What are the best Uncharted games? The swashbuckling world of Nathan Drake and his allies is one of the most beloved series PlayStation has in its corner. Developed (primarily) by famed Californian studio Naughty Dog, Uncharted's strength lies in its Hollywood-like storytelling, lovable characters, and breathtaking action sequences.
Uncharted got its start on PS3 with Drake's Fortune, and the franchise only grew bigger and better over time. It's one of the most critically acclaimed series in video games, a consistent seller for Sony, and each game has several fantastic, memorable moments. These globetrotting adventures are remembered for their incredible set-pieces and well-acted performances, but paved the way for many other action adventure titles with its simplified climbing and intuitive combat. The question is, which of the games comes out on top?
That's where you come in. In order to rank the best Uncharted games, we've turned to you lot for the final say. Using the search box below, you can find all the games in the series, and give each of them a rating out of 10. These user scores directly impact the order of the list, therefore always showcasing the Uncharted titles you collectively like most. If you disagree, you can have your say by leaving your ratings — and of course, leaving your thoughts in the comments section below.
7. Uncharted: Fight for Fortune (PS Vita)
Collectible card games are all the rage these days, but that was less the case when Uncharted: Fight for Fortune debuted as a standalone spin-off for Bend Studio’s PS Vita launch title, Uncharted: Golden Abyss. The game functions a little like Top Trumps, with characters, props, and scenes from the series represented. But while its gameplay is mostly entertaining, it lacks longevity, and is considered something of a forgotten relic these days.
6. Uncharted: Drake's Fortune (PS3)
The game that started it all, Uncharted: Drake’s Fortune represented a bold new direction for developer Naughty Dog in 2007, as it ditched the cartoon mascots that had defined its catalogue for over a decade, and attempted something a little more realistic. Playing like a summer blockbuster, the first game revelled in its waxy PS3-powered flora, as it took you on an oversaturated tour of the Amazon in search of El Dorado. While it shows its age in some regards nowadays, the light-hearted writing and stellar performances made it stand out compared to other games at the time and paved the way for some incredible follow-up adventures.
5. Uncharted: Golden Abyss (PS Vita)
At the time, Uncharted: Golden Abyss was a mind-boggling technical achievement. By scaling the buccaneering antics of protagonist Nathan Drake down to the PS Vita’s vibrant OLED screen, developer Sony Bend dropped its fair share of jaws. While the title wasn’t able to live up to the scorching highs of Naughty Dog’s console counterparts, this was a serviceable spin-off that plundered every single one of the portable’s flagship features, for better or worse. While we’ve blocked out its abysmal touchscreen boss battle, we were particularly fond of its gyro aiming, which felt great in the palm of your hands.
4. Uncharted: The Lost Legacy (PS4)
Starting life as DLC for Uncharted 4: A Thief's End, Uncharted: The Lost Legacy ditches Drake for a badass lady double act in Chloe and Nadine. Their adventure through India to find the Tusk of Ganesh is up there with the series' best, with some brilliant set-pieces dotted throughout its well paced story. What it lacks in Nate's witty banter, it makes up for with a great relationship between the two leads that ebbs and flows as they figure each other out. Excellently acted and written, as is par for the course with Naughty Dog these days, this is a great offshoot that fans of the series will love.
3. Uncharted 3: Drake's Deception (PS3)
After the colossal success of Uncharted 2, the pressure was on Naughty Dog to deliver another absolutely stunning adventure — and for the most part, the studio delivered. It may not be quite as fondly remembered as its predecessor, but Uncharted 3: Drake's Deception is still stuffed with incredible set pieces and brilliant character moments. While its story does feel a little slapdash at times, there's a barnstorming momentum to Uncharted 3 that's hard to top — and it all starts with that superb barfight.
