A Terribly Original Title Goes Here
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Below are the 10 most recent journal entries recorded in the "James Bowman" journal:[<< Previous 10 entries]
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03:14 pm
[Link] |
Unacceptable
http://scans-daily.dreamwidth.org/3769747.html
OK, DC, I've put up all the stupid stuff you've been doing with the reboot and all. But screwing up the DCAU with something like that? FUCK YOU.
Tags: comics, dc comics
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07:55 pm
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Eh, it works
Tags: memes
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10:35 pm
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Books I read in April 2012
Shortpacked! is Totally Gay, by David Willis, 4/5
The title might be awkward, but the collected webcomics inside are good stuff.
Shortpacked! and the Tome of the Ages, by David Willis, 4/5
Another entertaining collection of an entertaining webcomic.
Ready Player One, by Ernest Cline, 4.5/5
A highly entertaining book that acts as a tribute to 1980s geek culture (particularly 1980s gamer culture). The sole complaints I have are that the characterizations are shallow at times (but quite good at other times), and some of the real-world events can make the virtual drama seem a bit unimpressive by comparison. I also suspect you need to know 1980s pop culture fairly well to fully appreciate the book (although the most important references are well explained, so expertise shouldn't be required). Regardless of all that, this book is so much fun overall that I could easily overlook its few flaws by the end.
Hark! A Vagrant, by Kate Beaton, 4.5/5
A collection of many of the best strips from a wonderful webcomic. The best thing about Beaton's work is that most of her stuff is funny by itself, but they're even funnier if you're familiar with the historical and literary targets she mocks...
Doctor Who and the Daemons, by Barry Letts, 4.5/5
A fun adaptation of one of the best Third Doctor stories, embodying many of the best elements of that era.
The Order of the Stick: Snips, Snails, and Dragon Tales, by Rich Burlew, 4.5/5
A great collection of new and old OotS material. (I think I enjoyed the story with the D&D 4th Edition versions of the heroes the most.)
Gunnerkrigg Court Volume 1: Orientation, by Thomas Siddell, 4.5/5
Gunnerkrigg Court Volume 2: Research, by Thomas Siddell, 4.5/5
Gunnerkrigg Court Volume 3: Reason, by Thomas Siddell, 4.5/5
One of the best webcomics out there. It was a pleasure to re-read it in print.
Tags: books, reviews
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09:20 pm
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Games I've Played - The Top 100: Honorable Mentions
These are games that almost made the list, but fell short.
ARCADE
L.A. Machineguns (1998): Central to a memorable afternoon my brother and I spent playing in a Las Vegas arcade. Notable for its rumbling feedback. I've also played its port on the Nintendo Wii, which was decent but not nearly as fun as the arcade version.
The Simpsons (1991): One of the "big three" licensed arcade beat-em-ups of my childhood (the others being Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and X-Men). I was pleasantly surprised when this was released for Xbox Live Arcade earlier this year (and it was a featured game at one of my recent parties).
NES
The Legend of Zelda (1987): I played this on the NES, and I liked it better than Zelda II, but I never quite got into it enough to be a top favorite.
Maniac Mansion (1990): A memorable adventure game, though not quite awesome enough to be in my Top 100. Another I'd love to see for Virtual Console, though...
GAME BOY
Pokémon Blue (1998): Although I played this and enjoyed it alongside my brother during the peak of the Pokémon craze, I never quite developed any fond memories of playing it.
SEGA SATURN
X-Men: Children of the Atom (1996): The first Marvel fighting game I ever played, owned by one of my friends who had a Saturn; it was a staple for a little while for us in the late 1990s.
GAME BOY ADVANCE
Advance Wars (2001) and Advance Wars 2: Black Hole Rising (2003): I liked playing these turn-based tactics games with my brother, but not so much on my own.
PLAYSTATION 2
Guilty Gear XX (2003): Memorable fighting game, but not quite a top title for me. I did download the Xbox port of one of its upgrades (Guilty Gear XX #Reload) via Xbox Live, however...
SEGA DREAMCAST
Power Stone (1999) and Power Stone 2 (2000): Lots of fun, but I've only played these games a few times, and then only in the last year or two. Still, I can see why there's such love for this series today...
NINTENDO DS
Advance Wars: Dual Strike (2005) and Advance Wars: Days of Ruin (2008): As with the GBA Advance Wars games, these are fun to play with my brother but I'm not as into them on my own. (I do particularly like the music and storyline of Days of Ruin, mind.)
PLAYSTATION 3
Mortal Kombat (2011): This has a cool variety of characters, great gameplay, and a surprisingly interesting storyline. Unfortunately, the gore (which reaches obscene levels with some of the finishing moves) keeps me from embracing this game.
XBOX 360
SoulCalibur V (2012): The SoulCalibur series is one of the few 3D fighter series I've gotten into, and in this installment I particularly love the character creation options. But neither this nor SC4 makes it into my Top 100, because I've only been playing them for a short time. I first played this on the PS3, and eventually bought this a while after I got SC4.
SoulCalibur IV (2008): The gameplay isn't as smooth as SC5, and the character creation isn't as impressive, but the storyline and extras are much better. Like SC5, I first played this on the PS3, then bought it for myself on the Xbox 360.
