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by Fussbett 02/09/2009, 1:42am PST |
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I didn't do a top video game list back when you egged me on about it because my top list is boring and unsurprising and not noteworthy aside from the addition of Dead Rising, which I already mentioned. It's not even worth a post, and Action Button has already written thousands of words (literally thousands) on most of these games in their top games list. So let's get the dumb list out of the way.
1) TETRIS
2) X-COM
3) JAGGED ALLIANCE 2
4) OUT OF THIS WORLD / ANOTHER WORLD
5) DEAD RISING
More interesting than my clinical list of obviously amazing games (I can write a defense of Dead Rising in a later post) is a discussion of what makes a BEST GAMES OF ALL TIME list instead of a MY FAVOURITE GAMES list.
Here are some things that don't make a game the best ever: How long you played it, how much you loved it when you were 12, how extensible it is, how hard(core) it is, and finally, how impressive it was for the time period. These are all personal experiences and certainly contribute to why you loved a game, but in a discussion about the best qualities in video games, these are unimportant. These games are far more fun to talk about though, and believe me I'm all over that.
Furthermore, and this one may be a controversial opinion but I'm going to go there goddammit, groundbreaking doesn't automatically make a game great. If another game comes along and does everything better than the groundbreaker, how is it not better? This rule should come as a relief to everyone because it means that the best games of all time are not Computer Space, Pong, Space Invaders, Pac-Man and Wolfenstein3D forever.
I wanted to put Super Mario Bros or even Super Mario 3 on there as I loved those games to death when they came out, I respect every pixel of their design, they're both clever as fuck, and at the time they were Tsar Bomba explosions of popularity, bringing girls and parents into video games. However this is when I came up with another rule of a BEST VIDEOGAMES list: You have to love playing it today. How can I call SMB better than a million other games if I don't want to play it right now or maybe ever again? I do struggle with this rule because it's susceptible to the negative influence of other games, meaning that I may not want to play SMB right now because I'm sick of platform games in general. They've been done to death. This could also be a reason for not having any FPS games on my list, despite it being one of my favourite genres. The FPS competition is wide and deep and continually topping itself. But perhaps this makes my rule about today's enjoyment even truer -- if the game is truly so much better than its peers, competitors should be unable to dilute the greatness. It's a great test of a great game, how untarnished by competition it remains. Any new puzzle game reinforces the perfection of Tetris and every video game forum has posts of people wondering why no one can make a good X-Com clone (except someone kinda did and it's called Jagged Alliance 2 and it's on my list!).
I don't consider competitive multiplayer games to be part of this discussion at all because they rely on so much outside of the initial design of the game: your competition day to day, your skill level, the community, and ongoing developer support. Those are less interesting discussions too, as they just boil down to "the game you were good at so you spent a lot of time on" or "the game people played in your dorm". Mine would be Street Fighter 2, BadLands, Quake 2, Quake 3, Counter-Strike, Battlefield 2, Battlefield 2142, Virtua Fighter 3, Tekken 3, and Winning Eleven 4. I've spent hours on these games that dwarf my top five list but none of them are HMM YES HAND TO CHIN.
So my questions to you "people" are: Why does Zork I get on your list if Zork II is better? Are there not a hundred games better than Doom right now? Nurses are like bosses? Who do you think you're impressing with the DROD cred? Are the classic characters all that makes Street Fighter Alpha 2 better than Street Fighter 3?
