Few publishers have left a mark on gaming quite like Activision. From revolutionizing thefirst-person shootergenre to defining entire eras of RPGs and rhythm games, the company has been behind some of the most unforgettable experiences in gaming history.
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While Activision is only a publisher now, it used to develop games as well, including Pitfall in 1970 on the Atari 2600. With so many franchises under Activision’s umbrella, this list will include only one game per franchise, each of which is an absolute banger.
10Spyro Reignited Trilogy
The Little Purple Dragon That Could
Spyro Reignited Trilogy
A return to form for the purple dragon that once defined PlayStation’s golden age,Spyro Reignited Trilogydoes more than just bring three beloved platformers back to life; it perfects them. Toys for Bob rebuilt the original Spyro the Dragon trilogy from the ground up, preserving its tight platforming while giving it a stunning visual overhaul. Spyro’s world bursts with color, characters are more expressive than ever, and every level is packed with detail, making it the definitive way to experience these classics.
Unlike the Crash Bandicoot N. Sane Trilogy, which slightly altered its physics, thisremakeremains nearly identical to its PlayStation roots. Spyro’s movement, enemy behaviors, and even minor gameplay quirks are faithfully recreated, ensuring longtime fans feel right at home.
After years of neglect and a detour into Skylanders, Spyro’s comeback proved he still had a place in modern gaming. While it didn’t lead to a new mainline entry, something that every single Spyro fan is still hoping for, the Reignited Trilogy reminded everyone why this little purple dragon was once a platforming icon.
9Guitar Hero 3: Legends of Rock
When One Plastic Guitar Ruled them All
Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock
Before rhythm games faded into obscurity,Guitar Hero3 took the genre to its peak. It perfected the formula with tighter gameplay, an insane difficulty curve and a soundtrack stacked with rock and metal anthems that made every song feel like a stadium concert.
It also introduced boss battles, pitting players against real-life guitar legends like Slash and Tom Morello. An infamous “Through the Fire and Flames” challenge in Guitar Hero 3 became a rite of passage, with expert-level players burning their fingers trying to perfect its blistering solos.
While Rock Band was a good competitor, Guitar Hero 3 had the strongest setlist and the most polished mechanics. It was the last great entry before the franchise started to buckle under Activision’s rapid-fire releases, making it the definitive Guitar Hero experience.
8Crash Bandicoot N. Sane Trilogy
From Polygons to Perfection
Crash Bandicoot N. Sane Trilogy
TheN. Sane Trilogywas a full-blown remake that took Naughty Dog’s original Crash Bandicoot trilogy and rebuilt it from the ground up. What made it remarkable was how faithfully it captured the feel of the PS1 classics while modernizing the visuals and controls.
The first game remained brutally difficult, the second refined the platforming and the third introduced vehicle and time-travel mechanics. Each title was recreated with meticulous detail, and even the animations were reworked to match the exaggerated cartoon style.
While Crash Team Racing Nitro-Fueled later proved the kart racing spin-off was just as beloved, the N. Sane Trilogy brought Crash back into the spotlight after years of dormancy. It not only reintroduced the franchise to a new generation but set the stage for Crash 4: It’s About Time.
7Tony Hawk’s Underground
The Game that Let You Skate Like a Legend
Tony Hawk’s Underground
Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater set the standard forextreme sports games, but Tony Hawk’s Underground was the first to shake up the formula by introducing a proper story mode. Instead of just competing in skate parks, players created their own skater and worked their way up from local talent to a global superstar.
The customization was ahead of its time, letting players design their own tricks, decks and even graffiti tags. But what really set it apart was the open-level design, allowing for free-roaming exploration and challenges that blended seamlessly into gameplay.
While Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3 is often regarded as the peak of the series in terms of mechanics, Underground brought something new to the table. It was the last great Tony Hawk game before the franchise started losing its footing.
6Destiny 2
A Sequel that Refuses to Fade into the Darkness
Bungie’s second attempt at Destiny was a redemption story. After the first game launched with a content drought and fragmented storytelling,Destiny 2made an effort to deliver a more structured narrative, refined gunplay and meaningful endgame content.
