Why I Both Hate and Love World of Warcraft

I'm not planning on going back to playing World Warcraft anytime soon, if ever.  It's simply too time consuming, my internet connection is crap, and I could use the money spent on that to buy better games. I'm not sure why I chose this topic but I felt it fair to post something about the game since I played it for damn near ten years!

My feelings towards the game are complex. It's not a simple love or hate thing. It's a very gray area. I composed two lists of five items each, one list comprised of reasons I love World of Warcraft and truly miss playing it, and five reasons why I hate it and will likely never go back. Truth be told, under the right living situation, I might still be playing it. But I chose to have a meaningful relationship and to dedicate my time to more than just one never-ending game. But even still, I have some great memories playing that game. Now, without further ado, here are the two lists:

Top 5 Reasons I Love World of Warcraft

1. It is a huge world with a nearly limitless amount of gameplay.

 To people with nothing but free time, this is truly a blessing. The world is gigantic and feels very vast. It is a living, breathing world. To fly across one main land takes about twenty minutes. And thats at the fastest setting. To walk across it? Probably an entire day. And there are 5 gigantic land masses to explore (as of now) so to see every inch of every area takes a very, very long time. It's also great for people who feel games have become too short or like to feel there is always something new to see, no matter how much they're already seen.

2. I have "met" a lot of fun, cool people in the game.

For better or worse, MMOs are perpetually online, and are comprised of thousands, if not millions, of players across the world. World of Warcraft had over 10 million players at its peak. That's a lot. So no matter where you are in the game, whatever race, class, or faction you picked, there is bound to be someone at your level you can play with. Many players are there for the same reason you are - to have fun, to relieve stress, to make friends, and to play a game. The majority of players I've encountered and talked to were generally nice and friendly. Many people are even willing to help players they don't even know in real life. Then there are guilds, player-built factions who band together to take part in dungeons and raids, and other activities, and depending on how tight knit the group is, they form themselves into a mini-community. I've been in several guilds, some were better than others, but the best one I was in felt very tight-knit, it was almost like an online family. It made the game that much more enjoyable for me.

3. You can be whoever you want to be.

The options for gameplay and customization are very numerous. While character models don't allow for a huge amount of facial or body type features, you can play as one of 13 and 11 classes, between 2 factions. You can also "transmogrify" your current armor into something you enjoy the look of more. Same stats, different looks. For the really creative minds, there are RP servers for role playing. People who enjoy getting into character and chatting with another and really getting into the setting of the world, they have this option, which I think is a really neat and unique way to play. Like I said, there are 11 classes currently, and each class is divided into 3 specifications. So you actually have 33 different ways to play. And they all play differently, and pretty much cover every gameplay style out there, so you're bound to find at least one that is for you. Oh, and did I mention, you can literally do what you want? Yeah, you don't have to fight. You don't have to quest. You can sit by the river and fish all day if you wanted to. You can make armor. You can pet battle. That's right - much like Pokemon there are pets you collect, and battle them with each other. There are dozens of minigames within the game itself. So many that you could literally spend hours doing them. It's your game and you can do whatever you want in it.

4. There is a huge amount of lore.

For those that like to delve deep into the lore of the world, there is a very rich history just waiting to be discovered. There are many characters that you could follow, there is an entire history that was written for the world, and there are even books in the game that you can find and read about the history of the world. Not many games can boast about something like that. Not to mention there are a bunch of actual novels written about certain characters or factions in the World of Warcraft, and also graphic novels. The amount of lore for this game is mind-blowing. Think Star Wars + its Expanded Universe big. That's how big. Even for those who don't pay attention to every detail, the amount of work put into both the little and big things, makes the world feel that much more alive.

5. The soundtracks are phenomenal.

Even though I no longer play the game, I still listen to the soundtracks. They're fantastic and I could listen to them for a long time. In particular, the latest soundtrack for Mists of Pandaria is amazing. It's all fully orchestrated, and again making reference to Star Wars, it has that John Williams quality to it. Even if you never play the game, make a point to listen to some of the music. Seriously, it's amazing.

Top 5 Reasons I Hate World of Warcraft

1. The game is a huge time sink.

I have spent way too much time playing World of Warcraft. This game demands a lot of your time. People may argue you can play a half hour a day and still accomplish something. Okay, sure, some people may think that's enough time. But believe me when I say it is not. On my main character, and I have had many characters over the years, but the one I spent the most time playing, I had 20 days of gameplay time built it. That's not 20 days as in I created the character 20 days ago. That means, the amount of time I was logged in playing that character was added up and it came to the equivalent to 20 days' worth. That's 480 hours. I've never spent even close to that amount of time on any other game. Oh, and that's just one character. If I added up the time played for each character I ever had, I'd be willing to be it would be close to 100 days' worth, or 2400 hours. Yeah I think I'll go die in a hole now.

2. People can seriously ruin the fun.

Since you're always playing with other players, they can be a huge influence on whether you enjoy or hate the game. Like I said, I've played with many people who enhanced the enjoyment of my game time, either by being generous, funny, helpful, or just generally friendly. Then there are the dipshits who go out of their way to make sure to piss you off. Luckily, I'd probably say the amount of funsuckers are about 1 or 2% of the entire population, at least from my experience. But when they're there they really make it known. You might wonder how one person can ruin the game, since they're not even there physically. Well, they can steal your loot. They can insult you in chat. They can harass you. And they can overall just be very unpleasant, Just imagine how much harder Super Mario Bros. would be if you had a second player whose only job was to make you lose. You'd probably throw the controller through the screen. This is why I prefer dealing with A.I. in video games.

3. It is downright repetitive sometimes.

If you have gone through the game and went through all the single player quests, you might want to start over with a new character. But you're probably going to be doing the same quests over and over. Not only that, many quests are just variations of quests you've done before. "Fetch me this, escort me here, kill x amount of enemies, etc" They constantly shove those quests down your throat. Admittedly, some quests are very fun. And even the first time you do those boring ones, they're still pretty fun. But I find most people do them not because they're fun but to progress in the game, and only for that reason. Like I said, you don't have to quest, but most people do, and when you do, you get into this completionist mode and feel the need to get to the level cap as soon as possible, or do every quest, or have a level capped character of each class. And you'll enjoy doing it at first, but sooner or later you're gonna be doing the same quests over and over and over. Even making items is repetitive. It's all repetition. Of course, that's also how you learn to play your class well.

4. The game is ever changing.

With each new expansion, or even new patches, things change. The shaman you loved and you've been playing for 90 levels and over 15 days' worth of time you suddenly hate. They buff other classes and nerf yours. Sometimes they make things better but people generally hate change. They like when things are familiar and stay the same. But many things in World of Warcraft does not stay the same. Once the third expansion, Cataclysm,  came along, the entire world was obliterated and 95% of the old content was gone forever. What if you liked that old content? Doesn't matter. It's gone. Some dungeons and raids get redone. What if you don't like them the new way? It doesn't matter. It's changed. Each class currently plays incredibly different than from 10 years ago. I used to love playing a hunter back in the day but then they basically rewrote the way the class plays and I no longer liked it. So all that time you put into leveling your character, is completely wasted. Now you feel you have to start over. I played a warlock for many years and loved the way they played. They were the underdog of the classes and suddenly Blizzard felt the need to scrap everything in favor of making the class easier to play and to try to get it more popular. Okay, so the class is now easier to play I suppose but it's not what I was used to for 6 years and it wasn't nearly as fun as it used to be. So now all the time I put into playing it, means nothing. Well, it all means nothing because I don't play anymore. But I couldn't even enjoy playing a class I loved for years because they basically rewrote the whole thing. How would you like it if you were playing the Legend of Zelda then suddenly Nintendo released a patch that took away a few of your favorite items and added in a few crappy ones. Oh, in addition they scrap the first two dungeons. Huh!? What the hell!? Well that's World of Warcraft. Blizzard giveth and they certainly taketh away.

