Video gaming is famous for being one of the fastest-growing audiovisual mediums in the history of the world. In five decades, the technology bringing these digital adventures to life has evolved at such an accelerated pace that now it’s capable of creating characters and worlds that look amazingly realistic.
But the process to get where video game graphics are today was long and gradual. Every generation of home consoles pushed the envelope and, as a result, each one had good-looking titles that shocked consumers with their graphics. There are a lot of remarkable examples to choose from, but the following video games are among the best-looking ones in their respective console generations.
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Light Tennis (Color TV-Game)
First Generation
The first generation of video game consoles was extremely primitive. Most of the systems released during this era were created so that people could play very simple games (mainly Pong) on their TVs at home, and not much more. It was a crucial era in the history of the medium, but it makes it hard to assess which ones had the best-looking graphics from a modern point of view.
Systems like the Magnavox Odyssey and Atari Home Pong were groundbreaking and influential, but the most impressive-looking one of this generation was Nintendo’s Color TV-Game console. Its dedicated Pong clone, Light Tennis, had color graphics without the need for a Screen Overlay. Because of this, the Color TV Game was one of the most advanced Pong machines of the decade, and is considered the first video game console that was capable of running games in color.
Solaris (Atari 2600)
Second Generation
Atari dominated the industry in its early years, especially during its second generation, due to the massive success and popularity of the Atari 2600. This old-school system was the home to iconic titles that proved games could be real adventures, despite their simplistic graphics, like Adventure and Pitfall!. But the most impressive looking game in the Atari 2600’s entire catalog is Solaris.
One look at this space-combat title, and it’s immediately evident why it was so revolutionary for its time. It featured detailed, colorful sprites that moved around colorful environments. Unlike most Atari 2600 games, the ships, enemies, and planets in Solaris actually looked like what they were supposed to look like. This game came out in 1986, over a year after the NES had already come out in North America, and it looked so good that it was able to compete against the 8-bit games of Nintendo’s newest console.
Kirby's Adventure (Nintendo Entertainment System)
Third Generation
Kirby's Adventure
- Released
- May, 1993
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- e
- Genre(s)
- Platformer
The third console generation was defined by the success of the Nintendo Entertainment System (AKA the NES), as Nintendo is often credited for saving the video game industry in North America after the infamous Video Game Crash of 1983. As a result, this revolutionary 8-bit system enchanted audiences around the world with colorful and unique titles, like Super Mario Bros, Duck Hunt, The Legend of Zelda, Metroid, and many more.
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One of its best-looking exclusives, Kirby's Adventure, was released at the very end of its lifespan, when the SNES was already available on the market. This was Kirby’s second game and his first foray into the world of console gaming, and it looked incredible. The entire game has a charming art style that makes it look like an animated TV show, the character sprites are detailed and brimming with personality, and the backgrounds are full of color. Kirby's Adventure proved what the NES was capable of, and it was the perfect send-off for such an important video game console.
Donkey Kong Country Trilogy (Super Nintendo Entertainment System)
Fourth Generation
Donkey Kong Country
- Released
- November 24, 1994
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- e
- Genre(s)
- Platformer
The fourth generation of home consoles was interesting in retrospect. Not only did the arrival of 16-bit graphics allow developers to create gorgeous games, but this was also when companies began playing with 3D graphics (even if the technology was still quite primitive). While this generation has spawned countless games with timeless graphics that still look great today, Donkey Kong Country trilogy is still the best one of the bunch.
By creating 3D models of the iconic Donkey Kong characters and turning them into sprites, Rare was able to combine the two biggest graphical trends of the generation into one outstanding package. The presentation in all three SNES Donkey Kong Country games still holds up today. This impressive technology allowed Nintendo to compete against the likes of the Sega Saturn and the PlayStation without needing to rush the production of its first 3D console.
Chrono Cross (PlayStation 1)
Fifth Generation
Chrono Cross
- Released
- August 15, 2000
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- T For Teen due to Animated Violence, Mild Language
- Genre(s)
- JRPG
Squaresoft was the shining star of the fifth generation of consoles. After parting ways with Nintendo in the early 90s, the studio formed a close relationship with Sony and began releasing countless games for the original PlayStation. These games were not only were innovative and influential, but they also looked amazing and showcased what 3D graphics could do.
Among the sea of beautiful titles that Squaresoft released during this time, the most remarkable is Chrono Cross, the long-awaited spiritual successor to Chrono Trigger. The 3D models of this game are surprisingly detailed and polished. The entire experience feels like something from the PlayStation 2 era, even though it was released a year before the arrival of the following generation. Chrono Cross’ presentation is so timeless that Square Enix didn’t need to change or upgrade much for its 2022 remaster.
