Naughty Dog stands as a leading force in the video game development industry. Established in 1984, the company has gained widespread recognition for its impressive portfolio, featuring iconic franchises like Crash Bandicoot, The Last of Us, and the Uncharted series. With most of its games receiving critical acclaim, it's essential to identify the standout titles through their Metacritic ratings.
While Metacritic scores are not absolute, they offer a general sense of the games universally perceived as Naughty Dog's finest. These titles showcase the developer's prowess in seamlessly integrating storytelling and gameplay, delivering unparalleled gaming experiences.
Updated January 12, 2024 by Ritwik Mitra: Naughty Dog is one of the most reputed video game developers around, being a bastion of the PlayStation ever since the release of the first console. From Crash Bandicoot to The Last of Us, the developer has come a long way and shaped the gaming landspace in a myriad of new and interesting ways.
Exploring Naughty Dog's history proves to be a captivating journey, especially considering that none of their games have received poor ratings on Metacritic.
20 Crash Bandicoot
GameRankings Score: 80
Crash Bandicoot, a renowned video game mascot, made a modest debut with room for improvement. The game laid a solid foundation, albeit with rough edges and linear gameplay, setting the stage for something extraordinary just a year later.
19 Uncharted: Golden Abyss
Metascore: 80
Uncharted: Golden Abyss, a PlayStation Vita exclusive, showcased commendable prequel storytelling and touch controls, seamlessly integrating with the main series, despite encountering some issues.
18 Jak And Daxter Collection
Metascore: 81
The Jak and Daxter Collection for PS3 received mixed responses, with critics acknowledging visual improvements while some felt it needed more modernization. However, its 81 Metascore and 8.7 user score illustrate its overall positive reception.
17 Jak 3
Metascore: 84
Jak 3 showcased impressive visuals in 2004, yet fell short of differentiating itself from its predecessors, receiving mixed reviews. Despite criticism, it holds a respectable 84 Metascore, indicating its quality.
16 Uncharted: The Lost Legacy
Metascore: 84
Uncharted: The Lost Legacy featuring Chloe Frazer as the protagonist impressed critics, although it didn't surpass the highs of other Uncharted titles, it still garnered praise, securing an 84 Metascore.
15 Uncharted: The Nathan Drake Collection
Metascore: 86
The remastered Uncharted: The Nathan Drake Collection for PS4 received accolades for its visual and gameplay enhancements, earning an 86 Metascore and 8.6 user score, cementing its status as the definitive way to experience the iconic explorer's early adventures.
14 Jak 2
Metascore: 87
Released in 2003, Jak 2 earned critical acclaim for its gameplay and design, despite criticisms about its checkpoint system and open-world city. With an 87 Metascore and 8.3 user score, it remains an impressive title in the Naughty Dog library.
13 Uncharted: Legacy Of Thieves Collection
Metascore: 87
The Uncharted series' enhanced collection offers a satisfying experience, especially with Lost Legacy and A Thief's End being standout titles. With an 87 Metascore, it stands as a testament to Naughty Dog's exceptional game development.
12 The Last Of Us: Left Behind
Metascore: 88
Left Behind, an expansion pack to The Last of Us, received universal praise for its story and gameplay, despite some criticisms. With an 88 Metascore, it remains a remarkable addition to the acclaimed The Last of Us universe.
11 Uncharted: Drake's Fortune
Metascore: 88
Uncharted: Drake's Fortune kickstarted the action cinema genre of gaming, earning praise for its cast and cinematic qualities. With an 88 Metascore, it remains a pivotal title in the Uncharted series, despite a lower user score of 8.0.
10 Crash Team Racing
Metascore: 88
Crash Team Racing proved to be a standout kart racer, lauded for its characters, graphics, and gameplay, earning an 88 Metascore and a 8.9 user score, cementing its status as an original Naughty Dog creation.
9 The Last of Us Part 1
Metascore: 88
The technical excellence of the The Last of Us remake ensures that the compelling story of Joel and Ellie remains captivating. With an 88 Metascore, it continues to be a cherished title, despite ongoing debates about its remake.
8 Crash Bandicoot 2: Cortex Strikes Back
GameRankings Score: 88
Crash Bandicoot 2 stands as a perfect sequel, enhancing its predecessor's great elements and controls. With an 88 GameRankings score, it continues to impress, showcasing its timeless design.
7 Jak And Daxter: The Precursor Legacy
Metascore: 90
The iconic Jak and Daxter: The Precursor Legacy broke into the 90s, praised for its graphics, cast of characters, and platforming elements, solidifying its status as a gaming icon with an enduring 8.8 user score.
6 Crash Bandicoot 3: Warped
Metascore: 91
Crash Bandicoot: Warped remains an all-time classic, celebrated for its production values and captivating gameplay. With a 91 Metascore and 9.0 user score, it stands as a timeless masterpiece in the gaming world.
5 Uncharted 3: Drake's Deception
Metascore: 92
Drake's Deception delivered an outstanding gaming experience, albeit slightly divisive among players, earning a 92 Metascore and an 8.4 user score, showcasing its impactful presence in the Uncharted series.
4 The Last Of Us Part 2
Metascore: 93
The Last of Us Part 2 captivated audiences with its stunning visuals and narrative, albeit facing divided opinions, resulting in a 93 Metascore and a 5.8 user rating, reflecting its complex reception among fans.
3 Uncharted 4: A Thief's End
Metascore: 93
Uncharted 4 received widespread critical acclaim for its remarkable production values and captivating story. Despite some reservations, it achieved a 93 Metascore and an 8.8 user score, solidifying its place in the Uncharted series.
2 The Last Of Us
Metascore: 95
The Last of Us remains an unparalleled masterpiece, celebrated for its exceptional storytelling and gameplay. With a 95 Metascore and a 9.2 user score, it stands as a pinnacle of gaming excellence across multiple PlayStation platforms.
1 Uncharted 2: Among Thieves
Metascore: 96
Uncharted 2: Among Thieves remains the highest-rated Naughty Dog game, earning widespread acclaim for its groundbreaking impact on blockbuster gaming. With a 96 Metascore and an 8.8 user score, it continues to be a monumental achievement in the gaming industry.