My Personal Top 250(+) Games of All Time

I’ve spent a lot of time thinking about what I think makes me anything more than just some guy who likes games, or even a particularly crazy collector. I brainstormed my actual list of favorite games a few months before writing this post without any real reason. Eventually I decided I would hunker down and figure out a realistic ranking, and ultimately decided it would probably be good context for the website as a whole. Why do I go so in depth about wrestling games? Why are my RPG profiles less intricate than my sports game ones? Have a quick scan through this, see how I talk about or what I remember from my favorite games and why they mean so much to me. This is a list about who I am and why, and I don’t think it’s weird to contextualize things that way. Thanks for being here on my site. I want it to be the best.

I think this is probably implied, but this is in no way a final list. It will be constantly in flux and constantly change. I don’t imagine I’ll sit here and fiddle with the rankings, but there are thousands of great games I haven’t played, and they can always be added and bump the rest down and out of the top 250.

Star Fox 64 (N64) — From the first time I beat it when I was maybe five, to finally earning my Sector Z medal for hard mode in college, hundreds of runs and the audio, the controls, the bosses, it’s never gotten old for me.
Resident Evil 4 (GC/PS2) — A key title for my entry into everything horror, I still replay it once every two years or so and have bought it for almost every platform it’s been released for.
Pokémon HeartGold/SoulSilver Version (DS) — The gold standard of remakes; my most important generation of titles and yet every change is an improvement.
Luigi’s Mansion (GC) — A perfect adventure game with a horror theme to appease a young me without scaring me off. Another game I replay frequently, and one of the only games I work super hard at to get the best ranking when I do.
Rock Band 4 (PS4) — Almost every DLC track was still available for purchase or redownload. And the guitar peripheral was as good as ever.
Super Mario 64 (N64) — The defining moment of gaming’s transition to 3D, and the game that sets the tone for the entire N64 library.
The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time (N64) — The blueprint of adventure games for an entire generation and my first true Zelda experience.
WWF No Mercy (N64) — The pinnacle of wrestling games that even modern developers are still trying to recapture.
The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers (PS2/GC) — My first ever experience with Tolkien, and the rest is history. It’s a great licensed game because the films are great adaptations and it’s made with the same assets and the same care.
Shadow of the Colossus (PS2) — The game that first made me understand what people meant when discussing video games as art.
Banjo-Kazooie (N64) — Riffing on the Super Mario 64 foundation and hitting the bullseye every time.
The Legend of Zelda: Majora’s Mask (N64) — I played it for the first time in October 2023 and “got it.” And it feels as though every time I think about it I love it more.
NFL Street 2 (GC/PS2/Xbox/PSP) — Another for the desert island. Amazing snapshot of a great era in my football fandom, and boils down football to its most video game-friendly form.
Bioshock (360) — The perfect marriage of some of my most favored gaming styles as a youth (shooter, horror, superpowers) with my more complex burgeoning tastes (environmental/diegetic storytelling, unique visual style, strong sociopolitical message).
Crash Bandicoot: Warped (PS1) — The most eclectic and exciting of the original Crash trilogy that I played extensively in my youngest gaming phase.
Batman: Arkham Asylum (PS3) — Borrowed this from the library the summer I got my PS3, 100%’ed it within the week I had it. Integral to my preference for Batman over other superheroes (as a series, I love Batman because I hate Batman).
The Last of Us (PS3/PS4) — One of the first games to make me cry over its story. I still punch air when I think about the ending sometimes.
Eternal Darkness: Sanity’s Requiem (GC) — The greatest Lovecraftian video game, though it doesn’t directly contribute to the Mythos at all. Incredible ambition while still being firmly classic survival horror.
God of War (PS4) — Regardless of how much the series had matured throughout the original trilogy, it was nothing compared to this transition. But it sticks the landing with absolute perfection. God of War came out the year I moved out of my parents’ house and the parallels I felt watching this franchise take this step forward made a huge impression on me.
Pokémon Gold/Silver/Crystal Version (GBC) — My first Pokémon games and still my favorite generation. But I think it’s fair to say it’s not just a nostalgia pick, as even the developers claim they were going for the “ultimate Pokémon experience” for the time.
Super Smash Bros. Brawl (Wii) — My most played Smash by far, but my hours pale in comparison to my college roommates. I popped it in once after I got home and had thousands of coins to use on the launcher.
Resident Evil 7: Biohazard (PS4) — Even as a phony RE fan who only joined in with RE4, I was put off by the time we got to 6. RE7 reboots it hard with a brand of horror the series has never done before and creates some of the most memorable moments and characters we’ve seen yet.
Goldeneye 007 (N64) — I refuse to hear discourse about how Goldeneye “hasn’t aged well.” Still one of the best multiplayer and single player games on the N64.
Twisted Metal: Black (PS2) — I may have accidentally based my entire taste in media on a game that I played obsessively as a child, even while one of its characters was pants-p scary to me.
Mario Kart 8 (Switch/Wii U) — The best Mario Kart has ever been, I don’t even care about a new entry because I don’t know what else can be accomplished,
What Remains of Edith Finch (PS4) — The ultimate walking simulator. Two hours of snapshots in a tragic family photo album where every tale sticks with you on a different level.
Burnout 3: Takedown (PS2) — The driving game I’m most suited for because you’re judged as much on your ability to crash as your ability to drive.
Pokémon Red/Blue/Yellow Version (GB) — Though Gen II is where I got my start playing, I was firmly entrenched in the Pokémon craze by the time I started going to school. The ins and outs of the original Pokémon titles are as ingrained in me as multiplication tables.
Resident Evil 2 (PS4) — The series’ finest remake effort, I can’t stress how impressive it is to say that both RE2s are must-play titles for their own reasons.
CTR: Crash Team Racing (PS1) — Played well before I got my hands on any Mario Karts, or a lot of friends, for that matter. The single player adventure mode is what sets the tone here.
Call of Duty: Black Ops (PS3) — For as little as I have played games online as a whole, I have played a lot of Call of Duty. Black Ops gets the extra edge for still having possibly the best story in the series as well. Zombies barely even factors in for me, personally.
Diddy Kong Racing (N64/DS) — Just like CTR: Crash Team Racing, a kart racer with as much single player enjoyment as multiplayer. The three types of vehicle also add a unique wrinkle.
Mario Party (N64) — My first and still favorite Mario Party. The only reasons it doesn’t run away with the victory are bruised palms and loose analog sticks.
Mario Party 2 (N64) — My other childhood Mario Party. It brings back and improves some of the mini games but I like the boards better in the original, I think.
Donkey Kong Country 2: Diddy’s Kong Quest (SNES) — A perfect 2D platformer gaining the edge on Mario with an incredible soundtrack.
Super Mario World (SNES/GBA) — Earns the title of my favorite classic Mario in part because of the SNES art style and graphics. Also, Yoshi.
Super Smash Bros. Melee (GC) —The entire reason the GameCube was still respected growing up. And the amount of new modes and features compared to the first game was jaw-dropping at the time.
Inscryption (Switch) — I almost put this game down before Act II. I would never have forgiven myself.
Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock (PS2/Wii) — The game that started me on an entire failed career path. Seriously, it Guitar Hero III doesn’t drop, my life is very different, and I didn’t even go the distance on becoming a career music type guy something or other.
Resident Evil Village (PS5) — It has Lady D and House Beneviento. But it also has Moreau and Heisenberg. Can’t front load all the goodies, there, Capcom.
Jak and Daxter: The Precursor Legacy (PS2) — Leaving the system on all weekend because I didn’t have a memory card, then finding out I hadn’t beaten the game just because I got 20 power cells.
God of War (PS2) — Even with only a handful of boss fights, the original God of War has plenty of memorable moments that keep it as must-play as its 2018 reboot.
