[Question] Top 20 Games of the last 20 Years?

In honour of their 20th anniversary Edge magazine are looking for people to submit their contributions for top 20 games of the last 20 years. Specifically they're looking for the best games that meant the most to you over those 20 years, not necessarily the ones that would be best to play today (things move on, we get better at stuff).

This seemed like an interesting question to me and a friend at work: which 20 games would we throw into like a personal museum/gallery curated based on the impact they'd had on us and our favourites over 20 years of gaming. And then I thought it might be an interesting question to throw to all of GFF.

So, get your thinking caps on, start clicking on Wikipedia and post your top 20 games of the last 20 years. Also share a little about why each game makes it into your list if you feel so inclined.

Heck, if we get enough entries I might try and work out a GFF top 20 (let's not hold our breath on that one).

EDIT: So some rules we clarified in chat discussing this:
- As with Edge, nothing released before August 19th 1993
- We're not counting re-releases (unless you're naming the new version/remake as the game version you'd include, rather than just a way to include an earlier game)

Jam it back in, in the dark.

Shin, sorry to crap on a couple of your choices, but some rules we clarified in chat discussing this:
- As with Edge, nothing released before August 19th 1993
- We're not counting re-releases (unless you're naming the new version/remake as the game version you'd include, rather than just a way to include an earlier game)

(Have added to the top post)

There's nowhere I can't reach.

Originally Posted by Fluffykitten McGrundlepuss

Seems a weird arbitrary cut-off point. Why not just call it 30 years and include everything since 1983, thereby capturing everything since playing computer games became realistically something you could do at home except Pong?

You're right, it is entirely arbitrary (though it's sort of not as it's based on Edge's lifetime, but for our purposes it totally is), but maybe if this is considered a success we can look at doing a best of decades, or something like that and take a look at stuff back in the 80s.

This thing is sticky, and I don't like it. I don't appreciate it.

As I mentioned in my opening post I viewed this a little like coming up with 20 games I'd want to put on show in a little museum/gallery display that represent the best games and best memories from the last 20 years of playing. There are possibly a few surprises alongside more obvious choices, and likely a couple of things people won't agree with, but here's my 20:


Micro Machines V3 [March 1997, PlayStation]

My gaming career is filled with many racing games from super-arcadey through to more simulation based examples, and it's a genre I've always had a liking for. The Micro Machines games represent some of the earlier examples of numerous hours being whiled away racing friends and nothing beat the mayhem of getting together, someone bringing a multi-tap and a few extra controllers, and then tearing around the crazy circuits (maybe trying to mess with each other in the process). This was a tough call between MM V3 and Micro Machines Turbo Tournament '96 (on the Mega Drive) as both got serious hours of play, but V3 is perhaps the best of the series and so earns its place here (plus it had one of the coolest menu systems).


Super Mario 64 [March 1997, N64]

Probably one of the more obvious choices on this list, but it's hard not to think what a landmark game Mario 64 is and just how good it made platforming in 3D feel. It's also hard to forget the countless hours spent round my mate's house working on the hunt for all 120 stars. Despite excellent later entries in the Mario series, like Galaxy, Mario 64 is still the touchstone for platforming games.


Soul Blade [May 1997, PlayStation]

Growing up there were no arcades near me and so the only time I really got to see and play arcade machines was on holiday or the odd trip to seaside. And so it was on my family's summer holiday of 1996 that I came across the Soul Edge arcade machine on our holiday camp, which I then spent every day sinking my daily allowance into playing. Once I heard it was coming to PlayStation I started saving. Street Fighter II was great, I'd enjoyed Tekken, but Soul Blade was the first fighter I got utterly sucked into and sank many, many hours into. Soul Caliburs 1 and 2 may be better games overall Soul Blade is the version for me that belongs on this list.


Final Fantasy VII [November 1997, PlayStation]

There's a little backlash against Final Fantasy VII these days but as a lad in the UK I remember excitedly getting on the back of my dad's motorbike to head into town to collect my pre-order on launch day. I remember reading CVG 3 or so years prior to the game's release and instantly knowing this was a game I needed to play. This was, also, my first exposure to the Final Fantasy series and whilst VI is possibly the better game (and I have a super soft-spot for IX) there's no denying the impact this game had on my game playing life and the fond memories I have of it.


The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time [December 1998, N64]

A Link to the Past is the game that turned me into a gamer so it's fair to say I pretty was excited and nervous for Ocarina of Time before it hit. It was hard to know how the feel of Zelda would translate to 3D, but the success of Mario's transition to 3D at least gave some confidence, plus all the pictures in magazines looked amazing. Ocarina of Time was the game I bought my N64 for and, like Mario 64 to Mario, remains a touchstone for the Zelda series.


