Game of the Year, but for every year I was born
The best game from every year I was born, even if I probably didn't play them that year (hello to half the Japanese games on this list)
33 Games
1992:
Possibly one of the first games I can ever recall playing, and one that I still play often to this very day. Satisfying and responsive beat 'em up gameplay, heightened even more by it's wonderful soundtrack and varied levels. This and the 1989 live action film were the secondary media that solidified myself as a TMNT fan for life.
Possibly one of the first games I can ever recall playing, and one that I still play often to this very day. Satisfying and responsive beat 'em up gameplay, heightened even more by it's wonderful soundtrack and varied levels. This and the 1989 live action film were the secondary media that solidified myself as a TMNT fan for life.
1993:
Konami strikes again with arguably the perfected Castlevania formula. As always the gameplay is challenging, to a point that they're almost pushing it too far, but you also have an optional alternate playable character by way of Maria who can alleviate some of the frustration, because of her ranged attacks and superior jumping.
There's so much going on in this game thanks to the PC Engine's hardware bump, between the alternate paths, secrets galore, hidden maidens, and the incredibly beautiful sprite work that reaches an almost cinematic level of quality, supported by what I can confidently say is the best soundtrack in the series. And that says a lot.
Konami strikes again with arguably the perfected Castlevania formula. As always the gameplay is challenging, to a point that they're almost pushing it too far, but you also have an optional alternate playable character by way of Maria who can alleviate some of the frustration, because of her ranged attacks and superior jumping.
There's so much going on in this game thanks to the PC Engine's hardware bump, between the alternate paths, secrets galore, hidden maidens, and the incredibly beautiful sprite work that reaches an almost cinematic level of quality, supported by what I can confidently say is the best soundtrack in the series. And that says a lot.
1994:
Quintessential childhood gaming, and the SNES game that everyone should play at some point. There's so much I can say about this game, but it feels almost appropriate to keep it simple.
This would introduce me to one of my favorite gaming franchises ever, if not my favorite of all time. Because of the Silicon Graphics rendering, we laid our eyes on captivating visuals and atmosphere that we couldn't even comprehend on consoles such as SNES, much less the brilliant soundtrack to go alongside it. The platforming gameplay was especially smooth and nimble, with a relatively grounded nuance to how levels were crafted. Did I say I would keep it simple...?
Quintessential childhood gaming, and the SNES game that everyone should play at some point. There's so much I can say about this game, but it feels almost appropriate to keep it simple.
This would introduce me to one of my favorite gaming franchises ever, if not my favorite of all time. Because of the Silicon Graphics rendering, we laid our eyes on captivating visuals and atmosphere that we couldn't even comprehend on consoles such as SNES, much less the brilliant soundtrack to go alongside it. The platforming gameplay was especially smooth and nimble, with a relatively grounded nuance to how levels were crafted. Did I say I would keep it simple...?
1995:
Defining example of what many would consider the perfect sequel.
Personally, I lean more towards the first DKC, but what can be said about the first game can also be said about this. If anything, they double down even more on the atmosphere and take the series into a bold new direction of uncharted krocodile lands, with a hint of grit, spookiness, and beauty.
So much of my childhood was glued to this game and the prequel.
Defining example of what many would consider the perfect sequel.
Personally, I lean more towards the first DKC, but what can be said about the first game can also be said about this. If anything, they double down even more on the atmosphere and take the series into a bold new direction of uncharted krocodile lands, with a hint of grit, spookiness, and beauty.
So much of my childhood was glued to this game and the prequel.
1996:
It feels funny to utter the phrase "Pokémon" and "Game of the Year" in the same sentence, much less context. These games are either mid, lacking quality (generously), or babies first RPG, and realistically, Super Mario 64 should just be here instead, especially if we're talking 1996 year of release where I wouldn't have played Pokémon until two years later anyway.
But, I can't describe this release as anything other than a phrase I like to describe certain games on occasion, which is "life changing." I'll never forget spotting a strategy guide for Red in the Toys R Us magazine rack, tantalized by Charizard on the cover, which captivated me so much that I accidentally shoplifted out of the store cause I couldn't stop reading when my parents took me outside. Eventually I would get my own copy, and despite never playing text heavy games at the time, would make steady progress, catch unforgettable monsters, and eventually become obsessed with the anime + card game, thus becoming a hooked fan of the overall IP, much less the games themselves. Said fan that somehow still obsesses over the franchise to this very day.
Being a fan of dinosaurs and Godzilla around that same age, I guess this obsession was also inevitable?
It feels funny to utter the phrase "Pokémon" and "Game of the Year" in the same sentence, much less context. These games are either mid, lacking quality (generously), or babies first RPG, and realistically, Super Mario 64 should just be here instead, especially if we're talking 1996 year of release where I wouldn't have played Pokémon until two years later anyway.
But, I can't describe this release as anything other than a phrase I like to describe certain games on occasion, which is "life changing." I'll never forget spotting a strategy guide for Red in the Toys R Us magazine rack, tantalized by Charizard on the cover, which captivated me so much that I accidentally shoplifted out of the store cause I couldn't stop reading when my parents took me outside. Eventually I would get my own copy, and despite never playing text heavy games at the time, would make steady progress, catch unforgettable monsters, and eventually become obsessed with the anime + card game, thus becoming a hooked fan of the overall IP, much less the games themselves. Said fan that somehow still obsesses over the franchise to this very day.
Being a fan of dinosaurs and Godzilla around that same age, I guess this obsession was also inevitable?
1997:
When people ask "what's your favorite game/movie/TV show/cartoon etc. of all time," it's not a question I'm too crazy about, because for me I feel that it's a constantly shifting answer depending on my mood and place in life.
