My Greatest 50 Games Of All-Time (Updated As Of February 22, 2024)

Friends, I am pleased to update my list of the top 50 games of all-time. Here is that updated ranking, in the form of an 8,000 word article, along with a refresher of my criteria and thought process.

The late, great Roger Ebert once provided a top ten list of his favorite movies. However, he said he did not like this approach, preferring to provide a list of Greatest Movies that were unranked. His reasoning was that determining if a work deserved a spot on that Greatest list was what really mattered and arguing further ordinal position probably didn’t mean very much.

I will incorporate Mr. Ebert’s unique thinking into my revised ranking. As nominees for consideration, I have played over 2,300 games in my life. I started with my top 100 games (top 5%) and whittled the list down. Once I got to roughly 60 games (top 3%), it became very hard to eliminate titles. Thus, I concluded the top 2.2% of games (50) was the best I could do.

Thus, here, in alphabetic and unranked order, are the 50 greatest games of all-time to me, out of nearly 2,300 played. Any game on this list left me incredibly moved, is an industry masterwork, and has my insta-get recommendation for an unforgettable entertainment experience.

I am so passionate about these 50 titles I could write a ten page or longer article on each of them. Instead, to keep this focused and fun, I will just write a short blurb of what I first think of when remembering each game.

Please enjoy this heartfelt celebration of the video game industry with me.

1. Age of Empires II

After having played so many RTS titles, I couldn’t believe I could make a fortress with walls and castles. There were so many layers to the gameplay and so many options in how I could conquer my enemies. The variation in civilizations was amazing. I loved the attention to detail on units and sounds, with civilizations even speaking in their native languages. I will always remember the thrill of trebuchets firing on a wall, even if it was my own getting wrecked. The game's legacy lives on proudly with Age of Empires IV, which I also greatly enjoyed.

2. Baldur's Gate 3

Baldur's Gate 3 by Larian Studios is nothing short of a masterclass in game development, rightfully earning its place on my top 50 games of all-time list. The game serves as a meticulously crafted adaptation of 5th edition Dungeons and Dragons, offering tabletop enthusiasts an authentic experience. The world itself is vibrant and filled with life; every character, landscape, and hidden corner tells a compelling story. Unlike other titles, it goes beyond conventional storytelling by placing the player at the center of the narrative, where every decision you make has a ripple effect on the unfolding story. The depth in gameplay is staggering - spanning three acts filled with extensive side quests, and a complex combat system built on dice rolls, strategy, and a diverse range of character builds. The production values are sky-high, featuring eye-popping visuals, intricate facial animations, and commendable performance even on lower-end GPUs. Adding to this sensory feast is the beautiful soundtrack by Borislav Slavov. It's a game designed for endless replayability, encouraging players to explore various classes, spells, and narrative paths. Above all, Baldur's Gate 3 offers unparalleled value with no in-game purchases, setting a new gold standard in what players should expect from a $60 game. It's not just a game; it's a sublime experience that elevates the art of gaming and will be treasured by fans of RPGs and video games alike. If you haven't played it yet, you're missing out on a defining moment in games history.

3. Chrono Trigger

Many believe this is the greatest role-playing game of all time and one of the best games, period. Way ahead of its time, Chrono Trigger delivered amazing graphics despite 16-bit era limitations and story depth that was unheard of. The game fully fleshed out the arcs of all the characters in your party, offered 13 different endings and provided the template for meaningful, varied and numerous side quests that many other games copied. I believe this is so worth playing that I have listed it even though you may have to play it on smartphone or tablet, since that is the only easy place to play it without a PC or access to PlayStation network.

4.?Cuphead

This was the first living, breathing cartoon I had ever played that made me feel I had entered the time machine to the Golden Age of Animation. Each fight was completely unique. The game was so hard I would give myself pep talks and often need walks to refocus. The bosses are so memorable I can still remember each phase for each one. The score is one of the best I have ever heard accompanying any media work. The fact that the game's DLC is also a masterpiece, in line with the base game, only makes me feel more strongly about this pick.

5.?Dave The Diver

A revelation in my games experience, swiftly earning two perfect 10s in my game evaluations for its design and innovation. It masterfully blends elements of aquatic RPG exploration, restaurant simulation, adventure gaming, and party mini-games into a cohesive, story-driven experience. As Dave, you dive into the mesmerizing Blue Hole to hunt for fish and ingredients, manage a sushi restaurant, and navigate a world brimming with quirky characters and unexpected gameplay elements. Its combat mechanics are straightforward yet deeply satisfying, enriched by various tools for capturing fish and engaging in underwater battles. The game draws inspiration from a range of iconic titles, from Subnautica's exploration to Overcooked's culinary challenges, creating a multi-faceted experience that constantly keeps you engaged

6.?Day of the Tentacle

I always loved Maniac Mansion. However, within that universe, Tentacle’s journey between present, past, and future, the incredibly oddball puzzles, and the charming art style (particular in the remastered versions) won me over most. I laughed out loud many times and found solving the time-based puzzles amongst the most satisfying adventure or puzzle game experiences in my life.

