The 10 Greatest Video Game Masterpieces of All Time, Ranked

2 weeks ago 14

Published May 9, 2026, 8:14 AM EDT

Lucas Kloberdanz-Dyck is a writer for Collider. He grew up creating lists, stories, and worlds, which led to his love of anime and video games. He attended Sheridan College where he earned an Honours Bachelor of Game Design. Lucas and his group won 1st place for technical innovation at LevelUp Toronto 2023, and he was also an intern for the Oakville Film Festival of Arts.

Video games have evolved a lot since they first came out, starting with two rectangles and a moving pixel back and forth to massive open-worlds where players can interact with anything they wish, delivering unparalleled freedom. This immersive medium has delivered a plethora of classics, such as Halo, and modern sensations, including Clair Obscur: Expedition 33. However, one of the greatest titles is The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, the hit game from Nintendo that revolutionized the fantasy genre by redefining the open world format. With unrestricted travel that makes exploration a delight, fans can also use the magnificent physics system to toy with things around the world and defeat enemies.

It wouldn't be wrong to claim that Breath of the Wild is the greatest video game of all time, even if fans have other tastes and preferences. However, there is an endless selection of games, which is why this list will rank the only three video games that are better than Breath of the Wild. Based on gameplay, narrative, design, innovation, originality, art, polish, lack of flaws, fan opinion, critical acclaim, overall quality, and how much they compare to Breath of the Wild, these three games are the only ones that can claim to be better than this masterpiece. However, this list will only include games that are somewhat similar to Breath of the Wild, since it would be too complicated and difficult to compare them to titles such as Resident Evil 4 or Portal 2.

3 'Elden Ring' (2021)

This list will only feature fantasy games, mainly because they are easier to compare Breath of the Wild with, and this genre is simply home to some of the best games of all time that are well-polished, ambitious, and flawless. FromSoftware is a prolific studio known for its Soulslike gameplay that is overly challenging and dark in style. However, their magnum opus is also their most recent game, Elden Ring, which is a collaboration with George R.R. Martin, the author of Game of Thrones. Set in the Lands Between, the Queen Marika shatters the titular object after the murder of her son. With the rest of her demigod children claiming these shards, the world is sent into chaos, and now the only hope is the Tarnished, a lost soul who is reborn. Needing to collect the shards to become Elden Lord, the player must defeat each of Marika's children and restore the Elden Ring.

Out of all the video games, Breath of the Wild is most easily compared to Elden Ring because they are both open-world masterpieces that favor exploration and lore. Despite having a similar core, they offer two completely different experiences, one with a darker vibe and more challenging but rewarding combat, and the other focusing on a light-hearted style and imaginative gameplay. Which is better is entirely determined by what fans prefer, but since each is so good in similar ways, Elden Ring can be considered better since it has a much better narrative. As one of the greatest adventure video games ever, this experience is one-of-a-kind that rewards curiosity, encouraging players to avoid the beaten path and take them where their curiosity takes them. This is similar to Breath of the Wild, but with stronger and more varied enemies with deeper lore, and many fans prefer Elden Ring's exploration. The combat is tight, unrelenting, challenging, and based around practice, but it is also fair and rewarding, making winning a battle that much more satisfying. Elden Ring may be new, but its influence and legacy have already been established, especially with a movie adaptation on the way.

2 'Baldur's Gate 3' (2023)

Astarion and Lae'zel in 'Baldur's Gate 3'

Elden Ring and Breath of the Wild are open-world phenomenons that each revolutionized the genre, but another modern sensation is Baldur's Gate 3, which is a vastly different experience than the other two. As the most recent game on this list, Baldur's Gate 3 quickly established itself as a modern classic that can hang with the best of the best. Set in the world of Dungeons & Dragons, players can create their character in whatever image they want, and soon they will become the last hope of the world. When the player is infected by a tadpole that will turn them into a mind flayer, they must now search for a cure. However, a war is brewing between humans and gods as this is happening, creating a chaotic adventure where players need to take down cults and make challenging decisions.

