Acclaimed Video Games

The top 1,400 most recommended games across 913 critic lists from 142 publications.

Updated: March 25, 2026

Most Acclaimed ZX Spectrum Games of All Time

Filters

58 of 58

#1 Tetris (1985) (#2)

Alexey Pajitnov | 8 , DOS , NES, GB | Puzzle | ~3h | 99 lists

2 (#123)

SimCity (1989)

Maxis | , , , | | ~15h | 35 lists

#2 SimCity (1989) (#123)

Maxis | DOS, MAC , 5 , SNES | City Building | ~15h | 35 lists

3 (#138)

Lemmings (1991)

DMA Design | , , , , , , | / | ~20h | 33 lists

#3 Lemmings (1991) (#138)

DMA Design | DOS, MAC , 5 , SMS, GEN , TG16 , SNES | Strategy / Puzzle | ~20h | 33 lists

#4 Ms. Pac-Man (1982) (#143)

General Computer Corporation (GCC) | ARC , 4 , DOS | Maze | ~1h | 30 lists

5 (#155)

Pac-Man (1980)

Namco | , , , , | | ~48m | 33 lists

#5 Pac-Man (1980) (#155)

Namco | ARC , 3 , 5 , DOS , NES | Maze | ~48m | 33 lists

#6 Elite (1984) (#186)

Acornsoft, David Braben, Frontier Developments, Ian Bell | 6 , DOS | Space Combat | 23 lists

#7 Contra (1987) (#203)

Konami | ARC , DOS , 3 , NES | Run and Gun | ~1h | 27 lists

#8 Bubble Bobble (1986) (#356)

Taito | ARC , 7 , DOS , NES, FDS | Platform | ~3h | 14 lists

#9 OutRun (1986) (#375)

Sega AM2 | ARC , 3 | Racing | ~36m | 13 lists

10 (#387)

R-Type (1987)

Irem | , , , | | ~1h | 15 lists

#10 R-Type (1987) (#387)

Irem | ARC , 7 , SMS , TG16 | Shooter | ~1h | 15 lists

#11 Star Wars (1983) (#430)

Atari, Atari Games | ARC , 3 , 7 , DOS, MAC | Shooter | ~48m | 11 lists

#12 Ghosts 'n Goblins (1985) (#451)

Capcom | ARC , 3 , NES | Platform | ~3h | 12 lists

#13 Archon: The Light and the Dark (1983) (#480)

Free Fall Associates | 7 , DOS | Action / Strategy | ~24m | 12 lists

14 (#503)

Arkanoid (1986)

Taito | , , , , | | ~2h | 9 lists

#14 Arkanoid (1986) (#503)

Taito | ARC , 11 , DOS, MAC , NES | Puzzle | ~2h | 9 lists

#15 The Sentinel / The Sentry (1986) (#580)

Firebird Software | 6 , DOS | Puzzle | 6 lists

#16 Manic Miner (1983) (#590)

Bug Byte, Software Projects | 5 | Platform | 5 lists

#17 Head over Heels (1987) (#599)

Ocean Software | 7 | Action-Adventure | 6 lists

#18 Bomberman (1983) (#638)

Hudson Soft | 4 , NES | Strategy / Maze / Puzzle | ~2h | 7 lists

#19 International Karate + (1987) (#643)

System 3 Software | 5 | Fighting | ~48m | 7 lists

#20 The Bard's Tale (1985) (#647)

Interplay Productions | 6 , DOS | Role-Playing | ~22h | 7 lists

#21 Rainbow Islands: The Story of Bubble Bobble 2 (1987) (#654)

Taito | ARC , 5 , NES , SMS, GEN , TG16 | Platform | ~2h | 8 lists

#22 Ghouls 'n Ghosts (1988) (#687)

Capcom | ARC , 5 , GEN | Platform | ~2h | 6 lists

#23 Shinobi (1987) (#706)

Team Shinobi | ARC , DOS , 6 , NES , SMS , TG16 | Hack and Slash / Platform | ~1h | 6 lists

#24 Tempest (1981) (#716)

Atari | ARC , 4 | Shooter | ~54m | 7 lists

#25 Defender of the Crown (1986) (#749)

Master Designer Software, Inc. | 4 | Strategy | ~1h | 6 lists

#26 Mario Bros. (1983) (#763)

Nintendo R&D1 | ARC , A26, A52 , 5 , NES | Platform | ~54m | 6 lists

#27 Impossible Mission (1984) (#778)

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

#28 Stunt Car Racer / Stunt Track Racer (1989) (#792)

Microplay Software, MicroStyle | DOS , 5 | Racing | ~3h | 6 lists

#29 Spy Hunter (1983) (#813)

