25) New Super Mario Bros. Wii
The concept of a new Super Mario Bros. game was mind-blowing in 2006. We hadn't seen a numbered entry in the mario franchise for many years. It was exciting, and full of promise. But when the game finally arrived on Nintendo DS, I personally found it...lacking. While the concept was really awesome, the gameplay just didn't live up to expectations. This changed what I began to expect for New Super Mario Bros. Wii. I heard what it was going to do, and I wasn't so impressed. That's when NSMBW caught me by surprise.
I believe this game is twice as good as the original DS game. The level design is improved, the power-ups offer more variety, Yoshi returns to carry Mario like in the old days, and the gameplay is tighter then ever. The biggest change-up was, of course, the multiplayer. Having 4 people on the screen at once should have made the game 4 times easier, right? Wrong. That situation was as much a curse as it was a blessing. When there are 3 different bodies on the same platform, it's very easy to push someone over. Mistakes like knocking someone into a pit, stealing a power-up, or falling behind the pack are very common, and occasionally frustrating. On the flip side, it's much easier to have back up to stomp on enemies, reach higher areas, and split up to find secrets. Taken as a whole, I would say that 4-player co-op is a very good addition to the Mario formula. All of those fun memories yelling at, and cheering for friends are what get this game on my list.
24) Fallout 3 (Xbox 360)
Every time I come back to this game this is the first thought I have: “War...war never changes.” Thanks to Ron Perlman, I can never get that out of my head. I'll be the first to admit that I didn't know anything about the Fallout franchise when I got this game as a gift on Christmas of 2009. I'm clueless about the first 2 games, or how much Fallout 3 apparently deviates from them. I can't say whether this game wasn't a “true” RPG, or how the writing might not be as good as F1 and F2. But, honestly, I couldn't care less. Fallout 3 was an unforgettable experience.
The journey from experience level 1 – 30 is a sustained learning experience. I wasn't the same Fallout 3 player at the end then who I was when I started. Heck, I wasn't the same gamer who I was when I started. My skills and abilities developed over the course of time I spent playing Fallout 3 from start to finish. Having all that time to travel across the nuclear wasteland will do that to a person! Most of that time was great. The writing is very well done, and has plenty of unique material. The collection of weapons is exhilarating, compelling, and allows for a nice balance between lethal, extraordinary, and hilarious. Finding companions was as great as traveling with them, and there was always plenty of fun things to do. The biggest sore-spot of the game is the subway section. My memory of them is jumbled, confused, lost, samey, boring, and almost painful. The game also suffers from a slight lack in compelling rewards for exploration. Regardless, Fallout 3 is a well-made game. (When it isn't glitching.)
23) Bioshock 2 (Xbox 360)
I've said it before, and I'll say it again: Bioshock 1 is a better experience then Bioshock 2. And yet, Bioshock 2 is a better game then Bioshock 1. The story of Bioshock 2 isn't quite as good, or memorable. The characters don't stand out as much. Returning to Rapture obviously can not match the sense of wonder and excitement of the initial introduction in B1. And the concept of the main character being a Big Daddy takes away from that creature's previously unsettling and mysterious nature. It's not as scary if we get to know it first-hand, am I right?
No, not so much. Because being a Big Daddy is empowering as all get out! You get a giant drill, instead of a wrench. This is where the better game aspect comes in. Plasmids are improved, and offer more upgrades. The weapons work even better, and are more plentiful and varied. The hacking minigame was changed/minimized, which many people viewed as an improvement. The largest shock was finding out that the multiplayer mode (something perceived as tacky and unnecessary when first announced) was surprisingly deep and enjoyable. Customizable loadouts, new plasmids, and using Big Daddy suits against other splicers helped make this one of the most unique multiplayer modes of any FPS from this gen. It wasn't the most desired sequel ever conceived, but Bioshock 2 proved itself to be a worthy return to the fascinating world of Rapture.
