Top 20 Coolest Games

[hydr0x]

I don't think this has been made before, so lets try ;)

list the top 20 "coolest" games of all systems, including pc :)

i think u all know what i mean with cool, overall atmosphere and artistic style

the list:

Devil May Cry (PS2)
Space Channel 5 (DC)
Jet Set/Grind Radio (DC)
PN 03 (GC)
Vib Ribbon (PS)
Dracula X (PCE)
Rez (PS2/DC)
Starfox/Starwing (SNES)
Tie Fighter (PC)
Duke Nukem 3D (PC)
Metal Slug Series (Neo-Geo)
Resident Evil (PS/PC)
Destruction Derby (PS/PC)
Snake Rattle n Roll (NES)
Out of this World/Another World (SNES)
Samba De Amigo (DC)
Max Payne (PC)
GTA 3 (PS2)
*added* Guilty Gear X (DC)
*added* Eternal Darkness (GC)

removed:

suggestions, oppinions needed:

Panzer Dragoon Saga (SAT)
Cosmic Fantasy 2 (TGCD)
Baseball Stars (NES)
N20
Tempest
Gunstar Heroes (GEN)
Shinobi (PS2)
Contra: Hard Corps (SNES/SFC)

[chadtower]

Dracula X (PCE)
Panzer Dragoon Saga (SAT)
Cosmic Fantasy 2 (TGCD)
Baseball Stars (NES)

[anagrama]

My first choice would've been SC5, but you beat me to it :)

how about:
Guilty Gear X (DC)
Rez (DC/PS2)
Viewtiful Joe (GC)

[punkoffgirl]

I think Vib Ribbon should be in there somewhere.

[chadtower]

So, aside from my opinions, apparently only brand new games are cool. :hmm:

[hydr0x]

no, of course not only recent titles are cool, but to be cool, a game often has to have a certain quality of graphics, of course there are old cool games, but it is more difficult to make a cool atmosphere with mono sound and less colors and so on ;)

[hydr0x]

I think Vib Ribbon should be in there somewhere.

totally agree with you there, added :)

[chadtower]

no, of course not only recent titles are cool, but to be cool, a game often has to have a certain quality of graphics, of course there are old cool games, but it is more difficult to make a cool atmosphere with mono sound and less colors and so on ;)

No it's not... remember, the older games were new at some point too. Games like D, Resident Evil, Tomb Raider were all the coolest thing ever made when they came out. As were 16 bit games, 8 bit games... at one point the Swordquest games were top of the line.

[hydr0x]

mhhhh not really, i don't think anyone said back then that Tomb Raider had a over average cool atmosphere, it was a brilliant game, and lara herself was kinda cool, but the overall game world wasn't

as i said, of course there were/are old cool games, but not as many (in percent of total games made) as today

[chadtower]

I don't agree with that at all either. The sheer number of shitty games made now probably makes it a far smaller percentage of newer games than older games. 90% of the games now are clones of something else and by definition that's not cool.

[hydr0x]

whatever :) just post ur suggestions and discuss the list

[petewhitley]

Though I was just a kid when it was in the arcades, I remember Tempest being pretty damn cool to just about eveyone back then. My uber-cool cousin had a stand-up in his basement. And how about the Wipeout series? This is an interesting topic, it's just really sooooooo subjective... Not that any of these lists aren't ;)

[chadtower]

The subjectivity comes from a complete lack of criteria. The original poster assumes we can read his/her mind. We can't.

Anyone old enough to have played the Swordquest games and tried to actually solve the puzzles would vouch for how mind numbingly cool that was at the time. Trying to beat puzzles in the game that gave you panel/page numbers in a comic book that then had visual puzzles to sovle that were part of an overall contest where you could win goblets, swords, and other such things made of actual gold and silver? There's never been anything like it before or since!

:hail:

[ManekiNeko]

I can understand why most of the games listed are so new. It's hard to convey a strongly defined artistic style on older hardware.
Anyway, I'd like to nominate N20 for this honor. It's the next best thing to being at a rave, without having to worry about someone slipping something funny into your drink.

