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The world of video games is vast and ever-expanding, a digital playground filled with countless adventures, challenges, and stories waiting to be explored. Navigating this immense landscape can be daunting, with new titles constantly vying for our attention. This is why curated lists like "Top 100 Games" are so valuable. They provide a guiding light, helping gamers discover exceptional experiences they might otherwise miss. This blog post serves as a guide, to explore some of the best games ever created, spanning various genres and eras. This exploration will also provide insights into the elements that contribute to a game's lasting appeal.

Defining “the best” is inherently subjective. Taste varies widely. What one gamer considers a masterpiece, another might find uninteresting. However, certain games consistently appear on “best of” lists, recognized for their innovation, impact, and enduring quality. These are the titles that have pushed the boundaries of the medium, set new standards for gameplay, and left an indelible mark on gaming history.

The selection process for this virtual top 100 has been carefully considered, emphasizing innovation in gameplay mechanics. Storytelling and narrative depth are also crucial. A game's graphical and artistic design, and its overall cultural impact also influence its standing. While personal preference plays a role, the focus remains on objective criteria that contribute to a game's enduring legacy.

The list isn’t ranked in a particular order, as relative preferences are hard to assess. It aims to showcase a diverse collection of experiences. Each game represents a significant achievement in its respective genre. It offers something unique and memorable to players.

Let's embark on a journey through some of the most outstanding video games ever created. Each entry provides a brief overview, highlighting its key features and why it deserves recognition.

1. The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time: A timeless classic that redefined the action-adventure genre. Its innovative Z-targeting system and epic storyline remain influential to this day.

2. Super Mario 64: Mario's transition to 3D was revolutionary. It introduced players to a new level of freedom and exploration in a platformer.

3. Tetris: A simple yet endlessly addictive puzzle game that has captivated players for generations. Its elegant design and challenging gameplay make it a true masterpiece.

4. Grand Theft Auto V: An expansive open-world crime epic with a compelling story, memorable characters, and a vast array of activities.

5. The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt: A sprawling fantasy RPG with a rich, immersive world, a complex narrative, and memorable characters.

6. Minecraft: A sandbox game that empowers players to create anything they can imagine. Its limitless possibilities and active community make it a truly unique experience.

7. Portal 2: A mind-bending puzzle game with clever mechanics, witty dialogue, and a captivating story.

8. Dark Souls: A challenging action RPG known for its punishing difficulty, intricate level design, and rewarding sense of accomplishment.

9. Bloodborne: another Hidetaka Miyazaki title known for its fast paced combat, unique world building and story.

10. Mass Effect 2: A sci-fi RPG with a compelling story, memorable characters, and impactful choices.

11. Red Dead Redemption 2: A richly detailed open-world Western with a captivating story, memorable characters, and stunning visuals.

12. The Last of Us: A post-apocalyptic action-adventure game with a gripping story, compelling characters, and intense gameplay.

13. BioShock: A thought-provoking first-person shooter with a unique setting, a compelling story, and memorable characters.

14. Half-Life 2: A revolutionary first-person shooter with innovative physics-based gameplay and a captivating story.

15. Metal Gear Solid: A stealth action game with a complex story, memorable characters, and innovative gameplay mechanics.

16. Shadow of the Colossus: A unique action-adventure game with stunning visuals, epic boss battles, and a melancholic atmosphere.

17. Journey: An artistic adventure game with beautiful visuals, emotional storytelling, and a unique multiplayer experience.

18. Disco Elysium: A revolutionary isometric RPG with a deep narrative, complex characters, and a focus on skill checks and dialogue.

19. Divinity: Original Sin 2: A complex turn-based RPG with intricate tactical combat and a rich and dynamic world.

20. Hades: A rogue-like dungeon crawler with tight gameplay, a compelling story, and a unique art style.

21. Celeste: A challenging platformer with tight controls, a moving story, and a message of overcoming personal struggles.

