7.02.2011

The List: 2011

The 200 Most Acclaimed Video Games Ever: 2011 update.
  1. Sid Meier's Civilization (series) (1991) [PC] 97.28
  2. Tetris (1986) [PC / Arcade / NES / GB] 95.52
  3. Super Mario 64 (1996) [N64] 94.33
  4. World of WarCraft (2004) [PC] 93.29
  5. StarCraft (series) (1998) [PC] 92.51
  6. Doom (1993) [PC] 91.98
  7. Deus Ex (2000) [PC] 91.77
  8. Street Fighter (series) (1991) [Arcade] 91.62
  9. Metal Gear Solid (1998) [PS1] 91.22
  10. Half-Life 2 (2004) [PC] 89.96
  11. The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time (1998) [N64] 89.55
  12. SimCity (series) (1989) [PC] 88.65
  13. Half-Life (1998) [PC] 88.09
  14. The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past (1992) [SNES] 87.37
  15. Pac-Man (series) (1980) [Arcade] 86.67
  16. Resident Evil 4 (2005) [Cube] 84.74
  17. Goldeneye 007 (1997) [N64] 84.42
  18. The Sims (series) (2000) [PC] 84.25
  19. BioShock (2007) [PC / 360 / PS3] 83.83
  20. Super Metroid (1994) [SNES] 83.07
  21. Super Mario World (1992) [SNES] 82.98
  22. Gran Turismo (series) (1997) [PS1 / PS2] 82.88
  23. Halo: Combat Evolved (2001) [Xbox] 82.24
  24. Final Fantasy VII (1997) [PS1] 81.04
  25. Space Invaders (1978) [Arcade] 80.8
  26. Super Mario Galaxy (2007) [Wii] 80.59
  27. Portal (2007) [PC] 80.42
  28. Mario Kart (series) (1993) [various] 80.14
  29. Grand Theft Auto IV (2008) [PS3 / 360] 79.27
  30. Super Mario Bros. (1985) [NES] 78.23
  31. Castlevania: Symphony of the Night (1997) [PS1] 76.1
  32. Mass Effect 2 (2010) [PC / 360] 75.71
  33. Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic (2003) [Xbox / PC] 75.43
  34. God of War (2005) [PS2] 75.13
  35. Ico (2002) [PS2] 74.27
  36. Donkey Kong (1981) [Arcade] 74.23
  37. The Legend of Zelda (1986) [NES] 73.91
  38. Okami (2006) [PS2] 73.8
  39. X-Com: UFO Defense (1994) [PC] 73.76
  40. WarCraft (series) (1995) [PC] 73.11
  41. Diablo II (2000) [PC] 72.74
  42. Super Mario Bros. 3 (1990) [NES] 72.71
  43. Super Smash Bros. (series) (1999) [N64 / Cube / Wii] 72.69
  44. Guitar Hero (series) (2005) [PS2] 72.04
  45. Counter-Strike (series) (2000) [PC] 70.68
  46. Fallout (1997) [PC] 69.35
  47. Left 4 Dead (series) (2008) [PC] 68.99
  48. Grim Fandango (1998) [PC] 68.91
  49. System Shock 2 (1999) [PC] 68.86
  50. Chrono Trigger (1995) [SNES] 68.76
  51. Shadow of the Colossus (2006) [PS2] 68.12
  52. The Secret of Monkey Island (1990) [PC] 68
  53. Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare (2007) [PC / PS3 / 360] 67.58
  54. Virtua Fighter (series) (1994) [Arcade / Saturn / PS2] 66.53
  55. Pong (1972) [Arcade] 66.19
  56. Star Wars: TIE Fighter (1994) [PC] 64.96
  57. Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion (2006) [PC / PS3 / 360] 64.76
  58. Final Fantasy VI (1994) [SNES] 64.54
  59. Unreal Tournament (series) (2004) [PC] 64.31
  60. Metroid Prime (2002) [Cube] 64.11
  61. Red Dead Redemption (2010) [PS3 / 360] 63.03
  62. Little Big Planet (series) (2008) [PS3] 62.91
  63. Minecraft (2011) [PC] 62.83
  64. Fallout 3 (2008) [PC / PS3 / 360] 62.54
  65. Grand Theft Auto III (2001) [PS2] 62.4
  66. Mortal Kombat (series) (1992) [Arcade] 62.17
  67. Command & Conquer (1995) [PC] 61.8
  68. Wario Ware (series) (2003) [GBA] 61.66
  69. Tomb Raider (1996) [PC / PS1 / Saturn] 61.38
  70. Dance Dance Revolution (1999) [Arcade] 61.27
  71. Quake (1996) [PC] 60.82
  72. Tekken (series) (1996) [PS1 / PS2 / PS3 / Arcade] 60.5
  73. WipEout (series) (1996) [PS1] 60.39
  74. Rock Band (series) (2007) [PS3 / 360] 60
  75. Batman: Arkham Asylum (2009) [PC / PS3 / 360] 59.88
  76. Wii Sports (series) (2006) [Wii] 59.87
  77. OutRun (series) (1986) [Arcade] 59.82
  78. Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker (2002) [Cube] 59.74
  79. Maniac Mansion: Day of the Tentacle (1993) [PC] 59.61
  80. Baldur's Gate II: Shadows of Amn (2000) [PC] 59.51
  81. Halo 3 (2007) [360] 59.51
  82. Tempest (1980) [Arcade / Jaguar] 59.5
  83. Lemmings (1991) [PC] 58.86
  84. Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas (2004) [PS2 / Xbox] 58.82
  85. Burnout (series) (2004) [PS2 / PS3 / Xbox / 360] 58.75
  86. Gauntlet (1985) [Arcade] 58.38
  87. Metroid (1987) [NES] 58.08
  88. Galaga (1981) [Arcade] 57.03
  89. Sonic the Hedgehog (1991) [Genesis] 56.92
  90. Advance Wars (2001) [GBA] 56.77
  91. Team Fortress (series) (1999) [PC] 56.73
  92. Rez (2001) [DC / 360] 56.46
  93. Madden NFL (series) (1989) [PC / Gen. / N64 / PS1 / PS2 / Xbox] 56.46
  94. Tony Hawk's Pro Skater (series) (2000) [PS1 / PS2] 56.14
  95. Uncharted 2: Among Thieves (2009) [PS3] 55.98
  96. Dune II: The Building of a Dynasty (1992) [PC] 55.92
  97. Pokemon Red & Blue (1998) [GB / GBC] 55.78
  98. Diablo (1997) [PC] 55.77
  99. Battlezone (1980) [Arcade] 55.65
  100. Resident Evil (1996) [PS1] 55.52
