10 Best Video Games of All Time
Attempting to pare down the greatest video games of all time is a task and a half. We polled a number of real humans, we skimmed the internet, and we looked at how many millions of copies were sold, and we’ve come up with would could be hailed as the definitive list of popular games, or the most subjective assemblage of biased rubbish.
See the top 10 Best Video Games of All Time here:
1. The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time
Ocarina of Time was, for many, the turning point in video games. It marked that pivotal moment when the medium cemented itself as a formidable place for artistic expression. Undeniably the first truly remarkable 3D experience in gaming, Ocarina of Time has inspired countless titles with its moody tone, nostalgic story-line, and incredible soundtrack.
Choosing between Super Mario Worldand Super Mario Bros. 3 is a close call, but the former just edges out the latter. Super Mario World set an important tone and structure for the future of everyone's favorite plumber. And that vibrant, 16-bit art style still looks gorgeous today.
A staple in gaming since 1984, Tetrisremains a pop culture icon. This puzzler keeps itself in the spotlight with new hit releases like The Tetris Effect and Tetris 99, along with an abundance of mobile games, proving it will stand the test of time.
4. Street Fighter II
There have been so many classic entries into the fighting game genre. But, more than Mortal Kombat or Marvel vs. Capcom or even Tekken, the influence of Street Fighter II has been unceasing for decades. Still being used for professional competitions to this day, Street Fighter II wrote the book on the fighting game. And it holds up.
Everyone, and I mean everyone, played and enjoyed Wii Sports. Even those hardest of hardcore gamers cracked a smile. While it may not be a complex piece, it always had the unique ability to bring gamers and non-gamers together. Few games ever achieved the same level of accessibility and renowned household recognition like it. Oh, and it was free with the Wii, so there was that.
The Pokémon franchise has taken over the world. With mobile apps, long-standing handheld favorites, an animé series, and so much more, gaming would truly not be the same today without Pokémon. And it all started with Red and Blue. Before “Pikachu” became a household name, Red and Blue were the humble, role-playing game titles that redefined the handheld medium, sparking something of a pop culture revolution.
WOW, first released in 2004, is less of a video game and more of a lifestyle. Your friends in high school who played WOWhad an entire culture of their own—they existed in this separate world, interacting with each other and with people from all over the globe, night after night. For this reason alone, it should be remembered as an all-timer.
The Kingdom Hearts series is a wonderful fever dream. A crossover trippier then the TMNT/Power Rangers special, this game combines the characters of Disney and Final Fantasyinto a wonderfully convoluted game. The sequel makes this list due to its tight combat features and new abilities. With Kingdom Hearts 3’s debut in January, it’s nice to see the series back in the limelight.
Overwatch is a creative take on the first-person-shooter style. This game breaks the mold through its beautifully designed characters and a reliance on team composition and objective-based gameplay. The game has kept up a constant stream of new maps, events, heroes, and skins since its 2016 release, and it's not slowing down; the thirtieth hero Baptiste waits on the horizon.
10. Super Mario Kart
Super Mario Kart is almost a rite of passage. The 1992 debut was the game that launched eight other console games in its wake, handily making it one of the most influential games in the past four decades. It may be cruder and less advanced than the versions that followed, but you can’t mess with an original. (Bonus points for it being the only acceptable instance where drinking and driving is encouraged. Seriously, drunk Super Mario Kart is the best.)
Latest Updated: May 02, 2019, 07:00 AM.
