Video games come in many different types, and stealth games are one of the most popular. Starting in the 1970s, these games have changed a lot over the years, branching out into many different styles. Today’s stealth games are incredibly complex, with features developers could only imagine in the past. We’ve picked the best stealth games from each generation of consoles, judging them on how well they were received by critics when they first came out, how much they impacted the genre, and how enjoyable they were to play.
1st) Manbiki Shounen
1st Gen: Atari Pong | Coleco Telstar | Magnavox Odyssey
True stealth games didn’t appear on home consoles until later generations. However, developers were experimenting with the idea on computers and in arcades much earlier. While the game Pong was becoming a huge hit in homes, a Japanese computer game called Manbiki Shounen (Shoplifting Boy) was gaining popularity. Created for the Commodore PET/CBM, it’s widely considered the first genuine stealth game, tasking players with navigating a store and stealing items while avoiding detection.
2nd) 005
2nd Gen: Atari 2600 | Channel F | ColecoVision | Intellivision | Magnavox Odyssey 2
Early stealth games were rare on home consoles, but the arcade game 005, released in 1981, gained popularity. This Sega title was one of the first to use a “vision cone” – a visual indicator of an enemy’s line of sight – to help players sneak past undetected. This mechanic would become a key feature in many future stealth games, whether avoiding guards or security cameras. Inspired by James Bond, 005 was both a commercial and creative success, and it paved the way for even more sophisticated stealth games that emerged in the next generation of consoles.
3rd) Metal Gear
3rd Gen: Atari 7800 | Nintendo Entertainment System | Sega Master System
The third generation of video game consoles saw the arrival of true stealth games, and the one that kicked off the genre was Konami’s Metal Gear. Created by Hideo Kojima and released in 1987 for the NES, it quickly became popular and launched a hugely successful franchise. Metal Gear also introduced many gameplay elements that would become staples of stealth games for years to come, making it a very influential title. Originally released on the MSX2, it soon came to the Nintendo Famicom and NES, and the series has since appeared on every major gaming console.
4th) Crack Down
4th Gen: TurboGrafx-16 | Genesis | Neo Geo | Super Nintendo Entertainment System
While the fourth generation of consoles saw some games experiment with stealth, there weren’t many games fully dedicated to it. The popular Metal Gear series was on hiatus, leaving a noticeable absence on consoles of that era. One of the few exceptions was Crack Down for the Sega Genesis. Originally an arcade game, it came to the Genesis in 1990. In Crack Down, players control one of two characters, navigating timed levels within a facility. The goal is to plant bombs to destroy cyborgs before they explode. The game’s top-down view allows players to use cover and hide from enemies while completing their mission.
5th) Metal Gear Solid
5th Gen: 3DO | Jaguar | PlayStation | Nintendo 64
The original Metal Gear introduced many players to stealth-based gameplay, but Metal Gear Solid truly defined the genre. The game was a critical and commercial success, selling millions of copies and taking the series in exciting new directions. Many consider it one of the greatest and most impactful video games of all time, and it’s definitely the most important stealth game of its generation. It also boosted the popularity of the PlayStation, which benefited Sony greatly. Metal Gear Solid refined everything about the stealth formula, and future games continued to build on its innovations.
6th) Tom Clancy’s Splinter Cell: Chaos Theory
6th Gen: GameCube | Dreamcast | PlayStation 2 | Xbox
Released on GameCube and PlayStation 2 (with a slightly better version on PS2), Tom Clancy’s Splinter Cell: Chaos Theory is widely considered one of the best games of its time. As the third installment in the Splinter Cell series and a direct continuation of Splinter Cell: Pandora Tomorrow, it expertly combines action, adventure, and stealth gameplay. The game received universal praise from critics and was a massive success with players, solidifying its place as the top stealth game of the 6th console generation despite strong competition. It has since been remastered and re-released for modern platforms.
7th) Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots
7th Gen: PlayStation 3 | Wii | Xbox 360
I always find myself going back to the Metal Gear series – it really set the standard for stealth games. A perfect example is Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots, originally released in 2008 for the PlayStation 3. Now, it’s being re-released on newer consoles, cementing its place as a key game from that era. Critics loved Metal Gear Solid 4, praising its gameplay, story, and impressive cutscenes. It’s just another fantastic addition to an already amazing franchise and a clear standout from the 7th generation of consoles.
8th) Metal Gear Solid 5: The Phantom Pain
8th Gen: Nintendo Switch | PlayStation 4 | Wii U | Xbox One
The eighth generation of consoles will likely be the last to see a new Metal Gear game. This is mainly because Metal Gear Solid 5: The Phantom Pain was the final game Hideo Kojima directed before leaving Konami. Without his involvement, the series has effectively ended, and I strongly believe that to be true. Like previous Metal Gear games, The Phantom Pain was a critical and commercial success, boasting a vast open world. While some reviewers disliked the ending, the game received widespread acclaim and sold extremely well, making it the best stealth game of the generation, even with competition from other popular franchises.
9th) Amnesia: The Bunker
9th Gen: Nintendo Switch | PlayStation 5 | Xbox Series X|S
The latest generation of consoles has continued to deliver strong stealth games, and Amnesia: The Bunker is a standout example. I considered including a similar game, Alien Isolation, from the previous generation, but Amnesia: The Bunker just edged it out. This game heavily emphasizes stealth as you try to survive and escape a terrifying bunker while being hunted by a frightening monster. It’s a fantastic addition to the Amnesia series and plays exceptionally well on all 9th generation consoles.
10th) Assassin’s Creed Shadows
10th Gen: Nintendo Switch 2 | PlayStation 6 | Xbox Project Helix
There’s no agreement yet on when the next generation of gaming consoles truly begins, or even if it has. However, if we consider the launch of the Nintendo Switch 2 as the start of that new generation, then Assassin’s Creed Shadows is currently the best stealth game. While Assassin’s Creed games aren’t always known for stealth, Shadows emphasizes it more than previous entries. Playing as Fujibayashi Naoe focuses heavily on stealth gameplay, more so than when you control Yasuke. The game offers a good amount of sneaking and avoiding enemies, and Assassin’s Creed Shadows looks and plays exceptionally well on the Switch 2. For now, it’s the best we’ve got.
What’s your favorite stealth game of all time? Share your thoughts in the comments below and join the discussion on the ComicBook Forum!
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2026-04-26 18:21