Super Nintendo
The first console I ever owned (NES came after for me). The highlight of my childhood was playing a respectable chunk of the SNES library via rentals. It made me the gamer I am today. If only the world I grew up into, was as good as the SNES made me think it was going to be. God bless the SNES.
1. Secret of Mana
Secret of muthafuckin' Mana! My favorite game of all time. Not much else to say here. If I were to get a tattoo, it would be related to this beautiful masterpiece. When I die, I'm going to the Mana Holylands. Best played with best bros. Time flows like a river, and history repeats itself..
2. Super Metroid
The last Metroid is in captivity.. this game is fucking amazing. The sense of exploration, and discovery that I got playing through for the first time.. has rarely been rivaled since. Haunting score, gorgeous 2d visuals, rewarding gameplay. The pinnacle of the Metroid series in my eyes. Next mission..
3. Chrono Trigger
Every gamer should have to travel back in time and play this über jRPG. The incredible music, awesome character design, engaging story, satisfying battle engine, multiple endings.. It doesn't get much better than this. Begin energy transfer..
4. Final Fantasy 3/6
If this game consisted of just the opening credit sequence, and the overworld theme (from the World of Balance).. It would still be one of the most memorable I've ever played. Right behind FF7 in my favorite Final Fantasies. Kupo..
5. Super Ghouls n' Ghosts
One of the only memories I have of my biological father, he got me this game the same Christmas I got my SNES. It was the first game I played on it, and it kicked my ass. I proceeded to set it aside and play Super Mario World. Several years later, I finally developed the skill to finish it. Tougher than a T-Rex turd, it'll always hold a special place in my nostalgia heart.
Honorable mention: Donkey Kong Country
The soundtrack is just too damn good. One of the best platformers for the system as well. I got 3rd place in some time attack tournament at Blockbuster Video in Farmington, NM. The year was 1994, I was 8.
PlayStation
I ran my first PlayStation until the bitch overheated on me. One of the only consoles I've ever had actually fail. Fortunately I replaced it with a better ventilated later model, and enjoyed the wonderful library of classics she offers. I didn't have a girlfriend in middle/high school, but I did have a PlayStation. Wouldn't change a thing.
1. Silent Hill
I first played Silent Hill on a demo disc prior to release, with the light off.. The light got turned back on pretty quickly thereafter, and I stayed up that entire night. A few years later, I rented the game from a now gone rental establishment. Over the course of an afternoon and evening, with a 2 liter of Mountain Dew.. I proceeded to play through it entirely in a single session. Thus began my deep love of the series.
2. Final Fantasy 7
Yes I still get chills at the opening logo, and yes I shed a tear(s) when Aeris was killed. This was the first game I ever saved on a memory card. Definitely some symbology (symbolism) there, as the world of FF7 will be forever saved in my memory. Return me to the planet, Lifestream.
3. Chrono Cross
I used to stay up all night drinking Code Red and eating Milky Way Midnights while playing this game. A lot of people consider it inferior to Chrono Trigger, but I'm weird and actually prefer it. There's something mesmerizing about the start screen, with its underwater scenery and soothing melody. God damn it's good.
4. Final Fantasy Tactics
I love the screams of the dying in this game. I love a lot more about it too. The gameplay, music, graphics, story.. It just gives me a strange satisfaction when a unit is killed, and lets out a dramatic shriek or roar. I'm ok with being not ok.
5. Castlevania: Symphony of The Night
From a time when men were androgynous, and games were games. Or something. Epitomizes classic 2d platforming action, with the inclusion of exploration and RPG elements. Not to mention a funky jazztastic 90s soundtrack, to perfectly compliment the glorious 2d backdrops/sprites. They don't make 'em like they used to :(
Honorable mention: Legend of Mana
Critiscized for its non-linearity, and supposed lack of a cohesive experience. Being the Seiken Densetsu fanboy that I am, I appreciated the magnificent artistry. Stunning score composition, an illustrated visual style, and action-RPG gameplay reminiscent of the earlier games. Haters gonna hate.
PlayStation 2
Being somewhat of a hipster in the 'console war', I arrived late to the PS2 party. My idealistic allegiance to Nintendo at the time, and opposition to what I saw as the mainstream.. Proved to be nothing more than delusion. Now it has taken its rightful place among my favorite consoles.
1. Silent Hill 2
This game is like a spiritual experience for me. Wandering through the fog, unraveling the inner-demons of the characters, dark ambient music penetrating my soul. Yeah the dialogue is a little awkward, but it just adds to the eerie atmosphere. Plus it introduced Pyramid Head, what the fuck else do you want?
2. Silent Hill 3
Not quite as iconic to me as its predecessor, but the story ties-in well with the first game. Some more great music from Yamaoka-san, creepy environments, and a teenage girl protagonist. A fail proof recipe for success, if you're making a game for Kuni.
3. Disgaea: Hour of Darkness/Disgaea 2: Cursed Memories
I couldn't decide which one to put in the list, so they're both included. Deal with it. Between these games, I'm easily going to invest more hours than any other single player console game ever. Disgaea 2 is everything I loved about the first one, only more.. but I couldn't turn my back on the charm of the original. They are like Mario twins, you ask if they want ice cream.. they both say yes.
4. Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty
This game made me want to stand back-to-back with someone, holding assault rifles, surrounded by enemies, with a sweeping score by Harry Gregson-Williams. Fission Mailed.
5. Final Fantasy 10
Remember that time we got really Blitzballed? I didn't finish FF10 until after I had finished FF12, and 13.. 10 was a far superior game to both. Also Lulu
Honorable mention: Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater
Paramedic. I've encountered some sort of cave demon. It broke.. it broke my knife! Agh! CRAB BATTLE!
GameCube
Say what you will about the GameCube. I thought it was pretty fuckin' fresh. I for one honestly dig the controller design, the system shape, the tiny discs. There were some tough contenders that didn't make the final cut: Resident Evil Zero, Luigi's Mansion, Wind Waker, Viewtiful Joe, Super Mario Sunshine, Ikaruga. I could go on. It was a good console ok?
1. Resident Evil (REmake)
How did not a single Resident Evil game make it into my PlayStation top 5? Here's your answer. Capcom remastered the original for GameCube, and damn did they do it right. This is the definitive RE experience. Enter the survival horror. Singlehandedly makes the GCN worth owning, fortunately there are a few other reasons..
2. Metroid Prime
When I first heard they were making a first-person Metroid, I was like 'umm?'. Then when I saw Samus' visor fog up, with little water droplets, and a reflection of her face.. it made perfect sense. All that was great about Super Metroid actually transitions well into the third dimension. I remember 100%ing this game, sipping Dr. Pepper, thrilled that a sequel was in the works. It wasn't quite as Super sadly.
3. Resident Evil 4
Is Leon Kennedy a bad enough dude to save the president...'s daughter? Si. Although a departure from the traditional 'tank controls', and fixed camera angles of the first three games.. I managed to overcome my purist tendencies, and loved the hell out of RE4. There's no shortage of ammo this time out. Which is acceptable, because there's also no shortage of parasite-possessed abominations trying to mangle you. The variety of unfortunate ends that you may meet in the game is very entertaining.
4. Eternal Darkness: Sanity's Requiem
You've gotta get all three regular endings, to see the true ending.. and properly experience this tale. Or at least YouTube it after finishing it once. I did it legit, and it was one of the most satisfying game endings in my career. An underrated gem, on an under-appreciated system, that deserves more recognition. Or I'm just trying to justify the time I spent playing through it thrice.
5. Metal Gear Solid: The Twin Snakes
It's Metal Gear Solid, only GameCubier. I honestly felt they made some improvements to the original, while keeping the core experience intact. There's some first-person aiming for example, that's a thing. Snaaaaaake!
Honorable mention: Ocarina of Time/Master Quest
Not an actual GameCube game per se, but probably one of the easier ways to play Master Quest. Since the N64 didn't make the list (sorry Miyamoto-san, you know I love you.. dat Mario 64 $$), I felt obligated to put my favorite 64 game(and favorite Zelda for that matter) in somehow. Link! Listen!
PC
The only 'true' multiplayer platform. I was too poor most of my gaming years to afford a decent rig. I respect its technical superiority all you elitists. Despite the majority of my dearest titles residing on consoles, I've done my fair share of computin'.
1. World of Warcraft (Vanilla)
I've played WoW more than any other game, period. The original release of the game is still the best version in my eyes. I remember first entering a capital city, fresh to the game in early 2005.. seeing players with full epic sets, and legendaries. Yearning to have the required time necessary to accomplish such a feat. Little did I know that fantasy would eventually become reality.. but, by then the game was casualized, and cheapened for maximum mass consumption... Ha ha ha... ahhhhhh... T_T *sniff* I'll be ok!
2. Diablo 2/Lord of Destruction
Stay a while, and listen.. Oh I did stay a while Deckard, a long while. Just a smidge less soul dominating than my Warcrack addiction, but still played an unhealthy amount. Diablo 2 has a timeless magic to it. Even all these years later, the thought of starting up a character and setting out on the Blood Moor calls to me.. who am I kidding? I'll probably answer.
3. Counter-Strike 1.6
This was the original game of no-scopes, teabagging, and adolescents calling each other faggots online. It was also a better game, I can admit that now. Nothing will ever replace coming back from being the last player on your team, taking out all the enemies neatly with a silenced M4. Defusing the bomb seconds before it exploded on de_aztec. Because of this game I became a part of clan Johnny 5 [J5], an affiliation I still represent to this day. What ever happened? I wish I knew.
4. Baldur's Gate 2: Shadows of Amn
You must gather your party before venturing forth. I've had this game since it released, and my computer at the time could barely run it. I swear I'll finish it before I die, or at least hope for a playthrough in my honor if I don't make it. It's not THAT long of a game, I just always get sidetracked from it for reasons unknown. Eventually the time will be right, the planets will align, and I'll see the end of it.
5. Half-Life
It's Half-Life.
Honorable mention: StarCraft: Brood War
3v1 comp stomp. why did you turn off vision!? why are your guys attacking me!? fuck you!! <bnet pub> has left the game.
Well I hope everyone had fun, and maybe learned something (doubtful). It feels really good to get this out there. If anyone actually reads it, thank you. I mean that shit my niggas. There once was a Kuni, he really loved dem gaimz. THE END.
