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. 

Defining Modern vs Retro Gaming

I have been on a huge Nintendo 64 nostalgia kick lately. Recently, I have come to the conclusion that I am becoming more and more disinterested in modern games and more and more interested in retro games. But what are retro games, exactly and what makes them nostalgic? Are they nostalgic because that's what you grew up with? Are they retro because they're old? At what point does a video game go from modern to retro?

My theory for modern vs retro games is the generational gap. The lifetime of a video game would go such as this: a game is just released, and is therefore current and modern. The next generation of consoles is released, and the game that was released last generation is no longer current, but not yet retro. An example of this would be Super Mario Galaxy. Some people may feel nostalgic about Galaxy but I think it's still too new to be considered retro but yet not new enough to be current. I like to call this the "area of obscurity".  Right now the Wii, PS3, Xbox 360 and DS are falling into this category. This is the period where prices for games tend to be the lowest. Most people have moved onto the Wii U, PS4, Xbox One, and 3DS by now.  But yet people don't seem to have that nostalgic feeling when playing last generation's consoles, or feel the need to collect them for retro gaming goodness. Currently, I feel that this obscure stage stretches all the way from the Gamecube/PS2/Xbox?GBA era up until the end of Wii/PS3/360/DS.  Even though there are still new PS3 games being released, games released at the end of a generation never receive the attention they (probably) deserve and as a result sales become low due to lack of interest, hence why I call this stage one of obscurity.

After a certain amount of time passes, a generation of games becomes retro. Some people would argue against this, but Everything from NES, Game Boy, SNES, Genesis, Playstation, Sega Saturn, Game Boy Color, and Nintendo 64 are all retro. Of course you can throw in those other consoles if you like (Jaguar, Turbografix 16, etc).  These games are all old enough to be remembered fondly and are usually the games of one's childhood, where the current console is during their adulthood, hence the nostalgia for older games. These older games remind you of your childhood. And if you, like me, had a great childhood you associate these games with that time of your life and by association you feel nostalgic. But even some people who didn't grow up with retro consoles still love to collect old games. I would guess this is similar to how people who didn't grow up in the 20's love to collect 20's nostalgia pieces, or people who didn't grow up in the 60's or 70's love to collect old vinyl records. Perhaps these objects just take them to an era they never got to experience.  Or perhaps these old games really are just that good and stand the test of time. Maybe a mix of both. But either way, the term "retro" is largely subjective, but yet most people seem to agree NES and SNES are retro, but N64 still seems to be divided. I think it is just entering that stage of becoming retro. I have noticed more and more people starting to collect for it, and as a result prices have spiked. I'd say I started to see this trend about 3 years ago and it doesn't look like it will stop anytime soon.

So what happens after a game is considered retro for a given amount of time? I mean, a game can't be retro forever, can it? Well, technically yes, but I do feel that there is yet another stage after "retro", that is "antiquity". At a certain point I feel people start collecting games just to collect them, not so much to play them.  I can tell you Atari 2600 and older consoles fall into this category. The NES seems to be heading towards this as well. Similar to the obscurity stage, people begin to stop caring about these games because they become "too old". The people who grew up with these consoles are probably too old to still care about them. Perhaps the consoles just seem so outdated that they seem to no longer have relevance. Maybe the technology begins to fail, seeing as they only last a certain amount of time. Whatever the case, my theory is after a game generation spends enough time in the "retro" category people stop caring and move on. A few years ago, when I was retro game shopping for NES games, I noticed NES games were pretty damn expensive, but recently I noticed prices are starting to drop, while SNES and N64's price have begun to spike. As for Atari 2600, prices have dropped significantly since most people seem to not care about it anymore. Just 6 or 7 years ago, Atari 2600 was still considered retro and prices were a bit higher.

So after all of my theories and observations, this is the conclusion I have come to: the lifetime of a game goes as follows: Current > Obscurity > Retro > Antiquity. Perhaps in time there will be a stage yet after that which will bring the antique consoles back into the limelight. Either way, the lifetime of a video game is measured in waves:

It's a crappy diagram but hopefully it gets my point across. Also please note this is my opinion and theory only. You may agree or disagree with my statements but this is how I feel and it makes sense, at least to me.

So with all that talk about modern games versus retro, how do you feel about the whole things? Are you a modern gamer? A retro gamer? Something in between? Personally, I am becoming more and more of a retro gamer and less of a modern one. I already wrote a post on my decline of interest in new games. So it looks like as time goes on I will slowly fade into fully retro, then into antiquity...

Ranking the Legend of Zelda Series

The Legend of Zelda is one of those great franchises that have a long history and a rabid fan base. Everyone knows about Zelda, even people who don't play video games. It's probably only second to Mario in recognizability. It's also one of the huge franchises in which I have played every single game in the series. There are huge franchises I love, like Castlevania, Resident Evil, Mega Man, and Metroid, but have not played every game in those series. Legend of Zelda, I have played them all, though a few remain incomplete, but I still have played enough of the ones I never finished to understand what the game is about and how it plays.

I was thinking about the direction I want to take this blog, as I previously really had no idea, and I decided I really like "top 10" lists or lists of rankings. I thought about which franchises to rank or what to make "top 10" lists of. There are a lot of topics and a lot of video games I could do those with. I thought about the franchises in which I have played every game, and admittedly there weren't as many as I hoped. But ultimately I decided on ranking the Zelda series. I figured "Why not?". Everyone has a favorite Zelda game. Although Ocarina of Time is often considered the pinnacle of the series, and is often seen at the top of "best games of all time" lists, it's not everyone's favorite. In fact, the more I look into, the more I see people rankingOcarina  towards the middle of their list. So what makes ranking Zelda games so interesting is the fact that everyone's list is different. I looked into Castlevania game rankings but 90% of the time, Symphony of the Night is #1 and it gets boring to see the same game at the top of everyone's list. Zelda, on the other hand, feels more like a series with no clear winner. Everyone has their opinions (and the following list is mine) so there is no unanimous "winner" or "loser".