5. It's expensive.

I have spent way too much money playing it. In addition to its monthly fee of $15, there are also other digital goods you can buy including items, mounts, and pets. You're not forced to buy any of those things, but this game can make you into a completionist and therefore you will want everything, and shell out the money for the digital stuff. And it's not cheap either. Not to mention if you want to change your character's race, name or home server. That costs money too. I made a point of never adding up all the money I spent on this game because I would probably become deeply depressed and curl up into a ball like a hedgehog.

The 30 Day Challenge

While surfing the web (such a 90's term) I came across this thing called "The 30 Day Video Game Challenge". Take a look at it here. For those too lazy to look at the link, it's basically a list of categories people post about on Tumblr or Facebook or any social media, but usually only one category per day. I will not be doing it day by day, as that would take too long. But I have listed all 30 categories here, one by one, along with a brief description for each. And, if you enjoy it, leave a comment! Or, better yet, if you have a blog, tumblr, or facebook, make a 30 Day Challenge of your own and link it in the comments! Or, if you don't use social media, simply list the 30 categories in the comments so we can compare. Anyway, without further ado, here's the 30 Day Challenge!

Day 1

Your Very First Video Game

Pitfall

This was the first game I remember playing. My dad had an Atari 2600 before I ever had an NES and I must've been maybe three years old when I first played this. To this day I still have not beaten this game, let alone trying to do it as a three year old.

Day 2

Your Favorite Character

Diddy Kong

If ties were allowed, I'd say Donkey Kong and Diddy Kong together. I love these two. But I find myself drawn more to Diddy in most games, so I having to choose one over the other, I had to go with Diddy. He is my #1 go-to guy in any game he is playable. This is why I'm partially upset Diddy cannot be played alone in either of the new Donkey Kong Country games. They're still fun and I still love playing as Donkey Kong, but ultimately Diddy Kong is my #1 guy.

Day 3

Your Guilty Pleasure Game

Pokemon

This goes for any Pokemon game, really. Pokemon is one of those game franchises I hate to love, for some reason. Every time a new game comes out, I try to convince myself I "grew out of it" or I "lost interest in it" but the reality is - I still love Pokemon just as much as ever, and I probably will continue to do so as long as new Pokemon games are being produced.

Day 4

A Game That is Underrated

Star Fox Adventures

First, let me start by saying, I know it's not a "true" Star Fox game. It started off as a game called Dinosaur Planet on the Nintendo 64 then when it was moved to Gamecube, Nintendo decided to replace the cast with Star Fox characters to make the game more recognizable. The game received backlash (and still does) just because "Star Fox belongs in the air, not on the ground" and while there is some truth to that, it doesn't make this game bad. In fact this game is very good. It was built off of a Zelda engine and plays very much like Zelda as a result, which is not at all a bad thing, in my opinion. Seriously, if you have held off playing this game because it "isn't Star Fox" you're doing yourself a huge disservice. This game is fantastic and is one of the best games on Gamecube.

Day 5

Game Character You Feel You Are Most Like

Ness

This is a tough one as I really feel there is no video game character that is like me. However, if I had to choose, I had to pick the main character from the game which speaks to me the most. Earthbound is my personality in a nutshell. Though I am not psychic like Ness and company, I still feel like, maybe in my thoughts, I can be a hero like Ness in a very weird, warped version of reality. Ness isn't given a fleshed out personality in the game so you're kind of left to figure him out yourself, but that's just it - he is the player, therefore he is me. Not the real me, of course. I never saved the world from impending doom. But if I did, I would be like Ness.

Day 6

Most Annoying Character

Big the Cat

I'm not sure if he's my most annoying character, but if not, he's damn close. Look at that stupid face of his. Look at it! This dumbass is from Sonic Adventure and while you're hopping and dashing around as the other character, this fat-ass goes fishing. Seriously. Fishing. How useless are you that all you can do is fish? Why can every other Sonic character run fast but this one cannot? Oh, I get it, he's supposed to be big, fat, slow, and dumb. This character marks the point I knew the Sonic series was going downhill. At least they gave him an equally dumb voice that matches his stupidity.

Day 7

Favorite Game Couple

Tidus & Yuna

This may be a cliched answer but I really do love Tidus and Yuna as a couple. From my memory, there is no other video game couple that stands out as much. Neither character was a favorite of mine but as a couple, they just fit. They're also one of the few video game romances I actually cared about.

Day 8

Best Soundtrack

Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles

This category was particularly difficult to choose for so take this victory with a grain of salt. There are literally dozens of soundtracks that I could've picked for this category. So many that it was actually painful not to include them. But I had to only choose one so I chose Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles. This game is a real underdog. It has a small cult following but has generally been forgotten about and I never see its soundtrack mentioned anywhere. But I could literally listen to this music for days, weeks, or months, even. It's simply that good. I also gave it bonus points for having a unique sound to it, something most game soundtracks these days lack. The game is is almost worth playing for its soundtrack alone, in my opinion. Every track is pure bliss.

Since it was excruciatingly difficult to just choose one game for this category, I'm providing a list of games with soundtracks that could have just as easily been chosen (in no particular order):

• Final Fantasy IX

• Final Fantasy X

• Final Fantasy XII

• Earthbound

• Donkey Kong Country 2

• Donkey Kong Country 3

• Chrono Trigger

• Kirby's Epic Yarn

• Castlevania: Dawn of Sorrow

• Castlevania: Symphony of the Night

• Castlevania: Order of Ecclesia

• Castlevania: Bloodlines

• Bomberman Hero

• F-Zero X

• Legend of Zelda: Wind Waker

• Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time

• Mischief Makers

• Bioshock Infinite

Day 9

Saddest Game Scene

Sephiroth Kills Aeris

One of the most famous video game scenes of all time. It doesn't have a lot of impact on me nowadays but the first time I watched this scene, I actually cried. Yeah, I'm not afraid to admit it. Aeris is one of my favorite female video game characters of all time. I invested a lot of time leveling her and I had my party set from the beginning - it was going to be Cloud, Aeris, and Red XIII - a trifecta of awesome. However, all that time was wasted leveling Aeris since, you know, she died and all that. This scene was very effective, though, since it made me passionately hate Sephiroth for doing what he did. But again, as an adult, it doesn't have the same affect on me, but I'll never forget the first time it happened.

