Best games
Best Puzzle games in 2026
The 250 best Puzzle games, ranked from 46,876 critic and player ratings.
The best Puzzle game right now is The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past — updated August 2026.
Also covers brain teaser.
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
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
03
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
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
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
03
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
04
Undertale
A small child falls into the Underground, where monsters have long been banished by humans and are hunting every human that they find. The player controls the child as they try to make it back to the Surface through hostile environments, all the while engaging with a turn-based combat system with puzzle-solving and bullet hell elements, as well as other unconventional game mechanics.
96
/100
05
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
06
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
07
The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom
An epic adventure across the land and skies of Hyrule awaits in The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom for Nintendo Switch. The adventure is yours to create in a world fueled by your imagination. In this sequel to The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, you'll decide your own path through the sprawling landscapes of Hyrule and the mysterious islands floating in the vast skies above. Can you harness the power of Link's new abilities to fight back against the malevolent forces that threaten the kingdom?
95
/100
08
Portal 2
Sequel to the acclaimed Portal (2007), Portal 2 pits the protagonist of the original game, Chell, and her new robot friend, Wheatley, against more puzzles conceived by GLaDOS, an A.I. with the sole purpose of testing the Portal Gun's mechanics and taking revenge on Chell for the events of Portal. As a result of several interactions and revelations, Chell once again pushes to escape Aperture Science Labs.
95
/100
09
Toem
An aesthetic adventure with the premise of enjoying the little things! Toem is an adventure game, it aims to capture the curiosity of a child! Should I go left, right, who cares I'm on an adventure! Your smile, that's what's important to us.
95
/100
10
Return of the Obra Dinn
In this 1-bit first-person mystery game, a merchant ship called the Obra Dinn has appeared at a London harbor, years after being declared lost at sea. As an insurance adjuster, the player must examine the ship for clues.
95
/100
11
Resident Evil 4
94
/100
12
Cut the Rope
93
/100
13
Maniac Mansion: Day of the Tentacle
93
/100
14
The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword
93
/100
15
BioShock
93
/100
16
Unpacking
92
/100
17
Neva
92
/100
18
Inside
92
/100
19
The Legend of Zelda: A Link Between Worlds
92
/100
20
Opus Magnum
92
/100
21
Deus Ex: Human Revolution
92
/100
22
The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time 3D
92
/100
23
Split Fiction
92
/100
24
Sanitarium
92
/100
25
Norco
92
/100
26
Threes!
92
/100
27
Return to Monkey Island
92
/100
28
The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time
92
/100
29
Shadow of the Colossus (2011)
91
/100
30
The Longest Journey
91
/100
31
Tumblestone
91
/100
32
Beyond Good & Evil
91
/100
33
The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker HD
90
/100
34
Resident Evil Requiem
90
/100
35
Dishonored
90
/100
36
Portal
90
/100
37
Half-Life 2: Episode Two
90
/100
38
The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker
90
/100
39
Resident Evil 2 (1998)
90
/100
40
The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask
90
/100
41
The Legend of Zelda: The Minish Cap
90
/100
42
Tetris Effect
90
/100
43
The Legend of Zelda: Phantom Hourglass
90
/100
44
The Room Three
90
/100
45
Portal: Still Alive
90
/100
46
N++ (NPLUSPLUS)
90
/100
47
We Were Here Too
90
/100
48
Thank Goodness You're Here!
90
/100
49
Strange Horticulture
90
/100
50
Where's My Water?
90
/100
Undertale
A small child falls into the Underground, where monsters have long been banished by humans and are hunting every human that they find. The player controls the child as they try to make it back to the Surface through hostile environments, all the while engaging with a turn-based combat system with puzzle-solving and bullet hell elements, as well as other unconventional game mechanics.
96
/100
05
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
06
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
07
The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom
An epic adventure across the land and skies of Hyrule awaits in The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom for Nintendo Switch. The adventure is yours to create in a world fueled by your imagination. In this sequel to The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, you'll decide your own path through the sprawling landscapes of Hyrule and the mysterious islands floating in the vast skies above. Can you harness the power of Link's new abilities to fight back against the malevolent forces that threaten the kingdom?
95
/100
08
Portal 2
Sequel to the acclaimed Portal (2007), Portal 2 pits the protagonist of the original game, Chell, and her new robot friend, Wheatley, against more puzzles conceived by GLaDOS, an A.I. with the sole purpose of testing the Portal Gun's mechanics and taking revenge on Chell for the events of Portal. As a result of several interactions and revelations, Chell once again pushes to escape Aperture Science Labs.
95
/100
09
Toem
An aesthetic adventure with the premise of enjoying the little things! Toem is an adventure game, it aims to capture the curiosity of a child! Should I go left, right, who cares I'm on an adventure! Your smile, that's what's important to us.
95
/100
10
Return of the Obra Dinn
In this 1-bit first-person mystery game, a merchant ship called the Obra Dinn has appeared at a London harbor, years after being declared lost at sea. As an insurance adjuster, the player must examine the ship for clues.
95
/100
11
Resident Evil 4
94
/100
12
Cut the Rope
93
/100
13
Maniac Mansion: Day of the Tentacle
93
/100
14
The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword
93
/100
15
BioShock
93
/100
16
Unpacking
92
/100
17
Neva
92
/100
18
Inside
92
/100
19
The Legend of Zelda: A Link Between Worlds
92
/100
20
Opus Magnum
92
/100
21
Deus Ex: Human Revolution
92
/100
22
The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time 3D
92
/100
23
Split Fiction
92
/100
24
Sanitarium
92
/100
25
Norco
92
/100
26
Threes!
92
/100
27
Return to Monkey Island
92
/100
28
The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time
92
/100
29
Shadow of the Colossus (2011)
91
/100
30
The Longest Journey
91
/100
31
Tumblestone
91
/100
32
Beyond Good & Evil
91
/100
33
The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker HD
90
/100
34
Resident Evil Requiem
90
/100
35
Dishonored
90
/100
36
Portal
90
/100
37
Half-Life 2: Episode Two
90
/100
38
The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker
90
/100
39
Resident Evil 2 (1998)
90
/100
40
The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask
90
/100
41
The Legend of Zelda: The Minish Cap
90
/100
42
Tetris Effect
90
/100
43
The Legend of Zelda: Phantom Hourglass
90
/100
44
The Room Three
90
/100
45
Portal: Still Alive
90
/100
46
N++ (NPLUSPLUS)
90
/100
47
We Were Here Too
90
/100
48
Thank Goodness You're Here!
90
/100
49
Strange Horticulture
90
/100
50
Where's My Water?
90
/100
FAQ
What is the best Puzzle 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.