Shadow Of The Colossus (PlayStation 2)
Sixth Generation
Shadow of the Colossus
- Released
- October 18, 2005
WHERE TO PLAY
The turn of the millennium and the arrival of the sixth generation led to fierce competition between all parties involved. Not only did Sony and Nintendo put out advanced systems that were capable of running even more complex 3D graphics (the PS2 and the GameCube, respectively), but Microsoft appeared out of nowhere and caught the attention of consumers with its brand-new Xbox console.
Ranking 10 of the Best Collossi in Shadow of the Colossus
The world created in Shadow of the Colossus is both beautiful and unsettling with the Collossi being a big part of it.
This generation spawned numerous legendary games that still look great today, like The Wind Waker, Halo, Resident Evil 4, Kingdom Hearts, and many more. But Shadow of the Colossus is on a different level, especially compared to the competition. Its huge open-world map is breathtaking, and it adds to the game’s ominous atmosphere. Of course, the real stars of this adventure are the Colossi, who were brought to life with enormous 3D models. At the end of the day, Shadow of the Colossus looked like a PS3 game on the PS2, which is impressive and explains why the original release doesn’t look all that different from its PS3 remaster or its PS4 remake.
The Last of Us (PlayStation 3)
Seventh Generation
The Last of Us
- Released
- June 14, 2013
WHERE TO PLAY
The arrival of HD gaming was another monumental moment in the history of this industry. In the late 2000s and early 2010s, many talented developers created titles for Xbox 360 and PlayStation with graphics so advanced that they were able to emulate real-life. But there was one massive downside. Early HD games (especially those that tried to have hyperrealistic graphics) have aged horribly, especially compared to other, more timeless, endeavors from the previous generation.
Naughty Dog was a major player during this generation, as its incredible Uncharted trilogy made gamers feel like they were controlling a character inside a movie. However, the studio’s most ambitious project was The Last of Us, which came out on PS3 just a few months before the launch of the PS4. The graphical fidelity of this post-apocalyptic zombie adventure was exceptional. The character models were so detailed and expressive that they could convey any emotion, which elevated its nuanced narrative even further. This game was so advanced for its time that when Sony launched The Last of Us Remastered for the PS4 a year later, its remastered next-gen version barely looked any different from the original.
Red Dead Redemption 2 (PlayStation 4/Xbox One)
Eighth Generation
Red Dead Redemption 2
- Released
- October 26, 2018
WHERE TO PLAY
Graphics in video games didn’t change much from the seventh to the eighth console generation. However, this didn’t stop talented developers from creating some of the best-looking titles of all time with. Rockstar Games has been a consistent and successful player in the industry for decades, but the eighth generation finally saw the long-awaited release of Red Dead Redemption 2, which changed the gaming landscape forever.
Red Dead Redemption 2 takes place in a massive open world full of locations, characters, structures, items, and animals. Every part of this experience was brought to life with 3D graphics that still look better than some games being released today. Furthermore, this game’s biggest claim to fame is its unbelievable level of detail. It’s evident that a lot of time and care was put into this legendary western adventure to ensure it looks and feels as realistic as possible. It also raised the standard for what gamers expect from an AAA open-world game today.
Final Fantasy 16 (PlayStation 5)
Ninth Generation
Final Fantasy 16
- Released
- June 22, 2023
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- M For Mature 17+ Due To Blood and Gore, Partial Nudity, Sexual Themes, Strong Language, Violence
- Genre(s)
- Action RPG
The ninth console generation is still ongoing so, naturally, it’s almost impossible to pinpoint which exactly is its best-looking game. Critically-acclaimed titles like Elden Ring, Horizon: Forbidden West, Death Stranding 2: On the Beach or Ghost of Yotei have definitely impressed audiences with their incredible graphics, but Square Enix is the generation’s undisputed champion, mostly thanks to the release of Final Fantasy 16 in 2023.
This game is not without its flaws, but it was made with one clear goal in mind: to blow gamers away with its over-the-top and cinematic boss fights between giant monsters. Square Enix even revealed that this epic adventure would never have been possible without the power of the PS5, which confirms that this is a game that couldn't even exist in a previous console generation. But, of course, it's not just about the boss fights, because Final Fantasy 16 also boasts elaborate character models that are brimming with detail, spectacular environments to explore and stunning particle effects that make the combat feel even more hectic and satisfying.
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