Day 10

Most Shocking Game Scene

Bioshock Infinite's Ending

This wasn't as much an individual scene as it was the entire sequence of scenes that comprised the ending, but this game probably had the best ending of any game I've ever played. We all knew Aeris died so I didn't censor that one, but if you haven't played Bioshock Infinite, you really need to. And I won't spoil the ending for you, but let me just say it is one twisted mindfuck. It really makes you think, long after the game is over and because of it, this game has become one of my favorite games of all time. Seriously, it's phenomenal.

Day 11

Funniest Scene

Any Scene From Conker's Bad Fur Day

By far, this is the single funniest game I have ever played. So much that I couldn't choose an individual scene that particularly funnier than the rest. Not only is this game hilarious but it's a fantastic platformer as well. It truly is the Nintendo 64's swansong. It's a real shame Conker will never be seen again, and if he does resurface it definitely won't be on a Nintendo console since Rare is owned by Microsoft. But going back, almost everything in this game is hilarious, especially the first time you see it. It's a lot of potty humor, but if you're into that, there is tons of it here. Seriously, this game made me laugh more than most comedy movies I've seen. An absolute treasure of a game.

Day 12

Gaming System of Choice

Nintendo 64

Making this decision was heart-wrenching. It's extremely difficult for me to single out a favorite console. I love Super NES for Earthbound, the Donkey Kong Country games, Super Mario RPG, Yoshi's Island, and not to mention the dozens of fantastic RPGs on the system. But I love the Nintendo 64 for the fantastic platformers, FPS's, and racing games. Overall, the N64 has the highest ratio to awesome games to crap games. Then there's the Gamecube which is equally amazing as its two processors. Any one of those three consoles could've won this category, but as I have stated recently in my last post, I have determined that the Nintendo 64 holds the most nostalgia and most fun for me.  Like I said, this choice was extremely difficult, so take this with a grain of salt. Super NES, N64, and Gamecube are all equals in my mind. But if I had to pick one, I'd go with Nintendo 64 since I enjoyed the highest number of games for it, and has the most sentimental value. Plus the games are amazing, even to this day.

Day 13

A Game You've Played More Than Five Times

Donkey Kong Country 3: Dixie's Double Trouble

There is only one game that I have played start to finish more than this game (and I'm saving that game for another category). I know Donkey Kong Country 3 like the back of my hand, and could probably play the entire thing blindfolded. This game is one of my all-time favorites and I still play it every so often. Like the other DKC games this one is pretty short by today's standards, which also contributes to its replayability. There are very few games that I have played more than twice, let alone five times. But just to name a few: Donkey Kong Country 1 & 2, Yoshi's Island, Super Mario RPG, Final Fantasy IV, Resident Evil (Gamecube Remake), and Earthbound.

Day 14

Current or Most Recent Gaming Wallpaper

Castlevania: Order of Ecclesia

The only time I use gaming wallpapers is at work on my computer. The most recent one I had was this one, from Castlevania: Order of Ecclesia. Besides really liking the game, I just thought the wallpaper looked really cool.

Day 15

A Screenshot From a Game I'm Playing Right Now

Final Fantasy Tactics A2: Grimoire of the Rift

I'm kind of in between games right now. I'm about to start No More Heroes on Wii and I've been playing Diddy Kong Racing on Nintendo 64 but I always have a game going on a portable. I recently finished Pokemon X for the first time after 80+ hours and now I decided to give Final Fantasy Tactics A2 on Nintendo DS another shot. The first time I played it I didn't really like it, so I stopped after about 2 hours. But I'm liking it a bit more this time, though the extremely slow pace is kinda throwing me off. It's still fun and good though admittedly not as good as either FF Tactics game that came before it.

Day 16

Game With The Best Cutscenes

The Walking Dead: Season One

First off, this game was amazing. Season two isn't shaping up to be as good as the first but this one was fantastic. The majority of the game was comprised of cutscenes, and it only adds in a few gameplay elements to link the cutscenes together. But even though the game is basically one giant cutscene, the story is great. Better than the show and the comics, in my opinion. I actually cared about most of the characters and it sucked when one of them died or I had to make a tough decision. It also stars one of the best female video game protagonists of all time: Clementine. Seriously, she's awesome. This game hits you with great scenes, one after another, therefore this game gets the award for best cutscenes.

Day 17

Best Boss Fight

Any Boss From Metroid Prime

I just spent about an hour trying to decide on my favorite boss fight. I just can't do it. No one boss fight stick out to me as better the rest. However, if I chose a single game based solely on its boss fights, I'd go with Metroid Prime. Every boss fight is fantastically epic. Most of them make you think and most are a good challenge. I tried to pick a single fight I felt was the best but again they're all awesome. 

Day 18

Worst Boss Fight

Razorgore the Untamed

No game screams "frustrating boss fights" like World of Warcraft. Interestingly, raid bosses were my least favorite part of the game when I did play. But this douchebag is the worst of them all. Why, you ask? Well, for one, this fight is impossible to win alone. Well, technically all raid bosses are. But even at the level cap, when you are strong enough to run old raids by yourself, this fight still can't be won alone. The fight goes like this: You use some device to take control of this asshole while you use him to break 30 or so eggs, meanwhile your character sits there like a dumbass and is being attacked by other enemies. Better yet, Razorgore the Asshole also gets attacked. And you know what? If he dies, even if your character, the sitting duck, somehow lives, you still die! That's right - you control the boss and you have to keep him alive (well, your raid members are supposed to) and if he dies, so do you. Then if you manage to break all the eggs with this guy, then  you have to fight him. Seriously, what the fuck? This fuckface can go to hell.

Day 19

Game Setting You Wish You Lived In

Animal Crossing

Why did I choose Animal Crossing? Because it's a laid back, fun game where there are no rules, you can chill with the animals and do whatever you want, when you want. Who wouldn't want to live there?

Day 20

Favorite Genre

Platformers

Another tough category. For a long time RPGs were my #1 genre, but in recent years RPGs have become too long and too epic for me. It's become very difficult for me to stay tied to any RPG long enough to finish it. That saddens me, but maybe it's because I'm getting older, maybe my attention span is decreasing, I'm sure why. I just started to realize I'm not as big into RPGs as I once was. But if I had to choose a favorite genre, it would have to be platformers. I grew up on them, they still entertain me, and most of them are a good length, long enough to keep me entertained for a while but short enough that I can finish them. Just to name a few that I love: Donkey Kong Country series, Kirby series, Super Mario series, Ratchet & Clank series, Mega Man series, Banjo-Kazooie, and Conker's Bad Fur Day. The glory days of platforming games are mostly gone but it doesn't stop me from enjoying all the games I played when I was growing up.

Day 21

Game With The Best Story

Final Fantasy XII

This game was a true underdog story for me. I started out hating this game. I was incredibly disappointed with it. It took me 4 years after its release to finally finish it. And it took a second playthrough to really appreciate it. Once I came around to it after finishing it for the first time, I decided I did enjoy the game but wasn't crazy about the story. However, I replayed the game a second time about 2 years ago and for whatever reason, it became my favorite Final Fantasy of all time. Yes, even more than Final Fantasy IX. I'm not big into political stories, I usually find them boring, but this one really spoke to me. I still think the characters needed more fleshing out but the focus of the story was on the world, not the individual characters. It was the story of a struggle of a small nation, under threat of being taken over and dominated, but ended up standing up and reclaiming its independence. All the meanwhile, the judges were being puppets to the grand schemer, and the twists thrown in were also great. Overall this game's story really spoke to me, even if it two two playthroughs and six years to really appreciate it.

