Best games
Best Arcade games of 2011
The 18 best Arcade games released in 2011, ranked from 4,916 critic and player ratings.
The best Arcade game of 2011 is LittleBigPlanet 2, with a critic score of 94/100 — updated September 2026.
How this ranking is built
- Games are ranked on the aggregated critic score out of 100 imported from IGDB and Metacritic, never on Tier's own grades.
- A game only enters the ranking with at least 80 external ratings, so a single enthusiastic review never outranks a proven classic.
- Community grades from F to S are shown next to every game, and only stated as a fact above 5 Tier ratings.
- Release window covered: 2011.
- 18 games are listed on this page, carrying 4,916 ratings between them.
- Rankings are recomputed hourly; this one was last rebuilt on 28 September 2026.
Top 18
01
LittleBigPlanet 2
LittleBigPlanet 2 is a puzzle platformer video game centered around user-generated content, first announced on May 8th, 2010 in the June 2010 issue of gaming magazine Game Informer. The game was developed by Media Molecule and published by Sony Computer Entertainment Europe for the PlayStation 3 console, and is the last major Little Big Planet game in the series to be produced by Media Molecule, as the sequel, Little Big Planet 3 would be produced by Sumo Digital, Tarsier Studios, and The Station. Unlike the original LittleBigPlanet which was marketed as a "Platform game", LittleBigPlanet 2 was marketed as a "Platform for Games". The game is 100% backwards compatible with all user-created content (including personal profiles) from the first game. It is a direct sequel to LittleBigPlanet, and the third game in the series. The disc also features Sackboy's Prehistoric Moves, a ModNation Racers demo, as well as a PlayStation Network tutorial video.
94
/100
02
Jetpack Joyride
Jetpack Joyride is a 2011 side-scrolling endless runner/action video game created by Chief Creative Officer Luke Muscat at Halfbrick Studios. Originally released for iOS devices on the App Store on September 1, 2011, the game has since been ported to many other systems. The game features the same protagonist as Monster Dash, Barry Steakfries, who the player controls as he steals a jet pack from a top-secret laboratory. The game has been met with very favorable reviews, and has won numerous awards.
90
/100
03
Rayman Origins
Bubble Dreamer, Rayman, his best friend Globox, and some Teensy friends are chilling out at the Bubble Dreamer's resting grounds, the Snoring Tree. However, their snoring disturbs an old granny from the Land of the Livid Dead, who retaliates by sending an evil army of horrendous creatures and the Darktoons across the world, capturing the Electoons that inhabit the world, imprisoning Betilla the Nymph and her sisters, and plunging the Glade into chaos. As a result, the ensuing disaster causes the Bubble Dreamer to go crazy and have nightmares. Although they are captured, Rayman and his friends are able to escape the Darktoons. They are then tasked by the Magician to gather enough Electoons to cure the Bubble Dreamer and restore the Glade of Dreams. Their efforts to locate the Electoons allow them to gain access to the various lands of the Glade, rescuing the Nymphs along the way.
89
/100
LittleBigPlanet 2
LittleBigPlanet 2 is a puzzle platformer video game centered around user-generated content, first announced on May 8th, 2010 in the June 2010 issue of gaming magazine Game Informer. The game was developed by Media Molecule and published by Sony Computer Entertainment Europe for the PlayStation 3 console, and is the last major Little Big Planet game in the series to be produced by Media Molecule, as the sequel, Little Big Planet 3 would be produced by Sumo Digital, Tarsier Studios, and The Station. Unlike the original LittleBigPlanet which was marketed as a "Platform game", LittleBigPlanet 2 was marketed as a "Platform for Games". The game is 100% backwards compatible with all user-created content (including personal profiles) from the first game. It is a direct sequel to LittleBigPlanet, and the third game in the series. The disc also features Sackboy's Prehistoric Moves, a ModNation Racers demo, as well as a PlayStation Network tutorial video.
