50 Favorite Games

My 50 favorite games ranked. Just because a game is above or below another, doesn’t mean that game is “better” or “worse,” just that I enjoy the game on a subjective level more. Order is changing all the time, so bear with me 😂

Super Mario 64
Super Mario 64

1

BioShock
BioShock
I absolutely adore the setting and aesthetics that Bioshock has. It is honestly one of, if not my all time favorite video game settings. The steampunk style of Bioshock continues to leave me in awe to this very day. The story is also one of the best in gaming history, with the famous "Would you kindly?" twist still shocking players that somehow have never had it spoiled to them. The gameplay is also extremely fun. While some things haven't aged the best (ie switching your plasmids and guns every time instead of being able to use them simultaneously), it doesn't stop Bioshock from being an amazing, one of a kind experience that every gamer should play in their lives. For me, Bioshock was one of the first games that showed me video games are art.

2

Disco Elysium: The Final Cut
Disco Elysium: The Final Cut
Disco Elysium is like an interactive art piece. If this list was about art direction alone, DE would probably take the top 3. The writing in DE is what really makes it shine though. This is probably the best writing in any video game ever made. The characters are full of so much life, as is the entire town of Martinaise. It feels like a real place where people are living and struggling to survive day-to-day life. The amount of customization you give your character simply by talking and stating your thoughts is incredible and deep. Not to mention how your many different stats talk to you and give you tons of new options for discussions. An absolute masterpiece of an RPG.

3

Silent Hill 2
Silent Hill 2
Silent Hill 2 hasn't aged the best in some areas, but its hard to hate the game for that because of how much it knocks out of the park. SH2 has one of the finest stories ever crafted in gaming, with everything in the game reflecting how our main character, James, feels about everything he has gone through in his life. This is coupled with the most brilliant endings systems that I have ever seen. Why this type of ending system never took off, I will never understand. But regardless, this is a must play for any horror fan, or just those who enjoy a more avant garde type of horror experience.

4

Persona 5 Royal
Persona 5 Royal
I don't think that a JRPG could be as perfect as P5R is. The style, the music, the perfected turn-based combat, the amazing and lovable cast of characters, and the super fun story that feels like playing seasons of an anime make P5R such an amazing experience from beginning to end. I can't remember many other gaming experiences that left me as emotionally invested for the characters as P5R did. Please Atlus, give us the much needed PC port and/or PS5 performance upgrade. I need to see this game running at 60 fps.

5

Killer7
Killer7
Suda's magnum opus, Killer7 is a game that needs to be experienced to truly gain an understanding of what it is. Although honestly, you probably still won't know what the hell it is after playing it. And that's kind of its beauty. Its about so many things: political espionage, the long term effects of manipulation, and of course killing one's past. Its one of those Suda/Grasshopper games that nails the balance between avant garde storytelling and genuinely fun and unique gameplay. It is so hard to describe without going into detail, but as you can see from its ranking, this is a game that I love so very much. If you only ever play 1 Suda51/Grasshopper game, make it Killer7.

6

Super Mario Galaxy
Super Mario Galaxy

7

Kingdom Hearts II Final Mix
Kingdom Hearts II Final Mix

8

Bloodborne
Bloodborne

9

Yakuza 0
Yakuza 0

10

Pathologic 2
Pathologic 2

11

Undertale
Undertale

12

The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker HD
The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker HD
There's a lot of Zelda games out there. While BOTW is the objective best Zelda game (just accept it, people), my personal favorite will always be Wind Waker. It released at a time where I was obsessed with the sailing and feeling a sense of adventure as a kid. The feeling I get from sailing the open ocean, fighting enemy ships on my way to an island to save my sister (and eventually all of the land), is like no other. Sure, its a pretty standard Zelda game once you get past the cell-shaded style Nintendo went for (which in this HD version looks absolutely stunning), but its setting, lovable characters, and visual flair make it stand out amongst the rest and is my favorite Zelda title of all time.

13

Final Fantasy X
Final Fantasy X

14

Asura's Wrath
Asura's Wrath

15

Elden Ring
Elden Ring

16

The Last of Us Part I
The Last of Us Part I

17

Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney - Trials and Tribulations
Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney - Trials and Tribulations

18

Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga
Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga

19

Mario Party 2
Mario Party 2

20

Fallout: New Vegas
Fallout: New Vegas
I remember getting into arguments with my friends about which game was better: Fallout 3, or NV. Obviously you see where I landed in the argument. New Vegas, imo, is the best Fallout game by a country mile. No other Fallout title really clicks with me but NV. The characters are all extremely engaging and interesting. The different paths you can take are all satisfying. Character customization and roleplaying are so easy yet deep. The Mojave Desert is such an interesting place to explore and interact with. Everywhere you go, there is a 100% chance that you will encounter a new character with an interesting story and/or quest for you to go on. The best entry in the series by far, and one that I recommend for anyone who is looking for an RPG outside of the fantasy genre.

21

Mass Effect 2
Mass Effect 2

22

Super Smash Bros. Ultimate
Super Smash Bros. Ultimate
Smash Bros. has always been a series near and dear to me. I remember seeing the Melee as a kid and being shocked at how many characters I could play as. At the time, I didn't recognize many of them outside of Mario and co., but I still loved them nonetheless. I was obsessed from there on out, getting every Smash game the very day it released. Each game gave me a new sense of hype that I had never experienced before: whose gonna be in this entry? will my favorite make it in? what new mechanics, stages, and items will be added? Then Smash Ultimate came out, and for three years it gave me a level of hype that I had never had before. All of the past characters returning, plus long-requested newcomers both in the base game an in the DLC.