I expect your revised lists on my desk in the morning. Except for Mischief Maker who apparently does agree with my philosophy on the matter, although his taste sucks a bit. |
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Posting my top ten to get Fussbett's top five by Ice Cream Jonsey 02/06/2009, 10:20pm PST 
I'd better not see Diablo 2 on any of these. *shakes fist* by laudablepuss 02/07/2009, 2:03pm PST
Re: I'd better not see Diablo 2 on any of these. *shakes fist* by Entropy Stew 02/07/2009, 7:03pm PST
Re: I'd better not see Diablo 2 on any of these. *shakes fist* by laudablepuss 02/08/2009, 4:02pm PST
bad news: they're both overrated (but D2 was vastly superior) NT by Weyoun Voidbringer 02/08/2009, 4:50pm PST
Oh no, bad news? Here's worse news: I don't care. NT by laudablepuss 02/08/2009, 4:56pm PST
worse news: you're the only one NT by Weyoun Voidbringer 02/08/2009, 5:20pm PST
Here's where I decided I didn't like Diablo 2 by Wacky Willy 02/14/2009, 9:58am PST
Re: Here's where I decided I didn't like Diablo 2 by Diablo 2 02/14/2009, 10:34am PST
I agree with this post, however D2 was blizzard's last good game NT by Weyoun Voidbringer 02/16/2009, 6:41am PST
You're at fault here by Fussbett 02/16/2009, 6:57am PST
sounds like you need an intervention (gambling is a serious uh uh ILLNESS) by Weyoun Voidbringer 02/16/2009, 7:15am PST
Late game Diablo 2 by Fussbett 02/16/2009, 8:55am PST
act 5 nightmare by Weyoun Voidbringer 02/16/2009, 9:04am PST
Haha EXPANSION PACK higher difficulty level TOO DIFFICULT, don't even play it. NT by Fussbett 02/16/2009, 9:38am PST
It's too easy actually. by Creexuls, a monster >:3 02/16/2009, 9:55am PST
oh and act 3 straight up sucks NT by Weyoun Voidbringer 02/16/2009, 9:05am PST
Yeah, so awful. How did it survive playtest? NT by mark 02/16/2009, 9:13am PST
Any level filled with homicidal Zuni fetish dolls (like there's another kind!) i NT by s ok by me Entropy Stew 02/16/2009, 1:17pm PST
this is sort of before the era where everyone copied valve's ideas for game desi NT by Weyoun Voidbringer 02/17/2009, 6:57am PST
Your name is based on one of the bosses from act 3 >:O!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! NT by Creexuls, a monster >:3 02/16/2009, 2:47pm PST
No skill point refunds = a design flaw. NT by Creexuls, a monster >:3 02/16/2009, 9:34am PST
That's on par with the Spanish title. NT by Fussbett 02/16/2009, 9:39am PST
You would prefer an Italian one? NT by Mischief Maker 02/16/2009, 3:29pm PST
Or poppy seed, hot ranch. NT by Creexuls, a monster >:3 02/16/2009, 3:50pm PST
I'd prefer an English one! by Fussbett 02/17/2009, 4:08am PST
Re: Here's where I decided I didn't like Diablo 2 by AC/DC 02/16/2009, 10:47am PST
Your worst nightmare! NT by Wacky Willy 02/17/2009, 9:58am PST
Re: Posting my top ten to get Fussbett's top five by Mischief Maker 02/07/2009, 7:54pm PST
Re: Posting my top ten to get Fussbett's top five by Last 02/07/2009, 8:30pm PST
Re: Posting my top ten to get Fussbett's top five by Fullofkittens 02/08/2009, 10:44am PST
No Half-Life 1 anywhere? by Creexuls, a monster >:3 02/08/2009, 7:03pm PST
I don't know what our top 10 list would be who cares. by Creexuls, a monster >:3 02/10/2009, 9:23am PST
Double Dragon 2 - Wasn't that the super easy one? NT by Fullofkittens 02/10/2009, 4:41pm PST
