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.
"The definitive version of SF4 with an expanded roster and improved balance. Among the finest 2D fighting games ever made. Essential for any competitive fighting game fan, with impressive mechanical depth throughout."
"Soulcalibur II remains a peak of weapons-based fighting. Huge roster, gorgeous animations and generous solo modes. An absolute 3D fighting benchmark, still worth playing today."
"Sequel that amplifies everything that made the first memorable. The Arbiter storyline enriches the universe, the revolutionary Xbox Live multiplayer is the best of the generation. The Halo saga at its narrative peak. An absolute and indispensable masterpiece."
"Halo 3 closes the original Bungie trilogy with a grand finale, a foundational Forge mode and a revolutionary Theater for sharing exploits. Four-player co-op campaign whips up passion, and Cortana retains an icon's status to this day."
"Valve gather Half-Life 2 and its episodes, Portal and Team Fortress 2 into a historic box that alone justifies owning a 360. Portal especially reinvents first-person puzzling, and GLaDOS's writing remains one of the most inspired in modern gaming."
"This compilation gathers all three remastered BioShock games, one of the finest narrative trilogies in gaming. Rapture and Columbia retain their full evocative power, and the ports run surprisingly well on Switch."
"Rockstar's absolute masterpiece. San Andreas redefines open world with a massive map spanning three cities, RPG mechanics, culturally rich storytelling and total freedom of action. One of the greatest games ever created, essential on PS2."
"Bethesda's behemoth, now portable. Wandering Skyrim anywhere you like is still seductive, and the freedom of approach hasn't lost its charm. The engine shows its age and bugs persist, yet the sheer volume of content remains colossal."
"Donkey Kong Game Boy 1994, and arguably the best game on the system. The original four arcade screens explode into 100+ true puzzle-platform levels, Mario learns to swing, climb and carry. Absolutely prodigious Nintendo work. Essential on Game Boy."
"Super Mario Advance 4 Super Mario Bros. 3 on GBA, Western version. SMB3 in your palm with the 90 NES levels and exclusive bonus levels. One of the best Mario ports on handheld."
"The absolute pinnacle of 8-bit platforming. Eight thematic worlds, revolutionary costumes, infinite secrets. Nintendo at maximum creativity. The best NES game and one of the greatest games ever made."
"Rayman Legends on Vita is a perfect version of Michel Ancel's platformer. Musical levels, challenges, visual creativity and cooperation. One of the best platformers of the generation across all consoles."
"A more ambitious sequel that's still breathtaking. The combat gains real depth, and the animation remains stunningly fluid. A few performance hiccups linger, but the emotion and staging sweep everything away."
"A high-water mark for the 2D platformer, fully realised in this definitive cut. The musical levels remain showstopping set pieces, and the hand-drawn animation is endlessly elegant. Played four-handed, it's a riot of fluid joy."
"Super Mario Galaxy revolutionizes 3D platforming by sending Mario into space, running on spherical planets with shifting gravity. Forty themed galaxies with constantly renewed ideas, stars to collect, Co-Star partner for second player. Sublime cosmic art direction, memorable orchestral soundtrack by Mahito Yokota. Wiimote+Nunchuk to point Star Bits. Absolute masterpiece, platforming peak."
"A brilliant puzzle game where you decipher unknown languages through observation alone. Gradually piecing together a foreign grammar delivers a rare intellectual high. Clean art direction, mysterious mood: an original idea executed with near-perfect confidence."
"Wipeout XL is the American version of Wipeout 2097, often cited as the finest series entry by purists. Technical circuits, iconic Auricom team, legendary Chemical Brothers/Prodigy soundtrack. Speed and adrenaline at their peak on PS1. An absolute masterpiece of futuristic racing."
"Unsurpassable peak of racing on PS2 with over 700 cars and dozens of circuits. Physics simulation is exemplary, content colossal and event variety unique. A title that pushed PS2's limits and remains an undisputed automotive benchmark."
"The poker roguelike that devours your hours. Building a deck around Jokers produces absurdly satisfying combos, and every run chases a different angle. Visually minimal, but ferociously addictive, especially in handheld mode."
