There have been thousands of video games released through the years.
Millions of us love nothing more than sitting down and turning on our latest console, (or one that we've kept from the past for a dose of nostalgia), popping on our favourite game and spending hours in virtual lands that allow us an escape from our own realities.
Whether we jump headfirst into the horror genre, the latest platformer on offer, or something else altogether, there's something for everybody to enjoy.
Characters such as Lara Croft and Link have left an impact that is sure to stand the test of time, and we're being introduced to new heroes every year that are carving out their own legacies.
For as many gems as there are, however, there are also a whole host of games we've had to leave on our shelves to collect dust.
For every Super Mario or Nathan Drake of the gaming world, there's a Leisure Suit Larry or SPOGS racer. It's a minefield out there.
With all of that in mind, we decided to see what the critics thought. As the people who shape opinion and influence consumerism, they've surely got to be listened to.
What we must remember, though, is that one man's trash is another man's treasure.
Heading over to Metacritic to check out the overall consensus of those in the know, we've put together a list of the 20 Best Video Games According To Metacritic (And 10 Worst).
30 Best: Resident Evil 4 (96%)
This third-person shooter is regularly hailed as the single best entry into the extensive Resident Evil franchise.
Not only did the gameplay impress, but the narrative direction, character development, and skill of the voice actors involved.
Players took control of protagonist Leon S. Kennedy: a man on a mission to rescue Ashley Graham who had been abducted by a mysterious cult.
What followed was an intense and evocative journey that drew all those in who sat behind their controllers.
If you've got the stomach for it, there's a remastered version available!
29 Best: Uncharted 2: Among Thieves (96%)
Nathan Drake made a triumphant return in Among Thieves, which has been recognized by the majority of players across the globe as the best entry in the Uncharted franchise.
Though there were a further two sequels and a spin-off, this adventure is the one that stood the test of time.
That opening sequence where players had to help Nathan make his way up the side of a cliff, whilst hanging off of a derailed train, is one of the most breathtaking scenes in video game history.
28 Worst: Infestation: Survivor Stories (The War Z) (20%)
There are plenty of zombie games available, but one you don't need to experience (even if you're a major horror junkie) is the open world title, Infestation: Survivor Stories.
Panned as one of the worst video games of all time, Infestation did manage to survive before a few years following its release in 2012, but servers were taken offline at the end of 2016.
There was so much potential, but this just fell flat. A shame, but we'll just jump into Dying Light when we get the itch to take down the walking dead.
27 Best: GoldenEye 007 (96%)
As the most famous spy in the world, you'd think there would be a whole series of James Bond games that are as addictive as 1997's GoldenEye 007.
Nothing ever dropped that was as brilliant as the Nintendo 64's release, either from the Bond franchise, or as an adaptation of a major motion picture.
Cited as the reason the first-person shooter experience was made available to gamers who used platforms other than the PC, this one will go down in history.
26 Best: BioShock (96%)
The BioShock experience is something you have to go through firsthand to really believe. It's spooky, eccentric, addictive, and strangely believable at times.
Sequels followed the original, and whilst they were incredible, the first game is head and shoulders above the rest.
Being given the option of rescuing or harvesting the "Little Sisters" (young children) was a decision that left a lasting impact on the player, with two different endings available depending on which route you took.
This one's worth a replay no matter how many times you've ran through it.
25 Worst: Deal Or No Deal (20%)
Based on the television series of the same name, hosted by Howie Mandel, fans of one of the world's most popular game shows were able to try and beat the banker and take home a virtual cash prize.
Unfortunately, the tension of the real game never really made its way to DS consoles.
Audiences discovered it just wasn't as fun when the money being fought for wasn't going to end up in their bank account.
Couple that with bad graphics and sound effects, and you get the Deal or No Deal video game.
24 Best: Half-Life 2 (96%)
Taking place a few years after the original Half-Life game, Half-Life 2 saw players step into the shoes of Gordon Freeman; a man hoping to free humanity from the grips of the alien species known as Combine.
What followed was a memorable story millions of players found themselves instantly invested in.
A rollercoaster ride of emotions and intricate narrative detailing ensured we were all on the edge of our seats right from the off, through to the final moments. Sheer perfection.
23 Best: NFL 2K1 (97%)
Released for the Dreamcast back in 2000, NFL 2K1 is still to this day the best entry in the NFL gaming series.
Finally, football fans were given the experience they'd always wanted brought from the small screen to their consoles.
More refined than its predecessor, 2K1 offered a stellar and natural AI system which, for its time, was a monumental and groundbreaking thing.
The game also has the distinct ability to boast it's the first football games on consoles to allow online multiplayer.
22 Worst: Alone In The Dark: Illumination (19%)
Up to four players can come together for co-op play in Alone in the Dark: Illumination, and while it looked at first to be an exciting experience, the gameplay pretty much immediately let everybody down.
