These are busy times for me. Between finishing up my top 25 list and my huge upcoming project, I’ve barely had any time to kick back and relax. Once the new year begins, I’ll have just a tad more time to myself, but until then, I am once again the hardest working man in show business. I will announce my big plans for 2010 next Monday, as well as the reasons and detailed explanations of the whole thing. After today, I will put up # 5 and 4 between 5 and 7 days later, and the last three will be released every 2-3 days, until we hit number one. That number one selection will more than likely be the last thing I have on this site until the beginning of next year. So let’s not wait any longer – here are my choices for #10-6 in my list of the Top 25 of this Decade!
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Guitar Hero: Metallica
Microsoft XBox 360
US Release Date: March 29, 2009
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What is it?
What would I get if I combined my favorite plastic instrument video game (Guitar Hero 3) with a band that would more than do the genre justice by having their own game (Metallica)? One of my most anticipated video games to have ever come out — Guitar Hero: Metallica!
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Why did it make my list?
Why not? I thought Guitar Hero 3 was brilliant, and that if Aerosmith got a dedicated Guitar Hero that they didn’t deserve, there should be a band that more than deserves to be made into a Guitar Hero game. Metallica’s music has that edge and feeling I want when I play one of these silly instrument games. With most of the songs I’d wanna see in a Guitar Hero: Metallica being present, it’s almost the ultimate gaming experience. Not only does it remind me that I suck at drums, suck at playing fake guitar, and that I can only sing Marc Anthony and Sting songs (although at one point I was #7 on Expert vocals on Nothing Else Matters), it shows me a helluva good time. The Death Magnetic album DLC that was available for Guitar Hero 3 is forward compatible with Metallica, which provides a lot of very hard drumming and guitar playing. Even if you’re not a fan of Metallica, never really heard their music (wtf) or are one of the bandwagon haters that hate them for no good reason, this is THE best stand alone, and IMO THE best music genre game to have ever come out.
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The One Thing That Would Make This Number One….
I know this will never happen, but if by the grace of the Gods, they released a track pack with the Turn the Page cover, Call of the Ktulu, St. Anger and The Four Horsemen, this will become the single greatest multimedia release this past decade. But as it is, it’s in the top ten, so that says more than enough.
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The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess
Nintendo Wii
US Release Date: November 19, 2006
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What is it?
The game that helped launch the Nintendo Wii three years ago, Twilight Princess is everything you loved about the Zelda series, with some changes here and there. Sword combat is performed by shaking your Wiimote, while you can manually aim the onscreen reticle to perform precision ranged attacks. With a large overworld area to explore, great combat, and addicting dungeon action; Twilight Princess was another excellent chapter in the Zelda series.
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Why did it make my list?
Twilight Princess had a few shortcomings. The lack of voiceovers during cutscenes and the use of music in MIDI form (although it did sound great) made the audio a lot weaker than it should have been. However, the true star was in the form of the gameplay and story. Twilight Princess stuck to what made the series so beloved and universally appreciated. Combat is as fun as always, even if you’re shaking a Wiimote around to slice through enemies. Dungeons were as captivating as ever. The world around you felt more alive than ever before. Everything you loved about the series is here, tweaked here and there, but it’s the same good time you’ve had through the series.
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What I want to see in the next console Zelda game…
Since the Wii is an inferior system in terms of graphical power, I doubt I’ll ever see the first wish anytime soon. I want to see a lush, realized forest, actually giving the illusion of a true Lost Woods. As silly as this sounds, I would love to see Link shooting beams out of his sword again, like Zelda 2: The Adventures of Link. Also, true sword battling would be awesome. Having proper duels with a Stalfos, or Armored Knight is a much more realistic expectation of the Wii than a true Lost Woods.
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Super Mario Strikers
Nintendo Gamecube
US Release Date: December 5, 2005
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What is it?
In the same vein as Mario Tennis, Super Mario Strikers is Nintendo’s take on mascot soccer. The field is much smaller, not to mention surrounded by an electric fence, your goalie is a dim witted gator and you receive power ups to help you along the way. You can also perform a “Super Strike” which is a two point goal if you make it in. In a nutshell, its an over the top take on soccer, starring Toads, Koopa Troopas, and over a half dozen different Mario mainstays.
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Why did it make my list?