Batman: Arkham Asylum (2009): The best Batman game ever, and just great overall. But since I haven't finished this game (despite starting it last year), I can't really put it in my Top 100.
Guitar Hero III (2007): I prefer playing this co-op or watching other people play it, instead of playing it on my own, but I do think it's a very cool game.
XBOX LIVE ARCADE
Scott Pilgrim vs. the World: The Game (2010): A fun beat-em-up, based on the comic and film, with tons of nods to classic games (particularly River City Ransom). Best played with friends.
Fruit Ninja Kinect (2011): The only Kinect game I've played. Fun, but only once in a while. (Also, it tires your arms out in a hurry.)
Guardian Heroes (2011): A port of a classic Sega Saturn game (played that version, too), this fun fantasy beat-em-up is at its over-the-top best with a ton of friends all playing in the versus mode (as demonstrated at one of my recent parties).
XBOX LIVE INDIE GAMES
Dark Delve (2011): An straightforward first-person dungeon crawler with old-school-styled gameplay, where you take a party of four characters into a 3D dungeon. It's surprisingly fun for such a simple game, but it's also the sort where you can go long stretches without playing.
Grand Class Melee (2011): A fun little game resembling a cross between Zelda and Bomberman, where you can battle with other players and upgrade your character's stats along several different paths. It's fun and easy to play, but it's a bit too quick.
WIIWARE
Pokémon Rumble (2009): A nice simple little Pokémon-based game where you (and friends) can battle through enemy-filled stages with your Pokémon and acquire new Pokémon by defeating them. Fun in bursts.
Mega Man 9 (2008) and Mega Man 10 (2010): Fun for their 8-bit retro style and worthy successors to the other NES Mega Man games. I liked 9 better than 10, but neither managed to quite match my favorites among the 8-bit and 16-bit Mega Man games. (I also briefly played the Xbox Live Arcade version of 9 at a MAGFest.)
Castlevania: The Adventure ReBirth (2009): A straightforward Castlevania game, a solid entry in the series. Yet another WiiWare game that's fun to play every once in a while but doesn't quite obsess enough to keep you coming back repeatedly.
WINDOWS
Portal (2007): This was very nearly in my Top 100, as it was an enthralling and challenging puzzle game with an interesting storyline. The thing is, I obsessively played and completed this game in a few days... and I was so stubbornly determined to defeat it that I couldn't enjoy the game as much as I might have otherwise. (I still recommend the game, though, and I plan to play the second game at some point...)
Beat Hazard (2007): Basically a cross between Asteroids and shmup-style games. You provide the soundtrack, and the effects on screen are based on that. Particularly fun with another player. In addition to downloading this through Steam, I also downloaded this via Xbox Live Indie Games (though I've since regretted that purchase, since the game is only at its best with easily accessible soundtracks).
FLASH GAMES
De-Animator (2004): A simple Flash game where you shoot wave after wave of tougher and more numerous zombies, based loosely on the H.P. Lovecraft short story. A great way to kill some time, and something I played a lot for a while, but not a top game.
FAN GAMES
Mushroom Kingdom Fusion (under development since 2007): An epic crossover platformer combining together worlds and characters from many classic (and modern!) games into a 16-bit Super Mario-styled environment. A lot of fun, even if some stages are a bit too long or overly complex. (Arthur, from the Ghosts 'n Goblins series, is probably my favorite character to play.)
MUGEN (engine available since 1999, Windows versions available since 2004): A fighting game engine which has been used to create ports of many many other video game characters (as well as versions of non-game characters and totally original characters) for use in a 2D fighting game environment. Lots of fun, although it can take some time to get your particular MUGEN just right (since it's totally customizable and all but the most basic content is fan-made).
Tags: games, games i've played
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10:52 pm
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Games I've Played - The Top 100: Top 10!
10.
ULTIMATE MARVEL VS. CAPCOM 3
Versions played:
Xbox 360, Capcom, 2011
Playstation 3, Capcom, 2011
It feels weird to list such a new game in my Top 10, but it really is my favorite fighting game ever. When the original game (Marvel vs. Capcom 3) was announced, I was pleasantly surprised, and increasingly hyped as the release date drew nearer. I loved the original version, so much that I decided to do something unprecedented in my fighting-game experience - I invested time in learning how to play the game better. (Previously, I was happy to play fighting games on a casual basis, and never took learning them seriously.)
I was somewhat dismayed when Capcom announced there would be an upgraded version, Ultimate Marvel vs. Capcom 3, a mere five months later. Despite the promise of eight new characters and other improvements, I shared the attitude of many others who felt a bit cheated that the original game was essentially a beta for Ultimate. However, I eventually decided that I would hold my nose and buy the game anyway, especially when I realized it was likely a better deal than getting the new content as DLC.
When UMvC3 did come out, I was pleased to see that it was a genuinely superior game to the original, with the entire experience being better overall - the new characters were fun, the gameplay was smoother, and most of the existing characters were more balanced and polished (with a few exceptions, like Wesker and Doctor Doom). At this point, I don't think I could ever go back to playing "vanilla" MvC3.
Months later, I still play UMvC3 nearly every week, and it remains my number-one go-to choice when I want to play a fighting game.
