The Best Sandbox Games of All Time, Ranked

The Best Sandbox Games of All Time, Ranked

Bobby Bernstein
Updated September 30, 2024 34.4K views 52 items
Ranked By
14.6K votes
2.6K voters
9 reranks
Voting Rules
Vote up the best video games in the sandbox genre.

Sandbox games have open-ended environments and the freedom to explore and create. Whether you’re building monumental structures made of blocks, exploring vast cityscapes, or platforming across imaginative worlds, sandbox games offer something special. If you’re on the hunt for the best sandbox games of all time, we've got you covered with the list below.

Our list includes games like Super Mario 64, a pivotal title that laid the foundation for 3D exploration with its open worlds filled with secrets and challenges. Then there's Minecraft, which revolutionized the gaming landscape by handing players the tools to construct and shape their own worlds block by block. Grand Theft Auto V offers a sprawling urban playground full of activities, missions, and mischief, letting players engage in both structured quests and spontaneous antics. 

Now, it's your chance to cast your vote on the top sandbox games. Your input will help us shape the ultimate list of great sandbox games.

Most divisive: Mafia II
Over 2.6K Ranker voters have come together to rank this list of The Best Sandbox Games of All Time, Ranked
  • Super Mario 64
    1
    1996
    1,470 votes

    Super Mario 64 redefined platforming by introducing players to a vibrant 3D world full of exploration and discovery. Set in Princess Peach's castle, Mario embarks on a quest to collect Power Stars and defeat Bowser. Its pioneering use of analog controls and open environments offered an unprecedented level of freedom and precision. With inventive level designs and engaging gameplay, Super Mario 64 set a new standard for games, becoming a cornerstone in video game history.

    • Developer: Nintendo EAD
  • Minecraft
    2
    2011
    1,553 votes

    Minecraft is a groundbreaking sandbox game that invites players to create and explore infinite worlds made entirely of blocks. With no set goals, it encourages creativity, allowing players to build complex structures, embark on adventures, or survive hostile environments. Its simple graphics and vast modding community make it accessible yet endlessly customizable. Whether constructing intricate designs or exploring vast terrains, Minecraft offers an unparalleled platform for imagination and innovation, cementing its status as a cultural phenomenon.

    • Developer: 4J Studios, Mojang
  • Grand Theft Auto V
    3
    2013
    1,525 votes

    Grand Theft Auto V offers a sprawling open-world experience in the fictional state of San Andreas, blending action, storytelling, and player freedom. Players switch between three distinct characters, each with their own storyline, engaging in heists, missions, and chaotic urban exploits. Its richly detailed world boasts a bustling cityscape, diverse environments, and a vibrant online mode. The game’s combination of satire, engaging gameplay, and vast exploration opportunities makes it a standout in the sandbox genre.

    • Developer: Rockstar North
  • Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas is a landmark entry in the series, immersing players in the life of Carl "CJ" Johnson as he navigates the crime-filled streets of the fictional state of San Andreas. With its expansive open world, diverse missions, and character customization, the game offers unprecedented freedom and depth. From gang wars to casino heists, its rich narrative and engaging gameplay set new benchmarks for storytelling and exploration in video games, becoming a cult classic.

    • Developer: Rockstar North
  • Fallout 3
    5
    2008
    807 votes

    Fallout 3 ushers players into a post-apocalyptic Washington, D.C., combining open-world exploration with deep role-playing elements. Playing as a Vault Dweller searching for their missing father, players navigate a desolate landscape filled with mutated creatures, diverse factions, and moral decisions. Its VATS combat system offers tactical depth, while rich storytelling and dynamic environments create an immersive experience. The game's blend of freedom, narrative, and atmospheric world-building has left a lasting impact on the RPG genre.

    • Developer: Bethesda Game Studios
  • Red Dead Redemption
    6
    2010
    203 votes

    Red Dead Redemption offers a top-tier sandbox experience set in the fading American frontier. Players inhabit the role of John Marston, exploring a vast open world filled with dynamic environments. Beyond the gripping main story, activities abound, from hunting wildlife and bounty hunting outlaws to engaging in poker games and dueling gunslingers. The game's rich narrative, combined with its attention to detail, allows players to immerse themselves in a living, breathing Wild West, offering countless adventures.

