Top 25 Games of All Time (Honorable Mention)
Each Wednesday I'll be counting down my favorite 25 titles from throughout the 30 years I've been playing video games. The rankings are more personal than objective - it's not just how well-made, fun, or groundbreaking they were at the time, but also how much nostalgia they inspire for me personally.
Just missing the cut
This week's list features games that were each among my favorites, but they didn't quite make it into the top 25. In no particular order...
Football (Atari 2600)
Its blocky players and total lack of details look impossibly primitive by today's standards, but at the time the idea of playing football on a TV screen almost felt like science fiction.
Double Dragon (Arcade)
This side-scrolling beat'em-up with the trappings of classic 1980s action films is the first that really captured the appeal of working together with a buddy.
Gauntlet (Arcade)
Released at the height of the popularity of the tabletop Dungeons & Dragons game, it allowed four players to work together through the fantasy world, each choosing a different Lord of the Rings-type character. All of that was revolutionary at the time.
Tron Deadly Discs (Intellivision)
The movie was still fresh in kids' minds when this immersive action adventure game came along. The more popular Tron games paled in comparison.
Super Mario Brothers (NES)
I didn't own an NES and didn't like platforming games, and despite that I couldn't help being drawn into the addictive gameplay, sound, and design of this classic when visiting friends who had it.
Punch Out! (Arcade)
The original arcade boxing game was colorful, well-designed, and addictive, and ate a ton of my quarters.
Dr. J vs. Larry Bird: One on One (Commodore 64)
As one of Electronic Arts' first sports games, it was simplistic but already showed flashes of the direction the company was going: allowing you and a friend to compete against each other while playing as the greatest players of the time. Also? You could break the backboard!
Bop'N Wrestle (Commodore 64)
In the glory days of Hulk Hogan and Andre the Giant, this was the best wrestling game around. No real wrestlers appeared in the game, but it had more than enough personality to create its own identity and inspire the imaginations of young wrestling fans.
Streets of Rage (Genesis)
The Double Dragon formula was honed to console perfection in this series of cooperative beat'em ups on the Genesis. Bring on the Mountain Dew and Cheetos.
NHL 94 (Genesis)
The classic 2D hockey gameplay reached its zenith with this detailed, satisfying installment which was among the first to feature details like shattering glass and player fights.
Madden Football 92 (Genesis)
At a time when sports gaming was still in its infancy, this massive football series really started to flex its muscle. The 1992 game had tight gameplay, accurate player performance, a wealth of features, and details like ambulances driving out on the field to pick up injured players.
Way of the Warrior (3D0)
A Mortal Kombat clone, but with much more style. It featured better graphics, more over-the-top moves, and a massive amount of camp. A digitized version of one developer's ex-girlfriend was in the game, and her finishing move was to blow a kiss that made your head explode. It was also one of the first games to feature licensed music, allowing you to play along to perhaps White Zombie's best CD.
Shenmue (Dreamcast)
Maybe it was a bit too ambitious for its time, but it's impossible to deny the influence this had on the gaming world with its real-time weather, free-form exploration, and blending of fighting and puzzle elements.
Jet Set Radio Future (Xbox)
The first cel-shaded game was this heavily stylized action adventure series, and the Xbox sequel to the Dreamcast original was more accessible, gorgeous, and allowed you to listen to a terrific licensed soundtrack as you skated around spray-painting graffiti in a near-future Tokyo.
Halo (Xbox)
I'm not a shooter fan, but this sci-fi epic was so well-designed and immersive that it pulled me in regardless. The spectacular story mode could be played with a friend, and it featured one of the most robust console multiplayer experiences ever. It was a video game party in a box.
Jade Empire (Xbox)
It was a beautiful role-playing romp through a world inspired by Chinese mythology, interspersed with real-time, magic-infused kung fu. As fun as the game was to play, the story was even better - if unrelentingly depressing.
All Star Baseball 2003 (Xbox)
The real highlight here is the list of unlockable special features, which include - among other things - an absolutely enthralling video interview with Negro league star Buck O'Neil, who died shortly afterward. The game is worth owning just for that interview.
