Instead of creating a lengthy explanation on how my “100 Legendary Games” list came into being, I’ll direct you to the first article of this series.
You’re done reading entry number one already? Then let’s get started!
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Title: Super Metroid
Platform: GBA
To be honest, I actually prefer Metroid Zero Mission to this legendary title, but I have to give Super Metroid credit for being such a pioneer. Not only did it pack excellent exploration and puzzle-based gameplay — it also managed to spawn an entire genre that still exists fifteen years later.
#74
Title: Ys: Book I & II
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Platform: Turbografx-16
Psh…books, who reads those? I don’t read those outdated pieces of paper, but it’s not because I’m too cool for school — I just prefer ramming into enemies as red-headed Adol in the book of Ys. Okay, so it may be unfair to compare Book I & II to the greatest literary works produced by humankind, especially since its plot is so basic, but who doesn’t appreciate its kick ass rock tunes and the fact that it had voice acting and animated cut-scenes long before Final Fantasy?
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#73
Title: ActRaiser
Platform: Super NES
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I didn’t have the pleasure of playing this early Super NES title until 2009, but even then, I was able to immediately gather that this game was ahead of its time. This action-RPG/God Game hybrid has you governing the fate of your world and coming down to Earth itself to kick some demon ass. It doesn’t hurt that ActRaiser also featured a musical score that was about as close as you could get to orchestral sound on the Super NES.
#72
Title: Splosion Man
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Platform: Xbox 360
Most guys and gals like Mario, and many men are obsessed with blowing stuff up, so what would happen if you combined 2D platforming gameplay with epic explosions? You’d get the best 2D platformer since Super Mario World: Splosion Man. This devilishly difficult platformer requires quick thinking and equally responsive reflexes, but more importantly, it’s just plain fun.
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#71
Title: Super Smash Bros. Melee
Platform: Gamecube
When it comes to the Super Smash Bros. series, Brawl may be the superior package, but I had way more fun with the surprisingly addictive sequel to the N64 fighting game classic. Melee may not have included all my favorite Nintendo characters, but it came close enough and provided for some great times with friends. I just wish Nintendo would’ve included an online mode, but you have to remember that this is the company that used to claim that gamers don’t want online games.
#70
Title: Star Ocean
Platform: PSP (original: Super Famicom)
Star Ocean on the Super Famicom packed amazing visuals, a battle system similar to that of a fighting game, and voice acting, so I was disappointed when Enix decided not to release it here. I forgave them over a decade later when Square-Enix released this Tri-Ace classic on PSP, because it had an interesting sci-fi premise, snappy battles, and a great musical score.
#69
Title: Tales of Phantasia
Platform: Super Famicom
The Super Famicom version of Tales of Phantasia may have a few too many random battles, but that doesn’t change the fact that this RPG was one of the grandest undertakings on Nintendo’s 16-bit console. Tales of Phantasia had voice acting during key moments, a dark storyline that drew from Norse mythology, time traveling, and the first fighting game-style battle system in an RPG. Top that.
#68
Title: The Legend of Zelda: Link’s Awakening
Platform: Game Boy
Let’s be honest: Portable games were often the butt of jokes during the era of the original Game Boy. Most portable gaming experiences were shallow quick fixes, but Link’s Awakening changed that. It wasn’t the first game to offer a deep portable experience that rivaled that of top-of-the-line console games, but it was one of the best. Needless to say, this game stole my heart, just like I stole the shopkeeper’s goods. Let’s just hope that my cartridge doesn’t eventually die like poor Link.
#67
Title: Uncharted: Drake’s Fortune
Platform: PS3
Uncharted may be on my Top 100 Games list because I just played it for the first time, but there’s a good chance it’ll remain there for years to come. Why? Because Uncharted has gorgeous environments, voice acting that’d make the hardest gangster’s knees weak, and great cover-based third-person gameplay. Oh, and then there’s the minor detail that I wrote this list in blood.
#66
Title: Halo 3
Platform: Xbox 360
Even after three years of playing Halo 2, Halo 3 was high on my most anticipated games list. Did it meet my expectations? Not quite, but it still included the same great multiplayer matches as its predecessor, while providing a more fleshed out single-player campaign. I think I’m now over Master Chief, but his series was one hell of a ride.
#65
Title: Metal Gear Solid 2
Platform: PS2
Metal Gear Solid 2 is an oddity in the game industry. Like Chrono Cross, it was lavished with praise upon its release, but years later, a few noisy journalists started bashing it, which prompted thousands of gamers to join their cause. Was it a flawless game? No, but it was still a groundbreaking title that played an important role in the Playstation 2’s success. Whether or not you enjoyed MGS2’s storyline, it’s impossible to have no appreciation for the amount of work that went into this title.
#64
Title: Warcraft III
Platform: PC
I know what you’re thinking: “Why is there a PC title on this list?” It’s simple really. Warcraft III managed to captivate me for two entire summers, so I believe some credit is due. Surprisingly, it wasn’t Warcraft III’s strategic multiplayer matches that were the main draw — it was the game’s great storyline that expanded the Warcraft universe in a significant way. World of Warcraft relies heavily on the characters and worlds created in Warcraft III, so all you MMORPG playing youngins’ better pay your respects to the Frozen Throne.
#63
Title: Kingdom Hearts 2
Platform: PS2
Let me tell you a secret that could get me killed if I walked into a mob of Squenix fanboys: I hated the first Kingdom Hearts. It wasn’t my dislike for Disney that ruined the title’s appeal; rather, it was the upchuck-inducing camera, random wandering, and uninteresting storyline full of one-dimensional characters. Well, imagine how surprised I was when I actually enjoyed Kingdom Hearts’ sequel. It had superb voice acting, an excellent soundtrack, drastically improved gameplay, and a captivating storyline. If Square-Enix ever makes another true Kingdom Hearts sequel, I hope they take a page from KH2 instead of the original.