Day 22

A Game Sequel Which Disappointed You

Resident Evil 5

This game won this category by a longshot. How can you go from an absolute masterpiece of a game, Resident Evil 4, to this? How!? Okay, after finally putting my grudges behind me, I sat down and played this game from start to finish a few weeks ago. And I admit, it's not bad. It's a decent game. But it is nowhere near the caliber of prior Resident Evils (and don't get me started of Resident Evil Crapfest...I mean Resident Evil 6).  I think the blow was even harder to take because this game (my least favorite one that I've finished so far - I haven't finished RE6 yet) came directly after a game that is not only my favorite Resident Evil game but one of my favorite games of all time, Resident Evil 4. I expected much more than this. But again, it's not a bad game. But it's far from great and it's a terrible Resident Evil game.

Day 23

Game With The Best Graphical Art Style

Legend of Zelda: Wind Waker

I talked about this one in my list of Zelda games, but I still find it tough to explain just exactly what makes this game so perfect, since it's one of the few games I consider to be masterpieces. Specifically speaking, this game has phenomenal graphic style. When this game was first shown off before its release, the world shat on the "kiddy" graphics, and meanwhile I was in awe at how gorgeous everything looked. It's hard to believe this game is 12 years old already because it looks like it hasn't aged a day. Even better, Wind Waker HD on Wii U looks better than 90% of today's games. It's just that good. It feels like you're playing a cartoon, and let's be honest, that's just awesome.

Day 24

Favorite Classic Game

Super Mario Bros. 2

Not the most popular choice but it was my favorite of the Super Mario Bros. trilogy on NES. And I probably even liked as much or more than Mario World on SNES. It was the first game I ever beat, so I have that connection with it as well. It's one of those games I can play over and over and never tire of and also play the entire thing start to finish with my eyes closed (not literally) but I do know it very well. As far as classics go, there are a ton of them. But specifically for the sake of this article, I'm sticking with NES classics, because while there are a lot of classic SNES, Sega Genesis,  and N64 games (as well as others that came before and after those consoles), NES is the most classic of the Nintendo systems and is what immediately jumps to mind when I hear the word "classic". 

Day 25

A Game You Plan On Playing

Dead Space

Now that the new generation of video games is upon us, I can go back and play all the games from last generation that I missed. Dead Space is one such game. Actually, up until recently I never cared to try the game. I think it was after seeing the movie Gravity that it really made me realize just how scary outer space is. Dead Space is probably scary is a different way, but I heard many great things about the series, and I figured it's about time I give it a shot. Who knows, I may even end up loving it. Stranger things have happened.

Day 26

Best Voice Acting

Grand Theft Auto V

Okay, first, let me say I am neither a big fan of voice acting (I mean, I don't really pay attention to it) nor a big fan of Grand Theft Auto games (I just can't get into them) but I can objectively say GTA5 is a fantastic game. But we're talking about voice acting here. Yes, this game has probably the best voice acting in any game I can think of. A lot of the time voice acting comes off as emotionless or robotic, or just plain bad (I'm looking at you Resident Evil). And while I don't go out of my way to acknowledge great voice acting, I tried to think of a game where I felt it was really well done. Andf Grand Theft Auto V wins it.

Day 27

Most Epic Scene Ever

Fighting Bowser in Super Mario 64

Okay, so in retrospect the Bowser fights in Super Mario 64 were a bit of a joke. But if you grew up playing this game, think back to the first time you played it. The first time you saw Mario in 3D. Peach's castle in 3D. Bowser in 3D. By today's standards, Bowser in Mario 64 is very ugly and the fight is a cakewalk, but back then it was hugely epic. It's very hard for me to pick individual scenes of awesomeness, and I haven't been "wowed" by the scenes in the vast majority of games in the last 6 or 7 years, but let's pretend it's 1996. Super Mario 64. Bowser. It was an easy fight, but it was epic.

Day 28

Favorite Game Developer

Nintendo

You'd only be fooling yourself if you thought my answer was going to be anything but. Nintendo defined my childhood, my adolescence, and my college years. While I love many games by many other developers, Nintendo's games seem to be the most timeless. They are the Disney of video games. Years from now people will still look back to Nintendo and its characters such as Mario, Link, Donkey Kong, Kirby, and many others, as video game icons that defined video games for a long time. I love many games that Capcom put out, same with Squaresoft (or Square-Enix), and of course Konami, and Bethesda too. But Nintendo is the only one, even after all these years, that have still managed to surprise and entertain me. They were my first love in video games, and though I may have entertained the thought of other game companies being my favorite, namely pre-merger Squaresoft, I always come back to Nintendo. They are my #1 video game developer and will probably remain so until I cease to play video games (which is probably the day I die.)

Day 29

A Game You Thought You Wouldn't Like But Ended Up Loving

Bioshock

This really goes for the entire series, but the original BioShock is probably the best. Actually it was BioShock Infinite that got me into the series. I bought it randomly one day, at full price, mind you, and I knew almost nothing about the game, other than the fact that it was supposed to be phenomenal. Well, anyway, I normally don't play games that way, buying them at full retail price, and knowing nothing about them, but this one turned out to be a great gamble. I ended up loving the game! In fact, BioShock Infinite is one of my favorite games of all time. Afterwards, I went on to play the original BioShock. Despite loving BioShock Infinite, I wasn't sure if I was going to like BioShock as much as Infinite, if at all. So this worried me. However it was cheap at this point so the risk was low. But when I played the game I was pleasantly surprised! The game is phenomenal! A - dare I say it? - masterpiece! Rapture, the underwater city that is the setting of the game, is easily one of my favorite environments in any game. The gameplay was a bit awkward at first but the story was great and the overall fun was high. I loved BioShock just as much as, if not more than, BioShock Infinite. Both games are phenomenal. And if you know anything about me, you know I hate most First Person Shooters (with a few exceptions). Turns out this is the best FPS of all time (possibly tied with Metroid Prime). This is an absolute must play for anyone who owns a PS3, even if you don't typically enjoy FPS's.

Day 30

Your Favorite Game of All Time

Earthbound

What can I say about Earthbound that properly expresses the way I feel about it? It's more than just a game to me. It's an experience. It's a best friend. Playing a game like Earthbound is like spending time with someone who knows the real you, everything about you, doesn't judge you for anything, and simply exists just to make you happy. This game doesn't have that effect on everyone, of course, but that's how I feel about it. If the entirety of my personality could be boiled down into code and made into a video game, Earthbound would be the end result. There is simply nothing else in the world like it. It is incredibly unique, charming, and quirky, and I love every moment of it. It's not a perfect game but it's a game that I have accepted its flaws, and love it for what it is, much like a soul mate. Earthbound is my video game soul mate. It speaks to me at a very deep level, much more than any other video game ever could.  The game has so much personality to it, it's no wonder it developed a huge cult following since its initial release. While I no longer own the actual Super NES cartridge, I can still play it on Wii U Virtual Console. I have played this game probably about 20 times through in my lifetime. I used to play this several times a year when I was younger, then eventually down to once a year, and as of today I haven't played it in its entirety in probably 6 or 7 years. I'm really overdue to replay it. But regardless of whether I play it again, the memories will linger for a lifetime. Like a best friend you were very close with and lost contact with ages ago. Although you don't connect with them today, you remember all the great times you had together. Earthbound is that friend. And, to me, that is what makes this game so special to me.

