The best action games, according to hackers
4 action games were recommended on Hacker News between November 2025 and November 2026. We rank them by how many separate people recommend each one, and 1 earns the Hacker Approved badge.
Top pick
The most recommended action game with the badge. Each figure is 2 people. RecommendsCriticizes One comment
Runs smoothly in browser
People recommend it for its nostalgic 1980s setting, strong soundtrack, and how well this browser port runs on phones and laptops. Critics say on-screen controls are clumsy and some missions are frustrating.
All 4 action games, ranked
Select a column heading to sort. Approval share is recommenders out of everyone who gave an opinion; the tick on each bar marks the 2 to 1 line the badge needs. Months counts the months, out of 13, in which someone recommended it.
| Rank | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Grand Theft Auto: Vice City | 33 | 6 | 85% | 7 | — | Approved |
| 2 | The Last Ninja | 13 | 2 | 87% | 2 | — | — |
| 3 | Max Payne | 11 | 2 | 85% | 3 | — | — |
| 4 | Contra (NES) | 7 | 1 | 88% | 5 | — | — |
How we rank
Rank is the number of separate people who recommend a product in a Hacker News comment over the past year. Someone who praises the same action game in five threads counts once.
The badge goes to action games that at least 10 people recommend, with recommenders outnumbering critics at least 2 to 1, recommended in at least 4 of the 13 months.
Rankings are never for sale. We may earn a commission when you buy through our links. It never changes the order.