101 Video Games That Everyone Should Play At Least Once

You might not have noticed, but we cover an awful lot of different video games on this channel. Over the years, we’ve ranked entire franchises, applauded critical darlings, and publicly shamed those that let themselves down. What we’ve never done, however, is curate a list of the games that are, in our humble opinion, nothing short of brilliant. It’s about time that we resolved that issue! For this gargantuan list, we gathered everyone at Team TripleJump, be they presenter, writer, editor, or Fraser, and asked them this simple question: What games would you recommend absolutely EVERYONE should play at least once? TO BE CLEAR, this isn’t a list of the best games ever according to the likes of Metacritic, nor are we actually ranking them, so the game featured in the top spot isn’t necessarily any better than the game at number 101. Instead this list is our way of chronicling 101 fantastic titles that will always have a place in our hearts. The only thing we’ve stipulated is that they must be available on either current-generation hardware or the previous one, i.e., any console released since 2012, or on a PC. After all, it wouldn’t be very cool of us to recommend games that it’s near-impossible to get hold of. We will be including remasters and remakes under that umbrella, as long as they’re worth playing in their own right. If you don’t see one of your all-time favourites listed here, it’s likely that they’re only available to play via an emulator. Trust us, we’re just as sad about it as you are. Let’s get to the entries, shall we? I’m Ben, I’m Peter, and I’m Ashton from TripleJump, and here are the 101 Video Games that Everyone Should Play At Least Once. 101. The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt (2015) (Xbox One, Xbox Series S/X, PS4, PS5, Switch, PC) If you’re the sort of person who enjoys things like Merlin, The Lord of the Rings, or Game of Thrones (you know, before the bad times), then you’d probably enjoy any of the three mainWitcher games. Most people would agree, however, that The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt is the most enjoyable and, what’s more, you don’t even need to have played the other two to enjoy it. The Witcher 3 follows Geralt of Rivia as he tries to track down his daughter Ciri, a young woman adopted via the Law of Surprise, all while facing off against various ghouls, goblins, and monsties, and navigating affairs of the heart with the many women in his life. CD Projekt’s masterpiece was lauded by both critics and players for everything from its storytelling and well-developed characters to its stunning art direction and sound design. If all of that sounds like your cup of tea, then The Witcher 3 can be played in its original state on current and previous gen PlayStation and Xbox consoles, as well as the Nintendo Switch and PC. Plus, CD Projekt are hard at work optimising the game for the current generation, and the upgrade, which will be free for anyone who owns the game on PS4 or Xbox One, is set to be released sometime in 2022. 100. BioShock (2007) (Xbox One, Xbox Series S/X, PS4, PS5, Switch, PC) For those of you who are channel regulars, it won’t come as much of a surprise that we’ve included BioShock among our favourite games of all time. We’ve made no secret over the years of the fact that we think it’s an outstanding game. It isn’t without good reason though, as the 2007 first-person shooter has an awful lot of things going for it. Set in the underwater city of Rapture, the game follows Jack as he attempts to escape the isolated dystopia, all while doing his best to avoid the psychotic, genetically-enhanced Splicers and hulking Big Daddies. Through the use of the ADAM mechanic (no, not that one) players are able to effectively give Jack superpowers, allowing him to set enemies on fire, electrocute them, and much more, with just the flick of his wrist. BioShock is a triumph from start to finish, immersing players in a stunning world full of terrifying characters from the second their bathysphere descends into the ocean. Though the original was released during the seventh console generation, a remaster is available to play on more modern machines as part of BioShock: The Collection.So, would you kindly give it a go if you haven’t already? 99. World of Warcraft (2004) (PC) We couldn’t possibly curate a list of the games that everyone should try at least once without talking about the world’s biggest MMORPG (or massively multiplayer online roleplaying game if you wanna get “reasons to shoehorn in an appearance from Simon Miller” about this). World of Warcraft players start out by choosing a realm to play in, which each boast different features, then head into the all-important character creator. Once there, they can choose their race and class, as well as making the biggest decision of all:Do they side with the Alliance or the Horde? After that, well, the world (of Warcraft) is your oyster really. Naturally, there are more quests than you can shake a stick at, that level one character’s going to need levelling up, and, being an MMO, there’s heavy emphasis on playing with other people. Our advice is to go out into the world (of Warcraft), meet some new friends, plunder some dungeonstogether, and laugh about all of the good times you had when you make it back to the local tavern. World of Warcraft is exclusive to PC and does cost players about a tenner per month, but if you feel like trying it, you can play up to level 20 without having to shell out a single penny. 98. The Last of Us (2013) (PS4, PS5) It’s probably fair to say that zombie games have been done to death, no pun intended, so it really takes something special to stand out from the shambling horde. Perhaps the reason that The Last of Us is a favourite of so many gamers is that it isn’t really a zombie game at heart, but rather is a story of human struggle with a post-apocalyptic setting. Developed by Naughty Dog and released in 2013, The Last of Us tells the story of Joel, a man tasked with smuggling teenage girl Ellie into Salt Lake City. Infected with the virus, but showing no symptoms, Ellie may be the only chance humanity has to find a cure. Not only is the story epic, but every character in the game feels like a real person. The relationship between Joel and Ellie in particular captured the hearts of audiences, and was made all the more touching by the award-winning voice performances of Troy Baker and Ashley Johnson. The Last of Us is a PlayStation exclusive, so if you don’t own a Sony machine, then you’re missing out on a fantastic game. PlayStation owners, however, can pick up a remastered copy of The Last of Us for both PS4 and PS5, and they’ll be able to get their mitts on a remake in 2022. 97. Mass Effect 2(2010) (Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PS4, PS5, PC) We toyed with the idea of putting all of the first three Mass Effect games on this list, but although the trilogy as a whole is excellent, Mass Effect 2 stands head and shoulders above the rest. Assuming the role of Commander Shepard, it’s up to the player to assemble a motley crew of allies and prevent the insectoid Collectors from destroying humanity. What’s great about Mass Effect 2 is that it took all of the things that made its predecessor so great, i.e., the world-building, storytelling, and the cast of well-developed characters, and made the experience better by virtue of various quality of life gameplay tweaks. Bioware made improvements to the inventory, scrapped weapon overheating in favour of ammo, and integrated the Paragon/Renegade system into the actual gameplay. Though Mass Effect 2 simplified some of thefirst game’s RPG elements in order to focus on the shooter experience, this ultimately benefitted the title, keeping the game moving and making the combat more satisfying. Although Mass Effect 2 is easily the best game of the series, we do recommend playing Mass Effect and Mass Effect 3 as well. Luckily, a remaster of the trilogy was released in 2021, so anyone interested in Commander Shepard’s exploits can experience them on the current and previous generation in glorious high-definition. We can’t recommend you bother with Andromeda though.By comparison, it’s utterly ploppers. 96. Borderlands 2 (2012) (Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PS4, PS5, PS Vita, Switch, PC) Are you the sort of person who loves bright colours, big guns, and hoarding more loot than your average dragon? Then, OH BOY, do I have a recommendation for you! Originally released in 2012, Borderlands 2 sees players taking on the role of a Vault Hunter, and they must ally themselves with the planet’s many misfits and rogues in order to defeat the megalomaniacal and devilishly charismatic Handsome Jack. Borderlands 2 is an action-packed romp from start to finish, filled to the brim with slightly unhinged characters of dubious moral alignment, and enough content to keep players entertained for weeks on end. The scores of ludicrous enemies provide an excellent way to blow off steam, and the game’s unique art-style makes players feel like they’re shooting their way through an animated comic book. What’s more, the procedurally generated loot system means that the game boasts literally millions of guns, so even the most trigger-happy among you will be satisfied by all the firepower that’s on offer. A remastered version of Borderlands 2 is available to play on all good current and previous gen machines, and there’s even a VR version if you’re that way inclined. We also highly recommend picking up an edition that includes the DLC, as Tiny Tina’s Assault on Dragon Keep is a must-play for anyone with even a passing interest in tabletop roleplaying games. 95. Pokémon Yellow (1998) (3DS) We’re casting our minds back to 1998 now to look at a game that captured the hearts and imaginations of millions of people all across the world. Perhaps one of the main reasons that Pokémon Yellow features among many people’s top games of all time is that it really does have something for everyone. Younger players were enticed by all of the cute critters, and more mature audiences had a great deal of fun exploring the many towns of the Kanto region and battling with their Pokémon to become a Pokémon master. The main difference between Yellow and 1996’s Red and Blue is that the game is updated to more closely reflect the anime, so alongside being able to train their very own Pikachu, audiences got to meet characters, like Jessie and James, who they wouldn’t have in any other version. Though the game is now well over 20 years old, Poké-fans can still secure their very own Pikachu. In 2016, Nintendo re-released Pokémon Yellow for their 3DS Virtual Console service, retaining all of the old graphics and sound, but introducing wireless functionality that allows players to trade their Pokémon with their pals. It is worth noting, however, that the 3DS store is due to close in March 2023, so if you’re planning on catching ‘em all, you’ll need to get to it right away. 94. God of War (2018) (PS4, PS5, PC) Whilst curating the entries for this list, we so desperately wanted to include 2005’s God of War alongside its 2018 reboot, but it is sadly only playable on the PlayStation 2 and 3. Consider this an honourable mention though; God of War 2005, we salute you. Unlike its predecessors, 2018’s God of War eschewed the ancient Greek setting and instead explores Norse mythology. Set several years after the events of God of War III, Kratos is now living in ancient Norway, has remarried, and has a son named Atreus. Sadly, his new wife has died, and in order to fulfil her final wish, Kratos and Atreus must travel to the highest peak of the nine realms so that they can scatter her ashes. God of War enjoyed a huge amount of success upon its release, pleasing both players and critics with its rich lore and engaging narrative, its action-packed gameplay, and the charming depiction of Kratos and Atreus’ relationship. If you fancy taking up your axe and joining Kratos and Atreus on their epic journey, then you can do so on PlayStation 4 and 5. God of War was also ported to PC in 2022, so even if you don’t have a Sony machine, you can still get a slice of the mythological action. 93. Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare (2007) (Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PS4, PS5, PC) Not only would we like to commend Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare for being an all-round great game, but we must also applaud it for its willingness to try new things. After all, nothing ventured, nothing gained, and in a world where, at the time, you couldn’t move more than five feet without tripping over a World War II shooter, Call of Duty 4 had the balls to do something different. The campaign takes place in 2011 and sees players thrust into the midst of a civil war in Russia, and conflicts caused by a separatist group’s coup d’état in an unnamed Middle Eastern country. Taking on the roles of a U.S. Marine sergeant and a British SAS commando, players experience conflicts all around the world. Unlike many other shooters, Modern Warfare keeps its gameplay nice and varied, so one minute, you’ll be heading into a fight, guns-blazing, and the next, you’ll be sneaking around on a covert operation. Furthermore, the game’s story will have players on the edge of their seats from the moment they begin the campaign. Originally released during the seventh generation of home consoles, Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare was remastered in 2016, bringing all of the action and suspense to a brand-new generation of gamers. 92. Outer Wilds (2019) (Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PS4, PS5, PC) There many video games out there that feature a time loop mechanic in some sort of capacity, but few are quite as special as 2019’s Outer Wilds. The premise is quite simple: In just 22 short minutes, the solar system will be wiped out by a supernova. Fortunately for our unnamed protagonist, though, they’re caught in a time loop, so each time the universe explodes, they get to reset. By exploring the solar system and learning from previous loops, players can uncover information about a long-extinct alien race known as the Nomai, which will in turn lead them to the cause of the time loop. The player is left to find things for themselves rather than being spoon-fed by the game. That’s all part of the charm of Outer Wilds, and it’s incredibly satisfying as you find key pieces of the puzzle and everything starts to come together. Unsurprisingly, Outer Wilds was nominated for several accolades, and won three British Academy Game Awards and a Golden Joystick. Though it originally launched on PC and Xbox One in May 2019, it has since been released PS4, and can also be played on the current generation. Good news for Switch players, as well, as a port is currently in the works.   91. Resident Evil (2002) (Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PS4, PS5, Switch, PC) Though it may not have been the first survival horror video game ever made, it’s hard to deny the impact that Resident Evil had on the genre. Resident Evil was originally released in 1996, but was remade in 2002 with shiny new graphics and a whole load of additional content. The game sees Special Tactics and Rescue Service members Jill Valentine and Chris Redfield trapped inside the imposing Spencer Mansion alongside several of their colleagues and hordes of mindless zombies. After choosing to control either Chris or Jill, players must traverse the mansion and solve a series of puzzles in order to uncover the conspiracy that lies at the heart of the whole sorry tale. Though they are armed, both Chris and Jill have limited inventory space, which means that carrying enough reserves of ammo and health items is basically impossible, so players will often need to carefully choose whether to fight their adversaries, or flee. Resident Evil is able to maintain a consistent level of challenge and a tense atmosphere throughout its entire runtime, so if you’re in the mood for a good spooking that will also get that grey matter flexing, then there’s really no better choice. Though the Resident Evil remake was initially released on the GameCube, it has since been ported to a number of different consoles. These days, it can be downloaded on Xbox One and Series X/S, PS4 and 5, Switch, and PC. 90. Fallout 3 (2008) (Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PS4, PS5, PC) Before Fallout 3 was released in 2008, it had been a whole decade since the world had gotten to enjoy a major instalment of the series, and, oh boy, had things changed. In the ten years since Fallout 2, the franchise had been acquired by Bethesda, who got to work overhauling the series into something unrecognisable, though we hasten to add that it was in a good way. Gone were the 2D isometric graphics and turn-based combat of its predecessors, replaced with shiny new 3D graphics and the V.A.T.S. combat system. Set 200 years after the Great War, players join a protagonist known only as the Lone Wanderer as they set out into the wasteland in search of their missing father. Despite its technical issues, Fallout 3 was a massively ambitious game that gave players a hugely interactive RPG experience. The combination of the barren setting with the minimalist sound design kept players immersed in the harsh, post-apocalyptic world, whilst the V.A.T.S. system helped to make the combat fun and engaging. Those looking to try their hand at surviving the nuclear wasteland can do so on the current and previous generation, and PC, though PlayStation owners will need to subscribe to PS Now in order to be able to soak in all of that radiation. We don’t recommend actually exposing yourself to radiation though, we gather it’s not very good for your health. 