Here it is, the top 50 exclusive video games of all time. Except this isn't just another arbitrary list somebody made up out of the thin air, there is a ranking algorithm behind it which uses over 50 sources of top games rankings. If you'd like to know more about how rank for this list was determined, click here.
As most of you already know, an exclusive game is one which comes out for only one system, whether it's a particular console or the PC.
You might notice that a few games on this list were eventually ported to other systems, but I still included them here if it happened many years after the initial release.
Update (May 20, 2009): I do not consider PC's and Mac's separate platforms. They are both Personal Computers to me. There may be a few games such as WoW or StarCraft which were released for both, but I still consider them exclusive titles.
Update 2 (May 24, 2009): Oops, the original Super Smash Bros was Super Smash Bros, not Super Smash Bros Melee.
50. Battlefield 1942 (PC, 2002)
One of the first, if not the first of the massive battlefield games that became quite popular around its time, Battlefield 1942 let you fly planes and drive tanks while sitting in front of your computer.
What could be more elite than playing Elite for the BBC Micro? Everything about it was elite, including the graphics for its time.
48. Company of Heroes (PC, 2006)
There's no better company than that of heroes. This game proved everybody wrong who said that (good) RTS titles were dead.
47. EarthBound (SNES, 1995)
Known as "Mother 2: Gyiyg Strikes Back" in Japan, this game still retains a cult following with a devoted fan-base on the internet of all places.
46. Ms. Pac-Man (Arcade, 1981)
I could never find a Pac-Man arcade, but I always saw Ms. Pac-Man. Maybe that's why Pac Man isn't on this list.
This game was at the time, the most expensive game ever produced. It featured a full weather system and unparalleled interactivity for a game of its time. Although it did poorly in sales, some people still play it to this day, I think.
44. Pokemon Red and Blue (Game Boy, 1996)
What is there to be said about Pokemon except that I wouldn't evolve them, because they turn out shittier.
Sticking with what you know works is how to make money in the game industry, this was the best selling game of 2007 in the US.
42. Kingdom Hearts (PlayStation 2, 2002)
Kindom Hearts was a collaboration between SquareSoft and Disney. I didn't want to play it when it came out because I thought of myself as a full grown adult by then.
41. Super Smash Bros. Brawl (Wii, 2008)
There aren't many games on this list from 2008, but Super Smash Bros. Brawl is, because it's a very addictive, fun, simple fighting game with a short learning curve, for those with shorter attention spans presumably.
40. Sonic the Hedgehog (Genesis, 1991)
Sonic was Sega's answer to Mario, and while it's an excellent game by all accounts, it didn't come close to matching Mario 3's eternal excellence.
39. Advance Wars (Game Boy Advance, 2001)
If you liked turn-based strategy games and had a Game Boy Advance, then you probably had this game for it.
38. Super Mario World 2: Yoshi's Island (SNES, 1995)
Some people think that Yoshi's Island is a better game than Super Mario World, but I think they say that to sound more sophisticated, because it isn't.
37. Final Fantasy II (IV) (SNES, 1991)
This is the Final Fantasy title that started the confusing naming scheme for the North American releases, because it's actually Final Fantasy 4.
With all the hype these days about Fallout 3, we have almost managed to forget the original, which is still one of the best RPG's of all time. Set in a post-apocalyptic future, it featured an immersive world with the freedom to play the game just about any way you want.
35. Secret Of Mana (SNES, 1993)
Though its story isn't as memorable as the Final Fantasy games of the time, Secret of Mana is still considered one of the best RPGs from the golden era.
34. Ico (PlayStation 2, 2001)
This is essentially a video game equivalent of an "independent movie". Very minimal in style, this game was also very minimal in sales, but is now considered one of the most important games for the PS2.
33. Perfect Dark (Nintendo 64, 2000)
Another FPS for the Nintendo 64 by Rare, Perfect Dark was almost like a sequel to Goldeneye 007, and it was one of those few sequels that are better than the original.
32. The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker (GameCube, 2003)
In 2006 Nintendo Power named Wind Waker the 4th best game to ever appear on any Nintendo console. Which is ridiculous, because it wasn't even the 4th best Zelda game.
31. Guitar Hero (PlayStation 2, 2005)
We've all been raised on television to believe that one day we'd all be millionaires, and movie gods, and rock stars. But we won't. But we can still play a toy guitar video game.
30. Baldur's Gate II: Shadows of Amn (PC, 2000)
They don't really make games like Baldur's Gate 2 any more, ever since Deus Ex 2 killed the PC RPG.
29. Civilization IV (PC, 2005)
Civ 4 is a game you can probably play for the rest of your life and still not get bored of it. Or you might get bored of it after an hour and never play it again.
28. Super Smash Bros. Melee (GameCube, 2001)
This was GameCube's best selling game, which has to mean that it was pretty good.
27. Shadow of the Colossus (PlayStation 2, 2005)
Shadow of the Colossus was unlike any other game before it, or after it. It was trully an experience to play, which can't be said of most games.
