Building a decent game requires heavy technical investment and a lot of patience. Hitting a flawless level demands pure talent mixed with a bit of luck. Very few digital releases have come close to this legendary status. If you are looking for the best video games of all time, you need to look at titles that defined entire console generations.
Collider put together a special list featuring ten standout releases. Check out the timeline below to see how the highest rated games evolved over the decades.
1. Tetris (1984)
This puzzle giant proves that simple mechanics beat flashy graphics every single time. Created by Alexey Pajitnov in the Soviet Union, it drops fancy plots, detailed avatars, or any ending screens.
Players just match falling blocks. Even without modern elements, gamers remain glued to the screen 40 years later. The crazy backstage drama of its creation even became an Apple TV movie in 2023.
2. Super Metroid (1994)
The first game set the baseline for the franchise, but this Super Nintendo version built the classic metroidvania structure. You control Samus Aran exploring the hostile planet Zebes.
The interconnected map, tense isolation, and environmental storytelling need no visual updates. Three decades later, the exploration loop remains completely flawless.
3. The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time (1998)
This Nintendo 64 release has hard data backing it up. It sits at a 99 score on Metacritic, a record that remains unbeaten by any other studio.
The 3D lock-on combat system became the basic template for almost every action game released after 1998. It changed how developers approach 3D space.
4. Super Mario Galaxy (2007)
Nintendo hit a massive creative peak during the Wii era. Turning gravity into a movement mechanic gave Mario a completely fresh rhythm across different tiny planets.
Backed by a massive orchestral soundtrack, the result scored a 97 on Metacritic. It easily marked the console’s absolute highest point.
5. Portal 2 (2011)
Valve proved they could top their own puzzle masterpiece. This sequel expanded the physics challenges using portals and added sharp, sarcastic dialogue.
The clumsy robot Wheatley and the rogue AI GLaDOS steal the show. They build a unique comedic vibe using the crumbling Aperture Science facility itself.
6. The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim (2011)
Years after its original release, the gaming community keeps exploring the frozen lands of Tamriel. Bethesda crafted an RPG where you can literally do anything.
Total player freedom, a massive map full of dragons, and steady mod support turned this project into an infinite playground. It has been re-released for nearly every single platform out there.
7. The Last of Us (2013)
Naughty Dog took a crowded post-apocalyptic survival setup and built a raw, emotional journey. Joel and Ellie’s cross-country trek raised the bar for writing in games.
The strong script became the gold standard for narrative-driven titles. It spawned visual remakes, a sequel, and the massive hit HBO series adaptation in 2023.
8. Red Dead Redemption 2 (2018)
Rockstar Games pushed technical boundaries with a wild obsession for detail. You play as Arthur Morgan riding with the Van der Linde gang across a dying Wild West.
The ecosystem simulates weather changes, wildlife behavior, organic NPC reactions, and even Arthur’s hair growth. It hit a 97 on Metacritic and became the definition of total immersion.
9. Disco Elysium (2019)
Dropping turn-based or real-time combat entirely, this ZA/UM studio RPG focuses 100% on verbal interactions. You play a detective battling his own broken mind.
Backed by the band Sea Power’s soundtrack, The Final Cut edition scored a 97 on Metacritic. It completely won over international critics with its sharp political and moral choices.
10. Elden Ring (2022)
FromSoftware took the punishing combat of the Souls franchise and dropped it into a massive, terrifying open map. The Lands Between hide brutal bosses in every corner.
Directed by Hidetaka Miyazaki and George R.R. Martin, it scored a 96 on the aggregator (hitting 97 on the PlayStation 5 version). It quickly became a cultural milestone.
What Metacritic Scores Don’t Show About The Best Video Games of All Time
Two entries on this list lack a numerical score on Metacritic. Since the review platform only launched in 1999, historical landmarks like Tetris and Super Metroid have no registered score.
This gap highlights the limits of numerical reviews. Aggregator scores measure immediate critical reception at launch. They completely leave out the cultural impact and relevance these perfect games maintain over the years.