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Guiness World Record's 50 Best Game Endings of All Time

Feb 13, 2012#1

Frankie Williamson

50. Resident Evil 4
49. Star Wars: Knights of the old Republic
48. Ratchet & Clank: a Crack in Time
47. Crysis 2
46. The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion
45. Call of Duty: World at War
44. Star Wars: The Force Unleashed II
43. Half-Life 2: Episode Tow
42. Super Metroid
41. The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess
40. New Super Mario Bros. Wii
39. inFamous
38. Fallout 3
37. Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas
36. Gears of War 2
35. Bioshock
34. Starcraft II: Wings of Liberty
33. Sonic Adventures 2
32. Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater
31. Kingdom Hearts II
30. Mass Effect
29. Super Mario Galaxy
28. Sonic the Hedgehog
27. Metal Gear Solid
26. Assassin's Creed II
25. Assassin's Creed
24. Shadow of the Colossus
23. Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare
22. Kingdom Hearts
21. Uncharted 2: Among Thieves
20. Super Mario Galaxy 2
19. Mass Effect 2
18. Grand Theft Auto IV
17. Portal 2
16. Assassins Creed: Brotherhood
15. Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time
14. Halo: Combat Evolved
13. Halo 3
12. Pokemon Black and White
11. Super Mario Bros
10. Heavy Rain
9. Final Fantasy VII
8. Metal Gear Solid 4
7. Portal
6. Red Dead Redemption
5. God of War
4. Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2
3. The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time
2. Halo: Reach
1. Call of Duty: Black Ops

February 10, 2012 – Spoiler alert! Today, Guinness World Records, the global authority on record-breaking, announced the Top 50 Videogame Endings of All Time as voted for by 13,519 online fans. Conducted for the new Guinness World Records 2012 Gamer’s Edition book, the list is sure to cause heated debate among passionate gamers.

From the bestselling series, Call of Duty: Black Ops, developed by Treyarch, tops the list. The dramatic finale features a frantic shoot-out inside a submarine and provides our hero Mason the chance to take vengeance for a murdered friend. The closing sequence offers a new twist on the classic JFK conspiracy theory.

Runner up in the list is 2010’s Halo: Reach developed by Bungie. Another First-Person Shooter, Halo: Reach takes place in the year 2552, with humanity locked in a war with the alien Covenant. During the post credits sequence your character, Nobile Six, makes a final stand against impossible odds. Although he is eventually overwhelmed, his sacrifice ensures that the ‘Master Chief’ survives.

More than 13 year’s old, Nintendo’s The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time takes third place in the list. One of the best loved games of all time ends in classic fashion with our iconic character defeating Ganondorf and rescuing Princess Zelda.

The rest of the 50 offers a definitive list of the greatest video game endings of all time. Notable entries include Red Dead Redemption (2010) which comes in at number 6. Rockstar’s mega-hit finishes like all good Western films — with retribution, revenge and bloodshed.

At number 7 is Portal (Valve, 2007). The highly memorable ending breaks from tradition, with the final boss, GLaDOS, appearing to be defeated but then going on to perform a musical number titled ‘Still Alive’. The song, written by nerd-folk artist Jonathan Coulton, has become a cult hit and been immortalised in several online tributes.

Quantic Dream’s highly innovative Heavy Rain (2010) makes up the 10. The game features 22 possible endings which add to the excitement of the thriller. Will your in-game choices result in the ‘all round happy-ending’ or will they instead lead to an ending so dark that you’ll witness the deaths of most the game’s major characters?

Gaz Deaves, Gaming Editor for Guinness World Records 2012 Gamer’s Edition said: “Everyone has an opinion on how to end a game whether it’s an epic boss fight, a clever plot twist or a 90-minute movie. This list recognises some of the greatest endings and hopefully will get gamers talking about their favorites and why.”

The full list is featured in the new Guinness World Records 2012 Gamer’s Edition book out now, and can also be found below. The book is also available in a fully illustrated, full color eBook format at B&N.com, Kobo and Apple’s ibooks. For more information please visit www.guinnessworldrecords.com/gamers

Why the rant prefix? Look at number 1. Here's my rant:

Fuck. Off. This may actually be worse than the time they gave an award in their 'illustrious' publication for Batman: Arkham Asylum that was (and I googled it to be sure) Most Critically Acclaimed Super Hero Game Ever. Awful. Also, to you gamers who voted on this. Double Awful. You are the worst.