89. Mega Man 2 (1988) (Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PS4, PS5, Switch, 3DS, PC) Although Mega Man is now a gaming icon, his franchise got off to a bit of a shaky start. The OG Mega Man from 1987 was received well by critics, but because it didn’t sell very well, particularly in the West, Capcom were reluctant to produce a sequel. They eventually did give Mega Man 2 the green light, but it was on the proviso that the teams working on the game did so alongside other projects, and the staff ended up developing the title in their own time. Their hard work and dedication paid off, however, as the action platformer ended up being a huge success, impressing critics, and selling a whopping 1.5 million copies worldwide. Mega Man 2 once again pits the titular hero against Dr. Wily, who, following his defeat in the previous game, has created a whole load of new Robot Masters in an attempt to best our little blue hero. Despite being over three decades old, Mega Man 2 is still available to play on pretty much every modern platform. Fans of the retro title can pick the game up as part of the Mega Man Legacy Collection, which bundles together the first six Mega Man titles for less than the cost of your average takeaway. Bargain! 88. Sonic the Hedgehog 2 (1992) (Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, Switch, 3DS, PC) We’re sticking with the retro theme for a moment as we look back at yet another blue protagonist, only this time, he’s a real prickly character. Unperturbed by his previous defeat at the hands of everyone’s favourite spiny mammal, Dr. Robotnik returns in Sonic the Hedgehog 2 to try to achieve world domination once more. Yet again, he’s after the Chaos Emeralds, and it’s up to Sonic and his pal, Tails, to thwart his evil scheme. Following the success of Sonic the Hedgehog, players were champing at the bit to get hold of the sequel, and it did not disappoint. The levels were well-designed and fun to play, the graphics were improved over its predecessor, and Sonic’s new companionwas well-received by fans and critics alike. In fact, really the only fault that anyone could find with Sonic the Hedgehog 2 was that it was a bit on the easy side, but let’s face it, when a game is as fun to play as Sonic 2, that doesn’t really matter. Sonic’s second outing has been ported to more devices than we can shake a stick at (and believe us, we’re basically pro stick shakers by this point), so fans won’t be stuck for places to play the game. Currently, it’s available on PC, Xbox One and Series X/S, 3DS, and Nintendo Switch. 87. Nier: Automata (2017) (Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PS4, PS5, PC) With most of us being Northerners here at Team TripleJump, when we purchase a video game, we like to know that we’re getting our money’s worth, so replayability is absolutely a consideration when it comes to picking up a new title. With that said, there’s replayability, and then there’s Nier: Automata, a game that has to be played several times to be fully appreciated. Nier: Automata is set in the year 11945AD, in the midst of a war between human-made androids and a machine army from another world. Players take on the roles of several of the androids, and on each different playthrough, they’ll explore different facets of Nier: Automata’s story. Aside from its rich, complex narrative, players were impressed with the game’s artful blending of the action and RPG genres, its beautiful presentation of a futuristic dystopia, and its fun hack-and-slash combat mechanics. Nier: Automata was originally released for the PS4 and PC, but was ported to Xbox One in 2018, PLUS it can be downloaded on both PS5 and Xbox Series X/S, which is good news all round. Unless you don’t have any of those machines, of course, in which case it’s probably not very good news at all. 86. Hollow Knight (2017) (Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PS4, PS5, Switch, PC) One of the great things about the rise of crowdfunding sites is that creators who would have previously struggled to get their projects out into the world are now able to do so with the help of backers willing to invest a few quid. In recent years, crowdfunding campaigns have given birth to a number of excellent indie titles, and one of our personal favourites is 2017’s Hollow Knight. An action-adventure title of the Metroidvania persuasion, Hollow Knight was unleashed upon the world following a successful Kickstarter campaign set up by developer and publisher Team Cherry. The game’s protagonist is the titular Knight, who must uncover the truth behind “The Infection”, which drove the citizens of Hallownest to madness and turned them undead. Fair warning; Hollow Knight is challenging. Some players have gone as far as to liken its difficulty to games like Dark Souls, but while there is certainly a steep learning curve, it’s absolutely worth it to experience the atmospheric setting, compelling narrative, and stunning visuals. If you are up for the challenge, Hollow Knight can be found on both the current generation and the previous one, and regardless of which platform you choose, you’re in for a fantastic, if slightly tough, time. 85. Undertale (2015) (Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PS4, PS5, PS Vita, Switch, PC) If you don’t know anything about it, you could be forgiven for thinking that Undertale is nothing more than just another indie RPG. This could not be further from the truth though, as behind the simplistic art style is a game with an awful lot of heart. Undertale tells the story of a small child who has fallen through a magical barrier into the Underground; a place beneath the surface of the Earth that’s full of monsties. By either fighting or pacifying said monsties, the player must ensure that the child is able to make their way home. The game has received praise from both critics and players for everything from its story and characters to its combat and music. What’s perhaps most impressive, however, is that all of this greatness was achieved by the efforts of one man, Toby Fox, who developed the game, published it, and even wrote the soundtrack. Golly, he must get up very early in the morning. Undertale was originally released for the PC in 2015, but it has since made its way to PlayStation and Xbox. Prefer your Undertale experience on the move? That’s fine, because you can also play it on the PlayStation Vita and the Nintendo Switch. 84. Batman: Arkham Asylum (2009) (Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PS4, PS5, PC) Like most popular superheroes, Batman’s starred in more than his fair share of video games over the years, but though many of them have been great, the title that stands head and shoulders above the rest is Rocksteady’s Batman: Arkham Asylum. The 2009 title follows everyone’s favourite moody orphan billionaire as he traverses Arkham Asylum and attempts to thwart the Joker’s madcap schemes. On this occasion, Joker has trapped Batman in the asylum with a bunch of crackers supervillains that can’t stand the sight of him, planted bombs around the city, and threatened Gotham with annihilation should anyone attempt to set foot on Arkham Island. Not only is Arkham Asylum the best Batman title, but it’s often cited by critics as being the best superhero game ever made. This is no doubt down to its stunning visuals, well-written story, satisfying combat and stealth, and outstanding voice performances from the likes of Kevin Conroy, Arleen Sorkin, and Mark Hamill. If you’re desperate to squeeze your buttocks into tight latex and kick some bad guy bottom, then you can play the remastered version of Arkham Asylum on Xbox One, Series X/S, PS4 and 5, and PC. Or you can actually don a latex suit and go fight crime, we won’t judge. 83. Deadly Premonition (2010) (Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, Switch/PC) There have been a number of games over the years that have been inspired by David Lynch’s whacky murder mystery, Twin Peaks, but if we had to pick a favourite, it would undoubtedly be Deadly Premonition. Released in 2010, Deadly Premonition puts players into the shoes of FBI Special Agent Francis York Morgan. The game takes place in the fictional town of Greenvale, and it’s up to players to get to the bottom of a young woman’s murder. To say that Deadly Premonition divided critics is an understatement; in fact, it holds the Guinness World Record for being the most critically divisive survival-horror game ever made. Some outlets bashed everything from its controls to its voice acting, whereas others praised it for just how weird it is. Don’t get us wrong; we know that Deadly Premonition isn’t a game that everyone is going to enjoy because it is, for want of a better word, batshit, but it is definitely a title that everyone should experience at least once. Though the game can be played on the PC, the port is notoriously ploppers, so we can’t recommend you bother with Deadly Premonition: The Director's Cut. Deadly Premonition Origins, on the other hand, is a decent port, and can be found exclusively on the Nintendo Switch. You can also find the original 360 version on the Microsoft store for those interested in playing on the Xbox. 82. Super Mario 64 (1996) (Wii U, Switch) What? You didn’t think we’d make a list of 101 games everyone should play without giving at least one shout-out to the world’s most iconic plumber, did you? What do you take us for? There was some debate down at TripleJump Towers over which Mario games to include in our definitive 101 (spoiler alert: this isn’t the last time you’ll see the moustachioed megastar on this list). The title that came up time and time again, however, was the 1996 N64 classic, Super Mario 64. The title saw Mario make the leap into 3D for the very first time as he set out to save his beloved Princess Peach from perennial menace Bowser. In order to rescue the damsel in distress, players need to platform their way around Peach’s castle, collecting Power Stars as they go. Some are just out in the open, whilst others require Mario to beat a boss, solve a puzzle, or race an opponent. Critics were hugely impressed by Super Mario 64, praising the beautiful 3D world, the diversity of the gameplay, and just how fun it wasoverall. Feel like stepping up to the plate to save the princess? Well, luckily for you, Super Mario 64 is available on the Wii U and as part of the N64 line-up for the Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack, which gives players access to a number of classic titles, including… 81. The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time (1998) (Wii U, Switch, 3DS) I’m pretty pleased with that segue, not gonna lie. Another Nintendo series that provoked much argument in the office was The Legend of Zelda, and as much as we’d have liked to have included the entire Zelda back catalogue (you know, except for those horrid Philips CD-I efforts), we must show some restraint. There was no doubt in anyone’s mind, however, that regardless of which combination of titles we went with, Ocarina of Time would be amongst them. The fifth game in The Legend of Zelda series sees our boy Link travelling through time to try to reverse the evil that has been brought upon the world of Hyrule by big bad Ganondorf. Throughout the game, players can use the titular wind instrument to play different melodies, each of which helps Link to solve a variety of puzzles and brings him one step closer to banishing Ganondorf’s evil from the world. According to review aggregator Metacritic, The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time is the best game ever made, boasting a frankly staggering near-perfect score of 99 out of 100. As we’ve already mentioned, Zelda fans seeking the nostalgia of Ocarina of Time can find the game bundled in with the Switch Online + Expansion Pack, and it can also be found on the Wii U and the 3DS. 80. Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic (2003) (Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, Switch, PC) Over the years, there have been more Star Wars games than you can shake a lightsaber at. There’s one, however, that topped the list of pretty much everyone here at Team TripleJump (as well as, spoiler alert, our Every Star Wars Game Ranked list), and that was Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic. Set some 4000 years before the formation of the Galactic Empire, KOTOR is an RPG in which players get to create their very own Force-user and take on the Sith Lord Darth Malak. Regardless of whether or not you’re a Star Wars fan (though if you’re not, Tiny Peter will fight you) KOTOR has something for everyone. The game’s story is perfectly in keeping with the rest of the franchise, whilst still being accessible for even those who don’t know a Wookiee from a Wampa. Additionally, the RPG elements and combat are meaty enough for hardcore gamers, but not so much so that they’d turn off newer players. The original game can be played on Xbox One, Series X/S, Switch, and PC. Before you Sony fans go getting all upset though, it’s worth remembering that a remake is currently in the works that is set to release as a PS5 and PC timed-exclusive, though how similar it will be to the original, we can’t say. We’re good, but we’re not that good. 79. Uncharted 2: Among Thieves (2009) (PS4, PS5) If you’ve ever wondered what it would be like to go out into the world and search for olde timey artifacts but, like our writer, you’re a massive introvert who would rather die than do anything outdoorsy, then you’d probably quite like the Uncharted series. All of the games are pretty good, but there are two of them that we’d recommend above all else: Uncharted 2: Among Thieves, and another that we’ll get to in a short while. Cheeky chappy Nathan Drake returns in Uncharted 2, only this time, he’s on the hunt for the Cintamani Stone and the city of Shambhala. Upon its release, Uncharted 2 was universally critically acclaimed, with both reviewers and players praising the game for its visual design, narrative excellence, and the portrayal of Nathan Drake by little-known voice actor Nolan North. He’s not been in much; I wouldn’t be surprised if you haven’t heard of him. Uncharted 2 was originally released as a PlayStation 3 exclusive, so you’re going to need to invest in a Sony machine in order to experience the adventure. Fortunately, there’s no need to trawl through eBay to find a decent quality PS3, as the game has been remastered, and can now be played on both PS4 and 5. 