While reading my list please keep in mind that this list is based on my personal opinion, and my personal experiences ONLY. You may agree, or you may disagree, and that is perfectly fine. But no one is wrong for stating their opinion. This list is entirely subjective. Now, with that in mind, and without further ado, here is my list of Zelda games, worst to best!

17. Legend of Zelda: Four Swords

I'm not entirely sure if Four Swords qualifies as its own game, seeing as it was added in with a port of Link to the Past for Game Boy Advance, but I'm pretty sure people would say it's its own game. They re-released it on the 3DS eShop recently so people who never got to play it due to not having anyone to play with on a GBA could play it. I played this eShop version since the original Four Swords required you link up with at least one other person to play as you helped each other through the dungeons. And I must say, I was not very impressed. Multiplayer Zelda is completely fine and even great if done well (see Four Swords Adventures) but Four Swords seemed very shallow, like a quick cash in on a single gimmick that loses steam pretty quickly. It seems almost like a novelty, playing a Zelda game with someone else, moreso than an actual fleshed out game. As for the story...wait, was there one? I'm not sure actually. If there was a story behind Four Swords it was incredibly forgettable. If I remember correctly, the eShop version of Four Swords is completely free (unless they started charging people for it), so it can't hurt to try it. Just don't expect too much.

16. Zelda II: The Adventure of Link

Perhaps it's because I only first played it almost two decades after its initial release, or perhaps it's just too difficult for my tastes, but either way this adventure is not very enjoyable for me. It is definitely the toughest game in the series. It's the only game I have not beaten simply because of its difficulty. I understand this title has a cult following, and that's fine. I like the idea of the 2D side scrolling dungeons, but ultimately I just enjoy the bird's eye view aspect better. I think the game has some merit, though. It was innovative, challenging, and had a good soundtrack. Unfortunately I never made it past the second dungeon, but perhaps one day I will go back and try again. Maybe I'm being harsh on this game since I'm grading it like a modern game and this game is over 20 years old now, but time shouldn't matter. I still enjoy many NES games, even ones I'm only playing now for the first time. All in all Zelda II seemed like a good game in practice but ultimately falls short of the series' hallmark greatness for me.

15. The Legend of Zelda

I'll probably receive some hate for putting this entry so low but once again, this is my personal opinion. I acknowledge the game for creating a legacy and for it being great at the time, but ultimately this game has aged poorly. It is incredibly confusing, not nearly as much fun as later entries, and pretty shallow. Understandable since this comes from the NES in 1986. That's a long time for a series to evolve, and evolve it did. The original Zelda shows its age, but even being that I originally played it about 20-something years ago I didn't really know what to do or where to go back then, and even now I can't finish it without a guide. I did feel a sense of accomplishment when I finally beat it for the first (and probably last) time back in 2007 on the Wii Virtual Console, but in the same sense I felt I had cheated, using a guide to tell me where to go when I got lost. The game isn't overly difficult as it is confusing, and we all know there little to no story in the game itself, as most NES games were. It is notable for being the first cartridge to include a battery save though. Also, it had a beautiful gold cartridge. But in the end, this game just doesn't do it for me. I wasn't crazy about it back then and it still ranks as one of my least favorite games in the series. That doesn't mean it's bad, however. There are plenty of people who love it more than I do.

14. Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword

I didn't exactly have high hopes for this game as soon as I found out you would be using the Wii's motion controls to fight. For the unaware, I hate motion controls. Hate, with a fiery passion. Especially when it's not needed. Okay, I'll admit the motion controls in Skyward Sword were done well. They're pretty accurate. But why do I have to wave my arm around like an idiot to fight? Why can't I just press a button? Have two control schemes! Problem solved! My arms get tired after a while of swinging the controller around so I can't play this game for more than a half hour at a time. So that kills some of it for me. The other part about this game I don't like, is it feels very same-y. Yes I know Zelda games like to reuse things from past games. I get that. But this game feels very generic and "been there done that". Nothing about it surprised me, expect the fact that I was hoping it would be better. Even if they fixed the controls to a more traditional scheme, this game would still rank low for me. I just found the dungeons to be dull, forgettable, and not at all challenging. Of course, I have yet to finish the game, I'm probably about halfway, but nothing has compelled me to finish this game because I damn near fall asleep every time I go to play it and then my right arm screams "No! Please! Not Skyward Sword! Haven't I had enough exercise already?" Yeah, thanks but no thanks. Perhaps one day I'll finish it just to say I've finished it, but I highly doubt my opinion on the game will change for the better. On the bright side, both the graphics and the soundtrack are phenomenal. I love the classic Disney-esque look to it. It's almost a blend of Wind Waker and Ocarina of Time. Very unique and well done. The soundtrack is a pure joy to listen to as well. Unfortunately, they couldn't justify ranking this game higher.

