Video games have been a staple of American culture since Atari released Pong for its at-home console in the mid-1970s.
Through the rise in arcade culture of the 80s and the release of increasingly better home consoles in the nineties through today, video games continue to grow in popularity.
But like all things, some games are much better than others. The best video games range from arcade classics to modern masterpieces.
The Best Video Games of All Time
As a video game lover always seeking something new to play, I couldn’t help but check out the thread on the popular gaming subreddit asking users about the best video games of all time.
Though some users seemed irritated at the common question, others were eager to answer, giving us a variety of new and retro games to consider for our next game night.
Here are some of the best video games of all time, according to gaming subreddit users (and me!).
1. The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time
The Nintendo 64 version of the classic Legend of Zelda series often tops lists of iconic video games, and it was the most upvoted game in this thread.
Many Redditors shared that The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time is the game that got them into gaming and will always hold a special place in their hearts. Others said the N64 game was the best until Nintendo released Breath of the Wild for the Nintendo Switch. Either way, the Zelda franchise tops the list.
Nintendo recently ported Ocarina of Time to the Switch. Fans who purchase the online + subscription package for $49.99 per year can relive their childhoods with a variety of Nintendo 64 games.
2. Super Mario Bros 3
Gamers on Reddit tend to trend younger, so they probably don’t realize how impactful Super Mario Bros 3 was on gaming culture.
It’s my favorite game of all time, and in my opinion, it’s what made Mario a household name. The first Super Mario Bros brought gaming into the home, and while impactful, it might not be remembered if it didn’t produce a compelling sequel. Unfortunately, the second game was a bit of a dud.
But the third game stretched the limits of the original Nintendo Entertainment System’s 8-bit processor with 8 magical worlds, a fascinating story, Bowser’s villainous children, and the best Power Ups in any Mario game.
You can play the game for free if you have Nintendo Switch Online, and it’s well worth it.
3. Chrono Trigger
An unknown franchise released in the mid-90s by Nintendo scored second on Reddit’s thread. Many users agreed, calling it the perfect game.
Others offered that they enjoyed the game and replayed it a bunch, but didn’t think it deserved the title of best video game. Users disputed that, pointing out that replayability is one of the features making the game so great.
I’ve never played Chrono Trigger, but based on the rave reviews, I need to give it a chance.
4. Skyrim
The stunning open-world action-adventure game is clearly a fan favorite. It had top-of-the-line visuals when it first appeared on the scene, though some Redditors questioned calling it the best game of all time.
They agreed that it was iconic for its time, but thought newer open-world games like The Witcher and Elden Ring far surpassed Skyrim in terms of gameplay and visual effects.
5. Red Dead Redemption 2
Redditors agreed that Red Dead Redemption 2 is a fantastic game, but some stopped short of calling it the best.
One Redditor pointed out that some of the controls were difficult to master. Despite the flaw, they admitted it was a great game but would be vastly improved with a more straightforward control mechanism.
6. Fallout: New Vegas
Fallout is a popular game franchise loved by many. A Reddit user claimed Fallout: New Vegas is the best of the series and the best game of all time.
A few users agreed, and one mentioned that the DLC content is also worth checking out.
7. Final Fantasy 7
The Final Fantasy series thrust role-playing games (RPGs) into the spotlight. Final Fantasy 7 is often described as the best of the series, so it fits that this iteration made the list.
Redditors took the opportunity to lament the highly anticipated remake, complaining that it was too small and didn’t do the original justice.
8. The Witcher 3
One Redditor called The Witcher 3 the best open-world game of all time, but the game’s position on the list garnered some negative attention.
Another user said it’s overrated and boring. Another bemoaned the flawed character builds, simple combat system, and limited weapon selection.
9. Half-Life
An early iteration of the first-person shooter genre scored a mention as one of the best video games of all time.
Another user disagreed, calling it outdated and boring. The game came out in the late 90s, so those used to newer, more complex games probably won’t enjoy it, but that doesn’t take away from the fact that the game helped build a genre.
10. God of War (2018)
Though the original commenter specified the 2018 edition of the God of War franchise, others jumped in to say all the games in the series are great.
Another added that users should play the Legend of Zelda series if they love God of War.
11. Legend of Zelda: Link to the Past
The second game of the Zelda franchise to hit the list is a peculiar choice. The second Zelda game for the Super Nintendo Franchise returned to the top-down viewpoint and offers a healthy dose of nostalgia for older gamers.
Though the comment received few responses, those who did reply affirmed that The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time is the best Zelda game.
12. Project Zomboid
Nik from Gamers Rise Up is partial to Project Zomboid, citing the impressive weapons system as one of the game’s biggest draws. The Project Zomboid: Weapons Tier List helps users sort through all the options and find what they like the most.
13. Pac-Man
MOZCO Mateusz Szymanski via Shutterstock.com.
If Baby Boomers and the oldest Gen Xers used the gaming Reddit, I imagine many of them would call Pac-Man the best video game of all time.
It’s the game that started gaming. It might not be the first video game ever made, but it was the most popular early arcade game, and without it, we may not have the wonderful breadth of gaming we enjoy today.
14. Halo
Halo changed the way we game. We had first-person shooters before, but Halo was the first popular game to allow shooters to compete against each other in a battle royale.
Without Halo, would we have Call of Duty or any of the Massive Online Multiplayer battle games we see today?
15. Super Mario 64
We can’t have a list of the best video games without including Super Mario 64. The game offered a glimpse into what gaming could be.
Super Mario 64 was one of the first 3D open-world big-name releases. Its success changed gaming forever, and it’s still fun to play today. The graphics (impressive for its time) and controls may turn off new gamers, but the levels are still loads of fun, and the game offers unique mechanics like triple jumps and wall jumps that pushed the limits of what characters can do.
16. The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild
Nintendo’s known for changing gaming, and its first major Zelda game for the Nintendo Switch is no exception.
Breath of the Wild was the first truly open-world Zelda game, and it changed how we think about open worlds. After its release and subsequent popularity, tons of games followed in its footsteps, crafting bountiful lands ripe for exploration.
Although I think its sequel, Tears of the Kingdom, is a better game in terms of gameplay, Breath of the Wild deserves a spot on the list for its impact on the genre.
Best Video Games A Matter of Opinion
When it comes to gaming, we all like different things. The games on this thread reflect the opinions of the Redditors who happened to be active when it was posted, but a new thread posted on a different day may have ten unique answers (though Ocarina of Time is still likely to make that list, too!).
It doesn’t hurt to check out some of the classic games on this list and see if they live up to the hype!