Super Mario Bros. vs. Tetris

[AznKhmerBoi]

thats a tough one...

but after thinking it through...
Mario hands down....

[Original_Name]

I don't think either of those games deserve the title because they are both painfully incomplete representations of what the medium is. I think that A.) naming the "best game of all time" is a futile practice to begin with and B.) if one were to name a game which could singularly represent video games as themselves (as in not relying on cut-scenes or other things which do not play on video games' interactive strengths) as well as illustrate complete mastery in the art of its craft in order to create a moving experience, I would nominate Ikaruga. It simultaneously captures elements of old and modern, simplicity and complexity, accessibility and difficulty, as well as incorporate spiritual (Taoist, specifically) concepts which fit the medium perfectly (reincarnation, meditation, self-refinement, the futility of freedom of choice when there is ultimately a single righteous path, et cetera) while still presenting a video game which, even without considering the philosophical elements, is a thoroughly playable, addictive, fun, challenging, and masterfully-constructed gaming experience.

Also, blackberries. For the exact same reasons as Ikaruga.

[the King]

[jfrost]

Reminds me of that platformer Tetris game:
http://www.stickpage.com/tetrisdgameplay.shtml

Reminds me of The Blocks Cometh. Basically the same game, actually, but I think we can shoot in TBC. Oh, and the achievements are annoying as hell in this one.

[Xeogred]

Dr. Mario

What exactly IS the highest/last level in Dr. Mario? I remember I could always clear 20, but after that ... 21-23 is about all I could do.

[Bradtemple87]

Tetris, far more addicting

[mrkola]

Tetris, far more addicting

Agreed. I love the original Super Mario Bros, but when it comes down to it, world 1-1 will always be world 1-1. With Tetris, I never have the same game twice. It also has that "easy to learn, a lifetime to master" quality that I love about those early arcade/puzzle titles.

[TheyCallMeTheSwede]

I don't think either of those games deserve the title because they are both painfully incomplete representations of what the medium is. I think that A.) naming the "best game of all time" is a futile practice to begin with and B.) if one were to name a game which could singularly represent video games as themselves (as in not relying on cut-scenes or other things which do not play on video games' interactive strengths) as well as illustrate complete mastery in the art of its craft in order to create a moving experience, I would nominate Ikaruga. It simultaneously captures elements of old and modern, simplicity and complexity, accessibility and difficulty, as well as incorporate spiritual (Taoist, specifically) concepts which fit the medium perfectly (reincarnation, meditation, self-refinement, the futility of freedom of choice when there is ultimately a single righteous path, et cetera) while still presenting a video game which, even without considering the philosophical elements, is a thoroughly playable, addictive, fun, challenging, and masterfully-constructed gaming experience.

Also, blackberries. For the exact same reasons as Ikaruga.

I have a personal philosophy that there are a difference between the most acclaimed vs. a favorite. To me what you listed is just your personal favorite. The main reason why I picked these two is because they are always neck in neck in acclaim from critics. Example the most critically acclaimed film is "Citizen Kane" but my personal favorite is "The Goonies" or critics think "The Beatles" is the greatest band of all time, but my favorite is "Nine Inch Nails". You see what I am going?

[Original_Name]

I have a personal philosophy that there are a difference between the most acclaimed vs. a favorite. To me what you listed is just your personal favorite. The main reason why I picked these two is because they are always neck in neck in acclaim from critics. Example the most critically acclaimed film is "Citizen Kane" but my personal favorite is "The Goonies" or critics think "The Beatles" is the greatest band of all time, but my favorite is "Nine Inch Nails". You see what I am going?

Actually, Ikaruga isn't my favorite game. I like it more than Super Mario Bros. and Tetris, but I've never considered it to be my favorite game at any point in time... I'm actually trying to be more objective than most video game critics, because frankly most video game critics aren't particularly good at their jobs when it comes to this kind of stuff. Instead of lifting the likes of Citizen Kane to the greatest position, video game critics laud the equivalents of E.T., Star Wars, and Titanic, y'know what I mean?

I understand what you mean though, and it's a valid question: "here's what video game critics rank fairly equally in terms of the best video games of all time, but what's your favorite of the two?" But at the same time, I have to say that I don't think said critics have done a very good job trying to objectively determine the elements that make video games special and which games utilize those elements most masterfully and tastefully in order to create an experience that penultimately defines what a video game is. Neither do many of my very favorite games like Rez, Shenmue, and NiGHTS, but I am more than willing to forsake those "favorites" in order to constructively consider what truly qualifies as a more optimal representation of both the "expressive" and "purely fun" sides of the medium whereas critics have shown they are unwilling to do so as Tetris and Super Mario Bros. clearly only succeed in the latter.

[J T]

It'd be awesome if they combined these somehow.

Don't say Dr. Mario or Wario's woods.

How about Tuper Tario Tros?


(click the image to play it)