Best games
Best single-player games
The 250 best single-player games, ranked from 72,773 critic and player ratings.
The best single-player game right now is Super Mario World, with a critic score of 100/100. 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: 1970 to 2026.
- 50 games are listed on this page, carrying 72,773 ratings between them.
- Rankings are recomputed hourly; this one was last rebuilt on 7 September 2026.
Top 50
01
Super Mario World
A 2D platformer and first entry on the SNES in the Super Mario franchise, Super Mario World follows Mario as he attempts to defeat Bowser's underlings and rescue Princess Peach from his clutches. The game features a save system, a less linear world map, an expanded movement arsenal and numerous new items for Mario, alongside new approaches to level design and art direction.
100
/100
02
The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past
Venture back to Hyrule and an age of magic and heroes. The predecessors of Link and Zelda face monsters on the march when a menacing magician takes over the kingdom. Only you can prevent his evil plot from shattering the land of Hyrule. In your quest, you'll venture into twisting mazes, dungeons, palaces and shadowy forests. Test your mettle with mighty swords and magical weapons. Or heft a boulder and hurl it at your enemies. If the going gets tough, dive into a river - you can swim to escape! Learn powerful spells, locate magical artifacts and solve the mysteries of the evil magician and the hidden realm of Hyrule.
100
/100
03
Super Smash Bros. Melee
Super Smash Bros. Melee is the second installment in the Super Smash Bros. series and the follow-up to the Nintendo 64 title. It includes all playable characters from the first game, and also adds characters from franchises such as Fire Emblem, of which no games had been released outside Japan at the time. Super Smash Bros. Melee builds on the first game by adding new gameplay features and playable characters: it's major focus is the multiplayer mode, while still offering a number of single-player modes.
100
/100
Super Mario World
A 2D platformer and first entry on the SNES in the Super Mario franchise, Super Mario World follows Mario as he attempts to defeat Bowser's underlings and rescue Princess Peach from his clutches. The game features a save system, a less linear world map, an expanded movement arsenal and numerous new items for Mario, alongside new approaches to level design and art direction.
100
/100
02
The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past
Venture back to Hyrule and an age of magic and heroes. The predecessors of Link and Zelda face monsters on the march when a menacing magician takes over the kingdom. Only you can prevent his evil plot from shattering the land of Hyrule. In your quest, you'll venture into twisting mazes, dungeons, palaces and shadowy forests. Test your mettle with mighty swords and magical weapons. Or heft a boulder and hurl it at your enemies. If the going gets tough, dive into a river - you can swim to escape! Learn powerful spells, locate magical artifacts and solve the mysteries of the evil magician and the hidden realm of Hyrule.
100
/100
03
Super Smash Bros. Melee
Super Smash Bros. Melee is the second installment in the Super Smash Bros. series and the follow-up to the Nintendo 64 title. It includes all playable characters from the first game, and also adds characters from franchises such as Fire Emblem, of which no games had been released outside Japan at the time. Super Smash Bros. Melee builds on the first game by adding new gameplay features and playable characters: it's major focus is the multiplayer mode, while still offering a number of single-player modes.
100
/100
04
Super Metroid
The Space Pirates, merciless agents of the evil Mother Brain, have stolen the last Metroid from a research station, and once again Mother Brain threatens the safety of the galaxy! Samus Aran must don her awesome array of high-tech weaponry to retrieve the deadly Metroid hidden deep within the cave-riddled planet Zebes. Super Metroid features excellent graphics, with a huge variety of enemies and worlds to explore. The side-view action will be familiar to many players, only now there are new weapons and items, including the Grappling Beam, which allows Samus to swing across large chasms, and the X-Ray Scope, which reveals secret passages.
100
/100
05
Super Mario World 2: Yoshi's Island
Super Mario World 2: Yoshi's Island is a platform video game acting as a prequel to 1990's Super Mario World. The game casts players as Yoshi as he escorts Baby Mario through 48 levels in order to reunite him with his brother Luigi, who had been kidnapped by Baby Bowser's minions. As a Super Mario series platformer, Yoshi runs and jumps to reach the end of the level while solving puzzles and collecting items. In a style new to the series, the game has a hand-drawn aesthetic and is the first to have Yoshi as its main character. The game introduces his signature abilities to flutter jump, produce eggs from swallowed enemies, and transform into vehicles.
