# What are your top 15 video games of all time? **URL:** \ **Category:** The Game Room\ **Created:** [January 25, 2009, 4:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-your-top-15-video-games-of-all-time/482883 "2009-01-25T04:09:02Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Mahaloth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mahaloth/32/1079_2.png) [@Mahaloth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mahaloth)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2009, 4:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-your-top-15-video-games-of-all-time/482883/1 "2009-01-25T04:09:02Z")
GameFaqs is currently accepting nominations for the best video games of all time. They take up to 15 nominations per person, and it really got me thinking about my top 15. You can search and nominate your choices here: [Best. Game. Ever.](http://www.gamefaqs.com/features/nominate_entry) My list, in no real order, is below. What did I miss? What am I wrong about? \*\*Planescape: Torment Okami The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess Final Fantasy III Psychonauts Chrono Cross Resident Evil 4 Shin Megami Tensei: Persona 3 FES Monkey Island 2: LeChuck’s Revenge Riven: The Sequel to Myst Tales of Phantasia Final Fantasy VII King’s Quest VI: Heir Today, Gone Tomorrow Chrono Trigger The 7th Guest\*\* ---
**Author:** ![Cuckoorex](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ad7895/32.png) [@Cuckoorex](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cuckoorex)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2009, 4:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-your-top-15-video-games-of-all-time/482883/2 "2009-01-25T04:22:39Z")
There are some games on your list I haven’t played, like Shin Megami Tensei. I would definitely include at least one game from the Wizardry series (most likely Crusaders of the Dark Savant), one game from the Thief series, one from the Fallout series, and one from the Elder Scrolls series. Obviously, I’m partial to RPGs. ---
**Author:** ![Gorsnak](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gorsnak/32/7587_2.png) [@Gorsnak](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gorsnak)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2009, 4:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-your-top-15-video-games-of-all-time/482883/3 "2009-01-25T04:22:55Z")
Well, you clearly missed TIE Fighter, Civilization II, and Starcraft. ---
**Author:** ![MeDrewNotYou](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/838e76/32.png) [@MeDrewNotYou](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MeDrewNotYou)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2009, 4:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-your-top-15-video-games-of-all-time/482883/4 "2009-01-25T04:29:22Z")
So many great games, but I know that Shin Megami Tensei: Nocturne, Persona 3: FES, Dragon Quest 8, Civ 4, Diablo 2, Metal Gear Solid 3, and most important of all, Earthbound! There are plenty of games to fill in the gaps and I’d have a tough time choosing. 20+ yrs of gaming has brought a lot of good times. ---
**Author:** ![Commander\_Keen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/e8c25b/32.png) [@Commander\_Keen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Commander_Keen)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2009, 4:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-your-top-15-video-games-of-all-time/482883/5 "2009-01-25T04:37:09Z")
Do you mean Final Fantasy III (the one that was only available in Japan until its 2006 re-release on the DS) or Final Fantasy VI (also known as Final Fantasy III in the US)? In either case, I’d take both VIII and X over that and VII. Definitely support the choices of Chrono Trigger and P3: FES, strongly disagree on Chrono Cross (it’s been a while though, maybe I should give that one another chance). I haven’t played Riven but my hatred of Myst suggests that I wouldn’t like it. Could be wrong though. I really liked KQ6 as a kid but I tried replaying it last year and found it had lost some of the magic (or maybe it was just frustrated with not being able to remember how to solve the puzzles). But it’s a classic no doubt. Overall though that’s a pretty winning list. I’ll have to think a little more about mine. I think the only intersection it would have with yours is CT (that’s definitely on there). ---
**Author:** ![Least\_Original\_User\_Name\_Ever](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/e480ec/32.png) [@Least\_Original\_User\_Name\_Ever](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Least_Original_User_Name_Ever)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2009, 4:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-your-top-15-video-games-of-all-time/482883/6 "2009-01-25T04:57:37Z")
Super Monkey Ball Super Mario Brothers 3 Final Fantasy 3 Halo 3 Starcraft World of Warcraft Street Fighter 2 Mortal Kombat 2 Civilization 2 Chrono Trigger ---
**Author:** ![Bosstone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/22d042/32.png) [@Bosstone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bosstone)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2009, 5:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-your-top-15-video-games-of-all-time/482883/7 "2009-01-25T05:07:53Z")
> [@Commander\_Keen](#): > > I haven’t played Riven but my hatred of Myst suggests that I wouldn’t like it. Riven is Myst with better production values, so probably not. It’s easily the best game in the series, but it’s all Myst. ---