Despite having some fantastic ideas behind it, all were executed poorly. This is a real dark stain in the Alone in the Dark franchise.
Not even the availability of playing as different characters was enough to maintain audience interest. Avoid at all costs!
21 Best: Halo: Combat Evolved (97%)
Gorgeous graphics, intimate attention to detail and an expansive story meant that all those who got their hands on Halo: Combat Evolved had an amazing time playing through it.
There are plenty of sci-fi games available, but this is the closest thing to perfection to have ever been born out of the genre.
It's even classed by many as the best first-person shooter of all time.
Seeing the expansive Halo series that has followed shows just how much love this franchise has gotten. Long may it live.
20 Best: Super Mario Odyssey (97%)
The Nintendo Switch console is one that has plenty of exclusive titles, and Super Mario Odyssey is a must-purchase for anybody who hopes to get the most out of the platform.
Players are given yet another chance to control the world's most famous plumber Mario, but this time he's able to transform into a variety of different people, animals, and objects thanks to his new companion, Cappy.
Addictive gameplay and plenty of side missions means that players can get hundreds of hours of fun out of this title.
19 Worst: SPOGS Racing (18%)
Whoever thought it would be a good idea to combine SPOGS and racing in a video game quite frankly needs help.
Somehow, this made it out of the developers' suite and was made available to WiiWare gamers everywhere.
Just one look at the game is enough to put anybody off.
The look, feel, and gameplay of this title combined to make one of the most pathetic offerings ever.
With so many other racing games available, we're not sure why anybody would want to add this to their collection.
18 Best: Grand Theft Auto III (97%)
The Grand Theft Auto franchise got its first fully-realised release with the third entry into the series, Grand Theft Auto III.
Players were given the opportunity to live out their own gangster movie amongst a cast of colorful characters, as hundreds of different personalities were brought to life.
An online multiplayer was originally planned for the game, but was dropped before release.
Still, that doesn't stop GTA III from being one of the most brilliant gaming experiences of all time.
17 Best: Metroid Prime (97%)
Released for the Nintendo GameCube, Metroid Prime saw Samus the bounty hunter return for an all-new mission.
Many were cautious about the legendary series being reborn for a new generation, but thankfully their worries were proven to be unfounded, as a stunning and compelling narrative came to the forefront.
Samus is a feminine icon unlike no other.
Despite some frustrating moments, this isn't a title many wanted to give up on. Those who stuck with it through to the end were undoubtedly rewarded.
16 Worst: Double Dragon II: Wander Of The Dragons (17%)
It turns out that remaking originally successful games from the 80's isn't always the best option. This has never been more clearer than in the release of Double Dragon II: Wander Of The Dragons for Xbox 360.
It feels as though those behind this revival couldn't be bothered to finish what they started, with glitches hiding around every corner. Clearly, this title went through no testing whatsoever.
Unless you like torturing yourself, this isn't something you'll ever want to pick up.
15 Best: Grand Theft Auto V (97%)
For the first time ever in a Grand Theft Auto game, players were given the opportunity to take control of multiple characters whose stories would all intertwine.
Some of the best missions to have ever been created are present in Grand Theft Auto V, but the real shining moments come when each of the trio of characters are able to showcase their respective personalities.
Coupling that with an always-engaging online multiplayer mode makes for an experience like no other. Wonderful on every level.
14 Worst: Vroom In The Night Sky (17%)
Nintendo Switch may have a variety of interesting titles, but Vroom In The Night Sky is certainly NOT one of them.
Despite the cute graphics that would surely catch the attention of any child, this game failed to be fun for anyone of any age.
Players are tasked with collecting Stardusts across the sky, whilst sitting on a magical bike which could reach some impressive speeds. Controls are clunky and despite the ambition, the game fails to ever reach any narrative pace.
13 Best: Perfect Dark (97%)
Released back in 2000 for the Nintendo 64, this first-person shooter proved to be as addictive as those that had come before it. Even GoldenEye 007's biggest fans were left impressed by this title.
Players would step into the shoes of Joanna Dark; an agent who is tasked with uncovering the truth behind a corporation's technological breakthroughs, and exactly what it could all mean for the future of mankind.
Stories such as this one weren't as common in the 00's as they are today, so this truly stood out amongst the crowd and rightfully earned a passionate fanbase.
12 Worst: Leisure Suit Larry: Box Office Bust (17%)
Misogynistic and charmless, Leisure Suit Larry: Box Office Bust is something that should have been left in the minds of developers.
A dire technical performance combines with unfunny humor and ill-judged narrative, resulting in a black mark on the Leisure Suit Larry franchise that will never be erased.
It has no redeemably qualities whatsoever.
Dead on arrival, those who consider themselves a fan of this game ought to take a good look at themselves and consider whether they're actually a fan of video games!
