Lets take a brief trip down memory lane and visit some of these often forgotten titles. Some of them are classics that should have been supported better, some of them are probably known to some extent, while some were rightfully discarded from the memory banks of arcade gamers everywhere. This will be a look at some of the hidden gems in the genre, as well as some rotten eggs that managed to crack open.

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Alien vs Predator

(Capcom, 1994, 1-3 players)

Before that letdown of a movie was released, Capcom threw these two franchises together into a video game. The rather outlandish storyline had the Predators teaming up with the Space Marines so that the Xenomorph infestation could be obliterated. Two Aliens and two humans are playable in this three-player simultaneous beat em up which features a standard attack and jump button, along with a shooting mechanic which allowed players to blast enemies with overheat sensitive projectiles. The catch was, only a few shots can be fired off before overheating, and if one becomes overheated, the cool-down would last several seconds.

AvP excelled as a solo venture just as much as it did with two others joining the battle. Being that this was released years after Final Fight, the graphical detail had a noticeable boost in quality over it, sporting clean animation for the most part. In terms of challenge, AvP provided just the right amount, without feeling too dumbed down or overbearing.

From a sea of beat up titles during the late 80′s/early 90′s Alien vs Predator rode the waves like a champ, and to this day it’s a mindless button mash that will please fans of the genre.

Worth Remembering? Most Definitely.

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Bucky O’Hare

(Konami, 1992, 1-4 players)

Full disclosure – I’ve never watched a full episode of Bucky O’Hare in my life, nor have I played the original NES game. This four-player beat em up boasted quite the vivid audio and video package for it’s time, blending plenty of voice clips between stages with colorful and well detailed cutscene graphics, as well as in-game visuals that could be considered some of the best the genre had seen in arcades.

What makes Bucky O’Hare unique is how the traditional eight way walk layout changes with each stage. Players will start with the traditional method of movement, but each stage changes things up a bit as you go, from a mostly vertical trek to a jetpack fueled area where one must traverse between electrical charges and more. The thing is, despite the variety, it’s really not that fun, or consistent. Attacks are mostly projectile based, with screen clearing bombs easily obtained. Still, some areas seem way too difficult, even for a genre built upon screw points that require extra quarters to enter the machine to continue, yet oppositely, some areas are brainlessly easy.

I suppose those who grew up with the franchise would find a bit more to clamor over, but when it’s all said and done, Bucky O’Hare is a mediocre entry at best, though should be commended for its quality audio and video production.

Worth Remembering? For Fans Only?

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Arabian Fight

(Sega, 1992, 1-4 players)

Depending on who you ask, Arabian Fight isn’t as obscure as I thought. I never heard of it in my life until I happened to stumble across it. This Sega developed beat em up is slightly unorthodox, from its stage layout to its visual inspirations. It’s a four player game, though it’s one that no one should have ever ever known of.

The anime-like visuals during certain points of the game helped differentiate Arabian Fight from other games within the genre. Through magic attacks (usually once per area) a cutscene-like display is shown of the character attacking, and between stage scenes feature these high quality visuals as well. Playing through the game though, you can tell Sega spent more time than they should have on visuals at the detriment of everything else. For example, my first playthrough lasted a paltry 15 minutes through seven stages. I still have no idea how I cleared the game so fast either, especially since the controls are so rigid, with hit detection so poorly implemented, that it made combat as much of a struggle as it was a chore to play. Even if magic attacks cleared the screen in no time, the bosses were still a nightmare thanks to the overall poorly implemented mechanics.

On top of that, the early stages are all two screens long, with in-game visual quality much weaker than the anime-like cutscenes (though the scaling of each character, depending on where they are on screen, was impressive.) As definitely one of the worst beat em up titles I have ever come across, Arabian Fight is a battle worth running far away from.

Worth Remembering? God No.

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Knights of the Round

(Capcom, 1991, 1-3 players)

Another game that isn’t completely obscure, Knights of the Round has seen its share of publicity and successes. The Super Nintendo port was one of the better games in the genre to appear on a 16 bit console. A three payer title, KotR blended the bread and butter of the genre with a few twists here and there, while still remaining close to what players would expect in general.

This is a rare case in which I actually prefer the Super Nintendo port over the arcade version. While the graphical quality and sound overall is a bit higher than its 16 bit counterpart, performing a block in the arcade version feels entirely cumbersome. On the SNES, a button was designated for blocking, which really did add a new dimension to the genre, and made it less of a mindless mashfest. With the arcade version players must press away and attack at the same time to initiate the block. If not timed right, the character will just turn around. It was an intuitive change on the port over, and a reason why I prefer it over the original.

With that said, it’s still an enjoyable venture into the world of Camelot. Just about all of my feelings for Knights of the Round were conveyed in my SNES review a while back, so check it out and get a better understanding to exactly why either version is worth your time and money.