Donkey Kong Country (SNES/GBC) — There are a few more iconic levels and tunes in the first DKC, even if the sequel is slightly better. Still, both in my top 50 anyway.
Batman: Arkham City (PS3) — I 100%d this one in a week as well! But the original asylum setting gives the first game the edge.
Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare (Wii/360) — Hours and hours and hours of this one, and this was the Wii version! Campaign is also one of the classics particularly those flashback missions in Pripyat.
God of War: Ragnarok (PS5) — I think I was just surprised there wasn’t room for another trilogy. Even more emotionally charged than the first but less consistent from chapter to chapter.
Silent Hill 2 (PS2) — An entire town existing just to tell you that you a lil bitch??? Wow, get fucked, James. But really, in the realm of pure, foundational survival horror, this is the reference point.
Uncharted 2: Among Thieves (PS3) — I used to prefer Drake’s Deception, but I think this gains the edge for the set pieces, which are more crucial to the series than emotional weight. Save that stuff for The Last of Us.
The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King (GC/PS2) — The sequel to the perfect movie tie-in goes as big as the film it’s based on, with three paths focusing on each group of characters and matching the gameplay to their scenes. Co-op multiplayer is the most key addition, but Two Towers will always have that edge for me personally.
NBA Street Vol. 2 (GC/PS2/Xbox) — This is how you present sports games for me: funky fresh and colorful, not dark and gritty like V3’s take. Great gameplay, yes, but the style is unparalleled.
Super Mario Galaxy (Wii) — Even if it comes off gimmicky for Wii haters, Galaxy absolutely smashes its attempt to marry the Wii Remote and Nunchuk with a precision-based genre like platforming.
Tony Hawk’s Underground (PS2/GC) — Make the borderline perfect Tony Hawk gameplay even better by combining it with an actual serious and well-told storyline. I know that neighborhood in Jersey like it was my own.
Golden Axe (Genesis) — My first beat-em-up, fresh off the Genesis 6-Pak. Many many attempted runs without finishing it, but the swords and sorcery style is still a favorite aesthetic to this day.
Cuphead (Switch) — Stunningly unique visual style with insanely tight run and gun gameplay, plus it cuts out all the fat by being almost exclusively a boss rush mode. Oh, and brutally difficult but fair. Inarguably fair.
Super Mario Galaxy 2 (Wii) — I never expected it to be as good as it is, because it was supposed to be “like a full game of Galaxy DLC.” And it took me years to realize that sounds incredible.
Mutant Football League (Switch/PS4) — A few games are my favorites just for somebody making exactly what I wanted and doing it well. Having Tim Kitzrow on commentary and constant DLC updates to fill out teams and rosters is even more than I could have hoped for.
Arcade Paradise (Switch) — I love an addicting gameplay loop, but to keep me from putting it down a game needs to be really addicting. Arcade Paradise sounded like perfection and it was. Not every arcade game in it is perfect, but that’s just another way it captures the experience.
Castlevania: Circle of the Moon (GBA) — I can’t say for sure why Circle is my favorite of the GBA Castlevanias, but it probably chalks up to its simplicity and maybe a dash of nostalgia, since it’s the only one I can say I played as a youngster at all.
Castlevania: Aria of Sorrow (GBA) — A near impossible decision between the two Advance Castlevanias I’ve completed, but Aria of Sorrow certainly gains the edge in memorable characters and the soul system being easy to understand and enjoy.
Doom (PS4/Switch) — The antithesis of everything the big FPS franchises had been doing for years. Regardless of the fact I enjoyed many games that Doom was returning to rebel against, the pace, sensory overload, and overall unapologetic nature made this a clear standout.
Halo 2 (Xbox) — Halo was the series that represented my transition to Xbox from Nintendo at a young age (one I’ve clearly reneged on). The gameplay was what made the system as a whole so exciting and different, but the story is what still stands out to me now, with the parallel story of Master Chief and The Arbiter holding a lot more weight than the gunplay.
TimeSplitters 2 (GC/PS2/Xbox) — One of the few games I can claim to have played in multiplayer as much as I have solo. The ex-Rare employees at Free Radical kept their legacy going with a worthy Goldeneye successor, and even packed in some lightheartedness to boot.
Soul Calibur II (GC/Xbox) — My favorite fighter ever outside of Super Smash Bros., though my preferred version also has Link in it. Of course, I like the roster plenty beyond that, and Namco’s tremendous amount of polish has kept me coming back any time the situation calls for some 1v1 fighting.
Pokémon Snap (N64) — The fact that one of my earliest favorites is a short but sweet, meticulously crafted adventure game that also shares DNA with light gun shooters and has Pokémon in it is the least surprising thing ever, in hindsight.
Super Smash Bros. Ultimate (Switch) — Everyone is here! Yes. Seriously. Everyone is here.
Resident Evil 2 (N64) — Besides simply being one of the all-time great survival horror games, Capcom and Angel Studios have forever given me a rebuttal to arguments against the N64 hardware.
Twisted Metal 2 (PS1) — The best of the five (FIVE!) PS1 games, everything about TM canon effectively ties back to this one. Way better gameplay and over-the-top presentation than the first. In fact, it’s funny just how much TM1 feels like an early era PlayStation game, for better or worse. TM2 does not have that issue.
Dredge (Switch) — My preferred outlet for megathalassophobia (sorry Subnautica fans). A relentlessly addicting gameplay loop with an added poetic bonus: obsessively heading back for “one more run” without regards to your sanity or other obligations matches the theme of “Lovecraftian horror fishing adventure” perfectly.
Guitar Hero: Metallica (PS2) — Metallica got a dedicated Guitar Hero while I was still at the peak of my obsession with both of those things. How could I not love it?
God of War III (PS3) — The original finale for Kratos is emotionally charged in a way that may seem unexpected given the road we started out on. But more importantly, I’ll never forget just watching videos of some of the incredible boss encounters before I even played it. Chronos and Poseidon simply blew my mind when I saw what the PS3 was achieving and playing them myself was no less special.
Super Castlevania IV (SNES) — Control, control, control. Essentially a remake of the original game, but focused on the SNES’s strengths, the charm in going back to this one is in those same quirks specific to the SNES. Graphically, yes, but even more so in the way Simon controls so perfectly.
Alan Wake II (PS5) — The most recent game during my initial draft of this post. I think that really highlights the importance of not just how I enjoyed this brilliant, winding meta-narrative, but that games are still making me feel the way I felt during the “Herald of Darkness” segment. Grinning from ear to ear and rushing to show people this crazy, sprawling, winding music video that was also a “level” in a video game.
Guitar Hero II (PS2) — Though I started with GH3, going through the back catalog immediately and jamming the equally killer setlist here was definitely huge for me. Still one of the best ones to pop in for a few songs, including meme-worthy but hard-hitting tracks Thunderhorse and Trogdor.
NBA Jam: Tournament Edition (Genesis/SNES/Arcade) — The keystone representative of arguably my favorite genre. Jam is still easy to go back to in any form, but the 16-bit and arcade version Tournament Editions are the way to go with all their extra content.
Spec Ops: The Line (360) — If you haven’t heard of it before, Spec Ops: The Line is not the game you think it is. “To kill for yourself is murder. To kill for your government is heroic. To kill for entertainment is harmless.”
Uncharted 3: Drake’s Deception (PS3) — I know I talked up Among Thieves for taking its crown (how fitting), but I still remember why I saw this one as the best when I first played it. Nate wandering the desert alone near the game’s climax is textbook storytelling, but no less effective for it.
Pokémon Legends: Arceus (Switch) — A fresh concept was long overdue for the Pokémon franchise and I played this obsessively upon release because of that. I’m seriously looking forward to the continuation of this series as a creative outlet for Pokémon developers.
Dead Space (PS3/360) — Resident Evil 4 with an Event Horizon backdrop. As visceral as the tragically defunct company that made it. As I’m writing this I’ve yet to play the remake and part of me doesn’t want to lest I betray the folks who worked at Visceral/EA Redwood Shores. Several other games from them appear on this list.
Bayonetta 2 (Wii U) — My favorite of the “stylized action” genre outside of God of War, I just remember being so excited for the Wii U to get a big exclusive. The fact I can barely tell you what happens in these games should also say a lot about the quality of the gameplay.
Celeste (Switch) — First there is a mountain. Then there is no mountain. Then there is.
Bayonetta (360) — Something about witches and biblically accurate (terrifying) angels, plus pretty lady go fast and shooty. Platinum Games, you’ve found the formula for success.
Crash Bandicoot 2: Cortex Strikes Back (PS1) — It’s in my head that the Crash games just got better, but I probably just have more memories of them because I was slightly older. Still, the iconic warp room setup and the wider variety of level concepts mean a lot.
Halo: Combat Evolved (Xbox) — One of the three games I got when I traded in my GameCube for an Xbox. The story went over my head at the time, but I remember the vibes changing nonetheless when The Flood appeared.
NHL Hitz 20-03 (PS2/GC) — Hockey practically already plays like a Midway-style arcade sports game, so to fall in line with the rest of their sports titles, it has to go to 11. Nonstop shooting, hitting, speed-bursting and all the silly 2003 Midway bonuses to enjoy along with it.
Diablo II (PC/Switch) — The loot! The loot! The loot is on fire! The addicting nature of loot is what really elevates Diablo above similar RPGs for me, but a badass story about demons and hell doesn’t hurt, either.
Hot Shots Golf: Open Tee 2 (PSP) — Golf and hockey are the two sports where I can dig a game that falls anywhere on the spectrum from hardcore sim to simple arcade style. Hot Shots is firmly down at the arcade side, and the endlessly rewarding nature of Open Tee 2’s progression makes it one of the best. Plus, it’s portable!
New Pokémon Snap (Switch) — I waited 20 years for another Pokémon Snap, and somehow it ended up being more than I could have ever asked for.
Hellblade: Senua’s Sacrifice (PS4) — A brilliant action game that also manages to be emotionally draining as well. Play it with your whole heart and you’ll never forget it.
The Last of Us II (PS4) — I never felt like I needed to fight for a character in a game like I did for Ellie. And then we met Abby. And then we met Lev.
Ms. Pac-Man (Arcade/Genesis) — Tragically lacking its deserved attention nowadays due to licensing conflicts, the best Pac-Man game is the one Namco wants you to stop asking about. Actual level variety goes a long way once you bring the arcade home.
Metroid Fusion (GBA) — Not the first nor the last time Metroid would flirt with the horror genre, Fusion flew the flag for the first half of the Metroidvania genre for over 15 years while we saw Samus mostly in first person. It was also the game in my GameBoy Advance SP when I dropped it down the stairs and broke it.
Paper Mario (N64) — The original is really only getting the edge over its sequel for being on the N64 at this point. The timing-based battle system was something I didn’t know how much I appreciated until I played other RPGs and struggled with the true turn-based style. The writing and partner characters are brilliant, of course.
Metroid Prime (GC/Switch) — Even when the backtracking is at its worst, Prime is a wonder to look at and a dream to control. Also, scanning. Scan everything. Scan everything twice. I have to know the lore.
Until Dawn (PS4) — Better than anything Quantic Dream has ever done because the genre serves the specific type of gameplay and characters on offer. The whole package is also that much more effective thanks to the cast, with excellent work from notable actors like Hayden Panettiere, Peter Stormare, and Rami Malek.
MVP Baseball 2005 (PS2/GC) — The greatest baseball sim ever made, as many will tell you. The fact that it released the season following the Red Sox first World Series win probably didn’t hurt my excitement for it back in the day.
Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door (GC) — With classic chapters like the Glitz Pit and partner characters like Vivian and Flurrie, it’s no wonder so many folks consider this as good, if not better, than its predecessor.
Twisted Metal: Head-On (PSP/PS2) — Essentially a direct sequel to Twisted Metal 2, Head On plays just as well, if not better, with loads of bonuses and additional quirks and challenges to be found throughout.
Rock Band 2 (PS2/PS3) — Possibly the music game of the time most single-handedly responsible for my musical taste, with Souls of Black, Peace Sells, Battery, and Painkiller, just to name a few tracks.
Pokémon Ruby/Sapphire/Emerald Version (GBA) — Another formative Pokémon entry from my childhood. I once started a beauty contest while playing at recess, only for the teacher to have us return to our seats right after. Since I hadn’t saved, I tried mashing A through it under my desk. It didn’t go so well.
Gunstar Heroes (Genesis) — Though I don’t have any Contra in my top games, Gunstar Heroes is close. Another of my favorite developers, Treasure always knew how to build around a really brilliant mechanic, and here it was the extra pizzazz of the weapon combo system. Even without that, though, it’s a deeply satisfying and breakneck-paced run and gun.
The Legend of Zelda: Link to the Past (SNES) — Though my allegiances naturally lie with 3D Zelda, I have to acknowledge the finest of the 2D Zeldas. If I were a few years older, you know that this would be a SNES website and I’d be harping on Link to the Past endlessly the way I do Ocarina and Majora.
Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars (SNES/Switch) —- It took me far too long to buckle down and play the game that is essentially Paper Mario in all but name and art style. And hey, I’ve got a favorite Square RPG! Never thought I could say that with any real conviction.
Super Mario Wonder (Switch) —- I desperately needed this game to be good because if I’m being honest, the modern 2D Mario games had been extremely inconsistent and sometimes even boring for me. Wonder heard my concerns and put them to rest on nearly every stage. I didn’t think there were enough Mario ideas left in the world for Nintendo to hit me with a crazy new concept on every single level but there it was. The exact refresh this series needed.
Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze (Wii U) —- Criminal to think that we’ve only gotten two new Donkey Kong Country titles, as both were excellent, but the step up between Returns and Tropical Freeze feels like momentum that needed to keep going. One of the key titles in my “buy a Wii U, please” campaign from 2014 to 2015.
NFL Blitz 2000 (N64) —- My favorite of the original Blitz run, it adds some much needed depth from the original without going overboard. Just a few more plays to run, a play editor, and four person multiplayer are small improvements. There’s only so much you can add before you lose the plot, though, so avoiding too much change is important here.
Perfect Dark (N64) —- Pushing the N64 hardware in a way few others could, Rare manages to improve on just about everything they did in setting the scene for the console FPS with Goldeneye. The only thing lost is the Bond license being taken away, which does have a lot of weight, but the fact that this is, in essence, still Goldeneye 2, is the key descriptor.
Mario and Luigi: Superstar Saga (GBA) —- Though I’m much more a fan of Paper Mario, Superstar Saga got a lot of play from me as a youngster with a GameBoy, and I like most of the same things about it. Great writing, engaging battle system, and interesting new setting and cast to set it apart from the main series.
Luigi’s Mansion 3 (Switch) —- After a more handheld-friendly departure with Dark Moon, Luigi’s Mansion 3 felt like a true follow-up to the first game, but in a hotel instead of a gothic mansion. The fact I’ve opted for 3 in place of my usual October replay of the original already should speak to its worthiness.
Pokémon Scarlet/Violet (Switch) —- I don’t care how buggy it was, the format brought to the table in Scarlet and Violet was overdue for about two generations. I may not have kept up with the DLC, but I devoured this game at launch, and the difference between this game and Sword and Shield is drastic.
Mario Golf (N64) —- Six phenomenal courses with excellent difficulty curve and the debut of the proper Mario sports franchise, by way of Camelot Software Planning.
Star Wars: Rogue Squadron (N64) —- Possibly the most technically impressive game on the N64, with amazing graphics and audio compression. It’s also one of the best flight sims you’ll find on any console and a worthy addition to the stories told around the original trilogy.
Rayman Legends (Wii U/Switch) —- My favorite games are loaded with 2D platformers, so at this point I’m more wary of saying “one of the best” or “as good as it gets.” It’s more like a tierlist and modern Rayman absolutely slots in there.
Pokémon FireRed/LeafGreen Version (GBA) —- The original remakes, and probably the objective best versions of Gen I. The presentation of Ruby and Sapphire was always excellent and seeing Kanto with the same upgraded spritework and musical upgrades is always really special.
Sonic the Hedgehog 2 (Genesis) —- I will never hold anything against the Sonic fans because games like Sonic 2 exist. There will always be the Marios and the Donkey Kong Countries, but Sonic is deliberately something different and by being so anti-Nintendo, it deserves its own superlatives.
Super Mario Odyssey (Switch) —- I love Super Mario 3D World, but Odyssey has always felt like it wanted to be everything that game wasn’t, because it represents the failure of the Wii U. 3D World feels safe, while Odyssey feels limitless, with worlds like New Donk City (Metro Kingdom) and Cascade Kingdom feeling like entirely different games rather than Mario levels.
Mario Superstar Baseball (GC) —- Ironically, I feel like the Mario sports game where the characters’ gimmicks come through the strongest is the one where they play as a team. And yet, the team-building is one of the most rewarding aspects, as the chemistry between characters is as important as learning their swings and pitches and power-ups.
Resident Evil (GC/PS4) —- It took me so long to actually play through any version of the original Resident Evil that I literally knew every scene before it happened. This includes reading a novelization of the game when I was a pre-teen who had just played RE4 and become obsessed.
Phoenix Wright Ace Attorney: Trials and Tribulations (DS) —- It’s hard to pick any singular game in an overall great and consistent series, but the more Edgeworth the better for me. I think he’s one of my favorite characters in any series and save for his own side game, the Ace Attorney title where we actually play as him filling in on behalf of Phoenix is particularly special to me.
Hydro Thunder (N64) —- Midway’s overcaffeinated ’90s arcade ‘tude distilled down into one of their best racing titles, with boats! The boat gimmick was always cool to me, and playing it again as an adult that actually figured out how to do all the shortcuts and moves only endeared it to me more.
Super Metroid (SNES) —- The quintessential entry in the “Metroid” half of “Metroidvania.” Amazing interpretations of the bosses, beautiful world-crafting with the different areas of the map having such distinct looks and music. There’s a reason it’s one of the most modded titles in all of retro games.
Sonic and Sega All-Stars Racing Transformed (Wii U) —- Sega and Sumo Digital’s best effort on a kart racer by far, the roster and track design as well as the number of properties it pulls from really feel like they were made with love, and the air, land, and sea mechanics really open up the possibilities.
Mario Kart Wii (Wii) —- Possibly the overall best of the series prior to MK8 and everything that’s been done with that release. It wasn’t the first Mario Kart to have retro courses or online play, but these were both huge factors in keeping me coming back to it.
Wii Sports Resort (Wii) —- Actually managing to improve on Wii Sports was a tall order, but with more than double the events and still consistent and enjoyable, plus the island setting being so endearing really make this more than just a casual game.
WCW/nWo Revenge (N64) —- The peak of official WCW games. By taking the previous entry and implementing such a wide array of official WCW assets, it really represents the best era of a company I don’t have that much nostalgia for, but love to see the successes of.
Pokémon Black/White 2 Version (DS) —- Taking the soft reboot of Black and White, which was a massive success already, and making the first proper sequel in the franchise. And unlike most sequels, it ends up being even better than the first.
Metroid Dread (Switch) —- Back to 2D after nearly 20 years, and it’s like they never missed a beat, even with a new developer at the helm. I’ll never forget the discourse about whether it was worth full price. That this game wasn’t worth full price. People are insane.
NFL Blitz (N64/PS1) —- The original still has a claim to being the best. If you prefer it as simple as possible, I won’t argue, because we all know what happens with arcade sports that forget to be arcade-worthy.
Shining Force II (Genesis) —- The original confirmed that there’s an entire genre of RPGs I actually like, and the sequel brought in an even better story and better characters. The ship made out of the Nazca Lines Phoenix is the type of content I’m always here for.
WWF SmackDown 2: Know Your Role (PS1) —- Though it’s maddeningly fast in direct comparison to the games on the N64, the content and the snapshot it presents of the white-hot 2000 WWF makes it possibly the best title in the SmackDown series.
Galaga (Arcade) —- Though Space Invaders and others still predate it, Galaga is the early refinement of the single screen shooter to perfection. Still one of the greatest and most enduring arcade titles ever. The “Class of 1981” double cabinet with Ms. Pac-Man was a true stroke of marketing genius by Namco, I saw that thing literally everywhere even though I grew up in an era where arcades were already dead or still dying.
God of War II (PS2) —- My least favorite of the almost-perfect original Greek saga of God of War, that’s still hardly a diss. I still appreciate a ton of choices like the added focus on boss fights and more weapon variety, and a lot of what’s introduced only continues to pay off going forward.
NHL ‘94 (Genesis) —- Not just picking this one because it’s the obvious choice; I had the majority of Genesis NHL titles available to me growing up from before and after this one. This is the best, the most balanced, the most classic presentation, the best array of features without trying too hard. It’s the best one, no question.
Super Mario 3D World (Wii U) —- 3D World dials things back from the literal galactic scope of the Wii’s Mario adventures, but I don’t think for a second this is a bad call. The blurring of lines with the New Super Mario Bros. titles works so well here for making some amazing multiplayer experiences and some wonderful level concepts that wouldn’t work as well in a less episodic adventure.
Super Smash Bros. (N64) —- Though I wouldn’t even bother playing the normal version of this game again now that Smash Remix exists, I immediately loved Super Smash Bros. and was fascinated by all the Nintendo characters and things featured in it. What a surprise I’d become an unabashed Nintendo fanboy after all.
Yu-Gi-Oh! The Eternal Duelist Soul (GBA) —- Though I’m much more interested in Magic: The Gathering nowadays, these classic Yu-Gi-Oh! portable titles were consistently good for the fact that they do something Magic wouldn’t: make a digital version of the paper game to take with them or play by themselves. The fact I was actually into Yu-Gi-Oh! back when these came out helps as well, as I can go back to this era of the card game like riding a bike.
The New Tetris (N64) —- This is the version of Tetris I’m most familiar with, and obviously Tetris is like, the perfect video game. But I love the mechanics and presentation here. Neil Voss’ world-influenced soundtrack and the T-spin and gold and silver bonuses have really grown on me over the years past the point of it just being “N64 Tetris.”
Star Wars Episode I Racer (N64) —- This is it! The best thing that ever said “Episode I” on it! Tons of tracks, crazy fast speeds, characters in places you actually wanted to know about in the movie, and I like it even better than any of the several futuristic racing titles on the N64.
Pokémon Puzzle League (N64) —- Where I learned what Tetris Attack/Panel de Pon was, and by virtue of the Pokemon presentation, still the coolest version of it for me. I’m proud to say it’s a game I’m actually somewhat good at in multiplayer.
Star Wars Battlefront II (PS2/Xbox) —- The added content from the first game makes this the superior title, even if I never cared much for the way they did the space battles. Still, more maps, more game modes, and the debut of heroes is unbeatable in one of the best Star Wars experiences in scope and replayability.
Tekken 3 (PS1) —- I actually grew up on Tekken 4 mostly, but looking at the series as a whole, the culmination of the initial ’90s era with Tekken 3 is just so perfect. One of the best fighting games ever made and still holds up.
WCW vs. nWo World Tour (N64) —- I did not have No Mercy or WrestleMania 2000 in my original catalog growing up, I had this as a hand-me-down, playing it well after its release and even after WCW closed. Regardless, the gameplay is so good, and at this point it’s come back around as a favorite with my appreciation for the half of the roster left in from the original Japanese release and the foundation of the AKI engine still being so damn good.
Uncharted 4: A Thief’s End (PS4) —- Nathan Drake with pirates? Yes, please. For real, though, this was a deserving jump to the PS4 for the franchise, and even without a full Nate-focused follow-up since, Uncharted remains one of my favorite franchises and I’m still anticipating how Naughty Dog might follow this up, if they ever do.
WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2007 (PS2) —- I’m always high on the Yuke’s engine, even while lavishing praise on my preferred AKI engine games. ’07 is my favorite even though the whole PS2 era SmackDown series is great, between this being right from the peak of my original wrestling fandom, and the presence of an even better GM Mode than the year before.
Tony Hawk’s Underground 2 (PS2/GC) —- I used to consider this the peak of the Tony Hawk series, but really it was just the endpoint of where I was really into them in the original run. It has lots of other reasons to like it, like the addition of a full classic mode as well as the story. It’s right on the cusp of being “too much,” especially because the Jackass crossover storyline really pushes it that way, but I still remember plenty of moments I love about it, including a Boston level!
The Pinball Arcade (PS4) —- The original duo of Pinball Hall of Fame titles on PS2 sparked an interest for the classic art of pinball, but Pinball Arcade has taken things to the next level with so many more tables. Even in an arms race with Pinball FX, the focus on just playing the classic tables that are harder and harder to find makes me just love what this package and the rest of the franchise can deliver.
NHL Hitz 20-02 (GC/PS2) — Not quite as good as the ‘03 version, but this one does have “Rollin” in the intro, Booger Red style.
Primal Rage (Genesis/PS1/Arcade) —- My pilgrimage to the Galloping Ghost Arcade in Chicago was spurned on by their possession of a prototype for Primal Rage 2. Hundreds and hundreds of games, and the experience was legitimately life-changing, but my long-standing appreciation for the silly dinosaur fighting game was integral to it even happening.
Life is Strange (PS4) —- I think Life is Strange was a huge part of finding my appreciation for the type of game that makes up a lot of this list. Not action-focused. Not gameplay-first. Slow paced. Emotional juggernauts. This game and its spin-off/prequel Before The Storm are about mostly ordinary people. They have incredibly high, but unfortunately realistic stakes to their stories. Fantastic abilities come to the forefront and make it a “video game” but even then it feels like they’re not necessary, because it’s primarily about character development, relationships, choices, risks, and consequences.
SpongeBob SquarePants: Battle for Bikini Bottom (GC/PS2) —- Easily the finest Spongebob adaptation, it’s easy to write off as overly simple because it’s obviously going to limit itself on difficulty and complexity. It is, however, a very cleanly and lovingly designed collect-a-thon in the vein of something like Spyro the Dragon that also hits the sweet spot for those of us that were there for the initial takeover of the Squarepants.
House of the Dead: Overkill (Wii/PS3) —- Breakneck gory grindhouse action with excess everything, packed in a light gun shooter. So good that I had to have the PS3 director’s cut version so I could get as much content out of it as I could.
Turok: Dinosaur Hunter (N64) —- My first FPS ever. With so many things to say about my experience with the game itself, what matters is that it created my entire understanding of how these games control, especially on the N64. And I have made so many people wait while I pause and change to inverted Y-axis controls before any game at all. Sorry, Turok did it.
Wayne Gretzky’s 3D Hockey (N64/Arcade) —- The logical progression from the sprite-based NHL 2-On-2 Open Ice Challenge, this 3-on-3 arcade hockey game is a blast in multiplayer and addicting in any setting with satisfying momentum and tons of scoring.
Blitz: The League II (360) —- Dark, gritty, intense football with a satirical storyline. And with the Blitz lineage, it also plays really well. I’m actually happy the NFL balked at the concept of The League, because there’s no way they’d have let it be anything like this anyway. Have you seen NFL Tour?
Bomberman Hero (N64) —- Often derided for not having multiplayer of any kind, a concept synonymous with the franchise almost since its inception, Bomberman Hero is unlike nearly anything else the series has to offer and it’s so much better for it that I’m often suspicious it was even supposed to be a Bomberman game. It gets lost in the shuffle not just for lacking its most iconic feature, but for being on a console loaded with iconic 3D platformers, and yet I’d put this up against most of them for variety, control, and pacing.
Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 4 (PS2/GC) —- My very first Tony Hawk game and the reason I automatically defer to the more open-level based installments over the original timed-run format. Mechanically, this one rode right off the back of its predecessor’s legendary refinement of the controls and ideas, so it’s as easy to pick up as ever and the mission design is really starting to take off. My only gripe is that I don’t think the actual levels are as good as they would be going forward, but I still have my favorites nonetheless.
Backyard Football 2002 (PC) —- Oh, I certainly played a lot of the Backyard series games, but I’m certain none got as much attention as the first football installment I played. Pablo Sanchez could only be rivaled by Pete Wheeler, and I refused to pick the latter for my own roster to keep the rivalry going, even though every single championship game I ever reached would inevitably feature young Forrest Gump himself outrunning my entire defense.
Streets of Rage (Genesis) — The other great beat-‘em-up from the Genesis 6-Pak. The setting isn’t as catered to my tastes, but it’s so close gameplay-wise to Golden Ace, it’s just about as good.
Super Mario Bros. 3 (NES/GBA) —- Naturally the crown jewel of most people’s NES experiences. I’m just not as big a fan of the NES as most retro-focused gamers, but that only means that the games I can point to and say “that’s the stuff” really are. Super Mario Bros. 3. They made a whole movie just to show you 30 seconds of it. I would have pissed my pants in the theater if I were in that situation.
Time Crisis 3 (Arcade/PS2) — I recently realized this is the game I think I have played in the most individual locations. The gold standard of light gun games.
Blades of Steel (NES) —- This and Ice Hockey are both classic 8-bit interpretations, but I prefer Blades myself. Maybe it’s the fighting, maybe it’s the Gradius mini-game, maybe it’s just the speed. Whatever it is, it’s a nice game of hockey.
Star Wars: Rebel Assault II (PC) —- Like Two Towers for Lord of the Rings, Rebel Assault II was my first Star Wars experience. It’s not in my top 10 alongside that game because it’s not as good a game, and because Star Wars is not as dear to me as Lord of the Rings. But while Rebel Assault II doesn’t hold up the way Two Towers does, it’s still a fun rail shooter that I definitely gravitated to because it controlled with just a mouse. Only having it on PS1 now isn’t quite as good, but it’s still nice to go
Middle-Earth: Shadow of Mordor (PS4) —- Assassin’s Creed? Not for me. Assassin’s Creed in Mordor? Sign me up. Aside from great combat, a beautiful recreation of an often pigeonholed region of Middle-Earth, and a mix of new and established lore, Shadow of Mordor also has a unique Nemesis system that keeps the world around you feel that much more alive. The relationship between Talion and the various orcs he interacts with constantly evolving the way it does is what made me feel the advancements of the eighth generation in a way graphics could no longer convey.
Twisted Metal (PS3) —- When the demo for this dropped, I felt like I played it every day. The same level over and over, and I just got more excited because the gameplay felt so good, the rest of the content just needed to follow suit. It’s sad that the format of the campaign and the struggles of the online play held it back, but I can still go and pop TM 2012 back in for any instant action and remember what had me so excited for a reboot of one of my favorite series.
Wolfenstein: The New Order (PS4) —- Killin’ Nazis. On the moon. An absolute tropefest that also shows masterful world-building and boasts beautiful cinematic tendencies. Creating great antagonists like Frau Engel and Deathshead and making a lovable hero out of the aw-shucks Southern drawl mass of beef that is B.J. Blazkowicz is a great achievement already. To think its DNA dates back to the foundations of the FPS genre is the type of evolution I can really appreciate.
