The Top 32 Greatest Action Games Of All Time

Are y’all into action games which trim the fat and offer the most memorable experience gameplay-wise? Well, if that’s the case you’re in the right place, cause we got a mammoth list for y’all. In essence, today’s curation is all ‘bout celebratin’ the best offerings of the action gaming genre. Sometimes, it’s good to take retrospect and compare the new titles with the old ones to see how they stack up.

Case in point: We don’t wanna end up in a repeat situation where a game from a decade ago Assassin’s Creed IV Black Flag, is better than a 2024 quadruple A game release Skull & Bones. Seriously, that’s just messed up. So, let’s take a gander at the huge selection of action titles, past and present, and tally up which era did it better, yeah? Let’s go~

Which Awesome Action Video Games Are The Greatest Ever

Since today’s list of action games is gigantic, a whooping 32 entries, we’re gonna cut to the chase here. There’s probably gonna be lots of games we’re gonna clump together cause they’re from the same franchise. Some we’ll pick over the others cause we’re playing favorites and we’ve got nostalgia goggles on, baby~ Also, don’t have a meltdown on how we rank our picks, too. Remember, we recently revisited every single title on this list. So our current feelings are gonna factor in a lot more in where a game’s place is. Oh, and no RPGS today, sorry, folks.

Alrighty, that covers everythin’ now, let’s roll!

We’re kickin’ off our list of top-notch action games with a beloved forgotten gem from the PS2-era. Mortal Kombat Shaolin Monks is the dream game of having a more story-centric focus with the freedom to bust out fatalities at will. Trust us when we say this game’s an absolute delight.

The button-mashing throwback style of retro arcades, the intriguing plot brewing in the background, and how the two titular Shaolin monks interact in the game are beyond perfect. You really feel immersed in the lore of Mortal Kombat, too, in Mortal Kombat Shaolin Monks. This game’s just freakin’ awesome.

While we’re all waitin’ for it to officially release, the hacking of Insomniac’s Wolverine ain’t cool, people. Meanwhile, we’ll settle on X-Men Origins: Wolverine is the definitive representation of the character in action games. Seriously, the gore, the blood, the pure visceral brutality is just bloody brilliant. Pro-tip: Skip breakfast.

The game is not for the weak-willed possum-bellies ‘cause Wolverine is in his element. He’ll slice up fools left and right and even use the environment for some really excruciatin’ finishers. So, if you’re into that kind of gameplay with violence, check out X-Men Origins: Wolverine. You’ll love it.

Ah, talk about a nostalgia trip to niche city of obscure action games. Shinobi and its spin-off Nightshade are based on classic Sega action games. Fortunately, they’ve read the room ‘cause they’re plannin’ on resurrectin’ these games. As for what they offer, well, imagine playin’ as a ninja but with a more fantasy element.

Stealth and engaging combat with a wide variety of tools, plus a bloodthirsty sword that will drain your life if you don’t kill enemies to feed its bloodlust. Shinobi pushes the player to play aggressively to chain kills using TATE. While Nightshade is more traversal-platforming focused; it is equally as compelling.

Wow, didn’t expect Red Dead Redemption and its sequel to show up on our list of action games, did ya’? Well, we do love springin’ surprises, so there ya’ go. So, both are massive open-world backdrops and depict the Wild West fantasy livin’. Well, maybe not the ideal life, but definitely the outlaw kind.

The amount of shenanigans you can engage in in both games is just plain ridiculous to think about. From shootouts to bounty huntin’ and even animal trackin’, it’s just so fun. Plus, there’s the ol’ lasso, which can be used for pure evil like tying up people and leavin’ ’em on the train tracks.

A one in a gazillion chance of perfection’ the 3D Castlevania action games right, and Mercury Steam nails it! We’re talkin’ an incredibly immersive, beautifully designed world, new plot twists to the lore, and gameplay that feels utterly satisfyin’. The enemy variety and designs are really super cool, too.

Castlevania: Lords Of Shadow is the benchmark of high fantasy action titles. Few manage to stick with its formula and the spectacular combat it showcases. The use of Combat Cross for fights, traversal, and puzzle-solving is such a genius move. We tip our hats off to the dev team. 

