History Gush / VideoGames

* ''Starfox 64'' is lightning in a bottle. Especially its voice-acting. Seriously. Every character has like, only 10 lines, but they are ALL memorable enough to become a meme.
* With all the uncreative generic space marine or modern soldier FPS games being made these days, this troper has been fondly recalling Duke Nukem. While being unable to recall much of a story, this troper rather fondly recalls the game's humor and the interesting weapons and power-ups. Jetpack? Freeze gun? Pipe bombs? A plasma cannon that shakes the screen while its charging? Hail to the king, baby!

* ''{{Ristar}}'' is a really amazing 16-bit platformer. It wrings out every bit of graphical and musical capability out of the Genesis. Completely forgotten because it came out in 1995 and was buried under the hype for the 32-bit systems, it became a forgotten gem. Great graphics(check out the lighting effects in the underwater stage!), awesome music you will remember for years, and a unique gameplay mechanic.
** It is amazing, i agree. But sequel never being made =(
* ''StreetFighter IV'' is mega-win. It takes everything that has made ''SF'' the definition of the 2D fighting genre and adds to it. Add to that the fact that you can fight online, and the kickass soundtrack, and you have the total package.
* The ''{{Kirby}}'' games are pure awesome from start to finish. The copy abilites, the stories, everything.Even the spinoffs have [[@/DrPepper42 this troper]] coming back for more time and time again. SugarBowl or no, you can't deny the fun Kirby provides. After you see Wham Bam Jewel for the first time, you'll never be saying it's kiddy again. Then we get the two best games I have yet played on the NintendoDS. Kirby Squeak Squad, with the best story ever, involving cake, theives, and treasure, and then Kirby Super Star Ultra, which is Kirby Super Star, [[TheSameButMore but a whole lot more.]]

* I'll take some heat for this, but ''LufiaCurseOfTheSinistrals''. They did change things from LufiaRiseOfTheSinistrals (which also deserves a spot on this page), but I personally find it as a wonderful throwback to my childhood, but mixed with various things that have been picked up in the time between then and now. Don't jump to conclusions- the characterization is just as good as in the original version, if not even better.

* I'll take some heat for this, but ''LufiaCurseOfTheSinistrals''. They did change things from LufiaRiseOfTheSinistrals (which also deserves a spot on this page), but I personally find it as a wonderful throwback to my childhood, but mixed with various things that have been picked up in the time between then and now. Don't jump to conclusions- the characterization is just as good as in the original version, if not even better.

* The ''HarvestMoon'' games are wonderful. They're this quiet, peaceful little domestic game that serves as a nice break from the endless guns and gray-a-thons of the video game world. They're among the most relaxing games out there.
** Seconded. Her friends and her mom tease, but this troper finds great comfort in watering little rows of virtual plants.
** To that troper - check out ''Plant Tycoon''. It's basically a virtual windowbox with soothing sound effects. The plants grow in realtime, and it's oddly nice to come home to see something's grown a new leaf while you were away.
** I enjoy playing the harvest moon games a lot. I think it's because it's the first real video game (read: not some cheep flash thing) that had a [[DatingSim dating element]] in it, and probably the closest thing to a full fledged DatingSim that will ever be released in America.
** This troper doesn't know what it is about those silly little games, but she'll pour absurd hours into each one, and she never seems to grow bored. They're the gaming equivalent of soul food.
** This troper is agreeing wholeheartedly with everything said above. She owns 12 Harvest Moon games. They just feel so nostalgic and sentimental that it makes you feel like one big ball of fuzz when something good happens in-game.
** This troper is a BOY, and even then, gets lost within the cute graphics of HarvestMoon. I'll even admit it, the romance-option aspect of the game is what drew me in in the first place. Everything in HM just blends so perfectly, good music, good graphics, and a ridiculously addicting game mechanic that leaves you begging "just one more day!"
** And then there's RuneFactory, which adds dungeon delving and [[HotMom Hot Mamas]] to the formula. [[RuneFactoryFrontier Ganesha's]] [[PerverseSexualLust got it goin' on!]]

* I am ashamed nobody has put NiGHTS into Dreams up here. The first console game to ever use a 3D pad, the story that you could add to, the flight on rails, the dream archetypes... It's a racing game with a story and a real, pervasive presence in the minds of many people. Truly a game for the ages.
** And the second game in the series, NiGHTS Journey of Dreams, added a new dimension to the game and a really different point of view I quite enjoyed even for all its flaws. Still working on my Nightopian Garden and A-ranking everything!
** ''{{NiGHTS into Dreams}}'' is quite possibly one of my favorite games ever. Amazing level design, atmospheric music that changes depending on how well you interact with the resident Nightopians, unique bosses, and most important of all, it's just ''fun''. This is the only game that I can think off offhand that I care about one-upping my old high score, and one of the few that I had to force myself to put down because my thumb was in too much pain from working the controller.
* ''{{Xenogears}}'', despite the budgetless second disc, is one of the greatest stories ever told in video game format. I pity the person who has not experienced the awesome that is this game. It has everything, conspiracies, [[HumongousMecha giant robots]], [[MagnificentBastard magnificient bastards]], [[TropeOverdosed the works]].

* ''BatenKaitos Origins'' is nothing short of awesome. The visuals are just as good as the first game, if not ''better''. The character interactions are downright hilarious, especially when they involve Guillo, who is such a magnificent DeadpanSnarker that you can be assured there will be a CrowningMomentOfFunny ''every time Guillo speaks''. I can say without exaggeration that Guillo is better than [[VideoGame/TalesOfTheAbyss Jade Curtiss]], [[VideoGame/TalesOfSymphonia Tenebrae]], and [[{{Portal}} GLaDOS]] '''''COMBINED'''''. Speaking of speaking, the voice acting in that game is absolutely incredible, especially after the [[Horrible/VoiceActing voice acting in the first game]] had me expecting very little. And then there is the plot. It doesn't seem spectacular at first...[[WhamEpisode but then you get about two-thirds of the way through the game]] and "[[HolyShitQuotient NO FREAKIN' WAY!]]" To top it all off, the soundtrack is ''[[BeyondTheImpossible even better than the one its predecessor had]]''. Seriously. [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QXe7TKScGmc&fmt=18 Just]] [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gMIlxFS1LVc&fmt=18 listen]] [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iUMfjKX867k&fmt=18 to]] [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LfRJ-3tNnMc&fmt=18 a]] [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q6BQv8litzQ&fmt=18 mere]][[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PU5ekqBk1zE&fmt=18 fraction]] [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CmG3f3g-AN4&fmt=18 of]] [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yxCOV8DtYfs&fmt=18 it]].
** And then you get to the music. The freakin' battle theme is worth [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oC2SDdMEGLE listening to.]] By itself. And that [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vnsKxmpjqUs&feature=related doesn't]] [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x_Lygkb2lCk&feature=related scratch]] [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t0GtvWPF9zw&feature=related the]] [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EqORLlPg-84 surface]].
** This troper honestly can't decide whether she likes Origins or Eternal Wings better - the two are currently tied as my all-time favorite video games. Both games have excellent stories that start out kind of simple, but get interesting really fast. They're satisfyingly complex, and both games have a [[WhamEpisode major plot twist or two somewhere down the line.]] The characters are interesting. Sometimes they fall into certain archetypes, but never entirely. They also change and develop over time, especially in Origins. The way that the games [[AnyoneYouKnow involved you]] was a cool concept, and it was pulled off really well. The gameplay was fun and original. The battle system was very different between games, but both times it was fun and kept the battles from getting all that boring. The world of the game is fascinating - it's the kind of place that I really wish I could visit. The visuals were beautiful and creative. I'd say that RealIsBrown was subverted, but the game was never really aiming to look realistic. Sure, the games have their flaws (especially Eternal Wings), but they still managed to work really well. And of course, the music is incredible. Look it up and you'll see what I mean. They're real underrated gems, and I really wish more people knew about them.
* GHOST Squad! This is a little reletively obscure light gun game by SEGA for Arcade's and the Wii where there are so many Crowning moments of AWESOME that it gives you a complete sensory overload and totally makes up for their only being 3 levels. Oh, and did I mention that you give your character a panda suit and in the Wii version there are 2 bonus modes where in one all your enemies are chicks in bikini's and you use a dolphin shaped Water Gun and in the other every one's a ninja?! If you have a Wii this can all be yours for only 30 USD?!
* ''DragonQuest'' is popular in Japan for good reason. The games have great music, unique graphics and most importantly, the ability to stick to tradition without going stale in the gameplay department.
** DragonQuestV is by far one of the greatest games of all time. Despite being released in 1992, the game's story has aged ''amazingly'' well and the characters are so endearing. Unlike most silent protagonists, you actually FEEL like you're the main character and what makes the story so amazing is because its not an epic quest to go killing monsters, but a more personal one. It lacks the recognition and fame it truly deserves. Hell, it's Yuji Hori's favorite Dragon Quest!
* ''EliteBeatAgents'' is the best game I've ever played in my life! I say a good game is measured by fun, immersion, enjoyement, and...hell, just getting happy emotional responses from the player. That so, this i the best game I've ever played in my life!
** While not that much with me, it's fun as hell, and despite how silly it all is, it's hard not to get wrapped in some parts. I keep choking up playing "You're the Inspiration".
*** Oh man.. I just teared up seeing that level mentioned. It's something special.
*** Ditto, Games shouldn't be able to make me tear up like that!

* [[MetalGear Metal Gear Solid]].
** Hell yeah! No other game has a plot and scenario that engrossing and (on at least two occasions a game) emotionally devastating. The wacky-but-effin'-badass characters, the overarching narrative that encompasses cloning, vampires, enormous mecha, ridiculous {{XanatosRoulette}}s, malevolent AIs, ghosts, psychic arms, international assassins, love, loss and battlefield philosophy while handling eternal themes like political corruption, the passage of time, war, the nature of death etc. etc...
** And it cannot be touched for epic moments - each game in the series culminates in several hours of distilled awesomeness, but once you're about 1/5th of the way through {{Guns of the Patriots}} Kojima pulls out all the stops in order to best conclude his epic. The nostalgic battle atop Outer Haven has GOT to be the greatest setpiece in gaming ever.
** The music! Themes like Encounter, Old Snake, Mantis' Hymn, Debriefing, the Main Theme from MGS 1,2 & 3, and the new one for MGS 4... They're all unbelievably exciting and moving.
** [[{{@/Fly}} I]] think ''MetalGearSolid 2'' was ludicrously ahead of its time, and ten years from now people will be looking back at it and realising it was incredibly underrated. Mind you, I also admit my favourite character in the game is Snake's butt, so who am I to judge?
** Hell, [[{{@/RandomFanboy}} I]] loved [=MGS2=] as soon as I played it (Granted, I played the game years [[ItWasHisSled after Raiden and the nutty ending became sled-worthy.]] I thought the over-the-top wangst, the increasingly insane plot and the utterly fucked up final cutscene were all done ''on purpose''. And it was hilarious and awesome. And yes, underrated.
* Even if you don't love the spy based gameplay (which is WICKED, BTW), you will LOVE the highly complex story told over all six games. Honestly, it has some of the best, most complex and sympathetic villains I've ever seen - many a gamer has shed tears at the {{Alas Poor Villain}} moments given to Sniper Wolf, Psycho Mantis and the rest, and that's not getting into the Woobies, who you just want to hug. The fact that there isn't even a truly evil enemy at the end was pulled off SO well it didn't feel like a rip=off - it ties in well with the themes. IT's amazing that such a highly complex story can be made with so few {{Complete Monster}} individuals involved (and the several present were hardly in their depth). Some of the battles are the most beautifully imaginative, scripted and choreographed ever - Psycho Mantis totally OBLITERATED the Fourth Wall, and The End is so unbelievably original. Of course, I also love the themes of war and peace, of tragedy and hope, and most importantly, of that little yet wonderful thing we like to call ''life''.
** Oh yes, yes, yes. This troper absolutely LOVES Metal Gear Solid. Ever since she first played [=MGS3=] (that was her first in the series), she has been in love. She has finished the games multiple times. [=MGS2=] and 3 are her favorites. (and [=MGS1=], too) No other story in gaming history can ever come close to topping the MGS series.

* ''SonicUnleashed'' is, quite possibly, the single best thing to ever happen to the little pin-cushion since he entered the 3D era. The story, gameplay, and characterization are all leagues better than Sonic's ever been. The Werehog, while questionable, is the greatest genre change gameplay in the series. Best of all, the new Sonic Team has finally, finally learned not to add in [[LoadsAndLoadsOfCharacters everyone and their grandma]] just to say they were in this game.
** I don't know about you but I also love how they decided to drop the whole {{Serious Business}} thing
** Seconded, thirded, fourthed, ''all the way up to infinity''. Unleashed was the game that finally convinced me to throw off the shackles of ReviewsAreTheGospel. There is ''no damn way'' the game deserves scores worse than Sonic '06. After all the vitriol being thrown at them, really, the nighttime stages aren't anything worse than SoOkayItsAverage, and at their best, they're actually pretty fun, with their [[CrowningMomentOfAwesome Crowning Moment]] coming during the Egg Dragoon fight. And the daytime stages? ''[[RuleOfCool Holy crap am I really going this fast in levels reminiscent of the old Genesis trilogy?!]]'' Sonic Team ''finally'' took a step in the right direction with Unleashed's daytime stages!
* VideoGame/TalesOfSymphonia is definitely the best game for the Gamecube and one of the best games out there. Everything, the characters, the story, the gameplay, even the cliches, are awesome. The sequel is amazing too.
** One thing this troper loves about Symphonia over any other RPG she's played is the sheer number of named [=NPCs=] with just enough personality and backstory to be really interesting and lovable...while still leaving a great deal of blank slate even with ''major'' characters for FanFic to explore. Certain subsequent games in the series may have been shinier, but leaving so many loose ends and opportunities for AlternateCharacterInterpretation means that there's always more to discuss and develop in Symphonia.
** This troper, not meaning to discount the greatness of Symphonia, must also give a mention to its successor ''VideoGame/TalesOfTheAbyss'', a game that I started playing (after a slow start) and then suddenly realized three weeks had gone by and I had experienced one of the wildest emotional roller-coaster rides ever. I sympathized (and, at times, empathized) with Luke the whole time. To this day, ''Abyss'' is one of my favorite Japanese [=RPG=]s.
*** This troper, while still not discounting the greatness of Symphonia or Abyss, needs to give a shout out to a lesser-known game between the two - ''VideoGame/TalesOfLegendia''. The brilliant story, coupled with brilliant characters, almost makes you look over the step back on the battle system and the [[LazyArtist lack of voicing in the second half of the game]].
** Same guy who promoted ''VideoGame/TalesOfTheAbyss'', now back to promote ''VideoGame/TalesOfVesperia'' (starting to think at some point we should just promote the ''entire'' TalesSeries). It's quite possibly the most well-made Tales game yet, with a whole slew of options for kicking your opponent's ass and the most comprehensive battle system in the series yet, allowing ''anyone'' to pull off spectacular feats. That's not even mentioning the well-told story with its fantastic English dub, or the fact that Yuri is quite simply one of the most awesome characters ever. It's the first, and so far only, Xbox 360 game for which I've gotten 1000/1000 [[CosmeticAward Achievement points]], and if the [=PS3=] version comes out in North America, I swear up and down I will buy the system just to play the game through again (well, and for ''VideoGame/{{inFamous}}'' and MetalGearSolid 4, but yeah).

* The work of absolute, inarguable genius that is the ''HalfLife'' series.
** Oh, I agree so much! Half-Life 2 was the first full-length "real" video game I ever played ({{Portal}} was the first, but it's much shorter) and... it was absolutely awesome. The entire Half-Life series is amazing, but [=HL2=] is hands-down my favorite. There's an {{Adorkable}} old scientist with big glasses and a pet headcrab, a giant robot "dog", the two most fun weapons ever (the gravity gun... and the ''blue'' gravity gun! The crossbow and pheropods should be on the list too...), an incredibly fun airboat, and one of the best female video game characters of all time. Seriously, Alyx Vance is my hero. She's smart, funny, can kick your butt, and looks good while doing all of the above. Is there really any criticism that can be made of this game?

* [[Mega Man]], one of the most enjoyable platforming/shooting game series ever. The weapon system is so incredible it inspires [[MegaManning its own trope]], the boss fights are incredible, and each series is great in its own way.
** ''Mega Man 9'' came along to remind us why we game. 'Nuff said.
** This troper hardly played ''Mega Man 1'' through ''6'', and he loves ''Mega Man 9''.
** I love the ending. Snarky Megaman for the win!
** It may not be the original 8-bit variety that most Mega Man fans know, the ''Mega Man Legends'' series absolutely deserves a mention. The story is incredibly unique and interesting, the cast of characters are extremely diverse and highly likable, awesome music...everything about the series is great. Sadly, a Mega Man Legends 3 is looking less and less likely every year...
*** [[AndTheFandomRejoiced Guess what? There ''IS'' going a Mega Man Legends 3!]] It's gonna be on the 3DS, but still...
** All this time and still no mention of [[MegaManX the X series?]] [[WhatTheHellPlayer What the hell, guys?]]
* The Metroid games are incredible, hands down. Super Metroid is probably one of This Troper's favorite games, even if he never could get past [[ThatOneBoss Ridley]]. That same boss is probably one of my favorite video game monsters of all time, and each game is enjoyable in its own way. I haven't played the Prime games yet, but that will probably change this Christmas...
** This troper has, and is happy to GUSH about them (I'm surprised no one else has yet?). They're beautiful, beautiful games and wonderful to play. The environments are creative, detailed, and very immersive, (oddly, something that seems particular to American games). The gameplay is great and the controls are smooth, especially with Corruption on the Wii. Heck, Corruption, the last in the trilogy, did more than trump the other two. In the first moments of the game you as Samus pulls of many [[CrowningMomentOfAwesome bad ass]] stunts, such as that boss fight against Ridley while falling down that shaft. But one of my favorite things about the series is Dark Samus, who connects all the games together. Her whole story and true origin is never flatly stated in the games but left for you to piece together yourself.
** Despite its flaws, OtherM is this troper's favorite {{Metroid}} game to date. It has beautiful designs, intricate puzzles, intense boss battles, and well-designed characters. And not only does it manage to keep the feel of the original 2-D side scrollers, but it also provides some long-overdue characterization to our favorite {{Badass}} BountyHunter. Sure some parts can be a real pain, like the {{Pixel Hunt}}s and the initial lack of a Varia suit, but I think that other parts, like the dodge mechanic and concentration, more than make up for them.
** This troper considers Metroid Fusion to be one of his two favorites of the series (along with Super). It's quite defining of the alternate style of Metroid. Though the linearity may have turned some people off, I felt a sense of accomplisment when reporting back to Adam with each mission. The environments are all lush despite taking place in a space station. The boss fights were pretty enjoyable, and the atmosphere was still there.
* ''ChronoTrigger'' is worth buying again on the DS. So very very worth it.
** Square-Enix has just been bringing the VideoGameRemake love lately. ''FinalFantasyIV'' just rocks the house in it's new form. They actually ''made it better''. I'd have sworn it couldn't be done. Do ''VI''! ''[[{{Keet}} Do VI!]]'' And for the love of all that's reasonable, do ''VII''. It's a license to print money, for pete's sake!
** This troper wouldn't neccesarilly ''mind'' a VII remake...but ALSO for the love of all that's reasonable, ''please'' don't retcon stuff or tie it into the [[FanNickname complication]], Square!
*** So they should do a remake, but should ignore everything that came after it even though most people would familiar with those games and movies and would be expecting them to appear...makes sense! This troper actually liked most of the Compilation...
*** Can't let anyone forget VIII and IX, now!
**** IX? In HD? My my that sounds like the best idea I've heard all day. The reasons are obvious (at the very least: [[EvenTheGuysWantHim Zidane]] in HD), I just have one thing to ask. DON'T CHANGE ANYTHING. AT ALL. Except maybe hire the leading orchestras of the world to co-operate in re-recording the score. The game is brilliant as it is, but an enhanced "perspective" so to speak would bring it over the top and unto video game theosis.
** ''ChronoTrigger'' is a case where I don't know where to ''start'' gushing. The fact that it's a time travel story that [[FridgeBrilliance mostly stands up to logic]], the tragic aftershocks of what happened in Zeal kingdom, the music that's [[CrowningMusicOfAwesome heartbreaking and badass and gorgeous]] as the scenes demand, the friggin' awesome combo attacks, the way every time period had a unique and striking color palette...
** One of the absolute greatest [=RPG=]s ever made.
*** Hate me for saying this if you like, but FanFic/CrimsonEchoes is full of awesome too.
* ''Super Mario Galaxy'' reaches ridiculous levels of awesome. It is everything that was great about ''Super Mario 64'', only ''more so''. I want Red Stars of my very own, and the soundtrack is one long CrowningMusicOfAwesome.
** Seconded. Also, it manages to balance Nintendo Hard and fun all but perfectly. There's a reason every magazine I can think of has given it a perfect score (or the highest score given, anyway).

* The original ''EarthBound'' had its haters, but it was truly one of the most underrated games of its time. A fun, innovative game, a quirky storyline, and lots and lots of humor.

* ''DevilMayCry''. The Main/{{Camp}}, cheese and Main/{{Narm}} of the one-liners form part of the series' charm, with the rest being the OTT action. Yes, there are severe Main/CutscenePowerToTheMax issues, but there's still plenty you can do with the combat system, especially with the refined systems in the third and fourth games. Pulling off a complex combo - or watching someone do so - never gets old. The original effectively brought free-flowing fighter-style combat to the 3D era. This party's getting crazy!
** Wootness all around! The original game holds a special place in this troper's heart, as it was her first PS2 game and the only one she had for a while. The badass action, badass main character, crazy combos and weapons....yeah! ''I'm absolutely crazy about it!''

* A long overdue entry- SuperMarioGalaxy. The gameplay is fun and simple, the music is brilliant, the visuals are gorgeous, the challenging parts are indeed challenging, Rosalina and the Lumas were likable, and the bare bones of a storyline was done well. And then came SuperMarioGalaxy2, which is pretty much the first game, but on steroids in all the good aspects of the original. Maybe a bit less story, but still handled in a way that was interesting.

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* ''SilentHill'' and its sequels remain the only games that have forced me to stop playing due to something other than frustration or biological necessities, as it's rather difficult to operate a controller when one is shaking like a leaf in a gale. The most bizarre, unique monster designs in the medium, puzzles that only obey the logic of the warped reality into which you've stumbled, and the fact that the ''entire town'' wants to rape you to death, eat your flesh and wear your face as a hat (hopefully in that order) combine to create the most terrifying interactive experience ever. Rather unfortunate that there's only two sequels.

* [[{{@/Outsyder0486}} This guy]] has lost around 45 pounds - and counting - with the help of Wii Fit. That's all I need to say.
** [[@/WildKnight My]] mother has gotten her ankle back into working order so well she can do a 5K run. Just last year, she couldn't walk around for extended periods of time without having to wear a brace. What happened in the interim? Wii Fit and its yoga/strength exercises. I'm not making this up, ''Nintendo saved my mother's legs.'' Screw all the FanDumb about how Nintendo's ignoring the "hardcore" gamers, Wii Fit is a damn spectacular piece of software, and I will forever swear by that statement.

* Where the hell is Sonic 3? Yes, the other 2 were pretty good, but Sonic 3 is win. The art style is a subtle yet great evolution, the [[CrowningMusicOfAwesome music]] is excellent and memorable, it makes the Sonic universe deeper and more engrossing without an overkill of exposition and [[TheScrappy characters]], and the game perfects the Sonic atmosphere and embodies what is right with the series.
** Seconded. Sonic 3 is my 2nd favorite 2D Sonic game (my most favorite is Sonic CD). Sonic 2 was awesome, yes, but I never saw what made it "ZOMG BEST SAWNIK GAME EVA!!!"
** To me, Sonic 2 IS childhood. It's that simple. Every last sound or animated sprite or level feature in the game feels like a dip in the nostalgy pool.
*** Sonic 3 by itself was at times ridiculously buggy. However, Sonic 3 and Knuckles is AWESOME.

* ''SonicUnleashed'', its Sonic gameplay IS the revitalization of the series that Sega have been promising for years.
** Along the same lines, this troper doesn't give two figs about what anyone said about the 3D Sonic games post-Dreamcast, ''he enjoyed them, dammit.'' Except Sonic 2006. But even that had some good ideas (no, I'm not talking about the [[{{Squick}} hedgehog/human romance]], I'm talking gameplay-wise).
*** Heck, [[{{@/Sylocat}} This Troper]] even likes Sonic 2006, and is fully prepared to face the consequences of admitting that.
*** Some people say Sonic died a long time ago. This troper thinks he's still alive and strong, giving us amazing music and fun games.
**** My first Sonic game was Sonic Adventure 2 Battle. Via Demo at Wal-Mart and also the first one I owned. From there, I've liked most of he 3D Sonic games I've played. I have not played Sonic '06, but I will admit some parts look interesting and I wouldn't mind trying it... Specifically, I loved ShadowTheHedgehog, I'd even go so far as to say that it's the best of the 3D titles because you only play as a character that may as well be Sonic in terms of gameplay, which is what everyone's been asking for for so long without realizing that they have it. What can I say? The guns and vehicles were fun.

* ''Shadow the Hedgehog'' has a list of flaws a mile long, but the level where you're a bad enough dude to shoot the president is the most fun this troper has had with a ''Sonic'' game in years.
** ''Shadow'' is actually a fun game when you look past some of the flaws. Aside from suddenly starring an angsty EvilTwin that totes guns out of nowhere, it has its moments, from the attempted assassination mentioned above to running rampant through the base of operations for what is effectively S.W.A.T. Not to mention what a [[IncrediblyLamePun Chaos Blast]] you can have using Chaos Control to your benefit.
* ''VideoGame/SkiesOfArcadia'' is still the best turn-based RPG I've ever played. I think its upbeat nature, wide open world, depth of [=NPCs=], message of hope to the world, and FLYING PIRATES have spoiled me.
** By all rights, ''VideoGame/SkiesOfArcadia'' does not deserve to be so good. It's an extremely standard turn-based RPG that follows TheOneTrueSequence (or at least appears to) one hundred percent, none of the characters really undergo any substantial CharacterDevelopment, and the villains are some of the [[LargeHam hammiest]] {{Card Carrying Villain}}s ever. But it pulls off ''[[ClicheStorm every single one of those cliches and tropes]]'' so well that [[BetterThanItSounds the game is]] ''[[BetterThanItSounds far]]'' [[BetterThanItSounds more than the sum of its parts!]] ...Plus, yes, ''flying pirates'' are pretty damn awesome.
* The ''EccoTheDolphin'' games are really, really hard. At least for this troper; I'm actually not that good at even moderately hardcore action games. That said, the first two games are some of the greatest xenofiction ever told. The storyline makes the frustrating gameplay worth it!
* ''{{Mother 3}}'' is, without a doubt, awesome. But not just the game--full MadeOfWin points must also be given to the folks at Starmen.net, who turned out a majestically professional, funny, touching, fun-to-read fan translation that puts a lot of ''official'' game scripts to shame. But to the game itself. The ActionCommand[=/=]combo system is ''brilliant--''lots of people already press buttons to the tune of the game music, so making it an official part of the game was a fantastic idea. And what music it is! The soundtrack blew this troper out of the water, and it's remarkably high-quality for a GBA soundtrack. The graphics are slick, colorful, and pretty fantastically animated for their simplicity. It's also ''fantastically'' emotional, being laugh-out-loud funny, [[TearJerker tear-jerking]], shocking, and lots of other big words, even in the tiniest moments. The optional scene you see if you [[spoiler: return to Wess with Duster in your party]] moved her more than something that out-of-the-way ought. And it's a nicely paced RPG to boot, and manages to avert the "everyone's levels are diiiifferent!" problem that plagued ''EarthBound'' and--well, pretty much every other RPG ever.
** Much like the troper below, [[{{@/Electrosa}} I]] could not agree any more. MOTHER3 is the best game I have ever come across - it even beat out Ocarina of Time for me. No other game has gone straight to my heart like MOTHER3 has - it's just... amazing, and that's not even a strong enough word. It's really changed how I see the world. Shigesato Itoi, you are a god.
** [[@/LKArtillery This Troper]] agrees so much, she doesn't think it's even possible to have any further feelings of agreement. This game is a [[spoiler:''fucking'']] masterpiece. Strange, funny and heartrending, indeed. I smiled, I teared up, I gasped, I laughed, I was awed, I felt determined, I felt odd, I yelled, I danced, I felt nostalgia, I despaired, I cried sissy tears, and finally, I felt resolve. In that order. There's so much to this game... While EarthBound was one of the greatest old-school games, Mother 3 is the indomitable master of mood whiplash, and it works! It just does! You, reading this now, you need to get the most readily available translation and just ''play it''. [[spoiler: Also, for those of you who have only played Brawl, you will feel like horrible, horrible people for calling Lucas a cry baby. Seriously. He's the Woobie to end all Woobies...]]

* Pokémon. This troper did a quick calculation and found there's about 14,357,588,953,446,649 potential party combinations for a playthrough of Pokémon Diamond/Pearl/Platinum, or just for late/end game, if you've got another cart to trade between. And that's almost definitely an underestimate too...
** Ah, yes! I remember the serene joy of playing ''Pokémon Gold''...riding around on my bike, wasting money on Repels, catching Ho-Oh, beating the Elite Four...sadly, ''Pokemon Gold and Silver'' cartridges have an issue with the clock system that eventually [[LostForever wipes your game...]]
*** And that, my friend, is what the wonderful device known as a Mega Memory Card is for.
*** [[VideoGameRemake Or the HeartGold/SoulSilver remakes for the DS.]] {{Squee}}!
*** The death of my Crystal version signalled the end of my [[OneManArmy Thunderpunching Typhlosion]] and [[AudibleGleam purple Quagsire]]. But they live on through [=HeartGold=] and emulators! The series that convinced me to start using {{ROM}}s is instant win!
** On that note: [[PokemonMysteryDungeon Explorers of Time and Darkness]]. You have to love an [[GettingCrapPastTheRadar E-rated game]] that winds up on the HighOctaneNightmareFuel article, and also anything that can make you cry like a kindergartener even as you mutter, [[LikeYouWouldReallyDoIt "Like you were really going to do it."]]
*** And the story is pretty deep for Pokémon, since most of the main series games tend not to be plot-driven. The Mystery Dungeon spinoffs also tend to be more difficult than main series games, especially in post-credits dungeons, though it's usually not so hard that you want to tear your hair out in frustration. Plus, it's so much fun to actually ''be'' a Pokémon. And you can't tell me you've played ''Time and Darkness'' and weren't moved by any of the events in Chapter 20.
*** ''Explorers of Time/Darkness/Sky'' has got to be one of the most beautiful and moving games of this generation. There's just... something about it; no matter how corny it gets, no matter how awkward the translation is at points, it ''shines''. With tears and sunrises, it shines. We need more truly family-friendly games like ''Explorers'' - games that both kids and adults can enjoy, games that aren't afraid to be cute, scary, sad, and triumphant all in one package.
*** Agreed. [[{{@/Arcadiarika}} I]] love the main series Pokémon games, but ''Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Explorers of Time/Darkness/Sky'' has a little something that sets it above the rest. It's like reading a good book: you can't put it down no matter how long you've been playing/reading it. And I certainly can't forget Guildmaster Wigglytuff's words about existing near the end, and ''[[TearJerker this was the very first game that made me cry in the first ending!]]''
** I likes me the Battle Factory. Renting some awesome, random Pokémon, making the best of the hand you've been dealt. And then I get sad because I can't keep them all. But I know they are in good care. The Factory staff seem nice and competent. Oooh, I want to work at the Battle Factory! So much!
** "Right, all boys leave home some day..." That day was over 10 years ago. In the time I've poured into the Pokémon games, I could have built the Great Wall of China out of straw. Twice. This game is almost my entire childhood. And those seven words still survive today to remind us Pokémon fans of our past and our mission to enjoy the moments in which we "Gotta catch 'em all", and to never forget our lifelong friends. No matter how many times we start a new game, no matter how many additional games get made, it will never be the same, not the same as the very first time we played. Back then, every kid played Pokémon, everyone's ambition was To Be A Master. Pokémon music was the soundtrack to our very childhood. It makes me miserable that, for the people who call ''Diamond and Pearl'' their first Pokémon games, they just don't get it. To some of us, this is more than a game. It is a wonderful moral, memory, and a beautiful dream filled with the colors of Red, Blue, and Yellow.
** What Barry (your rival) says in D/P/Pt really gets to me. "There's no end to Pokémon! That's what I'm saying!" He's right. No matter how old the series gets, I will play every game. No matter how many new Pokemon are made, I will love each and every one of them. No matter how "lame" people think Pokémon is, I will shove them into the infernos of their hatred and keep playing. Been playing since 1998, and have no plans on putting a halt on my love for Pokemon, be they 8-bit or in 3D.
** I can understand why people would dislike Ruby and Sapphire versions, but as the games that made the biggest jump in improvements to the series, they deserve a mention. So many unique mechanics were added such as growing and watering berries, special obstacles that can only be crossed with a bike, and of course double battles. This troper still carries the Swampert he chose in his first run of Sapphire, over seven years ago.
* The opera scene (the one where Celes sings) in ''FinalFantasyVI'' is quite possibly the most beautiful, most seat-of-your-pants exciting sequence in all of Final Fantasy. You may call this troper a pussy for saying this, but I cry tears of joy every time I play it...
** ''FinalFantasyVI'' is one of the most beautiful games ever made. And I'm not disowning any other games, I'm just saying that people who think the FF series is about girly men with huge swords should try this one.
** [[@/RiL This troper]] has yet to play a video game that can match the power, depth, and sheer beauty of FFVI. The ending almost brought me to tears. (ManlyTears, even, and I'm a girl!)
** On the other side of the mood spectrum, ''FinalFantasyVI'' has the greatest villain hands-down in the entire series. Kefka's over-the-top flamboyancy and the fact he stands in stark contrast and even [[{{LampshadeHanging}} lampshades]] the heroes' angst and posession of ThePowerofFriendship stand out in this series. Sure, he's an evil, AxCrazy homicidal maniac, but you can't fault a guy for having astronomical job satisfaction, can you?
*** Especially not when he has possibly the best final boss music in the ''FinalFantasy'' series.
** It wasn't the opera scene that got me... it was the Falcon rising out of the sea in the World of Ruin. I was a complete RPG virgin when I played this game, and so I was ''completely'' not expecting all the events that unfolded around the halfway point - the ColonyDrop, the world ending, the Light of Judgment, the complete helplessness of having all but one character flung to the far corners of the planet. After all that, to finally achieve the first true moment of hope and triumph, seriously made me cry. It's been more than 10 years since I played this game, and I '''still''' get goosebumps when I hear the opening chords of "Searching for Friends."
** This is the game that proved to [[{{@/Fishsicles}} this troper]] that video games are an art form. I hold every other RPG to ''FinalFantasyVI'''s standards, and find myself frequently disappointed. It was not in the awkward graphics era of ''FinalFantasyVII'' or ''FinalFantasyVIII'', had some of the best characters in [[FinalFantasy the series]], and [[CrowningMusicOfAwesome Terra's Theme]], the "[[OverclockedRemix Freebird of video game music]]". Everyone on the planet should play this game, (and then listen to [[OverclockedRemix Terra In Black]], for extra credit) and try to say, with complete sincerity, that it is not awesome. This is quite possibly one of the greatest video games of all time, and one of the defining points of the genre. [[SophisticatedAsHell I AM NOT FUCKING AROUND WHEN I SAY THAT]].
** [[{{Tropers/Serperoth}} This troper]] is a fan of ''FinalFantasyIX''. The entire game is simply STAGGERING. Gameplay that combines simplicity with depth, breathtaking visuals, a story which is comparable to a Shakespearean tragedy (I'm not exaggerating much), and some of the most relateable characters in video game history., not to mention all the in-jokes, large or small ("No cloud, no squall shall hinder us", Doga and Une, Bobby Corwen...). Kefka is still my favourite villain, but you have to give credit to someone who can appear threatening while wearing a thong, a bra-like creation and a cape. Further Final Fantasy fans, feel free to fortify my favouritism. I'll just add something about the music. IT'S THE BEST MUSIC FROM A VIDEO GAME. Each and every song both fits the scene it plays in (You're Not Alone, Freya's Theme), and is FANTASTIC to listen to. My father, no "deaf, dumb and blind kid", heard that. It remains to this day the only good thing about video games he'll concede to. Nobuo Uematsu toured Europe to gain inspiration for the soundtrack, and only now is he recovering from having overworked himself. 'Nuff said (although feel free to elaborate, of course).

* How can you guys not talk about ''Boktai?!'' For shame, people. This is one of the most ingenious games for the GBA, as it uses actual sunlight to influence gameplay via a solar sensor, so it makes you want to play outside. Not only that, it's just plain awesome and a genuinely amazing game. It has a capturing plot, vicious vampire baddies trying to turn the whole world into undead (Which they probably already had), wonderfully-composed 8-bit sounding music and memorable characters. However, it didn't sell well, making it obscure. Which is a shame, because everyone needs to play this while under the sun.

* People have called ''TheLegendOfZelda: Ocarina of Time'' the greatest game ever, and that opinion is 100% RIGHT! The haters are deluding themselves; THIS is how you make a video game, end of story.
** Seconded. This troper replayed it recently and, in his honest opinion, it holds up wonderfully. The music, the dungeons, the boss fights, the sidequests...even the aged graphics have a certain charm to them. ''Majora's Mask'', ''Wind Waker'', and ''Twilight Princess'' are all awesome, but it has to be said that they all owe their existence to ''Ocarina''.
*** The worst part about ''Ocarina of Time''? '''Finishing it.''' No matter how many times you replay it, you can never get back the sheer joy and exhileration you get when you explore it for the very first time.
**** I'm gonna commit the cardinal sin of Ocarina of Time here - I like the Water Temple. It gets a lot of hate for being too long, or too confusing, or just frustrating, but... it's really fun! More than any dungeon up to that point, you get to explore an interesting dungeon, with one of the best boss fights in the game (hell yeah, Dark Link!) AND the Longshot, which is one of my favourite items. It can seem daunting when you start out, but after picking up the map and compass, you can start to make sense of it and it becomes much easier and much more fun to navigate. Even if you DO find it difficult, there's always a great sense of achievement when you complete it. I'll even go so far as to say that in OoT, the Water Temple is probably one of my favourite dungeons, only losing out to Ganon's Tower. Yeah.
* ''TheLegendOfZelda: Majora's Mask'' is [[{{@/Sylocat}} this Troper]]'s favorite game of all time. It's not just an excellent break from the main formula, it also pioneered the WideOpenSandbox genre and the TimeTravel mechanic was handled excellently... but what really sets it apart is the story, and the characters. There is just so much going on, so many characters with their own stories to tell, so much to put right... it's just sheer brilliance.
** This troper does love ''Ocarina of Time'' more, but considers MM a strong second. It's one of the most beautifully emotional games ever, despite having no voice acting, cheesy polygon graphics, and other artifacts that one might think would make it {{narm}}ful. It's made her cry than any other game has to date, closely followed by the second ''VideoGame/PaperMario'' game and ''VideoGame/BeyondGoodAndEvil.'' It remains to be seen how ''{{Mother 3}}'' ranks up.
*** This troper agrees, but her love for Majora's Mask runs deep... and often reduces her to [=OMG ANJU + KAFEI=] OTP [=SOB SOB.=]
** ''Majora's Mask'' actually re-opened my mind to the possible existence of {{God}}. No, really. In a godless universe, nothing so absolutely perfect could conceivably exist. The music (including the Ocarina stuff, ''especially'' the Song of Healing) is, in a word, beautiful. The characters are some of the most memorable in gaming. The gameplay, taken right from OcarinaOfTime, is perfect. Every dungeon is fun and engaging, yes, even [[ThatOneLevel the Great Bay Temple]]. When a Zelda game can make a staunch atheist reconsider and eventually believe [[HeelFaithTurn and be good]] again, you know the series is SoCoolItsAwesome, and the game itself is the best thing ever.
** This game is possibly THE game I would choose if I could only play one video game for the rest of my life. The story is deeper than [[OcarinaOfTime OoT]] and the [[GroundhogDayLoop time travel]] allows you to go through the entirety of the game over and over, trying new things each time. The sidequests serve as a great example on how to do them right while providing a challenge to find every single last [[HeartContainer piece of heart]].
* ''Twilight Princess'' was this troper's first Zelda game, and one of my favorites. Beautiful scenery, good casual gamer bosses, characters I'd love to know (Midna anybody?). Not to mention a sense of urgency about the encroaching wall of Twilight. Twilight was itself one of the most thought provoking environments I've ever experienced. See FridgeBrilliance for my theory.
** I frankly prefer Twilight Princess over Ocarina of Time. [[PerverseSexualLust Midna]] might be part of the reason. It could also be [[SceneryPorn the beautiful environments]], the cool, creative equipment, the fantastic music, and the fact that Link could turn into a [[BigBadassWolf wolf]].
* ''TheLegendOfZeldaTheWindWaker'' needs more love! Even though it may seem a bit childish at the very first glance (and just the very first) It has the most interesting characters in the whole series (except Midna from TP, of course), the graphics are fluent, beautiful and make you feel good just by looking of them, the facial expressions are perfect and often nail the mood of a scene to the tee, the story rivals that of ''TwilightPrincess'' in terms of depth and intensivity, the dungeons are great fun to play and even the sailing doesn't have to be grating, if you take your time and look at all the beautiful effects around and on your boat... Then the fact that Link, [[OcarinaOfTime once]] [[MajorasMask again]], manages to be [[CuteShotaroBoy cute]] and [[{{Badass}} awesome]] at once!! This game is at least as awesome as ''TwilightPrincess'' people just don't know, because they didn't play it (to the end), since prejustice or the few flaws (which are a real pity) chased them off. That's kind of sad.
** I know! WW is my absolute favourite Zelda game, bar none (yeah, it even beats [=OoT=]--maybe it isn't BETTER but I like it more). It sucks that people don't give it a chance because of a few minor things. Link's design is flipping adorable too, which DOES help...
** I for one (or apparently at least three) LOVE the sailing. There, I said it, and I'd say it again if I had to. I FREAKING LOVE THE SAILING!
** Fourth'd. I really liked the general style of ''Wind Waker'', from the art to the story telling to the humorous interactions of the characters. The only problem I really have with the entire line of WW-esque games is that the DS hasn't been able to perfectly replicate the cel style used in the original, which detracts from PH and ST a bit. They're still good, however.
** [[Tropers/{{Blazichu}} I'm]] right there with you guys-- with the possible exception of [[RatchetAndClank Tools of Destruction]], Wind Waker is the only game I've played more than a dozen times-- and it still hasn't gotten old. We've already covered gushing about the graphics and storyline, but I have to add that the soundtrack may be the series' best. From the title theme to the epilogue, every track was unique to the island/dungeon it was found in, and suited perfectly to that purpose; this means that, even if you don't know the name of what you're listening to, you're still perfectly capable of identifying the track. On top of that, it was also the debut of [[CaptainObvious WW]] [[GushingAboutCharactersYouLike Link]], who stands apart from all of his counterparts: a [[BadassAdorable Badass]] CuteShotaroBoy... who also happens to be a KnightTemplarBigBrother, [[TheUnchosenOne and initially had no intention to save the Great Sea]]. His semi-frequent ButtMonkey moments (on top of being [[CrowningMomentOfFunny hilarious]]) just make his [[CrowningMomentOfAwesome awesome moments]] even better. The very best part: his method of dealing with [[spoiler: Ganondorf]]. Unprecedented in a Zelda game, and only attempted once since.
* If there's one Zelda game that needs more love, it's [[PhantomHourglass The Legend of Zelda: Phantom Hourglass]]. This game just doesn't seem to have any fans, even compared to Zelda II-- or, dare I say, the CD-i games--, which is ridiculous; I finally got around to finishing it after playing off and on for the past few years because I kept getting distracted, and I just love everything about it. Linebeck is one of my favorite characters in the whole series, the bosses feel new and refreshing (especially Eox, holy shit), and even the Temple of the Ocean King... Never in my life have I seen something ''so hated'' that i just can't disagree with more; it's like Metal Gear Solid had a baby with Metroid/later Castlevania and left it on a Zelda game's doorstep. The controls are spot on, the items are great and have new creative uses, and the whole experience was just grand. It's definitely one of my favorite games in the series.
** Yes! I agree 100%. I absolutely LOVED Phantom Hourglass, and it seems to get a lot of unwarranted hate. Linebeck is one of the greatest characters in the series! And it bothers me to no end that everyone complained about PH when it came out, but all seemed to praise Spirit Tracks...which, to me, felt like a cheap rehash of PH.
* TheLegendOfZeldaALinkToThePast. The mythic awesomeness of that incarnation of Hyrule really paved the way for the 3D wonders to come. From the very beginning, when Link is awakened by a psychic plea from the titular heroine, to the claiming of the [[SwordOfPlotAdvancement Master Sword]], to the rescue of said heroine, to the final showdown with the [[LargeHam Pig of Evil]] himself, it's all fantastic. And then there's all the smaller moments: the ShipTease between Link and Zelda, the poignant moments at the end of certain sidequests (you remember how you got the flute, right?), the pwnage of Blind when you outwit him...this was epic storytelling back when consoles were still struggling with storytelling at all. And of course, the gameplay is still unique and well-done. Overhead 2-D gaming was pretty much all shooters and turn-based RPG adventures...and Zelda. The formula was attempted by a few gutsy developers, but on one ever really managed to capture the magic. And this troper doesn't have the nostalgia filter on -- I first played LTTP on VirtualConsole fifteen years after the game was first released. Even after the rightly-beloved Ocarina, there are fans who still believe that Link to the Past is still the best Zelda ever. I may not be one of them, but it's definitely one of the best ''games'' ever, period.
* This troper finished ''[[TheLegendOfZeldaSkywardSword Skyward Sword]]'' this morning, and this game made him clamoring for MOAR! The romantic dynamic between Link and Zelda is so good that an almost-claustrophobic feeling creeps up when the game ends, when you know logically there can't be any more story and, thus, more of the [[CrowningMomentOfHeartwarming heartwarming]] interactions that follow beyond well-placed implication.

