#1: Super Mario World

And here it is... Super Mario World is my favorite game of all time.

I read quite a few gaming blogs.  Halfway through writing my list, I read some excellent advice from a blogger.  He said that you should try and keep the word "fun" out of your descriptions of games.  He explained that fun is the most subjective word that can be used to explain a game's appeal.  Everyone has a different opinion on what makes something fun.

I started following that advice at that moment.  I have to abandon that advice now.

Super Mario World is the most fun game I've ever played.

#2: Final Fantasy VI

First off, for those who don't know how it works...

Final Fantasy 6 originally released in the United States as Final Fantasy 3.  This happened because FF2, 3, and 4 only released in Japan, so FF5 and FF6 released in the US as FF2 and FF3.  That's why the box art says Final Fantasy III.

So anyways, my favorite RPG of all time is Final Fantasy VI.

#3: Phantom Dust

"What's Phantom Dust?" you might ask.  I've had to describe this game to multiple people because it's fantastic and I talk a lot, but it's an underground game.

Phantom Dust is what happens if you mix a third person action game with an excellent setting, some stirring plot, excellent multiplayer, and deck building.  I love deck building.  If you've been a fan of deck building games or collectible card games in the past, play this game.

The easier way of describing Phantom Dust is this.  Phantom Dust is what would happen if you brought Magic: The Gathering to life.

#4: Halo 3

Did anyone not know that this one was coming?

I'm pretty positive that this is the last gimmie pick on my list.  The final 3 aren't going to be everyone's guesses at my personal favorites, but this one's easy.

Halo 3 is my favorite shooter of all time.

#5: Pokemon Red/Blue

Sure, it's a franchise geared towards kids.  We all know it.  But those who have played it also know that it's a furiously addicting RPG with a very deep elemental system to it.

#6: Mario Kart 64

Those who know me can probably guess at two remaining games on this list.  This is one of the two.  Is there a gamer that hasn't had some great times with this game?

Doubtful.

#7: The Legend of Zelda: Wind Waker

I've never understood why this game isn't regarded as a classic.  There are a great features that make this game stand out among the franchise's counterparts.  To each their own, I guess.  To me, Wind Waker is the finest Zelda game ever made.

#8: Final Fantasy Tactics

Squaresoft (back in the days when they'd actually freaking experiment with new game ideas) decided to try their hand at a boardgame-like RPG.  The results were fantastic.

#9: Rock Band 2

Here’s the only music game on my list.

#10: Secret of Mana

Woot.  The top 10 starts out with a freaking bang.

#11: Super Smash Brothers

Here's the top rated fighting game on my list.  Super Smash Brothers was (and is) a unique fighting game and a great mashup of various Nintendo brand characters.

People who know me understand that I'm not a gigantic fan of fighting games.  However, Super Smash Bros was a new kind of fighter.  There was no health bar.  There was a scaling damage rating that influenced how far your character flew.  There was no honor.  It was a 2-4 player scrum on stages that fought you as much as your opponents did.  There was no structure.  Random items rained from the sky that could turn the stage of a battle quickly.

Smash Bros was best played in groups where hooting and hollering was loud and constant.  There was always some rivalry to experience or character to hate... for example, Pikachu.  That little Thunder-Bolting rodent can spend his entire afterlife in the underworld for all I care.  Alright, I don't hate him that much, but my sister Audrey made me despise that thunder rat whenever she used it.  Grrrr.

Despite the gimmick of having your favorite Nintendo characters fight each other, it's an extremely polished and perfect fighting game with true balance.

Go Ness.

#12: Mass Effect 2

Here's another great example of how to properly reboot the gameplay of a franchise.

#13: Plants vs Zombies

Alright.  First question.  Have you played this game yet?  If the answer is no, then go buy it now, play it and then come back for some reminiscing.

#14: Fallout 3

What an excellent reboot for a franchise.

#16: Resident Evil 4

This game is starting the run.  The next 16 games are all fantastic.  They're polished, they're revolutionary, and they're perfect.  I looked at these 16 games and I had an extremely hard time figuring out where to place them.  So, please understand that while I may rate one game higher or lower than another, these are all perfect games in my mind.

K, now on to the game.

#17: Burnout 3: Takedown

Freaking Burnout.

#18: Chromehounds

Meet Chromehounds.  It contains my favorite multiplayer in a game... ever.  The single player was crud, that's why it's down so far on the list.  But the multiplayer component to the game is absolutely unique and fantastic.

#19: MVP Baseball 2005

The last of EA's MLB games was its best, without a doubt.  MVP Baseball 05 brought all of the polished gameplay of the previous years while including 2 fantastic minigames and a time-sucking owner's mode.

It took the monotony of a 162-game season and made additions to get you through it.

#20: Castle Crashers

Many of you will be saying things like:

• What's Castle Crashers
• Really, this game?
• Above [insert game here]?

#21: The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past

Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past is the second of three Zelda games on my list.  Yes, in my opinion, it's better than Ocarina.  Sue me (please don't, I'm poor).