13. Legend of Zelda: Phantom Hourglass

This game is sort of a sore subject for me. When I first learned about this game before it came out, I was super pumped. It looked amazing! It had everything I ever wanted in a Zelda game - Wind Waker graphics, classic top-down 2D gameplay, and the ability to draw on maps! Not to mention two screens (thanks DS!). But then upon its release I went to play it and realize the controls are touch screen only. I was convinced for a good half hour that there were traditional controls hidden somewhere in the game. There had to be. No one in their right mind would make a 2D action game that used 100% touch controls. Then reality set in - yes of course, Nintendo would.  Immediately my hype was diminished. I decided to try to like it anyway but no matter how hard I tried I could not love this game. I really, really wanted to love this game.  If the tedious touch screen controls weren't bad enough, they throw in this annoying recurring dungeon called Temple of the Ocean King that you constantly have to go back to and redo the same damn thing over and over. I guess the point is you're supposed to draw on your map so you know where the traps are and where to go, so next time you revisit that hellhole it makes for an easier time through. Only it doesn't. You're timed throughout the entire dungeon and you only have a limited amount of time to complete the entire thing. The first time you visit it, you have the shortest amount of time and only complete a small portion of the dungeon. The second time you visit it, you get a little more time added but you have to explore the entire first part and second part. And this keeps repeating til the very end, or so I assume. Yes, you guessed it, I never finished this one either. I really want to. I really do. The touch screen controls and the central dungeon are almost unbearable though. And honestly those are my only two gripes with the game. The world exploration is fun, the other dungeons are great, the graphics are carried over from Wind Waker, and the soundtrack is a blast. Just like Skyward Sword is to motion controls, there was absolutely no reason why Phantom Hourglass was made 100% touch screen only. Perhaps Nintendo wanted to "try something new". And that, they did. But it didn't work out as well as they hoped. But, listen, I get that they wanted to utilize the touch screen. But...at least give us the option to change to traditional controls. Here's hoping later entries in the series will not follow down the same road.

12. Legend of Zelda: Spirit Tracks

After the disappointment of Phantom Hourglass, I did not have high hopes for this game. In fact, I was about to skip it entirely, til one rainy day I just decided I had to play every Zelda game, good or bad. So I gave it shot, and was ready to be disappointed...only to be slightly delighted. Yes, it still featured the abysmal touch screen only controls but they were a bit more refined than in Phantom Hourglass. And possibly at this point I had gotten over the initial shock of how much I disliked them and just sort of accepted them. Also gone was the presence of a very long and annoying central dungeon. This adventure was a bit more enjoyable than Phantom Hourglass but still falls short of greatness. I have not finished it (I know, I know) but last I left off, I was pretty close to the end. The dungeons were well done, the overworld was fun, and as always the soundtrack is great. I enjoyed the use of a train to navigate the over world and the addition of your phantom buddy to help you through certain tasks. While I wouldn't really care to see either one return, they were nice for this game. The biggest thing going against this game for me is that is it somewhat forgettable. It doesn't feel as epic as other Zeldas. Perhaps it's because it's on a handheld system, but the story isn't very interesting and the world isn't as exciting as it is in other games. but during the time I played the game, I did enjoy it. One day I will go back to finish it once and for all. This game still could have been better without touch screen controls.

11. Legend of Zelda: Four Swords Adventures

This game took me by surprise. I wasn't sure what to expect, seeing as I didn't play the original Four Swords until a few years ago. When I popped this game in to my beloved Gamecube for the first time, I was pleasantly surprised. Unlike Four Swords, this game is playable by one person as well as any amount between one and four. The downside to this is each person needs to use a Game Boy Advance and a GBA-GCN link cable. That part is kind of a bummer. Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles pulled the same crap as this, and I can't say I approve of it, but ultimately it didn't matter to me much seeing as this game is still very fun when playing alone. The story is nothing special and the gameplay is somewhat different than your traditional Zelda game. It is broken down into different levels, which are essentially dungeons. But the gameplay is still reminiscent of traditional Zelda games. The key difference being the use of multiple Links. The dungeons change slightly depending on the amount of players playing. For instance, for one player, the tasks and enemies are made easier so that one person can complete them. With four people playing the dungeons are made so you need all four people to make an effort together. I thought this was really creative and definitely made the game stand out on its own. The graphics are comprised of beautiful 2D sprites and the soundtrack is mostly made up of remixed classic tracks. The levels are mostly fun and the game is a decent length, but ultimately I still preferred the grand scale of other Zeldas. I still highly recommend this game to anyone who hasn't played it.

10. Legend of Zelda: The Minish Cap

When it comes to Zelda games, I have 2 categories: games I could play over and over and will love til the end of time, and games I am fine with playing once, or did not like very much, but wished I liked more. The previous games on my list fall into the latter category. The games on my list after this entry fall into the former. The Minish Cap is a strange case, however. I'm not really sure if I love it or if I am not too crazy about it. On the surface it's a very solid Zelda game and has most things that makes the series great. The dungeons are fun, the story is entertaining, if a bit silly, and the soundtrack is very solid. However, the game still seems to fall short of greatness in my opinion. When I first played Minish Cap, I wasn't crazy about it. I stopped playing it about halfway through. I felt it was forgettable and boring and just didn't live up to the hype of the series. However, a few years later I went back to play it again and actually enjoyed it. It wasn't exactly doing anything new, aside from the whole "turning into a tiny Link" gimmick, but it was still fun, enjoyable, and well done. Once I finished it, my biggest gripe became its length. It was a short, and fairly easy game. It still didn't feel like this giant adventure, whereas most Zeldas do. It felt almost like an intermission between Zeldas. And that's fine, it was still fun. Not every Zelda can be on the scale of Ocarina of Time. But I still felt like they could've done more for it. But to this day, when I reflect on the game, it's always met with ambivalence. I still can never decide whether I love it or not. Perhaps these feelings warrant a third playthrough...

9. Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess

Twilight Princess was the polar opposite of Wind Waker. When Wind Waker was criticized for being "too kiddy" and "too upbeat", Nintendo responded with the "mature" and "dark" Twilight Princess. It's a great game and it is definitely filled with the stuff that makes the series great, but in terms of greatness, this is the least great of the great Zeldas. Where I was unsure about my feelings for Minish Cap, and Four Swords Adventure felt more like a side game than a true Zelda adventure, Twilight Princess is Zelda through and through. It has very similar gameplay to Ocarina of Time with a few additions. You can now sword fight on top of your noble steed. That's pretty badass! Not to mention you can turn into a wolf to fight and complete certain tasks. Also present is the Navi-like "helper" character, Midna. Midna seems to be a fan favorite, and it's not hard to see why. Where Navi was annoying, and Tatl was kinda snotty, Midna is a pleasure to have along. She's not exactly the easiest to get along with but she's a great character and you don't mind having her along for the ride. Twilight Princess's dungeons were very well done, if a bit easy. The music was classically Zelda-esque, and the story was pretty enjoyable. The world was huge and I felt like the game took forever to finish, but overall the game is great. My biggest concern is that it doesn't really do much to stand out from the crowd. Adding the ability to turn into a wolf was cool but it didn't add a whole lot. It was basically a bigger and darker Ocarina of Time. All those things worked out well for it, but I think the one thing that is holding it back from being higher on my list is the fact that the dungeons weren't very memorable. Dungeons are a big deal for me. If I can't remember them, they were neither great nor bad. I mean, I remember them being well designed and fun but they were ultimately forgettable.

8. Legend of Zelda: A Link Between Worlds

This game is fantastic. It includes everything that made A Link to the Past great and makes it its own game. The only reason this game loses some points for me is the fact that it re-uses a lot of A Link to the Past's world and themes. Granted, it's supposed to be a direct sequel, but it feels like a sequel more than its own game. However it doesn't negate the fact that this game is fantastic. You don't need to play A Link to the Past to play and understand this game but it helps, especially if you want to get the most out of it. I'm not crazy about the way items work in this game though. You "borrow" or purchase items now, rather than finding them in dungeons. This is a huge deviation for the series, and while it works, I still prefer finding them as opposed to having everything I need right in front of me. For all intents and purposes this game was designed that way and for it to feel more "open world" as opposed to more constricted. Like I said, it works, but I still prefer the old method better. However everything else about this game is amazing. The graphics are phenomenal, especially when used with the 3D effect. The remixed soundtrack is a masterpiece in itself. Aside from the fact that its a direct sequel to one of the most acclaimed games of all time, it's a kick-ass game all on its own too. Considering I feel that every Zelda game after Wind Waker took a dip in quality, and if A Link Between Worlds is a preview of what's to come, then I am very, very excited!

7. Legend of Zelda: The Oracle of Ages

The games Oracle of Ages and Oracle of Seasons were released and developed simultaneously and are often considered to be variants of the same game. This is not true! Oracle of Ages and of Seasons are two different games! They share many similarities and look and play the same, yes. But they have slightly different stories, with a different overworld, different characters, and different dungeons. Oracle of Ages is the slower-paced more puzzle-centric of the two. They also have different gimmicks attached to them. In Ages, you accomplish things by moving from the present to the past via different warp points. In Seasons, you accomplish tasks by switching seasons. I'll talk more about that under Seasons. But as for Oracle of Ages, it feels somewhat like Link's Awakening and it plays just as well. In fact the only difference between the Oracles games and Link's Awakening is that the Oracles games are a bit less memorable for me. But they are classic Zelda through and through and very well done games at that. Ages is a bit more difficult than Seasons, and took me longer to complete. Oracle of Ages and Seasons were actually made by Capcom, which was a change for Nintendo, letting an outside company develop their games.  Knowing this, it's actually quite surprising how good they actually are.  Come to think of it, Minish Cap was also developed by Capcom. All in all, both Oracles games are great and I'd say I enjoy them almost equally but if I had to choose, I'd go with Seasons just because it's a bit more forgiving and easier to replay.

6. Legend of Zelda: Oracle of Seasons

I already talked about it a little bit, but like I said under Ages, Oracle of Seasons is the sister game of Oracle of Ages. It's a bit easier and a bit more action-oriented than Ages, but ultimately they feel very similar. They even have the same weapons with the exception of one exclusive weapon per game. I forget which weapons were in which but ultimately it really didn't make a difference.  Once again, if you haven't played either Oracle game, you are missing out. They're both available on the 3DS Virtual Console for $4 or $5 apiece and it is totally worth it. Both games stand up with the best of the Zelda games.

5. Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask

I'll be honest - I didn't like this game for a long time. I liked the game when I initially played it back in 2000, and towards the end of the game I started to dislike it, so I stopped playing. Years went by and the entire time I berated the game and told people it sucked. One day a few years ago, I replayed it for old time's sake. And you know what? It's not bad at all! In fact, it's one of the best games in the series! I tried to figure out exactly why I had hated this game so much all these years, and it came down to one thing - the 3 Day schedule. If you haven't played it, let me explain. The world is going to end in 3 days. That's right - when you start the game the world is about to end. Lovely, huh? So you have 3 days to complete the whole game. Only you don't. At the end of the third day you learn that you can reverse, slow, or speed up time. This is essential to completing the game. It's a great concept and works pretty well, though it gets annoying having to reverse time over and over again. When I played this game as a teenager back then, it was more frustrating than anything, and my feeble mind didn't see past that. Now that I'm an adult I can appreciate the game for what it is. It's a great deviation in the series, and is one of the darkest games in the series. I mean, the world is ending! Throughout your adventure you collect certain masks and some of them transform you into different species like the Goron.  One thing that saddened me is that, while very well done, there are only 5 dungeons in the game. Yes - five. Four main dungeons and a final dungeon. But the rest of the game is so extensive you will hardly notice. You start to learn which characters appear on which days and which stores are open at which times, so you have to work your way around that, which is at the same time tedious and ingenious. Overall the game is fantastic though. It runs on the same engine as Ocarina of Time and plays almost identically. The story takes place in Termina so you get a whole new world to explore. Majora's Mask has a strong cult following, despite not being the best received entry in the series. People have clamored for a remake on the 3DS akin to Ocarina of Time but so far it hasn't happened. I would love to replay this game over again on my handheld. If you have not played this one, you are missing out. In fact, if you haven't played any game in my Top 5, you missed out. These are the essential games in the series. Not everyone will agree that they are the best 5 games in the series but they are all amazing.

4. Legend of Zelda: The Ocarina of Time

Sorry to disappoint you, but Ocarina of Time is not my #1. It's a fantastic game and a near-masterpiece, but there are 3 games in the series I love more. Ocarina of Time is often considered the pinnacle in the series, and sometimes even the pinnacle of video games. Many gamers and gaming sites have ranked Ocarina of Time as the greatest game of all time. That's an extremely bold statement to make, but I can see where they're coming from. It revolutionized the series and 3D games in general. It had as big an impact on the series as the original Zelda. It redefined Zelda, redefined Nintendo, and redefined video games. There is a reason it's rated so high. The world was vast, the dungeons were fantastic, the story was great, the characters were memorable, and the soundtrack is masterful. So why did I not rank it #1? Well, a few reasons. For one, there is too much open space. On the overworld the enemies only come out at night. This isn't a huge concern but it is worth noting. Second, some dungeons were either too easy or short (Spirit) or too hard and annoying (Water). Luckily the Water Temple's problems were mostly alleviated in the 3DS remake of the game, but it's still my least favorite dungeon in the game. It's also a relatively easy game. Where Majora's Mask was a bit more challenging, Ocarina was a bit more forgiving. But either way the game is fantastic and should definitely be experienced by everyone who is even slightly a gamer.

3. Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past

Here we go - the top 3! A Link to the Past is considered by many to the be one of the best Zelda games as well as SNES games of all time! It's easy to see why, too. It's a fantastic game with a huge world. The dungeons are amazing, the soundtrack is unforgettable, and the gameplay is just so much fun you never want it to end! I've only played this one in its entirety once, but haven't played at least a dozen other times to halfway or longer. To think this game followed the two NES games, which already looked dated upon Link to the Past's release, was mindblowing. Everything that made Zelda great was here and made bigger and better than anyone could have imagined! This game stands the test of time surprisingly well too! I only played this game for the first time about 7 or 8 years after its release, during the N64 era. So, yes, I played this after Ocarina of Time and liked it better. It's actually quite hard to explain why this game is so amazing. Perhaps it's just something you have to experience. Just think of everything you know about Zelda and encompass all of the best aspects into one game. I will say though the game becomes brutal as you progress. It starts off relatively easy but grows to the point of wanting to pull your hair out. But even so, when you finally finish the game, you get a huge sense of accomplishment. There are also a ton of hidden areas / side quests where you can get hidden items and more heart pieces, as well as the Gold Sword, which is not required to finish the game but it certainly helps! All in all, this game is gigantic. It's charming, timeless, and anyone even remotely interested in gaming should play this game. Not bad for a game that is over 20 years old!

2. Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening

I love this game. I really do. It was the first Zelda game I ever played. My first encounter with it was back in 1992 when I first picked up a Game Boy with Kirby's Dream Land. Likewise, my sister got a Game Boy that was bundled with Zelda: Link's Awakening. I had no idea at the time but that game she got was going to be one of my favorites. It took time but I was able to convince her to trade games even though I liked Kirby, I wanted to try Zelda. At first I didn't like it, I found it too hard. But the most I played it the more I liked it, and eventually I fell in love. Then I played it a second time, a third, a fourth, and today I've probably played it a dozen times, with at least half of those to full completion. So what makes Link's Awakening so special to me? Aside from the fact that it was my first Zelda game, it was very quirky, memorable, and a ton of fun. I could play this game a hundred times over and still love it. It's the only game with Mario characters too! Chain Chomps and Goombas make cameos and the item trading mini-game is one of my favorite mini-games in any Zelda. The dungeons are spectacular, the music is great, and the gameplay is every bit Zelda as any game before it. The fact that a game this huge was put on a measly little Game Boy cartridge was unheard of. Most Game Boy games were not nearly as grandiose as their console counterparts. For instance, Donkey Kong Land 1,2, and 3. They're essentially Donkey Kong Country 1,2, and 3, but with dumbed down gameplay, graphics, sound, and fewer levels. Super Mario Land 1 and 2 were fun in their own right but I can finish them both in an hour, combined. Link'a Awakening was so big that it could pass for a console title. Seriously! Then Link's Awakening DX came out for the Game Boy Color which basically only added color and one extra dungeon, but it made the game even more timeless and more amazing.  I also have a thing for weird games that take place in a dream-like world. Super Mario Bros 2 was like this, hence why it's one of my favorites. But Link's Awakening did this as well. The entire game was (spoiler!) a dream. I love that. It even feels dream-like. The whole point of the game is to wake up the Wind Fish which is causing this dream to exist. Not to mention Koholint Island (the game's setting) is just as cool, if not mores, than Hyrule in any iteration (almost). Once again, like Link to the Past and Ocarina of Time, this game is a must play. If I had to make one note of criticism, it would be that you only get two item slots, and shields, swords, and strength bracelets use one up each, so you can't have a sword, shield, and an item equipped. You find out as you play this really isn't much of an issue, but it's the only real downside to the game. 