JR

[hydr0x]

aaah maneki very good :) this was exactly what i tried to say, of course this list is a little bit subjective, BUT chad u seem to have misunderstood what it is about. with "coolness" i do not mean that everyone liked the game and thought it was cool, if u think about it this is the case with most blockbusters and a few hidden secrets (eg everyone thought doom was cool because well, everyone said it was cool, but this game is in now way cool like the topic is meant). the list is not about great games and it's not about cool features or graphics or something like that

it's about exactly what manekineko said, a strongly defined artistic style

btw, never played n20 so i've got to see what other people say about it ;)

[hydr0x]

Though I was just a kid when it was in the arcades, I remember Tempest being pretty damn cool to just about eveyone back then. My uber-cool cousin had a stand-up in his basement. And how about the Wipeout series? This is an interesting topic, it's just really sooooooo subjective... Not that any of these lists aren't ;)

tempest is worth a consideration, the wipeout series imho isn't, don't misunderstand me, i do own the first wipeout (not only that one) but i don't think it's overall style is good enough to qualify

[chadtower]

it's about exactly what manekineko said, a strongly defined artistic style


Every game I mentioned fits that criterium. I did understand the topic. I still think you're undervaluing older games.

[punkoffgirl]

Don't sweat it so much. If another person agrees with you on the "coolness" of what you've suggested, I'm sure it will be added. Then it can be debated. That's how this thing works.

I never played the Tempest arcade game, but Tempest 2k rocks my world.

[hezeuschrist]

Eternal Darkness definitely needs to be up there.

[WiseSalesman]

I wish to concur regarding Eternal Darkness. The game barely scared me, but the atmoshphere, abilities, characters and storyline just oozed coolness. That game took over my life for a good period of time. Plus, if we're going for the artistic score, the insanity effects were pure brilliance.

I'd also like to add my vote on Guilty Gear X. This game's style DEFINES art. It shows what capcom could do with their fighting games if they got off their asses and stopped using the same sprites over and over. For the love of god, it's the 21st century. I think we can do high res sprites now, okay?

[scooterb23]

A few games that oozed cool for me...a few repeats...

Gunstar Heroes (Gen)
Jet Grind Radio (DC)
Mars Matrix (DC)
Panzer Dragoon Orta (XBox)
Rez (PS2)
Frequency (PS2)
Tempest 2K (Jag)
Yoshi's Island (SNES)


and one to come soon...Viewtiful Joe (GC)

[WiseSalesman]

Now that I think about it, I'd also like to nominate Ikaruga. I swear, the first time I saw that game played I was almost drooling, and I didn't even understand it yet.

Also, since you're nominating Viewtiful Joe, which isn't out yet, I;d like to put in a nomination for Killer 7. Have you seen that game? Looks like every dark noir detective movie and comic I've ever seen. Simply amazing.

[RetroYoungen]

Jet Grind Radio and Comix Zone were two of the coolest games I've ever played. I also concur with Eternal Darkness... too trippy...

I'd also like to support the Tempest 2000 idea. Even if just for the soudntrack alone, yet it's so much more.

[Ed Oscuro]

Comix Zone has actually pretty good music, but I grew up with the PC version. Better cover art (though all I saw was the splash screen since it was a Packard Bell pack-in--no pun intended) and the midi music is great on an older card.

Dracula X: Chi no Rondo is overrated. Yes, overrated.

It's certainly one of the greatest games I've seen for the PC-Engine, and I own two (2) copies, one sealed...but...

It's overrated. That's all.

Besides that, I'm just gonna throw out some random words and titles.

