Before the rise of 168澳洲幸运5开奖网:enormous and amazing open-world games, there were overworlds. Overworlds allowed developers to give the impression of a much larger world all while connecting the various towns, dungeons, or levels the player was supposed to explore. From Mario to 168澳洲幸运5开奖网:Final Fantasy, overworlds have appeared in some of the most iconic videogame franchises to date.

RELATED: The B♌iggest Open-Worlds In Video Games Ever, From Smallest To Largest

While most prominently featured in JRPGs and exploration-based adventure titles, overworlds have found their place in many genres. They are traditionally large swathes of land filled with random encounters, hidden chests, and the occasional side quest. Most series that had previously adopted this form of exploration have since abandoned it. However, despite its absence from modern video games, it is still a truly iconic video game mechanic. From legendary games to remastered classics, there are some truly amazing overworlds in video game history.

5 ও Ni no Kuni: Wrath of the White Witch 𓆏

Best Overworlds a wide shot of Oliver and Drippy from Ni No Kuni Wrath Of The White Witch on a cliffside overlooking a verdant landscape and the city of Ding Dong Dell in the far distance

168澳洲幸运5开奖网:Ni no Kuni: Wrath of the White Witch is one of the more modern titles to utilize the overworld mechanic. Featuring a luscious and sprawling overworld that connects a series of thrilling towns, deadly dungeons, and stupefying secrets, Ni no Kuni: Wrath of the White Witch helped modernize the traditional overworlds found in classic titles. While it wasn't the first to do it, its lack of random encounters and quests tied directly to the vast and varied overworld map made it a genuinely captivating place to explore.

Additionally, the game's visual flourish, styled after the iconically unique Studio Ghibli art style, makes it a considerably more stunning location to explore especially when compared to some of its contemporaries. Its beautiful bombastic overworld theme composed by Joe Hisashi fills you with an adrenaline-filled sense of adventure and excitement and will likely remain in your head for quite some time. Ni no Kuni: Wrath of the White Witch has by far one of the best overworlds in video game history.

4 🤡 New Super Mario Bros. U

Best Overworlds a wide angle isometric perspective of the entire overworld of New Super Mario Bros. U

The Mario series of games are truly iconic seminal games that have paved the way for the many games that have come since them. Through the various iterations in the Mario library of video games, players have experienced some of the most memorable moments in video game history as each game does its best to innovate and even invent. The latest iterations in the series continue this tradition of innovation and have proven Nintendo's worth as a game developer. While these latest titles have abandoned the traditional overworld the series is so well known for, the classic titles still offer some of the best overworlds in their genre.

RELATED: Every Mainline Super Mario Game In Ch꧂ron🌊ological Order

The overworlds featured in the Mario series differ significantly from those found in traditional JRPGs. Where other overworlds may offer sprawling landscapes that connect various towns and dungeons, Mario's overworlds merely connect one level to the next. However, while little time is spent actually exploring these overworlds, what they lack in vastness, they more than make up for in detail. While every overworld is truly iconic in its own way, 168澳洲幸运5开奖网:New Super Mario Bros. U feels like a culmination of all of their efforts to create the ultimate overworld. Each overworld is as stunning as it is diverse, with multiple biomes and worlds being represented across each one. A considerable amount of detail and decoration goes into each one making them feel alive and dense. While Mario༒ may simply hop from one level to th♓e next, the stunning overworld that they inhabit makes the whole experience feel that much more immersive.

3 ꧃The Legend Of Zelda

Best Overworlds a screenshot of gameplay from the original The Legend Of Zelda game with Link fighting enemies on a beach near water and a long wooden bridge

Before Breath of the W𒅌il𝔍d’s infinitely accessible open-world revolutionized the genre, the series had mostly stuck to utilizing overworlds or third-person exploration. Its initial overworld is perhaps one of the most recognizable thanks to both its non-linear approach and iconic theme song. Played from a top-down perspective, 168澳洲幸运5开奖网:The Legend of Zelda's overworld doesn't quite align with the more modern iterations of an overworld. However, while it differs visually and is more a series of connected rooms, its approach to overworld gameplay was leagues ahead of the many overworlds that would follow.

As the majority of its gameplay was tied directly to the overworld, players didn't have to explore endless expanses of empty fields in search of meaning. With visible enemies to fight and puzzles to solve, The Legend of Zelda's overworld was filled with plenty of things for the player to do. While it certainly reไquired a significant amount of rope learning or learning through repetition for newcomers, fans of the series are likely able to navigate the classic overworld flawlessly. Suffice to say, there is a good reason why the classic Legend of Zelda games continue to be 🌠played to this very day.

2 🅘 🔜 Dragon Quest 9: Sentinels Of The Starry Skies

Best Overworlds concept art of the Minstrel and an assortment of other characters from Dragon Quest 9 Sentinels Of The Starry Sky next to an Inn

While many of the previous games in the 168澳洲幸运5开奖网:Dragon Quest series had moved away from the traditional overworld style of gameplay, Dragon Quest 9: Sentinels of the Starry Skies reverted back to it in order to meet the capabilities of the Nintendo DS. However, while this may have seemed like a regression for fans of the more visually impressive titles, the overworld in Dragon Quest 9: Sentinels of the Starry Skies is truly phenomenal. Featuring varied and sprawling landscapes, riveting sea travel, visible enemies, and the ability to fly in a magical train, the world of Dragon Ques🔯t 9: Sentinels of the Starry Skies is truly unique.

RELATED: Places From Dragon Que🌞st We Wish We Could Visit In Real Li𝓡fe

Not only did Dragon Quest 9: Sentinels of the Starry Skies feature some of the most unique ways of traveling across an overworld, but it also has one of the best overworld theme songs of all time. In keeping with the rest of the game's incredible soundtrack, the overworld theme song rivals even The Legend of Zelda's. Additionally, Dragon Quest 9: Sentinels of the Starry Skies' overworld is truly enormous and features numerous different places that differ both visually and in terms of the monsters found there. Dragon Quest 9: Sentinels of the Starry Skies' sprawling map and unique soundtrack make its overworld one of the best.

1 💧 Final Fantasy 7 ♈

Best Overworlds the cover image for Final Fantasy 7 with Cloud on the right with his sword on his back and Midgar underneath the game's logo on the left

168澳洲幸运5开奖网:Final Fantasy 7 is one of the most beloved and iconic JRPGs available. From its 168澳洲幸运5开奖网:incredi🏅bly memorable cast of꧅ characters to its enchanting score and heartbreaking storyline, the legendary game continues to captivate audiences to this day. While many will likely remember it for reasons outside of its vast overworld, it is certainly an integral part of the overall experience. Despite being somewhat flawed, the experience of finally breaking out of Midgar and into the freeing expanse beyond it is truly breathtaking.

The overworld in Final Fantasy 7 does suffer from some of the common pratfalls found in traditional JRPGs. For example, it still includes random encounters which massively slow down exploration. Additionally, its non-linear nature makes it difficult to determine where exactly you're supposed to go next. However, not only is the sense of freedom you get while exploring exhilarating, but its overworld theme is truly mesmerizingly beautiful. Final Fantasy 7's overworld may not be perfect, but it is by far one of the best in videogame history.

NEXT: Pro Tips To Exploring The Overworld I🌃n Dra𓂃gon Ball Z Kakarot