Worth Remembering? Yes.

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Spider-Man: The Video Game

(Sega, 1991, 1-4 players)

This was one I so rarely ever saw, and barely anyone faithfully remembered. This Sega developed Spider-Man arcade title featured a cast of characters that would make fans of the webhead facepalm (Spider-Man of course, along with Black Cat, Hawkeye and Namor.) Up to four players can crowd the machine, with only an attack and jump button utilized (a special attack initiates when both buttons are pressed simultaneously.)

One neat gimmick that Spider-Man: The Arcade Game had was a perspective shift midway through each stage. Traditional eight way movement was reduced to a side scrolling adventure, where each character used projectiles as their primary attack, and where enemy health seemed much lower than in the traditional sections. For the most part, these parts of each stage were the least enjoyable, but it was a worthwhile diversion from the norm. Sega also did a pretty good job with the rest of the package, however. Vocal quips at the appropriate moments, large, detailed character models in a visually pleasant game world and controls that, outside jump attacks, were responsive enough to master and use well.

It may not have the notoriety of X-Men: The Arcade Game, but Spider-Man: The Arcade Game is an often forgotten about beat em up that has enough value to it. There are more than enough Spidey villains throughout the game, and they feel less forced in than Batman Arkham City, regardless of genre and scope differences. I’ve only seen this one twice in person, so I’m not quite sure if this game is that rare or not, but if you ever happen to stumble across it in some fashion, definitely give it a whirl.

Worth Remembering? Certainly.

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Crime Fighters

(Konami, 1989, 1-4 players)

Released the same year as Konami’s behemoth Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: The Arcade Game, Crime Fighters is a more traditional entry into the genre. Up to four players can punch and kick their way through an American looking city, taking out a plethora of both racial stereotypes and gang stereotypes in the style of Final Fight. Attacks were limited to punches and kicks, with with a jump attack available when both attack buttons were pushed at the same time.

Though it’s the oldest title listed here, Crime Fighters looks, sounds and feels even older. TMNT: The Arcade Game had a much cleaner visual presentation, a more coherent audio set up and by far more feasible mechanics than this. The two things that decimate Crime Fighters are the delays on each attack and the impossibility of holding onto a weapon. Take a well built game in the genre for example, like Final Fight. Each attack has a delay after each swing, yet players are able to move and jump quickly after each swing to strategically compensate for this. Crime Fighters punishes players with incredibly delayed attacks that leave them wide open to be counterattacked. Not to mention getting hit with a weapon will knock the weapon out of the characters hands, where it promptly blinks and vanishes for good.

Just based off the mechanics alone, Crime Fighters is a near unplayable mess. The stereotypes all around the game world are hilarious, but that does little to make up for the poor showing overall. It might be a classic to some, but for me, it’s as bad as it gets in terms of gaming as a whole.

Worth Remembering? As Much As the McDLT.

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There’s a hefty number of titles within this fine genre that I haven’t even got around to discussing. From the SNK title that liberally borrows from Final Fight (Burning Fight for the uninitiated), to genre bending creations from one of the companies responsible for over-saturating the genre (Dungeons & Dragons: Tower of Doom/Shadow over Mystara.) Do any of you have any particular favorites that don’t often get as much recognition? Share them with us all in the comments section down below!

(source: GameTrailers)

Looks like the obvious has been revealed officially. Sony and SuperBpt are set to release a four player fighting game featuring a cast full of first party exclusives, as well as some third party fan favorites. Right now there’s six character that have officially been revealed:

Sweet Tooth (Twisted Metal)

Fat Princess

Kratos (God of War)

Sly Cooper

Radec (Killzone)

PaRappa the Rapper

(source: GameTrailers)

Each stage will have its franchise theme mixed with another franchise as well, with Hades from God of War fending off Patapon‘s in the background. A constant 60 frames per second, the visual quality is impressive so far. Comparisons to the Super Smash Bros. franchise will immediately begin to accumulate, as there are a myriad of similarities that can be pointed out.

PlayStation All-Stars Battle Royale is slated for a fourth quarter 2012 release exclusively on the PlayStation 3. In the meantime, what are your opinions of PlayStation All-Stars Battle Royale so far? Any characters or settings featured on a Sony console that are on your wish list to make it into this massive brawl? Leave a comment below and share your thoughts, feelings and ideas!