22. Hollow Knight: A sprawling Metroidvania with intricate level design, challenging combat, and a haunting atmosphere.

23. Ori and the Blind Forest: A beautiful and emotional Metroidvania with stunning visuals and tight platforming.

24. Super Metroid: One of the best Metroidvanias. The game boasts tight gameplay, interesting world and power-ups.

25. Chrono Trigger: A timeless JRPG with a compelling story, memorable characters, and innovative gameplay mechanics.

26. Final Fantasy VII: A landmark JRPG with a memorable story, iconic characters, and a revolutionary soundtrack.

27. Persona 5 Royal: A stylish JRPG with a compelling story, memorable characters, and a unique social link system.

28. The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim: An expansive open-world RPG with a vast world to explore, countless quests to complete, and endless customization options.

29. Fallout 3: A post-apocalyptic RPG with a compelling story, memorable characters, and a vast open world to explore.

30. StarCraft: Brood War: A classic real-time strategy game with asymmetrical factions, tight gameplay, and a thriving esports scene.

31. Warcraft III: Reign of Chaos: A real-time strategy game with a compelling story, memorable characters, and innovative hero units.

32. Dota 2: A complex and strategic MOBA with a vast roster of heroes, intricate gameplay mechanics, and a massive esports scene.

33. League of Legends: A popular MOBA with a vast roster of champions, accessible gameplay, and a massive esports scene.

34. Counter-Strike: Global Offensive: A tactical first-person shooter with tight gameplay, competitive matches, and a thriving esports scene.

35. Overwatch: A team-based first-person shooter with unique heroes, fast-paced gameplay, and a focus on teamwork.

36. Team Fortress 2: A class-based first-person shooter with unique characters, comedic gameplay, and a long-lasting community.

37. Portal: A short and sweet puzzle game with innovative mechanics, witty dialogue, and a memorable villain.

38. LIMBO: An atmospheric puzzle platformer with a haunting art style and a minimalist story.

39. INSIDE: A creepy puzzle platformer with unsettling visuals and a thought-provoking story.

40. Braid: A puzzle platformer with unique time-manipulation mechanics and a thought-provoking story.

41. Papers, Please: A dystopian puzzle game with a compelling story, moral dilemmas, and a unique setting.

42. The Witness: A challenging puzzle game with a vast open world and a minimalist aesthetic.

43. Baba Is You: A mind-bending puzzle game with innovative rule-bending mechanics.

44. Katamari Damacy: A quirky and addictive action game with a unique premise and a catchy soundtrack.

45. PaRappa the Rapper: A rhythm game with a unique art style and a catchy soundtrack.

46. Rez: A synesthesia-inducing rail shooter with a mesmerizing soundtrack and stunning visuals.

47. Thumper: A rhythm violence game with intense visuals and a pounding soundtrack.

48. Rhythm Heaven: A collection of quirky rhythm games with a unique art style and a catchy soundtrack.

49. Guitar Hero: A rhythm game that popularized the plastic instrument genre.

50. Dance Dance Revolution: A rhythm game that popularized the use of dance pads.

51. Super Mario World: A classic 2D platformer with tight controls, innovative level design, and a memorable soundtrack.

52. Super Mario Bros. 3: Another classic 2D platformer with tight controls, innovative power-ups, and a memorable soundtrack.

53. Donkey Kong Country: A 2D platformer with pre-rendered graphics, tight controls, and a catchy soundtrack.

54. Mega Man 2: A classic 2D action platformer with tight controls, challenging level design, and a memorable soundtrack.

55. Castlevania: Symphony of the Night: A Metroidvania with RPG elements, a dark atmosphere, and a memorable soundtrack.

56. Metroid Prime: A first-person adventure game that successfully translated the Metroid formula to 3D.

57. Batman: Arkham Asylum: A superhero action game with tight combat, a compelling story, and a dark atmosphere.

58. Spider-Man (PS4): An open-world superhero game with fluid movement, engaging combat, and a compelling story.

59. God of War (2018): An action-adventure game with a compelling story, brutal combat, and stunning visuals.

60. Devil May Cry 5: A stylish action game with fast-paced combat, over-the-top moves, and a rocking soundtrack.

61. Bayonetta: A stylish action game with over-the-top combat, a campy story, and a unique art style.

62. NieR: Automata: An action RPG with a compelling story, philosophical themes, and a memorable soundtrack.

63. Yakuza 0: An action-adventure game with a compelling story, quirky side quests, and brutal combat.

64. Shenmue: An open-world action-adventure game with a unique atmosphere, realistic interactions, and a compelling story.

