12 Greatest Konami Games, Ranked (2024)

Konami has undeniably proven itself to be a powerhouse in the world of gaming, creating some of the most memorable and greatest franchises of all time. Fans known them for series such as Metal Gear Solid, Silent Hill and Castlevania, all of which established a loyal fanbase that have prevailed to this day.

In more recent years, the studio has run into issues that resulted in the departure of Hideo Kojima and the cancelation of their much anticipated game Silent Hills that has resulted them making nothing new other than pachinko machines and some questionable merchandise. Though, with the revival of the Silent Hill series, Konami has risen from the grave and answered the calls of their fans.

Updated October 2 2023 by Amy Cowley:Konami is back from the dead following the exciting announcement of multiple Silent Hill titles in the making, which has roused its fans into a frenzy. While waiting for these anticipated titles, it is worth looking back upon their impressive library to revisit some of their fantastic previous games. But not all games are made equal, and some Konami games rise above the rest in terms of quality. These list has been given an update to include more of the best Konami games of all time, sharing some titles that may have been overlooked at their time of release.

12 Dance Dance Revolution

Dance Dance Revolution was a revolutionary game that would change arcades forever, birthing a new type of rhythm game. If gamers ever wander into an arcade (which have grown increasingly rare in modern days), DDR machines are always the ones with the longest lines.

This game offered a unique way to play, as it involved gamers standing on a 'stage' with four directional buttons. Players would use their feet to step on the button that corresponded with the button displayed on screen at just the right time. The premise sounds easy enough, but keeping up with some of the songs' demanding pace and combo moves proved to be challenging. Still, that challenge was a fun one that would keep players coming back for more.

11 Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Turtles in Time

While Konami are primarily known for their original game franchises, they also delved into creating games on existing IPs, and to great affect. TMNT: Turtles in Time is one such game. This beat 'em up arcade game took the genre by storm, providing fantastic fun for gamers.

As expected from the title, the TMNT gang are thrown back in time after the chase Shredder following the very ambitious stealing of the Statue of Liberty. Like fishes out of the water, the turtles are scrambling to return to their own time, and the only way forward is through Shredder and his army. Fans of the show get the chance to team up with their friends and take control of their favorite turtle.

This 2015 stealth-action game has thus far been the final entry in the much-loved MGS series. Players take on the role of Venom Snake as he infiltrates a Soviet-occupied Afghanistan in retaliation for events that occurred in Ground Zeroes, a standalone prologue to Phantom Pain. Stakes rise when he unearths a plot by the Patriots organization to develop a new type of Metal Gear creation.

The game was lauded by critics for its intriguing plot, fantastic performances by the main cast, and the variety of ways in which players could confront situations. In reality though, stealth is always encouraged, as the guns-blazing approach will quickly be met with enough force to overwhelm Snake and his companion. Nevertheless, it remains an excellent entry in the series, even if it was met with some contention by die-hard fans of earlier titles.

9 Silent Hill: Origins

Often a forgotten entry in the Silent Hill franchise, Origins was a sleeper hit that surprised fans with the enjoyment they found. It remained true to the survival horror aspects that the Silent Hill series was built on, such as the monster-infested other-world, the suspenseful foggy streets of the town, and of course, the monsters themselves.

Origins revisits the fictional town of Silent Hill, expanding and further delving into the lore of the first and third installment as a prequel to the very first game. Players take on the role of Travis Grady, who travels to the titular town to try to uncover information about a mysterious girl he saved from a burning building. It turns out that girl was Alessa Gillespie, and fans of the series know all about her role in the downfall of the city.

8 The Simpsons Arcade Game

Another arcade game based on a cartoon, The Simpsons Arcade Game brought more beat 'em up gameplay but with beloved characters and locations from the enduringly popular cartoon sitcom.

As one might expect from a Simpsons game, the premise is hilarious. Smithers is on the run with a diamond he stole for Mr Burns. After colliding with Homer, the diamond goes flying into the mouth of Maggie, who doesn't realize it is a priceless gem and thinks it is a pacifier. Smithers kidnaps her, rallying the rest of the family to action. It's a simple set-up, but it paves the way for fun arcade gameplay, with each level topped off by a challenging boss fight.