While the Sega Dreamcast is one of, if not possibly my all-time favorite gaming console, it only produced five titles for this console generation that fit my top 25 list. The quality overall of the titles selected could almost be the strongest out of any generation I have experienced, especially with no singular dominance in genres present. Lats take a look at my Top 25 128-bit Games:

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05. Tony Hawk’s Underground (PS2)

Rating: 8.8

The peak of the franchise for me, Tony Hawk Underground was everything that made the series addicting, with a sense of exploration and open world nature to the gameplay thrown in. The storyline becomes a bit goofy as time passes, but the core gameplay was as satisfying as ever, minus the driving and on foot parts. THUG excelled online as well, though unfortunately that option is long gone. What remains is still the peak of the genre and the last Tony Hawk game anyone should touch,

04.  Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic (XB)

Rating: N/A

Why no one dabbled in a full fledged Star Wars RPG before Knights of the Old Republic, I don’t know. Regardless, this was probably the best way to launch that idea. With a storyline that takes numerous twists and turns, not once does it feel like the pace slows down. Instead, there’s always fascinating exposition going on, or some involving combat happening. The combat especially was a sight to behold, giving either a complete hands on, or near hands off approach. If you could only play one pure RPG from this generation, Knights of the Old Republic has to be it.

03. Champions of Norrath (PS2)

Rating: 8.7

The number of hours I lost with Champions of Norrath can only be described as “astronomical.” An action RPG crafted by the same developers who worked on Baldurs Gate: Dark Alliance and its sequel, Champions of Norrath was just about the most perfect blend of experience grinding, loot whoring and replay value that’s ever been created. One reason why there was a wealth of replay value had to do with the fact that beating the game unlocked a higher set of levels that you can play that character through, which yielded better loot and more challenges. Best of all? You didn’t have to have any kind of history with the Everquest MMORPG on the PC to understand and appreciate all that Champions of Norrath had to offer. The best the genre has seen on a console, and still holds up amazingly well years later, even without online multiplayer support.

02. Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas (PS2)

Rating: N/A

San Andreas was more or less a statement to every sandbox game to come out after it. It was a statement that boldly read “top this!” After all these years, I come back to San Andreas and discover areas and locations I have never seen before. Fans of the series complained that there was too much real estate to travel through, bu that was one of the selling points for me. It felt like a legitimate, living, breathing world, with dead space to explore that only augmented the notion that this was supposed to be a humongous game world to explore. Even if the story takes a few nutty turns throughout, the number of side missions, wardrobe customization, houses to own, fitness to maintain and so on, put Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas on a pedestal high above any game within the genre, both past and present.

01. Street Fighter Anniversary (XB)

Rating: N/A

Street Fighter III: 3rd Strike has been an off and on obsession with me for well over a dozen years now. The slightly sped up timing and poor fighting game pad featured on the Sega Dreamcast didn’t appease me much, but when the Xbox released Street Fighter Anniversary, with Hyper Street Fighter II and online multiplayer included, regardless of the controller, I was hooked hard. 3rd Strike still remains the most technical fighter I’ve played, where mind games, timing and spacing play a bigger role than ever. For the most part, the online play was smooth, unlike the 3rd Strike Online Xbox Live Arcade release from last year. Even the Hyper Street Fighter II addition was enjoyable in its own right, mixing together each version of each character from each of the Street Fighter II titles (kind of like what Vampire Chronicles for Matching Service did). The thing that held my interest for years though was the online, and offline portions of Street Fighter III: 3rd Strike in this Street Fighter Anniversary package. It’s a shame that I still dip back to this version if I want to play offline solo or multiplayer, since the 3rd Strike Online release still isn’t up to snuff, but in any case, if you can track a copy of Street Fighter Anniversary down (PS2 or Xbox) you owe it to yourself to add it to your collection.

While the Sega Dreamcast is one of, if not possibly my all-time favorite gaming console, it only produced five titles for this console generation that fit my top 25 list. The quality overall of the titles selected could almost be the strongest out of any generation I have experienced, especially with no singular dominance in genres present. Lats take a look at my Top 25 128-bit Games:

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10. Crazy Taxi (DC)

Rating: 9.1

The Sega Dreamcast game with the most obnoxious, yet most memorable soundtrack, was also one of the most replayable games in the last 15 years. Arcade driving antics through a rather massive game world, picking up and dropping off passengers at designated pick up and drop off spots, was a lot more chaotic than one may think. The bonus of a second map to drive through added a bit of beef to the package, giving players another area to memorize and dissect. The Dreamcast controller felt perfectly tailored for Crazy Taxi as well, making me forget that this used to be a steering wheel based arcade release. If you haven’t played played Crazy Taxi, do yourself a favor and pick up a Sega Dreamcast and Crazy Taxi. The HD XBLA port doesn’t do the game justice.

09. Grand Theft Auto: Vice City (PS2)

Rating: N/A

Vice City is the pinnacle of Grand Theft Auto titles for many gamers, and occasionally is their favorite game of that generation. In just about every respect, Vice City is a masterpiece, though it’s not the top GTA or top game in this generation for me. Even still, the amazing soundtrack, the addition of more side quests, motorcycles and more ways to cause mayhem still made it leaps and bounds better than Grand Theft Auto III, and most other games in its generation.

