Favorite Videogames

The Secret of Monkey Island
Day of the Tentacle
X-com UFO
Sid Meier's Pirates
Unreal Tournament (original)
Starcraft
FF7

These are my particular favourites which I played throughout my youth. There are other games that are equal to or arguably better quality, but these ones I'm most nostalgic over. Despite aging, at the time they were so original, so well made and, where appropriate, so perfectly balanced that they still hold up today.

'Twas on my list, but I forgot to type it. I still play it randomly. I like it because it's one of the few PC games to come with software rendering... and I can't PLAY 3D games of any sort, since my motherboard is old, and came with a crappy integrated graphics card. I still kick more ass at console FPS's, however, since my ability to play with a joystick is lengendary.

I've heard of Baten Kaitos, but I've never played it unfortunately. I remember it being very well received however.

I am slightly more familiar with Zelda, though not wholly so with Twilight Princess (I didn't get very far in it though I need to return to it when I am slightly less busy with work). My personal favourite Zelda is Ocarina of Time hands down. I don't know if I'd still like it now, but at the time it was everything in a game that I wanted, and I thought it was pretty much flawless (save that dratted Water Temple!!).

As for my ultimate list of amazing games of all timeness, there's the two that I mention in that thread about SNES RPGs that Furdabip linked to, Secret of Mana and Illusion of Gaia. Again these really appealed to me when I was younger, though actually considering I was terrible at games it's only more recently that I've been able to appreciate these games a little more. I must be an RPGer with a horrible attention span, hence all these 'action RPGs'...

Having said that the inevitable Final Fantasy makes it onto the list; much in the same vein as SoM/IoT, I make a distinction between what I think is the better game and which is the game I personally fell in love with more. The better game I'd say is Final Fantasy VII but the one I fell in love with was Final Fantasy IX.

As for non-RPGs, Inq's already mentioned The Secret of Monkey Island and that's definitely got to be my favourite point and click adventure. I am hard pressed to think of a runner-up however: it's like comparing an exceptionally nice flavour of jam with a distinctly different flavour of jam which despite its difference is just as exceptionally nice. Let's just say that I am long overdue a replay of Grim Fandango, which left an impression on me and in my mind's eye seems a far more intelligent game than I was able to appreciate at the time (i.e. I'd never seen Casablanca).

I think one of my all time favourite games however is Ico. I think it's an acquired taste, and so minimalist as to be offputting for a lot of people. Yet despite this I was utterly enthralled by its delicacy, and if I ever decided that it would be a good idea to start talking about video games as 'serious works of art', then I am sure it would be this game above all else that would secure my praise. That and Super Bomberman.

All time fav: Gears of war 2 for the Xbox 360.

Love it for all kinds of reasons, but mainly because of the competative nature of it.

2nd is Super Mario World, used to play that game all the time. Nothing can take up more time with as much fun.

3rd is Final Fantasy 7, amazing game!

4th is Call of Duty 4, see the Gears of War 2 reason

5th is Counter Strike: Source

Haha, got a thing for the leading man, eh?

"I gotta have more Balthier!"

double post, sorry.

CSC mentioned it but...
Illusion of Gaia is I think the best SNES action-RPG.

I find this quite interesting actually, and possibly I need to readjust my view on this game. I remember when first playing it that it seemed so much slower than games that were around - I found it quite refreshing that it wasn't all shooting and such or extremely complicated - in effect it's an artier version of Prince of Persia. Yet I guess, especially now that video games are on their way up (just think of the Wii) and that there is a kind of return to 'back to basics' gameplay, I guess that this game would be much more appropriate to gamers now than when it was around originally, when it was generally overlooked. I think you have a point too that it would be a good 'introductory game' - I think if I were to justify the potential of video games being taken seriously on a grander scale--I'm reluctant to use the phrase 'video games as art' however much I want to--I think 'Ico' would be my first port of call, definitely.

Oh, and yes 'Illusion of Gaia' is still incredible, and I still remember how moved I was by it - I guess that's rather impressive for a 16bit game made getting on 15 years ago. I think it necessitates a replay pretty soon! I think I need to hunt out my SNES copy when I'm back at home and can have a crack at finding all those bloody red jewels......

