CGI Fridays Video Game Rankings

Not exactly cinema —although some the best video games nowadays tend to double as movies (Uncharted 4, Marvel’s Spider-Man)— but as far as hobbies go, video games join movies as one of my favorites.

I can see why there’s nothing like escaping into -and joyously losing hours of your life- in a video game.

Cue the countdown. Video game systems decided by mileage. I’ve never had an Xbox.

Honorable Mention: Injustice 2 (PS4)

The Mortal Kombat style of play is admittedly not my computer generated cup of tea. However, I have to mention the Injustice sequel because of its story. Frank Miller’s The Dark Knight Returns is the historical choice when pitting Batman versus Superman. However, the tale Injustice spins over the course of two games is really fantastic. The first game also spawned a comic, which is one of my favorites.

92. NBA 2K Mobile (..Mobile)

Eh, why not? It’s obviously not the NBA sim that the console game is, but it’s one of the better published progression games. Straightforward but more than acceptable.

91. Spider-Man: Unlimited (Mobile)

A free-running game that helped pass a lot of time during a series of horrible jobs in 2014.

90. Until Dawn (PS4)

It’s highly cinematic and there’s a lot of just wandering around, but it’s actually a really good horror movie trapped in a game's body.

89. Lemony Snicket's A Series of Unfortunate Events (PS2)

Maybe this is my love for the book series talking, but I enjoyed the game. The story --er, the stories-- are just too good.

88. NCAA Football (PS3)

I'm admittedly not a big college sports fan but the NCAA Football series broke the mold with their career mode. Unfortunately, like Madden, the series deteriorated over time.

87. MLB Ballpark Empire (PC)

I have to include Ballpark Empire because holy cow was it fun. Introduced to me by a friend, it’s basically MVP Baseball franchise mode without playing the games. Such a blast. Unfortunately once you’re done, you’re done with it.

86. NASCAR The Game (PS3)

Unlike watching NASCAR, I had fun. And learned what drafting is.

85. FIFA (PS3)

FIFA: Fun If Friends Around

84. Spider-Man: Friend or Foe (PSP)

The PSP had its many limitations, but Friend or Foe made up for restrictive mechanics with an engaging story loosely based off the Sam Raimi movie trilogy.

83. Tony Hawk's Pro Skater (PS2)

I played this one all the time with my brother when I was younger. I am just as useless on a real skateboard.

82. The Dark Knight Rises (Mobile)

The mobile compliment to Christopher Nolan’s epic Batman finale stacked up nicely. It’s only ranked here and not higher because it was limited by its platform. As visually impressive it is and as fun as it could be, it had major performance issues.

81. NFL 2K (PS2)

Gameplay wise not my preference, but NFL 2K was way way way way way way ahead of the curve when it came to in-game presentation. Something Madden, for all of its glory years, still hasn’t mastered.

80. Major League Baseball featuring Ken Griffey Jr. (N64)

The Griffey Jr. games were a 90s Nintendo 64 staple, improving with technological and licensing advancements every year.

79. Spider-Man: Shattered Dimensions (PS3)

Even though they should be, Spider-Man games aren’t always about web swinging. It’s a tough thing to pull off technologically, especially in dated generations. For all the Spider-Man games, very few are open world/free roam. Shattered Dimensions is neither, but makes up for it with a creative story and unique comic book-y design.

78. GoldenEye 007 (N64)

I’m not much of a first-person shooter gamer for two main reasons. Guns scare me and I am just terrible at them. I’m the kind of guy who will line up a shot for a good 15-20 seconds and be dead long before I can even consider pulling the trigger. But GoldenEye was soooooo much fun.

77. Batman: Arkham Origins (Mobile)

A portable game attached to the console release Arkham Origins (coming up later), the phone version is mostly just boss fighting but it’s satisfying all the same.

76. NFL Fever (PC)

Just as much of a pain to play as older PC games (crashes, glitches, loading time, frame rate, etc.), there is absolutely no denying how fun it was. Dick Stockton’s commentary sticks with me over a decade —and several console changes— later.

