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Wow! Y'all really showed up for this fun little vote. A total of 3171 people submitted ballots containing 2164 different games for their Top 10 Games of the 21st Century. To put that in perspective, that's SEVEN TIMES the amount of entries we received for the Giant Bomb Game of the Year 2024 community vote.
The scoring system is based on a weighted system where your #1 is worth more than your #2 and so on. I don't actually know what the math is on that because this "Community List" feature is built into the site. When the deadline hits, it just spits out a report, which I transcribed here and try to make look somewhat pretty.
The tie breaker on weighted scores is the total number of votes received.
Before I give you a big ol' list and some stats, let's slow roll the Top 50.
50. Final Fantasy XIV: Shadowbringers
- Weighted Score: 41
- Total Votes: 93 (3%)
- Developer: Creative Business Unit III
- Publisher: Square Enix
- Release: July 2, 2019
- Metacritic: 90
49. Persona 4 Golden
- Weighted Score: 41
- Total Votes: 149 (5%)
- Developer: Atlus
- Publisher: Atlus
- Release: November 20, 2012
- Metacritic: 93
48. Celeste
- Weighted Score: 42
- Total Votes: 140 (4%)
- Developer: Extremely OK Games
- Publisher: Extremely OK Games
- Release: January 25, 2018
- Metacritic: 92
47. God of War
- Weighted Score: 42
- Total Votes: 169 (5%)
- Developer: SIE Santa Monica Studio
- Publisher: Sony Interactive Entertainment America
- Release: April 20, 2018
- Metacritic: 94
46. The Elder Scrolls III: Morrowind
- Weighted Score: 44
- Total Votes: 115 (4%)
- Developer: Bethesda Game Studios
- Publisher: Bethesda Softworks
- Release: May 1, 2002
- Metacritic: 87
45. The Last of Us Part II
- Weighted Score: 44
- Total Votes: 138 (4%)
- Developer: Naughty Dog, Inc.
- Publisher: Sony Interactive Entertainment America
- Release: June 19, 2020
- Metacritic: 93
44. Shadow of the Colossus
- Weighted Score: 44
- Total Votes: 139 (4%)
- Developer: Team Ico
- Publisher: Sony Interactive Entertainment America
- Release: October 18, 2005
- Metacritic: 91
43. BioShock
- Weighted Score: 45
- Total Votes: 188 (6%)
- Developer: Irrational Games
- Publisher: 2K Games
- Release: August 21, 2007
- Metacritic: 96
42. The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask
- Weighted Score: 48
- Total Votes: 115 (4%)
- Developer: Nintendo EAD
- Publisher: Nintendo
- Release: October 26, 2000
- Metacritic: 95
41. Mass Effect
- Weighted Score: 49
- Total Votes: 148 (5%)
- Developer: BioWare
- Publisher: Xbox Game Studios
- Release: November 20, 2007
- Metacritic: 91
40. Balatro
- Weighted Score: 49
- Total Votes: 204 (6%)
- Developer: LocalThunk
- Publisher: PlayStack
- Release: February 20, 2024
- Metacritic: 90
39. Deus Ex
- Weighted Score: 50
- Total Votes: 111 (4%)
- Developer: Ion Storm Inc.