7 Castlevania: Lords Of Shadow

Castlevania: Lords of Shadow is one of the more recent entries in the franchise, as well as one of the greatest. The game continues the trend of 3D graphics with the hack and slash action adventure gameplay, which does deviate slightly from the metroidvania gamestyle, but remains fantastic nonetheless. Players must confront enemies new and old, solve puzzles and complete platforming segments.

Lord of Shadows acts as Gabriel Belmont's debut to the series, with him acting as the protagonist for the Lord of Shadows series. Stated to be a reboot for Castlevania, it is set back during the end of days in 1047. It features the titular Lord of Shadows as the main antagonist, who has jeopardized humanities alliance with the heaves, preventing the souls of the deceased from ascending. Meanwhile, a blight of evil creatures ravage the dying lands and its remaining inhabitants.

6 Suikoden 2

The beloved sequel to the famed Konami RPG of the same name, Suikoden 2 takes place three years after the first game. The plot centers around an invasion of Jowston by the Kingdom of Highland. The protagonist and their friend desert the army, and they are swept up in a grand adventure that will see them teaming up with more allies and traveling the kingdom to right the wrongs.

Though its reception was initially lukewarm, Suikoden 2 quickly became a fan favorite thanks to its ambitious plot, colorful cast of companions, and the varied types of combat to keep gameplay refreshing and fun.

5 Silent Hill 3

Continuing on the events and lore set up in the first Silent Hill, Silent Hill 3 follows Heather, who wakes up in a burger joint after a nightmare. On her way home, she encounters a PI claiming he has information about his birth. Heather acts irreverent and uninterested as she tried to make her way back home, stumbling into the nightmarish other-world of Silent Hill and fighting her way through the mall and subway station back home, only to find her dead father.

Silent Hill 3 continues with the mechanics gamers come to expect from the beloved horror series, such as the horrifying monsters, wooden action, puzzled with customizable difficulties, and of course, horrifying boss monsters. While it doesn't share the success and popularity of its predecessor, it still stands out as one of the greatest horror titles of all time.

4 Castlevania: Symphony Of The Night

Castlevania: Symphony of the Night is often viewed as the greatest Castlevania series. It combines elements from beloved previous entries such as epic boss battles, open world exploration, and some RPG elements, as well as the platforming that was the hallmark of the early side-scrolling years of this series.

Alucard returns as the dhampir son to antagonist Dracula. He explores his father's castle to defeat an entity known as Shaft who has taken controller of Richter Belmont. But once players have defeated what they thought was the final boss, the second half commences. The castle flips upside down and presents new challenges, and more enemies and bosses to defeat.

3 Contra

Contra is one of Konami's few older titles that has seen an entry in the last few years. Contra: Rogue Corps released in 2019, to the dismay of fans due to the significant drop in quality in comparison to the original.

Known to be punishingly difficult, Contra hits the right notes for certain gamers who love challenges and the rush that comes after overcoming difficult fights, such as fans of the Soulsborne genre of games. With an overbearingly 80s macho-action feel to the game, and the fusion of platforming and bullet hell, this game provides brilliant adrenaline-fueling action for anyone brave enough to take on the challenge.

Snake Eater is set prior to the events of the first game and setting the stage for several of the stories and character arcs that would continue there. It explores an alternate Cold War, all kicked off by Snake, Zero and The Boss infiltrating Tselinoyarsk to rescue a Soviet scientist. However, the plan falls apart, and the games' story spirals from there to epic proportions fans expect of the MGS series.

Often hailed as one of the greatest Metal Gear games of all time, it contained all the ingredients that make games great. Innovative and fun gameplay, layered characters and intricate relationships, a phenomenal soundtrack, and rich cinematics to help spin the story at the heart of this game. And who can forget the famous scene of climbing the world's longest ladder while the song Snake Eater plays?

1 Silent Hill 2

Silent Hill 2 stands as a wholly unique title in the franchise, abandoning the plot laid out in the first game. It tells a more intimate story of a man who tragically lost his wife to illness, but received a posthumous letter inviting him to find her in their special place in the town of Silent Hill. James encounters other souls who were drawn to the town for their own reasons, as well as a whole slew of horrifying monsters.

Thanks to the excellence of its design, surprisingly impressive graphics that still hold up now, a riveting story and one of gaming's most infamous horror mascots of all time, Silent Hill 2 stands in a league of its own, proving to not just be a horror game but a commentary on love, loss, and the strain terminal illnesses can place on marriages. It stands as one of the most sophisticated titles in the horror genre.

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