26. Xenogears (PlayStation, 1998)
Xenogears is undoubtably one of the finest games ever made, but if not for the rushed second portion of the game, it could have been one of the very finest.
25. System Shock 2 (PC, 1999)
System Shock 2 is almost a perfect game. It has action, it has suspense, it has an RPG element, kind of like real life.
24. Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty (PlayStation 2, 2001)
MGS 2 was one of the first exclusive games for the PS2 which made a lot of people realize they had to buy one.
23. Super Mario Galaxy (Wii, 2007)
This game presented many with a difficult choice, do you buy a Wii just to play it? Because really, who's interested in waving the controller around and playing gimicky games with last generation graphics? If you look at the sales numbers, apparently everyone.
22. Rome: Total War (PC, 2004)
Proof that a game doesn't need to innovate to be great. The third game in the Total War series finally hit the spot and turned out to be the most memorable one.
21. Final Fantasy X (PlayStation 2, 2001)
Final Fantasy X is rated the top game of all time in Japan, but only number 36 on gamerecord.net.
20. Metroid Prime (GameCube, 2002)
Though Metroid Prime isn't the first FPS where you have to jump on platforms, it is one where you have to use a console controller to do it. Otherwise this game would have been awesome.
19. The Legend of Zelda (NES, 1986)
I remember my friend in 7th grade got this game for his birthday and played it during his birthday party instead of hanging out with his friends. That's how good it was.
18. Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater (PlayStation 2, 2004)
MGS3 is a prequel to MGS set during the cold war. If you're a fan of the series, you will absolutely love this game, but if you're not, well, let's just say that part 1 and 2 were better.
17. Star Wars: TIE Fighter (PC, 1994)
For those of you who don't know, there used to be a genre of games called 'space combat sims', and this was undoubtably the best one of them.
16. God of War (PlayStation 2, 2005)
I remember hearing about God of War and thinking, what the hell is the big deal? Until I played it and realized it was one of the most fun games for the PS2.
15. Super Mario Kart (SNES, 1992)
Hitting your opponent with a shell at the last second and overtaking them is what made Mario Kart the funnest racing game on the SNES and spawned sequels on every subsequent Nintendo console.
14. Super Mario Bros. (NES, 1985)
This seemingly nonsensical game had no equal. Nothing before it had such great controls and addictive gameplay.
13. World Of Warcraft (PC, 2004)
No other game has claimed as many lives as World of Warcraft. People are so captivated by it that they literally don't have time to eat or drink.
12. Final Fantasy III (VI) (SNES, 1994)
If there is a game that defines a generational gap among gamers, this game would have to be it. Anybody who didn't play FF3 when it came out, probably never will, and will forever be missing out on what video games are trully capable of.
11. GoldenEye 007 (Nintendo 64, 1997)
A lot of game publications went crazy over Goldeneye 007, but anyone who already played FPS games on their PC couldn't be bothered with it.
10. Metal Gear Solid (PlayStation, 1998)
One of the earliest stealth games, Metal Gear Solid helped to define the genre. The object of this game was to be silent like a ninja and choke out bad guys.
9. Super Metroid (SNES, 1994)
The 3rd game in the Metroid series, Super Metroid was a challenging, non-linear adventure game with graphics that were just about as good as they could be on the SNES.
8. Castlevania: Symphony of the Night (PlayStation, 1997)
A side-scrolling Castlevania title in 1997? In the middle of the 3D revolution came this surprising release. With a lot of monsters, a lot of items and a lot of replayability, it turned out to be one of the finest games ever made.
7. Super Mario World (SNES, 1990)
Super Mario World absolutely blew everyones mind when it came out. I pretended to be friends with multiple people from school just so I could come to their houses and play their brand new SNES.
6. Chrono Trigger (SNES, 1995)
It's hard to say what was better, FF3 or Chrono Trigger. To me it was FF3. It was more complex and the story was more captivating. We can agree to disagree if you don't think so. It's not a big deal.
StarCraft is the pinnacle of the RTS genre. An 11 year old game, it's still played in tournaments world-wide to this day.
4. Super Mario Bros. 3 (NES, 1988)
The last great game for the NES, as well as the best selling with 18 million copies sold. Mario 3 was the defining game for the NES. The game is just as fun to play today as it was almost 20 years ago.
3. The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past (SNES, 1992)
A Link to the Past could be the best game on the SNES. It's an updated version of the original Legend of Zelda for the NES, made a little easier and a lot more playable. It's still thought to be one of the best games of all time.
2. Super Mario 64 (Nintendo 64, 1996)
The penultimate game in this countdown, Mario 64 wasn't ahead of its time in terms of graphics, but it was ahead of its time in terms of fun and playability. The transition from 2D to 3D in platform games happened because of this game.
1. The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time (Nintendo 64, 1998)
What can I say? People love Ocarina of Time. Whether you agree with it or not, more than any other game it's been mentioned as the #1 best game of all time.
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