78. Halo: Combat Evolved (2001) (Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PC) When Microsoft launched the original Xbox all the way back in 2001, they needed an exclusive that would ensure the console made its mark on the video game landscape, and OH BOY, did Halo: Combat Evolved help them do just that. The game is set in the 26th century, by which time faster-than-light space travel has allowed humans to hop around the universe, colonizing planets besides Earth. Old habits die hard, I guess. Players jump into the fancy green armour of Master Chief, a super-soldier tasked with uncovering the secrets of the ringworld, Halo. Naturally, there are other beings interested in the structure as well and, sadly, they’re not all friendly E.T. sorts. Halo: Combat Evolved won numerous game of the year awards, holds a staggering average of 97 out of 100 on Metacritic, and is often credited with modernizing the FPS genre. The Halo series is a Microsoft exclusive, so anyone looking to join Master Chief on his quest to defeat the Covenant will need either a current or previous gen Xbox, or a PC. The game is available as part of the Master Chief Collection, which also includes Halos 2, 3, ODST, Reach, and 4, which is, in our opinion at least, a darn good deal. 77. Portal (2007) (Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, Switch, PC) If we could choose to make one piece of video game technology real, it would undoubtedly be the Portal gun. Think of the possibilities! You could get a beer out of the fridge without ever having to leave your sofa, cut your commute down to a fraction of the time, commit that crime you’ve always wanted to do and flee the scene instantaneously… Oh Gosh, this took a dark turn. Sadly, science doesn’t seem particularly fussed about turning my dreams into reality, and so I must make do with playing Portal for the several-hundredth time. This fantastic puzzler was first released as part of The Orange Box, and though Half-Life 2: Episode 2 was the headline act, Portal turned out to be a surprisingly good supporting player. It was like getting to the bottom of an ice cream sundae and finding a really fudgy chocolate brownie. Yum yum. By traversing a series of test chambersusing only the provided Portal gun, a device that fires a pair of interconnected portals, protagonist Chell must escape the Aperture Science Test Facility. The puzzles start out simple enough, but quickly become more and more tricky as the player progresses. Think you can best the chambers and escape the facility? If so, then Portal: Still Alive is available to play on Xbox One and Series X/S. Switch players can also get a slice of the action (and, of course, the cake) thanks to the Portal Companion Collection, and PC players can still find the original on Steam. 76. Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion (2006) (Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PC) Though Todd Howard seems to have forgotten that there are other Elder Scrolls games in existence besides Skyrim, we have not, and it’s our hearty recommendation that anyone who loves a bit of sword and sorcery has a go at Oblivion. And let’s face it, who doesn’t love a bit of sword and sorcery? Oblivion takes place within Cyrodiil, and sees the protagonist doing their darndest to thwart the plans of a fanatical cult who intend to open a portal to a demonic realm, and unleash whatever nasties lie within. The game transports players to a meticulously crafted world where they’re free to do, moreorless, as they please. Obviously, the main questline should probably be tackled at some point, but Oblivion never railroads players into doing it, and they’re empowered to play the RPG however they see fit. Save an artist trapped in his own painting, lay a ghostly watchman to rest, or busy yourself finding a load ofNirnroot for Sinderion. Tamriel really is your oyster. It's bad news once again for PlayStation Stans I’m afraid, as Oblivion is currently only available to play on Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, and PC. You never know though; once Bethesda have finished porting Skyrim to every electronic device in the known universe, they might give it a current gen remaster. I wouldn’t hold your breath though. 75. Half-Life 2 (2004) (PC) If you like puzzles, guns, and hunky, bespectacled, sexy boys, then we’ve got a game that ticks all of those boxes and many, many more. Set roughly twenty years after the first game in the series (which, incidentally, is also rather good), Half-Life 2 sees Gordon Freeman awakened from stasis to find that the Combine, a multidimension empire, has conquered Earth by biologically assimilating its inhabitants. Guess who’s been left to clean up this big mess? Why, Gordon has, of course. Half-Life 2 is part-first-person shooter, part-physics puzzler, so players will need to use their brains and their brawn if they’ve any hopes of avoiding all of those nasty Headcrabs. Don’t worry, Gordon, we hear you can get a special shampoo for them. Though the game got perfect scores more or less across the board, it particularly drew praise for its graphics and physics, which, at the time, were very impressive, and in fairness, still hold up alongside titles of today. Although Half-Life 2 has previously seen releases on both Xbox and PlayStation consoles, these days, it’s only available on PC. The good news, though, is that PC players can still pick up The Orange Box, which not only includes Half-Life 2 and Episodes 1 & 2, but it also comes with both Portal and Team Fortress 2. A bargain at twice the price! 74. Dead Space (2008) (Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PC) They say that “in space, no one can hear you scream,” but when you’re playing DeadSpace, people will definitely hear your shrieks of terror for miles around. The game follows protagonist Isaac Clarke as he navigates the spaceship Ishimura in the hopes of finding out what happened to his girlfriend, who was the ship’s senior medical officer. Not only does he have various alien nasties to deal with, but he must also battle with the escalating psychosis in his own mind. Though it bears a science-fiction setting, Dead Space drew heavily from survival horror giants like Resident Evil and Silent Hill, sending players into the claustrophobic Ishimura and pitting them against the hostile Necromorphs with limited supplies. Put simply: Dead Space is truly scary. Through its setting, gameplay mechanics, sound, and overall design, the game is able to cultivate an insanely tense atmosphere that lingers throughout its entire runtime. Both Dead Space and its sequel, Dead Space 2, are worth a look if you’re fond of sci-fi horror. The franchise’s third entry is fine, though thanks to a hefty amount of interference on EA’s part, it eschews horror in favour of action. If you’ve got a pair of brown trousers that you’re just aching to put to good use, then you can get your fright fix on the Xbox Series X/S and Xbox One via backwards compatibility, or on PC. 73. Limbo (2010) (Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PS4, PS5, PS Vita, Switch, PC) We’re going to caveat this entry with a bit of a warning: Limbo is a very good game, but it’s one to avoid if you’re already feeling a bit depressed or anxious. Definitely play it at least once in your life, but save it for a day when you’re emotionally ready. We don’t want to be responsible for any severe existential crises. In terms of its narrative and art style, Limbo is very simplistic. The game follows a young boy as he travels through a forest on the edge of Hell in order to find his sister. Beyond that, however, it’s down to the player to interpret the plot in whichever way they see fit; is the boy simply looking for his sister or is there a deeper meaning to it all? On the surface, Limbo may not look like much, but it packs an awful lot of atmosphere and engaging gameplay into its short runtime, pitting players against challenging puzzles and terrifying enemies. These days, Limbo can be found on pretty much all current-generation platforms, so regardless of whether you’re on team Xbox, PlayStation, Nintendo, or PC, then you too can enjoy the many feelings of existential dread brought on by the game. Enjoy those, you’ve earned them. 72. Grand Theft Auto V (2013) (Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PS4, PS5, PC) Do you like doing crimes but find that going to prison takes up far too much of your time? Then you need some Grand Theft Auto in your life! We did toy with the idea of sticking GTA IV on this list but, although it is a solid game, it does lose a number of marks for having your annoying cousin, Roman, call you every five minutes to invite you out bowling. GTA V not only lacks the irritating relatives that let its predecessor down, but it also has three multidimensional protagonists that truly bring its story to life. Throughout the game, players jump into the shoes of Michael De Santa, Franklin Clinton, and Trevor Philips, a trio of criminals of various flavours whose lives intertwine thanks to their numerous illegal exploits. Grand Theft Auto V currently sits at a whopping 97 out of 100 on Metacritic, with reviews praising its multi-protagonist formula, its gameplay, and the design of its sprawling open world. It would probably be quicker to list all of the places that you can’t play Grand Theft Auto V since, by this point, the game has been released for three different generations of consoles. For the sake of clarity, however, we’re happy to confirm that it’s available on both Xbox Series and Xbone, PS4 and 5, and PC. 71. Crash Bandicoot 3: Warped (1998) (Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PS4, PS5, Switch, PC) We couldn’t possibly make a list of our most highly recommended games without giving a nod to everyone’s favourite wisecracking marsupial. Taking place shortly after the events of the second game in the series, Crash Bandicoot 3: Warped (or simply Crash Bandicoot: Warped if you wanna get less European about this) follows Crash and his younger sister, Coco, as they attempt to thwart the latest evil plans of Doctor Neo Cortex. After Cortex’s space station crash lands on Earth, unleashing the evil UkaUka, Crash and Coco must travel through time in order to collect a whole bunch of powerful crystals before Cortex, Doctor Nefarious Tropy, and UkaUka can get their hands on them. We chose Crash Bandicoot 3 over its predecessors as it took everything that they did and refined it. The graphics were cleaner and more detailed, the gameplay mechanics were improved, and the sound design was top-notch. Don’t get us wrong, the series’ first two games are also good, but Crash 3 is the whole package. Though the original game was only released on the OG PlayStation, modern players can pick up the remake as part of the N. Sane Trilogy for PS4 and 5, Xbox One and Series, Switch, and PC. 70. Minecraft (2011) (Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PS4, PS5, PS Vita, Wii U, Switch, 3DS, PC) In most instances, if you were to play a game that had no plot, no objectives, and very little in the way of combat, you probably wouldn’t have a very good time. If the game you’re playing is Minecraft, however, it’s easy to lose days and days of your life just mining enough diamonds to make yourself a gigantic diamond palace. Nobody told you to do it, and yet here you are, regardless. Creating your own fun by mining for materials and building things is the essence of Minecraft. Players are plopped into a blocky, procedurally-generated world, and left to explore at their own pace. Trees can be punched and turned into work benches, which then allow the player to make tools. From there they can obtain ore, make better tools, and get to work doing whatever they’d like. Build a house, farm some animals, or just dig downwards to see how far the world goes; it really is all up to you. If you own an electronic device, then it’s likely that you can play Minecraft on it. The game is available on current and previous generation Xbox and PlayStation, as well as on the Switch, Wii U, and PC. Those favouring a portable experience can also find Minecraft on the PS Vita and the Nintendo 3DS. 69. The Last of Us: Part II (2020) (PS4, PS5) We couldn’t possibly recommend that everyone play The Last of Us without also recommending that they play The Last of Us: Part II as well. Part II is set five years after the events of the first game, by which point Ellie and Joel have settled into a community of survivors in Jackson, Wyoming. It’s not long before their peaceful life is disrupted, however, and Ellie must embark on a journey seeking justice and vengeance. The Last of Us: Part II took what its predecessor did and built upon it. The result is a deep, emotional story, fantastic stealth and action gameplay, and stunning graphics and sound. The game also received universal acclaim for its voice performances, particularly those given by Ashley Johnson as Ellie and Laura Bailey as Abby, with the latter winning both a British Academy Game Award and a TGA for her efforts. Those keen to see what Joel and Ellie have been up to in the years since The Last of Us can find out by picking up a copy of The Last of Us: Part II on PlayStation 4 or PlayStation 5. Those playing on the current gen will get to enjoy an upgraded version that allows them to experience all of the horrors in glorious 60FPS. 68. Detroit: Become Human (2018) (PS4, PS5, PC) It’s fair to say that David Cage is a divisive name in the gaming community. Some consider the man to be somewhat of an auteur, whereas others feel like he’s all ideas and no substance. Upon its release in 2018, Detroit: Become Human divided critics. We highly recommend that you ignore the naysayers though as, overall, it’s a solid game that’s well worth your time. Detroit: Become Human is set in the not-too-distant future. Androids have replaced much of the human workforce but, for unexplained reasons, some begin behaving unusually. The story follows three androids; Kara, who escapes her owner, Markus, who is working to free other androids from servitude, and Connor, who is hunting down the deviant androids. Critics praised Detroit: Become Human’s narrative and character development, as well as its handling of difficult topics such as slavery, identity, and what it means to be human. Although Detroit: Become Human was a PlayStation exclusive when it released in 2018, it has since been ported to PC, so there’s no need to rush out to buy a PS5 if you’d like to play it. Not that you can rush out to buy a PS5, considering that they’re rarer than rocking horse poop, but you know what I mean. 67. Halo Reach (2010) (Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PC) “Two Halos in one list?” I hear you cry, “Have you gone mad, TripleJump?” Nope, we haven’t lost our minds, it’s just that the good folks down at Bungie and Microsoft sure know their way around a first-person shooter. Oh, and spoiler alert, this won’t be the last time you see a Halo game in this list either. Sorry, not sorry. First released in 2010, Halo Reach is a direct prequel to Halo: Combat Evolved. Players take on the role of Noble Six, an elite super-soldier and member of Noble Team. The game follows the squad as they make their last stand against the Covenant on the planet Reach, the last line of defence before Earth. Some critics have gone as far as to call Halo Reach the best Halo game of all time, and it’s very easy to see why. Players jumping into the game can expect a top-notch first-person shooter experience, visuals that are nothing short of breath-taking, a hugely engaging narrative and a memorable cast of characters. The original was released for the Xbox 360; however, modern gamers can get their hands on a remastered version of Halo Reach thanks to the Halo Master Chief Collection,which can be found on Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, and PC. 66. Spyro the Dragon (1998) (Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PS4, PS5, Switch, PC) For many of us, Spyro the Dragon is so much more than just a video game from the 90s; he’s the mascot of our childhoods. He was the reason we rushed home from school in the evening, why we always got up super early on a Saturday morning, and why our mums complained that we were always playing on “the Nintendo.” [off-mic] Gosh dang it, Mum, it’s a PlayStation! Put simply, he is nostalgia in a sassy purple reptile form. The first game in the series stars the eponymous dragon as he journeys across the Dragon Kingdom in order to defeat the dastardly Gnasty Gnorc. On his way, he must free the rest of the dragons, each of whom Gnorc has turned into crystal. How rude. Though Spyro the Dragon is aimed at children, and therefore lacks the challenge of some of the other games on this list, it’s still an awful lot of colourful fun to play. Each of the five Homeworlds boasts a unique design, and the wide variety of enemies on offer keeps the gameplay nice and interesting. The original Spyro was a PlayStation exclusive, but the little purple dragon’s exploits can be enjoyed in