Best Games 2026

Best games overall · Top 30

Below are the 30 most-voted games overall, followed by the top three on each platform.

37 votes

Pokémon Emerald

Game Boy Advance

RPGMonster TamingTurn-Based

Survey scores · avg 4.4/5

Story4.3

Gameplay4.6

Graphics4.2

Music4.6

Character4.6

Pokemon Emerald is the third in the trilogy for the initial Game Boy Advance Pokemon games, combining Ruby and Sapphire's Hoenn adventure with a new, combined story. It also has an endgame challenge in the Battle Frontier, giving players a better experience outside of the story. Due to the complete Hoenn journey involving both villain teams and an expanded postgame, it is the recommended version for Pokemon's Generation III Hoenn games.

Survey voice

Lucas / 20s / Male
Whlie Sapphire was my first Pokemon game, it was a bootleg version that corrupted itself later on. I was given a copy of Emerald one Christmas and it was the first Pokemon game I finished. It set the bar high for what I would want a Pokemon game to be. That game helped me make friends, improve as an artist, and appreciate video games even more. Truly a timeless entry in the series.

Zam / 20s / Male
Another perfect game for me. I don't think there's much to say about this game that hasn't been echoed repeatedly. One fun fact though is that I caught all the Legendaries in this game with regular Pokeballs.

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Warren / 30s / Male
The first Pokemon game I can remember playing all the way through, Emerald just did everything right especially since they're already improving upon perfection that was Ruby/Sapphire.

36 votes

The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild

Nintendo Switch

Action-AdventureOpen World

Survey scores · avg 4.8/5

Story4.7

Gameplay4.9

Graphics4.9

Music4.6

Character4.7

The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild innovated how open-world games worked. It was one of the first games that trusted its players to explore and enjoy the world as they liked. The game emphasized non-linear exploration and creative puzzle solving, where the world interacts with itself, like starting a fire in the grass to create a draft to glide on. Wrapped in a timeless tale of a Hero defeating evil and rescuing the princess.

Survey voice

Kei / 30s / Female
I think I have 100% this game 5 times now. I don't mind if my previous saves get deleted cause I'd be more than happy to play it all over again. The characters are great but I especially love Zelda the most because of her determination and strength. Also props to the guy I always buy ancient cores from in Hateno village whenever it's raining. The music is also great! Nothing beats hearing the piano music when a guardian sets its eye on you or when you find refuge at a stable after a whole day of fighting monsters and then you hear music from a flute that signals you're finally safe from monsters. My favorite aspect of the game though would have to be the exploration. I love just walking around the world and taking in the sights, nature, and infrastructure BOTW Hyrule has to offer. I love Hateno and Lurelin village the most! My only issue with this game is the final boss which was a bit too easy.

Jori / 40s / Male
I like how it drops me into the world and immediately trusts me to figure things out. There is no strict path forcing me forward. Instead, I just look at the horizon and decide for myself what mountain to climb, what ruin to explore, or what direction feels interesting in the moment. What really stands out to me is how the world rewards curiosity. Even a small detour can turn into a full adventure. I might just be gathering materials, then suddenly I am fighting a Guardian, solving a shrine puzzle, or discovering something I did not expect at all. I also love how survival mechanics are simple but meaningful. Cooking, weather, stamina, and weapons all matter in a way that makes every journey feel a bit unpredictable. Nothing feels like it is just there for decoration. Everything has a purpose in how I move through the world.

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Jet / 30s / Male
I think the world already knows why this is up here, and the magic of exploring this Hyrule for the first time is a high I'll often try to find again. And even with the technical marvel that is TOTK out, offering a mind-blowing expansion to this world, BOTW is arguably better themed. This game changed open-world games forever and pioneered Open-Air worlds. I'd argue games like Genshin or even Elden Ring would not have existed, or not in the way they do, without the inspiration and bar set by BOTW.

View on Nintendo Switch →

33 votes

Pokémon Pokopia

Nintendo Switch 2

SimulationSocial SimulationCozySandbox

Survey scores · avg 4.3/5

Story4.1

Gameplay4.6

Graphics4.2

Music4.4

Character4.5

Game Freak's first foray into the cozy life simulator genre, Pokemon Pokopia drops you off as a Ditto slowly reclaiming the once destroyed land back into a habitable paradise for other Pokemon! Along the way, you meet a ton of Pokemon that will aid you in this gargantuan task and some can even teach Ditto new skills to aid you in restoration! Restore the varied colorful landscapes, collect a ton from the wide roster of Pokemon, or just relax and take photos with your Pokemon friends, there is something in Pokopia that anybody can just pick it up and enjoy at your own leisurely pace.

Survey voice

かど
It's a work that brilliantly fuses the sandbox genre with Pokémon. The Pokémon are producers of crafting materials, also serve as the workbench, and even become consumers of the finished items, so I felt the game's overall core loop is extremely well done. Also, there's almost no strong pressure from survival or combat, and the design makes you feel the player's ingenuity and growth through building, so it delivers a genuinely laid-back, relaxing play experience. On top of that, each Pokémon has a rich variety of expressions and animations, and each one expresses its own personality and preferences through its actions. As a result, rather than just learning about their traits from Pokédex entries, an "ecosystem" is created where you feel them as beings actually living there, which is another big appeal of this game.
Show original (日本語)
サンドボックスとポケモンを見事に融合させた作品です。ポケモンたちは、クラフト素材の生産者であり、作業台の役割も担い、さらに完成したアイテムの消費者にもなるため、ゲーム全体のコアループが非常に優れていると感じました。また、生存や戦闘による強いプレッシャーはほとんどなく、建築を通じてプレイヤーの工夫や成長を実感させる設計になっているため、本当の意味で気軽に楽しめる、リラックスしたプレイ体験が成立しています。加えて、ポケモンごとに多彩な表情や動作が用意されており、それぞれが行動を通じて自分の性格や好みを表現してくれます。その結果、単に図鑑の説明文で個性を知るのではなく、実際にそこに生きている存在として感じられる“生態系”が作られている点も、本作の大きな魅力です。

Diana / 20s / Female
This is my actual first Pokemon game despite knowing the franchise for a long time. We were never really able to afford many consoles growing up, so having a cozy Pokemon game as my entry really warms my heart. I haven't progressed much into the story because I really just want to savor it and not speedrun it.

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Kei / 30s / Female
I've always loved sandbox games like Pokopia and it gave me a break from my hyperfixation then. I also love that I got to know a lot of Pokemon better because I was able to speak to them! I found new appreciation for Pokemon that I didn't really like then like Trubbish!

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View on Nintendo Switch 2 →

33 votes

Wii Sports

Nintendo Wii

SportsMultiplayer

Survey scores · avg 3.1/5

Story1.4

Gameplay4.7

Graphics2.9

Music3.4

Character2.9

Wii Sports, a game bundled with the Nintendo Wii, features five addictive sports games that showcase the capabilities of the Wii Remote and Nunchuk's motion controls. From tennis and boxing to bowling, Wii Sports is a game that almost anyone can enjoy, making it the perfect game for family gatherings even to this day.

Survey voice

Lucas / 20s / Male
The idea of the Wii sounded crazy at the time, but it really made for some fun games. I enjoyed countless nights of this game with my family, it didn't matter if any of us were good or bad at it, it would always be enjoyable.

Terhyz / 20s / Female
Im not much of a gamer but i do enjoy party games or games generally played with friends. Usually these games does not have a story, always battle or team up with friends

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Zam / 20s / Male
I don't think there's a game mode in this game that was ever boring, especially when you're playing with multiple people.

