NEW YORK — The greatest video games of all time include FIFA, Mario Kart, and Sonic the Hedgehog, a new poll reveals. Interestingly, eight of the top 10 titles are more than 40 years-old, proving that gamers still love the classics!
The poll of 2,000 adults found three-quarters have played video games before, with 86 percent feeling a sense of nostalgia whenever something reminds them of these digital classics. As a result, the top 40 list features plenty of old favorites, including Tetris, Space Invaders, Donkey Kong, and Street Fighter.
However, football (soccer) favorite FIFA, which sees a new version of the game come out each year, takes the top spot with nearly a fifth of the vote. Lovable video game legend Mario is a character in two of the top three games — Mario Kart and Super Mario World. Meanwhile, Pac-Man and Grand Theft Auto round out the top five, with The Sims and Tomb Raider also making the list.
“There are some timeless classics on the list here, and a lot of them people are still playing to this day,” says a spokesperson for Lottoland.co.uk, which commissioned the survey, in a statement.
“With so many new games coming out all time – and with brilliant graphics to boot – it’s amazing to see that what we actually all want are the pixelated, cult classics that we grew up on. And it’s no different here – from Space Invaders to Street Fighter, our games are inspired by the best of the best. Who needs Tomb Raider when you’ve got Tetris?”
The survey also shows that 62 percent of gamers grew up playing some of these titles, with 58 percent of those who are parents now sharing their old favorites with their kids. Mario Kart and FIFA rank as the top games to play with kids, but 29 percent are also introducing their kids to Sonic the Hedgehog. Another 23 percent have played the retro block game Tetris with their children.
The poll finds being able to play with others is the best thing about video games for 38 percent of gamers. However, 17 percent enjoy playing simply because they are good at them.
The average gamer spends more than three hours a week battling it out in the digital world, owning 21 different games and spending nearly $50 a month on their hobby. When it comes to the greatest gaming consoles of all time, PlayStation comes out on top with its consoles making up four of the top five, alongside the Nintendo Wii.
The Xbox 360 finished eighth, behind the Sega Mega Drive and Nintendo Switch. However, the study, carried out by OnePoll, found 14 percent feel gaming will die out as technology advances, despite 54 percent believing they are still ahead of their time. One in three (36%) feel virtual reality headsets will eventually replace traditional arcade games.
“Technology will continue to grow and advance as the years go by, but there will always be room for video games that have stood the test of time,” Lottoland’s spokesperson adds.
Top 40 Greatest Video Games of All Time, As Voted By Fans:
- FIFA
- Mario Kart
- Super Mario World
- Grand Theft Auto
- Pac-Man
- Call of Duty
- Tetris
- Sonic the Hedgehog
- The Sims
- Space Invaders
- Tomb Raider
- Minecraft
- Donkey Kong
- Wii Sports
- Football Manager
- Pokémon
- Assassin’s Creed
- Street Fighter
- Crash Bandicoot
- Legend of Zelda
- Sim City
- Red Dead Redemption
- Guitar Hero
- Mortal Combat
- Resident Evil
- God of War
- Final Fantasy
- Fortnite
- Tekken
- Animal Crossing
- Need for Speed
- The Witcher
- The Last of Us
- Doom
- GoldenEye
- World of Warcraft
- Halo
- Fallout
- Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater
- Mega Man
72Point writer Mustafa Mirreh contributed to this report.
Uhhh…Dragon’s Lair?? One of only a few games in the smithsonian?????