Games of 2006 - ranked by preference

Release Date: March 20, 2006 (NA)
Publisher: Bethesda Softworks
Developer: Bethesda Softworks
Genre: Adventure

The best thing about Oblivion was when I realized that I had put over 60 hours of gameplay in....But had never finished the first mission of the main story yet. I had gotten so caught up in exploring this massive world, doing side quests, and taking part in fisticuffs with the residents of the world (including the wildlife...nothing beats boxing a bear) that I had forgotten that there was an actual main story to be found. Oblivion may be sandbox-style gameplay at its finest.

Release Date: November 19, 2006 (NA)
Publisher: Nintendo
Developer: Nintendo
Genre: Adventure

The main complaint I hear regarding this game is that it's an Ocarina of Time clone...Considering that Ocarina of Time is generally thought of as the greatest game ever made, I dare argue that cloning that game and making some tweaks and changes is something that Twilight Princess should be complimented on rather than have held against it. That being said, Twilight Princess very well may be my favorite Zelda game that I've ever played. I know I'm definitely in the minority with saying that, but what can I say? I enjoy this game a lot.

Release Date: July 13, 2006 (JP)
Publisher: Atlus
Developer: Atlus
Genre: RPG

Persona 3 was a big change in the Persona series. You no longer had control over your allies in battle and, your allies were unable to change their personae like the protagonist. Also new was the unique aspect of managing your time between going to school, hanging out with friends, and battling shadows - all of which have a significant impact on the game. It sounds complicated, but it's all done extremely well. This game, probably more so than any other Shin Megami Tensei title, is the one that put the SMT franchise on the map in North America.

Release Date: March 20, 2006 (NA)
Publisher: Microsoft
Developer: BioWare
Genre: Adventure

Mass Effect started out kind of rocky with me. When I first played through it, I thought it was so-so...And eventually got bored. I played it again a year or so later and really found myself enjoying it a lot. That second time was enough to motivate me to visit the game a few games again since then, and each time I enjoy it all the same. The first Mass Effect is still my favorite in terms of gameplay, story, and exploration. The two sequels just don't live up to this one, in my opinion.

Release Date: June 23, 2006 (EU)
Publisher: Sony Computer Entertainment
Developer: Sony Computer Entertainment
Genre: Platformer

After not playing LocoRoco for 7 or so years, I couldn't remember much about it other than that it was weird, had a unique control scheme, and was good. After playing it again to refresh my memory for this list, I forgot how good it was. Most games when I go back and play to refresh my memory, I only play for ten to fifteen minutes so the memories come back to me. LocoRoco had me hooked for hours all over again. If you get a PSP, this should be one of your first purchases. I would love to see a new game in this franchise come to the Vita...and hopefully in the near future.

Release Date: December 5, 2006 (NA)
Publisher: Konami
Developer: Kojima Productions
Genre: Action

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.

Release Date: February 23, 2006 (JP)
Publisher: Konami
Developer: Konami
Genre: Compilation

I patiently waited for years for Konami to bring this fantastic collection to North America...And they never did. In the end, I had to import it to play it (it's not import friendly, by the way), but luckily I played both Suikoden and Suikoden II so many times that despite the language barrier, I knew what I was doing. That said, if you're okay with a ton of Japanese text, this is a must-buy compilation for the PSP if you're an RPG fan. Having two opportunities to find the 108 Stars of Destiny (that's like 216 Stars of Destiny, people), on the go, is a dream come true for Suikoden fans, like myself.

Release Date: March 2, 2006 (JP)
Publisher: Capcom
Developer: Capcom
Genre: Platformer

I like the first Mega Man, but compared to the two games that followed it in the series, it kind of fell short. In Mega Man Powered Up, the original Mega Man gets a face-lift with enough fancy features to make any fan of the blue robot feel like they're in heaven. Ever want to play through the game as Cut Man or Guts Man? Now you can. Ever wish the original had 8 bosses instead of 6? With the inclusion of Time Man and Oil Man, you've got your wish. Want to just play the original with enhanced graphics, but no other bells and whistles attached? Capcom has you covered there as well. It's easily one of my favorite games in the franchise...I just wish that Mega Man II had gotten a similar treatment.

Release Date: October 17, 2006 (NA)
Publisher: Rockstar Games
Developer: Rockstar Vancouver
Genre: Action

Bully got stupid, jump-to-conclusion-type peoples' undies in a wad since they assumed that the game involved you controlling a child that simply bullied and beat up other children, among other, inappropriate behavior. I remember folks in my family believing that this game could re-create a school shooting based on what they heard in the media. Bully is far from any of that...In fact, it's a fantastic game with an equally fantastic story and memorable characters. It's not "Grand Theft Auto with children" like so many thought it would be. It's a game all its own, and one that really should be experienced by anyone who comes across a copy.