* ''{{Gradius}} Gaiden''. Thought ''Gradius III'' and ''V'' were good? ''Gaiden'', a game made seven years before ''V'' on a 32-bit system, blows these two games out of the water. What other title takes you through a junkyard of old bosses or a stage that looks like any other ''Gradius'' volcano stage...for a few seconds, [[Awesome/VideoGameLevels before getting sucked into a black hole]]? The ships have some great weapons too. Vic Viper's Double has undergone some un-sucking, Lord British's Disruptor pierces enemy armor, making it ideal for bosses who guard their cores heavily, Jade Knight has splitting Spread Bombs, and Falchion Beta has the forward-firing equivalent of a Spread Bomb. And you can rearrange your power meter, which adds another strategic element to the game; with a well-arranged power meter, you can make recovering out of a death (and by extension, [[ContinuingIsPainful "Gradius Syndrome"]]) much more managable. It will be a while before we get a ''Gradius Gaiden 2'' or something that will top ''Gaiden''...assuming of course, the series hasn't died yet.
* ''Pop'n Music'' is an example of why people who judge a game by its [[AnimationAgeGhetto kiddiness]] can suck it. There's music in almost every genre you can imagine, the larger button setup ensures that you won't get wrist or hand cramps from having your fingers so contorted (at least if you're big-handed, like this troper) like in other {{Rhythm Game}}s, the characters are beautifully drawn and animated, and it both for casual and hardcore players--the former have Enjoy Mode, and the latter have loads and loads of options for {{Self Imposed Challenge}}s.
* I love ''{{Okami}}''. The gameplay, the graphics, the story, the emphasis on nature, it's just a great game. I remember playing it for the first time, and just being in awe of how pretty everything was.
** I beat it just yesterday. I didn't even bother turning the console off, I just started up the new game plus. "{{Okami}}" is _awesome_ and you should all feel ashamed for not buying it. The Spirit Bomb at the end had me cheering for Issun out loud.
** Okami just needs more love all around. It's an awesome game, with a good story, excellent gameplay, and a gorgeous art style. I nearly burst into tears at the end of the game, and had to pause for a bit while fighting the final boss to regain my composure.
** Is it odd that throughout the whole game, I steadily fell in love with Amaterasu, so much so that I want her as my own? She's just so damn ''cute''...
** It's a truly charming and adorable game, especially the little things you can do for the villagers (draw a circle around them and they run over to pet/play with Ammy). Awww...<3
** I paid 50 euros for Okami, and after I finished it, I promised myself I would never pay that much for any other game ever again, because none could measure up.
** Okami is [[SincerityMode one of the best games that I've ever played]]. The gorgeous artwork, unique gameplay, captivating story and unforgettable characters are just the tip of the iceberg.

* The 7th ''Fire Emblem'', the first to be released in the US, is also one of the best video games this troper has played in recent years...on the Gameboy Advance and any system period.
** ''Fire Emblem: Sacred Stones'' is my personal favorite because it's the first game I played from that series. Excellent plot and characters!
** Fire Emblem 5 and 9 for this troper. ''Thracia 776'' is rich. Just rich. Developed characters whose relationships form a complex weave. A wonderful story that really involved the characters, even the minor ones you thought wouldn't show up again. The chapters even integrate the plot into your battles in interesting ways. And it's a challenge to boot. ''Path of Radiance'' is my favourite video game, hands down. It is like Fire Emblem's renaissance, an effective mix of old and new. Clearly a spiritual successor to ''Thracia''. It's fantastic to play and to watch the characters develop with the story.
** This troper loves 10 dearly. The character availability issues can become annoying, but on the other hand, they also allow you to get really attached to people on every side of the conflict, which makes having to pit your various parties against each other later that much more heartwrenchingly awesome. (Although this troper is also part of that tiny minority of people who genuinely love the Dawn Brigade, which probably helps...)
** This troper absolutely loves FE 4. Jugdral is a wonderful balance of a typical medieval fantasy and dark political intrigue, its characters are wonderfully complex, and the gameplay is actually quite nice once you get used to it. And the unofficial mangas are amazing.
** Gotta fill in the gap and gush about [=FE6=]. It's quite difficult, but that just makes getting the good ending all the sweeter. It was also the first in the series to introduce supports, which is in itself pretty impressive: a 50+ cast of characters where everybody gets a chance to shine. And there is just something simultaneously badass and adorable about pitting little Roy against a giant friggin' dragon... and watching him win.

* The ''AceAttorney'' series is brilliant even though it's totally unrealistic. No, it's brilliant ''because'' it's totally unrealistic. It has a superb blend of hilarious comedy and affecting drama, and applying your own deductive logic is intensely satisfying.
** ...The ''AceAttorney'' series has logic? When did this happen?
*** Screw logic, we have pretty men in cravats.
**** Characters! You can't forget the characters! The ''AceAttorney'' cast is the best. Even in the most frustrating and plothole-riddled murder cases, the characters were outstanding. When even ''the office's resident houseplant'' gets a name and a ''justified'' fan following, you know you're doing something right.
***** "One fan"?''Mister Charly'' has his own Fan-thread in the court Records forum.And Godot knows that his Leafiness deserves it.
*** Ace Attorney: Trials and Tribulations is perhaps the pinnacle of the series with a tight narrative full of old favorites, it brings comedy, and drama in a perfect blend and has one of the most mind-bendingly awesome murder plots in the series. The finale brings in and redeems some fan favorites like Franziska Von Karma while being suitably emotionally poignant for all involved with one of the best villains of the series and one awesome exorcism. Add a very feel-good ending that ties together all the dangling plot-threads of the Phoenix triology, and, again, Trials and Tribulations is perhaps the pinnacle of the series.