stunning high-definition on most consoles thanks to the Spyro Reignited Trilogy. The remake, which also includes Spyro 2: Ripto’s Rage and Spyro: Year of the Dragon, can be found on Xbox One and Series, PlayStation 4 and 5, Switch, and PC. 65. Yakuza 0 (Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PS4, PS5, PC) We’re big fans of Yakuza here at Team TripleJump, and if we could have put all eight of the series’ main titles on this list, we would have. That wouldn’t have been very fair to all of the other great games out there though and so, instead, we’ve picked our favourite: Yakuza 0. For the record, you should definitely play the others as well. Released in 2015, Yakuza 0 is a prequel to the first game, set some 17 years before the events of the OG Yakuza. The game follows Kazuma Kiryu and Goro Majima as they become embroiled in a conflict between various Yakuza factions, each of whom seeks control of a patch of land called “The Empty Lot”. Though real estate negotiations might not sound like a particularly exciting premise for a game, you’ve got to remember that these guys are the Japanese mafia, and they tend to settle their arguments with guns and big, pointy knives. Not only is Yakuza 0 incredibly accessible, taking place before the rest of the games, but it’s also an awful lot of fun to play. The story is interesting, the combat harkens back to beat-em-ups of years past, and the whole thing is peppered with Yakuza’s proprietary blend of weirdness. If any of that sounds like your cup of sake, you can find Yakuza 0 on Xbox One and Series, PlayStation 4 and 5, and PC. 64. Dark Souls (2011) (Xbox One, Xbox Series X, PS4, PS5, Switch, PC) To say that Dark Souls is a game that everyone will fall in love with is a bit of a stretch, but it is definitely a title that everyone should play at least once in their lives. The combat is incredibly punishing, but try not to let that put you off, because beyond that, there’s a world of rich lore that’s just asking to be explored. Players start by creating their own character before heading out into the kingdom of Lordran. By speaking to NPCs, collecting items, and just generally exploring, players will uncover the history of the world and figure out who they are and what their place is. Players and critics alike praised Dark Souls for its dark fantasy setting, its deep gameplay, and its level of challenge, which many felt provided a massive sense of accomplishment. Besting an enemy that’s taken a few tries to finally kill really does feel good. It was even named the “Ultimate Game of All Time” at the 2021 Golden Joystick Awards, beating the likes of Minecraft, Half-Life 2, and Doom to the punch. Feeling up for the challenge? You can play the remastered version of Dark Souls on most modern consoles, including the Xbox One and Series, PS4 and 5, and Nintendo Switch. Fret not, PC players, because Dark Souls Remastered is also available on PC and, thankfully, it’s a lot better than that shoddy PC port that was released in 2012. We do not speak of the shoddy port. 63. Spider-Man (2018) (PS4, PS5) If Batman: Arkham Asylum is considered by many to be the best superhero game ever made, then surely 2018’s Spider-Man is a close second? After all, whilst it’s great to explore your dark past, play around with cool Bat-gadgets, and hallucinate your Bat-nips off, it’s an absolute blast to swing around New York City like you don’t have a care in the world. Though it draws from Marvel Comics and other media adaptations of the property, Spider-Man tells a completely new story. Supervillain Mister Negative is looking to seize control of New York’s criminal underworld, and threatens to unleash a deadly virus upon the city. It’s up to Spider-Man to put a stop to his dastardly schemes, all whilst keeping on top of Peter Parker’s many problems. Even if you’re not a massive fan of superheroes, we can almost guarantee you’ll enjoy Spider-Man. The story is engaging, the combat is fast-paced, and the combination of an open world and the web-swinging mechanic makes for a gosh-darned good time. If you’re desperate for your Spidey fix, then you’ll need to dust off that PlayStation 4 or 5 because 2018’s Spider-Man is a console exclusive, my dude. Can’t get enough of Peter Parker? Well, the good news is that a sequel is in development, and the plan is that he’ll be back in 2023. 62. TimeSplitters 2 (Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S) We’d like to take a moment, if we may, to remember our fallen comrade, TimeSplitters. We enjoyed your company very much whilst you were on the PS2, but it seems that you were not long for this world. You may be gone, but you shall never be forgotten. Thankfully, the original TimeSplitters is the only game in the series to be lost to time, as both TimeSplitters 2 and TimeSplitters: Future Perfect can be played on the current generation. The first sequel is our fave, though, hence its spot on this list. TimeSplitters 2 consists of ten different levels, throughout which players must attempt to stop the evil TimeSplitters from ruining history. In order to do so, they must collect crystals in different time periods, from the Old West all the way through the 25th Century. Upon its release, TimeSplitters 2 received universal acclaim, and though its graphics are starting to look a little dated, the gameplay still holds up incredibly well. We recommend getting a couple of friends ‘round to play split-screen for the full nostalgia hit. Though TimeSplitters 2 was originally available on all three major consoles of the generation, it is now unavailable on modern PlayStation and Nintendo machines. Fortunately, backwards compatibility has come to the rescue once again, and so you can relive those heady days of playing TimeSplitters 2 on the Xbox One and Series X/S. Hooray! 61. Ghost of Tsushima (PS4, PS5) If you’re looking to take a trip back in time that’s full of action, suspense, and a little bit of swordplay, then you might just get a kick out of Ghost of Tsushima. Set in the year 1274, Ghost of Tsushima follows protagonist Jin Sakai as he attempts to protect the island of Tsushima from the invading Mongol fleet, led by the ruthless Khotun Khan. Unable to defeat the invaders through traditional samurai tactics, Jin travels throughout the land to recruit allies and must learn guerrilla warfare if he has any hopes of achieving victory against the Mongols. The game features a stunning open world that players are free to explore. Though the story and gameplay are both brilliant, it is the environment that really makes Ghost of Tsushima something special. The entire world has been meticulously designed, resulting in a stunning landscape that is truly breath-taking to behold. Ghost of Tsushima was originally released in 2020 for the PS4, and a Director’s Cut has since been released on both the PS4 and PS5. If you don’t own a PlayStation, then you’re not going to completely miss out, as in 2021, a film adaptation of the game was announced by Sony Pictures. You’ll be pleased to know that, at least at the time of writing, Uwe Boll has nothing to do with it. 60. Pikmin 3 (2013) (Wii U, Switch) The Pikmin series has been around since the turn of the millennium, but the first game and its sequel are becoming harder and harder to play. Both are still available to download on the Wii U, but with the closure of the eShop looming, it won’t be long until they become basically unplayable without some sort of emulator. Though both games are great, it’s difficult for us to recommend titles that may not be readily available in a few months’ time. All is not lost though, as Pikmin 3 is just as good as its predecessors, and can be found on the current generation. Hooray! In Pikmin 3, players can cycle between characters who have been sent to the surface of the planet PNF-404 in order to find fruit seeds that will save their home planet from famine. Whilst there, they befriend the Pikmin, a species of small, insect-like creatures that aid them in their quest. Players can command the Pikmin to combat enemies, collect the spoils of war, and assist in solving the game’s numerous puzzles. Pikmin 3 was first released in 2013 on the Wii U, but has since been ported to the Switch. The port features a brand-new prologue and epilogue, different difficulty settings, co-op play in story mode, and brings back the Piklopedia from Pikmin 2. As if all of that weren’t enough, it also includes all of the DLC from the Wii U version. You can, of course, still buy the game on the Wii U (at least until the eShop closes), but we’d recommend opting for the Switch edition, as you get far more bang for your buck. 59. Mario Kart 8 Deluxe (2017) (Switch) Ever since the release of Super Mario Kart in 1992, the Mario Kart series has been delighting fans of the racing genre with its ever-growing roster of familiar Nintendo characters, colourful tracks, and infuriating power-ups. 2014’s entry into the franchise, Mario Kart 8, takes all the best parts of its predecessors and wraps them up in a shiny package for modern consoles. 2017’s Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, though, is the one to get, as it contains a number of gameplay tweaks and all of the DLC from the original. It boasts dozens of playable characters, with everyone from the main man Mario to The Legend of Zelda’s Link getting in on the action, as well as 48 different tracks. If that’s not enough to keep you occupied, then Nintendo announced in February 2022 that they would be releasing an additional 48 tracks by the end of 2023. This brightly-coloured, fast-paced racer is an absolute must for any occasion where you’ve got two or more people in a room. It’s simple enough for the kiddos to get on board with, but it’s engaging enough to keep the adults entertained for hours on end as well. So, gather your friends and challenge them to a few laps around Rainbow Road! All you’ll need is a Nintendo Switch (and a copy of the game, of course). Whilst we can guarantee you’ll have fun, unfortunately, we can’t guarantee that there won’t be any fallings out when you deploy that last-minute blue shell and snatch victory from one of your mates. 58. Elden Ring (2022) (Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PS4, PS5, PC) We made absolutely no secret of how excited we were for the release of Elden Ring here at Team TripleJump, and it’s safe to say that it does not disappoint. We are still waiting for our promotional Elden Ring sword though. It must have gotten lost in the post. Yeah, that’ll be it. Players are transported to the realm of the Lands Between, where the titular Elden Ring has been shattered and its shards scattered amongst the demigod children of Queen Marika. The player character is a Tarnished; an exile summoned back following the Shattering, and it’s up to them to restore the Elden Ring and become the Elden Lord. It’s kind of like The Lord of the Rings, but backwards. Like Dark Souls and Bloodborne before it, Elden Ring is a punishing game that rewards players who explore and investigate all that the world has to offer. Though the combat is tough, it isn’t completely frustrating. By no means would we say that Elden Ring is suitable for complete novices, but the open-world exploration, various options for overcoming enemies, and fewer instances of boss runs might make it a little less daunting for those who might have been put off by FromSoftware’s previous titles. Are you ready to become the Elden Lord? If so, then you can grab a copy of Elden Ring on Xbox One and Series X/S, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, and PC. Oh, and one last piece of advice: “Try fingers, but hole.” You’ll know what I mean when you get to it. 57. Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 2 (2000) (Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PS4, PS5, Switch, PC) Skateboarding is a really hard sport to get the hang of, and as much as we tried our best to master the ollie as youngsters, our efforts usually just ended in painful owchies. Developer Neversoft clearly recognised that there was a market for uncoordinated kiddos who wanted to feel the rush of skateboarding without the associated health risks, so they got in touch with the Birdman himself, and the Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater series was born. The first game was great, but the sequel was better, taking everything that Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater did and building upon it with better graphics, and the introduction of gameplay mechanics such as cash rewards and the ability for skaters to perform manuals. Plus, the soundtrack was banging from beginning to end. Obviously, we can’t play any of it or we’ll make the YouTube overlords mad, but just imagine that this royalty-free interlude is Rage Against the Machine. [pause for musical interlude] The original Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 2 was released on pretty much every console that was on the market at the time, from the PlayStation through to the Game Boy Advance.These days though, even the PC version is impossible to come by (by non-questionable means, at least). Luckily, Vicarious Visions and Activision were gracious enough to bestow upon us a remake in 2020. Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 1 + 2 can be found on Xbox One and Series, PS4 and 5, Nintendo Switch, and PC, and is a heck of a lot safer than trying to do that kickflip in real life. 56. Soulcalibur II (2002) (Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S) It’s time to throw some hands now as we cast our minds back to 2002 to look at Soulcalibur II, the third instalment in Project Soul and Namco’s Soulcalibur series. The year is 1590AD, and following an unsuccessful attempt by Nightmare to restore Soul Edge, the sword has shattered. Seeking to either destroy the sword or unite its many fragments, numerous warriors embark on a journey to find the pieces, while Nightmare himself sets about collecting souls so that he himself can restore Soul Edge once more and wield the power it possesses. Like most fighting games, Soulcalibur II pits players against a smorgasbord of different enemies and tasks them with giving them a good kicking (or punching). Most characters from the first game have returned in Soulcalibur II, whilst several new ones have been introduced. In addition to the multitudes of different playable characters, there are a whole bunch of game modes for players to pick from. Play through the story in Arcade Mode, fight against the clock in Time Attack, or get a load of folks involved with Versus Team Battle. It’s been twenty years since Soulcalibur II was released, meaning that the original version is quite hard to come by these days. Luckily, in 2013 it got a nice, shiny, HD remaster for the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360. Modern gamers can now find it on the Xbox One and Series via backwards compatibility. 55. Red Dead Redemption 2 (2018) (Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PS4, PS5, PC) Before we get into what a great game Red Dead Redemption 2 is, we’d like to assure you that its inclusion on this list over its predecessor is not a slight against Red Dead Redemption. Red Dead Redemption is a very good game, and we do recommend you pick it up at some point, but, in our opinion at least, Red Dead Redemption 2 is one that you absolutely must play. The game is set in the year 1899, just as the Wild West is declining. This is bad news for Arthur Morgan, an outlaw and gang member who has made his way through life thus far by taking what isn’t his and settling any arguments with a gun. With their lifestyle threatened by the progression of society, Arthur and the Van der Linde gang decide that the only thing left to do is try to get themselves enough money from “one last heist” to retire away from the watchful eyes of the law. Both critics and players alike were hugely impressed by the game’s stunning and vast open world, its graphics, its gameplay, and its writing. Unlike many large games, which can begin to feel like many elements have been recycled after playing for several hours, RDR2 doesn’t become stale. Every environment is well-crafted, every character is fleshed out, and the numerous side quests are varied and engaging. So, what are you waiting for? Grab your cowboy hat and your six-shooter and get to doing what outlaws do best! You can find Red Dead Redemption 2 on Xbox One and Series, PS4 and 5, and PC. Yee-haw! 54. Disco Elysium (2019) (Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PS4, PS5, Switch, PC) If you’ve ever played a tabletop roleplaying game, you’ll know that dice can be cruel. No matter how poorly they treat you, though, you’ll still find yourself going back to them, week after week. It’s like Stockholm Syndrome, but with lots and lots of pretty colours. If you find yourself wishing that you could carry your love of math rocks into other aspects of your life, namely video games, then you might find that you really enjoy 2019’s Disco Elysium. Players take on the role of Harry DuBois, a cop with a substance problem. The game begins with Harry awakening in a trashed hotel room. He has no memory of who or where he is, and all he knows is that he has a severe hangover and a serious lack of trousers. Upon emerging from his room, he learns that he’s been assigned to investigate the death of a man who has been found hanged behind the building in which Harry isstaying. Over the course of the game, players must explore the open world and interact with its inhabitants in order to unravel the mystery. Unlike traditional RPGs, Disco Elysium doesn’t have a combat system. Instead, everything Harry does relies on skill checks. As in a number of TTRPGs, there are things that Harry is good at, and things he’s bad at, and much of his fate rests on the roll of a dice. If you’re feeling lucky, uh, punk, then you can play detective by picking up a copy of Disco Elysium on Xbox One, Series, PS4, PS5, Switch, or PC. May the odds be ever in your favour.   