Tomb Raider Anniversary is a reboot of the original series of action games’ first entry from the classic PS1 era. Boy, does it do a bang-up job of representing Lara Croft in all her charismatic, witty, and charmingly glorious ways. The gameplay’s pretty nice, too, with a nice coat of paint to update the levels as well as Lara’s face.

Let’s not pretend this game was perfect because it’s not. But Tomb Raider Anniversary is certainly waaay better than the sterile Survivor trilogy. Besides, it’s this version of Lara that makes her one of gaming’s hottest and coolest female heroines.

While the original MediEvil from the PS1 is still a beloved classic, it’s the remake that edges out to nab a spot on the list of the best action games. Why? Well, cause in addition to looking sharp, colorful, and gorgeous, the OG gameplay fun remains fully intact, too.

Plus, MediEvil is one of the most polished offerings which fans of action platformers will absolutely love. The unique gothic setting and the charming persona of Ser Daniel Fortesque will have you rolling. The witty dialogue and catchy soundtrack are the icing on the cake, too.

Next up, we’ve got the zany and addictive Max Payne series of action games. They’re usually your typically third-person shooter affair, but then you get into the gritty story and those epic bullet-time sequences. The perfect timing to aim and execute satisfying kill shots is a major hook of these games.

The plot keeps you engaged as our titular hero is a man on the run but also a man on a mission of vengeance. There’s an unsettling vibe and ambience that’ll grip you and make you paranoid. The sound design is fantastic, too. We’re glad Max Payne’s makin’ another comeback.

A really quirky and unique entry that flips the freakin’ script of action games is Deadpool: The Game. Whether it’s the crass humor, the silly yet bloody execution animations, or the 4th wall break moments, this game’s just a ton of fun from start to finish. Even the downtime is really hilarious.

You’ll see many iconic X-Men cameos in Deadpool: The Game, too. From Cable to Wolverine, and even Mr. Sinister, too. There’s Lady Death, as well as Rogue in the game, too. The writing is what gels everything together, and you’re in for a great time with this one.

Take what you love ‘bout the Tony Hawk Pro-Skater series, mix it up with Ratchet & Clank’s traversal, and do a couple of shrooms, too. The result will be one of the most over-the-top, energetic, bizarre, and entertaining action games of all time, aka Sunset Overdrive. Seriously, this game’s just the best at everything it does.

The rail-grinding and wall-running traversal feels so intuitive and fun you’ll always wanna partake in it. The outlandishly hilarious weaponry and character quirks give depth to the gameplay and offer enormous replay value. Sunset Overdrive delivers on all fronts, people. So, play it!

Related: Classic Xbox Exclusive Games Microsoft Should Revive.

Hey, it was a three-way toss-up between Just Cause, Borderlands, Bioshock, and Bulletstorm. After seeing the baggage that comes with the 3 other action games, we simplified the process by picking Bulletstorm. Let’s face it: Bulletstorm is all about creativity and using its unique mechanics for really dope kills.

You get rewarded for switching up how you eliminate enemies, so it’s a good motivation to get better at the game. Bulletstorm also features an instinct leash which hooks enemies closer, while a thumper sends enemies flyin’. Using both in the environments and the unique weapon fire modes on top creates a nice playground to test your skills in.

Look, it was either gonna be Rise Of The Ronin, Nioh and its sequel, or Ghost Of Tsushima. Since we’re not countin’ RPGs, Nioh was out. Among the two action games, Ghost Of Tsushima not only offered a lot more but looked way more awesome, too, so we picked it. This game’s the true essence of the samurai spirit, but you’re also able to play as the titular Ghost.

The diversity in both styles, and the gorgeous depiction of Japan’s past with natural environments are highlights of Ghost Of Tsushima. When you engage in combat, it’s so satisfying, whether it’s a samurai duel or stealth kills.

The first, second and 4th Devil May Cry titles are divisive action games. The first one’s where you really see the bright potential, the stylish combat, and the charismatic persona of Dante.