9.
TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES IV: TURTLES IN TIME
Versions played:
Super NES, Konami, 1992
This beat 'em up may not be as well known as the original TMNT arcade game, but this was a staple for Jack and friends and I in the 1990s; in pairs, we cooperatively played through the game many times. I believe it surpasses the original arcade game on nearly every count, including graphics, gameplay, and storyline (time travel is fun!).
A remake of the game (Turtles in Time Re-Shelled) was released on XBLA, but since it was a remake and not a direct port, I wasn't really interested. (It's since been removed, like the 1989 arcade game.) I'd love to pick up a proper re-release...
8.
SUPER MARIO RPG
Versions played:
Super NES, Nintendo, 1996
The last great Super NES game in my book, and the top Super NES game I've ever played. This terrific game did a great job merging traditional Mario elements with traditional console RPG elements. Great music, great storyline, great new characters, and great gameplay. I was very happy to see this get a re-release on Wii Virtual Console, especially since it seemed a distance between Nintendo and Square might have made such a prospect unlikely. I highly recommend this to anyone else who loves Mario games or old-school RPGs!
7.
MEGA MAN 2
Versions played:
NES, Capcom, 1989
The first Mega Man game I ever played, the one I remember most fondly, and the one I played the most. It's hard to nail down specific reasons why I love this game so much... since I like pretty much everything about it! The stages, the bosses, the gameplay, the music, everything! If you haven't played it, you should!
6.
SUPER MARIO BROS.
Versions played:
NES, Nintendo, 1985
Wii Virtual Console, Nintendo, 2006
The primal Super Mario game, the one that started it all. This was one of the first NES games I played (likely at my cousins' home), and it may even be one of the first console video games I played. It came with my NES Action Set (sharing a cartridge with Duck Hunt), and it got a lot of play back then. Although Super Mario 2 was the better game, the original was more essential, more definitive, and more established as "the" Mario game in my mind. My skills in the game have diminished quite a bit (my eight-year-old self would be so disappointed), but I still like playing it every once in a while, just for that nostalgic feeling.
(Random note: I remember experimenting on this game with random NES Game Genie codes, producing such bizarre results as stages without any floor where Mario fell to his death endlessly. Good times.)
5.
GOLDENEYE 007
Versions played:
Nintendo 64, Nintendo, 1997
My favorite first-person shooter ever, this was the top multiplayer game among my brother and friends and I around the turn of the millennium. I've played this so often that I know some stages by heart. We had many ridiculous battles over the years, sometimes using the standard weapons or rocket launchers or various sorts of mines... and sometimes going crazy using knives and fists. (The story mode was good, too, but the multiplayer got way more attention from us.) There are many times I've been tempted to pull my brother's Nintendo 64 out just to play this game again.
I really wish Nintendo and Microsoft and the rest could agree on a re-release of this game for modern consoles. Activision's recent reimagined version was a nice try, but it just can't match the original GoldenEye in my mind.
4.
CASTLEVANIA: SYMPHONY OF THE NIGHT
Versions played:
Playstation, Konami, 1997
Xbox Live Arcade, Konami, 2007
The definitive Castlevania game as far as I'm concerned. Before I played this game, I liked the Castlevania games pretty well, but it was Symphony that made the series one of my favorite franchises ever. The combination of nonlinear platformer and role-playing gameplay was brilliantly executed, the levels and bosses and overall design were great, the storyline was interesting, and the music is some of the best I've ever heard in a video game. (The voice acting wasn't so good overall, but it was still charming in a curious way - so much so that the better voice acting in the PSP remake was kind of a turn-off.) If you only play one Castlevania game ever, it should be this one. It's really good.
3.
PLANESCAPE: TORMENT
Versions played:
Windows, Interplay, 1999
The best computer role-playing game I've ever played, and the best Dungeons & Dragons-based video game ever (although also the least traditionally D&D). You play the Nameless One, who must search the bizarre extraplanar city of Sigil and elsewhere in the Outer Planes to reclaim his memory. Along the way, you find equally unusual and memorable teammates - Morte the floating skull, the noble githzerai Dak'kon, the half-demon thief Annah, and more. Your actions help choose your character's alignment and class and skills, as well as influencing the course of events. The storyline is excellent (really, really excellent), the world is enthralling, and the music and voice cast are really great. I don't think I can clearly express how highly I recommend this game...
2.
SUPER MARIO BROS. 3
Versions played:
NES, Nintendo, 1990
Wii Virtual Console, 2007
I remember getting this game for my birthday, just after it was released, and I loved it. This is by far my favorite Mario game. The vastly larger scope compared to previous games, better level design, better storyline, and great new gameplay elements raised the bar for the series, totally blowing the previous games out of the water.
1.
TETRIS
Versions played:
Game Boy, Nintendo, 1989 (99.9% certain)
NES, Tengen, 1989 (99.9% certain)
Arcade, Atari, 1988
NES, Nintendo, 1989
Many others
This game is probably the video game I've played the most in my life. It's my go-to game when I have an idle moment, and I've played it solo or against other players at length many many times. It takes a lot of games in a row before I can get tired of playing Tetris.
