Chrono Trigger?

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   The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time

   System: Nintendo 64, Nintendo GameCube, Nintendo 3DS
   Genre: Adventure
   Year: 1998
   Rank last year: 1 (=)

 And there we have it. All 50 best games of all time have been features, to end with the best game of them all; The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time. To me, this game is as close to perfect as it could be. For all intends and purposes, it's perfection and there ever was a series that made a decent enough transition from 2D to 3D, it's this and it showed how it should be done.

The legendary game comes with a legendary story, about a boy who is destined for greatness, even if he doesn't know it himself. Set out on a quest by a young Princess Zelda too rashly, he unwillingly dooms the land of Hyrule to servitude under the evil thief Ganondorf. The villain has devised a devious plan to accomplish this, by seizing the legendary Triforce when Zelda allows the Hero access to the Chamber of the Master Sword which sends him into hybernation only to wake up seven years later when Ganondorf had enough time to make his moves. The moment anyone draws the Master Sword for the first time is surely one of the most epic moments in gaming history.

This game is an adventure from start to end. It is the embodyment of the genre, some would even say this game created the (modern version of) the genre. Even though it was already a very ambitious game for it's time, and content-wise it still doesn't look bad compared to new games, it was supposed to be even bigger. The 64DD add-on was supposed to be the main platform for the game, which would have made more dungeons possible and it was supposed to include a world that evolved as the game progressed. Crates would stay wrecked, footprints would stay in the snow. Maybe now when the next game releases, seventeen years later, we'll finally see such immersion. Ocarina is already great at this though, when you realise you've been playing for half a day. It has a kind of magic that just sucks you in. It's a mutual feeling because when the game ends, it still won't let go. After an 8 minute celebration, the only way to remove the line "The End" from the screen, is to reset the console. Something you don't really want to do.

Happy New Years Eve everyone! It's been a crazy 50 days, and yet here we are. ^_^

#1 - Chrono Trigger

Never has a RPG had so much charm. Chrono Trigger has a relatively small cast but all characters are endearing, the battle system favors mixing things up with each character interacting differently depending on their teammates thanks to the creative double and triple techs. The story is time-travel done so damn well, each of your action in different time eras has repercussions in the later time frames, there's also neat features like leaving a chest unopen in the past to get to open it twice, the end-game is full of time hoping side-quests where you can change the lives of many people for the better (and get sweet items too!). The soundtrack is absolutely perfect with themes for every character and background music that fits every strange location/time you find yourself in. Last but not least there's the New Game + option that allows you to go through the game again with all your inventory and levels which in turn allows you to beat the last boss at pretty much any point in the game with very entertaining and funny alternate endings (I think there are 16 total).  This game is a total delight!

1. Super Mario Galaxy 2
Wii (2010)
EAD Tokyo

Super Mario Galaxy 2 is the greatest game of all time.

...

What? You were expecting more? Well fine, take a seat and let ol' Smeagsy remind you of what an astonishing gaming feat Super Mario Galaxy 2 is. The original Galaxy was a breath of fresh air. A reminder of why I played video games and the immense joy one could have with a controller in one's hand. Super Mario Galaxy 2, on the other hand, is that joy tempered to perfection. That unbridled creativity forged to focused, tempered gameplay genius. Where every world offered something unique and celebrated that uniqueness with such passion and joy that it was impossible not to have a smile on my face for the entire duration of the game. The music, the graphics, the aformentioned tried and oh so true gameplay... it all came together to show us that this medium can achieve so much when you aim for the stars.

So here's to you Super Mario Galaxy 2, and everything you've given to this lowly gamer. Cheers indeed. *raises goblet*

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Carl

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Not much to say about this game that hasn't already been said elsewhere.  Flawless execution all around.  One of the best developers of all time involved with it.  One of the best examples of level design, any genre.  Amazing both ambiant and heart pounding soundtrack and sound effects.  Inspired an entire genre that has steadily become one if not the most popular.  So unaffected by time, that as years pass it becomes more and more fun the more times you play it.  Has a new iteration that has been 10 years awaited which I have stated several times, if it sucks I might quit gaming and sell all my gear!  HAHA  

The often imitated but never duplicated #1:

Happy New Year's Eve, Smeags!

I can't believe it's been 50 days already. This has been a blast