Action games are the undisputed heartbeat of video games. Their fast-paced carnage has had our hearts racing since SEGA's Jet Rocket, first released in 1970, often considered the very first action-adventure game.
This genre hit its stride during the PlayStation 2 era, a foundational period for gaming that introduced high-fidelity graphics and stronger technical specs that paved the way for the fluid, expressive combat systems we worship today.
From the technical precision of frame-perfect parries, to the sheer spectacle of a screen-clearing super move, action games represent the peak gaming to so many players around the world.
We’ve sat down and ranked the 13 best action games of all time.
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This is based on Metacritic scores; fan opinion in the years after release; their cultural impact; and what they brought to the genre.
13. Dynasty Warriors 5
While it sits at the bottom of our list of the 13 best action games of all time, that’s not a bad place for a game to end up! While later entries, such as Dynasty Warriors 9, were panned for being repetitive, their inclusion is a nod to their massive legacy.
The first Dynasty Warriors, released for the PlayStation in 1997, was actually a 3D weapon-based fighting game, not the hack-and-slash series it became. Dynasty Warriors 5 fleshed out all the characters and story, with some of the most satisfying combat found in gaming, period. It’s the ultimate power fantasy; washing away huge crowds of enemies with a single swing. The simple fact of the matter is that giving players a zen-like way to destroy swathes of enemies is always going to be a good time; it’s not that complicated.
12. Zone of the Enders: The 2nd Runner
Another hack-and-slash game comes in at number 12, but one that makes modern action games feel sluggish in comparison. Developed and published by Konami for the PlayStation 2 in 2003, the sequel to Zone of the Enders perfects mecha combat, with the player once again controlling the "Orbital Frame" Jehuty.
Decades later, no other game captures high-speed mech combat quite like Zone of the Enders: The 2nd Runner. Metacritic gave the original release an 82, often citing the short length and chaotic camera - criticisms that feel pedantic given the game's peerless speed. It is Hideo Kojima at his most kinetic, blending Yoji Shinkawa’s iconic mech designs with lightning-fast lock-on salvos. It’s a short, sharp shock of anime-inspired brilliance that still holds up on modern hardware.
11. Bayonetta 1
With a 90 on Xbox 360, Metacritic actually ranks this higher than several games above it. The first Bayonetta game remains the "purest" technical experience in the trilogy. Critics praised the "Witch Time" mechanic as a revolutionary innovation in defensive play, serving as an inspiration for every action game that followed. The dodge offset combat, which lets you continue a combo after dodging, is still one of the most satisfying, if brutal, combat mechanics in gaming history.
10. God of War II
Holding a massive 93 on Metacritic, God of War II pushed the dying PS2 to its absolute limit. The opening Colossus of Rhodes battle was so awesome that it was enough to score it a spot on this list. While the combat is simpler than in other games, the unmatched sense of scale and brutality made it a transformative experience in 2007. It perfected the cinematic action-adventure template, delivering a consistent, high-octane pace that many believe even the later sequels struggled to maintain.
9. Vanquish
Vanquish is a revolutionary third-person sci-fi action shooter, first released in 2010 by SEGA for the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360.
It was developed by Platinum Games, the visionaries behind a lot of great games you’ll spot on this list. Described as Gears of War on rocket skates by fans, Vanquish is a SEGA title through and through! The action is over the top, the dialogue is cheesy, the characters and graphics really are a shining product of its time, and on PC, it all looks beautiful.
An 84 on Metacritic suggests critics were slightly confused by it at the time - many treated it like a standard cover-shooter, when it’s really a slip-and-sliding action sci-fi blast. The meter management required to maintain high-speed slides is a perfect blend of chaos and skill that is still, to this day, one of the most satisfying combat systems in any game, ever.
8. NieR: Automata
Another game from Platinum Games - Nier: Automata is a 2017 action role-playing game. It’s a sequel to Nier, itself a spin-off of and sequel to the Drakengard series. You’ve definitely heard of its primary protagonist, 2B. Cheeky.
It holds an 88 on Metacritic, with critics occasionally dinging the "repetitive" nature of its multiple playthroughs, though they praised the genre-bending combat. On Reddit, players argue that the brilliance lies in how the narrative is inseparable from the gameplay itself. The bullet hell segments blend into hack-and-slash combat, creating a unique rhythm. It’s fluid, weightless, and a magnificent homage to the game’s themes of android existentialism. It’s a rare example where the action feels secondary to the emotion, yet remains mechanically top-tier.
