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Polygon 500 Best

Polygon 500 Best is a ranked list published in 2017 — one of the 17 sources behind the game canon, weighted as critics' canon. 225 of its 500 entries appear in the aggregated canon.

  1. 1TetrisCanon #2
  2. 2Super Mario Bros. 3Canon #20
  3. 3The Legend of ZeldaCanon #66
  4. 4DoomCanon #3
  5. 5Pokemon Blue/Red/YellowCanon #137
  6. 6Ms. Pac-ManCanon #29
  7. 7World of WarcraftCanon #22
  8. 8MinecraftCanon #25
  9. 9Street Fighter IICanon #46
  10. 10Super MetroidCanon #5
  11. 11Final Fantasy VICanon #19
  12. 12Grand Theft Auto IIICanon #51
  13. 13StarCraftCanon #35
  14. 14Half-Life 2Canon #1
  15. 15SimCityCanon #240
  16. 16Super Mario 64Canon #4
  17. 17PortalCanon #28
  18. 18Castlevania: Symphony of the NightCanon #26
  19. 19Civilization II
  20. 20The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the PastCanon #14
  21. 21Super Mario Bros.Canon #39
  22. 22FIFA 12
  23. 23Rogue
  24. 24Dwarf Fortress
  25. 25Metal Gear SolidCanon #33
  26. 26NBA JamCanon #82
  27. 27JourneyCanon #27
  28. 28The Elder Scrolls III: MorrowindCanon #80
  29. 29EarthBoundCanon #31
  30. 30SpelunkyCanon #48
  31. 31Gone HomeCanon #213
  32. 32ZorkCanon #153
  33. 33Shin Megami Tensei: Persona 4Canon #120
  34. 34Super Mario WorldCanon #11
  35. 35Donkey KongCanon #44
  36. 36Resident Evil 4Canon #6
  37. 37Grand Theft Auto VCanon #13
  38. 38Diablo IICanon #36
  39. 39The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of TimeCanon #7
  40. 40Dark SoulsCanon #40
  41. 41Wii SportsCanon #114
  42. 42Halo: Combat EvolvedCanon #21
  43. 43The SimsCanon #62
  44. 44Guitar HeroCanon #75
  45. 45Super Mario KartCanon #45
  46. 46Mother 3
  47. 47Quest For Glory: So You Want to Be a Hero
  48. 48Shadow of the ColossusCanon #15
  49. 49Defense of the Anicents
  50. 50Mass Effect 2Canon #12
  51. 51Football Manager
  52. 52Half-LifeCanon #54
  53. 53Dance Dance RevolutionCanon #180
  54. 54The Witcher 3: Wild HuntCanon #10
  55. 55SimCity 2000Canon #113
  56. 56Civilization V
  57. 57Elite Beat AgentsCanon #149
  58. 58NHL ’94
  59. 59Super Mario Galaxy 2Canon #43
  60. 60GoldenEye 007Canon #41
  61. 61Grand Theft Auto: San AndreasCanon #76
  62. 62Chrono TriggerCanon #24
  63. 63Super Mario GalaxyCanon #124
  64. 64PongCanon #97
  65. 65ESPN NFL 2K5Canon #161
  66. 66Madden NFL 2005
  67. 67Tom Clancy’s Splinter Cell: Chaos TheoryCanon #181
  68. 68League of LegendsCanon #122
  69. 69Harvest MoonCanon #177
  70. 70Final Fantasy VIICanon #37
  71. 71Super Smash Bros. MeleeCanon #42
  72. 72Burnout 3: TakedownCanon #69
  73. 73The Elder Scrolls V: SkyrimCanon #17
  74. 74Dota 2Canon #109
  75. 75Ultima OnlineCanon #117
  76. 76Habitat
  77. 77MULE
  78. 78Secret of ManaCanon #101
  79. 79Space InvadersCanon #123
  80. 80Guild Wars 2
  81. 81Star Wars: Knights of the Old RepublicCanon #52
  82. 82AdventureCanon #148
  83. 83Silent Hill 2Canon #55
  84. 84Portal 2Canon #23
  85. 85Katamari DamacyCanon #73
  86. 86Doom II
