10. Pokemon Red and Blue
This was my first action adventure rpg. The game masterfully used turn based combat to a medium that was mainly associated with portable Mario and Kirby games. This game usurped the Nintendo portable scene in spectacular fashion. What is unfortunate about these games is that people will always associate it with the tie in anime and decide if it is a good thing or not rather than playing it. I may love this game but I can't wholeheartedly recommend it because the outdated graphics will piss people who have never played the originals or is younger than 18 years old.
9. The Legend of Zelda: The Ocarina of Time
Yes this game is a total cliche on top ten lists I know. But it deserves to be. The graphics during its time were revolutionary. You would have serious difficulty finding a gamer who is not familiar with this game. The gameplay is fantastic and innovative for its time. The levels/dungeons are imaginative and have great atmosphere. The musical score is memorable the story was it's only problem. The story was just rehashes of previous Zelda titles which I guess is the problem with most Zelda games. Plus this game pales in comparison to previous titles. I recommend playing the none 3d version if you can.
8. Sonic Adventure 2 Battle
Surprised to see a 3d Sonic game? And yes most 3d Sonic games deserve their infamy.The controls at times kind of suck and the bonus missions can get tedious. That being said, this game was easily some of the most fun I have had in a video game. The story is surprisingly compelling, albeit predictable. The characters with exception of Amy are entertaining. Playing as a runner, treasure hunter, and robot controller is a hell of a lot of fun. It combine platforming and puzzles beautifully. The raising a chao minigame is actually fun and it was awesome making them fight and race against friends. I highly recommend it if you can find it.
7. Limbo
Limbo is one of those games that people love or hate. I adore this game. Its about a little boy who goes looking for his sister and he essentially loses his innocence in a bleak dark world. The game is puzzle platform that is trail and error based gameplay. They atmosphere in this game is so eerie and creepy you begin to form a connection with the boy and you wish to see him survive. I reccomend it to those that love something new and original rather than just playing Black Ops.
6. Tales of Symphonia
This is the only JRPG that you will ever see me play. The gameplay is okay and the graphics could be better. What really sets this game apart for me is the depth of the story. The 9 main characters all have arcs and clear motivations that make them shine above the same space marines that must fight the Zerg or whatever alien race, warlocks, nazis etc. The characters all have great chemistry and the voice acting is above average for these types if games. The story kept me interested till the very end and it payed off beautifully. Then the game rewards you with perks to make the next playthrough easier or harder. I haven't played the sequel because I do not want to color my opinion of this game. If you like story, play this game.
5. Halo 3 and Halo Trilogy
Yes I really like Halo 3, sue me. Despite the continuation of the Halo franchise, I consider this game it true conclusion. I really enjoyed the Halo story despite the fact combat had gotten rather stale. The ending of this game left me with this great satisfied feeling you would get from finishing a great book or movie. The multiplayer is what kept me playing this game and that the Halo Trilogy is will always be fondly remembered. It was a gaming phenomenon whether you like it or not.
4. The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past
Having first played this after playing Ocarina of Time I came to an important revelation: this game is so much better! This game set the tone of all Zelda games. It is near perfect. It has great story, gameplay, humor, characterization, and just a great experience in general. I recommend this to everyone.
3. Alan Wake
This game was bit of a sleeper hit. It did not make much money but the game is critically acclaimed and loved by its cult audience. The gameplay is a third person shooter that does not involve cover-based shooting which is a welcome change. It instead has a flashlight to weaken the opponent to then be gunned down by Alan. The story is very intriguing in a way that people are fans of TV shows like Lost and Twin Peaks are going to love. Alan makes a great flawed main character who does a great job eliciting sympathy from the player. The developers did a great job designing the environment to stumble around in. The story is well told and keeps you guessing. Go play this game.
2. Pikmin 2
There is only one thing about this game that bothers me is I cannot classify the damn thing into a genre. It has elements of an action-adventure game, an rts, and a puzzle game. Maybe is ambiguity is what gives Pikmin 2 is strength. After they got rid of the stupid 30 day mechanic and dull story from the first one, the pikmin world is open to the player. And what a wonderfully quirky world it is. The story is fun and imaginative. The gameplay is fantastic. This games has tons and tons of replay value which most games don't have anymore. The levels are just flat out strange and otherworldly. The monsters are all unique and entertaining and challenging. This game is a gem, don't miss out!
1. Super Smash Bros Melee
My all time favorite game. It does what it intends to do and it achieves this with flying colors. It a fighting game, simple as that. Each character is fun to play as. There are tons of fun unlockable content. It is fast paced and fun. It is ten year old and it has aged very well and stands strong as my favorite game of all time.