No it was the good one. by Creexuls, a monster >:3 02/10/2009, 11:16pm PST
C'mon Jimmy! Let's hide in the garage while the dude with the MG mugs our GF wh NT by Mischief Maker 02/11/2009, 6:35am PST
He punches her in the GUT (cumgut) and then shows off her underwear as he carrie NT by Creexuls, a monster >:3 02/11/2009, 7:07am PST
Oh yeah Goldeneye. :( NT by Creexuls, a monster >:3 02/11/2009, 11:50pm PST
Remember when Rare was awesome? by Fussbett 02/12/2009, 1:41am PST
looks like I'm against both of them by Weyoun Voidbringer 02/12/2009, 3:36am PST
Re: looks like I'm against both of them by Creexuls, a monster >:3 02/12/2009, 5:07am PST
full price full length no creative effort by Weyoun Voidbringer 02/12/2009, 5:18am PST
That's totally true bro. *high five and a tramp stamp comes out of the high five NT by Creexuls, a monster >:3 02/12/2009, 5:33am PST
Whoa you guys played Goldeneye a lot? NT by Radical awesome bitchin 02/12/2009, 2:56pm PST
Goldeneye sucked. Halo is completely superior, though that's not saying much. by Wacky Willy 02/12/2009, 3:15pm PST
On the contrary, the exact opposite. :3 NT by Creexuls, a monster >:3 02/13/2009, 3:25am PST
You're saying Goldeneye blew? NT by Wacky Willy 02/13/2009, 6:10am PST
No it was great. NT by Creexuls, a monster >:3 02/13/2009, 7:27am PST
Re: Remember when Rare was awesome? by Bungie 02/15/2009, 10:02am PST
I at least remember when Rare was awesome by Weyoun Voidbringer 02/15/2009, 11:08am PST
Banjo Kazooie/360 by Lizard_King 02/15/2009, 2:07pm PST
so a huge disappointment in other words by Weyoun Voidbringer 02/15/2009, 2:26pm PST
I guess, for the kind of person who looked forward to a new Banjo game by Lizard_King 02/15/2009, 6:33pm PST
so besides the fact that "everything else sucks" it's great by Weyoun Voidbringer 02/16/2009, 7:38am PST
That's right by Lizard_King 02/17/2009, 3:53am PST
Re: That's right by Weyoun Voidbringer 02/17/2009, 7:19am PST
Re: That's right by Creexuls, a monster >:3 02/17/2009, 9:18am PST
Re: That's right by Lizard_King 03/23/2009, 5:24pm PDT
Re: That's right by Creexuls, a monster >:3 03/23/2009, 5:33pm PDT
Finally the $377 million purchase pays off in this 8/10 game. NT by Fussbett 02/15/2009, 5:09pm PST
Fussbett's Top Five by Fussbett 02/09/2009, 1:42am PST
Where do atmospheric/story driven games fall on your list? by FABIO 02/09/2009, 2:04am PST
Good point: replay value. by Fussbett 02/09/2009, 2:48am PST
If you've ever played a better puzzle game than DROD, I'd love to hear it. NT by Mischief Maker 02/09/2009, 5:36am PST
psh, he hasn't, who has? no one NT by Worm 02/09/2009, 5:39am PST
Tetris, Sudoku, math problems, jigsaw puzzles, configuring a wireless network NT by Fussbett 02/09/2009, 6:36am PST
Re: configuring a wireless network by Mischief Maker 02/09/2009, 6:44am PST
WHAT! by Fussbett 02/09/2009, 7:33am PST
I always wondered how SSS was better quirkiness than Buckaroo Bonzai by FABIO 02/09/2009, 10:52am PST
More of a "Life Aquatic" vs. "Napoleon Dynamite" kind of thing NT by Mischief Maker 02/09/2009, 10:57am PST
re4 is better than dead rising NT by Weyoun Voidbringer 02/09/2009, 6:39am PST
The Typing of the Dead is better than both. NT by Mischief Maker 02/09/2009, 12:32pm PST
Is Street Fighter Alpha 2 better than Street Fighter 3? by Last 02/09/2009, 7:54am PST
My list was of favorite games because I'm too casual a player to make a pronounc by Fullofkittens 02/09/2009, 9:37am PST
I agree with you on Half Life =( by FABIO 02/09/2009, 12:03pm PST
Frantic Action Feeling! NT by E. L. Koba 02/09/2009, 12:44pm PST
Zork Talk by Ice Cream Jonsey 02/10/2009, 10:03am PST
Re: Zork Talk by Fussbett 02/11/2009, 1:19am PST
I just tried Another World by Bananadine 03/22/2009, 12:20pm PDT
Maybe I should buy this. :( by Creexuls, a monster >:3 03/22/2009, 12:40pm PDT
$8.99, yeah I'll buy it. by Creexuls, a monster >:3 03/22/2009, 12:42pm PDT
good memories, good times, desperately needs an update NT by Weyoun Voidbringer 03/22/2009, 1:34pm PDT
FYI, Steam's having a special on Oddworld games, $2.50 each or two for $3.75 NT by Jimmy Fallon 03/22/2009, 5:25pm PDT
jimmy fallon, terrible human being with terrible taste in games NT by Weyoun Voidbringer 03/22/2009, 5:43pm PDT
Re: I just tried Another World by Fussbett 03/22/2009, 2:20pm PDT
Well actually there's a LITTLE more to it than that *6000-word essay* NT by tim rogers 03/22/2009, 3:13pm PDT
Re: I just tried Another World by Bananadine 03/22/2009, 3:51pm PDT
Was the SNES version longer? by FABIO 03/22/2009, 8:01pm PDT
Re: Was the SNES version longer? by Creexuls, a monster >:3 03/22/2009, 8:04pm PDT
Re: Was the SNES version longer? by FABIO 03/24/2009, 12:49am PDT
Re: Was the SNES version longer? by Creexuls, a monster >:3 03/24/2009, 12:54am PDT
Re: I just tried Another World by Creexuls, a monster >:3 03/22/2009, 5:43pm PDT
I tried making a top 10 list like 8 times by Zsenitan 02/09/2009, 7:30am PST
Qix, Gran Turismo 3... by Fussbett 02/09/2009, 7:48am PST
Re: Qix, Gran Turismo 3... by Zsenitan 02/09/2009, 8:02am PST
No, PC version was awesome and faithful. NT by Fussbett 02/09/2009, 8:31am PST
Re: I tried making a top 10 list like 8 times by Bananadine 02/09/2009, 9:21am PST
Re: I tried making a top 10 list like 8 times by Zsenitan 02/09/2009, 10:07am PST
Re: I tried making a top 10 list like 8 times by Bananadine 02/09/2009, 11:18am PST
I can confirm this. by Mischief Maker 02/09/2009, 11:56am PST
it physically pained me not to include: by up with pod people 03/22/2009, 5:05pm PDT
Re: I tried making a top 10 list like 8 times by Ice Cream Jonsey 03/28/2009, 10:48am PDT
Re: I tried making a top 10 list like 8 times by Bananadine 12/19/2009, 8:15am PST
My list is predictable also by bink 02/09/2009, 11:40am PST
I'll give this a shot by FABIO 02/09/2009, 11:49am PST
Dishonorable puzzle game mentions by FABIO 02/09/2009, 3:00pm PST
Buh? by Mischief Maker 02/09/2009, 3:23pm PST
Mentions aren't ranked NT by FABIO 02/09/2009, 3:35pm PST
Dishonorable = bad NT by Helpful guy 02/09/2009, 4:32pm PST
The NES Tetris can not be improved upon, I didn't EVEN know there were sequels. NT by Fullofkittens 02/09/2009, 4:48pm PST
Re: The NES Tetris can not be improved upon, I didn't EVEN know there were seque by Last 02/09/2009, 6:48pm PST
tetris attack (ie yoshi's tetris) was pretty awesome too and predates bejeweled NT by Weyoun Voidbringer 02/09/2009, 6:56pm PST
What the fuck are you guys talking about? by motherfuckerfoodeater 02/09/2009, 6:58pm PST
tetris attack was a completely different game NT by Weyoun Voidbringer 02/09/2009, 7:09pm PST
Like Kirby's Avalanche they were just repacks of Japanese puzzle games. NT by Creexuls, a monster >:3 02/09/2009, 7:39pm PST
