SixtyFour
2022
I think it goes without saying that this is one of my favorite games of all time. I could write an entire essay about this game, but I'll leave it at this; Elden Ring is the product of multiple years of FromSoftware mastering their genre combined with the legendary world building and story telling of George R. R. Martin. Infinite customizability, an enormous open world to explore, and the punishing but satisfying souls-like gameplay solidifies Elden Ring as what I believe to be one of the best games of all time.
2002
Super Mario Sunshine is still what I believe to be one of the boldest decisions made by Nintendo with their most popular and profitable IP. F.LU.D.D., Mario's hose/backpack companion, is the primary gimmick in this game; this means that paint and other substances that must be washed away are very common throughout the game. The usage of FLUDD in the level design is pretty fun and satisfying, and the levels are laid out very similarly to Mario 64. The physics of the game are obscenely janky and the game sometimes just completely breaks even when played normally. Still, the game has plenty of content and collectibles, great level design, fun bosses and a very nice vibe.
A sequel to a game that honestly did not really need one. New. Super Mario Bros. 2 introduces some new powerups over the original New Super Mario Bros., such as the raccoon leaf from Super Mario Bros. 3 and the Gold Flower. The game's main gimmick revolves around coins, which is a brutally uninteresting concept. The game does have numerous callbacks to old Mario enemies, bosses, levels and powerups, but just as the other NSMB games, fails to invent anything new for the franchise.
2017
An absolutely amazing Metroidvania title that excels in presentation, gameplay, and design philosophy. From a cosmetic standpoint, this game is absolutely stunning with its cartoonish and seemingly hand drawn style, and the music is something I still find myself going back to listen to today. Plenty of environmental story telling and plenty of lovable and memorable characters. The game can get brutally challenging and contains some of the hardest video game boss fights I have ever had the pleasure of experiencing. This game is an undeniable display of the mastery of the Metroidvania genre and is a very original concept.
2011
While the game is very fun, it is hard to rate it when you consider the success and impact of Mario Kart DS. This game did introduce customizable karts and the glider feature, which was very impactful for the later and highly successful Mario Kart 8. The roster is a bit larger with some very bizarre picks (The wiggler and Queen Bee from Mario Galaxy). Local play is still fun as ever. The course list is very OK and is somewhat forgettable. A fun game and a passable portable Mario Kart experience that set the groundwork for the next game in the franchise.
2007
The absolute best Mario game of all time. With one of the best video game soundtracks of all time, Mario takes a plunge into the reaches of outer space on a quest to stop Bowser from controlling the universe. Tons of iconic levels, boss fights, and worlds to explore. The overall atmosphere of this game is completely unmatched. There is a very obvious amount of passion put into this game and it has and always will stand the test of time.
2010
A very solid experience I'd have no problem replaying again someday. While the story isn't nearly as complex and meta as the first game's was, the gameplay in BioShock 2 easily outclasses its predecessor. Being able to use weapons and plasmids simultaneously leads to some insane combos and ways of taking down enemies. Passive plasmids/tonics have been changed to be all in one category (instead of having separated categories like the first one did) which was a nice change and allowed for a larger variety in gameplay strategy. While this game didn't hit nearly as hard as it's predecessor (especially in the storytelling and worldbuilding area) it still is a very worthwhile and fun game for anyone who enjoyed BioShock 1.
As with many other GameCube games, Nintendo took a considerable risk with the gimmick they implemented into Mario Kart: Double Dash!!. This game allows for two player/person karts, with one person controlling the kart and the other using items/punching other karts. The game is an incredibly fun cooperative experience. Lots of cups to master, filled with iconic courses with super catchy music. There are also numerous and hart to get unlockables, such as the coveted Parade Kart. An absolute blast with friends and one of the best games on the GameCube.
2004
An incredibly punishing but fun as hell game that is Nintendo's definitive RTS experience. Numerous dungeons and levels to explore. The combat from its predecessor was brought over along with new Pikmin types and intuitively designed bosses. While watching your entire army get crushed by the water wraith can be infuriating, the challenge is enough to make anyone want to tackle this game.
2021
A graphically impressive and accessible remaster of a genre defining game. Gameplay is very simple and the story is comically cliché. While I do have my gripes with the game, there is no denying that this game was paramount to the JRPG genre.
1985
The beginning of the most popular and iconic franchise of all time. This game alone was making the NES sell all the way back in 1985 and it still has its merits today. This was one of the first stabs at making video games more than just experience. This game brought forward likable and iconic characters; characters that could be marketed and used again in other games. The game itself is mostly ok, with a great mix of challenge and intuitive level design (for the time). Compared to later stage NES titles this game appears to be primitive but there is no denying that this is arguably the most influential video game of all time.
1993
A major upgrade over the original Game Boy game, Kirby's adventure takes all the ideas from its predecessor, adds the staple copy mechanic, and turns Kirby into one of Nintendo's heavy hitters. Some of the best level design in the franchise. While Kirby's dream land is the first "title" in the franchise, Kirby's Adventure is what I consider to be the first "game" in the franchise.
An absolute masterpiece of a game with the most insane, mind boggling story twist ever seen in any form of media. Never before has a game made such a bold statement applicable to the real world about the usage of information technology. The iconic stealth action gameplay combined with an insanely in depth story and multiple fleshed out characters make this genuinely one of the best games ever made. What I have written here is still not enough to do this game justice.
This game is essentially MGS1 but made for the same hardware specifications as MGS2 (along with a lot of extra cutscenes). The start of the story of one of the most legendary video game characters of all time, this game is the definitive tactical-stealth experience. The techno-thriller and military themes in this game are strangely applicable to the real world and is supplemented by incredibly fun gameplay. Have not played the original version, but this version is still great.
2020
I never would've been able to fathom a VR game being this good. Before playing Half-Life: Alyx, VR games were a novelty to me - games I would play on a whim if I was bored or if my friends wanted to play. However, this game provides the experience that a full AAA title does and can certainly be considered the definitive VR experience. Seeing City 17 from Half Life come to life in VR felt like I was at an amusement park, and getting to explore the fully interactive environments made it even better. A technical marvel and one of the best games I have ever played.