Many people believe that hardly any games get a 10/10 rating on IGN. However, that couldn’t be further from the truth. Numerous games from recent memories (and classics from a decade back) have all received IGN’s highest honor. It is safe to say that many people do not agree with what games get the best reviews. However, just remember that these ratings are just someone’s opinion so don’t get too angry over it as everyone is allowed an opinion. Even you!
Even though there are games that have received a 10/10 rating, there are a few games that have just fallen short. Some of today’s most beloved video games have fallen just short. Now, when I say they just fell short, I’m talking about half a point off being top rated.
I must warn you before you read this list. Your favorite game didn’t necessarily make the cut. Now, don’t take your anger out on IGN because your beloved game didn’t get a 10/10 rating. After all, as long as you think the game is top rated that’s all that matters. Now I believe it is time to start this list of games IGN gave a 10/10 to, and some that fell just short of perfect.
20 The Original Sensation In Your Pocket
Pokémon Red (and Blue) (10/10)
Well, Pokémon really did take its slogan to heart — it absolutely did catch all the reviews. This Pokémon game brought players on a fantastic journey to the mysterious world of Kanto. In case you forgot, Kanto was where Pikachu, Charmander, and other Pokémon were first discovered. While you are exploring Kanto, you will take part in a variety of different battles, and you will also be able to discover up to 150 different Pokémon. The main reason this game was given the score of 10/10 was because when you complete the game there are still more Pokémon to catch. Overall, this hugely successful pop culture game is top rated because the real challenge is to catch them all — which is no small task. The original Pokémon games have content galore.
19 Did The Best GTA Game Just Get Shafted?
Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas (9.9/10)
In case you didn’t know, Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas is the seventh title in the Grand Theft Auto franchise. Now, I know some of you are probably surprised that this game didn’t get a 10/10 rating. After all, this title to date is the best-selling game of all time on the PlayStation 2. The reason why the game got such a high score on IGN is that they loved the presentation of the fictional cities in the state of San Andreas. Cities such as Los Santos are lovingly built and detailed — like Los Angeles was in the 1990s. Now, even though they loved how historically accurate the game is the reason they didn’t give the game the top marks because of its graphical problems; streaming issues which plague the game’s chances of getting that 10/10 score.
18 2017’s Masterpiece
The Legend of Zelda: Breath of The Wild (10/10)
In many people’s opinion, this is the best Legend of Zelda game of all time. Part of the reason why this game is so loved is that it is basically impossible to complete. IGN’s critic, Jose Otero said that “Even after I’ve spent more than 50 hours searching the far reaches of Hyrule, I still manage to come across things I haven’t seen before.” Breath of the Wild is certainly an achievement in the industry — it’s hard to imagine any developer’s besting it for some time. You have to wonder if Nintendo is taking a hard-earned break after finishing its development, or if they’re already hard-at-work on the next installment in the venerable series.
17 The Best-Selling Original Xbox Game
Halo 2 (9.8/10)
Halo 2 is the second game in the Halo franchise, and it is loved for its multiplayer which created a lasting appeal for the game. However, this entry to the Halo franchise is the most controversial game in the entire series. This is because the game’s production team had a lot of time constraints when developing the game. This led them to make cuts, which resulted in the game having a dissatisfying cliff-hanger ending and multiple issues with graphics. These were the reasons to why IGN didn’t give it the top rating as they felt that the story was lackluster (and some of the trappings on the periphery weren’t a big enough improvement for their tastes either). Still, Halo 2 has a spot in a lot of gamers’ hearts.
16 Changing War For The Better
Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots (10/10)
It is safe to say that this Metal Gear Solid entry is by far the most loved entry in the entire franchise. This game is so popular that it is actually considered to be one of the seventh generation of console gaming’s most important titles. The video game made such a big impact in not only games but also hardware sales — it caused a massive boost in the sales for the PlayStation 3. The game was given the top-rated status by IGN because there is not one thing in this game that isn’t flawless. From the game’s entertaining plot all the way to the breath taking graphics this game has it all. Overall, it is not hard to see why Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots is so well received as the plot of the video game itself is worthy of a feature length film.
15 Don’t Tell Anyone Under 12 It Isn’t 10/10
Minecraft PS4 & Xbox One Versions (9.7/10) (PC Version: 9/10)
Before you attack IGN with pick axes that they didn’t give Minecraft a 10/10, you should hear all the positives they said about the game. The reason they gave the game such a high score is because of its everlasting appeal. The game is never ending because if you don’t like the world, you are building in you can just generate a new one. Now, the main reason to why this popular title didn’t get the top-rated status is because IGN was not impressed with the presentation of the game. IGN thought that the game didn’t include enough in-game information, and that setting up multiplayer was too much of a chore.
14 A Top Rated Destination
Grand Theft Auto V (10/10)
There’s no arguing that Grand Theft Auto V is a masterpiece. IGN found it virtually impossible to find anything wrong with this title. Everything from the nail biting story, all the way to the multiplayer, you will never run out of things to do in the city of Los Santos. It is important to mention that the reason this entry in the franchise was given the top rating and others such as Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas weren’t, because of the graphics. The graphics are so realistic in Grand Theft Auto V that you actually feel that you are a citizen in Los Santos doing everyday activities such as shopping all the way to completing heists.
13 This Feels Wrong
Mass Effect 2 (9.6/10)
When Mass Effect 2 first came out in the markets, it received critical acclaim. Its interactive storytelling and lasting appeal are incredible to this day. However, Mass Effect 2 in IGN’s book is not a top-rated game, and there are a few reasons for that. For example, the reviewers at IGN thought that the game wouldn’t suit everyone’s taste. This is because, in typical Mass Effect fashion, there is a lot of chatting throughout the game. It straddles the line between epic RPG and action-based shooter — which most gamers would agree is its strong suit. Still, IGN loved the game — after all, 9.6 isn’t too shabby … but come on! Mass Effect 2!
12 Out Of This World!
Super Mario Galaxy 2 (10/10)
This game is not only one of the most impressive Mario video games but also out of all video games in general. For example, this game is on the list of the “Greatest Video Games of All Time.” Between its breath taking graphics and incredible level design, IGN couldn’t resist giving Mario’s first outing on the Wii a perfect score. For more information about the Super Mario Galaxy series you should check out the article “Super Mario Galaxy: 20 Things You Had No Idea About.” Galaxy’s inclusion in this list should come as no surprise, any self-respecting gamer can appreciate this title’s greatness. A 10/10 through and through.
11 This Game Isn’t Top Rated? Be Prepared For An Arrow To The Knee!
The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim (9.5/10)
To this day, a lot of gamers consider Skyrim one of the greatest games of all time. That being said, it’s easy to pin-point why IGN decided to shave a few points off of its score. Already figured it out? Yes, Skyrim is a buggy mess. Moreover, when it released in 2011, the PlayStation 3 version of the game was completely borked — causing a lot of players to lose their progress, their time, and their minds. However, it’s indicative of the game’s quality that this long after its release gamers are still talking about this magnificent open-world RPG from Bethesda.
10 Finding The Treasure
Uncharted 3: Drake’s Deception (10/10)
Uncharted 3: Drake’s Deception was the final installment of Uncharted for the PlayStation 3. For obvious reason, fans of the series were excited to see this entry through to completion. And although 3 has lost a bit of its shine since release, it’s hard to argue that Uncharted 3 isn’t a technical feat for the PS3. IGN obvious loved Uncharted 3 — what’s surprising is that they loved it even more than Uncharted 2. Needless to say, Uncharted 4 was also an achievement in its own right, one that a love of fans of the series weren’t expecting to ever see.
9 This God Isn’t The Best After All
God of War (9.8/10)
This is the first game in the God of War franchise, and it is one of the more successful entries in the series. For example, the game has sold over 4.6 million copies, and that made it the eleventh best-selling PlayStation 2 game of all time. This game is so successful that IGN themselves decided to name it the seventh best game of all time for the PlayStation two console. IGN docked God of War several points for mechanical issues with the game, for example being attacked by enemies off screen. However, it is worth mentioning that one of the reason that the game is so loved by IGN is the game’s presentation. God of War features includes the heart stopping graphics and a soundtrack so beautiful it could win an Oscar.
8 If This Game Wasn’t Top Rated, It Would Be Soul Crushing
Soulcalibur (10/10)
There are many reasons to why IGN gave this weapon-based 3D fighting game such a glowing review. First off, you will never get tired of the game because there is always a new character or weapon to unlock which will keep you motivated to keep playing. The presentation of the game itself is just incredible. Thanks to quick loading times, and incredible environments, Soulcalibur keeps you on the edge of your seat. The game’s mechanics and presentation make it an experience with lasting appeal, and IGN saw this greatness off the bat.
7 Wait, This Game Isn’t 10/10? Where’s The Bounty Hunter?
Metroid Prime (9.8/10)
When this game was first released in 2002, it sold over a million copies in North America alone — it is just that successful. The game’s popularity earned it multiple game of the year awards, deservedly so. Eventually, this led to an enhanced version of the game, which was released for the original Wii in 2009. The main reason to why this game didn’t receive top marks from IGN is that sometimes the first person elements caused some issues with its exploration-based design. Hopefully, Metroid Prime 4 will fix any problems IGN had with the original. Luckily, we won’t have to wait too long with a Nintendo Switch version already announced.
6 A Winning Streak
Grand Theft Auto IV (10/10)
This is the second Grand Theft Auto entry on the list that a 10 out of 10, and there is a good reason for that. This open world game broke sales records and became the highest selling entertainment product of all time … for awhile. In the game’s first day in stores, it was able to garner $310 million and $500 million in its first week. Needless to say, IGN loved the first entry in the HD universe of Grand Theft Auto, and although controversial, it’s hard to argue with their 2008 assement. The story of Niko Bellic is a fascinating look at the American Dream — we’re nostalgic just thinkig about it.
5 Today We Call This A Reboot
Resident Evil 4 GameCube (9.8/10)
Resident Evil 4 set the world on fire when it released in 2005. The changes to the series’ core mechanics were so fresh and novel at the time that GameCube owner everywhere lost their collective minds. Ditching the shambling zombies from the series’ past entries and replacing them with slightly more ‘human’ looking mutations was a stroke of genius — and IGN took note. Still, it’s surprising that such an innovative title was just shy of a perfect review. Remember though, reviews are just opinions and clearly, IGN’s critic disagreed with the universal opinion that this game was a masterwork.
4 A Generational Swan Song
The Last of Us (10/10)
When this survival horror game was released in June 2013, it was met with universal acclaim. This prompted the game to sell over 1.3 million copies in its first week on the market. Many critics considered The Last of Us the swan song for the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 generation of consoles, making a masterwork of cinematic design married to core action gameplay (cover-based third-person shooting — what else?). Of course, like so many others, IGN was head over heels for The Last of Us, earning it a perfect 10/10 review. Naughty Dog deserves it — The Last of Us is a truly incredible game, and a crowning achievement in video game storytelling.
3 1998 Just Keeps On Giving
Metal Gear Solid (9.8/10)
The original Metal Gear Solid for the first PlayStation helped popularize the stealth genre. For millions of gamers, the series’ debut —that mixed spy hijinx with a wacky anime narrative— was unlike anything they had seen before. The game was eventually remade for the Nintendo GameCube. However, that version of the game is a bit less beloved because of changes they made the game’s perspective and cutscenes. It is absolutely thanks to games like the original Metal Gear Solid that we have cinematic video games today — and IGN noticed that right away. That being said, the critic who reviewed the game felt it was just shy of perfect. Sigh.
2 The Greatest Game Of All Time?
The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time (10/10)
This game is known by many to be the most successful game in The Legend of Zelda franchise. This is because in the years of 2008 and 2010 Guinness World Records listed it as the best-reviewed game in all of video game history. The reason to why this game is a top rated game by IGN is because of its superb gameplay. The gameplay has inspired so many other video games as the game introduced new features for 3D adventure games. For example, this game arguably made context-sensitive buttons and the popular target-lock system famous in 3D adventure games today. The graphics of this game are said to beautiful as there is a whole range of different lighting effects and different texture styles.
1 I Wonder If The Gravity Gun Could Manipulate The Score
Half-Life 2 (9.7/10)
I myself am quite surprised that this game isn’t top rated as people to this day are still begging for a Half-Life 3. The game is so popular mainly because of the gameplay. For example, in the game, you are able to drive, solve puzzles and, of course, take part in intense combat. The only reason that Half-Life 2 isn’t a top rated game is that there isn’t a lot of lasting appeal. What I mean by this is that you can obliviously play the story over and over again but what is there to do after that? IGN actually pointed out that they wished there would be more Half-Life multiplayer components as it would add to the lasting appeal of the game.