Release Date: July 20, 2006 (JP)
Publisher: Yuke's
Developer: Yuke's
Genre: Fighting - Wrestling

When Yuke's released Wrestling Kingdom on the Playstation 2, they basically took the WWE Day of Reckoning engine, removed some of the arcadey aspects, added a few more realistic aspects, and created a very entertaining wrestling game. There are plenty of game modes to enjoy, including a mode where you're a young boy working your way up the New Japan roster with Masa Chono guiding you along the way. It looks wonderful graphically and it plays nice and smooth. A few minor issues prevent it from being part of the top, elite wrestling games, but it's still very much a worthwhile import for any wrestling fan looking for something a little different from when we're used to getting here in North America.

Release Date: July 6, 2006 (JP)
Publisher: Namco Bandai
Developer: Namco Bandai
Genre: Fighting

Tekken: Dark Resurrection was a fantastic addition to the PSP library, and even today could be in a debate about what the best fighter on the system is. Dark Resurrection has all of the 3D fighting goodness that one would expect from the Tekken franchise, plus the highly addicting ranking system lifted from the Virtua Fighter series, which can keep fighting game fans hooked long after completing arcade mode with the large cast of playable characters.

Release Date: February 23, 2006 (JP)
Publisher: Sega
Developer: M2
Genre: Compilation

Any compilation with Gunstar Heroes in it is automatically a worthwhile purchase, in my opinion. Toss in two more Treasure Genesis games in the platformer Treasure put out called Dynamite Headdy and the Japan-only action game known as Alien Soldier, and you've got a nice little compilation of Treasure games from Sega's 16-bit system. Gunstar Heroes, of course, would be the main reason to pick this compilation up. The other two games are just a nice bonus.

Release Date: January 19, 2006 (JP)
Publisher: Atlus
Developer: Punchline
Genre: Adventure - Horror

This is kind of a shocker to me...I never realized until putting this list together that Punchline developed two of my favorite "not great but I love 'em anyway" games in Rule of Rose and Chulip. Anyway, Rule of Rose is very flawed in the gameplay department...Mostly in the way of combat. The combat is clunky and unresponsive. One could argue that since Jennifer, the main character, is a timid young girl that probably fights similar to how the game controls, the unresponsive combat is acceptable. If that was the case, I get it, but the unresponsiveness of controls in combat make it feel more like poor coding in development rather than a planned aspect to the game engine. That complaint out of the way, I love the story found in this game. It's dark and psychological with plenty of little subtle touches...And I absolutely loved the ending. There's a reason that this game has garnered a cult following - what it lacks in gameplay, it makes up for in story.

Release Date: November 14, 2006 (NA)
Publisher: Atlus
Developer: Atlus
Genre: Action

I was a big fan of the original Trauma Center on the DS, so when a new game in the series was announced for the Wii, I was quite pleased. It delivered too, bringing the handheld experience from the little, dual screen to the large television without much lost in the translation. It was a little disappointing in that it didn't really offer a whole lot of innovation to the gameplay of the DS original, but it's still a solid game, so why complain?

Release Date: December 7, 2006 (JP)
Publisher: Microsoft
Developer: Mistwalker
Genre: RPG

Blue Dragon was the first game developed by Mistwalker, a development studio created by Final Fantasy creator Hironobu Sakaguchi and a few other former Squaresoft employees. It's not a bad game, but it's also not a game at the level we were used to seeing from Sakaguchi's Final Fantasy games. That said, the game feels like a throwback to the days of old, but without a whole lot of modern-day touches to it aside from the beautiful graphics. It's still fun and fans of turn-based RPGs will likely enjoy their time here, just don't come in expecting something revolutionary or you may end up disappointed.

Release Date: August 8, 2006 (NA)
Publisher: Capcom
Developer: Capcom
Genre: Action - Horror

Dead Rising was a technical achievement when it came out for not only the sheer number of zombies that often appear on screen with you at once, but also for the number of items that you could grab and use from the environment...Just about everything you saw, you could use as a weapon. It also had a unique leveling-up mechanic that allowed you to build up your stats, making the game easier to beat the more you played. Can't beat a certain boss fight? Kill some more zombies, rescue more people, beat more psychopaths, and you'll level up and potentially gain a new ability or another slot to your health meter. It could get repetitive at times, but it was also very, very fun.