I think the closest to this answer I can give for games is probably Mega Man Legends/64. I originally grew with the N64 version, and as a child, it was probably my most often rented game from blockbuster, and I never actually owned the game until High School. I was already a Mega Man fan beforehand, but this was a bold new adaptation, bringing forth a cast of new characters, but also shifting the gameplay completely from platformer gunplay to a Zelda-like 3D strafe shooter and dungeon crawler akin to Metroidvanias. That sounds like an insane shift, but comes together oddly well, and even still, we're treated to memorable and challenging bosses, as we already expect from the series.
I think the true magic of this game, beyond it's timeless art direction, is how it creates this sense of community as you're playing an otherwise epic adventure. There's so many side quests and unique side characters you meet along your journey that stick with you to the very end, and it makes the conclusion all the more emotional. It's the type of magic that makes other fifth generation 3D games like Ocarina of Time so special, and what has me hooked to the "small town" formula seen in other games as well.
When people ask "what's your favorite game/movie/TV show/cartoon etc. of all time," it's not a question I'm too crazy about, because for me I feel that it's a constantly shifting answer depending on my mood and place in life.
I think the closest to this answer I can give for games is probably Mega Man Legends/64. I originally grew with the N64 version, and as a child, it was probably my most often rented game from blockbuster, and I never actually owned the game until High School. I was already a Mega Man fan beforehand, but this was a bold new adaptation, bringing forth a cast of new characters, but also shifting the gameplay completely from platformer gunplay to a Zelda-like 3D strafe shooter and dungeon crawler akin to Metroidvanias. That sounds like an insane shift, but comes together oddly well, and even still, we're treated to memorable and challenging bosses, as we already expect from the series.
I think the true magic of this game, beyond it's timeless art direction, is how it creates this sense of community as you're playing an otherwise epic adventure. There's so many side quests and unique side characters you meet along your journey that stick with you to the very end, and it makes the conclusion all the more emotional. It's the type of magic that makes other fifth generation 3D games like Ocarina of Time so special, and what has me hooked to the "small town" formula seen in other games as well.
1998:
Is this the best game of all time? Maybe not, depending on who you ask. Can hyper sensitive 1st person aiming, constant block pushing, and shooting eyeballs on walls really be that great?
It's funny to see this game make the list, because during it's initial release, I wasn't sold on it at all. I was oddly uninterested in games that weren't explicitly for children, such as Mario, Pokemon, Donkey Kong and such. Perhaps it was games like Goldeneye that had me uninterested, but there was something about the grit and detail of Ocarina of Time that felt too "serious" for me. It wasn't until my stepmom got her own N64, and picked up this game in spite of me urging her to get Smash Bros or Mario 64 instead, but nevertheless she insisted I give it a try.
One honest try of the game and I was instantly hooked. The sense of adventure, z-targeting swordplay, characters, story, and so much was unlike anything I've ever experienced before. I ended up making my own savefile then eventually getting the game for myself at home. The prime definition of "don't judge a book by it's cover," course correcting my weird gaming bias and overall making me more open minded to different genres.
I can understand not getting the appeal in relation to it's impossibly high reception, but I think this is the type of game that represents an idea for the console game industry, in that it's a rare piece of gaming reaching "adulthood," in the same way games like Final Fantasy 7 and Metal Gear Solid made such an intense impact for how games can be seen as a full experience, encompassing cinematics and music and engaging characters/storylines alongside great gameplay.
Is this the best game of all time? Maybe not, depending on who you ask. Can hyper sensitive 1st person aiming, constant block pushing, and shooting eyeballs on walls really be that great?
It's funny to see this game make the list, because during it's initial release, I wasn't sold on it at all. I was oddly uninterested in games that weren't explicitly for children, such as Mario, Pokemon, Donkey Kong and such. Perhaps it was games like Goldeneye that had me uninterested, but there was something about the grit and detail of Ocarina of Time that felt too "serious" for me. It wasn't until my stepmom got her own N64, and picked up this game in spite of me urging her to get Smash Bros or Mario 64 instead, but nevertheless she insisted I give it a try.
One honest try of the game and I was instantly hooked. The sense of adventure, z-targeting swordplay, characters, story, and so much was unlike anything I've ever experienced before. I ended up making my own savefile then eventually getting the game for myself at home. The prime definition of "don't judge a book by it's cover," course correcting my weird gaming bias and overall making me more open minded to different genres.
I can understand not getting the appeal in relation to it's impossibly high reception, but I think this is the type of game that represents an idea for the console game industry, in that it's a rare piece of gaming reaching "adulthood," in the same way games like Final Fantasy 7 and Metal Gear Solid made such an intense impact for how games can be seen as a full experience, encompassing cinematics and music and engaging characters/storylines alongside great gameplay.
1999:
Incredible scope comprising of so many countless features, new Pokémon, locations and so on. Another shining example of a brilliant sequel, this is one of those games that nearly approaches the level of a "dream game," by way of introducing so much new content, but also incorporating nearly all the previous game's content. It feels like a fully thriving world in your Game Boy, and to this very day it seems like the idea of a new game using multiple regions and timely events, consisting of a full PokeDex, feels unattainable.
Perhaps it was developer magic in conjunction with simple hardware that allowed for this, but nonetheless, an incredible entry in the series that for many hasn't been topped.
I'll never forget screaming "it's Ash" when I was playing my friend's copy in the car and reaching the end of Mt. Silver.
Incredible scope comprising of so many countless features, new Pokémon, locations and so on. Another shining example of a brilliant sequel, this is one of those games that nearly approaches the level of a "dream game," by way of introducing so much new content, but also incorporating nearly all the previous game's content. It feels like a fully thriving world in your Game Boy, and to this very day it seems like the idea of a new game using multiple regions and timely events, consisting of a full PokeDex, feels unattainable.
Perhaps it was developer magic in conjunction with simple hardware that allowed for this, but nonetheless, an incredible entry in the series that for many hasn't been topped.
