Note: Parentheticals are platforms that I have played the games on...not necessarily a comprehensive list of platforms on which the games are available.
25. Fire Emblem Awakening (3DS)
Like many westerners, I'm a newbie to the Fire Emblem series, and this game was my starting point. Lots of customization options make this Tactical RPG approachable for new players, and has been a gateway for me into other Fire Emblem games. The story is so-so, but this game (like many Fire Emblem games) really shines with it's great cast of memorable characters.
24. Legend of Zelda: A Link Between Worlds (3DS)
I didn't grow up on Nintendo consoles (which explains my current obsession, but I digress), so I don't really have any nostalgia for 2D Zelda games. Honestly, I think they're fun, but I don't consider any of them to be the best games ever. A Link Between Worlds caused me to reconsider this fact. Providing more freedom than any other Zelda game I've played, and introducing a seamless new mechanic that really changes the way you look at the in-game world (a la Portal), A Link Between Worlds was instantly one of my favorite 3DS & Zelda games.
23. Sonic & Knuckles (Sega Genesis)
This one was on my last list, so I won't belabor the point too much on this one. As a Sega kid, I grew up on the good Sonic games, and this one is the pinnacle of that era IMO.
22. Halo REACH (Xbox 360)
Also on the old list. Halo reach was probably the last pure Halo game, before Halo and Call of Duty began converging on one another in terms of gameplay. This game is synonymous with my awesome dorm life in undergrad. #halonight
21. Star Wars: Battlefront II (Xbox, PC)
REACH is to my college life as Battlefront II was to high school. I spent countless hours with friends or my brother with this classic third-person shooter. The best part about this game was that it stuck with the formula provided in the first game, but made little improvements on each feature. So it still FELT like a Battlefront game...unlike a certain other sequel that was disappointing, to say the least.
20. Super Mario Galaxy (Wii)
It's hard to keep a franchise like Mario fresh. At the time of this game, it had been over 10 years since Mario had made the transition to 3D. How could they do something different? ADD SPACE. And as Brandon always hashtags, #spaceisbetterthannotspace
19. Wario Land 3 (Gameboy Color)
I've written about this game at length in my post "The Best 2D Platformer Ever?" I don't think that this is the best 2D platformer ever, but I think it's up there, and I was mostly trying to debunk the belief that Yoshi's Island is indeed the best. Basically, this game is a progressive and experimental platformer with non-linear, open ended levels and puzzles that are solved by letting enemies attack and subsequently transform you. There's really no other game like it. And Wario is in it, which is always a plus. WAA WAA! *fart*
18. Shovel Knight (3DS)
I was very skeptical of Shovel Knight due to the seemingly obscene amount of praise the game has received. Even starting this game with all of this skepticism, I was in love with it before I completed the first level. This game is easily the pinnacle of 8-bit 2D platforming. It has all of the things we want out of retro games, such as secrets and difficulty, with the benefit of many modern features, such as incredible pixel art and unlimited lives. As a final note, the music is probably the best chip tune soundtrack in any game ever. I'll fight you if you disagree.
17. Metroid Fusion (Gameboy Advance)
Ah....the first Metroid game on the list! On the last list, Fusion had to be arbitrarily limited to an honorable mention. Well that's crap, because this game is really great. Easily the most narrative-heavy game in the series, Fusion sets up a story where Samus is being hunted by a more powerful version of herself. Running into the so-called SA-X is terrifying, and the whole game builds up to the encounter with it at the end, which is one of the most difficult boss fights in the series (see my post on the top Metroid bosses). Bonus points to Fusion for giving us one of Samus' best suits.
16. Spider-Man 2 (Xbox)
Like I mentioned last time, this game is amazing (ha!) because it makes you feel like Spider-Man. It's as simple as that. Who doesn't want to feel like Spider-Man? Probably a lot of people, but let me tell you: I'm not one of them. Real talk, it is straight-up CRIMINAL that We the People have not been treated to a newer Spider-Man game that builds on the greatness of this gem.
15. Pokemon X/Y (3DS)
I didn't even throw Pokemon's 6th generation an honorable mention during my last list. I was probably only thinking about the main playthrough, which admittedly is sub-par, even for a Pokemon game. The truth is, not only does this game render all 718 (at the time of release) Pokemon in fantastic 3D models, but it also simplifies almost every mechanic that Pokemaniacs like myself like to use, such as Super Training, breeding, shiny hunting, etc. These small improvements that have slowly evolved Pokemon over time aren't always obvious, but when you think about them they really make you appreciate the newer games.
14. Portal 2 (PC)
This game is so good, it's at this point on the list and I haven't even finished it yet. But I have experienced enough of the game to know how much I love it. The original Portal was a revolutionary puzzle game that got me so excited when I first heard about it. Playing it for the first time did nothing to disappoint that excitement. But Valve really pulled one over on us, because Portal was basically a tech demo with a little bit of spice at the end. Portal 2, in my opinion, feels more like a full game, with more characters, more mechanics, and a more fleshed-out narrative. Can't wait to finish this one.
EDIT: In the time between when I first drafted this post and when I published it, I actually finished this game. I think I'm still happy with it here in the 14 spot for now.
EDIT: In the time between when I first drafted this post and when I published it, I actually finished this game. I think I'm still happy with it here in the 14 spot for now.
13. Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker (GameCube)
Wind Waker was my Zelda representative in my last list, but (spoiler alert!) it won't actually be the highest Zelda game on this updated list. Wind Waker doesn't have the best dungeons or necessarily the best story, but it is flooded (!) with atmosphere. The combination of the music, distinctive art direction, and quirky NPCs give the player an emotional experience that is unparalleled.
12. Metroid Prime (Wii)
The standard 3D Metroid experience. This game deservedly receives a lot of credit for pioneering this dimensional transition. The world in this game is sort of cliche, having desert/ruins, lava, water, and ice regions. It is also a bit short on narrative, which is experienced through scanning the environment. The gameplay is solid and immersive and there are many memorable boss fights, but it's not quite the best Prime game in this guy's opinion.
11. Smash 4 (3DS/Wii U)
Most games are experienced in a binge. You spend several hours a week playing a game until you finish it, at which point you usually go several years before replaying it. Smash isn't so much a binge but rather a snack. You play it for a few hours every once in a while, usually with friends. Then you do the same thing a few weeks later. You're never done playing Smash. And you never will be.
10. Burnout: Revenge (Xbox)
Burnout: Revenge was 4th on my last list, which I knew even at the time was way too high. Don't get me wrong, though, Burnout Revenge is the best racing game ever made. Emphasizing destruction and car-to-car combat with your racing rivals, Burnout is high speed chaos at its finest. The game's effects always make you feel like you're going way too fast and about to crash...and you inevitably will every few seconds. But even when you crash, you can manipulate and even explode your car to take your rivals down with you. The soundtrack is also amazing, and is great racin' music. Boogity boogity boogity! (NASCAR reference)
9. Pokemon HeartGold/SoulSilver (DS):
The Gen II Pokemon games are generally regarded as the most fun to play, and you'll hear no disagreement from me. The first region you start in, Johto, is a really unique region, and has a great balance of new and old Pokemon. Once you get all 8 badges, you get to go to Gen I's region, Kanto, and relive your old adventures. At the end of this grand journey, you get to face off against your previous avatar: Red. It's the most epic moment at the end of the most epic playthrough of Pokemon. How could this possibly be improved? Updated graphics, Pokemon, and mechanics. And a Pokemon pedometer that I may or may not have accidentally put in my washing machine. RIP.
8. Star Wars Jedi Knight: Jedi Academy (Xbox, PC)
The perfect Star Wars action/adventure game. This game is actually a distant sequal to a Doom-style FPS, and some of the elements from that genre still remain, such as hordes of scrub enemies and several interesting and varied guns. But the heart of this game is what the series has evolved into: a game about using lightsabers and the force. Jedi Academy allows the player to create a custom avatar who is a new student at the Jedi Academy on Yavin IV (now no longer canon, maybe). This game has you doing all sorts of things: riding on a runaway train, commandeering a chicken walker, and learning about ancient Sith history. I went through a phase where I just never stopped playing this game. As soon as I would finish a playthrough, I would immediately start another one. This went on for at least 10 playthroughs. Never got bored.
7. Metroid Prime 2: Echoes (Wii)
So all of my squabbles about Metroid Prime have been fixed in MP2. The environments are way more interesting and horror-based. Samus' motivation is much clearer than it was in MP, where it seemed like she was just following Ridley on a wild goose chase. On top of that, it was a much more difficult game with tougher bosses and puzzles that involve a light world/dark world mechanic. I've talked about this game probably more than any other game on my blog, and for good reason. It rocks. #lightsuit
6. Guacamelee! (PC)
Hoooo this game is fun. I will admit, the Availability heuristic is probably strongly influencing how high this game is on the list, considering it is one of the most recent ones I've completed. Nevertheless, it has everything I want out of a game. The level design is unashamedly influenced by early Metroid games (complete with Chozo statues housing powerups). The art style is completely unique, and the Mexican/Luchador theme may be the most high-concept on this list. The combat is easy to learn and satisfying to master, and you will find yourself developing your own fighting style out of the simple moveset a la Smash Bros. The bosses are memorable, the platforming is challenging, and there are all sorts of secrets to find. Guacamelee! is my favorite indie game right now, and anyone who enjoys Metroidvania should play it yesterday.
Top 5. Enter the Big Guns.
5. Jet Set Radio Future (Xbox)
Here's the deal. Despite what you may have heard, JSRF is not an extreme sports game like Tony Hawk's Pro Skater. It's one of the most unique 3D platformers in existence. An open-world game where you skate and graffiti (verb) the caricatured streets of Japan while sticking it to corrupt big business and jamming out to underground radio. One of the big popularizers of cell shading and filled to the brim with colorful characters (see above) this game gets better every time I play it. I hate how this game is virtually absent from the digital market, considering how easy its inferior predecessor is found and how unlikely it is for most people to have original Xboxes lying around to on which to play hard copies of this game. Speaking of original, JSRF puts the "O" back in "OST", as I guarantee you've never heard any of the wonderful electronic jams that will be pumping while you skate. It truly is the cherry on top of this interactive masterpiece.
4. Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask (N64, 3DS)
For a long time, I avoided Majora's Mask due to the time mechanic. I typically don't like when games limit the amount of time I have to check things out. When the remastered 3DS version was released, I finally decided to give this game a try. And I can confidently say this game changed my life. The time mechanic doesn't limit the gameplay in any way; if anything, it adds to it. Each time you reset the 72 hour cycle, you live those famous three days in a different way each time. With the exception of the Stone Tower Temple, the dungeons aren't incredible, but the side quests are really what make this game great. Lots of incredibly weird and eerie things happen with this game, giving it a twisted feel without seeming like it's trying to be a trendy "dark". The strongest example of this occurs at the end of the game, where you are asked obscure philosophical questions by mysterious children that may or may not be the game's main antagonists. The beauty of this game is how many questions go unanswered. What's up with Majora? Is Termina a real place? Is all the good Link does for the citizens of Clock Town erased when you reset the time? Does any of it matter? I poop you not, I read a dissertation written by a Harvard philosophy student on this game. It's that deep. I've probably spent more time thinking about this game than any other individual game I've ever played. And parts of this game are always in the back of my mind as I go throughout my day-to-day life.
3. Super Metroid (Wii Virtual Console)
I'm slightly disappointed that this game only made it to number three, but I just couldn't put it above the other two if I'm being completely honest. That being said, everything about this game is pure joy. Every pixel, every sound effect, literally everything. A moody solo adventure with memorable environments and boss fights, Super Metroid is universally acclaimed as both the pioneer and the champion of the Metroidvania genre. Sure, Samus is a little sluggish and floaty, and the weapon select system is a bit cumbersome, but the sheer expanse of this game, especially for its time, more than makes up for these minor shortcomings. Not to mention it has one of the best final bosses in gaming history.
So honesty time...the order of the next two games are one of my main reasons for making this list. It's a really tough decision to choose between my top 3, but the top two in particular are neck in neck. Alas, Pokemon Black gets my number 2. To understand why, here's my Pokemon story. Pokemon was at the height of it's popularity when I was in early elementary school. I had Blue and Yellow and played the heck out of them. Then Gold & Silver came out, which I loved just as much. But then I got a bit older and lost interest in the franchise, largely absent from Pokemon during its 3rd and 4th generations. Late in my freshman year in college, I heard about HeartGold/SoulSilver and was excited to revisit those games that would tickle my nostalgia. I finished SoulSilver in a month or two, but still had an appetite for the monster-collecting franchise from my childhood. At this point I was a pretty stout genwunner (with reasonable tolerance for gen II), but I had some extra money and reluctantly picked up the newly-released Black version. I was immediately struck by the impressive presentation of the game, The game forces you to use all new Pokemon before you beat the game, which I think was brilliant. Instead of allowing me to default to Pokemon that are familiar, I had to use the new (and frequently improved) designs. This quickly opened my mind to the newer monsters, and started the modern obsession I have with the series. I still revisit it if I want a casual playthrough of Pokemon, as the story presented in this game is the most derivative of the so-called "Pokemon formula".
2. Pokemon Black/White (DS)
1. Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic (Xbox, PC)
I have several vested interests in nerd culture. But my first and still greatest love is for Star Wars. Knights of the Old Republic (Kotor) is overwhelmingly the most immersive and brilliant way to experience Star Wars, period. Setting the game approximately 4,000 years before A New Hope was a genius move for a number of reasons. The storytellers could set up a scenario as grand and far-reaching as they wanted with minimal effect on the Star Wars movies we all love. It also establishes really interesting history for an already fleshed-out universe. Many of us nerds recognize the appeal of studying history, and BioWare bottled that appeal and sold it to us with a Star Wars label. The turn-based combat was deep and never got boring. There are multiple ways to build your avatar and party in general, making for a different gameplay experience every time. Of course, the area where this game really shines is the dialogue, with multiple, consequential conversations available with hundreds of characters throughout the game. In short, Kotor drops you in the Star Wars universe, and allows you to go through their scenario however you want. And that's all I want from a Star Wars game.
As you can see, this list has some major differences from the previous, but I think this post more accurately reflects my favorite games. Yeah!
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