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Action Games - ranked by preference
 588  8.8  Release Date: September 3, 1998 (JP) When I got the Playstation in late 1998, my love for video games was starting to fade...Then I ordered a pizza from Pizza Hut, got a promotional demo disk along with it, and discovered Metal Gear Solid and a few other titles on it. Upon playing the MGS demo, I got hooked...And before I knew it, I had reached the cliffhanger ending and NEEDED to buy the game so I could see what happened next. I did, and then played through what ended up being my absolute favorite game of all-time...It pretty much re-sparked my interest in video games and re-taught me what a video game could be. ape's rating:
 
843 7.7  Release Date: August 22, 2001 (NA) I'll admit it - I didn't think that this game would be anything special. I had played Driver 2 and thought that it was alright, but was disappointed overall by the result. The Grand Theft Auto series wasn't as critically acclaimed as Driver, so I was expecting a similar result...Instead I got absolutely blown away. Whether you were working on the main story, working side jobs, collecting packages, or just wandering around doing nothing...It was all fun. Today, I know the streets of GTA III's Liberty City better than I know most of the streets around my neighborhood from playing this game so much. I also take great pride in the fact that I perfected flying the Dodo, often wowing my college roommates with 20-30 minute joyrides in the skies above Liberty City. ape's rating:
521 8.6  Release Date: June 12, 2008 (ALL) I love the Metal Gear franchise...And when Metal Gear Solid 4 came out, I was really looking forward to it. I had high expectations and this game shattered them and went far beyond what I was hoping for, giving me an experience that I enjoyed so much that I felt the need to play through the game nearly ten times since its release. The area where you battle Crying Wolf had me bouncing in my seat with joy, as I couldn't believe that Kojima would create such an awesome fan service as that level (which I refuse to mention by name due to spoiler reasons). Video games rarely create such excitement within me these days, Metal Gear Solid 4 managed to create it a few times throughout my time with it. ape's rating:
31 7.7  Release Date: 1981 (NA) Pac-Man was, and still is, a great game...But Ms. Pac-Man adds to the already great Pac-Man formula and might even tweak it to perfection. The best part is that while in Pac-Man the AI was predictable, the AI in Ms. Pac-Man is more random, meaning that once you think you've got their pattern down, the ghosts could surprise you. It's worth noting, however, that Ms. Pac-Man was never a planned game. It was actually a hack of the original Pac-Man named "Crazy Otto." Once Midway, the American distributor of Pac-Man, saw Crazy Otto, they bought the game and transformed Otto, from his "Pac-Man with legs" appearance to the "Pac-Man with a ribbon on his head" look that we've all come to know and love. In my opinion, it very well could be the best arcade game ever made...And it's a major contender for best game, period. ape's rating:
235 8.8  Release Date: December 22, 2005 (JP) Subsistence is more than a simple re-release of Snake Eater...It includes a new camera system which, in itself, makes it a better game overall than it already was. On top of that, a plethora of extras like new Snake vs. Monkey mode stages, extra camo and face paint for Snake, connectivity with Metal Gear Acid 2 on the PSP, and a multiplayer mode that allows up to eight people to battle for supremacy online. It's also got the MSX versions of the original two Metal Gear games, making this, like I stated in the beginning, so much more than a simple re-release. It made one of my favorite games even better and tossed in a bunch of extras to boot - Konami went above and beyond with this game. ape's rating:
628 8.5  Release Date: January 11, 2005 (NA) Resident Evil 4 was a drastic change in the Resident Evil series, switching from a slow-paced adventure-style gameplay to a much faster, action-oriented gameplay. The result was what some call the best game to come out in the last decade. I wouldn't quite go that far, but it is easily in the top 5. Running from a man with a sack on his head wielding a chainsaw is the part I remember most from this game...The anxiety I felt was nothing like I felt in previous entries in the franchise's history...And the fact that it played like a dream only helped matters. If you haven't played it yet, do so. Without exaggerating, this is one of the best games not just on the Gamecube, but of all-time. ape's rating:
267 8.6  Release Date: May 18, 2010 (NA) If you're reading this and haven't played Red Dead Redemption yet, you need to...if for no other reason than to experience the world that Rockstar created. I don't think I have ever been sucked into an atmosphere like I did with this game. Playing through this title really felt like you were in the old west...There is never really a safe moment, either. Whether it be bandits, law enforcement, or even the various wildlife, you can think that you're doing great, and then quickly find yourself pushing up daisies. The story is also very, very good. You really feel emotions towards the characters by the end...Whether you like them or hate them, the emotion is there, which is the key to a great story. To top it all off, the gameplay is on par with all of the stuff I mentioned above. And like the Grand Theft Auto series, it's just as fun wandering around, doing nothing, as it is playing the actual game. I can't recommend this game enough - it really is that good. ape's rating:
 
3 9  Release Date: 2010 (NA) I'm not a huge first-person shooter guy, so it's probably no surprise that my favorite Halo game isn't one. Halo 2600 is an absolutely fantastic game made for the Atari 2600 in 2010. It's brilliantly designed with minor aspects of modern gaming applied to the old style and very limited data space of older Atari 2600 games. Ed Fries deserves an award, for he has created one of my favorite games for the console roughly 25 years after the Atari VCS's prime. ape's rating:
124 7.7  Release Date: October 31, 1991 (JP) Super Castlevania IV is a beautiful game, especially for one that came out so early in the SNES life cycle. It also has some very nice and interesting level design to go along with the pretty graphics. Top it all off with some of the most solid gameplay in the series and fancier usage of the infamous whip, and you've got an extremely solid entry in this long-running franchise. If you're spoiled by the Symphony of the Night formula, you may not appreciate this game quite as much, but if you love action games, Super Castlevania IV is one of the absolute best that you'll find on the SNES. ape's rating:
1114 8  Release Date: October 27, 2002 (NA) With the massive success of Grand Theft Auto III, Rockstar thought it would be best to follow it up with a game based in Vice City, a parody of 80's Miami. I can't really argue with that decision. This was the Grand Theft Auto formula that took the gaming world by storm, with the dingy colors of III traded for the pastel hues of the 80's. Add in one of the nicest soundtracks in the history of gaming, the ability to drive motorcycles, and a few other little touches and tweaks, improving the overall gameplay, and you've got a fantastic prequel that any fan of sandbox-style games will love. ape's rating:
1 9  Release Date: August 1981 (NA) I wish I knew why this game didn't get more attention...It's both innovative and fun. At first glance, Warp & Warp looks like a regular shooter...Walk around the level, shoot at enemies, don't get shot yourself...The catch is there's a warp portal in the center of the room. When it says "warp" on it, you can walk between them and warp to another world with different gameplay. The second world plays like a crude bomberman. You don't have bullets, only bombs, and you need to lure the enemies into the bombs you drop in order to kill them...After a while, the warp portal opens up again and you warp back to the shooter level. The warping between levels was innovative back then and the change in gameplay between the levels really prevents too much repetition, making this a game that takes quite a while to get old. It may not be well known, but Warp & Warp, in my opinion, is one of the better early Arcade games by far. ape's rating:
125 7.4  Release Date: March 21, 2001 (JP) Castlevania: Circle of the Moon was first first in a long line of Symphony of the Night-inspired Castlevania games that have now become mainstays of Nintendo handhelds, and it's probably still my favorite of that bunch as well. It's the same enjoyable formula found in Symphony of the Night, with a few minor changes, and in portable form - what's not to like about that? In the early days of the Game Boy Advance, this was one of the must-buy titles for the handheld...And even towards the end of the GBA's lifespan and beyond to today, it has maintained that title. ape's rating:
628 8.1  Release Date: November 12, 2001 (NA) I remember Metal Gear Solid 2 came out shortly after I had begun college. I barely had money to eat after tuition and book fees....But I didn't care. I bought this game and gladly enjoyed my bread-and-water meals as I stayed up for over twenty-four hours to play it from beginning to end. The game itself had, quite possibly, the biggest surprise in video game history. And I'm about to spoil it here...If you haven't heard about it, skip to the next game. The introduction of Raiden, taking the place of Solid Snake for the majority of the game, was never leaked out until the date the game hit store shelves. While I never really had a problem with Raiden, most folks (aside from the Japanese folk, from what I've heard) hated him. But love him or hate him, he starred in a pretty nice game here, and one that I've played over multiple times since its release. ape's rating:
215 7.8  Release Date: October 24, 2005 (NA) I love Grand Theft Auto III. By the time that Liberty City Stories came out, I knew the streets of Liberty City by heart, so I didn't think this game could do much to surprise me. I was wrong. Combining some of the best aspects of other games in the series, like tweaked gameplay from GTA III, the ability to enter your safehouse and change clothes, the inclusion of motorcycles, and various other goodies, Liberty City Stories almost felt to big for a handheld game. It legitimately felt like a port of a console title rather than a handheld game that later got ported to consoles. The end result is a must-play title for the PSP, and a great choice if you're looking for some Grand Theft Auto on the go. ape's rating:
73 8  Release Date: February 28, 1992 (JP) The original Contra on the NES was tough, but it was a cakewalk compared to this tough-as-nails, scrolling shooter. Contra III delivers more of what the first game in the series game us - more explosions, more aliens, more weapons, and as previously mentioned, more difficulty. In fact your only reward for surviving through the game on Normal difficulty is the game telling you to beat it on Hard if you want to see an ending or fight the game's true final boss. Despite its increased difficulty, Contra III is a superior game to the original in just about every way and is easily one of the best run-and-gun style games to ever be created. ape's rating:
181 7.7  Release Date: May 1987 (NA) The original Castlevania may have been surpassed in quality by some of the later games in the series...But it's still a very solid title in its own right. Using a whip to neutralize the large variety of undead enemies that attack you is good fun. The later levels can get a tad difficult - especially when they involve platforming...But everything in this game can be overcome with practice...Even Death...No matter how much of a jerk he is. If you're a fan of the Castlevania series, the initial entry is a must-play title that's still fun to this day. ape's rating:
16 9  Release Date: February 21, 2012 (US) I'm surprised...This is pretty much a direct port of the Playstation 2 version of the game, without a whole lot compromised. Heck, all of the voicework seems to have made it, along with the James Bond-like Snake Eater theme song and trippy intro video, which looks quite neat with the 3D on. The controls are really the only thing holding this game down...The 3DS system doesn't have as many buttons as the PS2 controller, so some of the buttons are forced to be placed in kind of awkward places (though, if the 3DS had a second analog stick, I think it'd be fine). Once you get used to the button placements, it's not too bad...But it also never really feels like the controls are as good as the console version, either. It's worth noting that I really couldn't come up with a better button layout for the game myself, so I feel like they did the best they could with the buttons that the 3DS had available for them. By the time I finished the game, just like when I first beat it on PS2 years ago, all I wanted to do was immediately play the game all over again. As far as my personal preferences go, Snake Eater earned its way to the number one slot on this list, even if the iffy controls had me doubting that possibility at first. ape's rating:
430 8.3  Release Date: April 29, 2008 (NA) Grand Theft Auto IV was an extremely anticipated game when it came out...And while I loved the characters, story, and game as a whole...In some respects it felt like a step back. Half the fun of previous GTA games was the ability to take over the city. Granted, that wouldn't make a whole lot of sense to allow that in this story, it still felt like something was missing when playing. That minor gripe aside, GTA4 lives up to any and all hype it received. If you haven't played it yet, give it a try. It's an easy game to lose several hours in. ape's rating:
