'Nuff said
#140: Castlevania: Portrait of Ruin (DS)
Ahh, Castlevania. So sweet. Well, Portrait of Ruin walksa fine line. Dawn of Sorrow was an amazing game that ended the Soma's appearance in the Castlevania series (for...now?), so new characters and a new story was in order. PoR may not be one of the series high-points, but it is still Castlevania done well. It brings subweapons back to the Metroidvania formula, and though the souls will be sorely missed, it manages to amaze with the large number of varied subweapons and main weapons available for use. It also has a beautiful design, and some great music as well. Sure, it's incredibly easy, and sure, there isn't much good new stuff in the game, but it is a fun game, with a fun premise, and great gameplay. What more do you want? Huh?!
GS review:8,3
#139: Mega Man Battle Network 6: Gregar/Faltzer (GBA)
Believe it or not, the Battle Network series was the firstMega Man games I played. I know, I suck, right? Not necessarily (I hope not!). It is a more cerebral experience than theoriginal Mega Man games, and offers a lot for those who love micro-management. Are the good, oldMega Man games better? Yes, but the Battle Network games prove that not all spin-offs are bad. Quite the contrary, MMBN6(long)does nothing new, but it is incredibly fun to play, and the battle system is polished to a pretty sheen. You move Mega Man around a 3X3 grid,attacking theenemy while dodging the relentless onslaught they send your way. Thissounds boring, butthat it ain't. It's fun, fast-paced anddeeper than you'dthink at first glance. The difficulty is perfect, offering challenge in good doses, and the story features some interesting cameos. Maybe it's only grievous fault is it's lack of novelty, butthat doesn't matter when the gameis so fun.
GS review: 6,9
#138: Shufflepuck Café (MAC)
Haha, obscure again! Not only does this rare game have no reviews anywhere on Gamespot (for the MAC), but this version only gives four results on Google. Four! ON GOOGLE! One of them is one of my forum posts, believe it or not. Check it out. Anyway, the game came out 1988 for the Apple Vectronics computer, and boy, is it fun. It's a air hockey simulator that has the quirkiest cast ever. Your opponents are: a nerd, a robot, a drunken lizard, a beefed-up powerman, a dog...thing, a psychic, a dwarf, a hooded figure that is actually two creatures standing on each other's shoulders anda pig that is trying to act tough, but really isn't. The mechanic is simple. You hit the puck, your opponent hits the puck, continue until either player gets 15 points. Simple, yet insanely addictive. Every opponent is unique. For instance, the drunken lizard is almost impossible at first, but wait until he sips his martini a few times, and he gets sluggish anda lot easier. Pure genious! This game is officially abandonware, which means it is completely legal to download the game for free via the internet. What are you waiting for? Get it now!
No GS review available
#137: Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare(PS3)
So the controversy begins. Let me get this straight: I value story very highly, and Modern Warfare's skimp story isn't the stuff of legends. However, the fact that the game still manages to impact me,anot-so extreme shooter fan, so deeply is a feat, and thus it more than deserves a spot on the list. Once more, I remind that being low on the list isn't a bad thing. Not at all. MW is one of the most polished, technically brilliant and exciting games this generation. I'm a pacifist to the extreme, so glorification of war isn't something I like. However, MW also tries to focus on the more disturbing aspects of war in good measure. This narrative standpoint is an important factor in separating Modern Warfare from most other war shooters that have appeared in recent years. The story might be short, but it is impressive while it lasts, and that is what's important, at least in the war shooter genre...I guess. The much praised multiplayer is, controversially, not the reason the game is so high on the list. I personally don't like it. I've tried it a few times, and it is just too agressive, too serious, and not much fun personally. I'll stick to Uncharted 2 for multiplayer, thanks. But regardless of the game's brevity, it sets the bar for most shooters that focus on a solid narrative, and that is something to commend.
GS review: 9,0
#136: Space Invaders (ARC)
What? This game is over Modern Warfare? Well...yes. Has anyone really researched the impact of Space Invaders? It is one of those games EVERYONE knows, and its impact can be found in various media and literature. The simple gameplay belies the true beauty of the game's mechanic. It is governed by skill, there is little to no readable shoot pattern, you've just got to learn how to play the game, and play it well. Sure, not everyone has played the game in a real arcade cabinet, but any gaming connoisseur will have played some version of the game. You have, haven't you? Haven't you? For transcending the border of the gaming world, it deserves to be on this list, and here it is, in the respectable 136th place.