My Top 64 Nintendo 64 Games

Like I said last week, I have been on a big Nintendo 64 kick lately. I've recently come to the realization that N64 just might be my favorite console of all time, too. For those of you who haven't really experienced the glory of N64 or are wishing to expand their N64 library, I have composed a list of my personal top 64 N64 games. Now, granted, there were only 296 N64 games released in America, so we're talking a big portion of the entire library. But that's just how great this console is! It's one of the few consoles I can actually name 64 great games! Maybe Gamecube or Super NES to. N64, a console with one of the smallest libraries, has such a great good-game-to-bad-game ratio. And please note, take this list with a grain of salt. This is my opinion and mine only. You may not enjoy the games I enjoy but I assure you these are all fun and of course the higher up the list you go, the more likely you should be to enjoy them (I hope). It's a long list so descriptions will be brief. But without further ado, here is my list of top 64 Nintendo 64 games!

64. Jet Force Gemini

Forgive me if you're one of those people who love this game, as I may be underrating this one. Every time I see this game get brought up I'm reminded of its strong cult following. I'm also reminded that it was a pretty good game. The problem is, I don't remember it very well. Therefore I'm probably rating it lower than it deserves. But I remember it being cool and I'd like to play it again sometime soon. If I play it again, and I do end up enjoying it more than I remember, I'll be sure to make a post about it. But anyway, from what I remember about this game, you play as two twins (a boy and a girl - I forget their names) and a dog named Lupus (go figure I remember the dog's name) and you basically kill giant bugs in a third person shooter. That's what I remember. Man, I really need to play this one again...

63. Penny Racers

I'm not really sure why I like this game. It's a very average kart-style racing game with weapons and upgrades, solid gameplay, fun music, and a track editor. Oh wait, now I know why I like it. Sure it looks "kiddie" (and it kinda is) but it doesn't detract from the overall fun I had playing this game. It's no Mario Kart or Diddy Kong Racing but it's a solid kart-style racer with a good (but limited) track editor, giving you access to a high number of tracks.

62. Pokemon Stadium 2

Although the first Pokemon Stadium was the series' first foray into 3D Pokemon battling, this one improved on nearly every aspect, plus it threw in the new Pokemon from Gold and Silver. I'm not sure how well it holds up today but back then it was a pretty fun battler. The reason it doesn't rank higher is because there really isn't much else to do but battle. No adventure mode or anything. I'm pretty sure there were more mini-games but battling was the main game.

61. Extreme-G

Also known as the poor man's F-Zero, Extreme-G was the first fast futuristic racing game on the N64. It was fun, if forgettable. It was challenging and had solid racing mechanics. But ultimately didn't have a lot of meat to it. Still, it's a decent game.

60. Dr. Mario 64

Had they thrown in more ideas for this game I'd have ranked this higher. Dr. Mario is a very fun and addicting puzzle game but I expected a lot more from this N64 release. Still, you can't argue with classic.

59. Quest 64

When this game was announced, I was super-hyped for it. And when it released I ran out and grabbed it that day. It was the first game I ever saw that had a day and night cycle and it was the first RPG for the N64. I thought it was going to be the best game of all time. Then I played it. Okay, so it's not bad but it could've been better. Still, it's pretty decent if you can stand constant random battles. It has some interesting ideas, like free roaming battles, using and upgrading each different element, each one mapped to a C button. Unfortunately this one just wasn't good enough to stand up to other RPGs. But again, it was mechanically sound and mildly enjoyable for people who enjoy RPGs and don't mind a whole lot of meat to them.

58. Rush 2: Extreme Racing USA

Very similar to the original San Fransisco Rush, this game takes the core mechanics and gives you various tracks based on American locales, so you're no longer constricted to San Fran. It really doesn't improve on the original, though, but that's not all bad. It still has the fun "go anywhere" style racing.

57. Mario Golf

I don't like golf but I do when I get to control Mario and company. I love the way Nintendo takes sports games and put their own twist to it. Had this been a regular golf game, no way in hell would I play it. But put Mario on the cover and I'm there! The game mechanics were very solid and the game is more fun with friends, but it appeals to a niche group. However, even those who don't like or play golf games might enjoy this one.

56. Hydro Thunder

A very solid arcade game ported to the Nintendo 64. This one didn't make much of a splash (pun intended) but it has its cult following. The gameplay felt a little slow on the N64 but the overall game design was very good. Fans of racing games should enjoy this one. There aren't many racing games that involve boats.

55. Micro Machines 64 Turbo

I actually forgot that they released a Micro Machines game on N64 until I looked at the list of games released. This was a solid birds-eye-view racing game that pitted you against other micro machines in various courses that rook place on the breakfast table, in a bathtub, or in your backyard garden. I've always had a thing for small things inside a house or yard, like a view from a bug's perspective. This game was every bit as fun as the Super Nintendo version. I'd have ranked it higher but there really isn't much replay value beyond playing the same tracks over and over.

54. Mickey's Speedway USA

Racing games were very abundant on the Nintendo 64 and this was one of the several kart racing games akin to Mario Kart. It's not as fun or as flashy as either Diddy Kong Racing or Mario Kart 64 but it was a very solid racing game. The tracks were a bit bland and the items weren't as fun as in other kart racing games but the controls were solid and the game was still enjoyable.

53. Wetrix

Nintendo 64 wasn't exactly known for its puzzle games. There were only a small number of them released. But Wetrix was an interesting one. It involved making a pool for the water that drops. The goal was to keep as much water on the board as possible. It's a concept that's never been done before and for that I commend it. It's not my favorite puzzle game but for anyone who enjoys these types of games you can't go wrong with it.

52. San Fransisco Rush 2049

Of the three Rush games on N64 this was my favorite. It retains all the likable elements from previous games: the crazy over-the-top racing, the city exploration, and the solid racing mechanics. I chose this one as the best of the three just because I played it the most and enjoyed it the most. All three are similar and fun.

51. Mario Tennis

Fun fact: There are no sports games past this entry. Unless you count racing games. But this is my #1 pick for best sports game on the N64. I don't typically enjoy tennis games, or sports games in general, but I can't help but love the way Mario and company play them. Just like its sequels on Gamecube, Game Boy Advance, and other consoles, this is pure pick up and play action. It's very easy for anyone to get into, even those who don't enjoy tennis.

50. Extreme-G 2

Some people enjoyed the original more, but I liked the sequel for better track design and slightly improved gameplay. If you like fast racing games or enjoyed the original Extreme-G you will most likely enjoy this one as well.

49. Top Gear Rally 2

While I prefer the original, TGR2 is still fun, and the gameplay is a bit better than its predecessor, but I disliked the fact that is was more simulation-like. I missed the great soundtrack of the original and the voices annoyed me. But it's a solid racing game and if you enjoy rally racing games, you should enjoy this one.