- Publisher: Eidos Interactive
- Release: June 22, 2000
- Metacritic: 90
38. Portal
- Weighted Score: 50
- Total Votes: 184 (6%)
- Developer: Valve Corporation
- Publisher: Valve Corporation
- Release: October 10, 2007
- Metacritic: 90
37. Super Mario Galaxy
- Weighted Score: 50
- Total Votes: 186 (6%)
- Developer: Nintendo EAD
- Publisher: Nintendo
- Release: November 12, 2007
- Metacritic: 97
36. Undertale
- Weighted Score: 52
- Total Votes: 180 (6%)
- Developer: tobyfox
- Publisher: tobyfox
- Release: September 15, 2015
- Metacritic: 92
35. Hollow Knight
- Weighted Score: 53
- Total Votes: 205 (6%)
- Developer: Team Cherry
- Publisher: Team Cherry
- Release: February 24, 2017
- Metacritic: 90
34. Yakuza 0
- Weighted Score: 60
- Total Votes: 198 (6%)
- Developer: Ryu ga Gotoku Studio
- Publisher: Sega
- Release: January 24, 2017
- Metacritic: 85
33. Persona 5 Royal
- Weighted Score: 61
- Total Votes: 187 (6%)
- Developer: P Studio
- Publisher: Atlus
- Release: March 31, 2020
- Metacritic: 95
32. The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker
- Weighted Score: 62
- Total Votes: 194 (6%)
- Developer: Nintendo EAD
- Publisher: Nintendo
- Release: March 24, 2003
- Metacritic: 96
31. Halo: Combat Evolved
- Weighted Score: 63
- Total Votes: 193 (6%)
- Developer: Bungie
- Publisher: Xbox Game Studios
- Release: November 15, 2001
- Metacritic: 97
30. Stardew Valley
- Weighted Score: 63
- Total Votes: 233 (7%)
- Developer: ConcernedApe
- Publisher: Chucklefish Games
- Release: February 26, 2016
- Metacritic: 89
29. Minecraft
- Weighted Score: 65
- Total Votes: 228 (7%)
- Developer: Mojang AB
- Publisher: Mojang AB
- Release: August 16, 2011
- Metacritic: 93
28. Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice
- Weighted Score: 66
- Total Votes: 198 (6%)
- Developer: FromSoftware, Inc.
- Publisher: Activision
- Release: March 22, 2019
- Metacritic: 90
27. Final Fantasy X
- Weighted Score: 71
- Total Votes: 224 (7%)
- Developer: Squaresoft
- Publisher: Squaresoft
- Release: December 18, 2001
- Metacritic: 92
26. The Last of Us
- Weighted Score: 71
- Total Votes: 273
- Developer: Naughty Dog, Inc.
- Publisher: Sony Interactive Entertainment America
- Release: June 14, 2013
- Metacritic: 95
25. Halo 3
- Weighted Score: 73
- Votes: 249 (8%)
- Developer: Bungie
- Publisher: Xbox Game Studios
- Release Date: September 25, 2007
- Metacritic: 94
24. Portal 2
- Weighted Score: 74
- Total Votes: 298 (9%)
- Developer: Valve Corporation
- Publisher: Valve Corporation
- Release: April 19, 2011
- Metacritic: 95
23. Metroid Prime
- Weighted Score: 77
- Total Votes: 268 (8%)
- Developer: Retro Studios
- Publisher: Nintendo
- Release: November 18, 2002
- Metacritic: 97
22. Fallout: New Vegas
- Weighted Score: 82
- Total Votes: 287 (9%)
- Developer: Obsidian Entertainment
- Publisher: Bethesda Softworks
- Release: October 19, 2010
- Metacritic: 84
21. The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim
- Weighted Score: 82
- Total Votes: 312
- Developer: Bethesda Game Studios
- Publisher: Bethesda Softworks
- Release: November 11, 2011
- Metacritic: 96
20. Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty
- Weighted Score: 84
- Total Votes: 221 (7%)
- Developer: Konami Computer Entertainment Japan, Inc.
- Publisher: Konami
- Release: November 13, 2001
- Metacritic: 96
19. NieR:Automata
- Weighted Score: 84
- Total Votes: 254 (8%)
- Developer: PlatinumGames
- Publisher: Square Enix
- Release: March 7, 2017
- Metacritic: 88
18. Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater
- Weighted Score: 86
- Total Votes: 247 (8%)
- Developer: Konami Computer Entertainment Japan, Inc.