08. Super Mario Strikers (GCN)

Rating: 8.5

The “black sheep” of Mario mascot sports titles IMO, Super Mario Strikers was beyond addicting. As a single player game, it was passable, but with a group of friends that knew what they were doing, Strikers became an instant classic. A surprising amount of depth can be found as well, from curbing your shots, to using the right items at the right time in the right spots for an almost guaranteed two point super striker shot. Mario Strikers Charged on the Nintendo Wii attempted to capture the same charm and excitement that Super Mario Strikers possessed, but ultimately failed to reach it. If you have a sibling at home that games with you, or if you have a steady stream of friends that come over, you cannot go wrong with Super Mario Strikes and the hilarity that will ensure from its multiplayer portion.

07. Final Fantasy XII (PS2)

Rating: N/A

Square Enix continues its trend of Final Fantasy titles with a multiple of three being the ones that resonate the most with me. Often scoffed at for its gameplay changes, mainly it’s direction in combat (from turn based/active time battle in previous installments, to a more MMORPG kind of battle engine) but it clicked instantly with me.  The voice acting was quite stellar to boot, helping to usher in a new generation of RPG’s with a focus upon voice acting, rather than the ancient text crawls of years past. Even the characters came off as likable to me. A huge game world, a myriad of activities to partake in, and quite a bit of replay value were all that awaited me with Final Fantasy XII.

06. Persona 4 (PS2)

Rating: N/A

If there was one near perfect RPG during this generation, from story, to characters, to music to combat system, and so on, Persona 4 was definitely it. If a video game could capture the essence of a glowing personality that could resonate with any and every fan of the genre, Persona 4 would be it. What’s more is that it never held your hand for the most part, offering quite a bit of challenge throughout the game, which only intensified as the game unfolded. Also, Nanako….probably the single most adorable, lovable and believable character I have ever encountered in a video game. This little gal manages to steal the show every single time she’s featured in a scene.

While the Sega Dreamcast is one of, if not possibly my all-time favorite gaming console, it only produced five titles for this console generation that fit my top 25 list. The quality overall of the titles selected could almost be the strongest out of any generation I have experienced, especially with no singular dominance in genres present. Lats take a look at my Top 25 128-bit Games:

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15. The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess (GCN)

Rating: N/A

I kinda cheated with Twilight Princess. It was first released alongside the Nintendo Wii in November of 2006, with the Gamecube version being released a month after that. I spent a bit less time on the Gamecube version overall than the Wii version, but I felt it should be represented on this list, mostly because it’s not on the next list. Mindless waggling was changed over to button presses, though the gameplay as a whole, and even the visuals in many respects, changed little. The wolf portions might be a bit grating, but Twilight Princess was yet another installment in the Zelda franchise that managed to capture my heart and steal away plenty of my time.

14. Mario Kart Double Dash (GCN)

Rating: 8.7

Double Dash is often passed over as the “best kart racing” game out there, and that’s a crying shame really. I know the whole two rider gimmick didn’t resonate with fans of the franchise as much as the single riders did, but that added layer of depth really went a long way in differentiating its self not only from other Mario Kart titles, but any other kart titles in general. Most of the maps felt just right as well, sporting some bright and colorful tracks to drive through. Even the roster seemed more diverse and fleshed out.

13. Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic II (XB)

Rating: N/A

Even I can admit that Knights of the Old Republic II wasn’t anywhere near as gripping and memorable as the first installment, but it was still an interesting adventure in its own right. There were bugs, a lot of content didn’t make it in, and most aspects to the game felt exactly the same as the first game, but it was still a story that had its unusual moments, enticing me to keep soldering on to see how things develop. Definitely give Knights of the Old Republic II a whirl, but be sure you played through the first game beforehand.

12. Capcom vs SNK 2: Millionaire Fighting 2001 (DC)

Rating: 8.9 (PS2)

At the peak of the crossover craze in the late 90′s/early 00′s, Capcom vs SNK 2 was a bombshell combination. A mammoth roster of Capcom and SNK brawlers were enhanced by six different gameplay styles, each with their benefits and disadvantages. The number of combinations possible can lead to a mind boggling number of possibilities. Add in a second player and you have one of the most chaotic, yet gratifying fighting games ever created. Even though there are licensing issues, Capcom vs SNK 2 is the perfect candidate to receive a HD visual makeover and re-released onto Xbox Live Arcade and the PlayStation Network.

11. Star Wars Battlefront 2 (XB)

Rating: 8.7

A blissful combination of the Star Wars universe and third person shooting, with a healthy dose of vehicular combat. Each map was huge, providing numerous areas to battle and chaos to ensue. The only thing that ever held back the on foot melees was a combination of weapon variety and weapon pick ups. The heroes that were unlocked mid fight did add a bit of spice to each ground foray though, which were balanced quite a bit all considering. The aerial combat was a thrill and a half, especially the Hoth battles. The online portion might have been shut down, but even offline, Star Wars Battlefront 2 is still as addicting as ever offline.

