Yesterday I looked at my games collection and realized that I've just been buying an buying and not finishing too much anymore. Which really made me think about which games I truly find to be among the best ever made.
Now, I could likely tell you my 10 favorite CD's or favorite movie's without too much trouble, but games are different. I skipped out on some real classics simply because I found them to be less appealing then others. Anyway, list time:
#10. Jet Force Gemini (N64)
One of the only N64 games I liked. A very challenging game featuring a great multiplayer mode (even a tuned-down co-op version) and some of the toughest bosses ever. Shooting ants never was this much fun.
#9. Teenage Mutant Hero Turtles IV: Turtles in Time (SNES)
This made it on the list for one reason only, and that is that it is my favorite multiplayer game of all time. Whenever my friend comes over to play games, we always play the co-op mode once. Finishable in around 25 minutes, TNMT is a beat-em-all. Just beat the crap out of every enemy thrown at you. In singleplayer mode, it's nice too, but to get the full enjoyment out of it, play it with a friend.
#8. Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga (GBA)
The first Mario RPG I played. Quite different from the Paper Mario series, you control Mario and Luigi. At once. Which basically means: the L button is for Luigi and the R button for Mario. In battles, A controls Mario and B controls Luigi. With an awesome battle system which made great use of the timed commands also seem in Super Mario RPG and Paper Mario, this game was already outstanding. However, what really makes this game is the humor. From the setting and the villages you visit to the awesome evil minion Fawful, you'll be playing this game with a big smile on your face.
#7. The Legend of Zelda: Oracle of Ages (GBC)
A vote for this game is of course also a vote for it's counterpart, Oracle of Seasons. This is my favorite Zelda game. You read correct, I like this better then Ocarina of Time. With Zelda games, it's always difficult to say exactly why you like one better then another, since the atmosphere really makes the games. Oracle of Ages was the very first Zelda game I played and the one that got me hooked. It features a neat story (be it without Zelda or Ganon...well, kinda anyway...) and 8 well-designed dungeons. The time-warp wasn't new at the time, but it works a lot better in 2D then it did in Ocarina of Time. Best part is, that when you've finished the game...you find out it's not yet over. That's where you need to link with the other Oracles game and unlock a second quest. And yes, that one does include Ganon...
#6. Super Metroid (SNES)
What can I say about this game that hasn't been said yet? It took the basics from Metroid and Metroid II and perfectioned them in every single way. Metroid Prime is nice, but when playing it, I really felt that Metroid is the kind of game that's just made to be played in 2 dimensions. Behind every corner is something new to discover. Be it a secret Missile Tank or a grappling point that finally gets you across that pit of lava that was blocking your way. Super Metroid shows why the SNES is one of the best consoles ever created: 2D gaming at it's best.
#5. Advance Wars (GBA)
The best Gameboy Advance game out there. Granted, the story is crapp, but the gameplay couldn't have been better. Being a turnbased game, it is best compared to chess...with tanks. The number of units is pretty limited, but that just adds to the balance in this game. Yes, balance is the keyword here. You pick a Commanding Officer (CO) before a mission, who adds his powers to your units. This can vary from stronger direct units (yet weaker indirect units) to a CO that works well in snow (but sucks in rain). Each CO has a power, which, is used correctly can completely turn the tide of battle. And finally, Advance Wars is hard. And hard is good. If you can finish Advance Campaign's secret mission 'Rivals!', I salute you. Unfortunately, the balance and difficulty weren't as good in it's sequels.
#4. Final Fantasy III/VI (SNES)
Don't be fooled, this is one and the same game. Final Fantasy III in the USA and Final Fantasy VI in Japan. And RPG with a story which develops at a great pace, which isn't afraid to go into side-quests deeply and which develops the characters in one of the best ways ever. You really grow attached to them. It plays like a standard RPG: each character can attack, defend and use magic. However, each character also has one special move. This can vary from transforming to copying the moves of your enemies. Magic isn't learned through leveling up, but through the use of magic creatures called Espers. I won't spoil anything for you, but these creatures play a vital part in the story. And finally...it features one of the best villains ever, Kefka. Just plain evil for the sake of it, who can forget him disobeying General Leo's orders at Doma castle and his rise against his superiors. RPG classic.
#3. Pok