Release Date: September 14, 2006 (JP)
Publisher: Capcom
Developer: Clover Studio
Genre: Action - Brawler

God Hand is just about everything I could ask for in a video game - high difficulty, humor, and bizarre situations. If the gameplay was a tad smoother and the camera a tad better, I probably would give it an even higher score, but much of the score I've given God Hand is based on pure entertainment value - something that makes you continue to play even after dying over and over and over again. That entertainment drives you to overcome the difficulty so you can see what happens next. With it currently available on the Playstation Network as a PS2 Classic, if you've got a PS3 and are up for an entertaining challenge, purchasing God Hand is money very well spent.

Release Date: January 18, 2006 (NA)
Publisher: SNK Playmore
Developer: SNK
Genre: Fighting

I adore Samurai Shodown games, and Samurai Shodown V, with its giant roster of fighers is like a dream come true for me. It lacks a bit in gameplay modes - arcade, practice, and versus (which was supported by Xbox Live) but the actual fighting is still top-notch. It's slow-paced and methodical fighting. You've gotta be strategic in your fights otherwise you're going to lose...Especially since there's a possibility that you'll be blasted with a one-hit kill. It's fun both against the computer and against friends, so despite the lack of modes, you may just keep coming back for more. I sure did.

Release Date: February 23, 2006 (JP)
Publisher: Bandai
Developer: Aki
Genre: Fighting - Wrestling

If you've played Ultimate Muscle on the Gamecube or Glactic Wrestling on the Playstation 2, then you'll know what to expect here. This Japan-exclusive entry in the Kinnikuman/Ultimate Muscle franchise is more over-the-top fighting game goodness based around professional wrestling moves. In Kinnikuman, all fights take place in a ring, but there are no pinfalls - the only way to win is by knock out. And with the super moves taking away dramatic damage, even if you've been dominated the majority of the fight, you'd got an opportunity for a comeback if you can hit the move, which can lead to both satisfying wins when you use it and disappointing loses when used against you. Whether you're a fighting fan or a wrestling fan, I think this enjoyable portable game is something you can enjoy.

Release Date: December 28, 2006 (JP)
Publisher: Square Enix
Developer: TOSE
Genre: RPG

Dragon Quest Monsters is kind of like the Dragon Quest swing on Pokemon. Your goal is to battle monsters on various islands, try to obtain the most powerful ones you come across to join your party of creatures, rinse and repeat until the end of the game. It's not bad by any means, but the game lacks the addictive quality of the Pokemon games. The art style is nice and the music, like with all Dragon Quest games, is fantastic, but just about everything else is just okay. It's good enough where RPG fans will likely find some enjoyment here, but everyone else probably won't be too impressed...Especially if they come in expecting Pokemon.

Release Date: March 28, 2006 (NA)
Publisher: Konami
Developer: Konami
Genre: Fighting - Wrestling

Rumble Roses XX is not a horrible wrestling game by any means, on the contrary, I think the fighting engine is solid and I'm a huge fan of the heel/face system as well as the ability to add/remove muscle to each wrestler, as doing so has an effect on their movesets. With so many great ideas, this should be a must-play game...Unfortunately, the game modes aren't there to keep you coming back for more, which ultimately takes away from the game as a whole.

Release Date: March 23, 2006 (JP)
Publisher: Majesco
Developer: Taito
Genre: Action

When I first played Cooking Mama, it was a nice little surprise. Making food via an assortment of mini games proved to be a good concept for a good game. While Cooking Mama isn't incredibly deep, it's the perfect kind of game for when you're on the go and just want to spent five minutes of your time while waiting at a bus stop or something similar. If you haven't played it yet, give it a try, it may surprise you like it did me.

Release Date: April 27, 2006 (JP)
Publisher: Sega
Developer: Sega
Genre: Shooter - Third-Person - Rail

I haven't played a Panzer Dragoon game that I didn't like. So, when I saw that the original Panzer Dragoon was released on PS2 under the Sega Ages banner with some smoothed-over and updated graphics, I was in. Aside from the graphical upgrades, though, I didn't really see much else here that was different. So unless you're a graphics snob, if you've already got a copy of the original on the Sega Saturn, there's no real reason to pick this game up. If you don't own the original and have never played it before, then this is a game well worth looking into.

Release Date: November 9, 2006 (NA)
Publisher: Microsoft
Developer: Rare
Genre: Strategy

Viva Pinata may be a very simple strategy game, but I enjoyed my time with it a lot. Not only does each pinata look absolutely beautiful, each one is loaded with personality. The simplistic nature of the game might be better suited for an iPhone game with touch controls and a more casual audience, but I think Rare did a pretty good job with this title. If you like non-stop action, then this game may not be your cup of tea, but if you want a nice, relaxing game to play, this is a nice one to pop into your Xbox 360 to enjoy.