PC titles: In brief, much of what Raven made was very good (Heretic, Heretic II, Dark Crypt, etc), we've got DOOM, yay.
Super Metroid, of course.
Zelda: A Link to the Past
Zelda 64: (both of em. Get the pretty darn huge Japanese Majora's Mask package that included the memory booster)
Ghouls n' Ghosts/Daimakaimura (Arcade version; SuperGrafx version is sweet in the sound department but lacking visually, and the Mega Drive version is still a bit cut down. BONUS POINTS: what are Prin Prin's measurements?)
Contra The Hard Corps (Japanese version only, 3 health bars)
Demon's Blazon (yeah, I'm on a Gn'G kick...*kicks self*)
Super Castlevania 4 (the Japanese version has a cooler ingame text font, but a much, MUCH worse front cover)
Gunstar Heroes, Phantasy Star 4, Shinobi 3: Return of the Ninja Master
Shinobi PS2 should be on this list, but I haven't played it yet. The reviews uncovering an apparent underutilization of vertical areas is not a good omen.
Akumajo Dracula, Konami Original Game Software, Sharp x68000...this is a CLASSIC, nearly as hard as a Makaimura title, in parts it's harder. I own two copies, probably the only person in my state, if not the whole eastern seaboard...

Other things, put them here!

[hydr0x]

want to add the following to the list, which should i remove:

Mars Matrix (DC)
Frequency (PS2)
Ikaruga (DC/GC)
Tempest2k (JAG)
Comix Zone (PC)

[omnedon]

Pong! (arcade)
Yar's Revenge (Atari VCS)
Donkey Kong (Arcade, ColecoVision)
Zaxxon (Arcade, ColecoVision)
Major League Baseball (IntelliVision)
Spy Hunter (Arcade)
BattleZone (Arcade)
Super Mario Brothers (NES)

Every single one of these games brought evolutionary changes in graphics, gameplay, and game presentation. The first time I saw each one of these games, I was stunned at the creativity and innovation the games represented. Some mainly in gameplay, some in revolutionary use or creation of controllers, and some in overall COOL presentation.

They may not seem cool now, if they don't seem cool to you, you may simply be taking them for granted.
:)

That is all.

[TheRedEye]

I hate to beat a dead horse, but I'm going to have to go with Grim Fandango AGAIN.

http://www.gamesdomain.com/gdreview/zones/reviews/pc/nov98/grim04.jpg

http://www.gamesdomain.com/gdreview/zones/reviews/pc/nov98/grim06.jpg

(more screenshots here (http://www.lucasarts.com/products/grim/grim_spotlight.htm))

[hezeuschrist]

Oh man, I need to play grim fandango. I only ever played the demo, I need to find a full copy somewhere.

[scooterb23]

Gah! I keep forgetting Grim Fandango...indeed that is one of the coolest games ever!!!! I wonder if it still works on my PC...

[Kroogah]

I just have to be predictable.

BEATMANIA IIDX. The layout and presentation give it a real futuristic and overall, well...cool-looking style. ^^

[mauigamer]

Count me in for another vote for Eternal Darkness. Especially if atmosphere is a major criteria.

[calthaer]

I don't know, maybe it's just me, but my primary votes go to the "Looking Glass" games - Thief, System Shock, Deus Ex. While they may not have the flashiest, brightest, whiz-bang "coolness" of lots of other games, it's the plot and the ambience that makes it cool. I mean, Garrett (Thief) is cool. Shodan is wicked cool. JC Denton is cooler than cool. Anybody who can stand up to the big, bad end guy who's about to make a mess of the world and crack a joke ("Does that mean I don't get the job?") is alright by me. Not only do Mario and Link never crack jokes, they never say anything at all. They look cool, but where's the personality?

Zelda and Mario are great games, don't get me wrong...it's great when you hear the little t une telling you that you've opened up a secret or the ding of a rupee or a coin box being hit. But the "BLING" of Thief's treasure pick-up is just as cool, and Garrett is way badder than Link. Shodan > Ganon + Bowser combined. And the plots in those games are so far better than anything else mentioned it's not even funny.

But then again, maybe that's just me. Some people don't dig those games for whatever reason.

[dave2236]

NES Mega Man 2
NES Contra
X-Box Halo
GC Super Monkey Ball
Atari 2600 Megamania

[Raedon]

Zone of the Enders 2 -PS2 is one of the coolest games I've played in a while. It only takes 6 hours to play threw and it is FAST. It's my Fav. "Giant Vertical Tank" game

[Black_Tiger]

TM/FEOE Fuun Kabuki Den
Ys
Ghosts N Goblins/Makaimura
Black Tiger
AD&D Treasure Of Tarmin
R-Type
Alex Kidd In Miracle World
Bubble Bobble
Life Force
Bomberman 93
Bonk's Revenge
Lords Of Thunder
Snatcher
Street Fighter II CE
Wonderboy
Fantasy Zone II
Phantasy Star
Ys IV
Legend Of Xanadu II
Dungeon Explorer

[FlufflePuff]

Let me be the first to add Katamari Damacy to the list.

