• Hey Guest. Check out your NeoGAF Wrapped 2025 results here!

GAF's Greatest Games of All Time (Voting ends Nov. 16 11:59 P.M PST)

B

bigcheese

Member
i5urzr.png

I searched and looked in the archive, and I couldn't find anything like this that had been done on GAF in the past, and I love Anihawk's GAF GOTY threads, so I decided I'd like to see GAF's all time greatest.

How this is gonna work:
-Pick 10 games, no less. If you're a gamer, it shouldn't be hard to think of 10 video games that rank among the best IYO. Narrowing it down is the hard part.
-Please order your games 1-10.
New scoring system:
1. 5 points
2. 4.5 points
3. 4 points
4. 3.5 points
5. 3 points
6. 2.5 points
7. 2 points
8. 1.5 points
9. 1 point
10. 1 point
-Please feel free to go past the maximum or give honorable mentions, the votes just won't count. But if you have more than 10 games that are special to you, tell us what they are. Also, please feel free to explain to us why you feel these games are the greatest of all time. I may use your words in the results thread.
-No joke lists please. Video game quality is completely subjective, and my views are definitely not going to be exactly like any else's, so if I see a list that you may think is obviously a joke, I wouldn't be able to tell and would count it as your top 10.

PM me if you have a question, if you made a change to your list, or you wish to help out

Voting ends on Monday, November 16, 2009 at 11:59 P.M. Pacific Standard Time.

We'd love to see everyone contribute. Good luck coming up with your list!

EDIT:The way the scores will be given to the top ten lists has changed. The new system is fairer, as now the difference between the games on the top of list and the ones at the bottom of the list is not as large as it was before. Hope this doesn't bother anyone. Thanks to member AAK for suggesting the change and providing reasons why.

Also, for those saying "greatest or favorite?", just pick your favorite games guys. I didn't think it would make a difference it your list, but it seems that it's making harder for some of you. So just pick your favorite 10, however you may decide that.

Many thanks to HUELEN10 for the banner!!
 
hmm...

1. Super Metroid

supermetroid.png



2. Shadow of the Colossus

shadow_of_the_colossus-1.jpg



3. Monster Hunter

monsterhunter.jpg



4. Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past

linktothepast.jpg



5. Metal Gear Solid

mgs.jpg



6. Rez

rez.jpg



7. Castlevania: Symphony of the Night

castlevania.jpg



8. Planescape:Torment

planescape.jpg




9. Out of This World

another_world.jpg



10. Eternal Darkness: Sanity's Requiem

eternal.jpg




Runners-up:
Street Fighter 3: third Strike
Dungeons and Dragons: Tower of Doom
Shadowgate
Indiana Jones and the Fate of atlantis
 
I'm going to need a pen and pad...

Edit: My list:

1. Super Smash Bros. Brawl (Wii)
2. Resident Evil 4 (PS2)
3. Bioshock (360)
4. Black (PS2)
5. Worms (PS1)
6. Fable II (360)
7. Killzone 2 (PS3)
8. Timesplitters: Future Perfect (PS2)
9. God of War (PS2)
10. Ratchet & Clank (PS2)
 
cant we at least have a long list of nominations or something?

this task is daunting
 
John Harker said:
cant we at least have a long list of nominations or something?

this task is daunting
Click to expand...
Just wait a week and see what people have already submitted. There definitely should not be a pared down list.
 
In no order whatsoever:

In absolute order blessed by the Gods. This shit will hold up to MD5 checking. I am not even kidding:

10. Silent Hill 2 (Xbox)
09. Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots (PS3)
08. Wolfenstein: Enemy Territory (PC)
07. ICO (PS2)
06. Day of the Tentacle (PC)
05. Metal Storm (NES)
04. Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past (SNES)
03. StarCraft (PC)
02. Half-Life 2 (PC)
01. Uncharted 2 (PS3)

Also, the Xbox version of Splinter Cell Chaos Theory gets a gold star.
 
