While many may have specific publications that they turn to for video game reviews, others prefer to have review scores and opinions averaged so they can get a general idea of a game’s quality at a faster pace. That’s where review aggregate websites come in, and now thatGameRankings is defunct, the main video game review aggregate websites are OpenCritic andMetacritic. Metacritic was founded in 2001, so it has quite a few years on OpenCritic, with a catalogue of reviews that extends much farther into the past.
Metacritichas some reviews that were published prior to its founding in 2001, but since 2001 was the website’s first year of operation, it’s interesting to use that as a starting point when taking a look back at all the highest-rated video games.
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Here are the highest-rated video games on Metacritic for each year since 2001.
2001 - Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3
The first twoTony Hawk’s Pro Skatergames are often hailed as two of the absolute best sports video games ever made, and soTony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3had a lot to live up to. However, it’s safe to say thatTony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3lived up to expectations and then some, standing tall as the highest-rated video game during Metacritic’s first year in operation, 2001.Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3made some major changes to the core gameplay that allowed users to pull off even more impressive combos, and it was also the first game in the series to support online multiplayer. Not only that, but it helped usher the franchise in to what were, at the time, next-generation consoles. Hopefully the game can get new life on modern consoles through a remaster akin to theTony Hawk’s Pro Skater 1 + 2collection.
2002 - Metroid Prime
The originalMetroid Primegame put Retro Studios on the map as one to watch. The American-based developer was given the reigns of Nintendo’s sci-fi adventure series, taking it in bold new directions by making it a first-person shooter/adventure game. Combining elements of other first-person shooter franchises with traditional Metroidvania gameplay,Metroid Primewas a wildly popular game at the time of its release and remains a beloved classic to this day. There are rumblings that aMetroid Prime TrilogySwitch portmay be in the works, so perhaps Switch fans will get to relive the game while they wait for more news onMetroid Prime 4.
2003 - The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker
Nintendo had the top-rated game for 2002, and its momentum continued in 2003. While the Nintendo GameCube was vastly outsold by the PlayStation 2, there’s no denying that it had an incredibly impressive library of games.The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Wakerwas yet another major game that could be added to the GameCube’s impressive lineup, with it also taking some major risks for theZeldafranchise. Adopting a cel-shaded art style that was hugely controversial for the time,The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Wakerstill delivered classic 3DZeldagameplay and certainly earned its spot as the highest-rated game of 2003.
2004 - Half-Life 2
The originalHalf-Lifewas widely successful, butHalf-Life 2raised the franchise to legendary status.Half-Life 2’s innovative physics engine allowed for some truly unique combat scenarios and puzzles, with the entire experience anchored by an enthralling science-fiction storyline. Valve continued the story ofHalf-Life 2with episodic DLC, but it still has yet to give the series a proper conclusion.Half-Life 2being such a great, groundbreaking game is a big reason why fans have beenclamoring forHalf-Life 3for years, and at this point, it seems as though it will be impossible for Valve to deliver something that can live up to the legacy of its predecessor.
2005 - Resident Evil 4
Resident Evilcreator Shinji Mikamicompletely reinvented the survival-horror franchise with the 2005 classicResident Evil 4. Often hailed as one of the best video games ever made,Resident Evil 4took the franchise down a more action-oriented path, but did so while writing the blueprint for how third-person shooter games would play for decades to come.Resident Evil 4breathed new life into Capcom’s long-running franchise, and has since been re-released on virtually every platform imaginable.
2006 - The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess
There’s a reason why Nintendo’sThe Legend of Zeldafranchise is often considered one of the best video game franchises there is. Nearly every entry finds itself earning widespread critical acclaim, and the same can be said for 2006’sThe Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess. Embracing a much darker tone and setting thanWind Waker,Twilight Princesswas an attempt to takeZeldaback to the style popularized byOcarina of TimeandMajora’s Maskto great success.Launching alongside the Wii,The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princessalso helped usher in a new generation for Nintendo, and one of its most financially successful ever.
2007 - Super Mario Galaxy
Nintendo kept its Wii support going strong in 2007, releasing a game that was, at one point, the highest-rated video game ever made. Not content to rest on its laurels,Super Mario Galaxyboldly took Mario where the franchise had never gone before, hitting players with a string of wildly innovative 3D platforming stages.Super Mario Galaxy’s gorgeous art style and orchestral score help cement it as a gaming classic, and those interested in playing it on the Switch can do so thanks to theSuper Mario 3D All-Starscollection.
2008 - Grand Theft Auto 4
Rockstar Games has long been considered one of the top video game developers in the world, and that’s largely thanks to its work on theGrand Theft Autofranchise. WithGrand Theft Auto 4, Rockstar brought the franchise to the PS3 and Xbox 360 generation, upping the graphics considerably and offering a realisticopen world Liberty Cityfor players to explore.Grand Theft Auto 4also delivered a gripping story, online multiplayer, and retained the series' widely-acclaimed sense of humor. Rockstar would later release a pair of single-player DLC expansions forGrand Theft Auto 4that added even more value to the experience, and so it’s no surprise the the game is so well-regarded to this day.
2009 - Uncharted 2: Among Thieves
Previously known for its cartoony platformers, Naughty Dog wanted to try something new with itsUnchartedseries. The firstUnchartedgame earned rave reviews at the time of its release and was hailed as one of the better games available for the PS3, butUncharted 2took the franchise to new heights.Uncharted 2: Among Thievesupped the production value considerably, offering bigger set-pieces and graphics that were jaw-dropping at the time. Combine these improvements with a relatively entertaining online multiplayer mode and it’s no surprise critics were so excited aboutUncharted 2in 2009.
2010 - Super Mario Galaxy 2
WithSuper Mario Galaxybeing one of the highest-rated video games of all time, Nintendo had an incredibly challenging task ahead of itself withSuper Mario Galaxy 2.Super Mario Galaxy 2lived up to the hype, refining the formula established in the original game and upping the challenge.Super Mario Galaxy 2also broughtYoshiback into the mix, giving the fan favorite dinosaur a much-deserved return to the spotlight.
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