View on Nintendo Wii →

32 votes

Monster Hunter Freedom Unite

PlayStation Portable (PSP)

RPGAction RPG

Survey scores · avg 4.0/5

Story3.2

Gameplay4.9

Graphics3.7

Music4.3

Character3.8

Monster Hunter Freedom Unite is widely regarded as one of the greatest entries in the franchise. Packed with hundreds of quests, an enormous monster roster, and brutally satisfying G-Rank hunts, it captures everything that made classic Monster Hunter so addictive: a game where every hard-fought victory feels like a genuine accomplishment. The combat is deliberate and unforgiving. Every mistake is punishable, and every successful hunt feels earned. Combine this with local multiplayer, and it transforms the experience to unforgettable co-op memories with friends. Monster Hunter Freedom Unite remains one of the most beloved entried in the series and a benchmark for classic Monster Hunter.

Survey voice

しげぽよ
- Probably the single work that spread "Monster Hunter's" popularity - Making the high hurdle of multiplayer, which was hard on the PS2, easy to play on the PSP was the biggest factor in its spread - The number of monsters and abundance of weapon types made it very rewarding to grind - Above all, "let's go on a hunt!" with friends was the ultimate fun - A gem of a masterpiece that let you taste the fun of playing with friends more than you can now
Show original (日本語)
・たぶん「モンハン」人気を普及させた一番の作品・PS2では難易度が高かったマルチプレイの敷居の高さをPSPで遊びやすくしたのが一番の普及の要因となった・モンスターの数や武器種の豊富さでやりこみがいが非常にあった・何より友達と「一狩りいこうぜ！」が最高に楽しかった・今よりも友達とプレイしてる楽しさを味わえた珠玉の名作

Ronald / 20s / Male
My very first Monster Hunter game and the one that introduced me to the series. I have a lot of memories with this game, especially how difficult yet rewarding it was whenever you built better gear as you progressed through the game. I used to play this a lot with my friends and relatives, and it would take up the whole day.

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MJ / 30s / Female
First game that frustrated me with how heavy and slow the controls were, but started my love for the series when I got the hang of it.

View on PlayStation Portable (PSP) →

32 votes

Super Smash Bros. Brawl

Nintendo Wii

ActionFightingMultiplayer

Survey scores · avg 4.0/5

Story2.9

Gameplay4.6

Graphics4.1

Music4.3

Character4.5

Super Smash Bros. Brawl is the awaited sequel to melee with a surprisingly lengthy and fun story mode called "Subspace Emissary". Compared to Melee, Brawl is slower, floatier, and introduced a controversial mechanic where you have a 1% chance of tripping and being vulnerable. It is a lot of people's entry to the Smash games. What's crazier is it is probably one of the first crossover games with Sonic and Snake being playable characters

Survey voice

Zam / 20s / Male
The trade-off for being the least competitively inclined game in the series is having the best single-player content in Subspace Emissary, which is something I hope to see in the next Smash game if and when it comes out. I had tons of fun playing casually with friends as well.

Lucas / 20s / Male
My first Smash Bros. game, and it was just endless joy. I learned more about Nintendo's vast array of games and characters through it and had a lot of fun playing it with friends and family.

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Stu / 30s / Male
Spent a lot of hours here trying to clear its main story and unlocking all the characters to try them out. I liked how they showcased a lot from the characters here.

View on Nintendo Wii →

29 votes

Animal Crossing: New Horizons

Nintendo Switch

SimulationSocial SimulationCozy

Survey scores · avg 4.2/5

Story3.2

Gameplay4.6

Graphics4.3

Music4.5

Character4.5

Animal Crossing: New Horizons takes you to a deserted island to begin a new life. Go fishing, catch bugs, and forage for valuable materials to earn money at your own pace. You can even use the materials you've gathered to craft other items and furniture. Slowly but surely, you'll be able to transform the weed-filled island into your own unique paradise! The game offers many customization options compared to its predecessors, allowing you to change your island's landscape and even place furniture outdoors. Enjoy island life together with your quirky neighbors and build a home for yourself without any pressure.

Survey voice

Lucas / 20s / Male
This came in at a time where the world was in panic and in need of an escape, and this was it. It was my first (and so far only) Animal Crossing game and it took care of me as much as I wanted to take care of the critters in my game. It's relaxing, charming, and very fun with friends.

Dee / 30s / Male
An amazing game that was (unintentionally) released during the pandemic. I do dislike the maturity of most villagers, and I miss the humor and silliness of earlier entries, but it was still a very cozy game to play on the Switch.

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Diana / 20s / Female
Same as my entry for the Nintendo Switch 2. My sister and I shared an island during the pandemic, and it was a good bonding experience for us overall. Realizing that I've had my island for 6 years now feels wild, but I love it.

Read Review

View on Nintendo Switch →

27 votes

Elden Ring

Steam (PC)

RPGSoulslikeOpen World

Survey scores · avg 4.6/5

Story4.3

Gameplay4.8

Graphics4.7

Music4.6

Character4.5

Elden Ring is the epic love child of FromSoftware, the game developer that is hell-bent on making players turn their controllers into projectiles, and George R.R. Martin, the author who has a knack for creating beloved characters who ultimately meet their end after three chapters. You take on the role of the Tarnished, and you will venture forth through the harsh and unforgiving world of The Lands Between. Players will helm both sword and shield as they weather the landscape of battle unleashed by the gods and their kin. The game is the very definition of sheer will, as it constantly tests players' mettle through the usual soulslike difficulty expected from FromSoftware. Explore the vast reaches of the game's open world, defeat numerous foes and demigods in battle, and strive to become the Elden Lord.

Survey voice

うっちー / 30代 / 男性
An open-world action RPG etched into gaming history, the finest of the 21st century. Despite its overwhelming difficulty, it has an addictiveness that makes you want to challenge tough enemies again and again, and the sense of accomplishment the moment you win is an appeal you can rarely taste in other games. On top of an enormous amount of content, it also features highly free character building through diverse builds, boasting a level of polish that lets you keep playing for hundreds of hours. The DLC adds new weapons, areas, and bosses, letting you enjoy a new adventure with a volume rivaling the main game. The breadth of exploration and build-building expands even further, and it has the appeal of keeping you playing long after clearing it.
Show original (日本語)
ゲーム史に刻まれる、21世紀最高峰のオープンワールドアクションRPG。圧倒的な高難度でありながら、何度も強敵へ挑戦したくなる中毒性と、勝利した瞬間の達成感は他のゲームではなかなか味わえない魅力を持つ。膨大なコンテンツ量に加え、多彩なビルドによる自由度の高いキャラクター育成も特徴で、何百時間でも遊び続けられる完成度を誇る作品。 DLCでは新たな武器やエリア、ボスが追加され、本編に匹敵するほどのボリュームで新たな冒険を楽しめる。探索やビルド構築の幅もさらに広がり、クリア後も長く遊び続けられる魅力を備えている。

Elmer
The only game that I've ever played that I'd call a "true open-world". It always amazed me how after the tutorial, you're free to do whatever... enter Caelid underleved, fight the Tree Sentinel with beginner equipment, or just simply explore. Despite the difficulty, none of the fights ever felt unfair (except for Consort Radahn...), and every inch of exploration felt marvel. Also, unironically, this game made me feel fear no other games have done before. The fear of the unknown, fear of death, it was crazy feeling all sorts of emotions when I was playing this game.