Deathrow (Xbox)
I've played a lot of futuristic sports games, and this is the best of the bunch. It allowed a team of four human players to work their way up in the rankings through brutal matches in which you try to throw a ball through your opponent's goal and/or literally beat them into submission. Few titles I've ever played have offered a more fun four-player experience.
James Bond 007: Nightfire (Xbox)
A vastly underrated shooter, this featured a very cool single-player story mode inspired by the Bond movies, and its multiplayer features were on the same level as the Halo series. Just with more gadgets.
NHL 2002 (Xbox)
I was a few games into this fun-enough NHL game before I realized that the commentators appeared to be on drugs. "Irreverent" doesn't begin to describe it. They'll leave the booth for minutes at a time to go get nachos, misunderstand each other and go off on wacky tangeants... it's difficult to pay attention to the game because you're laughing so hard. On top of that, it's a great game of hockey.
Quantum Redshift (Xbox)
This futuristic racer is about one thing: SPEED. The beautifully rendered textures blur as the landscapes fly past, and heaven help you when you hit turbo. Weapons ranged from colorful lasers to nuclear explosions, and the outdoor environments were sharp and immersive. All of it could be played to your own music, streamed from the console's harddrive. It showed off everything the Xbox could do.
Tom Clancy's Ghost Recon (Xbox)
None of this military shooter's excellent sequels have captured what the Xbox original did so well: The feeling of actually being outside, creeping along through trees and brush while watching for snipers.
Call of Duty 2 (Xbox 360)
It's the most cinematic shooter of all time, dropping you into the most epic set pieces of World War II. It's impossible not to gawk the first time you land at Normandy or look down on an army pouring across the ice in Eastern Europe.
Mirror's Edge (Xbox 360)
This freeform running game is probably the most original, inspiring title I've ever played. Only the frustrating trial-and-error difficulty keeps it out of my top 25.
Need For Speed: Most Wanted (Xbox 360)
The open world racing gameplay is extremely well designed on its own, but the impossibly cheesy cutscenes are what make this one truly memorable.
Coming next Wednesday:
The Top 25 - Games 25 through 21
Just missing the cut
This week's list features games that were each among my favorites, but they didn't quite make it into the top 25. In no particular order...
Football (Atari 2600)
Its blocky players and total lack of details look impossibly primitive by today's standards, but at the time the idea of playing football on a TV screen almost felt like science fiction.
Double Dragon (Arcade)
This side-scrolling beat'em-up with the trappings of classic 1980s action films is the first that really captured the appeal of working together with a buddy.
Gauntlet (Arcade)
Released at the height of the popularity of the tabletop Dungeons & Dragons game, it allowed four players to work together through the fantasy world, each choosing a different Lord of the Rings-type character. All of that was revolutionary at the time.
Tron Deadly Discs (Intellivision)
The movie was still fresh in kids' minds when this immersive action adventure game came along. The more popular Tron games paled in comparison.
Super Mario Brothers (NES)
I didn't own an NES and didn't like platforming games, and despite that I couldn't help being drawn into the addictive gameplay, sound, and design of this classic when visiting friends who had it.
Punch Out! (Arcade)
The original arcade boxing game was colorful, well-designed, and addictive, and ate a ton of my quarters.
Dr. J vs. Larry Bird: One on One (Commodore 64)
As one of Electronic Arts' first sports games, it was simplistic but already showed flashes of the direction the company was going: allowing you and a friend to compete against each other while playing as the greatest players of the time. Also? You could break the backboard!
Bop'N Wrestle (Commodore 64)
In the glory days of Hulk Hogan and Andre the Giant, this was the best wrestling game around. No real wrestlers appeared in the game, but it had more than enough personality to create its own identity and inspire the imaginations of young wrestling fans.
Streets of Rage (Genesis)
The Double Dragon formula was honed to console perfection in this series of cooperative beat'em ups on the Genesis. Bring on the Mountain Dew and Cheetos.
NHL 94 (Genesis)
The classic 2D hockey gameplay reached its zenith with this detailed, satisfying installment which was among the first to feature details like shattering glass and player fights.
