My Top 115 Favorite Video Games (115-111)

I regret to inform you that The Stock Pot Inn will be closing its doors effective immediately…

…after one last gigantic game list that is! I’m not deleting this blog, but I don’t plan on posting here anymore. While The Stock Pot Inn has provided me with some good experience reviewing and writing about games, the amount of effort I put into each post is far too disproportionate to the people seemingly reading for me to continue to put so much time into writing here. I don’t plan to quit writing about or discussing video games though; I’d simply like to look into new avenues that will help me reach a wider audience. This may even include starting a new blog at some point, but for now I’d just like to move on from this one. I sincerely thank everyone who has taken the time to read anything that I’ve written here over the years. But hey, I thought, since I’m pretty close to 100 posts, why not have one last hurrah before I bid Blogger adieu?

That’s what this list mainly is. It’s a celebration of video games and my love for them, which is really what I began this blog to do. I can’t think of a better way to send off The Stock Pot Inn.

To this end, I’ve decided to highlight 115 particularly special games in an effort to catalog my thoughts and feelings from over the course of my 25 or so years of interactive experiences. This is sort of an update on my old “favorite games” lists from 2012 and 2013, but it’s mainly a way for me to reminisce and try to make sense of my love for games, as well as recommend some great games you may not have played. While I did make an attempt to number these according to a mix of how special they are to me and simply how much I like them, please keep in mind that comparing and contrasting so many disparate experiences is basically an impossible task. While the ordering generally reflects where these titles currently fall in my estimation, the numbering isn’t too important and many of these games are basically tied. The purpose here is not really to pit the games against each other but to celebrate them all and my experiences with them. Also keep in mind that this isn’t “the only 115 games I like” but rather the 115 that are probably the most special to me. Probably. Choosing the games was tough and many games that I'm also fond of were unfortunately left out. This isn’t in any way definitive and my feelings are always subject to change, of course.

Since I want to recommend games as much as discuss them, I will be trying my best to avoid what I would consider to be major spoilers. That said, if I feel I must include some spoilers that I deem might be detrimental to know before experiencing a game yourself, I’ll put a warning before that game’s blurb. Still, read at your own caution if you absolutely don’t want to know a single thing about any given game.

Just like my 2013 list, the games are labeled according to the first platform that they appeared on to the best of my knowledge. In the case of simultaneous multi-platform releases, I labeled the game with the platform that I first played it on (or the only one that I played it on).

Each post will contain five games until I get to the top ten, which will be split into one post of the first seven games and a final post about the top three. I plan on posting these just about daily, so I hope you enjoy checking out my picks and that you reminisce about your own fond memories with games along the way. Without further prattling, here are 115 video games that have shaped my love for the medium. Please enjoy!

115. Xenogears (PS1) 

I debated whether I should include Xenogears on this list as I’ve never actually played it myself. I experienced most of the game vicariously from over my older brother’s shoulder at the tender young age of ten or eleven, and I like to think of it as the “best game I’ve never played”. Most of the game’s heavy-handed narrative went right over my head back then, but I still have fondly nostalgic memories of the game’s world, characters, soundtrack, and battles involving gigantic robots known as “gears”. Though secondhand, Xenogears was technically my first experience with a proper JRPG (only having played the original Pokemon around the same time) and it completely enthralled me with an adventure beyond imagination full of wondrous and fantastical locales. I still think back to it on occasion and have frequently referenced it in my memory while playing through just about every JRPG I’ve experienced since.

114. Ecco the Dolphin (Genesis)

Ecco the Dolphin is strange. Yes, the game itself, which involves a time-traveling dolphin on a quest to save his family from a horrific fate, is of course quite strange, but what I actually mean is that my relationship with it is strange. It’s not a game I enjoy playing, not only because it is so difficult that I can’t even make it past the first level without using a level select code, but also because I’m downright terrified by it. This said, it’s a game that I have an incredible amount of respect and admiration for. I’m fascinated by Ecco. It’s haunting and eerie and totally unique and unforgettable. Ecco is a work of art in every way and it’s something that I can potently feel even when I actively avoid exposing myself to it as much as I can.

113. Super Mario Bros. 2 (NES)

Super Mario Bros. 2 has a unique atmosphere and sense of mystery and intrigue about it. It contains perhaps my favorite overworld theme (and one of my favorite OSTs in general) of the classic Super Mario games and I also really dig the game’s whole premise and its ending. Super Mario 2 would probably be one of my favorite Mario games if it wasn’t for two big problems: it controls like a wet bar of soap and its level design is often a tedious and awkwardly-designed bore (gotta love those sand digging sections). These issues unfortunately make most of my playthroughs of the game deteriorate into frustration and hair-pulling by the end…until that magical credits theme starts and I can’t help but smile and think, “hey, Super Mario 2 ain’t so bad”. In fact, it’s pretty darn special.