Bally Midway | ARC , A26, CV , 6 , DOS , NES | Vehicular Combat | ~24m | 9 lists

#30 Jet Set Willy (1984) (#817)

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

#31 The Hobbit (1982) (#833)

Beam Software | 6 , DOS | Adventure | ~1h | 5 lists

32 (#852)

Smash TV (1990)

Williams | , , , , , | | ~2h | 5 lists

#32 Smash TV (1990) (#852)

Williams | ARC , 5 , NES, SNES , SMS, GEN | Shooter | ~2h | 5 lists

#33 Wizball (1987) (#891)

Sensible Software | DOS , 5 | Shooter | ~1h | 3 lists

#34 Boulder Dash (1984) (#940)

First Star Software | ARC , 7 , CV | Maze / Puzzle | ~3h | 6 lists

#35 Football Manager (1982) (#943)

Addictive Games Ltd | 8 , DOS | Simulation / Sports | ~2h | 2 lists

#36 Knight Lore (1984) (#949)

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

#37 Mercenary (1985) (#977)

Novagen | 5 | Action-Adventure | ~2h | 4 lists

#38 Turrican II: The Final Fight (1991) (#983)

Factor 5 | 5 , GEN | Run and Gun | ~2h | 3 lists

#39 Ant Attack (1983) (#1008)

Sandy White | ZXS, C64 | Action | ~30m | 4 lists

#40 Paperboy (1985) (#1009)

Atari Games, Vivid Games | ARC , 5 , NES | Action | ~1h | 3 lists

#41 Rogue / Rogue: Exploring the Dungeons of Doom (1980) (#1015)

Artificial Intelligence Design | 8 , DOS, MAC | Roguelike | ~10h | 2 lists

#42 Super Sprint (1986) (#1076)

Atari Games | ARC , A26 , 4 , NES | Racing | ~24m | 3 lists

#43 Pole Position (1982) (#1087)

Namco | ARC , 3 , 5 | Racing | ~24m | 6 lists

#44 The Lords of Midnight (1984) (#1099)

Amsoft, Beyond, Mindscape, Inc. | 3 | Role-Playing / Strategy | ~4h | 3 lists

#45 Bomb Jack (1984) (#1106)

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

#46 Salamander / Life Force (1986) (#1117)

Konami | ARC , 4 , NES | Shooter | ~48m | 5 lists

#47 Space Harrier (1985) (#1131)

Sega AM2 | ARC , 5 , SMS , TG16 | Shooter | ~24m | 2 lists

#48 Commando / Senjō no Ōkami (1985) (#1147)

Capcom | ARC , 4 , DOS , NES | Run and Gun | 3 lists

#49 Thrust (1986) (#1177)

Firebird Software, Superior Software Ltd. | 6 | Shooter | 3 lists

#50 Spy vs. Spy (1984) (#1202)

First Star Software, Vatical Entertainment | 7 , NES , SMS | ~1h | 4 lists

#51 Ballblazer (1985) (#1203)

Lucasfilm Games | 6 , A52, A78 | Action / Sports | ~18m | 4 lists

#52 The Way of the Exploding Fist (1985) (#1207)

Beam Software | 4 | Fighting | ~1h | 3 lists

#53 Buster Bros. / Pang / Pomping World (1989) (#1223)

Mitchell Corporation | ARC , DOS , 5 | Action | ~1h | 2 lists

54 (#1228)

Xevious (1983)

Namco | , , , | | ~1h | 3 lists

#54 Xevious (1983) (#1228)

Namco | ARC , 6 , NES , A78 | Shooter | ~1h | 3 lists

#55 Skool Daze (1984) (#1239)

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

#56 River Raid (1982) (#1304)

Activision | 3 , 3 | Shooter | ~24m | 5 lists

#57 Solomon's Key (1986) (#1321)

Tecmo | ARC , DOS , 4 , NES , SMS , TG16 | Puzzle | ~4h | 3 lists

#58 Carrier Command (1988) (#1345)

Realtime Games Software Ltd. | DOS, MAC , 5 | Vehicle Simulation | 2 lists

Alexey Pajitnov

AMI, A2, AST, BBCM, C64, DOS, E60, GB, MSX, NES, ZXS

Puzzle

~3h

99 lists

Tetris 1985

#123

Maxis

AMI, CPC, MAC, C64, DOS, FMT, SNES, ZXS

City Building

~15h

35 lists

SimCity 1989

#138

DMA Design

AMI, MAC, AST, DOS, FMT, PC98, SMS, GEN, SNES, TG16, ZXS

Strategy / Puzzle

~20h

33 lists

Lemmings 1991

#143

General Computer Corporation (GCC)

