Acclaimed Video Games
The top 1,000 most recommended games across 827 critic lists from 134 publications.
Updated: October 26, 2025
Most Acclaimed Video Games of the 2000s
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#1 Half-Life 2 (2004) (#5)
Valve | WIN, Xbox, X360, PS3 | First-Person Shooter | ~13h | 85 lists
#2 Resident Evil 4 (2005) (#9)
Capcom Production Studio 4 | WIN, PS2, GC, Wii | Horror | ~16h | 87 lists
#3 Shadow of the Colossus (2005) (#11)
Team Ico | PS2 | Action-Adventure | ~10h | 72 lists
#4 BioShock (2007) (#13)
2K Australia, 2K Boston | WIN, X360, PS3 | First-Person Shooter | ~12h | 84 lists
#5 World of Warcraft (2004) (#17)
Blizzard Entertainment | MAC, WIN | MMORPG | ~473h | 79 lists
#6 Portal (2007) (#24)
Valve | WIN, X360, PS3 | Puzzle-Platformer | ~3h | 64 lists
#7 Halo: Combat Evolved (2001) (#26)
Bungie | MAC, WIN, Xbox | First-Person Shooter | ~10h | 69 lists
#8 Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare (2007) (#27)
Infinity Ward | MAC, WIN, X360, PS3 | First-Person Shooter | ~7h | 74 lists
#9 Deus Ex (2000) (#37)
Ion Storm | MAC, WIN | Action RPG / First-Person Shooter / Stealth | ~23h | 64 lists
#10 Uncharted 2: Among Thieves (2009) (#38)
Naughty Dog | PS3 | Action-Adventure / Third-Person Shooter | ~10h | 69 lists
#11 Metroid Prime (2002) (#40)
Retro Studios | GC | Action-Adventure | ~14h | 63 lists
#12 Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater (2004) (#42)
Konami Computer Entertainment Japan | PS2 | Action-Adventure / Stealth | ~16h | 48 lists
#13 Diablo II (2000) (#45)
Blizzard North | MAC, WIN | Hack and Slash / Action RPG | ~34h | 54 lists
#14 Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic (2003) (#47)
BioWare | MAC, WIN, Xbox | Role-Playing | ~29h | 64 lists
#15 Silent Hill 2 (2001) (#49)
Team Silent | WIN, PS2, Xbox | Horror | ~16h | 58 lists
#16 Fallout 3 (2008) (#52)
Bethesda Game Studios | WIN, X360, PS3 | Action RPG | ~22h | 59 lists
#17 Super Mario Galaxy (2007) (#53)
Nintendo EAD | Wii | Action-Adventure / Platform | ~14h | 42 lists
#18 Ico (2001) (#56)
Team Ico | PS2 | Action-Adventure | ~6h | 51 lists
#19 Grand Theft Auto III (2001) (#57)
DMA Design, TransGaming Inc. | WIN, PS2 | Action-Adventure | ~14h | 40 lists
#20 Grand Theft Auto IV (2008) (#61)
Rockstar North | WIN, X360, PS3 | Action-Adventure | ~27h | 46 lists
#21 The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker (2002) (#63)
Nintendo EAD Software Development Group No.3 | GC | Action-Adventure | ~29h | 41 lists
#22 Counter-Strike / Counter-Strike 1.6 (2000) (#65)
Valve | WIN | First-Person Shooter / Tactical | ~26h | 48 lists
#23 Ōkami (2006) (#66)
Clover Studio, HexaDrive | PS2, Wii | Action-Adventure | ~33h | 44 lists
#24 Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas (2004) (#68)
Rockstar North | WIN, PS2, Xbox | Action-Adventure | ~30h | 43 lists
#25 Super Smash Bros. Melee (2001) (#77)
HAL Laboratory | GC | Fighting | ~10h | 37 lists
#26 Batman: Arkham Asylum (2009) (#79)
Rocksteady Studios | WIN, X360, PS3 | Action-Adventure | ~12h | 41 lists
#27 Grand Theft Auto: Vice City (2002) (#80)
Rockstar North | WIN, PS2, Xbox | Action-Adventure | ~17h | 36 lists
#28 The Elder Scrolls III: Morrowind (2002) (#82)
Bethesda Game Studios | WIN, Xbox | Action RPG | ~44h | 26 lists
#29 The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask (2000) (#83)
Nintendo EAD Software Development Group No.3 | N64 | Action-Adventure | ~21h | 31 lists
#30 Halo 3 (2007) (#84)
Bungie | X360 | First-Person Shooter | ~8h | 33 lists
#31 Persona 4 / Shin Megami Tensei: Persona 4 (2008) (#87)
Atlus | WIN, PS2, PSV | Role-Playing / Life Simulation | ~72h | 33 lists
#32 Braid (2008) (#89)
Number None Inc. | WIN, X360 | Puzzle-Platformer | ~5h | 41 lists
#33 The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion (2006) (#92)
Bethesda Game Studios | WIN, X360, PS3 | Action RPG | ~28h | 38 lists
#34 The Sims (2000) (#96)
Maxis | MAC, WIN | Life Simulation | ~20h | 42 lists
#35 Baldur's Gate II: Shadows of Amn (2000) (#100)
BioWare Edmonton, MumboJumbo | MAC, WIN | Role-Playing | ~67h | 30 lists
#36 Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time (2003) (#102)
Ubisoft Montreal | WIN, PS2, GC, Xbox | Action-Adventure / Platform | ~9h | 41 lists
#37 Sid Meier's Civilization IV (2005) (#103)
Firaxis Games | MAC, WIN | Turn-Based Strategy / 4X Strategy | ~13h | 30 lists
#38 Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 2 (2000) (#104)
Neversoft Entertainment, Westlake Interactive | WIN, PS, N64, DC | Sports | ~9h | 37 lists
#39 Assassin's Creed 2 (2009) (#110)
Ubisoft Montreal | WIN, X360, PS3 | Action-Adventure / Stealth | ~19h | 33 lists
#40 Team Fortress 2 (2007) (#113)
Valve | WIN, X360, PS3 | First-Person Shooter | ~293h | 36 lists
#41 Mass Effect (2007) (#115)
BioWare Edmonton | WIN, X360 | Action RPG | ~17h | 30 lists
#42 Warcraft 3: Reign of Chaos (2002) (#116)
Blizzard Entertainment | MAC, WIN | Real-Time Strategy | ~22h | 26 lists
#43 Left 4 Dead (2008) (#121)
Certain Affinity, Turtle Rock Studios, Valve | WIN, X360 | First-Person Shooter | ~7h | 33 lists
#44 League of Legends (2009) (#125)
Riot Games | WIN | MOBA | ~1161h | 34 lists
#45 God of War (2005) (#129)
SCE Santa Monica Studio | PS2 | Hack and Slash / Action-Adventure | ~9h | 31 lists
#46 Advance Wars (2001) (#133)
Intelligent Systems | GBA | Turn-Based Strategy | ~16h | 30 lists
#47 Burnout 3: Takedown (2004) (#142)
Criterion Games | PS2, Xbox | Racing | ~13h | 28 lists
#48 Rez / Rez HD / Rez Infinite (2001) (#145)
United Game Artists | DC, PS2 | Shooter / Music | ~2h | 25 lists
#49 Left 4 Dead 2 (2009) (#149)
Turtle Rock Studios, Valve | MAC, WIN, X360 | Horror / First-Person Shooter | ~10h | 29 lists
#50 Battlefield 1942 (2002) (#151)
Digital Illusions CE | WIN | First-Person Shooter | ~8h | 27 lists
#51 Street Fighter IV (2008) (#152)
Dimps | ARC, WIN, X360, PS3 | Fighting | ~2h | 31 lists
#52 Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty (2001) (#155)
Konami Computer Entertainment Japan | WIN, PS2, Xbox | Action-Adventure / Stealth | ~13h | 23 lists
#53 Final Fantasy X (2001) (#159)
Square Product Development Division 1 | PS2 | Role-Playing | ~46h | 25 lists
#54 Beyond Good & Evil (2003) (#166)
Ubisoft Montpellier | WIN, PS2, GC, Xbox | Action-Adventure | ~11h | 26 lists
#55 Dead Space (2008) (#170)
EA Redwood Shores | WIN, X360, PS3 | Horror | ~11h | 28 lists
#56 Katamari Damacy (2004) (#173)
Keita Takahashi, NOW Production | PS2 | Action / Puzzle | ~6h | 23 lists
#57 Thief II: The Metal Age (2000) (#183)
Looking Glass Studios | WIN | Stealth | ~20h | 22 lists
#58 Halo 2 (2004) (#184)
Bungie | Xbox | First-Person Shooter | ~9h | 20 lists
#59 God of War II (2007) (#186)
SCE Santa Monica Studio | PS2 | Hack and Slash / Action-Adventure | ~12h | 19 lists
#60 Gears of War (2006) (#187)
Epic Games | WIN, X360 | Third-Person Shooter | ~9h | 27 lists
#61 Ikaruga (2001) (#191)
Treasure | ARC, DC, GC | Shooter | ~2h | 17 lists
#62 Wii Sports (2006) (#199)
Nintendo EAD Software Development Group No.2 | Wii | Sports | ~5h | 28 lists
#63 Dragon Age: Origins (2009) (#206)
BioWare Edmonton | MAC, WIN, X360, PS3 | Role-Playing | ~40h | 22 lists
#64 Max Payne (2001) (#207)
Remedy Entertainment | MAC, WIN, PS2, Xbox | Third-Person Shooter | ~8h | 20 lists
#65 Rome: Total War (2004) (#213)
The Creative Assembly | WIN | Real-Time Tactics / Turn-Based Strategy | ~34h | 18 lists
#66 Psychonauts (2005) (#222)
Double Fine Productions | WIN, PS2, Xbox | Action-Adventure / Platform | ~12h | 20 lists
#67 Rock Band (2007) (#225)
Harmonix Music Systems, Pi Studios | PS2, PS3, X360, Wii | Music | ~9h | 21 lists
#68 Hitman: Blood Money (2006) (#229)
IO Interactive | WIN, PS2, Xbox, X360 | Stealth | ~12h | 16 lists
#69 Rock Band 2 (2008) (#232)
Harmonix Music Systems | PS2, PS3, X360, Wii | Music | ~10h | 15 lists
#70 Gears of War 2 (2008) (#233)
Epic Games | X360 | Third-Person Shooter | ~10h | 24 lists
#71 Bayonetta (2009) (#237)
Nex Entertainment, PlatinumGames | X360, PS3 | Hack and Slash / Action-Adventure | ~12h | 22 lists
#72 Company of Heroes (2006) (#238)
Relic Entertainment | WIN | Real-Time Strategy | ~19h | 18 lists
#73 Guitar Hero (2005) (#239)
Harmonix Music Systems | PS2 | Music | ~5h | 22 lists
#74 Final Fantasy IX (2000) (#240)
Square Product Development Division 1, Square USA | PS | Role-Playing | ~38h | 16 lists
#75 Battlefield 2 (2005) (#242)
Digital Illusions CE | WIN | First-Person Shooter | ~8h | 14 lists
#76 Devil May Cry 3: Dante's Awakening (2005) (#243)
Capcom Production Studio 1 | PS2 | Hack and Slash / Action-Adventure | ~12h | 19 lists
#77 Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell: Chaos Theory (2005) (#244)
Ubisoft Montreal | WIN, PS2, GC, Xbox | Action-Adventure / Stealth | ~13h | 17 lists
#78 Soulcalibur II (2002) (#248)
Project Soul | ARC, PS2, GC, Xbox | Fighting | ~3h | 18 lists
#79 LittleBigPlanet (2008) (#251)
Media Molecule | PS3 | Sandbox / Platform | ~9h | 24 lists
#80 Animal Crossing (2001) (#260)
Nintendo EAD | N64, GC | Life Simulation | ~66h | 16 lists
#81 Demon's Souls (2009) (#263)
FromSoftware, SCE Japan Studio | PS3 | Action RPG | ~28h | 13 lists
#82 Gran Turismo 3: A-Spec (2001) (#264)
Polyphony Digital | PS2 | Racing | ~40h | 18 lists
#83 Fable II (2008) (#265)
Lionhead Studios | X360 | Action RPG | ~13h | 20 lists
#84 Burnout Paradise (2008) (#269)
Criterion Games | WIN, X360, PS3 | Racing | ~13h | 16 lists
#85 The Sims 2 (2004) (#281)
Maxis | MAC, WIN | Life Simulation | ~26h | 13 lists
#86 Kingdom Hearts (2002) (#286)
Square Product Development Division 1 | PS2 | Hack and Slash / Action RPG | ~28h | 15 lists
#87 The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess (2006) (#289)
Nintendo EAD Software Development Group No.3 | GC, Wii | Action-Adventure | ~37h | 18 lists
#88 The Chronicles of Riddick: Escape From Butcher Bay (2004) (#296)
Starbreeze Studios, Tigon Studios, Virtual Programming | WIN, Xbox | Action-Adventure / Stealth | ~8h | 15 lists
#89 Kingdom Hearts II (2005) (#299)
Square Enix Business Division 3, Square Enix Product Development Division 1 | PS2 | Hack and Slash / Action RPG | ~32h | 15 lists
#90 WarioWare, Inc.: Mega Microgames! / Minigame Mania (2003) (#305)
Nintendo R&D1 | GBA | Action | ~2h | 13 lists
#91 Valkyria Chronicles (2008) (#307)
Sega WOW | WIN, PS3 | Tactical RPG | ~30h | 10 lists
#92 Max Payne 2: The Fall of Max Payne (2003) (#314)
Remedy Entertainment | WIN, PS2, Xbox | Third-Person Shooter | ~6h | 15 lists
#93 Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 3 (2001) (#315)
Neversoft Entertainment | WIN, PS, PS2, N64, GC, Xbox | Sports | ~7h | 17 lists
#94 Dragon Quest VIII: Journey of the Cursed King (2004) (#317)
Armor Project, Bird Studio, LEVEL-5, Square Enix Product Development Division 9 | PS2 | Role-Playing | ~61h | 13 lists
#95 Ninja Gaiden (2004) (#320)
Team NINJA | Xbox | Hack and Slash / Action-Adventure | ~18h | 13 lists
#96 F-Zero GX (2003) (#321)
Amusement Vision | GC | Racing | ~9h | 14 lists
#97 Super Smash Bros. Brawl (2008) (#323)
Sora | Wii | Fighting | ~12h | 14 lists
#98 Call of Duty 2 (2005) (#332)
Infinity Ward | WIN, X360 | First-Person Shooter | ~8h | 13 lists
#99 The Sims 3 (2009) (#334)
The Sims Studio | MAC, WIN | Life Simulation | ~53h | 16 lists
#100 Vagrant Story (2000) (#335)
Square Product Development Division 4 | PS | Action RPG | ~24h | 11 lists
#1
#5
Half-Life 2
2004
#2
#9
Resident Evil 4
2005
#3
#11
#4
#13
BioShock
2007
#5
#17
World of Warcraft
2004
#6
#24
Portal
2007
#7
#26
Halo: Combat Evolved
2001
#8
#27
#9
#37
Deus Ex
2000
#10
#38
#11
#40
Metroid Prime
2002
#12
#42
#13
#45
Diablo II
2000
#14
#47
#15
#49
Silent Hill 2
2001
#16
#52
Fallout 3
2008
#17
#53
Super Mario Galaxy
2007
#18
#56
Ico
2001
#19
#57
Grand Theft Auto III
2001
#20
#61
Grand Theft Auto IV
2008
#21
#63
#22
#65
#23
#66
Ōkami
2006
#24
#68
#25
#77
#26
#79
#27
#80
#28
#82
#29
#83
#30
#84
Halo 3
2007
#31
#87
#32
#89
Braid
2008
#33
#92
#34
#96
The Sims
2000
#35
#100
#36
#102
#37
#103
#38
#104
#39
#110
Assassin's Creed 2
2009
#40
#113
Team Fortress 2
2007
#41
#115
Mass Effect
2007
#42
#116
#43
#121
Left 4 Dead
2008
#44
#125
League of Legends
2009
#45
#129
God of War
2005
#46
#133
Advance Wars
2001
#47
#142
Burnout 3: Takedown
2004
#48
#145
#49
#149
Left 4 Dead 2
2009
#50
#151
Battlefield 1942
2002
#51
#152
Street Fighter IV
2008
#52
#155
#53
#159
Final Fantasy X
2001
#54
#166
Beyond Good & Evil
2003
#55
#170
Dead Space
2008
#56
#173
Katamari Damacy
2004
#57
#183
#58
#184
Halo 2
2004
#59
#186
God of War II
2007
#60
#187
Gears of War
2006
#61
#191
Ikaruga
2001
#62
#199
Wii Sports
2006
#63
#206
Dragon Age: Origins
2009
#64
#207
Max Payne
2001
#65
#213
Rome: Total War
2004
#66
#222
Psychonauts
2005
#67
#225
Rock Band
2007
#68
#229
Hitman: Blood Money
2006
#69
#232
Rock Band 2
2008
#70
#233
Gears of War 2
2008
#71
#237
Bayonetta
2009
#72
#238
Company of Heroes
2006
#73
#239
Guitar Hero
2005
#74
#240
Final Fantasy IX
2000
#75
#242
Battlefield 2
2005
#76
#243
#77
#244
#78
#248
Soulcalibur II
2002
#79
#251
LittleBigPlanet
2008
#80
#260
Animal Crossing
2001
#81
#263
Demon's Souls
2009
#82
#264
#83
#265
Fable II
2008
#84
#269
Burnout Paradise
2008
#85
#281
The Sims 2
2004
#86
#286
Kingdom Hearts
2002
#87
#289
#88
#296
#89
#299
Kingdom Hearts II
2005
#90
#305
#91
#307
Valkyria Chronicles
2008
#92
#314
#93
#315
#94
#317
#95
#320
Ninja Gaiden
2004
#96
#321
F-Zero GX
2003
#97
#323
#98
#332
Call of Duty 2
2005
#99
#334
The Sims 3
2009
#100
#335
Vagrant Story
2000
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