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あるえ / 30代 / 男性
Even viewed as an open-world game, it has tremendous volume; the map is vast and there are many of them, each with distinct character and beautifully expressed, wonderful. Bosses are scattered across the vast map, so there's the fun of exploration. There are also many weapons the player can use, and your approach changes depending on how you allocate stats, and your fighting style changes further with Ashes of War, so even the same boss can be fought in various ways, giving the fun of playing over and over.
Show original (日本語)
オープンワールドゲームとして見ても凄まじいボリューム、マップも広大かつ数も多く、それぞれに特色があり綺麗に表現されていて素晴らしい広大なマップにボスが点在しており探索する楽しみがあるプレイヤーが使える武器の数も多く、またステータスの振り方によって立ち回りも変わり、戦技によってさらに戦い方も変わるので同じボスでも様々な戦い方があって何度も遊べる楽しみがある

かど
I think this game's greatest appeal isn't simply that it's highly difficult, but that it establishes the open world, combat, and story as a single, complete experience you can decipher, explore, and empathize with. Also, regarding the high difficulty that's often been pointed out throughout the Souls series, it's tuned extremely well in this game, resolving it almost ideally by letting each player choose a strategy that suits them.
Show original (日本語)
本作最大の魅力は、単に難易度が高いことではなく、オープンワールド、戦闘、物語を「読み解ける・探索できる・感情移入できる」一つの完成された体験として成立させている点にあると思います。また、これまでソウルシリーズでたびたび指摘されてきた難易度の高さについても、本作では非常にうまく調整されており、プレイヤーごとに自分に合った攻略方法を選べる形で、ほぼ理想的に解決されていると感じました。

Rather than progressing mainly by leveling up your character, I felt the game is very cleverly designed with the growth of the player's own skill as its core. It does feel difficult, but it gives you plenty of motivation that surpasses that.
Show original (日本語)
キャラクターのレベリングをメインに進行するのではなく、プレイヤーのプレイスキルの成長をゲームの根幹として、非常に巧妙にゲームがデザインされていると感じました。難易度が高いと感じますが、それを超えるモチベーションを大いに与えてくれます。

Aiko / 20s / Female
Technically, Elden Ring was my first FromSoftware game. I only played it because my brother influenced me to, and I ended up liking it a lot. I think everything about this game is perfect. It just delivers.

Birb / 20s / Male
Finished the game within the 1st week of release. Exploration, open world, and the quiet delivery of the story stuck with me. Gameplay wasn't really all that super new; it was still Dark Souls in some way.

Lou / 30s / Male
Same with Dark Souls, the lore is amazing. Until now, I'm still thinking of possible lore theories. The boss fights here are one of the most memorable battles I've had in the RPG genre.

Jords / 30s / Male
Fromsoftware and George R.R. Martin gave birth to something really special here.

Read Review

26 votes

Fire Emblem: Three Houses

Nintendo Switch

RPGTactical RPG

Survey scores · avg 4.6/5

Story4.9

Gameplay4.6

Graphics4.2

Music4.8

Character4.8

Fire Emblem: Three Houses is a tactical story-rich RPG that tells the tale of students from varying backgrounds finding themselves in a full-scale war later on. Three Houses adds in a mechanic where you can explore around the monastery and interact with other characters and NPCs, while nurturing skills through numerous activities such as cooking, singing, and fishing. This is the best game for players who would love to be immersed in political storytelling, as well those who often invest themselves emotionally in the characters of a game.

Survey voice

Jonat / 20s / Male
This is everything I wanted Fire Emblem Fates to be: branching storylines that aren't trying to sell you a third "true" path, characters who are actually committed to their ideals, and consequences. Three Houses' narrative spun an entire discourse that, unfortunately, I don't think the community will ever recover from. It's a bittersweet game and the only thing I never liked about it is how we have to restart the campus section of the game for all 3 "main" routes.

Ronald / 20s / Male
I was really addicted to this game. I enjoyed the combat and the BGM that comes with it. It really hypes me up whenever a mission starts. Experimenting with the different classes after a study session really makes it fun to try in a mission. The story of each route was really good, and you can see the goals that the captains want to achieve.

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Yuri / 20s / Male
Fire Emblem: Three Houses is my COVID-era game, and it's the title that truly introduced me to and made me fall in love with the Fire Emblem series. The game features an incredibly compelling cast of characters, each with their own unique personalities, motivations, and stories that made me genuinely invested in their journeys.

View on Nintendo Switch →

26 votes

Genshin Impact

Smartphone

AdventureAction-AdventureGachaOpen World

Survey scores · avg 4.3/5

Story4.2

Gameplay4.2

Graphics4.3

Music4.4

Character4.3

Genshin Impact is an anime-style open-world action RPG, filled with magic and style. Follow a traveler of your choice in uncovering all there is to know about the world of Genshin: its places, people, and stories. For players who enjoy gacha character collection with enticing lore and elemental combat, this game will interest you with various gamemodes and puzzles that will quench your thirst for adventure and exploration.

Survey voice

あっきー / 30代 / 男性
Genshin is a big work you could call the one that created the currently trendy anime-style open-world game trend, and the shock of a work with console-worthy quality being playable for free and even on smartphones is, thinking about it now, still insane. Its impact on the game industry was tremendous too, greatly contributing to raising the quality of subsequent smartphone games. In this game, the fun comes from clearing exploration and combat by making full use of gimmicks called elemental reactions, and I think it's amazing how combat that isn't simply about hitting or not hitting a weakness gives new meaning to using characters. The story is complex and hard to get into, but since it's designed so that even free-to-play players get rewards the more they play, the point that you can keep enjoying it forever is a happy one too.
Show original (日本語)
原神は現在流行りのアニメ調オープンワールドゲームのトレンドを作った作品と言える大作で、コンシューマーでもおかしくないクオリティの作品が無料かつスマホでも遊べるという衝撃は今考えてもやばいです。ゲーム業界に与えた影響も凄まじく以降のスマホゲームのクオリティ引き上げにも大きく貢献しました。本作では元素反応と呼ばれるギミックを駆使して探索や戦闘を攻略していくことが面白さとなり、単純な弱点をついたつかないではない戦闘はキャラクターを使う新しい意味を見出してくれている点がすごいと思います。複雑でとっつきにくいストーリーではあるものの、無課金でも遊んだら遊んだだけ見返りがくる設計なので、ずっと楽しむことができる点も嬉しいポイントです。

Lina / 30s / Female
It's been a while since I really played Genshin, but there were quests that I really enjoyed completing, like the story of Dainsleif's friend and Ruu in Tsurumi Island. Another good memory I have about the game was when I reached the floating island in Qingyun Peak and enjoyed the music and view for a few minutes. Since it's been so long since I last played, I've been having a hard time catching up on quests and grinding to level up my characters. I still keep the game on my phone in case I want to return and have time to grind.

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Aiko / 20s / Female
I used to play this game a lot during the pandemic and I'm pretty proud to say that I spent no money on it and yet I got some good characters by sheer luck. I think the story and the worldbuilding are really solid, though in terms of character design and gameplay, they just don't scratch my brain as much as they used to.

Read Review

26 votes

Pokémon Ruby and Sapphire

Game Boy Advance

RPGMonster TamingTurn-Based

Survey scores · avg 4.3/5

Story3.9

Gameplay4.7

Graphics3.8

Music4.7

Character4.3

Pokémon Ruby / Sapphire introduced the beloved Gen III, hailing from the tropical Hoenn region. This game paved the way for a new era of competitive play, with new abilities and combat styles that people know and enjoy today. For players who want a classic Pokémon adventure with the thrill of modern battles, Pokémon Ruby / Sapphire is a good entry into the long-standing series.

Survey voice

Ronald / 20s / Male
Pokémon Sapphire was the first Pokemon game I have ever played. I would play it on my cousin's Game Boy. I eventually bought my own copy of Pokémon Emerald. I have beaten this game multiple times, and even until today I still clearly remember how to finish it.

Pat / Female
This was my very first Pokemon game ever. That's what makes it so special to me. Also my favorite town music is Verdanturf Town. When I was a kid, there were times where I just plug the GBA to a charger, go to Verdanturf, and just sleep with its music.

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Ozzy / 20s / Male
Im pretty sure this is nostalgia based but it was my first pokemon game. Went in without any guides or any direction and it was one of my fondest memories of gaming in general.

26 votes

Super Smash Bros. Ultimate

Nintendo Switch

ActionPlatform FighterMultiplayer

Survey scores · avg 3.9/5

Story2.2

Gameplay4.8

Graphics4.2

Music4.5

Character4.6

Super Smash Bros. Ultimate features one of the most ambitious crossovers, with playable characters spanning across multiple in-game universes. The core gameplay loop is simple, revolving around a platform-based fighting game mechanic, but the intricacies of all the characters make for an amazing experience, regardless of skill level.

Survey voice

あるえ / 30代 / 男性
With 87 playable characters, it's overwhelming as a fighting game. Every character has a clear strength, and there are moments where each is fun to use. Non-Nintendo characters join the roster too, and they're all highly faithful to their originals. The BGM also uses the original games' tracks and arranged versions, making it a lineup that fans of each series will be happy with.
Show original (日本語)
使用可能キャラ数が87体と対戦ゲームとして圧倒的どのキャラにも明確な強みが存在しており、使っていて楽しい瞬間がある任天堂以外のキャラも参戦しており、どれも再現度が高い BGMもオリジナル版の音源やアレンジBGMが採用されており、そのシリーズのファンにも嬉しいラインナップになっている

かわしぃ / 20代 / 男性
As the latest entry in the Smash Bros. series currently out, its appeal is above all the sheer number of characters. If you go all-in on serious competition, it's tough because you need counters for every single character, but since it's marketed as a fun party game, I think that's part of what makes it the best game.
Show original (日本語)
現在出ているスマブラシリーズの最新作となっている今作は、とにかくキャラクター数が魅力です。ガチガチに対戦するとなると、キャラクターの分だけ対策が必要になるため大変ですが、一応愉快なパーティーゲームとして売り出しているため、そこも含めて最高のゲームだと思います。

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Jowi / 20s / Prefer not to say
When Sora was announced as the last DLC character, that single-handedly convinced me to at least try to give the game a chance. Again, not very great at fighting games, but SSBU manages to be a fun time anyway.

View on Nintendo Switch →

24 votes

The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom

Nintendo Switch

Action-AdventureOpen World

Survey scores · avg 4.8/5

Story4.8

Gameplay4.9

Graphics4.7

Music4.9

Character4.9

The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom is one of the best open-world games of this era. From exploring the vast open world with your own creative machineries to solving unique shrines and engaging in satisfying combat, The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom won't let you down. Both newcomers and long time fans of the series will find this game extremely enjoyable.

Survey voice

あるえ / 30代 / 男性
The sequel to Breath of the Wild. The stage of adventure is the same, but sky and underground maps were added, powering up exploration even further. It keeps all of Breath of the Wild's appeal, and now you can build vehicles like cars and airships by combining materials yourself, powering up the freedom of puzzle-solving even more.
Show original (日本語)
ブレスオブザワイルドの続編冒険の舞台は同じだが、空と地下マップが追加されて探索もさらにパワーアップしたブレスオブザワイルドの魅力はそのままに、車や飛行船などの乗り物を自分で素材を組み合わせて作れるようになり、謎解きの自由度もさらにパワーアップ

Iommi / 20s / Female
The first Switch 2 upgrade I bought after getting the console. Such a great sequel to BOTW, which was a difficult feat to achieve in my opinion. A timeless classic that offers something to hit the spot for whatever type of gameplay I'm in the mood for — cozy, action, fighting, etc.

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Sean / 20s / Male
Same with BotW, but I like how they introduced the construction mechanic. It gives a lot of freedom to players in how to tackle specific puzzles or exploration difficulties. I also like the idea of having an explorable underground with the same size as the surface.

Dee / 30s / Male
My first new release in the company! I was ready to dislike it since I had no prior knowledge of it, but it turned out to be a great introduction to the franchise for me. I loved the freedom and creativity in building Zonai devices, and of course, the fashion.

Chad / 30s / Male
One of the first games I reviewed here. Also one of my favorites.

Jords / 30s / Male
This game really made me love the Switch console overall.

Read Review

View on Nintendo Switch →

24 votes

Pokémon Diamond and Pearl

Nintendo 3DS / DS

RPGMonster TamingTurn-Based

Survey scores · avg 4.4/5

Story4.4

Gameplay4.6

Graphics4.0

Music4.7

Character4.7

Pokemon Diamond/Pearl/Platinum is the mainline games for the series' Fourth Generation, and features one of the most overarching plotlines that can take up to 50 hours to complete the main story and post-game. Pokemon D/P/PT's main appeal is that it breathed new life into Pokemon from previous generations by giving them new evolutions, on top of its iconic new Pokemon like Garchomp and Lucario. Pokemon Platinum also has one of the longest Post-Game content, giving players a whopping total of 15 Post-Game Legendaries to catch, along with trainer rematches which features one of, if not the hardest Trainer Battle against Champion Cynthia.

Survey voice

あっきー / 30代 / 男性
A Pokémon title for the DS, where the DS's signature touch pen was used for gimmicks like underground exploration and systems like the Pokétch, nostalgic. It's a work where many Pokémon that are still popular today appeared, like "Garchomp," "Lucario," "Leafeon," and "Glaceon," and the designs were good overall. Many of the Legendary Pokémon are based on mythology with grand backgrounds, and including urban legends, it remains a highly popular work even now.
Show original (日本語)
DS用のポケモンタイトルであり、DSの特徴であるタッチペンを使ったギミックが活かされた地下の探索やポケッチ等のシステムが懐かしい。今も人気が高いポケモンである「カブリアス」「ルカリオ」「リーフィア」「グレイシア」など数多くのポケモンが登場した作品であり、全体的に見てもデザインが良かった。伝説のポケモンも神話をモチーフに壮大な背景を持つポケモンが多く、都市伝説等を含め今でも人気が高い作品となっている。

Ozzy / 20s / Male
My top Pokemon mainline game. The lore feels rich and something you can sink into. The Pokemon designs during this generation are so inspired and the post game content they added make it feel more expansive. Also best Champion ever Cynthia. Music is also really immersive.

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Jowi / 20s / Prefer not to say
This will always be my favorite Pokemon game. It has the best starters, the best region, the best Pokemon Champion, and the best legendaries. Not much really needs to be said about something that's already great.

24 votes

Pokémon FireRed and LeafGreen

Game Boy Advance

RPGMonster TamingTurn-Based

Survey scores · avg 4.4/5

Story4.0

Gameplay4.6

Graphics4.5

Music4.6

Character4.7

Pokemon FireRed/LeafGreen is a faithful remake of the original Red/Green games, with additional content that expands upon its predecessor. Pokemon FireRed and LeafGreen expands on the Kanto region experience by giving players the quality of life features introduced in Generations 2 and 3, without changing what made the original games iconic. Pokemon FR/LG also expands well into the Post-Game, giving players access to the Sevii Islands, allowing them to catch new Pokemon, new Legendaries, as well as provide more Lore for the late-game characters such as the Elite Four.

Survey voice

Isa / 20s / Female
Pokemon Fire Red was my introduction to the Pokemon series. Maybe looking back on it from the perspective of an adult and experience of other games, I'd have a different opinion of it, but as a child, it holds a very special place for me.

Yuri / 20s / Male
Pokémon FireRed is a great game and one of my favorite experiences on the Game Boy Advance. I don't have too many memories with the system itself since I never owned one and would usually borrow it from my cousins.

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Elijah / 20s / Male
The battery in my cartridge was dead, so I had to replay the game every time I turned off my gameboy. I remember the farthest I ever made it was to Vermilion City. I was probably 8 or 9 yrs old at the time hahaha

Read Review

24 votes

Pokémon Scarlet and Violet

Nintendo Switch

RPGMonster TamingTurn-BasedMultiplayer

Survey scores · avg 3.9/5

Story4.2

Gameplay4.0

Graphics3.4

Music4.1

Character4.0

Pokemon SV features an open world where players can tackle gyms in any order, explore every area as they please, and catch any accessible Pokemon regardless of restrictions. It also features the flashy Terastalization mechanic; a generational gimmick that appeals greatly to competitive players due to its flexibility in manipulating their Pokemon's typing.

Survey voice

Lucas / 20s / Male
There were a lot of things riding on this game following Legends Arceus, and in a way it didn't really match that game but Scarlet and Violet did deliver in introducing some really cool concepts and lots of fun new Pokemon additions. In an unexpected twist, it handled its story and characters better than most of the games that came out after Black and White, and I will always commend it for daring to tell a story I don't think was ever done to this level in the series.

