Games that defined your life Top10 - With honorable mentions

[Key-Glyph]

I think I'm coming at it from an angle similar to Op.Wok's. The games I listed are ones that got stuck in my psyche, not ones that necessarily led me to seek out similar gaming experiences. In fact, the defining criterion of every game on my list (only noticeable in hindsight!) is that I have an emotional appreciation for each of them that transcends their gameplay element. And it's the total experience of these games -- their aesthetics, mechanics, narratives, etcetera, taken together -- that I am in love with, not just one or two facets to an disproportionate degree. Karateka is a great example of this. For all my attachment to it as a creative expression and experience I'm not entirely sure if I'm technically having fun while I'm playing it, if that makes any sense.

I like seeing how everyone approached their lists, though. The differences are just another illumination of how uniquely we each process the world -- which is always the aim of lists like this in the first place.

[Blu]

Thread necromancy--sorry! I was curious if some of your opinions on the the games you've mentioned have changed. In turn, I'm going to include my top ten.

1. Phantasy Star Online - (Dreamcast, Gamecube, Xbox)
This game was a revolution for me in terms of a hack-n-slash game. I had always enjoyed the thrill of Diablo and Diablo II, but for me this game was a deeper journey into the genre. The soundtrack was brilliant, futuristic, and always drove the mood. The gameplay was varied enough that it didn't feel like I was mashing buttons. That, and combined with the fact was the first time I took a console online to team up with others. It might be obsessive, but I eventually merged onto the Gamecube version, and Xbox version when some friends wanted to join in on the fun.

2. Sonic the Hedgehog Series - (Sega Genesis)
Sonic was my go-to for platforming. I always felt Mario was endearing, but I've always felt more attached to the style and play of the Sonic Games.

3. Metal Gear Solid Series - (Playstation)
I have this hunch that I think Metal Gear Solid will always be the game that championed the stealth-action genre. A great score, fantastic (albeit out there at times) plot, and very polished gameplay have always kept me hooked on this series. Playing the first demo for months, then finally getting the game and switching off on continues with a friend next-door are some of my fondest memories of this game.

4. Shenmue - (Dreamcast)
Sandbox games of today always seem to incorporate a lot of the formula of Shenmue. It's been exhausted, but there's so much to do in Shenmue, that anytime I play it I discover something new.

5. Diablo 2 - (PC)
Hack and Slash games are frantic, but this game was defining for me because of it was the first time I really linked up with a forum community that was outside of the game. Videogamesource.com - a small, relatively relaxed community was where I went for advice, met people on the forums, and played with them. It also helped that the game was fantastic, the soundtrack amazing, and incredibly addictive. To date, I think this game has more of my time invested in it than any other.

6. Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time (N64)
This is the first game I can say I effectively beat in my adolescence. Without guides, assistance from others, etc. It shaped my taste in action adventures, and solidified my devotion to the series.

7. Animal Crossing (Gamecube)
Something is relatively timeless about Animal Crossing. The fact that the game progresses whether or not you play it--was a new addition to gaming. Running errands, fishing, bug catching, trading, there was a little bit of everything. The holidays and world events that were configured into the game make it still relevant. You could also be involved with other players in the game, by way of sending items, visiting other people's towns, etc. It's still touching to return to every now and then.

8. Astro Warrior / Bomber Raid (Sega Master System)
I think these two games for Sega Master System were my two favorite games on the console. There are a few other great Shmups for this console, but I probably wouldn't have been so interested in them had I not fallen in love with Astro Warrior and Bomber Raid. They were fun to play, difficult to master, and rewarding at the same time. I can still pick them up, play them for an hour or two, and be satisfied with my experience.

9. Final Fantasy VII and VIII (Playstation)
Final Fantasy VIII was my favorite game during Middle School. The fact that games had transitioned to a disc format for consoles was still a foreign concept to me, let alone there were 3-4 discs for a single game. It was a great journey into the RPG genre, and I fell in love with the characters, the storyline, music, and how the game played out at your fingertips.

10. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (Arcade)
Wow, what a way to blow through quarters. Beat-em ups are one of my favorite games to pick up and play, and this is one I will never tire of playing. I just beat it with my dad when we were working on his Hyperspin cabinet. The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles is one of my favorite childhood franchises, and the arcade beat-em up games only solidify this for me more.

Honorable mentions: Fallout 3 (Xbox 360), Streets of Rage (Sega CD), Flicky (Sega Genesis), Metroid Prime (Gamecube), Super Mario 3 (NES)

[BurningDoom]

I hope nobody minds, but mine is a top 20. I recently made one for another message board, so I'll just us it:

My Top 20 Games:

1. The Elder Scrolls Games - Particularly Morrowind, Oblivion, and Skyrim. I haven't ever played Daggerfall or Arena. Those games just give you so much freedom and exploration, and a massive yet detailed world to do it all in. And the character options are endless as well. A masterpiece of gaming with each iteration.

2. Metroid Franchise - The first one was just alright for me. The lack of an in-game map and the constant grind for health (plus only starting with only 30 health) kept it from being a masterpiece, IMO. But when Super Metroid came out, it blew me away and remains one of the greatest gaming experiences I've ever had to this day. And every Metroid game after it has been fantastic, as well. And Metroid: Prime on Gamcube gave me that wonderful sense of discovery and amazement that Super Metroid did all over again.

3. The Legend of Zelda Franchise (2D Games) - I LOVE The Legend of Zelda series. The first game on NES is one of my first personally owned games as a little kid. I know every nook and cranny of that game by heart. The different, yet still good Zelda II on NES is another favorite of mine (but so hard at the end), and A Link to the Past was a complete masterpiece. The handheld Zelda games are on par with those console counterparts as well. But for some reason, I just can't get into the 3D Zelda games as much.

4. The Super Mario Bros. Series - Mario is a gaming icon, and as cliché as it may be, he's a gaming hero for me. Super Mario Bros. is the reason I wanted an NES so badly as a kid. And Super Mario Bros. 3 improved on perfection. Super Mario World was stunning, and even Super Mario Sunshine on Gamecube is a blast to play. The core Mario series never disappoints with it's crisp controls and perfect platforming.

5. The King's Field Series - I just love this series, and I have to be it's biggest fan out there. I've played all 3 U.S. entries so many times, that I could verbally walk you through each game. It's an a 3D action-RPG played from the first-person perspective with a very heavy emphasis on exploration, a steep learning-curve, and a bit of a challenge.

6. The Resident Evil Series - I've always loved horror movies, especially zombie flicks (Dawn of the Dead and Day of the Dead by George Romero are MUST-SEE MOVIES for any horror-fans). And I've always been a big fan of Capcom. So it's only natural that I'd love this survival-horror series. The settings, music, sound-effects, and storyline just come together beautifully for most games in the series.

7. The Halo Series - Yeah, another cliché title in my list...sue me. I love sci-fi, and I love a well-polished game. And Halo is both. The biggest draw for me is the sci-fi universe, story, and setting. I love the epic scope of it all. And the graphics are beautiful to behold on both Xbox and Xbox 360. Plus the music is some of the best in the entire gaming world. And the great multiplayer sure doesn't hurt.

8. Castlevania Series - If I love the Metroid Series, then I have to love the Castlevania Series. From Sympony of the Night on PS1 and beyond (and on Castlevania II: Simon's Quest for NES), the series has embraced the Metroidvania style of gameplay, and executed it perfectly, which I'm a huge fan of. The music is always amazing. Plus the added RPG-elements really fleshes out the gameplay. And the platforming is spot-on (and was even before Symphony of the Night). Plus the gothic settings and cool looking creatures helps, too.

