If you’ve been following my work on Bitmob over the past few months, you probably know that I’m a fan of EGM’s “Top 100 Games” lists, but you probably weren’t aware of my desire to make a “Top 100” list of my own. I previously dreamed of composing one of these enormous lists, but I didn’t realize the amount of effort necessary for such an endeavor until moments before I initiated the project.
Unfortunately, I didn’t have a circle of elderly gurus to discuss game rankings with, so I had to come up with a method to properly rank my 100 favorite games. Ultimately, I decided to only choose games that I’d beaten or made it ninety percent of the way through. Obviously, that narrowed my selection down, but choosing 100 titles was still a formidable task.
After I’d made my decision, I started ordering the selected titles. I couldn’t come up with an appropriate methodology to accurately rank how I felt about these titles, so I decided to select ten titles at a time that stood out to me each time I examined my list. Once I selected ten fabulous titles, I ordered them based on how much of an influence those particular titles had on me during the era in which I played them.
By making such a decision, you might come to the conclusion that my choices are based purely on nostalgia, but you wouldn’t be entirely correct. I’ve played the majority of the games on my list more than once (with the exception of more recent titles), so I’m usually able to tell if they’d still appeal to me in the present. Going about my selection this way enabled me to weed out titles that I really enjoyed in the past like Goldeneye, but didn’t hold up well today for various reasons.
When viewing my list, it’s important to keep in mind that the ranks assigned to titles are merely my opinion, and it’s also worth noting that you’ll find certain genres represented more than others. The reason for this is that certain types of games generally appeal to me more. However, it’s important to note that even though you won’t find any Mega Man or Gradius titles on my list, that doesn’t mean that I didn’t enjoy them — it just means that I had a better time with other titles.
Before revealing my selection in four parts, I’d like to note that a ranking of #1 is the highest rank a game can get, just as in the EGM lists of old.
When you’re done browsing my selections and their accompanying descriptions, feel free to leave any positive and negative feedback. You’re also welcome to post lists of your own down below.
Making this list was a lot of fun, so I hope that everyone reading has an equally good time perusing these four installments. Enjoy!
#100
Title: Bioshock
Platform: Xbox 360
Bioshock was an incredibly ambitious, atmospheric breath of fresh air among a sea of dark, faceless titles that plagued 2007. This undersea adventure’s plot may not have resonated with me as much as it did with most other gamers, but it’s still a brilliant title that I’d recommend to most anyone.
#99
Title: Mario Kart 64
Platform: Nintendo 64
Mario Kart 64 is often the most reviled Mario Kart game among video game publications, but the masses consider it a classic. It’s certainly one of the best party games in existence, and Mario Kart 64 even has the power to attract those who don’t regularly game. If you don’t know how to invite over that hot girl (or guy) you’re interested in, Mario Kart 64 never fails.
#98
Title: Sonic The Hedgehog
Platform: Sega Genesis
It’s hard to decide on the best Sonic game, but most fans of the blue blur agree that his tudeness’ 2D titles are the best. I may have played the first of the original trilogy last, but I had more fun blazing through this game’s grass than I had in any of Sonic’s later adventures.
#97
Title: Crimson Skies
Platform: Xbox
Crimson Skies not only breaks sound barriers — it packs some serious multiplayer heat. If you’re a fan of hectic 16-player online dogfights served with a side dish of split-screen, chances are you own this top-of-the-line flight game that doesn’t require a Steel Battalion-sized controller.
#96
Title: Donkey Kong Country
Platform: Super NES
There are no donkeys or hillbillies in this game, but Rare impressed gamers by bringing the lumbering barrel-throwing ape into 3D. Okay, so it wasn’t real 3D, but DKC’s pre-rendered visuals were impressive enough to temporarily distract your average porn addict in 1994.
#95
Title: Illusion of Gaia
Platform: Super NES
Some illusions may fool me (like that sexy model posing as my pillow), but Illusion of Gaia is not one of them. This SNES action-RPG classic may have been difficult, but its soothing music and unique premise will remain with me forever.
#94
Title: Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door
Platform: Gamecube
I found the original Paper Mario’s storyline to be as thin as rice paper, so I wasn’t expecting much from its sequel. So imagine my surprise when I actually played this stylish RPG that featured gorgeous 2D visuals, witty writing, and excellent gameplay. It was good enough to make every plumber in my city take a one week vacation (I think that’s why they were late to fix my sink anyway).
#93
Title: Pac-Man Championship Edition
Platform: Xbox 360
I love Pac-Man, but I wasn’t one of those crazy kids of the seventies that ate Pac-Man cereal and worshipped colorful ghosts. That’s exactly why I didn’t have to worry about nostalgia getting the best of me when deciding on my favorite Pac-Man game. Pac-Man Championship Ediiton revamps the original Pac-Man formula in a brilliant way that will keep you playing until you beat your disco-lovin’ uncle’s score.
#92
Title: Dungeons & Dragons: Shadow Over Mystara
Platform: Arcade
Back in the late ’90s, you’d never catch me throwing a 6-sided die, but you would find me in any arcade with a Dungeons & Dragons cabinet. If you were a girl who wanted to get my attention, you’d have to practically break my legs before you could pull me away from my favorite side-scrolling brawler.
#91
Title: Mario Kart Wii
Platform: Wii
Mario Kart Wii is often the butt of jokes for its inclusion of the useless piece of plastic that is the Wii Wheel, but the gamers that deride it often forget that Mario Kart Wii includes 16 new courses in addition to several fan-favorites from previous Mario Kart games. Oh, did I forget to mention that it includes a robust online system? That alone makes this Wii release something special.