ひも
Because it's open world, at first I explored without advancing the story at all, and before I knew it I was on a snowy mountain. When I figured it was about time to beat a Gym Leader and went to a nearby Gym, I got wrecked, and my whole party ended up strung out on healing items.
Show original (日本語)
オープンワールドのため、最初は一切ストーリーを進めず探索していたら、気付いたら雪山にいました。そろそろジムリーダーを倒そうと近くのジムに行ったらボコボコにされ、手持ちのポケモンが全員薬漬けになりました。

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P-san
Pokémon's character designs keep getting better. Popular characters like the battle junkie Nemona and the streamer Iono were born here. Skeledirge, an incredibly cute Pokémon, also came from this game.
Show original (日本語)
ポケモンはキャラクターデザインがどんどんよくなっていく。バトルジャンキーのネモ、配信者のナンジャモなど人気のキャラクターが生まれた。ラウドボーンという最高に可愛いポケモンもここから生まれた。

Al / 30s / Male
Terastalization is an amazing generational gimmick for competitive and is arguably my favorite

Jords / 30s / Male
Love how the game employs a bit of an open-world mechanic.

View on Nintendo Switch →

23 votes

Honkai: Star Rail

Smartphone

RPGGachaTurn-Based

Survey scores · avg 4.4/5

Story4.5

Gameplay4.0

Graphics4.6

Music4.5

Character4.3

Honkai: Star Rail takes you on a journey across galaxies as HoYoverse's take on the outer space sci-fi RPG genre. This gacha game will have you in awe with its colorful characters, expansive worldbuilding, intergalactic conflicts, and intuitive turn-based combat. With its highly-detailed storytelling and grand scale of events, the plot is sure to move you. This game is for those who love strategic team-building, exploring a futuristic universe, engaging in fun side stories, and obliterating their enemies with orbital beams.

Survey voice

Lina / 30s / Female
I played the game for a while after its release and really enjoyed it. One feature I liked was the auto-battle option, which made grinding for materials much easier, provided my characters were properly optimized. I also appreciated the humorous conversation and reply options in the game. The characters are visually appealing, especially when they unleash their ultimate abilities. One of the most memorable Trailblaze Missions for me was when Dan Heng accepted and awakened his power as Imbibitor Lunae. The song "Samudrartha," combined with that scene, made it a truly epic experience. I haven’t deleted the game from my phone because I want to catch up with the story soon.

Aiko / 20s / Female
I think I enjoy Star Rail more than Genshin though I don't really play either anymore. Gameplay-wise, I enjoy the strategy Star Rail offers. The space travel aesthetic is also pretty cool too.

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John / 20s / Male
Great story, character effects, and music though powercreep is out of control and every new character relies too much on their main support. Still, Phainon arc in 3.4 was the best imo.

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22 votes

Kingdom Hearts II

PlayStation 2

RPGAction RPG

Survey scores · avg 4.6/5

Story4.5

Gameplay4.8

Graphics4.5

Music4.7

Character4.7

Kingdom Hearts 2 has to be iconic for its introduction of flashy, fast, smooth, and stylish gameplay to the KH franchise. The added "context-specific" triangle button to do insane things, the introduction of different forms, and an overall edgier and over the top anime vibe is where Square Enix sort of mastered the identity of "Kingdom Hearts". The standardized camera and the removal of platforming stages was also for the best in this game.

Survey voice

Zam / 20s / Male
I'm not really sure what to say about this game considering the ratings I gave it. Maybe not an objectively perfect game but definitely a perfect game for me. It improved a lot on KH1 combat and felt so much more fluid. Great worlds, great plot, and great combat.

Sora / 30s / Male
Where do I even start? This is the game that shaped my whole identity, combining the two franchises that I have loved since time immemorial: Final Fantasy and Disney. It also introduced me to the character whose heart I aspire my own to be like.

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Ervin / 30s / Male
Square Enix going all out on production values. Its such a flashy game and the story and tone was just perfect for my 10 year old brain. Peak Childhood. The Xemnas fight was just pure Square Enix epicness

View on PlayStation 2 →

22 votes

Monster Hunter World

PlayStation 4

RPGAction RPG

Survey scores · avg 4.2/5

Story3.1

Gameplay4.9

Graphics4.7

Music4.3

Character3.8

Monster Hunter World is the fifth mainline installment in the monster hunter series. It remains true to its franchise appeal of actively hunting and fighting monsters through various weapon types with their own levels of complexity. The world built for Monster Hunter World allows its players to use the environment to their advantage, whether to trap monsters through vines, or drop a boulder to deal massive amounts of damage is a welcome strategy. With its gameplay elements, it shows its unique playstyle of hunting with a healthy mix of action, making it perfect for solo or cooperative play.

Survey voice

うっちー / 30代 / 男性
A work that became my gateway to getting hooked on online games. I'd always liked the Monster Hunter series and had played since "Monster Hunter Portable 2nd," but in this game I interacted with other players, joined a circle, and started playing with friends almost every day. It's a deeply memorable work that gave me a new gaming experience not just of playing a game, but through connections with people. In particular, "Extreme Behemoth" remains strongly impressed on me as one of the toughest, hardest monsters in Monster Hunter history. Of course there was challenging it in coordination with friends, but the once-in-a-lifetime experience of hunting together with players I met in random multiplayer was also a big appeal. Also, I took on solo hunts, which were extremely difficult at the time, and I still can't forget the sense of accomplishment when I finally defeated it after trial and error. It's a special work to me that taught me not just the fun of hunting, but the joy of community and cooperative play unique to online games.
Show original (日本語)
オンラインゲームに夢中になるきっかけとなった作品です。もともとモンハンシリーズは好きで、『モンスターハンターポータブル 2nd』からプレイしていましたが、本作では他のプレイヤーと交流し、サークルに参加して毎日のようにフレンドと遊ぶようになりました。単にゲームを遊ぶだけでなく、人とのつながりを通じた新たなゲーム体験を与えてくれた思い出深い作品です。中でも「極ベヒーモス」は、モンハン史に残る屈指の高難度モンスターとして強く印象に残っています。フレンドと連携して挑戦するのはもちろん、野良マルチで出会ったプレイヤーたちと協力して狩猟する一期一会の体験も大きな魅力でした。また、当時は非常に難易度が高かったソロ討伐にも挑戦し、試行錯誤の末に討伐できた時の達成感は今でも忘れられません。狩猟の面白さだけでなく、オンラインゲームならではのコミュニティや協力プレイの楽しさを教えてくれた、私にとって特別な作品です。

Than / 20s / Male
One of the best Monster Hunter game ever. I spent thousands of hours just playing this game. It was such a blast progressing and just playing with different players.

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Jin / 20s / Female
My first Monster Hunter experience and it took me 2 months to appreciate it haha but ended up spending 400+ hours grinding with friends.

Jeremy / 20s / Male
I love playing this with coworkers, and the game forces you to learn its combat which is very rewarding. I just hate the handler.

Warren / 30s / Male
Played hours and hours on end when I was stuck in bed due to a leg and hip injury. The grind is very special.

Walter / 20s / Male
I got really into Monster Hunter again from this title and poured a lot of hours playing the game.

View on PlayStation 4 →

21 votes

Stardew Valley

Steam (PC)

SimulationFarming SimCozy

Survey scores · avg 4.6/5

Story4.3

Gameplay4.8

Graphics4.6

Music4.8

Character4.5

Stardew Valley is a cozy farming life simulation role-playing game where players inherit a neglected farm and build it into a thriving homestead while becoming part of the local community. Players can grow and sell crops, raise livestock, fish, mine for resources, and customize their own farm. Beyond farming, there is also the relationship-building that allow players to befriend villagers, complete quests, participate in seasonal festivals, and even marry and start a family. Stardew Valley is a game where players have the freedom to progress at their own pace providing a relaxing atmosphere and rewarding progression.

Survey voice

Kei / 30s / Female
Technically, Stardew Valley is on many platforms but I mainly play it on the Switch. It's the perfect game for when you just want to relax after a tiring day. I've always wanted to live in a rural area surrounded by animals and nature. I think this is why this game has such a hold on me. Apart from that though, the game's story and characters are all so adorable. In the game, I get to live my dream of becoming an entrepreneur who lives in a cabin surrounded by nature. I get to use the plants I grew for my dishes, and I can visit my friends whenever and walk alone at night because it's safe.

Diana / 20s / Female
In my opinion, one of the best cozy games ever made. It's inspirational to me as a game development student too since this was made by just one guy. I have almost 1000 hours in this game and I will always go back to it as one of my gaming safe spaces. I recently went to the Festival of Seasons concert too here in Manila and it was so worth all the hours of gameplay and saving up for the merch.

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Jowi / 20s / Prefer not to say
One of my favorite games of all time. It's one of those games where I have two-week phases with it where I just go absolutely wild and see how far I can get on a fresh save file. I have numerous farms, each with the same husband (Sebastian), and the game is never really boring for me at any point. It's endlessly fun, and everything I could have asked for in a farming sim.

Jin / 20s / Female
Probably my all-time favorite game and I've played it across all of its platforms, but I love playing it on Switch the most. The pace and the completion goals make the loop rewarding.

Eironn / 30s / Male
These are the kinds of games that should exist and be successful. You can feel the care, attention, and passion emanate from every part of the game.

Misa / 30s / Female
Another cozy game for me. I like the story and how easy the game is. There is also a level of complexity, but not hard that I can't play the game.

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20 votes

Bloodborne

PlayStation 4

RPGSoulslike

Survey scores · avg 4.6/5

Story4.3

Gameplay5.0

Graphics4.3

Music4.7

Character4.8

Bloodborne is an action RPG by the beloved developers of Dark Souls, FromSoftware. In this long-hyped new IP, shields were ditched for an even faster, riskier and more feral combat where parrying was almost required and aggression was key. The dark fantasy theme takes a Victorian aesthetic with a heaping serving of eldritch horror.

Survey voice

Aiko / 20s / Female
I remember seeing this game for the first time and not liking it but I decided to give it a shot because I love the gothic aesthetic. I ended up liking it so much that it became my go-to game for blowing off steam. As corny as it sounds, Bloodborne was there for me when I was frustrated and depressed in university. Game is starting to show its age, hence the 4/5 graphics rating, but I still love it to bits.

Piolo / 30s / Male
This is precisely why I bought a PS4! I was really into the Souls genre at the time, and Bloodborne is my personal favourite. The shift in playstyle from block-focused turtling' to aggression, coupled with the faster-paced combat and rally mechanic, sets the game apart from the rest of the series — not to mention the matching soundtrack.

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Noel / 30s / Male
One of the darkest stories in gaming, inspired by HP Lovecraft's fiction, it delves into the darkness of fear and powers beyond our understanding. Gameplay is quick, tight and a perfect balance of speed and aggression for an RPG, bringing you into a flow state in difficult boss battles.

View on PlayStation 4 →

20 votes

Persona 3 Portable

PlayStation Portable (PSP)

RPGJRPGTurn-Based

Survey scores · avg 4.6/5

Story5.0

Gameplay4.3

Graphics4.2

Music5.0

Character4.8

Persona 3 Portable brings the pioneer of the "Neo Persona" series to smaller screens, allowing players to experience its turn-based social adventure on the go. Framed as a hybrid visual novel and turn-based RPG, players can relive the original story as the male protagonist or choose the exclusive female protagonist route, which features a modified story and new Social Links.

Survey voice

Yuri / 20s / Male
’m very much a diehard Persona fan, and while I wouldn’t say Persona 3 Portable is the best entry in the series due to some of the compromises made to fit the PSP hardware, I still think it’s a phenomenal game. Despite the downgraded presentation in certain areas, it retains the compelling story, characters, and themes that made Persona 3 so memorable. What truly sets Persona 3 Portable apart is the introduction of the female protagonist.

Jonat / 20s / Male
Before I knew about the PS2 version, Portable was my first Persona 3 experience. It featured a hopeful story about death and a well-rounded cast of broken people who eventually found themselves through each other. Sure, young me was drawn in by the edgy exterior, but looking back as an adult, this is one of the most excellent and mature narrative experiences the PSP had to offer with an addictive JRPG and dungeon-crawling loop.

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Cass / 30s / Female
The social links in this game have deeper meaning. I mean the difference in how your friendship with Junpei as an example is so much better. I loved playing as the female MC and romancing Akihiko-senpai and Shinjiro-senpai haha. Persona 3 for me is the best in persona series as well since the weight of fighting in the real world is more palpable than in an alternate dimension.

View on PlayStation Portable (PSP) →

20 votes

Pokémon Legends: Z-A

Nintendo Switch 2

RPGMonster Taming

Survey scores · avg 4.2/5

Story3.9

Gameplay4.4

Graphics4.0

Music4.6

Character4.4

Pokemon Legends: Z-A breaks the conventional mold of exploring and turn-based battling of the other mainline Pokemon games and switches it up with real-time battles in the confines of the beautiful Lumiose City! Join Team M-Z and uncover the secrets of Mega Evolution while climbing the Ranks of the Z-A Royale. With its colorful cast of characters and entertaining missions, Legends Z-A is an easy game to pick upp for newcomers and hardcore fans alike.

Survey voice

Lucas / 20s / Male
Much like Legends Arceus, Legends Z-A tried a new approach to Pokemon and it was a fun time learning how to get around the battle system and exploring Pokemon's first attempt at a massive city map. This was also the first Pokemon game I got to play early at a demo in PAX Australia last year.

P-san
A story set in the future of Pokémon X and Y. Creating a character like Canari can only be called genius. Getting to see what became of Emma and AZ afterward moved me deeply.
Show original (日本語)
ポケモンXYの未来の話。カナリィというキャラクターを生み出したのは天才としか言えない。マチエールやAZのその後の姿を見れて感無量でした。

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あわずこ
The battle and catching systems were designed to deepen immersion in the Pokémon world. I felt it was a natural, logical evolution of the Pokémon series I played as a kid.
Show original (日本語)
ポケモンの世界への没入感が高くなるような、戦闘・捕獲のシステムだった。子供のころに遊んでいたポケモンシリーズからの順当な進化を感じた。

Warren / 30s / Male
Pokemon really hit gold when they conceptualized the Legends games and this follow-up is not only charming, it is also addictive.

Vann / 30s / Male
Not the best story, and a bit of a downgrade compared to Arceus, but the new combat features are great.

Jords / 30s / Male
Bringing back the mega evolution mechanic is a nice move from Gamefreak.

Read Review

View on Nintendo Switch 2 →

19 votes

Fire Emblem: Awakening

Nintendo 3DS / DS

RPGTactical RPGStrategy

Survey scores · avg 4.6/5

Story4.5

Gameplay4.6

Graphics4.6

Music4.7

Character4.7

Fire Emblem: Awakening was supposed to the franchise's last hurrah but it became the entry that saved it. Fire Emblem: Awakening is a tactical RPG where you have to fight against the evil of another time, trying to save a future that was once doomed. It defined the modern Fire Emblem formula with a playable avatar making you more connected to the story and its characters. There was endless possibilities with unit-building as when you paired units together romantically, their children will show up later to be recruitable with their parent's traits. It was also accommodating to new players with a casual gamemode.

Survey voice

Cass / 30s / Female
This game was so exploitable with the learnable skills and job change. I was able to put just 4 characters in the map and block all incoming enemies with them. But what I loved about this the most is the story, at least in this game the children makes sense (unlike fe fates). It still has that old Fire Emblem games feel, unlike the new ones now.

