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 Ecco sequel, even more beautiful and mysterious, with its mesmerising underwater atmosphere. Still demanding and cryptic, with a poetry all its own."
"The metroidvania Igarashi fans were waiting for: sprawling exploration, compulsive loot and a wild arsenal of shard powers. The Unreal engine occasionally muddies the mood, but the joy of combing every corner of the castle holds firm."
"Transistor blends tactical action and a whispered story in a cyberpunk city of painterly beauty. You program attacks in a frozen plan, then execute in real time: an elegant hybrid. The narrating sword's voice and Darren Korb's music are spellbinding."
"The shift to a semi-open structure genuinely reinvigorates the Pokémon loop. Lobbing a ball to catch or trigger a battle in real time still feels thrilling, even if the visuals look rough. Hisui has a rugged, lovable charm that sets it apart from the mainline games."
"Streets of Rage 4 revives the old-school beat-em-up with gorgeous hand-painted art and a soundtrack that slaps. Air combos and the health-recovery system add modern bite. With four players, it's a nostalgic feast."
"The DLC perfects an already masterful comeback: the Survival mode and bonus fighters reignite the urge to brawl. The combo system remains a delight of timing and flow, lifted by a gorgeous art direction. The modern beat-'em-up at its finest."
"The first six Mega Man games gathered with obvious care: retro filters, save states and a challenge mode round it out. The difficulty stays demanding and timeless. An ideal compilation for rediscovering these snappy run-and-gun classics."
"A precious dive into SNK's golden arcade age, with its forgotten shmups and brawlers. The emulation is spotless and the historical extras are genuinely fascinating. Some titles have aged poorly, but the preservation work is exemplary for heritage buffs."
"A genuine success: it makes you sweat without ever feeling like a chore. The Ring-Con responds with surprising precision and the RPG framing keeps you pushing to the next stage. Over time repetition creeps in, but the concept is brilliantly executed."
"The original Tekken is a revolutionary 3D fighting game that launched Namco's franchise on PS1. Technical versus fighting gameplay with 3D sidesteps and deep combos. Ten iconic characters with distinct styles. The founder of one of the most important versus fighting franchises in history."
"Medal of Honor revolutionized war FPS games with its cinematic staging and immersion in Normandy during World War II. Steven Spielberg as executive producer. Authentic atmosphere and polished narrative. A foundational title of the historical FPS genre on PS1."
"Medal of Honor Underground features French Resistance missions in occupied France. More varied and ambitious than the first, with more inventive levels. The infiltration mechanics are refined and the WWII atmosphere remains compelling. An excellent PS1 FPS."
"The excellent Sega World of Illusion, a Disney co-op platformer with Mickey and Donald. Gorgeous, varied, one of the prettiest co-op platformers on the console."
"Three Mario classics gathered together, and each retains its brilliance. Mario 64's early 3D still fascinates, Sunshine surprises with tropical freshness, and Galaxy remains a peak of level design. A shame the emulation is so bare and the selection stops there."
"Some of the most sumptuous pixel art the genre has seen, in service of a melancholy tale about friendship. Carrying your companions to solve puzzles makes for a touching duo, even if the platforming sometimes lacks bite. A small handcrafted marvel."
"Tetris Attack reskinned in Pokémon colours, which is not a bad idea at all. Block-swapping mechanics of dizzying speed, trainers as opponents, rich solo modes and catchy soundtracks. An excellent puzzler, sometimes underrated because of its licence."
"The Turbo Tournament 96 version of Micro Machines, more complete, playable up to eight with adapter. A multiplayer peak on Mega Drive, an essential party game."
"Mario Kart 64 simply defined modern kart racing. The sixteen tracks turned mythical, the four-player split-screen is a permanent party and the blue shell was born right here. The 3D feels a touch stiff today, but the cultural impact and immediate joy remain unmatched."
