#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.

Portal 2 Impressions

First, let's just get the cliche joke out of the way.  My feelings for Portal 2 are this.

This was a triumph.

There, now we can move on.

#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.

Classic Video Game Poll

Super Nintendo!

So after the last poll you have voted that you would like us to play a classic game here and there and post about it.  For the next poll you will be able to decide what classic game BluePai, myself, or both of us play.  I figured this time around we will have you choose a game from the SNES.

3 out of the 4 choices have been on Bluepai's list so far.  So please feel free to vote for the game you think we should play next.  Also if there is a SNES game that is not on the poll fell free to post a comment and maybe it will be played down the road as well.

Tournament of Weapons!!!

With BluePai's top 50 list getting so close to the top 10 there will only be a few more days for entries into the tournament of weapons!  So please feel free to comment if you thought of a last minute weapon that you woul dlike on the list.  More details to come as soon as we have the list completed...

#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.

What should we post more about?



Voting is over on the last poll here at The Orion Project.  Even though there was not an overwhelming amount of people who voted we did have a winner.  It looks like we will try and post more along with playing more classic video games. Since the voting was close I am sure that we will also post about the options that were close as well.  

This was going to be the last poll that we had until the Tournament of Weapons. However, in light of BluePai and myself playing Minecraft again, his top 50 has slowed a bit along with my posts.  To tide you over I will be posting a new poll.  I have no idea what it will be yet.  Maybe what we should build next in Minecraft. 

Just a reminder that once BluePai finishes his top 50 we will be starting the Tournament of Weapons.  Along with that, when the time comes to post my top 50 I have made the decision that I am only going to do 25 games.  Why would I do this?  Well frankly I have not played as many games as BluePai and would not be doing my list justice by listing games just to list them. 

#15: Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic

This game.  Ever dreamed of being a jedi or a sith?  Well, Knights of the Old Republic lets you make that important decision and revolutionized the RPG genre.

#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.