Acclaimed Video Games

The top 1,400 most recommended games across 920 critic lists from 146 publications.

Updated: October 16, 2026

Most Acclaimed Video Games of 1984

14 of 14

#1 Elite (1984) (#199)

Acornsoft, David Braben, Frontier Developments, Ian Bell | 6, DOS | Space Combat | 24 lists

#2 Marble Madness (1984) (#467)

Atari Games | ARC, 4, DOS | Racing / Platform | ~36m | 11 lists

#3 Impossible Mission (1984) (#796)

Epyx | 5 | Puzzle / Platform | ~3h | 5 lists

#4 Jet Set Willy (1984) (#837)

Software Projects | 3 | Platform | ~2h | 5 lists

#5 King's Quest I: Quest for the Crown (1984) (#840)

Sierra On-Line | 3, DOS, MAC | Adventure | ~2h | 6 lists

#6 Excitebike (1984) (#899)

Nintendo | ARC, PC88, NES | Racing | ~48m | 6 lists

#7 Boulder Dash (1984) (#945)

First Star Software | ARC, 7, CV | Maze / Puzzle | ~3h | 7 lists

#8 Knight Lore (1984) (#983)

Ashby Computers and Graphics Ltd. | 4 | Action-Adventure | ~2h | 4 lists

#9 The Lords of Midnight (1984) (#1131)

Amsoft, Beyond, Mindscape, Inc. | 3 | Role-Playing / Strategy | ~6h | 3 lists

#10 Bomb Jack (1984) (#1155)

Tehkan | ARC, 4 | Platform | ~42m | 3 lists

#11 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy (1984) (#1164)

Infocom | 7, DOS, MAC | Adventure / Interactive Drama | 4 lists

#12 Spy vs. Spy (1984) (#1174)

First Star Software, Vatical Entertainment | 7, NES, SMS | ~1h | 5 lists

#13 The Ancient Art of War (1984) (#1176)

Evryware | 6, DOS, MAC | Strategy | 3 lists

#14 Skool Daze (1984) (#1296)

Microsphere Computer Services Ltd. | ZXS, C64 | Action-Adventure | 2 lists

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