This is the continuation of my countdown of the top video games of the decade. For those that missed part 1, well, too bad. I kid, just go back to the blog and catch the first couple of entries. Now we will be focusing on the next 15 games in the list. Enjoy!
#69: The Zelda Killer That Never Killed Zelda But Did Start Something
Game: Fable
System: Xbox
Year: 2004
Sales: 2+ million
They shall never admit it, but the staff hyped this as the next Zelda, and would ultimately kill the leading RPG-adventure franchise. The game did indeed deliver some fantastic non-linear gameplay, but didn’t deliver on most of the promises Peter Molyneux made to gamers keeping track. Nonetheless, it did provide Zelda some much-needed competition with a great musical score, a nice storyline, and plenty of Grand Theft Auto-like decision-making that would alter and change the way the game progressed.
#68: Why Snake Isn’t in a DS Game
Game: Metal Gear Solid: Ghost Babel
System: Game Boy Color
Year: 2000
Sales: …………
I am positive that if this game had been as successful as the PSX counterpart, then we would have Snake in more Nintendo games. However, this incredible game (that flawlessly mixes old-school and new-school Metal Gear gameplay) was largely avoided, and quickly forgotten. This remains one of the few games to receive perfect scores to become virtually unnoticed in the gaming community. With over 12 stages and 180+ missions to perform, this game was no little pushover, it was the real deal. Total shame everyone missed out, otherwise we could have seen Snake in a DS title.
#67: How Can You Top Chrono Trigger?
Game: Chrono Cross
System: PSX
Year: 2000
Sales: Over 1 million
How can anyone top Chrono Trigger, one of the most beloved video games of all-time? How do you top its fantastic storyline, time-traveling aspects, innovative gameplay, sleek art design, and great soundtrack? The simple answer is: You don’t. Chrono Cross is a great game that drifts a bit away from the original yet still retains its magic. The game is massive, boasts an even better soundtrack, and has more characters, a longer quest, and multiple endings. While the game has trouble topping the original, its still a worthy game that left us begging for more. Square, drop Final Fantasy, this is your top RPG franchise.
#66: The Rebirth of a Franchise
Game: Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time
System: PSCubeBox
Year: 2003
Sales: 2+ million overall
This decade re-introduced the gaming world to all sorts of quiet franchises released in the 80s, and this was one of the main ones to receive a successful and profitable facelift. The original Prince of Persia was known for intertwining a good storyline with immense action, and that was just an NES game. After a string of absolute failures, the team behind Splinter Cell finally gave the franchise a spiritual sequel that does not become shrouded in shame. With a clever gameplay mechanic that allows for you to mess with time, The Sands of Time combines intense gameplay with great puzzles, a nice story, and an excellent musical score. The evolution of gaming was evident here, as we are seeing more and more Blockbuster-like experiences out in game shelves.
#65: A Game About Ninjas? Nice.
Game: Ninja Gaiden
System: Xbox
Year: 2004
Sales: 1.5 million
Continuing in the footsteps of Prince of Persia, Ninja Gaiden was another NES franchise revived for a new generation. The difference is: the challenge. Long gone are the difficult games that are deemed impossible to beat (Battletoads, Contra), but Ninja Gaiden is darn-close. Old-school gamers rejoiced as we finally receive an incredible action game that also challenges your wit, patience, and ability to continue after dying for the 3893590890903th time. Bald people play this game, and wind up with more hair than an 80s Metal star.
#64: Subtle Stalker Roaming About
Game: Paper Mario and the Thousand-Year Door
System: Gamecube
Year: 2004
Sales: Over 2 million
If you have no idea what the first statement was about, it’s only because you have not played this…and you should. This superior sequel to Paper Mario combines plenty of humor, adventure, fun RPG action, and a bit of platforming. Hailed as the closest thing a Mario RPG was to Super Mario RPG quality-wise, Thousand-Year Door was the perfect solution to all the RPG-starving owners of the Nintendo Gamecube seeing PS2 receiving plenty of role-playing love. While Super Paper Mario continued in the tradition by mixing humor with action and RPG elements, this installment stands tall as the best one of them all.
#63: The Best Party of its Kind
Game: Mario Party 2
System: Nintendo 64
Year: 2000
Sales: 2.5 million
There have been 10 Mario Party games in the history of the franchise: there is only one that can truly stand out in the crowd. While the original was a lovely idea, this installment literally improved upon everything that could possibly be improved upon. The mini-games were better, the game boards were better, the baseball-like complex (it ain’t over until its over) took a step forward, the surprises were better, the cinematic presentation was better, and the multi-player improved infinitely. If you enjoy playing these types of games, then there is no reason for you not to own this one. The Virtual Console needs this game to come out immediately, because gamers have forgotten what a gem this was, and what it hit it became back in 00.
#62: Violent Mario
Game: Super Mario Strikers
System: Nintendo Gamecube
Year: 2005
Sales: 1.5 million
What happens when your system is close to dying? Great games are quickly washed away if they come out at the end of the lifespan. Enter Super Mario Strikers, the most violent, intense, and crazy Mario game this side of Japan. Throwing Mario and his buddies into a deathmatch-like arena playing soccer with no foul calls was a brilliant idea that deserves a bit more tweaking. The presentation was gritty, the graphics were gritty, the gameplay was gritty, and the entire experience was something quite unique for a Mario game.
#61: Comic Book Hero. Yes, master? Rise.
Game: Viewtiful Joe
System: Nintendo Gamecube (eventually the PS2)
Year: 2003
Sales: Less than 500,000
Anyone remember the Capcom Five? It was the ultimate screw-over to Nintendo done in the early days. For whatever reason, the Gamecube was initially promised 5 exclusive games from Capcom, and winds up getting only one exclusive, with the three most successful Capcom games winding up on the PS2 regardless (with extra goodies). If karma exists, it would explain why Capcom games are failing miserably for the Wii and Resident Evil 5 not quite hitting the sales they wanted. Viewtiful Joe was one of these titles. This game makes the list not only for its awesome gameplay, grand presentation, and cult-hit status, but it makes the list because of the overall impact the Capcom Five had on the Gamecube/PS2 war. The Gamecube would suffer intensely as they saw a slew of their exclusives heading elsewhere, and Nintendo quietly losing trust in all the third-party companies. For anyone wondering why to this day the Wii remains quiet in the amount of third-party exclusives, just turn to Capcom.
#60: It is like owning a dog. But not really
Game: NintenDogs
System: Nintendo DS
Year: 2005
Sales: 23 million worldwide. Yes, 23 million.
Why is this game on the list? Let’s see, maybe because it is one of the best-selling games of all-time, beating Halo 3’s sales by over 13 million copies. Perhaps it is because it was the beginning of Nintendo branching out to the mainstream and a brand new generation of gamers. Perhaps it’s because this is the first game to take a common aspect of life, and virtually make it easier. Or, finally, it could be because it is the first game to become accessible to gamers underneath the age of 6 in a very long time. The beginning of utter sales domination from the DS began here, as this game began wiping the floor against anything the PSP could deliver.
#59: The Life You’ve Always Wanted To Live
Game: The Sims
Year: 2000
System: PC (eventually, everywhere else)
Sales: 16 million copies
From the fantastic creator of SimCity, The Sims became one of the final big games on the PC—which would eventually port over to consoles regardless. The Sims was a massive game that could only get bigger with the series of expansion packs that came out all the time. In this game, you control one person, and dictate and determine his life path, who he goes after, what kind of house he wants, etc. Gamers were delighted because in this game, you are inches away from being God. And whenever you hold such power, its always a great experience.
#58: Indiana Jones, Meet Your Match
Game: Uncharted 2
System: PS3
Year: 2009
Sales: 2.6 million
Gamers this generation has been treated to a wide variety of games, but the one really making a buzz are these Blockbuster film-type games with a massive production, and an attitude that resembles that of the summer flicks you fork over good money to see in theaters. Uncharted 2 has it all: stealth, action, chases, crazy plot twists, and even superb acting believe it or not. This game has become the game that could convince people to purchase a PS3, which is something that besides Metal Gear Solid 4, most game has not been able to accomplish as of now. Perhaps with more word-of-mouth acclaim, we’ll see the PS3 provide heavier competition against the Xbox 360 in the coming months.
#57: Skateboarding, With a Story
Game: Tony Hawk Underground
System: PS2XBoxGamecube
Year: 2003
Sales: Over 5 million
The Tony Hawk games this previous decade had been incredible in changing the way sports games were being made. But with Underground, the bar was set even higher because now we have an extensive story mode which allows for a lowly punk skater to rise to the top. Infuse that with the franchises’ best soundtrack, among the best level design, and the same good ol’ Tony hawk gameplay, and we have ourselves an absolute winner. Unfortunately though, the franchise went downhill after this hit.
#56: War Has Never Been So Much Fun
Game: Advance Wars
System: Game Boy Advance
Year: 2001
Sales: N/A
Oh the irony. September 10th, 2001 was the release of the game. Imagine the sales after the unfortunate attacks. Advance Wars is not only one of the most addicting and most entertaining games of the decade, but it also paved the way for real-time strategy games like Fire Emblem to ship over to the United States after years of success in Japan. The game is simple to learn, but becomes extremely deep as the game (and war) rages on. Every single GBA owner was required to have this, otherwise they really wouldn’t get their true money’s worth on the handheld. Last note: all of the Advance Wars sequels are also pretty darn spectacular.
#55: The Water Pack Heard Round the World
Game: Super Mario Sunshine
System: Nintendo Gamecube
Year: 2002
Sales: Over 6 million
Super Mario Sunshine was a game all the Mario fans feared from the start, because it looked absolutely different from your typical Mario adventure. The water pack was the first power-up that remained permanent in your arsenal. Instead of collecting stars, you were limited to cleaning up a town full of bizarre inhabitants and tropical scenery. Even the typical variety in the Super Mario levels was quite diminished. Miyamoto is known for taking chances, and the gamble here was quite a profitable one, even if its sales numbers are among the lowest in any Mario adventure. The game looks, sounds, and feels tropical, and the entire game never lets down. Let’s not forget the killer boss battle in the roller coaster and the inclusion of Yoshi.
The Next Installment Shall Come Within the next few days. Don't cry, it will come.
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