Best Console Games of All Time: 20 Must-Play Picks

Every “best ever” list seems to disagree with the last one, and it is hard to know where to begin. This guide gives you a short, criteria-based list of 20 console games, plus a plain note on how to play each one today.

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How We Chose the Best Console Games of All Time

We picked games that critics praised, that changed how other games were made, and that still feel good to play. A game had to hit all of these, not just one.

What counts as “best”?

No list can be perfectly objective, so we made our rules visible. We checked aggregate review sites such as Metacritic and large editorial rankings such as IGN’s, then weighed those against the criteria below.

• Critical consensus: consistently strong reviews across outlets and years.
• Lasting influence: later games borrowed its ideas.
• Replay value: you want to come back to it.
• Holds up today: controls and design still work for a new player.

How do we handle old games versus modern ones?

Older games had decades to prove themselves, so we leaned on them for influence. Newer games had to earn their place through reviews and design, and we say so when the verdict is still open.

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The Quick Answer: Top 10 Console Games at a Glance

If you only read one section, read this one. These ten games are our strongest all-around picks, and each row shows an easy way to play it today.

Rank	Game	Original platform	Year	Genre	Best way to play today
1	The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time	Nintendo 64	1998	Action-adventure	Nintendo Switch Online (N64 library)
2	Super Mario Bros.	NES	1985	Platformer	Nintendo Switch Online (NES library)
3	Super Mario 64	Nintendo 64	1996	3D platformer	Nintendo Switch Online (N64 library)
4	The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild	Switch	2017	Open-world adventure	Nintendo eShop or physical copy
5	Resident Evil 4	GameCube	2005	Survival horror	Newer remake on current consoles
6	Chrono Trigger	SNES	1995	RPG	Re-release or SNES library
7	Shadow of the Colossus	PlayStation 2	2005	Action-adventure	PS4 remake
8	The Last of Us	PlayStation 3	2013	Story-driven action	The Last of Us Part I on PS5
9	Red Dead Redemption 2	PS4, Xbox One	2018	Open-world western	Current storefronts
10	Elden Ring	Multiple consoles	2022	Action RPG	Current storefronts

Check each storefront for the current edition, since availability changes.

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The Classics That Defined the Medium (8-bit and 16-bit Era)

These games still matter because they taught the industry how to build tight controls and clear goals. Each one is short enough to enjoy in a weekend.

• Super Mario Bros. (NES, 1985): Its running and jumping set the template for platformers. Play it through Nintendo Switch Online.
• The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past (SNES, 1991): It balances exploration and dungeons almost perfectly. Check the SNES library on Switch Online.
• Super Metroid (SNES, 1994): It is a lonely, atmospheric map you slowly unlock. It is also available through classic libraries.
• Chrono Trigger (SNES, 1995): It packs a time-travel story into a compact RPG. Look for modern re-releases on current platforms.

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The 3D Revolution: Fifth and Sixth Generation Standouts

The jump to 3D forced designers to rethink cameras, controls and worlds. These five games solved those problems first, or best.

• Super Mario 64 (Nintendo 64, 1996): It made 3D movement feel natural.
• The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time (Nintendo 64, 1998): It introduced target locking and a world that still feels grand.
• Final Fantasy VII (PlayStation, 1997): It brought big-budget RPG storytelling to a wide audience. Modern re-releases are available.
• Resident Evil 4 (GameCube, 2005): Its over-the-shoulder view changed action games. A full remake exists for current consoles.
• Shadow of the Colossus (PlayStation 2, 2005): It is built around giant bosses and quiet travel. A remake is available on PS4.

Which of these have the best remasters?

Resident Evil 4 and Shadow of the Colossus both have newer versions with updated controls and visuals. Those are the easiest starting points for most players.

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The HD Era Greats: PlayStation 3, Xbox 360 and Wii

HD consoles brought cinematic stories and huge open worlds. Many of these games have since been remastered or re-released, so you rarely need old hardware.

• The Last of Us (PS3, 2013): Its story and characters are widely admired. The Last of Us Part I is the full remake for PS5.
• Super Mario Galaxy (Wii, 2007): It plays with gravity in inventive ways. Nintendo has re-released it for Switch, so check the eShop for current availability.
• The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim (Xbox 360, PS3, 2011): Its huge world rewards wandering. Special Edition releases exist for current consoles.
• Red Dead Redemption (PS3, Xbox 360, 2010): It is a quiet, sprawling Western with a strong ending. It has also been re-released on newer platforms.
• Portal 2 (PS3, Xbox 360, 2011): Its puzzles and humor are sharp, and its separate co-op campaign is a bonus.

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Modern Masterpieces: PS4, Xbox One, Switch, PS5 and Xbox Series

Modern hits are polished, huge and often still being patched. Because of that, the edition you buy matters more than it used to.

• The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild (Switch, 2017): You can go almost anywhere from the start, and the world reacts to your ideas.
• Red Dead Redemption 2 (PS4, Xbox One, 2018): It is slow and detailed, and it rewards patience.
• God of War (PS4, 2018): It reinvented a series with a close camera and a father-and-son story.
• The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt (PS4, Xbox One, 2015): Its side quests are as strong as its main story. Look for the Complete Edition and the later next-generation update.
• Elden Ring (2022): It brought open-world freedom to a famously hard formula.
• The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom (Switch, 2023): It turns the same world into a sandbox for building and experimenting.

Are the newest games already all-timers?

Some probably are, but time is part of our criteria. Games from the last few years have strong reviews, yet we have only just started to see how much influence they carry.

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Best Games by Platform: PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo

Each console family has a recognizable strength, and the best exclusives tend to follow it. Here are the top three for each.

PlayStation

• God of War (2018)
• The Last of Us (2013)
• Shadow of the Colossus (2005)

Xbox

• Halo: Combat Evolved (2001)
• Halo 3 (2007)
• Gears of War (2006)

Nintendo

• The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild (2017)
• Super Mario 64 (1996)
• Super Metroid (1994)

Which console should you buy for the best exclusives?

It depends on what you like. Nintendo is strongest for platformers and adventure, PlayStation for story-driven action, and Xbox for shooters and a large back catalog. Publishers also bring some first-party games to other platforms over time, so check where a specific title is sold before you decide.

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Best Games by Genre and Playstyle

If you already know what you enjoy, start with the pick for that style. These five cover most tastes.

• Action-adventure: The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild.
• RPG: Chrono Trigger for a short, classic experience, or Final Fantasy VII for a bigger one.
• Platformer: Super Mario Bros. for the original, Super Mario Galaxy for the most inventive.
• Shooter: Halo: Combat Evolved for a classic console shooter.
• Co-op: Portal 2, which has a separate two-player campaign.

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Where to Buy or Play Each Game Today

The easiest route is usually a current-generation console plus either a remaster or a subscription library. The notes below help you pick the right version.

Physical copies versus digital storefronts

Physical copies can be resold or lent, and they do not take up storage until you install them. Digital purchases are convenient, and they are often where re-releases and updates appear first. Official storefronts from Nintendo, PlayStation and Xbox are the safest places to check what is currently sold.

Subscription services and backward compatibility

Nintendo Switch Online carries classic NES, SNES and N64 games, and its extra tier adds more. PlayStation and Xbox consoles can play many games from earlier generations, but support varies by game and by console. Check each company’s compatibility page for your exact title.

Remasters, remakes and collections: which version to pick

A remaster polishes the original visuals and controls, while a remake rebuilds the game from scratch. For Resident Evil 4, Shadow of the Colossus and The Last of Us, the newer versions are the easiest to start with. If you care about the original look and feel, the older release may be worth the extra effort.

Before you buy, check these five things:

• Platform match: does the edition run on your console?
• Edition: original, remaster, remake or complete edition.
• Region: some physical discs are region-locked.
• Storage size: large games can need many gigabytes of space.
• Current price: confirm it on the official storefront, since prices change.

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Budget and Value Tips for Building a Library

You can play many of the best games without paying full price. A little planning saves a lot.

• Wait for sales: older games on digital storefronts are often discounted during seasonal sales.
• Look for collections: a bundle can cost less than buying each game separately.
• Consider used copies: inspect discs and confirm the edition before you pay.
• Use a subscription: a service library can cover a whole retro era for one fee.
• Keep a wish list: storefronts can notify you when a game you want goes on sale.

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Where to Start: A Beginner’s Path Through the List

If you are new, you do not have to play all 20. Three games in this order give you a good sense of what the medium can do.

1. Easy to learn: Super Mario Bros. or Super Mario Galaxy. Both teach you everything as you play.
2. A story to remember: The Last of Us, if you want a strong narrative.
3. A real challenge: Elden Ring, once you are comfortable with a controller.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the single best console game ever made?

There is no single answer. Ocarina of Time tops our ranking because of its influence and its lasting reviews, but Breath of the Wild and Super Mario Bros. have strong cases too.

Are older games still worth playing today?

Yes, as long as you pick the right version. The best classics have short, clear designs, and many have been remade or added to subscription libraries.

Should I buy the remaster or hunt down the original?

Buy the remaster or remake if you want modern controls and easy access. Seek out the original if you care about its historical look and feel.

Which console has the best library overall?

It depends on your tastes. Nintendo, PlayStation and Xbox each have clear strengths, so use the platform section above to match one to the genres you like.

Do I need online subscriptions for these games?

Most of the single-player games here do not. Subscriptions are only needed for online features or for subscription-library titles such as Nintendo Switch Online’s classic games.

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Closing

In short, the best console games span every era, and the easiest way in is usually a remaster, a remake or a subscription library. Pick one game from the table above and check its current edition and price on an official storefront today.

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