From retro legends that defined entire genres to modern masterpieces that pushed storytelling to new heights — this is the definitive bucket list for every gamer.

Whether you're a lifelong gamer or someone just diving into the hobby, some games transcend entertainment.

They are cultural milestones, artistic achievements, and technical revolutions that every gamer owes it to themselves to experience.

This list draws from decades of gaming history, combining timeless classics and modern masterpieces that have earned near-universal acclaim.

The Classics You Can't Skip

These titles didn't just sell well — they invented the rules everyone else followed.​

1. Super Mario Bros. (1985)

The game that literally saved the video game industry after the 1983 crash. Its tight platforming mechanics, iconic music, and imaginative worlds set the blueprint for the entire genre. Super Mario Bros. is, as some experts put it, "required reading" for anyone who wants to understand game design.

2. The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time (1998)

Widely regarded as one of the greatest games ever made, Ocarina of Time translated 2D Zelda adventure into breathtaking 3D for the first time. Its lock-on combat, dungeon design, and emotional narrative have never been fully surpassed.

3. Tetris (Game Boy, 1989)

Simple? Yes. Timeless? Absolutely. Tetris has appeared on virtually every best-of-all-time list ever compiled, including being ranked among the mathematically top 2 games ever made. Its perfect loop of tension and reward is unmatched.​

4. Doom (1993)

The forefather of the first-person shooter genre. Doom didn't invent the FPS, but it was the pivotal title that defined it and launched an entire culture of online gaming, modding, and competitive play.​

5. Chrono Trigger (1995)

Still widely regarded as the greatest JRPG of all time. Its time-travel narrative, multiple endings, and innovative dual-character combat system make it a landmark achievement that modern RPGs still struggle to surpass.​

Genre-Defining Masterpieces

These games each invented or perfected a genre that millions of players still love today.

6. Resident Evil 4 (2005 / Remake 2023)

The title that essentially popularized the modern third-person shooter. RE4's over-the-shoulder perspective and tense resource management changed action-adventure games forever. The 2023 remake proves the formula still works brilliantly in modern form.​

7. Half-Life 2 (2004)

A technical and narrative marvel that showed the world that video games could tell immersive, cinematic stories without cutscenes. Its physics engine, pacing, and world-building remain industry benchmarks.​

8. Portal / Portal 2 (2007 / 2011)

Portal is a masterclass in puzzle design, dark humor, and environmental storytelling — all packed into a few hours of play. Portal 2 expanded every idea to perfection with co-op play and one of gaming's most beloved villains: GLaDOS.​

9. Dark Souls (2011)

FromSoftware's genre-defining RPG didn't just create the "Soulslike" sub-genre — it fundamentally changed how the industry thinks about difficulty, player agency, and environmental storytelling. Every death teaches you something.

10. Minecraft (2011)

More than a game — a creative platform. Minecraft remains one of the best-selling and most culturally significant games in history, appealing equally to children, architects, engineers, and speedrunners.​

Open-World Epics

These titles redefined what a game world could look, feel, and breathe like.​​

11. The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt (2015)

A fantasy world that "doesn't feel like a game world." The Witcher 3 is the definition of a timeless open-world masterpiece — with hundreds of hours of handcrafted quests, morally complex decisions, and writing that rivals the best fantasy novels.​

12. Red Dead Redemption 2 (2018)

Rockstar's magnum opus. RDR2 is one of the greatest achievements in gaming history, offering an emotionally devastating story set in a meticulously realized American frontier. Its world reacts to you; its characters feel real.​

13. The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild (2017)

Ranked the #1 game of all time on multiple mathematically-aggregated lists, BotW shattered the conventions of open-world design. Every corner of Hyrule rewards curiosity, and the freedom it gives the player is unmatched.​

14. Grand Theft Auto V (2013)

One of the most detailed and immersive open worlds ever created. GTA V's three-protagonist structure and the sprawling sandbox of Los Santos remain benchmarks for open-world design over a decade after release.​