7. Diablo II

I love ARPGs and this is perhaps the best ever in the genre. My best friend Jeff and I were so into this game that once we had planned a LAN party, brought only wireless mice, realized we didn't have any batteries in the house at almost midnight and concluded the only reasonable solution was to drive 35 minutes to a truck stop with a gas station and convenience store. The game's selection of classes was perhaps the best in the series. The gameplay loop was perfectly optimized without too much faff or overlaying systems that came in future ARPGs. The resurrected version of the game is extremely well done and another reason to come back to the game. Like World of Warcraft, I'll simply never get tired of this game and only stopped playing because there were other games to try.

8. Disco Elysium

Disco Elysium is such a good game I almost considered giving it Game Of The Year on my list again in 2021 (it was my greatest game in 2019) for its Final Cut until I 1/ thought that would be too ridiculous, and 2/ determined Forza Horizon 5 deserved it straight up anyway. Still, I wanted to give you that color so you understand in what high regard I hold this title. At its core, Disco Elysium is a role-playing detective story in which you wake up in a futuristic city with no idea whom you are and use a heavy menu of dialogue trees and RPG-type skill checks to solve a mystery. I have thought about why I love Disco Elysium so much a lot and, in part, I think its gritty approach to deep dialogue with bottomless choices is like the super serious version of why I love games like Monkey Island and other LucasArts adventures. You do not engage in traditional combat in this game. However, there are a wealth of other actions and choices in lieu of this. You have primary and secondary clothes and inventory items that affect character skills and traits. You have a deep 24-skill tree that you level up over time. These are incredibly thoughtful choices, across dimensions like empathy, suggestion, physical instrument and shivers. The innovation of having the skills represent parts of your character and mind is memorable. There are almost 90 characters in this game across multiple locations. In the final cut, every line by every single character is fully voiced. The quality of the core story is excellent and while intellectual and philosophical never crosses the line into self-indulgent nonsense. The experience is also so rich and varied depending on your choices, although there is one main ending, that you will immediately want to play the game again to navigate the story a different way. This is one of the greatest games ever made and you need to play it through at least once to see how different it is from other titles and how it innovates against other adventure, role-playing, and mystery games.

9. Doom

Doom was the first 3D shooter I had ever played. Serving as the foundation for its addictive gameplay, incredible art, amazing guns, satisfying sound, and groundbreaking level creator were legendary feats of software engineering. If you ever want a fun read, google how Doom’s engine and levels were put together and prepare to have your jaw drop.

10.?Dragon Quest XI

I love the Dragon Quest series and have played each title, dating back to Dragon Warrior on the NES. This is not a short game (it can easily take 150+ hours to 100%). That is a great thing: you are getting ten-plus seasons of an interactive, animated show with incredible gameplay and characters in one $60 box. I love how I can set tactics for my party to auto-battle and wish I had this in every RPG. I love how, like a great jazz musician, Yuji Horii, the series’ designer, tells you what the melody will be for each Dragon Quest game but his team’s variations blow your mind each time.

11. Elden Ring

A masterful epic by From Software (their best title yet) and one of the top five open world games I have ever played. Both the amount of content and your freedom in exploring it are staggering. The sense of wonder and mystery no matter where you go is beautiful: almost nothing is repeated in the game's toolkit. The quality of boss and enemy design is ingenious. Everything looks and sounds like a dream, with incredibly varied feel at each location. The story wrapping it all is unforgettable. Go in warned though: there is zero hand-holding. In fact, the game tries to cut your hands off

12. Final Fantasy VI

I remember being so excited to purchase this game, after reading about it for months in Nintendo Power, that I dragged my poor parents to Babbage’s for it in the middle of a Nor'easter. But then my father and I sat in front of the TV for days, mesmerized by the story, battles, music, and characters. This is as modern as any pre-Final Fantasy VII RPG felt to me (when 3D came alive). The remaster is amazing too and worth a revisit if you haven’t tried it. The soundtrack (Kefka’s Domain)?was so prized Square Enix released it, even in the United States (such releases are more common in Japan), as a standalone three CD box set (and I still keep my original copy right next to my desktop tower).

