Although I appreciate that you gave your topic some meat whilst you start it, do you have any reasons behind your choices?

As for me, in no particular order...

And more, which I don't care to post right now.

Heh two non Nintendo related games for you. Well in my opinion the greatest games i've ever played are:

1. Virtual-On: Oratorio Tangram/Armored Core 4[only played the demo, but I believe if I owned it, it could surpass VOOT]
2. Sonic 3[complete game]
3. Gran Turismo 3
4. Capcom vs. SNK 2
5. TMNT IV:Turtles In Time
6. Super Mario World
7. Super Star Soldier
8. Sonic 2
9. NCAA/Madden Football [insert year here]
10. Midnight Club 3

I guess that's about as complete as a list I can provide at the moment. I may be forgetting some games, but that's probably pretty close to being right on.

You want a list of really great games? Fine. Let's have one. Bear in mind "greatest" is, to my eyes, different from favourite.
Shadow Hog, I get the impression you don't like modern games that much
And the OP appears to have played nothing excpet Zelda and Starfox.

Baldur's Gate 2: Shadows of Amn
Oh, look. An RPG with actual roleplaying. And genuine choice. And depth. And actually well-written plot and characters. And all those other things video games are generally not known for.

Planescape: Torment
Oh, look. And RPG with.... waitasecondwe'vebeenherebefore. Except this one has even better writing than Baldur's Gate 2, just not as much on the gameplay side.

ICO
Whereas here we have a beautiful, artistic piece of minimalism that remains one of the few games someone can feel emotionally affected by without feeling slightly ashamed of themselves. I think.

Shadow of the Colossus
And here we also have a beautiful, artistic piece of... you get the picture. Except that this is arguably better than Ico on actual gameplay.

Rez
Synesthesia. Nothing else like it. Art in the sense that it's an experience that could never be remotely replicated outside a videogame.

Half-Life 2
Even ignoring the fancy physics and still-impressive graphics; the superb pacing, level design and atmosphere; and other such qualities, this has the most believeable people I've yet seen on-screen in anything other than pre-rendered footage.

Okami
Not quite as boundary-pushing artistic as those above except in the area of visuals, but this is a game that works on every level, out-Zeldas Zelda, and generally is the kind of thing the word "epic"was invented for.

We Love Katamari
Another fine example of something only conceivable in videogames. I would say the first one, but it's not at all availible over here.

God Hand
Arguably the best-designed action game ever made. I genuinely cannot find flaws in it, and I've played almost everything that could be said to be a contender.

Shin Megami Tensei: Lucifer's Call
The JRPG is an often- (and often-rightly) maligned genre, and many of its faults, such as excessive random battles and considerable legnth are present here; and yet....
This game is something special. The battles are almost never boring, the game challenging at every stage, the atmosphere and story quite unique and with multiple endings that genuinely lend meaning to the term.

Near-Misses: Resident Evil 4, Project Zero, Killer 7, Sonic 3 and Knuckles, Yoshi's Island, Klonoa 2, Silent Hill 2, Devil May Cry, Zone of the Enders 2, Gitaroo Man, Psychonauts, Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time, Fallout 2, Darwinia, Final Fantasy 6, System Shock 2, Age of Wonders: Shadow Magic, Viewtiful Joe, Call of Cthulhu: Dark Corners of the Earth, Ristar

Ace Combat 4 for being a semirealistic flight simulator with a genuinely moving plot (While 5's was more engaging, and the gameplay was better, 4's was more...classically simple, and I prefer 4's style.), as well as JP ACE03.

A relatively underappreciated game, Sid Meier's Alpha Centauri. Think Civilization II but in space. The whole game is deep enough to be fascinatng but simple enough to be easy t pick up after 2-3 games.

Roller Coaster Tycoon - No other game has raped more hours of my childhood.

Goldeneye 64 for the same reason.

Metal Gear Solid/Metal Gear Solid 2. If you can't see why, well, it really sucks to be you.

Tetris - The claimer of more battery life on my cell phone than any other use I have for it. Also for having an awesome theme song.

Duck Hunt. It's Duck Hunt. I mean, c'mon, it's Duck Hunt.

I'll have more later.

Sparkster: Rocket Knight Adventures 2 - Great soundtrack, great variance of levels, from high speed truck chases, flying fortress invading, and trashing things in a giant robot. The jetpack is awesome too, allows for great exploration.

Goldeneye 64 - Too awesome, it was so replayable with its plethora of weapons, and blowing all the computers up in the Bunker or Control level is awesome.

Perfect Dark - The story wasn't as great as Goldeneye, but BOTS, man I spent so much time destroying bots in the multiplayer it's not funny.

Diddy Kong Racing - I always preferred this over MK64. I think it's the fact you can race in planes. Seriously...planes.

Tales of Symphonia - Great story, the battle system is fresh and fun, and is very replayable.

Metal Gear Solid - I like sneaking.

Pokmon Gold/Silver/Crystal - Johto was awesome.

Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time - It sort of blew everything else before it away with all the exploration and 3D.

Soleil - (I think it was known as Crusaders of Centy in the US). I think this is the first game I played that had such a well crafted and absorbing storyline. It was simple and enjoyable. And of course, the legendary Sonic cameo.

Shadow of the Colossus - Easily my favorite game ever. The gameplay's incredibly unique, the soundtrack is excellent, and the story is one of the best I've ever seen despite the fact that this game has relatively few lines of dialogue compared to most games I've played. Besides Ico, I've yet to play another game that comes even close to catching the feel of this game.

Half-Life 2- The best FPS I've ever played. The story, physics, setting, and graphical style are far and beyond any other FPS I've experienced.

Katamari Damacy/We Love Katamari- Introduces one of the best ideas for a game I've ever seen, and does it with a soundtrack that nails the game's feeling perfectly.

And as SX mentioned, the Metal Gear Solid series, as well as the Ace Combat series, for the same reasons.

Ok now for my elaboration...

1. Virtual-On: Oratorio Tangram/Armored Core 4[only played the demo, but I believe if I owned it, it could surpass VOOT] - First of all i've been a fan of giant robots bac to the days of old. When the Power Rangers came out and they had MegaZords and stuff. It carried over and as the years went on I discovered Gundam, Transformers, etc. Then I knew I needed to pilot these things. The Gundam games are fun. But VOOT, having characters that were designed by Kajime himself, was it. Cypher with the ability to transform into a jet[making him resemble a transformer] or play as an actual robot[MegaZord if you will] was like combining all my past favorite things about robtos into one finely tuned, high speed, crazy laser sword wielding robot assassain. I love it. Then AC4[Armored Core, not Ace Combat lol] could allow me to create nearly any kind of robot I wanted[except the transfigurable kind] like Cypher...or possibly an improvement on him.

2. Sonic 3[complete game] - Team Sonic. Sonic, Tails and Knuckles. Super Sonic, Super Knuckles. Hyper Sonic, Hyper Knuckles and Super Tails. 8 characters, but really only 3. 😛 I don't really know what to say about this game. Fast, fun and lengthy. I've not played Sonic CD enough to place it in the rankings, but I know it's an amazingly great game and i'm sure one day i'l return and SCD will be up here somewhere.

3. Gran Turismo 3 - Ahhh the greatest driving sim i've ever played. So many cars, so many course, so much fun. This game definetly consumed much of mine and a friend's of mine summer days. Such beautiful locations, with graphics that were, and still are really , unbelievably sharp and crisp. The fact that I would sit and endure for like 2 hours straight on those darn blasted endurance races really showed me how much I liked that game. Too bad i'm stuck at 75%...but only have like 4 more golds to earn. Obviously there's some more cups and championships that need unlocking.

4. Capcom vs. SNK 2 - Who doesn't like to fight...in the 2D world of course. Over 44 characters and some of the craziest fist to fist combat i've ever been a part of. Just plain fun and I could play this game indefinetly. Quite challenging as well...which reminds me...thank you Joe, Geese, Rock, and Ultimate Rugal for allowing me to create some of the world's dirtiest most vile words anyone could ever be called.

5. TMNT IV:Turtles In Time - First fandom right here. Loved the TMNT ever since I was like 3. They encouraged me to take karate[no ninjitsu classes around where I live]. The level design was grand and the music was great. Graphics were just like the cartoons. The sheer joy of multiplayer is enough to require a change of pants. Straight up fun.

6. Super Mario World - Boy what a game we have here. Challenging, lengthy and my first game I ever owned to tell you the truth. Beat it one sumemr at my grandma's with my cousin. We pulled an all nighter that night...this is Mario at his finest.

7. Super Star Soldier - All Space shooters are the same, right? Wrong. SSS showed me that the challenge and skill required in a game not only shows your dedication to the cause, but your extreme dorkiness. All I know is, if there is anyone out there that has beaten this game...I give you props. This game is super tough, but so much fun it should be outlawed.

8. Sonic 2 - Fast, fast, fast. First Sonic game I ever played and it basically took over my childhood dreams for about half of a year. The levels are so bright and colorful and the music is so great, it old never be forgotten. The first time we ever get to go Super Saiy-. Super Sonic. Oh man I could play it again and again.
9. NCAA/Madden Football [insert year here] - Each successsive year's release of these games for as long as I could remember seemed to get better and better. Efen the old Maddens like '94-'99 were the best IMO. The little overhead 2D guys running around, doing stupid endzone dances and doing the dumbest looking spin moves was the cause of much laughter growing up. Then the old scool glitches in those games was hilarous. Characters blowing up the field turing blue, etc. The ambulance* running over your player. XDXD! Now with the new school games, MCAA is actually my pick over Madden, but they both are so good, they tie. lol

10. Midnight Club 3 - The Fast and Furious video game that should've been made. 😛 So much customization is in this disc that it scares me. The cities are so nice and detailed. The car damage and stuff is great. Not much I can say about this except, you'll find that you'll lose track of the hours[and maybe days] while playing this game.

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Shadow Hog, I get the impression you don't like modern games that much :p

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I do too! I just... prefer the old games more, yeah!

Half-Life 2 definitely should've been listed, though. Dunno why I missed it... must've forgotten. I only really play it for Garry's Mod these days.

Psychonauts as well, although that game was way too short...

I also should've mentioned Day of the Tentacle. Wacky absurdist humor abound, and some of the most clever usage of time travel I've ever seen. What other game has you force George Washington to cut down a kumquat tree, painted red to appear like a cherry tree?

I haven't played as many games as other people but I'm gonna put the most memorable.

The Early Sonic Games: These were basically the only games my family had in the house for a while, so I loved them to death. Fun platform jumping, fast paced, all that stuff.

