Pro A.'s top 100 list (updated, thoroughly revised)

[Pro A.]

It has been a long, long time since I've done this and the list has received a major overhaul. Last time I updated this list was not long after the Wii came out. Many games that weren't on the old list are now there because I rediscovered the games thanks in large part to the Wii's Virtual Console. Other games have been helped by the passage of time and so forth (A good example would be Phantasy Star II). The list has been updated to include games that were released as of August 1 (only one game, thus far, has cracked the top 100 list for 2011 and you won't have to look very far to find it, either).

Did I get everything right? I certainly hope so. The update was a long time coming and some of the choices surprised even me. Enjoy.

Updated as of 12/31/2011

1. Tetris, Multiplatform, 1985-
2. Super Mario Bros. 3, NES, 1990, SNES, 1993
3. The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past, SNES, 1992
4. The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time, N64, 1998
5. Super Metroid, SNES, 1994
6. The Legend of Zelda, NES, 1987
7. Final Fantasy VI, SNES, 1994
8. Metroid Prime. GCN, 2002
9. Super Mario World, SNES, 1991
10. Super Mario Galaxy 2, Wii, 2010
11. Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas, PS2, 2004
12. Super Mario World 2: Yoshi’s Island, SNES, 1995
13. Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater (Subsistence Version), PS2, 2004, 2006
14. Super Mario Kart, SNES, 1992
15. Half-Life 2, PC, 2004
16. Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 2, PS-X, 2000
17. Final Fantasy VII, PS-X, 1997
18. Grand Theft Auto IV, PS3, 2008
19. Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots, PS3, 2008
20. Portal 2, PS3, X360, PC, 2011
21. Super Mario Galaxy, Wii, 2007
22. Resident Evil 2, PS-X, 1998
23. Perfect Dark, N64, 2000
24. Turok: Dinosaur Hunter, N64, 1997
25. Super Mario 64, N64, 1996
26. Super Mario Bros., NES, 1985, SNES, 1993
27. Tetris Attack, SNES, 1996
28. Castlevania: Symphony of the Night, PS-X, 1997
29. Chrono Trigger, SNES, 1995
30. Contra, NES, Arcade, 1987
31. Mass Effect 2, X360, 2010
32. The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess, Wii, 2006
33. Metroid Fusion, GBA, 2002
34. Little Big Planet, PS3, 2008
35. Street Fighter II Turbo: Hyper Fighting, SNES, 1993
36. Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker, PSP, 2010
37. The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim, PS3, X360, PC, 2011
38. The Legend of Zelda: Majora’s Mask, N64, 2000
39. Phantasy Star II, Genesis, 1990
40. Fallout 3, PS3, X360, PC, 2008
41. Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2, PS3, X360, 2009
42. Contra III: The Alien Wars, SNES, 1992
43. Super Castlevania IV, SNES, 1991
44. The Legend of Zelda: Wind Waker, N64, 2003
45. Uncharted 2: Among Thieves, PS3, 2009
46. Tom Clancy’s Splinter Cell: Chaos Theory, Xbox, 2005
47. Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars, SNES, 1996
48. Goldeneye 007, N64, 1997
49. Metal Gear Solid, PS-X, 1998
50. Resident Evil 4, GCN, 2005
51. New Super Mario Bros. Wii, Wii, 2009
52. Batman: Arkham City, PS3, X360, 2011
53. Gears of War 2, X360, 2008
54. Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare, PS3, X360, PC, 2007
55. Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic, Xbox, PC, 2003
56. Half-Life, PC, 1998
57. Donkey Kong Country, SNES, 1994
58. Doom, PC, 1993
59. Mega Man 3, NES, 1990
60. The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword, Wii, 2011
61. Metroid Prime 2: Echoes, GCN, 2004
62. Resident Evil Code: Veronica, DC, 2000
63. Phantasy Star IV, Genesis, 1995
64. Sonic CD, Sega CD, 1993
65. Ms. Pac-Man, Arcade, 1981
66. Shadow of the Colossus, PS2, 2005
67. Ratchet & Clank: Up Your Arsenal, PS2, 2004
68. Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty, PS2, 2001
69. Castlevania III, NES, 1990
70. Viewtiful Joe, GCN, 2003
71. Super Smash Bros. Brawl, Wii, 2008
72. Bioshock, X360, 2007
73. Mega Man 2, NES, 1989
74. Diablo II, PC, 2000
75. Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3, PS2, 2001
76. Mario Kart DS, NDS, 2005
77. Metal Gear 2: Solid Snake, MSX-2, 1990, PS2, 2006
78. The Legend of Zelda: Oracle of Ages, GBC, 2001
79. The Legend of Zelda: Oracle of Seasons, GBC, 2001
80. Final Fantasy IX, PS-X, 2000
81. Starcraft, PC, 1998
82. Grand Theft Auto III, PS2, 2001
83. Sonic the Hedgehog, Genesis, 1991
84. Super Punch-Out!!, SNES, 1994
85. Dragon Warrior, NES, 1989
86. World in Conflict, PC, 2007
87. Red Dead Redemption, PS3, X360, PC, 2010
88. Super Smash Bros. Melee, GCN, 2001
89. Metal Gear, NES, 1988, PS2, 2006 (MS-X Version)
90. Panzer Dragoon Saga, SATURN, 1998
91. Warcraft II, PC, 1995
92. The Legend of Zelda: Link’s Awakening, GB, 1993
93. F-Zero, SNES, 1991
94. Gears of War, X360, 2006
95. Mass Effect, X360, 2007
96. Diablo, PC, 1996
97. Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater, PS-X, 1999
98. Tekken 3, PS-X, 1998
99. Donkey Kong Country 3: Diddy’s Kong Racing, SNES, 1996
100. Sonic the Hedgehog 2, Genesis, 1992

