Smash Jump’s Best 100 Games Of All Time

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Smash Jump’s Best 100 Games Of All Time

Figuring out the best games of all time is not an easy thing to do. We acknowledge that best games lists are inherently subjective. But that didn’t stop us from putting forward our own and our thoughts about each entry. While this is a ranked list, we strongly believe that each one of the featured games deserves to be played and appreciated for pushing boundaries and making video games so beloved.

To make our list interesting and more diverse, we decided to feature what we think are the best iterations of the game in a franchise. For example, Halo 2 and 3 have upscaled the Halo: Combat Evolved formula in every possible way. While Combat Evolved has been influential for popularizing console FPS, we favor the superior Halo sequels.

Please stay tuned as we update this list with new entries over the coming days!

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100. The Secret of Monkey Island (1990)

Nicole Rodrigues-Galdo: Who knew a 1990 point and click adventure game could be so captivating? Lucasfilm Games struck gold with The Secret of Monkey Island. The main protagonist, Guybrush Threepwood, is a far cry from your usual hero, blundering his way through every swashbuckling scenario and retaining his good nature and positive attitude; Guybrush is a classic underdog. Mêlée Island itself is full to the brim with eccentric individuals and challenging puzzles, creating a perfect blend of difficulty and comedy to keep you engaged. It may not look like much, but its simplicity, charm and wit have resonated with audiences for the last 34 years. With the recent releases of Return to Monkey Island and the Sea of Thieves DLC, The Legend of Monkey Island, it’s clear that the franchise has stood the test of time. Monkey Island remains a charming staple, one I continue to recommend to this day.

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99. Psychonauts 2 (2021)

Nicole Rodrigues-Galdo: 16 years is a long time to wait for a sequel, but the wait was worth it. Psychonauts 2 follows the first game right out of the gate, improving the combat, story and level design in all the best ways. Psychonauts 2 recognizes the importance of mental health and explores a thought-provoking story that educates players, while being incredibly engaging and fun. Most missions will have you entering a character’s mindscape combatting personifications of mental health, such as: Doubts which hold you back, Regrets that weigh you down, Enablers which will support enemies against you, and many more. There is something very therapeutic about defeating enemies and bosses that represent everyday struggles and coming out on top.

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98. Star Wars Battlefront 2 (2005)

Ashton Lovell: Star Wars Battlefront 2 takes all of the massive battles from the films; Storm Troopers vs Rebels, Clones vs Droids; and drops you directly into the action either alone or with a group of friends via co-op. Battlefront II was a staple PlayStation 2 title that never let a group of Star Wars fans down when they needed something fun to play. Being able to take control of different kinds of Clone or Storm Troopers, the various builds of Droids, or even taking the role of one of the heroes or villains, was always a blast. The campaign mode was serviceable, but all of the real fun came with other players all mashed together into massive lobbies and LAN parties. Though the series of large-scale action games would see a refresh with the EA Battlefront games, nothing hits quite as strongly as the classic PlayStation 2 version and its endless replayability. 

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97. Dishonored 2 (2016)

Nicole Rodrigues-Galdo: Dishonored 1 put Arkane on the map, but Dishonored 2 elevated their craft, showcasing their mastery in world-building and level design. The Clockwork Mansion is a standout, pushing the boundaries of interactive design, while the time bending A Crack in the Slab mission takes creativity to new heights. Arkane’s talent for crafting stunning, immersive environments with multiple paths ensures each level feels fresh, and Daniel Licht’s atmospheric music perfectly complements this, turning every space into a playground for the player’s imagination. One of the best features of Dishonored 2 is that you can choose to play as either Emily Kaldwin or Corvo Attano, each offering a distinct experience, adding replayability and variety to the gameplay. This freedom of choice, combined with the game’s rich environments and innovative design, rewards players with varied experiences that encourage creativity, solidifying Dishonored 2 as a timeless classic in gaming.

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96. Rome: Total War (2004)

Adrian Cozmuta: I have very fond memories of Rome: Total War. My parents bought the game for me as a gift and was my first Total War game and segue into Roman history. However, Rome: Total War goes beyond that. It is a stone-cold RTS classic that defines the Total War franchise and the genre to this day. Rome: Total War impresses with its 4X RTS mechanics, meaning you command Roman armies, the economy, politics, overworld expansion, and much more. Its influence even goes beyond video games. The Roman army AI was truly advanced for its time, being used in historical documentaries and recreations. It’s an outstanding RTS package that can be experienced today in 4K thanks to its 2021 Remaster. Veni, vidi, vici!

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95. The Sims 2 (2004)

Elena Swan: The core concept of the Sims franchise has remained the same over the years, but the entry with the most innovation, creativity, and attention to detail has to be The Sims 2. The second title improves on the gameplay mechanics from the original while still staying true to its predecessor. In The Sims 2, you are able to customize your Sim’s personality in more detail, allowing every Sim to have their own strengths and weaknesses. Some features from this game are nowhere to be found in even The Sims 4 base game. For example, if your character is a rebellious teen, you can have them sneak out at night using The Sims 2 base game. However, in The Sims 4, you would need the High School Years expansion pack to use this feature. Finally, this game feels the most cinematic out of the franchise with cutscenes for major life events exclusive to this title.

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94. Papers, Please (2013)

Elena Swan: Papers, Please may not sound like an interesting game on…well, paper. However, this is a superb game due to its high stakes and grim atmosphere. Set in ********** Arstotzka, you play the role of a border checkpoint inspector. Your job is to carefully examine all the documents of people wanting to come into the country. This work is all about thoroughness; even minute details like a migrant’s height and weight matter here. As time goes on, the story gets more complex and the game gradually gets harder. The odds are stacked against you as you manage your rising living expenses along with the well-being of your family. You are also faced with moral dilemmas like whether you should follow protocol or reunite families across the border. Tensions rise due to terrorist attacks from extremists in a neighboring country as well as a quiet rebellion brewing under the surface. With 20 different endings, there is a lot to do in the story mode alone. Glory to Arstotzka!

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93. Super Smash Bros. Ultimate (2018)

Jeremy Lowe: Super Smash Bros. has become one of the best-selling fighting game series of all time and has one of the most active communities in the industry. It’s easy to see why. Watching your favorite video game characters beating each other up is quite fun. The games are also easy to learn but difficult to master, letting a wide variety of players play their way. Super Smash Bros. Ultimate is by far the best game in the series. It has one of the largest rosters in fighting game history, it has a wide variety of stages, and a plethora of modes. It also added spirits, a unique way to change the gameplay. The sheer variety of characters, combined with the vast amount of content in the game, makes this the quintessential fighting game on the Nintendo Switch.

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92. Dragon Quest XI (2017)

Adrian Cozmuta: Dragon Quest XI is a modern JRPG hit that essentially popularised the series to Western audiences, something previous Dragon Quest titles struggled with. Dragon Quest XI is a labor of love. I know this because I had the unique opportunity to be involved in its development. We could all sense that this was something special. Dragon Quest XI brought back the best elements from previous entries, dialed up the charm and whimsical art style, and developed a fine-tuned turn-based combat system, therefore establishing itself as one of the very best modern JRPGs out there. It upheld and expanded the revered Dragon Quest legacy and showed the rest of the world what Japan already knew — that Dragon Quest still has plenty of life in it and deserves the same amount of respect its Final Fantasy sibling has been receiving. The upcoming Dragon Quest XII will hopefully add to this legacy and further help Dragon Quest become a household name in the West.

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91. Jak and Daxter: The Precursor Legacy (2001)

Gabriel Stanford-Reisinger: Jak and Daxter as a whole holds a special place in my heart, and with general PlayStation history, it proved that the PS2 was an extraordinary console capable of some groundbreaking things. That said, Jak and Daxter: The Precursor Legacy is the start of it all and just one of the peak platforming experiences of old PS. While it’s not the most well-known platformer even amongst PlayStation’s repertoire, it stood out and deserves to be talked about more thanks to its charming visuals, solid gameplay, growing with its audience, and fostering a fanbase that still hungers for more even as we march long past the game’s last entry in 2009. If you’re looking for a charmingly light-hearted buddy-platformer, Jak and Daxter: The Precursor Legacy has you covered.

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90. Hi-Fi Rush (2023)

Francis Parco: The 2023 winner for Audio Design at The Game Awards, Hi-Fi Rush started as an Xbox Series X|S and PC exclusive before getting a PlayStation 5 port earlier this year.  Hi-Fi Rush has been universally praised for its rhythm-driven combat and colorful visuals. Unfortunately, in the months since release

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received the ire of fans by shutting down developer Tango Gameworks. Luckily though, Korean game publisher Krafton bought Tango. Hopefully this purchase saved the IP and can deliver fans more story potential to come. 

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89. Far Cry 3 (2012)

Sam Flanagan: Whilst Far Cry is now seen as a franchise that refuses to innovate, it’s easy to forget that some entries were incredibly well done. Far Cry 3 is the one that many people point to as being the pinnacle of the series. The game not only provides us with a great playground to explore, addictive gameplay, and a great villain in the form of Vaas Montenegro, but it challenges core aspects of video game design. When players inhabit Jason Brody at the beginning of the game he is just an every day American frat boy, but as the you progress both you and Jason become much better at killing. You both enjoying the chaos you’re causing and reveling in all the anarchy you’ve left in your wake. It builds upon the idea of ludonarrative dissonance in a fun and interesting way that still holds up today. Whilst the rest of the game may not stand the test of time as the story, it still is a hell of a ride; and if anything at least it blessed us with Adam Kovic’s infamous ‘Like Skyrim with guns’ quote. 

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88. Undertale (2015)

Jeremy Lowe: Undertale rocked the world when it was released in 2015 and still resonates with gamers today. Toby Fox, the creator of Undertale, developed nearly the entire game by himself, which is quite a feat. The story and characters in the game are well-written and memorable. The gameplay is also extremely unique, combining elements of RPGs and platformers with a style very reminiscent of Earthbound. Each boss fight adds its own unique flair to the game, making each one a memorable experience. The different routes you can go down also give this game a lot of replay value, with each ending being a drastically different experience. This game’s biggest strength, however, is the music. Every song in the game was composed by Toby Fox, and they are fantastic. From Heartache to Hopes and Dreams, this game’s soundtrack is phenomenal and helps make this game all the more impactful.

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87. Spyro 2: Ripto’s Rage! (1999)

Ashton Lovell: Spyro 2 represents the pinnacle of Spyro’s design, improving upon the first game but not bloating it with too many different mechanics and mini-games. Spyro 2 is a tight and masterful experience from start to finish. Every level and mechanic was built with the sole goal of creating fun, colorful, quirky levels that beg to be explored. The music is unmatched and unreplicated in the genre combining various genres into a soundtrack that is irreplaceable. The inability to fully fly as Spyro given his small wings makes gliding toward far off platforms and just barely landing with a flutter one of the most satisfying ways to cover distance in a platformer to this day. Spyro 2 also improves upon the story of the first title. There are real memorable characters in Spyro 2 from Hunter the Cheetah, Elora the Faun, and of course, Mr. Moneybags himself. Spyro 2 is a joy to play and still holds up both visually and mechanically today as one of the best and most creatively delightful platformers ever created. 

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86. ******: The City of Lost Heaven (2002)

Adrian Cozmuta: If Grand Theft Auto is its cool, popular, and brash brother, then ****** is the suave, calculated, and sophisticated mafioso. ****** deserves its spot on this list due to its outstanding storytelling, faithful recreation of 1930s Chicago, and an excellent ability to bring together the very best of mobster culture from movies like The Godfather, Goodfellas, and the Untouchables. ****** also spanned multiple games in the franchise, including the beloved ****** 2. The upcoming ******: The Old Country will also take us back to basics and maybe even give us the opportunity to reunite with some characters from the first ****** game. The 2020 ******: Definitive Edition remake stays faithful to the original and will still give you a glimpse into what made the The City of Lost Heaven special. However, I still recommend trying the original as it is available on digital stores and see for yourself why ****** is an offer you can’t refuse.

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85. Splinter Cell: Chaos Theory (2005)

Elena Swan: Splinter Cell: Chaos Theory is an exceptional stealth game because it adds and improves on what made its predecessors work so well. Players experience the story through the perspective of government agent Sam Fisher. Cold and sarcastic, Fisher is determined to complete his mission, even if he must take some enemies out in the process. The game has ten stealth missions in all, taking place in different locations all over the world. One minute, you are aboard a ship called The Maria Narcissa and the next you’re breaking into a bank in Panama. The game does a fantastic job of making the player feel like a spy with all sorts of fun gadgets and plenty of opportunities to hide in the shadows. Under the cover of darkness, Fisher often gets within a few feet of his enemies undetected, making for a tense yet gripping atmosphere. Also, considering this game came out in 2005, the AI is impressive. The behavior of the NPCs has improved from past entries; guards get suspicious first before sweeping the area for trespassers. The sound design also does a great job of making the player feel immersed in the experience, particularly the environmental effects. If you could only choose one stealth game to play, this title is a worthy contender.

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84. Dead Space Remake (2023)

Martin Popov: For me, the remake of Dead Space is not only the best game in the entire franchise, but also one of the best horror games in recent memory. It took the foundation of the original horrorfest, upgraded and refined it. The new peel system makes combat the most satisfying it’s ever been. There’s a new sense of unpredictability, with reworked levels and the intensity director feature. Side quests have been added to galvanize the player’s curiosity. The story has been improved immensely with more focus on Isaac and Nicole’s relationship. The lore in general is much richer than the original, as the remake implemented tidbits from other Dead Space media over the years. Playing it, I felt a perfect mesh of wonder and nostalgia. And sheer horror. Lots of it.

