I was inspired by a radio bit this morning that listed the 10 greatest video games of all time. Number one was Super Mario Bros., pretty easy decision there; it has sold more than 40 million copies and picked up where Atari had left off in the Home Entertainment Gaming Console department, and pretty paved way for all the get systems and games that would follow. Thank you Japan. Couple of others on the list were, Donkey Kong (number 8), Space Invaders (number 6), Sonic (number 5), both Vice City and San Andreas made the list at (10 and 7), here is the complete list, it actually has the top 20, the radio show only did the top 10:
1. Super Mario Bros.
2. Pac-Man
3. Tetris
4. The Sims
5. Sonic the Hedgehog
6. Space Invaders
7. Grand Theft Auto - San Andreas
8. Donkey Kong
9. Mario Kart 64
10. Grand Theft Auto - Vice City
11. Lara Croft: Tomb Raider
12. Wii Sports
13. Final Fantasy
14. Gran Turismo
15. Lemmings
16. Frogger
17. Pokemon, Red, Blue and Green
18. Street Fighter II
19. Wii Play
20. Guitar Hero
I have many problems with this list (do I even need to type the words Pokemon), here are a few, and then I will get to the theme of this post. First off, why do the Wii games make the list and nothing for the other new consoles out there, are you seriously telling me that Wii Sports and Wii Play are better than any of the Halo games, ridiculous. I am fine with having the GTA games on there, they were both hours and hours of fun for me, and if you are going to give them the nod, then you seriously need to look at either GTA III (the one that started it all), or the latest GTA IV which is pretty amazing, and I still have not finished it. I love that they pay some respect to the old school games, like Frogger and Donkey Kong, and the mighty Space Invaders, but one big one is missing, Zelda, come on, no love for Link, he couldn’t squeeze into the top 20. And frankly I find the Sims pick to be just stupid, number 4 of all time, it wouldn’t be number 4 on my all time Sim-ed themed games. I realize some of these picks are on their because they lead to bigger and better things, which is why I wanted to produce a Jaxwing list. But it’s impossible to cross platform games and rank them, it would be like comparing the greatest players of all time and saying so guy in the 1920’s is better than someone in 1990’s, technology grows, as does the games (and baseball players for that matter), so you have a little more even playing field if you go console. So I will give you my top ten Xbox 360 games, currently out. Few terms for my list, these are games that I have played, I will probably differ from your list, because you might have sat through so games that when past me on the radar, I will also have some kid games on the list, since I have a 5 year old, and we game together. But ready or not, here it comes, enjoy.
10. NCAA Football ’09: This is the currently game I am playing, and man it’s been a blast thus far. Some sweet game modes, including Dynasty, where you take a team to the title game, but along the way you recruit and build pipe lines, coach, and get some name recognition, you can even use a lesser known school, win with them, and get them into one of the Super Conferences, right now, I am trying to build the North Texas Mean Green program up, it’s not easy, but its damn fun. Also, another game mode that I am addicted to is Campus Legend, you build a player (the only drawback is that my player, Mike Honcho, could not have a mustache, they need to fix this) and take him through the High School Playoffs, then sign with a college, either as a starter or backup, go through practices and school schedule, and of course each game, trying to lead your team to the BCS title, and take home the Heisman hardware, Mike Honcho is close right now, he has made it to the SEC finals where he will face off against Florida (Honcho signed with LSU as a starter). Other things about the game, Mascots, yes you can play as Mascots, you can also use them during touchdown celebrations. There is a lot more about this game, but I can tell you it is better than any Madden game I have played, go get it.
9. Lego Star Wars – The Complete Saga: OK, so this is the kid’s game I was talking about earlier, but really it’s fun for everyone. Basically a few years back, LEGO and Lucas combined efforts and created a game that followed Episode I through III, and it was a smash hit, so when Xbox 360 made its way to the console, they combined again and came out with Episodes IV – VI, well someone got smart, revamped both games, and released them as one complete game, and me and Jax could not have been happier. The game is set in the Star Wars world, but all characters, landscape, and vehicles, are LEGOs. Sounds strange, I know, but basically you run around, following the plot points of the movies, blasting things that turning into coins, stones, or something like that. You have puzzles to solve, and baddies to fight along the way, and great cut scenes that help move the movie along. Also each character has special powers, examples Luke uses the force, he can move things, pull things and knock people over using his special power, Han does a sweet roll to move out of the way of lasers and then fires off his own shot, and Leia has a super slap, and it sounds the same as it looks, she can beat the crap out of you with a slap. Others in the game can jump higher, open certain doors, and work certain vehicles, but ultimately the game is blast and hilarious along the way, and my son finds constant enjoyment in playing it. Funny tidbit, it has online play, and once my son hooked up and played with another kid, who obviously was from England, because my son asked why he talks like Harry Potter.