Sicat / 20s / Male
First FE game that I played and what a great game that is supposed to be the swan song for the series. I absolutely liked the marriage system and having children inherit the parent skills. Story is typical time travel change the past stuff but still enjoyable. Character designs are top notch. Gameplay is great

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Jet / 30s / Male
I enjoyed Fire Emblem from the GBA but it wasn't until Awakening that I got fully hooked. In my opinion has some of the best casts of Fire Emblem characters with Chrom and the Shepherds. Also experimenting with different parent pairings to produce different stats for the Child Characters.

19 votes

Pokémon Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire

Nintendo 3DS / DS

RPGMonster TamingTurn-Based

Survey scores · avg 4.6/5

Story4.4

Gameplay4.8

Graphics4.4

Music4.6

Character4.7

Pokemon Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire returns to the Hoenn region with improved visuals, an expanded roster of Pokemon, and the Mega Evolution system giving it a refreshing change from the originals. It still provides enough nostalgia for veterans of the original Ruby and Sapphire while having enough changes to make it different on its own. Recommended for fans of the Hoenn region and players who prefer Mega Evolution over the other released gimmicks of modern Pokemon games.

Survey voice

Lucas / 20s / Male
Pokemon Sapphire was my first Pokemon game, so this remake was highly anticipated. I can remember being excited to go through the world again and trying to predict and anticipate which Pokemon were getting Mega Evolutions this time. I'm skeptical of remakes in general, but I could confidently say Omega Ruby was a good one.

Jet / 30s / Male
I had to have a Pokemon Title on here. Going with ORAS because of how well it remade RSE. Welcome inclusions such as the PokeNav Plus, the Soar Mechanic, and then mechanics that have been series staples already such as EXP Share, Fairy Type, reusable TMs, Phys/Special Split and of course Mega Evolution.

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Kei / 30s / Female
I remember having so much fun flying around the region on a Latias. Its post-game is also great. I really loved Zinnia and her story. One more thing that makes this game special is that I was able to get my Rayquaza here with just one Quick Ball.

19 votes

Arknights

Smartphone

StrategyTower DefenseGacha

Survey scores · avg 4.5/5

Story4.8

Gameplay4.3

Graphics4.2

Music4.7

Character4.8

Arknights is a tactical tower defense strategy game featuring a cast of breathtaking characters, an expansive lore, and gameplay depth that can challenge players' puzzle and problem-solving skills. Each event features its own mechanics, giving players a fresh and novel experience for each stage while constantly challenging them with new hurdles to overcome. Its story dabbles primarily in the topics of hope and political affairs, with each chapter letting players experience the various events and cultures present in its world, Terra. Those who enjoy a challenge, crafting and employing their own strategies, experiencing a story with incredible worldbuilding, or those who simply enjoy stunning art and music will come to appreciate Arknights.

Survey voice

Elmer
Phenomenal worldbuilding, and the gameplay constantly finds ways to make itself challenging. Out of all the gachas I've played, Arknights is the least "brute force-y" of its kind, since you can't just steamroll the stages with the latest, strongest character at the highest rarity. There are plenty of strategies to employ, plenty of options to pick, and the characters at low rarities or were released long ago still sees relevance depending on the strategy you make, or simply picking your favorite characters and strategizing around them is also possible.

Mango / 20s / Male
Honestly, hooked over by how they handle this game. The gameplay is very interesting, the story and worldbuilding is something that can't be found in other gacha games, and the music is made by a 100/10 chef.

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Stu / 30s / Male
Really great tower defense game with great art and music. I appreciate how considerate they've been lately with not taking up a lot of time to grind.

Read Review

18 votes

Clair Obscur: Expedition 33

Steam (PC)

RPGJRPGTurn-Based

Survey scores · avg 4.9/5

Story4.9

Gameplay4.9

Graphics4.9

Music5.0

Character4.8

Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is an RPG game that blends turn-based combat with action RPG elements, providing a fresh take on the genre. The game is set in a world with the Paintress looming over it. Every year, the Paintress paints a number, after which everyone whose age is above that number disappears. Players follow Expedition 33, the latest group of people who set out to fight the Paintress, and stop her from painting once and for all.

Survey voice

Noel / 30s / Male
A perfect marriage of nearly every creative field you can think of. The music? moving and grandiose. The art direction? Like concept art came to life straight from the page. The acting and voices laced to the brim with nuance and emotion. The gameplay an evolution of turn based and action, the Pictos and Lumina system a sandbox for experimentation, the characters all harboring a depth I've never seen before in a video game. Expedition 33 is a monolithic achievement in terms of interactive media. It is a moving painting crafted with a philosopher's insight and an artisan's masterful hand. It is a story that forces you to think about your own mortality, and those of your loved ones, it shows how differently people grieve, and how none are wrong but also none are right, and if you attempt to come to your own conclusion, even your very own family might suffer for it. Death comes for us all, but what can we do but cope? All the elements are there and they work together to create one of the finest works of art that I've had to use a controller to interact with.

Ronald / 20s / Male
One of my best games of all time. The game is really addictive and it was able to seemingly combine turn-based and action into one challenging but fun experience. Everything is top-notch from top to bottom. The story really hooked me until the end. It was confusing at first but really good when everything was put into place. The music really sets the mood of the battle or moment, and you are drawn into it.

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Jonat / 20s / Male
Everyone's favorite surprise hit from 2025. I still remember feeling heavy after the ending of the first chapter when [REDACTED]. Overall, a well-oiled turn-based combat system that will keep you on your toes even when it's not your turn to attack. You can dodge or parry enemy attacks, which is an amazing addition to the genre that I hope I'll start seeing more in the future.

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18 votes

Baldur's Gate 3

Steam (PC)

RPGTactical RPGTurn-Based

Survey scores · avg 4.8/5

Story4.9

Gameplay4.8

Graphics4.7

Music4.7

Character4.9

If you love D&D, then you'll love Baldur’s Gate 3. Gather a group of memorable characters and enjoy this story-rich game, where your choices can shape the outcome of the story. Baldur’s Gate offers players the freedom of choice: would you rather persuade an NPC or kill them? Steal in broad daylight or sneak in the dead of the night? Baldur’s Gate 3 lets you choose how things play out. Along with the complex story, it also offers challenging turn-based combat where every move counts and the roll of the dice can decide your fate

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かど
There are mainly three reasons I recommend it. The first is that a CRPG with this scale of production is almost nowhere to be found in today's market. The second is the overwhelming amount of content. Combining the main story and side quests, there's enough volume to play at least 100-150 hours. The text volume rivals an ultra-long novel too, and beyond repeat playthroughs, you can have a very dense experience in multiplayer with friends. The third is the high degree of freedom. Many of the choices the player thinks up as "I want to do this" are actually possible, giving you the sense of creating your very own story.
Show original (日本語)
おすすめする理由は、主に三つあります。一つ目は、これほどの制作規模を持つCRPGが、今の市場ではほとんど見当たらないという点です。二つ目は、圧倒的なコンテンツ量です。メインストーリーとサブクエストを合わせれば、少なくとも100〜150時間は遊べるボリュームがあります。テキスト量も超長編小説に匹敵するほどで、周回プレイはもちろん、友人とのマルチプレイでも非常に濃密な体験ができます。三つ目は、自由度の高さです。プレイヤーが「こうしたい」と思いつく選択の多くが実際に可能で、自分だけの物語を作っていける感覚があります。

Diana / 20s / Female
In my opinion, one of the best PC games of all time. I never knew that Dungeons and Dragons could be so well implemented into a video game. Every story arc, every boss fight, every detail was so well thought out. This game has no bad reviews from me at all. This is the first game where I really felt like "Wow, I can actually do anything I want, and the game will deliver the consequences without missing a beat". What an absolute unit of a game, honestly.

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Jamal / 20s / Male
As a Dungeons & Dragons player and Dungeon Master, this game honestly did the IP justice. The lore felt right, and I had a great time with the combat since I already enjoy turn-based games. The replayability is crazy too because every playthrough can feel different. You can be the hero saving everyone, or you can go full menace mode and become an absolute villain. The storytelling is easily one of the best I’ve experienced in a game.