This was my first action adventure rpg. The game masterfully used turn based combat to a medium that was mainly associated with portable Mario and Kirby games. This game usurped the Nintendo portable scene in spectacular fashion. What is unfortunate about these games is that people will always associate it with the tie in anime and decide if it is a good thing or not rather than playing it. I may love this game but I can't wholeheartedly recommend it because the outdated graphics will piss people who have never played the originals or is younger than 18 years old.
9. The Legend of Zelda: The Ocarina of Time
Yes this game is a total cliche on top ten lists I know. But it deserves to be. The graphics during its time were revolutionary. You would have serious difficulty finding a gamer who is not familiar with this game. The gameplay is fantastic and innovative for its time. The levels/dungeons are imaginative and have great atmosphere. The musical score is memorable the story was it's only problem. The story was just rehashes of previous Zelda titles which I guess is the problem with most Zelda games. Plus this game pales in comparison to previous titles. I recommend playing the none 3d version if you can.
8. Sonic Adventure 2 Battle
Surprised to see a 3d Sonic game? And yes most 3d Sonic games deserve their infamy.The controls at times kind of suck and the bonus missions can get tedious. That being said, this game was easily some of the most fun I have had in a video game. The story is surprisingly compelling, albeit predictable. The characters with exception of Amy are entertaining. Playing as a runner, treasure hunter, and robot controller is a hell of a lot of fun. It combine platforming and puzzles beautifully. The raising a chao minigame is actually fun and it was awesome making them fight and race against friends. I highly recommend it if you can find it.
7. Limbo
Limbo is one of those games that people love or hate. I adore this game. Its about a little boy who goes looking for his sister and he essentially loses his innocence in a bleak dark world. The game is puzzle platform that is trail and error based gameplay. They atmosphere in this game is so eerie and creepy you begin to form a connection with the boy and you wish to see him survive. I reccomend it to those that love something new and original rather than just playing Black Ops.
6. Tales of Symphonia
This is the only JRPG that you will ever see me play. The gameplay is okay and the graphics could be better. What really sets this game apart for me is the depth of the story. The 9 main characters all have arcs and clear motivations that make them shine above the same space marines that must fight the Zerg or whatever alien race, warlocks, nazis etc. The characters all have great chemistry and the voice acting is above average for these types if games. The story kept me interested till the very end and it payed off beautifully. Then the game rewards you with perks to make the next playthrough easier or harder. I haven't played the sequel because I do not want to color my opinion of this game. If you like story, play this game.
5. Halo 3 and Halo Trilogy
Yes I really like Halo 3, sue me. Despite the continuation of the Halo franchise, I consider this game it true conclusion. I really enjoyed the Halo story despite the fact combat had gotten rather stale. The ending of this game left me with this great satisfied feeling you would get from finishing a great book or movie. The multiplayer is what kept me playing this game and that the Halo Trilogy is will always be fondly remembered. It was a gaming phenomenon whether you like it or not.
4. The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past
Having first played this after playing Ocarina of Time I came to an important revelation: this game is so much better! This game set the tone of all Zelda games. It is near perfect. It has great story, gameplay, humor, characterization, and just a great experience in general. I recommend this to everyone.
3. Alan Wake
This game was bit of a sleeper hit. It did not make much money but the game is critically acclaimed and loved by its cult audience. The gameplay is a third person shooter that does not involve cover-based shooting which is a welcome change. It instead has a flashlight to weaken the opponent to then be gunned down by Alan. The story is very intriguing in a way that people are fans of TV shows like Lost and Twin Peaks are going to love. Alan makes a great flawed main character who does a great job eliciting sympathy from the player. The developers did a great job designing the environment to stumble around in. The story is well told and keeps you guessing. Go play this game.
2. Pikmin 2
There is only one thing about this game that bothers me is I cannot classify the damn thing into a genre. It has elements of an action-adventure game, an rts, and a puzzle game. Maybe is ambiguity is what gives Pikmin 2 is strength. After they got rid of the stupid 30 day mechanic and dull story from the first one, the pikmin world is open to the player. And what a wonderfully quirky world it is. The story is fun and imaginative. The gameplay is fantastic. This games has tons and tons of replay value which most games don't have anymore. The levels are just flat out strange and otherworldly. The monsters are all unique and entertaining and challenging. This game is a gem, don't miss out!
1. Super Smash Bros Melee
My all time favorite game. It does what it intends to do and it achieves this with flying colors. It a fighting game, simple as that. Each character is fun to play as. There are tons of fun unlockable content. It is fast paced and fun. It is ten year old and it has aged very well and stands strong as my favorite game of all time.