15. Cyberpunk 2077 (2020 — fully patched)

Night City is a breathtaking achievement in world-building. After its troubled launch, Cyberpunk 2077 has been transformed into an unmissable experience that immerses you completely in a world of chaos, technology, and moral choice.​

Story-Driven Masterpieces

Games that prove the medium can deliver emotional depth equal to the best films and novels.​

16. The Last of Us Part I & II (2013 / 2020)

The Last of Us redefined narrative gaming, while Part II pushed the envelope even further with its unflinching portrayal of grief, revenge, and empathy. Few games will make you feel as much, or challenge your assumptions as deeply.​​

17. God of War (2018) & Ragnarök (2022)

The 2018 God of War reboot told an intimate, powerful story of fatherhood against the backdrop of Norse mythology. Ragnarök brought that saga to an epic, emotionally satisfying conclusion — from frozen mountains to fiery realms.

18. BioShock (2007)

Rapture is one of gaming's greatest settings: a decayed underwater utopia that asks profound questions about Ayn Rand's philosophy, free will, and power. Its "would you kindly" twist remains one of the most celebrated narrative moments in gaming history.​

19. Mass Effect Trilogy (2007–2012)

A space opera RPG where your choices shape the entire galaxy across three connected games. The bond you build with your crew across dozens of hours makes the finale emotionally overwhelming in ways few stories achieve.​

20. Baldur's Gate 3 (2023)

Larian Studios achieved the impossible — a D&D RPG so deep, reactive, and brilliantly written that it became a mainstream phenomenon. Its reactivity to player choices sets a new standard for the RPG genre.

Modern Essential Experiences

Recent titles that have already cemented their place in the canon.​​

21. Elden Ring (2022)

FromSoftware's collaboration with George R.R. Martin produced an open-world Soulslike of staggering ambition. Every enemy is a true challenge, every location stunning, and the lore rewards obsessive discovery.​​

22. Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice (2019)

Unforgiving, precise, and exhilarating. Sekiro punishes mistakes but rewards mastery like no other game — every boss fight is a rhythmic dance that, when finally defeated, produces a feeling of pure triumph.​

23. Hades II (2024)

Supergiant Games elevated roguelike game design to new heights. Every run through the Underworld tells a story; every victory feels legendary. Its Early Access release was one of the most acclaimed of 2024.​​

24. Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 (2025)

One of the most stunning surprises of 2025, this French RPG delivered a jaw-dropping blend of turn-based combat, emotional storytelling, and breathtaking visuals that placed it instantly among the greats.​​

25. Split Fiction (2025)

From the creators of It Takes Two, Split Fiction proved once again that co-op gaming can be the most joyful experience in the medium — a genre-hopping adventure that is best enjoyed with a friend and unforgettable from start to finish.​

Where to Play These 25 Games — Consoles Old & New

Not all of these games are available on a single platform. Here's a complete breakdown of which consoles let you play them, and where to buy each one on AliExpress.

🎮 Modern Consoles (New Games + Some Classics)

These are the platforms where you can play the majority of the 25 titles — especially everything from 2013 onwards.

💡 Pro tip: AliExpress sells imported PS5 and Xbox Series X units (from Japan, Hong Kong, or Mexico) at prices significantly lower than local retailers. They are genuine, retail-boxed consoles — region locking is determined by your account, not the hardware.​

🕹️ Retro Consoles & Handhelds (For the Classics)

For timeless titles like Super Mario Bros., Ocarina of Time, Chrono Trigger, Doom, and Half-Life 2, a retro emulation handheld is the most affordable and convenient solution. AliExpress offers an impressive catalog of these devices.

These handheld consoles run open-source emulation firmware and can handle everything from NES up to PS2 and GameCube depending on the model.

🗺️ Quick Game-to-Console Reference

A Note on This List

No list like this can ever be truly complete, it barely scratches the surface of incredible games across genres like fighting games (Street Fighter II), real-time strategy (StarCraft, Age of Empires II), or sports games (Tony Hawk's Pro Skater) that equally deserve a place in every gamer's history. But if you work your way through these 25 titles, you'll have experienced the full emotional, creative, and technical range of what video games can offer as an art form.​