94
/100
02
Jetpack Joyride
Jetpack Joyride is a 2011 side-scrolling endless runner/action video game created by Chief Creative Officer Luke Muscat at Halfbrick Studios. Originally released for iOS devices on the App Store on September 1, 2011, the game has since been ported to many other systems. The game features the same protagonist as Monster Dash, Barry Steakfries, who the player controls as he steals a jet pack from a top-secret laboratory. The game has been met with very favorable reviews, and has won numerous awards.
90
/100
03
Rayman Origins
Bubble Dreamer, Rayman, his best friend Globox, and some Teensy friends are chilling out at the Bubble Dreamer's resting grounds, the Snoring Tree. However, their snoring disturbs an old granny from the Land of the Livid Dead, who retaliates by sending an evil army of horrendous creatures and the Darktoons across the world, capturing the Electoons that inhabit the world, imprisoning Betilla the Nymph and her sisters, and plunging the Glade into chaos. As a result, the ensuing disaster causes the Bubble Dreamer to go crazy and have nightmares. Although they are captured, Rayman and his friends are able to escape the Darktoons. They are then tasked by the Magician to gather enough Electoons to cure the Bubble Dreamer and restore the Glade of Dreams. Their efforts to locate the Electoons allow them to gain access to the various lands of the Glade, rescuing the Nymphs along the way.
89
/100
04
DiRT 3
Dirt 3 is a rally racing game. Just like expected, most time is spent in races which, at least in most scenarios, are set in offroad environments. The main difference to other racing events is, that the player drives not alone, but has a front-seat passenger with him, who announces when to turn. The game features overall 98 courses, but some of those are just variations of the same. Also on board is the iconic ability to turn back time after screwing up. In contrast to Dirt 2, in this installment there are other playing modes than the career available, e.g. a single race. But the career is still the heart of the game; here the player tunes his car, participates in races and earns experience points, which are used to unlock new cars. There are six different race modes to solve during the career; e.g. regular races and "trailblazer" (no passenger available). Two of those are newly introduced: drift tournaments and Gymkhana, which are basically confined areas with a lot of stunt opportunities - the goal is to perform as many as possible in a limited time. Additionally every mode has special tricky bonus goals which reward more experience when fulfilled.
87
/100
05
Trine 2
Three Heroes survive in countless dangers in a fairy-tale world, with physics-based jigsaw puzzles, beautiful scenery, and cooperative online mode.
85
/100
06
Mario Kart 7
The seventh installment of the fan-favorite Mario Kart franchise brings Mushroom Kingdom racing fun into glorious 3D. For the first time, drivers explore new competitive kart possibilities, such as soaring through the skies or plunging to the depths of the sea. New courses, strategic new abilities and customizable karts bring the racing excitement to new heights.
84
/100
07
STREET FIGHTER X TEKKEN
The long awaited dream match-up between the two titans of fighting is here!
81
/100
08
Driver San Francisco
The game takes place a few months after the events of Driv3r. It is revealed that both Tanner and Jericho survived the shootout in Istanbul. In the game's trailer, it is revealed that since then, both men have recovered and Jericho has escaped to San Francisco, while Tanner has pursued him there. Jericho is shown being transported in the back of a prison truck, but manages to escape with a vial of acid hidden within his mouth. He overpowers the guards, and hijacks the truck. Tanner and Tobias witness this from Tanner's car, pursuing Jericho as he causes havoc on the streets of the city. Tanner ends up in front of Jericho in an alleyway, and gets pushed in front of a tractor trailer. A hard crash occurs, putting him into a coma. The game will take place in Tanner's coma dream
80
/100
09
The King of Fighters XIII
The King of Fighters XIII is a fighting game in the The King of Fighters series. The game is set after the events from The King of Fighters XI and is also the conclusion of Ash Crimson's story arc, which started in The King of Fighters 2003. It follows another King of Fighters tournament secretly hosted by Those From the Distance Land, the organization behind the events from the two prior games that are trying to break the seal of the demon Orochi and take its power.
79
/100
10
Sonic Generations
Celebrate 20 years of Sonic in an all new adventure that delivers a definitive experience to Sonic fans new and old!
