Video games have come a long way since their inception, evolving from simple pixelated screens to expansive, photorealistic worlds that push the boundaries of what’s possible in digital entertainment. The term “best games” isn’t just about sales numbers or critical reception, but about how these games changed the industry and influenced the culture around them. From Super Mario Bros. to The Last of Us, these titles set the stage for new genres, new technology, and innovative storytelling techniques that have shaped the gaming landscape.
One of the most influential games ever created is Super Mario Bros., released in 1985 for the Nintendo Entertainment System (NES). At the time, the gaming industry was still recovering from the early 80s crash, and Super Mario Bros. was instrumental in bringing video games back into the mainstream. Its combination of tight platforming controls, engaging level design, and the introduction of iconic characters like Mario and Bowser set a new standard for action games. The game not only became a massive commercial success, but it also marked the beginning of one of the most successful gaming franchises of all time. Its impact on the gaming world is still felt today, with the Super Mario series continuing to push boundaries in both gameplay and innovation.
Fast forward to the 2000s, and we see another monumental shift in gaming with the release of Grand Theft Auto III (2001). Rockstar Games’ ihokibet 88 open-world crime epic revolutionized the way players interacted with game environments. Prior to GTA III, open-world games were often confined to simple maps with limited interactions. Grand Theft Auto III, however, introduced a fully realized 3D city where players could explore, cause chaos, or simply live in a virtual world without restrictions. The game’s mature themes, freedom of movement, and narrative depth helped redefine the concept of what an open-world game could be. It became one of the most successful and influential games of its generation, leading to countless imitators and giving rise to a whole new genre of sandbox-style games.
In the modern era, The Last of Us (2013) stands out as one of the best games to ever push the boundaries of storytelling in video games. Developed by Naughty Dog, The Last of Us is set in a post-apocalyptic world ravaged by a fungal infection. The game follows Joel, a hardened survivor, and Ellie, a young girl with a mysterious immunity to the infection, as they travel across the United States. What sets The Last of Us apart is its incredibly deep narrative and character development, which rivals the best films and novels. The emotional journey of the protagonists is complemented by tense, survival-focused gameplay, where players must scavenge, fight, and make difficult moral choices. This combination of cinematic storytelling and interactive gameplay makes The Last of Us a hallmark of modern game design, showing how video games can evoke powerful emotions and tell deeply personal stories.
These games—Super Mario Bros., Grand Theft Auto III, and The Last of Us—have left an indelible mark on the gaming industry. They not only set new standards for gameplay and technology but also helped define the cultural impact of video games. As gaming continues to evolve, it is these pioneering titles that continue to inspire and influence new generations of developers and players, proving that the best games are those that push boundaries and challenge our perceptions of what games can be.
