7. The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword
Wii (2011)
Nintendo EAD 3

I really cannot wait unitl the next mainline 3D Zelda game is announced so that The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword gets the love and credit it deserves (as the Zelda cycle states that the most recent Zelda game is given undue criticism while the Zelda before is loved in a brand new light). Skyward Sword is a more focused, back to basics entry to the franchise, offering a brand new look at combat and control while offering the best dungeons and boss battles in the entire series of legendary games. It also takes a more intimate look at the characters of Hyrule, giving us a Princess Zelda that wore the guise of childhood friend (or even more than that) instead of a stoic regal damsel in distress. Heck, Skyward Sword offered the best characterization (outside of perhaps Wind Waker Ganondorf) in the entire series (including... GROOSE!). There's so much that this game got right, with its fantastic art style and gameplay diversity... Skyward Sword separates itself from the rest of the franchise in the best ways possible. Kew kew kew...

6. Super Mario Galaxy
Wii (2007)
EAD Tokyo

5. The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time
Nintendo 64 (1998)
Nintendo EAD

The game that many consider to be the greatest achievement in gaming. Honestly, I can't disagree with that notion. It's accomplished so much and is a true example of greatness that is unique to our medium and no one elses. The silent protagonist that represents shoes that only the player can fill, revolutionary fighting mechanics that give each and every battle just as much ferocity as it does elegance. An epic quest full of diverse locations, huge monsters to destroy, unique items and weapons to master, and clever puzzles to figure out, a story full of smiles, tears, and plenty of surprises, and all of this in a living, breathing, 3D world to explore. In the end, Ocarina of Time means as much to me as it does any other player who's gaming life was changed because of this game. What more is there to say about it? In the end, the game is what it is: one of the greatest examples of this great medium that we love to engage in.

Metroid Prime

Ocarina of Time/Twilight Princess/Majora's Mask/Wind Waker

Super Mario Galaxy/Galaxy 2

Pokemon Gold/Silver

Halo 3

But yeah, it's a great list. ^_^

Hint for number four.  I prefer random encounters over visible enemies on the battlefield since in my opinion it's more balanced.  If you fight every monster on the battlefield you see, you might get overpowered depending on the game, if you dodge too much, you might be severely underpowered.  RPGs that use the random encounter system can be set up to be more balanced than otherwise, just have to tweak exp gain within the specific area.

Number four uses the best random encounter system ever in video games.  You've got a counter that allows you to avoid getting in a random encounter.  Once this counter hits 0, then you're forced into battle.  The more difficult the enemies, the more points it'll require to avoid.

Correct!

#9 - Metal Gear Solid 3 (Playstation 2)

 

After being disappointed by Metal Gear Solid 2, I wasn't quite sure what to expect with this game. Luckily, Kojima delivered on every front, with a game that was entirely different from its predecessor. The story wasn't convoluted and was powerful, the open jungle environments were beautiful and immersive, the gunplay, stealth and camera were improved and the new mechanics such as camoflauge, hunting and medical treatment added so much more to the game. You had no trouble telling which time period the game was set in either, with every little detail giving off a 60's vibe, from the old radio communications, to the soundtrack, to the discussions about the Cold War and 60's politics. Kresnik also pointed out that the game felt like an old James Bond movie, which I agree with and it makes me love the game all the more.

Yep, you got all 4 of them in there...somewhere.  You will have to wait and see which ones and in what order.

Oh, I loved this game.  It would have easily made it into my top 100.  I spent so much time racing and perfecting trick runs for some insane point totals.

And that character in the video was actually my favorite.

#05

'The Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening'

for the GameBoy released in 1993 as played on GameBoy Color.

One of the most underrated games of all time. 'Link's Awakening' is easily the best handheld game ever made. There is no contender and it's unlikely there ever will be. In it's time, and it's still just as impressive now, this game was out of this world as it's scope and the overall epic feeling this gives in it's elaborate story and the size content of the world put many home-console games to shame. Including it's brother on the Super Nintendo; 'A Link to the Past' (#45).

'Link's Awakening' shouldn't have been possible on a simple underpowered (even for it's time) system as the GameBoy. Yet it did magnificantly. There's even full-blown cutscenes. On a GameBoy. Which 'A Link to the Past' didn't even have. People also forget what innovations were made in this game that influenced all Zelda's to come. Besides cutscenes, this game was the first to have; a developing storyline, mini-bosses, usable musical instruments with different songs giving different effects, music used to signify a certain event or area, a guide character, a trading sequence sidequest, collectibles, true themed dungeons, mini dungeons that contain an item required for a main dungeon and last but not least, the fishing mini-game.

Above all though, the game also contains some of the series' best dungeons and bosses and has an intuitive set of items. Items could even be combined for clever effects. Also, the overworld in the game was one of the most elaborate ones yet, and is still one of the most fun ones to traverse. There is no flaw noticeable in the game and even though the original version gives you everything you would want, the colored version gives that much more. The game is solely responsible for the GameBoy Color still being my favorite handheld console, even if the 3DS has surpassed pretty much all other games.

#04 Hint:

Almost high enough to join the other games on the podium, this next game is equally underrated like 'Link's Awakening'. It's predecessor is mostly named one of the best games ever made, but I don't see it. Before release, the high-ups wanted this game to feature modern graphics like another game that was shorty released before, but a certain legendary game-designer stopped that idea and went with his own idea for the art-style instead. Rightly so.