Which are the best video games in history? That is a big question, and the best games historically are those that are generally highly rated by both media sources and players alike.
The Metacritic site is an industry standard review aggregator that provides average ratings for video games based on thousands of website sources. That weighted average rating for widely reviewed games is the Metascore. These are the best video games across all gaming platforms, as ranked by the highest Metascores.
The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time
The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time is the most highly rated video game in history, boasting a Metacritic score of 99, which is nearly gaming perfection. This game has a legendary status because of how effectively it converted the Zelda game series into 3D on the N64. Ocarina had revolutionary 3D gameplay and controls for its time, setting a standard for all the three-dimensional Zelda games (and RPGs) that followed. It also incorporated brilliantly designed dungeons, a compelling narrative, a terrific time-travel mechanic, and a beautiful soundtrack that made Ocarina a true gaming gem.
SoulCalibur
With a Metacritic score of 98, SoulCalibur was a beat ‘em up masterpiece that showed off the Dreamcast console with a graphically superior home port to the arcade version. SoulCalibur was one of the best video games in history because of its revolutionary 8-Way Run and Guard Impact gameplay mechanics, which allowed for true 3D movement and offensive/defensive strategies. Players loved SoulCalibur’s responsive controls, speed, weapon-based combat, and smooth animations. SoulCalibur’s extensive content, with mission and story modes included, also added considerable replay value to the game.
Grand Theft Auto IV
Although Grand Theft Auto V is more highly rated on PCs, GTA 4 is one of the best video games in history, with a Metacritic score of 98 for the PS3 and Xbox 360. Grand Theft Auto IV is among the greatest video games because of its unprecedented attention to world detail, compelling narrative and storyline, and physics realism. Many players are amazed at how alive Liberty City feels in GTA IV with its dynamic weather, realistic NPCs, advanced lighting, and detailed environments. That unmatched environmental detail, combined with the game’s gritty narrative, made GTA IV an open-world masterpiece on the consoles, for which it was better optimized.
Super Mario Galaxy
Super Mario Galaxy for the Wii has a Metacritic score of 97 and is one of the most highly-rated platforming games in history. This masterpiece of a platform game took Mario into outer space with spherical planetoids that added a new dimension to its gameplay. The gravity-defining gameplay, creative themed galaxies, vibrant graphics, and intuitive Wii controls made Super Mario Galaxy a special game. It was also the first Mario game to have a fully orchestrated soundtrack that raised the bar for in-game music.
Super Mario Galaxy 2
The Super Mario Galaxy 2 sequel matched and in some ways surpassed its predecessor and is just as highly-rated with a 97/100 Metacritic average. What set this sequel apart from the original was the introduction of Yoshi, a dinosaur sidekick that added various new gameplay elements like tongue-swinging and flutter jumping. Mario Galaxy 2 had tighter, more inventive, and tougher levels than the original game. It’s a game with great variety that often introduces new mechanics throughout to ensure the gameplay never goes stale. With hundreds of stars to collect and a second Luigi playthrough, Mario Galaxy 2 also offers considerable replay value.
The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild
Most Zelda games are great, but Breath of the Wild was (and still is) something special with a Metacritic score of 97/100. Nintendo altered the formula for Breath of the Wild by discarding the more traditional dungeon-to-dungeon design to create a more open Zelda game that offered unprecedented player freedom to go anywhere. Breath of the Wild offers more unique environmental manipulation with its chemistry engine that encourages players to experiment with the elements. The atmospheric world-building, innovative mechanics, dynamic combat, and beautiful cell-shaded graphical style of Breath of the Wild made it one of the best video games in history.
Metroid Prime
Some scoffed when Nintendo entrusted Retro Studios to develop Metroid Prime. Yet, what Retro Studios delivered was the best Metroid game in history, for the GameCube, which has a 97 Metacritic score. Retro transformed Metroid into an amazing 3D first-person shooter with terrific environmental storytelling, excellent graphical quality, and superior world design. Metroid Prime offered an innovative blend of first-person shooting, exploration, and puzzle-solving that made it a unique and exhilarating first-person adventure game.
Red Dead Redemption 2
Rockstar’s Red Dead Redemption 2, which has a Metacritic average of 97 for the consoles, brings the Wild West to life like no other. Red Dead Redemption 2 is one of the best video games in history because of its amazingly detailed and realistic world, compelling story, and excellent graphical fidelity. It is a game with a moving narrative that explores the decline of the Wild West and one of the best protagonists (Arthur Morgan) in gaming history. Red Dead Redemption 2 won numerous gaming awards for its technical excellence, narrative, audio design, art direction, and overall game design.
If you want to play some of the best video games in history, check out the titles above.
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However, one thing to note is that Metacritic only includes games dating back to the late 1990s, which excludes all of the classic retro titles released before then. So, Red Dead Redemption 2, Metroid Prime, Ocarina of Time, Breath of the Wild, Mario Galaxy 1 and 2, SoulCalibur, and Grand Theft Auto IV are primarily the best games of the 21st century rather than all video gaming history.
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