2. Uncharted 4: A Thief's End (PS4)
A fitting end to one of PlayStation's finest franchises, Uncharted 4: A Thief's End spins a more mature yarn without losing any of the bombast that has defined the brand over the past decade. Naughty Dog proves yet again that its lightyears ahead of all other developers in the story-telling stakes, and while some slow pacing may put off adrenaline junkies, the Californian company deserves kudos for allowing its latest to breathe, building towards a crescendo that feels both final and fulfilling.
1. Uncharted 2: Among Thieves (PS3)
Uncharted 2 singlehandedly defined the PS3 back in 2009, when Sony's pricey console was struggling to resonate with a wider audience. Naughty Dog's stunning action-adventure kickstarted PlayStation's ongoing obsession with blockbuster exclusives, and it's still a game that wows with its awesome set pieces. Who could forget the helicopter chase through those collapsing buildings? The moving train scramble? A technical marvel at the time, and a landmark moment for modern PlayStation.
And that's it for our best Uncharted games list. Do you think they're in the right order? Whatever your opinion, remember that this list is entirely determined by readers like you. If you want to contribute to how these games are ranked, leave your user scores on each title using the search bar at the top of this article. If an Uncharted game is somehow missing from our PlayStation Game Database, let us know.
With all that out of the way, thanks for browsing our list of best Uncharted games, and be sure to share your thoughts on the series in the comments section below.
Comments 44
Uncharted 2 was an amazing game but not even close to 4 which is not only the best Uncharted game in the series, it's also one of the best games ever made.
I can never chose between 2 and 4 (love em both, 2 sides of same coin for me) and feel this list is spot on!
I would argue the story in 3 was all over the place and had some real holes but more than made up for with the insane set pieces.
Hoping Sony announce the long rumoured new UC game soon...
Completely agree with the order which is rare.
2 > 4 > 3 > LL >> GA > 1 > spin offs.
@avividan UC4 certainly does some things better, but it is worse paced and for it's time UC2 was a better game. Still hard to choose.
Lost Legacy is probably in the right place for ranking the games overall, but if you were ranking just particular set pieces from the games, then the final sequence of Lost Legacy would be #1.
I'd swap U4 and U2's ranks in this list, but otherwise I'm in agreement.
So we all know how well Bluepoint does remasters, but when playing through the PS4 version of the games, you almost feel disappointed by the graphics. Yet when I played through them the first time on the PS3, they were the most beautiful games I'd ever seen! That's not to say the remastered versions aren't still lookers, just that we now have a generation's worth of context.
Uncharted 3 is by far the weakest of the franchise. Weak storytelling, weak story, weak characters... Oh, and don't get me started on that ***** ass ending too. The Atlantis of the Sands deserved better.
@avividan
Hard agree.
For some reason people look at Uncharted 4 very critically, but it's probably PS4's best game. What an absolutely insane achievement.
U2 is a fun blockbuster, but U4 went all out.
They brought some serious weight to the series, emotion wise, storytelling wise gameplay wise and the blockbuster setpieces were all still there and better than ever. They also had the balls to slow down and tell the story like adults.
That was peak Naughty Dog right there and the best being at their bestest best is scary lol
Lost Legacy should get a sequel though! That game was perfect in my opinion and would be ranked no.1 if it had Drake in it. U4 was a great ending to Drakes saga but it is way too slow at times, though the online mode was really fun. Im in the minority but I prefer U3 over U2. U1 is technically too weak compared to the rest. Oh, and the spins off shouldnt even count, they dont feel like Uncharted at all. So for me the list goes no5. U1 no4. U2 no 3. U3 no2. LL no1. U4.
The pacing of 4 was its biggest strength. It finally took storytelling in the UC franchise seriously and it showed maturity that was lacking previously. It’s also got the biggest, best and smartest set pieces in its history.
I’ve lived and breathed every uncharted on day one. Probably the most amazing series of games for me top three easy.
I really thought ND what have followed up by now exclusive and on PS5 with Drakes daughter, a new chapter in the series.