  87. 87NetHack
  88. 88Call of Duty 4: Modern WarfareCanon #30
  89. 89MetroidCanon #172
  90. 90Eve Online
  91. 91Dragon Warrior
  92. 92Robotron 2084Canon #79
  93. 93Super Mario World 2: Yoshi’s IslandCanon #207
  94. 94Guitar Hero IICanon #165
  95. 95Grand Theft Auto IVCanon #60
  96. 96HomeworldCanon #84
  97. 97Manic MinerCanon #198
  98. 98Suikoden IICanon #200
  99. 99The SentinelCanon #156
  100. 100WarlordsCanon #127
  101. 101Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of LibertyCanon #111
  102. 102Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 2
  103. 103EliteCanon #133
  104. 104Burnout Paradise
  105. 105Grand Theft Auto: Vice CityCanon #88
  106. 106Final Fantasy TacticsCanon #56
  107. 107Papers PleaseCanon #136
  108. 108Super Mario Maker
  109. 109Kentucky Route Zero
  110. 110Counter-StrikeCanon #100
  111. 111Hitman: Blood MoneyCanon #171
  112. 112Railroad Tycoon
  113. 113Prince of Persia: The Sands of TimeCanon #112
  114. 114Herzog ZweiCanon #144
  115. 115BioShockCanon #34
  116. 116Call of Duty 2Canon #225
  117. 117Gunstar HeroesCanon #135
  118. 118Mario Kart 8Canon #106
  119. 119The Legend of Zelda: The Wind WakerCanon #67
  120. 120Device 6
  121. 121Frog Fractions
  122. 122QuakeCanon #83
  123. 123DiabloCanon #105
  124. 124Rock Band 2Canon #108
  125. 125Mike Tyson’s Punch-Out!! (1987) / Punch-Out!!
  126. 126Uncharted 2: Among ThievesCanon #38
  127. 127Cart Life
  128. 128Dune II: The Building of a Dynasty
  129. 129UndertaleCanon #118
  130. 130Rock BandCanon #96
  131. 131Her Story
  132. 132Vampire: The Masquerade – Redemption
  133. 133Kirby: Canvas Curse
  134. 134Street Fighter IIICanon #147
  135. 135Hearthstone: Heroes of WarcraftCanon #202
  136. 136Kirby’s Adventure
  137. 137Phantasy Star Online
  138. 138Resident EvilCanon #86
  139. 139The Oregon TrailCanon #70
  140. 140EverQuestCanon #150
  141. 141Super Smash Bros.
  142. 142The Operative: No One Lives Forever
  143. 143Unreal Tournament
  144. 144The Legend of Zelda: Link’s AwakeningCanon #236
  145. 145Team Fortress 2Canon #103
  146. 146Mortal Kombat II
  147. 147Wolfenstein 3DCanon #216
  148. 148Super Mario 3D WorldCanon #196
  149. 149Animal Crossing: New Leaf
  150. 150Soul Calibur IICanon #184
  151. 151Metroid PrimeCanon #32
  152. 152The Walking DeadCanon #142
  153. 153Geometry Wars: Retro EvolvedCanon #220
  154. 154Pac-Man Championship Edition DXCanon #217
  155. 155Assassin’s Creed IICanon #170
  156. 15680 Days
  157. 157Brothers: A Tale of Two Sons
  158. 158Castlevania: Aria of Sorrow
  159. 159Civilization IVCanon #58
  160. 160Crusader Kings II
  161. 161DEFCON
  162. 162DefenderCanon #125
  163. 163Dragon Quest VIII: Journey of the Cursed KingCanon #192
  164. 164FS1 Flight Simulator
  165. 165GalagaCanon #77
  166. 166Giants: Citizen Kabuto
  167. 167Homeworld 2
  168. 168Monster Hunter 4 Ultimate
  169. 169Phantasy Star IVCanon #221
  170. 170Planescape: TormentCanon #59
  171. 171Red Faction: Guerrilla
  172. 172Spacewar!