Some brief notes:

Dynastic rule is still the name of the game, but that's not surprising considering the modern era for gaming is technically 26 years old, and Nintendo's franchises (the big three; Mario, Metroid, Zelda) have been at the epicenter during that entire stretch. It isn't as dense as it used to be, at least. GTA, Half-Life, Metal Gear, Tony Hawk, Sonic and Final Fantasy all have at least three representatives. Not saying it's right, but that's just the way the landscape is right now because the industry, compared to others, is still in its infancy. Another five years and more original titles will make the grade, I'm sure.

Every year has at least one representative. 2011, 1988, 1986 and 1999 all made the cut with one representative. 2011, at least, has four months to go and I'm sure Uncharted and Zelda, at least, will make the cut. The other three years... 1986 was very lean. 1988 was balanced and had a few games like Bionic Commando just missed. 1999 was the same way. DK64, RE3 and Soul Calibur fell short.

More RPG games made the cut than I expected. RTS games, as well. Most of them before the advent of voice acting. Figure it has to do more with imagination and writers using the art of implying something rather than beating us over the head with something. Mass Effect is a wonderful exception to the rule.

I don't expect you to agree with my thinking or logic (I'd be very suspicious if you did), but at least try to show a modest amount of decorum and respect. Try to be above the illiterate jackals at those town hall meetings.

[AC!D]

Damn what a terrible list I counted only twenty games on that list that would make my top 100 HEHE

Nice thread though.

[Viper]

No way could I ever put together a list of my top 100. I am way too damn indecisive.

Good list though. Nothing jumping off the page making me want to scream, "WTF are you thinking?"

[Pro A.]

Damn what a terrible list I counted only twenty games on that list that would make my top 100 HEHE

Nice thread though.

Only 20? Wow. Guess that speaks to our different tastes, huh?

[AC!D]

Only 20? Wow. Guess that speaks to our different tastes, huh?

At least half my list would be RPG's so that would probably explain it.