No GS review available (for the arcade version, that is)
#135: Jak 2 (PS2)
Naughty Dog seriously took a bold move in making the sequel to the hit Jak and Daxter intoa darker, moodier, more adult game. It was met with some skepticism, for instance from me. However, they seem to have succeede in making a game that is both fun to play and tells a story that sets a mood that is completely unique. Instead of punching and spinning your way through worlds, you use a variety of powerful guns and mean vehicles to save the world once again. However, the police is now a threat, and you must be careful to not cause too much trouble, or the law will beat you to a pulp. You can also turn into a sinister Dark Jak, which grants you a beastly power that is difficult to wield, but destructive in use. Blend these cool additions with the standard Naughty Dog humor and a cast of incredibly varied characters, you won't be bored for the entirety of the game's long storyline. Naughty Dog, you did it again.
GS review: 9,1
#134: The Simpsons: Hit & Run (PS2)
A good Simpsons game is almost impossible to find, and for a Simpsons fan like me, that is a very sad thing. That is why Hit & Run is sucha blessing. It uses much of Grand Theft Auto's gameplay mechanics, but puts it into a much more entertaining and family friendly form, which is something that really expands the overall genre. The fact that this is a Simpsons game adds so much to an already fun game, that it is almost staggering how many laughs this game will inspire. If you like Simpsons, you'll feel right at home. The missions are ridiculous, the locales odd and detailed, the voices terrific and the characters are all stables in the legendary TV series. Hit & Run is not only a testament that good Simpsons games can exist, but also that the "steal cars, hit people" mechanic can actually appeal to a younger generation, and doesn't have to be nearly as violent.
GS review: 8,3
#133: Call of Duty: World at War (PS3)
Oh boy, here we go again. World at War had the impossible challenge of topping the previous installment in the series. As said before, it is virtually impossible...so it doesn't even try. The game isn't as polished or as impressive. It is more about "heroism" in war, and it is full of cheesy moments. However, it feels more like an arcade shooter than anything else. It has a number of different scenarios with different missions and different mechanics. Sure, the WWII scene has been used to death, but I hadn't played a WWII shooter before, so yay for me. The game just focused more on fun than polish, and I value that quite highly. It's all like a cliche blockbuster you'd see in the cinema. There probably is one thing that teeters the scale over to WaW side more than anything else. That is the amalgam of two of the oldest, most used enemies ever: zombies and Nazis; together: Nazi Zombies. Whoever thought of that is a mad genius.
GS review: 8,5
#132: Bleach: Dark Souls (DS)
OK, tell me if this sounds good: a DS Bleach fighting game. It doesn't sound good, does it? However, not only is DS (Dark Souls) good, it's actually brilliant. The first game, Blades of Fate, managed to faithfully transfer the Bleach manga series intoa great fighter on the beloved handhold. DS does the same, except bigger and better. With a huge roster of characters from the manga, even being able to play as the villains, with addictive fighting and an intriguing premise, Bleach: Dark Souls really knows how to keep you entranced in thelovely graphics, great sound and easy-to-learn mechanics. For both Bleach and fighter fans, Bleach: Dark Souls is a game that not only is a must-buy, but should already be tucked into the shelf, finished and ready to play again.
GS review: 8,0
#131: Mario Party 4 (GC)
Remember when Mario Party was cool? OK, maybe you don't, but I sure do. I remember spending hours with friends playing the Mario Party games, getting every minigame, getting all levels, and even going through the single-player. The board mechanic was partly based on luck, but I still ended up winning most matches because of my minigame awesomeness. Heated debates sprouted every time we played, betrayals were in order and the verdict of every match was so filled with tension that the air could be cut with a kitchen knife. Mario Party 4, the series first outing on the Gamecube, is some of the best the series has to offer. A large number of minigames, varied boards and an addictive gameplay mechanic, Mario Party4 was a complete success, and offers some of the most pure fun of any game out there. Play on!
GS review: 7,2
Silly 20000 character limit...
Were you expecting so many games? I'm trying to get as many games out of the way before midterms start next Monday. Anyway, if you had the patience to read it all, PLEASE COMMENT! I'd love to get your feedback on my list. Happy reading! Maybe there will be some more tomorrow...
Hey ho, here we go! This is the start of my new list of my favorite 150 games I've played throughout the years. First, I have to point out some things. There are a LOT of games I haven't played, and I will make sure to make some mentions in my last post of the list. Therefore, if you are surprised about the absence of some games and/or series, wait until the list is over before commenting on it. I would also like to point out that I'm not a very avid fan of shooters, and the shooters I like the most are not very typical. Therefore, expect to see some legendary shooters only reaching the hundreds. You have been warned. I won't have any pictures, for two reasons: some games surprisingly don't have any and the quality my laptop is able to put forth in picture quality is slim. Therefore, I'll stick to simple words. Once more, I will point out that reaching a high number (i.e. "low" place) on the list is not a bad thing. These are all terrific games which I like immensely. Finally, please be patient about the opinion of others. I don't really have to tell you people that, but really only pika is allowed to be mean to me, since I was mean to him on his list 
OK, here we go.