8. Crackdown: Probably a bit of a surprise to be on the list, but the game was just so damn fun. You are a super cop, out to clean the streets from 3 gangs in 3 different sections of your ‘sandbox’ (used to describe games like GTA that have open areas to do what you want in them). As a super cop you have special abilities and as you get better and the stats increase, so does the world around you, as you realize it’s not flat, you can climb and jump buildings to add to your ultimate fun in the game. Which leads you a huge addiction in the game, Orbs, these cool glowing balls that are found in easy and hard areas, and when you get close to one this weird buzzing sound occurs, and then once you touch the Orb another cool sound happens, it’s hard to describe, but basically it’s been my Text Message tone ever since I played the game. Shooting people, kicking cars, melee attacks, all lead to better abilities and make the game increasing easier for you, which is a disappointment later in the game as it becomes a little too easy, but the sheer joy of climbing the Agency Tower and jumping off into a small pool of water is euphoric. You also do some driving in the game, not the best part of the game, but as you get better at driving your car gets better, what look normal upon entering, becomes super charged and changes to reflect your abilities and causes your car to have special abilities, like jumping and climbing as well, so you see where this goes, and it too can be endless fun. It’s not the best game ever, but man for a time it was all me and guys could talk about, and climbing and jumping from rooftop to rooftop is something that has not been seen in any other game. This is one game on the list, that will not get a sequel treatment, which is mind boggling to me, but Microsoft and the Developers announced short ago that this would be the only Crackdown, and that my friends, licks balls.
7. Need For Speed Most Wanted: Ok, this one will cause ripples in the force, but here is my reasoning behind it. This was the first game I played, and the experience was so overwhelming it has lead to ever other title on the list. When I finally broke down and purchased my Xbox, after months of here the guys in the office talk about it, they lent me 2 games, Most Wanted and Call of Duty 2 (which could have easily been on the list as well), and after forking over 500 bucks, having people let you borrower games is sort of a necessity. Anyhoo, Need of Speed is a racing series and this was the first of the series on the new gen consoles, and they did not disappoint. You are new in town, and get caught up in illegal street racing, and your goal is to move up the Blacklist, the top 15 racers in Rockport. With the help of Mia, this hot chick that knows everything about street racing, you quickly start moving up the charts, your goal is to take Razor out, this asshole that is supposed to be the best in Rockport and had you locked up. There a different races to win at as well, like drag, lap, challenge, and the best, Evade, where you must evade the cops for a determined number of minutes and then cool down. As fun as the races are, and how freaking funny the cut scenes can be unintentionally, the best part of the game for me was the cars. Over 30 licensed cars to choose from, via purchase or winning through pink slip races, you can then customize the car to suit your needs, with body kits, spoilers, vinlys, tires, wheels, and paint. Just a fun as arcade style racing game that made me fall in love with the Xbox 360, and because of that, it gets a spot on the list.
6. The Orange Box: Does it really get any better than getting 5 games, for 50 bucks, this is the best deal ever on the 360. Here is what you get for your 50 bones: Half-Life 2, Half-Life Episode 1, Half-life Episode 2, Portal, and Team Fortress 2. Quick break down on the games
Half-Life 2: Gordon Freeman adventures in City 17, where aliens have run amuck and control much of the cities. A group of scientists and underground freedom fighters are still in pursuit of freedom, and you their shining star. Good aliens, bad aliens, awesome weapons, great visuals made this game a complete enjoyment to me. I had never played any of the Half Life series before, but now I will be waiting for more from Valve.
Portal: OK, so you spend your 50 bucks and think this is just some throw in game or filler. And then it hits you, this is best game in the package. It’s a mix of puzzles mixed in a first person shooter setting with some hilarious comic relief from the computerized female voice that guides you through the various stages. The challenges get tougher and tougher, and sooner or later you have to look to higher powers to help you, and by higher powers I mean geeks on YouTube that have figured out how to get past certain levels. It’s not a lengthy game, but is fully satisfying.