53. Perfect Dark (2000) (Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S) We would have loved to have given a spot on this list to the Nintendo 64 classic GoldenEye 007. Sadly, though, unless you happen to have an old N64 lying around, you’re out of luck when it comes to playing it these days. Fortunately, we are able to recommend GoldenEye 007’s spiritual successor, Perfect Dark, as it’s still available to play on modern consoles. Hooray! The game is set in the distant future of 2023, where humans are stuck in the middle of a conflict between two alien species: the Maians and the Skedar. Christ, as though the past couple of years haven’t been bad enough, now we have intergalactic war to contend with. Unsurprisingly, corporations such as dataDyne have found a way to exploit the war for profit, and it’s down to Carrington Institute agent Joanna Dark to blow the whole conspiracy wide open. Upon its release, Perfect Dark received widespread praise for its graphics, its clever AI, and its gameplay. Most agreed that, from a technical standpoint, it took everything that GoldenEye 007 did right and made it bigger and better. Though it lacked some of the innovation of its predecessor, it was still a triumph of video gaming. The original version of Perfect Dark was a Nintendo 64 exclusive, but a remastered version was released for the Xbox 360 in 2010. It can be picked up these days on the Xbox One and Series as a standalone title, or as part of Rare Replay, which comes with the Perfect Dark remaster and 29 other games from developer Rare. Absolute bargain! 52. Metroid Prime (2002) (Wii U) Do you dream of jetting off into the galaxy to fight intergalactic nasties, but your fear of heights and your lack of astrological know-how have, thus far, prevented you from doing so? Well, you can scratch that itch by simply booting up Metroid Prime. As with the rest of the series, Metroid Prime stars galactic bounty hunter Samus Aran. After intercepting a distress signal from the Space Pirate ship Orpheon, Aran is shocked to find that its entire crew have been slaughtered by the biological experiments the pirates had been working on. Someone’s going to have to clean up this sorry mess and, thankfully, Samus doesn’t have any prior social engagements. Metroid Prime received universal critical acclaim upon its release, and was praised for how successfully it managed to modernise the franchise by bringing it into three dimensions whilst still retaining the series’ essence. As it stands, Metroid Prime is currently only available to play as part of the Metroid Prime Trilogy on the Wii U. As the Wii U eShop closes in March 2023, those looking to get a slice of the action will need to get to it sooner rather than later, as there’s no telling whether Nintendo will re-release the game on more modern platforms. Metroid Prime 4 is in the works though, so maybe, just maybe, the first three games in the series will get some sort of revival. Fingers crossed. 51. Resident Evil 4 (2005) (Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PS4, PS5, Switch, PC) If we’d have left it up to our writers, probably about 10% of this list would have been taken up by titles from the Resident Evil series. That wouldn’t make for very interesting viewing though, so we’ve forced them to pick just two. They ultimately settled on Resident Evil, which we’ve already talked about, and Resident Evil 4. It’s been several years since the Raccoon City incident, and Leon S. Kennedy is now working for the U.S. government. The president’s daughter has been kidnapped by Los Illuminados, a psychotic cult whose leader intends to use the Las Plagas parasite in order to take over the world. If Leon’s got any hope of rescuing the young lass, he’s going to have to head right into the fray. Spain’s quite nice this time of year, though, so I’m sure it’ll be a piece of cake. Unlike the series’ previous titles, Resident Evil 4 takes more of an action-focused approach. The horror is definitely still there, and elements of its predecessors are still very much present (did someone order the green herb?), but there’s less of the survival horror that the franchise was known for. Players will still have to be careful with their ammo and health items as they’re not exactly abundant, but there won’t be that internal struggle over whether or not to fight an enemy. So go ahead and shoot that nasty, chainsaw man right in the face, you floppy-haired Adonis. Resident Evil 4 was originally released on the GameCube, but these days can be found pretty much anywhere you can play video games. 50. Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain (2015) (Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PS4, PS5, PC) [sung badly]Wooooaaahhh, we’re halfway there, WOOOOAAAHHH, TIME FOR METAL GEAR! Sorry, couldn’t resist. There were a whole bunch of Metal Gear games that we would have liked to have put on this list, and we have to give a special shout-out to Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty, a game that was, until late 2021, available to play on a number of modern platforms. Sadly, due to licensing issues, the Metal Gear Solid HD Collection has been pulled from digital storefronts, and there’s no indication of when, if ever, it might return. As upsetting as this news is though, at least we still have Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain. Though there was an awful lot going on between Hideo Kojima and Konami throughout the development of Metal Gear Solid V, it still ended up being a great game. Set almost a decade prior to the original Metal Gear, The Phantom Pain tells the story of Venom Snake, who is on a quest for vengeance after his men were murdered at the end of Ground Zeroes. Upon its release, The Phantom Pain received universal critical acclaim.Both audiences and professional reviewers alike lauded the open world and the freedom given to players. They also praised the performances of the voice cast, which included the likes of Troy Baker and Mr. 24 himself, Kiefer Sutherland, and the mature themes presented within the game. Hideo Kojima’s final Metal Gear game was originally released on the PS3 and 4, Xbox 360 and One, and PC, and is now also available on Xbox Series X and S, and PS5. 49. Kirby’s Adventure (1993) (, Wii U, Switch, 3DS) Ever since he first appeared in 1992’s Kirby’s Dream Land, Nintendo’s spherical, pink protagonist has been a favourite of fans the world over. Whilst the debut of Kirby was an awful lot of fun, his second outing, Kirby’s Adventure, is considered by most to be the superior title. We join Kirby as he attempts to track down the pieces of the Star Rod that has been dismantled by King Dedede. Kirby believes that Dedede has stolen the rod for evil purposes, and sets out to rebuild it so that it can once again power the Fountain of Dreams. Kirby’s Adventure is not only an incredibly cutesy experience for anyone who plays it, but it is also the first time that Kirby is granted his now famous Copy ability, through which he can absorb the powers of those he meets or, rather, those he eats. Players agreed that the addition of this mechanic was part of the reason that they enjoyed Kirby’s Adventure a whole lot more than Kirby’s Dream Land. Though it was originally released for the NES all the way back in 1993, an emulated version of Kirby’s Adventure is available to modern players, as long as they own a Nintendo Switch, Wii U or a 3DS. As mentioned previously though:the Wii U and 3DS eShopsare closing soon, so unless you plan on snagging the title via the Switch NES app, buy now, thank me later. 48. Tetris Effect: Connected (1984) (Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PS4, PS5, Switch, PC) We feel like, by this point, there are very few people out there who haven’t played Tetris at some point in their lives. The simple-yet-addictive puzzle game burst onto the scene in 1984, and has been ported to almost every electronic device with a screen in the years since. If you’re unfamiliar with Tetris (and if that’s the case, then welcome to civilization, I assume you’re new here), the premise is rather straightforward. Players start with an empty grid, which slowly fills with geometric shapes (or Tetrominoes if you wanna get technical about this) that fall from the top of the screen. The idea is to move the shapes so that they stack together neatly.If you manage to fill a row, it will disappear, freeing up space for more blocks. Filling a row grants points, and when a certain number of points are accrued, you get to move up a level. There have been dozens of versions of Tetris released over the years, both licensed and not, and the game has appeared on everything from the Commodore 64 to graphics calculators. A great version to pick up these days is Tetris Effect: Connected, which puts a modern twist on the classic title, retaining the core gameplay mechanics, but bringing everything into the 21st century with outstanding visuals, an updated soundtrack, and additional game modes. If you’re in the mood for a bit of blocky fun, thenTetris Effect: Connectedcan be found on the Xbox One and Series, PS4 and 5, Nintendo Switch, and PC. 47. Final Fantasy VII (1997) (Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PS4, PS5, Switch, PC) In 1987 Square Enix released a game for the NES titled Final Fantasy. Just a year later, however, audiences found that they had been lied to, as it transpired that that title was not, in fact, the final fantasy, but one of many. Where do the lies end, Square? Obviously, I jest, and over the years, the Final Fantasy series has gone from strength to strength, earning itself millions upon millions of fans all around the world. Most agree though, that the franchise’s seventh entryis the best of the lot. Players jump into the shoes if the Buster Sword-wielding Cloud Strife as he joins the eco-terrorist group AVALANCHE and attempts to prevent the evil Shinra corporation from draining the planet of its life essence, which they intend to use as an energy source. He and his allies must also face the psychotic and narcissistic Sephiroth, a former member of Shinra who seeks to destroy the world. Thanks to its wonderfully rich and engaging story, its stunning world design, and its cast of instantly lovable characters, Final Fantasy VII is considered by many to be amongst the greatest games of all time. A remake of the first part of Final Fantasy VII was released in 2020, and several outlets have estimated that the next chapter will be available towards the end of 2022, though at the time of writing, nothing is confirmed. Those unwilling to wait for the remake can enjoy the entirety of the original on most modern machines, including Xbox One, Series X/S, PS4, PS5, Nintendo Switch, and, of course, PC. 46. Hitman: Blood Money (2006) (Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PS4, PS5, PC) Although the Hitman series has been regularly churning out titles since the year 2000, it wasn’t until 2006 that the franchise gave us a game that was worthy of consideration for a list such as this one. Don’t get us wrong, the first three Hitman games were perfectly serviceable stealth titles, but none of them hold a candle to Hitman: Blood Money. The assassin Agent 47 makes his triumphant return in Blood Money, and this time he’s taking on the Franchise, a rival contract killing organisation that threatens hisemployers, and seeks to get their grubby hands on the same cloning technology that created 47. Though its advertisementsgeneratedsomecontroversy due to their depictions of various murder victims, the actual game was incredibly well received. Perhaps most notably, Blood Money garnered an awful lot of praise for the variety of options that each level gave to players, meaning that not only was there plenty of choice when it came to the method of killing the targets, but that there was also scope for replayability. Think you’ve got what it takes to make it as a master assassin? The original version of the game can be found on PC.If you fancy seeing those sweet, sweet kills in stunning high definition though, you can pick up the Hitman HD Enhanced Collection, which comes with both Blood Money and Hitman: Absolution, on the Xbox One and Series, and the PlayStation 4 and 5. 45. Unpacking (2021) (Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, Switch, PC) If I were to tell you that a game that simulates unpacking boxes following a house move was an absolute must-play, you’d probably think I’d lost my mind. That’s exactly what 2021’s Unpacking is though, and far from being a snooze-fest, the whole experience is thoroughly entertaining. The game begins in a child’s bedroom, and players must open the cardboard boxes and find a place for everything. Some items can only go in certain places, so you’ll have to think carefully before putting everything away. The game is not just an unpacking simulator, however; it tells a wonderful story, albeit incredibly subtly. There is no dialogue and very little in the way of text, so players have to infer what has happened in the protagonist’s life through the items they take with them and the places they move to, and it’s hugely exciting to be a part of their biggest milestones. Unpacking can be finished in a single afternoon, though the achievement system, which consists of adorable stickers, gives players the opportunity to replay the game time and time again. Players will come for the retro art style, soothing soundtrack, and cathartic gameplay, but will stay for the plot, even if only to find out what happens to the little pink pig plushie. If you’re feeling like a bit of organisation is the cure for what ails you, then Unpacking can be found on Xbox One and Series, Switch, and PC. 44. Devil May Cry (2001) (Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PS4, PS5, Switch, PC) Here’s a fun fact for you: Did you know that Capcom originally conceived Devil May Cry as Resident Evil 4, but it didn’t really fit the franchise, and so it ended up becoming a brand-new IP instead. See? You can’t say we never teach you anything on this channel. Based very, very loosely on the epic poem The Divine Comedy, Devil May Cry is focussed on demon hunter Dante, named after Dante Alighieri, who wrote the aforementioned ode to wandering through the afterlife. After meeting a woman named Trish, Dante embarks on a quest to destroy the demon lord Mundus, the nasty boy responsible for the deaths of Dante’s brother and mother. At the time of its release, Devil May Cry received a great deal of praise for its innovative gameplay and visuals, and though both may seem a little quaint by today’s standards, Devil May Cry is still worth your time. Dante himself is a very likable protagonist, and the game’s gothic stylings are sure to resonate with anyone who had a bit of an emo phase growing up (and let’s face it, most of us did). Reckon you’re ready to take on the legions of Hell? You can pick up a remastered