Best games
Best Action games in 2026
The 250 best Action games, ranked from 75,740 critic and player ratings.
The best Action game right now is The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past — updated August 2026.
Also covers beat 'em up, beat em up, hack and slash.
01
The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past
Venture back to Hyrule and an age of magic and heroes. The predecessors of Link and Zelda face monsters on the march when a menacing magician takes over the kingdom. Only you can prevent his evil plot from shattering the land of Hyrule. In your quest, you'll venture into twisting mazes, dungeons, palaces and shadowy forests. Test your mettle with mighty swords and magical weapons. Or heft a boulder and hurl it at your enemies. If the going gets tough, dive into a river - you can swim to escape! Learn powerful spells, locate magical artifacts and solve the mysteries of the evil magician and the hidden realm of Hyrule.
100
/100
02
Super Metroid
The Space Pirates, merciless agents of the evil Mother Brain, have stolen the last Metroid from a research station, and once again Mother Brain threatens the safety of the galaxy! Samus Aran must don her awesome array of high-tech weaponry to retrieve the deadly Metroid hidden deep within the cave-riddled planet Zebes. Super Metroid features excellent graphics, with a huge variety of enemies and worlds to explore. The side-view action will be familiar to many players, only now there are new weapons and items, including the Grappling Beam, which allows Samus to swing across large chasms, and the X-Ray Scope, which reveals secret passages.
100
/100
03
Unreal Tournament
Unreal Tournament is a first-person arena shooter video game developed by Epic Games and Digital Extremes. It was the second installment in the Unreal series. It is an arena first-person shooter, with head-to-head multiplayer deathmatches being the primary focus of the game. Other game modes include TDM. CTF, Assault, Domination, Last man Standing etc.
100
/100
The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past
Venture back to Hyrule and an age of magic and heroes. The predecessors of Link and Zelda face monsters on the march when a menacing magician takes over the kingdom. Only you can prevent his evil plot from shattering the land of Hyrule. In your quest, you'll venture into twisting mazes, dungeons, palaces and shadowy forests. Test your mettle with mighty swords and magical weapons. Or heft a boulder and hurl it at your enemies. If the going gets tough, dive into a river - you can swim to escape! Learn powerful spells, locate magical artifacts and solve the mysteries of the evil magician and the hidden realm of Hyrule.
100
/100
02
Super Metroid
The Space Pirates, merciless agents of the evil Mother Brain, have stolen the last Metroid from a research station, and once again Mother Brain threatens the safety of the galaxy! Samus Aran must don her awesome array of high-tech weaponry to retrieve the deadly Metroid hidden deep within the cave-riddled planet Zebes. Super Metroid features excellent graphics, with a huge variety of enemies and worlds to explore. The side-view action will be familiar to many players, only now there are new weapons and items, including the Grappling Beam, which allows Samus to swing across large chasms, and the X-Ray Scope, which reveals secret passages.
100
/100
03
Unreal Tournament
Unreal Tournament is a first-person arena shooter video game developed by Epic Games and Digital Extremes. It was the second installment in the Unreal series. It is an arena first-person shooter, with head-to-head multiplayer deathmatches being the primary focus of the game. Other game modes include TDM. CTF, Assault, Domination, Last man Standing etc.
100
/100
04
S
The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild
The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild is the first 3D open-world game in the Zelda series. Link can travel anywhere and be equipped with weapons and armor found throughout the world to grant him various bonuses. Unlike many games in the series, Breath of the Wild does not impose a specific order in which quests or dungeons must be completed. While the game still has environmental obstacles such as weather effects, inhospitable lands, or powerful enemies, many of them can be overcome using the right method. A lot of critics ranked Breath of the Wild as one of the best video games of all time.
98
/100
05
The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess
The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess was initially developed with the Nintendo GameCube in mind, but ended up receiving a Wii port when it was released to promote the new console. This version has motion control compatibility for the sword and pointer controls for the menus, the bow and the boomerang. This version of the game has a completely inverted map and locations when comparing with the GameCube release. The change in layout was meant to adapt Link's usually left-handed design to right-handed people, given the motion controls.
