In this article we take a look at the top 30 videos games of all time. You can skip our detailed analysis of the video gaming industry and go to Top 5 Video Games of All Time.
Looking at the history of the gaming industry, it is divided into eight generations of evolution. However, in 1993 the fifth generation of the gaming industry got mainstream recognition as an entertainment medium like films, TV and music. The early prototypes of video games were developed in labs in the 1960s, but it was Atari's release of Pong in 1972 that helped to kick-start this industry. Then the arcade table tennis game became a sensation. With the passage of time, the use of technology in gaming increased, and the graphics and gameplay of games got better and better. The use of the internet and LAN in video games brought the revolution of multiplayer gaming. Now people play multiplayer games with their friends or other people online. In addition, people from all over the world compete in E-sports tournaments playing in multiplayer games competitions and winning various prizes. Currently, the global gaming market is valued at $162.32 billion and is expected to reach a value of $295.63 billion by 2026, according to Mordor Intelligence forecasts. The reason behind the projected rise in the value of the gaming industry is its ever-increasing number of developers across emerging economies. These developers are continually striving to enhance the gamer's experience through innovative and unique content.
The lucrative nature of the gaming industry has attracted the attention of tech giants, including Amazon.com, Inc. (NASDAQ: AMZN), Apple Inc. (NASDAQ: AAPL) and Alphabet Inc. (NASDAQ: GOOGL). But neither of these companies was able to make a dent in the industry that has extremely peculiar dynamics. For example, Amazon.com, Inc. (NASDAQ: AMZN), which is reportedly pouring about $500 million a year in its struggling video game division, is trying hard to capture some market share of the gaming industry by hiring talent from Electronic Arts Inc. (NASDAQ: EA), building its own software and coming up with new titles. In 2014, Amazon acquired video-game streaming service Twitch for $970 million, beating Alphabet Inc Class A (NASDAQ: GOOGL) in the bidding war. Amazon is also building a service to stream games to a computer, phone or Amazon Fire TV. Bloomberg earlier this year reported that Jeff Bezos is taking a keen interest in the company’s gaming division, with a vision to use it as a way to expand Amazon’s subscription ecosystem and Cloud platform.
Similarly, Apple Inc. (NASDAQ: AAPL) in 2019 launched Apple Arcade, a $4.99 a month service that gave access to a variety of video games and gaming hardware. However, the service didn’t take off as expected and the company ended contracts with several gaming studios, with Apple Arcade creative producer reportedly saying the service failed to get the level of “engagement” Apple was seeking, according to Bloomberg.
Some of the popular gaming platforms right now are Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ: MSFT)'s Windows PC, Xbox and Windows Phone. Apple Inc. (NASDAQ: AAPL)'s iPhone, iPad and Macintosh PC also take a lead with mobile games, along with the obvious names like The Sony Corporation (SNE)'s PlayStation and VR. Games like PUBG, Pokémon Go, Call of Duty Mobile and many more are some of the most popular mobile games. According to Business of Apps, the video game PUBG mobile is the most popular multiplayer mobile game with over 30 million active players.
This ranking of the 30 best video games of all time is done based on user reviews. Metacritic scores were used for this ranking because it aggregates all the critic reviews together of gaming critics and journalists.
30 Best Video Games of All Time
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Let’s see the 30 best video games of all time based on the Metacritic score of all video games.
Top 30 Video Games of All Time
30. Gran Turismo
Sony Corporation (SNE) developed this game for its PlayStation 1 platform in 1997. Gran Turismo is a racing simulation game and gained a lot of popularity at that time due to its great 3D graphics and engaging racing gameplay. The Metacritic score of this game is 96 out of 100, and the user score is 8.6 out of 10.
29. The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker
In 2002, Nintendo Co. Ltd. (TYO: NTDOY) developed this game for its GameCube, Wii U platforms. This action-adventure game was the tenth installment in The Legend of Zelda series and made its mark due to its interesting story and characters. The Metacritic score of this game is 96 out of 100, and the user score is 9 out of 10.
28. Half-Life
Half-Life ranks 28th on our list of the top video games of all time. This video game was released back in 1998 by Valve Corporation for Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ: MSFT) Windows PC platform, Apple Inc. (NASDAQ: AAPL) Mac PC, Linux and Sony Corporation (SNE) PlayStation 2 platform. This first-person shooter game was revolutionary at that time with its beautiful graphics, story and characters that are still remembered today. The game has a Metacritic score of 96 out of 100 and a user score of 9 out of 10.
27. The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim
This game was developed by Bethesda Softworks, a subsidiary of Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ: MSFT), in 2011. This game is still available on Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, PC, Xbox One, PlayStation 4 and Nintendo Switch platforms. This open world action role-playing video game is still being played because it is one of the greatest open world games of all time if not the greatest. This game has a Metacritic score of 96 out of 100 and a user score of 8.5 out of 10.
26. The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess
In 2006, Nintendo Co. Ltd. (TYO: NTDOY) developed this game for its GameCube, Wii platforms. the thirteenth installment in the Legend of Zelda series that gave gamers the same amazing storytelling, characters and gameplay like the previous ones. The Metacritic score of this game is 96 out of 100, and the user score is 9.1 out of 10.
25. Mass Effect 2
Electronic Arts Inc. (NASDAQ: EA) developed this action role-playing video game back in 2010 for PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, PC platforms. This action role-playing video game by EA is regarded as the best game in which user choices really had an impact on the story and experience. The game has a Metacritic score of 96 out of 100 and a user score of 8.9 out of 10
24. Tekken 3
The company Bandai Namco Holdings Inc. (TYO: NCBDF) developed this arcade fighting game back in 1997 for PlayStation and arcade gaming platforms. Probably the most popular arcade video game that started the era of competitive gaming and e-sports. This game has a Metacritic score of 96 out of 100 and a user score of 9.1 out of 10.
23. Batman: Arkham City
AT&T Inc. (NYSE: T) subsidiary WB Games published the “Batman: Arkham City” video game in 2011. This game is available on Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, PC, Mac, Wii U, PlayStation 4 and Xbox One platforms. This action-adventure game is regarded as the best superhero video game of all time. The Metacritic score of this game is 96 out of 100, and the user score is 8.7 out of 10.
22. The Orange Box
The Orange Box ranks 22nd on our list of the best video games of all time. This compilation of video games was released back in 2007 by the Valve Corporation for Microsoft Windows PC platform, Apple Inc. (NASDAQ: AAPL) Mac PC, Linux and Sony Corporation (SNE) PlayStation 3 platform. The orange box is considered as the best collection of video games ever offered having games like Half-life 2, team fortress and Portal. The game has a Metacritic score of 96 out of 100 and a user score of 9.1 out of 10.
21. Resident Evil 4
This game was developed and published by CAPCOM Co., Ltd. (TYO: CCOEY) in 2005 for the GameCube, PlayStation 2, Microsoft Windows, Wii, Zeebo and iOS platforms. But it is now available on PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, Android, PlayStation 4 and Xbox One platforms as well. This is a survival horror third-person shooter video game that provided great 3D graphics and a compelling story. The Metacritic score of this game is 96 out of 100 and a user score of 9.2 out of 10.
20. Uncharted 2: Among Thieves
Sony Corporation (SNE) developed this video game back in 2009 as an exclusive for its PlayStation 3 console. Later it was also available for the Sony Corporation (SNE) PlayStation 4 console. This action-adventure game is considered as one of the best video games ever released on last gen PlayStation console. The Metacritic score of this game is 96 out of 100 and a user score of 8.8 out of 10.
19. GoldenEye 007
In 1997, Nintendo Co. Ltd. (TYO: NTDOY) developed this game for its Nintendo 64 Wii platforms. This game introduced gamers to one of the best first person shooter experiences in a video game. The Metacritic score of this game is 96 out of 100, and the user score is 9.2 out of 10.
18. BioShock
BioShock ranks 18th on our list of the top video games of all time. The company Take-Two Interactive Software Inc. (NASDAQ: TTWO) developed and published this action-adventure video game in 2007 for PC, PlayStation, Xbox and Nintendo platforms. The first installment in the BioShock video game series was a masterpiece with an amazing story and gameplay. The Metacritic score of this game is 96 out of 100, and the user score is 9.3 out of 10.
17. Half-Life 2
This video game was released back in 2004 by the developer Valve Corporation for Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ: MSFT) Windows PC platform, Apple Inc. (NASDAQ: AAPL) Mac PC, Linux and Sony Corporation (SNE) PlayStation 3 platform. This second installment in the Half-Life series took off from the last game and ended the story of its beloved characters beautifully. The game has a Metacritic score of 96 out of 100 and a user score of 9.2 out of 10.
