Video games have come a long way since their humble beginnings in the research labs of scientists in the 1950s. Today, they are a $100 billion global industry that reaches millions of households and offers a wide range of genres, platforms, and experiences. But what are the best video games of all time? How do we measure their impact, innovation, and quality? In this article, we will explore the evolution of video games and highlight some of the best games from each decade, based on IGN’s Top 100 games list.

The 1970s: The Dawn of the Home Console

The 1970s marked the birth of the home console, a device that allowed people to play video games on their TVs. The first home console was the Magnavox Odyssey, invented by Ralph Baer and released in 1972. It featured 28 games, including a tennis game that inspired Atari’s Pong, the first arcade video game. Atari also released its own home console, the Atari 2600, in 1977, which introduced joysticks and interchangeable game cartridges. Some of the best games from this decade include:

• Pong (1972): The simple but addictive game that started it all. Players control a paddle and try to hit a ball past their opponent’s paddle.
• Space Invaders (1978): The iconic arcade game that popularized the shoot ’em up genre. Players defend the Earth from waves of alien invaders.
• Adventure (1979): The first action-adventure game for the Atari 2600. Players explore a fantasy world, collect items, and fight enemies.

The 1980s: The Rise of Nintendo and Sega

The 1980s saw the emergence of two major players in the video game industry: Nintendo and Sega. Nintendo revived the home console market with its Nintendo Entertainment System (NES), which launched in 1983 in Japan and 1985 in North America. The NES introduced some of the most beloved franchises in gaming history, such as Super Mario Bros., The Legend of Zelda, and Metroid. Sega also entered the scene with its Sega Master System (SMS) in 1985, which competed with the NES with its superior graphics and sound. Some of the best games from this decade include:

• Super Mario Bros. (1985): The game that defined the platformer genre and made Mario a household name. Players control Mario (or Luigi) as they run and jump through colorful levels, collecting coins and power-ups, and defeating enemies.
• The Legend of Zelda (1986): The game that pioneered the open-world adventure genre and introduced Link, Zelda, and Ganon. Players explore a vast world, solve puzzles, find secrets, and collect items to defeat Ganon and rescue Zelda.
• Tetris (1989): The game that popularized the puzzle genre and became a cultural phenomenon. Players manipulate falling blocks to form complete lines and clear them from the screen.

The 1990s: The Transition to 3D Graphics

The 1990s witnessed the transition from 2D to 3D graphics in video games, thanks to advances in technology and hardware. Nintendo and Sega released their 16-bit consoles, the Super Nintendo Entertainment System (SNES) and the Sega Genesis (or Mega Drive), in 1990 and 1989 respectively, which offered improved graphics, sound, and gameplay. They also released their first 3D consoles, the Nintendo 64 (N64) and the Sega Saturn, in 1996 and 1994 respectively, which enabled fully polygonal graphics and immersive worlds. Some of the best games from this decade include:

• Super Mario World (1990): The game that perfected the platformer genre and introduced Yoshi. Players control Mario (or Luigi) as they travel through Dinosaur Land, riding Yoshi, flying with capes, and finding secret exits.
• Sonic the Hedgehog (1991): The game that established Sega as a rival to Nintendo and made Sonic a mascot for speed. Players control Sonic as he runs through loop-de-loops, springs, and spikes, collecting rings and fighting Dr. Robotnik.
• Super Metroid (1994): The game that refined the action-adventure genre and influenced countless games to come. Players control Samus Aran as she explores an alien planet, acquiring new abilities and weapons, and uncovering a dark plot.
• Final Fantasy VII (1997): The game that revolutionized the role-playing genre and brought it to mainstream popularity. Players follow Cloud Strife as he joins a rebel group called AVALANCHE to stop an evil corporation from draining the planet’s life force.
• The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time (1998): The game that redefined the open-world adventure genre and set a new standard for 3D gaming. Players control Link as he travels through time, using the Ocarina of Time, to stop Ganondorf from conquering Hyrule.
• Half-Life (1998): The game that reinvented the first-person shooter genre and introduced a cinematic narrative. Players control Gordon Freeman as he fights his way out of a secret research facility, where a disastrous experiment has unleashed an alien invasion.

