Every Video Game I Recommend Playing (This List Is Huge!)

I’ve been playing video games my entire life, and this list contains every game that I’ve played and recommend other people play, organized by year of release. This list will be continuously updated as I think of more to add. Not every game on this list is great, but all of them are interesting enough to check out.

This list is a work in progress. I will add more games as I think of them.

~#~

• The 11th Hour (1995) [Wiki] [Steam]
• 140 (2013) [Wiki] [Steam]
• 1942 (1984; Arcade, NES) [Wiki]
• 1943: The Battle of Midway (1987; Arcade, NES) [Wiki]
• The 3-D Battles of WorldRunner (1987; NES) [Wiki]
• The 7th Guest (1993) [Wiki] [Steam]
• () [Wiki] [Steam]

~A~

• Advance Wars (2001; GBA) [Wiki]
• Adventure Island (1986; NES) [Wiki]
• The Adventures of Batman & Robin (1994; SNES) [Wiki]
• Adventures of Lolo (1989; NES) [Wiki]
• After Burner (1987; Arcade) [Wiki]
• Aladdin (1992; Genesis) [Wiki]
• Alex Kidd in Miracle World (1986) [Wiki] [Steam]
• Alien Crush (1988; TurboGrafx-16) [Wiki]
• Altered Beast (1988; Arcade, Genesis) [Wiki]
• American McGee’s Alice (2000; PC) [Wiki]
• American McGee’s Grimm (2008) [Wiki] [Steam]
• Animal Crossing (2001; GameCube) [Wiki]
• Anodyne (2013) [Wiki] [Steam]
• Antichamber (2013) [Wiki] [Steam]
• Aquaria (2007) [Wiki] [Steam]
• Area 51 (1995; Arcade) [Wiki]
• Arkanoid (1986; Arcade) [Wiki]
• Armadillo Run (2006; PC) [Wiki]
• Asteroids (1979; Arcade) [Wiki]
• Athena (1986; Arcade) [Wiki]
• Atlantis (1982; Atari 2600) [Wiki]
• Audiosurf (2008) [Wiki] [Steam]
• Audiosurf 2 (2015) [Wiki] [Steam]

~B~

• Baba Is You (2019) [Wiki] [Steam]
• Bad Dudes Vs. DragonNinja (1988; Arcade, NES) [Wiki]
• Bad Mojo (1996) [Wiki] [Steam]
• Balatro (2024) [Wiki] [Steam]
• Balloon Fight (1985; NES) [Wiki]
• Balloon Kid (1991; Game Boy) [Wiki]
• Banjo-Kazooie (1998; N64) [Wiki]
• Barney’s Hide & Seek Game (1993; Genesis) [Wiki]
• Beneath a Steel Sky (1994) [Wiki] [Steam]
• Berzerk (1981; Arcade) [Wiki]
• Beyond Good and Evil (2003) [Wiki] [Steam]
• Bionic Commando (1988; NES) [Wiki]
• BioShock (2007) [Wiki] [Steam]
• BioShock 2 (2010) [Wiki] [Steam]
• Bioshock Infinite (2013) [Wiki] [Steam]
• Blast Corps (1997) [Wiki]
• Bleed (2013) [Steam]
• Bleed 2 (2017) [Steam]
• Bomberman (1983; PC, NES) [Wiki]
• Botanicula (2012) [Wiki] [Steam]
• Borderlands (2009) [Wiki] [Steam]
• Borderlands 2 (2012) [Wiki] [Steam]
• Borderlands: The Pre-Sequel (2014) [Wiki] [Steam]
• Borderlands 3 (2019) [Wiki] [Steam]
• Braid (2008) [Wiki] [Steam]
• Breakout (1976; Arcade) [Wiki]
• Brothers: A Tale of Two Sons (2013) [Wiki] [Steam]
• Brütal Legend (2009) [Wiki] [Steam]
• A Boy and His Blob (1989; NES) [Wiki]
• Bubble Bobble (1986; Arcade, NES) [Wiki]
• Bucky O’Hare (1992; NES) [Wiki]
• BurgerTime (1982; Arcade) [Wiki]
• Buster Bros. (1989; Arcade) [Wiki]