* ''GoldenSun'' and especially its sequel is the best GBA game and quite possibly the best game alltogether, that [[{{@/Smokie}} this troper]] has ever played. Let's start with the extremely interesting plot and the likable characters. But that's not even where it starts! I always liked the PointOfView change between the 2 games, where it is revealed that the villains were actually trying to save the world from collapsing and in the second game, the protagonists more or less team up with the new bad guys. The game itself has a [[CrowningMusicOfAwesomeVideoGames crowning soundtrack of awesome]] and is graphically stunning (Just look at summons like Catastrophe and Iris). The character class system is also extremely deep and leaves space for all kinds of combinations. And overall, it never stops being an epic story (in the real sense of the word epic). I can't help but love this game to no end.
** Yes! Yes! Yes! These games are mere Gameboy Advanced games, yet they still have loveable characters and an excellent plot. There's TONS of extra stuff to do (especially in The Lost Age), and the summon secuences are just full of awesome. Heck, the plot is a mere "four elements" plot, but it's handled in a way that makes it seem refreshing. THIS IS MY FAVORITE VIDEO GAME SEIES EVER!
** When she found both GBA games second-hand this troper thought she was being sensible by only buying the first ('what if it's no good?'). She is now kicking herself months later having not been able to find 'Lost Age' since. The first game manages to feel substantial even when it becomes clear that it is, literally, only half of the story. Puzzles need to be put alongside [=RPGs=] more often, because it gave a refreshingly different aspect to the genre, and the dijinn combinations only added to that; the scope was there for a straight-forward party, or a more unusual one. The potential breadth was the beauty of the whole thing, because it didn't get bogged down in details. And on that point, the story was typical yet still somehow compelling.
* [[{{Tangent128}} This Troper]] has played every Mario RPG except for the first one, and is eager to play it as soon as he can because the rest are ''so awesome'':
** ''VideoGame/PaperMario'' was the first I'd played, and remains classic. It just had that perfect sync of great music, great villains, great side characters, a neat battle system... and so much variety! Flower Fields was the closest to an "off" chapter it ever got.
*** ''Paper Mario 2'' kept the standard- an even awesomer battle system, still tons of location variety, and so may subversions of the normal chapter structure... the Glitz Pit, the [[strike:end]] of the Twilight Town chapter, the Excess Express...
** ''[[VideoGame/MarioAndLuigi Mario & Luigi]]'' was portable, comedy gold! E.Gadd's guest starring, the pratfalls, appropriate music, and a plot that kept revisiting older places (going back into previous games!).
*** ''Mario and Luigi 2'' had decent music, and over-the-top Bros Items.
*** ''Mario and Luigi: Bowser's Inside Story'' not only provides several Crowning Moments of Awesome for Bowser, [[VillainDecay a character seriously in need of such moments]], but is the funniest, most well-made game in the ''[[VideoGame/MarioAndLuigi Mario & Luigi]]'' series yet. Not to mention how '''''[[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Df-mjdvdeuI&fmt=18 unbelievably ridiculously awesome]]''''' the final boss theme is!
** ''VideoGame/SuperPaperMario''... Goes against the original Paper Mario for best I've played... such great writing... all the tear-jerking and heartwarming scenes! Count Bleck was such a sympathetic antagonist, and had such a great musical theme. And all the fourth-wall bending and inside jokes made this (male!) Troper squee.
** ''VideoGame/SuperMarioRPG''. That is all.
*** Oh god. VideoGame/SuperMarioRPG. Possibly my favorite game ever. It was actually the first RPG I ever played (my brother and I both thought RPG meant "really powerful graphics" hehe), and it introduced me to what's now my favorite genre of video game. I love this game so much.
** Out of all the Mario [=RPGs=], this troper has only played the Mario and Luigi trilogy (she wants to play the Paper Mario series and Super Mario RPG), and she loved it.
* ''SuperSmashBros''... You know what? This troper's monopolized enough gushing.
** Then this one will take over. All of them are the purest celebration of Nintendo's long and illustrious history and a love letter to the sheer joy one can find in silliness. ''Brawl'' especially with its "Subspace Emissary" story; I mean it in the best way possible when I say it's the best crossover CrackFic I've ever seen. Seriously! Anyone who wants to write crossover crack ''needs'' to at least watch the cutscenes. It's funny at times, to be sure, but it's also tense, heartwarming, and [[CrowningMomentOfAwesome triumphant]]. Thank you, Nintendo, for reminding us that it's okay for games to be silly.
** This troper isn't afraid to say that the confirmation of Sonic was one of the greatest thrills I got that year. Seriously.
*** The music, the [[CrowningMusicOfAwesome muuuusiiiic...]] *JOY*
*** Seconded. I get squeegasms from hearing gems like the Zelda medley or Ridley's awesome remix, and occasionally head over to YouTube for precisely that purpose.
*** Thirded. I think the reason all those songs were cut was because otherwise the sheer awesomeness would melt your brain the second you went to the Sound Test mode.

* The [[http://www.aksysgames.com/bittripbeat Bit]] [[http://www.commandervideo.com Trip]] [[http://www.explorethevoid.com Series]] for WiiWare. These gems combine wonderful retro-styled visuals, {{Ear Worm}} music and stupidly addictive points-based rhythm-action game play. Buy any one of these games and you won't need another game for months. They may be {{Nintendo Hard}}, but the feeling of pure accomplishment you get when you master them is the pinnacle of gaming for me.
* I really like ''MechWarrior 3''. It had great graphics for the time (but still look good), a compelling story, and you really felt like you were stomping around in a 90 ton machine of destruction.
** MechWarrior 2 was the first computer game this Troper ever bought, and still plays till today. The entire BattleTech universe has a magnificent storyline, and the game has great gameplay and use of tactics. The graphics are extremely obselete for now, but at the time they were great. This is all topped off with a CrowningMusicofAwesome.
* When I played CompanyOfHeroes, I felt like it was a completely different game from the AgeOfEmpires series and ''VideoGame/AgeOfMythology'' RTS games that I played (I still love em') and it completely blew my mind. It felt realistic (in retrospect it technically just ''felt'' realistic, there was much about it that wasn't - it still does remain that way in feeling to me, however), which was a big jump from the aforementioned Age of-s I played. I'd feel the same about DawnOfWar 2 with it being similar to CompanyOfHeroes RecycledInSpace (or, you know, {{Warhammer40K}}. I like {{Warhammer40K}}'s setting.), aside from Games For Windows Live disconnecting my Xbox Live Silver account all the time in multiplayer and some balance problems that are being ironed out.
* I love the fact that things taken for [[AcceptableBreaksFromReality granted]] in most video games have a plausible reason in ''{{Portal}}'', even if it isn't explicitly mentioned. Tutorial? You're there to test the gun. Respawning? [=GlaDos=] has your [[BrainUploading brain scanned]]. [[FollowThePlottedLine Following the plotted line]]? [[http://www.game-ism.com/2008/04/13/the-clone-the-cube-and-the-construct-part-1/ [=GlaDos=] wants you to kill her]]. It's a [[MindScrew Mind Heavy Petting]], and I like it.
** This. A million times this. Er... Except maybe the bit about her wanting to die, but yes. Anyway, ''Portal'' is made of awesome and win and ''creativity''- and the last part isn't something you see so much in the games industry anymore.
*** One of the best things about Portal is that it isn't afraid to be a 4 hour game. There's so much padding and repetition in modern games because a game can get crucified for being less than 20 hours long. Portal doesn't overstay its welcome. It does everything it set out to do and departs with one of the best video game songs in recent memory.
*** Oh, and [=GlaDoS=]. Just...[=GlaDoS=]. Oh, look at us still talking when there's science to do...
** After FinalFantasyVI, {{Portal}} comes as [[{{@/Fishsicles}} this troper]]'s number two favorite game. The gameplay is intuitive but not overly simplified. The core mechanic is brilliantly done, a highly original idea not diluted with overuse; the introduction of new mechanics, such as the cubes and energy balls, seems perfectly integrated with the central idea. To top off the excellent puzzle-platforming was amazingly-written dialogue, rife with [[BlackHumor amusing and yet disturbing]] tirades from the resident [[AIIsACrapshoot evil computer]], [=GlaDoS=]. Sorry, [[TwoThousandOne HAL 9000]], you are no longer my favorite evil computer.

