The 10 Best Battlefield Games

Ever since the original Battlefield 1942 released back in the summer of 2002, EA and DICE’s large-scale multiplayer warfare series has consistently been among the most critically acclaimed and popular first-person shooters ever made. Thanks to its constant reinvention, Battlefield has felt forever fresh, cycling through a number of different eras and locations, pushing the player count to support over 100+ players on the map at once, and bolstering its core multiplayer-first design with singleplayer narratives that cover some of the grittiest aspects of warfare. All this considered, it’s really no surprise that Battlefield is still holding strong after two decades, even if it’s had a couple of missteps along the way.

Whether you’re a fan of the series’ original WW2 setting, enjoy the modern warfare eras, or prefer to fight on the frontlines of Miami’s drug war, there’s something in this series for everyone. But which game is the best? That’s what we’re here to find out. With the heated firefights of Battlefield 6 on the horizon, let’s look back over the series and choose the top 10 Battlefield games.

10. Battlefield 2142

When you think Battlefield, chances are you’re thinking about Battlefield 3. From its endlessly replayable, absolutely chaotic large-scale multiplayer battles that gave birth to countless trick shot compilation videos, to its over-the-top singleplayer and co-op campaigns, Battlefield 3 is undeniably the complete package. It was groundbreaking when it launched in 2011, and you can see that in the visuals that still look good today.

While the singleplayer retains a cult following and is worth taking a look at, multiplayer is where Battlefield 3 truly shines. An excellent progression system offers a ton of rewards and upgrades as you progress upwards through the ranks. Class selections are smart, improving upon Bad Company’s four-role system to offer a deep-but-streamlined set of options. Mechanically, the shooting, driving, and flying is rock solid and, most importantly, fun. This unlocks those signature Battlefield moments, where generally messing around leads to astonishing kills. If you want to strap C4 to a jeep and drive it off a cliff into a passing fighter jet, this is the game for you. The interplay between the squad combat, map destruction, objectives, and chaos-creating gadgets means that there’s just so much to do. It’s no wonder that people are still playing the game almost 15 years after its release.

Battlefield 3 is without a doubt the best entry in the series to date. And as one of the best multiplayer shooters ever made, it undoubtedly deserves the top spot on this list.

And there you have it – IGN’s pick of the 10 best Battlefield games. Do you agree with our list? Do you think Battlefield 6 will find its way onto a future version of this ranking? Let us know your thoughts and favorite entries in the comments below.