Video games have been a part of popular culture for decades now, and they have grown exponentially in popularity since the early days of Pong. With the advancement of technology, modern video games can be incredibly immersive experiences, offering players an array of rich and varied gaming worlds to explore.
When it comes to ranking the best games of all time, however, it can be difficult to pick just ten. So many games have made an impact on players over the years, and there are so many great games to choose from. That being said, here is a definitive ranking of the top 10 video games of all time.
1. The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time (1998)
The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time is one of the most beloved games of all time and it is often cited as one of the best. It was revolutionary for its time, offering an expansive open world filled with secret dungeons, puzzles, and a compelling story. The gameplay was also groundbreaking, introducing the Z-targeting system which allowed players to target and attack enemies with ease.
2. Super Mario Bros. (1985)
Super Mario Bros. is a classic that needs no introduction. It revolutionized gaming when it was first released, introducing gamers to the side-scrolling platformer genre. It had simple controls, an instantly recognizable soundtrack, and brilliantly designed levels that remain enjoyable to this day.
3. Half-Life 2 (2004)
Half-Life 2 is a first-person shooter that was revolutionary for its time. It had an engaging story, innovative weapons, and an impressive physics engine that made the game feel incredibly realistic. It also introduced the Source engine that is still used in many modern games.
4. World of Warcraft (2004)
World of Warcraft revolutionized the MMO genre, introducing players to an expansive world filled with quests, dungeons, and other players. It is still the most popular MMO in the world, and the game has evolved over the years with new expansions and features being added regularly.
5. Grand Theft Auto V (2013)
Grand Theft Auto V is a sprawling open world game that is still popular to this day. It has an engaging narrative, a huge amount of side activities to do, and an impressive amount of detail and depth. It also introduced players to the online multiplayer mode, allowing them to explore the game’s world with their friends.
6. Portal (2007)
Portal is a unique puzzle game that challenges players to use portals to solve a variety of physics-based puzzles. It has a dark and humorous story, and the game has a unique atmosphere that makes it stand out from other puzzle games.
7. The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim (2011)
The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim is an incredibly popular open world RPG that has captivated players since its release. It has an expansive world filled with quests, dungeons, and dragons to fight. It also has an impressive level of detail and a brilliant soundtrack.
8. Street Fighter II (1991)
Street Fighter II revolutionized the fighting game genre when it was first released in 1991. It had a huge roster of memorable characters, each with their own distinct fighting style, and the game’s iconic soundtrack is still recognizable to this day.
9. Super Mario 64 (1996)
Super Mario 64 was a revolutionary game for its time, introducing 3D platforming to the Mario series. It had a huge number of levels to explore, each filled with secrets to find. It also had a great soundtrack, power-ups to find, and a variety of challenging bosses.
10. The Last of Us (2013)
The Last of Us is a critically-acclaimed post-apocalyptic action-adventure game. It has an engaging story, visceral combat, and an incredible atmosphere that makes it stand out from other games. It also has some of the best facial animations in any game, making the characters feel incredibly lifelike.
The above list is just a small selection of some of the best video games of all time. There are so many great games that it is impossible to pick just ten, but these ten games have each had an impact on the gaming industry and have helped shape the video game landscape that we know today.