AB Positive
03-17-2006, 09:41 PM
OH MAN. Finally done. I'm late for work, so I'll post pics later, but at least the list will be done, and as a bonus, THE ENTIRE LIST AS WELL! Full list is alllll the way at the end of this first post. Enjoy folks!
At #10....
10) Legend of Zelda (NES)
As Link, you go to various dungeons in search of fragments of the Tri-force and eventually battle Gannon. Great music, good use of the NES color palette, and great gameplay. What makes this game really work is the open ended exploration and the ability to go to areas you really shouldn't be yet. A genre defining game, and a classic.
Personal Take from Le Geek:
The others in the series all have their moments, but this is the original. It's a toss up between this and Ocarina of Time for my favorite Zelda. Definitely my favorite NES game. When this came out I played on my friends NES and I swear he erased my game on purpose! It's not like he needed three slots! It was years later when I finally beat the game!
9) Castlevania: Symphony of the Night (PSX)
Castlevania entered the next-gen era with this gem, the first (and arguably best) of the modern "Metroidvania" games. It melded elements from most of the previous CV titles, along with elements from Nintendo's Super Metroid and a dash of RPG. It's considered by some to be one of the best Castlevania games ever, and for many is one of the reasons to own a PSX.
Personal Take from Dire 51:
This game was the reason I bought a PlayStation. I had tried out the import several months prior to the U.S. release, and couldn't wait to pick it up. After I finally got it, it was all I played for months. I didn't need any other games, I had SotN!
8) Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time (N64)
Like Mario 64, Zelda made the jump to immersive 3-D with little problems and with excellent, intuitive control. The graphics at the time were top notch, not only on a technical level, but also on an artistic level.
The game is spent figuring out what to do, and then how to do it. Hints are available on the way, some of the puzzles are obtuse, and many cool and useful tools can be found during your journey. Like other Zelda games, there are many extra things to discover and accomplish.
Bottom line? The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time excels as an overall experience.
Personal: Zelda 64 really is an amazing game. Graphics, sound, story, and gameplay all come together almost seamlessly to create a whole experience that is unmatched by any other videogame I can think of. Now, if you don't like action adventure games, Zelda may not change your mind, but it should.
7) Chrono Trigger (SNES)
Beautiful graphics, engaging characters, time travel, non-linear storyline, eleven different endings... and artwork done by famous Manga and Anime artist Akira Toriyama. What more could you ask for? Our lucky #7 spot goes to Chrono Trigger, one of the best, if not THE best RPG on the Super Nintendo.
Personal take from AB Positive: I had never played this until two years ago. For some reason the initial storyline never got me to want to try it. Until I came to this site and got into a Super NES RPG argument that I realized I couldn't discount the game until I played it. Then I fell in love with it.
6) Final Fantasy III (US title) SNES
Known to be an instant spark to both the "which is the best Final Fantasy" and "which is the best RPG ever" debates, many have made the argument for this game in both. One of the largest SNES carts ever, with an amazing soundtrack for a 16-bit game, and a hell of a plot twist halfway through, Final Fantasy III (or 6, whichever) more than deserves it's spot in the top ten.
Personal Take from AB Positive:
My first RPG ever, which may explain why I tend to be biased towards it. Still, I spent a good 60 hours on this beast, and I didn't even own a SNES at the time! My best friend got sick of the game, and let me play instead while he watched. Hooray for impatient slackers!
5) Super Mario World (SNES)
The greatest pack-in game ever? Some would argue so. Super Mario Bros 4 (or World as it was known in the West) took Mario to even more stardom in possibly the most balanced, addictive, frustrating, catchy-tuned set of bizarre levels ever devised by the bonkers minds at Nintendo. And don't forget Yoshi too.
Personal Take from Mayhem:
What other reason to buy a SNES at the time? This was the reason my brother persuaded our parents to fork out for one on his birthday (which happened to be the launch date in the UK I believe) and so battle began over the controller as we fought to guide Mario through all 96 exits.
4) Super Mario Bros. (NES)
Review: In the Super Mario Bros., Italian handyman Mario must work his way through the eight worlds of the Mushroom Kingdom in order to save Princess Peach from the evil clutches of King Bowser. Along the way you'll face Goombas, Koopa Troopas and a variety of other enemies throughout your quest. Fortunately along the way you'll discover mushrooms to make you big, mushrooms to give to life, flowers that allow you to shoot fireballs, and stars that give you invincibility. And, you can jump like a mother.
Personal Take from Flack:
Although Mario began life as Donkey Kong's nemesis and even starred alongside his brother Luigi in Mario Bros., it wasn't until Super Mario Bros. came along that Mario became not only the Nintendo mascot, but an international icon. Due to its inclusion with the NES, the Guiness Book of World Records lists Super Mario Bros. as the "best-selling videogame of all time" (a fact anyone who has ever gone shopping for used videogames can attest to). At one point in time it was once reported that Mario was more recognizable among school children than Mickey Mouse. Super Mario Bros. defined the platform genre, which was copied hundreds if not thousands of times over the years. Thanks in no small part to Super Mario Bros., Nintendo became a household name shortly after it and the NES was released. The true definition of a "killer app" -- Super Mario Bros. alone sold millions of NES units. I knew several people at the time who owned NES consoles and only owned that one game -- which kept them entertained for months. Everyone has played it. Everyone knows the music. It breathed life into a dying industry and hooked an entire generation on videogames.
3) Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past (SNES)
This is where it began, and by that, how the series has been structured in every edition since. There is so much basis and foundation building in this title, it's hard to know where to begin, except to say its expansive world, hidden secrets, mind bending dungeon design and superb ending have made it a stonewall classic.
Personal Take from Mayhem:
I actually got into this game via a friend who lent it to me. The game at that point had been firmly off my radar of buys to consider in my early days of owning a SNES. Guess I have something to thank him for. The game is now my number one pick for greatest of all time.
2) Super Metroid (SNES)
Surprised by the position? Well don't be, Nintendo's third tale of the life of Samus Aran is the probably the pinnacle of the series and definitely one of the most inventive, addictive, replayable 2D adventures ever created. Even Metroids have feelings, you know?
Personal Take from Mayhem:
And after all that, you know what? I actually missed out on this game for years because I hated Metroid. Couldn't stand it. Only a few years ago did I pick up a copy just to try it out and bang went the next few nights. Amazing what a change one game can make.
So what made Number 1 on our list?
Can you guess?
It's.....
1) Super Mario Bros. 3 (NES)
Review: Returning to his roots, Mario and pals are back in their third adventure for the NES. Mario and Luigi once again must take on King Bowser and his rotten Koopa Kids in their quest to (once again) rescue Princess Peach while recovering magic wands, rescuing kings and saving their seven kingdoms along the way. And somehow, the guys still kept their plumbing business open on the side.
Personal Take from Flack:
Just as Mario Mania had begun to slightly subside, Super Mario Bros. 3 came along and raised the hype to an all new level. Mario was everywhere from t-shirts to Saturday morning cartoons. I even had a Super Mario lunchbox -- and I was 17! Many people (including myself) feel like Super Mario Bros. 3 is the epitome of 2D platformers. The level designs, the complex patterns, and the multitude of hidden objects made SMB3 not only exciting but adventurous as well. To this day I still find things that I didn't know existed in that game. Mario's 'coon suit opened up the skies to gamers who could go exploring for all types of things above the clouds. Likewise, Mario's new frog suit allowed him to master the ocean. I spent many, many hours playing this at my friend's house, and even made friends with new kids who had SMB3 so I could play it there too. SMB3 is the ultimate platformer with almost unlimited replayability. I played it in my teens, and recently I played it with my son.
[quote="Day 6 through 1"]At Number 40......
40) Panzer Dragoon Saga (Saturn)
Number 40 was waaaaaaaay too expensive for the writing panel to review. We all chipped in but I think we got up to... um... eight dollars and thirty seven cents. Cheapest copy we could find was Kamino's disc only for $80 so, just got to trust everyone that PDS belongs at #40!
39) Grand Theft Auto San Andreas (PS2/XBOX)
If GTA: Vice City was Scarface, this is Menace II Society. San Andreas let you take control of a different kind of gangster. Those who looked past the theme and the controversy discovered a game packed to the bursting point with missions, side missions, minigames, customization, and in plain English, just more stuff to DO than its predecessors.
Personal Take from Captain Yashiro:
I bought GTA3 and spent hours upon hours upon hours playing it. Bought Vice City and liked it, but found it to be more of the same. Bought this and was blown away with the amount of options I had. I spent most of my time just riding my motorcycle from town to town with the radio on.
38) Baseball Stars (NES)
OK, A BOY? IS #38 HIGH ENOUGH?
... :D
Before the Neo-Geo, SNK was creating quality games for the NES. This is the finest example, almost universally hailed as one of the greatest sports games ever made. The create-a-team feature was years ahead of its time, and the gameplay may be as close to perfect as baseball games are going to get.
Personal Take from Captain Yashiro:
I don't like baseball. I live in Illinois and I couldn't even watch it when the White Sox were winning. That being said, this is one of my all-time favorite NES games. When I play with friends, fists and controllers are thrown in equal amounts. I'm never letting this cart go.
37) Castlevania (NES)
This was the first Castlevania ever released in the U.S. For the longest time, this was adventure at its finest. It's just Simon Belmont, a whip and some special weapons against the minions of Dracula. Fantastic music, superb graphics and near perfect control set the standards for all NES platformers afterwards.
Personal Take by Dire 51:
This is my favorite game. Period. Not just my favorite NES game, but my favorite game. Ever. A lot of the later Castlevanias were superior to it in many ways, but there's just an elegance to the original that makes it stand head and shoulders above the rest.
36) Earthbound (SNES)
And I would have gotten away with it if it wasn't for those pesky kids! No, not some missing Scooby Doo episode, but the wonderful tale of Earthbound (or Mother 2 in Japan), where the unlikely hero Ness and his collection of assorted acquaintances and friends battle against the might of the invading Giygas. There are so many cultural references, digs, gags and parodies that the game almost takes second place to them as you laugh along.
Personal Take from Mayhem:
The game is just plain weird. Simple as. An involving, smile-a-minute playalong that has as much seriousness about it as a custard pie at times. Taking itself seriously is not something it really does. A definite play for anyone who owns a SNES, just a pity the game is priced so highly.
35) Ms. Pac-Man (Arcade)
Review: In 1980 it was hard to imagine that there would ever be another game as popular as Pac-Man, but Midway topped themselves with the 1981 sequel, Ms. Pac-Man. In Ms. Pac-Man your goal of eating dots, fruits and ghosts (only after eating a power pellet first!) is the same was it was in Pac-Man, but Ms. Pac-Man's personality shone through and helped boost Pac-Man fever to an all-new level.
Personal Take from Flack:
The original Pac-Man marquee and side art always seemed a little odd to me, beginning with Pac-Man's big floppy feet and lack of arms. But on the sequel, Ms. Pac-Man's beauty (portrayed almost like a cabaret dancer) is instantly noticable. No doubt that had something to do with the game's popularity from women gamers. Its simple gameplay mechanics (compared to games like Defender) and female star gave the game instant appeal to even the least technical gamers. More serious gamers appreciated the fact that the ghosts no longer moved in memorizable patterns, increasing the difficultly level. I (as well as every other kid from the 80's) spent a lot of money at first on playing the game in arcades, and later buying console ports of the game, including the Atari 2600, NES and Genesis versions. Never has a simple game seemed more challenging, or more fun.
34) Super Smash Bros Melee (GCN)
The biggest selling game on the Gamecube, and now voted one of the most popular current-gen releases. Often falsely regarded as a simplistic brawler, SSBM has incredible depth, strategy and variety of play that belies the nature of the Nintendo characters involved.
Personal Take from Mayhem:
This, alongside Rogue Leader and Super Monkeyball, was the reason for me to own a Cube early on, after loving the original N64 version. Four player matches can be studied in depth and analysed when skilled players are involved, and no two matches will turn out the same. Roll on the sequel!
33) Shenmue (Dreamcast)
After years of making popular arcade games like Outrun and Virtua Fighter, Shenmue was Yu Suzuki's ambitious first console project. Before Grand Theft Auto 3 established the 'Sandbox' genre, Shenmue created an elaborately realistic world to explore. You play as Ryo, who seeks revenge for his father's death. The game mixed exploration, fighting and Dragon's Lair style QTEs (Quick Time Events) to redefine what an RPG could be. One of the flagship titles for the Dreamcast.
Personal Take from Le Geek:
While not for everyone, I loved this game when it came out. The sense of being in a real place is rarely matched even today. When the US version of Shenmue II was 'cancelled' to later debut on Xbox, I quickly decided to import the UK version.