This list shows the games that have kept gaming my favorite hobby, and without them, I would not be playing games as I would be now. Each one of these games has a place in my gaming history, and are important components in the gaming world. I won't stall any further. It starts now!
#150: Pokemon Diamond/Pearl (DS)
Who doesn't know Pokémon? Seriously. It's become more than a phenomenon, it's an entity in and of itself. The everlasting series has given out more games than you can count with the fingers of Goro's hand. And yet, the games still manage to make me go out and buy them. Every time. It is no secret that the games of recent years have a considerable lack of innovative concepts, but Diamond and Pearl show that the series still has some life in it left. With the classic staples; great music, varied monsters and exciting battles, the fourth generation of the mainstream series adds some interesting bells and whistles to the formula, the most entertaining the mining sections you could embark on with friends. Digging for fossils and other stuff with friends is not only addictive, but ingenious as well. The graphics have also been revamped, and with a clever blend of old and new, D/P more than deserves a spot on this list, albeit not a very high one.
GS review: 8,5
#149: Jak 3 (PS2)
Jak 3 is a game that is not that much remembered in retrospect, and in some way, it is understandable. It did little to nothing new, built upon the mechanics of Jak 2 and felt like more of the same. However, if you really think about it, Jak 3 still has a bucketload of incredibly entertaining gameplay and a story more interesting than the other two games had. Taking Jak to his origins, the game tells an intriguing story and puts you into a more free setting, dominated by vehicles and exciting gunfights. The desert setting is only one of the places you'll visit, and the game manages to surprise you from there. A host of colorful characters are present in the game, and Daxter is back with his witty banter and crazy humor. Take into account the polished gameplay Naughty Dog is known for, and you have a game that is definitely worth remembering. A fitting end to the true Jak trilogy.
GS review: 8,6
#148: Ratchet and Clank: Tools of Destruction (PS3)
Who doesn't like to explode alien life forms with huge weapons in colorful vistas? I don't know anyone, and neither does Insomniac. They really know how to keep a franchise alive, and even though ToD uses most of the mechanics of the first R&C games, it still manages to amaze with its addictive gameplay and luscious visuals, along with a great sense of humor that lasts throughout. New weapons and new enemies are what keep the experience fresh, and it has worked every single time. A feat only Insomniac's team of gaming wizards could ever do. It's not only a sweet memory of the past games, but a bold step into the next generation, which could only improve.
GS review: 7,5
#147: Herdy Gerdy (PS2)
Have you heard of this game? I didn't think so. Definitely one of the most obscure games on the list, Herdy Gerdy didn't garner much attention. Maybe it was because of the silly cover, or maybe the ridiculous name (seriously, Herdy Gerdy?), but Herdy Gerdy is a puzzle/action game worth partaking in. It blends really good graphics with an ingenious game mechanic (herding monsters into pens with special methods needed for each monster type). The nonsensical story adds to the charm the game manages to create so lovingly, and it never ceases to come with something new every single time you look away. Sure, the camera can be horrendous at times, and the controls are often imprecise, but the integrity of the game and charm is unwavering. Truly a game that everyone should check out, if not only to see what it's like to play as a guy named Gerdy. Geez, poor guy.
#146: Monster Rancher 4 (PS2)
Another obscure one, though now for more understandable reasons. Somehow, this game never made it to European retails (that I know of), and I honestly don't know why. If any of you know me, you'll know I love the Monster Rancher series. Even my avatar is a monster from the Monster Rancher series. I had to order this game off the internet, but it was worth it. This is basically a ranching game, if that makes any sense at all. However, Monster Rancher 4 isn't just a copy/paste of the former entries. Many new things are introduced here, like training your monster in situ, i.e. on the ranch, and being able to have many monsters at a time. This tends to decrease the emotional attachment you got in the former games with the monsters, but it is definitely a gameplay change that keeps the experience fresh. The monster variety is vast, and the battles are as fast-paced and fun as before. If you want to get started on the series, this is at least the most accessible of the lot, and a definite must-buy. A fun game throughout, and it will most likely keep you hooked for days on end.
GS review: 7,4
#145: Bangai-O Spirits (DS)
I just keep on coming with the obscure games, don't I? The first Bangai-O was a side-scrolling shooter on the Dreamcast and Nintendo 64 was only sold in very limited numbers, but was an instant hit among the few who were in the know. Bangai-O Spirits continues the legacy of the first game. Blending some of the most insane action you'll ever see in a game with lush visuals and a great sense of humor, Bangai-O Spirits is definitely one of the most surprising DS games out there. The only downside is the fact that there is no story mode, focusing rather on individual levels that depend on lateral thinking and quick reflexes. If you can get over the almost vertical difficulty curve, you'll definitely find a treasure trove of stuff to do in Bangai-O Spirits. After all, who doesn't like 100 bullets at the same time on one screen. It is insane.