Release Date: November 19, 2006 (NA)
Publisher: Nintendo
Developer: Nintendo
Genre: Sports - Compilation

Wii Sports came packaged with the Wii when the system launched in 2006 to show off how the motion controls could be used...And while the game itself can be a lot of fun, especially when playing with friends or family, it showed how inaccurate the motion controls could be right out of the gate. The game is good enough to be passable, and it's definitely fun...But it's also got a lot of flaws and issues with it to prevent it from being a truly great game.

Release Date: August 24, 2006 (JP)
Publisher: Majesco
Developer: Arc System Works
Genre: Action - Brawler

Guilty Gear Judgment is a side-scrolling brawler with several playable characters from the Guilty Gear fighting games....And while the mechanics and controls of the brawling are fun...The level layouts and repetition of opponents really hinders it to the point where you're likely to get bored very quickly. However, this game has a saving grace in the form of the full version of Guilty Gear X2 #Reload, a very good fighting game, packed in the disk. You're probably much more likely to spend plenty of time with that fantastic fighter than you are the sub-par brawler that is the focus of this game. That said, if you're a fan of brawlers, this is still worth a shot...Especially since you've got a quality fighter to make up for any disappointments you may have.

Release Date: December 14, 2006 (JP)
Publisher: D3
Developer: Tamsoft
Genre: Action - Brawler

Onechanbara: Bikini Samurai Squad, like the Wii game in the series, is a bit of a guilty pleasure of mine. This game is a bit better than the Wii one, however, due to the fact that there aren't any unresponsive motion controls to hold it back. That said, Onechanbara plays just fine...It's the repetition that holds the game back as it gets very repetitive very quickly. But for a game to pop in your 360 for a few minutes every now and then for some cheesy entertainment, it's quite nice.

Release Date: June 29, 2006 (JP)
Publisher: D3 Publisher
Developer: Tamsoft
Genre: Brawler

The Oneechanpon is basically The Oneechanbara 2: The Special Edition. It's essentially the same game but with more characters added in to join in on the fun. There's not enough new content or improvements here for me to justify raising the score any higher, but the extra stuff added to the still-passable game makes it the game to pick if you want to import some B-movie, zombie hack-n-slash action for your Playstation 2.

Release Date: March 23, 2006 (JP)
Publisher: Majesco
Developer: Taito
Genre: Puzzle

I like the concept of Monster Bomber - shoot balls atfalling "blocks" in the form of enemies Bust-A-Move style, but instead of pressing a button to shoot, you flick the stylus in the direction that you're aiming for. Unfortunately, while the end result is passable, it's not nearly as fun as it feels like it should be. In fact as frantic as the game can get, it still manages to be boring at the same time, which is quite an accomplishment. It's a game that may appeal to some, but I feel that most folks will feel like it was a monster bomb.

Release Date: November 17, 2006 (NA)
Publisher: MumboJumbo
Developer: Squashy Software
Genre: Shooter - Third-Person

I really wanted Platypus to be good...And it almost is...And it would be, if it wasn't so dang boring. A lack of interesting enemy types and a large lack of challenge, for that matter, make this a game that feels like it just keeps going and going and going...Platypus is like the Energizer Bunny...Except it's not cool enough to wear sunglasses. The graphics are also like the gameplay...The clay look had a ton of potential, but the end result is a game that looks as bland as it plays. It's not the worst scrolling shooter that I've ever played by a long shot, but that still doesn't make this any good.

Release Date: October 26, 2006 (NA)
Publisher: Majesco
Developer: BudCat
Genre: Fighting - Wrestling

Despite me classifying Nacho Libre as a wrestling game, it does have some other mini games and aspects to it aside from the in-ring action. However, the bread and butter of the game, so to speak, takes place in the squared circle...and that's the best part of the game...unfortunately, the best part of the game is sub-par which should give you an idea how the rest of the game is. To it's credit, it's still playable and may be moderately enjoyable if you're a fan of wrestling and/or the film...But most folks will probably think that you're mucho loco if you admit to liking this.

Release Date: August 22, 2006 (NA)
Publisher: Electronic Arts
Developer: Exient Entertainment
Genre: Sports - Football

I'm really not a big football fan, honestly. I wish hockey was a more universally-loved sport so we could get some good, handheld hockey games here 'Stateside. But alas, football is king out here and thus we get mediocre Madden after mediocre Madden shoved down our throats. Madden NFL 07 on the DS is another mediocre Madden...Just barely passable. I don't really have a ton to say about it...It's a football game that lacks much excitement with very blocky graphics and poor touch screen controls implemented into the already so-so gameplay. I find the console version of the Madden games to be just average, but they're still better than poor handheld versions like this one.

