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This last decade has been incredible for gamers, with records being broken, new franchises hitting the market, and some old legendary titles getting remastered. Video games have really come a long way since the days of Pong, Space Invaders, Tetris, and Pac-Man.

They have evolved over the years and now take a variety of forms, from mobile games to casual games, from the great console titles to the ones you can find on social media and even streaming platforms (yeah, Netflix is not just shows and movies anymore). The best part about having gaming as a passion is that there’s really something for everyone.

However, even though there are so many different kinds of video games available today, some titles stand out above the rest as being truly exceptional offerings from developers around the world. The best video games of all time are a hotly contested topic, so it’s hard to choose favorites, but we did our best to bring you the ones that have been rated as of the highest quality by critics and gamers alike.

Our picks, which are in no particular order, have all stood the test of time and are considered the greatest works in video gaming history. Let us know what you think!

If you’re looking to keep the momentum going beyond classic titles and dive into today’s daily challenges, head over to our comprehensive Games Hub for NYT game hints, answers, and new puzzle content.

#1

The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim

Skyrim title screen featuring mountains and a lone character, representing video games that changed gaming history.

The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim is an open-world role-playing video game set in the fictional province of Skyrim in Tamriel. Players control a character (male or female) known as the Dragonborn, a warrior quested to defeat Alduin, the dragon prophesied to destroy the world. The game won over 200 Game of the Year awards from various publications, making it one of the most popular video games ever made.

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John King
Community Member
3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I loved morrowind with all my soul. Oblivion got a piece of it as well. Skyrim collecting dust after playing a total of 4 hours

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    #2

    The Legend Of Zelda: Ocarina Of Time

    The Legend of Zelda Ocarina of Time gameplay featuring Link riding a horse in a vast, colorful gaming landscape.

    First released on the Nintendo 64 in 1998, The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time is a classic action-adventure game that redefined the genre. The game follows Link, a young boy from a fantasy land who must help Princess Zelda defeat the evil Ganondorf. Along the way, he learns to play numerous songs with his ocarina and use its magical powers to travel through time and defeat Ganondorf once and for all.

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    #3

    Super Mario 64

    Super Mario 64 character flying with wing cap in a 3D world, iconic game from video games that changed gaming history.

    Super Mario 64 is a platform video game developed and published by Nintendo for the Nintendo 64. Released in 1996, the game features Mario’s first 3D adventure as he travels through a large open world to rescue Princess Peach from Bowser. A medical study from 2013, conducted on 3D platformer games like Super Mario 64, concluded that these games cause the grey matter to increase in brain areas thought to contribute to spatial navigation, episodic memory, and stress regulation.

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    DUN DUN
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    This is the game that has formed so many memories of so many of us

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    #4

    The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt

    The Witcher Wild Hunt characters in a fantasy setting representing iconic video games that changed the history of gaming.

    With 260 Game of the Year Awards, The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt is a dark fantasy adventure you don’t wanna miss. Your character, Geralt of Rivia, is a monster slayer known as a Witcher. You’ll travel across different regions hunting monsters for a living and completing quests for people in exchange for rewards. With 36 different endings, depending on what choices you make during gameplay, there’s lots of replay value too!

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    K Miller
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I have this but haven't played it yet. I didn't realize there was so many possible endings though...

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    #5

    Minecraft

    Minecraft characters and creatures in a blocky landscape showcasing iconic video games that changed the history of gaming.

    Minecraft is a sandbox-style game where you can build anything you want with the resources available in the game world. It’s still an incredibly popular game with a massive following despite being released in 2011. No wonder it’s the best-selling video game of all time! Minecraft is available on every major console and computer platform, so it’s easy to play with friends and people from all over the world, no matter what device they’re using.

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    Magickmaster 8
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    This changed sooo much in what is good in a game

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    #6

    Super Mario World

    Super Mario World characters surrounding a globe, showcasing iconic elements from video games that changed gaming history.

    A gem in the gaming community, Super Mario World follows Mario through a series of levels in which the goal is to get to the other side by jumping around the platforms. It’s the game that introduced us to Yoshi, one of the most beloved Nintendo characters. It sold more than twenty million copies worldwide, making it the best-selling SNES game.

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    #7

    Pokemon Red Version

    Pokémon Red Version cover art featuring Charizard, a key video game that changed the history of gaming.

    Considered one of the best RPGs ever made, it’s the first installment in the Pokémon video game series. The main character is a young boy or girl who travels around the region of Kanto to capture 151 different Pokémon creatures, which can be used to battle against other trainers’ creatures to win badges from Pokémon League gyms. Each gym leader has their own type of Pokémon, so your strategy will change depending on what you’re up against.

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    #8

    The Legend Of Zelda: Breath Of The Wild

    Artwork of a character from a video game standing on a mountain, symbolizing video games that changed the history of gaming.

    One of the latest entries in the long-running Zelda series, which debuted in 1986 on the NES, is an open-world adventure with 50 to 200 hours of content, based on your will to probe every single aspect of the game and get 100% completion. You’ll explore vast expanses of Hyrule and fight monsters along the way in your quest to defeat Calamity Ganon and restore peace in the kingdom.

