#38: No.

#37: Yes!

Hmmm, Punch-Out?

Nope, notice that I use both the terms franchise and series in the hint. There's a reason for that.

Gah! Metroid Prime 3!

You got it!

Hm. Haven't had time to post here in a while. I guess I'll compensate for that with this tower of text.

My #39 was the original Super Mario Bros. (P+CH = Peach) and #38 was Mega Man 3 (definitely the hardest boss in the series). I will forever maintain my stance that Mega Man 3 has the absolute best soundtrack in the numerical series and on the NES, and no amount of repetitive Dr. Wily Stage 1/2 guitar remixes is going to change that.

Since I don't have clues for my #37 and #36, I guess I'll use this post to talk about some games that I haven't played, but would probably make the list if I had, based on what I've seen and heard of them.

• Metroid Fusion - Despite it's linear structure and, from what I've heard, hefty amounts of monologues and conversations with a computer, playing, looking and sounding like Super Metroid is like an instant ticket to my top 50.
• Democracy 3 - As utterly unexciting as the screen that you're primarily going to be looking at looks, I've seen some quite entertaining LP's of this game. Who doesn't want to fuck up some of the world's greatest nations in their own specific way?
• TES: Skyrim - I haven't really ever played a massive single-player fantasy WRPG. I feel like that's a significant deficiency in my gaming résumé.
• Guild Wars 2 - Only reason I haven't bought this game yet is that I don't think I can afford being sucked into an MMORPG right now, what with the schoolwork and a backlog and a social life of sorts to maintain.
• Mount & Blade: Warband - Offers more freedom and replay value than most games out there, without a twelth of their budgets. Looks great in every way (except, well, literally).

It seems like I'm drifting towards becoming a PC gamer worryingly quickly. Seven months ago I didn't even have a Steam account.

39 - Pokémon X/Y (Guessed by Mr Khan)

Pokémon X/Y was the Pokémon I needed, but not the one I was ready to play for yet. What this game presented was massive to me. Having so many ways to complete the game after Black/White proved to be a big plus for this title.

The introduction to the fairy type was a welcome addition to the series and is the PSS feature which really boosts the replayability for this game. Sadly, while I had very much fun with this game there was something that hindered me from picking it up again. I haven't felt the magic yet, but I know its there. This game simply deserves to be here for the positive changes in gameplay, 3D world, 2nd best OST in the series, combinations to complete the game. This game has it all, but I was just not ready for it.

39. Donkey Kong Country Returns
Wii (2010)
Retro Studios

By the time Retro Studios finished Metroid Prime 3: Corruption in 2007 (and completed the trilogy), the studio was regarded as one of the most talented developers in gaming. But the question remained, what could they do to continue their winning streak? Well, the answer came with the sound of bongos and bananas back in E3 2010. Donkey Kong was back to reclaim his country after a 14 year hiatus, and Retro Studios was at the helm. Still, folks were curious whether they could transition genres so easily and retain the genius that Rare infused in the series all those years ago. Well, when the game landed, all doubts were quickly erased as we were treated to some of the best platforming in the entire genre. The difficulty was classic Donkey Kong Country (always tough, but always fair) and the game was quality through and through. I for one, cannot wait for Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze. It shall be glorious!

38. New Super Mario Bros. Wii
Wii (2009)
Nintendo EAD 4

By the time New Super Mario Bros. Wii came on the scene in 2009, fans were already delighted with 2D Mario goodness thanks to New Super Mario Bros. on the DS. However, for 2D Mario to truly return to prominence, he would have to return to where he truly belonged: console gaming. 18 years had passed since Super Mario World on the SNES, and fans were frothing for classic Mario platforming on the big screen. Well thankfully New Super Mario Bros. didn't disappoint, and it even brought us plenty of surprises to go along with the fun. First of all, the addition of local multiplayer was a genius move on their part, allowing for hectic and crazy 4 player fun (it was never pretty, but it was always fun). They also brought in some fantastic new powerups in the Propeller Suit and the Penguin Suit (personal favorite!). Not only that, but the Koopa Kids finally returned to stand in Mario's way. Ludwig Von Koopa finally got the spotlight he deserved. All in all, New Super Mario Bros. Wii was a return to form for the 2D stage, and showed us all that 2D will never go out of style as long as the game is great.

My #36 started out on Gamecube and was so critically acclaimed that it moved to pretty much every other console.