5 Best Games Developed By Bungie, Ranked

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Bungie has earned its reputation as a top game developer. They’ve created some truly exceptional games and a hugely popular franchise, even changing the first-person shooter genre for the better. Without games like Halo, the gaming world would be very different. Even when their games aren’t perfect, Bungie consistently builds a dedicated and loyal fanbase – something very few developers can achieve.

It’s fitting to celebrate Bungie’s greatest games with a ranked list—after all, that’s what the internet does best! While every Bungie game is fantastic, some truly stand out. To be clear, everything on this list (and almost every Bungie game ever made, including Gnop!) is exceptional and deserves high praise. However, these titles are just a little bit better, thanks to key features that make them special. From the popular Halo series to a hidden gem, here are Bungie’s very best games.

5. Oni

Okay, so Oni is a game I really love, and honestly, it doesn’t get enough credit. It’s totally different from most of Bungie’s stuff – instead of a first-person shooter, it’s a third-person action game where you mostly beat people up! It reminds me a lot of the first Halo in that the levels are huge and open, letting you explore everywhere and fight all sorts of enemies with your fists – and a few guns, of course. The game’s got a really cool, unique look and feel, heavily inspired by Ghost in the Shell, which makes it stand out even today. Seriously, it’s one of the best cyberpunk games out there.

Many consider Oni to be among the best games Rockstar has ever made, and that’s fair to say. Here’s how it happened: when Bungie was acquired by Xbox in 2000, the rights to Oni reverted to Take-Two Interactive, who also bought Bungie’s publisher, Gathering of Developers. This led to Rockstar being responsible for bringing the game to the PlayStation 2, making it a project that involved both Bungie and Rockstar. Ultimately, Oni is Bungie’s creation, and it’s unfortunate the franchise didn’t get a sequel – reports say one was cancelled after two years of development. Bungie never revisited the IP, but it would be fascinating to see how they’d approach a third-person action game like that today.

4. Marathon

Despite some criticism surrounding its live-service aspects, 2026’s Marathon remains a classic Bungie shooter, largely due to its excellent gameplay. Bungie consistently creates smooth and fun shooting experiences, and Marathon definitely delivers, even if you’re not a fan of the extraction shooter genre. While it didn’t quite reach the same level as Arc Raiders, Marathon has seen major improvements – its AI is much smarter, the graphics are beautiful, and the extraction elements have been significantly refined since the early beta versions, making it a truly impressive game.

The biggest drawback of Marathon is its difficulty. Bungie clearly designed it for experienced players of games like Tarkov, aiming for a challenging extraction shooter experience. Unlike Arc Raiders, which tried to be more accessible, Marathon embraces the hardcore elements of the genre. This might turn off some players, but it ultimately makes Marathon a stronger, more focused game. Bungie also addressed a common problem with online games by making post-launch purchases fairer and actively listening to player feedback. While Marathon won’t appeal to everyone, those it’s designed for will find it exceptionally enjoyable.

3. Destiny 2

Like its predecessor, Marathon, Destiny has always been a bit controversial, and that’s just a reality. The games haven’t always made the best choices, with confusing expansions and frustrating live-service elements. Despite issues like locking content behind arbitrary walls and the disappointing Lightfall expansion, Destiny 2 is still a truly excellent shooter that’s easy to get hooked on. The story is complex but captivating, the characters are well-written and acted, the shooting mechanics are some of Bungie’s best, and the game’s worlds are often breathtakingly beautiful.

Despite its imperfections, Destiny 2 has undeniably been a positive force, both in how it plays and in its innovative game design, and for its global player base. I keep coming back to it, and I have a lot of good memories associated with playing during difficult times. Even considering its drawbacks, the game still stands out. Destiny 2 represents the peak of Bungie’s development efforts, and while it never quite reached the level of the Halo series, it often came close.

2. Halo: Reach

While many consider it an overlooked gem, Halo: Reach remains my personal favorite Halo game. It isn’t necessarily the best – I reserve that title for the last installment – but it’s the one that affected me the most and provided the most enjoyment. Even after 16 years, I still remember its incredible, groundbreaking missions, its memorable characters, and its poignant atmosphere, which perfectly captured both Bungie’s departure from the series and the overall shift towards a more mature tone in the Halo franchise.

Even without considering anything else, the mission “Lone Wolf” alone makes Halo: Reach deserving of a place on this list. Its incredibly immersive and bleak atmosphere, combined with relentless enemy attacks, truly captures the feeling of desperation that defines the game. I might be a bit partial – Halo: Reach is the game I spent the most time playing with my brother, and those memories are special to me – but I still think it’s fantastic after all this time. It perfectly blends a moving and powerful story with top-tier shooting mechanics and level design. While one Halo game is slightly better, Reach remains an incredibly impressive accomplishment and a fitting farewell from Bungie.

1. Halo 3

Look, if you ask any Halo fan what the best game is, most will say Halo 3. And honestly, they’re right! It’s the peak of Master Chief’s story, and a lot of people, myself included, think it’s the last truly great mainline Halo game. It really feels like Bungie took everything they’d learned making the series and just nailed it. The shooting is incredible, the story finally delivers on all the hype after six years of build-up, and the levels are just brilliantly designed.

Halo 3’s multiplayer was truly exceptional – a landmark achievement that fostered a vibrant community rarely seen today. The game also debuted Forge mode, which empowered players to create and share their own custom maps and game types, significantly shaping the multiplayer experience for years. In many ways, Halo 3 represents Bungie at its best, successfully appealing to both fans of online multiplayer and immersive single-player campaigns – a feat many still hope to see repeated.

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2026-05-11 20:16