An editorial panel from a major gaming publication, comprising more than 230 representatives drawn from studios and media, crafted a definitive ranking titled the 100 Greatest Games of All Time. The process was simple in its spirit: every participant built a personal top 10 list, and each game earned points based on its position in that list. A game’s rank determined its score, with ten points awarded to a participant’s No. 1 pick, nine for No. 2, and so on down to one point for No. 10. This scoring method aggregated individual opinions into a single, overarching rating that aimed to capture broad consensus across the industry and player communities. (citation)
From these results emerged a clear hierarchy, highlighting titles that resonated across genres, platforms, and generations. The crown went to The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, a game repeatedly praised for its expansive world, inventive freedom, and the way it redefined exploration in a modern open world. It also collected the most top-tier votes from experts, signaling its broad appeal and enduring influence. In second place lay The Last of Us, a narrative-driven experience celebrated for its storytelling, character development, and emotional depth, followed by Tetris in third, whose timeless puzzle mechanics continued to captivate new players decades after its original release. Bloodborne and The Witcher 3 filled the fourth and fifth spots, respectively, illustrating a strong appetite for atmospheric design, challenging gameplay, and rich worldbuilding among contemporary audiences. (citation)
The top ten list extended with Mass Effect 2, Metal Gear Solid, Portal 2, Dark Souls, and Half-Life 2, each representing distinct corners of the gaming landscape—from sprawling sci-fi narratives and stealthy espionage to clever puzzle design and punishing, rewarding combat systems. The absence of any Assassin’s Creed title in the rankings was noted by observers, marking a divergence from expectations and inviting discussion about how action-adventure franchises are valued in critical lists and long-term fan memory. (citation)
This compilation serves as a lens into how players and critics assess innovation, storytelling, and enduring gameplay value across eras. It reflects how preferences shift with evolving technology and how certain games manage to transcend their time through design elegance, replayability, and cultural impact. Readers can glean a sense of what a broad cross-section of the industry holds dear—from masterfully crafted worlds and memorable protagonists to tight, responsive mechanics that push a genre forward. (citation)
Overall, the ranking underscores the importance of accessible design, compelling narratives, and lasting replayability in shaping a game’s legacy. It showcases the diverse ways in which players experience and remember games—from thrill and challenge to discovery and emotion—while illustrating how the industry continually revisits classics to measure current achievement against timeless benchmarks. (citation)