* The [[http://www.aksysgames.com/bittripbeat Bit]] [[http://www.commandervideo.com Trip]] [[http://www.explorethevoid.com Series]] for WiiWare. These gems combine wonderful retro-styled visuals, {{Ear Worm}} music and stupidly addictive points-based rhythm-action game play. Buy any one of these games and you won't need another game for months. They may be {{Nintendo Hard}}, but the feeling of pure accomplishment you get when you master them is the pinnacle of gaming for me.
* I really like ''MechWarrior 3''. It had great graphics for the time (but still look good), a compelling story, and you really felt like you were stomping around in a 90 ton machine of destruction.
** MechWarrior 2 was the first computer game this Troper ever bought, and still plays till today. The entire BattleTech universe has a magnificent storyline, and the game has great gameplay and use of tactics. The graphics are extremely obselete for now, but at the time they were great. This is all topped off with a CrowningMusicofAwesome.
* When I played CompanyOfHeroes, I felt like it was a completely different game from the AgeOfEmpires series and ''VideoGame/AgeOfMythology'' RTS games that I played (I still love em') and it completely blew my mind. It felt realistic (in retrospect it technically just ''felt'' realistic, there was much about it that wasn't - it still does remain that way in feeling to me, however), which was a big jump from the aforementioned Age of-s I played. I'd feel the same about DawnOfWar 2 with it being similar to CompanyOfHeroes RecycledInSpace (or, you know, {{Warhammer40K}}. I like {{Warhammer40K}}'s setting.), aside from Games For Windows Live disconnecting my Xbox Live Silver account all the time in multiplayer and some balance problems that are being ironed out.

It doesn't, but I'm going to give one anyway. There's plenty of games with depth, but none with this much ''surprising'' depth. Not just in the gameplay (it gets pretty damn tactical at times), but also in the characters. Every Pikmin death crushes your soul, I assure you.

* A long overdue entry- SuperMarioGalaxy. The gameplay is fun and simple, the music is gorgeous, the visuals are pleasant, the challenging parts are indeed challenging, Rosalina and the Lumas were likable, and the bare bones of a storyline was done well. And then came SuperMarioGalaxy2, which is pretty much the first game, but on steroids in all the good aspects of the original. Maybe a bit less story, but still handled in a way that was interesting.

** Story-Wise, I was really skeptic about ''XIII''. ''Reaaaaally'' skeptic. Since the series shifted from the medieval, steam punk settings for futuristic ones, I thought the overall plots had taken a dire hit. I was very surprised when I realized that... I ''really'' liked ''XIII'''s story! Sure, it isn't the ''best'' plot of the series, and it takes some cues from past games and all, but it is well done. For example, after [[spoiler: the first confrontation with Barthandelus]], where the BigBad explains lots of things to the main heroes that supposedly he ''shouldn't'' be telling then, I was ready to cast the "bad story telling" stone when, gasp! [[LampshadeHanging The characters themselves addressed this fact]]! And those who played the game will understand the reasoning behind this. In any case, I support the above tropers' opinion wholeheartedly.

* ''{{Prototype}}''. Just freaking Prototype. I don't know why, but I just find it so enthralling. Randomly blowing stuff up in helicopters, sneaking about bases eating everyone, and running around the place and flying around firing blood out of your wrists like a demented emo jet...Who could say no to all that?

* There's a damn good reason [[@/FreezairForALimitedTime this troper]] {{Entry Pimp}}s ''BeyondGoodAndEvil''--it's frickin' amazing, and, like ''{{Psychonauts}}'', is one of the best games never played. On a technical level, it's a really fun, heavily experimental, and really short, ActionAdventure game--but it's all the ''details'' that wowed her. [[YouALLLookFamiliar Each NPC being completely unique.]] The [[CanisLatinicus really real Latin creature names]]. [[CrowningMusicOfAwesome The epic soundtrack.]] And the ''characters!'' The three main characters are wonderfully realized, with fantastic, unique, likeable personalities. Their relationships are excellently written, too--the love between Jade and Pey'j doesn't need to be an InformedAttribute; it's undeniable and obvious yet never {{Anvilicious}}. And the growth of friendship and trust between Jade and Double H is organic and touching, culminating in the [[TearJerker tear-jerking]] TakeMyHand and "lighthouse" scenes.

** This troper does love ''Ocarina of Time'' more, but considers MM a strong second. It's one of the most beautifully emotional games ever, despite having no voice acting, cheesy polygon graphics, and other artifacts that one might think would make it {{narm}}ful. It's made her cry than any other game has to date, closely followed by the second ''VideoGame/PaperMario'' game and ''BeyondGoodAndEvil.'' It remains to be seen how ''{{Mother 3}}'' ranks up.

*** Birth By Sleep! I'm happy that you're becoming the new [[PreachingToTheChoir sacred cow]] of the series and [[KanyeWest imma let you finish]], but for this troper, Chain of Memories was the best KH game of all time!

*** Over the past 8 or so years, I've played 3 {{MMO}}s, Guild Wars, WoW and City of Heroes, and WoW is by far my favorite. I started almost exactly 5 years ago and I'm still going strong, a core raider in my 25 man guild in ICC, and I just love everything about the game (well, most of it). The thing I love best is how Blizzard really does listen to its player base.

* TalesOfSymphonia is definitely the best game for the Gamecube and one of the best games out there. Everything, the characters, the story, the gameplay, even the cliches, are awesome. The sequel is amazing too.

** This troper, not meaning to discount the greatness of Symphonia, must also give a mention to its successor ''TalesOfTheAbyss'', a game that I started playing (after a slow start) and then suddenly realized three weeks had gone by and I had experienced one of the wildest emotional roller-coaster rides ever. I sympathized (and, at times, empathized) with Luke the whole time. To this day, ''Abyss'' is one of my favorite Japanese [=RPG=]s.
*** This troper, while still not discounting the greatness of Symphonia or Abyss, needs to give a shout out to a lesser-known game between the two - ''TalesOfLegendia''. The brilliant story, coupled with brilliant characters, almost makes you look over the step back on the battle system and the [[LazyArtist lack of voicing in the second half of the game]].
** Same guy who promoted ''TalesOfTheAbyss'', now back to promote ''TalesOfVesperia'' (starting to think at some point we should just promote the ''entire'' TalesSeries). It's quite possibly the most well-made Tales game yet, with a whole slew of options for kicking your opponent's ass and the most comprehensive battle system in the series yet, allowing ''anyone'' to pull off spectacular feats. That's not even mentioning the well-told story with its fantastic English dub, or the fact that Yuri is quite simply one of the most awesome characters ever. It's the first, and so far only, Xbox 360 game for which I've gotten 1000/1000 [[CosmeticAward Achievement points]], and if the [=PS3=] version comes out in North America, I swear up and down I will buy the system just to play the game through again (well, and for ''VideoGame/{{inFamous}}'' and MetalGearSolid 4, but yeah).

* ''BatenKaitos Origins'' is nothing short of awesome. The visuals are just as good as the first game, if not ''better''. The character interactions are downright hilarious, especially when they involve Guillo, who is such a magnificent DeadpanSnarker that you can be assured there will be a CrowningMomentOfFunny ''every time Guillo speaks''. I can say without exaggeration that Guillo is better than [[TalesOfTheAbyss Jade Curtiss]], [[TalesOfSymphonia Tenebrae]], and [[{{Portal}} GLaDOS]] '''''COMBINED'''''. Speaking of speaking, the voice acting in that game is absolutely incredible, especially after the [[Horrible/VoiceActing voice acting in the first game]] had me expecting very little. And then there is the plot. It doesn't seem spectacular at first...[[WhamEpisode but then you get about two-thirds of the way through the game]] and "[[HolyShitQuotient NO FREAKIN' WAY!]]" To top it all off, the soundtrack is ''[[BeyondTheImpossible even better than the one its predecessor had]]''. Seriously. [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QXe7TKScGmc&fmt=18 Just]] [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gMIlxFS1LVc&fmt=18 listen]] [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iUMfjKX867k&fmt=18 to]] [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LfRJ-3tNnMc&fmt=18 a]] [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q6BQv8litzQ&fmt=18 mere]][[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PU5ekqBk1zE&fmt=18 fraction]] [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CmG3f3g-AN4&fmt=18 of]] [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yxCOV8DtYfs&fmt=18 it]].

** And how about that XanatosGambit? Holy shit, that's impressive. Master Li made Malak and Sovereign look like amateurs with that stunt.

* ''SonicColors''. Just... ''SonicColors''. Take the best aspects of the already-good ''SonicUnleashed'', remove the worst parts of it, and add in exploration elements from ''SonicTheHedgehogCD'' and a powerup gimmick system that actually ''improves'' the overall gameplay, a lighthearted story with a hilarious script penned by the writers of ''{{Reboot}}'' and ''HappyTreeFriends'' ''and'' good voice acting, and you'll have ''the'' best ''{{Sonic}}'' game since [[VideoGame/SonicTheHedgehog the]] [[SonicTheHedgehog2 Genesis]] [[SonicTheHedgehog3 titles.]]

* ''CaveStory'' proves that some of the best video games are free. Plus, you have to admire the five years of effort put into it and its development team consisting of just ''one person''.

* This dates back quite a while, but [[Tropers/DeathToSquishies this troper]] has always been fond of the original ''PerfectDark'' for the {{Nintendo 64}}. The music, the multiplayer, the weapons, the story, the levels, just about everything was as Perfect as the title would lead you to believe. It's just such a shame that it wasn't as widely acknowledged as {{Game/Goldeneye}}, and part of me thinks that it only became known because of the prequel released on the Xbox.