32) Galaga (Arcade/Multiple Consoles)
The spiritual successor to Galaxian took the fight even further with formation building aliens and the tractor beam of doom descending upon your lone ship. Not to mention the introduction of "bonus stage" for more points. A hectic pace and demanding gameplay have ensured Galaga's high position in our table.
Personal Take from Mayhem:
I still prefer Galaxian, maybe because it's more calculating. But Galaga is a button hammer game par excellance, and never lets up in its attempts to completely nail your ship at the earliest opportunity. Just wish I could break 300,000 points, always seem to fall just short for some reason...
31) Pacman (Arcade)
All your votes have propelled Pacman up the rankings to be the highest placed arcade machine in our top 100. Conceived supposedly from a half eaten pizza, our lovable yellow muncher has been around for over 25 years in various guises and is still going strong today.
Personal Take from Mayhem:
For some reason, not been able to tell why, I've always been better at Ms Pacman than this first incarnation. Watching players such as Billy Mitchell tie those ghosts in knots just makes your eyes bug out anyhow.
30) Doom (PC/Multiple Consoles)
Wolfenstein 3D might have started the genre, but this game is truly the daddy of where first person shooters began. Although technically very simple in today's light, it inspired countless clones and laid forward the premise that games could be fun and scary at the same time. The fact it started as freeware to build word-of-mouth was just inspired looking back.
Personal Take from Mayhem:
There's only one aspect of the game that was important back then: deathmatch. Although it took people having to literally lug PCs about to hook up, it was easily worth the effort every single time. Very few games since have ever come close to matching the hours spent on this.
29) Tecmo Super Bowl (Multiple Consoles)
Tecmo's update to it's classic Tecmo Bowl somehow was never played by the writing panel, yet it's here way up at number 29!
28) Super Mario Bros 2 (NES)
After Nintendo decided that the real SMB2 was too hard for U.S. gamers, they took a Famicom Disk System game entitled Yume Koujou Doki Doki Panic, gave it a Mario facelift, and released it in the U.S. The new SMB2 was a huge hit, and was even featured on the cover of the premiere issue of Nintendo Power.
Personal Take from Dire 51:
I love SMB2. The variety of characters to choose from, enemies to fight and things to do elevated it above the original in my book. A bit of trivia here: this game was eventually released in Japan as "Super Mario USA" (and of course, the U.S. finally got the real SMB2 as "SMB: The Lost Levels" on the SNES Super Mario All-Stars).
27) Metroid (NES)
Primarily a game of exploration, you wander the planet Zebes looking for powerups such as missiles and improvements to your exo-armour, eventually confronting two "boss" characters and finally Mother Brain.
The graphics are stylish but dated, and some of the color palettes are a little garish. The music is moody in a good way, and the control of the character is spot on. The challenge of the game can get frustrating at times, but the amount of exploration and secrets to be found, make Metroid a classic.
Personal Take from Le Geek:
Having played Super Metroid first, it took me a while to get used to the original, but Metroid is also excellent!
26) Gunstar Heroes (Genesis)
Gunstar Heroes takes the basic "Contra" senario to new heights with Anime style characters, excellent music, super weapon setups, amazing special effects, and excellent, varied gameplay. This cartridge pushed the Genesis to its limits! The debut game from developer Treasure, many consider it their best.
Personal Take from Le Geek:
I love, love, love this game. It (and Diehard Gamefan) started me on my "Treasure fanboy" path, but even non-Treasure converts should find plenty to like.
25) NiGHTS Into Dreams (Saturn)
So... these two kids see a purple-headed jester flying around in their dreams, so they venture out with him as an avatar to save the dream world. Sounds odd, but from this premise springs forth one of the most colorful and entertaining games on the Saturn. Flying around in beautiful spirals, exploring beautiful 3D terrain, and dealing with some of the most inventive bosses to come down the pike, NiGHTS redefines the platform genre in ways in hasn't been used since.
Personal Take from AB Positive:
I came to the Saturn party real late as well, but one of the first games I saught out was NiGHTS. I heard a lot of good things about it, so I figured I'd see if it was nostalgia or gameplay talking. It was gameplay, a solid 'platformer' as there ever was, and coming up with new loop patterns for bonuses was both visually appealing the satisfying.
24) Resident Evil 4 (GCN/PS2)
An exercise in how to revitalise a stagnant franchise. It might have taken five years and three attempts, but Capcom got there in the end. What is lacking in scares compared to before, it more than makes up with suspense, action and sheer pure shooting fun. Game of the generation contender without doubt.
Personal Take from Mayhem:
Capcom were probably THE developer of 2005. This is the pinnacle of their success and one of the reasons I am glad I have a Gamecube. For the latest in the series to come so high up compared to the other entries, shows it is universally respected and loved. Right, back to peeking up Ashley's skirt...
23) Mario Kart 64 (N64)
You can't keep a good idea down. Although MK64 may have alienated many of the fans the original Mario Kart gained, it gathered a whole new set to replace them. The normal GP mode once again took a backseat to the multiplayer maps, which in the light of day are probably the best the series has had overall.
Personal Take from Mayhem:
Although GP mode wasn't quite as good as the SNES original, a lot of fun was had with the new ability to have four players all gunning round. Plus the battle mode took on a new light; Block Fort has to be most competitive, devious, yet simple design ever and is so addictive!
22) Mega Man 2 (NES)
A perfect sequel. Capcom recognized and improved upon everything that was great about the first, while fixing everything that wasn't so great. What this meant was an all-time classic for the NES, and the 8-bit generation.
Personal Take from Captain Yashiro:
I could easily blame this game for all the money I've spent on video games in my life, since this little bastard had me hooked on the medium at age 5. I still pick it up and run through the robot masters at least once every few months. And my God, the music....
21) Super Mario World 2: Yoshi's Island (SNES)
How do you improve on the perfection that was Super Mario World? By making Yoshi the star of the show and demonstrate his longtime familiarity with Mario in one swoop. With the enhanced Super FX2 chip, the game is a wonderment to behold and yet has been unfairly criticised for its abstract art style at the same time. If you found SMW easy, then Yoshi's Island is certainly not in that category.
Personal Take from Mayhem:
Back in the mid-90s, importing in the UK was still the territory of grey-market dealers whom you were bound by to try and get the latest goods from the US and Japan. It took me over a year to get a copy of this game because demand massively overweighed supply. Well worth the wait in the end however...
20 Final Fantasy 2/4 (SNES)
While RPG technology has become more advanced since 1991, Final Fantasy II is still one of my favorite RPGs. The art, while simple today, captures the mood of the story perfectly. The music seems to be the best Final Fantasy music to date (sad to say) and the story is one of the best in the genre. Set the mold for the Japanese style RPG (at least for American audiences).
Personal Take from Le Geek:
Some may prefer Final Fantasy III, and I agree that game has some wonderful moments (the opera house for example), but overall Final Fantasy II is my favorite. I am still amazed of how many of the monsters were brought back in Final Fantasy VII.
19) Goldeneye (N64)
Up until this point, there hadn't really been a classic James Bond game. Rare changed all of that, producing not only a masterpiece in level and objective design, but one of the greatest multiplayer deathmatches of all time. Not bad for a work team doing their first game together!
Personal Take from Mayhem:
If you had an N64 in the 90s and you didn't own Goldeneye, you were nobody. This proved that FPS could be done on a console, to such a degree that it is still being championed as a shining example ten years later even though technically today it's quite behind. Too many hours lost to this game to count.
18) Contra (NES)
Konami brought this popular arcade hit home in 1988, and in the process gave us a game that was actually superior to the arcade in more ways than one. This was one of the "must have" games for the NES, and the first one to popularize the legendary "Konami code" (who here doesn't remember it?).
Personal Take from Dire 51:
This was the game that first got me really interested in the NES. I'd never played a game like it before, and I was hooked in short order. You get powerups, run from left to right, do some jumping and shoot anything that moves - what more could anyone want?
17) Metal Gear Solid (PSX)
One of the defining moments of the Playstation era, as Solid Snake went 3D and gained a legion of new fans. Whilst it can be said there's almost as much FMV as gameplay present, there are so many memorable and classic moments featured within that we can pretty much forgive it for that. Incredibly it was improved upon by Digital Knights for a Gamecube retrospective release.
Personal Take from Mayhem:
Killer app? Well it's probably one reason why people bought a PS1, though I didn't get to play the game all the way through until the Gamecube iteration came out. A terrific blending of story-telling and gameplay that just about prevents itself from going up its own arse in the process.
16) Super Mario Kart (SNES)
Armed with mode 7 goodness, Nintendo produced (or more precisely bought up a concept) one of the definitive racers of the 90s that was, in inevitable fashion, copied to high heaven by everyone else but never surpassed. Pure competitive racing, with a vicious streak to the AI.
Personal Take from Mayhem:
This is the main reason I traded in my PAL SNES for a US one, as I couldn't wait months for the European release of the game. And hence my long walk down the road of importing began. Well worth the hassle of doing it.
15) Katamari Damacy (PS2)
Na na, na na na na na na na... Katamari Damacy was the 'sleeper hit' of 2004. I put 'sleeper hit' in quotes because if you looked on Digital Press after its release, you saw nothing but KD talk all over the place. The quirky soundtrack and funky visuals are something to behold, but the real draw of this game is the gameplay. All it's about is rolling up ordinary objects like pencils, signs, cats, or buildings to create a large sticky ball meant to become a star. Sounds odd, but plays beautifully.
Personal Take from AB Positive:
Not to make a huge sob story, but this game literally kept me sane after my fiancee of 4 years decided to leave. The game was so funny and cute and upbeat that I just couldn't help getting a smile on my face when playing it. I won't go so far to say it saved my life or anything crazy like that, but it certainly helped me through a tough period, and I'll always have a soft spot in my heart for this game.
14) Sonic the Hedgehog 2 (Genesis/MD)
Sega's furry blue mascot nabs the 14 spot with his second outing on the Genesis. With more speed (looooove that Blast Processing... *cough*), inventive levels, and a sidekick fox by the name of Tails, Sonic 2 showed people why having a Genesis wasn't a bad idea back in the early 90's.
Personal Take from AB Positive:
I cannot tell you how much time I spent in the Casino Night Zone. I loved trying to get sonic to bounce just right so that he'd get into the slot machines placed helter skelter around the zone. Oddly enough, I could never get into Sonic Spinball, even though I was essentially playing it's predecessor in Sonic 2.
13) Final Fantasy 7 (PSX)
Is it safe? This game is one of the most popular games out there. Depending on who you ask, it's also one of the most loved, most hated, overrated, underrated, just-right-rated... etc... etc...
Regardless, the story of Cloud and company, with a plot that would stymie Mulder and Scully, comes in at lucky 13 as voted on by you. Groundbreaking graphics (at the time) and a soundtrack that no final fantasy fan would deny as brilliant help make this a total experience to behold from the start of disc one to the end of disc three. And don't get me started on the end of disc one. I won't spoil it for the three of you who haven't played this.
Personal Take from AB Positive:
Freshman year of high school, my friend gets mailed one of 10,000 copies of the FFVII demo before stores even get the greenlight to preorder. EVERY DAY we went to his house after school to play it. "Summon Leviathan! Summon Leviathan!" By the time we all got the game, we could complete the first timed mission with 9 minutes to spare. Kind of sad, really!
12) Super Mario 64 (N64)
Once again it's up to Mario to rescue Princess Toadstool from Bowser and his buddies, but this time around he'll have to so it in 3D! In this Nintendo 64 launch title, the worlds are vast and the levels are open for exploration. This is the game that defined the 3D platformer, a formula that's still being shamelessly copied to this day.
Personal Take from Flack:
I first saw Super Mario 64 in a Toys R Us kiosk, and I was mesmerized by the game's graphics. The words "3D platformer" had not yet been coined, and the only way I could describe the game to people was by calling it "virtual reality Mario". Super Mario 64 invented the 3D platformer and revitalized the franchise. It was a groundbreaking game that's still being copied 2 generations of consoles later.
11) Tetris (Multiple Consoles/Arcade)
Dragged out of Russia kicking and screaming, the simple concept of dropping blocks and removing lines has been officially (and unofficially) ported to just about every format ever made and is one of those games that anyone, young or old, male or female, can just pick up and play endlessly.
Personal Take from Mayhem:
In the days before Nintendo got their mitts on it, I was fully into Tetris via Mirrorsoft's conversion on the C64 released at Xmas 1987. Sure it wasn't perfect, but the music was sublime and induced a hypnotic mood to the constant falling blocks.
At number 60.....
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60) Dragon Warrior 4 (NES)
Dragon Warrior 4, number 60. That's all I got :D
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59 Sonic the Hedgehog Genesis/MD
Like a blur, Sonic showed up on the Genesis and the 16-bit wars were ON! While Nintendo's mascot had a powerful fanbase, Sonic's speed and attitude made more than one gamer wonder if maybe Sega had something special on their hands. While later iterations may have done an even better job, Sonic the Hedgehog is a classic in it's own right and deserves its spot in history at #59 on our list.