When Sony Studios start producing again also with their other fantastic AAA campaign games I shall turn my PS5 slim on.
Until then it stays rather dormant.
I am partial to Uncharted 3. I loved the story that keeps you trying to guess the next twist and it had some amazing levels such as the underwater ship. I remember being in awe at how it looked.
It's the only uncharted game i'd replay now.
Agree with the top spot but not the second one, think that should be third of fourth. I’d bloody love a new one exclusive to PS5 though….
I think the puzzles and set pieces were brilliant in The Lost Legacy.
I would really really really really like a new Uncharted console game, and I’d love them to make a mobile Uncharted game too, if the Vita could run on so can a phone.
For me Uncharted is better then The Last Of Us, part 2 especially.
My favourite is Uncharted 4. The series needed a slightly slower pacing and a bit more of a serious tone here and there. It's still undeniably Uncharted, but it's also a little more grounded.
Also, I hope there's an Uncharted 5 in the works. I miss this series.
@BIG3
>would be ranked no.1 if it had Drake in it.
... Lol no. The story was a bit weak. If people really liked Drake that much they wouldn't buy it as they'd known he wouldn't be in there.
People gave it a shot, knowing which character they're gonna play with (so they were open to it) and then felt whatever they felt. Bad take, sorry
The first Uncharted is still my favourite.
RIP Eddy Raja.
Personally, I enjoyed Lost Legacy much more than Uncharted 3. For me it's:
2 > 4 > LL > 3 > GA > 1
Uncharted 4s verticality and upgraded stealth and platforming make it the better game. For Pete's Sake they had a jeep for maybe two chapters and it is still some of the best bloody vehicle controls in a game with actual terrain feel and traction! The whole pirate colony bit is such good action horror with the slow realization that they descended into madness and greed and how easily that could've been Nate.
The story adds some much needed depth to Elena and Nates relationship too. The ending is one the best in video games. Armored enemies are much easier to deal with.
Lost Legacy. Great game. Love the expanded open exploration concept which was later fleshed out int TLOU2. Nadine gets a much needed character growth to become lovable. Chloe is the best. Asav is a good villain. Love that Final fight.
Uncharted 2 is excellent as well but what holds it back for me on replays is bad enemy placement, the big guys especially are bullet sponges and not fun. The yetis suck.
Uncharted 3. Great set pieces. Some good story moments. Second weakest from what I've played.
Uncharted 1. Introduced iconic characters but that's it. It hasn't aged well.
Guys, I found a mistake on your article. You accidentally put the first and second place in wrong order.
I think Lost Legacy should be higher up the list. It's an amazing game and definitely a direction I want the series to continue in.
Uncharted 4 was a great end to Drake's story, but the series and formula work so well.
Still didn't played U4 but must say U1 was the best, followed by U2 (SPOILER: If Shamballa wasn't so endlessly huge it could be no.1), finished by U3.
U3 was a bit pain in ass to finish and as same as U2 it had so much deaf fluff.
I hate spin-offs so cannot judge rest.
My favourite series ever! I still think Uncharted 4 needed at least two more set-pieces in the story flow but it was still a great farewell. Lost Legacy should be the way series continue, it was awesome; especially final chapter was one of the best. Chloe&Nadine dynamic worked so well too. I need a sequel! 3rd game is still a classic, can't believe we don't have anything like that plane scene in modern gaming even with this gen. Golden Abyss was dissapointing and Vita couldn't handle what it tried to achieve unfortunately.
3>LL>4>2>1
Just give me the remake of Drake's Fortune or a complete new game for God sake!
Not played Uncharted on Vita, but that list seems pretty close otherwise. However, I would swap around 4 & 3.
