“Best” is subjective, but these titles are critically acclaimed, commercially successful, and showcase GameMaker’s range. All made with GameMaker (Legacy, Studio 1.x, or Studio 2).
Action / Platformer / Roguelike
- Spelunky (2008 / 2012 HD) — Procedural platformer, emergent gameplay, massive influence.
- Hyper Light Drifter (2016) — Gorgeous pixel art, atmospheric action-RPG, wordless storytelling.
- Undertale (2015) — Subversive RPG, pacifist route, iconic characters, cultural phenomenon.
- Risk of Rain 2 (2019) — 3D roguelike shooter, co-op, scaling chaos, distinct survivors.
- Katana ZERO (2019) — Neo-noir one-hit-kill action, time manipulation, stylish narrative.
- Downwell (2015) — Vertical roguelike, gun-boots, minimalist design.
Metroidvania / Exploration
- Timespinner (2018) — GameMaker, gorgeous Metroidvania, time mechanics.
- Chasm (2018) — Procedural Metroidvania, pixel art.
Puzzle / Strategy / Unique
- Hotline Miami (2012) — Top-down shooter, neon violence, synthwave, one-hit kills.
- Nuclear Throne (2015) — Post-apoc roguelike shooter, Vlambeer’s masterpiece.
- Gunpoint (2013) — Stealth puzzle, rewiring mechanics, great writing.
- Crashlands (2016) — Crafting RPG, cross-platform, humorous.
Honorable Mentions (Confirmed GameMaker)
- Deltarune (Ch. 1-2) — Toby Fox, GM:Studio 2.
- Iji (2008), Clean Asia! (2007), Nidhogg (2014), 10 Second Ninja X, The Westport Independent, Cook, Serve, Delicious! series.
Verified GameMaker Hits: Undertale, Hyper Light Drifter, Spelunky, Nuclear Throne, Hotline Miami, Gunpoint, Katana ZERO, Downwell, Timespinner, Chasm, Crashlands, Deltarune, Iji, Clean Asia!, Nidhogg, 10 Second Ninja X, The Westport Independent, Cook, Serve, Delicious! series.
