300 Games Bucket List

Inspired by Weatherby's "250 Retro Bucket List" ( https://www.backloggd.com/u/Weatherby/list/250-retro-bucket-list/ ), I did not limit my list to Retro games. One reason is because due to some quirks of how my life went, there was a period of about 10 years I couldn't really buy any new consoles (or a new PC), so my list of played games actually skews somewhat older to begin with. Plus I have so many games I want to play I didn't feel the need to limit myself. The basics of the list are the same: 300 games that I want to play before I kick that ol' bucket.

The first page, or Top 100, is the Top 100 games on this list I want to play, but there isn't any order within that Top 100. And while the games aren't in any super specific order besides that, I did try to make it overall aesthetically pleasing, or have some mini-themes here or there.

I'm rather undetermined in what I'll do as I actually beat these games. My first thought is to remove them to the list and do, IDK, a "Bucket List Games Completed" list while replacing it with a new game, which makes it a bit of an unending bucket list (given, after all, new games always be coming out). But maybe that's too much. But just leaving a game here after finishing it feels odd to me. What do you guys think?

I tried to avoid any games that were unreleased, or that I had what felt like "substantial" progress in, since that didn't jive with my mental image of what this bucket list is for. Funny enough, I got too far into Fire Emblem Engage to put it on, even though it was a game I thought of when making this list. Live A Live also would have been in the Top 100 if I hadn't started it already.

Later, I might I'll note down what systems the games first released on (or something) to show off that spread, and maybe which ones I actually have access to.

13 Sentinels: Aegis Rim
13 Sentinels: Aegis Rim
428: Shibuya Scramble
428: Shibuya Scramble
This game just seems incredibly unique, really.
Ace Combat 3: Electrosphere
Ace Combat 3: Electrosphere
BUT YOU DIDN'T HAVE TO CUT ME OFF

MAKE OUT LIKE IT NEVER HAPPENED AND THAT WE WERE NOTHING

Japanese version
Ace Combat 5: The Unsung War
Ace Combat 5: The Unsung War
Ace Combat 7: Skies Unknown
Ace Combat 7: Skies Unknown
Ace Combat Zero: The Belkan War
Ace Combat Zero: The Belkan War
Advance Wars
Advance Wars
If Re-Boot Camp ever comes out then I might snag it and play via that, or just play both.
AM2R: Return of Samus
AM2R: Return of Samus
I might be even more inclined to play this if it wasn't so hard to get working. It STILL won't properly detect my controller!
Analogue: A Hate Story
Analogue: A Hate Story
Anodyne 2: Return to Dust
Anodyne 2: Return to Dust
Ape Escape
Ape Escape
Aragami
Aragami
I doubt this game will be all too good, but it might be a fun way to waste some time in a stealth game, and I also just thought the cover art + in-game art style were appealing. Definitely one of those "7/10 games that caught my eye" kinda games.
Azure Striker Gunvolt
Azure Striker Gunvolt
Baba is You
Baba is You
Banjo-Tooie
Banjo-Tooie
TBH, Banjo-Kazooie hasn't been quite as good as I was hoping, but it's still fun and this is another N64 classic.
Banner of the Maid
Banner of the Maid
The Banner Saga Trilogy
The Banner Saga Trilogy
Baten Kaitos: Eternal Wings and the Lost Ocean
Baten Kaitos: Eternal Wings and the Lost Ocean
I was a major RPG fan who grew up with his primary console of the sixth generation (until I got a PS2 in my more late teenage years). So of course I had a lot of interest in Baten Kaitos.

But also, it has a card-based battle system! I like card games a lot! The plot twist sounds fun! It has quite the nice mix of things that interest me.
Baten Kaitos Origins
Baten Kaitos Origins
Bayonetta
Bayonetta
Blasphemous
Blasphemous
Blinx: The Time Sweeper
Blinx: The Time Sweeper
One of the harder games for me to actually play right now given the state of Xbox Emulation, but this game honestly seems overhated.
Bloodborne
Bloodborne
Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night
Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night
Miriam's design is peak. I actually played through, like, the very start of this and it seemed fun (aside from some weird models during dialogue).
Blue Reflection
Blue Reflection
Bomberman 64: The Second Attack!
Bomberman 64: The Second Attack!
I never beat Bomberman 64 as a kid, because I'm bad at it, but it did stick in my head a fair deal. The sequel seems notably expanded on, making me want to check it out.
Bravely Default
Bravely Default
Bravely Default II
Bravely Default II
Bravely Second: End Layer
Bravely Second: End Layer
TBH this sounds like it might be the best Bravely game, which given the devs apparently thought they failed with it is funny.
Breath of Fire III
Breath of Fire III
Breath of Fire IV
Breath of Fire IV
The Breath of Fire series is one I had only vaguely heard about before I got a Switch, where Breath of Fire 1/2 being on NSO made me investigate it a bit more.

