The Top 20 Video Games of the 1900s, Ranked

July 29, 2026 - 12:02

The 20th century gave birth to an entire medium, and its final decades produced some of the most influential video games ever made. From pixelated arcade cabinets to early 3D worlds, these titles shaped the industry and defined childhoods for millions.

At the top of the list sits "The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time," a game that set the standard for 3D action-adventure. Its lock-on combat, time-travel story, and sprawling Hyrule field became the blueprint for countless games that followed. Close behind is "Super Mario 64," which proved that platformers could thrive in three dimensions. Mario's jumps, camera controls, and hidden secrets felt revolutionary in 1996.

"GoldenEye 007" brought first-person shooters to consoles with a single-player campaign that actually worked and a four-player split-screen mode that defined sleepovers. "Pokémon Red and Blue" turned a simple monster-collecting concept into a global phenomenon, teaching a generation about trading, strategy, and the joy of catching them all.

Other essential titles include "Tetris," the perfect puzzle game that transcended platforms and generations; "Final Fantasy VII," which proved that video games could tell epic, emotional stories; and "Doom," the grandfather of the modern shooter. "Street Fighter II" created the fighting game boom, while "The Sims" showed that everyday life could be compelling gameplay.

The list also honors "Super Metroid," "Castlevania: Symphony of the Night," "Half-Life," "StarCraft," "Resident Evil," "Metal Gear Solid," "Chrono Trigger," "Super Mario World," "Sonic the Hedgehog," and "Pac-Man." Each of these games pushed boundaries in design, storytelling, or technology.

What makes these games timeless is not nostalgia alone. They introduced mechanics and ideas that developers still use today. The 20th century ended with a library of classics that remain playable, influential, and deeply loved.