1. Legend of Zelda: Wind Waker

Well, here it is - my #1 Zelda game of all time! You probably guessed it beforehand by process of elimination, but let me start off by saying I cannot praise this game enough. I don't use a particular word to describe games very often but in this case I must. That word is masterpiece. Yes, that's right. This game, to me, is flawless. Thre are only a small handful of games I can say that about. Wind Waker is the pinnacle of the Zelda franchise, the pinnacle of Gamecube games, and a pinnacle of gaming in general. This game alone deserves its own article, honestly. Everything about it is perfect to me.

So, where should I start? Well, let's start with the graphics. When a Zelda game was announced for Gamecube, people were excited and expected a "realistic" Zelda, only to be disappointed when they saw the screenshots for Wind Waker - a cartoony "childish" version of Zelda. I, on the other hand, loved the look. The graphics are so well done, they still look amazing today, over 10 years later! Playing Wind Waker feels almost like watching a very well animated cartoon. In fact the game animated better than many modern cartoons! There are zero flaws I can come up with in regards to the graphics. They are just simply perfect in my eyes. Very crisp, clean, and just gorgeous to look at.

Now on to the soundtrack. It easily rivals the other Zeldas. It is the first orchestrated soundtrack in the series and it really works out well for it. The game contains some remixed tracks from past games but most of it is new material. Each island has its own theme and each one fits very well to its environment. The main theme (when sailing) is one of my favorite themes in any Zelda game. Even people who didn't like the game as much as I did love the soundtrack. It's simply that good. Like the graphics, it's a masterpiece on its own.

Now, the gameplay is pretty similar to Majora's Mask and Ocarina of Time but the overworld is now flooded (it's still Hyrule) and your mode of transportation is a sailboat! I love exploring the vast seas, searching for hidden islands and treasures everywhere. The world was so huge to explore it could take days to see the whole thing! Just when sailing got tiring you're given warp points to hop between areas of the ocean. The sense of discovery here is absolutely stunning. I love that sense of a little fish in a big ocean, not knowing where anything is, and finding everything on your own. That's what Wind Waker does better than any other game in the series. It's also completely open. You can't access every island right off the bat but you can certainly explore the majority of the ocean whenever you please. I love this freedom!

Now, the controls and dungeons are fantastic! The controls are very similar to Ocarina and Majora but a bit more refined and easy to get a handle on. Everything moves very smoothly and you never feel cheated when an enemy takes you down due to poor controls. So, the controls are very tight and very well done. The items you get are a mix of standard Zelda items like the bombs, bow and arrow, boomerang, etc along with some new items like the grappling hook and the wind leaf (forget the actual name). But each item has its uses and you never feel like an item is completely useless. The dungeons by themselves are amazing. Some of the best designed dungeons in the series! There aren't too many of them (six I believe) but they're all big, and easily take an hour or two to finish one. They're very well designed and pretty memorable as well. Dungeons are a huge deal to me in Zelda games, and Wind Waker truly delivers in this aspect.

Finally, the story. I never cared a whole lot about the story of Zelda games, even though they are a pretty big focus especially in the 3D games. However, Wind Waker really made me care about the world. I'd love to tell it to you, but you need to play the game to experience it. It's truly a great story, and it made me love the mythos of the series. It's also quite shocking when you find certain things out. But again I'll leave it to you to play it. Aside from the stories the characters themselves are very fresh and charming. They're mostly memorable and definitely likeable. I also enjoyed Tetra as your "Navi/Tatl/Midna" type helper character. All in all, a great cast!

So with that all said, I cannot find a single fault with this game. Maybe I'm not allowing myself to, maybe I have blinders on. Who knows? When it comes down to it, this game is perfect in my eyes, and that's all that matters. Wind Waker is an absolute masterpiece of a game. If you have not played it, you need to.

And thus ends my Zelda ranking article. Hope you enjoyed it! Agree? Disagree? Liked it? Loved it? Hated it? Leave comments! How would you rank the Zelda games? Do you agree with mine? Let me know!

The Rise And Fall of My Passion For Gaming

Okay so right away the title is coming off a bit cynical, I know.  It's not that I'm falling out of love with video games, it's just that new video games don't interest me like they used to. When I was in college, I used to visit either Best Buy or Gamestop every week to see what new games would be out that week, and there was a fifty percent chance I was going home with a new game. Nowadays, I can spend an hour in any given store with video games and I scratch my head until my scalp is sore, and somehow I fail to find any interest in any game that is offered to me.

I buy games much less often than I used to. I also play them less too. Or do I? To be quite honest, I still love games, and gaming in general. I probably fall under more of a "retro" gamer than anything, as I can play any NES, SNES, N64, or GBA game an infinite number of times and still enjoy it as much as I did the first time I played it. Ironically my current biggest collection is comprised of Gamecube, DS, 3DS, and PS3 games. I have sold all of my SNES and N64 games (sadly) to pay bills but I hope to buy them back some day. Whether or not that will happen remains to be seen.  But to be perfectly honest I should have sold all of my new games instead of my old ones. Old games, to me, have more replay value. I can play a current game, enjoy it, but chances are I'll never play it again. And depending on the game, I probably wouldn't even miss it.

Sometimes, especially lately, I get into this "funk" where I am completely disinterested in newer games. Like, I look at my collection and really try to muster up some interest to play one but just can't. Or I'll pop a game in my PS3, load it up, get to the title screen, and then shut it off after 5 minutes of staring at it. Then I start to think I've lost interest in gaming. But then I go and play a DS game and I'm happy. Or, when I had SNES and N64, I would pop in one of those games and play for hours, even days, despite having played them a million times over. I guess it's the familiarity of them, or maybe I just don't want to make the effort of learning a new game's mechanics. Or whatever the case may be, I just prefer old games. Oftentimes I think I should've just stopped buying new games after the Gamecube was discontinued. Because, DS and 3DS aside, I have largely lost any excitement for new games. The Gamecube was the final hurrah in my opinion. DS and 3DS have seemingly taken over where consoles dropped the ball. So I am largely a portable gamer now.