This isn't even mentioning how polished and fantastic the game plays. Its everything I could have wanted from a Smash game, perfect for casually playing with family and friends, and for playing competitively . This is everything I could have ever wanted in Smash Bros., and I love it dearly for that.

23

Hades
Hades

24

Baldur's Gate 3
Baldur's Gate 3

25

Moon: Remix RPG Adventure
Moon: Remix RPG Adventure
Moon is a game that surprises you. Instead of being the RPG hero that hunts monsters, saves villages, and saves the world from a universal threat, you're instead a kid who is just trying to help people and nature. In another twist, you're trying to undo the work of the dastardly hero in the game. Its a very cute and atmospheric puzzle game. What brings it to perfection, though, is the ending. Such a brilliant way to end the game, even if it can feel a bit rushed. The entire experience makes you truly learn its lesson: always be kind and spread love.

26

The 25th Ward: The Silver Case
The 25th Ward: The Silver Case

27

No More Heroes
No More Heroes

28

Live A Live
Live A Live

29

Persona 4 Golden
Persona 4 Golden

30

Halo 3
Halo 3
FPS games were mainly my thing as a teenager. COD was the big one, of course, but as time has gone by, even the COD games that I genuinely think are good games have faded into obscurity for me. Halo however, has not. I love most of the entries in the Halo series, but for my money, 3 will always be the best. The multiplayer was great, yes, but I've always been more of a single-player focused gamer. And the campaign here is absolutely fantastic. Perfectly balanced and paced, and with an incredibly interesting story and climax to a trilogy that leaves you in awe. Halo 3 is the epic conclusion (at the time) to the Halo series that delivers so much to the player. A true masterpiece FPS.

Too bad they fucked up the Halo show

31

Super Metroid
Super Metroid
Super Metroid is one of those games where, even though it hasn't aged the best in some areas, you can still go back to and appreciate the masterwork that is its design. No other metroidvania has ever come close to the world design that Super Metroid has achieved. The world, the music, the levels, and the bosses make this game so intense and incredible all the way through. While jumping feels a little off by today's standards, it doesn't hold back Super Metroid from being one of the best games of all time.

32

Final Fantasy VI
Final Fantasy VI
I would equate FFVI to Game of Thrones. There is no true "main character," everyone has their favorites of the party, but the world is so engrossing that it doesn't really matter. The plot of FFVI is dark and depressing, yet by the end, it has a great message about hope and perseverance. This is all coupled with the finest the ATB battle system ever was in the 2D FF entries. This isn't even mentioning how fantastic Kefka was as a villain, as he was just a true agent of chaos that tormented the world. While another FF game is my personal favorite of the series, VI is a masterpiece that should not be missed out on.

33

Shin Megami Tensei: Nocturne
Shin Megami Tensei: Nocturne

34

The Silver Case
The Silver Case

35

The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask
The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask

36

Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty - HD Edition
Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty - HD Edition

37

Marvel's Spider-Man 2
Marvel's Spider-Man 2

38

Batman: Arkham City
Batman: Arkham City

39

Resident Evil 4
Resident Evil 4

40

Pokémon SoulSilver Version
Pokémon SoulSilver Version

41

The Walking Dead
The Walking Dead
Oh boy did this game make me cry back in the day. The story of Lee and Clementine was one that won the hearts of gamers everywhere and put TellTale games on the mainstream map. The story and meaningful choices here make each playthrough of the game unique and full of variety. But what crescendos it into perfection is the ending and just how gut-wrenching it is to experience. One of the best stories ever in a video game. Its a shame that further "seasons" could not live up to its predecessor.

42

Donkey Kong Country 2: Diddy's Kong Quest
Donkey Kong Country 2: Diddy's Kong Quest

43

The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion
The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion
This game basically took over my life as a teenager. While I know many consider Skyrim the better game, Oblivion just has it all for me. I love every bit of the world and characters. While the game is has absolutely been memed to death, I still like to start up this game every once in awhile to explore Cyrodill once again.

44

Spec Ops: The Line
Spec Ops: The Line

45

Flower, Sun, and Rain
Flower, Sun, and Rain

46

Bayonetta 2
Bayonetta 2
While I do love DMC, Bayonetta will always be my favorite action game series, and Bayonetta 2 was a smash hit for me. The combat was incredible, while also having a great story full of lots of twists and turns. The level design and combat encounters were polished to perfection. Now to wait for Bayonetta 3 to (hopefully) be even better.

47

Mario Kart 8 Deluxe
Mario Kart 8 Deluxe
Easily the best Mario Kart game. It's easy to see why Nintendo hasn't bothered to release a Mario Kart 9, as MK8 Deluxe just keeps on bringing in money. The courses and racing mechanics are polished to a T. The roster is pretty great too, though it certainly has its fair share of filler. Overall though, easily the best Mario Kart game and a must own for any Switch owner.

48

Super Smash Bros. Brawl
Super Smash Bros. Brawl

49

The House of the Dead 2
The House of the Dead 2

50

1 Comment


1 year ago

There's something special about Oblivion that Skyrim just doesn't seem to have. Not saying Skyrim is bad, but Oblivion has always been a lot more memorable of an experience, and I don't think it's necessarily childhood nostalgia (or maybe it is, doesn't matter honestly. Oblivion is just a really comfy game)


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