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    muffin kid
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    awesome. played the game nearly 4 times and it is definitelyyyyy worth it

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    #9

    Grand Theft Auto V

    Grand Theft Auto V characters in action scenes representing iconic video games that changed gaming history.

    Set in the city of Los Santon, GTA V is an open world where players can take on missions as the three dysfunctional protagonists, Franklin, Michael, and Trevor. Players can also explore freely, taking advantage of a vast world with dozens of hours’ worth of content to enjoy. The online mode will let you immerse yourself in a GTA-style multiplayer experience: rob shops, betray your friends, steal airplanes, hunt for Easter eggs, and enjoy the fun-packed missions the game offers!

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    DUN DUN
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Remembering the days when this was such a big hit

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    #10

    Red Dead Redemption

    Red Dead Redemption cover art showing a gunslinger with a s*****n in a western setting of video games that changed history.

    Enjoy playing as John Marston, a former outlaw forced to hunt down his old gang, led by the ruthless Dutch van der Linde. In this Western-themed adventure, you’ll explore the open world of the American frontier, complete missions, and interact with other characters from a third-person perspective. The game has an incredibly rich story, excellent shooting mechanics, and an immersive atmosphere that makes it feel like you’re actually in a Western movie. If you haven’t played this game yet, do yourself a favor and pick it up!

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    Country
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Love how you can survive a shotgun blast to the chest and live but fall into a small ditch and die instantly

    #11

    Super Mario Bros. 3

    Super Mario 3 game cover showing Mario in raccoon suit, highlighting classic video games that changed the history of gaming

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    #12

    The Last Of Us

    Post-apocalyptic scene from a video game with two characters armed and exploring a ruined urban environment in gaming history.

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    Kate Ayrton
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    With you there. TLOU and tlou2 are two of my favourite games ever. I will say Horizon forbidden west is right up there as well. Can't wait for the new Mass effect and Dragon age!!

    #13

    Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas

    Colorful collage artwork from Grand Theft Auto San Andreas, a landmark title in video games that changed the history of gaming.

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    Debbie Ryan (Deb)
    Community Member
    9 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I'm typing from another phone but this game is awesome I got it for my birthday and a ps2 . My life was content

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    #14

    Mario Kart 64

    Mario Kart 64 characters racing on a vibrant track featuring iconic elements from video games that changed gaming history.

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    #15

    Red Dead Redemption II

    Illustration of a cowboy aiming a revolver with a bandolier, representing iconic video games that changed the history of gaming.

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    Mark Fuller
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Slow. Very slow. Pretty. Great graphics. But not half as exciting as I'd hoped...

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    #16

    Super Smash Bros. Melee

    Super Smash Bros game characters posing under cloudy sky, iconic video games that changed gaming history.

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    The fnaf boi
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I suggest the Nintendo switch version

    #17

    The Legend Of Zelda: A Link To The Past

    The Legend of Zelda sword glowing in a forest, symbolizing iconic video games that changed gaming history.

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    #18

    Fallout: New Vegas

    Fallout New Vegas character in armor holding a weapon with a neon welcome sign in a post-apocalyptic gaming scene.

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    Country
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Love how you can play the bad guy and do almost whatever you want

    #19

    Halo: Combat Evolved

    Master Chief from Halo Combat Evolved in a futuristic battle scene highlighting video games that changed gaming history.

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    #20

    Batman: Arkham City

    Batman from Arkham City crouching on a gargoyle overlooking a cityscape, representing video games that changed gaming history.

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    #21

    Portal

    Image showing the iconic Portal game logo with a stick figure falling through a glowing portal, symbolizing video games history.

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    #22

    Tetris

    Classic Tetris blocks falling into place against a starry background, highlighting video games that changed gaming history.

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    #24

    Pac-Man

    Classic Pac-Man gameplay screen with maze, ghosts, and pellets, representing video games that changed the history of gaming.

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    #25

    Half-Life 2

    Close-up of a character from Half-Life 2, one of the iconic video games that changed the history of gaming.

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    Mark Fuller
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Amazing. So needs an update to date remake.

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    #26

    Super Mario Bros.

    Pixelated Mario character jumping and fireball with Nintendo logo on classic video games history artwork.

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    #27

    World Of Warcraft

    Artwork collage of iconic characters from World of Warcraft featured in 50 video games that changed the history of gaming.

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    #29

    Assassin's Creed II

    Character from Assassin’s Creed II video game, a classic title that changed the history of gaming.

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    #30

    Sid Meier's Civilization IV

    Cover art of Civilization IV video game showing ancient and modern monuments representing gaming history impact.

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    #31

    StarCraft

    Alien warrior from StarCraft wielding an energy blade, representing iconic video games that changed gaming history.

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    #32

    Donkey Kong

    Classic Donkey Kong arcade game featuring Mario dodging barrels in one of the most iconic video games that changed gaming history.

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    #33

    Metal Gear Solid

    Metal Gear Solid main character with an eyepatch in tactical gear featured in historic video games.

