The GameFAQs "Best. Game. Ever." contests celebrated the site's major anniversaries by pitting popular video games against each other in bracket-style tournaments, determined by user votes. For the 10th anniversary contest in 2005, the champion was The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time (Nintendo 64, 1998). This game emerged victorious after a 128-game bracket, defeating Chrono Trigger (Super Nintendo, 1995) in the final round. Ocarina of Time secured 68.06% of the vote, while Chrono Trigger received 31.94% [1]. The contest highlighted the enduring appeal of Ocarina of Time's innovative 3D gameplay, exploration, and narrative, which resonated strongly with voters over Chrono Trigger's time-travel mechanics and multiple endings.
For the 20th anniversary contest in 2015, the champion was Undertale (PC, 2015). In another 128-game bracket, Undertale triumphed over The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time in the final matchup, garnering 55.07% of the vote compared to Ocarina of Time's 44.93% [2]. Undertale's win was notable for its underdog status and massive fan mobilization, often called a "rally," which propelled the indie RPG forward. The game, developed by Toby Fox, stood out for its unique blend of humor, meta-commentary on player choices, and pacifist mechanics, contrasting with Ocarina of Time's established legacy. This upset victory sparked discussions about evolving gaming tastes and the power of community-driven voting in online polls.
These contests reflect GameFAQs' role in gaming culture, showcasing how fan preferences shift over time—from classic console epics to innovative indie titles. The outcomes influenced perceptions of "greatest games," with Ocarina of Time's 2005 dominance giving way to Undertale's surprising 2015 success [3].
## References
[1] GameFAQs. (2005). Best. Game. Ever. 2005 Contest Results. https://gamefaqs.gamespot.com/poll/2239-best-game-ever-finals-chrono-trigger-vs-the-legend-of-zelda
[2] GameFAQs. (2015). Best. Game. Ever. 2015 Contest Results. https://gamefaqs.gamespot.com/poll/6042-best-game-ever-finals-undertale-vs-ocarina-of-time
[3] Wikipedia. (2023). GameFAQs Contests. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/GameFAQs#Contests
GameFAQs hosted two "Best. Game. Ever." contests to celebrate its major anniversaries, with distinct champions emerging from each large, user-voted bracket.
The first contest, held in 2005 for the site's 10th anniversary, concluded with *The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time* being crowned the champion [1]. In a highly anticipated final round, the Nintendo 64 classic faced off against another monumental RPG from the same era, *Final Fantasy VII*. The matchup was exceptionally close, reflecting the revered status of both titles within the gaming community. *Ocarina of Time* ultimately secured its victory by the slimmest of margins, capturing 51.05% of the total votes cast in the final poll [1, 2]. The contest's 128-game bracket pitted titans of the industry against each other, culminating in a finale between two of the most influential games of their generation.
A decade later, for the 20th anniversary in 2015, a new and somewhat surprising champion was named. The independent RPG *Undertale*, which had been released just two months before the contest began, won the title [3]. Its victory came after a final-round battle against the enduring competitive favorite, *Super Smash Bros. Melee*. Propelled by a notably organized and passionate fanbase, *Undertale* triumphed with 52.89% of the final vote [3, 4]. This result was widely discussed across the internet, highlighting the power of a modern indie title to overcome established classics in a popular vote.
## References
[1] GamesRadar+ Staff. (2015, November 4). *The 20th anniversary of GameFAQs is this week, and it's getting a 'Best Game Ever' poll*. GamesRadar+. [https://www.gamesradar.com/20th-anniversary-gamefaqs-week-and-its-getting-best-game-ever-poll/](https://www.gamesradar.com/20th-anniversary-gamefaqs-week-and-its-getting-best-game-ever-poll/)
[2] GameFAQs. (n.d.). *Poll of the Day: The FINALS: (1) The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time vs (3) Final Fantasy VII*. Retrieved November 2023, from GameFAQs. [https://gamefaqs.gamespot.com/poll/2070-the-finals-1-the-legend-of-zelda-ocarina-of-time-vs-3-final](https://gamefaqs.gamespot.com/poll/2070-the-finals-1-the-legend-of-zelda-ocarina-of-time-vs-3-final)
[3] Person, C. (2015, December 21). *Undertale Wins GameFAQs' Best Game Ever Poll*. Kotaku. [https://kotaku.com/undertale-wins-gamefaqs-best-game-ever-poll-1749269588](https://kotaku.com/undertale-wins-gamefaqs-best-game-ever-poll-1749269588)
[4] GameFAQs. (n.d.). *Contest: Best. Game. Ever. 20th Anniversary*. Retrieved November 2023, from GameFAQs. [https://gamefaqs.gamespot.com/features/bge20_bracket](https://gamefaqs.gamespot.com/features/bge20_bracket)