I'll never forget screaming "it's Ash" when I was playing my friend's copy in the car and reaching the end of Mt. Silver.
2000:
It wasn't until later in my life that I actually learned (kind of) how to play fighting games, that wasn't just mindless button mashing, but even then this was a hot game back in the early 2000's for me and my friends. If there was ever a skating ring or bowling alley party, and there was a MvC2 cabinet, or we went to the arcades, we were hooked on this game for the fireworks alone.
In a way, this game is a mess once you notice all the obvious asset reuse from previous games, inconsistent sprites, weird stages, and absurd competitive play that highlights the bizarre balance and strategies. But it's also those idiosyncrasies that make the game special, from it's sizable roster of 56 characters ranging from awful to redundant and incredibly overpowered, to some who are only useful as assists. This game predates the likes of other fighters like Dragon Ball Budokai Tenkaichi 3 or Smash Ultimate, known for their huge rosters, and we just didn't know any better, we loved it anyway cause your favorite Marvel or Capcom character was probably in it anyway.
This was before the era of patching, and in a way I think many would agree that's a good thing, cause it allowed the game to flourish such a fast paced and unique (or messed up, depending on who you ask) style of play. But for me personally, I was never a competitive player at this, but as said earlier, I'd always play it in the arcades, and would eventually grab the PS2 version for home, then would inevitably learn how to actually play fighting games around the time when MvC2's XBLA port came out, alongside Street Fighter HD Remix and Street Fighter IV, constantly netplaying when I had the chance.
I think my favorite story growing up with this game was playing in the mall, finally making it to Abyss at the end, when some older guy walked up, put a quarter in, and constantly beat me until I ran out of money. To this very day I don't have the heart to play Arcade mode anymore.
It wasn't until later in my life that I actually learned (kind of) how to play fighting games, that wasn't just mindless button mashing, but even then this was a hot game back in the early 2000's for me and my friends. If there was ever a skating ring or bowling alley party, and there was a MvC2 cabinet, or we went to the arcades, we were hooked on this game for the fireworks alone.
In a way, this game is a mess once you notice all the obvious asset reuse from previous games, inconsistent sprites, weird stages, and absurd competitive play that highlights the bizarre balance and strategies. But it's also those idiosyncrasies that make the game special, from it's sizable roster of 56 characters ranging from awful to redundant and incredibly overpowered, to some who are only useful as assists. This game predates the likes of other fighters like Dragon Ball Budokai Tenkaichi 3 or Smash Ultimate, known for their huge rosters, and we just didn't know any better, we loved it anyway cause your favorite Marvel or Capcom character was probably in it anyway.
This was before the era of patching, and in a way I think many would agree that's a good thing, cause it allowed the game to flourish such a fast paced and unique (or messed up, depending on who you ask) style of play. But for me personally, I was never a competitive player at this, but as said earlier, I'd always play it in the arcades, and would eventually grab the PS2 version for home, then would inevitably learn how to actually play fighting games around the time when MvC2's XBLA port came out, alongside Street Fighter HD Remix and Street Fighter IV, constantly netplaying when I had the chance.
I think my favorite story growing up with this game was playing in the mall, finally making it to Abyss at the end, when some older guy walked up, put a quarter in, and constantly beat me until I ran out of money. To this very day I don't have the heart to play Arcade mode anymore.
2001:
I'll never forget when my mom got me a Gamecube and Melee for Christmas, hooking it up in the kitchen, and my stepdad being blown away when he saw me playing as Bowser on Mushroom Kingdom in Adventure Mode. We genuinely thought graphics couldn't get better than that.
This game could be a life story for me, but to keep it brief, it lead me down so many different paths. Engaging in internet forums because of Smash roster discussion brainrot was the big one for me, but I also started learning about so many different Nintendo IP's thanks to the trophy feature, and eventually, this would be the first game I ever tried learning competitively. I'd look up cruddy wavedashing tutorials and competitive matches online back in High School, upload awful CPU matches on a camcorder, and would end up maining Luigi just cause I used him to learn how to wavedash and edgehog. I'd even end up winning one of my tournaments at the local mall game store when the actual good players didn't show up that day... I'm pretty proud of that one.
Personally speaking, the gameplay of Smash has changed in interesting ways, and come a long way in terms of production values, but the fast and fluid controls of Melee (while a challenge to master) make it such a smooth experience whether you're a casual enjoyer or serious player. There's a level of quality and magic to this rushjob that I don't think will ever be topped in the series, much less the genre.
I'll never forget when my mom got me a Gamecube and Melee for Christmas, hooking it up in the kitchen, and my stepdad being blown away when he saw me playing as Bowser on Mushroom Kingdom in Adventure Mode. We genuinely thought graphics couldn't get better than that.
This game could be a life story for me, but to keep it brief, it lead me down so many different paths. Engaging in internet forums because of Smash roster discussion brainrot was the big one for me, but I also started learning about so many different Nintendo IP's thanks to the trophy feature, and eventually, this would be the first game I ever tried learning competitively. I'd look up cruddy wavedashing tutorials and competitive matches online back in High School, upload awful CPU matches on a camcorder, and would end up maining Luigi just cause I used him to learn how to wavedash and edgehog. I'd even end up winning one of my tournaments at the local mall game store when the actual good players didn't show up that day... I'm pretty proud of that one.
Personally speaking, the gameplay of Smash has changed in interesting ways, and come a long way in terms of production values, but the fast and fluid controls of Melee (while a challenge to master) make it such a smooth experience whether you're a casual enjoyer or serious player. There's a level of quality and magic to this rushjob that I don't think will ever be topped in the series, much less the genre.
2002:
This game is oddly jank for a Mario game, in both uniquely hilarious and frustrating ways. Yet at the same time, it's my favorite Mario game, maybe even surpassing Mario 64.
This was another game I would constantly rent growing up, until inevitably getting it for either my birthday or Christmas. I vividly remember waking up an hour early before I usually wake up for school, just to get one extra hour of Sunshine in. I genuinely believe it was just the setting of Delfino Plaza and FLUDD mechanics that really helped this game stand out from the rest and get me invested in each and every level.
Perhaps it was even the jank that helped make the game feel deceptively difficult or punishing at times, that really set it apart from your standard Mario fare. Regardless, I'm never getting all those blue coins again.
This game is oddly jank for a Mario game, in both uniquely hilarious and frustrating ways. Yet at the same time, it's my favorite Mario game, maybe even surpassing Mario 64.
This was another game I would constantly rent growing up, until inevitably getting it for either my birthday or Christmas. I vividly remember waking up an hour early before I usually wake up for school, just to get one extra hour of Sunshine in. I genuinely believe it was just the setting of Delfino Plaza and FLUDD mechanics that really helped this game stand out from the rest and get me invested in each and every level.
Perhaps it was even the jank that helped make the game feel deceptively difficult or punishing at times, that really set it apart from your standard Mario fare. Regardless, I'm never getting all those blue coins again.
2003:
I was already a Tony Hawk (game series, maybe person) fan before this, but there was something about this game that really took it to the next level. I think it was really something as simple as being able to get off your skateboard that captivated me, allowing you to casually explore these real world locations, removing yourself from the confines of arcadey sports gameplay, if just for a moment.
Though really, I think it was also the surprisingly potent storyline that came with your custom skater as well, to a point of having one of the greatest villains ever in videogames. If you know, you know.
I was already a Tony Hawk (game series, maybe person) fan before this, but there was something about this game that really took it to the next level. I think it was really something as simple as being able to get off your skateboard that captivated me, allowing you to casually explore these real world locations, removing yourself from the confines of arcadey sports gameplay, if just for a moment.
Though really, I think it was also the surprisingly potent storyline that came with your custom skater as well, to a point of having one of the greatest villains ever in videogames. If you know, you know.
2004:
This was my first Metal Gear, and I don't think anything could have prepared me for what was in store. For all the unique oddities that came with it, such as stamina gauge and injury treatments, the latter of which annoys me more and more every playthrough, this was one of the greatest narratives I've ever experienced in a video game.
There was a very personable but also professional sense of voice work, alongside it's potent script, and that sense of sacrifice and political turmoil, which felt like nothing I had ever experienced in games before. Quite possibly the best James Bond movie ever conceived.
This was my first Metal Gear, and I don't think anything could have prepared me for what was in store. For all the unique oddities that came with it, such as stamina gauge and injury treatments, the latter of which annoys me more and more every playthrough, this was one of the greatest narratives I've ever experienced in a video game.
There was a very personable but also professional sense of voice work, alongside it's potent script, and that sense of sacrifice and political turmoil, which felt like nothing I had ever experienced in games before. Quite possibly the best James Bond movie ever conceived.
2005:
Ys is similar to Zelda in the same way that Final Fantasy would inevitably be a parallel to Dragon Quest, which is that both are top down action games featuring dungeons, puzzles, unique memorable bosses, and starring quiet swordsmen... But most importantly, lots and lots of lore.
For anybody who is a fan of Zelda, I would always recommend checking out at least one Ys game to see how similar the vibes hold up, and if it can be any of them, I would always suggest either the newer 3D Lacrimosa of Dana, or if you want a more classic and traditional game similar to 2D Zelda games, Ys The Oath in Felghana, which many fans would consider the best in the franchise for it's incredible art, personal story, great combat, and challenging bosses. It's the perfect bundle for a peak Ys experience.
Ys is similar to Zelda in the same way that Final Fantasy would inevitably be a parallel to Dragon Quest, which is that both are top down action games featuring dungeons, puzzles, unique memorable bosses, and starring quiet swordsmen... But most importantly, lots and lots of lore.
For anybody who is a fan of Zelda, I would always recommend checking out at least one Ys game to see how similar the vibes hold up, and if it can be any of them, I would always suggest either the newer 3D Lacrimosa of Dana, or if you want a more classic and traditional game similar to 2D Zelda games, Ys The Oath in Felghana, which many fans would consider the best in the franchise for it's incredible art, personal story, great combat, and challenging bosses. It's the perfect bundle for a peak Ys experience.
2006:
This is a game that definitely wouldn't have been my "Game of the Year" when I initially played, if only because my first impression was rather confusing and brutal and overwhelming. I'm fairly sure I went out the same way everybody else did, which was guiding some survivors into a courtyard where some convicts in a jeep ran me over and sent me back to the start of the game, and of course I dropped it for a few months.
Eventually I would come back with a helpful friend guiding me, and truly I think this is something every person should have when they're struggling with Dead Rising, an experienced friend willing to give them tips and nudge them in the right direction. I would eventually learn that the idiosyncrasies of Dead Rising are also what make the game unique and fun, and can work in your favor.
The save points, the erratic bosses, the horrifically stupid survivors you need to practically babysit, it's all part of the game's charm and challenge that gives it meaning. It's also just an incredibly fun sandbox to mess around in, with almost everything you can think of being an interactable weapon, which allows for so much experimentation, on the fly solutions, and funny moments.
This is a game that definitely wouldn't have been my "Game of the Year" when I initially played, if only because my first impression was rather confusing and brutal and overwhelming. I'm fairly sure I went out the same way everybody else did, which was guiding some survivors into a courtyard where some convicts in a jeep ran me over and sent me back to the start of the game, and of course I dropped it for a few months.
Eventually I would come back with a helpful friend guiding me, and truly I think this is something every person should have when they're struggling with Dead Rising, an experienced friend willing to give them tips and nudge them in the right direction. I would eventually learn that the idiosyncrasies of Dead Rising are also what make the game unique and fun, and can work in your favor.