11 Best: Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 3 (97%)
Tony Hawk's first entry into our list comes thanks to Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 3.
Skating fans were here able to step on the board as some of their favourite professionals, and even compete online against friends in intense stunt and graffiti battles.
Even those who haven't engaged with skating in the past can find fun in this game.
Anybody left unimpressed by this title is better off staying away from skateboarder games altogether; they're clearly not their bag if they can't have fun with Pro Skater 3.
10 Worst: Yaris (17%)
We're not sure what Toyota were thinking when they released their Yaris video game, but it certainly didn't do their company any favors.
Advertising is great, but promoting your motors in this way isn't the best idea; especially when they drive terribly!
Popping guns and other weapons onto the cars didn't do much to inspire, either.
Though this was a free game, investing any time into it at all would have the player feeling like they'd wasted part of their life...
9 Best: The Legend Of Zelda: Breath Of The Wild (97%)
There's a reason the Nintendo Switch and Wii U title The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild won so many Game of the Year awards following its release.
Taking place in an expansive and inviting world, Zelda fans are once again invited to take control of Link, battle against compelling enemies and solve some tricky puzzles.
Hundreds of hours of play are available, with millions still playing this title despite reaching the end-game. A must-have for Switch owners.
8 Worst: Ride To Hell: Retribution (16%)
Set in the final years of the 1960's, Ride to Hell: Retribution plants players in the midst of the biker movement, and the hippie counterculture.
Despite the engaging atmosphere, narrative and gameplay fails to light a fire in your heart.
Characters fail to inspire and the overall experience feels like one that was never completed by developers. A real shame, as this could have been something special.
Perhaps a studio should pick up the rights to this one and give it a complete do-over?
7 Best: Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 2 (97-98%)
Tony Hawk's second entry into our list comes once again as one of the best video games of all time, with Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 2.
Released for the original PlayStation console, the game came at a time when many were moving on to the next generation of platforms. Pro Skater 2 served as a reason to keep your first PS console as well as your new gaming machine.
To this date, Pro Skater 2 is hailed as the best skating game of all time.
6 Worst: Family Party: 30 Great Games Obstacle Arcade (11%)
There are plenty of great party games out there to play with family and friends, but this is not one of them.
Uninspired, boring, and never fun, Family Party: 30 Great Games Obstacle Arcade doesn't make sense from the jump. It's chaos, riddled with glitches, and incredibly frustrating.
If it were free, we may have let it slide, but upon its release, this came with an incredibly steep price tag!
Stick to WarioWare and the like, and steer clear of ever giving this a go.
5 Best: Super Mario Galaxy (97%)
Super Mario returns to our list here with one of the most enjoyable gaming experiences anybody could ever have.
Super Mario Galaxy is renowned amongst gamers, and for good reason!
Across a variety of different landscapes, we were allowed to take control of Nintendo's mascot, with familiar faces and new ones all coming together for exciting and addictive gameplay.
We'd go as far as saying this is the best Super Mario game of all time, but then we got our hands on the sequel...
4 Best: Super Mario Galaxy 2 (97%)
It's a rare thing when the magic of an original is recaptured and emulated in a sequel, and even surpassed, but that's exactly what Nintendo managed to do with the release of Super Mario Galaxy 2.
All-new worlds were opened up for exploration, in a game that provides countless hours of enjoyment.
Even better: Yoshi's a part of the fun!
Even just writing about this title inspires a smile; I want to dust off my old Wii and jump back into the action straight away!
3 Best: Grand Theft Auto IV (98%)
Liberty City opened up to players in Grand Theft Auto IV, which was hailed as Metacritic's 2008 PS3 Game of the Year, and for good reason!
From start to finish, this is a polished title with an expansive open world that must have taken hundreds, if not thousands of hours to create.
It may not have been without its controversies, but the story told in GTA IV still stands as one of the most impressive pieces of work a video game has ever offered.
2 Best: SoulCalibur (98%)
There are hundreds of fighting games available, but when it comes to the all-time best experience we've had with one, we have to look back to 1999 and the release of SoulCalibur on Dreamcast.
As the reason for many gamers even picking up a Dreamcast, this title looked more polished than many in its time, and offered gameplay unlike any we'd tried beforehand.
Strategic and intense, this was a groundbreaking entry into the fighting genre, and one that inspired legions of others that were released in the years following.
1 Best: The Legend Of Zelda: Ocarina Of Time (99%)
So, when it comes to the best video game of all time, it would seem those who write for Metacritic place The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time above all others!
In this title, players take on the role of a young Link across an incredibly lengthy and challenging adventure.
Going up against the trickster Ganondorf, this masterpiece is one that developers still look to today for inspiration when creating all-new experiences.
A worthy first place. Now where did we put our trusty Nintendo 64...
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