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18 votes

The Last of Us

PlayStation 3

HorrorSurvival Horror

Survey scores · avg 4.7/5

Story5.0

Gameplay4.5

Graphics4.7

Music4.6

Character4.4

The Last of Us is a linear third-person survival-horror action game. The game is a series of combat encounters with varying enemy types and numbers on varying map layouts. In these encounters, players can choose to take sneaky or aggressive approaches, or a mix of both, while scavenging and managing scarce resources. But at its heart, The Last of Us is a character-focused, narrative game about love and how far we, as people, are willing to go and how much we are willing to sacrifice for it.

Survey voice

ほり
"The Last of Us" is a work with, above all, an extremely high level of story completion. Set in a world where an unknown fungus has spread and civilization has collapsed, it focuses on the relationship of two people traveling to survive. Early in the story, they had the distance of strangers acting together for a purpose. But as they continued their harsh journey, trust gradually formed, and by the end they became bound by a bond like a true parent and child. Precisely because that change is portrayed carefully, the choice at the story's climax carried enormous weight. It's a work that makes you think about which you would choose when weighing a collapsed world against a single child as precious as your own daughter. Not merely a zombie survival game, but a story depicting human love and ego, loss and rebirth, it remains strongly impressed on me even now. Also, the PvP that's a bonus element of the main game is quite polished too, and its rare gameplay of a third-person shooter incorporating crafting elements was appealing. Tense maneuvering, resource management, and team coordination are important, and it has such deep-rooted popularity that there are still fans playing it today.
Show original (日本語)
『The Last of Us』は、とにかくストーリーの完成度が高い作品です。未知の真菌が蔓延し、文明が崩壊した世界を舞台に、生き抜くために旅をする2人の関係性に焦点を当てて描かれています。物語の序盤では、あくまで「目的のために行動を共にする他人」のような距離感でした。しかし、過酷な旅を続ける中で少しずつ信頼関係が生まれ、最後には本物の親子のような絆で結ばれていきます。その変化が丁寧に描かれているからこそ、物語終盤の選択には非常に重みがありました。崩壊した世界と、娘のように大切な1人の子供を天秤にかけた時、自分ならどちらを選ぶのかを考えさせられる作品です。単なるゾンビサバイバルではなく、人間の愛情やエゴ、喪失と再生を描いた物語として、今でも強く印象に残っています。また、本編のおまけ要素であるPvPもかなり完成度が高く、クラフト要素を取り入れたサードパーソンシューティングという珍しいゲーム性が魅力でした。緊張感のある立ち回りや物資管理、チーム連携が重要で、今でもプレイしているファンがいるほど根強い人気を持っています。

Ronald / 20s / Male
One of the best games I have ever played in the PS3. The story was so captivating from the start until the end. I didn't really expect how heart shattering the beginning was when Sarah died right in front of Joel. How it really affected him later in his life and how Ellie later filled up that void. Their bond throughout the whole playthrough was really fulfilling. The gameplay was also very immersive, and I really enjoyed the combat. You could feel the tension whenever Joel was backed into a corner against multiple enemies, whether humans or infected. As Ellie, it was also engaging how you could use your surroundings to take down enemies or escape danger.

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Piolo / 30s / Male
While it is not technically exclusive due to the number of re-releases it has had and the fact that it initially launched on the PS3, this game had me gripped from start to finish. The writing was excellent, and the raw emotion experienced in the introduction perfectly set expectations for what was to come.

Alonso / 20s / Male
This game really opened my eyes to the performances of the actors in-game and got me invested on story and the gameplay that served the narrative.

Vann / 30s / Male
A bleak look into humanity. It shows the good, the bad, the best, and the horrific tendencies of humans in video game form.

Eironn / 30s / Male
Never has a story told in video game form affected me so much, until The Last of Us Part 2 that is.

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18 votes

Pokémon Black and White

Nintendo 3DS / DS

RPGMonster TamingTurn-Based

Survey scores · avg 4.1/5

Story4.2

Gameplay4.2

Graphics3.9

Music4.1

Character4.0

Pokémon Black and White, the mainline entries of the franchise's Generation 5, surprised fans by featuring a regional dex filled exclusively with new Pokémon. Alongside setting the events in the Unova region, inspired by New York City rather than Japan as in previous games, the storyline, complementing the games’ unprecedented nature, is a fan favorite that questions the morality of Pokémon: the servitude of Pokémon and the stripping of their agency. Regarded by many as the height of Pokémon's 2D pixel charm, Black and White chart Hilda/Hilbert's journey through Unova, where they collect gym badges and challenge the Pokémon League while confronting Team Plasma's radical crusade against the exploitative bond between humans and Pokémon. Legendary Pokémon Reshiram (White) and Zekrom (Black) serve as the games’ central figures, embodying the contrasting concepts of truth and ideals, respectively.

Survey voice

葉桜
The first Pokémon I played on release day. Made under the theme "giving Red/Green players who've become adults a fresh experience like Red/Green all over again," almost all information was cut off until the game's release. The Pokémon that appear were completely renewed, and until you reach the ending, there wasn't a single returning Pokémon from past titles. That excitement of not knowing what would jump out of the grass was, I think, an experience only those who played it in real time could get.
Show original (日本語)
初めて発売日に遊んだポケモンです。「大人になってしまった赤緑プレイヤーに、もう一度赤緑と同じ新鮮な体験を」というテーマで作られた本作はゲーム発売までほとんどの情報が遮断されていました。出現ポケモンも一新され、エンディングを迎えるまで過去作からの続投ポケモンは一切ありませんでした。草むらから何が飛び出してくるのか分からないあのワクワク感はリアルタイムで遊んだ人にしか得られない体験だったと思います。

Kevin
For me, rather than Diamond/Pearl, this is the DS-era Pokémon masterpiece. The story is subtly dark, and N's words, hero or villain, ambiguous, make you wonder, "Is training Pokémon really a good thing?" With the bold premise that every Pokémon is new, many people dislike the new designs, but I think the ice-cream Pokémon and the garbage Pokémon are more Pokémon-like than the Digimon-ish Lucario. It's plenty fun as is, so a remake is OK not to make.
Show original (日本語)
私の中でダイパよりこちらはポケモンのDS時代名作。ストーリーが微妙に暗くて、ヒーローか悪者か曖昧なNの言葉で、ポケモントレーナーは本当に良い存在なの？と考えさせられる。全てのポケモンが新しいという大胆な設定で、新デザインが嫌いな人は多いが、デジモンっぽいルカリオより、アイスのポケモンやゴミのポケモンの方がポケモンらしいと私は思う。このまま十分面白いので、リメイクはしなくてもOK。

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Yui / 20s / Prefer not to say
No Pokemon game could ever top this for me. All the sprites are so clean, they feel more alive than 3D could ever be. It also has a unique story that isn't just "bad guy wants to take over the world, 10-year-old kid beats him." N made me question my morals as a Pokemon Trainer

Top 3 by platform

10 platforms

About this best games ranking

Looking for the best games to play in 2026? This ranking brings together the games 241 surveyed players recommend most, across 20 platforms — from Nintendo Switch 2 and PlayStation 5 to retro consoles like the Super Nintendo and Dreamcast. Entries show vote counts and the survey scores and curated player comments available in the source data.

Use the platform lists to dig deeper — each game links to its platform ranking.

Best games by platform

Nintendo Switch 2 Nintendo Switch Nintendo Wii Nintendo Wii U PlayStation 5 PlayStation 4 PlayStation 3 PlayStation 2 PlayStation (PS1)PlayStation Portable (PSP)

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Best Nintendo Switch 2 games · Top 3

Best Nintendo Switch games · Top 3

Best Nintendo Wii games · Top 3

Best Nintendo Wii U games · Top 3

Best PlayStation 5 games · Top 3

Best PlayStation 4 games · Top 3

Best PlayStation 3 games · Top 3

Best PlayStation 2 games · Top 3

Best PlayStation (PS1) games · Top 3

Best PlayStation Portable (PSP) games · Top 3