75. Lego Marvel Super Heroes 2 (PS4)
Instead of expanding on the ambitious original, the sequel instead recreated scenes from the Marvel Cinematic Universe. When taking from such a splendid source, it works. But it never feels like its own thing.

74. High Heat Major League Baseball (PC)

Looking back, it doesn’t seem quite as impressive. But my 9-year old self was absolutely glued to this game.

73. Lego Marvel Super Heroes (PS4)

The first Lego Marvel game weaves its own expansive narrative, using pretty much the entire Marvel comics roster, while also capitalizing on the worldwide popularity of the burgeoning Marvel Cinematic Universe. It’s exciting to see all the different heroes and villains in one place.

72. Star Wars: The Clone Wars - Republic Heroes (PS3)

A low-profile release from the Star Wars empire, the game expands on the beloved Clone Wars TV series. It's fairly bare-bones in terms of gameplay, but more Clone Wars is always welcome.

71. Uncharted: Drake’s Fortune (PS3)

The first Uncharted game, in my exclusive opinion, is limited by its time. The later games utilized advancing technology to expand visuals, combat and gameplay. The first one is puzzle-heavy and required heavy message board consultation for yours truly.

70. Spider-Man (PS1)

Movie tie-in video games are usually rushed, uninspired finished products. The first four Spider-Man movie games are an exception to this rule. I spent way more than this game is actually worth in tokens to win it at some off-brand, don-’t-call-me Dave & Buster’s when I was 10. Then spent the night at my friend Kyle’s house and played it until we saw the sun. Selective memory for the win.

69. The Sims (PC) No matter what I did, the frikkin social worker ALWAYS took my baby!

68. Triple Play Baseball (PC)

When it wasn’t crashing on me, this game was amazing. Was also my first baseball video game in 1997.

67. Pokémon Stadium (N64)

Another Nintendo 64 classic, Pokémon games have gotten the shaft when it comes to consoles. Until very recently, most games with Ash, Pikachu and the gang were limited to GameBoy (also stay tuned) and then the Pokémon GO revolution of 2016.
66. Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order (PS4)
The first non-Battlefront effort from the Disney/EA team is one of the most beautiful games I will ever play. The scenic planets of Star Wars lend itself to such, but modern video game tech allows you to really go for the open world. This is also Fallen Order's most glaring problem as the map requires you to retread entire levels and some of the quests and puzzles are ridiculously complicated.

65. Uncharted: The Lost Legacy (PS4)

The non-Nathan Drake Uncharted game is as graphically impressive as its siblings, but I found myself missing Drake, Sully and Elena.

64. Wii Sports (Nintendo Wii)

The Wii games were what they were, but they were fun all the same. Tennis was my favorite by far.

63. NFL Blitz (N64)

Before MLB Slugfest (stay tuned) made baseball a true contact sport, NFL Blitz transformed the NFL from contact sport to epic Roman gladiator battle royale. Epic, indeed.

62. Marvel: Contest of Champions (Mobile)

Games on your phone have inherent limitations, and Contest of Champions didn’t get to where it is by being graphically impressive or having a story mode. However, I really can’t think of any other mobile game ever that I played more than this. I’m still playing it. It’s a perfect time-passer yet it's also extremely rewarding, introducing new game modes like quests and wars for your alliance’s to play in. Like any mobile game, there’s the dreaded pay-to-upgrade structure, but it’s not vital to the Contest.

61. Cars (PSP)

The PSP never really took off. It kind of missed its window and playing sports games on it was more trouble than anything. But the game for the movie of the same name was a lot of fun. Simple racing game hits the spot.

60. Saints Row IV (PS4)

Saints Row elects you as President of the United States and the whole thing is just one big gag. (That joke used to not write itself.)

59. Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart (PS5)

I admit the wacky theatrics of this franchise are somewhat lost on me, but there is no doubt the heart and fun at the core of this game and these characters. Insomniac continues to deliver with their top IP's and despite a pretty juvenile narrative, Rift Apart takes advantage of the PS5's capabilities and is a good, clean time.

