1994
Similar to Primes, the atmosphere and mechanic mixing is executed almost perfectly. The controls and combat are some of the most fluid I've seen in 2D games and it has enough depth to last a childhood. The closest example I can give to a flawless game and the peak of 2D Metroid games.
A game series that ceases to grow weary on my short attention span. No other game has had as big of an impact on my bonding with friends and family over the extreme replay value of Smash bros. While most installments had one or two glaring issues, Ultimate seems to have bolted in what makes smash important to me, leaving a near perfect specimen of a game.
2011
Tough to credit all MC fun as just MC since a ton of it came from the community. Different modes and servers are mostly just a response from the creative minds that made them, but having a platform that facilitates that is worthy of appreciation nonetheless. But even the base survival game is worthy of my number 2, as the initial mystery of discovering the game is an experience powerful enough to trump most others. No other game has inspired me to create more than this one.
The sheer isolation in a foreign world already holds a candle, but that combined with the most successful form of mass genre blending makes Metroid Prime 2 an experience I'll never be able to relive. Exploring a once-lived-in world with so much lore that's ripe for the picking (if you choose to pick) got me invested despite my usual distaste in lore deep diving. Metroid Prime Trilogy edition is my particular favorite.
2011
Singleplayer and Multiplayer are both fantastic playthroughs that require their own ways of thinking. The amount of pre existing content combined with the workshop and level editor makes it a great game to come back to.
1990
The most fun and mechanically needed 2d Mario game since the genre's birth.
The most fun fast paced FPS on console with enough variation/customization for endless good times.
A phenomenal game that went beyond my wildest expectations. The understanding of what makes exploration and progression fun gave the opportunity to have every moment in the game be fun. No other game could I say I had fun almost every second of. An open world that's truly worth exploring every inch.
Taking to the seas gives a since of freedom that not even most open worlds can compare to. Mixing the legend driven genre with treasure collecting and island exploring resulted in a spectacular form a Zelda game could take. Despite the goofy tone, the narrative has the right amount of heart wrenching, specifically in family matters (which is seldom seen in a Zelda game). Only major issue is some artificial game length is spent between dungeons. Original Wind Waker is also great but HD is HD, and in general they cleaned up a lot of tedious mechanics.
2017
A very well executed genre blend of tower defense, resource management, and real time strategy. Multiplayer modes combined with custom workshop maps lead to endless amounts of fun.
2015
First game to redefine/give value to choices that impact gameplay. Full of characters that are worth caring for and a musical structure for a great soundtrack.
1996
The most influential 3d game ever made that still holds some of the most fun moments in gaming. While some mechanics have aged, none of them discredits the adventure, scale, and wonder of a game that's simply fun.
2017
The peak of 3d platforming mechanics and potential for more outstanding games in the genre. While several worlds feel less inspired/disconnected, exploring and platforming has never felt this gratifying.
2017
An absolute love letter to my favorite genre, as well as a near perfect modern adaptation. The only aspect holding it back is it's reliance on difficulty/re-treading which makes it difficult to fully appreciate the later aspects of the game.
2018
A needed simple approach to social deductive gameplay (a genre typically more inaccessible). Great times with enough players but it's reliance on that and microphones limits your playtime.