Re: The NES Tetris can not be improved upon, I didn't EVEN know there were seque by Fullofkittens 02/09/2009, 6:58pm PST
Tetris additions by Fussbett 02/09/2009, 7:17pm PST
Chinese kids won't be holding their Tetris blocks or looking at queues! NT by Fullofkittens 02/09/2009, 7:25pm PST
That's the weakness the rooskies've been waitin' for! NT by Mischief Maker 02/09/2009, 7:40pm PST
Avenge me etc. NT by Creexuls, a monster >:3 02/09/2009, 7:50pm PST
You brats had computer Tetris? We shoved heavy crates around and LOVED IT. NT by Dedushka Pajitnov 02/09/2009, 7:56pm PST
Re: I'll give this a shot by Fussbett 02/09/2009, 7:13pm PST
Re: I'll give this a shot by FABIO 02/09/2009, 8:03pm PST
Re: I'll give this a shot by Fussbett 02/09/2009, 11:22pm PST
Re: I'll give this a shot by Bananadine 02/10/2009, 8:46am PST
I agree that Dr. Mario makes Tetris Attack look awesome. NT by Fussbett 02/10/2009, 7:03pm PST
You'd think objectivists would make the best game list makers by FABIO 02/10/2009, 11:05am PST
As long as we are clear that Mr. Do! is better than Dig Dug NT by Ice Cream Jonsey 02/10/2009, 11:43am PST
Yes, but saying it retroactively makes previous TEMPLATE games better is crazy NT by FABIO 02/10/2009, 8:43pm PST
TEMPLATE by Fussbett 02/10/2009, 10:15pm PST
Re: TEMPLATE by Fussbett 02/11/2009, 12:58am PST
Re: You'd think objectivists would make the best game list makers by Fussbett 02/10/2009, 7:11pm PST
Re: You'd think objectivists would make the best game list makers by FABIO 02/10/2009, 11:31pm PST
Re: You'd think objectivists would make the best game list makers by Creexuls, a monster >:3 02/10/2009, 11:35pm PST
Yeah, but it's fun to nitpick games sometimes. by Fussbett 02/11/2009, 12:55am PST
I'm with Fabio, fuck that Fussbett guy by bombMexico 02/11/2009, 4:53pm PST
I thought that fsbt's post was the opposite of that...? NT by Fullofkittens 02/11/2009, 4:57pm PST
bombMexico is against me? Well that's fresh! by Fussbett 02/11/2009, 5:07pm PST
Fussbetts being a cunt! How origina- ok whatever by bombMexico 02/11/2009, 5:58pm PST
On pleasing bombMexico by Fussbett 02/11/2009, 6:45pm PST
An apology couldn't hurt, but I'd still be pretty disappointed. by bombMexico 02/12/2009, 12:20am PST
I'm sorry... THAT MY AMAZING THEORIES START RIOTS by Fussbett 02/12/2009, 1:31am PST
Fussbett is the Settembrini to bombMexico's Naphta NT by To Zseni, Happy Valentines Day, Lov 02/12/2009, 1:59am PST
You give bM too much credit. by Hans Clastorp 02/12/2009, 9:43am PST
Guys I lol'd NT by Zsenitan 02/12/2009, 10:46am PST
Re: I'm sorry... THAT MY AMAZING THEORIES START RIOTS by Ice Cream Jonsey 02/12/2009, 4:40am PST
Your corner is sending you a message by not throwing in the towel :( by bombMexico 02/12/2009, 4:14pm PST
I also enjoy laying down lots of RULES NT by Zseni bot 02/16/2009, 7:41am PST
top 5 by McMoo the Anti-Drug Cow 02/09/2009, 1:12pm PST
adding Alpha Centauri NT by McMoo 02/10/2009, 3:47pm PST
I've tried to love almost every version of the Civ franshise by motherfuckerfoodeater 02/10/2009, 8:52pm PST
This is also a positive attribute of MOO2. NT by Fullofkittens 02/10/2009, 9:30pm PST
There was staying power for every unit in AC by Fortinbras 02/13/2009, 5:13pm PST
What game of AC did you guys play? by FABIO 02/16/2009, 10:08am PST
You didn't even get into fusion until it was half over. by Fortinbras 02/16/2009, 10:31am PST
