This is part 2 of my three decade tribute to my favorite games. The 90's were awesome for gamers. We saw the rise and fall of the 16-bit era, which gave us some of the best games ever, and the rise of disc based and online games. This was the hardest of the three lists to narrow down. There are just WAY too many awesome games that came out in the 90's. Well, I did my best, and I think these are my favorite 10 games from 1990-1999.
10) Gran Turismo 2 (Sony, Playstation, 1999)
GT 2 is the only racing game to make my lists, but it is very deserving of the honor. This game was the most in-depth racing game at the time and was genuinely realistic. The liscenses were pain to acquire, but the challenge was truly entertaining. The vehicle modifications were not only educational, but left plenty of room for creativity. All ranting aside, the series has grown far beyond its roots, but GT2 was THE racing game of the 90's, and I spent many a pre-college nights challenging friends with my ridiculous '69 Z/28 and my absolutely unholy Skyline GTR.
9) Castlevania: Symphony of the Night (Konami, Playstation, 1997)
This game is often mentioned in "best of" lists and nerd/gamer conversations, but I have realized that many people have not actually played it. That is truly a shame because it comes from one of the best video game franchises ever, and is routinely cited as the best of the series. I can't really argue with that statement as it is my personal favorite, but several Castlevania games give it a good run for the money. Either way, this is one of the best side-scrolling games of all-time, and if it weren't for the Megaman series, it would be my favorite side-scroller PERIOD.
8) Super Metroid (Nintendo, SNES, 1994)
This game made my list of "most influential games on me", so there's not much else I can say about it. Everyone knows this is one of the best games ever made. The atmosphere and gameplay just captivate the player, and make this a game that no player will ever forget.
7) Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles IV: Turtles in Time (Konami, SNES, 1992)
The best beat 'em up ever made, hands down. I got so good at this game, I'm kind-of ashamed....just "kind-of"
6) Street Fighter 2 Turbo (Capcom, SNES, 1992)
I almost used "Street Fighter 2: Champion Edition" for the Sega Genesis instead, however, I chose this one because I owned it from the day it was released. You finally had the opportunity to play as all of the original characters (including the bosses) that made the series popular. It still remains such a popular game that they still have tournaments dedicated to it.
5) Parasite Eve (Squaresoft, Playstation, 1998)
Yea, I know, I can't talk anymore about this game. It is just soooooo awesome and meant more to my future as a gamer than I can really describe in words. I literally hit puberty with this game. A gritty cop-drama mixed with supernatural horror. Nothing says "taboo" like sex and death, and that's what this game presents. It is unexplainably creepy...kinda like me. So, that's why I am attached to it.
4) Final Fantasy 7 (Squaresoft, Playstation, 1997)
90% of gamers are going to have this game on their favorite games from the 90's. It just HAS to happen. It is a legend in the industry and is really only overshadowed by an elite, few games. It endures as THAT game that every gamer knows to respect.
3) Megaman X (Capcom, SNES, 1993)
I love the Megaman series, and most people know that Megaman 3 holds the dearest place in my heart as far as nostalgia. Well, Megaman 3 DID come out in 1990 in the U.S. and technically qualifies for this list, but how can I deny Megaman X? This is the game that had way more to offer as far as secrets, challenge, and introduced Megaman to the 16-bit era with EVERYTHING we wanted. The music is amazing, the characters are well designed, the story is fun, and Megaman grew up with us, the player. Megaman 3 will always be MY game, but Megaman X defines the 90's era Megaman.
2) Super Mario World (Nintendo, SNES, 1990)
I remember opening up my Super Nintendo Entertainment System on Christmas when I was 10 years old and popping in this cartridge. It took alot of dedication, but eventually I finished this game 100%. One of my proudest moments as a gamer. The secrets were so mind-boggling for the time, I couldn't believe that there was so much to do in this game. It still rocks, even today.
1) Metal Gear Solid (Konami/Kojima Productions, Playstation, 1998)
This should come as no shock. Metal Gear is my favorite series ever, and this is the game that really sealed its future legacy in the industry. No game had been done like this before. It invented the Stealth-Action genre and made Hideo Kojima an instant rockstar in the video game world. This is the game that REALLY made me take gaming seriously. I learned what it meant to immerse yourself in the mission and see the game through to the end with this title.
Well, that's it for the 80's and 90's, I will get to 2000-2010 as soon as I get another free moment. I encourage you to check out some of the earlier posts if you haven't already!
