Most of the world has played video games at some point in their life. Even kids as young as two or three years old play them, as well as people over 60. While the types of games people might play will differ, this is important to remember. We all seem to love video games, so no one should be looked down upon for playing whatever they enjoy. However, the infamous consoles have likely the greatest video games of all time. While yes, computer games or those on your phone, tablet, even Gameboy systems are all nice…the consoles really made video games as big as they are today.<\/p>\n
When we reference consoles, we only count those from the original Nintendo Entertainment System up to the next-gen PS5 and X-Box Series X video game systems of today. The best games helped to change gaming or did something incredibly unique to help them stand out. Other times, they were simply just a ton of fun. We felt it would be fun to discuss these impressive games and why they stood out so much. We realize that we will likely not name the games some people want us to reference, but do keep in mind that this was a tough list to make. That said, let’s get started!<\/p>\n
Nintendo hadn’t put out a new system for several years, but by the early 2000s, they realized they needed to do so. That led to the formation of the GameCube. Nintendo made sure to move over a Metroid game that could come out for the GameCube in its first year of action. GameCube came out in 2001, yet Metroid Prime<\/em><\/a><\/strong> came in 2002. It looked absolutely stunning with new graphics and an entirely new game engine to play around with on the new system. Making it stand out big time with fans.<\/p>\n
Portal 2<\/em>, as one could imagine, was the sequel to an interesting first Portal<\/em> game from 2007. The original was fine, with critics enjoying it enough to warrant a second game. Yet Portal 2<\/em> really landed well among gamers. Like the first game, you’re responsible for solving puzzles and teleporting between portals. Portal 2<\/em><\/a><\/strong>, however, added light bridges, lasers, tractor beams, and gels that altered how you moved through the levels. Players control Chell and navigate through the Aperture Science Enrichment Center as it is being reconstructed.<\/p>\n
The team at Rockstar games decided to do something very unique, form three stories with three different characters. You play as a bank robber named Michael De Santa, a street gangster named Franklin Clinton, and a drug dealer\/gunrunner named Trevor Philips. The stories seem like they’d be unconnected but each connects to the frame of the overall story. There is a corrupt government agency and powerful criminals forcing a lot of what we see in the cities of San Andreas or Los Santos.<\/p>\n
Players will play in an open-world sector but can choose to play the game in the first OR third person. While the story sticks out pretty well for GTA V<\/a><\/strong>, it is the gameplay that really stands out. It’s a really fun experience that is addictive to play. The addition of GTA Online only made things even more addictive as you play alongside friends. The game is a giant success and still sells very well. That makes sense, as it truly is one of the greatest video games ever made.<\/p>\n
We should reference that this is more about the specific franchise, as it’s pretty much impossible to pick only one Mario Kart<\/em><\/a><\/strong> as the true “best” among them. We often discuss crossovers for television and movies, but Nintendo was the real first to properly do a crossover. They put all of their top characters in the Mario Kart world from Mario himself to Donkey Kong, the Koopas, Link, Toad, Princess Peach, Luigi, Wario, Bowser, and many, MANY more.<\/p>\n
When Sony announced a new Spider-Man game was coming years back, fans were unsure how it would work. However, we were put in awe during one E3 Expo in 2017 when Insomniac (the developer) released some game footage. By the time the game came out, it was already hyped up big time. With so many expectations, it would be hard to deliver. Yet Insomniac Games<\/a><\/strong> pulled it off. They ended up creating the best Spider-Man game ever.<\/p>\n
The original God of War<\/em> was amazing and helped to set up a franchise that is now five games deep. We’re not even referencing all the extra or downloadable content they’ve given us too. When God of War<\/em> came out in 2005, Sony was trying to put out proper PlayStation exclusives. God of War<\/em><\/a><\/strong> was a PS2 exclusive and sort of a test for them. They tried this before with games like Crash<\/em>, but they weren’t successful in doing this very often. God of War<\/em> gave them a huge exclusive franchise!<\/p>\n
We might get crucified for writing it, but it’s true. Sonic’s third major title was likely its best. Due to Mario and others moving into 3D molds, SEGA was planning to do that with Sonic’s third game. Time constraints got in the way of that, pushing it back to being a 2D side-scroller. Due to its massive commercial success, Sonic the Hedgehog 3<\/em><\/a><\/strong> finally helped SEGA stand out in the massive Nintendo shadow. This game follows both Sonic and Tails, as you get to play as both.<\/p>\n
One could likely put many of the Mortal Kombat<\/em> games on the greatest video games listing. Most are fun to play and great on gameplay. However, the best of them all has to be Mortal Kombat 11<\/em><\/a><\/strong>. During MK10<\/em>, we saw that NetherRealm Studios decided to use a new engine and the game became beautiful to look at. Thus, by the time MK11<\/em> came out, they only improved upon this. On top of that, they decided to use figures from the entire Mortal Kombat<\/em> series in an epic time-hopping storyline.<\/p>\n