That ended up getting me interested in 3/4: They seem to be quite highly regarded, the way they look visually is appealing in the way some PS1 RPGs were, the transformation mechanics might be neat and also man I love this one's cover art. Field Skills sound fun.
Bug Fables: The Everlasting Sapling
Bug Fables: The Everlasting Sapling
Cannon Spike
Cannon Spike
I first noticed this game just because of the name being a Cammy reference but, like, this seems like a pretty interesting idea, watching Matt McMuscles play it briefly made it look fun, why not give it a whirl, right?
Castlevania: Aria of Sorrow
Castlevania: Aria of Sorrow
Seems like the title I most hear as likely to unseat Symphony of the Night for Metroidvania CVs. Seems like the culmination of the GBA Castlevanias and great fun.

Also hot damn that box art is so good.
Castlevania: Bloodlines
Castlevania: Bloodlines
Feels like another rather unique title in Castlevania and I want to see how its diagonal whipping compares to Super Castlevania IV.

I kinda wish Dracula wasn't in this game at all.
Castlevania: Circle of the Moon
Castlevania: Circle of the Moon
This one is a bit of an oddball. I know it isn't the most acclaimed of the Castlevanias by a long shot, but something about it has kept my eye on it for a while. Maybe it is because it is a rare Castlevania game to NOT star a Belmont?

I also think it is a bit of a shame it seems to be excised from the canon, when unlike Legends (which at least does contradict later series ideas) it feels like it could slot in quite easily. I know it's been said it is because the devs wanted it to be a "standalone title" but I don't see why that makes it non-canon. The GBA Castlevanias also just all seem rather interesting, really.
Castlevania Legends
Castlevania Legends
Everybody has their crazy dreams. I like to imagine if I suddenly had the money of Jeff Bezos or w/e, one thing I would do would use it to fund a lot of game development. One of which would just be covering studio losses for risky ventures to try and get them to be more bold. But also I like to imagine paying a lot to let Konami have someone develop a remake of this game in an action-y, Dark Souls style combat system, because Sonia Belmont got kinda done dirty.

Thank you for coming to my TED Talk.
Castlevania: Order of Ecclesia
Castlevania: Order of Ecclesia
Shanoa over there lookin' like a snack, the game is like the last Metroidvania CV as far as I know, and another one with a female lead which was fun. Seems like a good one overall.
Castlevania: Rondo of Blood
Castlevania: Rondo of Blood
Castlevania: Symphony of the Night
Castlevania: Symphony of the Night
Celeste
Celeste
Chantelise - A Tale of Two Sisters
Chantelise - A Tale of Two Sisters
Chibi-Robo!
Chibi-Robo!
Chrono Cross
Chrono Cross
I have no idea what the hell to think about this game and that makes it exciting. Seems iconic anyway.
Chrono Trigger
Chrono Trigger
Citizen Sleeper
Citizen Sleeper
I've been excited for this since release and while some reviews concerned me, it's still got me quite interested.
Code Vein
Code Vein
Actually one of the first games I purchased when I got a computer that might be able to run it.
Cogen: Sword of Rewind
Cogen: Sword of Rewind
Crash Bandicoot 4: It's About Time
Crash Bandicoot 4: It's About Time
Crash Bandicoot N. Sane Trilogy
Crash Bandicoot N. Sane Trilogy
Crimson Gem Saga
Crimson Gem Saga
How many South Korean games do we get access to? I have Astonisha Story ready too. The game sounds good from what I've seen and like it fits that "under the radar DS/PSP RPG" that was frequent in that era.
Croixleur Sigma
Croixleur Sigma
CrossCode
CrossCode
Crystar
Crystar
Cubivore: Survival of the Fittest
Cubivore: Survival of the Fittest
Eating your opponents to grow and evolve sounds neat. I remember seeing this game in commercials and maybe a demo disc? Which made me look it up on GameFAQs all those years ago, add onto that the game's charm and while I doubt it'll blow me away it makes me wanna try it out.
Cuphead
Cuphead
Custom Robo
Custom Robo
One of those games I heard about as a kid and was always interested in but never had.
Danganronpa: Trigger Happy Havoc
Danganronpa: Trigger Happy Havoc
Dark Souls III
Dark Souls III
Dark Souls II: Scholar of the First Sin
Dark Souls II: Scholar of the First Sin
Dark Souls: Remastered
Dark Souls: Remastered
Deltarune
Deltarune
Demon's Souls
Demon's Souls
Demon Turf
Demon Turf
One of those games that I got excited for due to a Youtube video, in this case NitroRad's coverage that makes this game look sick: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PgQ4KbstZq0
Devil May Cry 3: Dante's Awakening - Special Edition
Devil May Cry 3: Dante's Awakening - Special Edition
Devil May Cry 4: Special Edition
Devil May Cry 4: Special Edition
Devil May Cry 5
Devil May Cry 5
SAVIOR.

BLOODSTAIN.

HELLFIRE.

SHADOW.
Digimon Survive
Digimon Survive
This game sounds like it wasn't everything I hoped it would be, but man, good DIgimon games are HARD to come by, it sounds like some Visual Novel/Tactical RPG combo?? and the actual scenario feels more naturalistically wild than an average Digimon game.
Digimon World Re:Digitize Decode
Digimon World Re:Digitize Decode
You can consider this on here due to Cyber Sleuth having characters from it that I want to see more of there.