Personal Take from AB Positive:
I was lucky for my birthday to be right around when my mother got her tax refund. We weren't the richest folk, but my mom made sure that at least on my birthday I got something neat. One year that was a Sega Genesis, with Sonic the Hedgehog as the pack-in game. For three months solid all I played was Sonic and even to this day, I can get all the Chaos Emeralds out of the psychadelic bonus levels.
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58) Half Life 2 (PC)
The-game-destined-to-be-CounterStrike-2-comes-in-at-58
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57) Star Control 2 (PC/3DO)
The sequel to Star Control comes in at #57!
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56) Phantasy Star Online (DC/XB/GC)
The game that gave FOnewearl meaning, as opposed to looking like a cat jumped on your keyboard. PSO gave the Dreamcast something no system had to date - a truly expansive online RPG. It could be played offline, but logging on and playing with friends all around the world to fight monsters was a thrilling experience, especially for those that weren't PC gaming inclined. PSO is a landmark in gaming history, more than deserving of its spot at #56!
Personal Take from AB Positive:
The soundtrack to PSO is really what makes the game for me. I can't tell you how often I turned on my DC with PSO in it and just listened to the opening themes over and over again. I'd go to sleep with it on, it's that good. I'd still recommend it for people that have never played it, on any system you can get it on.
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55) Fallout 2 (PC)
Review: Once again, it's up to you to save your village. In Fallout 2 you (the Chosen One) must find the Garden of Eden Construction Kit in order to breathe life into your nuclear dump of a town. Not only are the world's mutated inhabitants looking for it -- they're also looking for you.
Personal Take from Flack:
Same engine, new adventures, bigger maps, more creatures, more humor, better everything. Fallout 2 gave players more player-character choices, more quests, NPCs, and more action. Fans of the first Fallout and EA's Wasteland will find themselves lost for weeks in Fallout 2. Like the original, Fallout 2 is almost completely non-linear, allowing gamers to wander wherever (and shoot whomever). A classic, classic RPG.
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54) Robotron 2084
Probably Eugene Jarvis' crowning moment as a games designer, it only came about in twin joystick form because he busted his right hand and couldn't press buttons at the time. It is the sheer unrelenting pace that forms the key to its appeal and why today it is still loved and respected.
Personal Take from Mayhem:
I might have come into playing Robotron rather late, but it is THE daddy of arcade games, and the king of just wading in there without remorse or pity, and just wanting to give you an arse-kicking of monumental proportions. Definitely top of the list of buys should I ever get enough room to house an arcade machine!
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53) Mega Man 3 (NES)
Mega Man's third NES escapade clocks in at #53!
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52) Radiant Silvergun (Saturn)
This was Treasure's first SHMUP (as Treasure). It featured a combination of 2D and 3D graphics, a wide array of weapons (preloaded on your ship, no powerups here!), some of the smoothest control ever, an amazing score by Hitoshi Sakimoto, and even a bit of RPG leveling to increase your firepower. Too bad it never got a U.S. release.
Personal Take from Dire 51:
I was one of the lucky ones that got my hands on RS when Electronic Boutique was selling import Saturn games, and I was absolutely blown away by it. I'd go as far as to say it's the best vertical SHMUP ever made, I love it that much.
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51) Grand Theft Auto: Vice City (PS2/XBOX/PC)
Review: The fourth game in the GTA franchise, Vice City took gamers back -- way back -- to the awesome 80's. Using the popular Grand Theft Auto III's game engine and pulling its vibe right out of Miami Vice, Vice City drops gamers into the middle of the south Florida drug trade, guns blazing.
Personal Take from Flack:
Grand Theft Auto III was an amazing game. Its open-ended adventures and 3D environments seemed incredible at the time. GTA:VC expanded those environments into huge levels, and dropped the timeframe to the retro 80's. Win/win, baby. I don't know how many hours I spent simply driving around Vice City, admiring the massive amount of data stored in that game -- that is, until the shooting starts. Then it's all business. A huge storyline connected via non-linear play and a "do whatever you want" feel combined with many retrogamers' favorite decade made Grand Theft Auto: Vice City a winner in gamers' eyes.
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50) Castlevania III: Dracula's Curse (NES)
Castlevania returns to its roots in this, the last of the NES Castlevania games. Branching pathways, "spirits" that help you out, and some of the best music ever pumped out of the NES, coupled with classic Castlevania gameplay, make this one of the best games ever seen on the NES.
Personal Take from Dire 51:
After first seeing the Famicom version previewed in EGM #9, I couldn't wait to get my hands on this. It did not disappoint in the slightest... in fact, it surpassed my expectations. It needs to be in any Castlevania or NES fan's library - no excuses.
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49) Soul Calibur (DC/Arcade)
Soul Calibur was THE killer app when the Dreamcast launched. This sequel to Soul Blade had incredible graphics and is still incredibly playable for both beginners and hardcore fighting enthusiasts. Perhaps the best weapons-based fighting series ever made.
Personal Take from Le Geek:
This was the first game I got for my Dreamcast and I played the crap out of it with my roommates.
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48) Dance Dance Revolution (PSX/Arcade)
Who would have guessed four arrows and some rave music would get video gamers everywhere to exercise? Dance Dance Revolution (or DDR for short) takes the most simple idea of tapping to the beat of a song, and turns it into a fun and at times challenging game. It usually takes people a little while to get used to playing on a dance mat with your feet, but it's worth it for the gameplay. Plus, the songs tend to be pretty nice, even if you aren't into the electronica scene.
Personal Take from AB Positive:
One of two games to have made my life better, DDR has helped me lose weight. Seriously! Eating right and playing at least half an hour three times a week and BAM, 25 lbs. lighter! Not only that, but I've watched this game be the crucial turning point for my friend's thug boyfriend to go from Tommy Hilfiger to making D&D characters in his basement. Beware the power of DDR!
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47) System Shock 2 (PC)
I'll be honest, I don't even know what this game is, but hey, it's #47! It's gotta be pretty good!
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46) Sim City (PC)
Build your own city. And then destroy it! There is an elegant god-like simplicity about Sim City, one which has no real aims (aside from stemming off disasters), goals or direction, but lets you take things in both design and progress at your own pace.
Personal Take from Mayhem:
Over the course of many years, and many different versions, Sim City to me has been about relaxing, chilling out and building a city in my own vision and design based upon the land allocated. Or destroyed if need be. How well could you measure up now?
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45) Rez (Dreamcast/PS2)
Rez had cult classic written all over it before it even came out. Start with Space Harrier/Panzer Dragoon gameplay. Add incredible abstract graphics reminscient of Tron. Throw in a character who doesn't "power up", but who evolves. Then finish off with an amazing electronic soundtrack that changes dynamically as the game progresses. Marketed as "synaesthesia", Rez is not just played, but experienced.
Personal Take from Le Geek:
It took me a while to track down a UK Dreamcast version of Rez and I was glad when finally found one. I played through to the end the day I got it.
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44) Mike Tyson's Punch Out!! (NES)
Featuring third person boxing with surreal opponents, Punchout is basically a game of memorization and timing, and somehow the game manages to be great fun. An NES classic, and maybe the best arcade-style boxing game ever made.
Personal Take from Le Geek:
I prefer the NES game over the SNES and arcade version, but have never beaten Bald Bull.
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43) Tempest 2000 (Jaguar/Saturn)
Tempest 2000 is a great update to the original vector arcade game that never recieved a home port until this one. The 2000 mode-featuring pumping techno music (some of the best music ever to be released on a cart) and psychedelic visuals-almost feels like a different experience. In addition to the frantic play, the goal is to be able to see "through" the eye candy to be able to concentrate on the game. If you own a Jag, T2K is THE must own title.
Personal Take from Le Geek:
Tempest 2000 is still one of my absolute favorite games. It's the reason I got a Jaguar, and when one of my friends saw the game for the first time, he said that it didn't look real, it looked like what a person in a movie would play.
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42) Sonic CD (Sega CD)
Sonic's Sega CD debut comes in at #42!
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41) Final Fantasy Tactics (PSX)
You hear those "If you like x, then get y" statements a lot in your life, but in this case it's necessary. If you like Final Fantasy or Strategy RPGs... you just need to play this game. One of the best SRPGs out there period, regardless of setting. Start out as a mercenary and eventually run your own army of clerics, summoners, knights, monks, and everything in between. With a plotline worthy of the FF series, and all of your favorite trappings as well, FF Tactics shows why Squaresoft was a leading gamemaker back in the day.
Personal Take from AB Positive:
60 hours! 60 hours and I only got through mission 24! Maybe it's my inability to strategize late in these type of games but if the plot and gameplay hadn't been so damn good... argh. I always told myself I'd pick this back up someday... and someday I will. Seriously.
At Number 70....
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70) Street Fighter II (SNES/Arcade)
While there were earlier attempts at versus fighting games - such as Karate Champ, IK+ and Street Fighter - Street Fighter II established the winning formula that is still the basis of nearly all subsequent 2D fighters to date. It's the Super Mario Bros of fighting games.
Personal Take from Le Geek:
When I was exposed to Street Fighter II, the championship edition was already out at the college arcade. I immediately picked up the bad habit of picking interesting but weak characters (Vega) instead of well rounded beginner characters (Ryu). I learned eventually!
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69) Snatcher (Sega CD/Duo)
A sci-fi mystery with Anime style imagery, you interact with different characters in a "Blade Runner"esque universe with liberal references to "the Terminator" and other popular films. Moody music and professional (i.e. believable) voice-overs add greatly to the experience. While short in game time, Snatcher is a story/game that really works. A must have if you own a Sega CD.
Personal Take from Le Geek:
I picked this up on the recommendation of Diehard Gamefan, and loved every minute of it! I only wish the sequel/prequel Policenauts got an English release.
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68) Jet Grind Radio (Dreamcast)
Combining the extreme sports genre with graffiti, an actual story and the first use of cell-shaded 3D graphics was a potent concoction for Sega. Extremely common, Jet Grind Radio belongs in every Dreamcast collection.
Personal Take from Le Geek:
I really enjoyed this game when it came out, and have been meaning to go back and replay it. I thought the slower graffiti tagging sections complemented the fast paced skating perfectly.
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67) Castlevania 2 (NES)
Like several of the first NES titles—such as Super Mario Bros. and The Legend of Zelda—Konami took a different approach with the sequel to its hit action game Castlevania. Rather than following the "go through the stage and fight the boss" mold, Castlevania II added open ended maps, indoor and outdoor areas, daytime and nighttime, several towns, and an elaborate inventory. So the game is more of an action RPG with added exploration. It may be the red headed step-child of the NES trilogy, but it still a great game.
Personal Take from Le Geek:
The music in this game is phenominal. While it may be on the easy side, the sense of having a open ended world to explore more than makes up for it. I'd like to see the modern portable Castlevania games take more cues from this one actually. My favorite Castlevania on the NES.
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66) ToeJam and Earl (Genesis)
Two funky aliens from Funkotron crash land and have to search all over the planet to recover pieces to their broken spaceship. In either the fixed world, or the Random world allowing for completely randomly generated levels start to finish, the funky pair collect presents to help them along their way and throw tomatoes at the thoroughly un-funky Earthlings until they can fly their way home.
Personal Take from AB Positive:
I'll admit it... I DON'T get this game. Never have, never will, and I'm terrible at it to boot. Not trashing it, but I really can't wrap my head around this game to enjoy. Sorry TJ&E fans!
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65) Tempest (Arcade)
One of the earliest Atari vector graphics games, and yet at the same time now achieving a legendary cult status partly due to its elegant design, but also due to Dave Theurer's recluse nature and that update from Jeff Minter. Brilliantly balanced and frantic at most times, this deserves a place in any arcade collector's haul.
Personal Take from Mayhem:
This is another arcade machine I didn't see very much at all back "in the day" and really only started playing it a lot (or more regularly) towards modern times. It's one of those games that can easily induce the "zone mode" and when there, rotating and zapping become almost second nature.
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64) Street Fighter 2 Turbo Hyper Fighting (Arcade/Multiple Console)
While Street Fighter 2 created the mold for the versus fighting genre we enjoy today, Turbo Hyper Fighting refined it to near perfection. If you want to excel at 2D fighting games, almost all of the fundamentals can be learned from this game. Widely considered the best of the Street Fighter 2 series.
Personal Take from Le Geek:
This is the version I have for SNES, and while I have gotten better, I still have yet to beat it on normal difficulty and get a 'real' ending.
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63) Secret of Mana (SNES)
An interesting take on the usual RPG fare by Square, by making a party of heroes not only just three strong, but allowing all three to be user-controlled by different people via the multitap. This wouldn't be worth it if the game didn't also live up to the premise, but the strong strategy elements on top of arcade reactions made this one to remember.
Personal Take from Mayhem:
Although it didn't affect me because I had a US SNES and imported all my games at the time, Secret of Mana was the only major Square SNES RPG to be released in Europe. Pity most of the deprived folks here. SoM was a terrific game, hard but fair, that my brother and I could play at the same time, which was quite unusual for an RPG.
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62) Metroid Prime (GCN)
After missing out on an N64 version, and initial reports on progress, many people thought the Metroid series would die. How wrong they were. Retro Studios managed to create the perfect 3D interpretation of the Metroid world that is as much adventure and intrigue as it is shooter.
Personal Take from Mayhem:
This was the game of 2002 for myself, after countless hours exploring and battling the many foes on Talon 4. The visor and gun switching works superbly and no one can complain this game is a pushover. It is the sheer belief that Talon 4 could exist that propels the game's atmosphere and desire to find out what happened.
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61) Deus Ex (PC)
The First Person Action/RPG game that sparked new interest in what the PC could do in the RPG realm clocks in at #61!
At number 80....
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Legend of Zelda: Windwaker
Windwaker is both familiar territory to and a departure from the excellent Orarina of Time. Set in an island future with lush cel-shaded graphics, Windwaker played remarkably close to its N64 predecessor with some welcome improvements. Gameplay is varied and excellent, but a little on the easy side for Zelda veterans.
Personal Take from Le Geek:
Windwaker was a great addition to the Zelda series, and with a few more dungeons and a little less treasure hunting at the end, it would have been perfect. Still, the lush cartoon graphics and the experience of being at sea - especially during thunderstorms - has yet to be topped.
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79) Civilization 2 (PC)
The game that popularized starting a civilization... and then using it to conquer the world comes in at #79!
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78) Phantasy Star 2 (GEN/MD)
A haunting dream about a girl named Alis sets the tone for Rolf's adventure through Moltavia in search for the reason why monsters have suddenly been breeding like mad. As the Sega Genesis' first major RPG, Phantasy Star 2 made for a difficult but enjoyable adventure for all Genesis fans.
Personal Take from AB Positive:
Yes, I'm one of the many that played PS2 -after- PS4... whoops. However even with what appears to be a much more difficult and time consuming adventure, I can see why so many people consider this one of the great RPGs of all time. Not my favorite, but it's high up there even after all these years.
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77) Metal Gear Solid 3 (PS2)
Solid Snake returns to form in the third installment of the Metal Gear Solid series, taking the #77 spot!
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76) Pokemon Red/Blue (Gameboy)
Harken back to 1999 and remember a time when you couldn't throw a stone without hitting a hundred pieces of Pokemon merchandise. Hats, clothes, Burger King gold coins (remember those?), VHS tapes of the TV show and of course tens of thousands of little children playing Pokemon on their Game Boy system. Each Game Boy revision has seen a cycle of Pokemon games, and even though the new ones may have all the sparkle and shine, it's the original Red/Blue iteration that struck so many of you with its imaginative gameplay. Red/Blue takes #76 in our top 100 list.
Personal Take from AB Positive:
My girlfriend at the time was a pokemon fiend in 10th grade. To keep up, I traded my Game Gear to a friend for Pokemon Red and an old style brick Game Boy. I was NOT prepared for this 'kiddie game' to hook me in for hours on end. When I had my tonsils removed, this kept me from going stir crazy. It may be the butt of a lot of jokes in the community, but I'm not ashamed to say I played this one all the way through.
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75) Phantasy Star (SMS)
Phantasy Star was vast. Three planets to visit, a combination of sci-fi and fantasy elements, a long quest and four different characters that made up your party made this the largest and most varied RPG released on console systems at the time. The 3D dungeons were amazing as well, unlike anything anyone had seen on a home system.
Personal Take from Dire 51:
I'm not a RPG fan by any means, but Phantasy Star had me hooked from beginning to end. It was miles and miles beyond the only other RPG I had played at that point (Dragon Warror), and was so intriguing and involving that it kept me glued to my Master System until I completed it.
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74) SNK vs Capcom Cardfighter's Clash (NGPC)
Let's see, we have a handheld game including Ryu, Akuma, Chun Li, Terry Bogard, Haohmaru, and King. Obviously this is a Collectible Card RPG!
...huh?
The premise may seem odd, but the electronic CCG form of SNK vs. Capcom is quirky but highly highly addictive. Take your 50 card deck against other Cardfighters to see who can use their Krauser, Geese, and M.Bison cards the best. If you haven't played this yet, do yourself a favor and give our #74 pick a shot. It certainly beats the crap out of Yu-Gi-Oh!
Personal Take from AB Positive:
At one point I was so enthralled by this game that I picked up its even better sequel. Not necessarily a crazy thing, except when the sequel is japan only and had about a 10,000 game run, it's hard to find cheap. $125 later I had a complete copy which I played incessantly for three months with the help of a translation guide. I culled my collection including CFC1 and 2 but eventually I plan on getting the back. Oh yes... they will be mine!
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73) Super Mario RPG
A combination of the stars of Nintendo and the genius of Square produced this classic RPG, that also had a quick nod to the graphics first championed by Donkey Kong Country. Bound very much in a traditional design, but infused with everything nostalgic about Nintendo, it was challenging and endearing at the same time.
Personal Take from Mayhem:
I remember spending $60 or so on this when I was over in New York not long after it came out. A good move as I really enjoyed the game when I got back to the UK. I don't think my girlfriend was that impressed however, I get the impression she wanted the money spent on herself!
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72) Capcom vs SNK 2 (Multiple Consoles/Arcade)
"You got your Ryu in my Ryo!"
"Yeah? Well you got your Mai in my Chun Li!"
"..."
"Mmmmmmm!"
The versus series from Capcom has its gems, none more so than Capcom Vs. SNK 2. Having tweaked and refined the gameplay from the first CvS outing, CvS2 made a huge splash with fans of both companies alike with smooth gameplay, 6 different fighting "grooves" to choose from and a point-based team v. team system that added extra strategy to fights before you even got to Round 1.
Personal Take from AB Positive:
I had a XBOX right at launch... and stopped playing it about two months afterwards. I mean, what else was there besides Halo? I'm a RPG and Fighter nut and don't go too far beyond those genres. After a year or so, I sold my xbox and everything I had. Soon after, Capcom v. SNK 2 came out, with XBOX Live access to boot. Damn, playing with my favorite Street Fighter of KoF characters online? Yep, I got another xbox, CvS2, and Live and haven't looked back since!
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71) Phantasy Star 4 (Genesis/MD)
The Super Nintendo may be known as the 16-bit RPG juggernaut, but the Genesis was no slouch. Landstalker, Shining Force I & II, and Shining in the Darkness are all great epics, but perhaps the best known RPG on the system is Phantasy Star IV. Clocking in at 32 Megs and with a hefty MSRP of $99.99, PSIV gave Genesis owners their own "Final Fantasy III". With a heavy plot twist halfway, incredible sound for its time, and a unique combo-magic battle system, Phantasy Star IV can go toe to toe with any of the Super NES' massive library.
Personal Take from AB Positive:
I was fortunate enough to have a friend buy and beat this fairly quickly, because he immediatly lent this game to me without any time limit. This was good as it probably took the better part of my 8th grade schoolyear to beat this wonderful game. No wonder my grades were so terrible in junior high!
At number 90....
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Daytona USA!
If you went to arcades in the mid 90's you probably played (and loved) this game. And if you loved this game, it was probably the reason you bought a Sega Saturn at launch. It is an impressive arcade port that made you feel like you were really in the seat of a bonafide racing machine, and comes in at # 90 on our list!
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89) Wonder Boy 3: The Dragon's Trap (SMS/GEN)
The third installment of the Wonder Boy series lands in at number 89!
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88) Silent Hill
Konami's more psychological answer to Resident Evil was potent and disturbing. As Harry Mason, you are stuck in a bizarre town looking for your missing daughter, Cheryl. Fog, darkness and metal grates hint at reality unraveling. The use of radio static and ringing alarms to alert you to monster proximity is both useful and frightening. The sound track is more controlled noise than music, yet matches the game perfectly. One of the best games in the survival horror genre.
Personal Take from Le Geek:
It was a couple of years after Silent Hill's release when I finally sat down to play and beat the game. It was creepy - in a very compelling way - and I played through again and again to get all the different endings. While I have played and enjoyed the sequels, the first Silent Hill is my favorite.
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87) Metal Gear Solid 2 (PS2)
Possibly the most controversial sequel of all time? Certain in the eyes of its fans it was, with Snake taking a backseat and new boy Raiden stepping into his shoes. Guess you either love it or hate it, but evidently enough people loved it to get a place on our top 100 list here.
Personal Take from Mayhem:
The same gameplay, even more ramped up and full of set pieces and yet it does feel lumbered with the sheer amount of story telling that comes as part of it. If you're a Metal Gear fan, then you need to play the game, but do expect to be sitting and watching for quite long periods of time.
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86) Grandia (Multiple Consoles)
The venerable RPG series Grandia hits the countdown with its first installment at number 86!
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85) Doom 2 (PC)
Somehow, this game managed to be even more Hellish than the earth-shaking first installment of the series. All kinds of freakish new monsters, and only one new shotgun to fend them off. This game stands the test of time just as well as the original.
Personal Take from Captain Yashiro:
I was a fiend for this game. I was 9 years old, playing it on a crappy laptop with no sound, and it still managed to scare me a couple of times. After buying the Doom III Collector's Edition, I discovered this game is still fun, even after playing through the amazing Doom III.
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84) Day of the Tentacle
Take one ex-visitor to Dr Edison's house. Add two equally wacko housemates. Combine with a psychotic tentacle, time travel and saving the world, and what do you get? A classic work from Lucasarts that combines superb timing with humour to give your laughter pockets as much of a workout as your brain.
Personal Take from Mayhem:
This was one of the main reasons (along with Doom) to wanting my own PC in the early 90s, especially when I saw it demonstrated in the local computer shop. Fortunately my father purchased one in 1992 and I was able to get in there and experience a game that has rarely been matched since.
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83) Sonic the Hedgehog 3 (Genesis)
The third installment of the Sonic the Hedgehog series shows up at 83. With new friends and enemies, and new shield powerups, this game wowed those that had mastered the previous two titles. Don't forget linking this up with Sonic & Knuckles for an even more expansive gameplay experience!
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82) Guardian Heroes
After establishing themselves on the Genesis, Treasure entered the Saturn era with a bang! Guardian Heroes reinvigorated the beat 'em up genre with three planes of movement, spell casting, branching paths, multiple endings and a "bad ass" undead warrior that you command. A six player versus mode is the icing on the cake. While most Treasure games feature stories and character designs that are best described as inspired lunacy, some of their games are an acquired taste. That's not the case here; Guardian Heroes is a Saturn "must have".
Personal Take from Le Geek:
I picked up a used Saturn as the system was going out to pasture, and Guardian Heroes was one of the first games I picked up for it. It was a while later when I finally sat down and beat it. Man, what a cool game!
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81) Starfox 64
A lesson in how to produce an on-rails shooter. Starfox 64 not only eclipsed its SNES prequel, but injected life, verve, copious secrets, and vast oodles of replay value into a genre that needed a desperate shot in the arm. Utterly sublime and brilliant in its execution, this is a modern day classic on "how to do things right".
Personal Take from Mayhem:
It also introduced N64 owners to the concept of rumble power, which was used to some degree in other titles henceforth. Never really got on with any game that used rumble, and I always turn it off, except when it is actually needed for gameplay, such as Ocarina of Time.
Starting us off, number 100.....
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Final Fantasy (NES)
The first game in this storied franchise was meant to be the last for Square Soft. However the addictive gameplay and storyline propelled it to the top of the charts in it's day, and still has enough cred to start out the Top 100 list.
Personal Take from AB Positive:
This was actually the second RPG I played, with Final Fantasy III being the first. After becoming an instant addict from the SNES game, I wanted to see how it started. I was worried that going 'backwards' in the series would ruin the first game, but I still found it to be superb. True story: first time I beat this game, I landed the final hit on the final boss having only a fighter still alive with 1 HP to his name. Nothing says dramatic victory like that!
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99) Asteroids (Arcade/Multiple Consoles)
Arcade action at its most basic and possibly at its best! Busting giant asteroids down to their component atoms just to keep yourself in one piece... but don't forget about the UFOs! A classic that's recognizable to most gamers on-sight!
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98) Mortal Kombat II (Arcade/Multiple Consoles)
Building on the strengths of the original, MK II took Midway's fighter from being a game to a franchise. Mortal Kombat II added new fighters, new fatalities, new special endings (babalities and friendships!), and more action.
Personal Take from Flack:
While I cut my teeth on the arcade version, this is the game that made me want a Super Nintendo, and until I bought one I played the PC version for several months. MK II added layers of extras (including Pong!) into an already fun fighter, which kept gamers (and quarters) coming back over and over. So if you would ever like me to kick your ass at it, let me know.
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At #10....
10) Legend of Zelda (NES)
As Link, you go to various dungeons in search of fragments of the Tri-force and eventually battle Gannon. Great music, good use of the NES color palette, and great gameplay. What makes this game really work is the open ended exploration and the ability to go to areas you really shouldn't be yet. A genre defining game, and a classic.
Personal Take from Le Geek:
The others in the series all have their moments, but this is the original. It's a toss up between this and Ocarina of Time for my favorite Zelda. Definitely my favorite NES game. When this came out I played on my friends NES and I swear he erased my game on purpose! It's not like he needed three slots! It was years later when I finally beat the game!
9) Castlevania: Symphony of the Night (PSX)
Castlevania entered the next-gen era with this gem, the first (and arguably best) of the modern "Metroidvania" games. It melded elements from most of the previous CV titles, along with elements from Nintendo's Super Metroid and a dash of RPG. It's considered by some to be one of the best Castlevania games ever, and for many is one of the reasons to own a PSX.
Personal Take from Dire 51:
This game was the reason I bought a PlayStation. I had tried out the import several months prior to the U.S. release, and couldn't wait to pick it up. After I finally got it, it was all I played for months. I didn't need any other games, I had SotN!
8) Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time (N64)
Like Mario 64, Zelda made the jump to immersive 3-D with little problems and with excellent, intuitive control. The graphics at the time were top notch, not only on a technical level, but also on an artistic level.
The game is spent figuring out what to do, and then how to do it. Hints are available on the way, some of the puzzles are obtuse, and many cool and useful tools can be found during your journey. Like other Zelda games, there are many extra things to discover and accomplish.
Bottom line? The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time excels as an overall experience.
Personal: Zelda 64 really is an amazing game. Graphics, sound, story, and gameplay all come together almost seamlessly to create a whole experience that is unmatched by any other videogame I can think of. Now, if you don't like action adventure games, Zelda may not change your mind, but it should.
7) Chrono Trigger (SNES)
Beautiful graphics, engaging characters, time travel, non-linear storyline, eleven different endings... and artwork done by famous Manga and Anime artist Akira Toriyama. What more could you ask for? Our lucky #7 spot goes to Chrono Trigger, one of the best, if not THE best RPG on the Super Nintendo.
Personal take from AB Positive: I had never played this until two years ago. For some reason the initial storyline never got me to want to try it. Until I came to this site and got into a Super NES RPG argument that I realized I couldn't discount the game until I played it. Then I fell in love with it.
6) Final Fantasy III (US title) SNES
Known to be an instant spark to both the "which is the best Final Fantasy" and "which is the best RPG ever" debates, many have made the argument for this game in both. One of the largest SNES carts ever, with an amazing soundtrack for a 16-bit game, and a hell of a plot twist halfway through, Final Fantasy III (or 6, whichever) more than deserves it's spot in the top ten.
Personal Take from AB Positive:
My first RPG ever, which may explain why I tend to be biased towards it. Still, I spent a good 60 hours on this beast, and I didn't even own a SNES at the time! My best friend got sick of the game, and let me play instead while he watched. Hooray for impatient slackers!
5) Super Mario World (SNES)
The greatest pack-in game ever? Some would argue so. Super Mario Bros 4 (or World as it was known in the West) took Mario to even more stardom in possibly the most balanced, addictive, frustrating, catchy-tuned set of bizarre levels ever devised by the bonkers minds at Nintendo. And don't forget Yoshi too.
Personal Take from Mayhem:
What other reason to buy a SNES at the time? This was the reason my brother persuaded our parents to fork out for one on his birthday (which happened to be the launch date in the UK I believe) and so battle began over the controller as we fought to guide Mario through all 96 exits.
4) Super Mario Bros. (NES)
Review: In the Super Mario Bros., Italian handyman Mario must work his way through the eight worlds of the Mushroom Kingdom in order to save Princess Peach from the evil clutches of King Bowser. Along the way you'll face Goombas, Koopa Troopas and a variety of other enemies throughout your quest. Fortunately along the way you'll discover mushrooms to make you big, mushrooms to give to life, flowers that allow you to shoot fireballs, and stars that give you invincibility. And, you can jump like a mother.
Personal Take from Flack:
Although Mario began life as Donkey Kong's nemesis and even starred alongside his brother Luigi in Mario Bros., it wasn't until Super Mario Bros. came along that Mario became not only the Nintendo mascot, but an international icon. Due to its inclusion with the NES, the Guiness Book of World Records lists Super Mario Bros. as the "best-selling videogame of all time" (a fact anyone who has ever gone shopping for used videogames can attest to). At one point in time it was once reported that Mario was more recognizable among school children than Mickey Mouse. Super Mario Bros. defined the platform genre, which was copied hundreds if not thousands of times over the years. Thanks in no small part to Super Mario Bros., Nintendo became a household name shortly after it and the NES was released. The true definition of a "killer app" -- Super Mario Bros. alone sold millions of NES units. I knew several people at the time who owned NES consoles and only owned that one game -- which kept them entertained for months. Everyone has played it. Everyone knows the music. It breathed life into a dying industry and hooked an entire generation on videogames.
3) Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past (SNES)
This is where it began, and by that, how the series has been structured in every edition since. There is so much basis and foundation building in this title, it's hard to know where to begin, except to say its expansive world, hidden secrets, mind bending dungeon design and superb ending have made it a stonewall classic.
Personal Take from Mayhem:
I actually got into this game via a friend who lent it to me. The game at that point had been firmly off my radar of buys to consider in my early days of owning a SNES. Guess I have something to thank him for. The game is now my number one pick for greatest of all time.
2) Super Metroid (SNES)
Surprised by the position? Well don't be, Nintendo's third tale of the life of Samus Aran is the probably the pinnacle of the series and definitely one of the most inventive, addictive, replayable 2D adventures ever created. Even Metroids have feelings, you know?
Personal Take from Mayhem:
And after all that, you know what? I actually missed out on this game for years because I hated Metroid. Couldn't stand it. Only a few years ago did I pick up a copy just to try it out and bang went the next few nights. Amazing what a change one game can make.
So what made Number 1 on our list?
Can you guess?
It's.....
1) Super Mario Bros. 3 (NES)
Review: Returning to his roots, Mario and pals are back in their third adventure for the NES. Mario and Luigi once again must take on King Bowser and his rotten Koopa Kids in their quest to (once again) rescue Princess Peach while recovering magic wands, rescuing kings and saving their seven kingdoms along the way. And somehow, the guys still kept their plumbing business open on the side.
Personal Take from Flack:
Just as Mario Mania had begun to slightly subside, Super Mario Bros. 3 came along and raised the hype to an all new level. Mario was everywhere from t-shirts to Saturday morning cartoons. I even had a Super Mario lunchbox -- and I was 17! Many people (including myself) feel like Super Mario Bros. 3 is the epitome of 2D platformers. The level designs, the complex patterns, and the multitude of hidden objects made SMB3 not only exciting but adventurous as well. To this day I still find things that I didn't know existed in that game. Mario's 'coon suit opened up the skies to gamers who could go exploring for all types of things above the clouds. Likewise, Mario's new frog suit allowed him to master the ocean. I spent many, many hours playing this at my friend's house, and even made friends with new kids who had SMB3 so I could play it there too. SMB3 is the ultimate platformer with almost unlimited replayability. I played it in my teens, and recently I played it with my son.
[quote="Day 6 through 1"]At Number 40......
40) Panzer Dragoon Saga (Saturn)
Number 40 was waaaaaaaay too expensive for the writing panel to review. We all chipped in but I think we got up to... um... eight dollars and thirty seven cents. Cheapest copy we could find was Kamino's disc only for $80 so, just got to trust everyone that PDS belongs at #40!
39) Grand Theft Auto San Andreas (PS2/XBOX)
If GTA: Vice City was Scarface, this is Menace II Society. San Andreas let you take control of a different kind of gangster. Those who looked past the theme and the controversy discovered a game packed to the bursting point with missions, side missions, minigames, customization, and in plain English, just more stuff to DO than its predecessors.
Personal Take from Captain Yashiro:
I bought GTA3 and spent hours upon hours upon hours playing it. Bought Vice City and liked it, but found it to be more of the same. Bought this and was blown away with the amount of options I had. I spent most of my time just riding my motorcycle from town to town with the radio on.
38) Baseball Stars (NES)
OK, A BOY? IS #38 HIGH ENOUGH?
... :D
Before the Neo-Geo, SNK was creating quality games for the NES. This is the finest example, almost universally hailed as one of the greatest sports games ever made. The create-a-team feature was years ahead of its time, and the gameplay may be as close to perfect as baseball games are going to get.
Personal Take from Captain Yashiro:
I don't like baseball. I live in Illinois and I couldn't even watch it when the White Sox were winning. That being said, this is one of my all-time favorite NES games. When I play with friends, fists and controllers are thrown in equal amounts. I'm never letting this cart go.
37) Castlevania (NES)
This was the first Castlevania ever released in the U.S. For the longest time, this was adventure at its finest. It's just Simon Belmont, a whip and some special weapons against the minions of Dracula. Fantastic music, superb graphics and near perfect control set the standards for all NES platformers afterwards.
Personal Take by Dire 51:
This is my favorite game. Period. Not just my favorite NES game, but my favorite game. Ever. A lot of the later Castlevanias were superior to it in many ways, but there's just an elegance to the original that makes it stand head and shoulders above the rest.
36) Earthbound (SNES)
And I would have gotten away with it if it wasn't for those pesky kids! No, not some missing Scooby Doo episode, but the wonderful tale of Earthbound (or Mother 2 in Japan), where the unlikely hero Ness and his collection of assorted acquaintances and friends battle against the might of the invading Giygas. There are so many cultural references, digs, gags and parodies that the game almost takes second place to them as you laugh along.
Personal Take from Mayhem:
The game is just plain weird. Simple as. An involving, smile-a-minute playalong that has as much seriousness about it as a custard pie at times. Taking itself seriously is not something it really does. A definite play for anyone who owns a SNES, just a pity the game is priced so highly.
35) Ms. Pac-Man (Arcade)
Review: In 1980 it was hard to imagine that there would ever be another game as popular as Pac-Man, but Midway topped themselves with the 1981 sequel, Ms. Pac-Man. In Ms. Pac-Man your goal of eating dots, fruits and ghosts (only after eating a power pellet first!) is the same was it was in Pac-Man, but Ms. Pac-Man's personality shone through and helped boost Pac-Man fever to an all-new level.
Personal Take from Flack:
The original Pac-Man marquee and side art always seemed a little odd to me, beginning with Pac-Man's big floppy feet and lack of arms. But on the sequel, Ms. Pac-Man's beauty (portrayed almost like a cabaret dancer) is instantly noticable. No doubt that had something to do with the game's popularity from women gamers. Its simple gameplay mechanics (compared to games like Defender) and female star gave the game instant appeal to even the least technical gamers. More serious gamers appreciated the fact that the ghosts no longer moved in memorizable patterns, increasing the difficultly level. I (as well as every other kid from the 80's) spent a lot of money at first on playing the game in arcades, and later buying console ports of the game, including the Atari 2600, NES and Genesis versions. Never has a simple game seemed more challenging, or more fun.
34) Super Smash Bros Melee (GCN)
The biggest selling game on the Gamecube, and now voted one of the most popular current-gen releases. Often falsely regarded as a simplistic brawler, SSBM has incredible depth, strategy and variety of play that belies the nature of the Nintendo characters involved.
Personal Take from Mayhem:
This, alongside Rogue Leader and Super Monkeyball, was the reason for me to own a Cube early on, after loving the original N64 version. Four player matches can be studied in depth and analysed when skilled players are involved, and no two matches will turn out the same. Roll on the sequel!
33) Shenmue (Dreamcast)
After years of making popular arcade games like Outrun and Virtua Fighter, Shenmue was Yu Suzuki's ambitious first console project. Before Grand Theft Auto 3 established the 'Sandbox' genre, Shenmue created an elaborately realistic world to explore. You play as Ryo, who seeks revenge for his father's death. The game mixed exploration, fighting and Dragon's Lair style QTEs (Quick Time Events) to redefine what an RPG could be. One of the flagship titles for the Dreamcast.
Personal Take from Le Geek:
While not for everyone, I loved this game when it came out. The sense of being in a real place is rarely matched even today. When the US version of Shenmue II was 'cancelled' to later debut on Xbox, I quickly decided to import the UK version.
32) Galaga (Arcade/Multiple Consoles)
The spiritual successor to Galaxian took the fight even further with formation building aliens and the tractor beam of doom descending upon your lone ship. Not to mention the introduction of "bonus stage" for more points. A hectic pace and demanding gameplay have ensured Galaga's high position in our table.
Personal Take from Mayhem:
I still prefer Galaxian, maybe because it's more calculating. But Galaga is a button hammer game par excellance, and never lets up in its attempts to completely nail your ship at the earliest opportunity. Just wish I could break 300,000 points, always seem to fall just short for some reason...
31) Pacman (Arcade)
All your votes have propelled Pacman up the rankings to be the highest placed arcade machine in our top 100. Conceived supposedly from a half eaten pizza, our lovable yellow muncher has been around for over 25 years in various guises and is still going strong today.
Personal Take from Mayhem:
For some reason, not been able to tell why, I've always been better at Ms Pacman than this first incarnation. Watching players such as Billy Mitchell tie those ghosts in knots just makes your eyes bug out anyhow.
30) Doom (PC/Multiple Consoles)
Wolfenstein 3D might have started the genre, but this game is truly the daddy of where first person shooters began. Although technically very simple in today's light, it inspired countless clones and laid forward the premise that games could be fun and scary at the same time. The fact it started as freeware to build word-of-mouth was just inspired looking back.
Personal Take from Mayhem:
There's only one aspect of the game that was important back then: deathmatch. Although it took people having to literally lug PCs about to hook up, it was easily worth the effort every single time. Very few games since have ever come close to matching the hours spent on this.
29) Tecmo Super Bowl (Multiple Consoles)
Tecmo's update to it's classic Tecmo Bowl somehow was never played by the writing panel, yet it's here way up at number 29!
28) Super Mario Bros 2 (NES)
After Nintendo decided that the real SMB2 was too hard for U.S. gamers, they took a Famicom Disk System game entitled Yume Koujou Doki Doki Panic, gave it a Mario facelift, and released it in the U.S. The new SMB2 was a huge hit, and was even featured on the cover of the premiere issue of Nintendo Power.
Personal Take from Dire 51:
I love SMB2. The variety of characters to choose from, enemies to fight and things to do elevated it above the original in my book. A bit of trivia here: this game was eventually released in Japan as "Super Mario USA" (and of course, the U.S. finally got the real SMB2 as "SMB: The Lost Levels" on the SNES Super Mario All-Stars).
27) Metroid (NES)
Primarily a game of exploration, you wander the planet Zebes looking for powerups such as missiles and improvements to your exo-armour, eventually confronting two "boss" characters and finally Mother Brain.
The graphics are stylish but dated, and some of the color palettes are a little garish. The music is moody in a good way, and the control of the character is spot on. The challenge of the game can get frustrating at times, but the amount of exploration and secrets to be found, make Metroid a classic.
Personal Take from Le Geek:
Having played Super Metroid first, it took me a while to get used to the original, but Metroid is also excellent!
26) Gunstar Heroes (Genesis)
Gunstar Heroes takes the basic "Contra" senario to new heights with Anime style characters, excellent music, super weapon setups, amazing special effects, and excellent, varied gameplay. This cartridge pushed the Genesis to its limits! The debut game from developer Treasure, many consider it their best.
Personal Take from Le Geek:
I love, love, love this game. It (and Diehard Gamefan) started me on my "Treasure fanboy" path, but even non-Treasure converts should find plenty to like.
25) NiGHTS Into Dreams (Saturn)
So... these two kids see a purple-headed jester flying around in their dreams, so they venture out with him as an avatar to save the dream world. Sounds odd, but from this premise springs forth one of the most colorful and entertaining games on the Saturn. Flying around in beautiful spirals, exploring beautiful 3D terrain, and dealing with some of the most inventive bosses to come down the pike, NiGHTS redefines the platform genre in ways in hasn't been used since.
Personal Take from AB Positive:
I came to the Saturn party real late as well, but one of the first games I saught out was NiGHTS. I heard a lot of good things about it, so I figured I'd see if it was nostalgia or gameplay talking. It was gameplay, a solid 'platformer' as there ever was, and coming up with new loop patterns for bonuses was both visually appealing the satisfying.
24) Resident Evil 4 (GCN/PS2)
An exercise in how to revitalise a stagnant franchise. It might have taken five years and three attempts, but Capcom got there in the end. What is lacking in scares compared to before, it more than makes up with suspense, action and sheer pure shooting fun. Game of the generation contender without doubt.
Personal Take from Mayhem:
Capcom were probably THE developer of 2005. This is the pinnacle of their success and one of the reasons I am glad I have a Gamecube. For the latest in the series to come so high up compared to the other entries, shows it is universally respected and loved. Right, back to peeking up Ashley's skirt...
23) Mario Kart 64 (N64)
You can't keep a good idea down. Although MK64 may have alienated many of the fans the original Mario Kart gained, it gathered a whole new set to replace them. The normal GP mode once again took a backseat to the multiplayer maps, which in the light of day are probably the best the series has had overall.
Personal Take from Mayhem:
Although GP mode wasn't quite as good as the SNES original, a lot of fun was had with the new ability to have four players all gunning round. Plus the battle mode took on a new light; Block Fort has to be most competitive, devious, yet simple design ever and is so addictive!
22) Mega Man 2 (NES)
A perfect sequel. Capcom recognized and improved upon everything that was great about the first, while fixing everything that wasn't so great. What this meant was an all-time classic for the NES, and the 8-bit generation.
Personal Take from Captain Yashiro:
I could easily blame this game for all the money I've spent on video games in my life, since this little bastard had me hooked on the medium at age 5. I still pick it up and run through the robot masters at least once every few months. And my God, the music....
21) Super Mario World 2: Yoshi's Island (SNES)
How do you improve on the perfection that was Super Mario World? By making Yoshi the star of the show and demonstrate his longtime familiarity with Mario in one swoop. With the enhanced Super FX2 chip, the game is a wonderment to behold and yet has been unfairly criticised for its abstract art style at the same time. If you found SMW easy, then Yoshi's Island is certainly not in that category.
Personal Take from Mayhem:
Back in the mid-90s, importing in the UK was still the territory of grey-market dealers whom you were bound by to try and get the latest goods from the US and Japan. It took me over a year to get a copy of this game because demand massively overweighed supply. Well worth the wait in the end however...
20 Final Fantasy 2/4 (SNES)
While RPG technology has become more advanced since 1991, Final Fantasy II is still one of my favorite RPGs. The art, while simple today, captures the mood of the story perfectly. The music seems to be the best Final Fantasy music to date (sad to say) and the story is one of the best in the genre. Set the mold for the Japanese style RPG (at least for American audiences).
Personal Take from Le Geek:
Some may prefer Final Fantasy III, and I agree that game has some wonderful moments (the opera house for example), but overall Final Fantasy II is my favorite. I am still amazed of how many of the monsters were brought back in Final Fantasy VII.
19) Goldeneye (N64)
Up until this point, there hadn't really been a classic James Bond game. Rare changed all of that, producing not only a masterpiece in level and objective design, but one of the greatest multiplayer deathmatches of all time. Not bad for a work team doing their first game together!
Personal Take from Mayhem:
If you had an N64 in the 90s and you didn't own Goldeneye, you were nobody. This proved that FPS could be done on a console, to such a degree that it is still being championed as a shining example ten years later even though technically today it's quite behind. Too many hours lost to this game to count.
18) Contra (NES)
Konami brought this popular arcade hit home in 1988, and in the process gave us a game that was actually superior to the arcade in more ways than one. This was one of the "must have" games for the NES, and the first one to popularize the legendary "Konami code" (who here doesn't remember it?).
Personal Take from Dire 51:
This was the game that first got me really interested in the NES. I'd never played a game like it before, and I was hooked in short order. You get powerups, run from left to right, do some jumping and shoot anything that moves - what more could anyone want?
17) Metal Gear Solid (PSX)
One of the defining moments of the Playstation era, as Solid Snake went 3D and gained a legion of new fans. Whilst it can be said there's almost as much FMV as gameplay present, there are so many memorable and classic moments featured within that we can pretty much forgive it for that. Incredibly it was improved upon by Digital Knights for a Gamecube retrospective release.
Personal Take from Mayhem:
Killer app? Well it's probably one reason why people bought a PS1, though I didn't get to play the game all the way through until the Gamecube iteration came out. A terrific blending of story-telling and gameplay that just about prevents itself from going up its own arse in the process.
16) Super Mario Kart (SNES)
Armed with mode 7 goodness, Nintendo produced (or more precisely bought up a concept) one of the definitive racers of the 90s that was, in inevitable fashion, copied to high heaven by everyone else but never surpassed. Pure competitive racing, with a vicious streak to the AI.
Personal Take from Mayhem:
This is the main reason I traded in my PAL SNES for a US one, as I couldn't wait months for the European release of the game. And hence my long walk down the road of importing began. Well worth the hassle of doing it.
15) Katamari Damacy (PS2)
Na na, na na na na na na na... Katamari Damacy was the 'sleeper hit' of 2004. I put 'sleeper hit' in quotes because if you looked on Digital Press after its release, you saw nothing but KD talk all over the place. The quirky soundtrack and funky visuals are something to behold, but the real draw of this game is the gameplay. All it's about is rolling up ordinary objects like pencils, signs, cats, or buildings to create a large sticky ball meant to become a star. Sounds odd, but plays beautifully.
Personal Take from AB Positive:
Not to make a huge sob story, but this game literally kept me sane after my fiancee of 4 years decided to leave. The game was so funny and cute and upbeat that I just couldn't help getting a smile on my face when playing it. I won't go so far to say it saved my life or anything crazy like that, but it certainly helped me through a tough period, and I'll always have a soft spot in my heart for this game.
14) Sonic the Hedgehog 2 (Genesis/MD)
Sega's furry blue mascot nabs the 14 spot with his second outing on the Genesis. With more speed (looooove that Blast Processing... *cough*), inventive levels, and a sidekick fox by the name of Tails, Sonic 2 showed people why having a Genesis wasn't a bad idea back in the early 90's.
Personal Take from AB Positive:
I cannot tell you how much time I spent in the Casino Night Zone. I loved trying to get sonic to bounce just right so that he'd get into the slot machines placed helter skelter around the zone. Oddly enough, I could never get into Sonic Spinball, even though I was essentially playing it's predecessor in Sonic 2.
13) Final Fantasy 7 (PSX)
Is it safe? This game is one of the most popular games out there. Depending on who you ask, it's also one of the most loved, most hated, overrated, underrated, just-right-rated... etc... etc...
Regardless, the story of Cloud and company, with a plot that would stymie Mulder and Scully, comes in at lucky 13 as voted on by you. Groundbreaking graphics (at the time) and a soundtrack that no final fantasy fan would deny as brilliant help make this a total experience to behold from the start of disc one to the end of disc three. And don't get me started on the end of disc one. I won't spoil it for the three of you who haven't played this.
Personal Take from AB Positive:
Freshman year of high school, my friend gets mailed one of 10,000 copies of the FFVII demo before stores even get the greenlight to preorder. EVERY DAY we went to his house after school to play it. "Summon Leviathan! Summon Leviathan!" By the time we all got the game, we could complete the first timed mission with 9 minutes to spare. Kind of sad, really!
12) Super Mario 64 (N64)
Once again it's up to Mario to rescue Princess Toadstool from Bowser and his buddies, but this time around he'll have to so it in 3D! In this Nintendo 64 launch title, the worlds are vast and the levels are open for exploration. This is the game that defined the 3D platformer, a formula that's still being shamelessly copied to this day.
Personal Take from Flack:
I first saw Super Mario 64 in a Toys R Us kiosk, and I was mesmerized by the game's graphics. The words "3D platformer" had not yet been coined, and the only way I could describe the game to people was by calling it "virtual reality Mario". Super Mario 64 invented the 3D platformer and revitalized the franchise. It was a groundbreaking game that's still being copied 2 generations of consoles later.
11) Tetris (Multiple Consoles/Arcade)
Dragged out of Russia kicking and screaming, the simple concept of dropping blocks and removing lines has been officially (and unofficially) ported to just about every format ever made and is one of those games that anyone, young or old, male or female, can just pick up and play endlessly.
Personal Take from Mayhem:
In the days before Nintendo got their mitts on it, I was fully into Tetris via Mirrorsoft's conversion on the C64 released at Xmas 1987. Sure it wasn't perfect, but the music was sublime and induced a hypnotic mood to the constant falling blocks.
At number 60.....
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60) Dragon Warrior 4 (NES)
Dragon Warrior 4, number 60. That's all I got :D
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59 Sonic the Hedgehog Genesis/MD
Like a blur, Sonic showed up on the Genesis and the 16-bit wars were ON! While Nintendo's mascot had a powerful fanbase, Sonic's speed and attitude made more than one gamer wonder if maybe Sega had something special on their hands. While later iterations may have done an even better job, Sonic the Hedgehog is a classic in it's own right and deserves its spot in history at #59 on our list.