The save points, the erratic bosses, the horrifically stupid survivors you need to practically babysit, it's all part of the game's charm and challenge that gives it meaning. It's also just an incredibly fun sandbox to mess around in, with almost everything you can think of being an interactable weapon, which allows for so much experimentation, on the fly solutions, and funny moments.
2007:
No More Heroes as a concept was something I was instantly sold on the moment I saw that first trailer, and in spite of it's weird nicheness, would be one of my most anticipated games. The art direction, the badass protagonist, and the general "cool japan" vibes... All of it sold me.
Eventually playing NMH, I could not describe the type of game it is, which is to be expected since it was my first Suda51 entry. There's so many allusions to different media in this, no doubt a projection of the developers taste, but beyond that referential and parodical facade, it's a game about tragic and lost characters pointlessly killing each other, perhaps a reflection of the senseless violence that exist in games. The main characters speak in loopy riddles about fighting so they can feel alive, and they make a point that bosses must die.
Beyond the memorable cast of characters and bosses, all of which manage to leave an impression, the gameplay itself is a unique style of hack and slash jousting, similar to that of Dark Souls, that's very methodical. Bosses have a lot of health, so you really need to punish them, dodge their swipes, and even master certain mechanics to fully take advantage of their punish frames (hello Shinobu)
Most of the games featured in this list are relatively older and familiar franchises for me, but I would say No More Heroes is probably the most recent "new IP" that really left an impact on my perception of games and even fandom, though I guess by now it's over a decade old...
No More Heroes as a concept was something I was instantly sold on the moment I saw that first trailer, and in spite of it's weird nicheness, would be one of my most anticipated games. The art direction, the badass protagonist, and the general "cool japan" vibes... All of it sold me.
Eventually playing NMH, I could not describe the type of game it is, which is to be expected since it was my first Suda51 entry. There's so many allusions to different media in this, no doubt a projection of the developers taste, but beyond that referential and parodical facade, it's a game about tragic and lost characters pointlessly killing each other, perhaps a reflection of the senseless violence that exist in games. The main characters speak in loopy riddles about fighting so they can feel alive, and they make a point that bosses must die.
Beyond the memorable cast of characters and bosses, all of which manage to leave an impression, the gameplay itself is a unique style of hack and slash jousting, similar to that of Dark Souls, that's very methodical. Bosses have a lot of health, so you really need to punish them, dodge their swipes, and even master certain mechanics to fully take advantage of their punish frames (hello Shinobu)
Most of the games featured in this list are relatively older and familiar franchises for me, but I would say No More Heroes is probably the most recent "new IP" that really left an impact on my perception of games and even fandom, though I guess by now it's over a decade old...
2008:
Ended up buying this on release with a new DS Lite, which if I recall correctly, was the first game I ever picked up with my own paycheck back in High School.
I was never the biggest Kirby fan at all, but even I could see how great this game was. It's like a minigame compilation if the games weren't so mini, but instead comprehensives mode. So many powerups with varied options, and the True Arena supplies Kirby with some much needed difficulty options.
Ended up buying this on release with a new DS Lite, which if I recall correctly, was the first game I ever picked up with my own paycheck back in High School.
I was never the biggest Kirby fan at all, but even I could see how great this game was. It's like a minigame compilation if the games weren't so mini, but instead comprehensives mode. So many powerups with varied options, and the True Arena supplies Kirby with some much needed difficulty options.
2009:
I was already a Devil May Cry fan beforehand, and gave God of War a shot, but Bayonetta was the type of action game that lived up to my expectations and exceeded them tenfold.
The fluid sense of control and feedback, the fun combos, the poppy soundtrack, the awesome cutscenes that constantly deliver and top itself, and Bayonetta herself being an impressionable character that you can't take your eyes off.
It was the peak of the genre back then, and possibly still peak to this very day.
I was already a Devil May Cry fan beforehand, and gave God of War a shot, but Bayonetta was the type of action game that lived up to my expectations and exceeded them tenfold.
The fluid sense of control and feedback, the fun combos, the poppy soundtrack, the awesome cutscenes that constantly deliver and top itself, and Bayonetta herself being an impressionable character that you can't take your eyes off.
It was the peak of the genre back then, and possibly still peak to this very day.
2010:
In the sea of Bethesda Fallouts, there's something special about how New Vegas operates. Beyond just having a more broad sense of character building (both mechanically and thematically) there's also the nature of how this story is told. There's a lot of ambiguity to it's decision making, and characters that makes the game feel nuanced (though not without it's fair share of classic Fallout humor) which may give you something to genuinely think about as the story progresses. Most answers aren't necessarily the correct one.
Lots of unique builds, fun characters to meet, with great lore and writing all around.
In the sea of Bethesda Fallouts, there's something special about how New Vegas operates. Beyond just having a more broad sense of character building (both mechanically and thematically) there's also the nature of how this story is told. There's a lot of ambiguity to it's decision making, and characters that makes the game feel nuanced (though not without it's fair share of classic Fallout humor) which may give you something to genuinely think about as the story progresses. Most answers aren't necessarily the correct one.
Lots of unique builds, fun characters to meet, with great lore and writing all around.
2011:
Didn't think it was possible to have two Game of the Years in the same year, but here we have Marvel VS. Capcom 3.
For better and worse, this was a very exciting release. I don't think you really could have asked for a better sequel to MvC2 than this game. The level of love and care put into each character, the soundtrack, balancing, and especially it's timeless art direction, may actually elevate it above the previous games.
Unless you pick Zero, then it's the worst game ever.
Didn't think it was possible to have two Game of the Years in the same year, but here we have Marvel VS. Capcom 3.
For better and worse, this was a very exciting release. I don't think you really could have asked for a better sequel to MvC2 than this game. The level of love and care put into each character, the soundtrack, balancing, and especially it's timeless art direction, may actually elevate it above the previous games.
Unless you pick Zero, then it's the worst game ever.
