1993 |
| 4 | Super Mario World | Nintendo | 1991 |
| 5 | Guitar Hero | Harmonix | 2005 |
| 6 | Street Fighter II | Capcom | 1991 |
| 7 | Super Mario Kart | Nintendo | 1992 |
| 8 | GoldenEye 007 | Rare | 1997 |
| 9 | Grand Theft Auto IV | Rockstar Games | 2008 |
| 10 | Metal Gear Solid | Konami | 1998 |
Dengaki Online (2007)
| Rank | Title | Publisher | Year |
|---|
| 1 | Final Fantasy VII | Square | 1997 |
| 2 | Final Fantasy X | Square | 2001 |
| 3 | Monster Hunter Freedom 2 | Capcom | 2007 |
| 4 | Xenogears | Square | 1998 |
| 5 | Tales of the Abyss | Namco | 2005 |
| 6 | Dragon Warrior III | Enix | 1998 |
| 7 | Dragon Quest VIII | Enix | 2004 |
| 8 | Chrono Trigger | Squaresoft | 1995 |
| 9 | Suikoden II | Konami | 1999 |
| 10 | Okami | Capcom | 2006 |
| Rank | Title | Publisher | Year |
|---|
| 1 | Elite | Acornsoft | 1984 |
| 2 | DOOM | id / GT Interactive | 1993 |
| 3 | Half-Life | Valve | 1998 |
| 4 | Tetris | Alexey Pajitnov | 1987 |
| 5 | Cave Story | Pixel Studios | 2004 |
| 6 | R-Type | Activision | 1989 |
| 7 | Super Mario World | Nintendo | 1991 |
| 8 | Final Fantasy VII | Squaresoft | 1997 |
| 9 | Half-Life 2 | Valve | 2004 |
| 10 | StarCraft | Blizzard | 1998 |
| Rank | Title | Publisher | Year |
|---|
| 1 | The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time | Nintendo | 1998 |
| 2 | Resident Evil 4 | Capcom | 2005 |
| 3 | Super Mario 64 | Nintendo | 1996 |
| 4 | Half-Life 2 | Valve | 2004 |
| 5 | Super Mario World | Nintendo | 1991 |
| 6 | Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past | Nintendo | 1992 |
| 7 | Halo: Combat Evolved | Bungie Stuidos | 2001 |
| 8 | Final Fantasy XII | Squaresoft | 2006 |
| 9 | Tetris | Alexey Pajitnov | 1987 |
| 10 | Super Metroid | Nintendo | 1994 |
Note: List was printed in special issue entitled “Edge presents The 100 Best Videogames,” and included Edge’s 2000 list (see below).
| Rank | Title | Publisher | Year |
|---|
| 1 | Super Mario Bros. | Nintendo | 1985 |
| 2 | Tetris | Alexey Pajitnov | 1987 |
| 3 | Civilization II | Micropose | 1996 |
| 4 | The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time | Nintendo | 1998 |
| 5 | Super Mario 64 | Nintendo | 1996 |
| 6 | Half-Life 2 | Valve | 2004 |
| 7 | Super Metroid | Nintendo | 1994 |
| 8 | The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past | Nintendo | 1992 |
| 9 | Final Fantasy III (VI) | Squaresoft | 1994 |
| 10 | Resident Evil 4 | Capcom | 2005 |
| Rank | Title | Publisher | Year |
|---|
| 1 | Deus Ex | Ion Storm | 2000 |
| 2 | Half-Life 2 | Valve | 2004 |
| 3 | Civilization IV | Firaxis Games | 2005 |
| 4 | The Elder Scrolls III: Morrowind | Bethesda Softworks | 2002 |
| 5 | Half-Life 2 | Valve | 1998 |
| 6 | Rome: Total War | Activision | 2004 |
| 7 | System Shock 2 | Irrational Games | 1999 |
| 8 | DOOM | id / GT Interactive | 1993 |
| 9 | Battlefield 2 | Electronic Arts | 2005 |
| 10 | The Secret of Monkey Island | LucasArts | 1990 |
Note: List limited to “best PC games.”
