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.
"Wario Land 4 on GBA, platformer masterpiece featuring the rotten plumber. Inventive Wario transformations, brilliant level design, memorable bosses. One of the best platformers across all consoles."
"Wario Land Advance Youki no Otakara on GBA, original Japanese version of Wario Land 4. Same absolute excellence in its original version. Wario in all his grotesque and exhilarating glory in Japanese."
"Sonic & Knuckles, the lock-on expansion adding Knuckles to previous Sonic games. Gorgeous, essential, one of the best 16-bit Sonics with its unique lock-on."
"A collect-a-thon atom bomb from Rare. Five Kongs with distinct abilities, eight enormous worlds and two hundred golden bananas build an outsized adventure. The pace sometimes sags under the weight of content, yet the richness, writing and generosity remain unique on the N64."
"DMA Design dreams up an action puzzler in which you hop from one robot animal body to another aboard a space station. The concept is brilliant, the varied zones brim with ideas and the British humour lands. A platformer apart that hints at what Rockstar's DNA would become. Worth rediscovering."
"LittleBigPlanet 3 adds three new playable characters alongside Sackboy with unique abilities. Enriched collaborative creative levels, access to previous LBP content. Less revolutionary than LBP2 but generous and fun."
"Saru Get You (Ape Escape) is foundational as the first PS1 game to require the DualShock. Hunting mischievous monkeys in varied levels uses both sticks creatively and indispensably. Innovative gameplay, colorful world and charming characters. A foundational classic of PS1 and video game history."
"Ape Escape is the first game to require DualShock. Catching monkeys with varied gadgets across colorful and inventive levels is pure joy. Creative, fun and well built, it's a foundational PS1 classic still delightful today."
"Third and finest Jak, delivering an epic trilogy conclusion with an expanded open world and enriched mechanics. The balance between platforming, combat and vehicles is at its peak. A Naughty Dog action adventure at the height of their PS2 creativity."
"Three adventures of the little dragon rebuilt from the ground up with exemplary visual care. The platforming keeps its airy glide and relaxed pace, perfect for an easygoing return. The nostalgia stays intact, the presentation positively radiant."
"A contemplative experience that explores grief through colour. The animated watercolours are breathtakingly beautiful, and the gentle, danger-free progression makes it more an emotional journey than a challenge. The score elevates every frame into a painting."
"Monster Boy and the Cursed Kingdom revives the Wonder Boy spirit with polished production and clever animal transformations. Each form unlocks new paths in a colorful, generous, well-paced metroidvania. Top-tier retro craftsmanship."
"The Messenger starts as an 8-bit Ninja Gaiden homage before flipping, halfway through, into a 16-bit metroidvania that upends everything. The cloudstep jump and deadpan writing make it a clever platformer that keeps surprising you."
"A speed platformer that honors classic-era Sonic while forging its own identity. The playable characters change the feel dramatically, the levels teem with alternate routes, and mastering the movement delivers a genuine, exhilarating rush every time."
"A Matching Service take on Super Puzzle Fighter II X, faithful to the cult original. Chains stay joyful and connected multi spices everything. Essential for fans."
"An overlooked Nintendo puzzler supervised by Shigeru Miyamoto himself. Muddy the mole digs, pushes barrels, swaps between surface and underground. Original dig mechanics, levels with perfectly dosed logic. Charming, clever, unjustly forgotten. A real Game Boy gem to absolutely discover."
