Number Three

Super Mario Galaxy
Wii(2007)
Nintendo
3D Platformer

What can I say about Super Mario Galaxy that hasn't already been said before?  It is the greatest 3D platformer ever.  Period.

This game grabbed me and didn't let go until I had collected all 120 stars.  And now I get to play it all over again with Luigi?  Thank you very much!  Two hundred and forty-two stars later I was at the end of one of the greatest gaming experiences of my life.  I was actually sad it was all over.  I guess I can always play it again later.  And there is the sequel too!

For those who don't know, in this game Mario's adventure takes him into outer space.  Most levels consist of small planets that you can run completely around.  This allows for crazy gravity effects that can create some truly mind-blowing jumps.  Add in stars that launch you across the galaxy, pointer controls to help Mario float through space avoiding obstacles, some massive boss fights, and even a few levels with tilt control rides and you have platforming gold.

If you like platformers at all, you need to give this game a try.

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@KupoMogli

Sorry for the late reply. But yeah, I'll try to do much more than just a top ____ list. I'll try to compile information such as top games per consoles, generations, genres, etc. to have a end all be all list for us to cheer about.

Well me answering 1 feels like cheating, lol.

6. is Human Revolution

7. Silent Hill?

8. Company of Heroes?

3. Zelda: OoT?

#03

'Super Mario 64'

for the Nintendo 64 released in 1997.

The Bronze trophy and thus the first contender to step onto the podium of gaming-honour is 'Super Mario 64'. Over a year after the best 2D Platformer came the best 3D Platformer. The Nintendo 64 was released half-a-year later in 1997 in Europe, but rumours of this game had reached our shores. Arguably, this game had the most impressive first-impression of any game ever in the history of gaming both past and present. The 3D opened all our eyes and we owe basically everything in gaming today to this stellar game.

It already began at the title screen. When switching on the Nintendo 64, Mario fully 3D-fied face storms onto the screen. Maybe the strongest opening for any game, and the face could even be molded into funny things. Hours of fun right there. Luckily though, the game itself did not disappoint. What was perfect about the 2D gameplay in 'Yoshi's Island' (#4) is still perfect in 'Super Mario 64'. The game is probably mentioned in the dictionary under the entry for 'bullseye'. With their first shot, Nintendo perfected the genre. Still to this day, a lot of games should take this game as an example.

Where 3D Platforming is all perfect, with many large, original levels with many secrets and elaborate themes and challenging objectives that's addictive until the very end, the game is best in it's control department. It can't be any better. The controller for the Nintendo 64 was made solely for this game, and it shows. The 2005 DS-remake adds a lot of interesting things, but it becomes painfully obvious that the strange-looking N64 controller was actually the best one ever invented.

#02 Hint:

Maybe the perfect story for this (mainly) movie-based franchise. Story is where the game shines the most, and the mid-game 'revelation' is probably the best twist in a story to ever be done in a video-game. How could I not see?

4. Super Mario World
Super Nintendo (1991)
Nintendo EAD

Super Mario World was the first game to make me envious of those who had a Super Nintendo over a Sega Genesis. Colorful visuals, a huge world meant to be explored (compared to the Sonic games, it was massive), endless wonders of design and ideas, scary houses, menacing castles, hungry dinosaurs, and evil turtles. This was a game that spawned hours upon hours of joy, a simple game with simple mechanics, but its heart was worn right on its sleeve. Super Mario World is a marvel of video game ingenuity, and a reminder of what this medium is all about. Yeah, Super Mario World made me jealous but in the end...

3. Sonic the Hedgehog 2
Sega Genesis (1992)
Sonic Team

...Sonic still knows how to take the crown. Sonic the Hedgehog 2 is a gem of a game. Perfection of a road it alone has traveled. Adding gameplay tweaks to ensure the game feels perfect, pitch perfect level design to house the blue blur, fantastic colorful graphics, amazing music, and amazing pacing that sweeps you to Oil Fields, Ancient Ruins, and Outer Space. It's a simple game that uses that simplicity to its advantage, mastering everything it wants to accomplish with utmost perfect. What else is there to say? Sonic the Hedgehog 2 is a childhood dream that holds up to this very day. I wonder if he'll ever be topped at his own game.

Hint for #3:

The developer hated the sub-title, but the publisher insisted upon it.

Huh, I had no idea. Makes sense now that you look at the rest of the franchise though.

I was going to say Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars. Way off.

#3. Super Mario RPG: The Legend of the Seven Stars

My first RPG, and my favorite Squaresoft game. What can I say about it that hasn't already been said? Good characters, unique combat, and an unusual emphasis on platforming go a long way to elevate SMRPG among its admittedly deeper peers. It's style and sense of humor informed not one, but two offspring Mario RPG series, each with their own masterpieces which have already graced my list.

Actually, as far as I'm concerned, SMRPG is the finest game to be released before the year 2000. Now that's something to think about.

3. Final Fantasy IX (3)

This is hands down my favorite Final Fantasy game, largely because it goes back flawlessly to the roots of the series.  Indeed, part of the allure of this game was the story (my favorite), set not in a futuristic setting but instead the standard fantasy medieval setting.  There is plenty of lore, backstory, and allusions to previous games that will make you smile if you've played previous games.  The combat is good with a four player lineup and simplistic trance system.  More interestingly is how equipment and skills work together in character development.  Using your weapons to master new skills you can use and then deciding upon a limited amount of points worth of skills to keep active makes you put some thought into how you build your characters within their designated classes and allows you to adapt your builds to the type of combat you are enduring.  In addition, there are plenty of minigame opportunities between the tetramaster card game, moogle mail, and chocobo content.  Chocobo hot and cold remains my favorite Final Fantasy minigame to date.  The music in this game is also exquisite with songs like Vamo' Alla Flamenco and Melodies of Life.