The 17 Greatest Console Exclusive Games of All Time

Some of these sold a console single-handedly; a couple are only exclusive in the technical sense now. Judge the game, not the badge on the box.

1

Halo: Combat Evolved

The 2001 Xbox launch shooter that defined console first-person shooters and sold the hardware.

2

God of War

Sony's 2018 reinvention of Kratos as a father, and its most decorated exclusive.

3

The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild

The 2017 Switch launch game that rebuilt open-world design around curiosity.

4

Super Mario 64

The 1996 Nintendo 64 launch title that invented how 3D platformers control.

5

The Last of Us

Naughty Dog's 2013 PlayStation 3 drama about a smuggler and the girl he escorts.

6

Super Mario Galaxy

The 2007 Wii platformer that built its levels out of tiny spherical worlds.

7

Bloodborne

FromSoftware's 2015 PlayStation 4 gothic nightmare, still exclusive a decade on.

8

Metroid Prime

The 2002 GameCube game that turned a 2D series into a first-person adventure.

9

Gears of War

The 2006 Xbox 360 shooter that made cover-based combat the industry default.

10

Uncharted 2: Among Thieves

Naughty Dog's 2009 blockbuster that fused platforming with set-piece cinema.

11

Marvel's Spider-Man

Insomniac's 2018 PlayStation 4 game that finally got web-swinging right.

12

Super Smash Bros. Ultimate

The 2018 Switch crossover fighter with the largest roster in the series.

13

Forza Horizon 4

Playground Games' 2018 open-world racer set across a changing-seasons Britain.

14

Gran Turismo 4

Polyphony's 2004 PlayStation 2 simulator with more than 700 licensed cars.

15

Ghost of Tsushima

Sucker Punch's 2020 samurai open world, and one of the PS4's final exclusives.

16

Super Mario Odyssey

The 2017 Switch platformer built around a hat that possesses whatever it hits.

17

Fable II

Lionhead's 2008 Xbox 360 role-playing game about consequences and a dog.