13.?Final Fantasy VII

I stopped counting my number of full replays of this game at ten. I own an original hardcover CD copy, a digital copy, a Switch copy, and an iPad copy. I bought my first sound card just to hear the improved wavetable music. I bought my first standalone video card, a $300 Blackmagic Card with eight MEGABYTES of RAM to enjoy the richest 3D the game had to offer. The ATB (Active Time Battle) system, limit breaks, materia and many other innovations made my mind race as to what an RPG could be. This title alone made the Playstation a must-buy for all my friends who didn’t primarily game on a PC. The game's modern remake is awesome in its own right.

14. Forza Horizon 5

I am not big into sports titles. I am not big into racing titles. I could not tell you the difference between almost any makes and models of cars, beyond absolute basics. You know what I am super into anyway? Anything with Forza in the title, of which this is the best title I have beaten (I loved Forza Horizon 4, but 5 was so good it has taken its spot on my list. Forza Horizon 5 was also my pick for Game of the Year in 2021). Also, I try to 100% every game I play, as time allows. However, many titles have that point where reaching 100% completion starts to feel like a chore. I never stopped feeling like every single thing I did in this game was awesome, in either 4 or 5. I honestly can't think of anything I don't like about this game. I am especially impressed given I played Forza Horizon 3 and 4 through to 100% completion as well. What would the team possibly do to surprise and to delight me this time? How about everything.

15. Gabriel Knight: Sins of the Father

Sierra Online’s adventure games often had a (unfair) reputation for being light and cutesy. Gabriel Knight smashed those stereotypes to pieces. The New Orleans setting of the game provided so much character and history. Many moments in the game terrified me as a younger gamer, but in an entertaining way. This was one of the first titles that showed me games could proudly carry a mature, adult story.?The 20th anniversary remaster was wonderful

16. Grand Theft Auto V

Rockstar took everything they had learned up to GTA V and decided to really show off (and I mean that in the hugest, most complimentary way possible). Main characters? How about three instead of one. Vehicles you can pilot? How about anything imaginable. Side activities? Again, how about anything imaginable. Quest structure? How about we use social club to give you an awesome tracker for main and side activities (one of the coolest quest trackers I have ever seen in a game). The world size? How about unimaginably huge. Add to this multiple unforgettable, intertwining story arcs and the usual hijinks of GTA and you get an experience that strikes full force to the credits. And that's before we even talk about multiplayer Online mode, an entire successful universe of its own.

17. Grim Fandango

I try to explain Grim Fandango to people and often they look at me confused. “Ok, so it’s set in the Land of the Dead and you work at an agency that sells packages to people for when they die. But you also go to nightclubs and shipyards and… ” And that’s where I normally lose people. But for those who stick with me, they hear me praise one of the most original stories I have ever experienced and still the definitive Day of the Dead tale for me, with so many available now in popular culture. Play the remastered version.

18. Half-Life 2

Just trust me that this game did everything well, did everything varied, did much of it first, somehow improved on Half-Life (which itself was amazing), and left me with memories of set pieces (Ravenholm, cruising on the canals) and gameplay (like the gravity gun) that I still compare all other game innovation and storytelling to.

19.?King’s Quest VI

Sierra Online led our industry in adventure games for so long people sometimes took the quality and consistency of titles for granted. King’s Quest VI was the peak of everything Sierra did well for me, reminding everybody that these were not formulaic titles and that, rather, Sierra could raise its game to the highest timeless bars of game production whenever it wanted to. Games always go back to moments for me and there are tens of little memories I have from this game I don’t want to spoil. Play the voice-acted CD version – it is awesome.

20.?Laura Bow: The Dagger Of Amon Ra

I love surprising people with this title. Another Sierra gem, I remember picking this up with my parents at Radio Shack during a snowstorm (what can I tell you about picking up games during snowstorms – I’m from the Northeast?) and then playing it all week with them until we finished it. This is the ultimate video game mystery for me. You explore New York City and then an antiquities museum, uncovering terrifying murders (which were thrilling for the age when I played it, and still delight). The game ends with an inquest where you must answer questions to solve the mystery (and get killed if you are wrong).?The voice acting is solid. The music has great tracks. The game also came with an amazing manual that was dubbed a guide to the museum. I like its prequel, Colonel’s Bequest, too, but have never understand why people prefer it to this game.

