The top 10 spy video games of all time need no introduction. Frankly, their reputation precedes them, so why even bother? Here are the top 10 spy video game titles of modern video gaming.

10. Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots

MGS4: Guns of the Patriots is the much anticipated, soon-to-be-released sequel to Sons of Liberty (Snake Eater was a prequel). Snake Eater was an extensively popular game, but Guns of the Patriots is bound to change all that, seeing as its the last MGS game to be directed by Hideo Kojima and the last game to feature the series’ long-standing protagonist, Solid Snake. The game is set in a not-too-distant future after the events of Sons of Liberty. Gamers are promised both enhanced gameplay and cinematic experience. The CQC system will also be completely revamped, according to the game’s executives. The game is being developed exclusively for the PlayStation 3.

9. Splinter Cell

Splinter Cell is the first of many Splinter Cell games to hit the market. It is also the first Splinter Cell game to be endorsed by the creator of the franchise, writer Tom Clancy, and in the process it truly redefined how spy stealth games are played. Players control Sam Fisher, a seasoned NSA agent, or a Splinter Cell. What makes this game stand out from all other spy stealth games out there is Splinter Cell’s creative use of in-game lighting. Dynamic, that’s the word. When you’re sneaking in the shadows, no one can see you. The same is true in this game. Use dark corners to your advantage, and you’ll get to the end of the level just fine.

8. GoldenEye 007

GoldenEye 007 is the 1997 first person shooter game for the Nintendo 64 video game console. It was developed by Rare—based on the James Bond film Goldeneye, released two years earlier—and became an instant critical and commercial hit. The game was hailed for its inventive use of stealth on a first-person shooter (unheard of during its time), and its equally addictive multi-player mode. GoldenEye 007 sold more than eight million copies worldwide. It is one of the most successful first-person shooter video game of all time, right up there with established titles such as Doom or Quake.

7. Tenchu: Stealth Assassin

Tenchu. A weird name for such a great game. When Tenchu first came out for the PlayStation, it completely redefined how ninja game titles were made, and played. Stealth Assassin centers around the adventures of Rikimaru and Ayame, two highly skilled ninjas of feudal Japan. Jump, hide, crawl, slash and kill: Stealth Assassin forces players to value stealth over aggression. It makes perfect sense, actually, since you’re be pitted against dozens of mindless guards and evil samurai warriors at any given level. The game was a critical and commercial hit despite widespread animosity against its poor (and often lethal) frame rate.

6. Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty

The game that sold one million PlayStation 2 units is also one of the best spy stealth games of all time. MGS2: Sons of Liberty picks up right where Metal Gear Solid left off—the disintegration of FOXHOUND. The game features enhanced gameplay, a fresh storyline, better graphics, and a new protagonist: Raiden. Players still take control of Solid Snake, but only during the introductory Tanker Chapter. Afterwards, players assume the role of Raiden during the Plant Chapter and eventually for the rest of the game. The game was both a critical and commercial success, garnering a 95% average according to Game Rankings.

5. Tenchu: Fatal Shadows

Tenchu: a weird name for a great sequel. In Fatal Shadows, players take control of either Ayame or Rin, a newcomer to the series. Ayame retains her old moves, plus a few more. She’s quicker and deadlier this time around. Period. Rin, on the other hand, sports a longer blade but is relatively slower on her feet. Compared to Ayame, though, she’s got better chances of survival when cornered by a bunch of baddies. Once again, it’s fight or take flight. Hide in the shadows, observe your prey, and strike when no one’s looking. The old stealth kill formula is back and players just can’t seem to get enough of it.

4. Metal Gear Solid

Metal Gear Solid marks the release of the “best PlayStation game” of all time, and Hideo Kojima’s first attempt to create a fully three dimensional Metal Gear video game. MGS once again stars Solid Snake. This time, he goes against his brother, Liquid Snake. The game was both a critical and commercial success; it sold more than six million units worldwide. Critics and fans also praised the game for its band of quirky but well-defined bosses, namely Liquid Snake and rest of the FOXHOUND members: Revolver Ocelot, Sniper Wolf, Psycho Mantis, Vulcan Raven, and Decoy Octopus. They don’t get any more evil than this brat pack.

3. Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater

If the game’s title doesn’t threaten you, I don’t know what will. Seriously, Metal Gear games don’t get any better than this. Guns of the Patriots is supposedly the MGS3-killer, but until that game is released, this game isn’t going anywhere up the charts. Snake Eater redefines the series by putting Naked Snake in unfamiliar territory: the jungle. No longer is the Metal Gear series an industrial espionage franchise. In this game, it’s fight or take flight, hide or get skinned alive, eat or be eaten. It also features one of the most innovative boss fights in video game history—the battle with The End.

2. Assassin’s Creed

So you think you’re an assassin, eh? Then try your luck with Assassin’s Creed, the newest title from Ubisoft. Assassin’s Creed takes gamers back in history to the time of the Third Crusade. Players take control of a hooded assassin. Run, climb, push, crawl and meditate your way past dozens of guards and city folks. Get to your destination, assassinate your target, and flee before witnesses can exploit your deadliest weapon—your identity. The game’s deep gameplay and breathtaking graphics have made it a critical and commercial success. Until MGS4 comes along, Assassin’s Creed is THE spy stealth game to play.

1. Metal Gear

Of course, the greatest spy stealth video game of all time is none other than the one that started it all: Metal Gear. Metal Gear is the first game in the Metal Gear Solid series, and one of the very first titles to incorporate the essence of stealth in video games. For a game this primitive, it has a pretty good storyline; kudos to writer and director Hideo Kojima. For what it’s worth, Metal Gear established Solid Snake as one of the most formidable (and most eligible?) video game heroes of all time.

It’s pretty obvious the Metal Gear series has gotten the best of the list. So long as Kojima keeps churning out titles as good as these, I honestly don’t expect to anyone to complain.

(You’re not a true a gamer if you don’t know the Greatest Games on the Nintendo Family Computer Console, the Best Consoles in the Video Game Industry and the Top Ten Video Games Of All Time.)