Well, since I messed up on the 1st one, there will only be 9 games this time. As I said, starting with game 20 each game will get its own individual post. Here we go.
A series that transcends gaming itself, Madden is loved by nerds and jocks alike. The game went 3d in 2001, and made video game history. Sliders could be adjusted to give players a more arcade feel or a complete simulation. Season mode evolved into franchise mode, which allowed players to build created teams or NFL franchises from the ground up. The game's online play allows you to play against any one, any where, any time. What could be more fun guiding the Giants to a win over your Dallas based opponent's Cowboys? The fact that you can make money doing it. Madden is a game that can pay if you're good.
Nintendo teamed up with Squaresoft in one of the most unique video game projects of all time. Once again, Bowser has kidnapped the princess and it is up to Mario to get her back...then comes the twist. A gigantic sword falls from the heavens, crashes into Koopa Keep, and sends Mario, Peach, and Bowser flying. Mario must journey around the world RPG style, stomping on an assortment of enemies and meeting new allies. All the allies are unlikely, but none as much so as Bowser himself, who joins Mario on a quest to reclaim his castle.
Earthbound was a huge move away from other RPG's of the time. It ditched the medieval setting for a more modern one. Players ate cheeseburgers instead of herbs to recover health and fought with baseball bats instead of swords. The rolling HP meter added a huge element to combat. Fast players could heal their party members before they collapsed, or win battles as they were taking critical damage. The story followed a young boy named Ness, who has been chosen to save the world from the villainous Gygas. To do so, Ness must visit the "your sanctuary" locations around the world and receive their powers. A great comedic game, it gets serious and touching at the end.
Capcom decided to give one of its flagship series' an overhaul for its fourth installment. Players had complained about the non interactive environments, the camera angles, and the awkward controls. Although RE 4 essentially took the series out of the survival horror genre, it brought it to a whole new level. Leon Kennedy returns as the main character. Now a government agent, Kennedy is asked to investigate rescue the president's kidnapped daughter. Although he doesn't find any zombies or tyrants, what he does find is far worse. The controls are spot on, and the game throws hordes of enemies at you. Although a great departure from other games in the series, RE 4 is still a classic.
Soul Caliber was a huge revolution in 3d fighting games. It's 8-way run allowed for true 3d combat, something which other games in the genre had failed miserably in. The game is full of unique characters who all play differently. In addition, players can unlock all sorts of hidden ones. The graphics are beautiful, and the gameplay is addictive. Soul Caliber is probably the best 3d fighter ever. The characters are very well balanced... well Kilik is a little cheap...
Although PC style dungeon crawlers have all but disappeared from the gaming landscape, it is hard to ignore M&M 6. The game boasted a huge graphics update from its predecessor. Players control four characters whom they create and assign them different jobs. To advance the game players must defeat monsters to gain money, treasure, and experience. You start on relatively friendly terrain fighting goblins and thieves, but after hours of completing quests and leveling up, your characters will find themselves against dragons and devils. The game requires both FPS skills and strategy, and is filled with unique dungeons. The huge quest will keep players busy for hours on end. 
Gold and Silver may have had more monsters and better graphics, but they just did not capture the magic of the original. Pokemon was a hugely revolutionary RPG when it was released with its addictive collection and battling of monsters. You start with one of three iconic pokemon on your quest to become the league champion. Along the way you must collect badges from gym leaders and battle team rocket. The dungeons in Red/Blue/Yellow were much better designed than those in Gold and Silver. This, combined with the better A.I. put the originals over the top.
photo courtesy of screwattack.com
The game that came so close to the top 20...really I wish I had time to make a huge tribute to each of these 100 games. This one in particular, because then all the readers would be able to get a true feel of how awesome the graphics in this game are. The lighting, the shadows, everything. Of course, gameplay and story are far more important and this game has those as well. Players guide either Jill Valentine or Chris Redfield around the Spencer Mansion while solving puzzles and blasting zombies. A remake of the original PS 1 game, the GC version kept the core gameplay while making a few changes. A new and truly terrifying boss with an awesome backstory has been added. The dialougue has been cleaned up (no more "master of unlocking" here) and the cutscenes allow for players to get a grasp of the excellent story. Oh... if you ever do pick this game up, make ABSOLUTELY SURE that all zombies you kill are in fact dead...
