Top 30 Best Video Games of the Century (So Far)

Top 30 Best Video Games of the Century So Far

Welcome to WatchMojo, and today we’re counting down our picks for the greatest games released in the 21st century - thus far, anyway.

#30: “Super Mario Odyssey” (2017)

“Mario” games always make a big splash, and this one is no exception! The Nintendo Switch title sees the mustachioed plumber once again out to rescue Princess Peach, but with a unique spin this time. Using his hat, Mario can take over the bodies of most enemies. This adds a ton of variety in gameplay and puzzle solving options. The vast and detailed levels feel jam-packed with things to do and discover, such that even after completing the main story, there’s still more to explore. “Super Mario Odyssey” is a journey that any gamer should take at least once.

#29: “Persona 5” (2017)

Whether you elect for the original release, or upgrade to “Royal,” “Persona 5” is a spectacular RPG. From its art style to its music, the game is just dripping with style. But, thanks to its examination of serious issues, including the personal demons of its characters, it also has plenty of substance. To further explore its characters, dating and social simulation elements are included in its gameplay, which truly immerses you in the world. The turn-based combat is engaging and creative, with unique spins on familiar tropes. All in all, “Persona 5” is the total package and has everything you could want in a modern RPG.

#28: “Hades” (2020)

Roguelike games have been hugely successful, particularly for the indie scene, and “Hades” is one of the best. Set in the Greek underworld, it follows Zagreus, son of the god Hades, as he tries to escape the afterlife to reach Mount Olympus. But each time you die, you return to the beginning. While this can leave you feeling like you’re doomed to an eternal task out of a Greek myth, the exciting, fast-paced gameplay and engaging story with rich characters makes each run rewarding. It’s this sense of progression, along with a beautiful aesthetic and gorgeous music, that has helped “Hades” become as beloved as ambrosia - or at least pomegranates.

#27: “Gears of War 2” (2008)

Gritty, over-the-shoulder 3rd person shooters aren’t exactly rare, but the “Gears of War” series stands out from the rest, and its second entry is the best in our books. In addition to the incredibly fun, chainsaw gun gameplay of the first game, “Gears 2” takes the story to darker and more emotional places, while also broadening its scope. The new weapons and multiplayer modes add a ton of new variety as well. While Marcus Fenix continues his battle against the Locust in later titles, “Gears of War 2” still revved the series up to its greatest heights.

#26: “Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2” (2009)

There are many “Call of Duty” games, but the franchise arguably reaches its peak with the “Modern Warfare” series. The campaign is brutal and gripping throughout, with every mission feeling like an individual blockbuster action film. However, as great as the single player is, its multiplayer is what puts “Modern Warfare 2” over the top! The map design is incredible. The customizable killstreaks and progression challenges keep engagement high. And the game modes are still unequaled. “Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2” remains one of the best first person shooters even today!

#25: “Fire Emblem: Three Houses” (2019)

When it comes to tactical RPGs, “Fire Emblem” reigns supreme, and “Three Houses” is the king of kings! This Switch game features three branching storylines, depending on which of the titular houses you choose to teach. The turn-based, strategic tactics the franchise is known for return, with some new variations, while there’s also a greater emphasis on relationship building and downtime, similar to the “Persona” series. The different possible paths, as well as the massive cast of characters to interact with and romance helps make “Fire Emblem: Three Houses” among the most replayable RPGs out there, and certainly one of the best.

#24: “Baldur’s Gate 3” (2023)

Considered by many to be the best game released in 2023, “Baldur’s Gate 3” is also one of the all-time greats! Freedom is the name of the game in this game. Much like “Dungeons and Dragons,” upon which its gameplay is based and in whose setting it takes place in, “Baldur’s Gate 3” lets players approach problems in nearly any way they wish. The extensive variety of classes, companions, and story options make it among the most replayable games ever made, since each playthrough will be vastly different, depending on your choices. The sheer quality from top to bottom in this game is truly impressive!

#23: “God of War” (2018)

Now this is how you revamp a franchise! “God of War” took nearly everything that was beloved about the series and threw it out the window. Hyper-realized stories, a crazy protagonist, Greek mythology – gone in favor of a more subdued and introspective character study about fathers, sons and legacies, all playing out across a gorgeous Norse backdrop. Of course, it kept the bombastic boss fights and incredible combat mechanics, because it wouldn’t be “God of War” without battling unstoppable Gods and massive dragons! Santa Monica Studio has to be commended – they took a major risk with this title, but it paid off beautifully.