#90
Title: Virtual-On
Platform: Arcade
Okay, so Virtual-On may not have been the greatest robot fighting experience at home, but at the arcades it was unstoppable. Imagine sitting next to a random opponent at an arcade maneuvering your robot in 1-on-1 duels via your unit’s dual joysticks. Now that’s what I call a fighting game.
#89
Title: Time Crisis 3
Platform: Arcade
Light gun games are now ancient history, right? Maybe, but Time Crisis 3 is still packin’ heat. Its clever cover mechanic controlled via a pedal beneath your foot and its solid gun-slinging action are something special that few games have been able to match ever since.
#88
Title: Shadow Complex
Platform: Xbox 360
Yeah, yeah, yeah. You don’t like Orson Scott Card. So what? Whether or not he helped conceive Samus’ only child doesn’t matter. What counts is that this game is the best 2D Metroid-style game since Metroid Zero Mission.
#87
Title: Final Fantasy Mystic Quest
Platform: Super NES
Mystic Quest is frequently mocked by Final Fantasy fans, but I refuse to join in on the senseless bashing. This Final Fantasy spinoff may have had rudimentary gameplay, but it had a rockin’ soundtrack and you could actually use your weapons outside of battle! What’s that? You still hate it? Well, you’d probably complain about a speck of dirt on your shoe too.
#86
Title: The Legend of the Mystical Ninja
Platform: Super NES
It’s 2009, so surely you’ve heard of the infamous duo Kid Ying and Dr. Yang by now. No? Well, that’s because those characters are really named Goemon and Ebisimaru, you dummy. Okay, so it’s unfair to expect you to know how to pronounce those Japanese names, but you should be aware of Mystical Ninja’s Edo-era Japanese setting, its two-player cooperative quest, and its creative level design. If you haven’t played it, show your Wii some love by hitting the download button.
#85
Title: Castlevania: Symphony of the Night
Platform: PlayStation
You might think that symphonies and vampires don’t mix, but Symphony of the Night creates one hell of a combo. Unfortunately, you won’t encounter any blood-sucking violinists, but you will hear one of the richest soundtracks the Playstation has to offer. Besides that, you’ll find an excellent Super Metroid-esque adventure with RPG elements fused to its bloody core. If you’ve yet to play it, start licking your fangs in anticipation of the moment you turn on your current-gen console of choice and start downloading.
#84
Title: Ganbare Goemon 2
Platform: Super Famicom
Not many Americans know about this Japan-only sequel to the SNES cult classic: The Legend of the Mystical Ninja, but it’s easily the best in the series. It has beautiful traditional Japanese music, amazing 2D visuals, and excellent two-player co-op gameplay that is significantly easier than that of the original. All those who consider themselves to be true Ninjas need to play this masterpiece.
#83
Title: Braid
Platform: Xbox 360
Do you like artsy games and guys in suits? Then you might want to check out this moody, time-altering platformer starring a red-headed character with a style similar to the men you’d find on Wall Street. It may not teach you how to tie your tie, but it’ll be a perfect remedy for your seemingly doomed relationship.
#82
Title: The Legend of Zelda: Majora’s Mask
Platform: Nintendo 64
You won’t find Jim Carrey wearing Majora’s Mask, but that’s okay, because this adventure belongs to the loveable short elf sporting green tights. If you’re a fan of any of Link’s adventures, this innovative Zelda title is worth a shot, but those who hate time limits, beware.
#81
Title: Castle Crashers
Platform: Xbox 360
I’m good at crashing weddings, cars, bikes, etc., but it’s rare that I get a chance to crash a castle. This may be due to the fact that I don’t live in feudal Europe, but I don’t let that stop me from having some destructive fun. Instead of smashing pumpkins or controllers, I get busy in one of the best cooperative brawlers to come out in ages: Castle Crashers. The online mode may have crashed initially, but that can easily be forgiven with its addictive level-building gameplay and fantastic art style.
#80
Title: Prince of Persia
Platform: Xbox360
Normally, I’m not much of a wise-crackin’ guy, but I respect individuals who can pull it off, while remaining likeable. Prince of Persia’s prince manages to earn the player’s respect through his actions and wit, but his game is also quite beautiful and fun. It doesn’t hurt that he has a beautiful lady sidekick who’s equally important to the revitalization of this mythical Persia.
#79
Title: Metal Gear Solid 3
Platform: PS2
Whether or not you’re a fan of Hideo Kojima’s crazy characters and static camera angles (pre-MGS3: Subsistence anyway), chances are that you can appreciate the game’s highly detailed environments that push the PS2 to its limits. MGS3 is also notable for its focus on surviving in the wild, so adventurous individuals will likely get a kick out of this covert agent’s snake-eating exploits.
#78
Title: Star Ocean: Till The End Of Time
Platform: PS2
I don’t know when time ends, but I won’t be foolish enough to believe that any Star Ocean adventure is real ever again. Till The End Of Time’s mind blowing plot twist that involved its characters discovering that they were only virtual beings being manipulated in an MMORPG is something I’ll never forget. That alone is enough of a reason for Till The End of Time to make this list.
#77
Title: Mario & Luigi: Partners In Time
Platform: DS
Take the awesome formula found in the original Mario & Luigi, add two babies and another screen, and you have Partners In Time. Despite not using the DS to its full potential, Partners In Time is an excellent RPG that will make you appreciate the usually obnoxious Mario babies. If only real babies were as funny.
#76
Title: Metroid Zero Mission
Platform: GBA
This Metroid is no zero — it actually manages to give Super Metroid a run for its money. Metroid Zero Mission is a superb remake of the original Metroid that turns that crusty game into a heavenly title any decent human being could appreciate. Samus’ zero suit may have felt tacked on, but the majority of the game was an exhilarating experience.