    • Developer: Rockstar North
  • RollerCoaster Tycoon 2 is a classic sandbox game that lets players design and manage their own amusement parks. With a variety of rides, attractions, and scenery, aspiring tycoons can craft unique parks tailored to their vision. Players can create custom roller coasters, manage park finances, and attend to visitor satisfaction. The game encourages creativity and problem-solving, offering scenarios and the freedom to build sprawling entertainment empires, ensuring every park is a playground of endless possibilities.

    • Developer: Chris Sawyer Productions
  • The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim presents a sprawling sandbox world brimming with exploration and adventure. Players can engage in diverse activities, from battling dragons and mastering magic to crafting items and joining guilds like the Thieves Guild or Dark Brotherhood. The expansive land of Skyrim offers countless quests, allowing players to impact the world's fate. With its deep lore, character customization, and modding community, the game invites endless personalization and exploration, making each journey unique.

    • Developer: Bethesda Game Studios
  • Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag transforms players into Edward Kenway, a pirate assassin navigating the Caribbean's expansive sandbox world. Players can engage in ship-to-ship battles, hunt for treasure, and explore vibrant islands. The game's naval exploration allows for upgrading the ship, the Jackdaw, while the open-world mechanics let players undertake assassination contracts, dive for underwater loot, and discover hidden secrets. Its rich storytelling and lush open environment create a thrilling pirate adventure full of freedom.

    • Developer: Ubisoft Ukraine, Ubisoft Romania, Ubisoft Quebec, Ubisoft Montreal, Ubisoft Montpellier
  • RollerCoaster Tycoon 3
    10

    RollerCoaster Tycoon 3 elevates the sandbox experience by allowing players to create and manage elaborate amusement parks with enhanced 3D graphics. Players can design custom roller coasters, manage park operations, and explore rides in first-person mode. With the addition of a day-night cycle and seasonal changes, the game offers new dimensions for creativity. It also introduces water parks and animal exhibits, expanding the range of attractions, ensuring endless possibilities for crafting the ultimate entertainment destination.

    • Developer: Frontier Developments
  • Garry's Mod
    11
    2006
    438 votes

    Garry's Mod is a highly versatile sandbox game that provides players with a toolkit for creativity and experimentation. Using assets from the Source engine, players can construct contraptions, design unique game modes, and engage in physics-based antics. The game thrives on community-driven content, allowing users to share mods and maps, from elaborate roleplaying to inventive puzzles. With its open-ended nature, Garry's Mod encourages limitless exploration and creativity, making it a staple for imaginative gameplay.

    • Developer: Team Garry, Facepunch Studios LTD.
  • Saints Row: The Third
    12

    Saints Row: The Third delivers an outrageous sandbox experience in the city of Steelport. Players can create a personalized character, lead the Saints gang, and engage in over-the-top missions and activities. From skydiving without a parachute to weaponized car surfing, the game embraces comedic chaos. Customization abounds, from upgrading vehicles and weapons to altering the character's appearance. Its thrilling blend of humor, action, and open-world mayhem provides endless entertainment and creative possibilities.

    • Developer: Volition
  • Just Cause 2
    13
    Jan 01 2009
    350 votes

    Just Cause 2 offers a sprawling sandbox adventure set on the exotic island of Panau, allowing players immense freedom to wreak havoc. As Rico Rodriguez, players can perform daring stunts with a grappling hook and parachute, dismantle enemy bases, and cause large-scale destruction. The vast open world encourages exploration, with missions ranging from high-speed chases to intense shootouts. Its emphasis on over-the-top action and environmental interaction creates a playground for adrenaline-fueled escapades.

    • Developer: Avalanche Studios, Eidos Interactive
  • Fallout: New Vegas
    14
    2010
    91 votes

    Fallout: New Vegas provides a post-apocalyptic Mojave Desert for players to play around in. Players take on the role of a courier navigating a politically charged landscape teeming with factions. The game allows for deep character customization, from skills to karma-driven decisions, which shape the unfolding story. Players can explore expansive deserts, engage in casino games, modify weapons, and forge alliances. Its open-ended quests and dynamic world offer endless opportunities for immersive role-playing adventures.

    • Developer: Obsidian Entertainment
  • Fallout 4
    15

    Fallout 4

    22 votes

    Fallout 4 immerses players in a post-apocalyptic Boston, offering a rich sandbox world teeming with adventures. As the Sole Survivor, players can build and customize settlements, craft weapons, and engage in deep character progression. The wasteland is a playground for exploration, with quests that impact faction dynamics and moral choices. Players can hunt mutated creatures, discover hidden locations, and personalize power armor, allowing for a unique journey through a dynamic and reactive environment.

  • Grand Theft Auto IV
    16
    2008
    155 votes

    Grand Theft Auto IV immerses players in the bustling sandbox of Liberty City, following Niko Bellic's complex journey. Beyond the gripping storyline, the game offers expansive freedom, allowing players to engage in various activities such as taxi driving, vigilante missions, and multiplayer modes. Liberty City is a living, breathing environment where players can explore detailed neighborhoods, partake in mini-games like bowling, and interact with a vibrant cast of characters, creating a dynamic and immersive urban playground.

    • Developer: Rockstar North
  • Grand Theft Auto: Vice City takes players to a vibrant 1980s-inspired Miami setting, offering a dynamic sandbox experience. As Tommy Vercetti, players can take part in a variety of activities, from buying properties and running businesses to engaging in narrative-driven missions. The game invites exploration of its neon-lit streets, allowing for vehicle stunts, hidden packages discovery, and even helicopter flights. This lively environment, paired with a quintessential '80s soundtrack, creates an unforgettable open-world adventure.

    • Developer: Rockstar North
  • The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt offers a captivating sandbox experience in a richly detailed fantasy world. Players step into the boots of Geralt of Rivia, undertaking contracts to slay monsters, engaging in complex storylines, and exploring vast, diverse landscapes. The game provides deep character customization, potion crafting, and gear upgrades. Players can hunt mythical creatures, explore bustling towns, and partake in activities like Gwent. The game’s intricate narrative and expansive world invite limitless exploration and decision-making.

    • Developer: CD Projekt RED
  • Batman: Arkham City
    19
    2011
    113 votes

    Batman: Arkham City delivers a compelling sandbox experience set in a sprawling, open-world Gotham. Players inhabit Batman, gliding through dark cityscapes, taking down criminals, and solving intricate Riddler challenges. The game offers a variety of side missions, including rescuing hostages and confronting iconic villains, alongside the main storyline. Players can upgrade gadgets and combat skills, making each encounter unique. This freedom to explore and engage with rich content creates a dynamic and immersive superhero adventure.

    • Developer: Rocksteady Studios
  • Sleeping Dogs
    20
    2012
    340 votes

    Sleeping Dogs is an open-world action game set in the vibrant city of Hong Kong, where players control Wei Shen, an undercover cop infiltrating the triads. The game offers a blend of martial arts combat, gunplay, and racing, providing diverse gameplay experiences. Players can explore bustling markets, engage in detective side missions, participate in street races, and practice karaoke. The detailed urban environment and gripping narrative offer an immersive experience that balances thrilling action with cultural depth.

    • Developer: United Front Games
  • Assassin's Creed II
    21
    2009
    109 votes
    Discover an intriguing and epic story of power, revenge and conspiracy set during a pivotal moment in history: the Italian Renaissance. Experience the freedom and immersion of an all new open world and mission structure with settings such as the rooftops and canals of beautiful Venice. Your options in combat, assassination and escape are vast, with many new weapons, settings and gameplay elements.
    • Developer: Ubisoft Montreal
  • no man's sky
    22

    no man's sky

    38 votes
  • Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood
    23
    Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood is a 2010 historical fiction action-adventure open world stealth video game developed by Ubisoft Montreal and published by Ubisoft. It is the third major installment in the Assassin's Creed series, a direct sequel to 2009's Assassin's Creed II, and the second chapter in the 'Ezio trilogy'. The game was first released on the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 in November and December 2010, and was later made available on Microsoft Windows in March and June 2011. The story is set in a fictional history of real world events set in two time periods, the 16th and 21st centuries. The main portion of Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood takes place immediately after the plot of Assassin's Creed II, featuring 16th-century Assassin Ezio Auditore da Firenze in Italy and his quest to restore the Assassin order, and destroy his enemies: the Borgia family. Intersecting with these historical events are the modern day activities of series protagonist Desmond Miles, who relives his ancestor Ezio's memories to find a way to fight against the Assassins' enemies, the Templars, and to prevent the 2012 apocalypse.
    • Developer: Ubisoft Montreal
  • SimCity 4
    24
    2003
    17 votes
    SimCity 4 is a city-building simultor. You are in the shoes of one or several mayors, and you are tasked with populating and managing your cities.When you have chosen a segment to place your city in, you will be able to chose between 3 game modes. God mode: This mode lets you shape the overall landscapes as you desire Mayor mode: In this mode you build and manage your own cities. My Sim mode: Here the player can choose his own Sims and have them move into the city, or import saved games from the game The Sims.
    • Developer: Maxis
  • Mafia II
    25
    2010
    93 votes
    The storyline for Mafia II is a gritty drama and chronicles the rise of Vito Scaletta, the son of Sicilian immigrants. As the game progresses, Vito joins the Falcone crime family and becomes "a made man" along with his best friend Joe Barbaro.
    • Developer: 2K Czech
  • Saints Row 2
    26
    2008
    85 votes
    After the events of the first game, the protagonist awakens from a coma to find that the Third Street Saints have all but disappeared. Much like Saints Row, you are charged with retaking the city from three rival gangs, only this time as the leader of the saints. While fighting the Sons of Samedi, The Brotherhood, and The Ronin, the Saints also antagonize the Ultor Corporation, which seeks to eradicate gang violence in Stilwater once and for all.
    • Developer: Volition
  • 7 Days to Die
    27
    2024
    56 votes
    Set in a brutally unforgiving post-apocalyptic world overrun by the undead, 7 Days to Die is an open-world game that is a unique combination of first person shooter, survival horror, tower defense, and role-playing games. It presents combat, crafting, looting, mining, exploration, and character growth, in a way that has seen a rapturous response from fans worldwide. Play the definitive zombie survival sandbox RPG that came first. Navezgane awaits!
    • Developer: The Fun Pimps
  • Assassin's Creed
    28
    2007
    82 votes
    Assassin's Creed is a non-linear action-adventure video game, during which the player controls a 12th-century Levantine Assassin named Altaïr Ibn-La'Ahad during the Third Crusade, whose life is experienced through the Animus by his 21st century descendant, Desmond Miles.
    • Developer: Ubisoft Montreal
  • Starbound
    29
    Jan 01 2013
    75 votes
    Starbound is an indie game produced by the UK-based independent game studio Chucklefish Ltd. Starbound takes place in a two-dimensional, procedurally generated universe which the player will explore in order to obtain new weapons, armour, and miscellaneous items. Starbound entered beta testing on December 4, 2013 for Microsoft Windows, OS X and Linux.
    • Developer: Chucklefish Ltd
  • Saints Row IV
    30
    2013
    42 votes
    Unlike the first three games in the franchise, Saints Row 4 does not center around the main character defeating three rival gangs in order to take over a city. The Saints have now become a household name, and their leader has become the president of the Unites States. The antagonists in Saints Row 4 are an invading alien race known as the Zin. Most of the game takes place within a computer simulation of the city of Steelport controlled by the Zin, where the protagonist is attempting to free himself and his companions.
    • Developer: High Voltage Software
  • Jurassic World Evolution 2 is the much-anticipated sequel to Frontier’s ground-breaking 2018 management simulation, Jurassic World Evolution, offering an all new narrative campaign voiced by cast members from across the Jurassic World film franchise, exciting new features, four engaging game modes, and an expanded roster of awe-inspiring dinosaurs.
    • Developer: Frontier Developments
  • State of Decay
    32
    2013
    224 votes
    The end is here. Life as you know it has gone to hell after the mother of all zombie outbreaks. Now you and the few scattered survivors must band together to survive and rebuild in a 3rd-person action game set in a dynamic open world. You choose where to make your stand, designing and fortifying your home base, performing daring raids for food and ammunition, and rescuing other playable survivors with unique talents. The open, sandbox world develops in real-time, shaped by your actions, dynamically generating content based on your choices and the ever-increasing zombie threat.
    • Developer: Undead Labs
  • Banished
    33
    2014
    48 votes
    Welcome to the world of Banished! In this city-building strategy game, you control a group of exiled travelers who decide to restart their lives in a new land. They have only the clothes on their backs and a cart filled with supplies from their homeland. The objective of the game is to keep the population alive and grow it into a successful culture. Options for feeding the people include hunting and gathering, agriculture, trade, and fishing. However, sustainable practices must be considered to survive in the long term.
    • Developer: Shining Rock Software
  • The Godfather
    34

    The Godfather

    1991
    269 votes
    Action game by U.S. Gold, released in conjunction with The Godfather III movie. The game starts off in 1940s New York, but spans a number of decades that mirror the events in the famous movie trilogy. Stages include Las Vegas in the '50s, where you execute a vendetta against opposing family hoods, a confrontation in Cuba, Miami in the '70s, and a final conflict in urban America in the '80s. Fend off enemy gangs and succeed at working towards piece with all the rival families.
    • Developer: U.S. Gold
  • Skate 3
    35
    2010
    240 votes
    Skate 3 features an all-new co-op mode where teammates can complete challenges together while advancing each other’s careers. From rewarding epic bails and fails with a beefed up Hall of Meat mode to honing your craft with the all-new skate.School, players of all skill levels have multiple ways to “kill it” in the game. The franchise also continues to raise the bar for user created content with the skate.Create feature suite, an innovative toolset that empowers gamers to truly express their skate style by creating their own graphics, videos, and skate parks.
    • Developer: EA Black Box
  • L.A. Noire
    36
    2011
    88 votes
    L.A. Noire is a neo-noir detective action-adventure video game developed by Team Bondi and published by Rockstar Games. It was initially released for the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 platforms on 17 May 2011; a Microsoft Windows port was later released on 8 November 2011. L.A. Noire is set in Los Angeles in 1947 and challenges the player, controlling a Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) officer, to solve a range of cases across five divisions. Players must investigate crime scenes for clues, follow up leads, and interrogate suspects, and the player's success at these activities will impact how much of each case's story is revealed. The game draws heavily from both the plot and aesthetic elements of film noir—stylistic films made popular in the 1940s and 1950s that share similar visual styles and themes, including crime and moral ambiguity—along with drawing inspiration from real-life crimes for its in-game cases, based upon what was reported by the Los Angeles media in 1947. The game uses a distinctive colour palette, but in homage to film noir it includes the option to play the game in black and white. Various plot elements reference the major themes of detective and mobster stories such as The Naked City, Chinatown, The Untouchables, The Black Dahlia, and L.A. Confidential.
    • Developer: Team Bondi
  • In Destroy All Humans! Path of the Furon, players will pick up where prequel Destroy All Humans! Big Willy Unleashed leaves off, controlling Crypto in the Funked Out 1970s when a mysterious new enemy attacks, launching a conspiracy that unravels Crypto's groovy new way of life and threatens the very survival of his Furon race. Developed by THQ's newly formed internal development studio Sandblast Games, Destroy All Humans! Path of the Furon takes players on a journey of Enlightenment and Destruction to help Crypto gain new powers from an alien Kung Fu Master in order to take on his most difficult enemy yet.
    • Developer: Sandblast Games
  • The game begins in the film's final scene, with Tony Montana's (Andre Sogliuzzo) mansion being raided by Alejandro Sosa's assassins. But this is the point of divergence from the film. Instead of being killed by the Skull, Tony manages to sense him and shoots him down. He fights through his mansion, with many deaths on both sides. In the ensuing chaos, Tony sneaks to the front of the mansion, barely alive, and manages to escape in his car. Sosa is then informed that Tony's mansion has been seized and his massive drug empire has been reduced to nothing. Hiding in a safehouse located outside of Miami, Tony regrets the decisions he has made but swears revenge on Sosa.
    • Developer: Radical Entertainment
  • Gun
    39
    2005
    62 votes
    The main storyline, written by Hollywood screenwriter Randall Jahnson (The Mask of Zorro, 1998,) is linear. You will have to fight duels, defend towns against bandits, help build railway tracks, intervene in various conflicts, and kill heavily-armed bossed. There are also many side missions or alternative ways to earn money. You can play poker in the casino, help out farmers with their livestock, assist the local sheriff, or deliver items with the pony express. Other possibilities include bounty hunting, regular hunting for rare animals, mining for gold, and various rescue missions.
    • Developer: Neversoft Entertainment
  • Saints Row
    40
    2006
    54 votes
    Saints Row is a gritty 3rd person action/shooter game based on the XBOX 360 title from THQ. In the game you play as a member of the 3rd Street Saints on a mission to rise through the ranks and take over the city from rival gangs, one District at a time. Remember that your actions can have consequences so it is up to you to decide how best to make it to the top. Enough Talk. Let's Play.
    • Developer: Mnemonic Studios Ltd.
  • Eve Online
    41
    2003
    30 votes
    EVE Online is a free MMORPG sci-fi strategy game where you can embark on your own unique space adventure. EVE's open world MMORPG sandbox, renowned among online space games, lets you choose your own path and engage in combat, exploration, industry and much more.
    • Developer: CCP Games
  • The Long Dark
    42
    2017
    28 votes
    Welcome to The Long Dark, the innovative exploration-survival experience Wired magazine calls "the pinnacle of an entire genre". The game is a thoughtful, exploration-survival experience that challenges solo players to think for themselves as they explore an expansive frozen wilderness in the aftermath of a geomagnetic disaster. There are no zombies but only you, the cold, and all the threats Mother Nature can muster.
    • Developer: Hinterland Studio Inc.
  • DayZ
    43