Street Fighter 2: This is yet another game that I played when I was pretty young, my family still has the working arcade cabinet in the backyard. I didn't really dig the single-player mode, but when you were playing against another person, it was awesome. You were standing shoulder-to-shoulder, the button pad all greasy and the joystick flailing around wildly, and you were there, trying to time your combos correctly, and if you screwed up, you were going to take a beating for it. And sure enough, I always lost.

Goldeneye: Prooty much what everyone else has said.

Mario Kart 64: 4-player Vs. mode and battle <3

Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 1-3: Man, pulling wild combos off was great. and HORSE was fun, too.

Banjo Kazooie: I just really enjoyed this as a kid, the levels were colorful there were some funny lines, and trying to collect all the Jiggys took a little while.

The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time and Majora's Mask: I played both of these games to death and loved each playthrough. The graphics were nice and all the items were pretty cool. The masks in MM were awesome.

Metal Gear Solid Series: as OTB said, sneaking is really fun.

Katamari Damacy / We ♥ Katamari: Trying to beat my own score was fun and just how freaking crazy and mentally hilarious this series is makes it so appealing. The King of All Cosmos = ♥

Okami: Very beautiful, and very enjoyable.

I don't really consider any handheld games to be that great, but Pokemon Gold and Silver deserves a mention.

A couple of classics I'd add into the mix:

UFO: Enemy Unknown (along with others in the X-Com series) - Provides a good balance between the Research, Development and Administration of the X-Com bases and the away missions chasing down the aliens, with plenty of game length. While the game can tend to get repetitive towards the end, it still provides moments that can get you thinking and fighting. Also, it can prove very difficult to actually lose prior to the grand showdown, as each mission tends not to have great impact on the ongoing war.

Civilisation (Pick your version, but only played up to 3) - another game which is somewhat epic in length, but also where the challenges develop as you go along - from establishing and expanding your empire early on, to the ongoing replacement of outdated units, before eventually continuing to battle the generation of pollution. Again, can get a little repetitive towards the end, especially when you just want to while away the last few turns before you complete a victory condition, and so no longer keep pushing to improve your situation.

Shenumuuuue I II because it they have best story out of any video games I have ever played period.

Command and Conquer: Red Alert 2.

It doesn't have the most advanced AI, or a particularly deep or unique story, or very much in the way of uniqe gameplay or units. But that doesn't stop it from being a really really good game

Command and Conquer: Tiberian Sun.

Think RA2 but with unique and pretty units, a unique and relatively deep story, for an RTS, and together, these two have killed most of my early teen years.

Greatest game? Most of them are my favorites, although that's why I think they're the greatest, ahahaha. Ones I can think of at the top of my head right now.

Yoshi's Island: Still proclaiming it the #1 best 2D platformer--hell, maybe the best platformer ever--that I have had the honor of playing. The gameplay is delightful and fun (c'mon, you chuck eggs at baddies), the levels are challenging and plentiful, and the graphics are whimiscal and bursting with eye candy. Not to mention the final boss and the ending which filled my then nine-year-old heart with great accomplishments once I toasted Baby Bowser.

Crash Team Racing: Addicting, that's all I have to say.

Jak II: An odd choice and one I consider a bit of a guilty pleasure. After all, I tend to be on the ranting end when video games use the edgy and mature nature in such a stupid manner that it's poorly conceived. I don't know if Jak II counts since it more or less was the trendsetter for recent cutest game turning "hardcore", but ya know what, for once, I won't care. The gameplay--while frustrating--is delightful, but the story and characters did it for me with such development and engaging plot that during that time period was virtually unheard of in platforms. At least Naughty Dog cared for the characters. Still, I can't see Jak with guns. And I also like to pretend Jak 3 (mostly the BAAAAAAD story) and Jak X (BAAAAD controls) doesn't exist.

Zelda: Majora's Mask: Out of all the Zeldas I've (currently) played, I've always, always, always loved MM over the rest. It's not that I don't appreciate the epic "Save-the-princess-and-Hyrule-from-Ganon" (I do), but MM's story was a different approach with Link having to save Termina from a giant, scary ass moon. But it's not just the unique story nor the innovative concept of time that drew me in, it was the characters. Pretty much every single character in that game has their own personality and dilemma, all of which Link can (optionally) solve and better their lives. Truely, the ending alone was worth it after all that effort.

Okami: Gorgeous, GORGEOUS game. Oh, and the gameplay is fun, too. Seriously, collecting all the paintbrush technique and using them is awesome and unlike other games that has you gaining a new power and barely ever using most of them throughout (I'm looking at you, Jak 3!), Okami demands you creatively use all these techniques throughout the game.

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I don't know if Jak II counts since it more or less was the trendsetter for recent cutest game turning "hardcore"

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Ahahah, oh yeah, I forgot about Conker, though I figured I chose Jak II since it's the more popular of the two (usually the popular leads a trendsetting last I checked--I notice a lot more cutesy turn mature after Jak II's release), but I should smack myself for forgetting Conker!

Well, it seemed more a parody of the practice since it didn't take itself seriously (unlike Jak).

I noted a lot more of them after Jak than I did a rise after Conker.

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Well, it seemed more a parody of the practice since it didn't take itself seriously (unlike Jak).

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I figured it was more out of frustrated from Rare due to all the people whining how Conker's then cute looks were too much for them to bare. Eh, I'm good with either.

Among the ones I feel are the greatest, one series stand as actually influential to my actual way of seeing the world. Monkey Island. I got the first one WAY back in '94 and while the last entry wasn't spectacular, the other three make up for it. Damn good games.

