Yeah that was a really nicely thought of hint.

The monochromatically-named Pokemon Black and White.

It's actually an easier clue than one would think, just because i used the same clue backwards for Black and White back at number 48. My clue for diamond and pearl was "ritzy-named games that introduced online play into their franchise."

#25. Donkey Kong Country (SNES, VC)

When Donkey Kong Country was release our ape friend wasn't the big star he used to be back in the old days but this game managed to change his status from has-been to certified icon. With arguably the best looking graphics found on a SNES game, DKC was also an incredible platformer both enjoyable and challenging.

The story is quite simple, DK's Banana Hoard had been stolen by the evil King K. Rool and his army of Kremlings. With the help of his pal Diddy Kong, DK sets out to recover his lost property (apparently in this universe bananas don't go bad after a week like at my house). DK also gets some help from members of his extended family, the most entertaining one being Cranky Kong who is in fact the old Donkey Kong from the earlier games who always brags about how things were in his time and how much better the current DK has it.

While getting through all the expertly designed levels with DK and Diddy is already a blast, the game also features animal buddies who help you out of your quest and bring variety to the gameplay. The game can be rough at times but it also is generous with extra lives thanks to the fact that most levels have at least one bonus room where you'll get a chance to earn an extra life or bananas. Looking for those bonus areas adds an extra layer to the game and is really fun to do (without looking at FAQs of course, they didn't exist at the time anyway). I've thrown myself into so many pits just because I thought there *might* be a bonus down there.

On a final note, Donkey Kong Country is a game I love to replay from time to time and I can't finish this post without mentionning that this game's music totally rocks!

Well since I missed that clue, I still get full points! ;)

#24 Hint: Arguably the most successful transition from 2D to 3D for a gaming series.

Mario 64. think that hint is here a few times :D I even used it before.... so maybe... it's a double bluff! dammit I change my guess to Earthworm Jim 64! by far the best in the series :<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<

While I love love love Mario 64 (more on that as the list progresses), I believe 3D Mario and 2D Mario to be very different from one another. The game I'm thinking about managed to keep the spirit of the 2D games through the transition.

Ocarina of Time?

Nope.

Time to guess the third "How did Nintendo do this?!" 2D to 3D game: Metroid Prime.