I know this is a top 10 ever, but the order of most of these swaps nearly every day. I’ve been gaming for over 30 years and started with the NES, and like many of you these games have very fond memories around them. And yes, there’s a lot of Mario.
10. Deadly Premonition
This game had no right to make me fall in love with it. Truly more than the sum of its parts, it’s the closest we will ever be to Twin Peaks: The Game. The story is amazing, the music tracks all at various volumes, and the voice acting and gameplay atrocious, I adore it in every way.
9. Thunder Force IV
I only first played this last year on Switch. Incredible music, graphics and above all thrilling to play. It grabs you by your downstairs mix up and it doesn’t ever let go until the end, and even if you don’t like shmups it’s something to try just to see that level with the mouth tails and water.
8. Super Mario 64
No explanation required. Magic somehow distilled into a cartridge. Probably the most important game ever made in terms of how it revolutionised the industry.
7. Nier Automata
Amazing story and score, one of those few games that will make you look at the big things differently. And also listen to its soundtrack a lot.
6. GOLDENEYE
You’d never get such an accurate Sean Bean simulator these days, where you can go round slapping women just like in real life!
5. Resi 4
I play this game every year. The pacing for 3/4s of it is perfect. The remake won’t be better, but fortunately the PC has the fan HD mod so that won’t go anywhere!
4. DOOM II
The Da
4. Super Mario Galaxy
As soon as that first level music starts and Mario starts running, I feel like I’m 5 again and I just feel joy.
3. Super Metroid
The last Metroid is in captivity. The Galaxy is at peace.
Is it FUCK! Go back to Zebes and re-genocide everyone from Metroid 1 but bigger, scarier, and way better, and their new pals!
In every conceivable way an improvement over the games that came before. If gaming has a definitive masterpiece, it is Super Metroid.
2. Metal gear solid 3: Subsistence
A superior version of Snake Eater. Metal Gear Online. Metal Gear 1. Metal Gear 2. Loads of extras. If there is ever a Criterion Collection for gaming, this should be the blue print.
1. SUPER MARIO BROS. 3/ SUPER MARIO WORLD
These two are forever equal to me. Both show the best aspects of Mario games in completely different ways. I still play the, now and have great fun. Truly and utterly timeless, and everyone should be made to play them. If you’re making games, study these. The ultimate in any kind of gaming.
I can’t believe there’s not a Castlevania in there I have brought shame upon my house and family.