Here are my picks in no particular order.

Super Metroid: This game had everything you ever possibly want out of a video game. Awesome Platforming? Yep. Insane Bosses? Uh-huh. Huge map? Oh yes. A female lead? Very nice!
I still pop this one in my Snes to this day!

New Super Mario Bros.: The DS reinvention of one of the greatest platformers of all time proved that saving the princess is still pretty damn fun. With its killer graphics, fantastic gameplay, tons of secrets, and hiddne worlds it's kinda hard not to fall in love with this game!

Eternal Darkness Sanity's Requiem: There isn't many games that can scare the living hell out of me, but Eternal Darkness manged to do just that in more ways than one! Forget about the insane speel casting battles, freak you out in game moments (bathtub, creppy voices coming out of nowhere, etc...), this game really shines in how much it can make you feel like you are losing your mind! For instance you go to save only to get a message that all your files in the game has been deleted and that you authorized it! Then you realize that it is just the game playing tricks with your head. My personal fave is when a message tells you an error has occured and eerything on your memory card has been wiped clean! Sheer fun!

Metal Gear Solid: What is there to say that hasn't already been said about MGS? It nails that movie feel better than anyother game I had ever played. It's got great (Albeit long) cinemas, great voice acting, and one hell of a story! Oh and the stealth gameplay is pretty good too!

Sonic The Hedgehog (360): Just kidding!

Sonic 3& Knucles: Sonic 3 and Sonic and Knuckles were fine all by theirselves, but when you hooked them together damn did you have a great game. The game was very vibrant, well paced, and massive (14 levels which is quite a bit for a Sonic game at the time!) Music also had its charms to seemed to suck you deeper into the experience, and during this time Sonic bosses were actually intresting and fun!

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Sonic The Hedgehog (360): Just kidding!

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You sick freak. What am I saying I haven't even played that game yet. 😛

Oh yea and I gotta add Galaga and Pac-Man. Namco was definetly on a roll in the early to mid 80s when they came out with these games. Funallenging - Fun and challenging. Begins pretty easy, but boy do they get tough. Just plain ol' retro greatness, if you ask me.

Since I haven't played every single game ever made (who has?), expect just a little bias (only a little bit =P)

Abe's Oddyssey - back when the PSX was the new hotness and 3D was all the rage, this little 2D game came out and reassured me that 2D gaming will never die. It's a shame we'll never see this series see out its creators original vision (much like Shenmue), but it seems they suffered the same fate as SEGA did transitioning it from 2D to 3D.

Megaman Zero series - I didn't grow up playing Megaman games, but a couple of years ago I played MMZ3 and I finally got it. I loved the sprites, and the story, and the hard as hell gameplay. And having played some other Megaman games since then, I still think these are the best. At least Capcom know when to keep their franchise 2D (although I do love MMLegends too).

Metal Gear Solid - what hasn't been said about it?

NiGHTS into Dreams - Possibly Sonic teams best game, it was all the justification I needed for buying a Saturn. It has very beautiful animation and designs, great music and cool boss fights.

Phantasy Star Online - my first online game is still my favourite. Unlike other online RPGs I've played (mainly WOW), it has a fun battle system. None of this point and click and sit back and scratch your nuts kinda games, this one has you in control, and even given its flaws, I'd still play this over any others. It was also a real crash course for me in Internet speak (I spent ages trying to figure out who LOL was...)

Shenmue - the most expensive failure ever is also the best. If ever I would be moved to start a riot over something, it would be over this game. The game's not for everyone, but it is special.

Sonic games - Sonic was once cool, I seem to recall.

Super Mario All Stars - some would say Mario Bros 1 or 3... I say both. =3 I never had many SNES games back in the day, so it was maily this and the DKC games that I played on it.

Final Fantasy IX - these days when I think of Final Fantasy, I think of an endless stream of sequel cash ins for the mindless zombie horde of fans who'll eat it up with a spoon as long as it has two F's on the cover and stars some blonde douche. Sure I was one of them back in the day, the z0mg Clouds and Sephiroths. But over time, FFVII has lost its touch, the series has losts its "specialness", and I have come to understand FFIX as the most refined and underated FF to date. It's the most unique world they've created for the series so far, and I'm glad they've yet to taint it with a FFIX-2.

Virtual On - what Hyper said. The original is still good to this day. It's my most played Saturn game next to NiGHTS. Damn if they would re-relase it for Virtual Console or the Xbox Live so we have online battles, then I'd cream myself to death.

Hahhaah just a little bias. *high fives to VO* Yea man! I'd cream myself too. >_> I'm telling you the sequel will make you buy a diaper. Seriously. Sega should bring it back, definetly considering the way it went out. I like Shenmue alot too, but I haven't gotten around to finishing it. And Nights, i've yet to play but really want to. I had All-Stars and i'm telling you I played that cartridge til it burned up.

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Final Fantasy IX - these days when I think of Final Fantasy, I think of an endless stream of sequel cash ins for the mindless zombie horde of fans who'll eat it up with a spoon as long as it has two F's on the cover and stars some blonde douche. Sure I was one of them back in the day, the z0mg Clouds and Sephiroths. But over time, FFVII has lost its touch, the series has losts its "specialness", and I have come to understand FFIX as the most refined and underated FF to date. It's the most unique world they've created for the series so far, and I'm glad they've yet to taint it with a FFIX-2.