Christ, the Force Unleashed 2 is on the list. Fuck....just....what the fuck?

I weep for my hobby.

Alternate:

Guiness World Records releases list of 50 video games

Feb 13, 2012#2

Ravenpoe

Call of what?!?

Oh hell no.

Feb 13, 2012#3

Frankie Williamson

This is why, gamers of the world, we will never have nice things.
Added at: 02:07
Also, there are two GTA games on that list. That is impossible, since no one in the history of video games has ever actually finished a GTA game.

Remember when Guinness World Records only had records for things that were measurable? That could be quantified. Things like longest whatever, tallest whoever or fattest twins. Guinness was invented to settle arguments.

http://splicd.com/Dvs6JDSBqoE/478/479

You said it Angry Video Game Nerd.

Oh, and I'm not actually mad about any of this. Just........disappointed.

Feb 13, 2012#4

Bowielee

I agree with this list being wacky, but if Arkham Asylum isn't the most critically acclaimed super hero game, I'd sure like to know what is.

Feb 13, 2012#5

Frankie Williamson

The point is not that it was or is, but that that's maybe one of the worst 'world records' of all time and was obviously purchased by Warner Interactive.

Feb 13, 2012#6

Bowielee

Name me a more critically acclaimed super hero game.
It is quantifiable, just get an aggregated score. There's even a whole site dedicated to aggregating such things.
Also, how is it any less stupid than, say, world record for keeping a balloon in the air the longest, or most pennys fit in someone's mouth.

Feb 13, 2012#7

Frankie Williamson

The record was invented DAYS after Arkham Asylum was released, before all reviews were even tallied by Metacritic.

It would be like Oreo releasing a new type of Oreo that was the most cream filled yet and then suddenly awarding it Most Cream Filled Oreo Product Ever Released by Oreo Brand Cookie Snack Products.

Also

http://www.metacritic.com/game/gamecube/viewtiful-joe

Feb 13, 2012#8

bhamv3

Fallout 3 is on the list?

What?

Feb 13, 2012#9

Bowielee

I'm pretty sure when Super Hero is implied, it means actual comic book properties.

Feb 13, 2012#10

Frankie Williamson

bhamv3 said:
Fallout 3 is on the list?

What?

So is Oblivion, which doesn't have an ending...at all.
Added at: 04:36

Bowielee said:
I'm pretty sure when Super Hero is implied, it means actual comic book properties.

I don't know how to respond without going full snark and being an asshole, so I have failed at 4 am. I'll just say I disagree.

Feb 13, 2012#11

redthirtyone

Bowielee said:
Name me a more critically acclaimed super hero game.
It is quantifiable, just get an aggregated score. There's even a whole site dedicated to aggregating such things.
Also, how is it any less stupid than, say, world record for keeping a balloon in the air the longest, or most pennys fit in someone's mouth.

It might be quantifiable, but not in a way Guinness usually measures. Guinness used to deal with things of fact. Tallest human. Longest mustache. Even keeping a balloon in the air is a measurable feat which can be verified. Yes we may all agree it may be stupid & useless, but that was some of the charm of the book - some of the oddball records they kept.

This list is measurable based on opinion. From the sounds & looks of it they didn't even gather a large enough sample size to accurately represent the subject in question.

As to the subject at hand - I think I've played maybe 10 of the games on the list. Of those I think 5 or 6 I have played to completion. Haven't quite made it to the end of Black Ops. Modern Warfare 2 was decent, as were the two Portal games. You could see the ending of Red Dead coming from wayyyyy away. Reach was OK, just different because it was more interactive than usual. You could put up a hell of a fight, but it was futile.

The one I most remember was of course FF VII, but I remember the boss fight more than the actual FMV ending. I just remember how awesome I though it was that I managed to survive & come back after having my entire party die & Cloud down to 1 hp. Thought I was the shit until later I found that was part of the script or something like that. Still was a satisfying end to all those hours played.
Added at: 06:43

Feb 13, 2012#12

CynicismKills

It feels more like a list of 50 popular games, as opposed to good endings. Putting Sonic 1 and the original Mario Bros. on there makes my face ache with stupid.

Also, Lufia II: Rise of the Sinistrals isn't on there (and neither is Chrono Trigger, all 13-ish endings are great), so this list is false.