BattleTanx (N64) —- It’s inevitable I would come to love Sabaton, because I love Tanx. Fast and arcade-y (though the sequel goes even further on the speed), with a corny but cool post-apocalyptic storyline, it’s almost too simple for most folks’ perception of a tank game. Really, it’s almost like a car combat title and oh look another reason I would have to love this game.
Professor Layton vs Phoenix Wright (3DS) —- As difficult as it is to choose amongst the games of each series, the whole of this crossover is even greater than the sum of its parts, with either half’s mechanics feeling at their best among its neutral-site setting.
Blast Corps (N64) —- One of the most original concepts I’ve seen for a game; part driving, part puzzle, part action game. It could only have come from Rare, and it doesn’t get the attention it deserves like the rest of their N64 releases.
Astro Bot: Rescue Mission (PSVR) —- One of the few corridor style platformers I’ve seen, and definitely my favorite VR title I’ve played. I can’t believe it was only $30 at launch, if I remember correctly. On par with titles like Super Mario 3D World with a similar presentation, I’m so happy to see Sony leaning into this character as a proper mascot. I really do need more of these little guys.
Alan Wake (360) —- I wish I had replayed this leading into Alan Wake II, because I’ll be damned if I remember much in terms of details. But I definitely remember a horror adventure clearly inspired by Stephen King that cemented Remedy in my mind as some of the industry’s top storytellers.
Call of Duty: Black Ops II (PS3/Wii U) —- Hours and hours of online in this entry. When I was considering what Call of Duty titles were actually worthy of my favorites and how much, I found myself going over how many of the multiplayer maps I could remember. Black Ops II might be my most vividly remembered group of maps, due in no small part to classics like Nuketown, Hijacked, Slums, and Raid.
WarioWare: Smooth Moves (Wii) —- WarioWare actually feels at its best the more gimmicky it gets, because the absurdity of function has to marry absurdity of form. Naturally, that makes Smooth Moves one of the best entries because even now it’s hard not to do all these silly motions with gusto, because it makes sure that they work first.
Star Wars Battlefront (PS2/Xbox) —- Though not as diverse as BFII, I often romanticize the original Battlefront for its simplicity. Far fewer bells and whistles than the sequel, but it plays damn well and even boasts a few maps that didn’t return in the second game.
Devil May Cry (PS2/360) —- Something great made from the remnants of one of the first attempts to make RE4. “I should have been the one to fill your dark soul with LIIIIIIIIIGGGGHHHHTTTT!!!!!”
Peggle (Mobile/DS/PC) —- Pinball and pachinko in a bright and rewarding physics-based (that’s what that means, right?) puzzle game. Controls great with a touch screen or a mouse and knows just how to make you feel good: blasting Ode to Joy as your ball hits the last peg in slow-motion.
Rollercoaster Tycoon (PC) —- “I WANT TO GET OFF MR. BONES’ WILD RIDE.” Was I ever good at it? Maybe not. But god was seeing your creations in action satisfying.
Professor Layton and the Miracle Mask (3DS) —- A wonderful tale of friendship that really moved me, coupled with the consistently good puzzle design and charming presentation of Professor Layton. The puzzles and presentation are never below standard in any Layton game, so it always comes down to story and Miracle Mask made me cry for its sweet and heartfelt ending.
NHL 14 (PS3/360) —- It can sometimes feel arbitrary to choose one yearly sports title over another, but NHL 14 is pretty widely considered the last great entry in the franchise, which enjoyed an excellent run starting with NHL 10 or so. I was glad to pick up NHL 14 at launch and I played the hell out of it that season, enjoying just about every mode on offer for an extended period, and it even brought a ’94 Anniversary Mode to the table.
WarioWare: Touched! (DS) —- A new control gimmick calls for a WarioWare crash course, and I think nothing needed it like the touch screen on the DS. I definitely think it helped me understand how the DS setup worked, and the variety of control methods makes for a ton of great microgame concepts highlighted by the fun characters in the crew.
Golf Story (Switch) —- A quirky RPG adventure where the main gameplay elements are replaced by playing golf? Sounds perfect for me, and it was. Amazing chapters like the old fogies’ course that basically resets your club options to a vintage set with limited options and silly names, or the graveyard course with the exploding pumpkins, plus tons of side games and challenges like an entire NES-style golf game with cartridges you collect across the world to unlock new courses.
Rayman Origins (Wii) —- The first of the modern Rayman duology. Made redundant by many of its levels being repackaged in Legends, but I love the way the diverse soundtrack made an early claim to my favorite non-Nintendo score with the Lums and their nonsense choruses.
Mario Golf: World Tour (3DS) —- A seriously underrated entry in the Mario Golf franchise. Some of the most fully realized course concepts loaded with Mario flavor that really sets this iteration apart from other arcade golf titles.
Undertale (PS4) —- Everybody’s favorite RPG where nobody has to die. I wasn’t sure it was going to be the game for me, but the way every battle felt so closely crafted and everything was so well-written, it’s clear that Undertale probably has something for everyone, if it can get somebody like me so firmly on board.
The Conduit (Wii) —- When I only had a Wii, I needed an FPS to play online, and before I got Modern Warfare (Reflex Edition), I had the “Halo killer” of The Conduit. And I really liked it. Solid campaign and fun online, at least when people weren’t hacking the game to rapid fire rockets and ruin every match. That happened a lot.
Rocket League (PS4/Switch) —- Even if I never got to that next level where I can basically fly all over the pitch and move however I want, I was still addicted to Rocket League for a good while.
The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild (Switch) —- I acknowledge that I maybe wouldn’t have played Breath of the Wild as much if it weren’t the Switch’s only real worthwhile launch title, but even though it’s far from my personal favorite Zelda, it’s a testament to its quality that even while being so unlike the rest of the series, I’m still in agreement that it deserved every perfect score it got.
Mortal Kombat 11 (Switch/PS5) —- Being so completely obsessed with the lore of the series, it was all I could ask for to have the gameplay actually get to the point of being, y’know, actually good, like all the other fighting games people like. The reboot trilogy that culminates with MK11 did that, and even made the story something worth investing in on an emotional level. 11 also gets the extra nod because I loved the DLC that included the 1995 film versions of characters.
Wii Sports (Wii) —- I played this in the lobby of Showcase Cinemas in Lowell in 2006 while my family and I were on our way into a movie I can’t remember. My sister and I both had to have one. I repeat. Both. My sister’s affiliation with video games was fleeting at the best of times, and I don’t think she’s played one in 10 years at this point. The Wii was nothing short of brilliant, I don’t care what people say now.
Professor Layton and the Unwound Future (DS) —- The use of a time travel setting/story worked really well for this entry, in a game I think most will agree is the best of at least the DS quadrilogy.
Pokémon Omega Ruby/Alpha Sappire Version (3DS) —- I didn’t click with X and Y right away, but revisiting Hoenn with the new 3D presentation definitely helped me adjust to the 3DS era. These games also inadvertently got me to take games journalism really seriously, because anyone who remembers “too much water” can probably understand where I would get the idea that I might be able to handle it myself.
Shining Force (Genesis) —- I may have played both of these original Shining Force titles on collections with modern amenities like save states, but the fact I finished not one but both of them was a huge moment for me. Playing some of the favorite titles of my partner who only plays a handful of games themselves was really important to me, even if I hadn’t ended up liking them so much.
Super Mario Sunshine (GC) —- Definitely a black sheep of the 3D titles for me as I was more confused by the mechanics as a kid than anything. I got my real full playthrough eventually through the 3D All-Stars collection and I’m glad to say it was user error at the time.
