Continuing our theme of top 10 lists, today, we decided to carry on with them and count down the best games we’ve played in 2025.
After having already counted down the top 10 worst games we’ve played in 2025, we find ourselves entering yet another year. As is tradition, we are now counting down the top 10 best games we’ve played in 2025.
One thing that did impress us is how well Steam games did. We pretty much averaged about one Steam game per month. So, general math would suggest we should probably only see two or three games on this list. Steam actually exceeded that for us this year. Given how wide-ranging that source for games are, I do have a slight suspicion that luck played a role in this. Still, it’s hard to complain about winding up with playing some great games. So, we’re more than happy to run with this situation. So, without further ado, here’s our list for the top 10 best games we’ve reviewed in 2025!
10. F-Zero GX (GameCube)
Of all the games to wind up on the list this year, this is probably one of the least, if not, least surprising entry. This game took what was great on the N64 and successfully translated the extreme racing into a next generation title. Probably the biggest surprise is how low it wound up ranking on this list since so many have this game pretty close to the top of the best games for this particular console. The big reason why it didn’t rank higher is because of the high degree of difficulty it possesses. Still, it’s a great game to play and a worthy entry on this list.
Score: 80%
9. Road Trip: The Arcade Edition (GameCube)
Perhaps a fairly big surprise is this entry. A game that takes the Penny Racers line of toy cars and plugs it into console game. It definitely built on the success of the previous game found on the N64 and continued to offer surprisingly high quality gameplay. For a game that I’ve heard so little fanfare about, this one wound up being an impressive game.
Score: 80%
8. SSX On Tour (GameCube)
It seems that the rule around this generation of consoles is, when in doubt, play an SSX title. At the very least, you’ll have a good time playing. This game certainly is no exception to the rule. Offering a very well thought out difficulty curve as well as a high degree of action, this game certainly packs a punch with so many of hours of play just waiting to be explored.
Score: 80%
7. Portal (PC/Steam)
When you think of classic Valve games, probably the first thing that comes to most gamers minds is the Half Life series. Take away the Half Life series and what is the next line of games to come to mind? Chances are, for a lot of gamers, it’s either the Left 4 Dead series or this game. It’s extremely easy to see why. This game takes the feel of a first person shooter and turns it into a simple puzzle game. What you wind up with is a game with a very unique experience that works incredibly well. It’s easy to look at video’s and feel that the game requires too much thinking, but once you get into this, it isn’t so complicated after all. In the end, you get a very enjoyable game that really is worthy of lists like this.
(Note: This game is also the subject of one of our First Impression Video’s)
Score: 80%
6. Refunct (PC/Steam)
What can wind up being a highlight for a great games list can come from small independent creators. This adventure finds a way to offer a very bare bones experience while still offering some high quality gaming. If the game featured multiple levels, this might have been thrust all the way to number 1. Still, despite the short length, this game is still highly enjoyable with beautiful changing graphics and a great soundtrack to back a game with solid playability.
(Note: This game is also the subject of one of our First Impression Videos)
Score: 82%
5. Pikmin 2 (GameCube)
As we move in to the top 5, we encounter a game that no doubt really gets the nostalgia juices flowing for a lot of gamers these days. The Pikmin series ultimately started on the GameCube and really offered a nice unique gaming experience for players. The charming puzzle and strategy combination involved in this tiny world manages to impress plenty of gamers out there. We are no exception to that. The game takes what works in the previous game and adds so much more to it. It even tweaks some of the features that weren’t quite successful in the previous entry. It’s a very enjoyable game well worth playing.
Score: 82%
4. Borderlands (PC/Steam)
If you want to get a gamers eyes to light up when they have experienced gaming in the late 2000’s to 2010’s, just mention Borderlands. If you haven’t played it, they’ll probably have no problem telling you that you should play it. As far as we can tell, this is with very good reason. While a First Person Shooter at its core, this game also mixes in RPG elements. With hours upon hours of quests to fulfill, you’ll easily get sucked into this one. It is a downright great game worth playing in our view. A very worthy entry to this list.
(Note: This game is also the subject of one of our First Impression Videos)
Score: 82%
3. Portal 2 (PC/Steam)
As we head into the top 3, we find ourselves with a sequel. This game takes the original Portal game and takes it to a whole other level. Not only do you get improved graphics and familiar core concepts, but you also have new puzzle concepts like paint with different effects and a much bigger storyline to follow. So, it’s not a surprise that this one made it into the top 3.
(Note: This game is also the subject of one of our First Impression Videos)
Score: 84%
2. Mega Man 64 (N64)
Mega Man is certainly well known, though production certainly slowed by the end of the N64 era. The old formula of 8 robot masters and fighting Dr. Wiley had long grown old and beaten to death. With 3D graphics becoming the norm, Mega Man definitely needed re-think. This is certainly the re-think the franchise needed and needed badly. Not only does it throw the old tired formula out the window, but it also replaces it with a compelling new concept of an action adventure game mixed in with what some might consider subtle RPG elements. Combined with an incredibly well thought out writing and a great sense of humour, this game delivers an excellent gaming experience.
Score: 86%
1. Mega Man Legends (Playstation)
Before the N64 port, there was the Playstation port. With the absolutely massive size for a console game at the time, some minor corners had to be cut on the N64 port like some of the graphics in certain places being dramatically reduced. That is certainly not the case in this port as the game was fully capable of making full use of the extra storage a CD provided at the time. While there is still graphical warping inherent on the system, it really wasn’t as noticeable for this game. What you get is a slightly better version of this game. Who could complain about that? Unsurprisingly, this game winds up being our pick of the best game we’ve played all year.
Score: 88%
Honourable Mentions
This year, we managed to get an honourable mention. We thought for sure we’d just get an even 10, but thanks to the last minute entry that is SSX On Tour, we also got a bonus honourable mention this year.
Mega Man Legends 2 (Playstation):
When you see someone like me enjoying the first Mega Man Legends title so much, you knew I had to check out the sequel. Sure enough, I actually did check out the sequel. As it turns out, it too was a great game. While maybe not quite as strong of an entry as the first game, it is still a great game totally worth playing. It definitely deserved at least a mention on a list like this.
Score: 80%
Well, that’s it for the video games lists for this year. Join us tomorrow as we count down the top 10 best tracks we’ve heard all year!
Drew Wilson on Twitter: @icecube85 and Facebook.
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