Annual playthrough of a game

[badinsults]

I just finished playing through Final Fantasy II (IV), which is something I make a point of doing every year. I finished it about 1.75 hours quicker than the last time I played through, which gives me a sense of accomplishment. I was wondering if other people have a particular game that they make a point of playing through on a yearly basis?

[Scream And Fly]

Contra. I need to make sure I can always beat that game with a single life, year after year. :)

[cyberfluxor]

It seems to be an annual tradition for me to hop onto Diablo II Expansion and play in hardcore mode, going straight to Ball in Hell difficulty (without dying of course ;) ). It's fun to do because it poves you can solo all the way through the game and find some decent stuff along the way.

[MasterJSP]

I play through Earthbound every summer, and Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past every winter.

[ryborg]

I just finished my annual Super Metroid 100% playthrough. That game never gets old.

For familiar games that take several sessions, like the original Final Fantasies, I do those every three years or so.

[JustRob]

Not a console game, but every winter over the christmas break from school (well, not school anymore, but I still keep that week sacred for my game playing needs), I find a way to reinstall the TIE-Fighter Collector's CD edition and try to beat my highest scores without using cheats of any kind.

[FantasiaWHT]

Bubble Bobble.

And not quite every year, probably closer to every 2 years- Phantasy Star II. Last time I did it without any maps... that was brutal.

[gameofyou]

Every winter, I like to play through Christmas Nights.

[Wolfrider31]

I run through Ico once a year. I always seem to beat my best time by a little each new play through. I really should attempt a speed run of it one day.

[diskoboy]

I have 2 games that I break out, at least once a year.

Those being Super Metroid and Jet Grind Radio.

Actually, JGR still gets played, by me, on a semi-regular basis.

[CreamSoda]

I have a few games that I must playthrough ATLEAST once a year...

Shenmue(DC), this is my most favorite game of all time, and I playthrough it every year around this time(October or November)

Jet Grind Radio(DC), Another cult classic, I remember the first time I played this game. I thought it was pretty hard, now I realise the game is really fairly simple(provided you know what your doing).

GTA:SA(PS2), This is another favorite of mine, I never get tired of playing through this title.

[PallarAndersVisa]

i play through symphony of the night once the weather gets cool.actually i play through it whenever i want. I already played through it a couple of times this year.

[Eggman]

I play through Super Mario RPG every summer, as well as Ocarina of Time, as these are my two "super nostalgia" games that I can never get enough of.

[Nukie]

I usually play through Final Fantasy for the nes once every year or two. I also play me some SMB 3 every year.

[anagrama]

Every winter, I like to play through Christmas Nights.

Ditto.

[PentiumMMX]

I at least break out Diddy Kong Racing at least once a year and try to beat my best times, sometimes going through Adventure mode again.

[Griking]

Ultima IV or V

[poloplayr]

I always play through Daze Before Christmas a few days before Christmas! Amazing game.

[ubersaurus]

My friends and I make it a point to run through Zillion every Labor Day weekend :P

[Cinder6]

I hadn't really thought about it, but I realized I play through Chrono Trigger, Symphony of the Night, and Metal Gear Solid every year.

[RPG_Fanatic]

I like to try and go through the first Wild Arms at least once a year. I love the soundtrack.

[Saabmeister]

I usually play through Auto Destruct at least once a year.

[Fuzzball24]

I always play the Tony Hawk's in summer!

[Night Driver]

I replay the Marathon trilogy every few years.

[Muscelli]

=....

[Jimid2]

I play through Metal Gear Solid annually, at least... I probably do Final Fantasy VII biennially... and I break out Ridge Racer at least once a year for a week or two of intense time trials, trying to beat my old times...

[TurboGenesis]

At least every year I like to play through:

Contra (NES)
Super Mario Bros. 2 (NES)
Bionic Commando (NES)
Sonic the Hedgehog (Genesis)
Thunder Force III (Genesis)
Bonk's Adventure (TG-16)

These games offer a high level of fun and I am able to play them to the end every time.

Usually when I get in a mood and just look through the shelf and pick up one of the above titles. When I am done I feel great and feel that I had a good afternoon of games playing :D

[heybtbm]

I just finished playing through Final Fantasy II (IV), which is something I make a point of doing every year. I finished it about 1.75 hours quicker than the last time I played through, which gives me a sense of accomplishment. I was wondering if other people have a particular game that they make a point of playing through on a yearly basis?

Don't you get sick of level grinding? What is your average level by the end boss?

[outsider]

I usually get around to these:

Mario All-Stars + World
Donkey Kong Country 1-3
Super Mario Kart
Mega Man 2 + 3
Double Dragon 2
Contra
TMNT (NES)

[badinsults]

Don't you get sick of level grinding? What is your average level by the end boss?

I did no level grinding. I ended up at the last save at a time of 8:45 (with all the final weapons and armour), with an average level in my party of 50. At this level, there are no problems finishing the game. I bet you could pass the game at a level as low as 40, but provided you fight all the enemy encounters in the last half of the game, you will likely be at level 50 anyways. The thing that eats up time in FF2 is level grinding in the first half of the game (before getting to the spot where you can fight enemys like Molbols) that do not give you much experience. One fight in the Lunar Subterrain will give you more experience than you can get by fighting 50 battles in the first half of the game. You can easily survive the Bab-il robot at levels between 35-40. If an RPG forces you to level grind, it is not very well designed.

[Guru of Time and Space]

Simon's Quest every halloween.

-GoTaS

[Fear The Turtle]

I play through FF, FF7, and Super Mario Brothers at least once or twice a year.

[2Dskillz]

Sonic the Hedgehog 2. Still waiting for another Sonic of this caliber.

[blissfulnoise]

Star Control II and Quest For Glory I & II.

Pure gold.

[Damon Plus]

I do that usually:

-World of Illusion (the one with Mickey and Donald)
-Sonic 2 (used to play it the X-Mas day)
-Light Crusader (not so much anymore)
-Shenmue

And probably more that I'm forgetting.

[sabre2922]

Metal Gear Solid original PSone release about once per year

Resident Evil : Directors Cut I had played through once a year for the last 10 years but now maybe once every couple years.

from the Sega Genesis Collection : Sonic 2 and Phantasy Star 2 @ 4 once a year.

I still play Starcraft on my PC a couple times a month for a couple hours.

Ill probably be playing through Tomb Raider Anniversary PS2 a couple times a year from now on.

Metroid Zero Mission on EMU at least once a year.