I gotta agree with Illusion of Gaia. That was such a great game (my personal favorite in the series) and deserved far more recognition then it gets. I couldn't pass up buying it at an antique store a couple weeks ago for 15 bucks. What a steal... :cool:

But... all time favorite would probably have to be Resident Evil 2. I've just played that game way to many time for my answer to be anything different.

... It begins.

Well, guess I better retire from gaming and be cynical towards kids.

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Hell, even my NEPHEW, who is 6, has played NES and SNES games... I made damn sure of it.

I would like to point out, though, that all of the difficulty of the original Metroid only comes from the complete lack of any map. Other than that, it's only a marginally difficult game. Still fun, though.

I had most of the consoles and handhelds over the years an think the best of them all without a doubt is..........
"SNES". Anyone who says different either has never played one or is mad and should be shot. HA HA

The SNES was out at the same time as MegaDrive which was supposed to be as powerful but was actually crap and nowhere near in the same league.

Fave SNES game of all time has gota be a toss up between mario and Zelda:A link to the past. Games dont get any more classic. :lol3:

The only SNES game I've ever played is A Link to The Past, on the Virtual Console, and it is pure classic... *sigh*

You >= fail

imo.

Well...The 64 didn't have close to as many great games.

Bip, calm down.

It's hard to qualify video game consoles, because the main thing that defines how good they are is the games available. The Nintendo 64 is technically superior to the SNES, and its games had more possibilities. The SNES was still a golden age of video games, though. Could it be that 2d is just more fun than 3d? Or were all the major 3d developers focusing on the Playstation? Don't know. Another example of how the system is defined by its games is the Gamecube. The most popular insult of it was that it had low-powered graphics. The truth was, it was a much more powerful system than either of its competitors, but the games just didn't typically utilize those capabilities. Twilight Princess is a perfect example; its Gamecube version looks far better than anything on the PS2 or Xbox.

The main thing about a console is always the amount of good games available in my book; technical specs don't matter. It could be underpowered in comparison to it's competitors (like the SNES was) and still be a great console because it just has a large catalog of games.

The SNES's had a larger quantity of great games than the N64.

It's not all quantity though. To me, N64 games always had this bizarre lack of quality. I'm not saying they were badly made, but they did feel a bit less polished than SNES games. This is probably due to the fact that 3D-polygon gaming was in it's console infancy at the time and developers hadn't yet mastered it.

I am also flabbergasted that it is even possible that someone has never played a SNES before, but then again I along with most people posting here grew up with the thing, so I think it's a challenge to imagine being a kid and not having a SNES...frightening thought right there. Having said that though I think it's absolutely great that Nintendo are making a lot of the best games available on the Virtual Console - when you consider that, say, Super Mario World is coming up to 20 years old, I think that not only is hunting down an original SNES cart going to be tricky (though probably pretty easy for Super Mario World) but I guess half the battle now will be finding one with a battery back-up chip that still works...getting it on the Wii solves that problem and if you get one of those 'classic controllers' I don't think you can go far wrong.

Definitely judge a console by its games rather than its 'power': the first 64 bit console as we all know was not the N64 but the Atari Jaguar...I wonder how many people had one of those? As far as I'm aware it was horrendously overpriced and had about two decent games, one of which was Doom--thus much more easily available/moddable on PC at the time--and something else which I can't even remember. Not great there. Sega's post-Mega Drive machines also suffered from a lack of decent games I think. I really like the Dreamcast actually, but I don't think Sonic Adventure really compares with Mario 64, and there's only so many light-gun games that one person can take. That's a horrible oversimplification, but I think it has much to do with its failure. Having said that, however, perhaps in today's gaming climate it might have done slightly better?