While the Sega Dreamcast is one of, if not possibly my all-time favorite gaming console, it only produced five titles for this console generation that fit my top 25 list. The quality overall of the titles selected could almost be the strongest out of any generation I have experienced, especially with no singular dominance in genres present. Lats take a look at my Top 25 128-bit Games:

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20. X-Men Legends (XB)

Rating: N/A

Within this generation, two multiplayer Marvel titles took center stage - Marvel Ultimate Alliance and X-Men Legends. The former was released during this current cycle as well, though the latter manages to outshine even the current generation installment of Marvel. Play as one of four X-Men on screen at once, switching over freely to whichever character you want, X-Men Legends fused a “loot grind” action RPG feel into the Marvel Universe, and produced a title that’s still quite replayable, even to this day.

19. Yakuza (PS2)

Rating: N/A

The sandbox boom was in full swing around the time Yakuza was released on the PlayStation 2. Sega, a company that released one of the first sandbox titles to gain notoriety (Sega Dreamcast’s Shenmue) released the beginning of a fascinating series that’s reached four installments in the US. A gritty story with frequent bouts of comedic moments sprinkled in, a plethora of mini games, advancements in combat and so on were only just a few aspects to Yakuza that stood out. Though each succeeding installment utilized Japanese voices with English subtitles, Yakuza‘s English voice over really wasn’t something to scoff at. In any case, Yakuza presented more than enough to slit its self at number 19.

18. Indigo Prophecy (XB)

Rating: N/A

There are a number of franchises that attempt to position themselves as interactive movies of sorts, and Indigo Prophecy manages to pop into my mind before any other title, even before the Metal Gear Solid franchise. The movement controls were rigid, and the use of QTE (which were random, adding to a more frantic sense of “what’s coming up next?”) but it was an interesting take on an interactive story, one that would be revisited and retooled somewhat years later in Heavy Rain on the PlayStation 3. Unusual story, unusual atmosphere, unusual amounts of investment.

17. Bully (PS2)

Rating: N/A

Parents around the country cried foul when Bully was first announced, mainly because the same company behind the ultra violent Grand Theft Auto franchise, were at the helm. Mothers didn’t want their children playing a game about a kid that murdered other students. Naturally Bully was nothing close to that sentiment, and instead offered a year long look through one troubled kids life at a boarding school, where he was more of a bully halting kid, rather than a bully in his own right. The game world, from its location to its cast of characters, was one of the more enjoyable ones in the genre, and even with the number of additions to the gameplay to differentiate its self from the more violent releases in the genre, it never got as much praise as it deserved. A tongue-in-cheek adventure that never tries to push the player around.

16. Resident Evil: Code Veronica (DC)

Rating: 8.1

I love me some Resident Evil games….well, aside from the atrocity of Resident Evil 5, but still! Code Veronica was another dark chapter of the whole Umbrella debacle, which finally paired Claire together with her brother Chris in the starring role. One deviance from previous Resident Evil titles included a camera that would occasionally follow the character and not just be frozen in place. It seemed like a minor change, but it was refreshing to finally see some minor evolutions with how the mechanics worked. Regardless, it actually feels a bit more dated than the older installments of the franchise (which were featured on vastly inferior consoles at that) but Code Veronica still manages to provide enough entertainment and memories that will live on for a long time to come.

While the Sega Dreamcast is one of, if not possibly my all-time favorite gaming console, it only produced five titles for this console generation that fit my top 25 list. The quality overall of the titles selected could almost be the strongest out of any generation I have experienced, especially with no singular dominance in genres present. Lats take a look at my Top 25 128-bit Games:

Notable Omissions:

Metal Gear Solid 2, 3 – As with Metal Gear Solid, I just never got into the franchise as much as I wanted, outside MGS4. MSG3 I did enjoy somewhat, though I really did loathe MGS2.

Halo, Halo 2 – I actually did enjoy Halo, but I really found Halo 2 to be mind numbingly poor. I also disliked its approach of “realism” in only having a couple of ballistic weapons at one time, which every FPS had to adopt (though I understand for games such as Call of Duty.) The single player in Halo 2 was a yawn fest, and I still think its multiplayer is overrated, as well as  annoying in the sense that it’s frustrating that it takes 101 bullets to fell anyone.

Okami, Zone of the Enders 1-2, Beyond Good & Evil, Psychonauts, Eternal Darkness, Shenmue, The Legend of Zelda: Wind Waker – Outstanding games….but I have not played enough of them to warrant any of them to be on my list. Though I have to admit that the Zone of the Enders: 2nd Runner opening theme is one of the best things I have ever heard in my life.