112. Xenoblade Chronicles X (Wii U)

The definition of a love/hate relationship, Xenoblade X (my review here) wowed me its vast open world full of awe-inspiring sights and moments of unparalleled scale and frustrated me with its overwhelming nature and a bunch of problems that threatened to ruin my good time like a flock of mosquitoes that show up on your vacation in paradise. From sprawling plains filled with gigantic stalks of coral and roaming hammer-headed brontosaurus creatures to particle-filled luminescent jungles and glowing bonsai gardens to the indescribable Sylvalum, the alien planet of Mira is a treat to discover. There is also a wonderful sense of progression to the way X rolls out its great sense of freedom, perhaps the greatest of any game I’ve played: first you are free to go anywhere by foot, then via giant robot, then via flying giant robot. Despite its wonders, however, X is host to a variety of issues both large and small: the soundtrack can range from hauntingly beautiful to ear-tearingly irritating, inexplicable glitches led to the game freezing and crashing for me, the game is simply colossally overwhelming and offers little instruction outside of a gigantic electronic manual that I had to study like I was actually training to get my giant robot license, the game’s text was designed for ants…I could go on. Despite it all though, Xenoblade X is a memorable experience that is survived by its best aspects and the more time goes on, the more I hold fondly the time I spent adventuring with Sara and her crew throughout the alien landscapes of the planet Mira.

111. Soulcalibur II (GameCube)

I’m not that huge on fighting games, but there is a certain quality about them that I’ve always admired. I’ve traditionally enjoyed fighting games with a wealth of single-player options and some kind of narrative to play through with a bunch of wacky characters.  I know I just described quite a lot of fighting games, but what sets the Soulcalibur series apart is that I also find it to be very accessible. See I also kind of suck at fighting games and the weapons-based combat of Soulcalibur has always felt more open to not learning the ins and outs of every little combo. I also love the wide variety of weapons to unlock as well as the campy, over-the-top narrative vibe the series has. So why Soulcalibur II in particular? I simply recall enjoying this one the most. I found it improved on the first one pretty much across the board, I really enjoyed its RPG-esque “Weapon Master Mode”, and the GameCube version had Zelda’s Link in it to boot.

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Next up is #110 to #106! I hope you check back then!

Christmas Video Game Memories

I have countless Christmas memories that are tied to video games, or would that be countless video game memories tied to Christmas? Either way, when I think of fond Christmases past, the thought is usually accompanied by memories of playing a certain game either on Christmas day or sometime around it. There are numerous titles that are “Christmas games” for me, but I’m going to focus on two specific memories (involving three games) in this post.

                One game whose opening moments I will always equate with the rapturous jubilation of Christmas morning is The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess. To this day, I have probably never been more excited for a game than I was for that one. Back in December of 2006, I had just finished my first semester of living away at college and my life was in a huge state of change. In the span of about four months, I’d felt like so much in my life had drastically changed. It was jarring to be thrust out of my comfort zone and into a brand new world with brand new people and brand new experiences, but before heading off to college I knew however it went there would be Zelda waiting for me at the end of the year. Twilight Princess was significant because it was the first major console Zelda release to come out after I had fallen in love with the series at the release of The Wind Waker in 2003. The years and months leading up to Twilight Princess was the first time I got to experience that sweet, sweet Zelda hype and I drank in every ounce of it (perhaps to a fault, in retrospect). Despite the fact that my life was in a tumultuous state, getting to dive into that game on Christmas morning and through the night made me forget all about everything around me and it was just like any Christmas past when I was an elated kid with a new game. It really was a magical experience. I remember my Mom was disappointed that she wasn't able to get me a Wii with the game (she actually got me both the GameCube and Wii versions of Twilight Princess; I believe she'd bought the Wii version first and was planning on getting the console and just ended up giving me both versions when she wasn’t able to find a Wii; I ended up liking the GC version better anyway), and I remember telling her how much I really didn't care, I was just so happy to have the game. I had a big, goofy smile on my face and all I cared about was playing Zelda. And play Zelda I did. This song will forever remind me of the pure, peerless excitement of Christmas morning, and I wandered around Ordon Village that morning in a sense of awe and disbelief that I was actually finally playing this game. I vividly remember first stepping into the open area of Faron Woods with all the Bokoblins running about and being filled with joy at the first small cave I found. Stepping into the twilight for the first time later in the day, meeting Midna, being completely baffled at the weirdness going on in the game with the giant goat light spirit and this odd triangle-headed villain, and finally conquering the Forest Temple Christmas night. After taking my first steps onto Hyrule Field, I knew that my adventure was only beginning, and over the next two or so weeks, I devoured Twilight Princess. My ultimate feelings on the game ended up being mixed (to put it as simply as possible), but there is no denying the fond memories I have of finally getting to immerse myself in the newest Zelda epic that Christmas vacation.