Having said that though, I must admit I loved the N64; the SNES had a greater selection of..well..great games, but the N64 still had some absolute crackers that demanded to be played. I am currently replaying Banjo Kazooie (which in my eyes is superior to Mario 64) on an emulator using a PS2 controller plugged into my laptop (playing an N64 game originally developed by a current XBox developer using a Sony controller on a Microsoft PC...there has got to be a word to describe that) and I've forgotten how truly brilliant a game it is - I think bar Ocarina of Time it has to be my favourite N64 game. I must admit as SuperDuck says some N64 graphics look horribly horribly dated - it's bizarre when you return to some of these games which when you played them first time were the height of 3D graphics and now they just look..well..pants. Certainly replaying some games on a PC emulator with the resolution chocked up some games look very pants indeed. I have to say though that Banjo ain't one of them - in fact it looks just as good as I remember it. Generally speaking though 2D graphics just don't tend to date as much - I guess it's because SNES games had about 20 years' of 2D graphics technology to improve upon as opposed to the 5 years or so that say Ocarina of Time had (very very roughly speaking). For me the Gamecube was the biggest disappointment - the only game I enjoyed was Starfox Adventures - funnily enough, another Rare game, like Banjo offering nothing new in its core gameplay but that gameplay was so good and so well crafted that it didn't really matter.

I must admit that despite baring witness to many an enthusiastic discussion on the school bus, I never got into Metroid Prime myself (though Super Metroid is hands down one of the finest SNES games, if not one of the finest games, to have been produced - my family unanimously decreed that it should be purchaed with our Wii points) - should I be slightly ashamed? I shall have to be on the hunt for it cheap - play it on the Wii of course...

As an aside, I was never really a Mega Drive kid, though we had one at some stage - I think most of the best games were also on the SNES, or in terms of licensed ones with 2 different versions, the SNES version was the superior (I'm thinking Animaniacs which, despite being infuriatingly unforgiving at times...okay all the time..was amazing!). I shall have to say however though that Soleil / Crusader of Centy is an absolutely stunning game and if not quite on par with the best action RPGs on the SNES, then at least coming very close. This is one of these games that I've replayed relatively recently and actually enjoyed them more than I ever remembered doing when I was younger.

During the early years of 3D, the 2D art was superior to it on games, so things like Crono Trigger and SD3 had better graphics than a lot of the early 3D titles. Nowadays 3D is much better but yet I don't find is as good as 2D pixels as I don't think it has a lot of charm.

The big benefit of switching to 3D, which is only within the last few years really come good, is the fact you can vary camera angles and create a much better cinematic experience. It all depends on the type of game for whether this is necessary though. Gears of War 2, for example, looks incredible with it's 3D graphics, SD3 looks incredible with its 2D graphics.

You are a carbon copy of my best friend. It is kind of creepy. His favorite childhood game is Banjo Kazooie, which he does see as superior to Mario 64, and his favorite Gamecube game was also Starfox Adventures. That is; until he played Metroid Prime.

Believe me, Metriod Prime is on par with Ocarina of Time. It is a classic. True explorative and atmospheric bliss. I think it will be remembered much more fondly, and perhaps the fans will learn to better embrace it when they finish getting their heads out of their collective asses in time. I'm a little saddened by your lack of mentioning Wind Waker; that game is very dear to me.

I have a theory. If you've played FF1/4/6 as a child, then played FF 7/8 as an adult, FF9 will be the holy grail of all FFs. If not, you'll like FF7 more than all of them. Which is sad, as FF9 is literately the best FF made thus far.

Long post, but an good overview of one that likes just about any genre of games.

ok, just scrolling down and not read more than 3 posts before typing this, i will say the ones of the top of my head... most i played via friend/dad, then spent years searching for it.

NES: didn't play much, grew up on SNES, but i'd say Mario Bros. and Zelda

Sega: Sonic, nothing else for me since i didn't play it after.

SNES: #1-Illusion of Gaia (who can compete with the music, story, gameplay, everything? i played and beat it over and over, and i still have more fun with it than any other game. I think the music is the best from the SNES, still get nots and homesickness listening to it. spent years looking for it and didn't even know the name.) #2-Killer Instink(way better than mortal combat by far, grew up on it from my dad, and awesome music... still can't master everything) #3-Super Mario RGP: LOTSS(spent years not knowing the name, then one day after about a month searching for it, i dreamed the name and found it on the net. got it a year later for 9 dollars.) #4-Super Marrio World(again, grew up on it) the rest i can't order, but they would be zelda, super black bass, bassn's black bass(grew up on both fishing), Madan(don't remember year) Ogre Battle: MOTBQ, tetris attack, DK Country, and this is just off my head... i love the SNES for most favorates.

