You know that moment. The final cutscene. The credits. The twist, heartbreak, or satisfying resolution that makes you sit there, controller limp in hand. Maybe even shed a tear. Maybe rage-quit because of feels.
Yes, it’s the love-it-or-loath-it video game ending. Today, we’re counting down the best video game endings of all time, the ones replayed in your head, debated on forums, and quoted long after the game is over.
Why This List? (Our Method: Random, Nerdy, and Slightly Obsessive)
We didn’t just peek at Metacritic. We dove into Reddit threads, Discord debates, fan forums, and even poster sales to give each one a Displate score for their epic endings. This isn’t about perfection. It’s about the ones that stick with you, the ones still quoted, argued about, and remembered.
[Warning: There are spoilers ahead, so read at your own risk.]
10. An Ending That Talks Back (Undertale)
Ending Score: 7.5/10
Why it hits: Pacifist or Genocide? Undertale’s endings force players to reflect on their empathy, choices, and the meaning of games themselves.
It’s funny, heartbreaking, and meta in the best way. Easily one of the best endings in video games, and a modern classic.
9. A Bittersweet Return (Final Fantasy VII)Â
Ending Score: 7.7/10
Why it hits: Cloud and friends save the world, but not without heartbreak. Victory, loss, and reflection collide in a finale that’s as grand as it is emotional.
It’s nostalgic, messy, and beloved.
8. Heroism in Defeat (Halo: Reach)
Ending Score: 7.9/10
Why it hits: Your team fails. You fall. But your courage endures. Halo: Reach doesn’t end with triumph; it ends with sacrifice.
The narration, music, and visuals combine to make a near perfect playing experience, showing heroism isn’t always about winning.
7. Quiet Power in Loss (Shadow of the Colossus)
Ending Score: 8/10
Why it hits: You’ve slain giants for love. You’ve won. But the ending whispers: at what cost?
After battling tirelessly and hoping for a victorious high, you’re sucked into a vacuous hole… and then the cutscene starts to play. It’s left players wondering what it all really means and has been a hot topic of discussion on forums for many years.
6. Quantum Revelations and Mind-Melt (Bioshock Infinite)
Ending Score: 8/10
Why it hits: Layer after layer of twist, turns, and unexpected appearances occur until your brain feels like it’s folding in on itself. The final reveal is both surreal and unsettling, yet unforgettable.
It’s clever, haunting, and firmly placed in the hall of fame for a story you keep questioning long after the credits roll.
5. Fate, Family, and Consequence (The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt)
Ending Score: 8.5/10
Why it hits: Every choice matters. Every ending feels earned. Whether Ciri rules, wanders, or falls, you’re left with the weight of your journey.
Few games deliver consequences as lasting as The Witcher 3, and while you may want to replay to get each of the three main endings, there are over 36 cutscene variations that can appear – so maybe just a few more rounds to play then.
4. Cowboy’s Last Stand (Red Dead Redemption)
Ending Score: 8.8/10
Why it hits: John Marston spends the game trying to escape his past, only to be betrayed into one final showdown. His sacrifice, legacy, and loss are both a source of closure and a source of cruelty.
It’s a bittersweet farewell that has remained with players long after they’ve stepped away from the console… and still enticed them to play it all over again.
3. The Ballad of the Boss (Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater)
Ending Score: 9/10
Why it hits: You fight. You win. You kill your mentor. Then the petals fall, the music swells, and the tragedy hits like a ton of bricks.
It’s cinematic, heartbreaking, and a storytelling masterclass. No surprise fans still rank it among the best video game endings ever.
2. Confronting the Monster Within (Spec Ops: The Line)
Ending Score: 9/10
Why it hits: This game makes every choice sting. The endings (plural) aren’t safe; none give relief. By the time credits roll, you’re staring into a mirror, realizing the monster may have been you all along.
That psychological gut-punch cements it as one of the best endings in video games, and one that lingers long after you put down the controller.
1. A Sacrifice That Questions Everything (The Last of Us)
Ending Score: 9.5/10
Why it hits: After a brutal journey, Joel faces the impossible choice: sacrifice Ellie for a cure, or save the daughter he’s grown to love. The ending isn’t redemption, it’s moral ambiguity. Joel lies, Ellie suspects, and the world remains broken.
It’s messy, powerful, unforgettable, and often called the best video game ending of all time because it dares to challenge the player instead of tying things up neatly.
Let Your Walls Roll the Credits
And there it is — the endings that linger, twist your gut, and stick in your memory long after the credits roll.
Why leave those epic gaming vibes confined to your screen? Bring the spirit of your favorite worlds to life with Displate. From BioShock to The Witcher 3 and Halo, our officially licensed metal posters celebrate the games you love.
No creases. No tears. No nails in your walls. Just premium metal prints, magnet-mounted for effortless setup and a clean, gallery-worthy finish worthy of a legendary finale.