21. Mario Kart 8 Deluxe

There is no secret why this is the best-selling game on the Switch. While Forza Horizon 5 is the best racing game I have ever played, this is second and the best "stylized / non-realistic" game in the genre. The selection of tracks, items, courses, and characters is insanely generous. When you add the purchasable track DLC with 48 additional courses, you can literally play this game for years, and we haven't even discussed online competitive mode, time trials, and battle mode. This is a title anybody from age 3 to 100 can pick up, play, and enjoy. This is Nintendo's peerless, perfect design at its finest.

22.?Pac-Man

I turned 40 this year. Did you really think Pac-Man wasn’t going to make my list? There are about a billion reasons this game deserves a spot here. I’ll pick the incredible pull it had in bringing hundreds of millions who might have never played video games into an arcade to direct a yellow circle with a mouth as it chased pellets and ate fruit to then eat ghosts. Anybody can figure out the game in 5 minutes, despite the fact that if you think about it for more than 5 minutes it doesn’t make any sense,?and it never ceases to delight after thousands of playthroughs. It is a masterclass in game design. Also, the game was so important that the poor port of it for Atari was one of the many factors that eventually doomed the console (and I owned the cartridge for that bad port too!). Amazingly, my pediatric dentist in Connecticut had a full original cabinet of free Pac-Man in his waiting area, causing my mom to wonder why I was always so thrilled to go to the dentist. Come on other dentists – step up your game!

23.?Pentiment

Pentiment by Obsidian Entertainment and Xbox Game Studios is an extraordinary point-and-click adventure set in late Medieval times that warranted a posthumous special award at the Amir Awards 2022 for its comprehensive excellence. This game elevates the genre with its enthralling story, immersive atmosphere, and meticulous attention to detail. Its 2D/3D art style is inspired by illuminated manuscripts, creating stunning visuals that make you stop and marvel. The sound design offers a sonic feast, featuring period-appropriate tunes that add to the historical realism. But what truly makes Pentiment exceptional is the compelling narrative filled with moral dilemmas, offering rewarding replay value much like titles such as The Witcher 3 and Disco Elysium. The gameplay follows a "solving a mystery" approach, ingeniously driving your choices and narrative through dialogue and interactions rather than traditional item inventory. This minimalistic yet deeply satisfying approach keeps you engrossed as you navigate a world teeming with intrigue, sadness, and moral ambiguity. For a paltry sum of $20 - or for free on Game Pass - Pentiment delivers a masterclass in game design, proving that a game can both educate and entertain while setting a new benchmark in period and historical games.

24.?Pitfall!

Pitfall! was the high point for Atari consoles. A thrilling platformer with so many layers of gameplay (alligators, gold, vines, snakes, scorpions, walls, ladders), it showcased the best of what the second generation of video game consoles could do. It also immediately makes me think of Activision, as this was their team's first great success after disbanding from Atari. As amazing as this game is, it is even crazier to think Pitfall! was considered next-gen platforming until Super Mario Brothers made it look primitive by comparison. To this day, I still think of the “Tarzan” sound effect from the game, when you grab a vine, every time I grab a rope or swing from something.

25. Quest for Glory: Shadows of Darkness

I love the whole Quest for Glory series, the first RPGs I ever played with deep D&D-like stats, while not also text-based or with primitive graphics. Of the whole series, IV is my favorite (although the official title didn’t have roman numerals in it). The game had great automatic combat, puzzles, and even let you choose classes (fighter, wizard, thief, and paladin), with one ability and skill that could level up.

26. Return To Monkey Island

If you can’t get excited about a game led by some of the greatest minds to ever work in our industry, a direct sequel to a game released 31 years ago, a title whose very existence still feels like an impossibility, I really don’t know what else to tell you. Honestly, just play it. It’s REALLLLY funny and charming. It is 10x funnier if you have played the past games. The art style is a gift and I respect anybody who disagrees, even though they are wrong

27.?Return To Zork

Return to Zork was released in 1993 and felt extremely modern for its time. First, I loved it because of the throwback to the, until then, largely text-based Zork series, which I had enjoyed as a child.?Second, it, like Gabriel Knight 2 above (1995), was one of the first games to feature live-action video in it, extremely well-done for the time. Rivaled only by the Tex Murphy series (1994), I didn’t see a better video game with live video for at least five years. It was also one of the first video games I ever bought that came with a CD. I bought a computer CD player just to play this game (as did many gamers I knew). The characters and puzzles are fantastic, especially in allowing infinite possibilities for how to interact with others and acquire, use, and combine items, even for an adventure game. I loved how in the box three of the “manual” components were an Encyclopedia Frobozzica and an envelope with a sweepstakes letter.