22) Super Mario Galaxy (Wii)
Something I want to document in this list is defining moments in gaming history, and just how many of them occurred during generation 7. Take Super Mario Galaxy, as an example. Ever since 2002, Nintendo fans had been going insane for a new 3D Mario game. That goes even longer if you count the people who did not enjoy Sunshine, and only liked Super Mario 64. It seems that Nintendo was well aware of this, and worked hard to provide a game that would not only satisfy fan expectations, but shatter them completely, bringing along a brand new generation of children gamers along for the ride.
Super Mario Galaxy was very special when it arrived. Mario controlled almost exactly like he did in 64, and he didn't have to deal with a water gun on his back. The level design is mostly incredible, overflowing with creativity, charm, thoughtfulness, and regular old fun. Using gravity as a game-changer was genius on Nintendo's part. It revolutionized the 3D Mario formula. Players had to wrap their minds around the tricky levels that had moving, mind-bending gravity switches. Running on walls and ceilings wasn't just an occasional situation; it happened constantly! Players had to use gravity itself to beat the game and save Princess Peach. This kind of thing never happened in games before (or was almost never seen). It was something truly new in every sense of the word. While I will say that Super Mario Galaxy 2 was able to better deliver on the concepts begun in the first game, Super Mario Galaxy is full of talent, challenge, and genuine spirit.
21) Wii Sports
Personally, I don't enjoy playing this game all that much. This is the barest of the bare bones when it comes to minigame collections. You got the 5 sporting events. Tennis, Baseball, Bowling, Golf, and Boxing. I place bowling at the top, of course. That can still be mildly amusing with 4 people. When it comes to the controls, they're very simple now. That's obvious, though, since this is the first game made for the Wii. I can't criticize Wii Sports for when it was released. But it remains a factor none the less. I haven't played this game for a few years, and I don't exactly regret that.
So why's this game on the list? Impact. Wii Sports had an enormous impact upon the video game industry. Let's be clear, here. We know that motion controls were nothing new. They had been used on the PS2, the Sega Genesis, and even the first Nintendo console, with the Power Glove. Nevertheless, Wii Sports was the gateway to the modern day motion control craze. Kinect, Skyward Sword, The Move. Even the gyroscopes placed in the next generation of consoles. They can all attribute their use back to the Wii. And the Wii started with Wii Sports. That's something I recognize and respect.
The concept of a new Super Mario Bros. game was mind-blowing in 2006. We hadn't seen a numbered entry in the mario franchise for many years. It was exciting, and full of promise. But when the game finally arrived on Nintendo DS, I personally found it...lacking. While the concept was really awesome, the gameplay just didn't live up to expectations. This changed what I began to expect for New Super Mario Bros. Wii. I heard what it was going to do, and I wasn't so impressed. That's when NSMBW caught me by surprise.
I believe this game is twice as good as the original DS game. The level design is improved, the power-ups offer more variety, Yoshi returns to carry Mario like in the old days, and the gameplay is tighter then ever. The biggest change-up was, of course, the multiplayer. Having 4 people on the screen at once should have made the game 4 times easier, right? Wrong. That situation was as much a curse as it was a blessing. When there are 3 different bodies on the same platform, it's very easy to push someone over. Mistakes like knocking someone into a pit, stealing a power-up, or falling behind the pack are very common, and occasionally frustrating. On the flip side, it's much easier to have back up to stomp on enemies, reach higher areas, and split up to find secrets. Taken as a whole, I would say that 4-player co-op is a very good addition to the Mario formula. All of those fun memories yelling at, and cheering for friends are what get this game on my list.
24) Fallout 3 (Xbox 360)
Every time I come back to this game this is the first thought I have: “War...war never changes.” Thanks to Ron Perlman, I can never get that out of my head. I'll be the first to admit that I didn't know anything about the Fallout franchise when I got this game as a gift on Christmas of 2009. I'm clueless about the first 2 games, or how much Fallout 3 apparently deviates from them. I can't say whether this game wasn't a “true” RPG, or how the writing might not be as good as F1 and F2. But, honestly, I couldn't care less. Fallout 3 was an unforgettable experience.
