The 100 Best Games of the 21st Century

3 weeks ago 21

by Marino - Brad Lynch connected July 4, 2025

What amended clip to find the champion games of the period than erstwhile we're 25% of the mode done it?

Wow! Y'all truly showed up for this amusive small vote. A full of 3171 radical submitted ballots containing 2164 antithetic games for their Top 10 Games of the 21st Century. To enactment that successful perspective, that's SEVEN TIMES the magnitude of entries we received for the Giant Bomb Game of the Year 2024 assemblage vote.

The scoring strategy is based connected a weighted strategy wherever your #1 is worthy much than your #2 and truthful on. I don't really cognize what the mathematics is connected that due to the fact that this "Community List" diagnostic is built into the site. When the deadline hits, it conscionable spits retired a report, which I transcribed present and effort to marque look somewhat pretty.

The necktie breaker connected weighted scores is the full fig of votes received.

Before I springiness you a large ol' database and immoderate stats, let's dilatory rotation the Top 50.

50. Final Fantasy XIV: Shadowbringers

Weighted Score: 41
Total Votes: 93 (3%)
Developer: Creative Business Unit III
Publisher: Square Enix
Release: July 2, 2019
Metacritic: 90

49. Persona 4 Golden

Weighted Score: 41
Total Votes: 149 (5%)
Developer: Atlus
Publisher: Atlus
Release: November 20, 2012
Metacritic: 93

48. Celeste

Weighted Score: 42
Total Votes: 140 (4%)
Developer: Extremely OK Games
Publisher: Extremely OK Games
Release: January 25, 2018
Metacritic: 92

47. God of War

Weighted Score: 42
Total Votes: 169 (5%)
Developer: SIE Santa Monica Studio
Publisher: Sony Interactive Entertainment America
Release: April 20, 2018
Metacritic: 94

46. The Elder Scrolls III: Morrowind

Weighted Score: 44
Total Votes: 115 (4%)
Developer: Bethesda Game Studios
Publisher: Bethesda Softworks
Release: May 1, 2002
Metacritic: 87

45. The Last of Us Part II

Weighted Score: 44
Total Votes: 138 (4%)
Developer: Naughty Dog, Inc.
Publisher: Sony Interactive Entertainment America
Release: June 19, 2020
Metacritic: 93

44. Shadow of the Colossus

Weighted Score: 44
Total Votes: 139 (4%)
Developer: Team Ico
Publisher: Sony Interactive Entertainment America
Release: October 18, 2005
Metacritic: 91

43. BioShock

Weighted Score: 45
Total Votes: 188 (6%)
Developer: Irrational Games
Publisher: 2K Games
Release: August 21, 2007
Metacritic: 96

42. The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask

Weighted Score: 48
Total Votes: 115 (4%)
Developer: Nintendo EAD
Publisher: Nintendo
Release: October 26, 2000
Metacritic: 95

41. Mass Effect

Weighted Score: 49
Total Votes: 148 (5%)
Developer: BioWare
Publisher: Xbox Game Studios
Release: November 20, 2007
Metacritic: 91

40. Balatro

Weighted Score: 49
Total Votes: 204 (6%)
Developer: LocalThunk
Publisher: PlayStack
Release: February 20, 2024
Metacritic: 90

39. Deus Ex

Weighted Score: 50
Total Votes: 111 (4%)
Developer: Ion Storm Inc.
Publisher: Eidos Interactive
Release: June 22, 2000
Metacritic: 90

38. Portal

Weighted Score: 50
Total Votes: 184 (6%)
Developer: Valve Corporation
Publisher: Valve Corporation
Release: October 10, 2007
Metacritic: 90

37. Super Mario Galaxy

Weighted Score: 50
Total Votes: 186 (6%)
Developer: Nintendo EAD
Publisher: Nintendo
Release: November 12, 2007
Metacritic: 97

