The greatest videogame endings of all time announced in the new guinness world records 2012 gamer’s edition





[This unedited press release is made available courtesy of Gamasutra and its partnership with notable game PR-related resource GamesPress.]

Over 13,000 Gamers Voted for their Favourite Videogame Ending

‘Call of Duty: Black Ops’ is Crowned Winner

‘Halo: Reach’ and ‘The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time’ are Runners Up

Warning: Spoiler Alert!! LONDON (January 9, 2012) – Today, Guinness World Records, the global authority on record-breaking, announce the Top 50 Videogame Endings of All Time as voted for by 13,519 fans of gaming. Conducted for the new Guinness World Records 2012 Gamer’s Edition book, the list will cause heated debate among passionate gamers and provide further evidence of the growing sophistication and popularity of videogames. Last year’s best-selling videogame, Call of Duty: Black Ops, developed by Treyarch, tops the list. The dramatic finale features a frantic shoot-out inside a submarine and provides our hero Mason the chance to take vengeance for a murdered friend. The closing sequence offers a new twist on the classic JFK conspiracy theory. Second place in the list is 2010’s Halo: Reach developed by Bungie. Another First-Person Shooter, Halo: Reach takes place in the year 2552, with humanity locked in a war with the alien Covenant. During the post credits sequence the player’s character, Noble Six, makes a final stand against impossible odds. Although he is eventually overwhelmed, his sacrifice ensures that the ‘Master Chief’ survives. Over 13 year’s old, Nintendo’s The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time takes third place in the list. One of the best loved games of all time ends in classic fashion with our iconic character defeating Ganondorf and rescuing Princess Zelda. The rest of the 50 offers a definitive list of the greatest videogame endings of all time. Notable entries include Red Dead Redemption (2010) which comes in at number 6. Rockstar’s mega-hit finishes like all good Western films with retribution, revenge and bloodshed. At number 7 is Portal (Valve, 2007). The highly memorable ending breaks from tradition, with the final boss, GLaDOS, appearing to be defeated but then going on to perform a musical number titled ‘Still Alive’. The song, written by nerd-folk artist Jonathan Coulton, has become a cult hit and been immortalised in numerous online tributes. Quantic Dream’s highly innovative Heavy Rain (2010) makes up the 10. The game features 22 possible endings which add to the excitement of the thriller. Will your in-game choices result in the ‘all round happy-ending’ or will they instead lead to an ending so dark that you’ll witness the deaths of most the game’s major characters. Gaz Deaves, Gaming Editor for Guinness World Records 2012 Gamer’s Edition said: “Everyone has an opinion on how to end a game whether it’s an epic boss fight, a clever plot twist or a 90-minute movie. This list recognises some of the greatest endings and hopefully will get gamers talking about what are their favourites and why.” The full list is featured in the new Guinness World Records 2012 Gamer’s Edition book out now. The book is also available in a fully illustrated, full colour eBook format at Kobo and Apple’s ibooks. For more information please visit www.guinnessworldrecords.com/gamers FOR MORE INFORMATION OR FEATURE OPPORTUNITIES PLEASE CONTACT: Damian Field 0207 891 4518 [email protected] Notes to Editor: Please find the full top 50 below: 50. Resident Evil 4 49. Star Wars: Knights of the old Republic 48. Ratchet & Clank: a Crack in Time 47. Crysis 2 46. The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion 45. Call of Duty: World at War 44. Star Wars: The Force Unleashed II 43. Half-Life 2: Episode Tow 42. Super Metroid 41. The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess 40. New Super Mario Bros. Wii 39. inFamous 38. Fallout 3 37. Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas 36. Gears of War 2 35. Bioshock 34. Starcraft II: Wings of Liberty 33. Sonic Adventures 2 32. Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater 31. Kingdom Hearts II 30. Mass Effect 29. Super Mario Galaxy 28. Sonic the Hedgehog 27. Metal Gear Solid 26. Assassin's Creed II 25. Assassin's Creed 24. Shadow of the Colossus 23. Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare 22. Kingdom Hearts 21. Uncharted 2: Among Thieves 20. Super Mario Galaxy 2 19. Mass Effect 2 18. Grand Theft Auto IV 17. Portal 2 16. Assassins Creed: Brotherhood 15. Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time 14. Halo: Combat Evolved 13. Halo 3 12. Pokémon Black and White 11. Super Mario Bros 10. Heavy Rain 9. Final Fantasy VII 8. Metal Gear Solid 4 7. Portal 6. Red Dead Redemption 5. God of War 4. Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 3. The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time 2. Halo: Reach 1. Call of Duty: Black Ops About Guinness World Records Guinness World Records is the universally recognized authority on record-breaking achievement. First published in 1955, the annual Guinness World Records book is published in more than 100 countries and 25 languages and is one of the highest-selling books under copyright of all time with more than 3 million copies sold annually across the globe. Guinness World Records celebrated its 50th anniversary edition in 2004, a year after the sale of its 100 millionth copy. Guinness World Records also annually publishes the Gamer’s Edition; a records book devoted solely to the world of computer gaming and high score record achievements. ###