version of Devil May Cry, along with its first twosequels, as part of the Devil May Cry HD Collection, available on Xbox One and Series, PS4 and 5, Switch, and PC. 43. What Remains of Edith Finch (2017) (Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PS4, PS5, Switch, PC) Over the years, we video game fans have become accustomed to titles that pack in tonnes of action, so it can be a little strange when a game comes along that encourages players to take their time to carefully explore their surroundings. We’d like to assure you though, that although What Remains of Edith Finch has been described by some as a “walking simulator,” such a description is neither a slight, nor is it entirely accurate, and the title is very much worth spending a couple of hours with. The aim of What Remains of Edith Finch is to explore the Finch family’s abandoned home and piece together a number of events that take place between 1937 and the present day. They are all connected to a central theme: the family’s belief that they are cursed, and doomed to die young. Upon its release in 2017, What Remains of Edith Finch received critical acclaim, with audiences giving particular praise to its gut-wrenching yet enchanting story. Players won’t find any high-speed car chases or adrenaline-fuelled gun fights, but what they will get from What Remains of Edith Finch is a touching and emotional experience that will keep them glued to their screens for the entirety of its runtime. Want to know exactly what does remain of Edith Finch? You can find out on Xbox One, Xbox Series X and S, PlayStation 4 and 5, Switch, and PC. 42. The Walking Dead (2012) (Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PS4, PS5, Switch, PC) Prior to the studio’s closure in 2018, Telltale Games were famed for creating brilliant episodic, story-based adventures based on some of the world’s most popular franchises. Their takes on Game of Thrones, Batman, and Borderlands are all excellent examples of the studio’s work, but it’s 2012’s The Walking Dead that came out as the favourite of most of us here at Team TripleJump. We have nothing against Telltale’s other The Walking Dead titles, but in our opinion, Season One is the best of the bunch. Players take on the role of Lee, a man who is on his way to jail when the zombie outbreak occurs. He soon finds Clementine, a little girl who has been hiding in a tree house after being left with a babysitter. The pair form an unlikely partnership, and must do what they can to outlast not only the hordes of walkers, but numerous hostile survivors as well. The game weaves a number of very human stories against a horror backdrop, and players can expect to make an awful lot of difficult choices throughout The Walking Dead. It’s worth bearing in mind, though, that while there are a lot of heart-breaking moments, there are also a great deal of heart-warming ones as well. If you think you could survive the zombie apocalypse, then you can find The Walking Dead: The Complete First Season on Xbox One, Series X and S, PS4, PS5, Switch, and, of course, PC. 41. Journey (2012) (PS4, PS5, PC) [sung badly] Journey’s a smalltown game That very quickly shot to fame Back when it first released in March 2012 Become some guy in robes Sometimes he walks, sometimes he floats He’s got to get to that mountain way over there… [record scratch]That’s quite enough of that. If we had to sum up 2012’s Journey in just one word, that word would probably be “awe-inspiring.” Actually, I’d better check with one of the writers if that’s two words… [off mic] Philip? Is “awe-inspiring” one word or two? He says it’s hyphenated, so I think we’re fine. As one might assume from the title, the game sees players embarking on a journey, one which has them making their way towards a distant mountain. Along the way, you may meet other players who can assist you, but neither of you can communicate with each other except through physical actions and signals. Despite this, it’s very easy to become attached to those you meet, even though you never exchange a single word, and won’t know each other’s names until the credits roll. Both the PS3 and PS4 versions of the game earned themselves a very respectable 92 out of 100 on Metacritic, and Journey received accolades for everything from its art direction to its music and sound design. Those looking to embark on this awe-inspiring expedition can pick up Journey on PlayStation 4 and 5. If you don’t happen to own either of those consoles, then you’ll be pleased to know that Journey was also released on PC in 2019. 40. Life is Strange (2015) (Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PS4, PS5, Switch, PC) Do you like making choices? Do you like making lots of choices? Do you like making lots of choices that could have life-or-death consequences? Then, oh boy, do I have a recommendation for you. Life is Strange centres on Max, a teenage girl who discovers she has the power to rewind time. As the game progresses, Max is placed into a number of situations in which she can use her power to alter the outcome. As an example, at the beginning of the game, she sees her friend, Chloe, get shot in a bathroom, but is able to rewind time in order to prevent it from happening. She’s also faced with several choices throughout the game that can affect how the story pans out. Choosing to do something like comforting an upset student may seem trivial, but it can have massive consequences further down the line. Upon its release in 2015, Life is Strange wowed critics and audiences with its captivating story, multi-dimensional characters, and gameplay mechanics. What was perhaps most impressive, though, was that the game presented players with choices that mattered, even if the outcome wasn’t clear until much later in the game. If you’re up for a spot of time manipulation, then you can pick up the original version of Life is Strange on Xbox One and Series, PS4 and 5, and PC. Or, if you’d prefer slightly shinier graphics, you can also grab a copy of the remastered version on all of the aforementioned platforms and the Nintendo Switch. 39. Final Fantasy X (2001) (Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PS4, PS5, PS Vita, Switch, PC) If Final Fantasy VII is our absolute favourite of Square Enix’sepic RPG series, then Final Fantasy X comes in at a very close second. For the series’ tenth numbered outing, players are transported to the world of Spira and set out on a quest to defeat the rampaging monster Sin. The game’s protagonist is the Blitzball star Tidus, who becomes embroiled in the whole affair when Sin destroys Zanarkand, his home city. Alongside several other playable characters, he must find a way to stop Sin before it’s too late. Not only were players treated to an epic tale of good versus evil, but they also got to enjoy a fully voice-acted Final Fantasy title for the first time ever, with James Arnold Taylor, Tara Strong, and John DiMaggio lending their legendary talents to the English dub. Final Fantasy X also received a great deal of praise for refining a number of gameplay mechanics that had, in previous games, been a little on the clunky side. In particular, the updated combat system and the ability to switch out characters mid-battle were called out as welcome additions to the game. Despite being over twenty years old, you can still snag a copy of Final Fantasy X, albeit a remastered version, on most current and previous gen consoles. The game is available on Xbox One, Series X/S, PS4 and 5, Switch, PC, and even the PlayStation Vita. 38. Celeste (2018) (Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PS4, PS5, Switch, PC) Mental health problems are something that many of us struggle with on a day-to-day basis, and though some days may be a walk in the park, others feel like you’re trying to scale a mountain. These are exactly the feelings that game developer Maddy Thorson wanted to convey when she created Celeste. The game tells the story of Madeline, a young woman who attempts to climb the fictional Mount Celeste, all whilst struggling with her own demons. Madeline’s fight to overcome the mountain, which is both literal and allegorical for her depression and anxiety, is representative of the battles with mental health and gender identity that Thorson was facing in her own life, and one that will resonate with many players. In terms of gameplay, Celeste is a platformer, and so players must run, jump, climb, and air dash through the levels in order to guide Madeline to the summit. Players can also find collectables as they progress, including strawberries, which can affect the game’s ending, cassette tapes that unlock harder versions of each level, and crystal hearts that can be used to access additional content. Celeste can be found pretty much anywhere you prefer to play video games, so regardless of whether you’re Team PlayStation, Nintendo, Xbox, or PC, you can help yourself to a slice of the mountain-climbing action. Before you rush out to buy a copy though, just remember that if you are struggling with your mental health, you’re not alone, and help is out there. 37. Gears of War (2006) (Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PC) According to a very small minority of hardcore console fans, there’s no reason to buy an Xbox because Microsoft has “no exclusives.” The Gears of War series hears that sentiment and it laughs, because it is one of the best arguments there is for going out right this second and nabbing yourself an Xbox. We could have chosen any of the franchise’s main entries for this list but, in our opinion, you can’t go far wrong with the title that started it all. Gears of War is set on the planet Sera, and follows a military squad as they make a last-ditch attempt to end a war against a race of genocidal aliens known as the Locust, and save what few humans remain on the planet. Back when it was released in 2006, Gears of War received universal critical acclaim. Admittedly, it doesn’t bring much new to the third-person shooter table in terms of its gameplay, but everything it tries to do, it does extremely well, resulting in an action-packed space-romp that’s a fantastically fun way to pass the time. After all, isn’t that what we’re all here for? As we’ve already mentioned, the game is a Microsoft exclusive, so if you’re lacking a PC or an Xbox, then sadly, there’s no Gears of War for you. If you do happen to have a PC or an Xbox One, Series X, or Series S, then congratulations! You get to revel in all of the shooty-shooty fun-times courtesy of the Gears of War: Ultimate Edition. 36. Doom (2016) (Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PS4, PS5, Switch, PC) The original Doom from 1993 is considered by many to be one of the founding fathers of the modern FPS genre, and for good reason. At the time of its release, it was refreshingly tense and violent, and though by today’s standards, it looks a little simplistic, it’s important to appreciate just how much influence Doom had on many games that have come since. Of course, we recommend giving the OG Doom a bash if you get the chance, if for no other reason than that it’s a piece of gaming history, but if there’s one Doom title that we reckon absolutely everyone should play, it’s the2016 reboot. In the series’ triumphant return, players take on the role of an unnamed space marine known only as the Doom Slayer, and must take out the demonic forces of Hell that have been unleased within an energy mining facility on Mars. In terms of its tone, Doom 2016 was a drastic departure from its predecessor,Doom 3, which took on several elements from the survival horror genre. Here, players can expect an action-packed gore-fest from the second they boot up the game, all set to a pounding heavy metal soundtrack. If you like space, guns, and shooting demons in their stupid, stupid faces, then Doom is most certainly the game for you. You can jump into the heavily-armoured shoes of the Doom Slayer on pretty much all modern consoles, as well as on PC. By “all modern consoles” we obviously mean Xbox One and Series, PS4 and 5, and Switch. 35. Quake (1996) (Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PS4, PS5, Switch, PC) Are you in the market for a dark and gritty first-person shooter with H.P. Lovecraft vibes and a soundtrack written by Trent Reznor and Nine Inch Nails? Well, first of all, that’s really a quite specific ask but, luckily for you, we have just the thing! Quake sees players thrust into a world in which the government has been working on teleportation technology. Naturally, there are beasties out there who are more than happy to exploit this, and so it isn’t long before the mysterious Quake connect their own teleportation systems to the human one, and begin sending in death squads. You, yes you, must take on the role of Ranger, and fight your way through hordes of monsties in order to collect four magic runes and stop the enemy once and for all. Quake received universal critical acclaim upon its release, and sits among the best games of all time. Though its graphics are showing some signs of age, Quake is exciting, action-packed and, thanks to Reznor’s spooky soundtrack, downright unnerving in places. Though Quake is over a quarter of a century old, it can still be played on pretty much all modern hardware. In 2021, Bethesda released a remastered version of Quake on Xbox One and Series, PS4 and 5, Switch, and PC, which not only includes the base game, but also a whole bunch of additional content as well. 34. Metal Gear Solid (1998) (PC) Once upon a time, back before they troubled themselves only with pachinko machines and terrible business decisions, Konami actually made some really good games. Sadly, because of said terrible business decisions, many have been lost to time, but one great title of theirs that you can still snap up is 1998’s Metal Gear Solid. The game sees Solid Snake pulled out of retirement in order to neutralise the terrorist threat of FOXHOUND. Not only does he need to prevent them from launching a nuclear strike, but he must also free the hostages the group has taken. Though Snake is a proven warrior, his strengths lie in stealth, so players will need to strategize carefully, using Snake’s many abilities and fancy gadgets, in order to ensure that he stays under the radar and out of trouble. When it was released, there were some who called Metal Gear Solid the best game ever made, and regardless of whether you agree with the sentiment, it’s impossible to deny that its gameplay and story earn the game a place among the greats. These days, you can only find Metal Gear Solid on PC, and if you are looking for a copy, you’ll need to hit up the good folks at GOG.com, as they’re the only digital storefront we could find that still carries it. 33. Grim Fandango (1998) (Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PS4, PS5, Switch, PC) The concept of death is both fascinating and terrifying in equal measure, and though no one truly knows what happens when we bite the big one, that hasn’t stopped video game developers the world over from exploring what the afterlife might be like. According to Grim Fandango, when we die, we go to the Land of the Dead, the starting point for our journey to the Land of Eternal Rest. Those who have led good lives are rewarded with deluxe transportation, whereas those who have been less than stellar whilst living must make the voyage on foot. The story of Grim Fandango follows Manny, a travel agent working in the Land of the Dead, as he attempts to escort virtuous soul Meche on her journey to the Land of Eternal Rest. Despite being a commercial failure, Grim Fandango received critical acclaim. Audiences and critics alike were impressed by the film noir style of the game, its cast of wacky characters, its challenging yet engaging puzzles, and its sense of humour, which dabbles in both the dark and the light. Grim Fandango received a remaster in 2015, which featured updated graphics and controls. You can find it on Xbox One, Series X and S, PlayStation 4 and 5, Switch, and PC. 32. Super Smash Bros. Ultimate (2018) (Switch) Do you like the idea of being able to kick the living daylights out of your friends, but your underground illegal fight club got shut down by the police? Well, perhaps you might want to think about going digital with your ass-whopping exploits by picking up a copy of Super Smash Bros. Ultimate on the Nintendo Switch. The fifth instalment in the Smash Bros. franchise retains the same basic premise as its predecessors. A handful of colourful characters meet in an arena, and each must use their own arsenal of moves in order to best their opponents. It’s fast-paced, chaotic and, if you’ve got a few mates to play it with, it’s heaps of fun. Super Smash Bros. Ultimate boasts the biggest roster of characters yet, bringing back all fighters from previous games, as well as adding several new ones. Players can pick from Nintendo mascots such as Mario, Kirby, and Link, or third-party favourites such as Richter Belmont, Bayonetta, and Mega Man. The great thing about Ultimate is that it takes everything that its predecessors did right, and builds on it with improved gameplay and a larger cast of characters and stages, perfectly balancing innovation with nostalgia. As with the rest of the games in the Smash Bros. franchise, Super Smash Bros. Ultimate is a Nintendo exclusive, so if you do have a hankering to beat up your friends, Jigglypuff-style, then you’ll need to invest in a Nintendo Switch. 