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BIG. FAT. WORD. I would also like to say out of all the FFs I've played thus far, I felt more into the characters there then others, only because they truly change their personalities as the story progresses. Ya know, character development, which I feel didn't do a good job in most other FFs I've played.

Any modern game with realistic and moving character development belongs in this category. >>

I hate it whenever this question pops up, because it forces me to choose out of thousands of games I've played over the years. I'm going to try and limit it to five (Because I'm lazy), and I'll be brutal... I guarentee I'll look at the list later though, slap my forehead and scream "HOW'D I FORGET THAT?!?!?"

(In no particular order, other than what I think of them in)

1 - Phantasy Star Online (Dreamcast & Gamecube) :: My first online MMORPG ever. Heck, I think it may have been the first game I ever played online. Since day 1 of Dreamcast release, and through to the Gamecube incarnation, I have clocked up more hours on this little beast than any other game, and more than several combined. Is it the combat? Is the large amount of weapons? Is the nostalgia? Or is the fact I can create a loli-Force, and go around shooting giant fireballs of doom at the enemy? I think it's all of the above. FONEWEARL 4 LIFE YO!

2 - Shining Force II (Mega Drive) :: Oh my dear sweet little baby. You're what started me on the dangerous path known as RPGs, aren't you? I wouldn't of had it any other way. From the first day of renting it from my local video store, I was hooked. The characters, the use of simple tactics (Healers AREN'T meant to melee), and the soundtrack (Oh my lord, the soundtrack!). My greatest regret is not being fast enough to pick it up when the video store had their Mega Drive clearout.

3 - Halo (Xbox) :: Man, what's an overrated P.O.S. doing on a list like this? Keep your opinions to yourself. I played Halo long before I heard all the hype, so I was free to let the game make it's own impression on me, not go in with a pre-conceived notion of awesomeness. I think the "20 seconds of fun" repeated over and over idea is what won me over. Those 20 seconds were usually the craziest, most profanity filled moments I've ever experienced. "Hey, why is it's arm glowing greeOH SHI-! THERE'S TWO OF THEM! * ** **** WHY WON'T IT DIE?!?"

4 - Shin Megami Tensei: Nocturne AKA Lucifers Call (Playstation 2) :: Easily the greatest single player RPG I have ever played. In how many games does the world get destroyed in the first 10 minutes? Yeah. That's what I thought. Nocturne was my first foray (And certainly not my last) into Atlus RPGs, and it left a lasting impression on me. Great atmosphere. AMAZING soundtrack (I worship Shoji Meguro). Different, but excellently executed battle system. All of it combined to make a truly awesome RPG experience. I'm just thankful the lead character from the following game was in there, or I may have past this up.

5 - Devil May Cry 3 (Playstation 2) :: Crazy gameplay? Check. In depth battle system? Check. Varying enemies who aren't just stronger pallete swaps? Check. Awesome soundtrack? Check. Gameplay that DOESN'T hold your hand? Check. Well, it seems DMC3 has a lot of wondeful little things that make it so good, and all of it coming together makes it great.

To anyone who read that, and is thinking something along the lines of "nub. old skool games r moar hardcore", do me a favour, and slap yourself. Lists like this are always opinion based. Besides, I do have respect for older games, but these 5 are the ones that stand out the most to me off the top of my head. And as I said at the start, I'll look at that list later, and slap myself for missing something.

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Lists like this are always opinion based. Besides, I do have respect for older games, but these 5 are the ones that stand out the most to me off the top of my head.

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Indeed strictly opinion based. I like your list. Besides, Shining Force II is from the early 90s so there's your old school. 😛

In no particular order:

Mega Man 2- Easily the best of the 8-bit Mega Man games, this one just had all the elements that made the series great in just the right quantities. Fun, genuinely challenging, and with probably THE best soundtrack to come out of the 8-bit era, Mega Man 2 is an old standby classic that I find myself coming back to again and again, even if some of the Wily levels seem just plain unfair.

They may have gayed up the series (pardon my French) since the NES days with all sorts of horrible terrible spinoffs, but this game will always be one of the greats.

Chrono Trigger- Oh, come on. This is obligatory. Aside from being the game that introduced me to RPGs, everything about this game screams masterpiece. From the wonderfully detailed sprites to the epic score, this game tells a story like no other before it, engrossing you in truly human characters for the first time. It's also fun to play and has hella replay value.

Plus, Robo <3

Final Fantasy 3- If you call it 6 I will stab you in the face. Anyhow, this is the best Final Fantasy game. All who disagree are communists. The others may have their merits, but this game is just leaps and bounds ahead. Even though its 16-bit graphics can be dull or even outright ugly at times, when they work, they really work. The soundtrack also stands as one of Nobuo's greatest works, and I think the man is largely a hack.

Marvel VS. Capcom 2- Aside from some game balance issues (VIPER BEAM!), this game is probably the most fun I've ever had with a 2D fighter. That is, unless you count:

Super Smash Bros. Melee- Need I even elaborate?

The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time- Again, necessary. I can't say anything about this game that hasn't already been said.

Half-Life- Very few games can redefine a genre, but Half-Life is one of them. Breathing truly new life into the FPS genre for perhaps the first time since DOOM, Half-Life introduced never-before seen elements such as *gasp* a STORY! Yes, for the first time there was an ACTUAL story in a shooting game!