**Author:** ![FinnAgain](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/finnagain/32/12500_2.png) [@FinnAgain](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FinnAgain)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2009, 5:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-your-top-15-video-games-of-all-time/482883/8 "2009-01-25T05:22:10Z")
> [@Gorsnak](#): > > Well, you clearly missed TIE Fighter I’d argue that Freespace II, and even the original Freespace are both far, far superior. And back in the day I absolutely loved Tie Fighter. I think it’s still a great game, but Freespace I and II simply blow it out of the water (or out of space, as the case would be) But that’s just me. Anyways, top 15 in no particular order: -Planescape: Torment -Freespace -Freespace II -Master of Orion II -Sid Meyers Alpha Centauri W/ Planetary Pack -Company of Heroes -Final Fantasy VII -Baldur’s Gate II w/ Throne of Baal expansion pack -Fallout 2 -Mechwarrior 4 counting various expansion packs/stand alone bits as part of the same game -Deus Ex -Impossible Creatures -Rome Total War -Medieval Total War II -EVE Online ---
**Author:** ![Uosdwis\_R.Dewoh](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/9e8a1a/32.png) [@Uosdwis\_R.Dewoh](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Uosdwis_R.Dewoh)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2009, 5:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-your-top-15-video-games-of-all-time/482883/9 "2009-01-25T05:22:19Z")
In random order. -Star control 2 -Tie fighter -Independence war (I-war). Better then Tie fighter and Freespace 1&2 combined. -Chrono trigger -Planescape torment -Gabriel Knight: Sins of the fathers -Mega man 2 -Super Mario 3 -Betrayal at Krondor -Okami -Thief 2 -Terra Nova -System shock 2 -Day of the tentacle -Fallout 2 If you ask me tomorrow, the list might be different. Edit: Maybe swap Okami with Eric the unready or Gateway 2 ---
**Author:** ![FinnAgain](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/finnagain/32/12500_2.png) [@FinnAgain](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FinnAgain)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2009, 5:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-your-top-15-video-games-of-all-time/482883/10 "2009-01-25T05:36:02Z")
Damnit. Now I have to revise my list. 😃 I can’t believe I forgot about System Shock 2. Betrayal at Krondor was also better than Final Fantasy VII. Star Control II was awesome, but I’m not sure it’s aged at all well. And I never played I-War. Do you think it’d stand up to modern specs? ---
**Author:** ![Jeff](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/e19b73/32.png) [@Jeff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jeff)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2009, 5:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-your-top-15-video-games-of-all-time/482883/11 "2009-01-25T05:55:52Z")
Pool of Radiance Wing Commander II Master of Orion II Civilization II Doom Baldur’s Gate I & II Half-Life Pirates! Starcraft Alpha Centauri Fallout Street Fighter II Mechwarrior II Call of Duty ---
**Author:** ![Uosdwis\_R.Dewoh](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/9e8a1a/32.png) [@Uosdwis\_R.Dewoh](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Uosdwis_R.Dewoh)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2009, 6:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-your-top-15-video-games-of-all-time/482883/12 "2009-01-25T06:13:44Z")
> [@FinnAgain](#): > > And I never played I-War. Do you think it’d stand up to modern specs? Hard to say, but "[Independence war 2](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Independence_War_2:_Edge_of_Chaos) is also a great game and you should have no problem running it on a modern computer. Edit: I can’t believe I forgot Masters of Orion 2, that game is awesome. ---
**Author:** ![Kobal2](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kobal2/32/20_2.png) [@Kobal2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kobal2)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2009, 6:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-your-top-15-video-games-of-all-time/482883/13 "2009-01-25T06:38:35Z")
Random order : X-Com 2 Planescape Torment Fallout Heroes of Might & Magic 3 Medieval Total War (the Shogun sequel, not the Rome sequel 😉 ) Worms 2 Morrowind Final Fantasy VI Super Mario Kart (the original SNES game) Sid Meier’s Alpha Centauri Emperor : Rise of the Middle Kingdom Baldur’s Gate (both) Thief : Dark Project Deus Ex Falcon 4.0 (heavily modded, but the original game was a masterpiece in and of itself) And an honorary mention for World of Goo, this generation’s Lemmings. ---