- Publisher: Konami
- Release: November 17, 2004
- Metacritic: 91
17. Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
- Weighted Score: 91
- Total Votes: 262 (8%)
- Developer: Sandfall Interactive
- Publisher: Kepler Interactive
- Release: April 24, 2025
- Metacritic: 93
16. Resident Evil 4
- Weighted Score: 108
- Total Votes: 328 (10%)
- Developer: Capcom
- Publisher: Capcom
- Release: January 11, 2005
- Metacritic: 96
15. World of Warcraft
- Weighted Score: 109
- Total Votes: 283 (9%)
- Developer: Blizzard Entertainment
- Publisher: Blizzard Entertainment
- Release: November 23, 2004
- Metacritic: 93
14. Red Dead Redemption II
- Weighted Score: 117
- Total Votes: 354 (11%)
- Developer: Rockstar Games
- Publisher: Rockstar Games
- Release: October 26, 2018
- Metacritic: 97
13. Hades
- Weighted Score: 121
- Total Votes: 448 (14%)
- Developer: Supergiant Games
- Publisher: Supergiant Games
- Release: September 17, 2020
- Metacritic: 93
12. Disco Elysium
- Weighted Score: 129
- Total Votes: 342 (11%)
- Developer: ZA/UM Studio
- Publisher: ZA/UM Studio
- Release: October 15, 2019
- Metacritic: 91
11. Super Mario Odyssey
- Weighted Score: 130
- Total Votes: 495 (16%)
- Developer: Nintendo EPD
- Publisher: Nintendo
- Release: October 27, 2017
- Metacritic: 97
10. Half-Life 2
- Weighted Score: 142
- Total Votes: 382 (12%)
- Developer: Valve Corporation
- Publisher: Valve Corporation
- Release: November 16, 2004
- Metacritic: 96
9. Dark Souls
- Weighted Score: 152
- Total Votes: 411 (13%)
- Developer: FromSoftware
- Publisher: Bandai Namco Entertainment
- Release: September 22, 2011
- Metacritic: 89
8. The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt
- Weighted Score: 152
- Total Votes: 454 (14%)
- Developer: CD Projekt Red
- Publisher: WB Games
- Release: May 19, 2015
- Metacritic: 92
7. Bloodborne
- Weighted Score: 154
- Total Votes: 413 (13%)
- Developer: FromSoftware, Inc.
- Publisher: Sony Interactive Entertainment America
- Release: March 24, 2015
- Metacritic: 92
6. Baldur's Gate 3
- Weighted Score: 177
- Total Votes: 539 (17%)
- Developer: Larian Studios
- Publisher: Larian Studios
- Release Date: August 3, 2023
- Metacritic: 96
5. The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom
- Weighted Score: 200
- Total Votes: 446 (14%)
- Developer: Nintendo EPD
- Publisher: Nintendo
- Release: May 12, 2023
- Metacritic: 96
4. Mass Effect 2
- Weighted Score: 211
- Total Votes: 623 (20%)
- Developer: BioWare
- Publisher: Electronic Arts
- Release: January 26, 2010
- Metacritic: 96
3. Outer Wilds
- Weighted Score: 219
- Total Votes: 412 (13%)
- Developer: Mobius Games
- Publisher: Annapurna Interactive
- Release: May 29, 2019
- Metacritic: 85
2. Elden Ring
- Weighted Score: 304
- Total Votes: 763 (24%)
- Developer: FromSoftware, Inc.
- Publisher: Bandai Namco Entertainment
- Release: February 25, 2022
- Metacritic: 96
1. The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild
- Weighted Score: 481
- Total Votes: 980 (31%)
- Developer: Nintendo EPD
- Publisher: Nintendo
- Release: March 3, 2017
- Metacritic: 97
Top 25 Recap
Breath of the Wild taking the top spot probably isn't too surprising, but the margin by which it won is at least a little bit. Getting over 200 votes more than 2nd place is big.
