Comfort Games

[Jagosaurus]

Super Mario Bros 3 - NES
TMNT II/Arcade - NES
DOOM - PSX & Jaguar ports
Dragon Quest V - DS port
Grid Runner - Saturn port
Streets of Rage - Genesis
Street Fighter 2 SCE - Genesis

Saw several ppl mention puzzle games. Look up Grid Runner on PSX & SS. No1 ever talks about this one. Think Bomberman meets capture the flag against bosses. Nice mix of action, strategy, & puzzle.

[o.pwuaioc]

HERO (2600), Yars Revenge, Centipede (7800), Dr. Mario, Galaga (NES), Super Mario Bros, Super Mario Bros 3, Balloon Kid, Super Metroid, Super Castlevania IV, Gradius III (SNES), Mega Man X, Contra III, Mario Kart 64, Doom 64, Perfect Dark, Sonic 1, 2, or 3, Frogger (Genesis), Thunder Force III, Dragon Spirit (PCE, recent!), Metal Black (recent!), Strikers 1945/II (Saturn), Rayman (Saturn), Metal Gear Solid: VR Missions (I don't play this enough), Sturmwind (recent-ish!)

[Key-Glyph]

I'm interpreting "comfort games" as meaning the titles I turn to when I'm in need of a big ol' smile or distraction from unpleasant feelings. Here are a few:

TMNT Hyperstone Heist (GEN) -- I know it like the back of my hand and never get tired of pulling theatrical stunt combinations (well, *I* think they're theatrical). I can't be unhappy while playing this game.

Sonic Spinball (GEN) -- Puts me into a state of gaming zen. Playing it is like reading a favorite book for the fifteenth time.

Harvest Moon: Another Wonderful Life (GC) -- This is one of those games I feel like I want to live in. I love the scenery, the atmosphere... and I'm also very emotionally attached. Going back to Forget-Me-Not Valley feels like a homecoming of sorts.

Mass Effect (360) -- Vigil's Theme (the main title music) is on my list of Most Important Songs Ever, so literally from the moment I fire it up I get put in a personal space of beautiful bittersweet feels. This game also has varied enough gameplay that I can always remedy my blues, whether that be by eavesdropping on Citadel conversations, going treasure hunting/crash testing in the Mako, getting into the sniping zone, or just staring up at some random planet's incredible sky.

Wario Land (Super Mario Land 3) (GB) -- The jaunty theme of this series is a definite smile-inducer, as are all the little "moves" you can do (even the useless ones): slamming your butt on the ground, getting your ox horns stuck in a ceiling, flying across large expanses with your jet pack. No matter how many times I play it, I never fully remember the location of every treasure -- so I keep having those happy "oh yeaaaaaaaaah" moments when memories click.

My Pokémon Ranch (Wii) -- I will not lie to you... I put this game on occasionally after I've woken up from particularly intense nightmares. Basically you just watch your pokémon run around in a field. Sounds dumb, but it's actually quite meditative. I have fallen asleep on the couch several times to its music and then slept soundly through the rest of the early morning that way.

[o.pwuaioc]

I'm interpreting "comfort games" as meaning the titles I turn to when I'm in need of a big ol' smile or distraction from unpleasant feelings.

Oh, hm, mine would be slightly different then, as I basically just did games I'm familiar with, that I love returning to over and over again.

Missed some PC games, too, like Rise of Nations, Rome: Total War, or something Civ.

[Gamerforlife]

I'm interpreting "comfort games" as meaning the titles I turn to when I'm in need of a big ol' smile or distraction from unpleasant feelings. Here are a few:

That was my first thought as well and Viva Pinata would be number one as a relaxing stress reliever, but I'd also mention Mark of the Ninja as one of the most stress free stealth games I've ever played in a genre that is frequently frustrating.

One game that was annoying to play at times but still made me smile a lot due to its wacky, silly nature and devil may care attitude was Lollipop Chainsaw. It also gave me a joyous retro vibe with its old school arcade sensibilities.

Using the thread starter's definition though, years ago (since I rarely replay games now, there's just too many new things I want to try and have precious little free time as an adult)I'd have said:

Sonic & Knuckles
Final Fantasy III
Streets of Rage 2
Ninja Warriors Again (SNES)
Turtles in Time (SNES)
TMNT Arcade (NES)
Starfox

[strangenova]

Everything is up to interpretation but the games I listed get played and generally completed at least once a year. The ones I just can't stop coming back too. I will admit the lack of free time plays a lot into my game choices, so to me rather than spend 20+ hrs trying to figure a new game out. I'll use my time to play a game I'm familiar and comfortable with. I know I'll enjoy it and I know I'll still get that high you get from completing it.

[BoneSnapDeez]

Super Mario World

It's like a warm hug.

[Tanooki]

Isn't that the truth, SMB3 is fairly well too. Neither of them start out really hard at all until you get a little ways in so it's a nice stroll. The earlier 2 mario games in the US weren't as easy to start if you think back to your first time playing discovering something new.

[Key-Glyph]

I'm interpreting "comfort games" as meaning the titles I turn to when I'm in need of a big ol' smile or distraction from unpleasant feelings.

Oh, hm, mine would be slightly different then, as I basically just did games I'm familiar with, that I love returning to over and over again.

Yeah, I was veering off with an interpretation that wasn't what the OP intended. But coincidentally, every game I listed is also one that calls to me at least once a year.

Regarding the original meaning, though, I'm happy to realize that I played several games this year that I know will prove to become comfort games as time goes by. I'm already looking forward to my next Phantasy Star III and Metroid playthroughs either this winter or next summer. I also know that I will be picking up Earthworm Jim and Comix Zone again several times before we even hit the fall.

And so far as games that I've played to death go (and speaking of computer titles), I left off Day of the Tentacle and the Secret of Monkey Island.

[Gunstar Green]

Lots of 90's DOS games help cure depression for me I think. They just bring back a lot of warm fuzzy memories of exploring shareware disks and feeling like the world was my burrito.

Golden age arcade games and games that emulate them are also a go-to comfort. I can just get in the zone with simple mechanics and challenging gameplay, chasing my high scores. It's the easiest way for me to turn off my brain.

If I were to name particular console games it would be cliche, probably be the Mega Man series, the Super Mario Bros. games and the 16-bit Sonic titles. They're all endlessly playable and familiar. Streets of Rage 1 and 2 and a handful of the Metroid games are up there as well.