Your actual top 10/20/25/50/100/200 games - have you ever?

Maybe I’ll update my own top 25 soon, but whatever shape that takes I’d definitely say that they’ll all be returnable-to. Fair enough, I’ve not played the likes of Breath of the Wild or Wii Sports in years (and Bishi Bashi Special or Sonic 3 & Knuckles for possibly over a decade), but I know I’m not finished with them. Chances are that I’ll still love them when I eventually go back – they’re clearly all-timers.

I guess I might replay BotW in 10 years, but probably only when Nintendo remaster it. It'll be a good while, that's for sure.

gjones wrote:

I'm probably overthinking this whole process...

Please continue to do so! Without the sort of 'overthinking' you're doing, these threads just become 'wut no BotW you're insane'. I like this chat!

gjones wrote:

That's interesting, as I guess if you rarely replay games then the list would skew heavily towards first impressions. Are there any titles you've given a second chance to and they then found their way onto your list? Ironically, Breath of the Wild may be that for me, as I bounced off of it when I played it in 2017 but would like to give it another chance.

...I don't think so. I think every other replaying scenario's covered though! (On my Switch top 25, Yoku's Island Express and Tales of Vesperia would both qualify.)

There are definitely games there that have dropped out of my top 25 thanks to replaying. SM64's the main one: it was my top game of all time when we began this thread. Then I went back and played it on Wii (U?) VC, realised how badly it had aged (especially the camera and visuals), and dropped it all the way out of the list. Likewise, there are games that have risen, and fallen, inside the list on a replay: Ghost Trick took a step up when I replayed it and was pleasantly surprised how well it had held up; and Okami's slowness was revealed to me when I came back to it on Switch. Finally, Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga would definitely have made my top 25 on release; then i got bored of the later Mario & Luigis, presumed I'd feel likewise about M&LSS upon replay due to shared DNA, skills etc., and dropped it; then finally I replayed it on 3DS, realised that it was by far the best in the series (bog off Bowser's Inside Story, you and your 2D platformy bits), and put it back up again!

I think first impressions are the correct way for me to measure most games though. There's a sense of magic for me on playing a great new game that just can't be recaptured, but that should absolutely be taken into account.

Balladeer wrote:

There are definitely games there that have dropped out of my top 25 thanks to replaying.  SM64's the main one: it was my top game of all time when we began this thread. Then I went back and played it on Wii (U?) VC, realised how badly it had aged (especially the camera and visuals), and dropped it all the way out of the list.  

I completely understand this. For years, Shenmue was my favourite game of all time but having replayed it in 2018, I could see its shortcomings more and it dropped to the bottom of the list. But that is one of those games that had that magic you talk about. If I had first played it in 2018, it wouldn't be anywhere near the list, but playing it when it was new and ahead of the curve, it's something you don't forget. I have similar feelings about GTA3, another favourite, but not a great game to play today.

Balladeer wrote:

I think first impressions are the correct way for me to measure most games though.  There's a sense of magic for me on playing a great new game that just can't be recaptured, but that should absolutely be taken into account.

The games you listed all seem to have that magic, that sense of whimsy and wonder, and a great sense of place. Somewhere that puts a smile on your face. That feeling probably remains but it's the controls and gameplay mechanics that start chipping away at that memory. I could almost have a 25 Favourite Games (Milk Edition) and a 25 Favourite Games (Cheese Edition) where the former are immense at the time, but age badly (ie. Goldeneye) and the latter are great 8/10 games at the time, but become 9/10 or 10/10 when you realise they still provide the same experience years later (ie. Metal Slug). I guess the cream of the crop would appear on both lists. I've really milked this metaphor. How dairy.

I know you commented on the Pod of War Top 25 video, and I mainly went with the list I've got on here which is story based single player heavy, how do you balance that compared to multiplayer like I've not played Overwatch for ages that it's out of my top games but when I was playing it would have easily been in my Top 10.

That lots of other variables like I've got The Last of Us Part II rather high is that because I played it last year and still fresh in my memory? Then I haven't got Streets of Rage 2 on my list, yet I could easily justify it due to nostalgia. Balla brings ups SM64 which I still have in my list as I still think it's great and what it did for gaming is huge like if we were still doing the vault it would have to be in it.

Look, lads, I was going to correct you all and post the best list, but I already smashed it 3 years ago, well done me

No Yakuza in last 3 years make it???

Swapping 6 in for 0 is a possibility, but I only did one game per series innit. I'd also probably swap Tetris Party for Tetris Effect, but the tweaks are so minor that it's good enough.

masofdas wrote:

That lots of other variables like I've got The Last of Us Part II rather high is that because I played it last year and still fresh in my memory? Then I haven't got Streets of Rage 2 on my list, yet I could easily justify it due to nostalgia. Balla brings ups SM64 which I still have in my list as I still think it's great and what it did for gaming is huge like if we were still doing the vault it would have to be in it.  

