Fun is what keeps you saying "just one more game" at 2 a.m. This Top 100 gathers the retro games with the most immediate and most lasting playability, based on RomWize's reassessed scores. For each title: its current score, its versions, their rarity and their collector value.
"A playground of dizzying scale, spread across three cities and entire countryside, where you fly, shoot, swim, drive and improvise endlessly. The density of activities and the total freedom deliver an exhilarating feeling: everything seems possible, at any moment. Funny, immense and full of personality, one of the most memorable open worlds ever devised."
"Carving through hordes of mythological creatures with chained blades, punctuating the carnage with spectacular finishers: cathartic violence pairs with breathtaking staging. The frantic pace and the readability of the fights make every clash a joy. Brutal, epic and masterfully crafted, a peak of action on the console."
"The epic conclusion of the trilogy, pushing spectacle and emotion to their peak, with co-op up to four and a Horde mode enriched with fortifications. The legendary sense of weight and the brutality of the clashes stay intact, elevated by top-tier production. Spectacular, generous and masterful, a TPS that closes a cult saga with as much flair as generosity, ideal in co-op."
"The third entry pushes the spectacular staging even further, with memorable sequences in the heart of the desert and scenery that collapses in real time. The polished writing and relentless pace maintain a constant tension. Spectacular, generous and superbly made, an interactive blockbuster that confirms the series at the peak of action-adventure, to experience like a great film."
"Tight-timed counters, multi-tier arenas and spectacular throws: the action reads at a glance and impresses straight away. Fluidity astonishing for its time makes every exchange a rush, even before you master a thing. Gorgeous, fast and welcoming, this 3D fighter keeps a flair that still commands admiration."
"A timeless masterpiece carefully rejuvenated: Link's quest gains depth and comfort without losing any of its magic. Exploring Hyrule, solving clever dungeons and playing the ocarina deliver an undimmed wonder. The 3D and the tweaks smooth out the adventure, ideal for rediscovering it or finally living it. A spellbinding journey, built to last."
"Weapon-based fighting reaches a rare perfection here: duels of astonishing fluidity, eight-way movement and characters of wild elegance. The handling welcomes newcomers while the depth rewards mastery. Technically stunning at launch, it remains one of the most admired fighting games of all time."
"The whole arsenal of Super Mario Bros. 3 gathered on a handheld: the Tanuki suit, spring boots, a teeming overworld map and levels of timeless inventiveness. Every jump breathes precision and every screen hides its surprises. The perfect handling and overflowing variety grip you from the first world to the last. An absolute peak of platforming, to savour anywhere."
"The most complete take on the king of fighting games on Sega's machine: every boss becomes playable, the speed is yours to tune, and every blow lands with real precision. You keep starting rounds for the thrill of tense duels, well-timed specials and reading your rival's intent. With its legendary roster and tactical depth, it remains a title you eagerly pull out again, pad in hand, ready to throw down."
"Build a poker hand, stack the Jokers, watch a modest combo erupt into an astronomical score: the thrill is instant. Every run chases a new synergy, and the promise of an even crazier combination keeps you redealing endlessly. Simple to grasp, dizzying to optimize, it's the very definition of the addictive loop."
"Kratos's first epics gathered in high definition, where you carve up mythological hordes with the blades, chain brutal combos and solve ingenious puzzles. The epic fury and grandiose staging remain intact. Spectacular, visceral and masterfully paced, an ideal compilation to (re)discover two monuments of action."
"The third entry pushes the spectacular staging even further, with memorable sequences in the heart of the desert and scenery that collapses in real time. The polished writing and relentless pace maintain a constant tension. Spectacular, generous and superbly made, an interactive blockbuster that confirms the series at the peak of action-adventure, to experience like a great film."
"Jumping from planet to planet, defying gravity and twirling through a cosmic ballet of wild inventiveness: this platformer reinvents the genre with rare grace and magic. Every galaxy overflows with ideas, carried by a sumptuous orchestral soundtrack. The joy of the jump, elevated by weightlessness, never fades. Wondrous, accessible and timeless, an absolute masterpiece of 3D platforming."
"A timeless masterpiece carefully rejuvenated: Link's quest gains depth and comfort without losing any of its magic. Exploring Hyrule, solving clever dungeons and playing the ocarina deliver an undimmed wonder. The 3D and the tweaks smooth out the adventure, ideal for rediscovering it or finally living it. A spellbinding journey, built to last."
"Running, jumping and punching through scenery bursting with color feels almost like dancing. The musical levels, where every obstacle hits on the beat, are moments of pure joy, especially shared with friends. The visual generosity and pinpoint controls invite you to replay for the sheer pleasure of motion, far beyond simply reaching the end of a stage."
"The revert opens up infinite links and turns every session into a quest for the perfect score: that's the genius of the series, here at its peak. Pinpoint handling, levels built for virtuosity and a cult soundtrack combine beautifully. Chaining an endless combo delivers an instant thrill. Immediate and inexhaustible, a peak of arcade skating."
"Strike, roll to dodge, chain hits with no downtime: combat snaps with a jubilant fluidity. Every run hands you fresh weapons and a reshaped layout, so death instantly rekindles the urge. The nervy tempo and the depth of the arsenal sustain an exhilarating tension that never dulls."
"The game that redefined the open world: a whole city to roam freely, where stealing a car, shaking off the police or improvising chaos becomes possible at any moment. The raw freedom and the sense of absolute power deliver an instant rush that founded the genre. Bold, biting and incredibly influential, a major landmark in gaming."
"Rediscover the slashing feel of combat while roaming familiar gothic halls: the tribute to Castlevania lives in every detail. Whip, sub-weapons and legendary bosses slot into the roguelite loop without breaking its flow. The intact snappiness and the reawakened nostalgia make for a doubly irresistible pleasure."
"A poignant prequel telling the last battle of a team of Spartans, blending snappy shooting, large-scale combat and an emotion rare for the genre. The precise gunplay, the variety of weapons and the rich multiplayer create a constant pleasure. Spectacular, generous and masterfully made, an FPS that elevates the Halo formula and offers an adventure as intense as it is memorable, ideal in co-op."