  173. 173Star Wars: The Arcade Game
  174. 174Streets of Rage 2Canon #230
  175. 175Superhot VR
  176. 176System Shock 2Canon #53
  177. 177The Last of UsCanon #9
  178. 178The Secret of Monkey IslandCanon #157
  179. 179Star Wars: TIE FighterCanon #160
  180. 180Ultima Underworld: The Stygian Abyss
  181. 181Vagrant StoryCanon #187
  182. 182Warcraft III: Reign of ChaosCanon #104
  183. 183StarCraft II: Wings of LibertyCanon #139
  184. 184Rez (2002) / Rez Infinite
  185. 185City of Heroes
  186. 186Fallout 3Canon #65
  187. 187Left 4 DeadCanon #94
  188. 188PT
  189. 189MystCanon #173
  190. 190Command & Conquer
  191. 191Sonic the HedgehogCanon #129
  192. 192Pokemon Gold/Silver/Crystal
  193. 193Star Wars: X-Wing vs TIE Fighter
  194. 194Dragon’s Dogma
  195. 195Final Fantasy IXCanon #188
  196. 196XCOM: Enemy UnknownCanon #138
  197. 197Mario Kart 64Canon #191
  198. 198OverwatchCanon #47
  199. 199Halo 3Canon #116
  200. 200Thirty Flights of Loving
  201. 201Animal CrossingCanon #98
  202. 202Bushido Blade 2
  203. 203Fallout: New VegasCanon #199
  204. 204Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake EaterCanon #49
  205. 205Virtua Fighter 2
  206. 206WarioWare Inc: Mega Microgames!
  207. 207Mega Man XCanon #209
  208. 208Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom PainCanon #81
  209. 209Stardew ValleyCanon #212
  210. 210Batman: Arkham AsylumCanon #50
  211. 211Mini Metro
  212. 212Star Raiders
  213. 213Street Fighter Alpha 3Canon #176
  214. 214Super Mario 3D Land
  215. 215Tony Hawk’s Underground
  216. 216WarioWare: Twisted!
  217. 217Zero Escape: Virtue’s Last Reward
  218. 218Burnout Revenge
  219. 219DoomCanon #3
  220. 220Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater
  221. 221A Mind Forever VoyagingCanon #145
  222. 222Gran TurismoCanon #168
  223. 223Monkey Island 2: LeChuck’s Revenge
  224. 224Red Dead RedemptionCanon #16
  225. 225Virtua RacingCanon #164
  226. 226Warcraft II: Tides of DarknessCanon #175
  227. 227Left 4 Dead 2Canon #152
  228. 228Jet Grind Radio
  229. 229Halo 2Canon #74
  230. 230Soul Calibur
  231. 231Tomb RaiderCanon #143
  232. 232Mass Effect
  233. 233DishonoredCanon #93
  234. 234Flashback
  235. 235Impossible Mission
  236. 236Monster Hunter Generations
  237. 237Sensible Soccer
  238. 238Shantae and the Pirate’s Curse
  239. 239Wing Commander
  240. 240X-COM: UFO DefenseCanon #239
  241. 241ShenmueCanon #248
  242. 242Gears of WarCanon #131
  243. 243Devil May Cry 3: Dante’s Awakening
  244. 244AsteroidsCanon #134
  245. 245PsychonautsCanon #166
  246. 246Out of This World
  247. 247Castlevania
  248. 248The Jackbox Party Pack
  249. 249Castlevania III: Dracula’s Curse
  250. 250FalloutCanon #128
  251. 251Pokemon Go
  252. 252Maniac Mansion
  253. 253Star Control
  254. 254King’s Quest
  255. 255The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy
  256. 256Donkey Kong Country
  257. 257InsideCanon #85
  258. 258Final Fantasy VIIICanon #194
  259. 259BloodborneCanon #18
  260. 260Shin Megami Tensei: Persona 3
  261. 261Demon’s SoulsCanon #214
  262. 262Age of Empires II: The Age of KingsCanon #92
  263. 263FezCanon #224
  264. 264Sonic the Hedgehog 2Canon #119
  265. 265Demon Attack
  266. 266Event 0
  267. 267Fatal Frame II: Crimson Butterfly
  268. 268Heroes of Might and Magic III
  269. 269Marvel vs Capcom 2: New Age of HeroesCanon #174
  270. 270MVP Baseball 2005
  271. 271Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney
  272. 272Quake III ArenaCanon #91
  273. 273Shadow Hearts: Covenant
  274. 274Snake
  275. 275Tenchu: Stealth Assassins
  276. 276The Stanley ParableCanon #232
  277. 277Ultima VII: The Black Gate
  278. 278Wasteland
  279. 279Dark Souls II
  280. 280IcoCanon #90
  281. 281Max PayneCanon #186
  282. 282Super Mario SunshineCanon #159
  283. 283GauntletCanon #158
  284. 284Forza Horizon 3
  285. 285Kirby’s Dream Land
  286. 286Kingdom Hearts
  287. 287Assassin’s Creed IV: Black Flag
  288. 288Tennis For Two
  289. 289CombatCanon #231
  290. 290Final Fantasy
  291. 291God HandCanon #234
  292. 292NBA 2K12
  293. 293Proteus
  294. 294Sonic CD
  295. 295Super Mario Bros. 2Canon #201
  296. 296The World Ends With YouCanon #195
  297. 297Thief: Deadly Shadows
  298. 298Diablo III
  299. 299The Legend of Zelda: A Link Between Worlds
  300. 300Microsoft Flight Simulator
  301. 301Resident Evil 2
  302. 302Day of the Tentacle
  303. 303Tempest 2000
  304. 304Tekken 3Canon #163
  305. 305Age of Empires
  306. 306Gran Turismo 3: A-SpecCanon #132
  307. 307Split Second
  308. 308Chrono CrossCanon #204
  309. 309Flower
  310. 310TowerFall
  311. 311Battlefield 1942Canon #126
  312. 312Super Smash Bros. BrawlCanon #235
  313. 313Breakout
  314. 314Paradroid
  315. 315IkarugaCanon #228
  316. 316Battlezone
  317. 317Computer Space
  318. 318Descent
  319. 319Stubbs the Zombie in Rebel Without a Pulse
  320. 320Dungeon Keeper
  321. 321Empire: Total War
  322. 322God of WarCanon #63
  323. 323Gran Trak 10
  324. 324Gunpoint
  325. 325Lunar Lander
  326. 326Marvel Vs Capcom: Clash of Super Heroes
  327. 327Miner 2049er
  328. 328Panzer Dragoon II Zwei
  329. 329Puzzle Quest: Challenge of the Warlords
  330. 330Samurai Shodown
  331. 331The Legend of Zelda: Majora’s MaskCanon #102
  332. 332Deus ExCanon #68
  333. 333Hot Shots Golf
  334. 334PopulousCanon #203
  335. 335Dishonored 2
  336. 336Quadrilateral Cowboy
  337. 337Threes
  338. 338Yakuza 0
  339. 339Bayonetta 2Canon #206
  340. 340Dead SpaceCanon #89
  341. 341Dungeons & Dragons: Pool of Radiance
  342. 342Ninja GaidenCanon #222
  343. 343RollerCoaster Tycoon
  344. 344Fruit Ninja
  345. 345Bastion
  346. 346Hitman
  347. 347Max Payne 2: The Fall of Max PayneCanon #250
  348. 348Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3
  349. 349Forza Motorsport 4
  350. 350I Have No Mouth and I Must Scream
  351. 351Call of DutyCanon #242
  352. 352Panzer Dragoon Orta
  353. 353Return to Castle Wolfenstein
  354. 354Rocket LeagueCanon #185
  355. 355Stunt Car Racer
  356. 356Balance of Power
  357. 357Valkyria ChroniclesCanon #210
  358. 358Far Cry 2
  359. 359Fantastic Contraption
  360. 360Super Bomberman
  361. 361Contra III: The Alien WarsCanon #238
  362. 362JoustCanon #208
  363. 363Castle Crashers
  364. 364LemmingsCanon #121
  365. 365LimboCanon #140
  366. 366Parapet the Rapper
  367. 367Pokemon X / Y
  368. 368Super Mario Land 2: 6 Golden Coins
  369. 369Ultima IV: Quest of the Avatar
  370. 370Star Wars: X-Wing
  371. 371FTL: Faster Than Light
  372. 372Daytona USACanon #223
  373. 373Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door
  374. 374Prince of PersiaCanon #229
  375. 375Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the PatriotsCanon #249
  376. 376Lumines
  377. 377Mortal Kombat
  378. 378Ant Attack
  379. 379BeatMania
  380. 380Crazy Taxi
  381. 381Hunt the Wumpus
  382. 382Devil’s Crush
  383. 383Fallout 2
  384. 384Fire Emblem: Awakening