~C~

• Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare (2007) [Wiki] [Steam] [Remastered: Steam]
• Castle of Illusion Starring Mickey Mouse (1990; Genesis) [Wiki]
• Castle of Illusion Starring Mickey Mouse (2013) [Wiki] [Steam]
• Castlevania (1986; NES) [Wiki]
• Castle Wolfenstein (1981; PC) [Wiki]
• Cave Story (2004) [Wiki] [Steam]
• Centipede (1981; Arcade) [Wiki]
• Chibi-Robo! (2005; GameCube) [Wiki]
• Chip’s Challenge (1989; Lynx, PC) [Wiki] [Steam]
• Clu Clu Land (1984; NES) [Wiki]
• Columns (1989; Genesis) [Wiki]
• Comix Zone (1995; Genesis) [Wiki]
• Contra (1987; Arcade, NES) [Wiki]
• Cool Spot (1993; Genesis, SNES) [Wiki]
• Cosmic Ark (1982; Atari 2600) [Wiki]
• Costume Quest (2010) [Wiki] [Steam]
• Crash Bandicoot N. Sane Trilogy (2017) [Wiki] [Steam]
• Crash Team Racing (1999; PS1) [Wiki]
• Crazy Taxi (1999; Dreamcast) [Wiki] [Steam]
• Crystal Castles (1983; Arcade) [Wiki]

~D~

• Day of the Tentacle (1993) [Wiki] [Steam]
• Deadly Premonition (2010) [Wiki] [Steam]
• Deus Ex (2000) [Wiki] [Steam]
• Deus Ex: Human Revolution (2011) [Wiki] [Steam]
• Devil Daggers (2016) [Wiki] [Steam]
• Devil’s Crush (1990; TurboGrafx-16) [Wiki]
• Dig Dug (1982; Arcade) [Wiki]
• Disgaea: Hour of Darkness (2003; PS2) [Wiki] [Steam]
• Dishonored (2012) [Wiki] [Steam]
• Donkey Kong (1981; Arcade) [Wiki]
• Donkey Kong Jr. (1982; Arcade) [Wiki]
• Donkey Kong 3 (1983; Arcade) [Wiki]
• Donkey Kong ’94 (1994; Game Boy) [Wiki]
• Donkey Kong Country (1994; SNES) [Wiki]
• Donut County (2018) [Wiki] [Steam]
• Doom (1993) [Wiki] [Steam]
• Doom II (1994) [Wiki] [Steam]
• Double Dragon (1987; Arcade, NES) [Wiki]
• Downwell (2015) [Wiki] [Steam]
• Dr. Langeskov, The Tiger, and The Terribly Cursed Emerald: A Whirlwind Heist (2015) [Wiki] [Steam]
• Dr. Mario (1990; NES) [Wiki]
• Dr. Robotnik’s Mean Bean Machine (1993; Genesis) [Wiki]
• Duck Hunt (1984; NES) [Wiki]
• DuckTales (1989; NES) [Wiki]
• DuckTales: Remastered (2013) [Wiki] [Steam]

~E~

• Earthworm Jim (1994; Genesis, SNES) [Wiki]
• Ecco the Dolphin (1992; Genesis, Sega CD) [Wiki] [Steam]
• Ecco: The Tides of Time (1994; Genesis, Sega CD) [Wiki] [Steam]
• Ecco Jr. (1995; Genesis) [Wiki] [Steam]
• Edna and Harvey: The Breakout (2008) [Wiki] [Steam]
• Edna and Harvey: Harvey’s New Eyes (2011) [Wiki] [Steam]
• The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim (2011) [Wiki] [Steam]
• Enslaved: Odyssey to the West (2010) [Wiki] [Steam]
• Elevator Action (1983; Arcade) [Wiki]
• Epic Mickey (2010; Wii) [Wiki] [Remake: Steam]
• Escape Goat 2 (2014) [Steam]
• Excitebike (1984; NES) [Wiki]
• The Exit 8 (2023) [Steam]