When you jump to Devil May Cry 2, it’s the opposite end of the spectrum where combat is overpowered. The personality’s aged, too. Not many people liked that, but the gameplay and combos were fire.

In Devil May Cry 4, devs dared to change the protagonist to a new character. Not everyone liked Nero, but we did. His Devil Bringer arm and burst mode abilities, plus Dante’s moveset tweaks, make Devil May Cry 4 one of the best games ever.

Not to be outdone by DMC, Sony’s original God Of War and its sequel set the new bar for hack-and-slash action games. They still hold up, by the way, and Kratos’ earlier, angrier days feel so nostalgic. They exemplified the simple button-mash formula, and it was utterly satisfying.

It’s the range of abilities Kratos has and his weapons, the signature Chaos Blades, that make everything work. Plus, the iconic villains of the series, the Greek Pantheon, give God Of War games that spectacle cinematic vibe. It’s why we aren’t including the newer games; the formula’s too changed up, sorry fanboys~

Our review of Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 and its prequel is gonna show we’re in love with these action games. The reason for that is that they feel so refreshingly fun and lore-accurate to Spider-Man’s mythos. From the web-swinging and aerial stunts and wall running with astonishingly intuitive combat, everything feels great.

You’ll notice how the sequel ups the ante and adds in even more wacky ideas. Plus, the two Spider-Men is another nice touch. Miles Morles is a cool character in his own right, and his playstyle and abilities make him different enough that it’s not just a reskin.

Another case of action games passing the test of time, The Legend Of Zelda: Ocarina Of Time is a wonderful piece of nostalgia that holds up magnificently well. Players experience the true sense of adventure with story beats that’ll leave you completely immersed in the game.

The puzzle-solving, the dungeons full of traps and enemy counters that test your gamer instinct, it’s all there in The Legend Of Zelda: Ocarina Of Time. But the biggest appeal is in the titular Ocarina Of Time, are it’s melodies. You’re welcome for the memories, people.

The Bayonetta games represent the highest form of exaggerated action spectacle. The first one is just so bold, daring, and evocative, thanks to the lead character’s seductive allure. Thank you, Mr. Hideki Kamiya, one of the legendary Japanese video game creators, for creating Bayonneta.

The second one became even more outrageous, but we’ll be damned if we didn’t love the redesign on Bae Bayonetta. The gameplay was more refined and tightly focused on skill much more than the first one.

Bayonetta 3 really throws everything at the wall to give players total freedom in that they can control the summoned monsters. These open possibilities to do even more over-the-top executions.

When it comes to Bethesda’s id Software’s output of action games, the two FPS spring to mind. Doom (2016) and its sequel, Doom Eternal, have the unique blend of push-forward momentum and extremely visceral finishers. This combination gives both titles such a frantic pace you’ll feel overwhelmed.

But it’s not the kind of feeling that’ll make you stop playing, no. It’s a learning curve that’ll enjoy mastering. The result of your efforts will be a power fantasy like no other. You’ll become the DoomGuy and DoomSlayer, slaughtering demons by the dozens every minute.

The genre of survival horror and action games don’t often mix well as splendidly as the OG Resident Evil 4. Even better is that, the Resident Evil 4 Remake improves a lot of things from the first title. So, what do they have in common? Well, aside from an atmospheric sinister vibe and action-heavy scenarios, there’s an excellent zaniness to the whole thing.

The different enemy types and special boss encounters really catch players by surprise. Exploration and level design are truly superb to experience. The gun handling and the outlandish German suplexing make a glorious return, too, from the original. Albert Wesker is here, too, and his movesets are the best in the multiplayer mode.

Vanquish is the really underrated gem among other top-tier action games. We’re not kidding here, people. The unique traversal mechanic and rapid-action enemy AI ensure it’s always balls-to-the-walls fun in Vanquish. The story ain’t winnin’ any awards here, but it’s gameplay is where it truly shines.

In Vanquish, the protagonist uses a mech suit to slide across the battlefield, closing the distance between himself and his enemies. You also get satisfying firepower in addition to the unique traversal. The result is that every action feels purposeful, no wasted motion, and every attack has a punchiness, too.

