For those that do not already know, I am trying to compile a list of the 75 biggest games of the decade. And it takes more than just my approval, it takes the ability to change the face of gaming and meet with amazing praise and/or success to make the list. Heck, some games I don’t really like are on the list simply because of its major impact on video games, culture, and the future of the business (I’m looking at you, Halo 3). This list will definitely include unsung classics, forgotten gems, and will also result in everyone disagreeing with me. I don’t care, this is my list, and I am sticking to it. By the way, nobody will figure out what the number one game is going to be, and my pick will draw the most ire.
In the meantime, its time to praise this generation as the Second Golden Age of Video Games. Think about it, for the first time in the history of gaming, we have three systems that have appealed to a major variety of people. In my case, for the first time since 1994 I am seeing a consistent amount of awesome games being released on not just one, but two systems. The Super Nintendo and Sega Genesis was the peak of gaming, it used to be that is. Now, we have the Nintendo Wii’s innovative and unique games, the Xbox 360’s massive library of games that extends through its incredible online service, and then there’s Playstation 3’s…um….let me get back to you on that. I sometimes wish I were a teenage NOW, so I can have the time to play all these magnificent games.
As a matter of fact, my pick for top game comes from this generation. Nintendo has their premiere franchises cranking out excellent games (Twilight Princess, Prime 3, Mario Galaxy, Punch-Out) and with the Wii, has provided a link to the past and also provided gaming that for the first time ever appeals to the mainstream. Then who can forget the DS, which since its release has still delivered quality games; with Scribblenauts and Kingdom Hearts released just recently. In this corner we have Micro$oft and the Xbox 360, which boasts the best multi-player lineup and best shooting games lineup of the three systems. Then there’s Sony and the Playstation 3 and its Blu-Ray capabilities, which allowed for lovely hi-def gaming. Metal Gear Solid 4 wouldn’t be complete without the HD gameplay. Sony also has the PSP…but outside of Japan nobody really knows that.
All this gaming talk has got me thinking, which gaming system has been the best of this decade? Which system can truly stand as the champ of all things gaming? In terms of sales, amount of quality games, affect on the industry, and lasting power, which one shines the brightest? Fortunately for all of you, I have assembled a list. We can start with an honorable mention: the Nintendo 64.
The Nintendo 64 was the beginning of the end of Nintendo dominance. For multiple reasons (that shall not be discussed here since it would take too long), the N64 was crushed by the PSX, even though it was undoubtedly the superior system. The N64 had much better games, and was the system to own for a Friday night. Honestly, in the late 90s, the best activity to do on a weekend is play dozens of rounds of Goldeneye 007, followed by Mario Kart 64. To this day we cry out for a remake of Goldeneye. Now, the N64 was losing heavy steam because Nintendo was prepping for the Nintendo Gamecube. However, the N64 had a small grouping of excellent games that came out earlier this decade---hence the honorable mention.
Perfect Dark stands as not only among the best of the decade, but among the best of all-time. This was Nintendo’s 1st non-third-party video game and is quite frankly, still the best. Using the Goldeneye 007 engine and improving upon it in every possible way, Perfect Dark is the first modern mature game. It wasn’t just a game in which you shoot anything that moves; it was a game with its own epic soundtrack, a crazy storyline, intense moments, and an overall package that is rarely ever topped. Games like Grand Theft Auto, Halo, and Call of Duty owe it to Perfect Dark because of its very mature presentation. Perfect Dark wasn’t just a shooter either; it was also adventure, espionage, and sci-fi. It’s Nintendo’s first grand effort towards appealing to the adult gamers that at the time weren’t plentiful.
The Legend of Zelda: Majora’s Mask is among the most underrated video games of all-time. This is a game that should have been praised more for its day/night system, extremely dark storyline, and compelling gameplay. Majora’s Mask was tough as nails, and could devour any modern-day gamer if they weren’t allowed to use any sort of strategy guide. The time-traveling aspects of Majora’s Mask were phenomenal, and if you have not played this gem yet, you owe it to yourself to find it at a pawn shop or at the Virtual Console. Then there’s Conker’s Bad Fur Day, Banjo-Tooie, Mario Party 2, Paper Mario, and Mario Tennis. If these games had all come out sooner, who knows what would have happened in the N64/PS1 battle. Then again, Conker’s Bad Fur Day never had a chance of success because of its marketing.
Standing at #5 in my unofficial best gaming system of the decade list is the Sega Dreamcast, the final nail on the coffin that is Sega competing in the console world. The Dreamcast was everything they hyped it to be, but came out too soon, didn’t have enough games to entice the buyers, didn’t have the best marketing campaign, and just burned out too quickly. With that being said, the Dreamcast is the greatest system for fighting games you’ll ever find. Soul Calibur, Dead or Alive, Capcom vs. SNK, and the unforgettable Marvel vs. Capcom got their popularity hikes with the Sega swansong. Street Fighter, King of Fighters, Guilty Gear, and Power Stone could also be found here. Despite the lack of success or fame, the Dreamcast did indeed have its share of great games, and was the first system to incorporate online gaming. Lastly, it accomplished the killing of the era of arcade games by successfully porting the last good arcade hits of the 90s; including Marvel vs. Capcom, House of the Dead, and the underrated Crazy Taxi.
#4 and #3 is where things become tricky. I have settled for a tie because I just can’t decide which system of these two is superior. We have the Xbox 360, which boasts an incredible lineup of shooters, a perfect online system, and also some of the best games this generation. The Xbox 360 killed the PS3 by taking away some of Sony’s former partners and followers. Now, Final Fantasy, Metal Gear Solid, and Grand Theft Auto have moved on to Micro$oft. The 360 also found its “Halo-killer” after Sony’s 7-year attempt with Call of Duty 4. But, take away all the superb shooters and what have you got? More or less the Playstation 3. The Xbox 360 is the better system, don’t get me wrong, but has yet to really separate itself from Sony’s third-place grasp. What if I wasn’t a fan of shooting games? Then there’s not as much to admire about the 360.
In the other corner is the Nintendo Wii. The Wii is currently the hardcore gamer’s worst enemy and the mainstream’s newest friend. The Wii is not only dominating, but its making history. Nursery homes have Nintendo Wiis now. Houses with no kids have Nintendo Wiis. Before you know it, they will start reaching gyms (Wii Fit) and maybe even classrooms (Nintendo has recently begun looking into educational games). Nintendo also has the top fighting game this generation (Smash Brothers Brawl), top platform game (Super Mario Galaxy), and the best-selling game in history (Wii Sports).
Yet the drawback of the Wii is the untapped potential and limited online. Imagine if the Wii had Xbox 360’s Xbox live. The Wii would have been the best system in history with the internet power Microsoft possesses. Then there are the third-party games that are half-assed efforts from get-rich-quick scheme companies. Last but not least is the heavily underused WiiWare, Virtual Console, and Wi-Fi components. Where on earth is our Kirby Wii, Star Fox Wii, F-Zero Wii, Pikmin Wii, and Golden Sun Wii? Wii are still waiting for that (Pun intended).
It is a tie because the weakness of one system is the strength of the other, which means an ultimate canceling out. Nintendo desperately needs an online service that the Xbox 360 has. Imagine Mario Kart Wii, Smash Brothers Brawl, Animal Crossing, and Pokemon on XBox Live. The Xbox 360 needs the fantastically diverse list of games that Nintendo possesses. For those arguing that the 360 has a great list of games and I should shut up, I will point out that while Xbox 360 is the most successful American system in history, the system is currently last in hardware sales around the world (Losing out to even the PSP. Its also losing to the DS by over 200,000 copies a month).
#2 belongs to only one system, and that’s the Playstation 2. The Playstation 2 (despite losing the crown soon) is the best-selling system in history. PS2’s strategy was simple: not make it tough for the third-parties to make games for you. Back in the NES days, Nintendo allowed you to make only a few games for its system, so you had to make sure they were darn good. In the case here, Sony accepted anything. The PS2 has over 1,500 games, and also is home to some of the best games of all-time. Online gaming went from afterthought to possibility here and while it’s not as fancy as the Xbox Live, it gets the job done. PS2 was also the first backwards-compatible console system, which is one of the main reasons it was able to beat down the Gamecube so badly.
The Playstation 2 is so good; it’s been hindering the sales of the PS3. PS2 still sells hardware and software, which makes it hard for us to move on to the next big thing when you can obtain a system with over 1,500 games and classics like GTA, Metal Gear Solid, Burnout, Sly Cooper, Ratchet and Clank, Jak, and more for just 99 bucks. PS2 didn’t have just shooters or just sequels, Sony had its fair share of RPGs, fighting games, platform games, puzzlers, and much more. Dominating the PSX in every possible way, it’s a mystery as to where this massive, 135-million fan base, ran off to. Notice the commercials now use the sound effects of the PS2 advertisements when selling PS3 material.
Don’t worry guys, the Nintendo Gamecube isn’t the best system of the decade, its actually the Nintendo DS.
The Nintendo DS changed gaming forever. The DS proved that the Wii can indeed exist in the gaming world without being met with disappointment and slumping numbers. The two-screen handheld defied expectations, defied the competition, and delivered some of the best gameplay you’ll ever experience. If you want a truly diverse lineup, look no further than the DS. Scribblenauts, NintenDogs, Trauma Center, Brain Age, Ace Attorney, Elite Beat Agents, Wario Ware Touched, and Rhythm Heaven are just a few examples of the diversity in gaming you can experience with the DS. The DS also proved to the competitors that linking to the past is becoming a very successful commodity. New Super Mario Bros. is one of the 5 best-selling console games in history.
For more hilarity, 4 of the top 10 best-sellers in history belong to the Nintendo DS. Unlike the Gamecube and the Wii, Nintendo’s frontrunner franchises ALL had their moment to shine for the DS, and delivered. New Super Mario Bros., Metroid Prime Hunters, Zelda: Phantom Hourglass, Kirby Super Star Ultra, Star Fox Command, Yoshi’s Island DS are just a few examples. The Nintendo DS proved to Nintendo that the world wanted a different way to play games, they wanted something different. Now with the DSi, a new era of DS gaming is emerging with the DS Ware and its library of cheap yet engrossing games that can be purchased.
Want a good RPG? Final Fantasy III, Chrono Trigger, Mario and Luigi 3 can be found. Want a good puzzler? Planet Puzzle League and Tetris DS will fix that up. How about a good music game? Guitar Hero: On Tour, Guitar Hero: Decades, and Elite Beat Agents can solve that. Whatever genre there is, the DS has a good game for it. This is why the Nintendo DS is undoubtedly the top system of this decade, and among the best we’ve ever seen.
My lovely list of the 75 top games of the decade will be unveiled eventually, in the meantime, enjoy this list. I’m out.
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