If you could go back in time and experience one game for the very first time again, which would you pick? It’s a common question among enthusiasts, and now we have a clear answer from a massive group of Japanese players. In a recent nationwide survey conducted by the long-running publication Famitsu, 5,400 participants were asked exactly that, with The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild emerging as the clear winner.

⚡ Quick Facts
  • Survey Source: Famitsu
  • Total Participants: 5,400
  • Top Ranked Game: The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild
  • Survey Date: July 4, 2026

The Full Top 20 Results

The survey results highlight a strong preference for titles with deep narratives and expansive worlds. While the 2017 Nintendo title took the crown, the rest of the top 10 is populated by legendary RPGs and story-driven experiences:

  1. The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild
  2. Chrono Trigger
  3. Steins;Gate
  4. Final Fantasy X
  5. Final Fantasy VII
  6. 13 Sentinels: Aegis Rim
  7. Undertale
  8. Dragon Quest I
  9. Danganronpa
  10. Dragon Quest III

The list continues with a mix of enduring classics and modern hits, spanning entries 11 through 20: Dragon Quest V, Urban Myth Dissolution Center, Ace Attorney, Final Fantasy XIV, NieR: Automata, Persona 5 Royal, Dragon Quest XI, Xenogears, Ever 17: The Out of Infinity, and finally, Mother 2.

A Look at the Data

The survey, which was shared on X by user Genki_JPN, provides an interesting snapshot of current gaming preferences in Japan. Breath of the Wild, which famously holds a 97 Metacritic score, has maintained significant cultural relevance since its original release in 2017 on the Nintendo Switch and Wii U. Its placement at the top suggests that, even years later, the sense of discovery and freedom offered by the game remains a peak experience for the players surveyed.

While the survey highlights the lasting impact of these titles, it also serves as a reminder of how much certain games define our personal histories as players. Whether it’s the time-traveling plots of Chrono Trigger or the emotional weight of Final Fantasy X, the results indicate that for many, these games are worth experiencing all over again as if for the first time.