'Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time' Is the Best Video Game of All Time. Period.
'Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time' Is the Best Video Game of All Time. Period.
Attempting to pare down the greatest video games of all time is a task and a half. What are you supposed to judge? There's the way certain titles influenced future games, and how incredible some of the graphics are. But ultimately, it comes down to good taste. We took a step back and looked at the general landscape, considering all the games that have inked their way into pixelated infamy, and came up with a list of probably 100 titles. We narrowed that down to 20, narrowed that down even more, and were left with the 10 video games that we think rightly represent decades of incredible gaming.
So with that—blows in a cartridge; mutters, "Is this thing on?"—here are the best of the best.
15. Dark Souls III
The crushingly difficult, dark, and gritty world of Dark Souls III is so influential it spawned a whole new way to describe games. While the first Dark Souls is obviously the most groundbreaking, Dark Souls III has such flair and polish, making it hands-down the best experience in the series thus far. Ever since Dark Souls, From Software has created other titles that easily could have taken this spot as well, like Bloodborne and Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice (and we could not be more excited for its George R.R. Martin collab with the upcoming Elden Ring). It consistently builds imaginative worlds with innovative gameplay. But this title in particular has some of the best combat in gaming, ever, easily earning it a spot on the best of all time. —Cam Sherrill
14. Shovel Knight
Besides helping further ignite the indie market, Shovel Knight is a game that seems to not only spank the Triple A market, but also hit every milestone with such grace and dedication. Hell, it deserves to be on this list if only because it’s kept a steady stream of monumental free content since it’s release in 2014 until just last December. Shovel Knight takes every aspect from the retro platformers and "metroidvania' titles we love, with twists to allow it to stand apart. The gorgeous 8-bit visuals and design, paired with extremely versatile gameplay from campaign to campaign, has made Shovel Knight not only one of our favorite indie games, but our favorite games period. It strikes that perfect balance between nostalgia and creativity that will keep you invested for years. I for one am on my twelfth play through. —C.S.
Overwatch
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Few titles on this list are so popular that there’s an entire league where the game’s best players battle it out for IRL cash, but Overwatch is that big of a sensation. Blizzard’s first-person shooter is just as fun as it is tough to master. You won’t see anyone from Esquire running and gunning on an arena stage with the pros anytime soon. —B.L.
12. The Last of Us
When people talk about The Last of Us, they talk about its story, which is one of the greatest the medium has ever seen. But can we run back the gameplay, just for a second? At this point, we’re just about fully desensitized to beat-and-shoot-and-fuck-em-up gameplay, but The Last of Us restores the thrill of, you know, Sparta-kicking a goon down a flight of stairs. In the game, nearly everything is a weapon, Joel and Ellie have fighting styles that feel authentic to who they are as people, and there are genuine stakes to every fistfight—which, yeah, you can thank that Oscar-worthy narrative for. —Dom Nero
11. Minecraft
Minecraft revolutionized the way sandbox games operated, and it still stands as one of the most played games of all time. It’s remarkably easy to lose yourself for hours working with your friends, or by yourself, to build anything and everything, and the Minecraft empire has only grown exponentially since its TK release with more collaborations, new items, a server system, and new IPs like an adventure game and an upcoming dungeon crawler. Plus, Minecraft is available on phones all the way up to the heaviest-duty gaming PC. —C.S.
10. GTA V
I’ve never owned a copy of GTA V, but my college roommate did. Every couple days, when he was at class, I’d fire up his PS4, boot up GTA, get in a car, and drive. I’d turn on Rebel Radio—which, I shit you not, was my introduction to American folk music, where I heard legends like The Highwaymen and Tammy Wynette for the first time—and spend up to a half hour on a virtual highway, top down like I was in a Corvette commercial. I understand you can do other things in GTA, like whack a pedestrian in the face, or get kicked out of a strip club. But my afternoon drives did just fine. —Brady Langmann
9. World of Warcraft
WOW, first released in 2004, is less of a video game and more of a lifestyle. Your friends in high school who played WOW had 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. —C.S.
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8. The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild
This game is largely responsible for the Switch's immense popularity (although Animal Crossing is quickly gaining). Breath of the Wild is easily the best open world we’ve experienced, and it tells such a beautiful story through innovative gameplay but very few cutscenes. The puzzles are unparalleled, and the action is some of the most creative and open-ended we’ve seen in a game yet. The game is a truly new Zelda experience, but more so than that, it is a truly new gaming experience. With a sequel on the way (fingers crossed for a 2020 release) we have a lot to look forward to for our blond-haired elf.—C.S.
7. Portal 2
This game rules. The single player. The co-op. The plot. The puzzles. I mean, hell, it's a near perfect game. The Portal series sees players shoot two portals to help solve puzzles. The way this mechanic is used and innovated on through the game is honestly one of the best-developed game mechanics we’ve seen thus far. And it only gets more wild and exciting (read: infuriating) in two-player co-op. The Portal series could have easily made it just off the Portal mechanic alone, but instead, it also gifted us with an enthralling story, a cast of characters, and an unforgettable world. —C.S.
6. Pokémon Red and Blue
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. —D.N.
Buy Pokémon Red, amazon.com
5. Wii Sports
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. —C.S
Buy Wii Sports, amazon.com
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. —D.N.
Buy Street Fighter II: The Ultimate Challenge, amazon.com
3. Tetris
A staple in gaming since 1984, Tetris remains 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. —C.S.
Buy Tetris, amazon.com
2. Super Mario World
Choosing between Super Mario World and 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. —D.N.
Buy Super Mario World, amazon.com
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 storyline, and incredible soundtrack. —D.N.
Buy The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time, amazon.com
With an incredible storyline and beautiful artistry, "Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time" tops our list.