Feb 13, 2012#13

figmentPez

Grim Fandango is not on this list, therefore it is invalid.

Feb 13, 2012#14

Soliloquy

There are some that I think definitely do belong on the list, but those are more the exceptions than anything.

42. Super Metroid
I don't think there was ever an action before this that had a separate character save you during a boss battle -- stroke of brilliance, that.

35. Bioshock
Would you kindly?

32. Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater
No game has made me feel bad for beating it more than this one.

24. Shadow of the Colossus
Anyone with any sense could see that this game was going to end badly, but transforming you into a titanic beast of destruction yet still making you completely helpless was a masterpiece.

23. Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare
Never actually played it, but from what I've heard the unexpected death at what appeared to be a cliched rescue ending really stuck with people.

7. Portal
This was a triumph.

Feb 13, 2012#15

Shegokigo

*reads list*

Feb 13, 2012#16

ScytheRexx

Soliloquy said:
23. Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare
Never actually played it, but from what I've heard the unexpected death at what appeared to be a cliched rescue ending really stuck with people.

The scene you are talking about was not the ending though, the game has two characters you play, a special forces member of the British SAS, and an American Marine, that you switch between for the first half of the game. Once you reach the half the Marine is killed in a nuke detonation, and then the rest of the game returns to the SAS operative and stays in his perspective pretty much the rest of the time. I actually did like the ending to that game, as it was well done and really makes you feel like you have one last chance to survive, but the nuke thing people praise it for can't count as anything more then a half-way twist.

Feb 13, 2012#17

Jay

11. Super Mario Bros

Where the fuck am I?

Feb 13, 2012#18

Soliloquy

ScytheRexx said:
The scene you are talking about was not the ending though, the game has two characters you play, a special forces member of the British SAS, and an American Marine, that you switch between for the first half of the game. Once you reach the half the Marine is killed in a nuke detonation, and then the rest of the game returns to the SAS operative and stays in his perspective pretty much the rest of the time. I actually did like the ending to that game, as it was well done and really makes you feel like you have one last chance to survive, but the nuke thing people praise it for can't count as anything more then a half-way twist.

Well, dang. And here I thought I knew what I was talking about. :Leyla:

Feb 13, 2012#19

Frankie Williamson

Mass Effect 2 is higher on the list than Mass Effect.

SOoooOOOooOOO

This drivelous barely ending that happens after you fight a baby giant terminator monster is better than

every space faring race battling to stop a galaxy wide apocalypse at the hands of an overwhelming foe

Feb 13, 2012#20

evilmike

List fails without...

Feb 13, 2012#21

GasBandit

I just don't think Guiness should be cataloging records for subjectivity, even if it is using somebody else's quantification of that subjectivity. I mean, there's little opinionating going on in "biggest watermelon." But BEST whatever... that's different.

And oh yeah, that list is ridiculous.

Feb 13, 2012#22

Jay

The fact that Planetscape Torment is NOT in that list is a damn shame.

Just noticed...

28. Sonic the Hedgehog

FFS.. REALLY? SONIC top 30 games with the best ending... OF ALL TIME?

Feb 13, 2012#23

figmentPez

Jay said:
The fact that Planetscape Torment is NOT in that list is a damn shame.

Yes, PS:T had a fantastic ending. There were so many pay-offs from bits and pieces woven in from the very beginning of the story. That was a wonderful cohesive tale.

Feb 14, 2012#24

Azurephoenix

This list is total crap. Nuff said.

Feb 14, 2012#25

LittleKagsin

Of all time, and that's what they go with??? I'm disappointed beyond words right now.

Prof. Farnsworth anyone?

Feb 14, 2012#26

drifter

Popular games dominating an open poll from a non-gaming site? Shocking.

Feb 14, 2012#27

GasBandit

Phantasy Star 4 had a better ending than a lot of the games on there as well. It basically referenced all the previous Phantasy Star games.

Oh, and I just beat Saints Row 3. The penultimate mission, if you can kinda call that an ending, if you take the path to

Rescue Shaundi and Viola instead of chasing down Killbane

is damn epic, basically

climbing an ersatz Statue of Liberty blasting stacks of C4 into the water with a sonic blast weapon while Bonnie Tyler's "Holding out for a hero" blasts as the background music while you rush the timer to go rescue the wimminfolk tied up on the observation deck before the bombs go off, to have a human-shield standoff with The Dragon (of the military faction)[/quote].