I find myself finding fewer and fewer games to get excited about and even fewer yet that I am starving to play. For instance, I was extremely excited about South Park: the Stick of Truth. Like, to the point where I was willing to sell an organ to get it. Thankfully I didn't, because while the game was good, it wasn't quite at the level I was hoping or expecting. South Park is one of my favorite shows of all time and the game looked and sounded amazing and it was incredibly true to the show but it wasn't quite as fun, polished, or as funny as the show, which is a shame. I managed to get a platinum trophy which was annoying but feasible. I never get platinum trophies so this was a big one for me. But now that I've played the game three times and did everything I could possibly do in the game, I will probably never ever play it again. In fact if I sold it tomorrow I probably wouldn't even care. In fact, if I sold my entire PS3 collection I probably wouldn't care much. I'd probably be happy I can buy some N64 or SNES games back with the money. So far there have been maybe 3 games that have come out between 2006 and now that I would say I was completely in love with. Those would be BioShock, BioShock Infinite, and Kirby's Epic Yarn. Yes the Super Mario Galaxy games were good. Yes Skyrim was good. Yes Pokemon X & Y were good. But I didn't get that familiar feeling when I play a really good game. And chances are I won't play another game that makes me feel that way for a long time, if ever. Despite being largely disappointed with gaming from 2006 and onward, I still cling to the hope that I will "accidentally" stumble upon my newest favorite game. The closest thing to that in recent memory is BioShock Infinite. I hate most FPS's but this game got rave reviews and I was bored last Memorial Day weekend so I spent the $60 on it to see what the hype was about. Spending the full $60 on a game I knew almost nothing about and wasn't even sure I was going to like, is a huge deal. Thankfully it really paid off! BioShock Infinite is one of my favorite games of all time. So because of this, I have regain some faith in that games can still really charm me. But it's not very likely.

Anyway, I'm not even sure where I was going with this whole post, I'm just kinda writing whatever comes to mind. But I think the points I was trying to make is that gaming is evolving (or devolving, whichever makes more sense) and I am not evolving with it. Newer games cause me to become disinterested with gaming, but old games still retain that nostalgia and charm and everything that made the games fun to begin with. Luckily I have a 3DS XL which still provides some great new games, but even still not to the same level of enjoyment as pre-Wii games.

Am I alone on this? Share your thoughts!

Final Fantasy Is Still A Great Franchise

I've been on a Final Fantasy kick lately, most recently playing Lightning Returns. The game is pretty good so far, but I'm not liking the time element of it. Otherwise it's pretty fun. But playing this game made me curious about how people view the Final Fantasy XIII trilogy now that all three games are out. It seems the general consensus is that the original Final Fantasy XIII is the best of the three, which is funny considering how much people bash it in relation to other Final Fantasy games. Taking that into consideration, I began to think about how the Final Fantasy XIII trilogy ranks in comparison to the other Final Fantasy titles, and then thought further about how many Final Fantasy fans claim the series has been on a huge downward spiral ever since Final Fantasy X and I can't help but disagree.

Sure new Final Fantasy games are becoming fewer and fewer but the quality is still there. Before I go any further, let me just say that I understand completely why long time fans would dislike Final Fantasy XII or Final Fantasy XIII. Final Fantasy X was the last traditional Final Fantasy with its turn based battle system, classic class roles, rich story, and fantastic soundtrack. Final Fantasy XI is an MMO so sure that was a huge departure right there. Final Fantasy XII tried to mimic XI by being a pseudo-MMO that's meant for 1 player only. Some people liked it, some people hated it. I openly admit I hated the game the first time I played it. It's a huge departure for the series. Many of the series' mainstays were gone: the traditional battle system, the flow of the plot, intricate characters, character classes, and even the Final Fantasy victory tune was relegated to only a few certain moments in the game. However, after giving the game a second chance, I began to realize all of this was intentional. The game was meant to be a departure for the series, and quite honestly, I feel that the game is pretty close to being a masterpiece. I absolutely love the open exploration, the story, the world, and especially the soundtrack. My god, the soundtrack! Who cares if it wasn't composed by Nobuo Uematsu? It doesn't automatically make the music bad. It's different, sure, but it's actually one of my favorite FInal Fantasy soundtracks, if not one of my favorite soundtracks for any video game. The stories in Final Fantasy games are mostly very character-driven, whereas FFXII was very world-driven. By the end of the game I didn't feel particularly close with my characters, which is one of the games faults, but I did feel more in tune with the world as a whole, moreso than any other Final Fantasy world. It was brimming with life, and there was a lot of lore to go around. Ivalice is my favorite Final Fantasy world. Then we come to Final Fantasy XIII which people complained was too linear and had a plot that made no sense. To be quite honest, no Final Fantasy game's story was ever perfect. The vast majority of Final Fantasy titles have been linear as well. There was the illusion of open-ended gameplay in most Final Fantasies but the main story was still linear. Final Fantasy XIII-2's story was a bit weird but the gameplay was more open than Final Fantasy XIII's, yet people still complained about the game. Now Lightning Returns is out and people are complaining about the game being too open. I think in the end, fans are just extremely fickle. FFXIII-2 and Lightning Returns are unnecessary sequels, but they're still good games. I think people need to take a step back, chill out, and look at each individual game as it is on its own. There will always be entries in a series that are your favorite, or least favorite. We're only human and it's human nature to play favorites. That's okay. So it's in my right to think Final Fantasy XII is a fantastic game and Final Fantasy XIII and its sequels are still very good, while many others seem to dislike them.

While I disagree that the Final Fantasy franchise is going stale, I understand why people would think so. Like I said, After Final Fantasy X, the series took a huge turn. It strayed far away from its roots and began to redefine the series as a whole. I think fans' issues with the series' new direction goes beyond gaming. When a person experiences something new for the first time, that experience often defines how that person sees that particular thing. By association, everything related to that thing is now compared their original experience. For instance, the first Star Wars movie I saw was Episode I: Phantom Menace. That one is usually considered to be one of the worst in the franchise, especially by long-time fans. However, because that was the first movie in the saga that I saw, I judged all other Star Wars movies in comparison to that one. Episode I is by far my least favorite of the Star Wars films but because I saw it first, every Star Wars movie I saw afterwards was better in comparison to Episode I. Bringing this analogy to Final Fantasy, my first Final Fantasy game was Final Fantasy VII (like many fans). When Final Fantasy VIII came out, I immediately misjudged it because I compared it to VII which I deemed far superior. Years later, now that I'm much more open-minded, I still prefer FFVII over VIII but I realized FFVIII has its own merits and shouldn't be directly compared to VII. The reason I initially didn't like VIII was because it was different from VII. When I thought of Final Fantasy, I immediately thought of FFVII because, to me, that was the archetype of the series, being that was my first experience with the series. Then FFIX came out, also compared it to VII. Even the earlier Final Fantasies (which I played after FFVII, VIII, and IX) I compared to VII, despite all being released before it. Eventually I opened up and FFIX became my favorite in the franchise, and began to appreciate the earlier Final Fantasies and FFVII dropped down in my rankings. I began to see each Final Fantasy as the game that they were. Each Final Fantasy is different from the next; each one tells a different story. I even liked Final Fantasy XIII, which I admit is far from my favorite, but on its own is still a very good game. So if you played VII first, you likely compared every Final Fantasy you played afterwards (old or new) to FFVII. If you played FFX first, then you compared all Final Fantasies to FFX. And so on.

All in all, I get that everyone has an opinion. No Final Fantasy, or any game for that matter, is going to be unanimously the favorite. As popular as FFVII remains, there are still plenty of people who dislike it, or don't prefer it over other Final Fantasies. Likewise, for all of Final Fantasy XIII's shortcomings, and for all the fans that rate this entry and its sequels poorly, there are other fans who love the game and find it to be the best in the franchise. And that's okay. No one is wrong for liking one game over the next simply because they preferred the story, characters, world, gameplay, etc.  What is wrong, however, is disliking a game simply because it isn't a copy of a game that came before it. So when it comes down to it, Final Fantasy, as a franchise, will never be defined by Final Fantasy VII, X, XIII, or any game that comes after it. It's defined by its fans and every game as a whole. In other words, Final Fantasy is not just Final Fantasy VII, it's Final Fantasy I, II, III, IV, V, VI, VII...etc. It's every game in the franchise combined. And just like everything in life, it continues to evolve with each new entry, whether you love it or hate it.

Grown Up Gaming

This is going to be a fairly short blog post today and the reason for that is in the topic title itself. I am a grown up gamer. I am an adult who plays video games. Now, that statement might evoke a few different reactions. One being "Wow what a loser! Who still plays video games?". Or maybe "So what?". But I'll tell you one thing I've learned growing up as a gamer - there is never enough time to play them.

As a kid the next game was always too far away. As an adult you can't keep up with all the games that keep coming out. I used to play every game over and over as a kid. Nowadays, I'm lucky if I finish a game at all. Oh, I still buy games, and I play them, however briefly, but then they go back to sitting on my shelf collecting dust. I still love video games, so it's not that I'm falling out of love with them. I think a lot of that has to do with limited time and more priorities. As an adult, I have to work to buy video games (and of course pay bills). I work 50+ hours a week and even outside of work I have other things I need to take care before I can sit down and play a video game. I can afford to buy new games (or old ones) but I just don't have the time.

When I go to play a game, this is what usually happens: I play it for a day or two, other priorities arise and I lose interest in going back to the game the next day. A new game comes, so I buy it. I don't want to wait to play it, so I do it now. But I only play it for a day or two. Recycle, rinse, repeat, etc. I just can't keep up! It's safe to say I'm more of a collector than a gamer nowadays but I still like to play my games. I own more games I haven't finished than ones I have.

Eventually I'm just going to stop buying video games. Or so, that's what I keep telling myself. I can't allow myself to keep buying games I don't have time for. Actually, now would be a great time to stop. It's a transitional period between console generations. I'm happy with my PS3 and feel no need to get PS4 anytime soon, if ever. I have no interest in Xbox One. I did get Wii U, which I sort of regret, not because it's bad but because I simply don't have time to dedicate to a new gaming system. But it's Nintendo and I have to have Nintendo. I also have a 3DS but I can't keep up with that either. I've actually been playing a lot of older games lately. Gamecube is at the forefront of my gaming time. I've been replaying Metroid Prime and Chibi-Robo. Gamecube and Super Nintendo are my highest priorities as far as collecting goes. Well, gaming too. The only reason I've played my PS3 the most in the last year is because it's still got some life left. And I also have a big backlog.

I'm perfectly happy with my old consoles. If I stopped buying brand new games now, I still have a few consoles to collect for and can still find games I haven't played or haven't finished. It makes me sad to know that I can't be current with gaming anymore. To be honest, I haven't even followed gaming news closely in a few years. I check in on it every once in a while but not daily like I used to do. I do miss those days, but it's also liberating to know everything I need as a gamer, I already own.