Uncharted Waters: New Horizons loved that game! 😂
@Specky you dont need to apologize for disagreeing with me ✌️
The whole unchartered series of games are incredible still to this day,I'm currently playing lost legacy ,its the only one I've not played I had started it ages ago and got sidetracked by other games lol,I personally think no4 pips no2 just but very very close call and no1 is still very gd ,no3 is fantastic as well but a bit more all over the place, which has now got me thinking when I'm done with lost legacy, I may go through the others again ,I've played abyss on vita but never finished it but very very gd on a portable of what I did get through ,an absolutely fantastic run of games and naughty dog at their best ,can only hope we get 1 more on the ps5 but wishful thinking really ha ha
And 2 of the best characters in a game with drake and sully ,so very funny and brilliantly written ,wonderful stuff
And as a series they'll be very hard to beat
Uncharted 1 was alright. Because I played it on PS3, the six axis controller dampened the experience + higher difficulty. It's not one I could replay again until the PS4 version cleaned things up nicely.
Uncharted 2 had the complete package on PS3, no question. Best story, gameplay, and plentiful modes in multiplayer before it broke right before the 2011 PSN outage. But with them removing the multiplayer on the PS4 collection, it's just a good story game now.
Uncharted 3 had an alright story and slightly better multiplayer experience, but not as many modes as 2. Felt like they took some steps forward but some steps back. Marlow wasn't an adequate enough villain compared to the previous games.
Uncharted 4, it was great but not quite high on replayability. Especially with the multiplayer being barebones compared to 2 and 3. I loved Lost Legacy, even though it leaned harder on the Tomb Raider comparison with expanding Chloe's past. And Golden Abyss was alright too.
I'm fairly new to playing them and I had to watch the first 3 on YouTube after getting some way into the first. Just got bored of the shootouts, so repetitive. Had no idea that multiplayer was a thing but that factor should probably only be included in a separate list. I don't feel a desire to play any of them again, might as well watch. The open world section in Lost Legacy is neat. But 4 was the definitive for me.
Fair list. Despite having a soft spot for 1 and 3, I acknowledge that the best game spot is a tough call between 2 and 4. 2 takes the cake for me anytime though.
@avividan no lies told!!!!
I wouldn't call myself an Uncharted fan, but the games are generally enjoyable. My favourite is Lost Legacy, the brevity of it keeps a tighter rein on the story and it pushes things forward. Also, the different cast is great. To be completely honest I find Nathan Drake pretty annoying so having the two girls lead the story is a huge boost, for me.
If they were to make another Uncharted, I'd really like to see a story with Sully in the lead which switches between his younger and older self. An old adventure which comes back to haunt him. Obviously as a young man he could be more physically capable, then as an older man use cunning and trickery. I think it would be fun!
My top 3:
1. Uncharted 2
2. Uncharted 4
3. Uncharted Lost Legacy
Lost Legacy should be no 1!! 🥹
He'll no, How even can put uncharted 4 infront of Ucharted 1, even no close. Uncharted 4 was so boring and lacking so much more. Shooting mechanics was so poor and unpleasant.
Uncharted 1
Uncharted 2
Uncharted 3
The rest is a mess LL was so weaker.
Tomb raider gain way ahead of Uncharted 4 and LL
My rank based on how much i like the story:
1. UC 4
2. UC 2
3. UC 1
4. UC Lost Legacy
5. UC 3
6. UC Golden Abyss
2 is one of the best games ever made. 3 was a disappointment.
My top 3 would be:
Uncharted 2
Uncharted 4
Uncharted
@avividan I’ll never forget that Jeep chase !
For me its:
4, 3, 2, LL, GA, 1.
Marco....
Uncharted - Golden Abyss is the best of the series.
Yes, the other games are enjoyable, but there can only be one No.1 - and it's the Vita version.
Which one has the best story? Oh, I thought they were all about Nathan going after some treasure in a exotic world...but i guess i missed something
U2, U4, ULL, U1, U3. In that order, i never played the Vita game.
Tap here to load 44 comments
Leave A Comment
Hold on there, you need to login to post a comment...