Personal Take from AB Positive:
I was lucky for my birthday to be right around when my mother got her tax refund. We weren't the richest folk, but my mom made sure that at least on my birthday I got something neat. One year that was a Sega Genesis, with Sonic the Hedgehog as the pack-in game. For three months solid all I played was Sonic and even to this day, I can get all the Chaos Emeralds out of the psychadelic bonus levels.
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58) Half Life 2 (PC)
The-game-destined-to-be-CounterStrike-2-comes-in-at-58
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57) Star Control 2 (PC/3DO)
The sequel to Star Control comes in at #57!
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56) Phantasy Star Online (DC/XB/GC)
The game that gave FOnewearl meaning, as opposed to looking like a cat jumped on your keyboard. PSO gave the Dreamcast something no system had to date - a truly expansive online RPG. It could be played offline, but logging on and playing with friends all around the world to fight monsters was a thrilling experience, especially for those that weren't PC gaming inclined. PSO is a landmark in gaming history, more than deserving of its spot at #56!
Personal Take from AB Positive:
The soundtrack to PSO is really what makes the game for me. I can't tell you how often I turned on my DC with PSO in it and just listened to the opening themes over and over again. I'd go to sleep with it on, it's that good. I'd still recommend it for people that have never played it, on any system you can get it on.
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55) Fallout 2 (PC)
Review: Once again, it's up to you to save your village. In Fallout 2 you (the Chosen One) must find the Garden of Eden Construction Kit in order to breathe life into your nuclear dump of a town. Not only are the world's mutated inhabitants looking for it -- they're also looking for you.
Personal Take from Flack:
Same engine, new adventures, bigger maps, more creatures, more humor, better everything. Fallout 2 gave players more player-character choices, more quests, NPCs, and more action. Fans of the first Fallout and EA's Wasteland will find themselves lost for weeks in Fallout 2. Like the original, Fallout 2 is almost completely non-linear, allowing gamers to wander wherever (and shoot whomever). A classic, classic RPG.
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54) Robotron 2084
Probably Eugene Jarvis' crowning moment as a games designer, it only came about in twin joystick form because he busted his right hand and couldn't press buttons at the time. It is the sheer unrelenting pace that forms the key to its appeal and why today it is still loved and respected.
Personal Take from Mayhem:
I might have come into playing Robotron rather late, but it is THE daddy of arcade games, and the king of just wading in there without remorse or pity, and just wanting to give you an arse-kicking of monumental proportions. Definitely top of the list of buys should I ever get enough room to house an arcade machine!
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53) Mega Man 3 (NES)
Mega Man's third NES escapade clocks in at #53!
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52) Radiant Silvergun (Saturn)
This was Treasure's first SHMUP (as Treasure). It featured a combination of 2D and 3D graphics, a wide array of weapons (preloaded on your ship, no powerups here!), some of the smoothest control ever, an amazing score by Hitoshi Sakimoto, and even a bit of RPG leveling to increase your firepower. Too bad it never got a U.S. release.
Personal Take from Dire 51:
I was one of the lucky ones that got my hands on RS when Electronic Boutique was selling import Saturn games, and I was absolutely blown away by it. I'd go as far as to say it's the best vertical SHMUP ever made, I love it that much.
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51) Grand Theft Auto: Vice City (PS2/XBOX/PC)
Review: The fourth game in the GTA franchise, Vice City took gamers back -- way back -- to the awesome 80's. Using the popular Grand Theft Auto III's game engine and pulling its vibe right out of Miami Vice, Vice City drops gamers into the middle of the south Florida drug trade, guns blazing.
Personal Take from Flack:
Grand Theft Auto III was an amazing game. Its open-ended adventures and 3D environments seemed incredible at the time. GTA:VC expanded those environments into huge levels, and dropped the timeframe to the retro 80's. Win/win, baby. I don't know how many hours I spent simply driving around Vice City, admiring the massive amount of data stored in that game -- that is, until the shooting starts. Then it's all business. A huge storyline connected via non-linear play and a "do whatever you want" feel combined with many retrogamers' favorite decade made Grand Theft Auto: Vice City a winner in gamers' eyes.
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50) Castlevania III: Dracula's Curse (NES)
Castlevania returns to its roots in this, the last of the NES Castlevania games. Branching pathways, "spirits" that help you out, and some of the best music ever pumped out of the NES, coupled with classic Castlevania gameplay, make this one of the best games ever seen on the NES.
Personal Take from Dire 51:
After first seeing the Famicom version previewed in EGM #9, I couldn't wait to get my hands on this. It did not disappoint in the slightest... in fact, it surpassed my expectations. It needs to be in any Castlevania or NES fan's library - no excuses.
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49) Soul Calibur (DC/Arcade)
Soul Calibur was THE killer app when the Dreamcast launched. This sequel to Soul Blade had incredible graphics and is still incredibly playable for both beginners and hardcore fighting enthusiasts. Perhaps the best weapons-based fighting series ever made.
Personal Take from Le Geek:
This was the first game I got for my Dreamcast and I played the crap out of it with my roommates.
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48) Dance Dance Revolution (PSX/Arcade)
Who would have guessed four arrows and some rave music would get video gamers everywhere to exercise? Dance Dance Revolution (or DDR for short) takes the most simple idea of tapping to the beat of a song, and turns it into a fun and at times challenging game. It usually takes people a little while to get used to playing on a dance mat with your feet, but it's worth it for the gameplay. Plus, the songs tend to be pretty nice, even if you aren't into the electronica scene.
Personal Take from AB Positive:
One of two games to have made my life better, DDR has helped me lose weight. Seriously! Eating right and playing at least half an hour three times a week and BAM, 25 lbs. lighter! Not only that, but I've watched this game be the crucial turning point for my friend's thug boyfriend to go from Tommy Hilfiger to making D&D characters in his basement. Beware the power of DDR!
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47) System Shock 2 (PC)
I'll be honest, I don't even know what this game is, but hey, it's #47! It's gotta be pretty good!
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46) Sim City (PC)
Build your own city. And then destroy it! There is an elegant god-like simplicity about Sim City, one which has no real aims (aside from stemming off disasters), goals or direction, but lets you take things in both design and progress at your own pace.
Personal Take from Mayhem:
Over the course of many years, and many different versions, Sim City to me has been about relaxing, chilling out and building a city in my own vision and design based upon the land allocated. Or destroyed if need be. How well could you measure up now?
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45) Rez (Dreamcast/PS2)
Rez had cult classic written all over it before it even came out. Start with Space Harrier/Panzer Dragoon gameplay. Add incredible abstract graphics reminscient of Tron. Throw in a character who doesn't "power up", but who evolves. Then finish off with an amazing electronic soundtrack that changes dynamically as the game progresses. Marketed as "synaesthesia", Rez is not just played, but experienced.
Personal Take from Le Geek:
It took me a while to track down a UK Dreamcast version of Rez and I was glad when finally found one. I played through to the end the day I got it.
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44) Mike Tyson's Punch Out!! (NES)
Featuring third person boxing with surreal opponents, Punchout is basically a game of memorization and timing, and somehow the game manages to be great fun. An NES classic, and maybe the best arcade-style boxing game ever made.
Personal Take from Le Geek:
I prefer the NES game over the SNES and arcade version, but have never beaten Bald Bull.
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43) Tempest 2000 (Jaguar/Saturn)
Tempest 2000 is a great update to the original vector arcade game that never recieved a home port until this one. The 2000 mode-featuring pumping techno music (some of the best music ever to be released on a cart) and psychedelic visuals-almost feels like a different experience. In addition to the frantic play, the goal is to be able to see "through" the eye candy to be able to concentrate on the game. If you own a Jag, T2K is THE must own title.
Personal Take from Le Geek:
Tempest 2000 is still one of my absolute favorite games. It's the reason I got a Jaguar, and when one of my friends saw the game for the first time, he said that it didn't look real, it looked like what a person in a movie would play.
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42) Sonic CD (Sega CD)
Sonic's Sega CD debut comes in at #42!
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41) Final Fantasy Tactics (PSX)
You hear those "If you like x, then get y" statements a lot in your life, but in this case it's necessary. If you like Final Fantasy or Strategy RPGs... you just need to play this game. One of the best SRPGs out there period, regardless of setting. Start out as a mercenary and eventually run your own army of clerics, summoners, knights, monks, and everything in between. With a plotline worthy of the FF series, and all of your favorite trappings as well, FF Tactics shows why Squaresoft was a leading gamemaker back in the day.
Personal Take from AB Positive:
60 hours! 60 hours and I only got through mission 24! Maybe it's my inability to strategize late in these type of games but if the plot and gameplay hadn't been so damn good... argh. I always told myself I'd pick this back up someday... and someday I will. Seriously.
At Number 70....
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70) Street Fighter II (SNES/Arcade)
While there were earlier attempts at versus fighting games - such as Karate Champ, IK+ and Street Fighter - Street Fighter II established the winning formula that is still the basis of nearly all subsequent 2D fighters to date. It's the Super Mario Bros of fighting games.
Personal Take from Le Geek:
When I was exposed to Street Fighter II, the championship edition was already out at the college arcade. I immediately picked up the bad habit of picking interesting but weak characters (Vega) instead of well rounded beginner characters (Ryu). I learned eventually!
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69) Snatcher (Sega CD/Duo)
A sci-fi mystery with Anime style imagery, you interact with different characters in a "Blade Runner"esque universe with liberal references to "the Terminator" and other popular films. Moody music and professional (i.e. believable) voice-overs add greatly to the experience. While short in game time, Snatcher is a story/game that really works. A must have if you own a Sega CD.
Personal Take from Le Geek:
I picked this up on the recommendation of Diehard Gamefan, and loved every minute of it! I only wish the sequel/prequel Policenauts got an English release.
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68) Jet Grind Radio (Dreamcast)
Combining the extreme sports genre with graffiti, an actual story and the first use of cell-shaded 3D graphics was a potent concoction for Sega. Extremely common, Jet Grind Radio belongs in every Dreamcast collection.
Personal Take from Le Geek:
I really enjoyed this game when it came out, and have been meaning to go back and replay it. I thought the slower graffiti tagging sections complemented the fast paced skating perfectly.
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67) Castlevania 2 (NES)
Like several of the first NES titles—such as Super Mario Bros. and The Legend of Zelda—Konami took a different approach with the sequel to its hit action game Castlevania. Rather than following the "go through the stage and fight the boss" mold, Castlevania II added open ended maps, indoor and outdoor areas, daytime and nighttime, several towns, and an elaborate inventory. So the game is more of an action RPG with added exploration. It may be the red headed step-child of the NES trilogy, but it still a great game.
Personal Take from Le Geek:
The music in this game is phenominal. While it may be on the easy side, the sense of having a open ended world to explore more than makes up for it. I'd like to see the modern portable Castlevania games take more cues from this one actually. My favorite Castlevania on the NES.
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66) ToeJam and Earl (Genesis)
Two funky aliens from Funkotron crash land and have to search all over the planet to recover pieces to their broken spaceship. In either the fixed world, or the Random world allowing for completely randomly generated levels start to finish, the funky pair collect presents to help them along their way and throw tomatoes at the thoroughly un-funky Earthlings until they can fly their way home.
Personal Take from AB Positive:
I'll admit it... I DON'T get this game. Never have, never will, and I'm terrible at it to boot. Not trashing it, but I really can't wrap my head around this game to enjoy. Sorry TJ&E fans!
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65) Tempest (Arcade)
One of the earliest Atari vector graphics games, and yet at the same time now achieving a legendary cult status partly due to its elegant design, but also due to Dave Theurer's recluse nature and that update from Jeff Minter. Brilliantly balanced and frantic at most times, this deserves a place in any arcade collector's haul.
Personal Take from Mayhem:
This is another arcade machine I didn't see very much at all back "in the day" and really only started playing it a lot (or more regularly) towards modern times. It's one of those games that can easily induce the "zone mode" and when there, rotating and zapping become almost second nature.
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64) Street Fighter 2 Turbo Hyper Fighting (Arcade/Multiple Console)
While Street Fighter 2 created the mold for the versus fighting genre we enjoy today, Turbo Hyper Fighting refined it to near perfection. If you want to excel at 2D fighting games, almost all of the fundamentals can be learned from this game. Widely considered the best of the Street Fighter 2 series.
Personal Take from Le Geek:
This is the version I have for SNES, and while I have gotten better, I still have yet to beat it on normal difficulty and get a 'real' ending.
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63) Secret of Mana (SNES)
An interesting take on the usual RPG fare by Square, by making a party of heroes not only just three strong, but allowing all three to be user-controlled by different people via the multitap. This wouldn't be worth it if the game didn't also live up to the premise, but the strong strategy elements on top of arcade reactions made this one to remember.