2012:
This was the game I would buy alongside my 3DS during it's time of release. There's only so much that can be said about this game that can't be said for any other Animal Crossing, but I'm inclined to call this the best one.
Perhaps it might simply be due to the era it was released in. There was something very simple and delightful about online communities back then, especially with Nintendo games. The quality of interactions, everybody helping each other out, visiting different 3DS towns and so on. This and Monster Hunter 4 and the Pokémon XY games felt like peak Nintendo online interaction back then, but now it just doesn't hit like that anymore.
This came off ranty, but New Leaf really gives off this special "time capsule" feeling of not only representing the core Animal Crossing vibe that we've since lost, but also that sense of community as well. By comparison, New Horizon fans are insane.
This was the game I would buy alongside my 3DS during it's time of release. There's only so much that can be said about this game that can't be said for any other Animal Crossing, but I'm inclined to call this the best one.
Perhaps it might simply be due to the era it was released in. There was something very simple and delightful about online communities back then, especially with Nintendo games. The quality of interactions, everybody helping each other out, visiting different 3DS towns and so on. This and Monster Hunter 4 and the Pokémon XY games felt like peak Nintendo online interaction back then, but now it just doesn't hit like that anymore.
This came off ranty, but New Leaf really gives off this special "time capsule" feeling of not only representing the core Animal Crossing vibe that we've since lost, but also that sense of community as well. By comparison, New Horizon fans are insane.
2013:
I initially never started playing this game until the Season 3 update that came alongside it's original PC release, so my experience will be from that point onward.
I was very excited to finally play this game, but once it released, I had some difficulty adjusting to the unique combo system, even after mastering the tutorial. I was a bit discouraged actually, but I think overtime this game did something very interesting that I never quite experienced before, which is how I was able to notice my "growth" and improvement over time.
For most fighting games, I usually peak when I first pick them up, then get slightly worse as time goes on, or lazier, cause I'm not really a "grinder," but playing this game I felt like I could genuinely see myself improving and being more consistent with the systems. There's even numbers at the end of the match that tell you how good you were doing! This sounds vague and confusing but there's something about the game that just makes you feel good to learn it, and I really appreciate that.
For as cool as the original games were, this just blows them away on all fronts, and even Mick Gordon's music manages to compete with the original legendary soundtrack. The systems like combo breakers and counter breakers allow this game to have so much flexibility and mind games inherently on the playing field, and creates a fighting game that really benefits from playing long sets, rather than the usual competitive 2 out of 3 formats and such. It gets better the more you play!
I initially never started playing this game until the Season 3 update that came alongside it's original PC release, so my experience will be from that point onward.
I was very excited to finally play this game, but once it released, I had some difficulty adjusting to the unique combo system, even after mastering the tutorial. I was a bit discouraged actually, but I think overtime this game did something very interesting that I never quite experienced before, which is how I was able to notice my "growth" and improvement over time.
For most fighting games, I usually peak when I first pick them up, then get slightly worse as time goes on, or lazier, cause I'm not really a "grinder," but playing this game I felt like I could genuinely see myself improving and being more consistent with the systems. There's even numbers at the end of the match that tell you how good you were doing! This sounds vague and confusing but there's something about the game that just makes you feel good to learn it, and I really appreciate that.
For as cool as the original games were, this just blows them away on all fronts, and even Mick Gordon's music manages to compete with the original legendary soundtrack. The systems like combo breakers and counter breakers allow this game to have so much flexibility and mind games inherently on the playing field, and creates a fighting game that really benefits from playing long sets, rather than the usual competitive 2 out of 3 formats and such. It gets better the more you play!
2014:
One of the greatest platformers ever made, and one of the greatest games ever made. An honest, modern (10 year old) masterpiece.
The idea of a game being perfect is something that's impossible to quantify, because nevermind you're always going to find someone who will complain about something, but that's just not the way art works. But with this game? You might have a hard time finding anything that's not exceptional.
Arguably the best platforming in the series, an amazing soundtrack, great boss battles, and brilliant level design across the board that encompasses a sort of high budget to it's presentation. I would be hard pressed to even say 2D Mario has reached this quality and scope yet.
So uh, can we get another DK game now...?
One of the greatest platformers ever made, and one of the greatest games ever made. An honest, modern (10 year old) masterpiece.
The idea of a game being perfect is something that's impossible to quantify, because nevermind you're always going to find someone who will complain about something, but that's just not the way art works. But with this game? You might have a hard time finding anything that's not exceptional.
Arguably the best platforming in the series, an amazing soundtrack, great boss battles, and brilliant level design across the board that encompasses a sort of high budget to it's presentation. I would be hard pressed to even say 2D Mario has reached this quality and scope yet.
So uh, can we get another DK game now...?
2015:
I think most fans would agree that this isn't the best Tekken in the series, but by the end of it's life, I would say it's probably my favorite. I put the most time into it, and it was also the first one I really learned how to play.
Substantial content (almost too much considering the amount of difficult matchups) and great visuals take it quite a long way. Considering the time of it's release, T7 was arguably the most gratifying and challenging fighting game to master.
I think most fans would agree that this isn't the best Tekken in the series, but by the end of it's life, I would say it's probably my favorite. I put the most time into it, and it was also the first one I really learned how to play.
Substantial content (almost too much considering the amount of difficult matchups) and great visuals take it quite a long way. Considering the time of it's release, T7 was arguably the most gratifying and challenging fighting game to master.
2016:
Easily the "Love Hate" of my Game of the Years.
2000+ hours logged and still going, this has a lot in common with my love of Smash Bros oddly enough, in that it's an all encompassing entity of horror icons, but also created it's own sub-genre of competitive play, the asymmetrical horror genre of one killer chasing multiple survivors around in circles.... It's more fun than that sounds, trust me.