80% of all RPG’s – My queue is filled with the likes of Tales of the Abyss, Xenosaga Episode I-III, every Shin Megami Tensi (minus Persona 4) Suikoden III-V and so on. Some of these titles I played a bit into and fell in love with (especially Persona 3) but too many factors pulled me away from them.

Sonic Adventure – This was the reason why I bought my Sega Dreamcast, even though I didn’t get it until years later. Playing it again on both the Sega Dreamcast and Xbox Live Arcade….my God this hasn’t aged well whatsoever. That opening theme though….still catchy as all hell.

Soul Calibur – I recognize its achievements, though I still prefer Soul Blade/Edge any day of the week.

Jet Grind Radio – Never clicked with me, though it’s gorgeous even today.

Super Mario Sunshine – UGH. Thoroughly pointless IMO. The waterpack gimmick fell flat for me, the colorful world felt flat and mostly dead. One of the most disappointing Mario games I’ve ever played.

Devil May Cry/God of War franchises – Both are worthwhile and must plays, but none of them had any place on my list.

Marvel vs Capcom 2 – The official #26. Still a chaotic thrill ride worth taking, whether it’s the Sega Dreamcast, PlayStation 2, Xbox or Xbox Live Arcade/PSN version.

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25. Grand Theft Auto III (PS2)

Rating: 9.0

The game that almost glorified running hookers down with a corvette, Grand Theft Auto III was the rebirth of a franchise, which spawned into a mega sensation. Each release after GTAIII has become a highly sought after title, but it was GTAIII that started the craze. Run or drive around a good chunk of real estate, following a storyline, or just off doing your own thing. The freedom and diversity on display wasn’t as plentiful as the current releases, but there’s no denying its satisfaction and groundwork that it laid out.

24. Disgaea (PS2)

Rating: N/A

The Strategy RPG genre has become a sickening addiction for myself. Disgaea was one of a few in that genre that grabbed me by the grapefruits and refused to let me go. The hilarious storyline with a lovable cast of characters further helped to engross me into its rock solid gameplay. The series has evolved in several different ways, though the original has the charm that captures my heart each time.

23. Vampire Chronicle for Matching Service (DC)

Rating: 8.3

Released in Japan in limited quantities, this hodgepodge of Darkstalkers – Darkstalkers 3 was more or less an “ultimate” version of the franchise. Each character has three different versions of themselves, each representing one of the three releases, along with the crisp, near arcade perfect visuals and quality overall. The Darkstalkers franchise might not receive the level of love from the fighting game community as the pillars of the community (Street Fighter, Marvel) but make no mistake – Vampire Chronicle for Matching Service is still one of the most enthralling titles in the genre.

22. Metroid Prime (GCN)

Rating: N/A

Mario and Link made the transition to 3D years before, so why not Samus and the Metroid franchise? Still one of the most gorgeous games on the Gamecube, Metroid Prime also built an enjoyable game world within the beauty of its looks. The somewhat unusual control methods can be a turn off early on, but quickly become second nature. It’s definitely one of the upper echelon within the franchise, and it’s a title that most Gamecube owners should have already played years ago.

21. Phantasy Star Online (DC)

Rating: N/A

A radical departure from the standard Phantasy Star franchise, Phantasy Star Online boldly went where so few console games have gone before – online! Create your avatar, link up with folks on the Sega Dreamcast’s 56k modem (or solo if you wish) and take on a myriad of enemies, all while collecting materialistic upgrades and physical upgrades. While the ability to play online ceased years ago, it’s still a pleasant enough romp through the game on your own.

The 32/64 bit era also gave birth to my all-time favorite game, Suikoden. I know that seems like a spoiler, but the number of times I’ve mentioned my man crush with Konami’s RPG have been well documented, so sorry if that ruins any kind of non existent anticipation. But with that, lets take a look at my Top….25 – 2 32/64 Bit Games:

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05. Super Mario 64 (N64)

Rating: 9.3

There are only a small handful of video games that have evoked such an emotional response from me. The first time I ever played Super Mario 64 was as a demo months before it was officially released. My eyes watered up as the castle theme played and I piloted Mario wound in his new 3D universe. It was an evolution to a beloved franchise and character that remains one of the most profound that I’ve witnessed. As with most 3D titles during this era, the camera controls weren’t very reliable, but that was okay – not only was Super Mario 64 still more than playable, but the adventures through each stage were not only memorable, but groundbreaking for its time. To this day it’s still a magical joyride through a world that can never be forgotten.

04. Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater (PSX)

Rating: 9.6

While writing reviews for GameSages (which was purchased by IGN and renamed codes.ign over a decade ago) I was able to obtain Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater as my first review copy of a game. It was a pleasure to lose my review copy virginity to such a brilliant title. Back then it was a new standard for a sub-genre that just started to explode in popularity, with fluid controls, imaginative stages, detailed visuals, and a soundtrack that still kicks to this day. Years later, it’s still demolishes nearly every other title within the sub-genre, though THPS2 is a success in its own right and Tony Hawk Underground expanded on the formula in so many ways. Do yourselves a favor and pick this one up on either the Sony PlayStation or Sega Dreamcast and experience the beginnings of something magical.

03. The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time (N64)

Rating: 9.5 (3DS)

Another title that could have been a number one selection to a large portion of the gaming community, regardless of whether this era or all eras were in consideration. Like the previous three console Zelda titles, Ocarina of Time was a grand adventure through a gigantic gaming world, with just about every facet of the game working together in such harmony. Even the camera controls, a major sticking point in any 3D game during this era, worked quite well, thanks to the Z-targeting system. For me, and for quite a few Zelda fans out there, Ocarina of Time remains their single greatest adventures with Link through the world of Hyrule.

02. Perfect Dark (N64)

Rating: 9.5

To this day, I swear by Perfect Dark. A technological marvel for the Nintendo 64 and its cartridge format, the mix of its visuals, voice acting and chaos abound was something to behold, even if the game chopped down a bit when things got hectic (even with the 4MB memory expansion.) The weapon selection remains the most creative I have experience in the genre, with secondary features that further differentiated its self from the rest of the pack. Most N64 gamers would peg GoldenEye as their one “go to” FPS on the system, but Perfect Dark had more substance, the ability to add bots to the fray and, excluding the wicked maps carried over from GoldenEye, some creative and outstanding maps. The biggest crime however, comes from the fact that no one supported the multiplayer on the Xbox Live Arcade version, which ported the game over so well, with a visual boost that augmented the experience. The gameplay, speed and atmosphere might not be as appeasing as the faster paced, somewhat dumb down FPS of recent years, but I will always recommend Perfect Dark on either the Nintendo 64 or Xbox Live Arcade, not only as a history lesson, but a lesson in fun.

01. Suikoden (PSX)

Rating: 8.5

I’ve clamored over Suikoden so many times over the years. I still find it fascinating that I’ve yet to encounter a game that came close to superseding it as my all-time favorite game. It’s just that Konami crafted something so profound, that they themselves still have not managed to recreate in their subsequent sequels. It’s definitely not a pretty game, and the controls are stiff, but where players will be captured is with its combination of gripping story, mixed with the greatest soundtrack I’ve heard from a video game. Each song fits each scenario like a glove, driving the emotion of each scene in ways that’s rarely been seen before or after its release. The brief ending piece that leads into the final musical piece and ending portion, to this day, still evokes such an emotion response for me, that I can’t help but to tear up. When something can tug on your strings in such a way, each and every time you experience it, it seems impossible that anything else can ever reach such a status.The original PlayStation title is quitr rare and sells for a high price, but if you have a PlayStation 3, I implore any video game lover with an appreciation for story progression and perfectly suited musical pieces accompanying your journey, pick this. If there any one game I could ever hope that folks could heed my advice on, Suikoden is it.

The 32/64 bit era also gave birth to my all-time favorite game, Suikoden. I know that seems like a spoiler, but the number of times I’ve mentioned my man crush with Konami’s RPG have been well documented, so sorry if that ruins any kind of non existent anticipation. But with that, lets take a look at my Top….25 – 2 32/64 Bit Games:

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10. GoldenEye 007 (N64)

Rating: 9.4

GoldenEye wasn’t supposed to engross people like it did. It was a movie licensed video game – how many of those actually succeeded over the years? But the company behind such marvels as Killer Instinct and Donkey Kong Country managed to create a console first person shooter that I still consider one of the benchmarks. The single player was captivating in its own right, with higher difficulties enabling added objectives, but the multiplayer was considered one of the greatest throughout any platform and any genre for quite a while. A bit dated these days in terms of visuals and controls, but still a blast, especially with three other enthusiasts.

09. WCW/nWo: Revenge (N64)

Rating: 8.8

While WWF No Mercy and WWF Wrestlemania 2000 did offer more in various ways, WCW/nWo: Revenge always meant quite a bit to me. From recreating matches I had just seen the night before on WCW Nitro or Thunder so I can keep the champions up to date, to booting it up for the hell of it these days, it’s always been a captivating experience. Movement was slow, but it was actual chain wrestling, with a gameplay system that still far outshines anything THQ and Yukes have tried to provide since the PS2 WWE Smackdown days.

08. Star Ocean 2: The Second Story (PSX)

Rating: N/A

Boasting over 80 endings (which was a bit misleading with how the endings were made), Star Ocean 2 provided a stellar showing with each facet. Memorable music, intriguing combat, a fascinating game world and so on. Star Ocean 2 was definitely one of the longer RPG’s I’ve played as well, with each playthrough usually lasting me at least 80 hours, but those were some of the more satisfying 80+ hours I’ve spent with a game, each time I played through it.