The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess

                The second game-related Christmas memory I want to talk about predates my Twilight Princess experience by a year and actually involves two games, and it’s a bit of a strange combination: Soulcalibur III and Dragon Quest VIII: Journey of the Cursed King. I don’t talk about the series much, but I was a big fan of the Soulcalibur games back in the day (before losing touch with the series when the HD era came around, mainly because I didn’t get a PS3 until a bit later in its life-cycle when there were many other games vying for my attention). I loved the atmosphere and detail put into the Soulcalibur games, and also loved the adventure mode present in Soulcalibur II and III (and maybe the first Soulcalibur as well; I can’t remember exactly) that almost felt like an RPG of sorts. Dragon Quest VIII (to this day the only DQ game I’ve ever played through) was a title that I had been greatly anticipating due to its beautiful-looking art design and also because it just looked like a great traditional JRPG that would be right up my alley. I received both games as gifts on Christmas morning and moseying about DQVIII’s first village, with that tranquil orchestral music playing, on a sunny Christmas morning is a wonderful memory that I have. I also remember sneaking away from my relatives whenever I could throughout the day to play Soulcalibur III. The following week I sunk a ton of time into Soulcalibur and although I don’t remember much about the game right now (except, oddly, for a scene involving a clock tower and that big dude with a giant scythe…I guess I’ll just leave it at that), I do remember having a blast playing it. But there was also Dragon Quest, and that’s one I certainly, absolutely do remember. I adore Dragon Quest VIII; it’s one of my favorite video games ever and one of my fondest gaming experiences. Similarly to Twilight Princess, I remember just immersing myself in the breathtaking, pastoral world of Dragon Quest that Christmas vacation and the days and weeks (and months perhaps) beyond it. I’d never experienced adventure in an RPG or a video game in general quite like in Dragon Quest VIII, where a sprawling fantasy world was laid out before me; not a zoomed-out map with a small avatar running around on it, but an up-close, fully rendered world for me to hoof about in. Dragon Quest VIII is very “traditional” in its approach to fantasy adventuring and it does this so, so well while oozing charm around every polished corner. The first dungeon in the game is a dank cave that the player explores with a burning torch in hand, fighting monsters and looting treasure chests. It just doesn’t get any more classic and charming than that, and DQVIII delivers this kind of experience perfectly. And really I mean that: perfectly. I remember there was a moment about halfway through that Christmas break when I was exploring the massive world in the game and I came to the ocean. A sprawling seaside vista spread out before me with a path bordering the ocean stretching in two directions and hills rolling down to the seaside with rocks and cliffs dotted about. I felt free in that moment, felt inspired and full of joy. To have that kind of adventure when I was younger was simply sublime and I cherish the memory to this day.

Dragon Quest VIII: Journey of the Cursed King

                There are many other Christmas video game memories I could talk about: the year I received my GameCube and Super Smash Bros. Melee (and Luigi’s Mansion!), or the year I got a Dreamcast and Sonic Adventure (and how much that game blew me away back then), or when I experienced my very first Metroid games in Metroid Prime and Metroid Fusion one year. I’ve been fortunate and some (myself included) might even say spoiled to have parents who have delivered so many wonderful experiences to me at Christmastime that have consistently supplemented many other lovely memories I have of spending Christmas with my family and friends, especially my Nana, who has now passed away, but who was always an anchor of happiness for me at this time of year. I try as hard as I can to not take how lucky I’ve been for granted and look back on all the happy Christmases that my parents, my brother, my relatives, and my friends have brought me. With my love for Winter and snow and my birthday right around the corner as well, this time of year has always been a source of great joy for me, and I’m incredibly, enormously thankful for it.

To anyone reading this, I can only hope that you find some of the joy that I’ve experienced around this time of year and I wish you a heartfelt Happy Holiday.