58. Star Wars: Battlefront (PS4)

Like I've said, I am just dreadful at first-person shooters, but the beautiful video game scenery created in Battlefront, EA’s first big partnership with Lucasfilm Games (formerly LucasArts - RIP) is really something to behold. No story mode and a lot of pay-to-play/upgrade/have fun blockage got in the way of what could have been a brilliant journey to the galaxy far, far away.

57. Deadpool (PS4)

With the incomparable voice talents of Nolan North as Wade Wilson/Deadpool/my Valentine, everyone’s favorite foul/smart-mouthed superhero gets his own game and it is a ton of fun. Gun combat and gadget trickery are fun to mess around with. Level design and writing are funny and smart, throwing you right into the game with a loony premise.

56. Backyard Sports (PC)

All of the Backyard games were great, especially baseball and football for me. The mix of likable custom players like Pablo Sanchez and real-life superstars like Pudge Rodriguez somehow worked wonders.

55. MLB 2K (PS3)

When the beloved MVP Baseball franchise shut down, there was a time before I dove into MLB The Show and played 2K’s baseball game. 2K retired their baseball division in 2013, reeling from me leaving the company after 2008.

54. Marvel: Ultimate Alliance (PS3)

A low-res button-masher that still well captures the spirit of being an Avenger. Or an X-Men. Or a member of the Fantastic Four. You control one hero at a time, but a roster of four is always at your disposal.

53. Wolfenstein II: The Old Colossus (PS4)

The easiest difficulty in the Wolfenstein games is indicated by a bib and pacifier. That’s unfortunately the best I could do in this sequel.

52. Watch Dogs 2 (PS4)

I ordered Domino’s on a 2017 Saturday night and played a lot of Watch Dogs 2. Good times!

51. Lego Star Wars: The Complete Saga (PS3)

Relive the monumental saga with the legitimately funny, creative wit of the Lego team.

50. Tiny Tina's Wonderlands (PS4)

It's Dungeons & Dragons meets Borderlands and I'm obsessed with the second one. I didn't invest much into the story of this spinoff, but the gameplay and writing is still up to the signature Borderlands standard and makes for a super fun time, even if the story or characters don't interest me.

49. Star Wars Jedi: Survivor (PS5)

My biggest gripe with its predecessor Fallen Order was the lack of a fast travel feature. Once you completed a level, you had to go all the way back through it to get to your ship. Thankfully, the developers patched this hole in the sequel. The story this time around isn't as well told --and I still found the game's combat system pretty janky, particularly its parry and dodge system-- but it's a lot of fun and breathtaking to simply take in.

48. Uncharted 3: Drake’s Deception (PS3)

How I met your Sully!

47. Spider-Man: Edge of Time (PS3)

The unofficial sequel to Shattered Dimensions, Edge of Time has an engaging story divided by modern day Spider-Man and Spider-Man 2099. A good combat system makes up for the restricted level design.

46. Disney’s Tarzan (PC)

Kind of difficult for a kid’s game! Or maybe I was just a kid. Either way, that Sabor fight was a toughie!

45. Uncharted 2: Among Thieves (PS3)

The second Uncharted starts off with quite the cliffhanger. For real though, in a series studded with beautiful visuals, the snow-capped peaks and the villages of Tibet are some of the finest. I wonder if Doctor Strange was there at the time.

44. Disney Infinity: Marvel Super Heroes (PS4)

An odd gaming model, where you have to buy physical figures to play as that character in the game. Connected to a sensor pad that plugs into your PlayStation. It’s as cumbersome as it sounds, but there aren’t a lot of super hero games on next-gen consoles. Flying characters like Thor and Iron Man are a good time, though I usually gravitated back towards Cap.

43. Pokémon Yellow (GameBoy Color!)

Unsure if GameBoy and GameBoy Color needed separation but man those were good times. Technology has changed the world in many ways, but the 90s and GameBoy’s look absolutely archaic. However, like the Nintendo, sometimes simpler is better.

