A consensus-led selection of landmark games repeatedly recognized across broad all-time rankings, balancing influence, innovation, artistry, and lasting playability.
A defining adventure whose open world, systems, and sense of discovery set a modern standard.
Included among games appearing on multiple publications' best-of lists, with broad all-time critic coverage represented by supplied Metacritic, OpenCritic, and compiled-list sources.We earn commission from qualifying purchases.
A richly authored role-playing epic that combines moral choice, memorable characters, and exceptional world-building.
Recognized in broad all-time compilations of games appearing on at least six publication lists and represented in major all-time critic databases.We earn commission from qualifying purchases.
A landmark role-playing adventure whose exploration, storytelling, and world design remain unusually influential.
Repeatedly represented in broad best-game compilations and all-time critic databases supplied by Metacritic, OpenCritic, and the compiled publication list.We earn commission from qualifying purchases.
A meticulously crafted action game that turns precise combat and environmental storytelling into a lasting modern classic.
Appears in broad all-time game-list compilations and is covered by the supplied major critic-ranking databases.We earn commission from qualifying purchases.
A transformative open-world role-playing game whose freedom, simulation, and player agency continue to shape the medium.
Included in recurring all-time best-game coverage and supported by the supplied compiled publication list and critic databases.We earn commission from qualifying purchases.
Three independent write-ins unlock an honorable mention. The 10 strongest active mentions are shown; inactive mentions archive after 12 months. At 25 recent votes, a contender is scored for possible automatic Top 5 promotion.
No honorable mentions yet. Community suggestions appear below while they gather support.
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The five criteria create the AI baseline. The community adjustment is then added or subtracted to produce the current published score.
| Criterion | #1The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild | #2The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt | #3The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time | #4Dark Souls | #5The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 97 | 96 | 95 | 94 | 93 | |
| 96 | 94 | 97 | 93 | 95 | |
| 97 | 93 | 94 | 95 | 96 | |
| 94 | 98 | 94 | 95 | 91 | |
| 96 | 95 | 93 | 92 | 90 | |
| AI baseline scoreWeighted criteria result | 96.0 | 95.3 | 94.7 | 93.9 | 93.2 |
| Community adjustmentVote-share influence | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
| Current published scoreBaseline + community | 96 | 95 | 95 | 94 | 93 |
The five criteria create the AI baseline. The community adjustment is then added or subtracted to produce the current published score.
| Criterion | #1The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild | #2The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt | #3The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time | #4Dark Souls | #5The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 97 | 96 | 95 | 94 | 93 | |
| 96 | 94 | 97 | 93 | 95 | |
| 97 | 93 | 94 | 95 | 96 | |
| 94 | 98 | 94 | 95 | 91 | |
| 96 | 95 | 93 | 92 | 90 | |
| AI baseline scoreWeighted criteria result | 96.0 | 95.3 | 94.7 | 93.9 | 93.2 |
| Community adjustmentVote-share influence | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
| Current published scoreBaseline + community | 96 | 95 | 95 | 94 | 93 |
Choose any two contenders.
We’ll line up what matters.
Action-adventure
Action role-playing
Nintendo Switch, Wii U
PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, PC
2017
2015
Nintendo
CD Projekt Red
Single-player
Single-player
SummaRank from recurring recognition in broad expert and critic all-time lists, then scored for consensus, influence, innovation, artistic achievement, and enduring appeal.