Half-Life 2- Basically, the ultimate FPS. It took all the elemtns that made the first game successful and turned them all the f*cking way to 11. A gripping story, human characters, intense, realistic environments, and superb level design all combined with the tight gameplay and quasi-realistic physics to create an unforgettable gaming experience.

Yoshi's Island- Coming out right at the pinnacle of the 16-bit age, this game was the ultimate platformer. Gorgeous backgrounds catch the eye, extremely solid gameplay engages the mind, and superb music soothes the ear.

The only negative to this game? That f*cking crying.

Metroid Prime- Absolutely engrossing. This game presents a real, organic world that flows so naturally you almost forget you're playing a game. Beautiful graphics that are only now starting to show their age and intense gameplay with responsive, intuitive controls don't hurt either. The soundtrack only heightens the experience; The music for the Phendrana are is maybe one of the most memorable bits of music I've heard in recent years.

Tales of Symphonia- Not even the supreme annoyance that is Collette can tarnish this game for me.

There are more, I'll post 'em later. Maybe. I'm tired of writing right now.

Adventure - Atari 2600 - Not only was it the first action/adventure game to appear on a home console, it also gave us the first Easter egg in a game.

Berzerk - Atari 2600 - If I'm remembering right, this was the very first video game I ever played, so I have a special place for it in my heart.

Galaga - Solely for its addiction factor. I've spent many an hour in arcades playing this.

Sonic 2 - Game Gear - This was the first Sonic game I played. Even though the first boss may as well be a god, I still have a fondness for it.

I'll post more if I think of any. Yes, I prefer older games over modern games. Sue me.

Just rumageing around and found several other gems worth mentioning.

Resident Evil 3: Nemesis: Sure the control system may seem arhaic, but the sheer terror of being stalked by a massive crature that you know is impossible to kill is reason alone to play this overlooked entry into the RE series!

Streets of Rage: Wasn't just your typical Final Fight knock-off. This game was amazing when it was released featureing three totally different and totally compeling characters, over the top baddies (That fat-ass that breathes fire), and the fact that it was a brawler in the same frame as Final Fight, but ten times more refined (meaning way less difficult) and made by Sega!

Super Mario 64 DS: Everyone talks about the 64 version being the best Amrio game ever, but you have to give the DS version props for almost (Due to the control) makeing the best game better! By adding more characters, more Stars, and loads of mini-games was enough to keep any gamer who tired of Mario 64 back when he shelved his 64 playing for hours!

Hmm. Well, I can't speak for greatest, as I haven't played a lot, but my favorites would definately be -

Sonic Adventure 2 Battle - I loved the plot. Some of the levels frustrated me, but the movie at the end made it all worthwhile. And If you don't think Chao are cute, you're sick.

Yoshi's Island - Don't know why, but I really loved this one. Not much plot, but the levels were really fun. I used to get up at three in the morning every saturday and play it with no volume, and shut it off when my parents woke up so I wouldn't get in trouble.

Twilight Princess - The first Zelda game I've ever played. Wish I'd started earlier, because If the others were as good as this one there would be a lot more Zelda titles on this list. Completely beautiful. Lots of side quests and diversions to keep me from getting bored, the controls were easy to learn, the plot was great and the levels fun, and Minda is FLIPPIN SWEET! My only complaint would be the end, when Minda becomes ugly. She was so cute before!

1. Kingdom Hearts II
2. Final Fantasy XII
3. Resident Evil 4
4. Sonic CD
5. The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time
6. The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess
7. Shadow of the Colossus
8. Okami
9. Final Fantasy IX
10. Final Fantasy VII

This sounds like a fun conversation, I'll join in. All of my "greatest games" have silly reasons(and bias) for being so great.

1: Adventure of Link NES. This game is still the only Zelda game i can't beat. Considering its the last game in the "Timeline" besides the horrendous CD-i games, adds to how awesome it is. to this day, I still haven't made it to the Great Palace. the trail of fire keeps killing me.

2: Sonic 2 Genesis. First sonic game I ever owned (played Spinball first). Perfect in all ways to me.

3: Final Fantasy 2 SNES. Also a "first played" i liked how it didn't feel so turn-based like the other RPGs i played.(dragon warrior, to give a name out) Doesn't seem so impressive next to 7,(was better in terms of gameplay, i will concede.) but the storyline was much more invigorating. 7 was an angst machine.

4: Pro Wrestling NES. This game is the only game my friends will never play against me anymore. i think they had enough of me using the the Amazon to bite the heads of their wrestlers with.

6: Perfect Dark N64. Best multiplayer mode ever. N-bombs and fist-sims in 5-kill limit matches. Best challenge ever, but one needs aspirin from staring at the screen after that kind of match.

7: Still Life PC. You play as a FBI agent investigating the murders of multiple women(gore to the extreme) in the Chicago area that mirror the final case your grandfather did as a PI in France. The Murderer is by far the best dressed villain I have ever seen.

8: Resident Evil 3 Arcade. The first arcade game I played with my brother that I blew him away in. His forte is arcade racing games and he would always win. He thought he was better than me at all arcade games... He thought wrong. he die on the second floor, i got to the eighth. The whole "get off the floor before Nemesis gets you! premise was a great way to make players waste all of their ammo really fast, as with my brother.

9: Raving Rabbits Wii. one word: GAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHH!

