#18: The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess (Wii)
Release Date: November 19, 2006
Last Year: #18
When Miyamoto came out with that Master Sword... the video game world as we knew it had become something infinitely more awesome. The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess had come into the world, and it was everything we always wanted. Fast forward two years later and we finally got to play Link's next adventure. What's there to say about it really? It's another stellar Zelda game with fantastic dungeons, a huge overworld ripe for exploration, awesome new tools for Link to use (double clawshots!), and a great story that once again had the wielders of the Triforce change the course of Hyrule forever (punctuated by twists and turns and all that jazz). The game introduced us to Midna, my favorite Zelda sidekick, as well as reintroduced us to everyone's favorite horse Epona (and horseback combat!). Some may say that Twilight Princess' reliance on Ocarina of Time allows for it to be overshadowed by the same game, but I see another amazing adventure, worthy to be mentioned with the other Zelda greats.
Favorite Temple: Arbiter's Grounds
The Final Ending Sequence: Still gives me goosebumps
#17: Okami (Wii)
Release Date: April 15, 2008
Last Year: #20
If you've happened to stumble upon my ramblings, then let's start off on a good note by listening to this. I love the Action/Adventure genre, and Okami is one of the many reasons why. No other genre in the world of video games has such an affect to bring out the adventurer in all of us. I knew Okami would be something else the moment I entered Shinshu Fields and started running around. Once Amaterasu gets to full speed, with the wood-brush style world in front of her and lush flora spawning behind her... well there's just something about it that I can't really put into words. Luckily the rest of the game was just as awe inspiring as those first moments... and Okami became an instant classic. Games like this one are rare, for Okami is just as fresh in my mind as the first day I played it... and I know that I'm a better gamer for playing this gem.
Favorite Boss: Nechku and Lechku
Simple Pleasure: Restoring Cherry Blossoms
#16: Banjo-Kazooie (Nintendo 64)
Release Date: May 31, 1998
Last Year: #17
I'm not really sure where to start with Banjo-Kazooie. I mean, the game is already great by the time you hit the title screen (thanks to the gang rocking out the Banjo theme)... and from there it only gets better. 3D did an interesting thing to many platformers during the 5th Generation: they added many elements of the Action/Adventure genre... creating a game with equal parts platforming and exploration, and Banjo-Kazooie is one of the finest examples of this Platformer/Adventure hybrid. Expansive and diverse worlds filled to the brim with content (which always encouraged exploration), an always expanding roster of moves for the bear/bird duo to take advantage of, witty dialogue and humor, and plenty of action that kept things refreshing made this game stand on its own despite the massive shadow that Super Mario 64 presented. Yep, Banjo-Kazooie was somethings special then... and it still is now.
Favorite World: Mad Monster Mansion
Favorite Transformation: Bee (Click Clock Wood)