Truth be told – the single player is only useful for unlocking new stadiums and the Super (cheap) team. Multiplayer though…oh boy. If I had to describe it in one word, it would be “insane”. Two words? “Insanely awesome”. Three words? “Insanely awesome, dammit!” Super Mario Strikers is so simple, yet so deceitfully deep. Trying to deke and psyche out the opposing goalie is a trick that takes ages to master, as is lofting the ball over the opposing goalie as he backpedals and falls trying to block it. Each of the characters have their subtle advantages and disadvantages. Donkey Kong has a long reach but you have to be perfect to land a super striker, while Princess Peach is fast, has more leeway to nailing a super striker, but her kick power isn’t as potent. Honestly, this is one game where describing how epically entertaining and freaking fun it is to play someone else that has either a basic knowledge of the game, or is a virtual master of it, doesn’t come off well in print. This is an experience you need to have. FIFA ain’t got a thing on Super Mario Strikers.
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Why Not Mario Strikers Charged?
The ‘sequel’ was a very well-made game, and is worth picking up, but the charm wasn’t there. It felt a little different, and the fact that Nintendo has the worst online ‘service’ ever, didn’t help getting players together to play online. The Wii motion controls were kept at a minimum thankfully, but the simplicity to Super Mario Strikers’ controls is yet another reason why I cherish it more than Charged.
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Star Wars: Knights of the old Republic
Microsoft XBox
US Release Date: July 15, 2003
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What is it?
Take one part Star Wars universe, add a redefining look at how RPG’s are made and played, an excellent original story with engaging characters and throw it all into a blender. The end result is Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic.
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Why did it make my list?
This is one of the more important, genre redefining games in a long time. KotOR changed how we view the RPG genre in so many ways, from the world around you being so large and varied, to how dialog, conversations and interactions in general are performed. Combat is a ton of fun as well, whether you’re using force powers, blaster rifles, or dual wielding lightsabers. My interest was held throughout my entire journey, which spanned well over 60 hours. Add in the fact that you’ll care immensely for your teammates and the powerful soundtrack to everything else mentioned, and you have one of the most well rounded and engaging gaming experiences this decade.
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The Old Republic
As much as I am looking forward to this new MMORPG, which is going to feature a fully voiced NPC dialog system (which will be astounding in itself if every NPC talks to you with distinct voices), I really really really want to play a new Knights of the Old Republic title from Bioware. The storytelling was magical in the first Knights of the Old Republic, although I never got too far into the second title. If not this console generation, the next one should be graced with a brand new KotOR title. PS: Star Wars Galaxies is awful.
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Final Fatasy Tactics Advance
Nintendo Game Boy Advance
US Release Date: September 8, 2003
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What is it?
Final Fantasy Tactics Advance is a light-hearted take on the thoroughly impressive Final Fantasy Tactics on the PS1. While the story was a bit ‘youth’ oriented in content and direction, the story and gameplay provided dozens of hours of customization, building your characters up with different classes and much more. With the depth, scope and longevity of this title, you would think I was describing a console game and not a GAME BOY ADVANCE game.
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Why did it make my list?
This was one of the biggest obsessions I have ever had. For months, I was gripped and addicted to this title. The graphics are colorful and surprisingly detailed, the music was simple, somewhat repetitive yet charming. The hook was the immensely addicting job system. Open up one job by completing other jobs, with some unique and odd jobs at your disposal late into the game. With 300 missions to tackle, multiple characters you can recruit, job leveling and so on, Final Fantasy Tactics Advance is one of the most addicting games I have ever played, despite the childish themes. If you enjoy the strategy/RPG genre, you owe it to yourself to give this game a try, just be warned that it can, and it will, suck you in and not let you go.
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The Ultimate Struggle Within
FFTA or FFTA2? Which one should I put up here? Both are incredibly addictive and I have spent at least 140 hours on each (200+ on FFTA2). In the end, I chose the original. Reason? Honestly, there is none. They are both on par with each other. There’s more to do in FFTA2 sure, but that wasn’t a deal sealer for me. With either title, you are guaranteed a strategy/RPG title with high addiction and high replay value. Final Fantasy Tactics Advance 2 might be easier to find these days, but if you see both in stores, pick up the first one. You’re in for a huge treat regardless of which you pick.
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Top 25 of this Decade: #25 – 21
Top 25 of this Decade: #20 – 16
Top 25 of this Decade: #15 – 11
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