Monday, January 10, 2011
Saturday, January 8, 2011
Snake's Top 10 games of the Last Three Decades!
I have been meaning to return to this blog for quite sometime. Unfortunately I have been very busy moving and dealing with the holidays. But, I have had plenty of time to think of what I would like to post. I came to the conclusion that, while I shared the games that were most influential on me, I haven't really mentioned my favorite games of all-time. Since there are so many games that I have enjoyed over almost thirty years, I decided I would list my ten favorite games from the 80's, 90's, and 2000-2010. I felt it was only fair to include 2010 because 1)there were so many good games that came out that year, and 2) I started this blog in 2010 and we just entered 2011, so what's the harm in just saying "favorite games up to the present"?
Now these were very hard lists to organize. There are so many games pumped out every year that we don't even hear about. Some of them are really, really good, and others are downright terrible. We can't deny, though, how much money is pumped into this huge industry every year. Hell, Nintendo alone spends more money on research per year than the U.S. Government spends on EDUCATION! Yea, let that sink in and then try to say that the video game industry isn't a big deal. Anyway, no more ranting and let's get to the countdown. This is my top 10 favorite games of the last three decades, starting with 1980-1989.
Snake's Favorite Games: 1980-1989
I had the hardest time narrowing down my favorite games from this decade. There were plenty of options, but due to my youth and inability to purchase my own cartridges, I realized that I didn't play some of the all-time greats, and instead found myself latched onto games that I just thought were entertaining. But, that's what gaming should be about in the first place, sooooo......
10) Super Mario Bros. (1985)
I know it may be shocking that Mario is so far down on the list, but I really didn't care for this game all that much. Actually, I don't really care for that manyl Mario games in general. I REALLY only like 4 Mario games. I can't deny, however, that I played this game a helluva lot. What old-school gamer didn't? It is the fucking original; the game that saved the industry. So here's the red plumber settling in at the number 10 spot.
9) Bases Loaded (1988)
Unless I make some last minute changes to my 90's and 2000's lists, this will be the only sports game that will make the cut. I loved this game so much, I would play it every night, whether or not I had someone to play against. This game was so influential on me, I actually modeled my real-life pitching wind-up after my favorite character in the game. I continued to use that wind-up through college. That would be incredibly nerdy if it hadn't actually been effective, or I had been a shitty athlete. I actually still have videos of me at age 6 trying to mimic the players from this game. So, this game has to make the list.
8) Silent Service (1985)
The Submarine Simulator...hell yes. This game was really fun and very challenging. You couldn't just run and gun in this game. You were a stealth weapon and had to treat every decision with logic and respect. That's too much for most kids to handle, but I loved it. If you have never heard of this game, look it up. Sure, there are more realistic war simulators now, but this one was way ahead of its time and still alot of fun to play, even today.
7) Mike Tyson's Punch-out! (1987)
There are several incarnations of this game, but this is the most well-known and popular, and it is the one that I owned so its on the list. This game is so much fun and presents the gradual challenge formula to perfection. Now, I didn't actually complete this game until I was 16 (beating Mike Tyson, that is), I have to admit that I spent so many hours digging away and challenging myself to be faster and smarter until I finally reached the final goal. There is no way I could have a countdown about 80's games without this title making an appearance.
6) Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (1989)
This game gets alot of hell for being too difficult and bastardizing Ninja Turtles canon, but it really is just too much fun. This game is so frustrating, I just couldn't stop myself from trying over and over again. Plus, its the Turtles...are you really gonna hate on the Turtles?
5) The Legend of Zelda (1987)
Not much to say about this one. I still pop it in and play every now and then. Its just way too awesome.
4) Castlevania (1987)
I won't talk a lot about this one either. I have already said enough about it on my "Top 10 Most Influential Games on Me" countdown. This game is based on everything I still find intriguing at 27, that I loved when I was 5.
3) Pitfall! (1982)
The oldest entry on this list is, what I believe, the one that needs no explanation. This game is so much fun, even if it is simplistic and outdated. Its just Pitfall people...and its awesome.
2) Megaman 2 (1988)
Once again, I really don't need to explain alot here. Megaman 2 is the game that really sealed the franchise's place in history. We knew we were going to see WAY more of the blue bomber after this side-scroller came out. The music was arguably the best on the NES, the gameplay was tight, and the overall layout was amazing. This game just rocks.