Rocksteady’s Batman: Arkham<\/em><\/a><\/strong> series<\/em> of games are all impressive. It is hard to really pick one that stands out as the true best, as that would ignore the amazing stuff the others did. All three titles involve The Joker in some way while the third revolves around a Joker that is more psychological than physically present, as he dies in the second game. You not only battle against Joker and Harley Quinn, but you also get to go up against some of Batman’s greatest foes.<\/p>\n
While No Man’s Sky<\/em> had a horrible launch after being hyped up as the next big thing, Hello Games realized they needed to make things right. They could have moved on to another intellectual property and run with the money they earned from the initial sales. However, they worked to correct the game since its 2016 launch. This included fixing numerous bugs or problems in the game as well as adding new features on a regular basis. Now in their fifth year of operation, they have had had numerous mass updates that included major features.<\/p>\n
Their last, Frontiers<\/a><\/strong><\/em>, involved overhauling how the gameplay was presented. On top of allowing you to essentially become the Mayor of your own village. Plus, every update they have put out has been 100% free. The rest of No Man’s Sky<\/em> is survival-based with the ability to travel from solar system to solar system within one or more than 250 other galaxies<\/a><\/strong>. It’s endless and has now earned the mark as one of the greatest video games ever made. While originally launched as a PS exclusive, it is available on all major platforms. Players can even crossplay, regardless of what they are playing on too!<\/p>\n
Super Mario 64<\/em> came out around the same time as the launch of the newer Nintendo 64 console in 1996. The two were meant to be heavily connected, hence the name of the game. While other Mario games had been mostly 2D in their mold, Super Mario 64<\/em><\/a><\/strong> actually went toward the 3D route for the first time. This was massive for the time, as 3D gameplay like this was incredibly new and not common to see. The story-arc was pretty much the same as all other Mario<\/em> games.<\/p>\n
When Sony moved into their last PS4 console, they wanted to launch it with a big exclusive like Uncharted<\/em>. It just so happened that Naughty Dog wanted to give Nathan Drake the epic end that he deserved to cap off his story. They originally began working on it right after Uncharted 3<\/em> came out. Naughty Dog knew Sony’s new system would give them a chance to truly step into a new stratosphere. They certainly took their shot and succeeded. The story introduces Nathan’s brother, Sam, who is presumed dead. Overall, the story allows you to go back into the past to see how the younger Nathan got to where he is today.<\/p>\n
While the team wanted to bring in several characters from the past, they made Nate’s relationship with Elena the central story arc. Where the two discuss the one last adventure Nate must go on. Victor Sullivan and Drake must find Henry Avery’s treasure, and due to the issues that could happen if they do not, Drake cannot fail. He’d have to succeed or die trying. Either way, this is a thief’s end! Naughty Dog truly gave us one of the greatest video games one could ever play. They truly ended Drake’s story in the style the character deserved in Uncharted 4<\/em><\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n
When Horizon Zero Dawn<\/em><\/a><\/strong> came out, no one really thought much of it. The announcement trailer made it look good and gameplay mechanics certainly made it seem like fun. Yet few people knew what to think. Then, we played it. Once everyone got their hands on this game, they began to quickly realize how amazing the story is. Plus, we’re playing in a massive open world where there is something to do or come across seemingly every few seconds of playtime. This world might be overrun by machines, but this society seems to be almost pre-historic.<\/p>\n
Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater<\/em> was a huge success with fans. During the 1990s, extreme sports began to grow into popularity so much that the video game industry took notice. Framing a game on the back of the most popular skateboarder on the planet, Neversoft developed an original game that is beloved today. Yet their second title that came out in 2000 really impressed people. It still holds up in its original form, but both the first and second games have since been re-released with updated graphics.<\/p>\n
While the second game seemed, on its surface, like just another skateboarding game with updated graphics…that was not true. The team actually added more skateboarders to play as and added a new soundtrack. Both soundtracks are iconic among fans today. They also added a career mode, new tricks to perform, and customizable levels for players to have more control than ever before. Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 2<\/em><\/a><\/strong> is not just one of the highest-rated sports games ever, it’s also one of the greatest video games ever made.<\/p>\n
Ghost of Tsushima<\/em><\/a><\/strong> might be a newer game, but it has already become a critical success. This is likely thanks to the incredible action and realism the game brings in. This game offers a massive open-world environment that is absolutely stunning to behold. From the way the wind moves the grass to the way blood drips off swords, this entire game is gorgeous. The game centers around a samurai named Jin Sakai. Players are put right in the middle of one of the world’s most notable time periods and locations, Fuedal Japan in the late 1200s.<\/p>\n