  385. 385God of War IICanon #205
  386. 386International Karate +
  387. 387Jumpman Junior
  388. 388Koronis Rift
  389. 389Mega Man 2Canon #227
  390. 390Pillars of Eternity
  391. 391Silent HillCanon #241
  392. 392Stephen’s Sausage Roll
  393. 393Syberia
  394. 394Uridium
  395. 395Wizardry
  396. 396Nights Into DreamsCanon #183
  397. 397FroggerCanon #182
  398. 398Shovel Knight
  399. 399BraidCanon #99
  400. 400Mirror’s Edge
  401. 401LittleBigPlanetCanon #215
  402. 402Tiger Woods PGA Tour 12
  403. 403Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic II – The Sith Lords
  404. 404Thief: The Dark ProjectCanon #141
  405. 405Deus Ex Machina
  406. 406Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker
  407. 407DestinyCanon #189
  408. 408Command & Conquer: Red Alert
  409. 409Legacy of Kain: Soul Reaver
  410. 410Power Stone
  411. 411Kingdom Rush
  412. 412Drop7
  413. 413Rhythm Heaven
  414. 414The Elder Scrolls IV: OblivionCanon #151
  415. 415Grim FandangoCanon #107
  416. 416Alpha Centauri
  417. 417Final Fantasy XIV
  418. 418Fire Emblem Fates
  419. 419Metro 2033
  420. 420Military Madness
  421. 421Missile Command
  422. 422Pole Position
  423. 423Just Cause 2
  424. 424Power Stone 2
  425. 425Qix
  426. 426Sam & Max Hit the Road
  427. 427Snatcher
  428. 428Bejeweled
  429. 429Nidhogg
  430. 430Fallout 4
  431. 431Street Fighter IVCanon #146
  432. 432Double Dragon
  433. 433Galaxian
  434. 434Kim Kardashian: Hollywood
  435. 435Indiana Jones and the Fate of Atlantis
  436. 436Devil May Cry
  437. 437WWF No Mercy
  438. 438Kerbal Space Program
  439. 439Need For Speed: Most Wanted
  440. 440Super Castlevania IV
  441. 441Mario Paint
  442. 442Jetpack Joyride
  443. 443Psi-Ops: The Mindgate Conspiracy
  444. 444Wolfenstein: The New Order
  445. 445Vanquish
  446. 446Sonic Colors
  447. 447BioShock 2
  448. 448Final Fantasy XCanon #178
  449. 449Hitman Go
  450. 450Professor Layton and the Unwound Future
  451. 451The Witcher 2: Assassins of Kings
  452. 452Angry Birds
  453. 453Dragon Age: Origins
  454. 454Archon: The Light and the Dark
  455. 455Boulderdash
  456. 456Cities: Skylines
  457. 457Plants vs Zombies
  458. 458Electroplankton
  459. 459Paper Mario
  460. 460Picross 3D
  461. 461River City Ransom
  462. 462Zelda II: The Adventure of Link
  463. 463Donkey Kong Jr
  464. 464The Chronicles of Riddick: Escape From Butcher Bay
  465. 465Medal of Honor
  466. 466Depression Quest
  467. 467Railroad Tycoon
  468. 468TimeSplitters 2
  469. 469Ninja GaidenCanon #222
  470. 470Peggle
  471. 471Earth Defense Force 2017
  472. 472Aladdin
  473. 473Firewatch
  474. 474Monument Valley
  475. 475Borderlands
  476. 476Gravity Rush
  477. 477Nine Hours Nine Persons Nine Doors
  478. 478Marble MadnessCanon #197
  479. 479Splatoon
  480. 480QWOP
  481. 481Garry’s Mod
  482. 482Batman: Arkham CityCanon #155
  483. 483Company of HeroesCanon #179
  484. 484Star Fox 64
  485. 485Fable II
  486. 486Ori and the Blind Forest
  487. 487Cave Story
  488. 488Space Channel 5
  489. 489Spider-Man 2
  490. 490Alone in the Dark
  491. 491Metroid II: Return of Samus
  492. 492Catherine
  493. 493BullyCanon #245
  494. 494Wipeout
  495. 495F-Zero
  496. 496Super Meat Boy
  497. 497Dragon Age: Inquisition
  498. 498Advance Wars 2: Black Hole Rising
  499. 499ArkanoidCanon #169
  500. 500Ballblazer

List compiled and published by its original authors; positions shown as published. Canon ranks link to each entry's full evidence page.