1) Metroid (1986)
This game needs no history lesson. If you are a gamer and you are reading this, it shouldn't be a shock that this game appears on my list. But, it has to be number one because of the amount of challenge it presented and the time I invested to overcome that challenge.
So there's the first part of my three decade tribute to my favorite games. I will get started immediately on the next two parts. I have nothing better to do in this winter storm anyway!
Now these were very hard lists to organize. There are so many games pumped out every year that we don't even hear about. Some of them are really, really good, and others are downright terrible. We can't deny, though, how much money is pumped into this huge industry every year. Hell, Nintendo alone spends more money on research per year than the U.S. Government spends on EDUCATION! Yea, let that sink in and then try to say that the video game industry isn't a big deal. Anyway, no more ranting and let's get to the countdown. This is my top 10 favorite games of the last three decades, starting with 1980-1989.
Snake's Favorite Games: 1980-1989
I had the hardest time narrowing down my favorite games from this decade. There were plenty of options, but due to my youth and inability to purchase my own cartridges, I realized that I didn't play some of the all-time greats, and instead found myself latched onto games that I just thought were entertaining. But, that's what gaming should be about in the first place, sooooo......
10) Super Mario Bros. (1985)
I know it may be shocking that Mario is so far down on the list, but I really didn't care for this game all that much. Actually, I don't really care for that manyl Mario games in general. I REALLY only like 4 Mario games. I can't deny, however, that I played this game a helluva lot. What old-school gamer didn't? It is the fucking original; the game that saved the industry. So here's the red plumber settling in at the number 10 spot.
9) Bases Loaded (1988)
Unless I make some last minute changes to my 90's and 2000's lists, this will be the only sports game that will make the cut. I loved this game so much, I would play it every night, whether or not I had someone to play against. This game was so influential on me, I actually modeled my real-life pitching wind-up after my favorite character in the game. I continued to use that wind-up through college. That would be incredibly nerdy if it hadn't actually been effective, or I had been a shitty athlete. I actually still have videos of me at age 6 trying to mimic the players from this game. So, this game has to make the list.
8) Silent Service (1985)
The Submarine Simulator...hell yes. This game was really fun and very challenging. You couldn't just run and gun in this game. You were a stealth weapon and had to treat every decision with logic and respect. That's too much for most kids to handle, but I loved it. If you have never heard of this game, look it up. Sure, there are more realistic war simulators now, but this one was way ahead of its time and still alot of fun to play, even today.
7) Mike Tyson's Punch-out! (1987)
There are several incarnations of this game, but this is the most well-known and popular, and it is the one that I owned so its on the list. This game is so much fun and presents the gradual challenge formula to perfection. Now, I didn't actually complete this game until I was 16 (beating Mike Tyson, that is), I have to admit that I spent so many hours digging away and challenging myself to be faster and smarter until I finally reached the final goal. There is no way I could have a countdown about 80's games without this title making an appearance.
6) Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (1989)
This game gets alot of hell for being too difficult and bastardizing Ninja Turtles canon, but it really is just too much fun. This game is so frustrating, I just couldn't stop myself from trying over and over again. Plus, its the Turtles...are you really gonna hate on the Turtles?
5) The Legend of Zelda (1987)
Not much to say about this one. I still pop it in and play every now and then. Its just way too awesome.
4) Castlevania (1987)
I won't talk a lot about this one either. I have already said enough about it on my "Top 10 Most Influential Games on Me" countdown. This game is based on everything I still find intriguing at 27, that I loved when I was 5.
3) Pitfall! (1982)
The oldest entry on this list is, what I believe, the one that needs no explanation. This game is so much fun, even if it is simplistic and outdated. Its just Pitfall people...and its awesome.
2) Megaman 2 (1988)
Once again, I really don't need to explain alot here. Megaman 2 is the game that really sealed the franchise's place in history. We knew we were going to see WAY more of the blue bomber after this side-scroller came out. The music was arguably the best on the NES, the gameplay was tight, and the overall layout was amazing. This game just rocks.
1) Metroid (1986)
This game needs no history lesson. If you are a gamer and you are reading this, it shouldn't be a shock that this game appears on my list. But, it has to be number one because of the amount of challenge it presented and the time I invested to overcome that challenge.
So there's the first part of my three decade tribute to my favorite games. I will get started immediately on the next two parts. I have nothing better to do in this winter storm anyway!
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