Uncharted’s my jam. Naughty Dog nailed it with this series, mixing heart-pounding action, Indiana Jones swagger, and featuring some of the best video game heroes and best video game stories I’ve experienced. From climbing crumbling ruins to dodging bullets in exotic locales, these games are pure magic and easily rank among the best adventure games out there.
Welcome to my personal ranking of Uncharted games. If you’ve ever wondered what is the best Uncharted game or which Uncharted game is the best, or simply want to see the uncharted games ranked from my perspective, you’re in the right place.
We’ll also touch upon the uncharted games in order of release as we go through the list. I’ve scoured the best insights from top sources, but this list is my take—personal faves, ranked from fifth to first, with why they hit me hard. Platforms, release dates, and my own vibes included. Let’s swing into it!
All Uncharted Games Ranked: Which Is Truly the Best?
5. Uncharted: Golden Abyss
- Release Date: February 15, 2012
- Platform(s): PS Vita
- Developer: Bend Studio
Golden Abyss stole my heart on the PS Vita. Playing Nate and Sully on a handheld was mind-blowing back then. I loved teaming up with Marissa Chase to chase conquistador gold—her spunk added spice. The visuals popped, and the jungles looked so lush that I forgot it was portable. Sure, those touchscreen controls annoyed me sometimes, and the story didn’t shake the series up, but Sully’s quips had me chuckling on my commute. Sources call it a Vita win, but for me, it’s the nostalgic underdog I still fire up.
4. Uncharted: Drake’s Fortune
- Release Date: November 19, 2007
- Platform(s): PS3, PS4 (2015 via The Nathan Drake Collection)
- Developer: Naughty Dog
This is where my Uncharted obsession started. As one of the early exclusive PS3 games I played, Drake’s Fortune introduced me to Nate, Elena, and Sully, and I was hooked. Hunting El Dorado with that trio felt like joining old friends. The U-Boat waterfall scene? I still get chills. Yeah, the gunplay’s clunky now, and that supernatural ending threw me off, but the charm won me over. Gamers say it’s dated, but I don’t care—those early PS3 days with Nate’s cocky grin and Sully’s cigar are pure nostalgia for me.
3. Uncharted: The Lost Legacy
Release Date: August 22, 2017
Platform(s): PS4, PS5 (2022 via Legacy of Thieves Collection), PC
Developer: Naughty Dog
No Nate, but The Lost Legacy became my surprise fave. Chloe Frazer’s my kind of hero—witty, tough, and rocking it with Nadine Ross. Exploring India’s Western Ghats, solving puzzles in that open-world jungle? It rivaled even the best Tomb Raider games for sheer exploration joy. I lost hours there, grinning like a kid. The Chloe-Nadine banter grew on me, from snarky to sisterly. Gamers love its gameplay upgrades, but for me, it’s the vibe—Chloe’s swagger and that Tusk of Ganesh quest felt personal, like I was right there. Underrated gem, hands down.
2. Uncharted 3: Drake’s Deception
- Release Date: November 1, 2011
- Platform(s): PS3, PS4 (2015 via The Nathan Drake Collection)
- Developer: Naughty Dog
Drake’s Deception is my action-movie dream. That plane crash in the desert was screaming, gripping my controller. Chasing Ubar with Nate, Sully, Chloe, and Elena felt epic—every locale, from Yemen to French chateaus, had me glued. The story’s a bit chaotic, as sources point out, but I loved the chaos. Those set pieces—sinking ships, burning buildings—made my heart race. It’s my go-to when I want classic Uncharted thrills, no questions asked.
1. Uncharted 2: Among Thieves
- Release Date: October 13, 2009
- Platform(s): PS3, PS4 (2015 via The Nathan Drake Collection)
- Developer: Naughty Dog
Uncharted 2: Among Thieves is the best Uncharted game for me, period. That opening—Nate bleeding out, dangling from a train in the Himalayas? I was floored. Hunting Shambhala with Chloe and Tenzin took me to Istanbul, Nepal, and beyond, each spot dripping with cinematic magic. The train sequence is my gaming holy grail—climbing carriages while dodging gunfire? Unreal. Sources call it iconic, and I agree; the pacing, puzzles, and gunfights are perfect. Only gripe? The final boss felt weird. Still, this is my Uncharted, the one I replay when I need an adventure fix.
Why These Are My Top Picks
Uncharted’s my escape. From PS3 to PS5 and PC, these games deliver thrills and heart. Uncharted 2’s my top dog for its raw energy, but every title here—Golden Abyss’s handheld charm, Drake’s Fortune’s roots, Lost Legacy’s fresh spin, and Drake’s Deception’s spectacle—hits me personally. Sources rave about the series’ legacy, and I feel it: Nate, Chloe, and crew are like family.
If you love these adventures and are looking for games like Uncharted, there are other action-adventure titles that capture a similar spirit across different platforms, including on Xbox and Playstation, offering exciting treasure hunts and cinematic moments.
Which one’s your vibe? Drop a comment, and let’s geek out over these epic treasure hunts!
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