It's a titan in it's own right, but in the ways that it can be addicting, it's also at times a miserable game cause of it's grindiness and cheap style of gameplay / balancing. Sounds like I hate it, but I also keep coming back 2000 hours later, so something must be working.
Easily the "Love Hate" of my Game of the Years.
2000+ hours logged and still going, this has a lot in common with my love of Smash Bros oddly enough, in that it's an all encompassing entity of horror icons, but also created it's own sub-genre of competitive play, the asymmetrical horror genre of one killer chasing multiple survivors around in circles.... It's more fun than that sounds, trust me.
It's a titan in it's own right, but in the ways that it can be addicting, it's also at times a miserable game cause of it's grindiness and cheap style of gameplay / balancing. Sounds like I hate it, but I also keep coming back 2000 hours later, so something must be working.
2017:
One of the most satisfying journeys I've ever experienced in a RPG.
A series of events, set pieces, and characters that grip you by the heart to the very end. An impeccable party, brilliant cast of side characters, and still the best villains in the series. I don't think I've ever been more satisfied and in my thoughts with a game since finishing this, and to this very day I still think about the story and characters.
What really sets this apart from the greater Nintendo catalog and JRPG genre is the gameplay. Unfortunately, it lacks the feature to tell said gameplay articulately, but there's so much depth and variation to it's battle systems and party building because of the blade characters that you can give to every party member. In a way that most Nintendo games are by design meant to be immediately pick up and play with very little strenuous depth to them, Xenoblade 2 is the Smash Bros. Melee of single player Nintendo games, where you'll spend hundreds of hours mastering the systems and still learning new things.
In some ways this sounds more scary than it is appealing, but it allows for a game of this nature to still feel fresh and satisfying every time you come back for the long journey.
One of the most satisfying journeys I've ever experienced in a RPG.
A series of events, set pieces, and characters that grip you by the heart to the very end. An impeccable party, brilliant cast of side characters, and still the best villains in the series. I don't think I've ever been more satisfied and in my thoughts with a game since finishing this, and to this very day I still think about the story and characters.
What really sets this apart from the greater Nintendo catalog and JRPG genre is the gameplay. Unfortunately, it lacks the feature to tell said gameplay articulately, but there's so much depth and variation to it's battle systems and party building because of the blade characters that you can give to every party member. In a way that most Nintendo games are by design meant to be immediately pick up and play with very little strenuous depth to them, Xenoblade 2 is the Smash Bros. Melee of single player Nintendo games, where you'll spend hundreds of hours mastering the systems and still learning new things.
In some ways this sounds more scary than it is appealing, but it allows for a game of this nature to still feel fresh and satisfying every time you come back for the long journey.
2018:
This game may not be perfect in some departments depending on who you ask, but it can't be denied how much of an incredible feat in gaming engineering it took to create, both in regard to content and even legality.
Including characters that are effectively palette swaps, there's 89 playable characters. Nearly 100 characters and most of them are unique. This is something that has never been handled with as much polish and variation compared to any other game in the genre before. You have some fringe cases like Dragon Ball Z Budokai Tenkaichi 3 that boast a whopping 160 character roster, but obviously they're mostly the same characters with slightly varied forms, and reused animations galore. Then you have the praised Marvel VS. Capcom 2, which is an impressive 50+ character roster, however much of it consist of clashing reused sprites and funny stuff like Bone Claw Wolverine.
Nearly 100 polished and balanced (relatively...) characters, over 100 stages, and over a thousand music tracks. It's a content monster in ways that can't be described, nevermind the inherent legalities it took to bring all these characters back and add even more, all together for this Ultimate package.
This game may not be perfect in some departments depending on who you ask, but it can't be denied how much of an incredible feat in gaming engineering it took to create, both in regard to content and even legality.
Including characters that are effectively palette swaps, there's 89 playable characters. Nearly 100 characters and most of them are unique. This is something that has never been handled with as much polish and variation compared to any other game in the genre before. You have some fringe cases like Dragon Ball Z Budokai Tenkaichi 3 that boast a whopping 160 character roster, but obviously they're mostly the same characters with slightly varied forms, and reused animations galore. Then you have the praised Marvel VS. Capcom 2, which is an impressive 50+ character roster, however much of it consist of clashing reused sprites and funny stuff like Bone Claw Wolverine.
Nearly 100 polished and balanced (relatively...) characters, over 100 stages, and over a thousand music tracks. It's a content monster in ways that can't be described, nevermind the inherent legalities it took to bring all these characters back and add even more, all together for this Ultimate package.
2019:
The innovations to it's gameplay loop through life simulation, alongside it's captivating cast of characters, gave the series much needed rejuvenation in a way that the 3DS game achieved but also didn't quite achieve so ideally.
Solid maps, great soundtrack, and while the nature of it's path-style storytelling isn't ideal for replaying, the amount of lore and perspective that comes from each house story is quite impressive.
Hilda. Hilda. Hilda.
The innovations to it's gameplay loop through life simulation, alongside it's captivating cast of characters, gave the series much needed rejuvenation in a way that the 3DS game achieved but also didn't quite achieve so ideally.
Solid maps, great soundtrack, and while the nature of it's path-style storytelling isn't ideal for replaying, the amount of lore and perspective that comes from each house story is quite impressive.
Hilda. Hilda. Hilda.
2020:
With over 500 hours on both the PC and console version of Fall Guys, this game can be considered a very personal game for me, but mainly because it's one of the only games where I ever truly felt like I was "good" at it.
I caught on very quick around it's release, and was winning games fairly consistent, and was even at a point where I could carry my friends in party matchmaking so they could win crowns too. Even though it's a bit embarrassing considering the nature of the game in the first place, it finally felt like a game I could say I was confident in, that it was my game. Definitely not enough to go "pro," but it felt good to really win at something and place highly.
