There are numerous ways you could create a list of the greatest video games of all time. You could look at hundreds of online debates on which video game people consider the best. You could simply write down some great video games on note cards, put them in a hat and draw them to get your rankings. But the list I have comprised here is something a bit more sophisticated.

In order to create my list of the greatest video games of all time I considered numerous factors and variables of greatness. The main factors I have considered in creating this list are as follows: the influence on the gaming community, creative and fun game play, fans opinion, critics opinion and how well it ages. So to kick off this list here are ten honorable mentions.

Honorable Mentions

1. “Uncharted 2: Among Thieves”
2. “Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2”
3. “Spider-Man (2018)”
4. “Shadow of the Colossus”
5. “Street Fighter II”
6. “Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty”
7. “Fallout: New Vegas”
8. “Tetris”
9. “Dark Souls”
10. “Mass Effect 2”

Without further ado, these are the twenty greatest video games of all time ranked from worst to best.

20. “GoldenEye 007 (1997)”

If you were a kid of the 90s, few games could be played at parties and settle an argument of who would help mom clean up the party. With fun game play and outstanding multiplayer, “GoldenEye 007″ receives the first spot. Just make sure not to select Odd Job if you don’t want to be hit by your friends and siblings.

19. “Star Fox”

As one of the earliest and primitive 3D video games, it is easy to criticize “Star Fox” due to its quality over time, but the technological leaps it made far outweighs this criticism. “Star Fox” provides the gamer with a variety of unique enemies and bosses, clever stage design and catchy music.

18. “Portal 2”

“Portal 2” smashed clichés of sequels by developing mind bending puzzles with a dark story, which is perfectly balanced out by its refined humor. With a heart wrenching but perfect ending and phenomenal character development, “Portal 2″  left gamers more satisfied than a child on its birthday.

17. “Chrono Trigger (1995)”

“Chrono Trigger” perfected the 2D role-playing game by creating an immersive world with fun combat and exploration. Although it was released when 3D gaming was taking the world by storm, “Chrono Trigger” proved that it didn’t necessarily need high end graphics to deliver an emotional and riveting story.

16. “Final Fantasy VII (1997)”

“Final Fantasy VII” beautifully transitioned the role-playing game community from 2D to 3D. The cinematography, action, battle system and characters helped western audiences truly appreciate the brilliance of RPGs. “Final Fantasy VII’s” tear jerking and emotionally fulfilling ending has left many gamers with everlasting memories. With dynamic party members and a wickedly cunning villain, “Final Fantasy VII” solidified itself as one of the greatest. 

15. “Resident Evil 4 (2005)”

“Resident Evil 4” greatly improved the horror gaming community by allowing well paced game play, stunning action segments and vastly improved voice acting. Although many initially criticized “Resident Evil 4″ since it broke away from the traditional forced camera angles and perspective many went on to love it.

14. “Grand Theft Auto San Andreas (2004)”

“Grand Theft Auto San Andreas”, although it was not the first 3D sandbox, it significantly refined the genre. “GTA San Andreas” diversifies the gamers experience with numerous side missions and tasks that players can deem significant or not. With a hilarious variety of characters, such as CJ and Big Smoke, the overall point the developers were looking for is nailed.

13. “Halo: Combat Evolved (2001)”

“Halo: Combat Evolved” absolutely crushed the fps sci-fi genre by creating a well-balanced and smart AI that challenges players but keeps them coming back to play. Accompanied with a brilliant soundtrack that perfectly complements the sci-fi environment and story, “Halo: Combat Evolved” stunned gamers with the new concepts it brought to the table.

12. “Super Smash Bros. Melee”

Even though ESports have existed since the 70s, they remained small and relatively unknown. Once “Super Smash Bros.” Melee  hit the market in 2001, that all changed. Due to the finer mechanics of the game and its updated engine, “Melee” has more precise controls and movement options than other fighting titles. Between wavedashing, dash dancing, L canceling and other technical options, playing it feels like you have control over every aspect of your character. As a result, the popularity of ESports skyrocketed, thus solidifying “Melee” as a great video game.

11. “PAC-MAN (1980)”

“PAC-MAN” pioneered a number of innovations in game play and game design. It featured the first power-up and cut scenes. It was also one of the very first games in the maze genre. “PAC-MAN” also turned gaming into a major business and aspect of life. Due to a small pizza inspired man, gaming has been forever changed.

10. “The Last of Us (2013)”

“The Last of Us” has an amazing story with outstanding game play to go along with it. The gamer takes control of a character named Joel, as an infection breaks out and turns people into zombies. With the phenomenal voice acting of Troy Baker and Ashley Johnson, this stereotypical post-apocalyptic world becomes a masterpiece of a story teaching and showing gamers the horrors of humanity and society.

9. “Doom (1993)”

The fast paced action, wicked soundtrack, environmental layout and enemy and weapon variations caused Doom to shine like a banana to a monkey. “Doom” widely stood out to other games, because it was one of the first online and first-person shooter games. “Doom” was also unusual, because it allowed players to modify and recode the game in order to make each player’s version unique.

8. “Pokémon Red and Blue”

“Pokémon Red and Blue” completely changed video game mechanics by creating something brand new, the ability to trade and share items within the game with your friends. It also lets you have cute creatures or cool monsters while being able to level up. “Pokémon Red and Blue” also gives you an ego boost when you manage to kick everyone else’s butts with your super cool critter that can evolve but also learn some new tricks along the way.

7. “Super Mario 64 (1996)”

“Super Mario 64” is gaming’s “Citizen Kane”. Not only did it set the template for how camera and character movement operate in a third-person game, it still nails those essentials better than a large number of games today. Movement in most games is a snooze, but in “Mario 64″ it is one of the most fun aspects about the game.

6. “Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim (2011)”

“Skyrim” is a great game, because it allows the gamer to have unlimited freedom. Even though it took away many aspects from previous “Elder Scrolls” games, it made up for it through beautiful scenery and fantastic quests. With an addicting reward system for accomplishments, many gamers came crawling back to “Skyrim” day after day. 

5. “The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild”

The most momentous aspect about “Breath of the Wild” is that it offers a real glimpse into a type of game that has gone mostly unexplored in the gaming industry, a form of open world game play that’s way more advanced than the one commonly found in other mainstream games. “Breath of the Wild” makes games like “Red Dead Redemption” and “The Witcher” feel primitive. This game shows what amazing things can be done when you provide a player with the tools to explore a truly dynamic open world game with the power of real freedom and determination.

4. “Minecraft”

“Minecraft” has gained massive popularity over the years. It has become so popular that it is the best-selling video game of all time. “Minecraft” is an exceptional open-world sandbox game that mixes elements of survival, building, crafting, exploration and combat to create one of the most versatile games ever made.

3. “Half Life 2 (2004)”

Many of the concepts in “Half Life 2″ aren’t original, such as shooting, creative puzzle solving and storytelling. However, it was the first game to bring all of them together in a completely unique and effective way. “Half life 2″ has paved the road for modern first person shooters in every way imaginable.

2. “Super Mario Bros. (1983)”

The smashing success of “Super Mario Bros.” can be directly linked to the simplicity of its experience. At this point in time, almost every game was about working in a condensed playing area and getting a high score, but Mario changed this by slowing down the pace and allowing players to become creative throughout their game play.

1. “The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time (1998)”

Since its release on the Nintendo 64, two decades ago, “Ocarina of Time” has earned wide recognition as the best video game of all time. “Ocarina of Time” will forever be remembered for its rich open world, advanced graphics, accessible combat system and replayability—all of which were revolutionary for the time. “Ocarina of Time” remains eminently playable to this day, because so many of the things it invented became standard for any 3D game that was released after it. All of Link’s various actions can be performed with one or two buttons, greatly simplifying the act of interacting with virtual worlds. “Ocarina of Time” also holds the Guinness World Record for the most critically acclaimed video game of all time. Accompanied with a fascinating story and lovable characters (except for Navi), “Ocarina of Time” will forever be considered the greatest video game ever.