A few weeks ago I came across a list of what I had then considered my Top 25 Games of All Time. It was written way back in 2011. I should warn you that nostalgia plays a heavy hand in my “all-time” decision making and it still does, but I thought I would show you the list I found from 10 years ago and compare it to what I would probably put on that Top 25 list now.
OLD 2011 List:
- Hot Shots Golf Fore! – PlayStation 2, 2003 [Clap Hanz, Sony Computer Entertainment]
- Jet Moto – Sony PlayStation, 1996 [SingleTrac, Sony Computer Entertainment]
- MLB ’10: The Show – PlayStation 3, 2010 [San Diego Studio, Sony Computer Entertainment]
- Donkey Kong Country – Super Nintendo, 1994 [Rare, Nintendo]
- Roller Coaster Tycoon – PC, 1999 [Chris Sawyer, MicroProse]
- Streets of Rage 2 – Sega Genesis, 1992 [SEGA]
- Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic – Xbox, 2003 [BioWare, LucasArts]
- Tekken 3 – Sony PlayStation, 1998 [Namco]
- Ape Escape – Sony PlayStation, 1999 [Japan Studio, Sony Computer Entertainment]
- Super Mario Bros. 3 – Nintendo Entertainment System, 1990 [Nintendo]
- Sonic the Hedgehog 2 – Sega Genesis, 1992 [Sega Technical Institute, SEGA]
- Pokémon Red Version – Game Boy, 1998 [Game Freak, Nintendo]
- Final Fantasy VIII – Sony PlayStation, 1999 [Squaresoft]
- Shadow of the Colossus – PlayStation 2, 2005 [Japan Studio, Team Ico, Sony Computer Entertainment]
- Freedom Fighters – PlayStation 2 / Gamecube / Xbox / Windows, 2003 [IO Interactive, Electronic Arts]
- Ratchet & Clank – PlayStation 2, 2002 [Insomniac Games, Sony Computer Entertainment]
- Crash Bandicoot 2: Cortex Strikes Back – Sony PlayStation, 1997 [Naughty Dog, Sony Comp. Ent.]
- Kingdom Hearts – PlayStation 2, 2002 [Squaresoft, Disney Interactive Studios]
- Batman: Arkham City – PlayStation 3 / Xbox 360, 2011 [Rocksteady Studios, Warner Bros.]
- Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga – Game Boy Advance, 2003 [AlphaDream, Nintendo]
- Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty – PlayStation 2, 2001 [Konami]
- Uncharted 2: Among Thieves – PlayStation 3, 2009 [Naughty Dog, Sony Computer Entertainment]
- Pokémon Silver Version – Game Boy Color, 2000 [Game Freak, Nintendo]
- Final Fantasy X – PlayStation 2, 2001 [Squaresoft]
- Metal Gear Solid – Sony PlayStation, 1998 [Konami]
NEW 2021 List:
25. Streets of Rage 2 – DOWN↓ 5 SPOTS
24. Journey – PlayStation 3, 2012 [Thatgamecompany, Santa Monica Studio, SCE] NEW
23. Everybody’s Golf – PlayStation 4, 2017 [Clap Hanz, Japan Studio, SIE] NEW
22. Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic – DOWN↓ 3 SPOTS
21. Tekken 3 – DOWN↓ 3 SPOTS
20. MLB The Show ‘20 – PlayStation 4, 2020 [San Diego Studio, Sony Interactive Entertainment] NEW
19. Freedom Fighters – DOWN↓ 8 SPOTS
18. Earthbound – Super NES, 1995 [Ape Inc., HAL Laboratory, Nintendo] NEW
17. Sonic the Hedgehog 2 – DOWN↓ 2 SPOTS
16. Shovel Knight – PC / Nintendo 3DS / WiiU, 2014 [Yacht Club Games] NEW
15. Super Mario Bros. 3 – UP↑ 1 SPOT
14. Final Fantasy 7 – Sony PlayStation, 1997 [Squaresoft] NEW
13. Shadow of the Colossus – DOWN↓ 1 SPOT
12. Crash Bandicoot 2: Cortex Strikes Back – DOWN↓ 3 SPOTS
11. Ratchet & Clank – DOWN↓ 1 SPOT
10. Kingdom Hearts – DOWN↓ 2 SPOTS
9. Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga – DOWN↓ 3 SPOTS
8. Suikoden II – Sony PlayStation, 1999 [Konami] NEW
7. Batman: Arkham City – [SAME]
6. Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty – DOWN↓ 1 SPOT
5. Uncharted 2: Among Thieves – DOWN↓ 1 SPOT
4. Spider-man – PlayStation 4, 2018 [Insomniac Games, Sony Interactive Entertainment] NEW
3. Pokémon Red Version & Pokémon Silver Version – [SAME]
2. Final Fantasy X – [SAME]
1. Metal Gear Solid – [SAME]
I’m honestly not that surprised that my ‘Top 5’ games haven’t really changed. (With the exception of Spider-Man now joining the fray) But I do find it amazing how many new games have entered into this Top 25 discussion. I think it really shows how much games are constantly trying to push to get better and better. I think it will be very interesting to see how much this list will change in another few years.
If you would like, list some of your ‘TOP’ games in the comment area below – and maybe even tell me how your ‘Top Games List’ may have changed in the last 10 years!