Ok, maybe it wasn't so hard.

1.Final Fantasy VII (PS1)
2.Final Fantasy X (PS2)
3.Silent hill 2 (PC)
4.Ico (PS2)
5.Diablo 2 (PC)
6.Metal gear solid (PS1)
7.Final Fantasy VIII (PS1)
8.Final Fantasy IX (PS1)
9.Silent Hill (PS1)
10.Persona 2 (PS1)

Will probably change it at some point D:
 
1. Resident Evil 4
2. Chrono Trigger
3. Final Fantasy VI
4. The World Ends With You
5. Ninja Gaiden Black
6. Devil May Cry 3
7. StarCraft
8. Dragon Quest VI
9. Company of Heroes
10. Legend of Zelda: Wind Waker
 
John Harker said:
cant we at least have a long list of nominations or something?

this task is daunting
Click to expand...
I don't want to influence anyone, and I don't think a list would help really. Read some lists that have been done by other websites or by magazines to get an idea if you're struggling. I know what my #1 is, and I know a few more that have to be in my top ten. Figuring which others make it in is what I'm having trouble with. It's definitely something you have to think long and hard about.
 
1 Halo (XBOX)
2 Reesident Evil 4 (GC)
3 Perfect Dark (N64)
4 Zelda OOT (N64)
5 Mass Effect (Xbox 360)
6 Metal Gear Solid (PS1)
7 Metroid Prime (GC)
8 Sonic 2 (MD)
9 Rome Total War (PC)
10 Final Fantasy 7 (PS1)

I really didn't wanna put FF7 on my list as i really hate JRPG's now, but I can't deny how much i loved it back in the day.
 
1. Shadow of the Colossus (PS2)
2. Super Mario Galaxy (Wii)
3. World of Warcraft (PC)
4. Halo 2 (Xbox)
5. Super Mario Bros. 3 (NES)
6. Company of Heroes (PC)
7. Half Life 2: Episode 2 (PC, 360, PS3)
8. Super Mario World 2: Yoshi's Island (SNES)
9. Team Fortress 2 (PC)
10. Viewtiful Joe (GC)

Honorable mentions would go to Warcraft 3, Civ IV, and Splinter Cell: Chaos Theory.
 
1)Fallout 3
2)Halo
3)Return to Castle Wolfenstein:Tides of War(XBox)
4)Elder Scrolls IV:Oblivion
5)Mass Effect
6)Resident Evil(REmake)
7)Counter-Strike
8)Conker's Bad Fur Day(N64)
9)Diablo 2
10)Doom
 
1. Civilization IV (PC)
2. Pireates! (Amiga)
3. Grim Fandango (PC)
4. UFO: Enemy Unknow (Amiga)
5. Another World (Amiga)
6. System Shock II (PC)
7. Thief II (PC)
8. It Came From the Desert (Amiga)
9. Flashback (Amiga)
10. ICO (PS2)
 
01. The Elder Scrolls III: Morrowind (PC/XBOX)
02. Super Mario World (SNES)
03. The Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening DX (GBC)
04. Panzer Dragoon Orta (XBOX)
05. Rise of the Triad (PC)
06. The Legend of Zelda: Link to the Past (SNES)
07. Super Castlevania IV (SNES)
08. Carmageddon II: Carpocalypse Now (PC)
09. Panzer Dragoon Saga (SATURN)
10. Demon's Souls (PS3)

The ten games listed here represent some of the titles i've devoted the most hours to in my gaming life. Whether it be again playing through SNES classics like Link to the Past & Castlevania IV, killing countless peds in Carmageddon, causing the sky to rain ludicrous gibs in RotT or retreading my steps in a grand and epic RPG adventure like Morrowind, Demon's Souls & Panzer Dragoon Saga, these ten games are ones that I feel i'll never tire of. While titles like Shadow of the Colossus, The Windwaker & Flower remain favourites because of their atmosphere, their artwork and visual style, these titles remain favourites because of their timeless gameplay.
 