I actually only found out it had a working fan translation while making this list. It wasn't working before. Nice.
Disco Elysium: The Final Cut
Disco Elysium: The Final Cut
Disgaea 1 Complete
Disgaea 1 Complete
This is a game I wanted to play for a looong time, but I do feel like compared to some others the flatout desire to play it waned slightly, so it is a more tenous position. One reason being later Disgaeas improving the gameplay. Laharl/Etna/Flonne still seem like quite the power trio though (especially Flonne) and it really captured a time period well.
Doki Doki Literature Club!
Doki Doki Literature Club!
Donkey Kong
Donkey Kong
Donkey Kong Country 2: Diddy's Kong Quest
Donkey Kong Country 2: Diddy's Kong Quest
Donkey Kong Country Returns 3D
Donkey Kong Country Returns 3D
Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze
Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze
Doom 64
Doom 64
IDK why this one speaks to me out of all the DOOM games. Maybe part of it is the slight obscurity, admittedly. NightmareModeGo's description (via someone else) of the game as “helpless rats trapped in Satan’s maze” gives me some big eyes on it, too.
Dragon Quest III: The Seeds of Salvation
Dragon Quest III: The Seeds of Salvation
Dragon Quest V: Hand of the Heavenly Bride
Dragon Quest V: Hand of the Heavenly Bride
Dragon Quest VIII: Journey of the Cursed King
Dragon Quest VIII: Journey of the Cursed King
Dragon Quest XI S: Echoes of an Elusive Age - Definitive Edition
Dragon Quest XI S: Echoes of an Elusive Age - Definitive Edition
Drakengard 3
Drakengard 3
Zero's a top tier girl lets be real
Dusk Diver
Dusk Diver
Saw this while looking through a random review channel, though it looked radical and the trailer is cool. This seemed like one of those smaller studio projects I thought would die, so I am glad it got a sequel. Plus, how many Taiwanese games do we really get?
Dust: An Elysian Tail
Dust: An Elysian Tail
EarthBound
EarthBound
IDK how I have never played this when I love Mother 3 so much.
Elden Ring
Elden Ring
Ender Lilies: Quietus of the Knights
Ender Lilies: Quietus of the Knights
Eternal Fighter Zero
Eternal Fighter Zero
Kanon is pretty special to me as the first anime (and, really, show in general) I simulwatched with a friend. We both cried many times during it. This was back in the mid to late 2000s (2007 or so), so I was stuck with...Mediashare or Mediafire or something to watch it with, and right at the start of the last episode it cut me off for an hour because of the amount of time I'd spent watching it. Me and my friend lost our shit and basically fretted with each other for an hour chatting about the show while we waited. It was great. The show still sticks with me all these years later. I really, really must watch Clannad and After Story one day.

Anyway Eternal Fighter Zero takes those characters and puts them in a very carefree fighter that nonetheless has the same mechanical flourish as the Touhou fighters, has great characterization and in general looks like a blast. Backloggd, when we got those Eternal Fighter Zero tournies goin'?!
Eternal Sonata
Eternal Sonata
AFAIK this is supposed to be a fairly mid JRPG, but it has stuck in my mind a lot for some reason. Maybe because the premise seems rather wild? In its own way, it sticks out as unique to me. When do we get Beethoven's Last Night the JRPG?
Excitebike 64
Excitebike 64
Fallout: New Vegas
Fallout: New Vegas
Fate/Stay Night
Fate/Stay Night
This is one of those formative games I know so much about I feel like I've basically played it, but also I haven't actually played it and so REALLY want to.
Final Fantasy IV
Final Fantasy IV
Final Fantasy IV: The After Years
Final Fantasy IV: The After Years
Look, I know this game isn't supposed to be good, but the final boss actually really intrigues me and it feels like a rather unique follow-up in terms of how Final Fantasy normally goes.
Final Fantasy IX
Final Fantasy IX
This being a friend's favorite Final Fantasy helps. Kuja is good y'all.
Final Fantasy Tactics
Final Fantasy Tactics
I know it isn't necessarily the most accurate translation (although not as inaccurate as some people say from what I know) but "Don't blame us. Blame yourself or God." is one of the most raw lines in video games.
Final Fantasy Tactics Advance
Final Fantasy Tactics Advance
Final Fantasy Tactics sequel? GBA Tactical RPG? Controversial plot that people have come around on more with time but still leaves room for me to question it as I go? Based. Super Lit.
Final Fantasy V Advance
Final Fantasy V Advance
Final Fantasy VI
Final Fantasy VI
Most likely via FF6 Advance. Up there with 12 and 7 in terms of Final Fantasies I want to play. It somehow still sounds rather unique all these years later, and I feel intimately acquainted with it due to stuff like repeated watches of Legends of Localization's Final Fantasy VI translation comparison stream. I highly recommend it, by the way:

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL8fufren85t_hZIk7nzF3EkbQHhexGOpa

Comments




Last updated: