The lights are on
Let me just start this by saying the games on my personal list below do not reflect games I think should’ve been in our Top 200 (with the exception of a few). However, these are games I have fond memories of that are certainly some of my favorites. For this list, I’m excluding my favorite games that are already in the Top 200. I’m only selecting a fraction of the gaming gems of my past from different genres that didn’t make the cut. If you’d like to gush over some of these games or simply want to bash me for my tastes, head on over to the comments section.
Banjo-Kazooie (N64, 1998)Before Ratchet and Clank, or Jak and Daxter were bear and bird duo Banjo and Kazooie. Just when I thought my N64 couldn’t get any better after Super Mario 64, I played Banjo-Kazooie and was amazed at the graphics and amount of detail that went into the game’s 3D worlds. Plus, the duo’s multitude of transformations (turn into a washing machine!) were implemented well into gameplay and totally kicked ass. As soon as I got that game a marathon ensued until I collected every jiggy and musical note in the game. I can say I got jiggy with Banjo-Kazooie, but I’ll spare you the bad joke.
Final Fantasy VIII (PS, 1999)Final Fantasy VIII followed a group of teen mercs that were some of the most believable characters I had come across in any game at the time, even amid the whole international crisis via sorceress thing. I was totally smitten with Squall, Zell, Selphie and the gang, and kept playing through to watch the love story between Squall and Rinoa unfold. The graphics were impressive for its time and character models were (finally) accurately proportioned. The love-it-or-hate-it junction and draw battle system was introduced, which I spent a whole lot of time experimenting with and surprisingly enjoyed it. Choosing your favorite FF title is like asking a parent to choose their favorite child, and though FF VIII may be the angsty teen of the franchise, this installment is certainly one of my favorites.
Frequency (PS2, 2001)I had no idea what to expect when I first bought Frequency, but I was pleasantly surprised. A seed of music game juggernaut Harmonix, this game helped solidify my fandom of the rhythm/music genre. No fancy pants peripherals were needed to play and that didn’t make Frequency any less fun. Each element of a song (guitar, drums, synthesizers, etc.) had its own track. You had to toggle between these tracks to nail all the notes as they appeared. As someone who naturally picks apart songs by element on a day-to-day basis, this was an awesome visual and interactive representation of that. This game made me a one-woman band and I loved it. The soundtrack was impressive with a set list of popular clubhead-esque licensed music. Even though it’s been years since the game’s release, Frequency still lives on in games like Rockband and DJ Hero for its addictive style of gameplay and musical selection, two games I love today.
Jet Grind Radio (Dreamcast, 2000)If any of you saw my previous hero image on my Game Informer page you would’ve noticed it was Gum from Jet Grind Radio. As a huge fan of graffiti art, I couldn’t be happier that there was a game that armed you with a spray can to leave your mark on the game’s sprawling environments while protecting your turf from rival taggers. I spent hours creating my own art and was thrilled that I could spray my creation on a wall in a level. The constant rollerblading movement was swift and smooth as I traversed every corner, alley and rooftop of the city. The eclectic soundtrack was full of licensed mainstream and underground music that complemented the visuals perfectly. Jet Grind Radio most notably was the first to pull off fully realized 3D cel-shading in a game. When I first saw the graphics and the fluidity of the game in motion it blew my mind. Hats off to developer Smilebit for putting out such an innovative title, now can we please get a next-gen Jet Grind Radio? Please?
NBA Street (PS2, 2001)I wish I would’ve had the option of playing NBA Street online when it first released because I would’ve owned anyone who challenged me to a game. I was a beast at NBA Street, and though arcade-y, it is still one of my favorite basketball titles today. Basketball is my favorite sport and I certainly played a lot of ball at local parks in my heyday, so this no-holds-barred, over-the-top sports title was right up my alley. I faked, dunked, and alley-oop-ed my way through each game. I racked up trick points and always saved my Gamebreaker move until the very end to rub defeat in the other team’s face...in style. Then I would look over at my defeated opponent on the couch, who was stunned that a girl whooped his ass at a sports title. Didn’t get much better than that. I've been in retirement for quite a few years, but I think it's about time I got back in the game.
Space Channel 5 (Dreamcast, 2000) “Up-down-up-down-shoot-shoot-shoot!” Along with Sonic Adventure (another game that wasn’t too shabby) I picked up Space Channel 5 the day I bought my Dreamcast (I eventually sold my DC and regret it to this very day). As soon as I saw that holographic box on the store shelf I knew there was some fun to be had. Bubbly television reporter Ulala led this hyper-stylized rhythm game that had me grooving from start to finish. The game got mediocre reviews, but it somehow sucked me in from beginning to end. The soundtrack was a lot of fun, the aliens were cute, and you have to give Ulala credit for her ability to host “Ulala’s Swingin’ Report Show” while walking around in loud, orange platform boots. Grooooovyyyyy.
Super Mario All-Stars (SNES, 1993)Super Mario All-Stars features remakes of Super Mario Bros. 1, 2 and 3, plus The Lost Levels on a single cartridge. ‘Nuff said.
Update: Now that I've read over this post, a ton of other titles come to mind, but I'll leave the rest up to you. What titles did you play the hell out of whether or not the games were actually any good?
Shenmue!
I agree with most of your list. The only problem I have with it is that Lebron James wasn't playing for the Cavs, or any NBA team for that matter, when the original NBA Street released in 2001. He was drafted in 2003. A fake, create-a-character version does not give proper honor to the King.
You and my brother are a lot alike. You both think FFVIII is the best.
