Metacritic’s aggregate scores are the closest thing gaming has to a universal report card. Nearly three decades of reviews later, a handful of titles still sit above every other release ever made. Here’s the definitive ranking.
Table of Contents
Metacritic’s Highest-Rated Video Games: Quick Info
| Rank | Game | Metascore |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time | 99 |
| 2 | Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 2 | 98 |
| 3 | Grand Theft Auto IV | 98 |
| 4 | SoulCalibur | 98 |
| 5 | Super Mario Galaxy | 97 |
| 6 | Super Mario Galaxy 2 | 97 |
| 7 | Red Dead Redemption 2 | 97 |
| 8 | Grand Theft Auto V | 97 |
| 9 | Disco Elysium: The Final Cut | 97 |
| 10 | The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild | 97 |
Ocarina of Time’s 99 Has Never Been Touched
Released in 1998, The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time remains the only game to hold a 99 Metascore, a record no title has come close to matching in over 25 years. Interestingly, critic scores and player scores don’t always line up — 2026’s Resident Evil Requiem tied Clair Obscur for the highest user score ever recorded, showing that what players love and what critics rate highest can be two very different lists.
FAQs
Q1. What is the highest-rated video game of all time on Metacritic?
The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time, with a 99 Metascore.
Q2. How many games share the top spot?
None — Ocarina of Time is the sole holder of a 99, though 16 other games have scored 97 or higher.
Q3. Is Metacritic’s critic score the same as its user score?
No. Critic scores (Metascore) and user scores are tracked separately and can differ significantly, as seen with Resident Evil Requiem’s record user score in 2026.
Q4. Why do newer games dominate recent top-10 lists?
Modern games are reviewed by far more outlets than older releases, which affects how aggregate scores are calculated and compared over time.