[GTAce]

The almost complete lack of racing games is kinda strange.
Respect though, I also could never do such a list, just like with music or movies.

[Pro A.]

Three racing games, yeah. Gran Turismo 3 got knocked off by attirition. I do like racing games, though. The challenge for racing games today is to be deep and exciting. More often than not, they get the first part right but not the second.

[Crazybone126]

I've played almost every single one of these games, but I couldn't even come up with a list of 100. You sent me down memory lane with all of those.

[AC!D]

I dont know what happened to me but somwhere down the line i just lost interest in fighters, racing and sports games. They just started feeling the same year after year. I used to spend hours playing Street Fighter, Mortal Kombat, FIFA, Pro evo and various racing games but now i lose interst so quickly.

[goku2057]

Final Fantasy VI should be in teh top 5.

[Coded-Dude]

Any Top 100 isn't complete without some good old Tecmo games!

Silkworm
Tecmo Superbowl
Rygar
Ninja Gaiden

Old arcade/console games are awesome.....

[Pro A.]

Final Fantasy VI should be in teh top 5.

Hell, in most years it would have won Game of the Year, but Super Metroid was standing in its way. If it's any consolation to you, the top 7 are in a different stratosphere than the other games in the top 25.

And Coded, Ninja Gaiden used to be on the list, but attrition forced it out. Tecmo Super Bowl is a blast to play, as well. I have the original on my VC and it's still great fun for multiplayer.

[GTAce]

Three racing games, yeah.

And two of them are Mario Kart.
Well, since it's your opinion and taste it's alright of course. Just can't say I agree with the list.

[Pro A.]

It is what it is. I would love to see other top 100 lists, too.

Compiling the list as a whole became easier when I updated my top 10 lists for every year going back to 1986. 1987-1992 were top 5 lists because there just wasn't enough A-list material and 1986 was one game because there was almost nothing there. 1-27 were set in stone from the get-go. It was just a question of going through the next 73. I had some older lists to work with, which helped. I found that once I got it going I was able to ride the momentum and slot games in, using my own judgment and feeling by asking: "Well, is this game better than that one?" And so on. It still took, on and off, the better part of ten days. Half to revise the top 5 and top 10 lists and the other half putting together the new list. Obsessive work, I suppose, but I've always had a decent mental acumen for lists and that kind of thing so it was a little easier for me than it might be for others.

[Hisham]

I agree with a majority of the list.

I am also in agreement of putting LTTP over OOT. Thank you for doing that haha.

[Pro A.]

It was close between the two Zeldas, but ALTP was more of a complete package in terms of gameplay and game design. It set the framework for what became the "classic" Zelda formula for a number of years and what is likely going to end now with Skyward Sword in November.

[SadPanda]

1. BMX XXX
2. Custer's Revenge
3. Leisure Suit Larry

BAM!

xD

[Pro A.]

Updated to include all of 2011's games that made the cut (there were three more in addition to Portal 2).

[BahnNZ]

Impossible task init. In the early 80s the king of all games was Defender I believe, the one that kicked everything off was Space Invaders, Colossal Cave kicked off adventure gaming.

If you're talking "important" games, then E.T. on Atari VCS has to be on the list, because it helps kill off the industry for a couple of years. Myst kicked off the CDROM revolution. Got to put a Virtua Fighter on the list, I'd say 2. Virtua Fighter 2 was the standard for many years.

I'll further annoy by mentioning more games that should be on anybody's list;

Lemmings
Super Ghouls and Ghosts
Metal Slug
Guitar Hero
Contra III
Streets of Rage II
Duke Nukem 3D
Unreal Tournament
Sega Rally
Halo
Zone of Enders 2
Sin
Command and Conquer
Desert Strike
Phantasy Star Online

Hell of task sir.

[Pro A.]

Well, as far as important games are concerned, then yes, E.T. would have to be on the list for nearly killing the gaming industry. There are a couple of youtube videos showing how unbelievably awful the game is.