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    #34

    Portal 2

    Portal 2 gameplay scene showing robot character jumping through blue and orange portals in a futuristic gaming environment.

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    #35

    Sonic The Hedgehog

    Sonic the Hedgehog standing on a checkered platform with palm trees and a loop in a classic video game setting.

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    #36

    Journey

    Journey game title screen with a lone robed figure crossing vast sand dunes under a bright sun, symbolizing video games that changed gaming.

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    #37

    Final Fantasy VII

    Character from Final Fantasy VII Remake holding a large sword, representing video games that changed gaming history.

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    #38

    The Legend Of Zelda

    The Legend of Zelda characters and sword in a forest setting from iconic video games that changed the history of gaming.

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    #40

    The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion

    Cover art of The Elder Scrolls IV Oblivion video game, a classic title that changed the history of gaming.

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    #41

    Resident Evil 2

    Resident Evil 2 characters in dark rain setting, showcasing iconic video games that changed the history of gaming.

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    gayFrog
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    so glad an RE game got up here

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    #42

    Half-Life

    Half-Life character in iconic suit holding a weapon with game logo, representing video games that changed gaming history.

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    #43

    Super Smash Bros.

    Characters from iconic video games featured in a battle scene, highlighting key video games that changed gaming history.

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    #44

    Grand Theft Auto: Vice City

    Cover art of Grand Theft Auto Vice City featuring characters, vehicles, and action scenes in classic video games that changed gaming history.

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    #45

    Super Mario Kart

    Super Mario Kart characters racing karts on a colorful track, iconic video games that changed the history of gaming.

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    #46

    Shadow Of The Colossus

    Shadow of the Colossus game scene showing a giant colossus and a small player in a misty landscape from video games that changed history.

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    #47

    Counter-Strike 1.6

    Counter-Strike 1.6

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    #48

    The Witness

    The Witness

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    #49

    League Of Legends

    League Of Legends

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    #50

    Star Wars: Knights Of The Old Republic

    Star Wars Knights of the Old Republic game cover art featuring characters and lightsabers representing iconic video games history.

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    #51

    Batman: Arkham Asylum

    Batman Arkham Asylum game cover showing Batman in rain with cityscape backdrop, a key video game that changed the history of gaming

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    #52

    Disco Elysium

    Disco Elysium artwork showing two characters in a stylized cityscape for video games that changed gaming history.

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    #53

    Hades

    Hades video game cover art featuring a heroic character wielding a spear in a fiery, mythological setting.

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    #54

    Left 4 Dead 2

    Left 4 Dead 2

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    #55

    The Last Of Us Part II

    The Last Of Us Part II

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    #56

    Dishonored 2

    Dishonored 2

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    #57

    Rise Of The Tomb Raider

    Rise Of The Tomb Raider

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    #58

    Mario Kart 8 Deluxe

    Mario Kart 8 Deluxe

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    #59

    System Shock 2

    System Shock 2

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    #60

    Titanfall 2

    Titanfall 2

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    #61

    Simcity 2000

    Simcity 2000

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    #62

    God Of War

    God Of War

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    #63

    Fallout 3

    Fallout 3

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    #64

    Street Fighter II

    Street Fighter II

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    #65

    Donkey Kong Country

    Donkey Kong Country

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    #66

    Mortal Kombat

    Mortal Kombat

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    James016
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    We had the arcade cabinet in my college student union block

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    #67

    Dark Souls

    Dark Souls

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    #68

    Castlevania: Symphony Of The Night

    Castlevania: Symphony Of The Night

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    #69

    Chrono Trigger

    Chrono Trigger

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    #70

    Metroid Prime

    Metroid Prime

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    #71

    Ms. Pac-Man

    Ms. Pac-Man

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    #72

    Xcom 2

    Xcom 2

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    #73

    Silent Hill 2

    Silent Hill 2

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    #74

    Splinter Cell: Chaos Theory

    Splinter Cell: Chaos Theory

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    #75

    Fable 2

    Fable 2

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    #76

    Thief II: The Metal Age

    Thief II: The Metal Age

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    #77

    Fallout 2

    Fallout 2

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    #78

    Pokemon Gold Version

    Pokemon Gold Version

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    #79

    The Legend Of Zelda: Majora's Mask

    The Legend Of Zelda: Majora's Mask

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    #80

    Star Wars: Battlefront II

    Star Wars: Battlefront II

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    #81

    Crash Bandicoot

    Crash Bandicoot

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    #82

    Super Mario Galaxy

    Super Mario Galaxy

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    #83

    Pokemon Yellow: Special Pikachu Edition

    Pokemon Yellow: Special Pikachu Edition

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    #84

    Super Metroid

    Super Metroid

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    #85

    The Legend Of Zelda: The Wind Waker

    The Legend Of Zelda: The Wind Waker

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    #86

    Uncharted 2: Among Thieves

    Uncharted 2: Among Thieves

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    #87

    God Of War (2005)

    God Of War (2005)

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    #88

    Half-Life: Alyx

    Half-Life: Alyx

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