Best Games of 2012

The best games released in 2012, ranked by Belly Score. The Belly's definitive 2012 game rankings.

The Belly's definitive rankings for games released in 2012. Every title from 2012 that earned a Belly Score appears here, sorted from the highest verdict down. It's a year-by-year snapshot of what The Belly thought of the releases — the standout hits, the disappointments, and everything in between from 2012.

9.8

Hotline Miami

Action · Shooter

Windows · macOS · Linux · PlayStation 3 · PlayStation 4 · PlayStation Vita · Nintendo Switch · Xbox One · Xbox Series X/S · PlayStation 5 · Android

CrimePsychologicalSurreal+1

IntenseFast-PacedBrutal+3

9.8

The House in Fata Morgana

Visual Novel · Horror · Adventure

Microsoft Windows · iOS · Nintendo 3DS · PlayStation Vita · PlayStation 4 · Nintendo Switch

GothicSupernaturalPsychological+1

MysteriousEmotionalMelancholic+2

9.7

DoDonPachi SaiDaiOuJou

Shooter

Arcade · Xbox 360 · Nintendo Switch

Sci-FiRobots / MechsSpace

IntenseFast-PacedChaotic+3

9.7

Persona 4 Golden

RPG · Adventure

PlayStation Vita · PC · PlayStation 4 · Nintendo Switch · Xbox One · Xbox Series X|S

ModernDetective / MysterySchool / Academy+1

ImmersiveMysteriousEmotional+3

9.7

Dishonored

Action · Adventure

PC · PlayStation 3 · Xbox 360

SteampunkDystopianSupernatural+1

ImmersiveDarkStrategic+3

9.6

Kid Icarus: Uprising

Shooter · Action

Nintendo 3DS

MythologyFantasyComedy

Fast-PacedChaoticQuirky+3

9.5

GUILTY GEAR XX ACCENT CORE PLUS R

Action · Fighting

PC · Nintendo Switch · PlayStation Vita · Arcade

Martial ArtsSci-Fi

IntenseFast-PacedChaotic+3

9.3

Crusader Kings II

Strategy · Simulation · Sandbox

Windows · macOS · Linux

MedievalAncient / HistoricalFamily+1

Open-EndedStrategicChallenging+3

9.3

THE BATTLE CATS

Strategy

Mobile

ChillChaoticFast-Paced+11

9.2

My Singing Monsters

Simulation · Rhythm / Music · Idle / Incremental

Android · iOS · PC · PlayStation Vita

MonstersNature / WildernessComedy

QuirkyWhimsicalCharming+2

9.2

Spelunky

Platformer · Adventure

PC · Xbox 360 · PlayStation 3 · PlayStation 4 · PlayStation Vita · Nintendo Switch

Nature / WildernessAncient / Historical

ChallengingBrutalUnforgiving+3

9.2

Yakuza 5

Action · Adventure

PlayStation 3 · PlayStation 4 · Xbox One · PC

CrimeModernComedy+1

ImmersiveIntenseQuirky+3

9.0

The Darkness II

FPS · Action

Microsoft Windows · PlayStation 3 · Xbox 360 · macOS

CrimeSupernaturalOccult+1

DarkBrutalIntense+2

9.0

Pixel Dungeon

RPG · Adventure

Android · iOS · Windows · macOS · Linux

FantasyDark / Grim

ChallengingBrutalUnforgiving+3

8.9

Prototype 2

Action · Adventure

PC · PlayStation 3 · PlayStation 4 · Xbox 360 · Xbox One

Sci-FiDystopianPost-Apocalyptic+1

IntenseFast-PacedChaotic+3

8.8

eXceed 3rd - JADE PENETRATE BLACK PACKAGE

Action · Shooter

PC

FantasySci-Fi

IntenseFast-PacedChallenging+2

8.7

Kingdom Hearts 3D: Dream Drop Distance

Action RPG · Adventure

Nintendo 3DS

FantasySupernaturalDreamlike

AdventurousFast-PacedWhimsical+3

8.7

ALAN WAKE'S AMERICAN NIGHTMARE

Action · Horror · Adventure

PC · Xbox

MysteriousExploratoryDiscovery-Driven+14

6.5

NeverDead

Action · Shooter

PlayStation 3 · Xbox 360

SupernaturalMonstersComedy

ChaoticWeirdFrantic+1