48. Mega Man 64

It took me a while to realize this was nothing more than a port of Mega Man Legends on Playstation. When I originally heard Mega Man was coming to N64 I was hoping for something more along the lines of classic Mega Man but in 3D. However, despite being something totally different, it was enjoyable all the same. This one loses some points for not being a title originally made for the system but it's still overall fun. 

47. Resident Evil 2

This game would rank higher if it weren't just a port of the same game that came out on Playstation. It's still a great game and one of the best in the franchise. An absolute must-play for those who enjoy other games in the series (namely RE and RE3). It's essentially identical to both the PSone and the Gamecube ports, so I couldn't rank this higher as it's not an original game (or even an enhanced version). But that doesn't make it any less of a game. It's still quite enjoyable.

46. Mario Party

The game that started the popular Mario Party franchise. It's not the best in the series but it's still playable and it's still fun. This game was brutal on the analog stick, however, as many mini-games required you to rotate the stick as fast as you can. Regardless, this is still fun especially if you enjoyed other games in the franchise.

45. Duke Nukem 64

This game was essentially a port of Duke Nukem 3D. With no music. And censorship. But it was still a very solid and fun FPS. Duke Nukem 3D remains the best in the franchise but this one is still a great version, even with the exclusion of music.

44. Star Wars: Episode I: Racer

After seeing Episode I in theaters, everyone wants a podracer. This game gave you that opportunity. You can customize each racer's own pod racer and the tracks are varied. The gameplay was decent but there wasn't much music to listen to. The tracks were devoid of much life so this game seemed boring at times but it was still a very solid racing game and enjoyable to both Star Wars fans and racing games alike.

43. Goemon's Great Adventure

I haven't played this one much but when I did it was fun. It's a 2D platformer with 3D graphics. Although I enjoyed Goemon's 3D outing more, this was still a decent platformer whether or not you've ever even heard of Goemon before. This one might have ranked higher had I spent more time playing it, but for now it sits at #43.

42. Mario Party 3

Just like the original Mario Party, this one boasts many mini-games that are played throughout a virtual board game. It's a lot of fun either in single player or multiplayer although it's always more fun to compete against friends than it is against computer players. The minigames are well thought out and the boards are a blast. If you enjoy board games or any other Mario Party game, you should enjoy this one.

41. Rampage: World Tour

Certain games are just meant for multiplayer. Just like the Mario Party games, the Rampage games are must more enjoyable with other people. However if you enjoy playing one of three Godzilla-like characters in an arcade action style, Rampage might entertain you. Gameplay is simple and it does get repetitive after a while but it's one of those games that are fun to play for a few hours every once in a while.

40. Rampage 2: Universal Tour

Just like World Tour, Universal Tour provides the same people-munching, building-crushing action. And just like World Tour, it's most fun with more people but still enjoyable alone. The only reason I rank this one higher is the addition of four more characters: Ruby the Lobster, Boris the Rhino, Curtis the Mouse, and Myukus the....thing.

39. Cruis'n Exotica

I used to play this all the time every time I went to an arcade. Once it was released on N64 I was sure to play this one, seeing as I enjoyed the other Cruis'n games. It was a bit of an adjustment going from arcade wheel to N64 analog stick, but this still turned out to be a solid arcade racing game. I placed this one lower than other two Cruis'n games since I played this one the least, and just found it the least fun. It's still a fun game and recommended to anyone who enjoys simple arcade racing.

38. Rocket: Robot on Wheels

This was a definite sleeper hit. 3D platformers were all the rage on the N64 and this was one of the better ones. You play as a robot with a unicycle for a leg, but the gameplay was both interesting and fun. It proved to be a solid platforming experience with its own unique take on the genre.

37. Pokemon Snap

I thought this game was going to be so lame when I first saw it. It turned out to be quite the opposite actually. This game was release just in time for the whole initial Pokemon craze and it involved taking pictures of all pokemon from the Game Boy games, but in 3D! This was the first glimpse of everyone's favorite pokemon in the third dimension so that was huge for fans of the franchise. It also showed that something as simple as taking pictures could be fun.

36. Turok 2: Seeds of Evil

This game came in a black cartridge. I'm not sure what that has to do with anything but I thought it was a cool touch and made it easier to find this game in my stack of N64 games. Anyway, this game was pretty fun, and though I didn't like it as much as the original, it was a very solid FPS. N64 had a lot of good FPS's and this is one of the best. Highly recommended for those who are into FPSs or enjoyed Turok. Be warned, this game is very difficult. I still haven't finished it even after all these years.

35. Pokemon Puzzle League

A pseudo-sequel to one of my all-time favorite puzzle games, Tetris Attack, this one puts a Pokemon spin to it. It really doesn't innovate much, and for that it loses some points, but it's a very enjoyable game even if I slightly prefer Tetris Attack. It's basically the same game though, so either way you can't go wrong.

34. Cruis'n USA

Unlike Exotica, I played this game on N64 before the arcade machine, so there really wasn't an adjustment period. I'll admit the game is very flawed, glitchy in some areas, and there really isn't all that much variety. But it's a fast and fun game that is reminiscent of the older Outrun games, which is a good thing. It's kind of bland and the gameplay is kind of poor, and although it sounds like I'm berating it, I can't help but enjoy this one. It was the first racing game I played on N64 and although it's often cited as one of the worst, I still find myself going back to this one from time to time. Must be the catchy soundtrack.

33. Top Gear Rally

One of the best rally racing games on the console, Top Gear Rally may not have many tracks, but they are lengthy, and it is fun. The controls are pretty difficult to get the hang of but once you do, the game is fun. It's challenging and the tracks are varied. There is also the mode where you can paint your own car! I remember spending hours upon hours doing that as a kid. The gameplay is a bit dated by today's standards but it's still a fun game to try.

32. Beetle Adventure Racing

No one expected this game to be as good as it was. It was a game that was used pretty much to promote the appearance of the New Beetle by Volkswagen but it turned out to be a very good racing game. It's also unique because each track has multiple routes to take with many shortcuts and hidden secrets. There is a very limited amount of tracks (six I believe) but each track is very detailed and lengthy so you don't get bored as easily as you'd think. A hidden gem.

31. Bomberman 64

This was the first Bomberman game I ever played and it still ranks as one of the best. The story mode is quite enjoyable, the music is memorable, and the gameplay is classic Bomberman quality. Not to mention the addicting multiplayer. If you're a fan of the franchise, definitely play this one!

30. Cruis'n World

Despite what this list may tell you, racing games are not my favorite genre. I do enjoy arcade and kart racers if they're fun and well done though. Cruis'n World is the best of the Cruis'n games that made their way from arcade to N64. I never played this one in arcades, unlike the other two, but this one has the best cars, best tracks, and best gameplay. It's technically the same kind of gameplay as USA and Exotica but where I felt USA's control was a bit poor and Exotica's was a bit over the top, World hit all the right notes. It's fast, it's simple, and it's fun. If you enjoyed the other Cruis'n games you will love this one.