100
/100
06
Pokémon FireRed Version
Pokémon FireRed Version and Pokémon LeafGreen Version are a pair of core series Generation III games that are set in the Kanto region. They were released in Japan on January 29, 2004, in North America on September 9, 2004, in Australia on September 23, 2004 and in Europe on October 1, 2004. As the first remakes in the Pokémon franchise, the games revisit the original pair of Pokémon games, Pokémon Red and Green Versions, and so feature all of the characters, plot elements, and challenges of them, but with several important upgrades to bring them up to speed with other Generation III games. The Game Boy Advance Wireless Adapter was initially included with the games when they were first released, eliminating the need for Game Link Cables when trading between the two games (and later Pokémon Emerald Version). In later copies, it was sold separately. FireRed and LeafGreen went on to become the second best-selling games of the Game Boy Advance, only behind Pokémon Ruby and Sapphire Versions. They also received Nintendo's Player's Choice awards.
100
/100
07
Unreal Tournament
Unreal Tournament is a first-person arena shooter video game developed by Epic Games and Digital Extremes. It was the second installment in the Unreal series. It is an arena first-person shooter, with head-to-head multiplayer deathmatches being the primary focus of the game. Other game modes include TDM. CTF, Assault, Domination, Last man Standing etc.
100
/100
08
Super Mario Galaxy
A 3D platformer and first Wii entry in the Super Mario franchise, Super Mario Galaxy sees Mario jump across planets and galaxies with varying items, enemies, geographies and gravity mechanics in order to reach his enemy Bowser, who has attacked the Mushroom Kingdom and hijacked Princess Peach's castle with her inside.
99
/100
09
S
The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild
The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild is the first 3D open-world game in the Zelda series. Link can travel anywhere and be equipped with weapons and armor found throughout the world to grant him various bonuses. Unlike many games in the series, Breath of the Wild does not impose a specific order in which quests or dungeons must be completed. While the game still has environmental obstacles such as weather effects, inhospitable lands, or powerful enemies, many of them can be overcome using the right method. A lot of critics ranked Breath of the Wild as one of the best video games of all time.
98
/100
10
The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess
The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess was initially developed with the Nintendo GameCube in mind, but ended up receiving a Wii port when it was released to promote the new console. This version has motion control compatibility for the sword and pointer controls for the menus, the bow and the boomerang. This version of the game has a completely inverted map and locations when comparing with the GameCube release. The change in layout was meant to adapt Link's usually left-handed design to right-handed people, given the motion controls.
98
/100
11
Baldur's Gate III
97
/100
12
S
Elden Ring
97
/100
13
S
Super Mario Odyssey
97
/100
14
S
Undertale
96
/100
15
Super Mario Galaxy 2
96
/100
16
S
God of War
96
/100
17
S
Half-Life 2
96
/100
18
Half-Life
96
/100
19
God of War III
96
/100
20
S
The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom
96
/100
21
LittleBigPlanet
96
/100
22
S
Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain
96
/100
23
Mass Effect 2
96
/100
24
Uncharted 2: Among Thieves
95
/100
25
The Last of Us Part II
95
/100
26
A
Portal 2
95
/100
27
A
The Last Of Us Remastered
95
/100
28
S
Divinity: Original Sin 2
95
/100
29
S
Final Fantasy X
95
/100
30
Metroid Prime
95
/100
31
New Super Mario Bros.
95
/100
32
Satisfactory
95
/100
33
Metroid: Zero Mission
95
/100
34
Company of Heroes
95
/100
35
SoulCalibur II
95
/100
36
God of War Ragnarök
95
/100
37
Return of the Obra Dinn
95
/100
38
Resident Evil 4
94
/100
39
Doki Doki Literature Club!
94
/100
40
S
Metaphor: ReFantazio
94
/100
41
Astro Bot
94
/100
42
Forza Horizon 5
94
/100
43
A
Red Dead Redemption 2
94
/100
44
B
The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim
94
/100
45
S
Grand Theft Auto: Vice City
94
/100
46
S
Super Mario 64
94
/100
47
Persona 5 Royal
94
/100
48
Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots
94
/100
49
Journey
94
/100
50
Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic
94
/100
Super Metroid
The Space Pirates, merciless agents of the evil Mother Brain, have stolen the last Metroid from a research station, and once again Mother Brain threatens the safety of the galaxy! Samus Aran must don her awesome array of high-tech weaponry to retrieve the deadly Metroid hidden deep within the cave-riddled planet Zebes. Super Metroid features excellent graphics, with a huge variety of enemies and worlds to explore. The side-view action will be familiar to many players, only now there are new weapons and items, including the Grappling Beam, which allows Samus to swing across large chasms, and the X-Ray Scope, which reveals secret passages.
100
/100
05
Super Mario World 2: Yoshi's Island
Super Mario World 2: Yoshi's Island is a platform video game acting as a prequel to 1990's Super Mario World. The game casts players as Yoshi as he escorts Baby Mario through 48 levels in order to reunite him with his brother Luigi, who had been kidnapped by Baby Bowser's minions. As a Super Mario series platformer, Yoshi runs and jumps to reach the end of the level while solving puzzles and collecting items. In a style new to the series, the game has a hand-drawn aesthetic and is the first to have Yoshi as its main character. The game introduces his signature abilities to flutter jump, produce eggs from swallowed enemies, and transform into vehicles.
100
/100
06
Pokémon FireRed Version
Pokémon FireRed Version and Pokémon LeafGreen Version are a pair of core series Generation III games that are set in the Kanto region. They were released in Japan on January 29, 2004, in North America on September 9, 2004, in Australia on September 23, 2004 and in Europe on October 1, 2004. As the first remakes in the Pokémon franchise, the games revisit the original pair of Pokémon games, Pokémon Red and Green Versions, and so feature all of the characters, plot elements, and challenges of them, but with several important upgrades to bring them up to speed with other Generation III games. The Game Boy Advance Wireless Adapter was initially included with the games when they were first released, eliminating the need for Game Link Cables when trading between the two games (and later Pokémon Emerald Version). In later copies, it was sold separately. FireRed and LeafGreen went on to become the second best-selling games of the Game Boy Advance, only behind Pokémon Ruby and Sapphire Versions. They also received Nintendo's Player's Choice awards.
100
/100
07
Unreal Tournament
Unreal Tournament is a first-person arena shooter video game developed by Epic Games and Digital Extremes. It was the second installment in the Unreal series. It is an arena first-person shooter, with head-to-head multiplayer deathmatches being the primary focus of the game. Other game modes include TDM. CTF, Assault, Domination, Last man Standing etc.
100
/100
08
Super Mario Galaxy
A 3D platformer and first Wii entry in the Super Mario franchise, Super Mario Galaxy sees Mario jump across planets and galaxies with varying items, enemies, geographies and gravity mechanics in order to reach his enemy Bowser, who has attacked the Mushroom Kingdom and hijacked Princess Peach's castle with her inside.
99
/100
09
S
The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild
The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild is the first 3D open-world game in the Zelda series. Link can travel anywhere and be equipped with weapons and armor found throughout the world to grant him various bonuses. Unlike many games in the series, Breath of the Wild does not impose a specific order in which quests or dungeons must be completed. While the game still has environmental obstacles such as weather effects, inhospitable lands, or powerful enemies, many of them can be overcome using the right method. A lot of critics ranked Breath of the Wild as one of the best video games of all time.
98
/100
10
The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess
The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess was initially developed with the Nintendo GameCube in mind, but ended up receiving a Wii port when it was released to promote the new console. This version has motion control compatibility for the sword and pointer controls for the menus, the bow and the boomerang. This version of the game has a completely inverted map and locations when comparing with the GameCube release. The change in layout was meant to adapt Link's usually left-handed design to right-handed people, given the motion controls.
98
/100
11
Baldur's Gate III
97
/100
12
S
Elden Ring
97
/100
13
S
Super Mario Odyssey
97
/100
14
S
Undertale
96
/100
15
Super Mario Galaxy 2
96
/100
16
S
God of War
96
/100
17
S
Half-Life 2
96
/100
18
Half-Life
96
/100
19
God of War III
96
/100
20
S
The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom
96
/100
21
LittleBigPlanet
96
/100
22
S
Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain
96
/100
23
Mass Effect 2
96
/100
24
Uncharted 2: Among Thieves
95
/100
25
The Last of Us Part II
95
/100
26
A
Portal 2
95
/100
27
A
The Last Of Us Remastered
95
/100
28
S
Divinity: Original Sin 2
95
/100
29
S
Final Fantasy X
95
/100
30
Metroid Prime
95
/100
31
New Super Mario Bros.
95
/100
32
Satisfactory
95
/100
33
Metroid: Zero Mission
95
/100
34
Company of Heroes
95
/100
35
SoulCalibur II
95
/100
36
God of War Ragnarök
95
/100
37
Return of the Obra Dinn
95
/100
38
Resident Evil 4
94
/100
39
Doki Doki Literature Club!
94
/100
40
S
Metaphor: ReFantazio
94
/100
41
Astro Bot
94
/100
42
Forza Horizon 5
94
/100
43
A
Red Dead Redemption 2
94
/100
44
B
The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim
94
/100
45
S
Grand Theft Auto: Vice City
94
/100
46
S
Super Mario 64
94
/100
47
Persona 5 Royal
94
/100
48
Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots
94
/100
49
Journey
94
/100
50
Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic
94
/100
Frequently asked questions
What is the best single-player game?
Super Mario World currently tops the ranking with a score of 100/100 across 1,964 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.