Halo: Combat Evolved<\/em><\/a><\/strong> was the very first game in this now infamous X-Box series. Microsoft wanted to form a new console to get into the gaming business more, but they needed an exclusive to build alongside. This is where Halo<\/em> came in. One could say that the success of this game helped to launch the X-Box system into the mainstream. Without its success, it’s hard to say if X-box would be in the position they are in today. Halo<\/em> centers around Master Chief, a soldier born and bred to become an unstoppable powerhouse that gives humanity a fighting chance against alien beings.<\/p>\n
Legend of Zelda<\/em> games has always been fun to play. The real struggle is never IF it’ll be fun, but just how long it might take for people to beat it. Nintendo has never disappointed fans with the length of these games. Ocarina of Time<\/em> was the fifth title in the already “legendary” series. What could they do for this game to make it stand out? First, they heavily improved the graphics system and put us into a 3D environment. Second, they introduced things many games use to this very day. That includes a target-lock system for combat as well as context-sensitive buttons.<\/p>\n
Both are common for all 3D adventure games. In order to progress, Link has to learn how to play several songs on an ocarina. A simple premise, but an incredible experience. The story focuses on Link, who is on a quest to stop King Ganondorf. This forces him to travel through time and navigate various dungeons and even an overworld. To this day, Ocarina of Time<\/em> is considered one of the greatest video games ever made. It also maintains one of the highest ratings<\/a><\/strong> for an adventure game in history.<\/p>\n
The Last of Us<\/em><\/a><\/strong> was made by Naughty Dog, the same studio behind Uncharted. Players can easily see the similarities within the gameplay, yet the stories could not be more different. Players will control Joel, a gifted smuggler who is given the task to get a teenage girl named Ellie into Canada. The post-apocalyptic United States is ravaged by zombie-like creatures. These are humans that became infected by a mutated fungus from the Cordyceps genus. It makes humans hostile and cannibalistic, making them a danger to everyone around them.<\/p>\n
You’d be forgiven for not knowing that Skyrim<\/em> is part of the Elder Scrolls<\/em> franchise. Most just think of Skyrim<\/em> as its own thing, unconnected to Elder Scrolls<\/em><\/a><\/strong> at all. This is an RPG game that allows you to pretty much create your own experience. The main story revolves around your character, nicknamed “The Dragonborn” to make life easier on NPCs. You’re on a quest to defeat the Dragon that has been prophesied to destroy the world, Alduin the World-Eater. The game takes place around 200 years after Oblivion in the land of Skyrim, hence the game title.<\/p>\n
Super Mario Bros.<\/em> is a legendary franchise. In fact, it is so impressive that we might be committing gamer suicide by even attempting to pick the best game among the Super Mario Bros.<\/em> series. However, if we are to pick the best of the bunch, most would say Super Mario Bros. 3<\/em><\/a><\/strong> is the best one. Initially, this game was actually formed for the arcade before finally getting an NES release in 1990 and 1991 respectively.<\/p>\n
We know, another Uncharted<\/em> game? It might seem like a lot but Uncharted 2<\/em><\/a><\/strong> truly stepped up and did some amazing things that we never saw beforehand. It takes place two years after the events of the first game. Nathan Drake partners with Chloe Frazer who seems to be a friend and foe at the same time. Yet the two have a romantic connection, which is made all the more awkward when Elena shows up. Drake and co. are in search of the Cintemani Stone and the infamous city of Shambhala. Yet a criminal group is on the search too, led by Zoran Lazarević.<\/p>\n
In a prequel to the original Red Dead Redemption<\/em>, Red Dead 2<\/em><\/a><\/strong> follows the gang that John Marston hunts down in the first game. We find out what led to not only his departure from the gang but also why it seemed to dissolve as it did. You play as Arthur Morgan, who is not part of the first game for an obvious reason players find out later. The story flows through him, but do not be fooled…this is still a story about John Marston and the Van der Linde gang. Morgan was saved by Dutch Van der Linde when he was younger.<\/p>\n
How do you sell a new console to the masses? According to Nintendo, you put one of the main exclusive titles out there but make sure it becomes one of the greatest video games ever made. Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild<\/em> <\/a><\/strong>was going to happen, new console or not. Zelda developers heard fans when they said they wanted to see Link play in a much larger sandbox that differed from the rest in the series. Phew, Nintendo truly delivered on that. While you are given instruction and told what tasks need to be done, the direction you are given is minimal.<\/p>\n
The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt<\/em><\/a><\/strong> is considered by all who played it as one of the single greatest video games they ever came across in their gaming life. It is so impactful that other games based their game on how the Witcher series handled things. That includes other popular IPs, such as the latter Assassins Creed<\/em> series of games. Of course, the first two games are based on The Witcher novels written by Andrzej Sapkowski and the third is no different. Players are given a roleplaying game that sets them in the middle of a fantasy world based on Slavonic mythology.<\/p>\n
Where do we find this stuff? Here are our Sources:<\/strong><\/p>\n