    DayZ

    2018
    55 votes
    DayZ is a hardcore open-world survival game with only one rule: stay alive, no matter what. How long can you survive a post-apocalyptic world? A land overrun with an infected "zombie" population, where you compete with other survivors for limited resources. Will you team up with strangers and stay strong together? Or play as a lone wolf to avoid betrayal? This is DayZ, this is your story.
    • Developer: Bohemia Interactive Studio
  • From The Depths
    44

    From The Depths

    11 votes
  • Planet Coaster
    45

    Planet Coaster

    18 votes
  • Brick Rigs
    46

    Brick Rigs

    13 votes
  • Spider-Man 3
    47
    2007
    58 votes
    The PlayStation Portable version of Spider-Man 3, a videogame based on the 2007 movie of the same name. The PlayStation Portable version is a full-on port of the PlayStation 2 version with an extra feature exclusive to the version known as "Conquest Mode": an extra mode where the player has to traverse the city and complete challenges such as combat tours, delivering items, and protecting civilians under a time limit.
    • Developer: Vicarious Visions
  • Clash of Clans
    48

    Clash of Clans

    2012
    73 votes
    Clash of Clans is an addictive mixture of strategic planning and competitive fast-paced combats. Raise an army of Barbarians, War Wizards, Dragons and other mighty fighters. Join a clan of players and rise through the ranks, or create your own Clan to contest ownership of the Realm.
    • Developer: Supercell
  • Growtopia
    49

    Growtopia

    56 votes
  • survival craft
    50

    survival craft

    17 votes
  • Sniper Elite 5
    51
    2022
    4 votes
    The latest instalment in the award-winning series, Sniper Elite 5 offers unparalleled sniping, tactical third-person combat and an enhanced kill cam. Fight your way across the most immersive maps yet, with many real-world locations captured in stunning detail, and an improved traversal system that lets you explore more of them than ever before. France, 1944 – As part of a covert US Rangers operation to weaken the Atlantikwall fortifications along the coast of Brittany, elite marksman Karl Fairburne makes contact with the French Resistance. Soon they uncover a secret Nazi project that threatens to end the war before the Allies can even invade Europe: Operation Kraken.
    • Developer: Rebellion
  • Grow your own worlds and nurture a deep natural connection with everything they hold. See your actions change the world for better! Bring the Evertree back to life in this breathtaking world-crafting sandbox, with life management and adventure elements.
    • Developer: Prideful Sloth