Millennials’ Top 15 Video Games of All Time
If you grew up in the 1990s or early 2000s, video games meant as much to you as riding bikes house to house meant to Gen X. They were the plan after school, the reason you called a friend’s house, and the centerpiece of the weekend. From split screen campaigns to midnight launches at the mall, gaming shifted Millennial culture into the 21st century. The titles below shaped how an entire generation thinks about storytelling, competition, and replay value. These are the games millennials still reinstall, rebuy, and debate decades later.
Super Mario 64
Released in 1996 for the Nintendo 64, Super Mario 64 changed what players expected from 3D platformers. Its open levels, camera control, and precise movement made it a blueprint for everything that followed.
The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time
When Ocarina of Time launched in 1998 on the Nintendo 64, it set a new standard for action adventure design. Lock on targeting, cinematic storytelling, and a sweeping score made it a landmark release.
Halo 2
Halo 2 hit the original Xbox in 2004 and turned Xbox Live into a nightly ritual. Ranked matchmaking and competitive multiplayer reshaped how console shooters were played.
Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas
Released in 2004 for PlayStation 2, San Andreas offered a massive open world, RPG-style customization, and a soundtrack pulled straight from 90s radio. Few games felt bigger at the time.
Pokémon Red and Blue
Debuting in North America in 1998 on the Game Boy, Pokémon Red and Blue sparked playground trading and link cable battles everywhere. Catching all 151 became a shared mission.
The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim
Skyrim arrived in 2011 and quickly became a time sink for a generation entering adulthood. Its open ended quests and mod support kept it alive across multiple console generations.
Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare
Released in 2007, Modern Warfare shifted the Call of Duty series into a contemporary setting and introduced progression systems that defined online shooters for years.
The Sims
The Sims launched in 2000 and let players micromanage digital lives with surprising detail. Building houses and sabotaging virtual neighbours became equally common pastimes.
World of Warcraft
When World of Warcraft went live in 2004, it pulled millions into Azeroth. Guilds, raids, and late night dungeon runs became part of many millennials’ weekly routines.
GoldenEye 007
GoldenEye 007 released in 1997 on the Nintendo 64 and made four player split screen a staple of living rooms. Proximity mines and house rules kept matches going for hours.
Final Fantasy VII
Final Fantasy VII arrived on the original PlayStation in 1997 and introduced many Western players to Japanese RPGs. Its cinematic cutscenes and shocking character death still get discussed.
Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 2
Released in 2000, Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 2 refined the combo system and paired it with a soundtrack that defined the era. Landing a 900 never got old.
Minecraft
Minecraft’s full release in 2011 gave players a sandbox with almost no limits. Creative builds, survival servers, and YouTube tutorials helped it dominate the decade.
Mass Effect 2
Mass Effect 2 launched in 2010 and blended third person shooting with character driven storytelling. Player choices carried real weight across the trilogy.
Kingdom Hearts
Kingdom Hearts debuted in 2002 on PlayStation 2 and united Disney characters with Square’s RPG mechanics. For many millennials, it was their introduction to action RPG hybrids.