Sonic Adventure 2 Battle on Gamecube. Even though I knew people thought Sonic sucked, that still didn't stop me from owning everyone in the City Escape race as Shadow. I remain undefeated to this day.
I actually own All-Stars. Yes, it is awesome.
The Last Express comes to mind as a hidden gem from the good ol' days. I must have beaten Full Throttle at least a half-dozen times. Rebel Assault, Wing Commander 3, Indiana Jones and the Fate of Atlantis, The Dig, Command & Conquer: Red Alert, Super Bomberman, Unreal, Quake, Gabriel Knight series, Phantasmogoria series, Astyanax, and The Goonies II are all games I played a LOT of that probably wouldn't hold up well today (a few exceptions if the adventure genre truly isn't dead).
Why do people give game compilations lower grades than the original game? you get more for the price of 1!
You're certainly welcome to like FF8. It was not a bad game, as far as that goes. And IX, which gets a fair share of hate, is one of my favorites. But allow me to offer an alternative on why VIII does not belong on a list of the best games of all time.
If by "beleivable" you mean "most of the cast of FF8 were either insufferably whiny or insanely obnoxious" I agree. It is far more likely for people to be that way than for them to be, say, interesting. And if I wanted realism I'd play something without the word "fantasy" in the title.
Realistic I can take, to a point. But if realistic also means dull, no thanks. And the cast of FF8 was as dull as they come. Let's see. We've got the brooding hero who dresses in all black. Check. The older kid hiding self-confidence issues. Check. The overly-enthusiastic guy who just wants to prove himself, the the perky girl, the cocky sharpshooter, check, check, check.
FF8's cast was beleivable only in the sense that they looked more like humans than most FF characters. I realize Final Fantasy characters subscribe to some traditional archetypes, but the strength of the series lies in the ability to expand on that. FF8 did not expand on that. It gave everybody one basic character trait, then moved on to build gameplay vastly superior to the story.
The overall tale put me to sleep as much as the characters. The love story that fans so praised felt incredibly one-sided. In real life, such an angsty, cold fish jerk as Squall could not attract someone with as many appealing qualities as Rinoa without somehow upsetting the balance of the universe. The villain was practically nonexistent, removing any trace of danger I may have felt from her. And the world felt like it had no history, as though it was created just so these characters could have an adventure in it.
I'm not opposed to what FF8 tried to do, in theory. But two other FFs, that did make the list, did it so much better. FFX put together a beleivable, emotional complex cast of characters without making them boring. And FFXII inserted a political-motivated story into a beleivable world.
I don't want to proclaim one FF better than all others, because trying to declare objective truth is a ridiculous practice that doesn't allow for opinions. But coming from the POV of a writer and reader, I truly think the only FF games that might have a less interesting story than VIII are the ones where nameless heroes go save crystals.
You can kiss my A** w/FF 8! Xenogears is still by far Superior to FF8!! And I'm saddened by the fact that Jet Grind Radio didn't make it into the countdown. I mean where would the skating genre be if the early Tony Hawk platforms didn't have fierce competition? H8 to say it but TH was almost done for if wasn't the name that carried those first PS2 launches.
The original GBA Fire Emblem. The item management system sucked, and it was really hard even on easy, but I still put 40-50 hours into it. The newer ones are better, especially regarding making your lords characters that won't get their a** kicked, but I've put way less time into them.
I would agree that Final Fantasy VIII was a great game. The cinematics in that game for the time were pretty cool. But the camera was a bit distracting at times. The one Final Fantasy that gets overlooked a lot is Final Fantasy X-2. I played the hell out of that game and enjoyed it almost as much as Final Fantasy X.
I completely agree with Brian. I played the HELL out of Shenmue. I also played the hell out of Morrowind and Scarface for the PC, although I can understand why the latter didn't make the list.
SSX 3. I think of this game even today when I go up skiing, and I have a special playlist on my iPod full of the soundtrack from the game. I love the wide-open areas in the game, I love the tight trick controls, and I love how everything just flows so effortlessly. I let my imagination go and I can imagine what Big Mountain is like the rest of the year; EA Canada made a living, breathing world that (for me) is right up there with Liberty City and other huge open-world games. SSX 3 is a holiday tradition right up there with eggnog and It's A Wonderful Life.
Pokemon Red and Blue. Oh gosh. I think I probably logged in 250 hours into that game between all of my various saves between the ages of 11 and 15. Then I bought Fire Red on the GBA and put 150 MORE hours into it. I was a Pokemaniac back in the day, learning all of the types, moves, strategies, and Pokemon in the world that I could. Outside of weight and height, I was a walking talking Pokedex. I try to get into Diamond and Pearl as best I can, but for all of its flaws I think that Red and Blue captured the essence of what makes the series crack with two AA's.
Many of the games I'd put in my top 200 are either obscure or universally despised. I'm awesome.
Did anyone mention Tomba! for the top 200 list? Definitely a sleeper.
Banjo-Kazooie were sorta strange.....but still likeable characters. Haven't played the 360 game yet, Maybe someday.
Banjo-Kazzoi had one of the weirdest music score's. But it was a blast. :)
weird Lunar, or freaking sweet?
Both. And I'll add funny too. Lol
I don't know why I play it and if I had to review it I would give it below average scores but I really enjoyed Shellshock: Nam 67 on the Xbox. It's a terrible game in terms of story, characters and AI but I can't put it down when I get into it!
Bravo. I'm totally with you as far as Jet Grind Radio and FFVIII are concerned. JGR was and still is an overlooked gem that is well worth playing.