This month, Edge Magazine unveiled their December 2023 issue, which was dedicated to a comprehensive examination and ranking of the greatest games released in the last three decades. Seen in the list’s top five were not one, but two Zelda games, outpacing legendary titles such as Resident Evil 4 and Elden Ring. The “greatness” of a video game can be hard to quantify, especially since games are hugely variable in factors such as genre and length, but it often takes into account both the resounding influence of the game and its enduring quality.
Over a hundred collaborators from across the gaming industry voted on the list. The credits for the ranking’s panel, as well as the list itself, can be found on ResetEra thanks to user cvbas. Breath of the Wild claims the top spot, placing just above Dark Souls and Super Mario 64. Meanwhile, Ocarina of Time tails right behind them, surpassing the aforementioned Resident Evil 4, in addition to Halo: Combat Evolved and Half-Life 2. Lower down in the rankings, Tears of the Kingdom perches at #20, a remarkable achievement given its recency, and The Wind Waker clocks in at #87.
Beyond just the games listed and the order in which they appear, the magazine goes in-depth on each inclusion. The full edition is worth a read; you can shop for it here. At the time of writing, physical stock is sold out, but the ‘zine is available in digital, presented with a marvelous collage of references to gaming history on its cover.