77
/100
11
LEGO Star Wars III - The Clone Wars
76
/100
12
Edge
74
/100
13
Space Pirates and Zombies
74
/100
14
F
World of Tanks
73
/100
15
Test Drive Unlimited 2
72
/100
16
Ratchet & Clank: All 4 One
70
/100
17
Need for Speed: The Run
66
/100
18
Really Big Sky
60
/100
DiRT 3
Dirt 3 is a rally racing game. Just like expected, most time is spent in races which, at least in most scenarios, are set in offroad environments. The main difference to other racing events is, that the player drives not alone, but has a front-seat passenger with him, who announces when to turn. The game features overall 98 courses, but some of those are just variations of the same. Also on board is the iconic ability to turn back time after screwing up. In contrast to Dirt 2, in this installment there are other playing modes than the career available, e.g. a single race. But the career is still the heart of the game; here the player tunes his car, participates in races and earns experience points, which are used to unlock new cars. There are six different race modes to solve during the career; e.g. regular races and "trailblazer" (no passenger available). Two of those are newly introduced: drift tournaments and Gymkhana, which are basically confined areas with a lot of stunt opportunities - the goal is to perform as many as possible in a limited time. Additionally every mode has special tricky bonus goals which reward more experience when fulfilled.
87
/100
05
Trine 2
Three Heroes survive in countless dangers in a fairy-tale world, with physics-based jigsaw puzzles, beautiful scenery, and cooperative online mode.
85
/100
06
Mario Kart 7
The seventh installment of the fan-favorite Mario Kart franchise brings Mushroom Kingdom racing fun into glorious 3D. For the first time, drivers explore new competitive kart possibilities, such as soaring through the skies or plunging to the depths of the sea. New courses, strategic new abilities and customizable karts bring the racing excitement to new heights.
84
/100
07
STREET FIGHTER X TEKKEN
The long awaited dream match-up between the two titans of fighting is here!
81
/100
08
Driver San Francisco
The game takes place a few months after the events of Driv3r. It is revealed that both Tanner and Jericho survived the shootout in Istanbul. In the game's trailer, it is revealed that since then, both men have recovered and Jericho has escaped to San Francisco, while Tanner has pursued him there. Jericho is shown being transported in the back of a prison truck, but manages to escape with a vial of acid hidden within his mouth. He overpowers the guards, and hijacks the truck. Tanner and Tobias witness this from Tanner's car, pursuing Jericho as he causes havoc on the streets of the city. Tanner ends up in front of Jericho in an alleyway, and gets pushed in front of a tractor trailer. A hard crash occurs, putting him into a coma. The game will take place in Tanner's coma dream
80
/100
09
The King of Fighters XIII
The King of Fighters XIII is a fighting game in the The King of Fighters series. The game is set after the events from The King of Fighters XI and is also the conclusion of Ash Crimson's story arc, which started in The King of Fighters 2003. It follows another King of Fighters tournament secretly hosted by Those From the Distance Land, the organization behind the events from the two prior games that are trying to break the seal of the demon Orochi and take its power.
79
/100
10
Sonic Generations
Celebrate 20 years of Sonic in an all new adventure that delivers a definitive experience to Sonic fans new and old!
77
/100
11
LEGO Star Wars III - The Clone Wars
76
/100
12
Edge
74
/100
13
Space Pirates and Zombies
74
/100
14
F
World of Tanks
73
/100
15
Test Drive Unlimited 2
72
/100
16
Ratchet & Clank: All 4 One
70
/100
17
Need for Speed: The Run
66
/100
18
Really Big Sky
60
/100
Frequently asked questions
What is the best Arcade game of 2011?
LittleBigPlanet 2 currently tops the ranking with a score of 94/100 across 396 ratings. Ranking updated September 2026.
How is this ranking built?
Games are ranked on their aggregated critic score out of 100, with a minimum vote threshold so a single glowing review never outranks a proven classic; the Tier community's own F-to-S grades are shown alongside each game.