| Rank | Title | Publisher | Year |
|---|
| 1 | The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time | Nintendo | 1998 |
| 2 | Tetris | Alexey Pajitnov | 1987 |
| 3 | Street Fighter II | Capcom | 1991 |
| 4* | Super Mario 64 | Nintendo | 1996 |
| 4* | Super Mario World | Nintendo | 1991 |
| 5 | Tecmo Bowl | Nintendo | 1987 |
| 6 | Final Fantasy VII | Squaresoft | 1997 |
| 7 | Grand Theft Auto III | Rockstar Games | 2001 |
| 8 | Metal Gear Solid | Konami | 1998 |
| 9 | Halo Combat Evolved | Bungie Studios | 2001 |
| 10 | Resident Evil 4 | Capcom | 2005 |
Note: GameTrailers picked two Mario games tied for fourth place.
| Rank | Title | Publisher | Year |
|---|
| 1 | Tetris | Alexey Pajitnov | 1987 |
| 2 | Super Mario 64 | Nintendo | 1996 |
| 3 | Pokémon | Nintendo | 1995 |
| 4 | Pro Evolution Soccer 4 | Konami | 2004 |
| 5 | The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time | Nintendo | 1998 |
| 6 | Monkey Island 2 | LucasArts | 1990 |
| 7 | Super Mario Kart | Nintendo | 1992 |
| 8 | GoldenEye 007 | Rare | 1997 |
| 9 | Street Fighter II | Capcom | 1991 |
| 10 | Elite | Acornsoft | 1984 |
Famitsu readers’ poll [Japan] (2006)
| Rank | Title | Publisher | Year |
|---|
| 1 | Final Fantasy X | Squaresoft | 2001 |
| 2 | Final Fantasy VII | Squaresoft | 1997 |
| 3 | Dragon Warrior III | Enix | 1988 |
| 4 | Dragon Quest VIII | Enix | 2004 |
| 5 | Machi | Chunsoft | 1998 |
| 6 | Final Fantasy II (IV) | Squaresoft | 1991 |
| 7 | Tactics Ogre | Quest | 1997 |
| 8 | Final Fantasy III (Japan) | Squaresoft | 1990 |
| 9 | Dragon Warrior VII | Enix | 2000 |
| 10 | The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time | Nintendo | 1998 |
| Rank | Title | Publisher | Year |
|---|
| 1 | The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time | Nintendo | 1998 |
| 2 | Chrono Trigger | Squaresoft | 1995 |
| 3 | Resident Evil 4 | Capcom | 2005 |
| 4 | Super Metroid | Nintendo | 1994 |
| 5 | The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past | Nintendo | 1992 |
| 6 | SoulCalibur | Namco | 1998 |
| 7 | GoldenEye 007 | Rare | 1997 |
| 8 | Final Fantasy III (IV) | Squaresoft | 1994 |
| 9 | Metal Gear Solid | Konami | 1998 |
| 10 | Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater | Konami | 2004 |
Nintendo Power (2006, issue 200)
| Rank | Title | Publisher | Year |
|---|
| 1 | The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time | Nintendo | 1998 |
| 2 | Resident Evil 4 | Capcom | 2005 |
| 3 | The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past | Nintendo | 1992 |
| 4 | The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker | Nintendo | 2003 |
| 5 | Super Mario 64 | Nintendo | 1996 |
| 6 | Super Mario Bros. 3 | Nintendo | 1990 |
| 7 | The Legend of Zelda | Nintendo | 1986 |
| 8 | Super Mario World | Nintendo | 1991 |
| 9 | Super Mario Bros. | Nintendo | 1985 |
| 10 | Metroid Prime | Nintendo | 2002 |
Electronic Gaming Monthly (2005, issue 200)
| Rank | Title | Publisher | Year |
|---|
| 1 | Super Mario Bros. | Nintendo | 1985 |
| 2 | Pac-Man | Namco | 1980 |
| 3 | Street Fighter II | Capcom | 1991 |
| 4 | Tetris | Alexey Pajitnov | 1987 |
| 5 | The Legend of Zelda | Nintendo | 1986 |
| 6 | Super Mario 64 | Nintendo | 1996 |
| 7 | Space Invaders | Taito | 1978 |
| 8 | The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time | Nintendo | 1998 |
| 9 | Grand Theft Auto III | Rockstar Games | 2001 |
| 10 | Pong | Atari | 1972 |
GamePro magazine (2005)
| Rank | Title | Publisher | Year |
|---|
| 1 | Resident Evil 4 | Capcom | 2005 |
