Doomis synonymous with multiple eras of the first-person shooter genre. While the franchise has dabbled in other media forms,Doomwill always be known for its video game output, producing many titles that are considered some of the best of all time.
Since the original title was released in 1993,Doomhas continued to deliver brilliance andsome astounding tunes to slay toin the background. With so many titles under its belt, the series has obviously produced some games that are better than others, and these releases are surprisingly diverse. What are thebestDoomgames?
Updated on June 18, 2025 by Mark Sammut:Now that The Dark Ages has been out for more than a month, it is time to see how it stacks against the greatest Doom games ever.
As the most recent entry in the franchise to release, this mobileDoomgame debuted in 2023 and took a different angle by beinga top-down shooter. Players take control of a chibi or cartoonish version of the slayer as they make their way through various levels in a roguelite fashion.
Out of all theDoomgames,Mighty Doomhas received some mixed responses from both critics and players. However, this doesn’t stopMighty Doomfrom being an interesting title in its own right; especially due to it being a great way to keep players occupied until the next mainline entry drops.
Doom Resurrectionwas released on iOS devices in 2009, where players were able to enjoy another spin-off of the originalDoomtitle while using their mobile phone. In this game, players don’t take on the role of the Slayer, but instead an unnamed marine who was a survivor of the Bravo Team from the events ofDoom 3.
With the assistance of the flying drone known as Sam, the player must attempt to survive in this on-rail shooter, which solves many of the problems other mobile first-person shooters have by simply limiting the movement of the player.
Returning to normality in the franchise,Doom 64is a minor classic that was released originally in 1997 for the Nintendo 64, hence the name of the title beingDoom 64. As the fourth entry in the series,Doom 64still managed to impress players at the time of its debut, even if it was not held in as high regard as the PC originals.
This project introduced new sprites and sounds for many of the original weaponry and the first introduction of theweapon known as the Unmaker, which was originally planned for the firstDoomtitle but never made it.
Doom 3offers a slower-paced experience than any other project in the series, making it the only entry that could pass for survival horror.Doom 3wasessentially a restart of the entire franchiseas it ignores many of the events that took part in the previous games.
Unlike most other games in the series,Doom 3takes a more story-driven approach to its campaign, so players are more likely to encounter other NPCs. The action is intense and challenging, but an argument could be made thatDoom 3does not quite feel like aDoomgame. TheBFG Editionimproves upon some of the base version’s issues, so any newcomers looking to give this sequel a try should go with that iteration.
Building upon the success of 2016’s reboot,Doom Eternaltried to change the formula more than most people probably anticipated. For one, the game places more emphasis on its story, although it can be largely ignored if someone solely wants to focus on blasting demons in the face. Along with just being satisfying, the combat is refreshingly difficult on even the lower levels since ammo is fairly scarce inDoom Eternal.
Id Software opted to expand Doom Slayer’s movement options, including the incorporation of platforming sections. These additions can be polarizing since they result inEternalhaving a gameplay loop that feels quite different from 2016’sDoom, even though the core gunplay is similar.
The best thing about id Software’s modernDoomtrilogy is the developer’s willingness to take risks and move away from the standard formula. Each entry has its own identity that sets it apart from its companions, resulting in a trilogy that seems to be constantly evolving.The Dark Agesmight just be the most experimental and unorthodox game in the series, and it takes quite a few risks that could have alienated long-time fans who craved something closer to 2016’sDoom.
While still as fast-paced and vicious as ever, the combat revolves around blocking and parrying using a shield, with enemy attacks being color-coded to guide players on which move they should use. On paper, this sounds like a terrible idea forDoom, butThe Dark Agesmakes it work by committing completely to the concept. Furthermore, this is by far the entry with the most open areas and biggest maps, to the point that it can feel like a (curated) sandbox at times. The setting is also used to great effect, and the Doom Slayer even steps into a mecha. IsThe Dark AgesthebestDoomgame? Probably not, but it is one of the most impressive.
It goes without saying that the originalDoomis the most important and influential entry in id Software’s genre-defining franchise, and it holds up as a great game without that historical context. Starting out in this brilliant first-person shooter franchise,Doombuilt on previous FPS releases likeWolfenstein 3Dto craft a thrill-per-second boomer shooter romp that was endlessly replayable.
The game’s core engine is so good that it was a staple of the genre for years. Players take control of the infamous character Doomguy as they fight their way through hordes of demons from Hell. While somewhat simplistic by modern standards,Doom’s level design is still impressive, as are its satisfying weapons and enemy designs.
Continuing from the success of the originalDoom,Doom 2is another brilliant first-person shooter where players once again take control of Doomguy as they continue to slay demons from Hell. AlthoughDoom 2may not look graphically different from its predecessor, id Software was able to expand the game to make larger and more intricate levels. Ultimately, this change might not be a positive for everyone as it comes down to personal preference.
id Software was also able to introduce new enemy types with horrifying sprites as well as all-new weapons to defeat the demons. All weapons could be used across all thirty-two levels of the game, which was a significant increase from the previous title.
In 2016,Doomfinally saw its first major installment release sinceDoom 3. A reboot that launched a new era for the license,Doomnot only reinvigorated id Software’s iconic property but arguably sparked a new golden era of run-and-gun first-person shooters. While retaining the spirit of the classic entries, the 2016 revival is very much its own beast with its own identity rather than just a throwback with a fresh coat of paint.
Brutal action delivered at a relentless pace,Doomoffers no time for relaxation as it throws wave after wave of enemies at the Doom Slayer. Although never slow, the campaign takes a while to fully hit its stride, but when it does, there might genuinely be no better FPS on the market.