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83. Hades (2019)

Nicole Rodrigues-Galdo: Live, Die, Repeatedly roasted by my dad. I used to never like roguelikes as the lack of progression often made the experience feel pointless, but Hades delivers a satisfying journey that progresses with every attempt. Players take on the role of Zagreus, the son of Hades, whose one wish is to escape the Underworld and reach his mother Persephone in the mortal world. On his quest to escape, Zagreus will meet Olympians who offer boons to help him hack and slash his way through each layer of the Underworld and hopefully escape. However, Hades has other ideas and puts everything he can in Zagreus’ path to prevent him from escaping. At the end of each failed run, you crawl out of the river Styx, tail between your legs, awaiting the regular roasting from your dad. Every failed run gives players time to breathe and explore the House of Hades, upgrading skills and preparing for the next attempt, constantly progressing the narrative, combat and pushing players to never give up.

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82. Pokémon FireRed and LeafGreen (2004)

Daniel Leal: The original Gen 1 Pokemon games were ambitious titles that brought huge RPG worlds to the humble game boy. However, they were limited by the hardware in many respects. Their first remakes on the Game Boy Advance reworked the graphics into great-looking 16-bit titles and added new features that made the visuals impressive. Although the titles have been remade a few times since (such as Pokemon Let’s Go), the GBA FireRed and LeafGreen are still the best way to play these classics and they remain highly addictive and endearing. While some later entries in the series can be criticized for being too similar, the original titles were full of great ideas. To this day, it’s great to play through them whether you’re an experienced trainer or a complete novice. They are some of the most accessible and fun RPGs that you can play.

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81. Animal Crossing: New Leaf (2012)

Jeremy Lowe: Animal Crossing has become a beloved Nintendo franchise in recent years. It’s easy to pick up and play and can really help players escape from reality. Of all the games in the series, however, Animal Crossing: New Leaf is by far the best one. New Leaf redefined the series by putting the player in charge of the town. Letting players be the mayor gives them so many more options to customize and change the town, especially with the addition of Public Works Projects. Along with changing the series’ formula, New Leaf added a lot of content for players to enjoy. There are numerous stores to unlock on Main Street, giving players a sense of progression. There’s also the Happy Home Showcase for players to show off their homes. Then there’s Tortimer’s Island giving players a relaxing break from their Mayoral duties. The Welcome Amiibo update also added new content to the game, including new villagers, a whole new area of the town, and a new points system on top of the titular amiibo support. All of this content makes New Leaf the most complete entry in the Animal Crossing series. It’s an easy recommendation for those looking for a fun, relaxing game to play. It’s a great way to escape from the stresses of life and turn over a new leaf.

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80. Ori and the Will of the Wisps (2020)

Nicole Rodrigues-Galdo: Ori and the Will of the Wisps is a masterpiece that blends breathtaking visuals, emotional storytelling, and fluid gameplay into an unforgettable experience. As a metroidvania, it excels with its vast, interconnected world, encouraging exploration and rewarding curiosity. Every new ability Ori acquires expands movement possibilities, making backtracking feel exciting rather than tedious. The platforming is tight and responsive, making every jump, dash, and glide feel satisfying. What truly sets Will of the Wisps apart is its heart. The story carries a melancholic beauty, wrapping you in a bittersweet embrace that lingers long after the credits roll. The emotional depth rivals Ori and the Blind Forest, with moments of hope, sorrow, and sacrifice woven into its narrative. Gareth Coker’s breathtaking orchestral score brings every emotion to life, making even the quietest moments unforgettable. Ori and the Will of the Wisps doesn’t just challenge your reflexes, it touches your heart. With its perfect blend of tight Metroidvania gameplay and raw emotion, Ori and the Will of the Wisps is one of the best in its genre.

Do you agree with our list? What game deserves to be mentioned here? Let us know in the comments and on our social media! This list will continue…

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Adrian Cozmuta Managing Editor

Adrian grew up with PlayStation and Nintendo, although he’s recently on a journey to experience the very best of Xbox. His first ever game was Metal Gear Solid and his favorites are Mass Effect, Halo, Knights of the Old Republic, and Final Fantasy. He has traveled the world and lived in Japan, the ***, and the EU working in the industry with Square Enix, Sony, and Nintendo on titles like Final Fantasy, Kingdom Hearts, Dragon Quest, and more. He is the Managing Editor of Smash Jump.

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