Baldur's Gate 3 is vastly different than Breath of the Wild, but that is the beauty of the fantasy genre. It has a versatile range of games that can scratch any itch, whether it is an open-air adventure or an immersive RPG. Like Elden Ring, its narrative is much better than Breath of the Wild, and that gives it the edge when deciding the greatest game of all time. For fans who prefer a greater sense of agency where each choice changes the narrative, and players can interact with almost anything, then Baldur's Gate 3 is the game for them. Larian Studios is a prolific company and has even more ambitious games on the way, but it will be hard to top their magnum opus, which is a love letter to fantasy and the ultimate expression of passion for a game that can be felt in every intricate detail. Baldur's Gate 3 cements itself as one of the best modern games in history by delivering a masterclass of agency that feels like the tabletop game put into game format. This sense of scale makes the players truly believe anything is possible. The ripples of choice create narrative waves and plot twists the size of tsunamis, proving its narrative is a masterful feat. Fans will only know what is possible if they try it, and Baldur's Gate 3 offers the ability to do whatever they want in this fantasy world, truly making it an immersive video game that is better than Breath of the Wild.

1 'The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time' (1998)

Breath of the Wild is considered by many to be the greatest game in The Legend of Zelda franchise, maybe even all that Nintendo has to offer. However, some fans prefer how The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom expanded on what Breath of the Wild perfected. On the other hand, most diehard fans will always say The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time is the best, and it is hard to argue. Link is just a normal forest boy, but when the evil Ganondorf kidnaps Zelda, the princess of Hyrule, he steps into action to save the day. Needing to unite the sages of the kingdom, Link must travel between the present and future to conquer dungeons and defeat the bosses that inhabit them. But as Ganondorf gets closer to completing the Triforce, Link must hurry and awaken the sages or risk putting the world in danger.

If there is one game that is better than Breath of the Wild, it is another Zelda game, and the only natural choice is Ocarina of Time, arguably the most influential video game of all time that also tops Metacritic's list as the highest-rated game ever. The Legend of Zelda franchise has no bad games, but only Ocarina of Time can be considered better than Breath of the Wild. This 1990s video game masterpiece redefined the way the medium operates, innovating with mechanics such as Z-targeting that completely changed combat. Alongside its satisfying combat is a masterclass of puzzles in the form of dungeons. These intricately crafted labyrinths have a well-designed progression system and imaginative puzzles and challenges that stimulate gameplay. The Lock and Key system is timeless, and no game does it better than this one, which encourages exploration and balanced progression. Ocarina of Time brought the industry into the 3D realm with extreme precision that revitalized exploration. The side quests expand the lore and worldbuilding, and the diverse locations further increase that sense of adventure with programmed events that further build a riveting experience. This isn't an overly easy game either, as Ocarina of Time has some notoriously challenging dungeons and hard-to-find side quests that make discovery even more satisfying. It may be an old game with some dated features, but its legacy and innovation are more than enough to be considered over Breath of the Wild, even earning the title as the greatest video game of all time.

Collider Exclusive · The Sorting Hat Awaits Which Hogwarts House Are You? Gryffindor · Slytherin · Hufflepuff · Ravenclaw

Four houses. One destiny. The Sorting Hat has considered thousands of students — now it's your turn. Answer honestly and discover where you truly belong at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.

🦁Gryffindor

🐍Slytherin

🦡Hufflepuff

🦅Ravenclaw

PLACE THE HAT →

What quality do you value most in yourself? Answer as honestly as you can — the Hat always knows.

ACourage — I act even when I'm afraid, because what's right matters more than what's safe. BAmbition — I know what I want and I have the drive and cunning to get there. CLoyalty — I show up for the people I love, no matter what it costs me. DWisdom — I think before I act and I'm always hungry to understand more.

NEXT QUESTION →

A friend is being treated unfairly. What do you do? How you protect others says everything about who you are.

AStep in immediately and confront whoever is responsible — I won't stand by. BWork out the best strategy to address it — a smart move beats a rash one. CBe by their side, support them, and help them through it however they need. DAnalyse what's actually happening and find the most reasoned, fair solution.

NEXT QUESTION →

What does success look like to you? What you're working toward defines who you're becoming.

ABeing remembered as someone who fought for what was right, whatever the odds. BAchieving the goals I set for myself — influence, status, and earned respect. CA life where the people I care about know I was there for them, always. DMastering my field, contributing something meaningful, and never stopping learning.

