Founded in 1993, Take-Two Interactive is primarily known for publishing games through 2K Games and Rockstar Games. Even if the company's name often remains in the background, Take-Two is indirectly associated with some of the most influential franchises of gaming history, including Grand Theft Auto and BioShock.
Take-Two also has a history of publishing games under its own name, with the company even developing some titles during the '90s. Nowadays, Take-Two is primarily a publisher, although it still has amassed quite an impressive portfolio. Here are Take-Two Interactive's highest-rated games on Metacritic!
Regardless of Take-Two's subsidiaries, only games listed as published by Take-Two Interactive on Metacritic will be considered for this list. Franchises will also be limited to one entry.
10 The Corporate Machine (80)
Developed by Stardock and published by Take-Two, The Corporate Machine is a strategy game with the goal to specialize in a market and become the primary manufacturer. The industries available are aircraft, computers, soft drinks, and automobiles. As tends to the case with strategy and sim games, the user starts out with limited fiscal and human resources but eventually sets out to expand their business into different regions.
The Corporate Machine is not going to appeal to everyone; that said, there is definitely a market for management games, even if this 2001 release plays somewhat antiquated compared to modern titles.
9 Borderlands: Game Of The Year Edition (80)
Gearbox Software developed the original Borderlands, which was published by 2K Games; however, Take-Two Interactive took over the reins for 2019's PS4 and Xbox One remaster. Enhanced visuals are to be expected, but the main reason to play this version is due to a handful of quality of life improvements implemented from Borderlands' sequel. A couple of new Legendary Weapons were also added.
Obviously, Gearbox deserves most of the credit for Borderlands. While the remaster cannot do too much about the original's dated shooting mechanics, 2019's version is still the best way to experience Borderlands.
8 Duke Nukem Advance (81)
Developed by Torus Games and published by Take-Two, Duke Nukem Advance managed to transfer the FPS goodness of the console games onto the Game Boy Advance. Compared to Duke Nukem 3D, Advance has a less intuitive control scheme, more repetitive level design, and ugly visuals. For an FPS on the GBA, Duke Nukem Advance controls surprisingly well, boasts an enjoyable single-player campaign with 19 levels, and respectable visuals.
Torus Games did the most it could do with the technology on hand, creating a portable Duke Nukem that is more than worthy of carrying the franchise's storied name.
7 DCS: Black Shark (82)
A flight simulator that puts users in the cockpit of a Ka-50 attack chopper, DCS: Black Shark is solely for die-hard fans of flight sims. Making such a claim might seem redundant, but Black Shark's overwhelming tutorials and limited options to customize the difficulty means learning to properly handle this Russian helicopter is practically a full-time job.
That is not to say DCS: Black Shark is not worth the effort, as Eagle Dynamics crafted one of the most authentic flying experiences on the market. 2009's game should just be left for veterans of the genre who are ready to settle down for the long haul.
6 Major League Baseball 2K5 (82)
Long before MLB: The Show became the go-to game for baseball fans, 2K's Major League Baseball was one of the genre's biggest names. In terms of quality, the series proved to be rather uneven, with the last entry, Major League Baseball 2K13, taking the license out with a miss rather than a hit. Despite the name on the tin, Metacritic credits Take-Two Interactive as Major League Baseball 2K5's publisher, which is why it is included on this list.
Along with being the first entry, 2005's edition arguably came the closest to delivering on the series' potential. For its time, Major League Baseball 2K5 looked better than its contemporaries, offered a number of fun modes such as "Franchise" and "GM Career," and played quite well. It was a step in the right direction that, sadly, did not lead anywhere too exciting.
5 GTR Evolution (83)
Expanding upon Race 07, GTR Evolution focuses on the World Touring scene. With 20 tracks and more than 45 cars split into a dozen classes, GTR Evolution was one of the most complete sim racers on the market when it first hit the scene.
More than a decade later, SimBin's title is still among the most authentic sims on the market and its Nürburgring circuit remains one of the genre's greatest achievements.
4 Space Station Silicon Valley (83)
Developed by the studio that would eventually become Rockstar North, Space Station Silicon Valley impressed critics but was slightly too weird for the buying market. A platformer that tasks players with controlling a robot's dislodged microchip seeking to collect all its missing parts, the game's central mechanic is that Evo - the microchip - can take control of animals that happen to be running around the environments.
Every creature can accomplish unique tasks, so it becomes a case of picking the right animal for the job. Space Station Silicon Valley did a great job of implementing this system into a varied and well-paced adventure, and it is a shame not more people tried out this overlooked gem.
3 NBA 2K16 (87)
Once again, we have a franchise primarily associated with 2K Sports; however, Take-Two Interactive is also credited as a publisher for NBA 2K16 on Metacritic. Putting aside the game modes, which tend to be rather divisive among the player base, NBA 2K16 shines incredibly brightly whenever the focus is on the court.
Graphically impressive and a thoroughly engrossing and refined basketball sim, NBA 2K16 is fantastic in the areas that arguably matter the most.
2 Tales From The Borderlands (88)
Developed by Telltale Games and co-published by Take-Two, Tales from the Borderlands explores a new story in Gearbox's Borderlands universe. Although the gameplay is largely similar to the studio's other output, Tales from the Borderlands is among Telltale's best-written adventures, one packed to the brim with likable characters, unpredictable scenarios, and genuinely funny humor. As those who played Borderlands 3 can attest, the latter is far from a guarantee when it comes to this franchise.
Following numerous characters, including two Hyperion employees called Rhys and Vaughn, as their journeys intertwine, Tales from the Borderlands should be deemed a must-play for anyone remotely interested in the license.
1 World Of Goo (90)
Coming in as Take-Two Interactive's highest-rated published game on Metacritic, World of Goo's PC version is a tour de force of intricate and precise game design. A puzzle game split into five chapters featuring typically more than 10 levels each, World of Goo's core mechanic revolves around accumulating balls of goo to construct the required structures to get through a level's obstacles.
World of Goo is primarily known for being arguably the best WiiWare game ever, but the PC version is also nothing short of brilliant.