[evilmess]

I think Resident Evil 4 is officially COOL!

[GobopopRevisited]

The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker

Most Beautiful 3D game ever created!

[Dimitri]

To whoever said this kind of thing is subjective, that's certainly an understatement. ;)

ToeJam & Earl (Genesis) -- For a game that features an incredible amalgamation of different themes and designs, the entire package fits together amazingly well.
Metroid II: Return of Samus (Gameboy) -- Easily the most atmospheric Gameboy title I've ever played.
Operation Logic Bomb (SNES) -- I'm not really sure why, but this game just seems to ooze coolness to me.
Rocket Knight Adventures (Genesis) -- An opossum knight with a jetpack...a beautiful game, visually and aurally, if I were to do a presentation on video games as art, this would be among my picks.
Vib-Ribbon (PSX) -- This doesn't even need description.
Super C (NES) -- ...it's getting hard to write descriptions for these...stylistically, amazingly coherent, I've really seen no better attempts at the whole "lone soldier against an alien army" type scenario.
Bible Adventures (NES/Genesis) -- ...j/k!

[Cryomancer]

Steel Battallion, but only because it is now possible to hook the control up to a PC.

[FurinkanianFrood]

Contra: Hard Corps (I don't mind the US version difficulty but I'm insane)
Phantasy Star(1,2,4), YS(1,2,4), Shin Megaten are easily among the coolest RPGs IMO.
Shadowrun RPGs.
Fallout. Wasteland.
Panzer Dragoon.
Other dark future adventure games (very old ones that elude me at the moment).
Too many Lucasarts adventure games to list.
I personally think Bio-hazard battle is really cool.
Power Instinct series (especially Groove on Fight and Matrimelee)

Yar's Revenge
Tempest 2000
Demon Attack
Space Harrier
Metal Slug
Battle Garegga
Kunio-kun games
Shubibinman 3
Castlevania 3
Lords of Thunder

Also, it depends on how coolness is defined, there are ridiculous numbers of WWII shooters, but how many can touch (arcade version) Sky Shark.



Dracula X: Chi no Rondo is overrated. Yes, overrated.


Not that I am one of those guys who has an altar to it in my closet, and I know it isn't actually rare, but how is the X68000 AkuDrac cooler (equally cool I might agree with, but cooler? because of rarity?)

[FurinkanianFrood]

TM/FEOE Fuun Kabuki Den
Ys
Ghosts N Goblins/Makaimura
Black Tiger
AD&D Treasure Of Tarmin
R-Type
Alex Kidd In Miracle World
Bubble Bobble
Life Force
Bomberman 93
Bonk's Revenge
Lords Of Thunder
Snatcher
Street Fighter II CE
Wonderboy
Fantasy Zone II
Phantasy Star
Ys IV
Legend Of Xanadu II
Dungeon Explorer


That just about sums it up for the coolest stuff ever. PC Engine is beyond everything. Don't question it. Beware the the Quadrun laser. There will be no escaping.

PC-FX is really cool looking if that counts (hey, I like the games too, but "coolest" is kinda pushin it for most of those)

[Kid Ice]

Wow, I was just working on the database when I stumbled on this one. Cool topic 8-) . Hydrox's first list is nice too. Due for a bump.

Unfortuantely, the coolest game of all time is not on anyone's list, and that is Radiant Silvergun. The game is cool. The name is cool. The cover art is cool. That sound when you press start at the beginning...that's cool. The bosses are cool. The options screen is cool. The spine card is cool. It is cooler than the coolest thing in the world.

