What are the greatest video games in history? From 8-bit cartridges to modern blockbusters, this Top 1000 brings together the titles that defined every generation, all retested and reassessed by RomWize. For each one: its current score, its versions, their rarity and their collector value, so you can (re)discover the must-plays and build your collection.
"Still the benchmark open-world on Switch. Climbing anything and gliding wherever you want feels liberating, and the physics-driven systems reward experimentation. Weapon durability remains divisive, yet exploring Hyrule keeps its quiet magic."
"A relentless shower of fresh ideas. Possessing enemies with Cappy reinvents every kingdom, and the sheer density of Moons keeps you poking at corners. Mario has never controlled with this much expressive, joyful freedom."
"The sequel dares to rebuild everything around Fuse and Ultrahand. Cobbling together absurd contraptions becomes an endless playground, and the sky and depths genuinely expand Hyrule. A bit overwhelming at first, but wildly creative."
"Mikami's Resident Evil revolution, originally a GameCube exclusive. Over-the-shoulder camera, measured and tense action, an unforgettable Spanish rural village. Almost every set piece has become iconic. A high point of 2000s action gaming."
"Grand Theft Auto V is one of the best-selling games in history. Gigantic Los Santos, three playable protagonists, perfect spiral narrative, pharaonic GTA Online. A total masterpiece, absolute reference of open gaming."
"Vice City immerses in a sunny, criminal 1980s Miami of exceptional cultural and musical richness. The neon atmosphere, iconic soundtrack and cinematic storytelling come together perfectly. An open world masterpiece, among PS2's finest achievements."
"Resident Evil 4 reinvents survival horror on PS2. Over-the-shoulder camera, surgical action and the unforgettable rural village. A peak of video games that reshaped a decade of TPS."
"An exemplary restoration. The remaster smooths the controls without betraying the original, and Tallon IV's lonely atmosphere still grips you. Scanning the environment can slow the pace, but the aiming and exploration have aged beautifully."
"The third BioShock trades the ocean depths for the flying city of Columbia and delivers an ambitious political and metaphysical tale. The bond formed with Elizabeth leaves a lasting mark, and its ending remains one of the most debated in the medium."
"A JRPG of rare elegance. Its menu style remains unmatched, and juggling stylish dungeon battles with high-school life builds an addictive rhythm. It's enormous, but the Royal additions and the third semester earn every hour."
"Absolute masterpiece that redefined open-world action-adventure. Total freedom, organic exploration, reactive physics and chemistry. WiiU execution is slightly inferior to Switch but the experience remains transcendent."
"Batman Arkham City is even better than Asylum. Open Gotham City, playable Catwoman, extraordinary villain gallery with Two-Face, Penguin and Ra's al Ghul. Dense and masterful narrative. An absolute masterpiece."
"Batman Arkham City GOTY with all DLC including Harley Quinn's Revenge, the most complete version of an absolute masterpiece. Catwoman, Nightwing and Robin also playable. The ultimate Batman game."
"First Metroid Prime, revolutionary FPS-adventure transposing Samus to 3D. Tallon IV exploration, encyclopedic environmental scanning, strategic combat with special visors. Isolated and atmospheric mood, ingenious backtracking level design. Wii Edition offers precise Wiimote controls, more natural than the original GameCube. An absolute Metroid series peak, essential."
"Tekken 3 is an absolute masterpiece that defined 3D versus fighting. Exceptional 23-character roster, fluid and technical gameplay, generous game modes including Tekken Force and Tekken Ball. Technically revolutionary for PS1. Often cited as the greatest PS1 game of all time."
"The ultimate fan fantasy taken to its limit. With a colossal roster and stages spanning gaming history, it's couch chaos at its finest. Mastering a character takes patience, but for local multiplayer nothing touches it."
"The game that defined FPS on console. Master Chief, the Flood, the Ring - the Halo universe is immediately iconic. 4-player splitscreen multiplayer is legendary. One of the foundational moments of modern gaming. Indispensable for every Xbox owner."
"Super Mario Bros. Deluxe on GBC is the definitive portable version of the founding classic. The original game plus extra challenges, hidden levels and scores to beat. An absolute GBC must."
"The roguelike that converted the skeptics. Every escape attempt mixes things up through Boons, and the story weaves itself between deaths without ever dragging. Snappy combat and a loop you restart almost on reflex."
"Mass Effect 2 turns the promise into pure craftsmanship: the suicide mission stands as a game design peak, every companion grows unforgettable, and BioWare prove an RPG can be both space opera and tightly paced corridor thriller."