31. Everybody’s Gone to the Rapture (2015) (PS4, PS5, PC) It’s not very often that we come across a game that reveals most of its story in its very title, but just because you know where everyone’s gone, doesn’t mean you know why they’ve gone there, and it’s for that reason that you need to play Everybody’s Gone to the Rapture. Originally released for the PS4 in 2015, Everybody’s Gone to the Rapture is set in an idyllic English village and charges the player with finding out how and why its inhabitants have all disappeared. Exploring the village and interacting with different objects will give players snippets of conversations and events that have previously occurred, and so they’ll slowly be able to piece together the puzzle in order to figure out just what on Earth has happened. Some outlets criticised Everybody’s Gone to the Rapture for its lack of interactivity and, in fairness, the title does prioritise its plot over its gameplay, but it still ranked among many critics’ games of the year. The game weaves a beautiful yet heart-breaking story about the end of the world, and immerses players in a stunning environment that’s brought to life by a rich cast of characters and fantastic score that suitsthe game perfectly. If you’re ready to unravel the mystery, you can pick up a copy of Everybody’s Gone to the Rapture on PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, and PC. 20. The Sims 3 (2009) (PC) Trying to pick a Sims game to put on this list was a real Herculean task, I’ll tell you. Were we supposed to go for the title that achieved the most from a technical standpoint, or the one that invoked the most feelings of nostalgia? In the end we went for a combination of both and picked The Sims 3, which brings good, varied gameplay to the table, as well stirs up fond memories. As with all of the main Sims titles, the aim of the game is to create a Sim, or family of Sims, move them into a home, and ensure that all of their needs are met in a timely manner. There’s a plethora of design choices, both for your Sims and their dwellings, a bunch of different career paths to pick, and lots of fun ways to murder your Sims once you get sick of them. Drown them, burn them, or simply lock them in a room and starve them. The world really is your oyster. Unlike its predecessors, however, The Sims 3 included a larger world that players could freely wander around, meaning they could visit neighbours and local businesses without having to sit through long, boring loading screens. Though The Sims 3 did get ports to the Xbox 360, PS3, Wii, and 3DS, it is now only available on the PC, which is, in our opinion at least, the best way to play it anyway. 19. System Shock 2 (1999) (PC) I can sense that some of you are filled with rage because we’ve included both BioShock and BioShock Infinite on this list, but have not, thus far, given a nod to the System Shockseries that heavily inspired them. If you are one of those people, then please take a moment to pour yourself a soothing cup of camomile tea and calm down, because here isSystem Shock 2. The game takes place aboard the Von Braun spaceship, with players assuming the role of the last remaining soldier who awakens from cryo-sleep to find that the rest of the ship’s crew have been infected by a parasite that has integrated them into a hive mind known as “The Many.” System Shock 2 combines first-person action with horror and suspense to create a terrifying gameplay experience that will immediately hook players. The first game was great, but the refinement of the gameplay and combat, plus the addition of the role-playing elements makes System Shock 2 the title that’s a must-play. Ever since its launch in 1999, System Shock 2 has been a PC exclusive. An enhanced edition of the game is currently in development, which is set to include a VR mode, though at the time of writing, a release date has not been confirmed, and it’s likely that this too will only get a PC release. Sorry, console fans. At least you have BioShock. 18. Mortal Kombat 11 (2019) (Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PS4, PS5, Switch, PC) Now, we know there are some of you out there who enjoy Mortal Kombat for the story, and that’s okay! If you are interested in diving into the insanely complex lore, then you will probably need to start with 1992’s Mortal Kombat and work your way forward from there. If you’re here for what most people are here for, i.e., ensuring that spines and their owners swiftly part company, then we heartily recommend 2019’s Mortal Kombat 11. If you’re unfamiliar with the Mortal Kombat series, the gameplay consists of two interdimensional beings, controlled either by two players or a player and the computer, beating the crap out of each other until one of them dies in spectacularly gory fashion. Why do we recommend MK11 over the rest of the gamesin the series? Is it the intricate narrative or the complex and well-written characters? In short, no. We recommend it because it has the best graphics, the smoothest controls, and the most gruesome fatalities, plus a huge roster of fighters. The base game boasts 25 different playable characters, which include old-school fan favourites like Scorpion, Shao Kahn, and Liu Kang, plus new additions Cetrion, Geras, and Kollector. Plus, if you’re willing to shell out a few dollarydoos for the DLC, you can even play as pop culture icons such as John Rambo, the Terminator, and the Joker. Ready to back, forward, back, Y your way to a flawless victory? You can pick up a copy of Mortal Kombat 11 on most modern consoles. For clarity, or if you haven’t been paying attention for the past eighty-plus entries, the game is available on Xbox One and Series, PS4 and 5, Switch, and PC. 17. Shadow of the Colossus (2018) (PS4, PS5) You might not think it, but Mortal Kombat 11 and Shadow of the Colossus have an awful lot in common. After all, Mortal Kombat has players kicking the crap out of various different fighters, and Shadow of the Colossus kicks the crap out of its players’ emotions. See? They’re basically the same game; I don’t know why we’re recommending both. Jokes aside, Shadow of the Colossus is an unforgettable gaming experience that will stick in players’ minds long after the credits have rolled. The game tells the story of Wander, a young man on a mission to resurrect the fair maiden Mono. On his journey, Wander encounters Dormin, who tells him that he will return Mono’s soul to her body if Wander will slay the sixteen Colossi that roam the world. Willing to do whatever it takes to revive the young lass, Wander embarks on the dangerous quest. Aside from the fact that the original Shadow of the Colossus was exclusive to the PS2 and is, therefore, rather hard to come by these days, there are a few reasons we recommend playing the remake. Its gameplay and story are basically identical to the 2005 version, but the bonus of playing the remake is that you get nice, shiny, updated graphics and a reworked control scheme. Shadow of the Colossus is exclusive to PlayStation, and there’s no evidence to suggest that that’s likely to change any time soon, so if you are looking to take on the Colossi, then you’ll need a PS4 or 5 in order to do it. 16. KatamariDamacy Reroll (2018) (Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PS4, PS5, Switch, PC) Do you like bright, colourful video games with adorable protagonists and unique gameplay mechanics? Then, oh boy, are you going to love KatamariDamacy Reroll, the remaster of 2004’s KatamariDamacy. Players assume the role (geddit?) of the Prince, a tiny creature whose father, the King of All Cosmos, has managed to destroy almost everything in the universe whilst on a drunken bender. Don’t worry mate, it happens to the best of us. Keen to restore the galaxy to its former glory, the King tasks the Prince with collecting matter on Earth, which he must do by utilising the katamari which, when rolled, will pick up anything smaller than it. Though the gameplay is fairly simple, it’s also incredibly addictive. The levels all require players to roll the katamari over objects in order to grow it to the required size, or to pick up a certain item, and all within a time limit. With that said, the game never gets repetitive, as the level design is varied enough to keep players entertained as they scramble to collect enough knickknacks in time. Anyone willing to mop up the King of All Cosmos’ mighty mess can do so on current and previous generation Xbox and PlayStation, as well as Switch and PC. 15. DuckTales (1989) (Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PS4, PS5, PC) After trying and failing to come up with an adequate rhyme for “DuckTales,” our writer gave up on writing a short song, based on the DuckTales theme tune, to open this entry. We’re just making you aware of the pain from which you have been spared. You’re welcome. Released all the way back in 1989 for the NES, DuckTales is based upon the Disney TV show of the same name, and follows the adventures of Scrooge McDuck as he travels the world collecting treasure. You know, because he’s not already rich enough. Meanwhile, the dastardly FlintheartGlomgold is also on the hunt for the booty, and it’s up to Scrooge to beat him to the punch or risk not becoming the world’s richest duck. DuckTales features multiple different levels, each of which can be visited in any order, though some require items acquired in the others in order to complete them. It’s definitely a game that was made with a younger audience in mind, but don’t let that put you off, because DuckTales is bright, colourful, and lovingly designed. If you’re ready to get smacked in the face by a whole load of nostalgia, then you can find DuckTales as part of The Disney Afternoon Collection, which is available on Xbox One, Series X/S, PS4, PS5, and PC. You can generally pick it up for about the price of a takeaway pizza, and it comes with five other Disney classics, including Chip ‘n Dale Rescue Rangers, TaleSpin, and Darkwing Duck. 14. Cave Story+ (2011) (Switch, PC) If you have any sort of interest in game development, you’ll know that a lot of work goes into making your favourite titles. Studios can often consist of tens, if not hundreds of people, so it’s pretty impressive when an entire game is developed by just a handful of folks or, in the case of Cave Story, one person. The original version can be downloaded, free of charge, by visiting the game’s official website, but although it’s great, we would recommend splashing the cash and going for Cave Story+, which will give you a whole lot more bang for your buck. The game tells the story of a robot named Quote, who awakens in a cave with amnesia. In order to escape and figure out who he is, he must explore his surroundings and blast his way into new areas to uncover clues. In terms of gameplay, Cave Story has Metroidvania elements, so players can expect a whole load of platforming, puzzles, and a little backtracking here and there. Cave Story+ features a number of things that the original didn’t, including several additional modes from the WiiWare version of the game, a remastered soundtrack, and the option to choose either the WiiWare graphics and music or the classic ones. If spelunking with a robot sounds like your cup of tea, then you can find Cave Story+ on the Nintendo Switch and PC. 13. Deus Ex (2000) (PC) Long before Cyberpunk 2077 was disappointing gaming fans en masse, there were a number of great games that gave the world a slightly grim view of how the future might look if cybernetic enhancements become the norm. If that sounds like your idea of a good time, then we highly recommend that you check out Deus Ex, the gritty action-RPG released in 2000. Deus Ex is set in the year 2052, and paints a frankly horrifying picture of a cyberpunk dystopian world. The game tells the story of JC Denton, an agent of the United Nations Anti-Terrorist Coalition, who is forced to question everything he knows after learning that the organisation he works for isn’t all it’s cracked up to be. In fact, it turns out that it’s responsible for ensuring that only the wealthy are vaccinated against the Grey Death virus that has cost the lives of millions. Not cool. Deus Ex’s major selling point is player choice, as the game allows players to complete missions in any way they see fit. Sneak through levels to reach the objective undetected, go for a guns-blazing approach, or try to settle things with words; it really is up to you how things play out. If you’re interested in experiencing a world ravaged by economic inequality and a deadly plague, then you could just step outside. You’d be better staying indoors, closing the curtains, and playing Deus Ex on PC though. 12. Assassin’s Creed II (2009) (Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PS4, PS5, Switch, PC) We come now to yet another franchise where we found it difficult to pick a favourite. We must give honourable mentions to the original Assassin’s Creed, Assassin’s Creed III, Black Flag, and the most recenttrio of titles, because they all have a great number of strengths that make them fantastic gaming experiences. If you only have the time for one Assassin’s Creed game though, we highly recommend picking up a copy of the series’ second main outing. AC2 is the first game in the series to star Ezio Auditore da Firenze, ancestor of the modern-day protagonist, Desmond Miles. The vast majority of the game takes place in the 1400s as Desmond relives several events in Ezio’s life by utilising the Animus, a virtual reality machine that allows users to experience the genetic memories of others. Assassin’s Creed II received universal critical acclaim upon its release in 2009. Reviewers called out the story as a high point, praising the fact that it tied up the loose ends from the previous game, whilst delivering excitement throughout. There was also a lot of love for the combat, stealth, and parkour mechanics, all of which had been improved to the point of near-perfection. The original version of Assassin’s Creed II can be found on PC, or on Xbox One and Series via backwards compatibility. Alternatively, if you’d prefer to pick up the shiny remaster, you can find that as part of Assassin's Creed: The Ezio Collection on Xbox One and Series, PS4 and 5, and Switch.   11. Sid Meier’s Civilization IV (2005) (PC) Do you feel like, if given the opportunity, you’d be really good at building your own empire? If so, then you might be interested in Sid Meier’s Civilization series. We can’t put an entire franchise on this list though, that would be cheating, so instead we’ve picked the series’ fourth outing. The aim of Civilization IV is pretty simple. You, the player, take on the role of a world leader, and it’s up to you to conquer the globe in one of several ways. You might be a military tactician, stomping on any other nations that stand in your way. If science is your thing, you might try to win the space race. Or perhaps you just want to spread the culture of your fictional country and become the dominant power that way. It may sound straightforward, but actually playing the game is a fine art, and you’ll need a cool head on your shoulders if you’re going to outwit your opponents. Why play Civ IV over any of the others? Well, the game takes the turn-based strategy components from its predecessors and improves upon them, with changes made to the combat, diplomacy, and great people systems, all of which work in the game’s favour. Civ IV also added in multiplayer, allowing players to compete against their friends for that all-important victory. If you’re ready to conquer the world, then you can find Sid Meier’s Civilization IV on PC. Those willing to splash out a couple of extra dollarydoos can also treat themselves to the Complete Edition, which comes with the base game, plus the major expansions, Warlords and Beyond the Sword, and the standalone expansion, Colonization. 