28.?Street Fighter II

Did you yell “Hadouken”, “Shoryuken”, and “Tatsumaki Senpuu Kyaku” every time you punched or kicked a throw pillow in your house in the early 1990s? I did thanks to Capcom. As I mentioned above in loving Forza despite not being big into sports and car games, I am not a fighting game person. However, Street Fighter II’s colorful cast of characters, varied stages, learnable button combos, all combined with the new SNES controller, made the genre deep, accessible, and fun in the home. My cousins, friends and I were SO into this for an entire year.

29.?Super Mario 64

There is a special, primal gamer feeling in my heart and mind when I am seeing and hearing something so extraordinary that my brain tries to keep up but, effectively, is so overwhelmed it can’t process the input signals it is receiving. I have experienced this most palpably four times in my life: playing Super Mario Brothers, The Legend of Zelda, Super Mario 64, and The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time. It took me almost two years of playing Super Mario 64 to come out of a state of disbelief to one of being able to objectively critique and enjoy the game I was playing. Mario 64 finally presented for the first time a living, breathing cartoon that I could see from all angles. It also realized my childhood fantasy of what a three-dimensional Mario game could look like, meeting every wish. Everything about this game is perfect and it is Koji Kondo’s finest score and Shigeru Miyamoto’s finest game, after only Super Mario Brothers and The Legend of Zelda.?Try the 3D All Stars version if you can - it looks even sharper.

30. Super Mario Brothers

I could wax on about how this game saved the video game industry in North America (it did), how it is arguably the best-known retail-purchase or bundled video game in history (it is), how it has the best known musical theme of any video game (it does), and how it, overnight, changed the standards of what a video game must contain and do to be considered exceptional (it absolutely did). However, the true litmus test for me remains how wildly accessible and beloved this game is, and was, to everybody I know. I got everybody in my family short of my grandfather to pick up the NES controller at least once and go for the flagpole. Mario, you da man.

31.?Super Mario Brothers 3

If Pitfall! served as the peak for Atari consoles, Super Mario 3 was the peak title for the NES. The game took everything Nintendo had learned about platformers and brought it all together in reaching new heights. With 8 incredible worlds, an overworld map, new costumes for Mario, a dizzying variety of enemies, the ability to go forwards and backwards, item shops and the ability to hold items, and much more, Nintendo reestablished the standard for platformers until Super Mario World on the Super Nintendo Entertainment System. Super Mario 3 also set the future expectation for Mario and other series providing highly varied and themed worlds (grassland, water, desert, ice, fire, etc.) as a core component of game design.

32. Super Mario Bros. Wonder

Super Mario Bros. Wonder stands as the zenith of 2D platforming, unmatched since Super Mario World, launched 33 years prior. This game reassures fans of Nintendo's bright future post the era of its legendary creators, showcasing innovation and a commitment to evolution. The game's art direction is a marvel, with a blend of fresh elements and nostalgic nods, all bursting with life and charm. The animation of characters introduces a depth of emotion previously unseen in the genre. With classic tunes returning alongside new compositions from Koji Kondo and team, and Kevin Afghani's unique vocal portrayal of Mario, the game's auditory experience is as delightful as its visuals. Wonder Seeds and the new Elephant Mario power-up add fresh layers to gameplay, ensuring a captivating experience throughout. Despite the high bar set by its multiplayer predecessors, "Wonder" excels, cementing Nintendo's genius in revitalizing 2D platformers. It convincingly argues the indispensable value of owning a Nintendo Switch for an authentic Mario experience. Super Mario Bros. Wonder is not just a game; it's a compelling reason to experience the magic of Mario firsthand. Nintendo, I salute you with my Elephant Mario cap. AROO!

33.?Super Mario Galaxy

While Wii Sports, justifiably, gets a huge share of retrospective attention and praise when talking about the Wii’s runaway success, I consider Super Mario Galaxy the best title for the console. Using the theme of planets and worlds and their gravity, the game provided a thrilling, new 3D and spatial take to the series, as much puzzling at times as platforming. This was the next big moment in the series for me after Super Mario 64’s innovation.?The game only looks better in the Mario 3D Allstars re-release this year and I hear rumors it might get its own separate release on Switch. The game’s sequel was also terrific.