98
/100
06
Perfect Dark
97
/100
07
S
Elden Ring
Elden Ring is an action RPG developed by FromSoftware and published by Bandai Namco Entertainment, released in February 2022. Directed by Hidetaka Miyazaki, with world-building contributions from novelist George R. R. Martin, the game features an expansive open world called the Lands Between. Players assume the role of a customisable character known as the Tarnished, who must explore this world, battle formidable enemies, and seek to restore the Elden Ring to become the Elden Lord. The game builds on the challenging gameplay mechanics familiar from the Dark Souls series but introduces a more open-ended structure with vast exploration, dynamic weather, and a day-night cycle. It offers deep lore, complex characters, and an interconnected world filled with secrets, dungeons, and powerful bosses.
97
/100
08
God of War
God of War is the sequel to God of War III as well as a continuation of the canon God of War chronology. Unlike previous installments, this game focuses on Norse mythology and follows an older and more seasoned Kratos and his son Atreus in the years since the third game. It is in this harsh, unforgiving world that he must fight to survive… and teach his son to do the same.
96
/100
09
S
Half-Life 2
1998. HALF-LIFE sends a shock through the game industry with its combination of pounding action and continuous, immersive storytelling. NOW. By taking the suspense, challenge and visceral charge of the original, and adding startling new realism and responsiveness, Half-Life 2 opens the door to a world where the player's presence affects everything around them, from the physical environment to the behaviors even the emotions of both friends and enemies.
96
/100
10
Half-Life
Half-Life is a 1998 first-person shooter (FPS) game developed by Valve Corporation and published by Sierra Studios for Windows. It was Valve's debut product and the first game in the Half-Life series. The player assumes the role of Gordon Freeman, a theoretical physicist who must escape from the Black Mesa Research Facility after it is overrun by aliens following a disastrous scientific experiment. Its gameplay consists of diverse combat, exploration and puzzles.
96
/100
11
God of War III
96
/100
12
The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom
96
/100
13
LittleBigPlanet
96
/100
14
S
Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain
96
/100
15
Mass Effect 2
96
/100
16
Uncharted 2: Among Thieves
95
/100
17
The Last Of Us Remastered
95
/100
18
Metroid Prime
95
/100
19
The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask
95
/100
20
New Super Mario Bros.
95
/100
21
Satisfactory
95
/100
22
Metroid: Zero Mission
95
/100
23
Grand Theft Auto IV: Complete Edition
95
/100
24
God of War Ragnarök
95
/100
25
Resident Evil 4
94
/100
26
S
Metaphor: ReFantazio
94
/100
27
Astro Bot
94
/100
28
A
Red Dead Redemption 2
94
/100
29
A
God of War (2018)
94
/100
30
B
The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim
94
/100
31
Grand Theft Auto: Vice City
94
/100
32
Batman: Arkham City
94
/100
33
Metal Gear Solid
94
/100
34
Jet Set Radio
94
/100
35
Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots
94
/100
36
S
Persona 5
94
/100
37
Hades
94
/100
38
Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker
93
/100
39
BioShock Infinite
93
/100
40
A
Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas
93
/100
41
A
Uncharted 4: A Thief’s End
93
/100
42
Hades
93
/100
43
The Last of Us Part II
93
/100
44
Grand Theft Auto III
93
/100
45
Castlevania: Symphony of the Night
93
/100
46
Half-Life: Alyx
93
/100
47
Battlefield 2
93
/100
48
Super Mario 3D World
93
/100
49
Unreal Tournament 2004: Editor's Choice Edition
93
/100
50
Kingdom Come: Deliverance II
93
/100
S
The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild
The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild is the first 3D open-world game in the Zelda series. Link can travel anywhere and be equipped with weapons and armor found throughout the world to grant him various bonuses. Unlike many games in the series, Breath of the Wild does not impose a specific order in which quests or dungeons must be completed. While the game still has environmental obstacles such as weather effects, inhospitable lands, or powerful enemies, many of them can be overcome using the right method. A lot of critics ranked Breath of the Wild as one of the best video games of all time.