  101. Halo 2 (2004) [Xbox] 55.35
  102. Defender (1980) [Arcade] 55.11
  103. Panzer Dragoon Saga (1998) [Saturn] 54.72
  104. Gunstar Heroes (1993) [Genesis] 54.68
  105. Super Mario World 2: Yoshi's Island (1995) [SNES] 54
  106. Mass Effect (2007) [360 / PC] 53.92
  107. Sid Meier's Pirates! (series) (1987) [PC] 53.75
  108. Syndicate (1993) [PC] 53.7
  109. Company of Heroes (2006) [PC] 53.67
  110. Asteroids (1979) [Arcade] 53.57
  111. Jet Set Radio (series) (2000) [DC / Xbox] 53.42
  112. Mega Man 2 (1988) [NES] 53.31
  113. SoulCalibur (series) (1998) [DC / PS2 / PS3 / Xbox / 360] 53.24
  114. Braid (2008) [360 / PC] 53.1
  115. Daytona USA (series) (1994) [Arcade] 53.04
  116. Punchout!! (series) (1987) [NES / Wii] 52.94
  117. Elite (1984) [PC] 52.86
  118. Ultima IV: Quest of the Avatar (1985) [PC] 52.55
  119. Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time (2003) [PC / Cube / Xbox / PS2] 51.99
  120. After Burner (1987) [Arcade] 51.87
  121. NBA Jam (1993) [Arcade] 51.85
  122. Robotron 2084 (1982) [Arcade] 51.83
  123. System Shock (1994) [PC] 51.82
  124. Final Fantasy XII (2006) [PS2] 51.45
  125. Ridge Racer (series) (1995) [PS1] 51.26
  126. Super Mario Galaxy 2 (2010) [Wii] 51.17
  127. Final Fantasy Tactics (1998) [PS1] 51.11
  128. Monkey Island 2: Le Chuck's Revenge (1991) [PC] 50.26
  129. NiGHTS into Dreams (1996) [Saturn] 49.57
  130. Pro Evolution Soccer (series) (2006) [PC / PS2 / Xbox] 49.54
  131. Ninja Gaiden [2004] (2004) [Xbox] 49.52
  132. F-Zero (series) (1990) [SNES / N64 / Cube] 49.35
  133. Gears of War 2 (2008) [360] 49.19
  134. Sensible World of Soccer (series) (1994) [PC] 49.16
  135. Animal Crossing (series) (2001) [Cube / DS] 48.8
  136. Battlefield 2 (2005) [PC] 48.8
  137. Contra (1988) [NES] 48.58
  138. Dragon's Lair (1983) [Arcade] 48.38
  139. Metal Gear Solid 3 (2004) [PS2] 48.29
  140. Resident Evil 2 (1998) [PS1] 48.28
  141. Homeworld (1999) [PC] 48.26
  142. Assassin's Creed 2 (2009) [PS3 / 360] 48.09
  143. Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening DX (1998) [GBC] 48.07
  144. Silent Hill 2 (2001) [PS2] 47.94
  145. Eternal Darkness: Sanity's Requiem (2002) [Cube] 47.57
  146. Metal Gear Solid 2 (2002) [PS2] 47.4
  147. Psychonauts (2005) [Xbox / PC] 47.39
  148. Command & Conquer: Red Alert (1996) [PC] 47.29
  149. Crazy Taxi (1999) [Arcade / DC] 47.24
  150. Quake III: Arena (1999) [PC] 47.17
  151. Sonic the Hedgehog 2 (1992) [Genesis] 46.81
  152. Sega Rally (series) (1995) [Arcade / Saturn] 46.77
  153. Ultima Underworld: The Stygian Abyss (1992) [PC] 46.75
  154. Planescape: Torment (1999) [PC] 46.75
  155. Double Dragon (1987) [Arcade] 46.65
  156. Alone in the Dark (1992) [PC] 46.56
  157. Donkey Kong Country (1994) [SNES] 46.5
  158. Sam & Max Hit the Road (1993) [PC] 46.3
  159. Shenmue (2000) [DC] 46.03
  160. God of War: Chains of Olympus (2008) [PSP] 45.88
  161. Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess (2006) [Cube / Wii] 45.72
  162. Zork: The Great Underground Empire (1980) [PC] 45.47
  163. Scribblenauts (series) (2009) [DS] 45.19
  164. Duke Nukem 3D (1996) [PC] 45.14
  165. Call of Duty (2003) [PC] 44.89
  166. Virtua Tennis (series) (2000) [DC] 44.65
  167. Dragon Age: Origins (2009) [PC / PS3 / 360] 44.65
  168. Dungeon Keeper (series) (1997) [PC] 44.15
  169. Ultima VII: The Black Gate (1992) [PC] 44.02
  170. Battlefield 1942 (2002) [PC] 43.78
  171. Bomberman (series) (1987) [various] 43.26
  172. Dwarf Fortress (alpha) [PC] 43.1
  173. Rome: Total War (2004) [PC] 43.06
  174. Microsoft Flight Simulator (series) (1983) [PC] 42.55
  175. R-Type (series) (1987) [Arcade / PS2] 42.2
  176. God of War 2 (2007) [PS2] 42.19
  177. Populous (1988) [PC] 42.14
  178. Wolfenstein 3-D (1992) [PC] 42.09
  179. M.U.L.E. (1983) [PC] 41.99
  180. Peggle (series) (2007) [PC] 41.97
  181. Plants vs Zombies (2009) [PC / Mobile] 41.95
  182. Myst (1993) [PC] 41.76
  183. Star Control II (1992) [PC] 41.73
  184. Patapon (series) (2008) [PSP] 41.7
  185. Elder Scrolls III: Morrowind (2002) [PC] 41.63
  186. PaRappa the Rapper (1997) [PS1] 41.26
  187. Streets of Rage (series) (1992) [Genesis] 41.2
  188. Metal Gear Solid 4 (2008) [PS3] 40.7
  189. Skies of Arcadia (2000) [DC] 40.54
  190. Final Fight (1989) [Arcade] 40.33
  191. Ikaruga (2001) [DC / Cube] 39.86
  192. Star Wars (1983) [Arcade] 39.86
  193. MechWarrior 2: 31st Century Combat (1995) [PC] 39.7
  194. Super Castlevania IV (1992) [SNES] 39.66
  195. Heavy Rain (2010) [PS3] 39.55
  196. Forza Motorsport (series) (2005) [Xbox / 360] 39.51
  197. Super Puzzle Fighter II Turbo (1996) [Arcade] 39.41
  198. Herzog Zwei (1990) [Genesis] 38.86 
  199. Everquest (1999) [PC] 38.71
  200. Age of Empires II: The Age of Kings (1999) [PC] 38.6
Previous List Versions:
Beta [May 2010]
2010 [July 2010]

Note 1: the platforms listed in brackets next to an entry is not an exhaustive list, rather it only denotes the platforms on which the game in question has received a significant amount of acclaim.
Note 2: the numbers following the platform bracket are the games' database scores, adjusted to a 100 point scale for the ease of the reader.
Posted by Scott at 7/02/2011

2 comments:

  1. Matt Ryan20/8/11 11:59 AM

    Thanks for the list! This is much more interesting data than a single person or publication's listing.

    "Database score" is unclear. I would have thought that 40/100 would correspond to an average critic's rating of 4 stars out of 10 -- yet it seems like games toward the bottom of the list are highly regarded. Can you talk more precisely about how this number was generated?

    ReplyDelete
  2. Scott22/8/11 2:15 PM

    You're right about the database score being unclear. I'll probably add a more thorough explanation in the near future.

    Basically, the score is normalized on a scale from 0 (which would be a game that has not appeared on a single list) to 100 (which would be a game that ranks #1 on every list that it is eligible for). The actual database score is from 1 to 1000, with 1 being the best. However, I thought that a scale of 1 to 100, with 100 being best, would be easier to read, so that's the version that I published here.

    Any game that scores above a 30 or so would have had to appear on numerous lists, so you are right in thinking that a score of 40 is far from average here. A truly average game would probably have a score of 0, since it is unlikely that anyone likes an average game enough to list it among the best of all time.

    Thanks for reading.

    ReplyDelete

Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)