Video games have evolved faster than almost any other medium, leaping from pixelated arcade cabinets to sprawling open worlds in just a few decades. While the '80s and '90s gave us classics like Pac-Man and Final Fantasy VII, the new millennium has truly redefined what games can be. The 2000s, 2010s, and 2020s have produced some of the most influential and beloved titles ever created. Here, we rank the 20 greatest video games of the 21st century, based on design, gameplay, narrative, visuals, innovation, fan opinion, critical acclaim, and overall quality.
20. Fortnite (2017)
Love it or hate it, Fortnite is the defining multiplayer game of the past decade. This battle royale phenomenon drops players onto an island with nothing but a pickaxe, tasking them with scavenging materials, weapons, and loot to be the last one standing. It didn't just dominate pop culture—it popularized the entire battle royale genre, making it a staple of modern gaming. For better or worse, Fortnite is one of the most important games of the 21st century.
19. The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt (2015)
Open-world fantasies have become a recipe for success, and The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt is the gold standard. You play as Geralt of Rivia, a monster hunter who sets aside his usual gig to rescue his adopted daughter, Ciri, from the spectral Wild Hunt. The game raised the bar for storytelling, weaving narrative into every quest—even side missions feel like essential chapters. Its dark, lived-in world is so immersive that exploring it becomes an end in itself.
18. Undertale (2015)
Indie games can be just as influential as AAA blockbusters, and Undertale proves it. Created almost entirely by Toby Fox, this RPG subverts classic tropes by letting players choose peaceful solutions instead of combat. Set in an underground realm of monsters, the game's profound narrative and innovative mechanics hooked an entire generation. It's a testament to what one person with a vision can achieve.
17. Super Smash Bros. Ultimate (2018)
Fighting games found a new home on consoles, and Super Smash Bros. Ultimate is the ultimate brawler. With a massive roster of Nintendo and third-party characters, players battle across dozens of stages with chaotic power-ups. Unlike games that balance through order, Smash balances through chaos—items and stage hazards create endless emergent possibilities. It's the definitive fighting game experience.
16. The Last of Us (2013)
Few games have proven that video games can deliver prestige storytelling like The Last of Us. Set in a zombie apocalypse, it follows Joel, a hardened survivor, as he escorts Ellie across a ravaged America. Their slow-burning bond culminates in a shocking finale that remains one of gaming's most memorable moments. The tense survival gameplay only amplifies the emotional stakes.
15. Halo: Combat Evolved (2001)
Halo: Combat Evolved launched the Xbox and redefined first-person shooters on consoles. Master Chief and Cortana crash-land on a mysterious ringworld, battling the Covenant and the Flood. Its tight gameplay, iconic weapons, and groundbreaking multiplayer set a new standard for the genre. Even today, it's a masterclass in game design.
These 20 games represent the best of what the 21st century has offered, from indie darlings to blockbuster epics. They've shaped how we play, tell stories, and connect with each other. For more rankings of the best in entertainment, check out our list of the best YA books of all time or our take on the best crime movies since 2000. And if you're a fan of psychological thrills, don't miss the best psychological thrillers of the last 99 years.