98
/100
05
The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess
The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess was initially developed with the Nintendo GameCube in mind, but ended up receiving a Wii port when it was released to promote the new console. This version has motion control compatibility for the sword and pointer controls for the menus, the bow and the boomerang. This version of the game has a completely inverted map and locations when comparing with the GameCube release. The change in layout was meant to adapt Link's usually left-handed design to right-handed people, given the motion controls.
98
/100
06
Perfect Dark
97
/100
07
S
Elden Ring
Elden Ring is an action RPG developed by FromSoftware and published by Bandai Namco Entertainment, released in February 2022. Directed by Hidetaka Miyazaki, with world-building contributions from novelist George R. R. Martin, the game features an expansive open world called the Lands Between. Players assume the role of a customisable character known as the Tarnished, who must explore this world, battle formidable enemies, and seek to restore the Elden Ring to become the Elden Lord. The game builds on the challenging gameplay mechanics familiar from the Dark Souls series but introduces a more open-ended structure with vast exploration, dynamic weather, and a day-night cycle. It offers deep lore, complex characters, and an interconnected world filled with secrets, dungeons, and powerful bosses.
97
/100
08
God of War
God of War is the sequel to God of War III as well as a continuation of the canon God of War chronology. Unlike previous installments, this game focuses on Norse mythology and follows an older and more seasoned Kratos and his son Atreus in the years since the third game. It is in this harsh, unforgiving world that he must fight to survive… and teach his son to do the same.
96
/100
09
S
Half-Life 2
1998. HALF-LIFE sends a shock through the game industry with its combination of pounding action and continuous, immersive storytelling. NOW. By taking the suspense, challenge and visceral charge of the original, and adding startling new realism and responsiveness, Half-Life 2 opens the door to a world where the player's presence affects everything around them, from the physical environment to the behaviors even the emotions of both friends and enemies.
96
/100
10
Half-Life
Half-Life is a 1998 first-person shooter (FPS) game developed by Valve Corporation and published by Sierra Studios for Windows. It was Valve's debut product and the first game in the Half-Life series. The player assumes the role of Gordon Freeman, a theoretical physicist who must escape from the Black Mesa Research Facility after it is overrun by aliens following a disastrous scientific experiment. Its gameplay consists of diverse combat, exploration and puzzles.
96
/100
11
God of War III
96
/100
12
The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom
96
/100
13
LittleBigPlanet
96
/100
14
S
Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain
96
/100
15
Mass Effect 2
96
/100
16
Uncharted 2: Among Thieves
95
/100
17
The Last Of Us Remastered
95
/100
18
Metroid Prime
95
/100
19
The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask
95
/100
20
New Super Mario Bros.
95
/100
21
Satisfactory
95
/100
22
Metroid: Zero Mission
95
/100
23
Grand Theft Auto IV: Complete Edition
95
/100
24
God of War Ragnarök
95
/100
25
Resident Evil 4
94
/100
26
S
Metaphor: ReFantazio
94
/100
27
Astro Bot
94
/100
28
A
Red Dead Redemption 2
94
/100
29
A
God of War (2018)
94
/100
30
B
The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim
94
/100
31
Grand Theft Auto: Vice City
94
/100
32
Batman: Arkham City
94
/100
33
Metal Gear Solid
94
/100
34
Jet Set Radio
94
/100
35
Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots
94
/100
36
S
Persona 5
94
/100
37
Hades
94
/100
38
Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker
93
/100
39
BioShock Infinite
93
/100
40
A
Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas
93
/100
41
A
Uncharted 4: A Thief’s End
93
/100
42
Hades
93
/100
43
The Last of Us Part II
93
/100
44
Grand Theft Auto III
93
/100
45
Castlevania: Symphony of the Night
93
/100
46
Half-Life: Alyx
93
/100
47
Battlefield 2
93
/100
48
Super Mario 3D World
93
/100
49
Unreal Tournament 2004: Editor's Choice Edition
93
/100
50
Kingdom Come: Deliverance II
93
/100
FAQ
What is the best Action game right now?
The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past currently tops the ranking with a score of 100/100 across 1,667 ratings. Ranking updated August 2026.
How is this ranking built?
Games are ranked on their aggregated critic score out of 100, with a minimum vote threshold so a single glowing review never outranks a proven classic; the Tier community's own F-to-S grades are shown alongside each game.