228 7.8  Release Date: November 17, 2002 (NA) I remember really, really looking forward to this title...And I'll admit it, I was a little disappointed by it. I wanted a game like Super Metroid, where you could explore around in order to figure out how to advance...Instead, Metroid Fusion is much, much more linear and it almost holds your hand through each area of the game. However, those complaints aside, this is still a great game. The basic gameplay is fun, the story is interesting, and the graphics and audio are very good as well...If not for the hand-holding, linear story/gameplay progression, this probably would have been my favorite game on the Game Boy Advance. But as it is, it's still near the top of the heap. ape's rating:
119 8  Release Date: May 1980 (JP) A study would have to be done to confirm this, but I'd be willing to bet a decent sum of money that despite other game characters surpassing Namco's yellow mascot over time, that Pac-Man is still the most recognizable character in video games. Heck, back in the day, even the ghosts (Blinky, Pinky, Inky, and Clyde) were household names. But anyway, Pac-Man is one of those rare titles that if you have a young kid play it, they're likely to understand why people loved it back when it was released rather than wonder why anyone would enjoy it like many other games from the 70's and early 80's. All that said, the AI followed set paths, making this game easy to beat once you've memorized them...But that's honestly the only real flaw that I can think of. Ms. Pac-Man improves on the formula found here to near perfection...But Mr. Pac-Man is still pretty dang great. ape's rating:
36 7.8  Release Date: October 9, 2012 (NA) I love stealth. So, of course, when I saw that Dishonored encouraged, and even rewarded, players for being stealthy when playing, I was immediately interested. However, if you're more into barging into areas and killing everyone in sight, Dishonored let you do that as well. You can play Dishonored any way that you wish and the game will adapt to your style. Want to kill everyone? Naturally, you're more dangerous, so more enemies will appear to counter your threat. Want to be stealthy? Nobody knows you're around, so there's no need for so much security. Dishonored is a top-notch game, and is, quite possibly, my favorite non-remake game of 2012. ape's rating:
98 7.8  Release Date: December 5, 2006 (NA) Metal Gear Solid: Portable Ops was the PSP game that Metal Gear fans were waiting for. Metal Gear Acid wasn't a bad title, but it wasn't what most fan of the series wanted. Metal Gear Solid: Portable Ops brings the stealth-based action gameplay to the PSP in fantastic fashion. While the fancy cut-scenes were replaced by comic book-like scenes, it didn't take away from the story of enjoyment of gameplay one bit. Also toss in a unique element of capturing enemy soldiers in order to recruit them to your side, with the option to control them rather than Snake later on. With each ally having their own special abilities and the player having the option to switch between characters on the fly, it allows for you to use the strengths of each soldier in the best situations. It's a game that made owning a PSP very worthwhile for fans of the Metal Gear series. ape's rating:
155 7.6  Release Date: March 2, 2004 (NA) Ninja Gaiden can be frustratingly difficult for some...While I found it to be difficult, I never really found it to be frustrating, as every time I continued, I found myself getting better and better. It reminded me of the 8-bit Ninja Gaiden games, which were the same way. Yeah, those games could get difficult too, but when I'm having this much fun while I fail, I don't mind failing repeatedly, especially when I see progression of my skills in the game. Essentially, this was a spiritual version of the 8-bit games with a beautiful coat of paint...And I think of that as a good thing. ape's rating:
97 8.3  Release Date: March 21, 2003 (JP) When I first played WarioWare, I was amazed. "They captured the inner workings of my brain and turned it into a video game," I remember thinking to myself. The concept of a bunch of minigames that take seconds to play thrown on top of each other doesn't sound like it would be something to keep you coming back for more...But WarioWare, Inc. is so charming, bizarre, and fun, that you're very likely to come back for more time and time again. ape's rating:
29 7.3  Release Date: December 22, 2010 (JP) The 3rd Birthday may be the most graphically-impressive PSP game ever made. It's just gorgeous. But a game isn't good just 'cause it's pretty, and 3rd Birthday delivers in the gameplay department, too. Continuing in the trend set by earlier games in the Parasite Eve franchise, with Parasite Eve being an RPG, and Parasite Eve 2 being an adventure game, the 3rd Birthday tackles a new genre - the action genre. However, this isn't your typical action game, as Aya Brea, the series' heroine, can transport herself into the bodies of her allies, meaning that if you run out of ammo or low on health and one of your allies is still alive, you can transport to them and reap the benefits of better health and more ammo...or even a deadlier weapon. It's quite fun to play and a very solid entry into the Parasite Eve franchise...And in case I didn't mention it, it's absolutely beautiful. ape's rating:
 
2 9  Release Date: 1982 (NA) Kickman is such an odd title, but it's also extremely frantic and fun. You control a clown on a unicycle riding beneath balloons that drop down you goal is to make sure that none of these balloons hit the ground. You have the ability to kick your legs out, hence the title, to knock the balloons back into the air and have them bounce around the screen, Breakout-style. As you're trying to keep these balloons in the air, more continue to drop, making it an enjoyable and hectic game to play. This game was an absolute blast for its time and if you're into Atari 2600-era games, I really can't recommend this one enough. ape's rating:
5 8  Release Date: December 15, 2011 (NA) Holy curse word for turd. This is THE Grand Theft Auto III...The game that pretty much redefined what video games could be with its sandbox-style gameplay...And it's in its entirety. Every radio station, every cut scene, every hidden package to find...Everything that was in the console versions of the game is here in the palm of your hand via the iPhone. There are two things keeping it from the number one spot on this list, though....One, the touch screen controls. They're done well enough, and you can even move the buttons to where you'd be most comfortable having them...But like most touch screen controls, they can still be a pain at times. The second thing preventing it from being number one: It was a great, great game for its time...But the gameplay hasn't held up as well with age as one may like, considering that later games in the GTA franchise refined the gameplay with each entry in the series. But despite those flaws, I absolutely love this game even to this day. I can finally fly the Dodo while on the go, so I can show off my sick flying skills, son. ape's rating:
2 9  Release Date: August 9, 1985 (JP) Astro Robo Sasa was one of the first import video games that I fell in love with. It's one of those games where it takes a while to get used to, and until you do, you'll be horrible at it. But, it's also a game where you can notice your progression of mastering the game...You'll noticeably get better the more you play...That feeling of accomplishment was one of the best rewards you could get out of a game back in the 80's, and Astro Robo Sasa provides a good example of it. ape's rating:
15 9.4  Release Date: July 19, 1996 (JP) I absolutely LOVE Saturn Bomberman; it's my favorite game in the franchise by quite a large margin. It's very fun in single player, but multi-player is what most folks enjoy Bomberman for, and Saturn Bomberman surpasses all other games in the Bomberman series in that regard. This game supports up to ten players playing together at once. Yes, ten. Think of the chaotic fun to be had with that many people. Saturn Bomberman is a great game in itself, but the multiplayer options turn a great game into one of the greatest games ever made, in my opinion. ape's rating:
399 8.7  Release Date: March 16, 2010 (NA) God of War III brought the story of Kratos to a close in a solid, but not overwhelmingly great, fashion. This entry in the God of War series is a very, very solid game in the franchise, but it seems to lack something in comparison to the first two games. That being said, it's still an extremely enjoyable game, and the final battle really underlines the fact that it was the end of Kratos' story. It's a definite must-play for fans of the previous two entries in the series. ape's rating:
52 8.8  Release Date: July 5, 1996 (JP) Sonic Team is best known for creating Sonic the Hedgehog games. However, some argue that NiGHTS into Dreams is the best game that Sonic Team ever created. I don't necessarily agree with that, but I definitely agree that NiGHTS is one of the top two or three games that Sonic Team developed. There's just something enjoyable about soaring through the air, picking up power-ups, and taking part in large boss fights. The disappointing Wii sequel has nothing on this gem. ape's rating:
502 8  Release Date: March 18, 2004 (JP) Katamari Damacy was such a unique game when it came out. I remember picking up Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas at the store, seeing this game with its bizarre cover art and low price tag, and buying it along with San Andreas. Mid-way through playing San Andreas, I decided to give this game a try....I never got back to the Grand Theft Auto title. Katamari Damacy absolutely hooked me with the simple gameplay mechanic of rolling up anything and everything in sight. Few things in gaming are as satisfying as rolling up enough thumbtacks and caramel candies to make your katamari large enough to roll up that jerk mouse that sent you flying across the level earlier. ape's rating:
35 7.7  Release Date: October 23, 2012 (NA) Hotline Miami got a lot of criticism from people for how it "glorifies violence." I think those folks haven't actually played the game. Yes, this is a very violent title...One look at the "box art" will tell you that...But the violence is part of the story - it's not there just for the sake of having violence in the game. With that out of the way, Hotline Miami's gameplay reminds me a little bit of Super Meat Boy in that you'll likely die a lot when you play, but upon death, the level restarts again instantly, and the levels don't take too long to complete, so usually the constant deaths don't get too frustrating. As long as you don't mind a little (okay, a lot) pixelated gore, Hotline Miami is a very solid indie title to get behind. ape's rating:
50 7.8  Release Date: December 16, 1990 (JP) ActRaiser is a unique title that successfully blends together strategy-like gameplay on the overworld map along with hack 'n' slash action in the game's main levels. It can seem a tad difficult for newcomers, but the more you play, the more you master this game. It's also worth noting that to accompany you through this neat hybrid of a game is some of the best music that you'll find on the Super NES. If you haven't played it yet, do it. It's on the Wii's Virtual Console in all regions. ape's rating:
5 7  Release Date: January 31, 1988 (JP) What a transformation for Wonder Boy...The first game was an Adventure Island clone. The second game, dare I say, is superior to any Adventure Island game ever made. Wonder Boy in Monster Land is a game that pulls me in every time I play it. I meant to play it for a few minutes to grab screens for this list...Next thing I knew, an hour had passed and I still didn't want to put the controller down. It may not seem like anything special in comparison to most games of today, but for its time, it was absolutely amazing. And like I kind of mentioned above, I'll gladly spend hours in Monster Land now like I did twenty-five years ago. ape's rating:
1 9  Release Date: October 11, 2012 (NA) I really did not expect this to be such a great port...But it really is. Absolutely everything is intact here, including the original soundtrack. The only real differences are the touch-screen controls, which aren't too shabby, and achievements to acquire. This game, like many arcade ports, is perfect for a handheld device as each game only takes a few minutes to play (unless you choose to play a longer round, like 10 minutes) which makes it easy to pick up and put down whenever. If you're a fan of the Dreamcast version of Crazy Taxi, then you'll absolutely love this great, portable version. ape's rating:
2 8  Release Date: 1983 (NA) Pogo Joe is kind of like a Q*Bert clone...Except instead of an orange, cursing turkey baster with legs jumping around, it's a big-headed dude on a pogo stick jumping around. The goal is to jump from platform to platform and make all platforms the same color. Balloons will pop up from time to time and the goal is to pop these immediately. Wait too long, and monsters will pop out and hop after you. Land on a platform that's green, however, and all enemies on the screen blow up. These little differences from Q*Bert help make it more than just a Q*Bert clone and make it a worthy game to play for any fan of the vulgar, orange mascot. ape's rating:
30 6.8  Release Date: December 21, 1992 (JP) E.V.O. has always been a game that I absolutely loved the concept for, but I just wish it had been longer. For a game about evolution, I wanted a nice, long 50+ hour game...Unfortunately, Search for Eden take only a fraction of that time to complete. That said, it's still fun starting the game off as a fish and evolving into amphibeans, reptiles, mammals, and birds...And the best part? The details of your evolution are up to you. Do you want harder skin to lessen damage or some sharp horns to deal more damage to your foes or do you just want a light atop your head to attract fish to eat that otherwise flee when they see you? There are plenty of evolutionary options to explore as you play. I wish there were more games out there like this one...The evolution concept really makes for a very enjoyable and interesting gaming experience. ape's rating:
36 7.5  Release Date: October 18, 2005 (NA) While it was created using the Halo engine, Stubbs the Zombie plays nothing like Halo...And I mean that in a good way. In Rebel Without a Pulse, you control Stubbs as he eats random people, transforming them into hordes of zombies. You can also dismember your hand and send it at people to posses them, so to speak. These tactics and more, like farting, need to be used to survive through each level. Starting off as the sole zombie in the level, and slowly transforming the majority of the population into a fellow zombie just leaves you with a unique feeling of satisfaction. Also, Stubbs is easily one of the most lovable video game characters that you're likely to see in his console generation...Or any other, for that matter. ape's rating:
135 7.3  Release Date: June 18, 2001 (NA) The first two Twisted Metal games were great. Twisted Metal 3, 4, and Small Brawl...Not so much. So, when Twisted Metal Black was released, I expected a sub-par game...Instead we got what I consider to be the best game in the series as well as the best car combat game of all-time. Not only was the action fast and furious, but the dark, disturbing storylines for each character were absolutely awesome. This game also works well with an old pick-up line - Once you go Black, you never go back. ape's rating:
58 8.1  Release Date: November 22, 2010 (NA) This stand-alone expansion to Red Dead Redemption proves that zombies don't always make everything better. The game itself is just fine, but many of the missions feel less fun and more like a chore. That said, it is neat finding and obtaining the horses of the apocalypse and discovering all of the new cryptid creatures in the game, like the sasquatch. For a stand-alone title it's still quite an enjoyable experience, but the sometimes groan-inducing missions can take away from it a tad. ape's rating:
7 5.5  Release Date: October 13, 2011 (AU) Since I try to not stay up-to-date with the latest video game news (surprises make games more fun, in my opinion), I had no clue about this game until I stumbled across it at a Wal-Mart with its fancy display stand and the like. I bought it on a whim and I'm glad I did. The concept of Skylanders involves a "portal" while hooks up to whatever system you're playing it on. You then place figures that you can buy in stores on the portal, and the particular figure that you have on the portal will then be playable in-game until you swap it with another figure. The game itself is very kid friendly, but not in a way where adults won't enjoy themselves here, too. It's also worth noting that the console versions of Skylanders differ from the 3DS version. The handheld Skylanders is a platformer, while the console versions are more along the lines of an action-RPG dungeon crawler hidden behind cutesy and colorful graphics...And a well done one, at that. If this game sounds interesting to you at all, give it a try. I think there'll be a decent chance that you'll like it. ape's rating:
3 8  Release Date: June 29, 2000 (JP) Mr. Driller's formula works well in this 8-bit portable version of the Arcade/Playstation/Dreamcast game of the same name. The handheld hardware doesn't hold the quality of this game back much at all, making this a fantastic, portable version of the addicting Mr. Driller gameplay you may have grown to love on consoles or in the arcade. If you like Mr. Driller, and have a Game Boy Color, this is a must-buy title. ape's rating:
3 8  Release Date: 1984 (NA) Gremlins is one of those games that is a very pleasant surprise when you play it. Let's face it - a vast majority of licensed games are terrible. Gremlins doesn't fit that bill...In fact, it's very fun. The game is split up into two parts. The first part involves you trying to prevent the Mogwais from getting to some hamburgers that just happen to be all over the ground. If you miss, then they get the burger and transform into a little cocoon. If you have any burgers left after a few rounds of that, you get bonus points, but the burgers transform into cocoons anyway and the second half of the game begins - the cocoons hatch and you need to shoot and kill the gremlins as they make their way down the screen before they can reach you. This combination of two fun styles of gameplay really make this a very worthwhile experience for any Atari 2600 owner...Just a shame that a lot of folks missed out on it due to the video game crash. ape's rating:
1 8  Release Date: 1978 (NA) Ever wanna play Pong where instead of volleying a ball between two paddles, you're volleying something between gunshots? Then Dog Patch is for you. In Dog Patch, a man in the center of the screen tosses what looks like aluminum cans in the air. Your goal (whether against the computer or a friend) is to shoot the can with your shotgun and make it land by your opponent. They're shooting too, though, and have the same goal. Occasionally the middle man will let a wild bird loose. If you've got the reflexes to shoot it down, you'll net yourself a hefty amount of bonus points. The simplicity of this game may be a turn-off for some (you don't aim or anything...just shoot) but that's what I enjoy about it the most. Like Pong, it's a game that's easy to pick up and play for everyone. In the early days of arcade games, Dog Patch was a decent choice to spend your spare change on. ape's rating:
276 7.4  Release Date: August 25, 2005 (JP) Dawn of Sorrow continues along the path that its Game Boy Advance predecessors had walked along, pretty much copying the successful Symphony of the Night formula. The only noteworthy difference here is the use of the stylus and touch screen, which turns boss fights into chores. At the end of a boss fight, you have to draw a specific symbol to seal away the enemy. If you screw up or don't draw it fast enough...Or if the system just doesn't register what you drew, the boss regains health and you're stuck continuing on with the battle. The boss difficulties have been dumbed down to accommodate for this, but it's still rather frustrating. It's still a very solid game, but the irritation of fumbling around for your stylus when a boss is near death is enough for me to knock it down a few spots on this list. ape's rating:
207 8  Release Date: October 13, 2008 (NA) Dead Space is a fun action game...But if you were to classify it purely as a horror game, it disappoints. The scares are predictable and the concept of dismembering your enemies really lessens any scare factor the monsters in the game have, since you know that you'll be chopping off their limbs shortly after you meet them. It's still very fun and worth playing through, but don't expect to get the willys when playing it. ape's rating:
91 8.4  Release Date: January 25, 2011 (NA) Dead Space 2, to me anyway, was just more of the same in regards to the first Dead Space. It's a solid action game, but predictable scares and a focus on totally dismembering your enemies really takes away any sense of fear that one might have. What exactly do I have to be scared of when I mutilate everything that gets near me? Just like the original Dead Space, it's a very solid action game and fun in that respect, but as a horror game it falls a bit flat. ape's rating:
149 7.4  Release Date: September 14, 2001 (JP) Super Monkey Ball is another one of those games I'd play with a group of friends in college. When taking a break from the Smash Bros. parties, we'd often pop Super Monkey Ball in and play the various mini games like monkey bowling. It wasn't until I got out of college and bought this game for myself that I spent a lot of time in the main game, which greatly resembles Marble Madness. The main game alone is very fun, but add in the various mini games that I mentioned and you've got a game that's great for playing alone and just as fun for playing with a group of friends. ape's rating:
59 7.3  Release Date: December 22, 2005 (JP) Me & My Katamari marked the first handheld release for the Katamari franchise. It can take a little getting used to as the game uses the D-Pad and △, □, O, and X buttons to move around rather than two analog sticks. However, once you've grown accustomed to the new controls, you'll quickly be addicted to rolling stuff up like you were in the previous entries. An added bonus is the tremendous 8-bit, side scrolling level you unlock at the end of the game, which shows that Katamari Damacy can be fun in both 2D and 3D. ape's rating:
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Keep up the keepin' up. If you don't meet this month's quota, Tom's going to give you the boot! I'm just the messenger here! D: