It is subjective to decide what are the “best” video games of all time, since it depends on individual preferences. A number of video games, however, are widely regarded as among the top games of all time, including:
The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time (Nintendo 64, 1998)
The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time is a critically acclaimed action-adventure game developed and published by Nintendo for the Nintendo 64 in 1998. This video game is widely regarded as one of the greatest of all time and is credited with revolutionizing the action-adventure genre. With an open-world environment, an engaging story line, and a variety of challenging puzzles, the game has everything you’d expect. In the global market, the game sold over 7 million copies. This game was universally acclaimed upon release and is still regarded as a classic. A cult following still exists for this game, which has been re-released across a variety of platforms.
Super Mario Bros. (NES, 1985)
Super Mario Bros. is a classic 2D side-scrolling platform game developed and published by Nintendo for the Nintendo Entertainment System (NES) in 1985. In the history of video games, it has been hailed as one of the most influential and important. A plumber named Mario must rescue Princess Toadstool from the evil Bowser in this game. Power-ups, secret levels, and jumping as the primary means of offense and defense were all introduced into this game, which is known as the foundation of the platformer genre. Over 40 million copies of the game were sold worldwide, making it a huge commercial success. The game was critically acclaimed upon release and is now considered a classic and a must-play for all gamers. A strong cult following still exists for Super Mario Bros, which has been rereleased on multiple platforms.
Tetris (various platforms, 1984)
The Tetris puzzle game was created by Russian designer Alexey Pajitnov and has been published by various companies. In 1984, it was released on the Electronika 60 computer in the Soviet Union, and later on Gameboy, NES, arcade, PC, and mobile devices. The object of the game is to place falling tetrominoes so that horizontal lines are completed without gaps. Among the greatest video games of all time, it is widely credited with popularizing the puzzle game genre. Over 495 million copies of Tetris have been sold across all platforms, making it one of the best-selling video games of all time. After its release, the game received critical acclaim and remains a classic.
Minecraft (various platforms, 2011)
Minecraft is a sandbox-style game developed by Mojang Studios and published by Xbox Game Studios. It was first released in 2011 for PC and has since been released on a wide variety of platforms including Xbox, PlayStation, Nintendo Switch, iOS, and Android devices. The game is set in a blocky, procedurally-generated 3D world, with gameplay that focuses on exploration, resource gathering, crafting, and combat.
One of the most popular aspects of Minecraft is the ability to build structures using blocks, which is why it is also considered a creative game. Players can mine and gather resources, craft tools, build structures, and explore the game’s vast worlds. In addition to the survival mode, Minecraft also includes a creative mode that gives players access to all the resources and tools immediately, allowing them to build without any limitations.
Minecraft has sold over 176 million copies, making it one of the best-selling video games of all time. The game was critically acclaimed upon release and has won numerous awards. Its popularity has resulted in a large and active community of players, who have created an enormous amount of user-generated content and mods, which further extends the life of the game.
Grand Theft Auto V (PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, 2013)
Grand Theft Auto V is an open-world action-adventure game developed by Rockstar North and published by Rockstar Games. It was first released in 2013 for the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360, and later released on other platforms such as PC, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and the recently launched PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X/S.
The game is set in the fictional city of Los Santos and its surrounding countryside, which is based on the city of Los Angeles and its environs. The game follows three protagonists, Michael, Franklin, and Trevor, who are all criminals and their efforts to commit heists while under pressure from a government agency and powerful crime figures. The game features an open-world environment, a complex and engaging story, and a wide variety of activities such as driving, flying, and sailing, as well as a vast array of weapons, and characters to interact with.
Grand Theft Auto V was a massive commercial success, selling over 150 million copies, making it the best-selling game of all time. The game received critical acclaim upon release, with praise directed towards its open-world design, storytelling, and characters. It has won numerous awards and is considered one of the greatest video games of all time.
The Last of Us (PlayStation 3, 2013)
The Last of Us is an action-adventure game developed by Naughty Dog and published by Sony Computer Entertainment. It was first released for the PlayStation 3 in 2013, later for the PlayStation 4 in 2014, and for the PlayStation 5 in 2020. The game is set in a post-apocalyptic world, where a fungus has infected most of humanity, turning them into aggressive creatures. The story follows Joel, a hardened survivor and a smuggler, and Ellie, a young girl who is immune to the fungus, as they make a journey across the United States, trying to survive and find a way to a group of resistance fighters, known as the Fireflies.
