Top 10 Western Videogames

Script written by Max Bledstein

Top 10 Video Game Westerns

Load up your six shooter, crack your whip, and giddy up partna’! Welcome to WatchMojo.com and today we’ll be counting down our picks for the top 10 video game Westerns. For this list, we ranked the best games set in the Wild West, with one game per franchise.

#10: “Mad Dog McCree” (1990)

Ok so its acting may be a bit cheesy, but during the laserdisc era FMV games like this one were all the rage. The titular outlaw and his gang of henchmen have taken over a sleepy town and kidnapped the mayor’s daughter, and it’s up to you to fire away at them with your revolver. There’s not much else to the gameplay, but the enjoyably campy setting is enough to keep you hooked for a while.

#9: “Wild Arms” (1997)

This JRPG is set in the fantasy world of Filgaia, but the landscape looks like the Wild West, and the music fits the scenery. The compelling story has you help three young heroes known as Dream Chasers on their mission to prevent demons from destroying their world. You fight them through the engaging turn-based battle system, which is shown in gorgeous 3D. It does lose a few points because there are sections of the game where it forgets it’s western theme, though its still strong enough to earn the 9th slot.

#8: “Gun.Smoke” (1985)

Not to be confused with the long-running TV show of the same name, in this Top down scrolling shooter arcade classic you play as a cowboy who takes the law into his own hands, much to the chagrin of the bad guys. The three-way shooting system limits your control, but it’s plenty for getting the job done, especially when you acquire a horse, which protects you for three hits.

#7: “Call of Juarez: Gunslinger” (2013)

The most recent installment in this series of first person shooters perfected the experience. Protagonist Silas Greaves is a bounty hunter, and it’s you have to help him take out his enemies as he recounts his battles, though you find out as the game progresses that he’s not always forthright with the truth. Accordingly, the structure of the levels changes to reflect the fluctuating details in his stories. Whether they’re real or not, the bullet-time gun duels are always a blast.

#6: “Gun” (2005)

We’ll talk about that other open-world third-person Western in a bit, but this title did a good job of introducing gamers to the style. It tells the classic revenge story of Cole, an Apache who hopes to avenge the deaths of his loved ones. It’s got gameplay to match, whether you’re riding your horse while firing your revolver, or just playing poker. Just watch out for bears, those guys can really mess up your day.

#5: “Red Steel 2” (2010)

This Cel Shaded FPS takes the Western to the East, as you fight the evil gang of Jackals in a Japanese pseudo-ancient town with a wild west theme. You might find yourself reaching to draw your gun, or slashing away at your enemies with a katana. The original game was a Yakuza themed launch title for the Wii which had control issues, but for this sequel the Wii’s MotionPlus system to was used to create a more responsive experience. The unique visual really sealed the package.

#4: “Oddworld: Strangers Wrath” (2005)

No, not a Puzzle Platformer like its prior entries, instead this game is Western-set themed Third Person shooter with interesting results. It depicts the adventures of a mysterious bounty hunter named the Stranger as he picks up outlaws to earn enough money, known as “moolah,” to afford a life-saving operation. One cool point to note is the awesome Live Ammo, which literally consist living animals that you can use as ammunition for your crossbow to do everything from stun to just plain blow up your enemies.

#3: “Sunset Riders” (1991)

Konami we’re the kings co-op arcade games in the 90’s, and this side-scrolling run and gun action game puts the “Wild” in “Wild West.” You take control of one of four bounty hunters, armed with either revolvers or shotguns, and you fire away at outlaws in the hopes of acquiring rewards. You’ve got unlimited ammo no matter which guy you play as, so there is very little to distract you from fast-paced gameplay. This one was a quarter sucking classic.

#2: “The Oregon Trail” (1971)

This pioneer simulator is one of the few “edutainment” games that can legitimately lay claim to being both entertaining and educational. You’re a wagon leader in 19th century North America, and it’s up to you to get your fellow settlers across the titular trail, all the way from Missouri to Oregon. The title’s mix of history and fun has made it hugely popular for over forty years with gamers of all ages, and it’s a joy to play. Until you inevitably die of dysentery, which, in case you didn’t know, means you poop yourself to death.

Before we get to our number one, let’s take a look at some honorable mentions:


“Desperados: Wanted Dead or Alive” (2001)

“Wild Gunman” (1985)

“Tin Star” (1994)

“Gunman Clive” (2013)

#1: “Red Dead Redemption” (2010)

Honestly, were you expecting anything else? Rockstar got their feet wet in the genre with “Red Dead Revolver,” but its follow-up is literally in a league of its own. The powerful story depicts the betrayals of protagonist John Marston, and it’s worthy of the Hollywood films to which it’s deeply indebted. The gameplay is equally top-notch, as marking your targets with the “Dead Eye” mechanic makes shooting a breeze. Perhaps most important of all, galloping on horseback across the open plains really makes you feel like your in the Wild West.
Do you agree with our list? What video game Western made you feel like the next John Wayne? For more blazing top 10s published daily, be sure to subscribe to WatchMojo.com.