~F~

• Fallout 3 (2008) [Wiki] [Steam]
• Fantasy Zone (1986; Arcade, Master System, NES) [Wiki]
• Final Fantasy (1987; NES) [Wiki]
• Flicky (1984; Arcade, Genesis) [Wiki]
• Flower (2009) [Wiki] [Steam]
• Forager (2019) [Wiki] [Steam]
• Freedom Planet (2014) [Wiki] [Steam]
• Frog Fractions (2012) [Wiki] [Steam]
• Frogger (1982; Arcade) [Wiki]
• Full Tilt! Pinball (1995) [Wiki]
• Full Throttle (1995) [Wiki] [Steam]
• F-Zero (1990; SNES) [Wiki]

~G~

• Galaga (1981; Arcade) [Wiki]
• Galaxian (1979; Arcade) [Wiki]
• Geometry Wars 3: Dimensions (2014) [Wiki] [Steam]
• Gex (1995; 3DO, PS1) [Wiki] [GOG]
• Ghosts ‘n Goblins (1985; Arcade, NES) [Wiki]
• Ghouls ‘n Ghosts (1988; Arcade) [Wiki]
• The Gnorp Apologue (2023) [Steam]
• Golden Axe (1989; Arcade, Genesis) [Wiki]
• GoNNER (2016) [Wiki] [Steam]
• Grim Fandango (1998) [Wiki] [Steam]
• Guacamelee! (2013) [Wiki] [Steam]
• Gunstar Heroes (1993; Genesis) [Wiki]

~H~

• Hack ’n’ Slash (2014) [Wiki] [Steam]
• Half-Life (1998) [Wiki] [Steam]
• Half-Life 2 (2004) [Wiki] [Steam]
• Halo: Combat Evolved (2001) [Wiki] [Steam]
• Hamlet or the Last Game without MMORPG Features, Shaders and Product Placement (2010) [Wiki] [Steam]
• HardBall! (1985; C64, Genesis) [Wiki]
• A Hat in Time (2017) [Wiki] [Steam]
• Heavy Bullets (2014) [Wiki] [Steam]
• Hello Kitty World (1992; Super Famicom) [Wiki]
• Henry Hatsworth in the Puzzling Adventure (2009; DS) [Wiki]
• Hollow Knight (2017) [Wiki] [Steam]
• Hotline Miami (2012) [Wiki] [Steam]
• Hotline Miami 2: Wrong Number (2015) [Wiki] [Steam]

~I~

• I Have No Mouth, and I Must Scream (1995) [Wiki] [Steam]
• Ice Climber (1985; NES) [Wiki]
• Ico (2001; PS2) [Wiki]
• Indiana Jones and the Fate of Atlantis (1992) [Wiki] [Steam]
• Infamous (2009; PS3) [Wiki]
• Infamous 2 (2011; PS3) [Wiki]
• Ittle Dew (2013) [Steam]
• I Wanna Be the Guy (2007) [Wiki] [Itch.io]

~J~

• Jak and Daxter: The Precursor Legacy (2001; PS2) [Wiki]
• Jazzpunk (2014) [Wiki] [Steam]
• Jet Set Radio (2000; Dreamcast) [Wiki] [Steam]
• JezzBall (1992) [Wiki]
• Journey (2012; PS3) [Wiki] [Steam]
• Joust (1982; Arcade) [Wiki]

~K~

• Katamari Damacy (2004; PS2) [Wiki] [Steam]
• Kid Chameleon (1992; Genesis) [Wiki]
• Kid Icarus (1986; NES) [Wiki]
• Kirby and the Forgotten Land (2022; Switch) [Wiki]
• Kirby’s Adventure (1993; NES) [Wiki]
• Kirby’s Dream Land (1992; Game Boy) [Wiki]
• Klax (1990; Arcade) [Wiki]
• The Krion Conquest (1990; NES) [Wiki]