I've played so many versions of this game over the years that it's not clear which I played first, but it was probably either the Tengen NES version or the Game Boy version. Since then, I've played the two-player arcade version of the game (in two different formats, the standard arcade and the sit-down "cocktail" version), the official NES port, unofficial ports for Windows, and Flash game versions online. Tetris has been on both mobile phones I've owned - it was included with my first phone (though it might have been a clone), and it was the first game I downloaded for my second phone. I played 2006's Tetris DS against other DS owners while waiting in line at MAGFest 2011, and played the 2008 WiiWare game Tetris Party with friends numerous times. (Random note: I don't use the option in more recent Tetris games to "hold" pieces for later. I prefer making do with what you get as you get it, even if it risks wrecking your game.)
I like Tetris. A lot. And I'm always up for playing it. That's why it's my number-one video game of all time.
Tags: games, games i've played
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10:34 pm
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Games I've Played - The Top 100: 20 - 11
20.
SONIC THE HEDGEHOG 2
Versions played:
Sega Genesis, Sega, 1992
Xbox Live Arcade, Sega, 2007
The first game I owned for the Sega Genesis, Sonic the Hedgehog 2 is pretty much the definitive Sonic game for me: not only is it vastly better than its predecessor, but in many ways it occupies a greater place in my heart than the otherwise superior Sonic 3. (However, I got more out of 3, which is why it rates higher.) My younger brother and I would often play this game cooperatively, with my brother playing (the invincible) Tails.
19.
MARIO KART 64
Versions played:
Nintendo 64, Nintendo, 1997
My absolute favorite of the Mario Kart series, this was one of the games my brother and friends and I played on a regular basis on the Nintendo 64. It was a vast improvement on the original Super Mario Kart, and I find the gameplay, stages, and Battle Mode more fun in this version than in the later Mario Kart games (although the amount of time I played this version might be a major factor in that).
18.
SUPER SMASH BROS. MELEE
Versions played:
Nintendo GameCube, Nintendo, 2001
SUPER SMASH BROS. BRAWL
Versions played:
Nintendo Wii, Nintendo, 2008
Some of the greatest fighting games ever, the latter two installments of the Smash Bros. series are tied in my mind. Melee was a staple game for my brother and friends and I for years, and is easily my favorite GameCube game. (Fox was my favorite character, though I enjoyed playing many of the others as well.) Brawl, on the other hand, is the better game overall, with an even better cast (although I did miss a few Melee-only characters, like Mewtwo and Dr. Mario) and better extras (such as custom stage creation and the very cool Subspace Emissary adventure mode). Unfortunately, Brawl just hasn't been played as extensively as Melee (though we still like it).
17.
THE LEGEND OF ZELDA: A LINK TO THE PAST
Versions played:
Super NES, Nintendo, 1992
The definitive Zelda game for me, I played this extensively for the Super NES and loved it. It took basic elements of the gameplay from the first Zelda game but upgraded them radically, and worked them around a great story with great settings (such as the Dark World). This is one of the games I'd love to replay on Wii Virtual Console; I did buy it, in fact, but I haven't been willing to invest the time...
16.
SUPER MARIO BROS. 2
Versions played:
NES, Nintendo, 1988
Wii Virtual Console, Nintendo, 2007
One of the earliest NES games I played. The multi-character aspect was particularly appealing - I often favored using Princess for her hovering jumps. I believe I first played it at my cousins' house (very likely before I had a NES of my own), and in later years I borrowed the game to play it... but despite how much I liked Super Mario 2, I never actually owned it. Possibly as a result, I have less affection for this installment than the other two NES Super Mario games (even though I think it's a better game than Super Mario 1). Regardless of all that, it's still one of my favorite Mario games ever.
15.
MEGA MAN 3
Versions played:
NES, Capcom, 1990
Mega Man 3 was one of the games I owned on the NES, and it makes a terrific followup to the second game. The cool stages, new mechanics and elements (slide, Rush, Break Man/Proto Man), and neat challenges like Doc Robot (with the ability to replicate Robot Masters from the previous game) all made for a terrific experience. If not for my greater nostalgic affection for Mega Man 2, this would easily be my top game in the series, but even in second place it's a close second.
14.
TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES
Versions played:
Arcade, Konami, 1989
Xbox Live Arcade, Ubisoft, 2007
TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES II: THE ARCADE GAME
Versions played:
NES, Konami, 1990
The top classic arcade beat-em-up for me, which I loved playing on the rare occasion I could get to an arcade back in the day. (In one memorable childhood experience at the Laurel Mall, I stepped in to help an older kid beat the final boss when his teammates ran out of quarters.) The NES port was one of the games I owned for that console, and it was also one of my favorite games to play on the NES (much more so than the original NES TMNT game). In later years, it was outpaced by the superior Turtles in Time, but it's still one of my top favorites, one I was happy to buy on XBLA (though it's been taken down since).
13.
PAC-MAN
Versions played:
Arcade, Namco, 1980
MS. PAC-MAN
Versions played:
Arcade, Midway, 1981
A game that needs no introduction, Pac-Man is one of the greatest arcade games ever. I have played both the original and Ms. Pac-Man (which I consider about equal in my esteem) at various times during my life, most recently at MAGFest. The gameplay is simple (move around a maze, eat dots, flee from ghosts or hunt them after eating a power pellet) as are the graphics, but as with most of the great early arcade games, this simplicity is somehow addictive. It's hard for me to get tired of playing Pac-Man.