The game is praised for its storytelling, characters, and the relationship between Joel and Ellie, as well as its gameplay, which includes combat, stealth, exploration, and puzzle-solving. The game also features an emotional and dramatic story with a memorable ending.
The Last of Us was a commercial and critical success, selling over 17 million copies worldwide. It received universal acclaim upon release, with many praising its story, characters, and gameplay. It won numerous awards, including several “Game of the Year” awards, and is considered one of the greatest video games of all time.
Red Dead Redemption 2 (PlayStation 4, Xbox One, 2018)
Red Dead Redemption 2 is an action-adventure game developed and published by Rockstar Games. It was first released in 2018 for the PlayStation 4 and Xbox One, and later for the PC and then for the Google Stadia. The game is set in a fictional version of the American Old West, where the player takes on the role of Arthur Morgan, a member of the Van der Linde gang, as he navigates the world, completing missions, and interacting with the game’s non-playable characters.
The game is praised for its open-world design, immersive storytelling, and detailed characters. The game also features an in-depth and realistic world, with a vast landscape, a dynamic weather system, and realistic wildlife. The game also features a moral system where the player’s actions will affect how NPCs interact with them.
Red Dead Redemption 2 was a commercial and critical success, selling over 34 million copies worldwide. It received universal acclaim upon release, with many praising its open-world design, storytelling, and characters. It won numerous awards, including several “Game of the Year” awards, and is considered one of the greatest video games of all time.
The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt (2015)
The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt is an action role-playing game developed and published by CD Projekt Red. It was first released in 2015 for the PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and PC. The game is set in a medieval fantasy world and follows the story of Geralt of Rivia, a monster hunter known as a Witcher, as he searches for his adopted daughter and battles against the Wild Hunt, an otherworldly force determined to capture her.
The game is praised for its open-world design, engaging story, and complex characters. It also features a deep and rich world, with a vast landscape, a dynamic weather system, and a wide variety of quests and activities for the player to engage in. The game also features a moral system, where player choices will affect the outcome of certain quests and the story.
The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt was a commercial and critical success, selling over 28 million copies worldwide. It received universal acclaim upon release, with many praising its open-world design, storytelling, and characters. It won numerous awards, including several “Game of the Year” awards, and is considered one of the greatest video games of all time.
Dark Souls (PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, 2011)
Dark Souls is an action role-playing game developed by FromSoftware and published by Bandai Namco. It was first released in 2011 for the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360, and later released on other platforms such as PC and Nintendo Switch.
The game is set in a dark and unforgiving fantasy world and follows the story of an undead warrior, known as the “Ashen One”, who is on a quest to link the fire and prolong the Age of Fire, or to usher in the Age of Dark. The game is known for its challenging and unforgiving gameplay, where players will have to battle against difficult enemies and navigate treacherous environments. The game also features a complex and atmospheric world, with a wide variety of weapons, magic, and armor to collect and upgrade.
Dark Souls was a commercial success and has since gained a cult following. It was critically acclaimed upon release, with praise directed towards its challenging gameplay, atmospheric world, and its unique approach to storytelling. It has since become a benchmark for the genre and is considered one of the greatest video games of all time.
Half-Life 2 (PC, 2004)
Half-Life 2 is a first-person shooter game developed and published by Valve Corporation. It was first released in 2004 for the PC and later released on other platforms such as Xbox, PlayStation 3, and the Mac. The game is a sequel to the critically acclaimed Half-Life, and it continues the story of Gordon Freeman, a theoretical physicist who must fight against an alien invasion in the dystopian city of City 17.
The game is praised for its immersive storytelling, detailed environments, and engaging gameplay. It features a rich and detailed world, with a wide variety of weapons, physics-based puzzles, and enemies to encounter. The game also features a strong emphasis on story-telling and character development, with no cutscenes, the story is told through the gameplay and the player’s interactions with the environment and non-player characters.
Half-Life 2 was a commercial and critical success, and it received universal acclaim upon release, with many praising its storytelling, gameplay, and graphics. It won numerous awards, including several “Game of the Year” awards and is considered one of the greatest video games of all time. It’s also the second game in the Half-Life series, which is still considered one of the most influential and celebrated series in the history of first-person shooter games.
The list is not exhaustive, and other games could be included depending on personal preferences.