~L~

• The Last Story (2011; Wii) [Wiki]
• The Legend of Dragoon (1999; PS1) [Wiki]
• The Legend of Zelda (1986; NES) [Wiki]
• The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time (1998; N64) [Wiki]
• Lego Batman (2008) [Wiki] [Steam]
• Lego Island (1997; PC) [Wiki]
• Lego Racers (1999; PC, N64, PS1) [Wiki]
• Lemmings (1991; Amiga) [Wiki]
• Lil Gator Game (2022) [Wiki] [Steam]
• Limbo (2010) [Wiki] [Steam]
• The Lion King (1993; SNES, Genesis) [Wiki]
• LittleBigPlanet (2008; PS3) [Wiki]
• Little Inferno (2012) [Wiki] [Steam]
• Little Kitty, Big City (2024) [Wiki] [Steam]
• The Little Mermaid (1991; NES) [Wiki]
• Little Nightmares (2017) [Wiki] [Steam]
• LocoRoco (2006; PSP) [Wiki]
• Loom (1990) [Wiki] [Steam]
• Lost in Shadow (2010; Wii) [Wiki]
• LSD: Dream Emulator (1998; PS1) [Wiki]
• Luigi’s Mansion (2001; GameCube) [Wiki]

~M~

• MagiCat (2017) [Steam]
• Marble Madness (1984; Arcade) [Wiki]
• Mario Bros. (1983; Arcade) [Wiki]
• Mario Kart 64 (1996; N64) [Wiki]
• Mario Party (1998; N64) [Wiki]
• Mario’s Picross (1995; Game Boy) [Wiki]
• Mega Man (1987; NES) [Wiki]
• Mega Man Powered Up (2006; PSP) [Wiki]
• Metal Gear (1987; MSX2, NES) [Wiki]
• Metal Gear Solid V: Ground Zeroes (2014) [Wiki] [Steam]
• Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain (2015) [Wiki] [Steam]
• Metal Slug (1996; Arcade) [Wiki] [Steam]
• Metroid (1986; NES) [Wiki]
• Metroid Fusion (2002; GBA) [Wiki]
• Metroid: Other M (2010; Wii) [Wiki]
• Metroid: Zero Mission (2004; GBA) [Wiki]
• Metroid Prime (2002; GameCube) [Wiki]
• Mickey Mania (1994; SNES, Genesis, PS1) [Wiki]
• Microsoft Entertainment Pack (1990) [Wiki]
• Mike Tyson’s Punch-Out!! (1987; NES) [Wiki]
• Minesweeper (1992) [Wiki]
• Minit (2018) [Wiki] [Steam]
• Missile Command (1981; Arcade) [Wiki]
• Mountain (2014) [Wiki] [Steam]
• Ms. Pac-Man (1982; Arcade) [Wiki]

~N~

• NES Remix (2013; Wii U) [Wiki]
• New Super Mario Bros. (2006; DS) [Wiki]
• NiGHTS Into Dreams (1996; Saturn) [Wiki] [Steam]
• Noitu Love 2: Devolution (2012) [Steam]
• No More Heroes (2007) [Wiki] [Steam]

~O~

• Octahedron (2018) [Steam]
• Okami (2006; PS2) [Wiki] [Steam]
• OneShot (2016) [Wiki] [Steam]