Of course, I've seen or played many other Pac-Man variants over the years, from Super Pac-Man to Jr. Pac-Man to the psychedelic Pac-Man Championship Edition for the XBLA to Google's awesome playable Pac-Man homepage Doodle. Oh, and I might have played the horrible Atari 2600 port of Pac-Man when I was little, but I'm really not sure...
12.
SONIC THE HEDGEHOG 3
Versions played:
Sega Genesis, Sega, 1994
Xbox Live Arcade, Sega, 2009
SONIC & KNUCKLES
Versions played:
Sega Genesis, Sega, 1994
Xbox Live Arcade, Sega, 2009
These games bleed together in my memory, though I definitely played more of Sonic 3 than S&K (mainly because I owned the former and had to rent the latter). Both provided great experiences (particularly in the combined form of Sonic 3 & Knuckles), surpassing even the excellence of Sonic 2. I wasn't as big on playing as Knuckles (only accessible with S&K), but my brother and I did continue our tradition of co-op play (me as Sonic, him as Tails). The lock-on technology of S&K was really cool, something of a precursor to the downloadable game expansions so common nowadays - although I suppose that concept more follows that of expansion packs for PC games. (In any case, I was pleased to see that the XBLA versions of the Genesis Sonic games replicate S&K's lock-on capabilities!)
I also tried out Sonic 2 & Knuckles (Sonic & Knuckles with Sonic 2 plugged in, and Knuckles as the main character), but it was more of a novelty than something I actively pursued.
11.
THE JOURNEYMAN PROJECT: TURBO!
Versions played:
Windows, Sanctuary Woods, 1994
The best time travel-based video game I've ever played, and the best adventure game I've ever played. You play an agent from the future traveling through time in an attempt to investigate and undo alterations to history. This game came with our family's first Windows 95 PC, and I loved it, enthralled by the overall style, the storyline, and the puzzles. If this was re-released for modern PCs, I'd buy it in a heartbeat.
Tags: games, games i've played
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07:49 pm
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Games I've Played - The Top 100: 30 - 21
30.
SUPER C
Versions played:
NES, Konami, 1990
Wii Virtual Console, Konami, 2007
This occupies a similar place in my heart to the original Contra, but more so, since I owned it longer and played it more often. I also think Super C made just enough tiny improvements to the original Contra's gameplay to make it the better of the two (if less iconic). The ten-lives code wasn't as good as the 30-lives code in the first Contra, but it still helped us get further in the game.
29.
CHIP 'N DALE: RESCUE RANGERS
Versions played:
NES, Capcom, 1990
The big Disney video game of my youth, I frequently rented this game to play. Objectively, there's nothing too special about it - go through levels, avoid bad guys and obstacles, take out a boss, move to the next level - but somehow, this game was just more fun for me than so many others of its type. Alas, we're not likely to ever see it re-released, since it's a Disney licensed game...
28.
METAL WARRIORS
Versions played:
Super NES, Konami, 1995
Probably the Super NES game I most want to see released on Virtual Console, this was something of a cross between Robotech and Gundam in setting - although I wouldn't have known a Gundam if I saw it back in the mid-1990s. You play a mecha pilot using various battlesuits to complete missions against an invading enemy. The best part, though, was the split-screen versus mode, where you could compete with another player, switching between the available battlesuits on the stage as you try to take each other out. It was a lot of fun, and my brother and I got a lot out of the game.
27.
MEGA MAN X
Versions played:
Super NES, Capcom, 1994
This game improved on the NES Mega Man series in nearly every way - better gameplay, better levels, better storyline, better graphics. As such, it was a much-needed breath of fresh air for the franchise. It was definitely one of my top Super NES experiences.
26.
DUCK HUNT
Versions played:
NES, Nintendo, 1985
The only zapper-based game I majorly enjoyed, though in my experience it was only really good for short bursts of play. It was packed in with Super Mario Bros. on a single cartridge and came with my NES (the NES Action Set). I've also played it in arcades (most recently at a MAGFest), which may or may not have included the arcade-only Vs. Duck Hunt. I wouldn't mind seeing a re-release, but I suspect a game where you gun down ducks (even 8-bit ducks) might not jibe with Nintendo's image anymore.
I could swear I managed to shoot that annoying dog at least once, as he laughed at my failure - after a shocked and surprised look, he quickly ducked down. But everyone and everything now tells me that wasn't possible, so perhaps that was just a pleasant dream...
25.
SUPER MARIO WORLD
Versions played:
Super NES, Nintendo, 1991
This came with my Super NES, and during the first few days, I played it so much my fingers hurt. I enjoyed it quite a bit, but (possibly due to its length) it hasn't had quite the same replay value for me that the NES Mario games have had... but it is waiting for me to try again someday on the Wii Virtual Console.
24.
DIG DUG
Versions played:
Atari 2600, Atari, 1983
Wii Virtual Console, Namco, 2008
The number-one game for me on the Atari 2600, it got more playtime than any other game for that console. It has simple if bizarre gameplay (clear each stage by tunneling around, finding monsters, and inflating them until they pop), yet it's addictive somehow, and just challenging enough to encourage rather than discourage. Since downloading the Famicom port for Wii Virtual Console, it's been a great game to kill some time with...