29. Mario Party 2

I'm not the biggest fan of the Mario Party games but if you play only one, this should be it. Like I said earlier, Mario Party 1 and 3 are both enjoyable, especially with 3 other friends, but Mario Party 2 is the pinnacle of the franchise. I personally felt it had the best mini-games, the best boards, and the best modes.

28. Harvest Moon 64

The sequel to the fantastic game on the Super NES, Harvest Moon is a unique franchise. It involves farming and making friends. It's a lot more fun than it sounds, I promise! This is probably my favorite entry in the franchise too. For those who like other entries in the series or if you're open-minded and looking for something new, Harvest Moon 64 is a fantastic take of a life-simulator.

27. Perfect Dark

One of the best FPS's on the console. It didn't receive as much attention or acclaim as Goldeneye did but it was easily up there with it in terms of quality. Its story mode was longer and more difficult than Goldeneye but overall not as memorable, in my opinion. Weapons were a mix of realistic and made-up. Some weapons were a bit over-the-top like the Farsight, the sniper rifle with x-ray vision. The gameplay was very solid and a lot of fun, either in single or multiplayer. Highly recommended for FPS fans.

26. Pilotwings 64

More of a tech demo than a full-fledged game, this game was released on launch day along with Super Mario 64. Like the original Pilotwings was for Super NES, Pilotwings 64 was the game to show everyone what the N64 was capable of. It definitely showed the console's power, and the visuals were great for the time. The game is pretty dated nowadays but still warrants a playthrough. It's a cool variation of flight simulators.

25. Turok: Dinosaur Hunter

Like I said, I'm not a big FPS fan but Turok was one of the best on the Nintendo 64. It's definitely challenging, and it took me years to finally finish it, but it's a great game. Also, dinosaurs. That's definitely a reason why this game is awesome. I felt this was better than its sequels for its setting and more forgiving difficulty. If you're a fan of FPS's you would probably enjoy this one.

24. Star Fox 64

Notable for being the first game to utilize the rumble pack (and the game that included it in its box) Star Fox 64 is an absolute classic. It's one of the best 3D shooters of all time. It's definitely my favorite in the franchise as well. There is a good amount of replay value in it with multiple routes to take to the end of the game and the gameplay is top-notch. For those without an N64, if you own a 3DS, you can play the 3D remake on the 3DS. It's not as influential as the N64 original but it's basically the same game. An absolute must-play if you action space shooters.

23. Snowboard Kids 2

What do you get when you combine Mario Kart and snowboarding? Snowboard Kids!  It's pretty much like Mario Kart on snowboards, but it works well. It's a lot of fun and the tracks are memorable. It's equally as great as the game that came before it. Whichever one you play first, you can't go wrong!

22. Snowboard Kids

Just like its sequel it has a good amount of content and replay value. It's on equal footing with its sequel but this one was just a tad more memorable to me. It's a lot of fun and not quite as immersive as other snowboard games but the items and tracks make the game a lot of fun, single player or multiplayer. A definite hidden gem.

21. Tetrisphere

Not quite Tetris in style, but a unique and fun puzzle game all the same. Rather than falling pieces you must fit together, this one involves a sphere where you must match like-shapes to get to the core of the sphere. It sounds weird and it takes some getting used to, but luckily there is a helpful tutorial in the game to get you started. You can gain power-ups to help you, and there are several different modes to keep you entertained. It's a different kind of puzzle game, but definitely worth playing.

20. Wave Race 64

I originally listed this one much higher on the list, but realizing there were so many more fantastic games, this one fell to #20. That's not to say it's bad - because it's definitely not. It's a great game, but unfortunately just seems to be lacking in content. The visuals were stunning back in the day and this game was notable for having the most realistic water physics at the time. The gameplay is solid and the tracks are a lot of fun. Unfortunately outside of racing and stunt mode, there really isn't a whole lot left to do. Replay value isn't as high as other racing games but this game still is a lot of fun.

19. Kirby 64: The Crystal Shards

If you've played any other Kirby game you've played Kirby 64. There is one extra perk to Kirby 64, however. You can mix abilities. For instance you can mix the spark ability with the ice ability to become a...refrigerator. No, no, it's cooler than it sounds, I promise!  That pun was not intended, I swear! Ahem. Kirby 64 is a great side scrolling platformer, even if it is on the easy side. It's inventive and memorable, and fans of the franchise should not miss this one.

18. Goldeneye 007

"Goldeneye at #18!? Blasphemy!" I hear you cry, Yes, Goldeneye is a great game. Yes, it redefined first person shooters. Yes it's one of the best multiplayer games of its time. And yes it's one of the best licensed games of all time. But, it has aged somewhat poorly and personally I am not a huge FPS fan. However I won't deny that back in the day this was the go-to game for multiplayer action. The single player story mode was also very good, and followed the movie pretty closely. In fact the story was so good it actually made me see the movie (I played the game first). But again, this is my list and this is my opinion. FPS fans will love this game and if you have 2 or 3 buddies you want to shoot, this game provides a virtually endless amount of multiplayer fun. However, to me, this game isn't the masterpiece many people describe it as. It is, however, still a very solid and enjoyable game.

17. Banjo-Tooie

Not quite as fantastic as its predecessor, but still an all-around great game. it's a bit more challenging than Banjo-Kazooie, but ultimately its more of the same. That's definitely not a bad thing. If you loved Banjo-Kazooie you will surely enjoy this one as well. For those who haven't played B-K, this game is very Super Mario 64 in structure with a few new tricks mixed in. It has a fun sense of humor, the music is a blast, and the levels are well designed. Definitely check this one out if you're a fan of 3D platformers, but play Banjo-Kazooie first if you can.

16. Yoshi's Story

The sequel to one of my most beloved games of all time, Yoshi's Island, it didn't live up to it 100% but it was still a great game in my opinion. I'm not sure how fondly people look at this game nowadays but back when this game was released, most gamers and critics ripped this game a new one. They berated it for its cutesy Yoshi voices and music, its simple gameplay, and the fact that you only played 1 level per world in a single playthrough. While I admit the last part is a bit weird, I still thought this game had many redeeming qualities. The music was catchy, the visuals were stunning, even in 2D, and the levels were well-designed. Sure I agree that I'd have preferred to progress in the traditional fashion, completing each level in a world before moving on, but that didn't stop me from replaying this game over and over.

15. Mystical Ninja Starring Goemon

A little Mario, a little bit Zelda, a lot of Japanese culture references, Mystical Ninja was a very unique game. I never played a Goemon game before this one, and while Goemon's Great Adventure was good, this game was great. It's not as refined as either Mario or Zelda but it was enjoyable all the same. Definitely weird though. Switching between four characters was a neat addition, too. And its soundtrack was fantastic for the most part. I'm just not sure I would qualify it as a platformer or action-RPG. It's a bit of both.

14. Mario Kart 64

When a sequel to Super Mario Kart was announced, I couldn't even fathom just how great it would be. To go from Mode-7 on Super NES to full 3D (with pre-rendered characters) was mind blowing. Playing the game now it seems a bit dated, and most tracks are long and uneventful, but it still remains as one of the best racing games of its time. It's still enjoyable today of course but the Mario Kart franchise has grown with each new entry, as any successful franchise should.  If you have not played Mario Kart, you definitely should.