WWE Crush Hour (PS2/GC) —- Sometimes you just have to think that a game is made specifically for you. WWE combined with Twisted Metal. It’s not perfect. It’s janky, it’s got laughably bad voiceover and sound design, the game modes can be way too confusing and inconsistent. But it’s not a bad game. Which means I love it.
The Quarry (PS5) — A worthy follow-up to Until Dawn, the presence of David Arquette and Skyler Gisondo, among others, really keeps the whole production running at a high level. Even though their Dark Pictures titles are mostly solid, it’s good to know that Supermassive can be relied upon when it comes to their bigger projects like this one.
Super Mario Land 2: 6 Golden Coins (GB) —- Bear with me, here, but 6 Golden Coins is to SMB3 as Super Mario Land is to Super Mario Bros. Whereas hardware was originally a limiting factor, there is no longer any struggle to get magic, almost to the point you wouldn’t believe they’re on the same system.
The Suffering (PS2/Xbox) —- I always refer to it as “what Doom 3 should have been,” as do other folks I’ve heard discuss this game. Peak early 2000s edgelord horror presentation, but the gameplay is so right. Explore and escape a creepy prison overrun by demons as a death row inmate. Say less, please.
Wolfenstein II: The New Colossus (PS4) —- The continuing adventures of Terror-Billy, by 1961 our alternate timeline has us on American soil, fighting in iconic locations like New York City and Roswell, while also getting a lot of emotional development and backstory for our hero, which always surprises me even if it’s a firmly established element of the franchise by this point.
Rugrats: Search for Reptar (PS1) —- I think a lot of people actually played and really enjoyed this game, and not just for the mini golf. Just a shocking amount of care put into recreating a ton of different episodes of the show in various gameplay methods that actually works. Or mostly works. Tank controls on toddlers was either a dumb choice or an unbelievably profound one, and I’m actually leaning toward the latter at this point.
NHL 99 (N64) —- There’s only one EA NHL title on the N64, and you better believe I played the hell out of it as a kid. A limited but distinct set of soundbites are still imprinted on my brain.
Devil’s Crush (TG16/Genesis) —- Satanic DnD fucking heavy metal pinball. Naxat just gets me, between all three Crush games, there’s no skimping on inspired design, but only Devil’s Crush (or Dragon’s Fury, if you wanna get Sega Genesis about this) could be my top pick.
Sonic Mania (Switch) —- All the wasted years, we finally got a great Sonic game on an actual console. All Sega had to do was go to the fans. Actually, never mind, I kinda understand why they didn’t wanna do that.
Golden Tee Classic (Arcade) —- You gotta have the trackball. You just gotta. I literally wanted a full size Golden Tee machine when I was a teenager. Arcade1Up, love them or hate them, made it possible for me as an adult.
The Darkness (PS3) —- If Type O Negative were a video game. Though it’s actually The Duskfall you’ll find on the TVs in the game. I would love this game if it were just a shooter with supernatural elements, but once it takes a detour into legitimate mind palace psychological horror only to pop you back out the other side, it had a special place in my heart.
Mortal Kombat: Deception (PS2) — When I was 10 I got absolutely obsessed with Mortal Kombat. Deception was the entry out at the time and I think it still holds up as the best from an era that looking back, wasn’t actually that great for the franchise for a lot of reasons. But it’s when it got me on board, goddammit. It had blood in it.
Rayman 2: The Great Escape (N64/DC) —- Another from the highest tier of 3D platformers of the late ’90s. There’s a reason this game has been released on about 100 different platforms by this point. Running, punching, kicking, jumping, all just executed really smoothly, even with a character with far less lineage than Mario or Sonic.
The Simpsons: Hit and Run (PS2/GC) —- Well, I wasn’t allowed to play GTA, and I had also just gotten really into The Simpsons. Radical Entertainment clearly made this game with so much love for the license. You’d think The Simpsons would have a better video game lineage over the years. But no. It’s mostly bad. Real bad.
Super Paper Mario (Wii) —- The paradoxical game. It’s nothing like its universally beloved predecessors, and yet, while not quite as good, it’s still a great game. That. Just doesn’t happen. It might even have the best story out of any entry in the series, but no turn-based battles? What are you, Super Paper Mario?
WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2006 (PS2) —- The SmackDown entry that debuted General Manager mode! An absolute minefield of rules were laid down by the company, even in those days, I’m sure, so pulling it off was no easy feat. I want to say it’s the first real booking simulator of its kind, so while there was still lots of room for improvement, it was a big deal.
Tomb Raider (PS4) —- It took the franchise coming full circle, getting a second reboot and copying the very series it had inspired for me to actually enjoy it. Yes, it is kind of just Uncharted with a different character, but the way it uses Lara is really effective and the gameplay is a good copycat, at least, while also incorporating exploration and survival.
Shovel Knight (Wii U) —- The indie retro revival scene is no longer a quirky fad, it’s just an established part of the industry, because there’s just as much to enjoy from re-contextualizing the old as there is exploring the new. Shovel Knight is one of the reasons we learned that.
Unreal Tournament III (PS3/360) —- My slightly preferred entry among the overall excellent run Unreal had even on consoles. The arena style that overshadows any silly story elements pays off because it’s so replayable. The amount of polish in this version also set a strong early precedent for the generation it was on, even before I was playing it firsthand.
Power Stone 2 (PSP/DC) —- Somebody needs to tell me why there aren’t more small arena 3D fighting games. I shouldn’t have to come off the high of two life-altering entries in yet another excellent Capcom fighting series, and the next best thing after that ends up being Tom and Jerry in Fists of Furry.
Super Monkey Ball (GC) —- Twitch platforming without even being able to jump, what will they think of next? Oh god, and there are mini-games. Baseball, golf, bowling, an absolutely maddening target practice game. There’s lots to do here, all somehow both maddening and wonderful.
Unreal Championship 2: The Liandri Conflict (Xbox) —- The game that taught me that bots-only multiplayer was fine. I just want to experience the gameplay, I don’t need to deal with other people in any capacity. This one is also a console exclusive and adds in a lot of focus on melee attacks which has stood out to me as being really unique in the series.
NHL 2-On-2 Open Ice Challenge (Arcade/PS1) — NBA Jam but hockey! It was practically made for me! We even had a mini golf place nearby where this was one of their handful of arcade machines.
Ghostbusters: The Video Game (PS3/360/Switch) —- The true third Ghostbusters, which used to feel like a bigger deal when there weren’t a bunch of new films that seem to be getting decent feedback. The fact that we got the entire cast back to make this and that it was an actual great shooter on top of it has always made me really happy.
Strikers 1945 (Arcade) —- Couldn’t justify “every Psikyo shooter” because I haven’t played enough of them more than a few times. But not only is the original Strikers a true classic, I think it pretty much always got my last quarter or token at the movie theater, because it was one of the only games that only needed one coin.
The Oregon Trail (PC/Mac/Apple II) — The version I remember best was on my fifth-grade classroom’s Apple II, but the concepts are classic in any version. And without it, we wouldn’t have The Trail to Oregon!
Super Mario Bros. 2 (NES/GBA) —- When I grew up playing this as “Super Mario Advance,” I legitimately thought it was a new game with new mechanics. Still worthy of its place in the classic Mario pantheon at this point, no matter how “not really a Mario game” you might think it is.
MLB Slugfest 20-03 (PS2/GC) — Playing this on PS2 when I was maybe seven and trying to psyche each other out by shouting “slider” on a 120 mph fastball or “change up” for a nasty curve. Also hitting no-question bombs with a horse-ified Roger Clemens. Yes, I said Clemens.
WWF WrestleMania: The Arcade Game (Genesis/Arcade/PS1) —- I used to wonder why people liked this game so much, but never talked up the direct sequel, In Your House, with all its extra gimmicks and craziness. Then I played In Your House. It’s not always about going 110% on everything. WrestleMania Arcade is cartoony and crazy, but it still plays well and doesn’t tire itself out.
