Ever since the Crash Bandicoot series put them on the map as an elite developing studio, Naughty Dog and the exceptional games they produce have been one of the biggest reasons why many people join the PlayStation family. It was in 2007, however, that they became an industry-leading powerhouse thanks to the birth of what's undeniably their biggest franchise: Uncharted.
No matter how small or forgotten, there isn't a single bad Uncharted game, easily making it one of the greatest video game series in history. From mobile to PS Vita to the many generations of PlayStation, Uncharted has been delighting fans of action-adventure games for what now almost amounts to two decades. Perfectly blending cinematic storytelling with dynamic combat and jaw-dropping level design, the whole franchise is a true icon of the genre.
8 'Uncharted: Fight for Fortune' (2012)
Speaking of forgotten and underrated Uncharted titles is a conversation that can never be complete without talking about the PS Vita collectible card game Uncharted: Fight for Fortune, developed by Bend Studio and One Loop Games. In it, players participate in turn-based matches trying to eliminate the opponent's health using cards themed after characters and elements of the series.
The game was designed as an experiment to test new gameplay styles for the series, though the results were financially disappointing and critically polarizing. But while Fight for Fortune is almost unarguably the most forgettable Uncharted game with the least depth, it's still far more entertaining than people gave it credit for back in the day. Surprisingly addictive, rewarding in its gameplay loop, and perfect for those obsessed with the franchise's lore, it's a title that deserved significantly more love than it received.
7 'Uncharted: Fortune Hunter' (2016)
Designed as a companion app to Uncharted 4: A Thief's End, Uncharted: Fortune Hunter is a forgotten free-to-play puzzle game developed for Android and iOS. Controlling Nathan Drake across a grid-based board, players had to solve hundreds of puzzles by navigating traps, activating switches, and collecting treasures. Though the game was discontinued and removed from digital stores in 2022, it still lives on in many Uncharted fans' memories (and phones).
Whereas many mobile tie-in games throughout history have left much to be desired, Fortune Hunter was actually pretty well-received when it hit the App Store and Google Play. Translating a beloved franchise so reliant on cinematic storytelling into such a bite-sized format seems like a silly idea on paper, but PlayStation Mobile was so clever in its approach that they're worthy of applause. Satisfying puzzles, a rewarding gameplay loop, and entirely optional microtransactions all make this a strong contender for the title of most underrated Uncharted title.
6 'Uncharted: Golden Abyss' (2011)
Uncharted: Golden Abyss is like the neglected child of the Uncharted series, a forgotten spin-off prequel taking place before the events of the first game of the franchise. It was developed by Fight for Fortune's Bend Studio as a launch title for PS Vita, and though it didn't really work as the huge system seller that it was designed to be, it nevertheless remains the best-selling game in the Vita's history.
Underrated though it may be, Golden Abyss nevertheless is the lesser mainline Uncharted game in virtually every way. The writing is solid, but not nearly as witty or cinematic as that of its home console peers; the platforming and puzzle-solving elements are entertaining, but far more streamlined than in the rest of the series; and the third-person shooting is surprisingly large-scale for a portable console game, but nothing capable of competing with the series' bigger titles. Even still, Golden Abyss deserves far more love, and the fact that it wasn't included in any of the two compilations Naughty Dog has released is a crime.
5 'Uncharted: Drake's Fortune' (2007)
Heavily inspired by classic adventure films, pulp magazines, and movie serials, Uncharted: Drake's Fortune had the tremendous task of introducing the world to an all-new concept, world, and set of characters unlike anything else Naughty Dog had produced up to that point. Getting this Indiana Jones-inspired premise to work was no small ambition, but Drake's Fortune ended up being one of the best video games of 2007, and the 13th-highest-selling title in the PlayStation 3's game library.
It was an incredible introduction to the Uncharted formula: a fun, blockbuster-like story with snappy dialogue elevated by excellent voice performances, memorable music, timeless graphics, and irresistibly fun exploration. The controls and combat both very much show their age, and the game is definitely just a bit too short, but those willing to overcome those dated elements are bound to have a nostalgic trip of fun with Drake's Fortune.
