Essential Gaming Collection [REVISED]

UPDATE 2026-08-08: Replaced some entries with bundles wherever I could find a bundle that included specifically the games I wanted.

So, this used to be a top-100 list I first created on GiantBomb in -I wanna say- 2014. At the time compiled from memory and including games I most fondly remembered.

At some point after 2015 I decided to keep it only for the games released before or in 2015, as from that year onwards I was no longer able to be an active gamer that followed and played new titles as they came out. Though I turned 21 that year, it really feels to me like the year that separated my childhood gaming from my adulthood gaming. I thought I couldn't really perceive newer games as innocently as I did the older ones.

However, after revisiting some of the old titles and catching up with some of the new ones, I think I realized that I can't really see the old titles in that innocent way anymore either. A lot of games that I have a strong nostalgia for, I just don't enjoy anymore, no matter how much I would want to. And some games I've never played before, actually have the same kind of nostalgic grip on me as those old titles.

So I decided to remove the year restriction on it. And also, since the list has thinned since, I've decided not to enforce an arbitrary "top-X" label on it. Instead this'll be a single continuously fluctuating list. Games will appear and disappear as I evaluate/re-evaluate them.

The title of the list was ripped off from inspired by TwinPerfect's "Essential Viewing Collection" which just sounds much classier and more accurate to what it actually represents than any kind of "top."

DISCLAIMERS:

1. This list includes only the games I rated 5/5. Which means there might be games out there that I have strong feelings towards but can't get over some of the flaws of. Then again lately I've been doing a lot of thinking in regards to whether I need to start reevaluating games by a less objective metric and maybe increase some ratings on the basis of whether I think they should be on this list.

2. Since this is an old list, some of these games I need to replay and their position and/or status might change.

3. Some of these games I've only played for a short period of time and thought they were incredible, but still haven't found the time to revisit and try to beat. So, again, their position and/or status might change.

4. Some of the entries include more than one game. This usually means that the sequel or the expansion is not different enough from the original game to give it a separate entry. Usually expansion packs are bundled with the original game.

5. Some entries here are kinda placeholders. Their additions are based on the knowledge I posses about them and the reputation of their respective series'. Currently there are two of them there, but this might change.

6. The overall ranking is very fluid. I'm still really not sure which titles to put above which. Generally, the further away from the top it goes, the less sure I am.