Madden Football 92 (Genesis)
At a time when sports gaming was still in its infancy, this massive football series really started to flex its muscle. The 1992 game had tight gameplay, accurate player performance, a wealth of features, and details like ambulances driving out on the field to pick up injured players.
Way of the Warrior (3D0)
A Mortal Kombat clone, but with much more style. It featured better graphics, more over-the-top moves, and a massive amount of camp. A digitized version of one developer's ex-girlfriend was in the game, and her finishing move was to blow a kiss that made your head explode. It was also one of the first games to feature licensed music, allowing you to play along to perhaps White Zombie's best CD.
Shenmue (Dreamcast)
Maybe it was a bit too ambitious for its time, but it's impossible to deny the influence this had on the gaming world with its real-time weather, free-form exploration, and blending of fighting and puzzle elements.
Jet Set Radio Future (Xbox)
The first cel-shaded game was this heavily stylized action adventure series, and the Xbox sequel to the Dreamcast original was more accessible, gorgeous, and allowed you to listen to a terrific licensed soundtrack as you skated around spray-painting graffiti in a near-future Tokyo.
Halo (Xbox)
I'm not a shooter fan, but this sci-fi epic was so well-designed and immersive that it pulled me in regardless. The spectacular story mode could be played with a friend, and it featured one of the most robust console multiplayer experiences ever. It was a video game party in a box.
Jade Empire (Xbox)
It was a beautiful role-playing romp through a world inspired by Chinese mythology, interspersed with real-time, magic-infused kung fu. As fun as the game was to play, the story was even better - if unrelentingly depressing.
All Star Baseball 2003 (Xbox)
The real highlight here is the list of unlockable special features, which include - among other things - an absolutely enthralling video interview with Negro league star Buck O'Neil, who died shortly afterward. The game is worth owning just for that interview.
Deathrow (Xbox)
I've played a lot of futuristic sports games, and this is the best of the bunch. It allowed a team of four human players to work their way up in the rankings through brutal matches in which you try to throw a ball through your opponent's goal and/or literally beat them into submission. Few titles I've ever played have offered a more fun four-player experience.
James Bond 007: Nightfire (Xbox)
A vastly underrated shooter, this featured a very cool single-player story mode inspired by the Bond movies, and its multiplayer features were on the same level as the Halo series. Just with more gadgets.
NHL 2002 (Xbox)
I was a few games into this fun-enough NHL game before I realized that the commentators appeared to be on drugs. "Irreverent" doesn't begin to describe it. They'll leave the booth for minutes at a time to go get nachos, misunderstand each other and go off on wacky tangeants... it's difficult to pay attention to the game because you're laughing so hard. On top of that, it's a great game of hockey.
Quantum Redshift (Xbox)
This futuristic racer is about one thing: SPEED. The beautifully rendered textures blur as the landscapes fly past, and heaven help you when you hit turbo. Weapons ranged from colorful lasers to nuclear explosions, and the outdoor environments were sharp and immersive. All of it could be played to your own music, streamed from the console's harddrive. It showed off everything the Xbox could do.
Tom Clancy's Ghost Recon (Xbox)
None of this military shooter's excellent sequels have captured what the Xbox original did so well: The feeling of actually being outside, creeping along through trees and brush while watching for snipers.
Call of Duty 2 (Xbox 360)
It's the most cinematic shooter of all time, dropping you into the most epic set pieces of World War II. It's impossible not to gawk the first time you land at Normandy or look down on an army pouring across the ice in Eastern Europe.
Mirror's Edge (Xbox 360)
This freeform running game is probably the most original, inspiring title I've ever played. Only the frustrating trial-and-error difficulty keeps it out of my top 25.
Need For Speed: Most Wanted (Xbox 360)
The open world racing gameplay is extremely well designed on its own, but the impossibly cheesy cutscenes are what make this one truly memorable.
Coming next Wednesday:
The Top 25 - Games 25 through 21
posted by Brad at
8:30 AM
1 Comments:
If these are the honorable mentions, I can't wait to see the games that made the cut! These are fantastic!
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