7. Assault Spy
This gem is often called the "indie Devil May Cry" by fans. First released in 2018 for PC, this stylish brawler is surprisingly snappy and expressive. In it, you dash, evade, and smash your way to the truth as the corporate spy, Asa,u; or the reckless CIA agent, Amelia. Uncover the dark secrets of the Negabot mega corporation as you save the company from a hostile takeover. Bonus points for the writing - its comedy chops aren’t to be taken for granted.
6. Viewtiful Joe
A 93 on Metacritic, Viewtiful Joe is a side-scrolling beat 'em up that oozes 2000s attitude. It blends Saturday morning cel-shaded 2d cartoon vibes with punishingly difficult hardcore technical brawling. The first game in the series was directed by Hideki Kamiya, who had previously directed Resident Evil 2 and Devil May Cry. It’s incredibly difficult, and could really benefit from a remaster, but the combat and style make it more than deserving of a spot on this list.
5. Hi-Fi Rush
An absolute modern classic, with an 87 on Metacritic. Hi-Fi Rush is a gorgeous rhythm-based action game where the environment and enemies pulse to the beat. The frame-perfect rhythm hits make the combat feel intense and thrilling, proving that action games can be accessible without sacrificing mechanical depth. With years of franchise entries and creatively bankrupt, mass-market games, this was a breath of fresh air that captured the PS2 era spirit of experimentation and pure fun; a bright, loud counterpoint to the grit of modern AAA gaming.
4. Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance
Another win for Platinum Games and Hideo Kojima, Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance is a 2013 action-adventure game that debuted with an 83 on Metacritic. Fun fact - a playable demo of Metal Gear Rising was included in Zone of the Enders: HD Collection, similar to how the original Zone of the Enders contained a playable demo of Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty. Kojima knows how to make a game!
Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance takes the formula of a Metal Gear game - Snaking behind enemy lines - and gives Raiden a much-needed character arc.
3. Devil May Cry 5
An 89 on Metacritic. Critics hailed it as the "return of the king," though some felt the level design was too linear. On Reddit, the consensus is that Dante’s four-style system is the pinnacle of technical action. Users argue that the addition of Nero’s "Devil Breakers" and V’s unique playstyle makes it the most feature-complete and expressive hack-and-slash ever made. It’s a game that values player creativity above all else, providing a massive sandbox of moves that allow you to effectively "paint" with the blood of your enemies. With a gorgeous art style to boot, this is a worthwhile bronze medal for the best action game of all time!
2. Sifu
Sifu is a genius twist on the action genre. The Sifu age system is one of the most poignant and polished mechanics in any game - every time you're brought back from the dead, you'll grow older from using that power of resurrection. It has the perfect difficulty curve for a martial arts experience. Players praise the Pak Mei Kung Fu choreography, where every hit feels earned, and the aging mechanic adds a unique strategic layer. It forces you to learn and adapt like a true martial artist. If you love hard games that reward mastery and feature crisp combat cinematography, Sifu is the modern benchmark for the entire action genre.
1. God Hand
You may not have heard of our number 1 pick, which is a tragedy. God Hand is a 2006 beat 'em up game developed by Clover Studio and published by Capcom for the PlayStation 2. This game deserved to launch a genre of its own, if not become a full franchise.
Developed by the minds behind Okami and Viewtiful Joe at Clover Studios and directed by Shinji Mikami of Resident Evil, this action beat-em-up is the gold standard of action games. The characters? Perfect. The combat? Brutal, but satisfying. The camera? Controversial - God Hand locked the camera behind its character, forcing the player to experience the world through the eyes of their character.
Few scores are as infamous as the 3.0/10 IGN gave God Hand when it was released in 2012 - a review so contentious that IGN's own Mitchell Saltzman published a formal defense of the game in 2020. Today, the narrative has flipped entirely. God Hand is a cult classic, with its revolutionary dynamic difficulty and fully customizable move set. That’s right - you architect Gene’s entire combat identity, from his basic four-hit strings to his specialized guard breaks and launchers.
This level of granular personalization remains virtually extinct in the action game genre. It stops combat becoming repetitive, stops button-mashing fatigue in beat-em-ups, and feels personalised to you.
It’s fair to say the game isn’t perfect. Even by 2006 standards, the environments are barren, the plot is barren, and the juvenile humor is… An acquired taste. It’s easy to see why it alienated critics at launch. But, whether you find it brilliant or bizarre, God Hand remains the best action game of all time because it dared to do things no other developer has had the guts to try since.