10: Starfox Adventures GCN. I can't recall any other game in my collection of games that I have played so much I know what the characters say in each line. the subtle and somewhat dry humor (the music when Fox sees Krystal for the first time for example) coupled with a standard hero archetype storyline (hero save damsel in distress from evil) and something that isn't space shooting for once in a while,( the 64 game drove me nuts. i hated to play it) made it perfect to me.(that and Krystal too )

those are my top ten.

Okay, time for my list, although "greatest" and "favourite" may not be one in the same. >_>
In random order:

Phantasy Star Online: 3rd RPG ever played, 1st online RPG and I would play this game FOREVER. Something about the battle system that I loved. I don't see why this hasn't caught more attention. I have yet to play Universe, but if it's ANYWHERE near as good as this game, I'd have to take it.

Final Fantasy IX: This was a rather original Final Fantasy title despite that it didn't get much attention (that I know of). I found the story rather fresh and enjoyable as well as the characters.

Xenogears: I'll admit, there's bias on my part for this game. >_> Early on, I fell in love with the story. I also enjoyed the gear battles. The Grahf theme was also cool.

Sonic CD: The music, the speed, the levels, this game is just pure win.

Sonic the Hedgehog: Ah, the original. My first ever videogame. The game that got me into Sonic and gaming in general. A classic. The Nostalgia. Glad I still have my Genesis, now I just need to find the cables...

I'm curious to see how people's favorites have changed over the years.

BUMP!

Versailles 1685

Nuff said... This thread is OVER! >=(

since this seems like more opinion than anything, i'll just go with some of my favorites

1.LoZ: a link to the past- i really liked how indepth this one was. i remember playing it as a kid but then beating it as a teenager haha

2.Chrono Trigger- again so indepth, i love the story and quite frankly it was a blast.

3.Megaman Zero 3- nothing better to say then the best MMZ game. i enjoyed every boss fight and the story was a good climax to an unresolved plot.

4.Fire Emblem Radiant Dawn- i wanted to put FE on my list because i have fun playing any game, but RD had the most advanced stats/class changes. plus the story was killer.

5.S3&K- for pretty much reasons already listed haha

since this seems like more opinion than anything, i'll just go with some of my favorites

FOOLISH POSTER!

What you call opinion is what I posted (three days ago) is FACT!

... FACT!

No particular order other than the first being my favorite game of all time-

The Legend of Zelda Ocarina of Time- pure brilliance at its time and holds up well today. One of the few games I can easily go back and play over and over again and fall in love with it each time I hear the music when you turn the game on.

Final Fantasy VI-IX- my favorite series as a whole. Loved these four the most, but Final Fantasy VII takes the cake for me. Yeah, I know it has lost a lot of appeal with its oh so much milking, but whenever I pop it in, I am reminded of how great this game was for me. Real close is as some of you said, Final Fantasy IX. And I can't argue with it being less because I'm very close to calling it my favorite FF next to VII. Both are truly amazing in my eyes.

Chrono Trigger- as with VI or III at the time, another great RPG of its time and of all time. Just a all around amazing game. Great cast of characters, story and music. Top notch.

Star Wars Knights of the Old Republic- this game made me love Star Wars again. And love Bioware as well. Just an awesome game with an engaging story and great twist at the end. My favorite WRPG of all time.

Mega Man X, Mega Man Zero- loved Mega Man X so much as a kid, that I played it over and over with my cousin so many times I can't count. Then Zero came and captured me like the old X series did.

Shadow of the Colossus- amazing and touching game that I can go play over and over again and have a blast. Just nothing like David vs Goliath, and this game delivers that aspect and more.

Halo Combat Evolved- I know, I also played this game before the massive fanboy train hit it. Me and my cousin fell in love with the co-op and multiplayer and it was just an awesome experience at its time. Forget the sequels, they can burn for all I care, just give me good ol CE and I'm a happy camper.

Super Mario Bros 3, World- you could even add 2 in here aswell, but these two games were my childhood and are easily the most replayable games I've ever came across in my life. Just pure fun.

honorable mentions-
Kingdom Hearts, Metroid Prime, Resident Evil 2

Nice, nice list Incognito. I've been playing lots of Capcom vs. SNK 2 lately and oh my gosh...I never realized it was so unbalanced. Also never realized you could parry in the game. I think the idea of parrying outweighs the balancing issue though. I'll need to update my list sometime.

I've been playing lots of Capcom vs. SNK 2 lately and oh my gosh...I never realized it was so unbalanced.

Capcom Vs SNK 2? My cousin got that game at least six or seven years ago now, if I remember correctly. Haven't played that game in forever.
Main thing I remember about it is that the London stage had a really sexy song. Oh, and my trio usually consisted of Ryu, Iori and Joe Higashi. TIGHT TRIO RIGHT THERE!!!!!

Hhahah! Yes it is ancient. Came out in '01 indeed. =P One of my faves though. My team usually consists of Kim, Terry and Chun. Or...Joe, King and Sagat[Muay Thai Team ] I'm hoping for a PSN/XBLA re-release. I can't stand using the Dualshock 3 for that game. Must use my SFIV fightpad. It is superior in every way.

Greatest games? Heh, this might be interesting...

1. Sonic 3 and Knuckles/2 (Over time I do think Sonic 2 is the better game but Sonic3K is too fun)
2. Super Mario World
3. Final Fantasy 9 (Slight edge over 6)
4. Super Metroid
5. Super Mario Bros 3
6. Street Fighter 2 (Not a favorite but one can't ignore its impact)
7. Chrono Trigger

That's all I got.