A2, ARC, A8, C64, DOS, ZXS

Maze

~1h

30 lists

Ms. Pac-Man 1982

#155

Namco

ARC, A26, A52, A8, C64, DOS, INTV, MSX, NES, PC88, ZXS

Maze

~48m

33 lists

Pac-Man 1980

#186

Acornsoft, David Braben, Frontier Developments, Ian Bell

CPC, A2, BBCM, C64, DOS, MSX, ZXS

Space Combat

23 lists

Elite 1984

#203

Konami

CPC, ARC, C64, DOS, NES, ZXS

Run and Gun

~1h

27 lists

Contra 1987

#356

Taito

AMI, CPC, A2, ARC, AST, C64, DOS, FDS, MSX, NES, ZXS

Platform

~3h

14 lists

Bubble Bobble 1986

#375

Sega AM2

CPC, ARC, C64, ZXS

Racing

~36m

13 lists

OutRun 1986

#10

#387

Irem

AMI, CPC, ARC, AST, C64, MSX, PC88, SMS, TG16, ZXS

Shooter

~1h

15 lists

R-Type 1987

#11

#430

Atari, Atari Games

AMI, CPC, MAC, ARC, A26, A52, A8, AST, BBCM, CV, C64, DOS, ZXS

Shooter

~48m

11 lists

Star Wars 1983

#12

#451

Capcom

CPC, ARC, C64, NES, ZXS

Platform

~3h

12 lists

Ghosts 'n Goblins 1985

#13

#480

Free Fall Associates

CPC, A2, A8, C64, DOS, PC88, SX1, ZXS

Action / Strategy

~24m

12 lists

Archon: The Light and the Dark 1983

#14

#503

Taito

AMI, CPC, A2, MAC, ARC, A8, AST, BBCM, C64, DOS, MSX, NES, PC88, TCC, ZXS

Puzzle

~2h

9 lists

Arkanoid 1986

#15

#580

Firebird Software

AMI, CPC, AST, BBCM, C64, DOS, ZXS

Puzzle

6 lists

The Sentinel / The Sentry 1986

#16

#590

Bug Byte, Software Projects

CPC, BBCM, C64, MSX, ZXS

Platform

5 lists

Manic Miner 1983

#17

#599

Ocean Software

AMI, CPC, A8, AST, C64, MSX, ZXS

Action-Adventure

6 lists

Head over Heels 1987

#18

#638

Hudson Soft

MSX, NES, PC88, SX1, ZXS

Strategy / Maze / Puzzle

~2h

7 lists

Bomberman 1983

#19

#643

System 3 Software

AMI, CPC, AST, C64, ZXS

Fighting

~48m

7 lists

International Karate + 1987

#20

#647

Interplay Productions

AMI, CPC, A2, AST, C64, DOS, ZXS

Role-Playing

~22h

7 lists

The Bard's Tale 1985

#21

#654

Taito

AMI, CPC, ARC, AST, C64, NES, SMS, GEN, TG16, ZXS

Platform

~2h

8 lists

Rainbow Islands: The Story of Bubble Bobble 2 1987

#22

#687

Capcom

AMI, CPC, ARC, AST, C64, GEN, ZXS

Platform

~2h

6 lists

Ghouls 'n Ghosts 1988

#23

#706

Team Shinobi

AMI, CPC, ARC, AST, C64, DOS, MSX, NES, SMS, TG16, ZXS

Hack and Slash / Platform

~1h

6 lists

Shinobi 1987

#24

#716

Atari

CPC, ARC, AST, BBCM, ZXS

Shooter

~54m

7 lists

Tempest 1981

#25

#749

Master Designer Software, Inc.