~P~

• Pac-Man (1981; Arcade) [Wiki]
• Pac-Man Championship Edition DX (2010) [Wiki] [Steam]
• Pac-Man Championship Edition 2 (2016) [Wiki] [Steam]
• Pang Adventures (2016) [Wiki] [Steam]
• Paperboy (1985; Arcade, NES) [Wiki]
• Paper Mario (2000; N64) [Wiki]
• Parasol Stars (1991; PC Engine, NES) [Wiki]
• Peggle (2007) [Wiki] [Steam]
• Pilotwings (1990; SNES) [Wiki]
• Pokémon Colosseum (2003; GameCube) [Wiki]
• Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Rescue Team DX (2020; Switch) [Wiki]
• Pokémon Pinball (1999; GBC) [Wiki]
• Pokémon Pinball: Ruby & Sapphire (2003; GBA) [Wiki]
• Pokémon Puzzle League (2000; N64) [Wiki]
• Pokémon: Red and Blue Version (1996; Game Boy) [Wiki]
• Pokémon Snap (1999; N64) [Wiki]
• Pokémon Stadium (1999; N64) [Wiki]
• Pokémon Trading Card Game (1998; GBC) [Wiki]
• PokéPark Wii: Pikachu’s Adventure (2009; Wii) [Wiki]
• Pong (1972; Arcade) [Wiki]
• Pony Island (2016) [Wiki] [Steam]
• Portal (2007) [Wiki] [Steam] [RTX Version: Steam]
• Portal 2 (2011) [Wiki] [Steam]
• Pipe Mania (1989) [Wiki]
• Pinball (1984; NES) [Wiki]
• Pinball FX3 (2017) [Wiki] [Steam]
• Pitfall! (1982; Atari 2600) [Wiki]
• Prince of Persia (1989; Apple II) [Wiki]
• Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time (2003) [Wiki] [Steam]
• Professor Layton and the Curious Village (2007; DS) [Wiki]
• Psychonauts (2005) [Wiki] [Steam]
• Puzzle Agent (2010) [Wiki] [Steam]
• Puyo Puyo (1991) [Wiki]

~Q~

• Q*Bert (1982; Arcade) [Wiki]
• Quantum Conundrum (2012) [Wiki] [Steam]
• Q.U.B.E. 2 (2018) [Steam]

~R~

• Race the Sun (2013) [Wiki] [Steam]
• Rad Racer (1987; Arcade, NES) [Wiki]
• Rainbow Islands (1987; Arcade) [Wiki]
• Rampage (1986; NES) [Wiki]
• Red Dead Redemption (2010) [Wiki]
• Red Faction: Guerrilla (2009) [Wiki] [Steam]
• Redout (2016) [Wiki] [Steam]
• Resident Evil 4 (2005; GC, PS2) [Wiki] [Steam]
• Return of the Obra Dinn (2018) [Wiki] [Steam]
• Return to Mysterious Island (2004) [Wiki] [Steam]
• Rime (2017) [Wiki] [Steam]
• River City Ransom (1989; NES) [Wiki]
• River Raid (1982; Atari 2600) [Wiki]
• Rogue Legacy [Wiki] [Steam]
• Rollercoaster Tycoon (1999) [Wiki] [Steam]

~S~

• Sam & Max Hit the Road (1993) [Wiki] [Steam]
• The Secret of Monkey Island (1990) [Wiki] [Steam]
• Shadow of the Colossus (2005; PS2) [Wiki]
• Shenmue (1999; Dreamcast) [Wiki] [Steam]
• Shenmue II (2001; Dreamcast) [Wiki] [Steam]
• Shining Force (1992; Genesis) [Wiki]
• Shining in the Darkness (1991; Genesis) [Wiki]
• Shinobi (1987; Arcade, Sega Master System) [Wiki]
• The Simpsons (1991; Arcade) [Wiki]
• SkiFree (1991) [Wiki]
• Slay the Spire (2019) [Wiki] [Steam]
• Sly Cooper and the Thievius Raccoonus (2002; PS2) [Wiki]
• Smash TV (1990; Arcade) [Wiki]
• Sonic 3D Blast (1996; Genesis, Saturn) [Wiki]
• Sonic Adventure (1998; Dreamcast) [Wiki] [Steam]
• Sonic Adventure 2 (2001; Dreamcast) [Wiki] [Steam]
• Sonic and All-Stars Racing Transformed (2012) [Wiki] [Steam]
• Sonic and Sega All-Stars Racing (2010) [Wiki] [Steam]
• Sonic Generations (2011) [Wiki] [Steam]
• Sonic Lost World (2013) [Wiki] [Steam]
• Sonic Spinball (1993; Genesis) [Wiki]
• Sonic the Hedgehog (1991; Genesis) [Wiki]
• Space Harrier (1985; Arcade) [Wiki]
• Space Invaders (1978; Arcade) [Wiki]
• Spec Ops: The Line (2012) [Wiki] [Steam]
• Spider-Man (2000; PS1, N64) [Wiki]
• Spirit City: Lofi Sessions (2024) [Steam]
• Splatoon (2015; Wii U) [Wiki]
• Splinter Cell (2002) [Wiki] [Steam]
• Spyro Reignited Trilogy (2018) [Wiki] [Steam]
• Stacking (2011) [Wiki] [Steam]
• Stardew Valley (2016) [Wiki] [Steam]
• Star Fox 64 (1997; N64) [Wiki]
• Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order (2019) [Wiki] [Steam]
• Stick It to the Man! (2013) [Steam]
• Stories Untold (2017) [Wiki] [Steam]
• Streets of Rage (1991; Genesis) [Wiki]
• Strider (1989; Arcade) [Wiki]
• Strong Bad’s Cool Game for Attractive People (2008) [Wiki] [Steam]
• Super Collapse! 3 (2006) [Wiki]
• Super Hexagon (2012) [Wiki] [Steam]
• Super Inefficient Golf (2018) [Steam]
• Super Mario Bros. (1985; NES) [Wiki]
• Super Mario Kart (1992; SNES) [Wiki]
• Super Metroid (1994; SNES) [Wiki]
• Super Puzzle Fighter II Turbo (1996; Arcade) [Wiki] [Steam]
• Super Smash Bros. (1999; N64) [Wiki]