Personal Take from Mayhem:
Although it didn't affect me because I had a US SNES and imported all my games at the time, Secret of Mana was the only major Square SNES RPG to be released in Europe. Pity most of the deprived folks here. SoM was a terrific game, hard but fair, that my brother and I could play at the same time, which was quite unusual for an RPG.
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62) Metroid Prime (GCN)
After missing out on an N64 version, and initial reports on progress, many people thought the Metroid series would die. How wrong they were. Retro Studios managed to create the perfect 3D interpretation of the Metroid world that is as much adventure and intrigue as it is shooter.
Personal Take from Mayhem:
This was the game of 2002 for myself, after countless hours exploring and battling the many foes on Talon 4. The visor and gun switching works superbly and no one can complain this game is a pushover. It is the sheer belief that Talon 4 could exist that propels the game's atmosphere and desire to find out what happened.
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61) Deus Ex (PC)
The First Person Action/RPG game that sparked new interest in what the PC could do in the RPG realm clocks in at #61!
At number 80....
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Legend of Zelda: Windwaker
Windwaker is both familiar territory to and a departure from the excellent Orarina of Time. Set in an island future with lush cel-shaded graphics, Windwaker played remarkably close to its N64 predecessor with some welcome improvements. Gameplay is varied and excellent, but a little on the easy side for Zelda veterans.
Personal Take from Le Geek:
Windwaker was a great addition to the Zelda series, and with a few more dungeons and a little less treasure hunting at the end, it would have been perfect. Still, the lush cartoon graphics and the experience of being at sea - especially during thunderstorms - has yet to be topped.
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79) Civilization 2 (PC)
The game that popularized starting a civilization... and then using it to conquer the world comes in at #79!
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78) Phantasy Star 2 (GEN/MD)
A haunting dream about a girl named Alis sets the tone for Rolf's adventure through Moltavia in search for the reason why monsters have suddenly been breeding like mad. As the Sega Genesis' first major RPG, Phantasy Star 2 made for a difficult but enjoyable adventure for all Genesis fans.
Personal Take from AB Positive:
Yes, I'm one of the many that played PS2 -after- PS4... whoops. However even with what appears to be a much more difficult and time consuming adventure, I can see why so many people consider this one of the great RPGs of all time. Not my favorite, but it's high up there even after all these years.
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77) Metal Gear Solid 3 (PS2)
Solid Snake returns to form in the third installment of the Metal Gear Solid series, taking the #77 spot!
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76) Pokemon Red/Blue (Gameboy)
Harken back to 1999 and remember a time when you couldn't throw a stone without hitting a hundred pieces of Pokemon merchandise. Hats, clothes, Burger King gold coins (remember those?), VHS tapes of the TV show and of course tens of thousands of little children playing Pokemon on their Game Boy system. Each Game Boy revision has seen a cycle of Pokemon games, and even though the new ones may have all the sparkle and shine, it's the original Red/Blue iteration that struck so many of you with its imaginative gameplay. Red/Blue takes #76 in our top 100 list.
Personal Take from AB Positive:
My girlfriend at the time was a pokemon fiend in 10th grade. To keep up, I traded my Game Gear to a friend for Pokemon Red and an old style brick Game Boy. I was NOT prepared for this 'kiddie game' to hook me in for hours on end. When I had my tonsils removed, this kept me from going stir crazy. It may be the butt of a lot of jokes in the community, but I'm not ashamed to say I played this one all the way through.
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75) Phantasy Star (SMS)
Phantasy Star was vast. Three planets to visit, a combination of sci-fi and fantasy elements, a long quest and four different characters that made up your party made this the largest and most varied RPG released on console systems at the time. The 3D dungeons were amazing as well, unlike anything anyone had seen on a home system.
Personal Take from Dire 51:
I'm not a RPG fan by any means, but Phantasy Star had me hooked from beginning to end. It was miles and miles beyond the only other RPG I had played at that point (Dragon Warror), and was so intriguing and involving that it kept me glued to my Master System until I completed it.
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74) SNK vs Capcom Cardfighter's Clash (NGPC)
Let's see, we have a handheld game including Ryu, Akuma, Chun Li, Terry Bogard, Haohmaru, and King. Obviously this is a Collectible Card RPG!
...huh?
The premise may seem odd, but the electronic CCG form of SNK vs. Capcom is quirky but highly highly addictive. Take your 50 card deck against other Cardfighters to see who can use their Krauser, Geese, and M.Bison cards the best. If you haven't played this yet, do yourself a favor and give our #74 pick a shot. It certainly beats the crap out of Yu-Gi-Oh!
Personal Take from AB Positive:
At one point I was so enthralled by this game that I picked up its even better sequel. Not necessarily a crazy thing, except when the sequel is japan only and had about a 10,000 game run, it's hard to find cheap. $125 later I had a complete copy which I played incessantly for three months with the help of a translation guide. I culled my collection including CFC1 and 2 but eventually I plan on getting the back. Oh yes... they will be mine!
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73) Super Mario RPG
A combination of the stars of Nintendo and the genius of Square produced this classic RPG, that also had a quick nod to the graphics first championed by Donkey Kong Country. Bound very much in a traditional design, but infused with everything nostalgic about Nintendo, it was challenging and endearing at the same time.
Personal Take from Mayhem:
I remember spending $60 or so on this when I was over in New York not long after it came out. A good move as I really enjoyed the game when I got back to the UK. I don't think my girlfriend was that impressed however, I get the impression she wanted the money spent on herself!
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72) Capcom vs SNK 2 (Multiple Consoles/Arcade)
"You got your Ryu in my Ryo!"
"Yeah? Well you got your Mai in my Chun Li!"
"..."
"Mmmmmmm!"
The versus series from Capcom has its gems, none more so than Capcom Vs. SNK 2. Having tweaked and refined the gameplay from the first CvS outing, CvS2 made a huge splash with fans of both companies alike with smooth gameplay, 6 different fighting "grooves" to choose from and a point-based team v. team system that added extra strategy to fights before you even got to Round 1.
Personal Take from AB Positive:
I had a XBOX right at launch... and stopped playing it about two months afterwards. I mean, what else was there besides Halo? I'm a RPG and Fighter nut and don't go too far beyond those genres. After a year or so, I sold my xbox and everything I had. Soon after, Capcom v. SNK 2 came out, with XBOX Live access to boot. Damn, playing with my favorite Street Fighter of KoF characters online? Yep, I got another xbox, CvS2, and Live and haven't looked back since!
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71) Phantasy Star 4 (Genesis/MD)
The Super Nintendo may be known as the 16-bit RPG juggernaut, but the Genesis was no slouch. Landstalker, Shining Force I & II, and Shining in the Darkness are all great epics, but perhaps the best known RPG on the system is Phantasy Star IV. Clocking in at 32 Megs and with a hefty MSRP of $99.99, PSIV gave Genesis owners their own "Final Fantasy III". With a heavy plot twist halfway, incredible sound for its time, and a unique combo-magic battle system, Phantasy Star IV can go toe to toe with any of the Super NES' massive library.
Personal Take from AB Positive:
I was fortunate enough to have a friend buy and beat this fairly quickly, because he immediatly lent this game to me without any time limit. This was good as it probably took the better part of my 8th grade schoolyear to beat this wonderful game. No wonder my grades were so terrible in junior high!
At number 90....
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Daytona USA!
If you went to arcades in the mid 90's you probably played (and loved) this game. And if you loved this game, it was probably the reason you bought a Sega Saturn at launch. It is an impressive arcade port that made you feel like you were really in the seat of a bonafide racing machine, and comes in at # 90 on our list!
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89) Wonder Boy 3: The Dragon's Trap (SMS/GEN)
The third installment of the Wonder Boy series lands in at number 89!
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88) Silent Hill
Konami's more psychological answer to Resident Evil was potent and disturbing. As Harry Mason, you are stuck in a bizarre town looking for your missing daughter, Cheryl. Fog, darkness and metal grates hint at reality unraveling. The use of radio static and ringing alarms to alert you to monster proximity is both useful and frightening. The sound track is more controlled noise than music, yet matches the game perfectly. One of the best games in the survival horror genre.
Personal Take from Le Geek:
It was a couple of years after Silent Hill's release when I finally sat down to play and beat the game. It was creepy - in a very compelling way - and I played through again and again to get all the different endings. While I have played and enjoyed the sequels, the first Silent Hill is my favorite.
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87) Metal Gear Solid 2 (PS2)
Possibly the most controversial sequel of all time? Certain in the eyes of its fans it was, with Snake taking a backseat and new boy Raiden stepping into his shoes. Guess you either love it or hate it, but evidently enough people loved it to get a place on our top 100 list here.
Personal Take from Mayhem:
The same gameplay, even more ramped up and full of set pieces and yet it does feel lumbered with the sheer amount of story telling that comes as part of it. If you're a Metal Gear fan, then you need to play the game, but do expect to be sitting and watching for quite long periods of time.
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86) Grandia (Multiple Consoles)
The venerable RPG series Grandia hits the countdown with its first installment at number 86!
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85) Doom 2 (PC)
Somehow, this game managed to be even more Hellish than the earth-shaking first installment of the series. All kinds of freakish new monsters, and only one new shotgun to fend them off. This game stands the test of time just as well as the original.
Personal Take from Captain Yashiro:
I was a fiend for this game. I was 9 years old, playing it on a crappy laptop with no sound, and it still managed to scare me a couple of times. After buying the Doom III Collector's Edition, I discovered this game is still fun, even after playing through the amazing Doom III.
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84) Day of the Tentacle
Take one ex-visitor to Dr Edison's house. Add two equally wacko housemates. Combine with a psychotic tentacle, time travel and saving the world, and what do you get? A classic work from Lucasarts that combines superb timing with humour to give your laughter pockets as much of a workout as your brain.
Personal Take from Mayhem:
This was one of the main reasons (along with Doom) to wanting my own PC in the early 90s, especially when I saw it demonstrated in the local computer shop. Fortunately my father purchased one in 1992 and I was able to get in there and experience a game that has rarely been matched since.
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83) Sonic the Hedgehog 3 (Genesis)
The third installment of the Sonic the Hedgehog series shows up at 83. With new friends and enemies, and new shield powerups, this game wowed those that had mastered the previous two titles. Don't forget linking this up with Sonic & Knuckles for an even more expansive gameplay experience!
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82) Guardian Heroes
After establishing themselves on the Genesis, Treasure entered the Saturn era with a bang! Guardian Heroes reinvigorated the beat 'em up genre with three planes of movement, spell casting, branching paths, multiple endings and a "bad ass" undead warrior that you command. A six player versus mode is the icing on the cake. While most Treasure games feature stories and character designs that are best described as inspired lunacy, some of their games are an acquired taste. That's not the case here; Guardian Heroes is a Saturn "must have".
Personal Take from Le Geek:
I picked up a used Saturn as the system was going out to pasture, and Guardian Heroes was one of the first games I picked up for it. It was a while later when I finally sat down and beat it. Man, what a cool game!
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81) Starfox 64
A lesson in how to produce an on-rails shooter. Starfox 64 not only eclipsed its SNES prequel, but injected life, verve, copious secrets, and vast oodles of replay value into a genre that needed a desperate shot in the arm. Utterly sublime and brilliant in its execution, this is a modern day classic on "how to do things right".
Personal Take from Mayhem:
It also introduced N64 owners to the concept of rumble power, which was used to some degree in other titles henceforth. Never really got on with any game that used rumble, and I always turn it off, except when it is actually needed for gameplay, such as Ocarina of Time.
Starting us off, number 100.....
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Final Fantasy (NES)
The first game in this storied franchise was meant to be the last for Square Soft. However the addictive gameplay and storyline propelled it to the top of the charts in it's day, and still has enough cred to start out the Top 100 list.
Personal Take from AB Positive:
This was actually the second RPG I played, with Final Fantasy III being the first. After becoming an instant addict from the SNES game, I wanted to see how it started. I was worried that going 'backwards' in the series would ruin the first game, but I still found it to be superb. True story: first time I beat this game, I landed the final hit on the final boss having only a fighter still alive with 1 HP to his name. Nothing says dramatic victory like that!
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99) Asteroids (Arcade/Multiple Consoles)
Arcade action at its most basic and possibly at its best! Busting giant asteroids down to their component atoms just to keep yourself in one piece... but don't forget about the UFOs! A classic that's recognizable to most gamers on-sight!
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98) Mortal Kombat II (Arcade/Multiple Consoles)
Building on the strengths of the original, MK II took Midway's fighter from being a game to a franchise. Mortal Kombat II added new fighters, new fatalities, new special endings (babalities and friendships!), and more action.
Personal Take from Flack:
While I cut my teeth on the arcade version, this is the game that made me want a Super Nintendo, and until I bought one I played the PC version for several months. MK II added layers of extras (including Pong!) into an already fun fighter, which kept gamers (and quarters) coming back over and over. So if you would ever like me to kick your ass at it, let me know.
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