Here are 8 more games to my top 12 list to bring it to a clean 20. This is because there are too many games I like, and also since 12 isn't a clean number. It's even, but I like multiples of 5.
20. Donkey Kong Country (SNES, 1994)
This was one of the first games I ever owned. Before getting an SNES, I had only a Game Boy and an NES that I borrowed from my cousin. But after going over to a few friends' houses who had the SNES, I was convinced it was for me. I can't believe I remember these details: It was a Thursday. I got out of school, went to the back exit where my mom was waiting for me, went to Toys R Us, and picked up an SNES console with this game. Then I would just sit there taking turns with my sister playing this thing. What sets it apart is the gameplay and graphics. Yeah, graphics. In 1994, these were the graphics to beat. This game was platforming bliss, rivaled only by the Mario franchise at the time. It had animals you ride, collecting tasks, several allies, memorable bad guys, and just a dash of humor. Even though Donkey Kong appeared in the original 1981 game with Mario in it, this was the true start of the franchise since he was the main character from this point on. I indeed came back for more, picking up the next two on the SNES, two on the game boy, and even the incredible N64 adventure.
19. Super Mario World (SNES, 1991)
I have a certain rule about trying to not put more than one game of a single series in this list. This way I can express when I thought the series was at its peak. But I had to violate it sooner or later with the Mario series. It's just that good. This is actually the oldest game on my list. The fact that it's up there with games from the past few years should really tell you something. Again, this was platforming at its best. My memories with this one include going to my neighbor's place a few times a week just to play this. Back then it was pretty hard to master this game since there were so many secrets and unlockables. But we finally did, finishing the traditional path of the game, the Star Road, and then Brown World. If you don't know what those are you're a noob. But about the game, it has everything there is to love about platforming as well as the Mario series. It set the stage for the transition to 3D in Mario 64, which is higher up on this list.
18. Gran Turismo 4 (PS2, 2005)
Here's one that belongs to a distinct segment of the gamer market: the car enthusiasts. If you know me at all you know I am one. The Need for Speed series and the others are all good and fun, but sometimes you wanna be a little more serious about your games. This is as realistic as it gets for racing games. You get real cars, real physics, real world locations, and a very real driving simulator. It's a car lover's dream. You start off taking driving tests to get your racing licenses, get a little money, buy a used fixer-upper, mod it, and take it to the tracks. The more you win, the more money you get. You eventually get better cars and better modifications, and work your way to the top. To me, that's my idea of car heaven. I even started with the first car I had in real life, an Acura Integra. That sense of nostalgia is great too. I'm still playing this game, after jumping into it rather late (2 years ago). The next one is due out soon and I look forward to it. Hopefully I'll have this one completed by then.
17. Super Smash Bros. Melee (GCN, 2001)
Except for maybe Diablo II, this is the game I have poured the most time into. No joke. It's somewhere near 1000 hours. You wanna know how I did that? College dorms. 2004-2005 was the year. Our door would be open all the time, and people would just come in to play. There were days that my gamecube didn't turn off the whole day. People would come in at 9 am and wake me up to challenge me. I kid you not. I was even in a few tournaments. I did pretty well but never took home the gold. I'm not sure what it is exactly about this game that's so good. It's tremendously fun, one of the best multiplayer games, easy to pick up, and very difficult to master. Wait, I just answered my own question. Mastering the game was the most fun part. I even trained a few people. There are so many little things that take a while to develop, I had it down to a science. Yeah, maybe my GPA suffered a bit that year, but that year was definitely the most fun I've ever had in my life, and not just cause the gaming.
16. Perfect Dark (N64, 2000)
This game really pushed the N64, as well as the gaming world at the time, to its limits. Literally. You had to have an "expansion pak" for the N64 to play it. Most people didn't mind though. It was well worth it. This game took everything Goldeneye had presented and made it better. They're not part of the same series though. They're both made by Rare and very similar, but not the same series. Only the Mario series gets two games in this list. But yeah, this had it all: a full array of awesome, technologically advanced guns, inspiring characters, good story, and excellent gameplay. What's more is that it was VERY difficult to complete the game on the hardest difficulty. I wasn't able to do it, and neither was anybody I know. I got through about half the levels on the hardest difficulty, but some levels (Attack Ship? Pelagic II?) were near impossible to finish on that difficulty. It was very advanced for its time though. It had hostage situations, cloaking, rockets that you can guide, drugs you can take to slow down time, and just so many cool little things. It was also one of the best multiplayer games. However, I still put Goldeneye above it since it came earlier and brought more to the gaming world.
15. The Sims (PC, 2000)
The Sims, Diablo II, and Smash Bros Melee. These are the three games that I spent the most time with. This game definitely earned its game of the year award. I first played this in middle school when a friend brought it over. Now that I think about it, it might've been my first entry to PC gaming. I remember thinking that I had never seen such an in-depth and fun game before. I still think so today. You get to customize people, their lives, their surroundings, and almost everything else. Talk about power, the addicting kind. I would play for hours thinking I'd played for only a few minutes and realize I had to get back to my homework. It's really fun to start a bachelor, have him gain skills and friends, advance through his career, get married, have kids, and so on. In a way, you can plan out how you'd like your life to be. It may sound cheesy, but that's one of the biggest reasons people like this game. I only enjoyed the original though. I got the two expansion packs after it, but it eventually got killed with the dozens of expansion packs and the sequel. But it was truly revolutionary for its time, and one of the few PC games I actually bought.
14. Max Payne (PC, 2001)
This is still my favorite PC game of all time (even though Bioshock and Diablo II are higher in the list, don't ask). Presentation, innovation, gameplay, story. All top notch. We've all seen the Matrix (I hope). But this game presented the whole concept of slow mo into shooters to make things better. You're one man, framed for murder, out for answers. But the odds are against you. That is, until you discover bullet time. You can slow down time to get an advantage in shooting people, and dive out of corners for a stylish kill. What I really loved about this game is not only the story, but how it's presented. Production value is high. Voice acting is excellent. The cutscenes are these comic strips drawn with pastel or chalk. Whatever it is, it looks great and really gives you a sense of how the story is going. If only the game were a bit longer. Don't get me wrong, I played it through several times. I have yet to see the movie, but will since I'm such a fan, even though I have heard only bad things about it.
13. Grand Theft Auto III (PS2, 2001)
An open ended environment is a great thing to have. No other game (that I have played) has a better one than this. Like its 2D predecessors, GTA3 is one of the only games where people spend 99% of the time doing something other than the main objective. Similar to the Scarface story, you're a guy who escaped jail and had nothing, but will end up with everything. I'm an average fan of the mafia world, and this game portrayed it fairly well. You start with small jobs with some people, possibly end up whacking your boss, then move on to the bigger, better deal. Missions vary from escorting a person, robbing a bank, stealing a car, or a gang fight. That's the main game, and it's very fun. But often times you'll find yourself in the middle of a mission and decide that it's much more fun to just drive around and reach the city limits, find weird people, start a high speed chase, or a killing spree. It's fun, trust me. There's just so much you can do, and you should take the time to explore everything this game has to offer. There were a few more installments of the series afterwards, but this was definitely the pinnacle of the series.
Glad to know you're back.
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