Nowadays I don't play as much because of the shift in it's development, and how matchmaking feels much more redundant, but I'll still hop on occasionally and manage to do well without losing much of a beat. Mediatonic crafted a very unique entry in the genre of battle royales, that while deceptively seems like a party game, had a fair share of tech and movement options. It was also the game that really carried me through a tough pandemic, which i'm forever grateful for.
With over 500 hours on both the PC and console version of Fall Guys, this game can be considered a very personal game for me, but mainly because it's one of the only games where I ever truly felt like I was "good" at it.
I caught on very quick around it's release, and was winning games fairly consistent, and was even at a point where I could carry my friends in party matchmaking so they could win crowns too. Even though it's a bit embarrassing considering the nature of the game in the first place, it finally felt like a game I could say I was confident in, that it was my game. Definitely not enough to go "pro," but it felt good to really win at something and place highly.
Nowadays I don't play as much because of the shift in it's development, and how matchmaking feels much more redundant, but I'll still hop on occasionally and manage to do well without losing much of a beat. Mediatonic crafted a very unique entry in the genre of battle royales, that while deceptively seems like a party game, had a fair share of tech and movement options. It was also the game that really carried me through a tough pandemic, which i'm forever grateful for.
2021:
NMH3 culminates not just over a decade of Travis, but also the greater Suda51 universe in this grand send off. This can be described as quite possibly some of the best character development ever seen in a video game series, and the gameplay manages to peak, offering so many different customizations and tactics alongside the classic methodical sword play that No More Heroes is known for.
Following the "Kill The Past" universe has been a treat in and of itself, but by the end of this game, I was on the verge of tears seeing all these established ideas come together in such surprising ways, both comedically, satirically, and emotionally (especially the Smash Bros parody, as someone who wanted Travis in Smash for years)
I couldn't ask for a better send off in a game that actually ends with a cliffhanger, somehow.
NMH3 culminates not just over a decade of Travis, but also the greater Suda51 universe in this grand send off. This can be described as quite possibly some of the best character development ever seen in a video game series, and the gameplay manages to peak, offering so many different customizations and tactics alongside the classic methodical sword play that No More Heroes is known for.
Following the "Kill The Past" universe has been a treat in and of itself, but by the end of this game, I was on the verge of tears seeing all these established ideas come together in such surprising ways, both comedically, satirically, and emotionally (especially the Smash Bros parody, as someone who wanted Travis in Smash for years)
I couldn't ask for a better send off in a game that actually ends with a cliffhanger, somehow.
2022:
In some ways a step back from Xenoblade 2's brilliant journey, but also flips the switch on it's gameplay in interesting ways, while also introducing much needed QOL and comprehensive tutorial features that were sorely missing from 2.
The soldier theme has it's pro and cons, but by the end of it, this game displayed some of the most emotional storybeats I've seen in mainstream games, much less Nintendo itself, highlighting Monolith as one of their premiere storytellers. During the DLC credits roll, I was actually on the verge of tears, and though it sounds corny to say, hopeful for the future.
One of the greatest trilogies ever conceived.
In some ways a step back from Xenoblade 2's brilliant journey, but also flips the switch on it's gameplay in interesting ways, while also introducing much needed QOL and comprehensive tutorial features that were sorely missing from 2.
The soldier theme has it's pro and cons, but by the end of it, this game displayed some of the most emotional storybeats I've seen in mainstream games, much less Nintendo itself, highlighting Monolith as one of their premiere storytellers. During the DLC credits roll, I was actually on the verge of tears, and though it sounds corny to say, hopeful for the future.
One of the greatest trilogies ever conceived.
2023:
Talking about video game "magic" again, Tears of the Kingdom felt like one of the games I would dream of as a child. The feeling that everything in this huge world is somehow tangible and connected, that every location was unique, had something to do, and wasn't an obvious reused asset or structure. If you wanted to jump into that hole, it will take you inside of the world. If you wanted to fly to the sky, you could do so and actually find things to do. There's no walls stopping you and the world feels genuinely tangible, rather than a simulation of a world. Even the towns are sprawling and believably condensed.
The discourse surrounding this game was that the previous iteration might be better, by virtue of setting the groundwork which would justify it's impact, and while that may be true, I personally didn't feel a sense of redundancy in spite of the map reuse, and I actually played Breath of the Wild right beforehand. When playing Tears, so many locations felt refreshed or outright different, so it never distracted me at all.
Talking about video game "magic" again, Tears of the Kingdom felt like one of the games I would dream of as a child. The feeling that everything in this huge world is somehow tangible and connected, that every location was unique, had something to do, and wasn't an obvious reused asset or structure. If you wanted to jump into that hole, it will take you inside of the world. If you wanted to fly to the sky, you could do so and actually find things to do. There's no walls stopping you and the world feels genuinely tangible, rather than a simulation of a world. Even the towns are sprawling and believably condensed.
The discourse surrounding this game was that the previous iteration might be better, by virtue of setting the groundwork which would justify it's impact, and while that may be true, I personally didn't feel a sense of redundancy in spite of the map reuse, and I actually played Breath of the Wild right beforehand. When playing Tears, so many locations felt refreshed or outright different, so it never distracted me at all.
2024:
A remake to one of my favorite games of all time. Some of the additions don't always land the mark, whether it be music changes or gameplay additions that make the game somewhat too easy from how it was originally designed, but there were moments in this game that somehow captured the same emotions I felt over a decade ago playing this, sometimes hitting even harder, and for the most part, the spirit and moments are all accounted for.
GoTY is subject to change this year, though I wonder if anything will top this...
A remake to one of my favorite games of all time. Some of the additions don't always land the mark, whether it be music changes or gameplay additions that make the game somewhat too easy from how it was originally designed, but there were moments in this game that somehow captured the same emotions I felt over a decade ago playing this, sometimes hitting even harder, and for the most part, the spirit and moments are all accounted for.
GoTY is subject to change this year, though I wonder if anything will top this...