Best games
Best RPG games of 2009
The 30 best RPG games released in 2009, ranked from 12,957 critic and player ratings.
The best RPG game of 2009 is Mario & Luigi: Bowser's Inside Story, with a critic score of 96/100 — 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.
- Each game is ranked in one genre only, the one that defines it best, so the same title never tops two different genre charts.
- 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: 2009.
- 30 games are listed on this page, carrying 12,957 ratings between them.
- Rankings are recomputed hourly; this one was last rebuilt on 28 September 2026.
Top 30
01
Mario & Luigi: Bowser's Inside Story
Mario & Luigi: Bowser's Inside Story is the third game in the Mario & Luigi series of games. Players control Mario and Luigi simultaneously in the side-scrolling platform environment of Bowser's body, while also controlling the Koopa King himself in the top-down world of the Mushroom Kingdom. Similar to games like Earthbound, enemy encounters are seen as actual enemies that players can avoid or attempt to strike early. The actual battles are a combination of turn-based menu attacks, and timed reactions to enemies during battle. By watching the way an enemy reacts, you can anticipate their attack and avoid it or counterattack.
96
/100
02
The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Game of the Year Edition
94
/100
03
Fallout 3: Game of the Year Edition
91
/100
Mario & Luigi: Bowser's Inside Story
Mario & Luigi: Bowser's Inside Story is the third game in the Mario & Luigi series of games. Players control Mario and Luigi simultaneously in the side-scrolling platform environment of Bowser's body, while also controlling the Koopa King himself in the top-down world of the Mushroom Kingdom. Similar to games like Earthbound, enemy encounters are seen as actual enemies that players can avoid or attempt to strike early. The actual battles are a combination of turn-based menu attacks, and timed reactions to enemies during battle. By watching the way an enemy reacts, you can anticipate their attack and avoid it or counterattack.
96
/100
02
The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Game of the Year Edition
94
/100
03
Fallout 3: Game of the Year Edition
91
/100
04
S
Dragon Age: Origins
Dragon Age: Origins is a third-person role-playing game described as a spiritual successor to Baldur's Gate and Neverwinter Nights franchises. Players create their own character by customizing gender and appearance as well as choosing a race and class. Combat is in real time with the ability to pause at any moment: tactical options include an editor which allows the player to give the AI detailed instructions on how to behave in every possible situation. Although the main storyline is the same for every character created, the game features six unique prologues, two for each race. Dragon Age: Origins received critical acclaim upon release, with praise mostly directed at its story, setting, characters, music and combat system.
90
/100
05
Pokémon SoulSilver Version
Pokemon HeartGold Version and Pokemon SoulSilver Version return players to the scenic Johto region first introduced in the beloved original Pokemon Gold and Pokemon Silver games nearly a decade ago. The richly detailed adventure of Pokemon Gold and Pokemon Silver is now enhanced for the Nintendo DS and Nintendo DSi systems with updated graphics and sound, as well as new touch-screen features and a host of surprises. Pokemon HeartGold Version and Pokemon SoulSilver Version bring dozens of Pokemon characters back into the limelight for a new Pokemon generation - and longtime fans - to catch, train and battle.
90
/100
06
Mario and Luigi: Bowser's Inside Story
90
/100
07
Demon's Souls
A third-person action RPG with cooperative and competitive multiplayer elements in which the player enters the kingdom of Boletaria as it is being ravaged by a fog that spawns murderous demons. The player has to hunt down the arch demons situated in five disparate areas within the kingdom and partake in punishing combat to reach the Old One, the vengeful being that brought the fog to Boletaria.
88
/100
08
Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War II
With a focus on fast-action RTS gameplay, Dawn of War II brings to life the science fiction universe of Warhammer 40,000 like never before. Experience the intimate brutality of battle as you play through your chosen race's epic campaign.
85
/100
09
League of Legends
League of Legends is a fast-paced, competitive online game that blends the speed and intensity of an RTS with RPG elements. Two teams of powerful champions, each with a unique design and playstyle, battle head-to-head across multiple battlefields and game modes. With an ever-expanding roster of champions, frequent updates and a thriving tournament scene, League of Legends offers endless replayability for players of every skill level.
84
/100
10
Torchlight
In this ARPG you control a hero who explores a series of randomized dungeons, fightinghordes of enemies and collecting equipment, gold, and loot while doing so. The game also features a town , to which the hero can return to sell and buy gear and items and pick up quests. As you progress into the dungeon, you get to battle unique bosses that advance the main storyline by completing quests revolving around them. Optionally, the player may take on side quests, random quests or visit branching dungeon areas to further develop their character.