**Author:** ![Unsquare\_Dance](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/b3f665/32.png) [@Unsquare\_Dance](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Unsquare_Dance)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2009, 6:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-your-top-15-video-games-of-all-time/482883/14 "2009-01-25T06:50:31Z")
Earthbound Chrono Trigger Maniac Mansion Grim Fandango Half-Life Silent Hill 2 Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney Luigi’s Mansion Chrono Cross Doom Zombies Ate My Neighbors Super Mario World Animal Crossing System Shock Bioshock Wheeeeee! ---
**Author:** ![Carmady](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f04885/32.png) [@Carmady](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Carmady)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2009, 8:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-your-top-15-video-games-of-all-time/482883/15 "2009-01-25T08:28:59Z")
Jet Set Radio (DC) Final Fantasy VI (SNES) Shadow of the Colossus (PS2) Grim Fandango (PC) Battletoads (NES) Wonder Boy III (SMS) Shenmue II (DC) ICO (PS2) Knights of the Old Republic (PC) Street Fighter 2 (ARC) Super Mario Bros. 3 (NES) Soul Calibur (DC) Psychonauts (PC) Road Rash II (GEN) Super Smash Bros. (N64) ---
**Author:** ![willthekittensurvive](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/91b2a8/32.png) [@willthekittensurvive](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/willthekittensurvive)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2009, 10:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-your-top-15-video-games-of-all-time/482883/16 "2009-01-25T10:06:44Z")
1 Abe’ s oddesey 2 World of warcraft 3 tombraider 4 final fantasy 7 5 Halo 6 Monkey island 7 Tekken 3 8 golden eye 9 Deadspace 10 metal gear solid 11 knight of the old republic 12 bioshock 13 resident evil 14 call of duty 4 15 lemings damn…its Sophie’s Choice all over again… eta…in Random order too ---
**Author:** ![Indistinguishable](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/90ced4/32.png) [@Indistinguishable](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Indistinguishable)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2009, 10:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-your-top-15-video-games-of-all-time/482883/17 "2009-01-25T10:24:04Z")
The ordering reflects little more than when things came to mind: Super Mario 64 Super Mario Bros. 3 Super Mario World [There’s a reason the Mario games are thought of so highly] Deus Ex The Incredible Machine The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past [And there’s further reason Miyamoto is thought of so highly] Chrono Trigger Final Fantasy VI Final Fantasy VII [sort of the Star Wars of videogames. Propelling its genre to the mainstream and accumulating a large number of fanboys more because of timing and “special effects” than anything else, I suppose. Only, I don’t like Star Wars, and I have nothing but fond memories of FFVII.] Super Mario RPG [short, I suppose, but so charming] Riven Myst [Yeah, yeah, we all experienced the backlash, but these are great games, even for “hardcore gamers”] Unreal Tournament Super Smash Bros. Tetris Attack [eh, this is just an idiosyncratic choice more because I played it a lot than because it belongs in the pantheon; still, it can join the last two as a game whose multiplayer appeal was long-lasting] ---
**Author:** ![Indistinguishable](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/90ced4/32.png) [@Indistinguishable](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Indistinguishable)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2009, 10:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-your-top-15-video-games-of-all-time/482883/18 "2009-01-25T10:30:15Z")
I know I _should_ have put Civilization II in there somewhere, but, well, I didn’t. Eh, whatever. ---
**Author:** ![MJinks](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/da6949/32.png) [@MJinks](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MJinks)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2009, 12:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-your-top-15-video-games-of-all-time/482883/19 "2009-01-25T12:00:12Z")
Hmm, no specific order. Deus Ex Age of Empires 2 Space Empires 4 Starcraft Diablo 2 X-Com Ultima Online (before Trammel) Fallout 2 Morrowind Final Fantasy VII to X (can’t choose, haven’t played VI/XII yet) Heroes of Might and Magic 3 Baldur’s Gate 2 Total Annihilation Civilization 4 (Civ2 passed me by) Arcanum Star Wars Supremacy/Rebellion (I know people will think I’m nuts but in terms of time spent playing, it has to be in my top 15.) I’m sure I’ve missed a lot, like everything I played before I got my first PC. ---
**Author:** ![RickJay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/bb73d2/32.png) [@RickJay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RickJay)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2009, 2:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-your-top-15-video-games-of-all-time/482883/20 "2009-01-25T14:47:42Z")
I’ve done this thread before, but to me it starts with: World of Warcraft Civilization IV (honorable mentions to the other 3) TIE Fighter Knights of the Old Republic Total Annihilation Red Baron Empire SimCity Pirates! Wing Commander II That’s my top ten. Selectiong 11-15 would be hard; I can think of 15, 20 good candidates. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-your-top-15-video-games-of-all-time/482883.md?page=2)