~T~

• The Talos Principle (2014) [Wiki] [Steam]
• Tapper (1984; Arcade) [Wiki]
• Taz in Escape from Mars (1994; Genesis) [Wiki]
• Tempest (1981; Arcade) [Wiki]
• Tetris (1985) [Wiki]
• Thief: The Dark Project (1998) [Wiki] [Steam]
• Thomas Was Alone (2012) [Wiki] [Steam]
• Tiny Terry’s Turbo Trip (2024) [Steam]
• Thoth (2016) [Wiki] [Steam]
• Toki Tori (2001; Game Boy Color) [Wiki]
• Toki Tori (2010) [Wiki] [Steam]
• Toki Tori 2 (2014) [Wiki] [Steam]
• Tokyo Jungle (2013; PS3) [Wiki]
• To the Moon (2011) [Wiki] [Steam]
• Toy Story (1995; SNES, Genesis) [Wiki]
• Treasure Island (1984; ZX Spectrum, C64) [Wiki]
• Triple Town (2010) [Wiki] [Steam]
• The Turing Test (2016) [Wiki] [Steam]
• Twinsen’s Little Big Adventure (1994) [Wiki] [Steam] [Remaster: Steam]

~U~

• Undertale (2015) [Wiki] [Steam]
• The Unfinished Swan (2012) [Wiki] [Steam]
• Unreal (1998) [Wiki] [Steam]
• Untitled Goose Game (2019) [Wiki] [Steam]

~V~

• Vertical Drop Heroes HD (2014) [Steam]
• Viewtiful Joe (2003; GC, PS2) [Wiki]
• VVVVVV (2010) [Wiki] [Steam]

~W~

• Wandersong (2018) [Wiki] [Steam]
• WarioWare, Inc.: Mega Microgames! (2003; GBA) [Wiki]
• We Love Katamari (2005) [Wiki] [Steam]
• The Witness (2016) [Wiki] [Steam]
• Wiz ’n’ Liz (1993; Amiga, Genesis) [Wiki]
• Wolfenstein 3D (1994) [Wiki] [Steam]
• World of Goo (2008) [Wiki] [Steam]
• Worms (1995) [Wiki] [Steam]
• Wrecking Crew (1984; NES) [Wiki]

~X~

• X-Men (1993; Genesis) [Wiki]

~Y~

• Yakuza Kiwami (2019) [Wiki] [Steam]
• Yooka-Laylee and the Impossible Lair (2019) [Wiki] [Steam]
• Yoku’s Island Express (2018) [Wiki] [Steam]
• Yonder: The Cloud Catcher Chronicles (2017) [Wiki] [Steam]
• Yoshi’s Story (1997; N64) [Wiki]
• Youropa (2018) [Steam]

~Z~

• Zombies Ate My Neighbors (1993; SNES, Genesis) [Wiki] [Steam]
• Zuma (2003) [Wiki] [Steam]