#22: “The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim” (2011)

Few open world titles can compare to Skyrim. While Bethesda had been developing “The Elder Scrolls” series for years, it was “Skyrim” that finally broke through to the mainstream, thanks to its streamlined gameplay mechanics and gorgeous open world. The game became exceedingly popular through YouTube compilations, and old school “Elder Scrolls” fans were able to delve deeper into the universe’s lore. Both casual and hardcore fans could find enjoyment in exploring the breathtaking settings that the game offered, and yes, the hilarious glitches added an undeniable charm. Video games don’t get much more imaginative than this.

#21: “Batman: Arkham City” (2011)

“Arkham City” remains, and may remain for some time yet, the quintessential superhero video game. All of its stellar elements combined into a magnificent whole that is yet to be bested in the genre. The narrative was mature, introspective, and exciting. The world design was vast, dark, and richly atmospheric. But it was the gameplay mechanics that earned the most praise thanks to the imaginative integration of Batman’s devices and fluid combat system. Its systems are still being copied to this day, and you may have heard people linking the “Arkham” series to Insomniac’s “Spider-Man.” Its legacy in the fighting and superhero genres is unrivaled.

#20: “Undertale” (2015)

Indie games have blown up since the turn of the millennium, and “Undertale” is among the most successful. Created by Toby Fox, this quirky RPG is deceptively simple. Exploring an underground world full of monsters and other strange creatures, “Undertale” offers the player options on how to approach encounters with enemies. You can spare your foes, or kill them, which leads to very different outcomes, and plenty of meta commentary. Full of loveable, bizarre characters, unique, bullet-hell-like combat, and some absolutely killer music, “Undertale” is an underdog success story and a fantastic game.

#19: “Fallout: New Vegas” (2010)

In the annals of the best Western RPGs, they don’t get much better than “New Vegas!” Set in the offbeat, post-apocalyptic world of “Fallout,” this spin-off combines the best of the Bethesda era on the games with everything that came before to create the best in its series. The combat is as in-depth as you want it to be, thanks to the V.A.T.S. system. Unraveling what happened to the amnesiac protagonist and contending with the various factions are just the beginning, since the worldbuilding and quests are incredibly detailed and rewarding. Gamers really hit the jackpot with “Fallout: New Vegas,” and it’s worth every cap.

#18: “Final Fantasy IX” (2000)

Before “Final Fantasy” dove fully into its modern era, the series produced one last game in its classic style. “Final Fantasy IX” is the last hurrah of the series’ golden age, being one of the last games to heavily involve series creator Hironobu Sakaguchi and longtime composer Nobuo Uematsu. The game feels like a tribute to everything that came before, and a herald of things to come. Its softer art style belies the serious topics it addresses, and its story and characters are incredible. Straddling the line between the franchise’s two eras, “Final Fantasy IX” is the best of both worlds and one of the finest JRPGs of the century.

#17: “Mass Effect 2” (2010)

Oh, what we would do to relive the glory days of “Mass Effect.” “Mass Effect 2” promised, and arguably delivered, the future of gaming. It was an intensely personal experience, as players were able to create a character, manipulate relationships, and mold the plot through unique choices and interactive storytelling. Of course, this wouldn’t mean much without an intriguing story, but luckily, “Mass Effect 2” offered an original and deeply engrossing tale, complete with rich characters and wonderfully imaginative world building. It also improved on its predecessor in numerous ways, offering cinematic production values and a livelier atmosphere. It’s undoubtedly one of the greatest story-based video games ever released.

#16: “Assassin’s Creed II” (2009)

While this historical series has had many games since, its second entry remains among its most acclaimed. Set in Renaissance Italy, it follows Ezio Auditore da Firenze, an assassin out to avenge his family. The lavish environments are rewarding to explore and beautiful to look at. Nearly every system from its predecessor is improved upon and expanded, giving you more options with how to complete assassinations and other objectives. Although later entries arguably improved even more on its foundations, “Assassin’s Creed II” set the bar high with both its story and gameplay, crafting a milestone open world game.