NEXT QUESTION →

What is your greatest fear? Fear is the most honest thing about a person.

ABeing a coward when it mattered — looking back and knowing I did nothing. BMediocrity — fading into obscurity without making my mark on the world. CLosing the people I love or letting them down when they needed me most. DIgnorance — being wrong and not knowing it, or never reaching my potential.

NEXT QUESTION →

The rules say no. Your gut says go. What do you do? Every institution has rules. What you do with them is a choice.

ABreak the rules — if it's the right thing to do, no rule should stop me. BFind a way to get what I want without getting caught. Rules are guidelines. CProbably follow the rules — but I'd find a way to help within them if I could. DThink it through carefully — is the rule unjust, or is my gut just impatient?

NEXT QUESTION →

What kind of friend are you? Who you are to the people you love is who you really are.

AThe protector — I will go to the ends of the earth for the people I care about. BThe strategist — I give sharp advice and I'm the one who figures out how to fix things. CThe constant — I'm always there, always reliable, and I never make it about me. DThe guide — I help people think things through and see perspectives they've missed.

NEXT QUESTION →

You look into the Mirror of Erised. What do you see? The mirror shows the deepest desire of your heart.

AYourself standing victorious, having faced the greatest challenge and won. BYourself at the height of your power — respected, successful, and in control. CYourself surrounded by everyone you love, whole and happy and together. DYourself with all the answers — every book read, every mystery solved.

NEXT QUESTION →

The Sorting Hat pauses. It whispers: "You could do well in any house. But what matters most to you — truly?" This is your tiebreaker. The Hat always listens.

ABravery. I want to be the kind of person who acts when others won't. BGreatness. I want to leave my mark and be more than ordinary. CBelonging. I want to be part of something good and never let my people down. DUnderstanding. I want to know the truth of things and keep growing forever.

REVEAL MY HOUSE →

The Sorting Hat Speaks Your House Has Been Chosen

After careful deliberation, the Sorting Hat has made its decision. This is the house your values, your instincts, and your particular way of being in the world were made for.

🦁 Gryffindor

You have nerve. Not the reckless kind, but the deep, quiet courage that shows up even when you're terrified — especially then.

Gryffindors don't act because they're fearless — they act because they understand that some things are worth being afraid for.
You stand up for people when it would be easier to look away.
You charge toward what's right even when the odds are terrible.
Harry, Hermione, Ron — the heroes of Hogwarts's greatest chapter — all called the tower with the scarlet and gold home. And now, so do you.

🐍 Slytherin

You are driven, sharp, and utterly clear-eyed about what you want and how to get there.

Slytherin has long been misunderstood — painted as the house of villains when it is, at its best, the house of those who refuse to accept limits placed on them by others.
You are resourceful, strategic, and you play the long game.
You know your worth. You protect your own fiercely.
The dungeon common room with its view of the Black Lake is yours — and the ambitions that will take you further than anyone expects are yours too.

🦡 Hufflepuff

You are the kind of person that makes the world genuinely better just by being in it.

Hufflepuff is not the "safe" house or the "leftover" house — it is the house of those with the greatest heart and the most unwavering integrity.
You show up. You work hard. You don't need glory or recognition — you do what's right because it's right.
Your loyalty never wavers, even when tested.
Nymphadora Tonks, Cedric Diggory, Newt Scamander — some of the wizarding world's finest. And now you join them.

🦅 Ravenclaw

Your mind is your greatest gift, and you've always known it.

Ravenclaws are the thinkers, the questioners, the ones who find a puzzle irresistible and a good book better company than most people.
Ravenclaw is not merely about intelligence — it's about the love of learning, the pursuit of truth, and the rare courage to admit you don't know something yet.
You see the world with unusual clarity and depth.
Luna Lovegood, Filius Flitwick, Rowena Ravenclaw herself — all extraordinary, all original. And so are you.

↻ RETAKE THE QUIZ

The Legend of Zelda Tears of the Kingdom Cover

Video Game(s) The Legend of Zelda: Wind Waker HD, The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask, The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword, The Legend of Zelda: Spirit Tracks, The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time, The Legend of Zelda: Triforce Heroes, The Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening, Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom

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