29. Legend of Legia (Prokion, PS1)
A little known game that follows the story of Vahn, a young man that is chosen by a mystical force to rid the world of the mind altering mist that fills it. Along with his allies, Vahn must revive sacred trees that drive the mist away and rescue the people of the world from their zombified state. Perhaps the best part of the game was its unique combat system. Players can choose to strike with their feet, hands, or weapons. Entering the correct combination will activate special moves, which themselves can be chained together. A strong sequel was released but it just didn't quite live up to the original.
photo courtesy of gamespot.com
photo courtesy of gamespot.com
28. Madden Series (Electronic Arts, PS2, XBox, Gamecube)
A series that transcends gaming itself, Madden is loved by nerds and jocks alike. The game went 3d in 2001, and made video game history. Sliders could be adjusted to give players a more arcade feel or a complete simulation. Season mode evolved into franchise mode, which allowed players to build created teams or NFL franchises from the ground up. The game's online play allows you to play against any one, any where, any time. What could be more fun guiding the Giants to a win over your Dallas based opponent's Cowboys? The fact that you can make money doing it. Madden is a game that can pay if you're good.
photo courtesy of gamespot.com
27. Super Mario RPG:Legend of the Seven Stars (Nintendo, SNES)
Nintendo teamed up with Squaresoft in one of the most unique video game projects of all time. Once again, Bowser has kidnapped the princess and it is up to Mario to get her back...then comes the twist. A gigantic sword falls from the heavens, crashes into Koopa Keep, and sends Mario, Peach, and Bowser flying. Mario must journey around the world RPG style, stomping on an assortment of enemies and meeting new allies. All the allies are unlikely, but none as much so as Bowser himself, who joins Mario on a quest to reclaim his castle.
photo courtesy of themushroomkingdom.com
26. Earthbound (Ape, SNES)
Earthbound was a huge move away from other RPG's of the time. It ditched the medieval setting for a more modern one. Players ate cheeseburgers instead of herbs to recover health and fought with baseball bats instead of swords. The rolling HP meter added a huge element to combat. Fast players could heal their party members before they collapsed, or win battles as they were taking critical damage. The story followed a young boy named Ness, who has been chosen to save the world from the villainous Gygas. To do so, Ness must visit the "your sanctuary" locations around the world and receive their powers. A great comedic game, it gets serious and touching at the end.
photo courtesy of guineapig119.com
25. Resident Evil 4 (Capcom, PS2)
Capcom decided to give one of its flagship series' an overhaul for its fourth installment. Players had complained about the non interactive environments, the camera angles, and the awkward controls. Although RE 4 essentially took the series out of the survival horror genre, it brought it to a whole new level. Leon Kennedy returns as the main character. Now a government agent, Kennedy is asked to investigate rescue the president's kidnapped daughter. Although he doesn't find any zombies or tyrants, what he does find is far worse. The controls are spot on, and the game throws hordes of enemies at you. Although a great departure from other games in the series, RE 4 is still a classic.
photo courtesy of gamespot.com
photo courtesy of roningamedeveloper.com
photo courtesy of roningamedeveloper.com
24. Soul Caliber (Namco, Dreamcast)
Soul Caliber was a huge revolution in 3d fighting games. It's 8-way run allowed for true 3d combat, something which other games in the genre had failed miserably in. The game is full of unique characters who all play differently. In addition, players can unlock all sorts of hidden ones. The graphics are beautiful, and the gameplay is addictive. Soul Caliber is probably the best 3d fighter ever. The characters are very well balanced... well Kilik is a little cheap...
photo courtesy of gamerscoup.com
23. Might And Magic 6: The Mandate of Heaven (3DO, PC)
Although PC style dungeon crawlers have all but disappeared from the gaming landscape, it is hard to ignore M&M 6. The game boasted a huge graphics update from its predecessor. Players control four characters whom they create and assign them different jobs. To advance the game players must defeat monsters to gain money, treasure, and experience. You start on relatively friendly terrain fighting goblins and thieves, but after hours of completing quests and leveling up, your characters will find themselves against dragons and devils. The game requires both FPS skills and strategy, and is filled with unique dungeons. The huge quest will keep players busy for hours on end. photo courtesy of coolinfo.com
22. Pokemon Red/Blue/Yellow (Nintendo/Gamefreak, Game Boy)
Gold and Silver may have had more monsters and better graphics, but they just did not capture the magic of the original. Pokemon was a hugely revolutionary RPG when it was released with its addictive collection and battling of monsters. You start with one of three iconic pokemon on your quest to become the league champion. Along the way you must collect badges from gym leaders and battle team rocket. The dungeons in Red/Blue/Yellow were much better designed than those in Gold and Silver. This, combined with the better A.I. put the originals over the top.
photo courtesy of screwattack.com
21. Resident Evil (Capcom, Gamecube)
The game that came so close to the top 20...really I wish I had time to make a huge tribute to each of these 100 games. This one in particular, because then all the readers would be able to get a true feel of how awesome the graphics in this game are. The lighting, the shadows, everything. Of course, gameplay and story are far more important and this game has those as well. Players guide either Jill Valentine or Chris Redfield around the Spencer Mansion while solving puzzles and blasting zombies. A remake of the original PS 1 game, the GC version kept the core gameplay while making a few changes. A new and truly terrifying boss with an awesome backstory has been added. The dialougue has been cleaned up (no more "master of unlocking" here) and the cutscenes allow for players to get a grasp of the excellent story. Oh... if you ever do pick this game up, make ABSOLUTELY SURE that all zombies you kill are in fact dead... photo courtesy of gamespot.com
Get ready... the top 20 starts tommorow
Get ready... the top 20 starts tommorow
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