Sure, there are lots of ways of grouping them!  I think I'd be quite rare in that nostalgia doesn't have as much of an effect for me - I'm not saying no effect, in fact I do wonder if Metroid Prime is still there for just that reason, but I feel like most people doing this would fill the top ten with (good) games that meant a lot to them from a personal nostalgic level, possibly over 'objectively' better more recent games.

gjones wrote:

The games you listed all seem to have that magic, that sense of whimsy and wonder, and a great sense of place. Somewhere that puts a smile on your face. That feeling probably remains but it's the controls and gameplay mechanics that start chipping away at that memory. I could almost have a 25 Favourite Games (Milk Edition) and a 25 Favourite Games (Cheese Edition) where the former are immense at the time, but age badly (ie. Goldeneye) and the latter are great 8/10 games at the time, but become 9/10 or 10/10 when you realise they still provide the same experience years later (ie. Metal Slug).

The sense of place is definitely a big thing for me.  Regarding milk and cheese, the one game in my top few that I'm concerned is a milk game, as mentioned above, is Metroid Prime.  I loved it, but I played it with a walkthrough when I had much more time.  I'm looking forward to, but also slightly dreading, replaying that one when it comes to Switch.  I think all my games are milk games apart from M&LSS though!

gjones wrote:

I guess the cream of the crop would appear on both lists. I've really milked this metaphor. How dairy.

I don't know why I'm doing this, y'all got better things to read, but: wow this was 8 years ago! OK, hopefully lots of new brilliant games have taken over? Yeah? Oh

Neep freep beep:

That's a very strong list, helped by the fact that the main player is the best gaming series out there, I feel my list would look quite similar if I ever get around to making one.

I love the formatting as well! Makes my list (back on page nine) look like the ugly bastard it is although at least my list doesn't have LttP in the top five. Nice to see Odyssey up there, but what made Super Paper Mario take the leap in your esteem?

My list on page 9 still doesn't deserve an update. NEO TWEWY would be there and that's all that's materially changed. Maybe I'd swap Bravely Second out? Much though I love it, I'm not sure it deserves to be in there over Wind Waker apart from to irk half the forum.

Balladeer wrote:

but what made Super Paper Mario take the leap in your esteem?

I dunno, probably 3 things

1. I really like how subversive it is, and deliberately plays around with the "rules" - even more so than Paper Mario The Thousand Year Door (not far behind at #22)
   
2. I've probably forgotten some of the tedious bits of the game
   
3. I've spent a year ranking all 776 videogames I recall playing in my 39.5 years, so there's probably some wonkiness

More importantly though: Repton 3, down 9 places to #14?

Didn't realise you're such a big Zelda fan, like I know Buska is for instance, just shams about where two are placed.

Also how did you remember playing 776 games, I couldn't even remember what I played between two podcasts.

Jimbob wrote:

Balladeer wrote:

but what made Super Paper Mario take the leap in your esteem?

I dunno, probably 3 things

1. I really like how subversive it is, and deliberately plays around with the "rules" - even more so than Paper Mario The Thousand Year Door (not far behind at #22)
   
2. I've probably forgotten some of the tedious bits of the game
   
3. I've spent a year ranking all 776 videogames I recall playing in my 39.5 years, so there's probably some wonkiness
   

Delighted to see someone give SPM the RESPECT it deserves.

Friendship ended with BALLADEER
Now
JIMBOB
is my
best friend

masofdas wrote:

Also how did you remember playing 776 games, I couldn't even remember what I played between two podcasts.

I like the idea of ranking everything I've played, just to identify gaps or what should be given another chance. Would love to see the rest of the list.

I really like Super Paper Mario, an underrated game, or perhaps underappreciated is the word. It seemed to review well yet has an odd reputation. With half the list being Zelda and Mario, I have to ask, where is Galaxy? Or, more politely, what are your thoughts on it?

I'm with Jim in Odyssey over Galaxy (although not in 64 over either - too old, sadly ). Just depends what you want from a Mario game I guess, exploration or spectacle.

Ranking every game I've ever played... goodness me no. I'd be here for days and I'd still forget something.

Rum wrote:

Friendship ended with BALLADEER
Now
JIMBOB
is my
best friend

But he doesn't even have TTYD in his top 20! You can't unfriend me with the Mudasir meme! That's such a good meme!

I actually have pretty fond memories of SPM too - it still had levelling up so there was a point to the combat, and it still had new character designs, even if several of them were really quite bad. Did lots of interesting things too, and the flipping mechanic was great when they remember it existed (not you 4-1, you're not welcome here). It would be nowhere near my top twenty - apart from anything else it subverts gaming tropes by doing them, in something Jimbob claims he hates but has now tolerated in this and West of Loathing - but it's probably in the 8/10 range!

The idea of ranking every game you've ever played fascinates me. I don't think I've got the memory or judgement to rank all the games I played in 2021.

I think I’ve got a Top 25 list a few pages back, maybe from about this time four/five years ago. Apart from swapping out the older Animal Crossing for the new one, I don’t think it would look too much different. The best games I’ve played in the last few years are Chrono Trigger, Ninja Cop and Horizon Chase Turbo, but I’m not sure if they’d quite squeak into my top 25.

Jimbob, I've always respected you and seeing Earthbound in your top 10 proves I was right to never doubt you. A hero amongst men.

All I remember of Earthbound are the awful nondescript first few dungeons.

Balladeer, I used to respect you and seeing your false Earthbound take proves I was right to doubt you. A villain amongst men.

I've upset Earthbound and Pokémon fans so far, I'm aiming to get through all the Nintendo JRPGs by the end of February.

Don't mention Fire Emblem

masofdas wrote:

Didn't realise you're such a big Zelda fan, like I know Buska is for instance, just shams about where two are placed.

Blimey, really. But don't declare my list a sham  

masofdas wrote:

Also how did you remember playing 776 games, I couldn't even remember what I played between two podcasts.

I started filling stuff into Backloggery. That took bloody ages. And this list's taken me like a year on-and-off. I'unno it seemed important or something. I almost definitely have forgotten a lot of stuff as well. I also have several hundred things (thanks charity bundles on itch.io) that I've never touched.

gjones wrote:

I really like Super Paper Mario, an underrated game, or perhaps underappreciated is the word. It seemed to review well yet has an odd reputation. With half the list being Zelda and Mario, I have to ask, where is Galaxy? Or, more politely, what are your thoughts on it?

It's at #40. Which seems low, but I've played a lot of videogames, and have a lot of nostalgia for certain things - like the top 100 I would drop everything and play again. Galaxy is still excellent, and the Switch version moves it up quite a few places.

Balladeer wrote:

I'm with Jim in Odyssey over Galaxy (although not in 64 over either - too old, sadly ).  Just depends what you want from a Mario game I guess, exploration or spectacle.

JayMoyles wrote:

Jimbob, I've always respected you and seeing Earthbound in your top 10 proves I was right to never doubt you. A hero amongst men.

Now I'm just collecting praise for my own ego.

Balladeer wrote:

apart from anything else it subverts gaming tropes by doing them, in something Jimbob claims he hates but has now tolerated in this and West of Loathing

Clarifcation: I hate it when a game points out something is bad and makes you do it. But Super Paper Mario makes things silly, so gets a bit of a pass. And I haven't played it for ages. and West of Loathing doesn't do anything really tedious.

gjones wrote:

I like the idea of ranking everything I've played, just to identify gaps or what should be given another chance. Would love to see the rest of the list.

DON'T TEMPT ME FRODO

Athrunian Proportians incoming:

Just saw #631 on there! This is no offence to OrangeRakoon, it's only so low down as it was a smaller experience, and something of an experiment on his part I assume.

EDIT: Wait, where's Heavy Rain? And that would make it 777! Hold on
EDIT2: Ah, found the duplicate - I bet I pressed Ctrl+D. I've only used Excel professionally for 20 years now

Wouldn't these be the 10 worst?

767 Sammy the Suricate in Lion Land
768 Dream
769 Altered Beast
770 Dragon's Lair
771 Action Girlz Racing
772 Baron
773 Adventure
774 Night Strike
775 Knightmare
776 Bridge-It

So no Heavy Rain, also harsh on Adventure surley.

masofdas wrote:

Wouldn't these be the 10 worst?

767 Sammy the Suricate in Lion Land
768 Dream
769 Altered Beast
770 Dragon's Lair
771 Action Girlz Racing
772 Baron
773 Adventure
774 Night Strike
775 Knightmare
776 Bridge-It

So no Heavy Rain, also harsh on Adventure surley.

Jimbob wrote:

The 10 worst games I have ever played* are:

*that were made after 1989. Having grown up on crappy 8 bit computers, there were a lot of terrible pieces of software committed to cartridge - or tape - in the Wild West days before Japan demonstrated that these things were supposed to be fun.

That there Adventure isn't the famous-for-easter-egg Adventure on the Atari 2600 (which is very old but definitely charming); it's the Acorn Electron text adventure which is supposed to be a copy of Colossal Cave Adventure (which actually isn't the Atari game a "proper game" version of that?").

EDIT: Likewise, Dragon's Lair is the Amstrad CPC version, not the original Laserdisc arcade game