From platformers to RPGs and everything in between, these games stand above the rest for purely addictive gameplay.

For video game fans, there is something special about a title that draws the player in and compels them to keep coming back time and time again. From the very first Legend of Zelda to The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim, some games stand out in video game history for exactly that reason.

Across all different game genres and throughout the history of gaming, some titles have become incredibly popular as their addictiveness means most players can't help but put in tons of hours enjoying them. For the gamers of Ranker, these are the games for which that is most true.

10 Mario Kart 64 (1996)

The first truly 3D Mario Kart game and the first to support 4-player multiplayer racing, Mario Kart 64 became an instant, unputdownable classic in 1996. Though there are better all-round Mario Kart games, the N64 edition of the series is the one most remembered for simple, addictive fun.

When it comes to addictiveness, hardly anything is more important than having tight, intuitive controls, and, for a game as old as it is, Mario Kart 64 more than manages to deliver on this. With new characters and fun new circuits to boot, Mario Kart 64 is an incredibly easy game to like.

9 Super Mario 64 (1996)

Well over 20 years since Mario's full-scale 3D platforming debut, Super Mario 64 remains one of the best Mario games to play. Though certain aspects of the title, like the unwieldy camera, mean it has aged a fair amount, the range of acrobatic movement that it gives to Mario means it's always a joy to control.

Super Mario 64 is a game that is instantly associated with the Nintendo 64 era and its iconic status isn't for nothing. For many players, Super Mario 64 was the first realization of how addictive 3D platforming could be and hasn't been surpassed since, even with huge newer titles like Super Mario Odyssey.

8 The Legend Of Zelda: Ocarina Of Time (1998)

Though many fans are excited about the upcoming Breath of the Wild sequel about which little is still known, there are aspects of the earlier games that it will have a tough task living up to. In the case of Ocarina of Time, the memorable story, small but fun to explore world, well-designed dungeons, and tricky little puzzles gave it an addictive kind of thrill that the series has rarely done as well since.

Though it's relatively short by the standards of newer Legend of Zelda games and doesn't have a ton of replayability or post-game content, Ocarina of Time is great value for the content it does give. In the case of Ocarina of Time, its compactness is its strength and only helps it feel more of a joy to play through.

7 The Legend Of Zelda (1986)

Considering the limitations of the Super Nintendo console that it was made for, The Legend of Zelda punched far above its weight when it was first released in the mid-80s. Though it may look and feel archaic, simplicity is key when it comes to addictiveness and The Legend of Zelda is one of the best examples of this.

In exploring the world, beating dungeons and foes, and gaining pieces of the triforce, the gameplay concept was incredibly straightforward. Despite that, the title isn't easy by any means, forcing the player to explore thoroughly and think abstractly at times in order to keep the game moving. The level of challenge also helps draw the player back in time and time again.

6 Minecraft (2011)

Proving that detailed graphics and a clear direction aren't at all needed to produce an insanely popular and replayable game, Minecraft certainly deserves to be considered amongst the most addictive games. Despite being made by a small team around the simple concept of breaking things down and building things, no game has sold more copies than Minecraft.

The advantage of not having a story to drive the gameplay is that there is a freedom to Minecraft in allowing the player to set their own goals. As a result, the motivation to spend more time playing becomes that much higher and it becomes easy to lose countless hours to the game. Add in the ability to play with friends online and it's easy to see why the game enjoyed so much success.

5 Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas (2004)

Rockstar Games hit their stride with the fifth main entry in the series in 2004, releasing Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas to critical acclaim as well as a little controversy. Incorporating mechanics that would come to define the series in later years, including a huge open world with an absurd amount of things to do, San Andreas is still one of the most memorable games in the franchise.

The game's violence may have been the source of some concern in the mid-2000s but it also means tons of action-packed fun and that freedom to do almost anything is something that the Grand Theft Auto series has always been known for. San Andreas may have been outshone by its even more expansive sequels, but its easy-to-pick-up qualities still shine through.

4 Super Smash Bros (1999)

Spawning a series that has produced some of the best fighting games ever made, Super Smash Bros. defined the local multiplayer experience in the late 90s. When it comes to games to waste hours playing with friends, it is difficult to think of any that are a match for this arcade-like fighting game that brought together characters from across the Nintendo world.

Super Smash Bros. doesn't need a huge roster to impress, however, as each of the characters has a kit with a depth and personality that meant picking at random can lead to even more fun. By putting the emphasis on just that, Super Smash Bros. was able to outmatch even far more technical fighting games.

3 World Of Warcraft (2004)

The MMORPG gameplay experience can seem frustrating and inaccessible to newcomers, with an intimidating level of complexity and lots of genre-specific terms, so it's even more impressive that World of Warcraft has managed to win over so many players in its huge lifespan. With a new highly anticipated expansion called World of Warcraft: Dragonflight on the way, there's a chance for the game to capture even more fans.

For those who do give the game a chance, World of Warcraft rewards the player with the best MMORPG experience around and is even surprisingly friendly to newcomers. The only downside is just how much of a time sink the game can become for players who get into it.

2 Super Mario Bros. 3 (1988)

The original Super Mario Bros. may be more popular and Super Mario World may be more polished, but there is something about Super Mario Bros. 3 that makes it stay in the memory of anyone who played the iconic 2D platformer. With charming music, intuitive controls, and smart level design, Super Mario Bros. 3 hits all the right notes.

Not only that, but the game also introduced a ton of the characters and mechanics that have become synonymous with the Mario franchise. Whether navigating treacherous airships or flying over hapless enemies with the Tanooki Suit power-up, Super Mario Bros. 3 is always a joy to play.

1 The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim (2011)

Genres that lend themselves towards simple, memorable gameplay patterns like platformers are typically thought of as the most addictive, but there is also something about well-realized story-driven fantasy games that means they can be just as engrossing. Skyrim is the best example of this, as it continues to be re-released for players' enjoyment on the latest generation of consoles.

Skyrim encourages the player to explore and get completely immersed in the world of the game. In Skyrim more so than almost any other title, the player can pass countless hours without advancing any central plotline and still feel satisfied. It's easy to see why Skyrim is considered to be the most addictive game of all time by players on Ranker.

NEXT: 10 Games Where The Protagonist Doesn't Speak

Next 10 Cinematic Franchises That Were Perfect For Video Game Adaptations