34.?Super Mario Odyssey

Never assume Nintendo can’t innovate further. You wonder, after 20 main series Mario titles, “what can they show me next that is new and interesting”? The result, Mario’s flagship title for the Switch, was Odyssey, with the new mechanic of Mario’s interaction with his hat, Cappy, and the ability to control multiple creatures and objects in the world. The collection of Power Stars is slightly changed to moons, in addition to currency pick-ups for costumes, modernizing Mario’s gameplay to current open world standards with collectibles. Time and lives are eliminated and as you collect moons you can just keep going. The throwback to 2D Mario in pipe sections of the game is brilliant. Every nook and cranny of every world is loaded with things you won’t find the first, or second, or third, or fourth time through. This is a game that rewards sustained focus and exploration and I didn’t stop having fun until the end credits. Like my compliment to Forza above, I wanted to 100% this game every minute of the way.

35.?Super Mario World

If you ever want to get your child off contact sports, do what my parents did: they told me I could either play hockey or have a Super Nintendo. Take how I felt about the NES and Super Mario, back it off by the smallest, smallest smidge, and that’s how I felt about Super Mario World. This is the second-best title ever on the SNES after A Link To The Past and the second-best title for the entire fourth generation of video games. This was the first time we saw Yoshi. The graphics were a colorful explosion that took us all confidently into the world of 16-bit. The game utilized all the buttons on Nintendo’s innovative SNES controller. We saw the concept of switch blocks for the first time. Levels had secret exits with keys. Who doesn’t remember breaking the tape at the end of stages? I adore everything about this game and it will remain a must play for anybody of any age forever.

36. Super Metroid

The Metroid team, from day one, wanted to ensure they were creating something unique to Nintendo’s traditional platformers. They succeeded and, in doing so, created a new genre of gameplay focused on exploration and the gradual unlocking of new areas, and revisiting of old areas, through power-up acquisition. Super Metroid is the best game in the series’ history, introducing inventory, an easier to use map, and multi-directional firing. While subsequent Metroid games kept improving on the formula, this was the title that firmly established most of the series’ trademarks and the foundational elements of Metroidvania games.

37.?Tetris

The best-selling video game of all time, Tetris, and the many great games (like Dr. Mario) it has inspired, brought puzzling to the masses, offering the ultimate “easy to learn, a lifetime to master” experience. Tetris was also a critical system seller, as consoles recovered in the United States, on both the NES and the Game Boy, especially the latter. The game’s legacy and popularity endure, with titles like Tetris 99 on the Switch. Also, who can forget that trance-like music in the background?

38.?The Curse Of Monkey Island

Proving my point on how ranking greatest games in ordinal fashion is almost impossible, I struggle in choosing between Secret of Monkey Island or Curse of Monkey Island as the best in the series. In Curse’s favor, the timeless, hand-painted and scanned art style (1997) still looks current and doesn’t need a remake. The video cut scenes are amongst the best for the era. Characters and crew are incredibly unique, with dialogue choices matching the original’s open-endedness and humor. The puzzles, on Mega Monkey mode, are incredibly challenging, with many hilarious solutions. Of the post-Sierra era of adventure games, this is one of the very best. Murray the Skeleton is SO funny! Just writing this blurb has me excited for the upcoming Return to Monkey Island.

39.?The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim

There is a reason, by the time the game’s newest edition comes out, I will have purchased Skyrim seven times (Original PC release, PC legendary edition, PC special edition, Switch, VR, PS4, Anniversary Edition). Talk about making a game so good that I am willing just to give my credit card's CSC code to Bethesda at this point to save time. This is the best game Bethesda ever made and, count on one hand, one of the best open world and role-playing games ever made. It takes reflection to recall just how mind-blowing the game’s innovations were for its time. Talk about game value: you can easily spend 300+ hours exploring everything Skyrim has to offer. I particularly love all the small treats and peculiarities you find in the world that are obviously designed, but feel like they are little secrets only you found. While not perfect, I most recommend playing it in VR.

40.?The Legend Of Zelda

This may have been the most eye-opening game I ever played in my life in presenting to me a world, in Hyrule, and a range of activities within an overworld and dungeons, and then leaving me completely stumped in figuring what to do with it (in a good way). At first, I didn’t get Zelda. It was so different from anything I had played before I had to puzzle out what it wanted me to do. It felt so vast compared to past games, even gems like Super Mario Brothers. For the time, I had that same feeling one gets now of going from a normal game to an amazing open world one like Skyrim or Grand Theft Auto. Tight, fun gameplay. Exceptional design. One of the best game scores ever. It’s all here, and it started my favorite game series of all time. I also loved how there were tons of items or experiences you could optionally discover, or not, for the first time in a game. Don’t want the Master Sword? No problem. Don’t want to upgrade your armor? Don’t do it. Want to gamble? There’s a place to do it. This was also the first time I ever encountered a save file in a?game.

