The first thing that comes to mind when I think "off-beat platformer" is Earthworm Jim. This game isn't even close to being a fine-tuned efficient action experience. But it makes up for that with a ton of heart and creativity. The game often ups the ante with scenarios and stages you'll never see coming.

Even if it isn't the most well-designed platformer, the game is still a lot of fun from beginning to end. Also, in my opinion, I prefer the SNES version. Genesis had an extra stage, but I didn't find it enjoyable at all. I also think SNES' "rougher" sound chip suited the vibe of the game a lot more.

A game I know isn't perfect, but I don't care. It's perfect in my eyes. No More Heroes is a great hack-n-slash game with gratifying visuals, visceral combat, and a supremely interesting story that has a lot for both people that want a fun, simple adventure, and people that want a deep, profound narrative.

The game has a lot to say about how witnessing death can change you as a person, and it's firstly disguised as a goofy action game. This and the director's previous game "killer7" heavily influenced me as a teenager and what I look for in a video game's story.

The Wii version is the most authentic experience, but the Switch version is mostly competent while sporting a better framerate. PC version is very rough and doesn't even include kb+m controls.

The zombie game of zombie games! Dead Rising is an incredible non-traditional survival horror that emphasizes on many mechanics not seen in other horror games. The biggest enemy? TIME! You are Frank West, trying to capture the ultimate scoop, all while doing your best to help those in need from this zombie hellscape that was once a flourishing shopping mall!

It's such a blast exploring the mall and using so many different kinds of items as a weapon, all while the screen shows literally hundreds of shambling zombies at once! The controls definitely take some getting used to, but slaying the undead feels so damn good! And the story is very interesting as well. Unlike its Resident Evil relative, Dead Rising does not rely on a single memo to tell its tale of flesh-eaters and capitalism.

The PC version is considerably the best to go with, although it has a couple noticeable flubs. PS4 is a satisfactory experience as well.

Now THIS is the defining run-n-gun game! Contra on NES really set the roots for what a run-n-gun game should be! It controls well, the music is great, the stages are very challenging without feeling unfair, and honing on your skills makes for great replay value!

Want to know where to start in the run-n-gun subgenre? Look no further! This is included in the Contra Collection that was released on Switch, PS4, Xbox, and Steam. It's a very suitable way to play as the porting team really made it feel 1-to-1 with the original NES experience.

A genre-defining survival horror game, the original resident Evil is a historic entry that would change the video game industry forever. I still remember the first time the zombie turns to look at you and my 8-year old self getting scared out of his wits! It wouldn't be a few years until I went back and played through the game myself, and it still got some good scares!

The controls certainly take some getting used to, but it all clicks in once you understand it! It might be a little harder for others to get enveloped into this experience, but I think any horror fan should at least give it a fair shake. They won't regret it!

My favorite Resident Evil game of the franchise. The ultimate sequel, where just about everything was better! The visuals, the animations, the story, the mechanics, everything was so refined and it made for an unforgettable experience back when I was a kid! And it's still so great to go back to every once in a while! The centerpiece story of the Birkin family is one that always stuck with me since I was a kid, and I still love witnessing it now.

I also can't harp enough how fantastic its introduction is. No tutorial, no explanation of how it controls (unless you read the instruction manual). This game throws you in the deep end while shouting "good luck!" as multiple zombies on fire are walking towards you the second you're given control. A terrifying start. What a bunch of dirty, rotten geniuses!

A straight-forward sequel to the genre-defining Contra, Super C is more of that goodness you expect with slight tweaks, such as weapon "upgrades" when you pick-up the same weapon twice. They also went with overhead stages instead of the third-person scenarios from the first game, which is a slight improvement.

Contra and Super C are both suitable for beginners that want to start getting into the run-n-gun subgenre, as its sequels would up the ante in all departments, including the challenging gameplay!

A driving game that's so awesome, SEGA is a possessive douche to anyone that wants to make one similar to it! I didn't get into Crazy Taxi until a local arcade randomly got it and I slowly became obsessed with clearing it with high rankings.

One of the most rowdy arcade driving games ever made, nothing compares to its breakneck pace! It feels incredible to drive the vehicle and understand its mechanics, building up a score by attending customers is supremely satisfying, the soundtrack is very fitting, and the visuals are so colorful and charming! The game really breathes with that SEGA arcade heart I miss so dearly.

I've played hundreds upon hundreds of hours of this game where at first I was merely enjoying the game, but it devolved to the point where the only "fun" I was having was actually winning an online match. Awesomenauts is a cool, 2D MOBA with a charming art style. However, the competitive scene just gets really frustrating, especially for someone like me that doesn't really play MOBAs at all. I was pretty high-ranked too, but it's been a while since I've played it. The enjoyment I used to feel from this game is long gone.

If a sequel was ever announced, I would get it at launch like the whore I am.

A great rhythm game that, for better or for worse, changed that genre's path forever. Guitar Hero is a really cute and charming little piece that is great to look back at, especially after seeing how bloated and ridiculous it became a mere few years later. The song covers are definitely rough, but it all works for this fun game about hitting multi-colored buttons on a stick.

Say what you want about this franchise and the parties involved, but Guitar Hero itself has this dirty little soul that I love to see.

An incredible survival horror game that managed to stand up against the already-famous Resident Evil titan at the time! Silent Hill 1 is a chilling experience full of brain-teasing puzzles, impeccable sound design, and a mesmerizing atmosphere!

The latter is especially impressive, as all the venues you explore as Harry Mason look and feel like well-furnished areas that were once lived in, rather than set-pieces for a video game. The story is also fantastic and make it very believable that someone like Harry would put himself through this nightmare of a town.

A desperate father looking for his daughter, the only thing left he loves in this world. He has to claw his way through these hellscapes to find the ultimate truth, while you discover the tragedies of other characters involved! Silent Hill is awesome.