Katamari Damacy (PS2) — One of my first memories of a “what the hell is happening” game, and I remember it as far back as seeing folks review it on G4 and such. But to actually play it and understand how well-realized the concept is on top of the wackiness is what makes it such a classic.
Darkwatch (PS2) —- Gothic horror and steampunk western FPS from the underrated High Moon Studios. Even when it takes a left turn into vehicles and other types of gameplay, it still plays great and maintains its distinct character.
Call of Cthulhu (PS4) —- I’ve heard a lot of folks say this is too linear and safe for its subject matter, but I thought it moved along really nicely and made for a great adventure.
Tiger Woods PGA Tour 11 (Wii) —- Playing this and the 2010 iteration over the years on Wii with Motion Plus is like everything people ever wanted from golf games when they were making silly gimmicks and peripherals for decades before. It worked great and packed in all the presentation the series had been building up in the years leading up.
The Sexy Brutale (PS4) —- A time-traveling adventure that takes place entirely within a night club/hotel/casino filled with characters both quirky and tragic. The music is especially brilliant with a unique cabaret/lounge singing focus, and I’m very glad the PS4 release included a soundtrack CD because I can’t get it on Spotify. I also have come to really enjoy Tequila Works as a developer between this game and RiME.
Mischief Makers (N64) —- Somehow not a game I discovered after unearthing the N64 library meticulously piece by piece, but one I played at a friend’s house in the first grade. It’s always been on my radar, but my more mature appreciation for Treasure’s catalog of games made this an interesting one to come back around to.
Mario Power Tennis (GC) —- Camelot’s GameCube efforts with Mario sports were both some of their finest work for how they balanced the core gameplay for golf and tennis with the Mario gimmicks. Golf is too consistently good for them all to make the cut, but Power Tennis comes away being the top entry in the series.
Faith: The Unholy Trinity (Switch) — Innovation by way of intense limitation. Though not truly restricted to the original hardware’s capabilities, AirDorf manages to create heart-pounding tension, enrapturing storytelling, and intuitive yet varied and challenging gameplay with the look, sound, and feel of an ‘80s 8-bit computer. (Added 11/8/24)
Tetris Effect (PS4/PSVR) —- Not Tetris in the sense you could play endlessly, but a beautiful sensory experience that uses Tetris as window dressing. A must-play VR trip.
Super Baseball 2020 (Genesis/Neo Geo/Arcade) —- Baseball Stars with robots! SNK’s great knack for pick-up-and-play sports action, combined with a fun futuristic gimmick.
Maximo: Ghosts to Glory (PS2) —- The best way to play this game is to have no context for how hard it is or why it was made that way (it’s 3D Ghosts ‘n’ Goblins, right down to the heart boxer shorts), because you’ll just be a little kid playing a tough game, not realizing it’s being made to make you never want to play video games again.
SSX Tricky (GC/PS2) —- Even when the third entry refined the gameplay to a razor-sharp point, Tricky (aka SSX 2) has remained the most iconic for its presentation and attitude. Putting Run DMC’s “It’s Tricky” in the opening cinematic embodies that.
Dante’s Inferno (PS3) —- Visceral Games goes full God of War ripoff while butchering a classic piece of literature, and it’s just awesome. Almost flippant in its disregard for the things its taking directly from, it’s that much better for it. There’s absolutely no restraint in visual design, combat intensity, or just taking any concept from any of its sources with any less than 100% gumption. And I wouldn’t have something adapt The Inferno, however loosely, without being ready to go absolutely nuts on it.
RBI Baseball 4 (Genesis) —- My main experience with this classic series comes from this Tengen era release on the Genesis, which uses some simple but distinctive animations and sprites. As simple as the gameplay is, there’s a ton of content for its era, with classic teams, a situation mode, and some really deep rosters. There’s a lot of little bits of flair in the presentation that bring a smile to my face and I think it’s a great arcade-style option in contrast to some of the Genesis’ highlights in the more simulation-heavy style.
New Super Luigi U (Wii U) —- I’m rarely all that excited when it comes to the New Super Mario Bros. series, but the challenge-heavy approach to Super Luigi felt different enough, plus the Year of Luigi as a whole felt really fun and it was great to see him get that fun, special treatment.
Ratchet and Clank (PS2) —- I’m so behind on this series and probably always will be, but I have the entire PS2 main trilogy under my belt, and the one that made the most impact on me was the original. Platforming and shooting gameplay is great fun, but the tremendous sense of humor is what really makes it special.
Baseball Stars 2 (Neo-Geo/Arcade) —- Endlessly charming and simple retro baseball. Great animation, fast pace, really satisfying to strike somebody out or get a good smack of the bat on the ball.
Mario Strikers Charged (Wii) —- The first online enabled Wii game, I was right there to jump in and take advantage. Although a lot of my memories hopping into matches involve some pretty cheap tactics, the effort Next Level puts in for attitude and gameplay shines through in any mode, and I could immediately tell why people were clamoring for more after the GameCube debut.
Disney’s Hercules (PS1) — Another of my earliest gaming memories, I loved the film and liked it more with the animation and sound design preserved in the game. It even has a mix of gameplay modes flirting with corridor and horizontal shooters and a few different boss encounters that provide a really cool and unique mix in spite of how short it is.
Quake II (N64) —- Quake II is a fantastic example of the classic FPS style in any format, but my primary experience with it is the reworked N64 port, which is still a fine iteration of the game that avoids being a “downgrade” in an era where any PC port is expected to make a lot of concessions. The fact that it still plays with some of the tightest controls and sweetest gunplay on the system while stages were meticulously reworked instead of just hacked up to fit is hugely appreciated.
Chocobo Racing (PS1) —- The only Final Fantasy game I played as a young lad. I swear it was given to me for Easter because it had something on it that looked like a baby chick.
Shadow Man (N64) —- The game that embodies my appreciation for taking big swings, even if your game isn’t perfect. Bolstered by plenty of comic book lore, Shadow Man has voodoo, serial killers, the underworld, Zelda-like dungeons, and more. It also has janky platforming and way too much backtracking, but it was never enough to deter me from wanting to see more.
The Simpsons: Road Rage (PS2) —- Crazy Taxi with The Simpsons, and I played it right when I was getting into The Simpsons. Too perfect, even if it’s cool to hate on how blatant a ripoff it is.
Maneater (PS4) —- A phony nature documentary about a great white shark, narrated by Chris Parnell. If it were simply playable, it would be a thumbs up from me, but it’s actually solid from a gameplay perspective and makes sure not to overstay its welcome.
Beetle Adventure Racing (N64) —- A nice Sunday drive through some meticulously designed tracks. It probably isn’t exciting enough for a lot of big racing fans, but I really like the way it lets the N64 shine through with something so different in the genre.
Shock Troopers (Neo Geo/Arcade) —- A late ’90s Neo Geo title, this is a top-down Commando style run and gun title with a huge cast of characters and awesome weapons. Nicely polished and a great complement to Metal Slug.
Tiger Woods PGA Tour 2004 (PS2/GC) —- It’s an EA Sports golf title from their hottest era, and the intro video is set to “Party Up” by DMX. Ya’ll gon’ make me lose my mind. Up in here. Up in here.
PGA Tour Golf II (Genesis) —- I have confirmed that this was basically the first video game I ever played, and considering it’s also very good and I love golf games, it deserves to be kept on its pedestal.
Monster Party (NES) —- “Sorry, I’m dead.” A classic NES side-scroller with subversive aspirations.
Pokémon Picross (3DS) —- Nintendo made me realize that picross is great, and when all the puzzles are Pokemon, it’s even better.
Layers of Fear (Switch) —- You will open 700 doors in Layers of Fear. Only one has a jump scare behind it. A finely crafted horror walking simulator that’s not about just making you scream when things pop out.