42. Marvel's Guardians of the Galaxy (PS4)

Opposed to the other Guardians of the Galaxy... but, you know, branding. As far as kicking back and having a good time, Guardians delivers exactly where Marvel's Avengers failed a year prior. It's unfortunate you can't play as more than Star-Lord, and the game's writing/character banter is sometimes annoying, but this is simply a ton of fun.

41. Star Wars: The Old Republic (PC)

There are just a handful of computer games on here. It’s never been my preference to access a game via keyboard. Just never got the hang of it. But for The Old Republic, I went to great lengths to conquer my weak keyboard skills just to live in this extended Star Wars universe.

40. God of War (PS4)

A reboot to the God of War franchise that began 13 years and two console generations earlier, this incarnation sees Kratos and company jump (without much of an explanation) from the halls of Greece to the Nine Realms. The story is basically a singular father-son mission with the rest of the narrative branching out like the tree of Yggradsil. I usually detest the idea of a plot that is constantly interrupted - but through solid storytelling quality and the beauty of the game itself - it works.

39. Borderlands: The Pre-Sequel (PS4)

The Borderlands franchise is absurd in every single way. A feat in creativity, storytelling and fun. It makes up for frustrating maps and travel. *Hold L3 to run.* Claptrap is the man. Or thing. He’s the entity!

38. The Amazing Spider-Man (PS3)

Tie-in video games, as I said earlier, are usually not successful. But when they do succeed, they do well to separate themselves as best they can from the movie plot that they sibling. The first Amazing Spider-Man game takes on a whole new story, and reaps the benefits. The 2018 blockbuster game (which is to come) perhaps inadvertently (or perhaps not) took some inspiration from the 2012 game’s narrative.

37. Infamous Second Son (PS4)

One of the first games I played on my shiny new PS4, I was surprised by this one as I hadn’t heard of it. In fact, why did I even pick it up? GameStop credit for days.

36. MLB Slugfest (PS2)

Baseball is often criticized for being too slow, lacking physical contact and taking forever for anything to happen. Well, throw in some jump-kicks and a turbo meter designed to ignite supreme violence and you have a much, much more exciting game. Weapons aren’t hard to find in a sport with a ball, bats and cleats. Also shoutout to the A-Rod cover.

Coming up…

35. Dying Light 2: Stay Human (PS4)

If Dying Light 2 was a movie, it would be an immense disappointment. The story in the sequel to one of my all-timers (see below) is a big bust. The zombies become a complete afterthought, and are almost a distraction to the story and missions in Stay Human. The focus is on the humans and how they still can't get along even after a zombie apocalypse. Seems true enough, but I'm playing a zombie game for the zombies. Still, the gameplay is addicting which gives this highly-anticipated sequel a very great score.

34. Spider-Man 3 (PS3)

I actually called someone (who, I absolutely could not tell you) to vent about not being able to beat one of the Lizard levels. I was fuming. And crying. My dad had to console me (no pun intended). He was not happy to do it. As infuriating as this game could be —it literally features a “fury” mode— it was too much fun to put down and the story is uncharacteristically strong and expansive for a movie tie-in.

33. Wolfenstein: The New Order (PS4)

I’m pretty incompetent when it comes to gun games, but I felt pretty cool humming the Winter Soldier theme and mowing down Nazis.

32. NBA Street (PS2)

In-N-Out like a fast food restaurant! Off the heezy! Vol. 2 is an all-timer.

31. Roller Coaster Tycoon (PC)

I don't love roller coasters. But I loved building them. Theme park designers are heroes without capes.

30. Borderlands (PS3)

Again, the only possible complaints I could have about the Borderlands games (until 3) are a confusing map, shoddy health bar and having to run everywhere. Fast travel, cars (and freedom) are present but a little sluggish.

29. Spider-Man: Miles Morales (PS4)

Hot off the heels of 2018's massive success, the Marvel's Spider-Man franchise swung ahead with a quasi-spinoff starring Miles Morales. It's an upgrade in everything a game should improve on - graphics, gameplay, accessibility - but the quick development cycle definitely affected what ends up a hectically paced and predictable story.

28. Ghost of Tsushima (PS4)

Modern-day video games should be great. The technology available to video game companies nowadays is why. Ghost of Tsushima takes everything that a game made in 2020 should be, and makes it a reality. Graphics, story, combat, accessibility, playability, flexibility...it's all there in what should have been 2020's Game of the Year.

27. Marvel's Spider-Man 2 (PS5)

Spider-Man 2 is extremely fun. It's also way too short and comes with a disturbing amount of post-game content. Traversing around a massive New York is unbelievably picturesque and combat once again does the trick. However, the sequel's story seems to move too slow before going way too fast, a pacing issue for a narrative that needed more time to breathe. As far as enjoyment, it's a master class. As a story, it misses the mark and mishandles Peter Parker, who spends half the game apologizing, while setting up Miles Morales (and Mary Jane...) as a far too overpowered Spider-Man.

26. Hogwarts Legacy (PS5)

My first several hours with Hogwarts Legacy were not memorable. Then I got my broom. My last twenty-plus hours were a dream. Never have I ever experienced an open world like this and traversing it with a broom or hippogriff is... wait for it... magical. Engaging combat is a fun surprise and this game is a must for any fan of the Harry Potter franchise.

25. Star Wars: The Force Unleashed II (PS3)

In typical Star Wars fashion, a story that seemed like it couldn’t possibly continue earned a sequel. When it’s a completely fictional galaxy, you can bend the rules. Before Starkiller was a souped up Death Star, it was a man. And that man was Darth Vader’s OP apprentice.

24. Mario Kart 64 (N64)

Sometimes the simpler things are best, like race car driving with flying turtle shells and exploding banana peels.

23. God of War: Ragnarok (PS5)

November 2020: The PlayStation 5 comes out. November 2022: I finally find one on the kosher market. It came with God of War: Ragnarok, which was my first foray into this Sony flagship title. Whether it was the next-(next-next-next)gen upgrade or this being the closest I may ever get to a worthy Thor video game experience, this game Ragna-rocks.

22. Super Smash Bros (N64)

Back when I had friends, there was no game better to share.

21. NBA Live (PS2)

Now merely serving as a footnote to the NBA 2K series, there was a time, way back when, that EA Sports was a finely tuned machine and had the best basketball game on the market.

That’s right, Ben Wallace played for the Bulls

20. Madden (PS3)

While NBA Live has fallen off, Madden also seems to be a shell of itself. But there was a time, in the early 2000’s and really up to Madden 25 in 2014, that the football sim was the best sports game on the market.

19. Marvel: Ultimate Alliance 2 (PS3)

Reading Mark Millar’s groundbreaking Civil War comic, you’re tempted to fantasize about it becoming a video game. Well, here ya go. (With an assist from Brian Michael Bendis’ Nick Fury fueled Secret War as prologue with a dash of Thunderbolts.)

18. Borderlands 3 (PS4)
Borderlands 3 has the same charm, comedy, absurdity and fun as its predecessors and while the story and new villains may not reach Handsome Jack-ian levels, the technological, next-gen upgrades and implementation of a proper fast travel system make it another fantastic entry in this underrated video game franchise.

17. Watch Dogs (PS4)

The first Watch Dogs protagonist, Aiden Pearce, is one of my favorite video game characters. He kind of reminds me of John Wick. I enjoyed taking names and kicking butt via his personage. This game truly defines open world and the detail in the streets of Chicago is remarkable. (I assume - I've never been.)

16. NBA 2K (PS3)

I switched from Live to 2K sometime between NBA Live 08 and NBA 2K10. Lets confidently call it 2009. I spent way too many high school days coming home for lunch, turning on 2K, and then not turning it off. Shoutout to the 10 minute quarter club.

15. Borderlands 2 (PS4)

Another thing Borderlands is so great at is content, content, content. There are many ways to skin this particular cat, through many levels and side missions, and they are all gratifying. (Not that skinning a cat is.) B2 introduces the Handsome Jack narrative and I can't wait for the movie in 2050. (2020 edit: It's happening a lot sooner.)

14. Uncharted 4: A Thief’s End (PS4)

The final chapter in the Nathan Drake story plays out like a movie that I’d see opening night and then again Saturday afternoon. If there’s a crack in Uncharted’s armor, it’s the emphasis on cinematics. For someone who can’t aim a video game gun —and is a movie lover— that’s quite alright with me.

13. Captain America: Super Soldier (PS3)

Before Marvel’s movie universe took over, they released video game tie-ins with their movies. Iron Man, The Incredible Hulk, Iron Man 2, Thor and Captain America received companions. Cap’s SEGA game somehow ended up strong amongst disappointing company, boasting slick combat and Chris Evans’ actual voice.

12. Dying Light (PS4)

As my movie lists will indicate, I’m a big fan of the Zombie-pocalypse genre. Dying Light seems to take some very specific inspiration from the fantastic I Am Legend, with a terrifying night mode that I mostly stayed the hell away from. (2020 edit: I survived the night!) (2022 edit: Oops, I did it again!)

11. Arkham Asylum (PS3)

Enter the greatest video game franchise ever. The Arkham’s. Asylum deserves better than fourth out of four, but somebody had to finish last. The first game in the series is limited by the technology of its time, but plants the seeds (and a bunch of Poison Ivy's plants) for a legendary future.

10. Marvel’s Spider-Man (PS4)

With great expectations, comes great responsibility. The aesthetically scintillating Spidey game is expected to finally open the door for next-gen super hero video games. If they’re anything like this, we’re in for good times ahead.

9. Arkham Origins (PS3)

The developers at WB Montreal stretched this game to the PS3's limits and I had some lagging frame rate issues, but it's hard to ignore how good the Arkham prequel is. From a different studio than the other three games, Origins adds a very worthy chapter to the precious collection. It also claims the best score of the all-time series (from Christopher Drake), an easy way to my heart. Maybe I just love prequels.

8. The Last of Us (PS4)

Take the gameplay delight of Dying Light and pair it with the narrative prowess of Uncharted (made by the same developer NaughtyDog) and you have The Last of Us.

7. MLB The Show (PS4)

Video games became a part of my life because of sports games. Now, with an exception of a rare dip into a Madden, MLB The Show (affectionately referred to in my inner circle as “TS”) is my sole sports game. If franchise mode got some love, it could be number one.

6. Star Wars: The Force Unleashed (PS3)

The Force Unleashed isn’t just a game, it was solidified into Star Wars canon before new ownership wiped it like C-3PO's mind at the end of Revenge of the Sith. It takes some liberties, introducing a crucial new face of incomprehensible power who inadvertently helps start the Rebellion, but expanding the mythos of the galaxy far, far away is a great ride and starting the game as Darth Vader is as emphatic as John Williams' opening score.

5. Arkham Knight (PS4)

All great things must come to an end. Even the Arkham franchise. An over-reliance on the long-awaited Batmobile can be distracting, but at the same time the wait is worth it. The move to next-gen for the series produced some truly awe-inspiring moments and one of the most impressive games I’ll ever play in terms of graphics, AI and writing.

4. Star Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sith (PS2)

The game pretty much follows the movie, but seeing as how it’s my favorite movie of all time, I’m more than happy to relive things through Anakin and Obi-Wan. Not just that, but the lightsaber combat is epic. That’s a must for a Star Wars game.

3. Spider-Man 2 (PS2)

And a must for a Spider-Man game is web swinging. In 2004, Treyarch proved many years ahead of the video game times and delivered a Spider-Man game for all time.

2. Arkham City (PS3)

Replay ability isn’t something a game really needs. But with the sequel to the smash hit Arkham Asylum, Arkham City takes the cake for personal playthroughs.

1. MVP Baseball (PS2)

Best soundtrack ever. Franchise customization. Stadium creator. John Dowd. MVP Baseball is peak video game fun. Not just for sports but, for me, any game every burned to disc.