Oh boy, gotta think about this one...

I no particular order...

- The World Ends With You
- Yoshi's Island
- Sonic Adventure 2 Battle
- Starfox 64
- Legend of Zelda : Oracle of Ages/Seasons

Honourable Mentions:

- Pokemon Stadium/Snap
- Mario 64
- Sonic Unleashed

...can't think of any others at the moment...

I've been playing alot of Devil May Cry 4 lately but I can't say its one of the best games I've played... and Smash Bros doesnt make the list because I've played Melee and Brawl to death.

Update:

1. Virtual-On: Oratorio Tangram[5.66] - Since SEGA has re-released this game on 360...i've talked my roommate into getting it, i've finally gotten to play the final version of my favorie game. Finding that the 360 controller feels somewhat identical to the Dreamcast controller is a HUGE plus. And the ability to map out buttons is great too. This is a game all about control and there's an added paint edit option that is super cool. I'd need to spend another almost 10 years with this game to equate it to the sheer awesomeness of my version[5.45] on DC, so i'll give Hitmaker the benefit of the doubt.

2. Sonic 3[complete game] - Team Sonic. Sonic, Tails and Knuckles. Super Sonic, Super Knuckles. Hyper Sonic, Hyper Knuckles and Super Tails. 8 characters, but really only 3. 😛 I don't really know what to say about this game. Fast, fun and lengthy. I've not played Sonic CD enough to place it in the rankings, but I know it's an amazingly great game and i'm sure one day i'l return and SCD will be up here somewhere.

3. Gran Turismo 3 - Ahhh the greatest driving sim i've ever played. So many cars, so many course, so much fun. This game definetly consumed much of mine and a friend's of mine summer days. Such beautiful locations, with graphics that were, and still are really , unbelievably sharp and crisp. The fact that I would sit and endure for like 2 hours straight on those darn blasted endurance races really showed me how much I liked that game. Too bad i'm stuck at 75%...but only have like 4 more golds to earn. Obviously there's some more cups and championships that need unlocking.

4. Armored Core series[AC2 and upward] - Have yet to experience any of the PSX titles, but I do hear they are great. I'll never forget picking up Armored Core 2: Another Age that day in Wal-Mart. Went home and like...killed myself in the game trying to turn and move at the same time. Completely new experience for me. Once I got the controls on lock though...it was heaven. Straight up heaven. And this carried over to the later titles as well, but the game did see additions like left handed howitzers, insane heat and overweight penalities. Almost too realisic to enjoy. But boy...upon dealing with all of that mess the games were amazing. Now being a newbie again[AC4 and ACfA are totally new games] i'm rediscovering the greatness that is piloting giant mechs.

5. TMNT IV:Turtles In Time - First fandom right here. Loved the TMNT ever since I was like 3. They encouraged me to take karate[no ninjitsu classes around where I live]. The level design was grand and the music was great. Graphics were just like the cartoons. The sheer joy of multiplayer is enough to require a change of pants. Straight up fun.

6. Super Mario World - Boy what a game we have here. Challenging, lengthy and my first game I ever owned to tell you the truth. Beat it one sumemr at my grandma's with my cousin. We pulled an all nighter that night...this is Mario at his finest.

7. Sonic 2 - Fast, fast, fast. First Sonic game I ever played and it basically took over my childhood dreams for about half of a year. The levels are so bright and colorful and the music is so great, it old never be forgotten. The first time we ever get to go Super Saiy-. Super Sonic. Oh man I could play it again and again.

8. Super Star Soldier - All Space shooters are the same, right? Wrong. SSS showed me that the challenge and skill required in a game not only shows your dedication to the cause, but your extreme dorkiness. All I know is, if there is anyone out there that has beaten this game...I give you props. This game is super tough, but so much fun it should be outlawed.

9. Capcom vs. SNK 2 - Ahhh...Art of Fighting, Fatal Fury...Street Fighter, Final Fight...Samurai Shodown, DarkStalkers and Rival Schools...if only there was some way to put many of the characters from these games into one ultimate fighting battle royale. Oh wait. *blushes* Offering more than 40 characters, balancing issues are expected to be present[but it ain't no Marvel vs. Capcom 2 ] and since replaying this game after playing many newer more recent 2D fighters, the inbalance has become obvious. Also since purchase of this game originally, I have acquired Third Strike so parrying is a HUGE part of my playing style now. So I can live with the unbalanced fighters as long as I can learn to parry like my boy Daigo. xD!

10. NCAA/Madden Football [insert year here] - Each successsive year's release of these games for as long as I could remember seemed to get better and better. Even the old Maddens like '94-'99 were the best IMO. And with Wii's Madden title being completely built from the ground up just for Wii, i'm really really looking forward to it. The little overhead 2D guys running around, doing stupid endzone dances and doing the dumbest looking spin moves was the cause of much laughter growing up. Then the old scool glitches in those games was hilarous. Characters blowing up the field turing blue, etc. The ambulance* running over your player. XDXD! Now with the new school games, NCAA is usually my pick over Madden, but Wii's Madden 2010 is being built from the ground up, so i'm excited.

Honorable Mentions[That really should probably be up here]: Midnight Club LA, Yoshi's Island, Golden Sun, Galaga, Pac-Man, Super Mario Bros. 3, Street Fighter III: Third Strike, Shenmue, Metroid Prime, No More Heroes, Smash Bros[series] Expect this list to change much in the coming years.