#62
Title: Odin Sphere
Platform: PS2
As a fan of detailed 2D artwork and Norse Mythology, I was thrilled by Vanillaware’s innovative action-RPG: Odin Sphere. It may have had some annoying elements (too much grinding and a sudden massive difficulty ramp-up at the end), but its beautiful artwork and unique gameplay mechanics made this RPG something special. I usually don’t have fond memories of games I couldn’t beat, but Odin Sphere really made an impression on me despite its brutal difficulty.
#61
Title: Super Mario Bros. 3
Platform: NES
Does Super Mario Bros. 3 even need an explanation? Everyone knows that it’s one of the greatest 2D platformers with superb level design that has rarely been matched since. I know that my love for this game is not all nostalgia, because I played through every level for the first time a few months ago, and had a grand time.
#60
Title: Super Mario World
Platform: Super NES
I always have a tough time deciding on a favorite when I’m discussing Mario 3 and Super Mario World, so to make my decision, I rely on my inner graphics whore who appreciates the Super NES title’s superior visuals and audio. Oh, and I guess Yoshi helped too, because you know, he can swallow fruit.
#59
Title: Dragon Quest IV
Platform: DS (original: NES)
It’s rare that I have fond memories of NES RPGs, because they’re usually heavily reliant on grinding. Dragon Quest IV has its fair share of battles, but it still managed to impress several years later on the DS with its unique approach to storytelling that involves several character-specific scenarios. It doesn’t hurt that the game also has a fast-paced, yet highly strategic battle system. Now if only future Dragon Quest installments could be as good.
#58
Title: Final Fantasy III
Platform: DS (original: NES)
Like many of the old Dragon Quest games, the NES Final Fantasies are relatively archaic. That doesn’t mean that the third Japan-only NES title isn’t deserving of some credit however. This 1990 RPG included a detailed job system featuring such diverse classes as the Viking, Dark Knight, and Sage, while providing an epic adventure that would take players under the sea, to the skies, and to a shimmering crystal palace. Final Fantasy III was also special for featuring several battle system enhancements that its Phantasy Star and Dragon Quest contemporaries lacked. It’s a good thing Square finally decided to release it in America on the DS over a decade later, because otherwise, most Final Fantasy fans would have never experienced this gem.
#57
Title: Kirby Super Star Ultra
Platform: DS (original: SNES)
Kirby games may be simple, but there’s no denying that they’re incredibly fun. Kirby Super Star includes Kirby’s usual inhalation-based gameplay, but this time there are far more abilities, enhanced visuals, and several unique gameplay types including RPGs, spelunking expeditions, and side-scrolling shooters. Even haters of all things cute should check this one out.
#56
Title: Psychonauts
Platform: Xbox
For years, I was one of those stereotypical gamers who had this title in my pile of shame, but now that I finally got around to playing it, I wish I could go back in time and infiltrate my psyche. Clearly, I must have been mentally unstable, since I avoided this 3D platformer that features some of the most creative levels to ever grace a video game.
#55
Title: Final Fantasy Adventure
Platform: Game Boy
Pretty much every man, woman, and child likes adventures these days, but very few intrepid explorers have played the Game Boy’s finest action-RPG. Not only does this title boast an epic quest and plenty of gameplay variety for an oversized Game Boy cart — it’s also the beginning of the legendary Mana franchise. Anyone who appreciates games like Zelda and Secret of Mana needs to check out this Final Fantasy spinoff, immediately.
#54
Title: Halo
Platform: Xbox
Before there was Halo, there was uh…poor controls on console first-person shooters? Okay, so Halo wasn’t the first FPS to feature dual-analog controls, but it was the first notable one. Why? Because it had brilliant enemy AI, new-fangled regenerating shields, and an excellent campaign in addition to equally awesome 16-player multiplayer matches. Any of those PC guys that tell you that Halo is mediocre are lying. They secretly held LAN parties in their underground lairs too.
#53
Title: Mario & Luigi: Bowser’s Inside Story
Platform: DS
Can you imagine what it’d feel like if the Koopa King sat on you? Yeah? Well, you might have more fun if you imagined yourself as Bowser doing all the crushing. Forget that played out monstrosity that is Godzilla, this Bowser-centric adventure is not only a heavyweight champion when it comes to fighting — it’s also top-of-the-line when it comes to humor. This means that Bowser’s Inside Story is fun and therapeutic. See, video games can really help people.
#52
Title: Tales of Vesperia
Platform: Xbox 360
Are you opposed to playing as effeminate male heroes and naive princesses? Yeah? Well, give this game a try anyway, because it’s probably the most well-rounded Tales experience in existence. The plot isn’t as fleshed out as the storylines of previous titles in the series, but it still has some serious themes that more than make up for the goofy characters. Besides, once you get past the main character’s look, you’ll realize that he’s a highly respectable individual that takes the law into his own hands — Walker Texas Ranger-style.
#51
Title: The Legend of Zelda: A Link To The Past
Platform: Super NES
The NES Zelda games were excellent adventure titles, but neither of those had the dark atmosphere of A Link to the Past. A Link to the Past told a grand tale that involved two worlds, it featured amazing effects and visuals, and it added some brilliant tools that would be used countless times in future Zelda titles. As if that weren’t enough, who can forget the rainy intro sequence, the dark world, and the game’s numerous clever puzzles?
To be continued…