The debate over what title is the greatest video game ever has raged for decades and only seems to become fiercer over time. In most cases, fans who have loyalty to the specific games they've spent hours playing are the ones expressing their often interesting opinions. On one occasion, a group of developers, directors, and other experts named Nintendo's The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild as the best game ever.
Why 'The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild' Was Named the 'Greatest Video Game of All Time'
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In May 2023, GQ published an article titled, "The 100 Greatest Video Games of All Time, Ranked by Experts." That list named The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild as the single best title ever released, surpassing every other legendary game in the history of the industry.
The article's explanation for the choice mainly focused on its open-world format, which allows gamers to have such an incredibly varied and fun experience. "Nintendo’s magnificent Switch launch game changed how many saw open-world experiences. Vast in size, deeply systemic, with a completely freeform approach to exploration, combat and puzzles. Few games match its scope for experimental play opportunities, and few give the player so much sense of authority over their own discoveries."
GQ named all 239 people who got to vote on the ranking and what their connection to the video game industry was. While some of the voters were streamers, journalists, or podcasters, most were credited with working on video games. Each person was asked to contribute their choices for the top 10 games of all time, and then every named game was awarded points under the following system: "A game in first receives 10 points. A game in 10th place receives 1 point." The ranking was based solely on which of the 652 games that earned points received the highest totals.
The article also detailed something impressive that The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild pulled off in the voting. "Our winner not only received the most votes, but also placed in people’s Number 1 more than any other rival."
The Top 10: GQ's Greatest Video Games of all time, Ranked by Experts
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10. Half-Life 2 (2004)
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9. Dark Souls (2011)
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8. Portal 2 (2011)
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7. Metal Gear Solid (1998)
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6. Mass Effect 2 (2010)
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5. The Witcher III: Wild Hunt (2015)
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4. Bloodborne (2015)
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3. Tetris (1985)
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2. The Last of Us (2013)
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1. The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild (2017)
'The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild' Was a Huge Hit
In addition to becoming extremely acclaimed, The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild was also a massive commercial success. According to a past Nintendo list, it became the fourth best-selling Switch title ever, with 33.64 million units sold at the time.
It is your chance to weigh in on what the greatest video game of all time is in the poll below:
This story was originally published by Men's Journal on May 2, 2026, where it first appeared in the News section. Add Men's Journal as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