(Weird note: When I was a kid and into both Atari and Nintendo stuff, I saw Dig Dug as a Mario-related game. Don't ask me why - maybe the Atari 2600 sprite for Dig Dug's star reminded me of Mario?)
23.
OGRE BATTLE 64
Versions played:
Nintendo 64, Atlus, 2000
A sequel to the original Ogre Battle which improves upon the original in many ways: better graphics, better gameplay, better storyline. While this game wasn't quite as much of an obsession for me as the original Ogre Battle, I enjoyed the experience more overall. I was very pleased to see it become available for the Wii Virtual Console, although I haven't really had time to devote to a fresh playthrough...
22.
DOOM
Versions played:
DOS, id Software, 1993
Xbox Live Arcade, Activision, 2006
Although I'm pretty sure this wasn't the first first-person shooter I played (I believe that honor belongs to Wolfenstein 3D, earlier in this countdown), it's the earliest FPS I would consider truly great. The gameplay is straightforward enough: battle through levels of a base which has been overrun by extradimensional demons and clear them out using a variety of heavy weapons.
As for why the game was so memorable... one element that caught me early on was the sound, particularly the grunts and moans and screams that warned you a demon was nearby (and added to the tension). The secret rooms (rewarding exploration), the different weapons (including the chainsaw), the little screen that shows your character's face (and displays their health status as increasing levels of injury) and the cheat codes (iddqd!) all added to the fun as well. (The gore was not one of the elements that appealed to me - but it didn't keep me from enjoying the game, either.)
On the PC in the 1990s, I only recall playing the first shareware-relased episode (Knee-Deep in the Dead), concluding with your apparent death when you teleport to a dark room filled with endless monsters. (I believe I first played it on a family friend's computer when he visited our home; that's certainly when the game's sound made its impression on me, and likely my first exposure to the cheat codes.) That single episode was entertaining enough that I never bothered seeking out the subsequent episodes. (Besides, I'm not sure my parents would have bought the game for me had I asked.)
I made a point to buy both Doom (and its sequel Doom II) on Xbox Live Arcade after I got my Xbox 360, and I've since replayed the first episode on that platform... maybe someday I'll move on to the rest of the game.
21.
SHINING FORCE II
Versions played:
Sega Genesis, Sega, 1994
Wii Virtual Console, Sega, 2008
Yet another game where the sequel was better and more memorable for me than the original, Shining Force II was one of the big RPGS for me during the 16-bit era. While it lacked many of the steampunk/sci-fi elements that appealed in the first game, it had a better story and a more involving world.
Tags: games, games i've played
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10:48 pm
[Link] |
Games I've Played - The Top 100: 40 - 31
40.
TIMESPLITTERS 2
Versions played:
Nintendo GameCube, Eidos, 2002
TIMESPLITTERS: FUTURE PERFECT
Versions played:
Nintendo GameCube, EA Games, 2005
These FPS games are just pure fun, and my brother and I spent many many hours playing them. The plot of both games involves aliens called the TimeSplitters invading Earth's history, and the main character traveling back to stop them. In TimeSplitters 2, you take on the identity of characters from these various eras, which range from the wild west to a cyberpunk near-future, while in Future Perfect, you travel to these time periods as the main character. Both games have a terrific multiplayer mode which allows access to characters from all the time-travel destinations and beyond, including silly options such as monkeys and dinosaurs. I like the Quantum Leap-esque approach to the story in TimeSplitters 2, but the multiplayer mode is better in Future Perfect, so I consider them about equally appealing. (I will admit that Future Perfect has a better and more solid story overall.) I would happily pick up re-releases of these games on a newer console...
39.
MEGA MAN X2
Versions played:
Super NES, Capcom, 1995
A terrific sequel to a terrific game that revitalized a terrific franchise. I could argue this game is better than the original Mega Man X in certain ways, but I nevertheless rank it a bit lower simply because it was less of a paradigm shift. (I do think this game has the better stages of the two, at least.)
38.
GRADIUS III
Versions played:
Super NES, Konami, 1991
Wii Virtual Console, Konami, 2007
Probably my favorite shmup, and one of the two major shmups I played and owned on the Super NES. One of the coolest aspects in my book was the weapon customization options. (I was also amused that in this game, the famous Konami code was a self-destruct code - though I don't recall if amusement was my reaction the first time I discovered that.) I've casually played through the first few stages many times, but also beaten it a few times as well (with the help of the real power-up code and the extra lives code).
37.
ALTERED BEAST
Versions played:
Sega Genesis, Sega, 1989
Arcade, Sega, 1988
Wii Virtual Console, Sega, 2006
I can't really explain why this game is so appealing to me, but it is. You play a warrior resurrected by Zeus ("rise from your grave", he says) to save his daughter from an evil wizard. In each stage, you can absorb energy spheres from certain defeated foes to "power up," until you turn into a werebeast (a different type in each stage). I've never beaten this game, but for some reason I keep coming back to it.
36.
