Standout Video Games

These are all of the most timeless, immediately engaging, and memorable games I've ever come across.

Note: some games are labelled "One & Done" which means that despite being impressive and memorable experiences they have, in my opinion, poor replay value.

1980s:
-Tier 2: MINOR MASTERPIECES-

The Legend of Zelda
Mega Man 2
Mega Man 3
Super Mario Bros. (NES Version)
Super Mario Bros. 2 (NES Version)

-Tier 3: SOLID, MEMORABLE Games-

The Adventures of Lolo

The Adventures of Lolo 2

The Adventures of Lolo 3

Castlevania

Contra

Duck Tales

Kirby's Adventure

Mega Man

Zelda II: The Adventure of Link

1990s:
-Tier 1: MAJOR MASTERPIECES-

Castlevania: Symphony of the Night

Chrono Trigger
Final Fantasy 6 (SNES Version)
Final Fantasy 7

The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past
The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time (N64 Version)
Metal Gear Solid (Playstation Version)

Secret of Mana [SNES Version]
Super Mario 64 [N64 Version]
Super Mario Bros. 3 [NES Version]
Super Mario RPG

Super Metroid

-Tier 2: MINOR MASTERPIECES-

Banjo Kazooie

Crash Bandicoot

Donkey Kong Country
Doom 1

Half-Life

Mega Man X

Resident Evil: Director’s Cut (PS1 Edition)

Resident Evil 2

Silent Hill

Sonic the Hedgehog (Genesis Version)
Sonic the Hedgehog 2 (Genesis Version)
Sonic the Hedgehog 3 (Genesis Version)

Super Mario World

-Tier 3: SOLID, MEMORABLE Games-

Duke Nukem 3D

Earthworm Jim

Final Fantasy IX

Goldeneye 007

Grim Fandango

Mega Man 4

Mega Man 5

Mega Man 6

Mega Man 8

Mega Man X4

Quake

Quake II

Star Fox 64

Starcraft

2000s:

-Tier 1: MAJOR MASTERPIECES

Resident Evil 1 (Game Cube Remake)

Resident Evil 4

-Tier 2: MINOR MASTERPIECES-

Counter-Strike: Source (Multiplayer)

Half-Life 2

Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty

Minecraft (Multiplayer)

Portal - One & Done

Silent Hill 2 [PC Enhanced Edition]

Super Smash Bros. Melee (Multiplayer)

-Tier 3: SOLID, MEMORABLE Games-

Final Fantasy X

Half-Life 2 Episode 1

Half-Life 2 Episode 2

ICO - One & Done

Metroid Prime 

World of Warcraft (Online Multiplayer)

Worms: Armageddon (Multiplayer)

2010s:

-Tier 1: MAJOR MASTERPIECES

League of Legends (Online Multiplayer)

Super Meat Boy

-Tier 2: MINOR MASTERPIECES-

Celeste

Crash Bandicoot 1 Remake

Hollow Knight

Portal 2

Shadow of the Colossus [PS4 Remaster]

Undertale

-Tier 3: SOLID, MEMORABLE Games-

Anti-Chamber - One & Done

Black Mesa

Crash Bandicoot 2 Remake

Cuphead

Fez - One & Done

The Messenger - One & Done

Obduction - One & Done

Shovel Knight

The Stanley Parable - One & Done

The Talos Principle

The Witness - One & Done

2020s:
-Tier 2: MINOR MASTERPIECES-

Half-Life: Alyx

Zelda 2: Link is Adventuresome (Fanmade Zelda 2 Mod)

-Tier 3: SOLID, MEMORABLE Games-

Stray - One & Done