Don’t let the low-fi graphics fool ya’; Sifu is every bit as fun as you’ve heard. Sifu is one of those  terrific melee brawler-focused action games that bring new twists to the niche. You use everything at your disposal to obliterate your enemies, from melee combos to environmental destruction and makeshift weaponry.

Another thing Sifu does brilliantly is the incorporation of its reincarnation mechanic. If you die in battle, your character comes back to life, but they age. Now, they’ll grow wiser and sometimes even have mastery of new moves in this state. The trade-off is that their reflexes will become slow. It’s a truly skill-based extravaganza.

Aha~ since we’re not gonna include any SoulsBorne RPG action games, we’re gonna go with the odd one. Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice is souls-like to a degree, but not really. It’s more in line with Tenchu, than anything else, with a dash of supernatural. You play as a samurai who must defeat supernatural beings using their sword.

The key here is that the swordplay requires finesse more than anything else. You gotta time the dodges, parry, and then deliver a final killing blow. It’s really intense and not for casuals, but it ain’t Dark Souls level hard, either. So, git good, capeesh?

Next we got another one of the mystifyingly cheesy, yet gratifyingly fulfilling action games, Metal Gear Rising Revengeance. This spin-off entry of the Metal Gear saga is so radically different from the mainline games with a focus on extermination. Yeah, not combat, because that implies enemies are on equal footing, which they aren’t to Raiden.

Yep, Mr. wanna–be from Metal Gear Solid 2, who fans accepted in Metal Gear Solid 4 is the hero here. Raiden’s mech suit and blade are the slice-and-dish combo you never knew you needed. He straight up casually rips spines and chops up enemies to a million pieces. This is peak action gameplay.

Oh, boy, we’re probably gonna trigger the fanboys for this, but the first as well as the Ezio Trilogy of Assasasin’s Creed action games are still the measuring stick of success for the franchise. Yep, despite a return to form in Assassin’s Creed Mirage, the first 4 titles are undeniably superior.

Whether it’s the parkour traversal, freedom of movement, or stealth-focused action gameplay, the first 4 games just nail everything to perfection. You actually got to plan out your assassinations in a tactical way, too. Plus the charm and charisma of Altair Ibn La Ahad and Ezio Auditore Da Firenzei are through the roof, too.

Do we really need to explain this one? The disaster that was Suicide Squad Kills The Justice League killed off the Arkham Legacy. We needed a list of action games to help us get over SS: KTJL. Now, let’s return to the roots of greatness with Batman Arkham Origins, Batman Arkham Asylum, Batman Arkham City, and Batman Arkham Knight.

Every entry offers something unique and memorable. Origins provides a grittier and more ruthless Batman as he faces the bounty hunters who’re gunning for his head. Asylum is a straight-up horror story and the most atmospheric. City is an epic action-adventure with the right amount of mystery and plot twists. While Knight is the perfect send-off to the late Kevin Conroy.

The greatest action games have this power fantasy element to them which makes for really alluring gameplay. God Of War 3 stands as the pinaccle of the franchise because it was a build up and the conclusion to the original saga. The cinematic style presentation, the emotional highs and all of Kratos’ rage, boilin’ over, it felt so amazing.

The combat is otherworldly, and the executions are just pure savagery. Kratos is the catalyst for chaos and he brings about the end of the corrupt rulers of the Greek Pantheon. The game just hits all the right notes to bring the best hack-and-slash combos to date. 

The entire FromSoftware line-up of action games might follow a similar playstyle, but not Armored Core VI: Fires Of Rubicon. This game’s an absolutely delightful change of pace with its vehicular combat and traversal. You’ll be strafing like a pro, doing mid-air spins, and tactical manuvering to line up your shots.

The customization of weaponry to the mech’s slots adds lots of variety to the builds, too. Armored Core VI: Fires Of Rubicon is so great at giving you that dose of adrenaline with a difficulty curve that’s not too steep neither a cakewalk.

