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While development time increases have certainly reduced the number of “masterpiece” games on recent consoles, there are still plenty of incredible titles. Metacritic documents the best-reviewed games of all time since the site’s inception, based on titles with more than seven critic reviews. Which consoles have the most games in Metacritic’s top 200 list?
Disclaimer: PC will not be included.
10 Nintendo 64 – 7
While it floundered in sales compared to the disc-based PlayStation, Nintendo 64 owners had no shortage of great games. It’d be more accurate to say that N64 owners just had a shortage of games in general. That, and one of the most bizarre controllers constructed for human hands.
The N64, despite its legacy as an underperforming console, may be home to some of the most revolutionary games of the era. Goldeneye 64 and Perfect Dark paved the way for first-person shooters on console. Super Mario 64 ironed out the best way to navigate a 3D space in the early days of 3D gaming. The console is also home to the best game on Metacritic’s top 200: The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time. The console may not have been the most successful, but its games left a grand legacy.
9 Xbox One – 8
The Xbox One family of consoles made rocky first impressions on the gaming community. Early marketing and executives pushed it as an entertainment center rather than a game console. Even after Microsoft shifted the system’s focus, the console could never fix that bad reputation. However, it still is home to a collection of incredible games.
In terms of multiplatform games, the Xbox One shared a handful of great games with the PS4 and PC. Red Dead Redemption 2, Grand Theft Auto 5, and Metal Gear Solid V are the highest-rated for the console. In terms of exclusives, both the indie darling INSIDE and racing sim Forza Horizon 4 stunned audiences.
8 Sega Dreamcast – 9
The Dreamcast was Sega’s last “hurrah” as a console manufacturer. Although it was first to market, it was quickly outpaced and replaced by the PS2. It lived a shorter life than most consoles, but that life did include some of the best ports and exclusives. Sega may not have been great with consoles, but they knew what games to pick.
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The console was home to early additions of modern sports game juggernauts such as NBA 2K1 and NFL 2K1. In addition, it hosted a collection of iconic exclusives. Sonic Adventure may not be in the top 200, but it doesn’t need to be. Skies of Arcadia provided one of the most sublime JRPGs of that time period. Jet Set Radio is a cult-classic that is fondly remembered. Above all, SoulCalibur entered the fighting game scene and rocked the competition with weapons-based combat.
7 PlayStation – 10
The original PlayStation, also known as the PSOne, was Sony’s first step in the console market. It was a smashing success, utilizing disc-based technology with a collection of devoted third-party developers. The biggest studios of the era – SquareSoft, Capcom, Konami, and others – made some of their finest titles on PlayStation. Sony delivered as well, with some classic, unforgettable experiences.
On the third-party side, SquareSoft experienced a new golden age with both Final Fantasy IX and Chrono Cross, both of which are in Metacritic’s top 100. Castlevania re-invented itself and started a whole new subgenre with Castlevania: Symphony of the Night. The console was also home to Metal Gear Solid, the breakout hit for game director Hideo Kojima. Despite all of that, Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 2 tops them with a silver medal on Metacritic’s top 200 games.
6 Nintendo GameCube – 11
Another lackluster Nintendo console in sales, the GameCube only managed to outperform the Dreamcast in the sixth console generation. The company finally transitioned to disc-based media, and the controller is considered one of the finest designs. Despite problems, it’s home to so many beloved titles that even within the top 200 games of all time, there are games that are notably absent.
In the top 200 are a collection of notable multiplatform titles, but also some grand exclusives. Super Smash Bros. Melee may not be here, but that’s forgivable. Viewtiful Joe and Eternal Darkness are two third-party titles that were off-beat from the popular trends. The console was home to two incredible The Legend of Zelda titles in Wind Waker and Twilight Princess. The highest-ranked title is Metroid Prime, a shift in the franchise that many people are still waiting to see return for a fourth installment.
5 PlayStation 4 – 11
The PlayStation 4 is home to exclusive titles that defined the eighth console generation. Using Microsoft’s poor marketing as a springboard, Sony launched into the lead and never dropped it. The company’s focus remained squarely on high-quality games, particularly single-player titles. There’s a reason so many fans are devoted to their PS4 even with the new consoles on the market. Well, beyond the lack of PS5’s actually available.
The PS4 had the best multiplatform titles and overshadowed the Xbox One in terms of exclusives. Bloodborne was a smashing success that helped to further cement FromSoftware as visionaries. Uncharted 4 was a grand conclusion to a long-running franchise. God of War (2018) helped to reignite interest in a classic character. The PS4’s swan song is considered to be The Last of Us Part II, a game that will live in the hearts of gamers for years to come.
4 Xbox – 12
The OG Xbox was Microsoft’s first foray into the console business. Despite having a smaller base than Nintendo, Xbox was able to eclipse sales of the GameCube and create somewhat decent competition for Sony. It may have had a bizarre controller at launch, but that didn’t stop gamers from getting attached to the console that felt the most early-2000’s.
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The Xbox architecture allowed for some cross-pollination with the PC space, which was a novelty for the time. Knights of the Old Republic II is one of the top Xbox titles. Along with that, two Splinter Cell titles made gamers fans of Sam Fischer. Ninja Gaiden returned in a big way with tough-as-nails gameplay. The most iconic title is, of course, Halo: Combat Evolved, which brought console FPS games to a new height.
3 PlayStation 3 – 21
The PlayStation 3 struggled against its counterpart in the Xbox 360. In the early days, the development costs and price point made it so that few could get involved. However, as time passed, more and more classic games were added to the platform. By the end of its life, The PS3 would end up surpassing the 360 sales thanks to an incredible games lineup.
The seventh generation of consoles was home to a number of great multiplatform titles. The console’s highest-ranked game on Metacritic is Grand Theft Auto IV. Sony also delivered when it came to amazing exclusives. Uncharted 2 and The Last of Us showed two different sides of Naughty Dog, while Little Big Planet helped to spark creativity in young creators with easy-to-use tools. Plus, fans got to see an end to Solid Snake’s story in Metal Gear Solid IV.
2 Xbox 360 – 24
While the Xbox brand still lacked the killer exclusives that Sony had secured, through smart marketing and pricing, the Xbox 360 became the console of any serious gamer. It didn’t have many of the best Japanese titles, but in terms of Western games, the 360 was the way to play.
Metacritic’s top 200 is lacking many of the indies that defined the platform. However, Braid still manages to sneak onto the list. The console saw a satisfying conclusion to Bungie’s run with Master Chief in Halo 3. It also saw the start of a brand-new, rip-roaring franchise in Gears of War. The solid multiplayer architecture also made the Xbox 360 ideal for multiplayer games like Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3.
1 PlayStation 2 – 28
The PlayStation 2 sits at the top of this list for obvious reasons. Of the sixth generation of consoles, it hit the sweet spot. The PS2 had a good price-point, great games, and solid timing as many people were looking to upgrade. The console was such a success that games were made for it even in the PlayStation 4’s lifetime. And, of course, it had an array of classic Sony exclusives.
Two Metal Gear Solid titles graced the platform, adding new characters and even more madness to the series. A cavalcade of sports titles launched on the platform, making use of its mass appeal for big sales. Franchises like God of War and Devil May Cry got their start on the platform, defining the genre of spectacle fighters. Although the top 200 misses some of the more nostalgic titles, it’s still no surprise the PS2 reigns supreme.
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