SONIC THE HEDGEHOG
Versions played:
Sega Genesis, Sega, 1991
Xbox Live Arcade, Sega, 2007
The game that started the franchise. I liked this game a fair amount (I believe I first played it at my cousins' home), but I found the sequels more charming.
35.
ASTEROIDS
Versions played:
Atari 2600, Atari, 1981
Arcade, Atari, 1979
One of the big classic arcade games, you play a tiny starship trying to avoid and destroy asteroids and other targets. I believe I first played this on the Atari 2600, then a version on the PC in the 1990s. I'm not particularly skilled at it, but it is a fun and addictive way to spend some time...
In addition to the conventional arcade version, I've also tackled Asteroids Deluxe at MAGFest, which was slightly more complicated to play (just enough that I did particularly poorly, even with help - but I'm pretty sure that's on me and not the game).
34.
SECRET OF EVERMORE
Versions played:
Super NES, Square, 1995
A compelling action-RPG where you play a boy and his dog accidentally transported to a fantasy world - Evermore - which is divided into four regions: a prehistoric realm, an Greco-Roman-styled realm, a medieval realm, and a futuristic realm. You have to solve the mystery of the world while defeating foes and upgrading your character. This is yet another title I'd happily buy via Virtual Console, to refresh my pleasant memories of the game...
33.
MARVEL VS. CAPCOM
Versions played:
Playstation, Capcom, 2000
Arcade, Capcom, 1998
Probably the first fighting game I heavily played, and one of my favorite titles for the original Playstatlon. Although the crossover cast is smaller than its sequel (Marvel vs. Capcom 2), the smaller cast seemed to make it a bit more focused. (Also, it actually had a plot, which MvC2 did not.) I also liked the assist characters, the weird variant characters (like slow but super-tough Gold War Machine), and the greater simplicity of the gameplay on the Playstation port. My brother, our friends, and I put in many hours playing unskilled but fun matches in MvC1; I'd love to see a port to a modern system.
32.
SHINING FORCE
Versions played:
Sega Genesis, Sega, 1993
Wii Virtual Console, Sega, 2007
A representative of a genre I'd like to see more often, Shining Force is a turn-based tactical RPG, where you form a team of various fantasy heroes and use them in battle against the forces of the evil Darksol. Operating what amounts to a giant adventuring party, where all the members can increase in skill and power as the game progresses, can be very involving. Also compelling were the more steampunk-esque elements that appeared in later portions of the game. I wasn't as into the first Shining Force as I was into its sequel, but it's still a very fun game.
31.
CONTRA
Versions played:
NES, Konami, 1987
Xbox Live Arcade, Konami, 2006
This was one of the first games I owned for the NES, a classic "run and gun" where you shoot your way through waves of terrorists (later revealed to be aliens planning world conquest). Some of the coolest elements were the various fancy weapons you could acquire, such as the machine gun, the laser gun, and the spread gun (my pick of the litter). Thanks to its 30-lives code (the famous Konami Code), I actually beat this game back when I owned it.
Unfortunately, the game disappeared a while later - likely stolen by an unscrupulous "friend", though I could never prove it. (I believe I'd either had them over and the game was missing afterwards, or I foolishly loaned it to them and they "lost" it; I don't clearly recall. In any case, I definitely didn't trust that "friend" anymore.) I eventually picked up the sequel Super C, which was probably even more enjoyable, but I still missed the original game.
I've only been able to play the NES Contra a few times since I lost it. I downloaded the Xbox Live version, which was a port of the original arcade game... but in addition to being harder and less fun to play, it just wasn't quite the same experience as the NES version. I had hoped to see the NES version on Wii Virtual Console, but it was skipped over for some reason (though they did port Super C). Perhaps I'll seek out Contra 4 for the Nintendo DS, which includes the NES version as a bonus feature...
Tags: games, games i've played
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10:08 pm
[Link] |
Games I've Played correction 3
In the 50-41 post, I edited The Legend of Kage to reflect my uncertainty over whether I played the arcade version or merely observed it.
Tags: games
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07:38 pm
[Link] |
Games I've Played - The Top 100: 50 - 41
50.
SUPER R-TYPE
Versions played:
Super NES, Irem, 1991
Wii Virtual Console, Irem, 2008
One of the two big shmup games I played on the Super NES, and one of the earliest games I owned for that console. Its distinct gameplay elements (such as the various types of weapons and the supporting units) and its unusual soundtrack all added to its appeal. Though I enjoyed it quite a bit, in later years it didn't get played as often as the other shmup I owned for the Super NES (Gradius III).
49.
DRAGON BALL Z: BUDOKAI TENKAICHI 3
Versions played:
Nintendo Wii, Atari, 2007
My favorite of the Dragon Ball Z games, because (for me) it seems to be the best-yet replication of the combat seen in the show, as well as hosting a huge cast of playable characters. Once I learned the Wiimote-based controls, I found the gameplay to be more fun and intuitive than any previous Dragon Ball Z game (even if you might look a bit silly doing Kamehameha gestures and whatnot). Unfortunately, I've seen the control style intimidate other people out of playing, which is a pity.
48.