N64: #1 has to be the Zelda: Ocarina of Time, best zelda music and playing i have ever known. beats all other 3d games i play. again, knots and homesickness with the music. #2-mixed with Mario Kart, Mario World, Star Wars Empire Strikes Back(i think right title), Goldeneye007, Perfect Dark, Rampage with cousin while 6-years-old, maybe more games, but i don't have the box to look at. #3-Pokemon stadiums and puzzle leage(what's with the looks?), Mario Parties, maybe more, but again, no box of games ifront of me.

GB(all eras): #1-Pokemon! there i said it, the very first GB i got was Gold, and I still say Gold/Silver/Crystal is way better than what they have now... and again, it has that music that gets to me, expesually the park music, so calm and vibrant. The Card Game for the GB is even still great, I miss the days when i wiped my cousin everytime with either Machamp, Charzard, or a well played Raichu... good times... good times.) the rest i can't order, but i will list some i played, advance wars 1 & 2, Golden Sun, Tales of Phantasia, zeldas on there, even DX and the seasons, mario vs DK, Tactics Orgre, Castlevania, some Yu-Gi-oh games, including the Dice one, and a hylight one, Kingdom Hearts: COM, going to get the remake version for PS2 soon i hope. wait, there are way too many, but it coveres most by saying Pokemon till DS, for the DS fits this catigory...

PS: #1 would be Castlevania: Night of Sympony... i love the music and the equiptment and familiars playing style, even the magic usage with having to memorize combinations. i even made some music off of a Sony Acid program from my programing class in school that sounded almost exactly like the library theme from the game on accedent, didn't relize it till i played the result, it even ecoded... #2 would get into the Medal of Honor, GTA Worms Armageddon, and Gran Turesmo 2. never had a chance to play the FF games on there, or the PS2 either. that about coveres it, but i might have forgot some, since it has been years, and i mean since i was 7 since i played anything on a PS that isn't on here, if i did play anything else.

PS2, #1-Jade Cacoon 2(planly put, spent 5 years trying to get it, and never finding a way to buy it, till i got a PS2, and the game a year later) #2very close to #1, but not close enough would be Kingdom hearts 2 #3 and on- Kingdom hearts 1, Mercs 2, God of War, Gran Turismo 3: A-Spec, GTA Collection, Medal of Honor Collection, Call of Duty games, Sommoner 2, Smackdown vs Raw Collection, and better on this console, Guitar Hero! most likely more, but wansn't able to expand since i got one a year before PS3 came out, and still don't have one.

GC: Melee... simple. SSBro Melee is the best fighting game ever! if i ever play it agian, i would get decent and almost semi pro, but i don't own a GC or the game, my bro does. next comes Zelda games, True Crime New York, Mario games, not much else since my bro was the one with it, i had everytihng else.

XBOX: Thief: Deadly Shadows would be my #1, never played the others since i don't have them. then comes both Halos, Morrowind, Star Wars Battlefront 2, Prince of Persia Warrior Within(Godsmack's I Stand Alone worked perfect on the video), Need for Speed Collection, Jade Empire, Lego Star Wars(both), Worms 3d, Sim Urbz, Mercinaries, Fable, Castlevania: Curse of Darkness, Football games, Seduki named all i have just about.

PC is just Diablo, two wolds, dungeon siege, things like that. havne't played much.

the newest system i only played vaigly, but i already know some i like:

PS3 Army of 2(played via friend, main reason i wanted a PS3 till i learned it is on the 360

XBOX360: next system to get for Halo 3, only played about hour i think.

Wii: Rayman raging rabits is awesome! brawl is ok, but no other reason to own a Wii.

That made me giggle. I agree, though, that Metroid Prime(the whole series in my opinion) and Wind Waker are games that are horribly understated and over-looked.