The journey from experience level 1 – 30 is a sustained learning experience. I wasn't the same Fallout 3 player at the end then who I was when I started. Heck, I wasn't the same gamer who I was when I started. My skills and abilities developed over the course of time I spent playing Fallout 3 from start to finish. Having all that time to travel across the nuclear wasteland will do that to a person! Most of that time was great. The writing is very well done, and has plenty of unique material. The collection of weapons is exhilarating, compelling, and allows for a nice balance between lethal, extraordinary, and hilarious. Finding companions was as great as traveling with them, and there was always plenty of fun things to do. The biggest sore-spot of the game is the subway section. My memory of them is jumbled, confused, lost, samey, boring, and almost painful. The game also suffers from a slight lack in compelling rewards for exploration. Regardless, Fallout 3 is a well-made game. (When it isn't glitching.)
23) Bioshock 2 (Xbox 360)
I've said it before, and I'll say it again: Bioshock 1 is a better experience then Bioshock 2. And yet, Bioshock 2 is a better game then Bioshock 1. The story of Bioshock 2 isn't quite as good, or memorable. The characters don't stand out as much. Returning to Rapture obviously can not match the sense of wonder and excitement of the initial introduction in B1. And the concept of the main character being a Big Daddy takes away from that creature's previously unsettling and mysterious nature. It's not as scary if we get to know it first-hand, am I right?
No, not so much. Because being a Big Daddy is empowering as all get out! You get a giant drill, instead of a wrench. This is where the better game aspect comes in. Plasmids are improved, and offer more upgrades. The weapons work even better, and are more plentiful and varied. The hacking minigame was changed/minimized, which many people viewed as an improvement. The largest shock was finding out that the multiplayer mode (something perceived as tacky and unnecessary when first announced) was surprisingly deep and enjoyable. Customizable loadouts, new plasmids, and using Big Daddy suits against other splicers helped make this one of the most unique multiplayer modes of any FPS from this gen. It wasn't the most desired sequel ever conceived, but Bioshock 2 proved itself to be a worthy return to the fascinating world of Rapture.
22) Super Mario Galaxy (Wii)
Something I want to document in this list is defining moments in gaming history, and just how many of them occurred during generation 7. Take Super Mario Galaxy, as an example. Ever since 2002, Nintendo fans had been going insane for a new 3D Mario game. That goes even longer if you count the people who did not enjoy Sunshine, and only liked Super Mario 64. It seems that Nintendo was well aware of this, and worked hard to provide a game that would not only satisfy fan expectations, but shatter them completely, bringing along a brand new generation of children gamers along for the ride.
Super Mario Galaxy was very special when it arrived. Mario controlled almost exactly like he did in 64, and he didn't have to deal with a water gun on his back. The level design is mostly incredible, overflowing with creativity, charm, thoughtfulness, and regular old fun. Using gravity as a game-changer was genius on Nintendo's part. It revolutionized the 3D Mario formula. Players had to wrap their minds around the tricky levels that had moving, mind-bending gravity switches. Running on walls and ceilings wasn't just an occasional situation; it happened constantly! Players had to use gravity itself to beat the game and save Princess Peach. This kind of thing never happened in games before (or was almost never seen). It was something truly new in every sense of the word. While I will say that Super Mario Galaxy 2 was able to better deliver on the concepts begun in the first game, Super Mario Galaxy is full of talent, challenge, and genuine spirit.
21) Wii Sports
Personally, I don't enjoy playing this game all that much. This is the barest of the bare bones when it comes to minigame collections. You got the 5 sporting events. Tennis, Baseball, Bowling, Golf, and Boxing. I place bowling at the top, of course. That can still be mildly amusing with 4 people. When it comes to the controls, they're very simple now. That's obvious, though, since this is the first game made for the Wii. I can't criticize Wii Sports for when it was released. But it remains a factor none the less. I haven't played this game for a few years, and I don't exactly regret that.
So why's this game on the list? Impact. Wii Sports had an enormous impact upon the video game industry. Let's be clear, here. We know that motion controls were nothing new. They had been used on the PS2, the Sega Genesis, and even the first Nintendo console, with the Power Glove. Nevertheless, Wii Sports was the gateway to the modern day motion control craze. Kinect, Skyward Sword, The Move. Even the gyroscopes placed in the next generation of consoles. They can all attribute their use back to the Wii. And the Wii started with Wii Sports. That's something I recognize and respect.
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