If Rex doesn't make it in I'm breaking my Switch in half

Purposeless amalgamation of Melee and Smash 4 mechanics. Balance is pretty good for such a massive cast, although that doesn't mean much when gameplans are so bare-bones and samey across the board, not that balance has a significant effect on my enjoyment (or lackthereof, because it's clunky as shit) anyway. Gameplay aside, it's a mind-blowing crossover, but even if everyone is here, some characters (especially veterans) exist as shameful representations of their original selves and games.

Captures notwithstanding (most of which are bereft of adaptable applicability), Mario is limited to the same (albeit lively) jumping manoeuvre for the whole game

This game introduced me to arena fighters. I find Phase Shifting unsatisfying even if I believe the idea had potential and I do derive some level of gratification from the rest of the gameplay. Sceptile main.

The most mechanically dynamic combat in all of Xenosaga (rather ironic given that A.G.W.S. combat feels like an afterthought), designed to be quite exploitable on both ends. Excellent introduction to its complex universe, if a bit bloated with cutscenes, and intriguing set-up for what's to come in future episodes, especially Episode III.

They managed to simultaneously overcomplicate and oversimplify almost everything related to gameplay, and yet nothing comes close to as reprehensible as the warp to Shion's characterisation. Nevertheless, it might be a worthwile endeavour just for the chance to witness first-hand how the U.R.T.V.s' characters unfold. Can't say the same for unlocking the unexpectedly compelling post-game, although I did so all the same (I completed it save for the 3 secret bosses I didn't know about at the time).

If you're looking for the pay-off and pain Episode I promised, this game delivers in spades by piecing most of its prequels' unresolved narrative threads together, should you look past the rush. Shion thankfully returns to form as a character, reclaiming the spotlight. The database alleviates the availability issue of the spin-off games. As for the combat, it streamlines its precursors while retaining a sense of deliberateness. This saga got me into Nietzsche and Jung for what it's worth.

The story is just as poignant as its sequel's, if not better suited to this kind of premise, with a simple yet engaging gameplay loop (including basic resource management) and a fantastic OST to complement it. This was the first game I personally owned and it has appreciably informed my taste in video games. My save data was damaged out of the blue when I was on the second-to-last main story dungeon and I haven't touched it since.

Most adequately faithful adaptation of 2D Mario level design to 3D, built with multiplayer in mind to boot (which is how I played it in full). Moreover, it boasts a superb OST, my favourite among those of Mario games without a shadow of a doubt.

I speedran this game

The effect of DI alone makes this game's decision making more rewarding than that of any other official Smash game (granted, not that impressive a feat). Balance works out this time around, almost half the cast is viable to some degree and playstyles tend to differ greatly between characters. L-cancelling sucks though, dash-dancing cavils aside, it and planking are my biggest gripes with this game competitively speaking, so I'm glad they removed the former and deterred the latter in Project +.

This game felt more Smash Ultimate than Smash Ultimate and it still does, even when back in the day I didn't know the extent to which that would turn out to influence me. On top of that, I was fascinated by the stage builder. "Haaaaiii!"

I got the Phione but gave up on getting the Mew halfway through the process so most of my Pearl Pokémon have been stuck inside this WiiWare game for the past 12 years

White noise. This Metroidvania was so waywardly gargantuan the backtracking loop was often stretched past its breaking point, which made exploration feel like a chore (to the point that I shelved it for a whole year), even with the smart map mechanic and some sporadic sharp sequences. I find the combat pleasantly clear-cut, whereas the traversal of its infectious nest pales in comparison to that of finer honed games. Whet your blade too thin and its edge won't surface a nail, but a needle.

This game literally began building the house from the roof, no foundations whatsoever