19 other cool games:

Rez
Wipeout XL
Robotron
Tempest
Demon Attack
Yars Revenge
Blade Force
Road Rash
Star Wars (the arcade game)
Soukyugurentai
Einhander
Samurai Shodown
Colony Wars
Tac Scan
Spy Hunter
Metroid Prime
Gungrave
Armored Core
Wasteland

[AlexKidd]

Yoshi's Island
Shadow of the Beast
Super Metroid
Metroid Prime
Forgotten Worlds
Dracula X(pc engine)
Chrono Trigger
Baten Kaitos

All of these games have some cool looking worlds/environments in my opinion.

[AlexKidd]

I just noticed someone mentioned Lords of Thunder. I'd like to second that one. Some of the coolest environments,bosses and so on ever in a shooter.

[Jumpman Jr.]

Anything on the Vectrex gets my 'cool' rating.... along with the Virtual Boy.
As for a specific game:
Battletoads and Double Dragon always seemed really cool to me
8-)

[Quackaddict]

Hmm...I nominate the Uber cool GTA III, VC and SA. It doesn't get much "cooler" than these.

[Julio III]

Hmm, the whole cool thing is kindof stupid to quantify but anyway, here's 20 that spring to mind now:

Rez
Vib Ribbon
Comix Zone
Mortal Kombat
Tempest
NBA Jam
Daytona USA
Wipeout
Speedball 2
Grand Theft Auto
Sonic
Streets Of Rage
Phantasy Star Online
Wolfenstein 3D
Knights Of The Old Republic
Grim Fandango
Crazy Taxi
F-Zero X
Jet Set Radio
Duke Nukem 3D

[Kid Ice]

Hmm, the whole cool thing is kindof stupid to quantify

In a sense, yes, but check out the lists and look at how many different people picked the same games. So although "cool" isn't something you'd think would be particularly tangible, pretty much everyone in the thread is on the same wavelength.

Nice list BTW, I forgot about Streets of Rage and Jet Grind Radio.

[Austin]

Jet Grind Radio definitely belongs on this list.

[Raedon]

Shadow of the Beast - Amiga

amazing music/grfx/etc but impossible to play.

[chuckwalla]

Zaxxon -> Arcade
Gyruss -> Arcade
Blaster -> Arcade/Midway Collection 2 for PC
Crazy Kong -> Arcade (too good to be ported to any
console and vastly superior to
Donkey Kong)
Robotron -> Atari 7800
River Raid -> Atari 8-bit
Star Raiders -> Atari 8-bit
Super Breakout -> Atari 2600
M.U.L.E. -> C64/Atari 8-bit
Space Dungeon -> Atari 5200
Gunstar Heroes -> Genesis
Super Mario All-Stars -> SNES
Sonic 1,2,3,Knuckles -> Genesis
NHL '94 -> Genesis
Madden 92/93 -> Genesis
Super Metroid -> SNES

[Captain Qb]

Super Mario Bros. (nes)
Legend of Zelda (nes)
Legend of Zelda II (nes)
Chrono Trigger (snes)
Super Metroid (snes)
Legend of Zelda - Link to the Past (snes)
Super Mario RPG - Legend of the seven star (snes)
Mario Kart 64 (n64)
Super Smash Bros. (n64)
Legend of Zelda - Ocarina of time (n64)
Legend of Zelda - Majoras Mask (n64)
Grand Theft Auto 2 (PSX)
Final Fantasy 7 (PSX)
Final Fantasy 8 (PSX)

Here are few...

[cyberfluxor]

Here are the top "coolest" games I can think up that EVERY had to own or play to be considered awesome.

Bubsy -> Consule
Wolf3D -> PC
Warcraft II -> PC
Doom 3D -> PC
DDR -> Arcade
Time Crisis -> Arcade
Area51 -> Arcade
House of the Dead -> Arcade
Mario64 -> Consule
Sonic the Hedgehog -> Consule
Lemmings -> PC
Worms -> PC
Starcraft -> PC
Diablo -> PC
Mario Party -> Consule
Street Fighter vs. Capcom -> Consule
Total Annhiliation -> PC
Pac-Man -> Arcade
Aerofighters -> Arcade
Mario Brothers 3 -> Consule

[XianXi]

Original Bubble Bobble and Intelligent Qube.

[Vibri]

Some of these have already been mentioned. By the way, I've been looking at a lot of "best" lists of games, but there's nothing that really hit home for me. I guess I'm too casual about gaming to care about the deep games. I do enjoy, however, the "cool" ones. In a way, here are my favorites for "coolness":

1) Samba de Amigo (DC) - With the Sega maracas controllers, the gameplay is super fun (shake higher!, pose!), and I love the characters. My favorite is the Sun. Yeah!

2) Vib Ribbon (PSX) - The ability to put in any audio cd to compose platformer-like levels is great. I also think it's cool that they were willing to make a game with really simple graphics. The lyrics of the songs on the game disc are great, too.

3) Space Channel 5 Part 2 (DC/PS2) - The style is retro-futuro cool, and the dance moves are bad-ass. I'd like to try this with a DDR dance mat.

4) Rez (DC/PS2) - You're hacking your way through a mysterious computer network while shooting down drones to compose techno music. That the game isn't too difficult is important. Truthfully, I suck at video games.

5) Jet Grind Radio (DC) - Very cool, but the controls are too hard for me now.

6) Gradius III (SNES) - I don't really "get" shumps, but this game is wild: the bosses are really creative and basically make the game for me. It is so difficult, that I have to cheat with an extra lives code to get anywhere, but it's at least easy to get started. I'm expecting Parodius (PSX et al), which I hope to acquire soon, will be even better (otherwise, I'd rank it last on the list).

7) Cosmic Smash (DC) - I haven't played this much, but the style is awesome: "Cosmic Bus... Have a blast...."

8) Q*bert 3 (SNES) - This is probably worth cross-posting in the thread for "games I love that everyone else thinks is lame." I love the game-boards, backgrounds, music, villains, and puzzle elements, especially in the later levels (hit a panel exactly once).

9) Platform Maze (http://cbgames.net/platformmaze.php) (Flash) - If the style wasn't so conventional, it would rank much higher. Currently, my favorite puzzle game with some cool effects.

10) Sokoban (Many Clones) - My 2nd favorite puzzle game. My favorite clone is Pocoman.

11) Connect (http://www.planetidiot.com/games/default.aspx?pg=game&id=1)(Windows) - I like Connect Four, but in this version, which I have not seen replicated anywhere, each time you make a row it shatters away and everything else crumbles down. Awesome chain reactions, but I thought Connect Four was cool to begin with.

12) Jardinains (PC) - Arkanoid with evil garden gnomes that throw potted plants at you. Pretty fun, but the coolness factor has worn since I first saw it years ago.

[blissfulnoise]

I don't think Hydr0x is around anymore, but yeah, this thread is due for a revival for sure. The idea of "cool" is more than just solid artistic direction or brilliant gameplay.

It's the idea of bringing something stylish and unique to an existing genre or just breaking the rails with something completely off the wall and original.

It's more about attitude and presentation than about technical merit. Just listing your favorite games doesn't really cut it. And while games like Adventure and Sonic may be essential games as cool to play now as they were then, they aren't "cool".

An earlier poster really nailed it. Most early consoles didn't have the chops to create a distinctive, unique look or presentation to set them apart. Or at the very least they lacked the context to do so.

It's difficult to quantify but once you get it, you get it. But here's a generic criterion: if you're thinking of adding any Mario title (you might make a case for Paper Mario) or Final Fantasy title to the list, then you're not getting it.

Starfox? Negative.
Tie Fighter? Big negative.
Castlevania? No way.
Resident Evil? Nuh-uh.

Another great example of a fringe "genre" worth exploring!

Rez (DC/PS2) - The definitive "cool" game. Rail shooter that cumulates with your avatar evolving into a cosmic entity after discovering that the universe is really a hot robot chick.

Jet Grind Radio / Jet Grind Radio Future (DC/Xbox) - Who knew rollerblading was cool? Hyper stylized Cel-shaded graphics leaves cool to spare.

Killer 7 (GCN) - Suda 51 secretes cool. Extremely bizarre and mind-tripping storyline about the eternal cycle of good and evil. Highlights include slicing your wrist, dominant/subservient maids, and fighting the power rangers. Luchador mask optional.

Lumines (PSP) - The original still features the most style and several skins unique to this version. Revitalized the puzzle genre with presentation and superb design.

Space Channel 5 (DC, PS2) - Ulala indeed. Funky 1970s meets "IN THE YEAR 2000" setting. Dance the alien invasion away with rhythm game style.

PaRappa the Rappa (PS1, PSP) - You gotta believe! Another rhythm game with unique visuals. Flat characters flop and flip while you deliver your raps with precision.

Every Extend Extra (PSP) - A Q? redo on a free flash game. Detonate your ship to cause chain reactions to take out everything coming at you. This is another style and substance situation. Trippy visuals and inspired music.

Gunpey (PSP) - Another Q? title no one is playing. It's yet another take on Gunpey but the skins and tracks are absolute madness. Very difficult but worth replaying just to see what skin you'll unlock next.

flOw (PS3) - Interactive screen saver or astounding work of art? Hard to say since the line is razor thin, but this is a very important game. Otherworldly gorgeous graphics enhance an intense minimalist experience.

Katamari Damacy (PS2) - I almost didn't put this on here until I repeated the plot in my head. Your drunken father who rules the cosmos accidentally destroys the stars while on a bender. He makes his kid roll up crap all over earth to rebuild the stars. And he wears purple tights and shoots rainbows out of his mouth. Yeah, it gets on the list.

Frequency (PS2) - The house that Harmonix was built on. Another rhythm game that features inspired licensened music from all over the place. Includes some free-styling capabilities to earn bigger points. Fantastic visuals.

Guitar Hero (PS2) - Another crossover of mainstream and cool. Maybe the best known one too. Rock star attitude on top of Frequency/Amplitude like gameplay. Oh, and that little plastic guitar helps set it apart too.

Panic! (Sega CD) - The most bizarre game to ever come out in the states. Cool isn't a word that you'd immediately assign to Panic! but after you see what it has to offer, it's hard to come up with a more fitting word.

Grim Fandango (PC) - Noir ultra cool. Few adventure games dared to do something as unique a Fandango and even fewer came off with the level of polish and brilliance. One of the hippest games to ever see a store shelf.

bit Generations (series) (GBA) - I'm adverse to putting imports on lists like this, but Nintendo's unique line of games on the GBA are worth a mention. Design both graphically and aurally are taken straight off the Famicom but in an entirely new context, these games really stand out. Brilliant, simple games on top of ultra-stylish presentations.

Vib Ribbon (PS1) – Another bedrock game in the “cool” genre. Load your own music and guide Vibri along a path designed with your track in mind. Another rhythm game (see a trend?) that puts style on the forefront to distinguish itself.

Tempest 2000 (Jag) – Tempest was a game you could already define as “cool”. The remix takes it over the top. Fantastic visuals that could cause seizures in even the most ardent Pokemon fan. The gameplay still holds up just as well as it ever had.

Devil May Cry (PS2) – “Stylish” 3d brawlers owe everything to DMC. Fiercely hard and undeniably cool, your attacks were based on wild wire-fu moves that were never pulled off well until DMC hit.

Tron (Arcade) – A neon world inside of your computer where programs fight a tryanical MCP. While some may look kitschy today, it was certainly stylish then. (and it’s coming back around now!) The arcade looks set it apart in the arcade making it stylish functionally as well as stylish digitally.

Viewtiful Joe (GCN) – Henshin-A-Go-Go indeed. Featuring moves like Slow Zoom Red Hot One Hundred, this 2D brawler was all about beating up bad guys with STYLE.

[Xizer]

How about Cool Spot? The game defines cool. Hell, it even has cool in its name.

http://images.rottentomatoes.com/images/games/coverg/81/606981.jpg

[Vibri]

Adding one more that I just picked up:
The Lost Vikings (SNES) - Dimension-traveling, puzzle-solving vikings with sarcastic senses of humor and oldskool hip-hop soundtrack (well, a little repetitive there, actually). It's great playing this untimed game, and it's cool!

[minefield]

These games had a certain style that I liked:

Killer7
Rez
Lumines
GTA: Vice City
System Shock 2

[Barbarianoutkast85]

My votes go towards:
Crash Bandicoot (Playstation)
Boogerman (Genesis)
Metal Slug 5 (Playstation 2)
Stuntman (Playstation 2)
Comix Zone (Genesis)
Sonic and Knuckles (Genesis)

thats what i could think up right off the top of my head in 30 seconds.

[G-Boobie]

A couple concurrences....

Ikaruga (GC/DC)... Utterly brilliant, and proof that Treasure isnt creatively bankrupt just yet
Rez (PS2)... This will end up being a landmark of what interactive entertainment is capable of being, once people stop trying to emulate other entertainment mediums with their games.

Eternal Darkness (GC)... This game completely fooled me into thinking that my memory card was fragged. That was pretty great.

And a couple new nominees...

Odin Sphere (PS2)... This game is just utterly fantastic. The art is amazing, the combat is simple but engaging, the challenge is stiff, and the eating/gardening/restaurant mechanic is oddly engaging.

Castlevania: Symphony of the Night... Many people are tired of the perpetual hype surrounding SotN, but I am not one of them. Its a game I can literally play anytime, anywhere, and find something new and interesting. The level and art design are nearly flawless, too.

Radiant Silvergun (Sat)... I love this game, but I'd be the first to admit that the mystique and history behind it has given it a 'coolness factor' perhaps beyond the actual payout.... Regardless, whether or not you've played it has a lot of draw in some circles.

Disgaea: Hour of Darkness (PS2)... I love strategy RPGs, and this one is the high water mark for me. The single best localization of any game ever combined with simple, but extremely deep combat makes for a game that everyone should play once.

All of course in my opinion.

G-Boobie, out.

[FAMOUS]

Streets Of Rage 1-3

[Barbarianoutkast85]

I dont have a full list of 20 games but personally heres my list:

Guitar Hero
Gunstar Heroes
Contra Hardcorps
ICO


Ummm I cant think of anymore off the top of my head.

[G-Boobie]

Shin Megami Tensei: Persona 3{PS2).... Everything about this game, from the design work, music, combat and storyline oozes a sort of post modern japanese cool.

[ShinobiMan]

When I think of "cool", I think of:

Tempo - 32X

http://www.gamesetwatch.com/tempo1.jpg http://www.gamesetwatch.com/tempo2.jpg http://www.gamesetwatch.com/tempo3.jpg

This gem might have been on the ill fated Sega 32X, but it just reeked creativity. It took the best of Sonic and mixed in a little Dynamite Headdy to create a truly unique gaming experience. The music was funky, the visuals were colorful and crisp. Everything in the game has a very retro feel to it, while at the same time staying very modern (well, 1995 modern anyway.)

That game has got to go on this list me thinks.

[StBob]

Tough one and this will date me for sure but here goes

1. Defender - This is where it all started for me
2. Zork 1 - No graphics but at the time was state of the art.
3. MULE - And only 4 player Mule with 4 joysticks. That means Atari 400/800 only
4. Archon
5. 7 Cities of Gold
6. Warcraft II and III
7. Quake 2 CTF - It had just the right feel that has been nuttered in all post attempts. UT2004 comes the closest but no cigar.
8. Dream Cast Tennis (Mind blank as to the name) PC version was good too.
9. OIDS - Old Atari ST game. Very addicting
10. Tempest 2000 Atari Jag
11. Doom I II
12. Serious Sam series
13. Hmmm they are starting to blend
14. Super Metroid
15 Advanced Ghouls n Ghosts for SNES
16. Diablo II

[Void]

Stuff that was cool to me were DOS. Sim City and X Com, OMG those were fun!

[Nebagram]

Xenon 2 would be first place in my eyes with ease. Others...?

Rez, Everyday Shooter, Elite, Rock Band, Duke Nukem (series), GTA Vice City, Alien Breed, umm, there's probably more but they're the ones that come to mind most easily.