13. Mischief Makers

Treasure made this game. Treasure makes really hard games. This game is really hard. Really fun, but really hard. Especially if you're going for 100%, which is needed if you want the full ending. This game is notable for the being the first, and one of the very few side scrolling platformers on the N64. It's unique, weird, charming, and challenging. The soundtrack is a blast to listen to as well. If you're looking for a great action-oriented platformer, it doesn't get much better than this!

12. Bomberman Hero

I was never really a big Bomberman fan but this one really struck a chord with me. While Bomberman 64 was fun, especially its multiplayer mode, Bomberman Hero added jumping, platforming, and bomb upgrades. Some felt those elements took Bomberman in a new direction they didn't quite like, but accompanied by one of my favorite video game soundtracks of all time, Bomberman Hero was a ton of fun. IOt's more platforming than traditional Bomberman but if you can put that aside there is a lot of fun to be had.

11. Donkey Kong 64

I am a huge fan of the Donkey Kong Country games and just a big Donkey Kong fan in general. I had high hopes for Donkey Kong 64 prior to its release and for the most part it did not disappoint. It often gets berated for being a collect-a-thon (you have to collect 100 bananas per level per character) but that aside, it's still one of the most fun and inventive 3D platformers of all time. I still prefer the DKC games but DK64 was a great addition to the DK franchise and I love the fact that you can play as five different Kongs, each with their own unique play style. This game is also notable for being the first game on the N64 to utilize the expansion pack, the RAM-boosting add-on for the N64, and it really showed. The graphics were phenomenal for the time.

10. Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask

One of the weirdest, darkest, and most unique games in the Zelda franchise, Majora's Mask has grown a huge cult following since its initial release. It easily rivals Ocarina of Time as the most popular Zelda game. It's certainly more difficult but I'm not sure that I like it better. But either way this game is still fantastic in every way Ocarina of Time was. I talked about this one in my Zelda article but, if even if you've played every other 3D Zelda game, you still should play Majora's Mask. The mask-collecting quest is one of the most fun, and the dark apocalyptic setting is one of the most memorable. Not to mention the story. I seldom play a Zelda game, or any Nintendo game for that matter, for its story, but along with Wind Waker, Majora's Mask had one of the best stories in the franchise.

9. Super Smash Bros.

This is where this best-selling franchise all started. It's the worst in the franchise but you have to start somewhere. However even with Melee and Brawl both out, the original is still fun. It feels a bit lacking compared to its sequels, but back in the day it was one of the best, most addicting, and most competitive games of all time. I remember playing this in high school and, along with Goldeneye, practiced til my fingers were about to fall off.

8. Banjo-Kazooie

Following directly in the steps of Super Mario 64, Banjo-Kazooie is another fantastic platformer. It's very close in quality to the game that it took inspiration from too. Like Donkey Kong 64, it's a bit of a collect-a-thon but not as bad. It's a fun, funny, and somewhat challenging game that never seems to get old for me.

7. Paper Mario

When I heard that Nintendo was making a new Mario RPG for the Nintendo 64 I was super pumped! I loved Super Mario RPG on SNES! But then I heard they turned it into this game - Paper Mario. The visuals looked cheesy, the gameplay looks too simple, and it appeared to have lost all charm that Super Mario RPG had. I swore this game off for a few years after its release because of these things, but luckily I eventually gave it shot and ended up loving it! No, it's not Super Mario RPG but Paper Mario is fantastic in its own way. The paper-esque visuals are very charming, the music is memorable, and adventure is just downright enjoyable. The overall difficulty is very low - it was targeted towards RPG newbies after all, but that doesn't make this any less of a game. If anything, it allowed even more people to enjoy it. This is simply a must play for RPG fans and those who have never played an RPG but would like to.

6. F-Zero X

It might come as a shock that I placed this game so high on my list but it shouldn't. This is one of the best racing games ever made, in my opinion. It's also notable for being the only game on the N64 with a 60 FPS framerate. This was accomplished by making visuals very sparse but it doesn't detract from the overall enjoyment of the game. It's one of the fastest, most difficult, and most frantic racing games of all time. F-Zero GX on Gamecube rivals it as the best in the franchise as well. But we're talking about F-Zero X on N64. If you love fast, furious, futuristic racing games, this game should not be missed! Just a forewarning - it is extremely challenging to say the least. Not to mention the soundtrack is phenomenal.

5. Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time

I already touched on this one in my Zelda article, but either way I think this one goes without saying. Ocarina of Time is often considered one of the best, if not the best games of all time. It's not my favorite, hence why it's at #5, but I admit it's an amazing game, and can see why people call this a masterpiece. It brought the classic franchise of Zelda into 3D very successfully. Few 2D franchises have made just a smooth transition into the third dimension. Castlevania? Took them, what, five 3D games to get it right? Mega Man? Still waiting on a good 3D game. Sonic? Hmm well I guess the Adventure games were okay but everything afterwards has been pretty bad. But irregardless, Zelda remains one of the most successful franchises of all time because of this game. This is the "Final Fantasy VII' of the Zelda franchise: the game in the franchise that made the jump into 3D and turned out to be even more successful than games before it. It's not my personal favorite N64 game or even favorite Zelda game but even I can admit this game needs to be experienced.

4. Super Mario 64

Having recently replayed this game, I can say assuredly that this game stands the test of time. The graphics are definitely dated but the gameplay holds up very well, even if the worst enemy in the game is the Lakitu that controls the camera. Super Mario 64 is my favorite 3D Mario and one of my favorite Mario games of all time. This game was the best selling N64 game for a reason. It was the game that paved the way for many future 3D platformers but in my opinion still ranks as one of the best of all time. An absolute classic and a serious must-play.

3. Diddy Kong Racing

Everyone knows and loves Mario Kart, right? But what do you get when you exchange Mario for Diddy Kong, add in a hovercraft and a plane,  a big overworld to explore, boss races, new characters, and a story mode? Diddy Kong Racing of course!  DKR will forever be my favorite racing game, and is one of the big reasons I will love N64 forever. Sure they re-released it on the DS but somehow they made it terrible. Even if you've played the DS version, please play the N64 version. If you love Mario Kart, you're sure to love Diddy Kong Racing.

2. Space Station: Silicon Valley

A very unique puzzle platformer that put you in control of a robot microchip that let you control different animal robots. You had to switch animals to accomplish different tasks, for instance, using a mouse to fit inside a small hole or a fish to dive underwater. It was a brilliant game that sadly will most likely never get a rerelease or a sequel. Most people outside of N64 enthusiasts probably have never heard of this game since it wasn't a major release, but if there is one game on the system that defiines the term "hidden gem", this is it.

1. Conker's Bad Fur Day

An absolute masterpiece of a game. Not only is it unique, charming (in a weird way), and a fantastic plat former, it's also the funniest game I have ever played. What started out as a cutesy little squirrel in yet-another-collectathon-platformer as Conker 64: Twelve Tales, the original idea was scrapped and out of it came Conker's Bad Fur Day.  Unfortunately it didn't sell many copies because it was released at a time when the N64 was pretty much dead. This was pretty much the last major release for the system but man was a great way to go out! If you have not played this game, you should, nay, you need to.