07. Resident Evil 2 (PSX)

Rating: 9.3

I remember when Resident Evil 2 was first shown, it was a completely different game than it turned out. What was shown at first looked incredibly promising, yet what we got was what i still consider the premiere installment in the franchise. The visual detail improved over the first, as did that voice acting (somewhat.) The one neat feature that really hooked me was the “zapping system” which was playing the game first with Leon and then changing over to Claire at some point, and vice versa. It doesn’t sound like a big deal today, but it was a big deal back then, and it did add some replay value as well. Each of the Resident Evil titles on the Sony PlayStation were memorable, but Resident Evil 2 has the edge overall, thanks to each piece falling into the right place.

06. Street Fighter Alpha 3 (PSX)

Rating: 9.3 (JP)

Capcom fighting game ports on the Sony PlayStation were….okay they were craptacular. Piss poor load times, tons of frames of animation axed, mere shells of their immaculate selves. Street Fighter Alpha 3 tried to right a lot of the wrongs committed previously, with more fluid animations, as well as just a slight less load time. The gameplay remained as addicting as ever, with three different ways to play each character. The console exclusive World Tour mode remains one of the greatest bonuses added to a fighting game, allowing players to pick a character and run the gamut against characters with certain win restrictions placed (only supers can damage your opponent, a gauntlet battle against a handful of the same character on one health bar, etc.) All together, it’s still one of the best packages in the genre, and a must play.

The 32/64 bit era also gave birth to my all-time favorite game, Suikoden. I know that seems like a spoiler, but the number of times I’ve mentioned my man crush with Konami’s RPG have been well documented, so sorry if that ruins any kind of non existent anticipation. But with that, lets take a look at my Top….25 – 2 32/64 Bit Games:

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15. Herc’s Adventures (PSX)

Rating: N/A

99% of you will likely have no clue what Herc’s Adventures is. That’s quite a shame too, even if it’s definitely not the most technically robust 32 bit games out there. Choose either Herc, Jason or Atlanta and play through the action/adventure title in a slightly overhead viewpoint, with lots of humor and definitely a ton of difficulty. Herc’s Adventures could be played with two players simultaneously, and that’s where the hilarity will ensue. There a number of issues overall, from its high difficulty, to its controls, to some repeated quips, but the slapstick, voice acting and especially its multiplayer gameplay stand out the most, and manages to place its self pretty high on this list.

14. Final Fantasy IX (PSX)

Rating: N/A

After Final Fantasy VI, it seemed that every release within the franchise was only worth playing in multiples of three. Final Fantasy IX showed me this, with its enjoyable cast of characters, rather detailed visuals (which were a throwback to the deformed looks of the 8 and 16 bit era) and solid gameplay. To this day I still value the likes of Steiner and Vivi much higher than the likes of Cid and Tifa in VII, Zell and Riona of VIII, Wakka and Kimhari of X and so on. Final Fantasy IX wasn’t crafted to a near euphoric stature like VI was, but to me, this was the one significant title for the franchise during this era, and the one I consider the “true” Final Fantasy VII.

13. Castlevania: Symphony of the Night (PSX)

Rating: 9.3

When I first heard that Alucard would be the lead in Konami’s initial 32 Castlevania title, I literally thought that they lost their minds. The end result was one of the defining titles for its generation. With so much real estate to explore and explore once more, the new equipment system and standards in audio excellence, Symphony of the Night turned out to be more than I ever thought it would be. It’s available on Xbox Live Arcade, though it really does feel more proper on the Sony PlayStation.

12. Resident Evil (PSX)

Rating: 8.7

The game that got the ball rolling on one of the more cherished franchises in gaming, Resident Evil was as good of a launch pad as you could ask for with a new IP. What seems rigid and inconceivable these days (the controls, limited saves) were feasible back then. Exploring the mansion seemed liked such an epic adventure, with trepidation setting in during each new room discovered, though there weren’t as many legitimate scares as I would have hoped. Resident Evil also had some of the most laughably terrible voice acting ever, which further aided in its charm. This is one Jill sandwich that you need to take a bite out of.

11. Twisted Metal 2 (PSX)

Rating: 9.3

The vehicular combat game to end all vehicular combat games. For any new game within the genre that’s released, I always put them up against Twisted Metal 2. Why wouldn’t I? For years I considered it the pinnacle of not only the franchise, but the genre its self. The weapon selection, the character selection, the stages, even the music were top tier quality stuff. It’s the kind of game that you could easily lose several hours on in the blink of an eye, yet remember each second of Axel blasting, Mr. Grimm smashing mayhem that occurred. I’m actually surprised this gem didn’t rate a bit higher on the list, but the ten titles left are all killers.