9. Neverwinter Nights (PC) - The best "Diablo-style" action-RPG ever made, as far as I'm concerned. The attention to detail is just astounding in gameplay, in stats & abilities, in character choices, in the amount of gear/spells available, and in the size of the world you're playing in. And then the sheer amount of expansions and modules available for the game just make it an amazing deal.

10. Crystalis (NES) - An 8-bit masterpiece. Easily one of the best games on the NES, and a crowning jewel in SNK's library of games. It's a damn shame that this game never received a sequel. It plays a lot like the original Legend of Zelda, but does nearly everything better than Legend of Zelda: Better graphics, better music & sound effects, bigger world to explore, more RPG-elements, and more towns and NPCs to interact with. I recommend this HIGHLY to fans of the 8-bit era, or of The Legend of Zelda.

11. Bionic Commando (NES) - Who would have thought that the addition of a bionic-arm would switch up 2D platforming so much and make a game so much fun? But it did! A must-have for the NES and a rare example of an NES version of a game being better than it's arcade counterpart (Ninja Gaiden also immediately comes to mind). Capcom really outdid themselves with this one.

12. Contra (NES) - Another rare example of an NES version of a game being better than it's arcade counterpart with added levels and even better control. The run-n-gun action is so good in this one, that it's still a blast to play to this day, and even more fun with a friend for some co-op action. Up, Up, Down, Down, Left, Right, Left, Right, B, A, B, A, Start. The famous Konami code was the most useful right here on this bad-boy for the coveted 30-lives.

13. Mega Man 2 (NES) - The BEST game in the Mega Man series, bar-none. Great level-design, tight controls and 2D platforming, great boss battles, fantastic 8-bit music, and it's freaking Mega Man! Such an improvement over the original game.

14. Marvel vs. Capcom: Clash of the Super Heroes (Dreamcast) - The best 2D fighting game ever made, as far as I'm concerned. Now I could be biased on this one, because I am a life-long comic book fan. But the gameplay and the amazing 2D graphics and the sheer amount of characters available to choose has to have a little to do with it. And the crisp controls and tight-gameplay that you expect from a Capcom fighter definitely has a little to do with it, as well.

15. Sonic the Hedgehog Series (2D Games) - I love me some 2D Sonic the Hedgehog platforming. The 3D games just aren't the same for me. Sonic the Hedgehog 1-4, Sonic & Knuckles, Sonic: Pocket Adventure, and Sonic Advance are all fan-freaking-tastic platformers that are just plain fun to play. Sonic CD I hear is just as good, but I haven't played much more of it than the first level; which I did enjoy, though.

16. Guitar Hero Series - I'm big into metal and hard-rock. And this game let me live out my inner-fantasy of being a rockstar. Plust there's a lot of great hard-rock stuff on these games. So I'm a sucker for this music-based series.

17. Tony Hawk's Pro Skater Series - Because doing a ton of tricks with crisp controls a great soundtrack is a fantastic way to waste some time.

18. Sonic's Ultimate Genesis Collection (XBox 360) - I know, many of your are thinking "Hey, that's cheating!" But I love classic game compilations. I own a ton of them. You just get so many games for such a cheap price, and I don't have anything against playing older games. Sonic's Ultimate Genesis Collection is THE BEST classic game compilation I've seen. Just a massive amount of great Sega classics at your fingertips to play on 1 disc.

19. WWE: Smackdown Series - I like professional wrestling. (And yes, I know it's fake.) I've been a lifelong fan since the days when Hulk Hogan, Macho Man, Ultimate Warrior, and Rowdy Roddy Piper ruled the WWF. The Smackdown series has been the best wrestling game series to date. Great controls (most of the time), lots of game/match modes, nice level of polish, and lots of fan-service in these games.

20. The Legend of Legaia (PS1) - My favorite JRPG. Good story, memorable characters, and cool abilities/spells; but most of all a unique and addicting battle-system that involves using a combination of button-commands to unlock special attacks and spells. Which kept you constantly fiddling it with it to discover new attacks which helped a lot to prevent random-encounters from getting repetitive.