The gaming community has spoken, and the results are in. In a remarkable display of enthusiasm, 3,171 gamers cast their votes to determine the top 100 games of the 21st century. This massive turnout, featuring 2,164 different titles, is a testament to the diverse tastes and passionate engagement of the gaming world. To put it in perspective, this is seven times the number of entries received for the Giant Bomb Game of the Year 2024 community vote.
The voting process employed a weighted system, where a game ranked as #1 on a ballot carried more weight than those ranked lower. Although the exact mathematical formula remains a mystery due to the site’s built-in “Community List” feature, the results were clear. The tiebreaker for games with equal weighted scores was the total number of votes received.
Top Contenders: A Closer Look
Leading the pack, The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild claimed the top spot with a significant margin, reflecting its widespread acclaim and enduring popularity. Notably, it received over 200 more votes than the second-place game, underscoring its dominance.
In a surprising twist, Outer Wilds secured the third position despite having fewer total votes than many other top contenders. This indicates a strong preference among its fans, who ranked it highly on their lists. Conversely, Super Mario Odyssey garnered the fifth-most raw votes but did not break into the top 10, suggesting broad appeal but less fervent support for top rankings.
Game Highlights and Developer Insights
The list features a variety of games from different genres and developers, each with its own unique appeal. Here are some highlights:
- Creative Business Unit III and Square Enix made a splash with their 2019 release, which achieved a Metacritic score of 90.
- Atlus and its 2012 game, with a Metacritic score of 93, also captured the community’s attention.
- Extremely OK Games and their 2018 title, praised with a Metacritic score of 92, demonstrated the impact of indie developers.
- SIE Santa Monica Studio and their highly acclaimed 2018 release, boasting a Metacritic score of 94, highlighted the power of narrative-driven experiences.
“The love people still have for BioWare games makes it even sadder to see how much EA has squandered that love.”
Trends and Observations
Analyzing the data reveals intriguing trends and insights into the gaming landscape. Despite common perceptions, 2014, often labeled a “down year,” showed a balanced representation in the top 100, dispelling notions of recency bias.
When it comes to developers, familiar names like Kojima-led studios and the Persona team dominated the list. However, the absence of Ubisoft from the top publishers was a notable surprise. The community’s enduring affection for BioWare titles also stood out, even as some lament the current state of the studio under EA’s stewardship.
Franchise Dynamics
Sixteen franchises managed multiple entries in the top 100, showcasing the strength of established series. However, the voting process revealed some interesting dynamics, such as the splitting of votes due to compilations. For instance, 87 votes for Mass Effect Legendary Edition could have significantly boosted Mass Effect 2‘s ranking had they been consolidated.
Similar discussions arose around the Hitman series and the distinction between Persona 5 and Persona 5 Royal, highlighting the complexities of fan preferences and game iterations.
Reflecting on the List
The top 100 games of the 21st century, as chosen by the community, offer a fascinating glimpse into the evolving tastes and priorities of gamers. From groundbreaking indies to blockbuster franchises, the list celebrates the diversity and creativity that define the industry.
For those interested in exploring the full list of 2,164 games that received votes, complete with their total votes and weighted scores, a comprehensive dataset is available online. This extensive compilation is a testament to the vibrant and engaged gaming community that made this project possible.
As we look to the future, the enthusiasm and passion displayed in this voting process serve as a reminder of the enduring impact of video games. Here’s to the next quarter-century of gaming excellence and innovation.