83
/100
11
The Sims 3
83
/100
12
Pokémon Platinum
83
/100
13
Final Fantasy XIII
81
/100
14
Borderlands
81
/100
15
Marvel: Ultimate Alliance 2
81
/100
16
Fallout 3: Broken Steel
81
/100
17
Risen
80
/100
18
S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Call of Pripyat
80
/100
19
Overlord II
79
/100
20
Yakuza 3
79
/100
21
Fallout 3: Point Lookout
79
/100
22
S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Call of Pripyat
79
/100
23
Might and Magic Clash of Heroes
76
/100
24
Fallout 3: The Pitt
76
/100
25
Kingdom Hearts 358/2 Days
75
/100
26
Mount & Blade: With Fire & Sword
68
/100
27
The Saboteur
66
/100
28
Fallout 3: Mothership Zeta
66
/100
29
Fallout 3: Operation Anchorage
66
/100
30
Two Worlds Epic Edition
65
/100
S
Dragon Age: Origins
Dragon Age: Origins is a third-person role-playing game described as a spiritual successor to Baldur's Gate and Neverwinter Nights franchises. Players create their own character by customizing gender and appearance as well as choosing a race and class. Combat is in real time with the ability to pause at any moment: tactical options include an editor which allows the player to give the AI detailed instructions on how to behave in every possible situation. Although the main storyline is the same for every character created, the game features six unique prologues, two for each race. Dragon Age: Origins received critical acclaim upon release, with praise mostly directed at its story, setting, characters, music and combat system.
90
/100
05
Pokémon SoulSilver Version
Pokemon HeartGold Version and Pokemon SoulSilver Version return players to the scenic Johto region first introduced in the beloved original Pokemon Gold and Pokemon Silver games nearly a decade ago. The richly detailed adventure of Pokemon Gold and Pokemon Silver is now enhanced for the Nintendo DS and Nintendo DSi systems with updated graphics and sound, as well as new touch-screen features and a host of surprises. Pokemon HeartGold Version and Pokemon SoulSilver Version bring dozens of Pokemon characters back into the limelight for a new Pokemon generation - and longtime fans - to catch, train and battle.
90
/100
06
Mario and Luigi: Bowser's Inside Story
90
/100
07
Demon's Souls
A third-person action RPG with cooperative and competitive multiplayer elements in which the player enters the kingdom of Boletaria as it is being ravaged by a fog that spawns murderous demons. The player has to hunt down the arch demons situated in five disparate areas within the kingdom and partake in punishing combat to reach the Old One, the vengeful being that brought the fog to Boletaria.
88
/100
08
Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War II
With a focus on fast-action RTS gameplay, Dawn of War II brings to life the science fiction universe of Warhammer 40,000 like never before. Experience the intimate brutality of battle as you play through your chosen race's epic campaign.
85
/100
09
League of Legends
League of Legends is a fast-paced, competitive online game that blends the speed and intensity of an RTS with RPG elements. Two teams of powerful champions, each with a unique design and playstyle, battle head-to-head across multiple battlefields and game modes. With an ever-expanding roster of champions, frequent updates and a thriving tournament scene, League of Legends offers endless replayability for players of every skill level.
84
/100
10
Torchlight
In this ARPG you control a hero who explores a series of randomized dungeons, fightinghordes of enemies and collecting equipment, gold, and loot while doing so. The game also features a town , to which the hero can return to sell and buy gear and items and pick up quests. As you progress into the dungeon, you get to battle unique bosses that advance the main storyline by completing quests revolving around them. Optionally, the player may take on side quests, random quests or visit branching dungeon areas to further develop their character.
83
/100
11
The Sims 3
83
/100
12
Pokémon Platinum
83
/100
13
Final Fantasy XIII
81
/100
14
Borderlands
81
/100
15
Marvel: Ultimate Alliance 2
81
/100
16
Fallout 3: Broken Steel
81
/100
17
Risen
80
/100
18
S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Call of Pripyat
80
/100
19
Overlord II
79
/100
20
Yakuza 3
79
/100
21
Fallout 3: Point Lookout
79
/100
22
S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Call of Pripyat
79
/100
23
Might and Magic Clash of Heroes
76
/100
24
Fallout 3: The Pitt
76
/100
25
Kingdom Hearts 358/2 Days
75
/100
26
Mount & Blade: With Fire & Sword
68
/100
27
The Saboteur
66
/100
28
Fallout 3: Mothership Zeta
66
/100
29
Fallout 3: Operation Anchorage
66
/100
30
Two Worlds Epic Edition
65
/100
Frequently asked questions
What is the best RPG game of 2009?
Mario & Luigi: Bowser's Inside Story currently tops the ranking with a score of 96/100 across 149 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.