#15: “Super Smash Bros. Ultimate” (2018)

Despite how well “Melee” holds up with its tight controls, “Super Smash Bros. Ultimate” is truly the ultimate Nintendo crossover fighting game! Nearly every major Nintendo character, and some famous third-party favorites, are featured in this game. Not only that, but numerous quality of life changes to the controls, new features, stages, and an expansive story mode have helped make “Ultimate” absolutely legendary! As fun for casual players as it is for competitive ones, “Super Smash Bros. Ultimate” is one of the greatest fighting games ever made, and certainly the most ambitious.

#14: “Portal 2” (2011)

Puzzle games are fun, but few of them have attained the critical and commercial success of “Portal 2.” While the original “Portal” introduced gamers to the concept of using the titular portals to solve puzzles at the whims of amusingly malevolent A.I. GLaDOS, the sequel improved on everything that made it great. The challenges are more complex, the humor is more frequent, and this time you can play with a friend. Making your way through Aperture Science with a buddy is both fun and frustrating, since the opportunities to troll each other may have you too busy worrying about each other to deal with GLaDOS. Regardless, “Portal 2” is the gateway to one of the best puzzlers out there.

#13: “The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom” (2023)

Listen, we love “Breath of the Wild” as much as anyone! But its sequel took an already perfect game and somehow improved on it! The already massive map is expanded both above and below, with vast new areas to explore in the skies and the depths. The story is also arguably more compelling and engaging, with greater interactions with characters. Meanwhile, the gameplay has fresh and exciting features, with the ability to combine weapons and craft vehicles and structures. The sheer unadulterated variety and possibilities help make “Tears of the Kingdom” a game worth crying tears of joy over.

#12: “Mario Kart 8 Deluxe” (2017)

Rereleases and upgraded versions of games are rarely treated with the same reverence as the original. Yet “Mario Kart 8 Deluxe” is considered by many to not only be the definitive version of its base game, but also the best “Mario Kart” game, and one of the best racing games in general! The number of tracks and playable characters, particularly when you factor in DLC, is truly staggering, incorporating them from previous games in the franchise. All that content, plus the usual, wacky item-filled, fast-paced racing action players have come to expect from the series, and it’s no wonder a sequel has taken so long.

#11: “Halo 2” (2004)

As grand a conclusion as “Halo 3” is to the franchise’s original trilogy, its predecessor is the one that makes our list. The campaign raised the stakes of the story by impressing upon us the scale of the galactic conflict, while also including a new playable character in the Arbiter. New quality of life features like regenerating health and dual-wielding were welcome additions too. Plus, that music is still as epic as ever! Still, what marks “Halo 2” as an iconic game is its multiplayer. One of the first games to take console gaming online, “Halo 2” cemented many features that are commonplace today, such as lobbies and matchmaking. This game paved the way for the future of multiplayer gaming.

#10: “Red Dead Redemption 2” (2018)

Not only is “Red Dead Redemption II” one of the best open world games of the 21st century, it’s also one of the best Westerns! Its moving and involving story follows a group of outlaws and their attempts to escape their life of crime before civilization catches up with them. Smaller stories weave fluidly into the larger narrative. Meanwhile, the massive slice of the American West it’s set in is full of things to do and discover, and it feels at once realistic and larger-than-life. “RDR2” is the complete package of gameplay and story, and one of the best games ever made.

#9: “Half-Life 2” (2004)

There is a very good reason why the last decade or so has been filled with demands for “Half-Life 3,” The first two “Half Life” games are still regarded as the greatest and most ground-breaking games ever made, but not for any one reason in particular. For “Half-Life 2” So many things went right, including the unique integration of cutscenes and gameplay, the haunting atmosphere, the realistic character and facial animations, and of course the revolutionary physics engine and iconic Gravity Gun. It admittedly doesn’t sound like much on paper, but the sum is far greater than its individual parts. Every FPS that came after has followed in “Half-Life 2’s” footsteps. It was a trailblazer not just for the genre, but for gaming as an artistic medium.

#8: “BioShock” (2007)

By 2007, video games were finally being taken seriously. But it was arguably “BioShock” that finally tilted the medium’s reputation from “enjoyable pastime” to “legitimate art.” That distinction is thanks in large part to “BioShock’s” story and themes, which ignored typical action game tropes to focus on the writings of Ayn Rand, objectivism, capitalism, player agency, and free will. It didn’t hurt that it all took place in the visually appealing and inventive setting of Rapture. Add in some iconic characters, flawless blending of FPS and RPG mechanics, and one of the best plot twists in gaming history, and you’ve got yourself the all-time classic that is “BioShock.”