The real shocker is Outer Wilds taking 3rd place. It had fewer votes than almost anything in the Top 10, but that means that the people who like Outer Wilds REALLY LIKE Outer Wilds and put at the top of their list.
Conversely, Super Mario Odyssey had the 5th-most raw votes, but didn't make the Top 10. That means a ton of people like it, but not enough to put it high on their list.
I think it's funny how NieR is sandwiched between two Metal Gears.
Let's take a look at the details of the Top 100 games y'all chose.
The Top 100
Stats
Here are some random observations about the list we all made together.
- Total Ballots Submitted: 3171
- Total Votes: 31,527 (not everyone put 10 games on their ballot)
- Total Games: 2164
- Total Games with Only One Vote: 953 (44%)
- Games from 2014 in the Top 100: 0
- Fighting Games in the Top 100: 0 (Science™ says Smash doesn't count)
- Top 100's Average Metacritic: 91.74
- Top 100's Lowest Metacritic: 82 - Control
- N64 Games in the Top 100: 1 - The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask
- PS1 Games in the Top 100: 1 - Final Fantasy IX
- Newest Game in the Top 100: Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
- Oldest Game in the Top 100: Deus Ex
- Lowest Rated Giant Bomb GOTY: Middle-earth: Shadow of Mordor (508th)
- Games from Before 2000 in the Top 100: 0
Top 100 Games by Year
You know how everyone says 2014 was a "down year"? Looks like they're right. It's a pretty even spread here. No real recency bias.
Top 100's Top Developers
Nothing too surprising here. I did combine Kojima-led studios into one column and the same for the Persona team. The love people still have for BioWare games makes it even sadder to see how much EA has squandered that love.
Top 100's Top Publishers
Again, nothing too surprising. All the stars are here...mostly. The one standout to me is the complete absence of Ubisoft.
Franchises
Sixteen franchises had multiple entries in the Top 100.
We definitely have several instances of votes being split due to compilations. The biggest example of this is the 87 people who voted for Mass Effect Legendary Edition. If they had just voted for Mass Effect 2, it would've easily been #3 instead of Outer Wilds.
We also had some discussions about how Hitman's most recent trilogy is now viewed as one product. Whether all the people who voted for Hitman 3 intended for that to cover the whole trilogy, we cannot say. But, if we combine Hitman 3's score with Hitman World of Assassination's score, it would've bumped up a little bit into the Top 50. If we combine all four, it would've been Top 30. But, it's not exactly fair to assume people's intent. Maybe they only loved one of them.
There's also the cases of Persona 5 vs Persona 5 Royal and Shin Megami Tensei: Persona 4 vs Persona 4 Golden.
Giant Bomb's Games of the Year
The seventeen years of GOTY winners have an average score of 140th best game of the century.
- 2024 - Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown (#398)
- 2023 - The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom (#5)
- 2022 - Elden Ring (#2)
- 2021 - Chicory: A Colorful Tale (#297)
- 2020 - Hades (#13)
- 2019 - Outer Wilds (#3)
- 2018 - Tetris Effect (#92)
- 2017 - PlayerUnknown's Battlegrounds (#204)
- 2016 - Hitman (#89)
- 2015 - Super Mario Maker (#305)
- 2014 - Middle-earth: Shadow of Mordor (#508)
- 2013 - The Last of Us (#26)
- 2012 - XCOM: Enemy Unknown (#170)
- 2011 - The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim (#21)
- 2010 - Mass Effect 2 (#4)
- 2009 - Uncharted 2: Among Thieves (#88)
- 2008 - Grand Theft Auto IV (#155)
The Full List
If you'd like to see the full list of all 2164 games that received votes, their total votes, and weighted scores, you can see all the raw ass data with the link below. It's way too long to post here in the article itself.
Thanks to whoever else made it so I wasn't the only person to vote for EverQuest games. We even had a few votes for the Champions of Norrath games. Hell yeah!
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Thanks to everyone who participated in this project. The turnout was incredible. Let's meet back here in 2050!