The 2000s: The Expansion of Online Gaming

The 2000s saw the expansion of online gaming, which allowed players to connect and compete with each other across the world. Sony and Microsoft entered the console market with their PlayStation 2 (PS2) and Xbox, which launched in 2000 and 2001 respectively, and offered online capabilities and DVD playback. Nintendo also released its GameCube in 2001, which focused on innovation and quality. The three companies also released their next-generation consoles, the PlayStation 3 (PS3), the Xbox 360, and the Wii, which launched in 2006 and 2005 respectively, and offered high-definition graphics, motion controls, and online services. Some of the best games from this decade include:

best all time video games

• Grand Theft Auto III (2001): The game that popularized the sandbox genre and sparked controversy. Players control a criminal who can freely roam a fictional city, completing missions or causing mayhem.
• Halo: Combat Evolved : The game that made the Xbox a success and revolutionized the first-person shooter genre on consoles. Players control Master Chief as he fights against an alien alliance called the Covenant.
• World of Warcraft : The game that dominated the massively multiplayer online role-playing genre and became a cultural phenomenon. Players create their own characters and explore a vast fantasy world, completing quests, joining factions, and raiding dungeons.
• Shadow of the Colossus : The game that challenged the conventions of the action-adventure genre and created a masterpiece of art. Players control Wander as he travels across a barren land, seeking to revive a girl by slaying 16 giant creatures called colossi.
• BioShock : The game that blended the first-person shooter and role-playing genres and created a stunning dystopian world. Players explore Rapture, an underwater city where genetic experiments have gone wrong, and make moral choices that affect the outcome.
• Portal : The game that introduced a new puzzle genre and a witty AI companion. Players use a portal gun to create portals between two surfaces, manipulating physics and logic to escape from a testing facility.

The 2010s: The Diversification of Gaming

The 2010s witnessed the diversification of gaming, which offered more choices and experiences for different types of players. Nintendo, Sony, and Microsoft released their latest consoles, the Wii U, the PlayStation 4 (PS4), and the Xbox One, which launched in 2012, 2013, and 2013 respectively, and offered enhanced graphics, social features, and streaming services. They also released their hybrid or upgraded consoles, the Nintendo Switch, the PlayStation 4 Pro (PS4 Pro), and the Xbox One X, which launched in 2017, 2016, and 2017 respectively, and offered portability or performance improvements. Additionally, mobile gaming became more popular and accessible, thanks to smartphones and tablets. Some of the best games from this decade include:

best all time video games

• The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim: The game that expanded the open-world role-playing genre and became a cultural phenomenon. Players create their own characters and explore a vast fantasy world, where they can do almost anything they want.
• The Last of Us (2013): The game that elevated the action-adventure genre and delivered an emotional story. Players follow Joel and Ellie as they survive in a post-apocalyptic world, where a fungal infection has turned most humans into zombies.
• Minecraft : The game that unleashed the creativity of millions of players and became a cultural phenomenon. Players can build anything they can imagine with blocks in a pixelated world, or explore randomly generated worlds with different biomes, creatures, and resources.
• Dark Souls (2011): The game that redefined the action role-playing genre and created a loyal fanbase. Players face brutal challenges in a dark fantasy world, where death is inevitable but rewarding.
• The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild : The game that reinvented the open-world adventure genre and delivered an immersive experience. Players control Link as he awakens from a 100-year slumber and explores a vast world full of secrets, dangers, and possibilities.
• God of War:The game that transformed the action-adventure genre and delivered a mature story. Players control Kratos, a former Greek god of war, as he journeys with his son Atreus in a Norse mythology-inspired world, where he faces his past and his future.

The 2020s: The Future of Gaming

• The 2020s are just beginning, but they already promise to bring new innovations and experiences to the gaming industry. Sony and Microsoft have released their next-generation consoles, the PlayStation 5 (PS5) and the Xbox Series X/S, which launched in 2020, and offer stunning graphics, fast loading times, and backward compatibility. Nintendo is also rumored to release a new version of the Switch, which could offer better performance and features. Moreover, mobile gaming is expected to grow even more, thanks to cloud gaming and 5G technology. Some of the best games from this decade so far include:
• The Last of Us Part II : The game that continued the action-adventure genre and delivered a controversial story. Players follow Ellie and Abby as they seek revenge in a post-apocalyptic world, where violence has consequences.
• Ghost of Tsushima : The game that perfected the open-world action-adventure genre and delivered a cinematic experience. Players control Jin Sakai, a samurai who fights against the Mongol invasion of Tsushima island in 13th century Japan.
• Animal Crossing: New Horizons: The game that revitalized the life simulation genre and became a cultural phenomenon. Players create their own characters and live on a deserted island, where they can customize their homes, interact with villagers, and visit other players’ islands.
• Cyberpunk 2077 : The game that pushed the boundaries of the open-world role-playing genre and delivered a futuristic world. Players create their own characters and explore Night City, a dystopian metropolis where technology, crime, and cybernetics collide.
• Hades : The game that refined the roguelike genre and delivered a compelling story. Players control Zagreus, the son of Hades, as he tries to escape from the underworld, fighting against various enemies and gods.

Conclusion

Video games have evolved tremendously over the decades, offering more variety, quality, and innovation than ever before. From Pong to Cyberpunk 2077, video games have entertained, challenged, and inspired millions of players around the world. But what are the best video games of all time? That’s up to you to decide. Whether you prefer classic or modern games, action or puzzle games, single-player or multiplayer games, there’s something for everyone in this amazing medium. So grab your controller, keyboard, or smartphone, and enjoy the best all-time video games.

best all time video games