WII FIT PLUS
Versions played:
Nintendo Wii, Nintendo, 2009
Readers might be surprised to know that this is my number-one Wii game. A few nights every week, I set aside a half hour or more to play this game and proceed through its various exercise routines (and, to a lesser extent, balance games). It's a great way to set up a low-impact but convenient exercise regimen, or it can serve a supplement to a more intense regimen. I highly recommend it for anyone with a Nintendo Wii.
I first played the original Wii Fit, but Plus is an overall superior product thanks to its additions, particularly my favorite activity: Rhythm Kung-Fu.
47.
STARCRAFT
Versions played:
Windows, Blizzard, 1998
STARCRAFT 64
Versions played:
Nintendo 64, Nintendo, 2000
The real-time strategy game I had the most fun playing, StarCraft pits Terran vs. Protoss vs. Zerg in battles to control resources and territory until one is victorious. I first played it in the form of its Nintendo 64 port with my brother, enjoying the split-screen modes, but later we played many battles online against one another on the PC. I favored the Protoss, while my brother generally favored the Zerg. (We also played mods for the game that converted the units to mecha from Mobile Suit Gundam or starships from Star Trek; I particularly liked the Trek mod, but it was buggy and incomplete.) I've had less experience with the single-player modes, but I've seen much of them secondhand and liked what I saw.
StarCraft is one of those games I'm nearly always up for, but don't often get a chance to play anymore...
46.
GOLDEN AXE
Versions played:
Arcade, Sega, 1989
Wii Virtual Console, Sega, 2009
A fun fantasy beat-em-up. I particularly liked the riding-beasts you could steal from the bad guys in the early stages. Not really much else to say about it, except that I've never quite beaten it... (I may have also played the Sega Genesis version as well, prior to playing its Virtual Console port, but I'm not sure.)
45.
THE LEGEND OF KAGE
Versions played:
Wii Virtual Console, Taito, 2007
A straightforward little game, where you play a ninja battling other ninjas (and some dudes that breathe fire) to save a kidnapped princess. Unusually for a 1980s platformer, it scrolls from right to left. I first recall seeing this as an arcade game at summer day camp when I was a kid. (I'm not quite sure I played it, but I definitely watched its attract mode.) Much more recently, I downloaded its NES port for Virtual Console, and it's become a surprisingly addictive time-waster. (I have also discovered a pretty simple strategy for getting through the first stage: move forward and keep up a constant barrage of shuriken...)
44.
CASTLEVANIA: DAWN OF SORROW
Versions played:
Nintendo DS, Konami, 2005
A direct sequel to Aria of Sorrow, Dawn of Sorrow improves upon its predecessor in every way - better gameplay, better features, better graphics, better storyline. Like Aria, I first played this after borrowing it from a friend, then I bought my own copy and spent a prolonged period beating it again.
43.
JUMP ULTIMATE STARS
Versions played:
Nintendo DS, Nintendo, 2006
I'm not quite clear where I first heard of this game - Wikipedia, perhaps - but after I determined it was playable on U.S. Nintendo DS systems, I picked it up at Otakon 2007. This terrific game features a wide array of characters from all sorts of past and then-current Shonen Jump-published series, including big names like Dragon Ball and One Piece and lesser-known series such as Majin Tantei Nogami Neuro and Buso Renkin.
Gameplay involves Smash Bros.-style battles on a variety of stages (most of which are also references to specific series). Your available characters, assistant characters, and stats are all dictated by the comic-book panels you combine together (accessible via the DS's lower screen). Since the game is only in Japanese, I had to look up translated walkthroughs to successfully complete the story-ish mode, and even then some stages had massively frustrating requirements. Difficulties aside, the massive amount of characters and the multiplayer options made this an extremely fun game - as such, Jump alone makes me very glad Nintendo didn't region-lock the DS.
I keep hoping for a sequel, but there hasn't been any word of one... although the One Piece: Gigant Battle games for the DS appear to be spiritual sequels to Jump.
42.
MEGA BOMBERMAN
Versions played:
Sega Genesis, Sega, 1994
The definitive Bomberman game in my book, Jack and I spent a great deal of time playing this on the Genesis when we were younger. The other Bomberman games were fun too, but something about this particular incarnation made it especially memorable.
This game hasn't been released for Wii Virtual Console, but they did release its Japanese counterpart - Bomberman '94, for the PC Engine (Turbografx-16). So I snagged that instead - and except for the Japanese text and the five-player capability, it's pretty much the same game, so I'm happy.
41.
TRANSFORMERS: WAR FOR CYBERTRON
Versions played:
Xbox 360, Activision, 2010
The best Transformers game yet produced, this game was one of the major reasons I finally got an Xbox 360. It's objectively a fun game, but if you're a Transformers fan like I am, it's especially amazing. It serves as a great prequel story to all G1-styled versions of Transformers canon, detailing the early days of the Autobot-Decepticon conflict, with lots of playable and non-playable G1 favorites making appearances.
One of the coolest elements was the online co-op story mode, which let me play through the entire game's storyline with my brother and a friend. The online multiplayer modes were also fun (if subject to some annoying connectivity issues), particularly Escalation (team up against multiple waves of foes) and Conquest (battle the opposing team for control of several key locations on the map).
I look forward to the sequel, Fall of Cybertron, out later this year...
Tags: games, games i've played
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