GS review: 8,0
#144: Lego Chess (PC)
No, don't go just yet! This is the last obscure game for a while! OK, I know you weren't expecting a chess game here, even less a Lego one from 1989, but the truth is, I learned chess from this game. It has an extensive tutorial that even teaches en passant, which is super-cool. You can choose a number of teams, from Native Americans to Pirates. Every piece from every team has a special animation for capturing every opponent piece from any team. Yes, that means, for example, that the animation (cut-scenes, really) for a Native American rook capturing a Pirate pawn isa completely unique occurence. This means that every capture is exciting in it's own way, and it helps that the computer knows how to put up a fight. This game transcends the probably overused Lego franchise, and becomesa chess game almost unmatched to this day. A game that is so charming and appealing towards all ages, while maintaining a level of professionalism and educational value deserves a medal.
No GS review available
#143: Ultimate Spiderman (PS2)
I just had to put a Spiderman game here, and when push came to shove, I found Ultimate Spiderman to be the best package. It goes back to the comic book roots of Spiderman, with its cel-shaded look and faithful recreation of what the comics are all about: kicking ass! You havea huge city to swing around, and the sense of adrenaline is incredible when you're at top speeds. Not only that, you can also play as one of the coolest villains ever, Venom. Now isn't that just awesome? I think so, and I never get tired of wreaking havoc in the city as the meanest thing alive. Not only that, but the story is just like a comic book both in presentation and narrative. It gives you a real sense of authenticity and it's also just incredibly cool. For any Spiderman fan, like me, this is a great, great game that isamong the best Spiderman games out there.
GS review: 7,1
#142: Pikmin (GC)
Hmmm, controversial placement, mayhaps, but remember: all games on this list are terrific. Pikmin is definitely a game that tries something new, and succeeds with much aplomb. A basic herding game in nature, it goes even further in making it a game that makes you think while flexing your nerves as much as humanly possible.Controlling the little pikmin is a joy, and attacking with them is a harrowing and lightning fast experience. However, the most troubling part is watching them being gobbled up, drown or burn to death. These deaths are all put forth in a cutesy manner, but it is all very serious, and can be called a genocidal occurence. And yet, these pikmin aremore than willing to help Olimar in his quest to find parts for his ship. They're blind loyalty is almost scary, really. Maybe the games only flaw is the time limit and the intense difficulty, which can still be overcome with some dedication. Note that this is one of the few games on the list I have not completed. The missions got tougher fast, and I ended up losing a shipload of pikmin, a few times even, and spent a few days to build it up again, only to lose them once more. However, I felt it a crime to not put it on the list, though the number is a bit too low for some...maybe.
GS review: 8,9
#141: Meteos (DS)
This game sure was popular back in the day. That's at least what I remember. Meteos might seem on the surface as just another puzzle game in the vein of Tetris and Puzzle League, but it is totally different. By putting together rows of same color blocks, you can rocket them into space (into space!). By creating more color rows by sliding the blocks around, you can lift a larger amount of blocks. This frenetic pace keeps the game endlessly entertaining, and by blending a large number of specific levels, Meteos becomes an incredible game that sticks in your subconscience to arise later and making you crave more intense action. It's colorful, it's inventive, it's unique, and it is FUN! The sad thing is, Meteos was released early in the DS's life span, and therefore, those who got the Lite or DSi as their first DS will have most likely missed this game. If you ever, EVER, see this game in a retail, do yourself a favor: buy it.
GS review: 8,5
I don't know how I did it, but I managed to complete my top 150 games list. Every game has its own place on the list, and this means that you can expect the list to come up here (and in my blog) in the following days. Some prerequisites are necessary here, though I doubt I have to tell you what they are. Firstly, the list is completely my opinion, and only my opinion. There will be many places in the list you will not agree with, and I'm 100% sure of this. Secondly, I have put a lot of work into making the list accountable and unbiased (as much unbiased as a personal list can be, I suppose), literally spending hours making the list. To drive the point home, I have omitted the Kingdom Hearts series (my favorite series, as you might know) from the list, though this is also to make the list not as predictable. Thirdly, I will not be as diligent as pika, and won't be posting the entries with one day intervals (kudos to you pika, that is tougher than it looks). Lastly, I need to note the priorities here. Up to the top 50, the difference in quality between games can be almost negligible, and another important factor is that each of the games on the list is great, being in 150th place is not a bad thing. It is very important to note this, since some incredible games have to be pushed back to the hundreds. Well, anyway, that's all for now.
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