This 1998 Hit Was Ranked The Best Video Game of All Time

According to a ranking collated by Metacritic, Nintendo's The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time was voted the best video game of all time.

The site uses an aggregate score of critics' reviews to determine which games are the best, giving each release a rating out of 100. At the time of publication, Ocarina of Time is the only game to reach 99.

'Ocarina of Time' Was A Landmark Release for Nintendo

Nintendo has long reigned above most other video game companies simply due to their consistently when it comes to making innovative, enjoyable video games. Projects like Super Mario Bros. and Donkey Kong are obvious classics, but the company has several other major franchises too, including Pokemon, Kirby, and Animal Crossing.

By 1998, the Super Mario franchise had essentially monopolized Nintendo's output. Games such as Mario Kart, Super Mario World, and Super Mario 64 had all been immensely successful, but the company needed a new major release that would ensure their fate wasn't forever tied to the Italian plumber.

The Legend of Zelda was already performing well for Nintendo, with games such as A Link to the Past garnering strong critical acclaim but ultimately being overshadowed by the various Super Mario releases throughout the '90s. Ocarina of Time felt like the first time Super Mario was finally put on the backbenches while another franchise took the spotlight.

The game is widely praised for its groundbreaking mechanics, including an entirely 3D display and major graphical changes that were very impressive for the time. Ocarina of Time also introduced some fun new gameplay ideas, including context sensitive buttons and a lock-on targeting system—both of which became commonplace for modern video games.

It quickly became the highest-grossing game in the Legend of Zelda franchise, and decisively proved that Nintendo was capable of bringing creativity and innovation to all their series, not just the Super Mario games.

Other high-placing entries on Metacritic's list include Grand Theft Auto IV and Soulcalibur with scores of 98, and then twelve separate titles with scores of 97. These include Super Mario Galaxy, Red Dead Redemption II, and Grand Theft Auto V.