The expansions, especially Forsaken, fleshed out the lore, introduced some of the best raid content in FPS history and established a gameplay loop that kept players engaged for years. The PvP component, Crucible, remained a battleground for skilled players, while co-op raids pushed teamwork to the limit.
Despite a rocky transition from Activision to Bungie, Destiny 2 continued evolving, proving that the Destiny franchise had a future beyond its turbulent beginnings.
5Spider-Man 2
Before the Web-Slinger Was Insomniac’s, He Was Activision’s Best Hero
Spider-Man 2 (2004)
Before Insomniac redefined Spider-Man games, Spider-Man 2 was the gold standard. It was the first to nail web-swinging mechanics (on the PS2), using physics-based momentum that made every swing feel exhilarating.
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The open-world New York City wasn’t just a backdrop but a playground. Players could stop random crimes, deliver pizzas and take on iconic villains like Doctor Octopus. The combat was simple but effective, making it one of the few superhero games at the time that actually made players feel like they were controlling a powerful, acrobatic crime fighter.
While the later Ultimate Spider-Man introduced a cel-shaded aesthetic and made Venom playable, Spider-Man 2 remained unmatched until Insomniac’s Marvel’s Spider-Man finally took the throne in 2018.
4Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice
You May Die Twice, but You’ll Keep Coming Back for More
Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice
Developed by FromSoftware and published by Activision,Sekiroproved that the studio could step outside of Soulsborne territory and deliver something completely different. Instead of stamina management and RPG builds, it relied on precise parrying, aggressive combat and a deep mastery of its mechanics.
The story, heavily inspired by Japanese mythology and history, follows the shinobi Wolf as he seeks revenge against those who kidnapped his lord. Unlike Dark Souls or Bloodborne, Sekiro doesn’t let players grind their way to victory. Every boss fight demands skill, pattern recognition and a willingness to learn from failure.
While Elden Ring became FromSoftware’s magnum opus, Sekiro remains a unique masterpiece that stands apart from the rest of its catalog.
3Rome: Total War
Veni, Vidi, Vici
Rome: Total War
The Total War series has always been about large-scale battles, but Rome: Total War was where everything clicked. It was the first to introduce full 3D battlefield graphics, allowing players to command thousands of soldiers in cinematic, sprawling engagements.
Theturn-basedcampaign was just as compelling, mixing diplomacy, politics and military strategy. Whether players chose to expand the Roman Republic or lead one of its many enemies to victory, the game’s depth ensured that no two campaigns played out the same way.
In 2005, Sega acquired the publishing rights to the Total War franchise in which the later entries further refined the mechanics, Rome: Total War remains one of the most influential strategy games ever made, often cited as the best in the series.
2Vampire: The Masquerade – Bloodlines
The Cult Classic that We Desperately Want a Sequel To
Vampire: The Masquerade - Bloodlines
A game that launched in a broken state but became a cult classic, Bloodlines delivered one of the deepest and most reactive RPG experiences ever seen. Set in the World of Darkness, it lets players navigate vampire politics, manipulate humans and embrace their supernatural abilities.
The writing was its strongest asset. Every faction had layers of intrigue, and every choice had consequences. The Nosferatu had to stick to the shadows, the Malkavians experienced reality through madness and everything constantly adapted to player decisions.
Despite its technical issues at launch, Bloodlines developed a following that kept it alive with fan patches and mods, cementing its legacy as one of the best RPGs of all time.
1Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2
“Remember, No Russian”
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 (2009)
Few FPS games have left as big a mark asModern Warfare 2. The campaign, filled with bombastic set pieces and controversial moments, pushed the boundaries of storytelling in ways that were never thought possible in a military shooter.
But it was the multiplayer that defined an era. Killstreaks, customizable loadouts and iconic maps like Terminal and Rust made every match a fast-paced, unpredictable experience. It is widely considered the best Call of Duty game and one of the few games in the series that turned the franchise into a cultural juggernaut.
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