5 Best Konami Games of All Time, Ranked

Konami has brought players several genre-defining titles over the years. With a dedication to such quality, it can be challenging to narrow down such a longstanding legacy to a greatest hits as it were of the development team. The games created under the Konami banner also vary quite a bit, giving players looking to delve into their catalog plenty to look forward to. Today we will dive into what has made this gaming catalogue and company so special. Without further ado, here are the 5 Best Konami Games of All Time, Ranked.

5. Dance Dance Revolution

Starting off our list of the best Konami games of all time. Here we have a game that went on to become iconic. Dance Dance Revolution is a popular game in which players must learn to dance on pressure pads, which are typically found in arcades. The cabinet for the game was initially released in Japan in 1998. It wouldn't take long before the world got their hands on it as well. The game's flashy colors and rhythm-based gameplay became a success for arcade lovers worldwide. There are many aspects of gaming that Dance Dance Revolution helped pioneer, such as the popularity of rhythm games. But also the thoughts surrounding gaming as an exercise.

One of the greatest aspects of Dance Dance Revolution is its adaptability over the years. While the core formula has remained the same, there have been several innovations in several respects. These include things such as the difficulty and naturally the hardware behind the games. Additionally, the game even came to home consoles for the PlayStation 2. Which at the time, only added to its overall appeal. With tournaments and communities centered around this arcade classic, it is no surprise that it is one of the best Konami games of all time.

4. Castlevania: Symphony of the Night

Switching things up quite a bit for our next entry, here we have Castlevania: Symphony of the Night. The Castlevania series is one that has become synonymous with the action RPG genre over the years. This is due to not only the longevity and strength of the games in the series but also how they approached gameplay. Castlevania: Symphony of the Night, for many fans of the series, perfected the formula. This allowed for more open exploration, and therefore, more connection to the game's world. This led fans of the series to want more from the Castlevania universe, leading to a wonderful legacy that was to follow.

Additionally, it manages to do this without sacrificing the core gameplay elements of the Castlevania series. Another element of the game that received much praise upon its release is the enemy design. At the time, the amount of effort that went into perfectly crafting these enemies was certainly impressive. However, through the power of hindsight, we can see just how much of a leap forward this title was at the time. All around, Castlevania: Symphony of the Night remains one of the best Konami games of all time.

3. Contra

For our next entry of the best Konami games, we have Contra. Contra is a game that not only went on to define a genre, but one that lives in the annals of gaming history forever. Flavored by the action-packed media of the time, Contra sees players dismantling an evil regime in the future. The game itself was initially released into arcades and would require players to use coins in order to operate. However, with the game coming to home computers a bit later, the game quickly spread.

That isn't to say that the arcade sales weren't impressive either, as they were in the top five arcade machine sales released in 1987. While the gameplay of Contra may seem simple by today's standards, at the time, it was very technically impressive. Players were able to maneuver throughout a sort of 3D space, which felt unique at the time. One of the aspects of the game that players will remember so fondly is the famous Konami code. A cheat that greatly influenced gaming culture as a whole. In short, Contra is one of the best games that Konami has ever released.

2. Silent Hill 2

Our next entry is not only one of the most successful video game follow-ups of all time, we have Silent Hill 2. When it was initially released, there was simply nothing like the Silent Hill games on the market. And following the success of the first title was certainly a tall task. One of the aspects of this game that stood out immediately was its use of more obscure and somewhat taboo topics. This gave the game an even dark and more malevolent tone than even the first Silent Hill game.

Drenched in an oppressive and spooky atmosphere, the sound design, as well as the level design within this title sticks with you. This is due to the strength of the game's core design philosophies. As well as stunning art direction. All of these elements combine to make Silent Hill 2 not only one of the most artful depictions of horror in gaming history. But also a phenomenal game in its own right. To close, we consider Silent Hill 2 to be one of the best games Konami has made throughout its illustrious career.

1. Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater

Now comes the time for our final entry on our list of the best Konami games of all time, here we have Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater. This is a game that not only had to capitalize on the success of its predecessors, but improve upon them greatly. The addition of survival mechanics into the game makes it stand out among even other Metal Gear titles today. Many aspects of this game are as worthy of praise today, as they were when they were released as well. In fact, the game was so overwhelmingly popular, that it will be receiving a remake sometime in 2024.

This not only is a testament to the strength of the game's design but also its legacy. This is because it is a game that in many ways, shaped childhoods. And it is simply a stunning piece of art to consume and learn from. The cinematic gameplay, as well as the nonlinear approach to storytelling in the game. Both still stand out as some of the best in gaming history. The amount of tactical freedom it gave players is still a highlight of the game years later. In conclusion, if there is one title that can be placed among the best games that Konami has ever made, this title is certainly worthy of the honor.

So, what's your take on our picks for the 5 Best Konami Games of All Time, Ranked? What are your rankings of these titles? Let us know over on our socials here or down in the comments below.