Team Fortress 2: This is straight multiplayer fun. It’s a class based multiplayer shooter in which reteam slugs it out against blue team. 6 different maps with different game scenario; capture the flag or control points. And therein lies the downside of this great game, not enough maps or different style of games. But you do get to choose from about 9 different character types, like bomber, soldier, medic, pyro, and sniper to name a few. It has cartoonish looking characters and looks like something out of a Bugs Bunny cartoon, but it was hours of enjoyment, hadn’t picked it up in a while, not sure if there are still people playing it, but if they are, please look out for lilburritoman, he is deadly.
As you can see, you get a lot for 50 bucks, and that alone should play it on the list, but the games are unbelievable. I doubt there will ever be an Orange Box 2, but I know the pieces will be broken up into individual games, I have read about a Portal 2, but I don’t have a timetable for when it will come out, but know this, it will be purchased by me, because they did not steer me worng the first time. Thank you Valve
5. GTA IV: Ok, this is only game on the list I have not completed, and that is not because it sucks, it’s because there is so much to do, and I have a 5 year old that has to hide his eyes and cover his ears every time I pop it in. The best of the GTA series, and maybe one of the best games ever. You are Nico, new to Liberty City, but you have some interesting skills, skills that can be translated in dollars if you know the right people and luckily you have a jackass cousin that gets into some trouble. The amazing details in Liberty City, combined with great feel this game has makes it a must own for anyone who likes to kill, steal, and rob. Also if you have an affinity for hookers, and strip clubs or Ricky Gervis, then this is the game for you. I won’t get into plot points, but you know the drill, you work for some drug dealers, some mobsters, some dirty cops, and other agents to move your quest of owning the city along. There are cars, boats, motorcycles, and helicopters to help you along the way. Great cut scenes, intense action, and phone/test service make this one of the best games ever, I would have it higher on my list if I could ever finish it, I think I’m 44% along, and it came out in May I think. Plus you one of the funniest characters ever in video game history, Brucie, he has to be seen or heard to believe. You know this is a mature game, but it’s unbelievable once you get into it how completely mature it is, it’s like talking to Tercel after several pints. Of course there is great music to go along with the ride, and now built in GPS systems on most of the cars you steal, thanks Rock Star. And let’s not forget the TW@, where you get to do some online dating, just a brilliant concept. Too many secrets to reveal since it’s still a fairly new title.
4. Call of Duty 4: Ok, I could have easily placed both Call of Duty 2 and 4 here together, one was the first shooter that I played on Xbox 360 (COD 2), and the other might be the best shooter that I have ever played, period. So COD4 gets the nod, and a big nod it is. So the first thing you notice about this game, is that we have finally ended WWII, it took Infinity Ward a while, but someone must have told them this revelation, and thus Modern Warfare was developed. So then you might say, ‘ok, so it might not be WWII, but it could be the exact same game with just a different setting’, and that is when I slap you with my tube and tell you that you are a whining little bitch that needs to buy this game and see for yourself, because it is far from that my friends. This is the real deal, and thus why it is number 4 on the list. This is a game that is told from multiple perspectives, that of British and US Marines, so that is a little start for this. The single player mode is short and sweet, but has enough in it to where you are craving for more, and moving up in difficultly will ruin your night. But there is a beauty in this game that was yet tapped by Infinity Ward before, multiplayer. Some consider this the ultimate multiplayer game, besting all the rest in the category. 16 different maps I believe, they keep coming out with more and more it’s hard to keep track of, and up to 18 people per match, makes this worth the price of admission. 6 modes to choose from, the greatest being deathmatch of course, team and free for all, some object oriented modes, prevent the enemy from blowing up from base, control points and capture games, all of which are fun. And all of which I completely suck at; there is no more humbling experience than being taunted by a teenager that is repeatedly filling you up with lead. This is the perfect war time game, and a delightful departure from WWII, but I’m sure there is still more to visit with WWII, but here’s to hoping COD4 leads to more real time war and no more potato bombs.