Static map? by FABIO 02/17/2009, 12:51am PST
Good Garrison-model troops with best armor were still cheaper and held out by Fortinbras 02/17/2009, 8:46am PST
Okay by Worm 02/09/2009, 5:02pm PST
*HOMM2 NT by Worm 02/10/2009, 10:09am PST
Six games! by Gutsby 02/10/2009, 9:51am PST
best top 5 now complete, everyone can stop by bombMexico 02/11/2009, 4:46pm PST
Leaf shield is great fuck you NT by Entropy Stew 02/11/2009, 6:08pm PST
No Power Battles? Your list sucks. NT by Wacky Willy 02/12/2009, 4:11am PST
Re: Posting my top ten to get Fussbett's top five by Quétinbec 02/12/2009, 3:22am PST
Your ruined life is a scathing indictment of the Dreamcast! by Fussbett 02/12/2009, 7:00am PST
Re: Your ruined life is a scathing indictment of the Dreamcast! by Quétinbec 02/12/2009, 7:57pm PST
When the fuck is this thread going on the front page? NT by motherfuckerfoodeater 02/12/2009, 9:45am PST
I had held out hope that Creex was gonna shoot that crackhead. But no longer. NT by Ice Cream Jonsey 02/12/2009, 11:08am PST
He's actually on the run at the moment, so he's not to be found. by Creexuls, a monster >:3 02/12/2009, 12:35pm PST
Just carried it out under one arm, like the Meth Boss from NARC NT by Shack Town's Only Alternative Paper 02/12/2009, 2:31pm PST
Getting it all wrong by Bunyip 02/12/2009, 8:24pm PST
top 5 by Entropy Stew 02/15/2009, 3:15am PST
Totally sticking it to me AND laudablepuss NT by Fussbett 02/15/2009, 4:24am PST
If Tetris tops the list, then Windows Solitaire blows it out of the water. NT by Wacky Willy 02/15/2009, 6:43am PST
Try harder, Wacky. NT by Fussbett 02/15/2009, 7:04am PST
You're right. Freecell, because every game is technically winnable. NT by Wacky Willy 02/15/2009, 2:06pm PST
You don't have to shuffle the cards or anything! You're right, Freecell IS the b NT by Entropy Stew 02/15/2009, 2:23pm PST
So is solitaire. by Creexuls, a monster >:3 02/15/2009, 3:08pm PST
What? Are we compiling lists of our top 5 card games, now? WHIST, MOTHERFUCKER NT by Entropy Stew 02/15/2009, 1:15pm PST
Go to bed, old man! Euchre! NT by Wacky Willy 02/15/2009, 3:26pm PST
Exactly, which is why I put both on mine. by Jerry Whorebach 02/15/2009, 4:46pm PST
X-COM was gay. *dumps your books* NT by Creexuls, a monster >:3 02/15/2009, 6:54am PST
You're gay. *dumps your peach schnapps* by Entropy Stew 02/15/2009, 2:30pm PST
YOU'RE RUINING IT FOR EVERYONE! by Mischief Maker 02/15/2009, 10:16pm PST
so how is the new happy mondays album? NT by Weyoun Voidbringer 02/16/2009, 7:42am PST
Welp, I don't know if there is one. NT by Creexuls, a monster >:3 02/16/2009, 7:55am PST
It sucks NT by McMoo is a Doors fan... man 02/18/2009, 8:01am PST
fuck it FINE >=( by FABIO 02/20/2009, 4:14pm PST
Imperialism! I don't even know this game. NT by Fussbett 02/20/2009, 4:23pm PST
as long as you don't play protoss (and don't play anything new) NT by Weyoun Voidbringer 02/20/2009, 6:16pm PST
in which I come very late to the game by up with pod people 03/22/2009, 4:54pm PDT
HoMM5 =( by FABIO 03/22/2009, 8:03pm PDT
just to check, I played it again by up with pod people 03/23/2009, 6:50pm PDT
Why did I not post the first time around. You'd think I don't like to talk abou by Rafiki 11/21/2010, 11:45am PST
FF3/FF6 was great except for that boring spot between by Fortinbras 11/21/2010, 1:34pm PST
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