| 2 | GoldenEye 007 | Rare | 1997 |
| 3 | Final Fantasy VII | Squaresoft | 1997 |
| 4 | Super Mario 64 | Nintendo | 1996 |
| 5 | The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time | Nintendo | 1998 |
| 6 | Super Mario Bros. 3 | Nintendo | 1990 |
| 7 | Street Fighter II | Capcom | 1991 |
| 8 | Metal Gear Solid | Konami | 1998 |
| 9 | Halo 2 | Bundie Studios | 2004 |
| 10 | Super Smash Bros. Melee | Nintendo | 2001 |
| Rank | Title | Publisher | Year |
|---|
| 1 | Super Metroid | Nintendo | 1994 |
| 2 | Mega Man 2 | Capcom | 1989 |
| 3 | Katamari Damacy | Namco | 2004 |
| 4 | The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past | Nintendo | 1992 |
| 5 | Final Fantasy III (IV) | Squaresoft | 1994 |
| 6 | Super Mario Bros. 3 | Nintendo | 1990 |
| 7 | Castlevania: Symphony of the Night | Konami | 1997 |
| 8 | Pirates! | Micropose | 1987 |
| 9 | Civilization II | Micropose | 1996 |
| 10 | Baldur's Gate | Interplay | 1998 |
| Rank | Title | Publisher | Year |
|---|
| 1 | Final Fantasy VII | Capcom | 1997 |
| 2 | The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time | Rare | 1997 |
| 3 | Chrono Trigger | Squaresoft | 1995 |
| 4 | The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past | Nintendo | 1992 |
| 5 | Super Mario Bros. 3 | Nintendo | 1990 |
| 6 | Super Smash Bros. Melee | Nintendo | 2001 |
| 7 | GoldenEye 007 | Rare | 1997 |
| 8 | Metal Gear Solid | Konami | 1998 |
| 9 | Halo 2 | Bundie Studios | 2004 |
| 10 | Final Fantasy III (VI) | Nintendo | 1994 |
| Rank | Title | Publisher | Year |
|---|
| 1 | Super Mario Bros. | Nintendo | 1985 |
| 2 | The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time | Nintendo | 1998 |
| 3 | Tetris | Alexey Pajitnov | 1987 |
| 4 | Civilization II | Microprose | 1996 |
| 5 | Super Mario 64 | Nintendo | 1996 |
| 6 | Pirates! | Microprose | 1987 |
| 7 | StarCraft | Blizzard | 1998 |
| 8 | Street Fighter II | Capcom | 1991 |
| 9 | Star Wars: TIE Fighter | LucasArts | 1995 |
| 10 | Super Metroid | Nintendo | 1994 |
| Rank | Title | Publisher | Year |
|---|
| 1 | Resident Evil 4 | Capcom | 2005 |
| 2 | The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time | Nintendo | 1998 |
| 3 | Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell | Ubisoft | 2005 |
| 4 | Chrono Trigger | Squaresoft | 1995 |
| 5 | Half-Life 2 | Valve | 2004 |
| 6 | God of War | Sony | 2005 |
| 7 | Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater | Konami | 2004 |
| 8 | SoulCalibur | Namco | 1998 |
| 9 | Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas | Rockstar Games | 2004 |
| 10 | The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past | Nintendo | 1992 |
| Rank | Title | Publisher | Year |
|---|
| 1 | The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time | Nintendo | 1998 |
| 2 | GoldenEye 007 | Rare | 1997 |
| 3 | Final Fantasy VII | Squaresoft | 1997 |
| 4 | Resident Evil 4 | Capcom | 2005 |
| 5 | Super Mario 64 | Nintendo | 1996 |
| 6 | Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas | Rockstar Games | 2004 |
| 7 | Tetris | Alexey Pajitnov | 1987 |
| 8 | Metal Gear Solid | Konami | 1998 |
| 9 | Half-Life 2 | Valve | 2004 |
| 10 | Burnout 3: Takedown | Electronic Arts | 2004 |
The Age newspaper / LiveWire (2005)
| Rank | Title | Publisher | Year |
|---|
| 1 | The Sims 2 | Maxis | 2005 |
| 2 | The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time | Nintendo | 1998 |
| 3 |
Half-Life 2 | Valve | 2004 |
| 4 | Super Mario 64 | Nintendo | 1996 |
| 5 | Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas | Rockstar Games | 2004 |