AMI, CPC, C64, ZXS

Strategy

~1h

6 lists

Defender of the Crown 1986

#26

#763

Nintendo R&D1

CPC, ARC, A26, A52, C64, FM7, NES, PC88, ZXS

Platform

~54m

6 lists

Mario Bros. 1983

#27

#778

Epyx

CPC, A2, BBCM, C64, ZXS

Puzzle / Platform

~3h

5 lists

Impossible Mission 1984

#28

#792

Microplay Software, MicroStyle

AMI, CPC, AST, C64, DOS, ZXS

Racing

~3h

6 lists

Stunt Car Racer / Stunt Track Racer 1989

#29

#813

Bally Midway

CPC, A2, ARC, A26, A8, BBCM, CV, C64, DOS, NES, ZXS

Vehicular Combat

~24m

9 lists

Spy Hunter 1983

#30

#817

Software Projects

A8, C64, ZXS

Platform

~2h

5 lists

Jet Set Willy 1984

#31

#833

Beam Software

CPC, A2, BBCM, C64, DOS, MSX, ZXS

Adventure

~1h

5 lists

The Hobbit 1982

#32

#852

Williams

AMI, CPC, ARC, AST, C64, NES, SMS, GEN, SNES, ZXS

Shooter

~2h

5 lists

Smash TV 1990

#33

#891

Sensible Software

AMI, CPC, AST, C64, DOS, ZXS

Shooter

~1h

3 lists

Wizball 1987

#34

#940

First Star Software

CPC, A2, ARC, A8, CV, C64, FM7, PC88, ZXS

Maze / Puzzle

~3h

6 lists

Boulder Dash 1984

#35

#943

Addictive Games Ltd

AMI, CPC, AST, BBCM, C64, DOS, MSX, T80, ZXS

Simulation / Sports

~2h

2 lists

Football Manager 1982

#36

#949

Ashby Computers and Graphics Ltd.

CPC, BBCM, MSX, ZXS

Action-Adventure

~2h

4 lists

Knight Lore 1984

#37

#977

Novagen

CPC, A8, AST, C64, ZXS

Action-Adventure

~2h

4 lists

Mercenary 1985

#38

#983

Factor 5

AMI, CPC, AST, C64, GEN, ZXS

Run and Gun

~2h

3 lists

Turrican II: The Final Fight 1991

#39

#1008

Sandy White

C64, ZXS

Action

~30m

4 lists

Ant Attack 1983

#40

#1009

Atari Games, Vivid Games

CPC, A2, ARC, BBCM, C64, NES, ZXS

Action

~1h

3 lists

Paperboy 1985

#41

#1015

Artificial Intelligence Design

AMI, CPC, MAC, A8, AST, C64, PDP, DOS, TCC, ZXS

Roguelike

~10h

2 lists

Rogue / Rogue: Exploring the Dungeons of Doom 1980

#42

#1076

Atari Games

CPC, ARC, A26, AST, C64, NES, ZXS

Racing

~24m

3 lists

Super Sprint 1986

#43

#1087

Namco

ARC, A26, A52, A8, BBCM, C64, INTV, VC20, ZXS

Racing

~24m

6 lists

Pole Position 1982

#44

#1099

Amsoft, Beyond, Mindscape, Inc.

CPC, C64, ZXS

Role-Playing / Strategy

~4h

3 lists

The Lords of Midnight 1984

#45

#1106

Tehkan

CPC, ARC, C64, PC88, ZXS

Platform

~42m

3 lists

Bomb Jack 1984

#46

#1117

Konami

CPC, ARC, C64, MSX, NES, ZXS

Shooter

~48m

5 lists

Salamander / Life Force 1986

#47

#1131

Sega AM2

CPC, ARC, C64, FM7, PC88, SMS, TG16, ZXS

Shooter

~24m

2 lists

Space Harrier 1985

#48

#1147

Capcom

CPC, ARC, BBCM, C64, DOS, NES, ZXS

Run and Gun

3 lists

Commando / Senjō no Ōkami 1985

#49

#1177

Firebird Software, Superior Software Ltd.

CPC, A8, AST, BBCM, C64, ZXS

Shooter

3 lists

Thrust 1986

#50

#1202

First Star Software, Vatical Entertainment

AMI, CPC, A2, A8, AST, C64, NES, SMS, ZXS

~1h

4 lists

Spy vs. Spy 1984

#51

#1203

Lucasfilm Games

CPC, A2, A52, A78, A8, C64, MSX, ZXS

Action / Sports

~18m

4 lists

Ballblazer 1985

#52

#1207

Beam Software

CPC, BBCM, C64, ZXS

Fighting

~1h

3 lists

The Way of the Exploding Fist 1985

#53

#1223

Mitchell Corporation

AMI, CPC, ARC, AST, C64, DOS, ZXS

Action

~1h

2 lists

Buster Bros. / Pang / Pomping World 1989

#54

#1228

Namco

A2, ARC, A78, C64, FM7, NES, PC88, SX1, ZXS

Shooter

~1h

3 lists

Xevious 1983

#55

#1239

Microsphere Computer Services Ltd.

C64, ZXS

Action-Adventure

2 lists

Skool Daze 1984

#56

#1304

Activision

A26, A52, A8, CV, MSX, ZXS

Shooter

~24m

5 lists

River Raid 1982

#57

#1321

Tecmo

CPC, ARC, AST, C64, DOS, NES, SMS, TG16, ZXS

Puzzle

~4h

3 lists

Solomon's Key 1986

#58

#1345

Realtime Games Software Ltd.

AMI, CPC, MAC, AST, C64, DOS, ZXS

Vehicle Simulation

2 lists

Carrier Command 1988

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