10. Stardew Valley (2016) (Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PS4, PS5, PS Vita, Switch, PC) You might not have noticed, but we really love video games here at Team TripleJump. If we had one complaint though, it’s that they can be super-duper violent. Don’t get us wrong, sometimes we need a bit of virtual violence to help take away the stresses of daily life but, just occasionally, we find ourselves craving a bit of wholesomeness. Enter Stardew Valley, the 2016 farming simulator from Eric “ConcernedApe” Barone. The game begins with players receiving a letter from their deceased grandfather, which tells them that he’s left them a farm, and they’re welcome to take it over whenever modern life becomes too stressful. The farm is on the outskirts of a small town called Stardew Valley and, oh boy, does it need a lot of work. The gameplay starts out quite straightforward, but can become as complex as you’d like. Begin by tilling the land and sowing a few seeds and, once they’re grown, you can sell them to Pierre for a tidy profit. As you become more accomplished, you can raise animals, make jam, and even produce your own wine, all to add to that all-important bank balance. Players can also befriend locals, get married, and contribute to the community centre to help kick that no-good Joja Mart out of town! Feel like a life on the farm is exactly what you’re looking for? You can pick up a copy of Stardew Valley on Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PlayStation 4, 5, Vita, Switch, and PC. 9. Animal Crossing: New Horizons (2020) (Switch) We’re sticking with the wholesome stuff for the time being as we take a look at Animal Crossing: New Horizons, a title that allows players to escape to their very own desert island to live alongside a bunch of friendly critters. Upon landing in the tropical paradise, players are greeted by Tom Nook, who introduces them to their new dwellings, before quickly demanding some moolah to pay for it all. Not to worry, though; there are plenty of ways to make money: Plant fruit trees, fish for rare specimens, or, if you’re serious about paying off that greedy racoon, try your luck on the Stalk Market, buying and selling turnips for bags of cash. Just don’t do what our writer did and spend 500,000 bells on turnips, then put them in your basement and forget about them, so that you later come back to a giant room full of rotten veg. The smell was unimaginable. Not only is Animal Crossing: New Horizons a cheery and relaxing break from the stresses of the world but, for many, it was a beacon of light during an awful time. The game was released in March 2020, just as many of us were going into lockdown. Players might not have been able to visit their friends and family members, but they could pop over to their islands to hang out virtually, giving many people some much-needed distraction and social interaction during that awful time. If you’re ready to sack off society and move to your very own tropical paradise, then you can find Animal Crossing: New Horizons exclusively on the Switch. 8. Persona 5 Royal (2019) (PS4, PS5) We promised you more Persona, and we’re not ones to go back on our word, so here it is! The great news is that you needn’t have played any of the previous titlesin the Persona series in order to thoroughly enjoy the experience of Persona 5 Royal. Except Persona 4 Golden, of course, but that’s less to do with understanding the plot of Persona 5 and more because we’ve told you to. As you know, we are in charge and you must do as we say. The game is set in Tokyo and follows a high school studentas he transfers to a new school after being wrongly accused of assault. Soon after his arrival, he and several other students discover that they are able to embrace the power of their Personas and form a vigilante gang known as the Phantom Thieves of Hearts. From there, they explore the Metaverse and attempt to steal any malevolent intent from the hearts of adults. Like Persona 3 and Persona 4 before it, Persona 5 received an enhanced release a few years after its initial one and, in our opinion, it’s the best way to experience the game. Persona 5 Royal not only comes with all of Persona 5’s content, but it also features an additional party member, a new area of the city to explore, an entire extra playable semester, and much, much more. Think you’re ready to steal some hearts, and not in the way that myself, [other presenter 1], and [other presenter 2] do? If so, then you can find Persona 5 Royal on PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5. 7. L.A. Noire(2011) (Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PS4, PS5, Switch, PC) Do you like crime? Or, rather, do you like the idea of solving crimes? Then, by golly, are you going to have a great time with L.A. Noire, the gritty cop adventure from Team Bondi and Rockstar Games. Players jump into the well-shined shoes of Cole Phelps, a WWII veteran turned L.A.P.D. police officer with big ambitions and an even bigger attitude problem. Cole’s cases are presented as different chapters of the game, and players must gather evidence, both by looking for clues and questioning witnesses, in order to make an arrest. Not everything is black and white though; sometimes the obvious suspect isn’t the guilty party, and Cole will soon find that his morals are tested just as much as his crime-solving prowess. L.A. Noire received critical acclaim when it was released in 2011. Reviewers were impressed by a number of aspects of the game, including the story, the voice acting and mo-cap, and the open world, which was a recreation of Los Angeles in the 1940s. Think you’ve got what it takes to crack the case? You can find the original version of L.A. Noire on PC. If you’d prefer to grab yourself a copy of the shiny, remastered version, you can do so on Xbox One and Series, PS4 and 5, and Switch. 6. Heavy Rain (2010) (PS4, PS5, PC) We’ve spent an awful lot of time making fun of Heavy Rain on this channel and,sure, the voice acting is a bit wobbly in places and there’s that glitch, but if you can look beyond those things, you’ll find a game that’s really worth your time. Heavy Rain focusses on sad dad Ethan Mars, who’s been having a pretty rough time of it since his eldest son was killed in a road traffic accident and his marriage has fallen apart. Things are about to get far worse for the unfortunate father though, as his other son, Shaun, is taken by the infamous Origami Killer; a serial murder who kidnaps children in order to test their fathers’ love. To get his son back, Ethan will need to participate in a number of trials, each more chilling than the last. Throughout the game, players control one of four characters: unlucky pop Ethan Mars, FBI profiler Norman Jayden, journalist Madison Paige, and private investigator Scott Shelby. As they progress through the story, their actions can impact the overall outcome, and there are 17 different endings that can be achieved in total. I sure hope you’ve got those thumbs ready; you’re going to need them to press X to Shaun a lot. Heavy Rain was originally released as a PlayStation 3 exclusive, but it has since been remastered and can now be found on PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, and PC. 5. Uncharted 4: A Thief’s End (2016) (PS4, PS5) If you’re anything like us, then you’ll agree that just one slice of the delicious and slightly cheeky pie that is Nathan Drake isn’t enough. You deserve a second helping, my friend, so pull up a chair and grab yourself another serving of Uncharted, though this time, might we recommend Uncharted 4? Set some fifteen years after the events of Drake’s Deception, A Thief’s End sees Nathan Drake enjoying his retirement by taking up gardening and… Oh, who am I kidding? Yes, he’s retired, but the man can’t stand it, and it takes little more than a slight nudge from his brother, Sam, to get him back into the treasure hunting game. After spending several years in jail, Sam has been able to escape alongside drug lord Hector Alcazar, who now demands that Sam finds the treasure of Henry Avery if he wants to keep on breathing. Always game for an adventure, Nathan signs himself up to help straight away. Uncharted 4 cleverly combines action-packed gameplay with a nuanced narrative in a way that allows both to have their moment in the spotlight; the action never takes away from the story, nor does the plot tread on the toes of the gameplay. Nathan Drake’s fourth major outing was released as a PlayStation 4 exclusive, and is currently available only to those who own a Sony console. Don’t despair if you don’t have a PlayStation though, as the Uncharted: Legacy of Thieves Collection, which contains a remastered version of the game, has already released on PS5, and is set to launch on PC at some point in 2022. 4. Halo 3 (2007) (Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PC) Following its release in November 2004, there were some who were a little disappointed with Halo 2’s single-player campaign. The multiplayer was solid, and there was a lot of love for the audio-visual presentation, but the single-player mode was short and divided fans by concluding on a cliff-hanger. Thankfully, much of that was forgiven when Halo 3 released in 2007. The plot of Halo 3 once again follows Master Chief as he and his comrades do their darndest to put a stop to the plans of the Covenant, a theocratic collection of alien races that threatens the galaxy. This time, the Covenant leader, the High Prophet of Truth, has set his sights on the Ark, an immense structure that has the ability to fire all of the Halos at once. If you’ve been paying attention to the series thus far, you’ll know that’s pretty bad for business. Upon its release, Halo 3 received widespread critical acclaim, with reviewers lauding it for retaining the Halo formula that worked so well in previous games, whilst still delivering a fresh experience thanks to its exciting story and the addition of new weapons and vehicles. Like all of the Halo games that have come before and since, Halo 3 is a Microsoft exclusive. These days, you can find a remastered version as part of the Master Chief Collection, available on Xbox One, Xbox Series X and S, and PC. 3. Portal 2 (2011) (Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PC) If you’ve been putting off playing Portal 2 because you think it’s just going to be more of the same, then I’m here to tell you that… Um, well, it kind of is. But, wait, don’t go! A lot of Portal 2’s mechanics are very similar to its predecessor, but it does have additional ones, and it brings a brand-new story and characters to the table. Plus, why wouldn’t you want more portal-gun action in your life? I know I do. The game begins with Chell waking up, once again, in the Aperture Science Enrichment Centre. Guided by personality core Wheatley, who happens to be voiced by the fantastic Stephen Merchant, Chell must utilise the Aperture Science Handheld Portal Device, along with various lasers, tractor beams, and light bridges, to escape the facility. Not only do Portal 2 players get another single-player campaign with tonnes more puzzles to solve, but they get a multiplayer experience as well, which allows them to buddy up with a friend to solve even more brainteasers, co-op style. Like its predecessor, Portal 2 is superbly written, incredibly well voice-acted, and is built on a solid foundation of puzzles that are challenging enough to keep players hooked, but not so difficult that they’ll rage quit. If one dose of Portal isn’t enough and you must have more, then you can find Portal 2 on Xbox One and Series via backwards compatibility, as well as on PC. The game is also headed to Switch at some point in 2022 as part of the Portal: Companion Collection, though at the time of writing, we’re not sure exactly when it will be released. 2. The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild (2017) (Wii U, Switch) I just know you’ve been waiting with bated breath to find out which of the many brilliant Zelda titles would be our final pick from the series, and I think you’ll agree that we’ve made a good choice. Breath of the Wildis the first open world title in the modern Legend of Zelda series, and OH BOY, did Nintendo deliver the goods. Players once again join everyone’s favourite Peter Pan look-a-like Link, as he travels across Hyrule in order to restore his memories and defeat big bad Ganon, only this time he’s going by the name Calamity Ganon. Ooh, edgy. Unlike most previous Zelda titles, Breath of the Wild doesn’t give players much in the way of direction, as the focus is squarely on exploration. There is a main questline, of course, but the game doesn’t railroad players into picking it up immediately, and instead encourages them to wander the huge landscape to see what secrets they can uncover. Critics had nothing but praise for the game, with some going as far as to call Breath of the Wild “a masterpiece”, and it’s easy to see why. The humongous open world is nothing short of stunning, drawing players in with scores of magical things that are just waiting to be explored. Are you ready to get out there and collect all 900 Korok seeds? Like the vast majority of Zelda titles before it, Breath of the Wild is a Nintendo exclusive, and so you can only find it on Wii U and Switch. Just a quick note before we get to our number one entry: We’re very grateful that you’ve stuck with us for this whole list, and we just want to remind you that these entries are in no particular order, so please don’t come for us in the comments if your favourite game isn’t in pole position. All of these games mean something special to at least one of the members of our team, and we hope that, after playing them, they’ll mean something to you too. With all of that out of the way…   1. Project Makeover (2020) (iOS, Android) Now, I know we said that these games were listed in no particular order, but Project Makeover is undoubtedly number one in the hearts of everyone at Team TripleJump. The game was released in 2020 and sees players matching tiles and giving makeovers to a bunch of people that are in need of a little TLC. [off-mic] STOP, STOP, STOP! [record scratch] I can’t keep this up any longer. Cut to the real number one. 1. The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim (2011) (Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PS4, PS5, Switch, PC) Oh, come on, you didn’t really think we’d forget about Skyrim, did you? After all, it’s not like Todd Howard’s going to let us anytime soon. Set in Tamriel’s northernmost province, The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim sees players taking on the role of the Dragonborn, an individual whose purpose it is to defeat Alduin, a dragon whom prophecy dictates will eventually destroy the world. If you think that it’s just a case of toddling off to fight a big lizard so that you can be home in time for supper, then you’re going to be severely disappointed, as it’s very easy to play dozens of hours of Skyrim and hardly touch the main questline. Sure, you could just go straight for the dragon and ignore everything else, but why would you when you can become a master thief or a mysterious assassin? There is a whole world full of quests and secrets to uncover, and there’s little wonder that many players have sunk thousands of hours into the game. Skyrim is considered by many to be one of the greatest games of all time, and for good reason. The roleplaying elements of the title are flawlessly executed, the world is massive without feeling bloated, and each quest is well-written and filled to the brim with interesting enemies and NPCs. At this point, it would probably be quicker to list the devices that you can’t play Skyrim on, but for the sake of clarity, the game is available on Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PS4, PS5, Switch, and PC. Phew! That was a lot of games, think we’re going to go for a little lie down now.

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Id: AzCSr984uFw

Length: 137min 47sec (8267 seconds)

Published: Fri Jul 08 2022