1. Final Fantasy VII: Over the course of some 80 odd game hours, late at night, in front of my tv, I fell in love. This was it. THE game. I'd played plenty of RPGs before and all the North American released FFs prior, but VII was something else - the soundtrack, setting, characters, Midgar. And I simply love what you can do with materia if you take the time to get creative. The mature themes (terrorism! cross-dressing!) seemed so different. The Turks are simply perfect as thorn-in-my-side characters. All that paired with a solid, non-bloated main cast and a batshit insane villain, and I have my favorite game. Nothing's ever topped this experience for me. Nothing likely ever will.

2. Resident Evil 4: If I had to choose the game that most defines what I look for and embodies all that I think a game should be, it would be RE4. There is not one single thing I would change about this gaming experience. Leon and Ada are so inherently likable, the pacing of the game never falters, combat was executed perfectly, the story serious with just enough nonsense and humor, and a difficulty that never felt overwhelming, yet remained just challenging enough. A few awesome scary moments thrown in (the first Garrador, chainsaw sisters, Regenerators) and it all came together to form one of the greatest games I've ever played.

3. Tomb Raider: I don't usually rank TR quite this high, but in all honesty, I'm not sure I would still be playing games as much today if it weren't for this and FFVII. This was one of my first 3D games, and I wasn't sure what to expect. What I found was pure adventure. Lara's character was so refreshing back then, and even though she controlled like an armored tank, the environments begged to be explored. Roaming through dark caves and old tombs hearing nothing but Lara's footsteps is so wonderfully eerie. Hunting down the ridiculously hidden secrets, taking on a T-Rex, and exploring Atlantis are some of the most fun game moments I've ever had. And it has one of the most beautiful, subtle soundtracks ever.

4. Final Fantasy IX: Gets everything right about the early era FFs but does it better.
5. Chrono Trigger: Short and sweet. Amazing music, characters, and story.
6. Super Mario Brothers 3
7. The Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening
8. Shadow of the Colossus
9. The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past
10. Tomba!

Honorable Mentions:
Ducktales
Final Fantasy V
The Legend of Zelda: Wind Waker
The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion

Not to exclude recent games, some I've really enjoyed (Bioshock, Uncharted), but so far I haven't felt that magic like I did when playing games like FFVII and RE4 for the very first time when they were released. Every time I start a game, I hope for that magic. It's rare, but when it hits, it's something special.
 
1. Starcraft
2. Metroid Prime
3. Super Metroid
4. Tales of Vesperia
5. Unreal Tournament
6. Okami
7. Diablo 2
8. The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess
9. Aquaria
10. Crysis

Some more Metroid and Tales games would have been on this list, but I felt bad for everything below them. =/
 
1. Shenmue (Dreamcast)
2. Super Mario World (SNES)
3. Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker (Gamecube)
4. Contra (NES)
5. Sonic CD (Sega CD)
6. Resident Evil 4 (Gamecube)
7. Silent Hill 2 (PS2)
8. Star Ocean 2 (Playstation)
9. Super Mario Galaxy (Wii)
10. Wii Sports (Wii)


And my explanations if you care:
1. Absolutely immersive, great story, great characters, just infinitely fun to play and experience.
2. Best platformer ever, it was hard to pick between this and Mario 3, but in the end I prefer World.
3. Gorgeous, compelling, amazing visuals and music. A blast to play, a true adventure.
4. The ultimate in replayability. For some reason I could play this game through to the end a hundred times and not get bored. It's just a blast.
5. My favorite Sonic. Hard to pick between this and Sonic 2, but the soundtrack gave this one the upper hand.
6. I kind of wish this was higher on the list because it's fucking fantastic but I'm afraid nostalgia is working against it for me.
7. I love this series. This was the best on in the series for me. So creepy and good. A true classic.
8. This, for me, is the best RPG ever. I love the sandboxy nature with the PEs and the crafting system. I killed so much time in kitchen stadium lol. A wonderful story as well, and awesome battle system.
9. Holy fuck is this game good. Best 3D platformer hands down. Probably deserves a higher spot but again my fondness towards those above it are winning out.
10. This game, is the ultimate fun, party game, and when it came out, it was the epitome of motion controls. Resort might have more to offer but this is the one that started a revolution.