Sleeping Dogs is one of those action games that we wished sold more and we got a sequel to. This game’s gripping storytelling is full of emotional moments that’ll have you gasping in shock. The brutal combat has devastating finishers and a morality progression system where your actions impact the upgrades you unlock.

A huge engaging open-world structure with plenty of side activities and detective work just makes Sleeping Dogs such a gem. You’ll play as an undercover cop who infiltrates the triads to bring them down from the inside. Your loyalties will be tested, too as you bond with the criminals. Great stuff we tell ya.

The divide between the fan base of action games enthusiasts is strong when comparing Devil May Cry 3 and 5. Both games have a strong case to present themselves as the best of the franchise, too. It’s Hideaki Itsuno’s talents that we’re even having this debate. Dante from Devil May Cry 3 is the Muhammad Ali of video games, he talks a lot of thrash but backs it up with insanely epic combos, devil arms, skills, and panache.

Transition to Devil May Cry 5, Dante’s vibe and energy are mostly the same, but he’s gruffier, too. Naturally, the moves you can pull off are even more outlandish than in previous entries. The visuals are nice, too. Overall, it’s a coin toss, and we’re not pickin’ sides… yet.

One of the heart-warming and biggest shadow drop action games of 2023, HiFi RUSH is wholesome fun exemplified. Y’all can’t hate this game, it’s just impossible. HiFi RUSH embraces the cheesiness and gives you an underdog tale of wanna-be rockstar Chai and his friends.

He’s fighting against the machine, literally as there are a lot of’em. But also dreams of makin’ it big, despite his shortcomings. The guy’s musical sync is utilized as a weapon as you time your button presses to score the perfect hits. The traversal and goofy tunes will put a smile to your face as you see Chai parodying Dante.

Related: Xbox Confirms 4 Exclusives To PS5 And Switch.

Ninja Gaiden Sigma is the first of the trilogy of action games that you can play in the Ninja Gaiden Master Collection. Let us tell you it is a hoot. The action from the get-go will have you hooked. This game’s not for the casual crowd.

The second game, Ninja Gaiden Sigma 2 delivers even more powerful enemies and bosses, while somewhat making the upgrade complicated. But don’t sweat it, you’ll really need to master the Dragon Sword anyway.

The third game, Ninja Gaiden: Razor’s Edge is a hit or miss, personally we love it. We finally see Ryu Hayabusa in a vulnerable light. The action’s still pretty great, though, and the Ninpo attacks feel more cinematic now, which is always nice.

Make way for the king of action games, Darksiders: Warmasted Edition. Yeah, we’re doing this, so bring on the hate. The first Darksiders is the M-rated Zelda game y’all wanted with a dash of DMC and God Of War-style combat thrown in for good measure. But, here’s the kicker: Darksiders as a series stars the most unique protagonists in all of gaming fiction: The 4 Horsemen of the Apocalypse.

Yep, and not only are each one different from one another, they have unique personalities, that make them likable. In Darksiders Warmastered Edition we play as War, rider of the red horse. He’s been accused of bringing armageddon on humanity in a conspiracy. So, to clear his name and get his revenge he goes to a now post-apocalyptic Earth to punish the guilty. The combat is just such a joy to experience in Darksiders Warmastered edition, it’s accessible and fun. The exploration is great, too. There are tons of iconic boss fights and everything feels intriguing. We’re fanboys, sue us!

Final Thoughts

Welp, boy, howdy, was that a ginormous list of the most exhiliratin’ action games ever, or what? We’re glad it’s over, though, ’cause we’re beat and need sleep. Seriously, though, it ain’t ever easy to compile lists like these, but it’s also a cathartic experience, too. We got to show some love to titles that most gamers today wouldn’t even be aware of. You’re welcome, by the way~ So, then, what’s the verdict folks? How would y’all rate our picks today? Think we did an A-Ok job here, or are there some obvious no-brainers missing? Either way, tell us in the comments below.

We’re gonna take off now, but stay tuned for some follow-up action titles ’cause we’re just gettin’ started here. If ya’ need somethin’ to tide you over until then, check out our list of the worst female characters in video games (2024 Edition). Yeah, that’ll trigger some of y’all even more. Happy gaming, everybody!