The Gold Standard Of Gaming
You know a game is truly iconic when it doesn’t just entertain—it changes the industry and stays with players for years. Some titles broke genre boundaries or redefined what games could do, shifting how we think about play itself. While critics praised them, their impact goes far beyond scores. Here are 20 games that carved out a lasting legacy in gaming history.
Leon Arrives - Resident Evil 4 (2005) - Let's Play | Chapter 1-1 by Aeo
1. Tetris (1984)
Tetris, created in 1984 from Soviet ingenuity, turned block-stacking into an obsession. There were no characters or story—just a simple, hypnotic design that got faster and faster. You couldn't beat it; you could only survive it. Even astronauts played it!
Tetris 1984 - The first tetris game ever by Magicolo - Free Games
2. Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 2 (2000)
Concrete jungles never felt this good. Released in 2000, Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater had players pulling off 900s and building custom skate parks, turning punk energy into pixel-perfect motion. It made you believe video game sports could have a soul—and a killer soundtrack to match.
Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 2 (2000) - PC Gameplay by AlphaYellow
3. Grand Theft Auto IV (2008)
Liberty City was no playground. It was a pressure cooker. Released in 2008, GTA IV added cinematic depth to the series’ trademark chaos. Niko Bellic’s search for the American dream brought real emotional weight, turning every mission into something personal.
GTA 4 | Xbox 360 Gameplay by Benedict
4. SoulCalibur (1999)
In 1999, SoulCalibur brought elegance to the fighting genre. It was the title that made the Dreamcast truly stand out—fast, flashy, and fiercely responsive. With its fluid 3D movement and spinning kicks that shut down button mashers, it set a new standard.
SoulCalibur (1999) MAXI Playthrough (60 FPS) SEGA Dreamcast by iPlaySEGA
5. Super Mario Galaxy (2007)
Floating through space with gravity-defying leaps? As you play, you orbit with joy. Released in 2007, Super Mario Galaxy transformed platforming into a cosmic ballet. Every planet you land on spins with fresh mechanics, as Nintendo turns science fiction into pure fun.
6. Resident Evil 4 (2005)
Survival horror took a sharp turn in 2005 with Resident Evil 4, introducing over-the-shoulder intensity. Players shot villagers mid-sprint and kicked ladders down while escorting the president’s daughter. Leon's hair might’ve stayed still, but the gaming industry sure didn’t.
Leon Arrives - Resident Evil 4 (2005) - Let's Play | Chapter 1-1 by Aeo
7. Red Dead Redemption 2 (2018)
Red Dead Redemption 2 transforms the Wild West into a living, breathing storybook. As players step into Arthur Morgan’s boots, they don’t just play his story—they feel it. Every horse, every gun, every choice carries weight, building toward a quiet, powerful farewell.
Red Dead Redemption 2 - New Reveal Soon? What's Next & E3 2018 Chances?! by LegacyKillaHD
8. Grand Theft Auto V (2013)
GTA V arrived with chaos and three protagonists, and as it gained popularity in 2013, it rewired how open worlds could be experienced. Build an empire or dive into absurd mayhem—Rockstar gave you the freedom, and Los Santos became your playground.
9. The Legend of Zelda: Breath Of The Wild (2017)
Climb anything. Cook everything. In 2017, Breath of the Wild broke the franchise tradition and offered a sandbox of survival and experimentation. Puzzles weren't locked in dungeons but baked into the world. Even weapons broke, daring you to adapt.
10. The Last of Us (2013)
Mushrooms don’t usually break hearts—but in 2013, they did. The Last of Us shifted focus from survival to emotional impact, following Joel and Ellie through a haunting post-apocalyptic world shaped by loss and unspoken trauma. What made it sting? The choices and the gut-punch ending.
THE LAST OF US | PS3 Gameplay by Benedict
11. BioShock (2007)
Plunge into Rapture, and you’ll never forget the fall. Released in 2007, BioShock blended dystopian philosophy with shooter mechanics. Players fought gene-spliced enemies while unearthing secrets buried under Art Deco decay. Even now, that unforgettable twist still sparks conversation.
BioShock (2007) is my SEVENTH favorite video game of ALL TIME! by Exothermic Plays Games
12. Half-Life 2 (2004)
Half-Life 2 arrived in 2004, and Valve didn’t just make a shooter—they reshaped the genre. With the gravity gun in hand, you hurled saw blades, solved puzzles, and fended off headcrabs in ways no game had done before. Gordon Freeman never said a word, but the world around him spoke volumes.
Half-Life 2 (2004) - Longplay [4K 60FPS] by Games Longplay
13. Portal 2 (2011)
In 2011, Portal 2 took its predecessor’s puzzle mechanics to new heights, adding co-op play and sharp, hilarious writing. Players use portals to solve tricky challenges while navigating the witty sarcasm of GLaDOS and the bumbling antics of Wheatley.
Portal 2 | co-op-trailer (2011) by moviemaniacsDE
14. Mass Effect 2 (2010)
Decisions matter more than bullets in Mass Effect 2, released in 2010. The game lets you build a loyal squad and risk lives on a mission with no return. Dialogue trees are filled with tension. Who lives, and who haunts you later? That’s your legacy to carry.
Mass Effect 2 (2010) - PC Gameplay 4k 2160p / Win 10 by FirstPlays HD
15. The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim (2011)
Shout into the void, and dragons answer. With Skyrim, you're not given just one story—you create hundreds. Join thieves, lead mages, or completely ignore the main quest if you want. From cheese wheel avalanches to arrow-in-the-knee jokes, it became the internet's ultimate medieval sandbox.
Elder Scrolls V Skyrim PC (2011 version), Morganna. by RayRay Awesome
16. The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt (2015)
The Witcher 3 floods players with moral grey areas, monster contracts, complex relationships, and more. Dialogue shapes outcomes, and even side quests come with unexpected gut punches. Toss a coin to your decisions, and they always come back—sometimes with claws.
7 Minutes of The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt - PAX East 2015 by IGN
17. Elden Ring (2022)
Elden Ring dropped in 2022 and redefined open-world exploration by blending cryptic lore with brutal combat. Players are hunted in a world filled with towering monsters and glowing trees. Co-created by FromSoftware and George R. R. Martin, this game dares you to die—and then press on.
ELDEN RING - Official Gameplay Reveal by BANDAI NAMCO Europe
18. Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons Of Liberty (2001)
In 2001, MGS2 pulled a brilliant twist by replacing Solid Snake with Raiden. Kojima blurred the lines between player and character, challenging identity while also predicting the rise of surveillance culture. With a focus on your choices and behavior, the game was both strange and unforgettable.
Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty 4K - Intro, Tanker, Olga, Photos of Metal Gear by Diamond Snake
19. Final Fantasy VII (1997)
When FFVII dropped in 1997, it made millions care about polygonal characters with oversized swords. Players witness Aerith’s heart-wrenching fall and then dive into a snowboarding mini-game moments later. Cloud’s journey gave RPGs real emotional depth, and that unforgettable soundtrack? It still hits like a limit break.
20. Super Mario 64 (1996)
Super Mario 64 launched the Nintendo 64 in 1996 and changed the game for 3D platformers. The analog stick was revolutionary, and triple jumps became endlessly fun to master. As players chase stars, they'll find freedom in every ledge grab and long jump, redefining how they experience 3D space.