65. Deadly Premonition: An open-world survival horror game with a quirky story, memorable characters, and a unique atmosphere.

66. Silent Hill 2: A psychological horror game with a disturbing story, unsettling atmosphere, and iconic monsters.

67. Resident Evil 4: A survival horror game with tight gameplay, a compelling story, and a memorable setting.

68. System Shock 2: A first-person shooter with RPG elements, a compelling story, and a terrifying atmosphere.

69. BioShock Infinite: A first-person shooter with a unique setting, a compelling story, and thought-provoking themes.

70. Prey (2017): A first-person shooter with RPG elements, a compelling story, and a tense atmosphere.

71. Dishonored: A stealth action game with unique powers, intricate level design, and a compelling story.

72. Deus Ex: Human Revolution: A cyberpunk action RPG with a compelling story, branching paths, and a focus on player choice.

73. Undertale: A quirky RPG with a unique battle system, memorable characters, and a heartwarming story.

74. EarthBound: A quirky RPG with a unique art style, a humorous story, and a memorable soundtrack.

75. Mother 3: A touching RPG with a compelling story, memorable characters, and a unique art style.

76. Pokémon Red/Blue: A monster-collecting RPG that launched a global phenomenon.

77. Animal Crossing: New Horizons: A social simulation game with relaxing gameplay, endless customization options, and a charming atmosphere.

78. Stardew Valley: A farming simulation game with relaxing gameplay, charming characters, and a heartwarming story.

79. The Sims: A life simulation game with endless possibilities, allowing players to create and control virtual people.

80. SimCity: A city-building simulation game that allows players to design and manage their own cities.

81. Civilization VI: A turn-based strategy game that allows players to lead a civilization from ancient times to the modern era.

82. Crusader Kings III: A grand strategy game that allows players to control a dynasty through generations of political intrigue and warfare.

83. Total War: Warhammer II: A real-time strategy game that combines historical battles with fantasy elements.

84. XCOM 2: A turn-based strategy game that challenges players to defend Earth from an alien invasion.

85. Into the Breach: A turn-based strategy game with challenging puzzles, roguelike elements, and a compelling story.

86. FTL: Faster Than Light: A roguelike space exploration game with challenging combat, resource management, and a compelling story.

87. Slay the Spire: A deck-building roguelike with challenging combat, strategic deck building, and endless replayability.

88. Darkest Dungeon: A roguelike RPG with a gothic horror atmosphere, challenging combat, and a focus on mental health.

89. Crypt of the NecroDancer: A rhythm-based roguelike with challenging combat, a catchy soundtrack, and a unique gameplay mechanic.

90. Spelunky: A challenging platformer with roguelike elements, procedurally generated levels, and a rewarding sense of accomplishment.

91. Super Meat Boy: A challenging platformer with tight controls, difficult level design, and a high death count.

92. Getting Over It with Bennett Foddy: A frustratingly difficult platformer with a unique control scheme and a philosophical message.

93. I Wanna Be the Guy: An infamously difficult platformer with challenging level design and a tribute to classic video games.

94. Cuphead: A run and gun game with a unique 1930s cartoon art style, challenging boss battles, and a catchy soundtrack.

95. Contra: A run and gun game with challenging gameplay, co-op multiplayer, and iconic weapons.

96. Doom (1993): A first-person shooter that popularized the genre with fast-paced action, demonic enemies, and a rocking soundtrack.

97. DOOM (2016): A modern reimagining of the classic first-person shooter with fast-paced action, brutal combat, and a rocking soundtrack.

98. Quake: A first-person shooter with fast-paced action, polygonal graphics, and a competitive multiplayer scene.

99. GoldenEye 007: A first-person shooter that revolutionized console multiplayer with tight gameplay, innovative features, and a memorable soundtrack.

100. Perfect Dark: A first-person shooter with a compelling story, innovative features, and a futuristic setting.

This list is a starting point. Exploring these titles and delving into their respective genres will lead to the discovery of countless other amazing games. The key is to be open to new experiences and embrace the diverse and ever-evolving world of video games.

For more, you can see our list of the Top_100 games