| 6 | Halo 2 | Bungie Studios | 2004 |
| 7 | Gran Turismo 4 | Polyphony Digital | 2005 |
| 8 | GoldenEye 007 | Rare | 1997 |
| 9 | Ico | Sony | 2001 |
| 10 | Metal Gear Solid | Konami | 1998 |
Retro Gamer magazine (2004, issue 9)
| Rank | Title | Publisher | Year |
|---|
| 1 |
Elite | Acornsoft | 1984 |
| 2 | Super Mario World | Nintendo | 1991 |
| 3 | Manic Miner | Bug-Byte | 1983 |
| 4 | Final Fantasy VII | Squaresoft | 1997 |
| 5 | The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time | Nintendo | 1998 |
| 6 | Space Invaders | Taito | 1978 |
| 7 |
Jet Set Willy | Software | 1984 |
| 8 | Sensible Software Soccer | Sensible Software | 1992 |
| 9 |
DOOM | id / GT Interactive | 1993 |
| 10 | Pac-Man | Namco | 1980 |
Note: Retro Gamer Issue 1 also featured a “Top 100” list, though this one was actually 10 distinct “Top 10” lists segregated by platform.
| Rank | Title | Publisher | Year |
|---|
| 1 | Super Mario Bros. | Nintendo | 1985 |
| 2 | The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time | Nintendo | 1998 |
| 3 | Super Metroid | Nintendo | 1994 |
| 4 | Tetris | Alexey Pajitnov | 1987 |
| 5 | Super Mario 64 | Nintendo | 1996 |
| 6 | The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past | Nintendo | 1992 |
| 7 | StarCraft | Blizzard | 1998 |
| 8 | X-COM: UFO Defense | Mythos Games | 1994 |
| 9 | Final Fantasy II (IV) | Squaresoft | 1991 |
| 10 | Street Fighter II | Capcom | 1991 |
Entertainment Weekly / GF (2003)
| Rank | Title | Publisher | Year |
|---|
| 1 | The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past | Nintendo | 1992 |
| 2 | DOOM | id / GT Interactive | 1993 |
| 3 | Tetris | Alexey Pajitnov | 1987 |
| 4 | Grand Theft Auto III | Rockstar Games | 2001 |
| 5 | Madden NFL 2003 | Electronic Arts | 2002 |
| 6 | Half-Life | Valve | 1998 |
| 7 | The Sims | Maxis | 2000 |
| 8 | Super Mario 64 | Nintendo | 1996 |
| 9 | StarCraft | Blizzard | 1998 |
| 10 | Street Fighter II | Capcom | 1991 |
Note: Number 9 on this list was actually “Warcraft / StarCraft” which is kind of cheating since they are two different games.
| Rank | Title | Publisher | Year |
|---|
| 1 | Super Metroid | Nintendo | 1994 |
| 2 | Chrono Trigger | Squaresoft | 1995 |
| 3 | Metal Gear Solid | Konami | 1998 |
| 4 | Final Fantasy III (VI) | Squaresoft | 1994 |
| 5 | Final Fantasy VII | Squaresoft | 1997 |
| 6 | Half-Life | Valve | 1998 |
| 7 | Tetris | Alexey Pajitnov | 1987 |
| 8 | Super Smash Bros. Melee | Nintendo | 2001 |
| 9 | Super Mario 64 | Nintendo | 1996 |
| 10 | EarthBound | Nintendo | 1995 |
Electronic Gaming Monthly (2002, issue 150)
| Rank | Title | Publisher | Year |
|---|
| 1 | Super Metroid | Nintendo | 1994 |
| 2 | Tetris | Alexey Pajitnov | 1987 |
| 3 | The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past | Nintendo | 1992 |
| 4 | Castlevania: Symphony of the Night | Konami | 1997 |
| 5 | Super Mario 64 | Nintendo | 1996 |
| 6 | SoulCalibur | Namco | 1998 |
| 7 | The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask | Nintendo | 2000 |
| 8 | The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time | Nintendo | 1998 |
| 9 | Final Fantasy III (VI) | Squaresoft | 1994 |
| 10 | Super Mario World | Nintendo | 1991 |
| Rank | Title | Publisher | Year |
|---|
| 1 | DOOM | id / GT Interactive | 1993 |
| 2 | Half-Life | Valve | 1998 |
| 3 | Warcraft II | Blizzard | 1995 |
| 4 | Sid Meier's Civilization | Microprose | 1991 |
| 5 | Quake | id / GT Interactive | 1996 |
| 6 | Diablo | Blizzard | 1996 |
| 7 | Ultima IV: Quest of the Avatar | Origin | 1985 |
| 8 | Ultima Underworld: The Stygian Abyss | Origin | 1992 |
| 9 | StarCraft | Blizzard | 1998 |
| 10 | The Legend of Zelda | Nintendo | 1986 |
Game Informer magazine (2001)
| Rank | Title | Publisher | Year |
|---|
| 1 | The Legend of Zelda | Nintendo | 1986 |
| 2 | Super Mario Bros. | Nintendo | 1985 |
| 3 | Tetris | Alexey Pajitnov | 1987 |
| 4 | Tony Hawk Pro Skater 2 | Activision | 2000 |
| 5 | DOOM | id / GT Interactive | 1993 |
| 6 | Metroid | Nintendo | 1986 |
| 7 | Final Fantasy III (VI) | Squaresoft | 1994 |
| 8 | Super Mario Bros. 3 | Nintendo | 1990 |
| 9 | Ms. Pac-Man | Namco | 1981 |
| 10 | Final Fantasy VII | Squaresoft | 1997 |
| Rank | Title | Publisher | Year |
|---|
| 1 | Final Fantasy VII | Squaresoft | 1997 |
| 2 | Super Mario 64 | Nintendo | 1996 |
| 3 | Resident Evil | Capcom | 1996 |
| 4 | Virtua Racing | Sega | 1992 |
| 5 | Street Fighter II | Capcom | 1991 |
| 6 | Dragon Warrior | Enix | 1986 |
| 7 | Tetris | Alexey Pajitnov | 1987 |
| 8 | The Legend of Zelda | Nintendo | 1986 |
| 9 | Double Dragon | Taito | 1987 |
| 10 | Commando | Capcom | 1985 |
Note: List was formally “most influential” games of all time.
| Rank | Title | Publisher | Year |
|---|
| 1 | Quake | id / GT Interactive | 1996 |
| 2 | DOOM | id / GT Interactive | 1993 |
| 3 | Myst | Broderbund | 1996 |
| 4 | King's Quest IV: The Perils of Rosella | Sierra | 1988 |
| 5 | Dune II: The Building of a Dynasty | Virgin | 1992 |
| 6 | Diablo | Blizzard | 1996 |
| 7 | Sid Meier's Civilization | Microprose | 1991 |
| 8 | Half-Life | Valve | 1998 |
| 9 | Sim City | Maxis | 1987 |
| 10 | Falcon 3.0 | Spectrum | 1991 |
Note: List was formally “most influential” games of all time.
Computer and Video Games magazine (2001, issue 240)
| Rank | Title | Publisher | Year |
|---|
| 1 | The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time | Nintendo | 1998 |
| 2 | Super Mario 64 | Nintendo | 1996 |
| 3 | Final Fantasy VII | Squaresoft | 1997 |
| 4 | Metal Gear Solid | Konami | 1998 |
| 5 | GoldenEye 007 | Rare | 1997 |
| 6 | Super Mario Kart | Nintendo | 1992 |
| 7 | Super Mario World | Nintendo | 1991 |
| 8 | The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past | Nintendo | 1992 |
| 9 | Tetris | Alexey Pajitnov | 1987 |
| 10 | Shemue | Sega | 2000 |
Edge Magazine (2000, issue 80)
| Rank | Title | Publisher | Year |
|---|
| 1 | The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time | Nintendo | 1998 |
| 2 | Super Mario 64 | Nintendo | 1996 |
| 3 | GoldenEye 007 | Rare | 1997 |
| 4 | Tetris | Alexey Pajitnov | 1987 |
| 5 | Gran Turismo 2 | Polyphony Digital | 1999 |
| 6 | Quake II | id | 1997 |
| 7 | The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past | Nintendo | 1992 |
| 8 | Street Fighter II | Capcom | 1991 |
| 9 | Half-Life | Valve | 1998 |
| 10 | Super Mario World | Nintendo | 1991 |
GamesRadar (2000)
| Rank | Title | Publisher | Year |
|---|
| 1 | Super Mario Bros. | Nintendo | 1985 |
| 2 | Metal Gear Solid | Konami | 1998 |
| 3 | The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time | Nintendo | 1998 |
| 4 | DOOM | id / GT Interactive | 1993 |
| 5 | Civilization II | Microprose | 1996 |
| 6 | Tetris | Alexey Pajitnov | 1987 |
| 7 | StarCraft | Blizzard | 1998 |
| 8 | GoldenEye 007 | Rare | 1997 |
| 9 | Resident Evil: Code Veronica | Capcom | 2000 |
| 10 | Street Fighter II | Capcom | 1991 |
Note: With the exception of SMB, GamesRadar recognized entire “franchises” in their list. The specific games mentioned are the ones the authors note as the “bests” of the series.
Nintendorks (2000)
| Rank | Title | Publisher | Year |
|---|
| 1 | The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past | Nintendo | 1992 |
| 2 | Super Mario 64 | Nintendo | 1996 |
| 3 | GoldenEye 007 | Rare | 1997 |
| 4 | Final Fantasy III (VI) | Squaresoft | 1994 |
| 5 | Super Mario Bros. 3 | Nintendo | 1990 |
| 6 | The Legend of Zelda | Nintendo | 1986 |
| 7 | Super Mario Kart | Nintendo | 1992 |
| 8 | Super Mario Bros. | Nintendo | 1985 |
| 9 | Tetris | Alexey Pajitnov | 1987 |
| 10 | Punch-Out!! | Nintendo | 1987 |
Computer and Video Games Magazine Readers’ Poll (2000, issue 218)
| Rank | Title | Publisher | Year |
|---|
| 1 | GoldenEye 007 | Rare | 1997 |
| 2 | The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time | Nintendo | 1998 |
| 3 | Final Fantasy VII | Squaresoft | 1997 |
| 4 | Metal Gear Solid | Konami | 1998 |
| 5 | Sonic the Hedgehog | Sega | 1991 |
| 6 | Resident Evil 2 | Capcom | 2000 |
| 7 | Tetris | Alexey Pajitnov | 1987 |
| 8 | Grand Turismo | Polyphony Digital | 1998 |
| 9 | Tekken 3 | Namco | 1998 |
| 10 | Grand Theft Auto | Rockstar Games | 1998 |
Note: Sonic, in spot number 5, was formally the “Sonic series.”
Next Generation magazine (1999)
| Rank | Title | Publisher | Year |
|---|
| 1 | The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time | Nintendo | 1998 |
| 2 | Tetris | Alexey Pajitnov | 1987 |
| 3 | Super Mario 64 | Nintendo | 1996 |
| 4 | Civilization II | Micropose | 1996 |
| 5 | Quake II | id | 1996 |
| 6 | Super Metroid | Nintendo | 1994 |
| 7 | Super Mario Kart | Nintendo | 1992 |
| 8 | Virtua Fighter 2 | Sega | 1995 |
| 9 | Street Fighter II | Capcom | 1991 |
| 10 | GoldenEye 007 | Rare | 1997 |
Note: In this list Next Gen has made my life difficult by identifying four “series” in their top 10 (#1 is the “Zelda series,” #3 is the “Mario series,” #4 is the “Civilization series,” and #6 is the “Metroid series”). To keep this list in the style of all the others, I have thus tampered with it, and inserted games from each series which I think they would be statistically most likely to have chosen as the “best” game of each franchise.
Electronic Gaming Monthly (1997, issue 100)
| Rank | Title | Publisher | Year |
|---|
| 1 | Tetris | Alexey Pajitnov | 1987 |
| 2 | Super Mario Bros. 3 | Nintendo | 1990 |
| 3 | The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past | Nintendo | 1992 |
| 4 | Super Mario 64 | Nintendo | 1996 |
| 5 | Street Fighter II | Capcom | 1991 |
| 6 | Super Metroid | Nintendo | 1994 |
| 7 | Super Mario World 2: Yoshi's Island | Nintendo | 1995 |
| 8 | Contra III: The Alien Wars | Konami | 1992 |
| 9 | Final Fantasy III (VI) | Squaresoft | 1994 |
| 10 | Saturn Bomberman | Hudson Soft | 1997 |
Nintendo Power magazine (1997, issue 100)
| Rank | Title | Publisher | Year |
|---|
| 1 | Super Mario 64 | Nintendo | 1996 |
| 2 | The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past | Nintendo | 1992 |
| 3 | Tetris | Alexey Pajitnov | 1987 |
| 4 | Mario Kart 64 | Nintendo | 1997 |
| 5 | Super Mario Bros. 3 | Nintendo | 1990 |
| 6 | Super Metroid | Nintendo | 1994 |
| 7 | GoldenEye 007 | Rare | 1997 |
| 8 | Final Fantasy II (IV) | Squaresoft | 1991 |
| 9 | Final Fantasy III (VI) | Squaresoft | 1994 |
| 10 | Street Fighter II | Capcom | 1991 |
Computer Gaming World (1996, November issue)
| Rank | Title | Publisher | Year |
|---|
| 1 | Sid Meier's Civilization | Micropose | 1993 |
| 2 | Ultima IV: Quest of the Avatar | Origin | 1985 |
| 3 | MULE | Electronic Arts | 1983 |
| 4 | Red Baron | Sierra | 1990 |
| 5 | DOOM | id / GT Interactive | 1993 |
| 6 | Sim City | Maxis | 1987 |
| 7 | Wing Commander | Electronic Arts | 1990 |
| 8 | Empire | Interstel | 1978 |
| 9 | Wasteland | Interplay | 1987 |
| 10 | Falcon 3.0 | Spectrum | 1991 |
Next Generation magazine (1996)
| Rank | Title | Publisher | Year |
|---|
| 1 | Super Mario 64 | Nintendo | 1996 |
| 2 | Tetris | Alexey Pajitnov | 1987 |
| 3 | Super Bomberman 2 | Hudson Soft | 1994 |
| 4 | Sid Meier's Civilization | Micropose | 1991 |
| 5 | Super Mario Bros. | Nintendo | 1985 |
| 6 | Virtua Fighter 2 | Sega | 1995 |
| 7 | Street Fighter II | Capcom | 1991 |
| 8 | Lemmings | Psygnosis | 1990 |
| 9 | Quake | id / GT Interactive | 1996 |
| 10 | Warcraft II | Blizzard | 1995 |
Overall totals
These lists predictably represent a whole host of different agendas, outlooks, and opinions on what constitutes a “great” video game. Some placed large emphasis on recognizing games that were historically “relevant” or “innovative” while others simply celebrated games that were fun to play.
Assuming these lists represent the collective authority of 20 years of professional game criticism, we can easily make a cumulative list averaging out the most universally popular games. Based on sheer citations alone, the most popular games of all time seem to be:
| Rank | Title |
|---|
| 1 | The Legend of Zelda: The Ocarina of Time (44 lists) |
| 2 | Super Mario 64 (33 lists, tie) |
| 2 | Tetris (33 lists, tie) |
| 4 | Goldeneye 007 (26 lists) |
| 5 | The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past (25 lists) |
| 6 | Final Fantasy VII (24 lists) |
| 7 | Super Mario World (21 lists) |
| 8 | Metal Gear Solid (19 lists, tie) |
| 8 | Street Fighter II (19 lists, tie) |
| 9 | Super Metroid (18 lists, tie) |
| 9 | Super Mario Bros. 3 (18 lists, tie) |
While Ocarina of Time is the clear winner, the consensus does start to break up soon after. This in part due to the marked shift in tastes that has occured in recent years, and the fact that list-makers’ biases tend to be towards newer games over older ones. One could easily argue that this cumulative total is rather biased towards old games overall, in fact, given some of the earlier lists were written well before some of today’s most critically-acclaimed games were released. On the other hand, one could just as easily argue that the consistent, multi-decade popularity of certain titles proves them deserving of particular recognition.
What do you think? If you have any new lists to add, new methods of tabulating overall rankings, or any other feedback, email me at jjmccullough@gmail.com.