Honorable mentions in no order:
Lunar, House of the Dead, Monkey Island, Jet Grind Radio, Peggle, Picross, Prof. Layton, Lost in Blue, Mirrors Edge, God of War, Yakuza, too many more I'll just stop now.
 
1. Devil May Cry
2. Metal Gear Solid 2
3. Final Fantasy X
4. Streets of Rage 2
5. Sonic the Hedgehog 2
6. Zone of the Enders: The 2nd Runner
7. Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic
8. Panzer Dragoon Orta
9. Resident Evil 2
10.WCW/nWo Revenge
 
1. Star Control II
2. Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas
3. Age of Empires II
4. Half Life 2
5. Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past
6. Company of Heroes
7. Psychonauts
8. Myst
9. Twisted Metal 2
10. Crackdown*


(* I've come to realize lately this is the game of the generation for me. An inspiring mix of style, originality and gameplay)
 
I have to pick 10? Bah humbug, fine, but I am just listing the first 10 games that come to mind as great and putting them in order.

1) Kirby's Adventure
2) Super Mario Bros 3
3) Kirby Super Star Ultra
4) Osu! Tatakae! Ouendan
5) Super Mario Galaxy
6) Metal Gear Solid 3
7) Ace Combat 5
8) Phoenix Wright 1
9) Legend of Zelda: Links Awakening
10) Tales of Phantasia

There, one list.
 
1. Shadow of the Colossus (PS2)
2. Super Mario World (SNES)
3. The Legend of Zelda Ocarina of Time (N64)
4. God Hand (PS2)
5. Devil May Cry (PS2)
6. ICO (PS2)
7. Shin Megami Tensei Nocturne (PS2)
8. Silent Hill 2 (PS2/PC/Xbox)
9. Metal Gear Solid 3 (PS2)
10. Resident Evil (Gamecube)

Really really hard to put them in orderd beyond the first 3.
Yes Shadow of the Colossus on number 1. It does everything right except for some minor framerate issues.

God PS2 had some great games.
I wasn't sure which MGS to put on the list. The first one was fantastic. Then I remembered how god damn amazing MGS3 was.
 
I can't do it, sorry too hard. I'm always changing my mind...Well could I just give my #1?(I know I can't) That would be Chrono Trigger. That never changes...but past that its always too difficult/changing.

edit: well I got until Nov 16th to decide huh
 
1. Starcraft: Broodwar (PC)
2. Warcraft III: The Frozen Throne (PC)
3. Diablo II: Lord of Destruction (PC)
4. Civilization IV (PC)
5. Baldur's Gate II: Shadows of Amn (PC)
6. Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic (PC, Xbox)
7. Mass Effect (PC, 360)
8. The Elder Scrolls III: Morrowind (PC, Xbox)
9. Halo: Combat Evolved (PC, Xbox)
10. Demon's Souls (PS3)

Where a game multiplatform the PC version is preferred.

Honorable mentions:

Mario Kart (Wii)
New Super Mario Bros. (DS)
Legend of Zelda: A Link To The Past (SNES)
The Secret of Monkey Island (PC)
Final Fantasy VII (PS1)
 
I could spend an entire weekend going back and forth deciding which games to put in this list. Here are 10 that I enjoyed immensely while playing and can look back and think about who I was, what was going on at the time and how much fun I had.

1. Grand Theft Auto Vice City
2. Metal Gear Solid 3
3. The Legend of Zelda Wind Waker
4. Perfect Dark
5. Banjo Kazooie
7. The Legend of Zelda Ocarina of Time
8. Resident Evil 4
9. Super Mario 64
10. Return to Castle Wolfenstein
 
1. Shin Megami Tensei: Nocturne
2. Shadow Hearts 1
3. Dreamfall: The Longest Journey
4. Final Fantasy IX
5. Shin Megami Tensei: Digital Devil Saga
6. Skies of Arcadia
7. Odin Sphere
8. Drakengard II
9. Persona 4
10. Chrono Trigger
 
1. Diablo
2. Super Mario Bros. 3
3. Daggerfall
4. Metroid Prime
5. Ocarina of Time
6. Sonic the Hedgehog 2
7. Xenogears
8. Smash Bros. Melee
9. Skies of Arcadia
10. Ultima Online

Pretty rough list and not really in order, but in order since the method in this OP requires it.
 
1. Half-Life 2
2. Metal Gear Solid 3
3. Demon's Souls
4. Persona 4
5. Vagrant Story
6. Shadow of the Colossus
7. Final Fantasy V
8. Folklore
9. Silent Hill 2
10. Devil May Cry

I guess, kinda hard to think of an "all time" list.
 
1. Super Metroid
2. Halo 3
3. Super Mario World
4. The Legend of Zelda: Links Awakening
5. Earthbound
6. Half-Life
7. The Legend of Zelda: A Link to The Past
8. The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time
9. Shenmue
10. Super Smash Bros. Melee

This is tough and I'm sure that my picks would be different depending on my mood, but Super Metroid will always be number 1!
 
1) The legend of Zelda : Ocarina of Time (N64)
2) Super Mario 64 (N64)
3) Super Mario Bros. (NES)
4) Half-Life (PC)
5) Chrono Trigger (SNES)
6) Final Fantasy 7 (PS1)
7) Tetris (Gameboy)
8) Diablo 2 (PC)
9) The legend of Zelda : A link to the past (SNES)
10) Civilization 2 (PC)
 
1. Silent Hill 2
2. Shadow of the Colossus
3. Bioshock
4. Resident Evil Remake
5. Silent Hill
6. Metal Gear Solid 4
7. Call of Duty 4
8. Mortal Kombat 2
9. Call of Duty World at War
10. SSX Tricky
 
1. X-Com: UFO Defense
2. Sid Meier's Alpha Centauri
3. Freespace 2
4. Tie Fighter
5. Baldur's Gate 2
6. Starsiege: Tribes
7. Mass Effect
8. Deus Ex
9. Masters of Orion 2
10. Kohan: Ahriman's gift

I'm probably forgetting quite a few games, but I don't feel bad about my top 10 list. If I could only play 10 games forever I would be very happy with this list.

Hell I have been playing X-Com forever.
Already my first edit. I got rid of Diablo 2 in exchange for Deus Ex. It seems to me that Half Life deserves a spot on my list, but I don't see anything I would take out for it. Half Life had an enormous influence on FPS games. Wow I just realized how few FPS games are on my list. Late edit, damnit. Fallout has to go. Tribes will take its place. Starcraft is another title I want to put on my list, but I watch more than I play. Every game on my list is a game I put a lot of hours in.

Honourable mention:
Homeworld. Wonderful story, presentation and gameplay. Was heavenly influenced by BSG of course, but perhaps some of the influence swung the other way as well.
 
1. Street Fighter 3: 3rd Strike
2. Counter-Strike
3. Ninja Gaiden Black
4. Final Fantasy 8
5. Chrono Cross
6. Final Fantasy 9
7. Metal Gear Solid 4
8. Final Fantasy 11
9. Guitar Hero 2
10. NFL 2k5
 
1. Tetris
2. Pac-Man
3. Grand Theft Auto IV
4. Curse of the Azure Bonds
5. Vampire: The Masquerade - Bloodlines
6. Dungeon Master
7. Skate 2
8. Sonic The Hedgehog
9. Powermonger
10. Counter-Strike: Source

Fuck you, it's my list
 
1. SotC
2. Uncharted 2
3. Portal
4. Unreal Tournament
5. Tetris
6. Skate or Die
7. Asteroids
8. World of Warcraft
9. Socom
10. Uncharted
 
10. The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion
9. Final Fantasy X
8. Castle of Illusion starring Mickey Mouse
7. Super Smash Bros. Brawl
6. Street Fighter IV
5. Shadowrun

4. World of Warcraft

3. Katamari Forever

2. Dynasty Warriors 4

1. Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty
 
1.Metal Gear Solid 3
2.Castlevania: Rondo of Blood
3.Super Metroid
4.Phantasy Star Online
5.Super Mario World
6.Zone of the Enders: The 2nd Runner
7.Metal Gear Solid 4
8.Castlevania: Symphony of the Night
9.R-Type Delta
10.Mirror's Edge
 
wmat said:
1. Tetris
2. Pac-Man
3. Grand Theft Auto IV
4. Curse of the Azure Bonds
5. Vampire: The Masquerade - Bloodlines
6. Dungeon Master
7. Skate 2
8. Sonic The Hedgehog
9. Powermonger
10. Counter-Strike: Source

Fuck you, it's my list
Click to expand...

You've got a lot of pivotal games in there... and also Skate 2.
 
1. Super Metroid (SNES)
2. Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time (N64)
3. Legend of Zelda: Link to the Past (SNES)
4. Mega Man 2 (NES)
5. Super Mario Bros. 3 (NES)
6. Half-Life 2 (PC)
7. Super Mario Galaxy (Wii)
8. Super Mario World (SNES)
9. Phantasy Star Online (DC/GCN)
10. Jet Set Radio (DC)
 
1) Uncharted2 / PS3

2) MGS4 / PS3

3) KZ2 / PS3

4) Mario64 / N64

5) GT / PSX

6) FFXII / PS2

7) GTA4 / PS3

8) LBP / PS3

9) Shadow of the Colossus / PS2

10)Doom1,2
 
1. Planescape Torment
2. Jagged Alliance 2
3. Knights of the Old Republic 1
4. Vampire Bloodlines
5. XCOM Terror From The Deep
6. Suikoden 2
7. Flashback
8. Final Fantasy Tactics
9. Heroes of Might and Magic 2
10. Master of Orion 2
 
1. Another World / Out of this World (Amiga)
2. Phantasmagoria (PC)
3. River City Ransom (NES)
4. Parappa the Rapper (PSX)
5. The Godfather (Wii)
6. Gabriel Knight II: The Beast Within (PC)
7. Elite Beat Agents (DS)
8. Red Faction (PS2)
9. Jet Set Radio (DC)
10. Burn:Cycle (CD-I)

Honorable Mentions: Star Wars Battlefront (XBOX), Earthbound, Final Fantasy VII, Postal, Super Mario Bros. 2, Kirby's Adventure, Parasite Eve, Godzilla (NES), Advanced Wars DS, and there are some others for sure.

NOT A FAKE LIST JERKS!
 
Ok let's try this.

1. Metal Gear Solid
2. World of Warcraft
3. Ocarina of Time
4. Metal Gear Solid 2
5. Twilight Princess
6. Persona 4
7. Shadow of the Colossus
8. Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion
9. Sonic 3 & Knuckles
10. Final Fantasy VII

Probably changes in a week but this works for now.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

The greatest video game composition of all time is
2 3
131
2K
Games Bookstore replied
IMDb's top 250 rated games of all time
2 3
102
2K
Bojji replied
RTTP Half Life 2 - Still One of The Greatest FPS of All Time!
2
68
1K
MrJangles replied
UK Sales: Week 47, 2025 (Nov 16 - Nov 22)
2
55
1K
Signalis replied
Top 100 BEST Horror Games Of All Time!
44
5K
RedC replied
Top Bottom