4 'Uncharted 3: Drake's Deception' (2011)
The third-highest-selling game the PlayStation 3 ever got was Uncharted 3: Drake's Deception, whose story and setting were loosely inspired by the life of archaeologist and British Army Officer T. E. Lawrence. Naughty Dog specifically set out to make the biggest, most ambitious Uncharted game up to that point, expanding on the technology, realism, and openness of the series. For the most part, they undoubtedly succeeded.
Drake's Deception is the kind of game that keeps you hooked from start to finish, packed some of the most jaw-dropping set pieces in the series' history—particularly one involving a cargo plane that may very well be one of the most enthralling set pieces ever seen in any action-adventure video game. The gameplay is highly refined, the graphics still look stunning 15 years later, and the story is unexpectedly emotional throughout. The shooting mechanics are a little clunky and the story isn't nearly as good as its predecessor's or its successor's, but this is nevertheless one of the best PS3 games of all time.
3 'Uncharted: The Lost Legacy' (2017)
Making an Uncharted game without Nathan Drake, far and away one of the best video game characters of all time, seems like a silly idea on paper—but then again, Uncharted: The Lost Legacy is no traditional Uncharted game. What was originally designed as a piece of DLC for A Thief's End soon grew into a campaign so big, ambitious, and worthy of its own title that Naughty Dog ended up developing and releasing the game as more of a standalone expansion.
It's beyond admirable just how exceptionally well The Lost Legacy works even without Nathan Drake, instead focusing on series favorites Chloe Frazer and Nadine Ross. Never does the game's tighter focus feel like a limitation, and its shorter length is satisfyingly justified by its being an expansion to Uncharted 4. The semi-open world is absolutely breathtaking and a fantastic addition to the series, and the amount of liberty granted to players in how they approach each situation is likewise riveting. Add to that some of the most fun combat set pieces in the series, and you get an action-adventure gem that's far better than it has any right to be.
2 'Uncharted 2: Among Thieves' (2009)
Drake's Fortune is an undeniable classic, but it was the in media res opening of Nathan Drake hanging from a train carriage dangling over a snowy cliff that really made it clear to players: They were witnessing the rise of one of the best video game franchises of all time. Recognized by many as one of the greatest video games of its generation, the 5th-highest-selling PS3 game ever has aged wonderfully as a classic that revolutionized the action-adventure genre.
This was where the series really came into its own both in terms of gameplay and narrative, combining fast-paced action with mind-twisting puzzles and enthralling platforming and exploration. The way the story ramps up tension all the way until the best third act in the whole series is absolutely masterful, and characters like Chloe Frazer and villain Zoran Lazarević leave their mark as some of the franchise's most memorable faces. Gunplay, traversal, and stealth are all butter smooth, allowing the striking visuals to pop right out of the screen and the endlessly entertaining story to work its magic on the player.
1 'Uncharted 4: A Thief's End' (2016)
As phenomenal as the PS3 generation of Uncharted was, it was in its PS4 days that the series peaked with the platform's 5th-highest-selling title: Uncharted 4: A Thief's End. It's easily one of the most universally beloved video games of all time, an undeniable masterpiece that displays every classic element of the franchise at its very best, and also sprinkles in plenty of its own spice. Aside from featuring the most emotionally engaging and character-driven story in the franchise, which also feels the most cinematic, Uncharted 4 is also the biggest and most irresistibly entertaining Uncharted game that players have ever gotten their hands on.
Gameplay, graphics, controls, and quality-of-life elements all reached their peak in the fourth title in the series, one of the most boundary-breaking video games of its time. It's a beautifully heartfelt send-off to Nathan Drake, introducing some of the series' best new characters while giving the old ones their fair share of time under the spotlight. Add to that an unmatched level of visual quality and detail, a feeling of openness that still feels groundbreaking today, massively improved combat and stealth, and plenty of delightfully fun new mechanics, and you get one of the greatest video games in the medium's history.