Release Date: November 14, 2006 (NA)
Publisher: Warner Bros. Interactive
Developer: Artificial Mind and Movement
Genre: Action

Happy Feet starts out okay - essentially it starts out as a Dance Dance Revolution rip-off, except with the unfortunate fate of being played via controller rather than dance pad. From there it just gets more and more dull...It pretty much makes your feet happy that they don't have opposable thumbs to allow them to hold the controller and play the game. But anyway, the youngest of young players may be entertained here, but I'd say anyone over the age of 7 or 8 will get bored very quickly with this game.

Release Date: Augut 31, 2006 (JP)
Publisher: Codemasters
Developer: Opus
Genre: Action

What a mess. I love Bubble Bobble...I do not care for this game in any way. Yes, bubbles are being blown, enemies are trapped in bubbles, and you pop the bubbles. The well-designed levels of the original Bubble Bobble are replaced with boring layouts...and the art design is equally boring. A few new ideas are tried here, but none of them do anything to make this game worthwhile. Even if you love Bubble Bobble, this is not worth a minute of your time.

Release Date: October 24, 2006 (NA)
Publisher: D3 Publisher
Developer: Art
Genre: Platformer

Flushed Away isn't the worst platformer I've ever played...But that fart I released yesterday wasn't the worst-smelling fart I ever smelled, either. What I'm trying to say is that it doesn't matter if it's not the worst - it still stinks. Flushed Away had boring level design, controls that aren't very tight, and some good ideas thrown in, but with some bad execution of those ideas. I think young children that are fans of the film might enjoy it and be able to look past the negative aspects of the game...But I couldn't. I kind of want to grab every copy of the game and flush them down the hopper...Just to give the title of the game some truth.

Release Date: August 3, 2006 (JP)
Publisher: Konami
Developer: Hudson
Genre: Action

Who here likes Bomberman? That's a good amount. Who here wants to see a darker, edgier Bomberman? A lot of hands went down. Okay, who wants a darker Bomberman with the fun gameplay thrown out the window so we can replace it with gameplay that is much less appealing? One hand is still up....Oh, it's the guy who was in charge of development of Bomberman: Act Zero. Can someone show that man the door? Bomberman: Act Zero is just a mess. It's admirable that they tried to give the beloved franchise a facelift with something new, but if they were a doctor and this was their facelift, they should be expecting a lawsuit for malpractice.

Release Date: November 24, 2006 (EU)
Publisher: DSI Games
Developer: Full Fat
Genre: Sports - Basketball

Holy turds is this game bad. It looks like NBA Jam. It stars the Harlem Globetrotters, who are known for fancy schmancy moves on the court. One would imagine that this would be an enjoyable, over-the-top version of NBA Jam with tons of fancy dunks and moves...Nope. Well, it is over-the-top, I guess. Over-the-top bad. Hey, you dribbled the ball past the computer...Oh, they stole it seemingly without even reaching for the ball. They dribbled it past you while you pressed the button to steal and watched the animation of the steal attempt...no dice. The dunks are also basic and lame. It seems like there are plenty of features, but the game is so poor to play that I honestly didn't look into all of them. I really, really wanted this to be good...or passable....or even just playable. Instead, I'm disappointed. They should really re-name this "Harlem Globetrots" 'cause they really diarrheaed this game out. Yes, that is a made-up word. Still works.

Release Date: 2006 (EU)
Publisher: Phoenix Games
Developer: Phoenix Games
Genre: Fighting - Wrestling

WORST. WRESTLING GAME. EVER. For a long time, I considered WWF Wrestlemania on the NES to be the worst wrestling game that I've ever played...And now I've played this steaming pile of dog turds, which makes WWF Wrestlemania look like WWF No Mercy in comparison. I don't even know where to start. Each wrestler has like 3 moves. It's not uncommon to get a glitch where you miss the grapple and are able to still walk around, but your opponent still goes through with the animation of taking the move. Nothing like watching an invisible man piledrive your opponent as you circle around them. It also takes FOREVER to diminish your opponent's health. The poorly-animated 3 moves get really old very quick when you've spent ten minutes whittling down your opponent's health. The modes are laughable, the playable characters are ridiculous (in a bad way), and the game is so dang glitchy that you wonder if this was really meant to be sold in stores or not. I like, with this being European, that it uses a round system like the old World of Sport wrestling - but that's the only praise I can give this game. At least I can have fun doing cartwheels as Bam Bam Bigelow in WWF Wrestlemania. I don't think anyone could have any fun in this mess of a game - one of the absolute worst games I've ever played.