3. Halo 3: The granddaddy of them all, the game that put Microsoft on the map, Halo, way back when Xbox was cool to have. Well we waited, and we waited, then they hit us in the face with one of the best. Now before you start lobbing stones and beating me with cane sticks, note that I love the Halo franchise, and Halo multiplayer to me, is the best, like I said some think COD4 multiplayer is the best, I am not ‘some’. For me jumping in and out of this multiplayer is much, much more fun, plus you get to kind of customize your guy, which is always a blast, my guy, Jaxwing, is doo-doo brown. And being able to join up with your friend, and play online against others is a difference maker, no more having to deal with some 8 year old on your team, if your friend is playing he can keep playing with you and you move together map to map. Lots of different maps and scenarios, too many for me to list, but the team matches are a blast. Oh yeah, the single player mode, almost forgot, was called ‘Finish the fight’ which leads a lot of people to believe this is the last of the Halo series, and if that is true they went out with a bang, plenty of fun and entertainment to make me remember this game by, but someone I don’t think that this will be the end of Master Chief, he is such an important figure now in the video game community, I mean he is not Super Mario, but he is somewhere up there, definitely ahead of that asshat Snake or whatever he is called form Metal Gear Solid. So for that reason, I think he will make a return down the road, but for now, we will function as if this is our last ride with him, and for me there has not been a better character to control and the fun that I have had with Master Chief, the good times we shared, like running of the side of cliffs, or flipping our Warthog, stealing a Ghost, or applying a stickybomb to an unsuspecting 8 year old. Good Times indeed. You can still find me online playing with my Master Chief, Jaxwing sends me a message and I will finish the fight with you.
2. Gears of War: Oh boy, just writing and remembering this game gives me chills. If you haven’t met Marcus Fenix, get ready, he is about to take the world by storm like Master Chief did before him. Hands down the best graphics ever in a game, the visuals made ever game before look silly, and every game since it increase. This is an action packed, in your face kind of game, which makes you remember bullets are bad and you need to hide behind something before you are ripped to shreds. Oh and if you want to tussle in close quarters, meet my gun that is also a chainsaw, and then you get the satisfaction of slicing and enemy in half, bad fucking ass my friends. Oh and if you want some weapons, this game delivers so many different ones, that each person has their favorite, mine, well it would be torque bow, and bad ass bow and arrow with explosive tips, perfect to slap into some Locust, your main enemies in the game. But don’t forget to use the Hammer of Dawn, and watch what it will do to a giant spider. This is the first game that I have played that requires so much cover, I know that it was based on a game called kill.switch, but I never owned a PS2, nor played anything of the games except for San Andreas, so taking cover was a new experience for me, but you quickly adjust and it just heightens the game. You have the ability to play by yourself, or have your friend jump in and help you out with a level, which can be much needed in certain areas, and then let’s talk about the multiplayer, although it’s not the best, it is still extremely fun. Crap, I completely forgot about the curb stomp, have you ever wanted to end someone with a boot to the face, well apparently the makers of Gears of War had seen American History X one too many times, and allows you to curb stomp a fool when he is down on the ground, just to be sure he doesn’t get back up. Between the weapons, the visuals, the chainsaw, the multiplayer, the molten glowing lava, the spiders, and the commercial that introduced me to Gary Jules’ Mad World, and can’t tell you how excited I am for Nov 7th 2008, not only is it close to my birthday, it’s the day Gears of War 2 comes out, good luck finding me that day unless you are in my living room on my couch. Marcus Fenix and Cole Train can’t wait.
1. Bioshock: Ok, the number 1 game on my list, and it’s a strange one, but in a good way. This game snuck up on everyone, and surprised even the most knowledgeable gamers. So how to describe BioShock, that is the difficult part, it is one part first person shooter, wrapped in a world that is underwater and retro but yet futuristic at the exact same time, strange right, well that is why it is so great. The game is set in the underwater world called Rapture, that is owned a controlled by some megalomaniac named Andrew Ryan, he has built a society of total freedom, a world untouched by government and where science has no morals, sounds great until you see what they did with all of this, it will make you miss your Viagra commercials. And the evil behind it all is a substance called ADAM, which allows you to ticker with your body and create certain abilities, like lightning coming out for your fingertips, or glowing green heart things that guys called Big Daddy like, Big Daddy’s have this huge drill on their arms and a little girl with glowing red eyes by their side, and yes it is a creepy as it sounds. An absolute brilliant storyline, a completely warped world with a twist and turns that keep you interested, this for me has been the best game so far on the 360, not because it blew you away with guns, or scenery, or even skills, but because it had something different, something that has not been seen in a game, ever, this retro underwater world was completely mesmerizing, and had me engrossed until the finale, which has 2 different endings depending on how you play. And this game is just too hard to describe in one paragraph, or even and essay, it is a work of art, and a game that stands alone. You might have seen a game similar, but I doubt it, you might have played a game that felt the same, but I doubt it, and ultimately you might be bored reading this, but I doubt it. This was THE game for me, and I can’t wait to see what they might do next.
Jaxwing, enjoy