Feb 14, 2012#28

sixpackshaker

It's odd, I've considered myself a gamer for 25 years now. I've never played any of those games. Of course I've only played PC games. I always saw consoles as redundant...

Also, no Diablo? that was one hell of an ending.

Feb 14, 2012#29

ElJuski

bullshit list is bullshit?

whaaat

Feb 14, 2012#30

AshburnerX

I'm just glad Red Dead Redemption broke the Top Ten. Probably in my Top 3.

Feb 14, 2012#31

Frankie Williamson

Yeah, it shares the top ten with games like MGS4 which is inexplicably rated higher than 3 and Final Fantasy 7's non-ending not to mention CoDs and HALO REEEEAAACH.

I think Red Dead may be the only GTA style long-form open world game of that sort that people have actually finished.

Feb 14, 2012#32

AshburnerX

Frankie Williamson said:
Yeah, it shares the top ten with games like MGS4 which is inexplicably rated higher than 3 and Final Fantasy 7's non-ending not to mention CoDs and HALO REEEEAAACH.

MGS4's ending is probably third, after Snake Eater and Peace Walker. It's still better than FF7, CoD, or Halo.

Frankie Williamson said:
I think Red Dead may be the only GTA style long-form open world game of that sort that people have actually finished.

I've actually finished every GTA game except 4 and Chinatown Wars (because I never bought/rented them). It's not that hard.

Feb 14, 2012#33

Frankie Williamson

I'm not saying they're hard, just that by and large, people don't finish GTA games.

Feb 14, 2012#34

Hailey Knight

As great a game as Bioshock is, it's ending was nowhere near the awesomeness of the 3/4 point in the game.

Feb 14, 2012#35

Frankie Williamson

Yeah, the ending was Bioshock's weakpoint.

Feb 14, 2012#36

Jay

Frankie Williamson said:
I'm not saying they're hard, just that by and large, people don't finish GTA games.

Not when final missions are high speed, very unforgiving helicopter missions.

Feb 14, 2012#37

Frankie Williamson

I wouldn't know, I've never made it to the end of a GTA game before I stopped caring about missions and only cared about random rampages.

Feb 14, 2012#38

AshburnerX

I think that says more about you than it does about the game.

Feb 15, 2012#39

Frankie Williamson

Me and the other 80% of people that played GTA4.

Feb 15, 2012#40

Tress

Frankie Williamson said:
Me and the other 80% of people that played GTA4.[citation needed]

FTFY.

Feb 15, 2012#41

Frankie Williamson

http://www.escapistmagazine.com/forums/read/7.152468-Less-Than-30-of-Gamers-Ever-Finished-GTA4

Feb 15, 2012#42

Ravenpoe

Frankie Williamson said:
http://www.escapistmagazine.com/forums/read/7.152468-Less-Than-30-of-Gamers-Ever-Finished-GTA4

Just to counter: GTA4 was terrible, so not finishing might not be a product of GTA games in themselves.

I beat both San Andreas and Vice City. I couldn't make it through an hour of GTA4

Feb 15, 2012#43

Frankie Williamson

I found my experience with GTA4 to be about the same as the others. I'd get 2/3, 3/4s of the way through the missions and stop.
Added at: 00:29
Wow, ok, so I lied. Thinking back, I did beat Vice City, but lets be fair, Vice City was the best game by a long shot.

Feb 15, 2012#44

Ravenpoe

Frankie Williamson said:
I found my experience with GTA4 to be about the same as the others. I'd get 2/3, 3/4s of the way through the missions and stop.
Added at: 00:29
Wow, ok, so I lied. Thinking back, I did beat Vice City, but lets be fair, Vice City was the best game by a long shot.

I liked San Andreas more, but I've secretly always wanted to live the Thug Life.

Feb 15, 2012#45

Frankie Williamson

It's too bad GTA4 didn't get the subgame treatment 3 did. Lost and the Damned and Gay Tony were alright, but they were still just set in Liberty City.

Feb 15, 2012#46

Jay

I'll remember GTA 4 fondly due to the craigslist girl.

Feb 24, 2012#47

Timmus

I'm livid that snubbed Bionic Comando.

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