36. Undertale

Weighted Score: 52
Total Votes: 180 (6%)
Developer: tobyfox
Publisher: tobyfox
Release: September 15, 2015
Metacritic: 92

35. Hollow Knight

Weighted Score: 53
Total Votes: 205 (6%)
Developer: Team Cherry
Publisher: Team Cherry
Release: February 24, 2017
Metacritic: 90

34. Yakuza 0

Weighted Score: 60
Total Votes: 198 (6%)
Developer: Ryu ga Gotoku Studio
Publisher: Sega
Release: January 24, 2017
Metacritic: 85

33. Persona 5 Royal

Weighted Score: 61
Total Votes: 187 (6%)
Developer: P Studio
Publisher: Atlus
Release: March 31, 2020
Metacritic: 95

32. The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker

Weighted Score: 62
Total Votes: 194 (6%)
Developer: Nintendo EAD
Publisher: Nintendo
Release: March 24, 2003
Metacritic: 96

31. Halo: Combat Evolved

Weighted Score: 63
Total Votes: 193 (6%)
Developer: Bungie
Publisher: Xbox Game Studios
Release: November 15, 2001
Metacritic: 97

30. Stardew Valley

Weighted Score: 63
Total Votes: 233 (7%)
Developer: ConcernedApe
Publisher: Chucklefish Games
Release: February 26, 2016
Metacritic: 89

29. Minecraft

Weighted Score: 65
Total Votes: 228 (7%)
Developer: Mojang AB
Publisher: Mojang AB
Release: August 16, 2011
Metacritic: 93

28. Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice

Weighted Score: 66
Total Votes: 198 (6%)
Developer: FromSoftware, Inc.
Publisher: Activision
Release: March 22, 2019
Metacritic: 90

27. Final Fantasy X

Weighted Score: 71
Total Votes: 224 (7%)
Developer: Squaresoft
Publisher: Squaresoft
Release: December 18, 2001
Metacritic: 92

26. The Last of Us

Weighted Score: 71
Total Votes: 273
Developer: Naughty Dog, Inc.
Publisher: Sony Interactive Entertainment America
Release: June 14, 2013
Metacritic: 95

25. Halo 3

Weighted Score: 73
Votes: 249 (8%)
Developer: Bungie
Publisher: Xbox Game Studios
Release Date: September 25, 2007
Metacritic: 94

24. Portal 2

Weighted Score: 74
Total Votes: 298 (9%)
Developer: Valve Corporation
Publisher: Valve Corporation
Release: April 19, 2011
Metacritic: 95

23. Metroid Prime

Weighted Score: 77
Total Votes: 268 (8%)
Developer: Retro Studios
Publisher: Nintendo
Release: November 18, 2002
Metacritic: 97

22. Fallout: New Vegas

Weighted Score: 82
Total Votes: 287 (9%)
Developer: Obsidian Entertainment
Publisher: Bethesda Softworks
Release: October 19, 2010
Metacritic: 84

21. The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim

Weighted Score: 82
Total Votes: 312
Developer: Bethesda Game Studios
Publisher: Bethesda Softworks
Release: November 11, 2011
Metacritic: 96

20. Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty

Weighted Score: 84
Total Votes: 221 (7%)
Developer: Konami Computer Entertainment Japan, Inc.
Publisher: Konami
Release: November 13, 2001
Metacritic: 96

19. NieR:Automata

Weighted Score: 84
Total Votes: 254 (8%)
Developer: PlatinumGames
Publisher: Square Enix
Release: March 7, 2017
Metacritic: 88

18. Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater

Weighted Score: 86
Total Votes: 247 (8%)
Developer: Konami Computer Entertainment Japan, Inc.
Publisher: Konami
Release: November 17, 2004
Metacritic: 91

17. Clair Obscur: Expedition 33

Weighted Score: 91
Total Votes: 262 (8%)
Developer: Sandfall Interactive
Publisher: Kepler Interactive
Release: April 24, 2025
Metacritic: 93

16. Resident Evil 4

Weighted Score: 108
Total Votes: 328 (10%)
Developer: Capcom
Publisher: Capcom
Release: January 11, 2005
Metacritic: 96

15. World of Warcraft

Weighted Score: 109
Total Votes: 283 (9%)
Developer: Blizzard Entertainment
Publisher: Blizzard Entertainment
Release: November 23, 2004
Metacritic: 93

14. Red Dead Redemption II

Weighted Score: 117
Total Votes: 354 (11%)
Developer: Rockstar Games
Publisher: Rockstar Games
Release: October 26, 2018
Metacritic: 97

13. Hades

Weighted Score: 121
Total Votes: 448 (14%)
Developer: Supergiant Games
Publisher: Supergiant Games
Release: September 17, 2020
Metacritic: 93

12. Disco Elysium

Weighted Score: 129
Total Votes: 342 (11%)
Developer: ZA/UM Studio
Publisher: ZA/UM Studio
Release: October 15, 2019
Metacritic: 91

11. Super Mario Odyssey

Weighted Score: 130
Total Votes: 495 (16%)
Developer: Nintendo EPD
Publisher: Nintendo
Release: October 27, 2017
Metacritic: 97

10. Half-Life 2

Weighted Score: 142
Total Votes: 382 (12%)
Developer: Valve Corporation
Publisher: Valve Corporation
Release: November 16, 2004
Metacritic: 96

9. Dark Souls

Weighted Score: 152
Total Votes: 411 (13%)
Developer: FromSoftware
Publisher: Bandai Namco Entertainment
Release: September 22, 2011
Metacritic: 89

8. The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt

Weighted Score: 152
Total Votes: 454 (14%)
Developer: CD Projekt Red
Publisher: WB Games
Release: May 19, 2015
Metacritic: 92

7. Bloodborne

Weighted Score: 154
Total Votes: 413 (13%)
Developer: FromSoftware, Inc.
Publisher: Sony Interactive Entertainment America
Release: March 24, 2015
Metacritic: 92

6. Baldur's Gate 3

Weighted Score: 177
Total Votes: 539 (17%)
Developer: Larian Studios
Publisher: Larian Studios
Release Date: August 3, 2023
Metacritic: 96

5. The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom

Weighted Score: 200
Total Votes: 446 (14%)
Developer: Nintendo EPD
Publisher: Nintendo
Release: May 12, 2023
Metacritic: 96

4. Mass Effect 2

Weighted Score: 211
Total Votes: 623 (20%)
Developer: BioWare
Publisher: Electronic Arts
Release: January 26, 2010
Metacritic: 96

3. Outer Wilds

Weighted Score: 219
Total Votes: 412 (13%)
Developer: Mobius Games
Publisher: Annapurna Interactive
Release: May 29, 2019
Metacritic: 85

2. Elden Ring

Weighted Score: 304
Total Votes: 763 (24%)
Developer: FromSoftware, Inc.
Publisher: Bandai Namco Entertainment
Release: February 25, 2022
Metacritic: 96

1. The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild

Weighted Score: 481
Total Votes: 980 (31%)
Developer: Nintendo EPD
Publisher: Nintendo
Release: March 3, 2017
Metacritic: 97

Top 25 Recap

Breath of the Wild taking the apical spot astir apt isn't excessively surprising, but the borderline by which it won is astatine slightest a small bit. Getting implicit 200 votes much than 2nd spot is big.

The existent shocker is Outer Wilds taking 3rd place. It had less votes than astir thing successful the Top 10, but that means that the radical who similar Outer Wilds REALLY LIKE Outer Wilds and enactment astatine the apical of their list.

Conversely, Super Mario Odyssey had the 5th-most earthy votes, but didn't marque the Top 10. That means a ton of radical similar it, but not capable to enactment it precocious connected their list.

I deliberation it's comic however NieR is sandwiched betwixt 2 Metal Gears.

Let's instrumentality a look astatine the details of the Top 100 games y'all chose.

The Top 100

Stats

Here are immoderate random observations astir the database we each made together.

Total Ballots Submitted: 3171
Total Votes: 31,527 (not everyone enactment 10 games connected their ballot)
Total Games: 2164
Total Games with Only One Vote: 953 (44%)
Games from 2014 successful the Top 100: 0
Fighting Games successful the Top 100: 0 (Science™ says Smash doesn't count)
Top 100's Average Metacritic: 91.74
Top 100's Lowest Metacritic: 82 - Control
N64 Games successful the Top 100: 1 - The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask
PS1 Games successful the Top 100: 1 - Final Fantasy IX
Newest Game successful the Top 100: Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
Oldest Game successful the Top 100: Deus Ex
Lowest Rated Giant Bomb GOTY: Middle-earth: Shadow of Mordor (508th)
Games from Before 2000 successful the Top 100: 0

Top 100 Games by Year

You cognize however everyone says 2014 was a "down year"? Looks similar they're right. It's a beauteous adjacent dispersed here. No existent recency bias.

Top 100's Top Developers

Nothing excessively astonishing here. I did harvester Kojima-led studios into 1 file and the aforesaid for the Persona team. The emotion radical inactive person for BioWare games makes it adjacent sadder to spot however overmuch EA has squandered that love.

Top 100's Top Publishers

Again, thing excessively surprising. All the stars are here...mostly. The 1 standout to maine is the implicit lack of Ubisoft.

Franchises

Sixteen franchises had aggregate entries successful the Top 100.

We decidedly person respective instances of votes being divided owed to compilations. The biggest illustration of this is the 87 radical who voted for Mass Effect Legendary Edition. If they had conscionable voted for Mass Effect 2, it would've easy been #3 alternatively of Outer Wilds.

We besides had immoderate discussions astir however Hitman's astir caller trilogy is present viewed arsenic 1 product. Whether each the radical who voted for Hitman 3 intended for that to screen the full trilogy, we cannot say. But, if we harvester Hitman 3's people with Hitman World of Assassination's score, it would've bumped up a small spot into the Top 50. If we harvester each four, it would've been Top 30. But, it's not precisely just to presume people's intent. Maybe they lone loved 1 of them.

There's besides the cases of Persona 5 vs Persona 5 Royal and Shin Megami Tensei: Persona 4 vs Persona 4 Golden.

Giant Bomb's Games of the Year

The seventeen years of GOTY winners person an mean people of 140th champion crippled of the century.

2024 - Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown (#398)
2023 - The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom (#5)
2022 - Elden Ring (#2)
2021 - Chicory: A Colorful Tale (#297)
2020 - Hades (#13)
2019 - Outer Wilds (#3)
2018 - Tetris Effect (#92)
2017 - PlayerUnknown's Battlegrounds (#204)
2016 - Hitman (#89)
2015 - Super Mario Maker (#305)
2014 - Middle-earth: Shadow of Mordor (#508)
2013 - The Last of Us (#26)
2012 - XCOM: Enemy Unknown (#170)
2011 - The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim (#21)
2010 - Mass Effect 2 (#4)
2009 - Uncharted 2: Among Thieves (#88)
2008 - Grand Theft Auto IV (#155)

The Full List

If you'd similar to spot the afloat database of each 2164 games that received votes, their full votes, and weighted scores, you tin spot each the earthy ass information with the nexus below. It's mode excessively agelong to station present successful the nonfiction itself.

The Full List

Thanks to whoever other made it truthful I wasn't the lone idiosyncratic to ballot for EverQuest games. We adjacent had a fewer votes for the Champions of Norrath games. Hell yeah!

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Thanks to everyone who participated successful this project. The turnout was incredible. Let's conscionable backmost present successful 2050!

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