16. NFL 2K1
This sports simulation game was developed by the company Visual Concepts, a subsidiary of Take-Two Interactive Software Inc. (NASDAQ: TTWO) for the Dreamcast platform and was released in the year 2000. The game has a Metacritic score of 96 out of 100 and a user score of 9.3 out of 10.
15. Halo: Combat Evolved
Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ: MSFT) released this video game for its Windows PC and Xbox platform back in 2001. This first-person shooter game literally was the main reason behind the success of Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ: MSFT) new console Xbox that was launched to compete with PlayStation. According to Metacritic, this game has a critic score of 97 out of 100 and a user score of 8.4 out of 10.
14. Super Mario Odyssey
The Nintendo Co. Ltd. (TYO: NTDOY) developed and released this game for its Nintendo Switch platform in 2017. This platform game introduced the beloved Mario character to the gamers in a unique new way with better graphics and 3D gameplay. The Metacritic score of this game is 97 out of 100, and the user score is 9.4 out of 10.
13. Grand Theft Auto III
This open-world action-adventure game was developed by Rockstar Games in 2001 for PC, PlayStation and Xbox platforms. Now this game is also available on Android and iOS platforms. It started the era of blockbuster open world video games released by Rockstar Games. The Metacritic score of this game is 97 out of 100, and the user score is 8.4 out of 10.
12. Metroid Prime
Metroid Prime ranks 12th on our list of the best video games of all time. The company Nintendo-developed and released this game in 2002 for the GameCube and Wii platforms. This action-adventure game was the fifth installment in the franchise and was the best Metroid Prime game. This critically acclaimed video game has a Metacritic score of 97 out of 100, and the user score is 9.3 out of 10.
11. Perfect Dark
Both Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ: MSFT) and Nintendo Co. Ltd. (TYO: NTDOY) gaming studios collaborated for this project and released this game in the year 2000. This game was released on Nintendo 64 and Xbox platform. This first-person shooter was the first exclusive multi-platformer released on two different systems at the same time Xbox and Nintendo 64. This game has a Metacritic score of 97 out of 100, and the user score is 9.0 out of 10.
10. Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 3
This game was developed and published by Activision Blizzard, Inc. (NASDAQ: ATVI) in 2001. It was released on Nintendo 64, Microsoft Windows, GameCube, PlayStation and Xbox platforms. This game was a gift for all skateboarding fans as they played as Tony Hawk, the best skateboarder in the world. The Metacritic score of this game is 97 out of 100, and the user score is 9.2 out of 10.
9. The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild
The Nintendo Co. Ltd. (TYO: NTDOY) developed and released this game for its Nintendo Switch platform in 2017. This game won the “Game of the Year” award in 2017 and was the highest reviewed game of that year. The most recent installment in the Legend of Zelda series gave the gamers a new open world experience on a Nintendo console for the first time ever. The Metacritic score of this game is 97 out of 100, and the user score is 9.6 out of 10.
8. Grand Theft Auto V
Another open-world action-adventure game developed by Rockstar Games, a subsidiary of Take-Two Interactive Software Inc. (NASDAQ: TTWO), known as GTA V, was released in 2013. Initially, this game was released for PC, PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 platforms. But now it is available on the latest consoles as well because of its high popularity among gamers and evolving multiplayer. The Metacritic score of this game is 97 out of 100, and the user score is 9.7 out of 10.
7. Red Dead Redemption 2
One of the most recent open-world action-adventure game developed by Rockstar Games, a subsidiary of Take-Two Interactive Software Inc. (NASDAQ: TTWO), was released in 2018 initially for PlayStation 4 and Xbox One platforms, but later it got also released on PC. The game won awards of best storytelling, acting and game in 2018. The Metacritic score of this game is 97 out of 100, and the user score is 7.7 out of 10.
6. Super Mario Galaxy 2
The Nintendo Co. Ltd. (TYO: NTDOY) developed and released this game for its Wii U and Wii platforms in 2010. This game gave the Mario fans the chance to play with all the Mario family characters and was an amazing platformer. The Metacritic score of this game is 97 out of 100, and the user score is 9.6 out of 10.