#7: “Bloodborne” (2015)

“Elden Ring” is another tempting FromSoftware game to discuss. But we’d argue that the peak of the “Souls”-related titles is “Bloodborne.” Set in a Lovecraftian, Gothic world, “Bloodborne” may be nightmarish to experience, with its punishingly difficult enemies and bosses, but it’s still a phenomenal game. The interconnected world is wonderfully designed, and the gameplay’s emphasis on dodging and precision strikes makes it more technical than some other FromSoftware titles. Whether it turns your blood cold or sets it pumping through your veins faster, “Bloodborne” is among the pinnacle of action RPGs.

#6: “Resident Evil 4” (2005)

This entry took a major risk by deviating from the established formula, but it paid off in unimaginable ways. Of course, the biggest change came in the form of the third-person perspective. But it also took the series in a more action-oriented route while still providing players with the core puzzle and horror elements they’d come to expect from the series. The result was a magnificent mixture of old and new, and the game became a bonafide trendsetter for future third-person shooters. It forever changed camera perspectives, precision aiming mechanics, and inventory management. It also influenced future game developers, helping to pave the way for classics like “Dead Space,” “The Last of Us,” “God of War,” and “Uncharted.” So, thank you, “Resident Evil 4!”

#5: “The Last of Us” (2013)

We almost called “Uncharted 2” Naughty Dog’s masterpiece…but then we remembered “The Last of Us.” This game was a monumental achievement in storytelling and voice acting, and it is still regarded as one of the best-told story in gaming history! While most of the acclaim typically goes to the game’s writing and acting, that is doing a large disservice to its amazing gameplay, which perfectly balanced elements of survival horror, RPGs, stealth-action and Naughty Dog’s signature adventure flare. The game also comes equipped with stellar production values and visual design, both of which help to immerse the player in a realistic post-apocalyptic hellscape. No game is perfect, but “The Last of Us” comes awfully close.

#4: “Silent Hill 2” (2001)

There are horror games, and then there’s “Silent Hill 2!” The game depicts James Sunderland’s visit to the titular town after he receives a letter from his late wife. The haunting, murky atmosphere is perfectly matched by the game’s story, which is often up to interpretation. While it has plenty of scares (and Pyramid Head is now a horror icon), what distinguishes “Silent Hill 2” is how much it delves into the characters’ mindsets. Even decades after its release, few horror titles have been able to match “Silent Hill 2”’s mind bending dread.

#3: “The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt” (2015)

You may argue that “Breath of the Wild” reinvented the open world, but we’d argue that “Wild Hunt” is the better game. For one thing, “Wild Hunt” also boasts an enormous and unique open world filled with magnificent settings, countless quality side quests, and enough lore to fill a Stephen King-sized novel. But it gets the leg up thanks to its narrative, an expansive fantasy epic filled with interesting characters and morally ambiguous situations to navigate. It established CD Projekt Red as one of the decade’s most popular and acclaimed developers, and it introduced “The Witcher” franchise to its now massive player base. It’s an undeniable masterpiece of the fantasy genre.

#2: “Minecraft” (2011)

We don’t think anyone could have predicted “Minecraft’s” success. This little game was independently created by Markus Persson and didn’t seem to offer much in the way of total world dominance. However, it was instantly lauded upon release, with many critics and players singling out its brilliant crafting mechanic, creative freedom, and countless unique experiences that naturally arise from playing the game. All this, combined with the game’s signature visual design, helped it become popular with YouTube gamers, who in turn helped spread the fun to their viewers. Before long, “Minecraft” was the best-selling game ever, a perfect example of YouTube’s rising influence on gaming, and a bonafide cultural phenomenon. In short, “Minecraft” helped define a generation.

#1: “Grand Theft Auto IV” (2008)

Although its immediate successor is also a masterpiece, we’d argue that “Grand Theft Auto IV” is the superior game, and indeed, one of the best games of the 21st century. It follows Niko Bellic, an immigrant hoping to escape his life of violence in America and start fresh, only to continually find himself pulled back into a life of crime. There are bigger open world games, sure. But “GTA4”’s complex and dense Liberty City feels incredibly real and lived in, with more things to do than the number of times Roman asks you to go bowling! Niko may find the American Dream not to be everything it’s cracked up to be, but “Grand Theft Auto IV” lives up to the hype.

Is there a video game from the 21st century we missed? If our list feels incomplete, finish things with your own picks in the comments.