41.?The Legend of Zelda: A Link To The Past

As I mentioned above for Super Mario Odyssey, I always marvel at how Nintendo keeps finding innovation in its main IPs, especially Mario and Zelda. How do you improve on two great Zelda games for the NES? How about a light and dark world mechanic that gives you two places to explore in one,?even more dungeons, a boatload of items, an incredible 16-bit art style, an explosion in the number of secrets, a new flute to travel the world, a charming story. Also, the number of mini-games and side activities in this game is crazy. And for a Koji Kondo game, do I even need to speak about how great the music is? My favorite story for this game is I bought it during a big family visit. My uncles all sat behind me on the couch, equally drawn into the game. They would keep shouting out places to bomb the walls or look for pieces or heart, or debate where I should go next to explore. Like I mentioned for Super Mario Brothers and Tetris above, when non-gamers get as excited about a title as me, you know something special is happening. For a treat, try the related 3DS game, A Link Between Worlds, which is also outstanding.

42.?The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild

The Legend of Zelda on NES hit me with an open world explosion. Breath of the Wild hit all past Zelda games with an open world explosion.?The vast minimalism of everything in this game, from the music, to the limited handholding, to the fact you can rush to Ganon or take hundreds of hours to find every little place and secret all really works for me. I’ll tell you how excited people were about this game: I wanted a Master Edition copy of it, with a Master Sword statue. They were available absolutely nowhere, even for a collector like me who has tricks to find such things. Finally, we were in New York and I went to the Nintendo World Store with my partner. I asked the nice associate if they had a copy, expecting a quick no. He asked my partner if I was a big Zelda fan. “Oh, don’t worry,” she said in the understatement of the century, “he’s a real fan”. “Wait a minute,” he said. He came back with something large underneath a black trash bag and said “I’ll check you out – I had one left and I don’t want others to get upset I’m giving it to you.” I had not experienced something so funny, touching, and eccentric since my parents got me a Cabbage Patch Doll in 1986 as a kid and similarly had to get it out the back of our local Toys “R” Us in an unmarked, tinted container. Zelda passion makes everybody a bit nutty, and I love it.

43.?The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina Of Time

Everything Super Mario 64 triggered in me relative to Mario, Ocarina Of Time did for Zelda. The scope of the world, the new combat and targeting system, the modernized take on dungeons, the way the Ocarina allowed you teleport, the rising bar of side activities, and the new music were all breathtaking. A favorite memory is exiting the town, early in the game, rolling around some rocks, and finding a first major treasure chest with your sword. As Link raised the sword above his head, my breath was completely taken away and I knew I was seeing one of the greatest games ever made. I most recommend the 3D version on 3DS, if you can access it.

44. The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom

It's hard to overstate the immense scale of this game, even when compared to Breath of the Wild. Nintendo has truly outdone themselves with Tears of the Kingdom, delivering a vast and immersive world that yearns to be explored. The inclusion of the Depths, a dark and treacherous underworld, and the sky islands that grace the skies above Hyrule, expand the game's horizons and present new and exhilarating challenges. Tears of the Kingdom instills confidence in both Nintendo and the Legend of Zelda series. It solidifies the franchise's standing as number 1 in games history. The game's captivating exploration, innovative systems like vehicle building and weapon crafting, and the revamped Hyrule map all contribute to its undeniable greatness. Tears builds upon the foundations laid by its predecessor. This is an awe-inspiring sequel that takes the beloved formula of Breath of the Wild and expands upon it significantly. Its expansive world, engaging gameplay systems, and captivating story make it a must-play for any fan of the franchise.

45.?The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker HD

Many critics initially derided two of the Wind Waker’s biggest design choices: the use of a cel-shaded art style and the setting of much of the game on the sea. Both choices have proven savvy over time, as the first created a timeless look that could have been created in 2021 and the second offered a new take on an open world that I still find one-of-a-kind. The “buddy” dynamic of hanging with your ship, The King of Red Lions, is precious. I love the incredible range of side characters across your journey. I really enjoy the Wii U’s touchpad controls, perhaps the best implementation of them for any game, with an 8x8 grid that tracks your position and past travels, also allowing you to switch items. You really feel like each island you approach, and the time spent between them on the Great Sea, could reveal absolutely anything; it is pretty rare for a game to make you feel that way. I recommend the HD version on Wii U over the original on Gamecube because of the upgraded appearance, the Wii U controls, and quality of life adjustments (like the Swift Sail, which allows quicker steering and auto-adjusts for the wind).

46.?The Secret Of Mana

This Square Action RPG gem was the first lengthy multiplayer game I ever played with others. It brought several major innovations to the genre: replacement of turn-based play with real-time fighting and power bars, an elegant ring that allowed pull-down actions, and drop in/out gameplay. With eight different weapon types, upgrade orbs, magic, and a huge world to explore, Secret Of Mana offered a wonderful contrast to Final Fantasy-type titles of the era and unique breadth for real-time fighting. I still remember the fun exclamation of “[Monster Name] gets whacked!” when a character would record a critical hit. There is a HD remaster available, which is fun, but I prefer the original.

47.?The Secret Of Monkey Island

This is the original PC masterpiece of gaming, along with Sierra's adventure games, that captured my heart as a child. You play a pirate, Guybrush Threepwood, in a comedy where you gather and combine items, have hilarious conversations with others and explore a number of beautifully drawn environments as you battle the Evil Pirate LeChuck. The amount of humor and dialogue in these games is knee-slapping, including in-jokes about other games and the industry itself. This was the first games series I played (on 5.25" floppy disks, if you can believe it) where I felt like it was made just for me and the original quirky humor had me laughing from the first click to the end. The game is now remastered in a beautiful widescreen with a new gorgeous soundtrack and voice acting. You can even toggle between the new version and the old one at any moment so you can see what they both looked like. I love the remastered soundtrack and the voice acting remains superb.

48.?The Witcher 3

Outside of the Zelda series, this is the best open world game I have ever played and one of the best in role-playing / fantasy. Witcher 3 shines because of CDPR's attention to detail and generosity of content. Every inch of the game world and its systems, from crafting potions, to monster variants, to weather effects, to day/night cycles, to characters, to animals is meticulously considered and executed. Every single quest, even if someone has you go gather a few bear pelts, feels like a main line quest in any other game and matters to you because of well-executed, fully-voiced cutscenes and great writing. The choices you make also really matter and deliver real branching pathways and even elimination of characters in the story. The music, sound, and voice acting are as high quality as a major movie release. And all this on top of a free Game Of The Year remastered upgrade released in December 2022!

49.?What Remains Of Edith Finch

A recent indie title that is the strongest, along with Firewatch and Gone Home (but the best of the three) of a new modern take on adventure games, sometimes, unfairly, derided as "walking simulators", although the gameplay here is more robust than that.?This game is one of the 10 most artistically beautiful games I have ever seen, presenting its tale as a sequence of individual experiences, joined by your journey through the Finch's house. This is one of the games most frequently cited when critics and fans talk about the ability of video games to rise to the level of an art form. The dark story it tells of the Finch family is not one you will soon forget. Be warned though: parts of this tale are quite dark.

50.?World Of Warcraft

I have lost count of how much of my life I gave to the Warcraft universe and the world of Azeroth, of which World of Warcraft is the strongest title in the series. This is the zenith of MMORPGs and the best of Blizzard all-time. It says a lot that I played this game more than any other in my life. Building on titles like Everquest, this was the first title that brought together all my friends for online play. Before I had my own family, I had a huge online guild of friends who logged on every night, with hundreds of people present on Ventrilo chatting until well past midnight. I can tell you the name of every town, zone, and NPC. I can hum every song and sound queue anywhere you like. The instances, raids, and PvP were an experience I had never shared with others in online multiplayer gameplay and, given a newness that can't be replicated, provided a sense of joy and wonder I question if any game, in that online setting, can produce again. For many years, WoW transcended being a video game and gave me a great joy and group of friends I will treasure forever. Just thinking about those days makes me happy.

I'll share my favorite World of Warcraft story with you to close out this article and explain why, as I have always believed, great games bring people together and are bigger than just titles people play for fun.

It is January 2007 (14 years ago!). After the launch of WoW, expectations soar for the first expansion, The Burning Crusade. I played since launch with two of my real-life best friends and a guild of great online friends. It is the day before midnight release. I reserved my copy in Manhattan at GameStop. I'm in the neighborhood hours earlier on an errand. An uncountable line of folks had already formed. Some brought refreshments for everybody. Some were playing music. A few were even playing WoW on laptops. Everybody was getting to know each other and over the moon. I decided to just stay.

I got my copy at 1am. My best friend got his at 2am (pre-digital distribution). I go home and log onto Ventrilo. Over 100 people are in voice chat going bonkers. Our guild goes to the Dark Portal. So many people are there, the server hard crashes for hours. It didn't matter. People stayed up all night, just hanging out. And then the expansion was magical. I've rarely seen that level of excitement around anything, not personal, in my life and will always treasure that memory, shared with so many I cared about.

That's the special and unique joy the greatest video games can bring to people's lives. That's how video games bring us all together.