What Games Have Gotten a 10 on IGN? Exploring the Best of the Best

IGN is one of the most trusted names in gaming journalism, and their reviews can make or break a game's reputation. When a game gets a 10 on IGN, it's a rare and prestigious honor that only a handful of titles have achieved. But what exactly does a 10 on IGN mean? And what games have earned this coveted score? Let's dive in and find out.

What Does a 10 on IGN Mean?

First things first: what does a 10 on IGN actually signify? According to IGN themselves, a 10 is a "Masterpiece" rating that represents a game that is "virtually perfect" and "a shining example of what can be achieved in this medium." In other words, it's the highest possible score a game can receive, and it's reserved for only the very best of the best.

The Games That Have Gotten a 10 on IGN

So, which games have earned this rare and coveted honor? Here are all the games that have received a 10 on IGN:

The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time
GoldenEye 007
Perfect Dark
Metal Gear Solid
Gran Turismo
Grand Theft Auto IV
LittleBigPlanet
Uncharted 2: Among Thieves
The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild
Super Mario Odyssey

As you can see, the list of 10-rated games is relatively short. In fact, there are only ten games that have earned this score in the entire history of IGN's reviews. However, it's worth noting that IGN has only been around since 1996, so there are certainly other games that could have earned a 10 if they had been reviewed by the site.

The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time

The first game to ever receive a 10 on IGN was The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time, which was released for the Nintendo 64 in 1998. This game is widely regarded as one of the greatest games of all time, and it's often cited as a landmark title that pushed the boundaries of what was possible in game design.

Ocarina of Time is an action-adventure game that follows Link, the hero of Hyrule, as he travels through time and battles against the evil Ganondorf. The game is known for its innovative gameplay mechanics, memorable characters, and beautiful soundtrack. It's a true masterpiece that has stood the test of time and continues to be beloved by gamers of all ages.

GoldenEye 007

GoldenEye 007 was released for the Nintendo 64 in 1997, and it quickly became one of the most influential first-person shooters of all time. This game was a landmark title that helped popularize the genre and set the standard for future FPS games.

GoldenEye 007 is based on the James Bond film of the same name, and it features a single-player campaign that closely follows the plot of the movie. However, the game's true claim to fame is its multiplayer mode, which allowed up to four players to battle against each other in split-screen matches. This mode was incredibly popular and helped make GoldenEye 007 a cultural phenomenon.

Perfect Dark

Perfect Dark is a spiritual successor to GoldenEye 007, and it was also developed by Rare for the Nintendo 64. This game was released in 2000, and it's often cited as one of the best first-person shooters of all time.

Perfect Dark features a single-player campaign that follows Joanna Dark, a secret agent who must stop an alien conspiracy. The game's storyline is complex and engaging, and it's backed up by tight gameplay mechanics and impressive visuals. In addition to its single-player mode, Perfect Dark also features a robust multiplayer mode that allowed up to four players to battle against each other online.

Metal Gear Solid

Metal Gear Solid was released for the PlayStation in 1998, and it quickly became one of the most beloved games of all time. This game is a stealth-action title that follows Solid Snake, a special forces operative who must infiltrate a nuclear weapons facility and stop a terrorist group from launching a nuclear strike.

Metal Gear Solid is known for its complex storyline, memorable characters, and innovative gameplay mechanics. The game was one of the first to use stealth as a major gameplay element, and it helped popularize the genre. Metal Gear Solid is a masterpiece that has stood the test of time, and it continues to be beloved by gamers of all ages.

Gran Turismo

Gran Turismo was released for the PlayStation in 1997, and it quickly became one of the most popular racing games of all time. This game features a huge roster of cars and tracks, and it's known for its realistic driving physics and impressive visuals.

Gran Turismo was a landmark title that helped popularize the racing genre, and it's often cited as one of the best racing games of all time. The game's attention to detail and realistic gameplay mechanics set a new standard for racing games, and it continues to be beloved by fans of the genre.

Grand Theft Auto IV

Grand Theft Auto IV was released for the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 in 2008, and it quickly became one of the most controversial and successful games of all time. This game is an open-world action-adventure title that follows Niko Bellic, an Eastern European immigrant who comes to Liberty City to start a new life.

Grand Theft Auto IV is known for its mature storyline, complex characters, and impressive visuals. The game's open-world design allows players to explore a massive city and engage in a wide variety of activities, from driving cars to committing crimes. Grand Theft Auto IV is a landmark title that helped set the standard for open-world games, and it continues to be beloved by gamers of all ages.

LittleBigPlanet

LittleBigPlanet was released for the PlayStation 3 in 2008, and it quickly became one of the most innovative and beloved games of all time. This game is a platformer that allows players to create and share their own levels with the world.

LittleBigPlanet is known for its charming art style, impressive physics engine, and robust level editor. The game's user-generated content has allowed players to create an endless supply of levels, and it's helped foster a vibrant community of gamers who are passionate about creating and sharing their own content.

Uncharted 2: Among Thieves

Uncharted 2: Among Thieves was released for the PlayStation 3 in 2009, and it quickly became one of the most beloved and critically acclaimed games of all time. This game is an action-adventure title that follows Nathan Drake, a treasure hunter who must travel the world to uncover ancient artifacts.

Uncharted 2 is known for its engaging storyline, memorable characters, and impressive visuals. The game's set pieces, which include a thrilling train sequence and a harrowing escape from a collapsing building, are some of the most memorable moments in gaming history. Uncharted 2 is a masterpiece that helped set the standard for action-adventure games, and it continues to be beloved by fans of the genre.

The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild

The most recent game to receive a 10 on IGN is The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, which was released for the Nintendo Switch in 2017. This game is an open-world action-adventure title that follows Link as he travels through the land of Hyrule to defeat the evil Calamity Ganon.

Breath of the Wild is known for its massive open world, engaging gameplay mechanics, and beautiful visuals. The game's open-world design allows players to explore a vast and diverse landscape, and its physics engine allows for a wide variety of creative solutions to puzzles and combat encounters. Breath of the Wild is a true masterpiece that has helped redefine the open-world genre, and it's widely regarded as one of the best games of all time.

Super Mario Odyssey

The most recent game to receive a 10 on IGN before Breath of the Wild was Super Mario Odyssey, which was released for the Nintendo Switch in 2017. This game is a platformer that follows Mario as he travels through various kingdoms in search of Power Moons, which are needed to power his airship and rescue Princess Peach from Bowser.

Super Mario Odyssey is known for its inventive gameplay mechanics, charming art style, and catchy soundtrack. The game's "capture" mechanic, which allows Mario to possess various creatures and objects in the game world, adds a new layer of depth and creativity to the platforming genre. Super Mario Odyssey is a true masterpiece that has helped cement Mario's place as one of the greatest characters in gaming history.

Conclusion

So, there you have it: all the games that have received a 10 on IGN, and what makes them so special. These games are all true masterpieces that have helped shape the gaming industry and push the boundaries of what's possible in game design. If you're looking for some of the best games of all time, you can't go wrong with any of these titles. Happy gaming!