Metal Gear Solid [February 1999, PSX]

I was a fan of the International Superstar Soccer games but it'd be fair to say that my purchase of ISS Pro 98 was somewhat motivated by the demo of Metal Gear Solid it included. This was a game I had to have and I sank many hours into repeated plays of the original Metal Gear Solid. I'm not sure I'd played anything like MGS before it came out, and certainly I don't think I had experienced any moments that caught me off guard as much as something like the Psycho Mantis fight, or made me feel bad for my actions like the death of Sniper Wolf. MGS felt special and certainly deserves to be here.


Perfect Dark [June 2000, N64]

Since this list is in chronological release order you may have noticed the absence of one Bond-starring N64 shooter. There's no doubt that GoldenEye 007 was a huge game and a fond favourite of many gamers (myself included), but for me it's spiritual successor Perfect Dark that deserves the place on this list. Perfect Dark may not have had Bond, but Joanna Dark's adventures took the formula refined it and threw in a bunch of interesting toys to play with. Perfect Dark usurped GoldenEye's place as to the go to multiplayer shooter amongst me and my friends and we had countless hours of fun setting up silly custom matches and shooting each other. It may not be the obvious choice, but for me it's the right one.


Shenmue [November 2000, Dreamcast]

The Dreamcast had plenty of cracking games, but Shenmue was something a bit special. I'm not going to claim it was a perfect game, but it's hard not to admire the scope and ambition of the game, or the series (short-lived as it was), and all the things it tried to do. I was fully invested in the story of Ryo Hazuki and as that boat sailed off into the sunset and towards Hong Kong I couldn't wait for Shenmue 2 to continue the story. Still to this day I secretly wish for Shenmue 3 and a conclusion to the tale.


Skies of Arcadia [April 2001, Dreamcast]

The other RPG I'll forever love the Dreamcast for, Skies of Arcadia. This game was a rock solid RPG with an interesting cast, a brilliant and imaginative world, fun combat, a Suikoden-like "recruit people, increase your abilities" feature, and sky pirates! If there was any other Dreamcast game I wish we could get a sequel to, this is it.


Grand Theft Auto: Vice City [November 2002, PC]

Both the original Grand Theft Auto and GTA 3 are landmark games, GTA 3 in particular as it has had a fairly significant impact on gaming since its introduction. However, for me if I have to pick an example of the series to put in this list it would have to be Vice City. Vice City delivered on the gameplay of GTA 3 in a brilliant cohesive 80s setting. Plus it had that wonderful soundtrack, can't forget that.


Burnout 3: Takedown [September 2004, Xbox]

When the Burnout series hit I was immediately sold with the idea of taking risks to gain a reward and potential advantage (less of an advantage if you crunch nose first into a lorry) but it was with Burnout 3 and the introduction of the, now signature, takedowns that the Burnout series hit its stride. This game had a brilliantly manic sense of speed, included a good range of modes (including probably the best version of Crash mode) and is just glorious fun. Of the series Burnout 3: Takedown is the one the needs to be here.


Shadow of the Colossus [February 2006, PS2]

If you've not played Shadow of the Colossus it's hard to describe just what makes that game special as it's all about the feel: the sense of scale, the danger and excitement, and the sadness of claiming the lives of these ancient creatures. Shadow of the Colossus is simply a beautiful game and a wonderful experience.


Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare [November 2007, Xbox 360]

Like many gamers I've enjoyed many FPS games over the years and sunk a good number of hours into the likes of Battlefield 2 and Call of Duty 3 (the first console game I spent a decent amount of time online with), but it's hard to deny the impact Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare had on the genre. The game had a great, thrill-ride of a campaign was with standout moments like 'Shock and Awe' and 'All Ghilled Up' and the multiplayer was fantastic with its perks and killstreak rewards, occupying numerous enjoyable hours with friends as we worked towards those top ranks. Modern Warfare is the game that turned Call of Duty into the mega-franchise it is now and set the tone for online FPS multiplayer since.


Professor Layton and the Curious Village [February 2008, Nintendo DS]

As soon as I read about this game I knew it was something I had to play, so much so that I immediately imported it from the States upon release. I'm a sucker for a good puzzle and the DS with its touchscreens and stylus lent itself perfectly to a good puzzle game. Professor Layton then wrapped that concept it in an utterly charming world filled with wonderful characters, beautiful artwork and animation, and top notch music; and a gentlemen never turns down the opportunity to enjoy something so lovely. The series may stick to a fairly standard formula, but any time I get to spend with Hershel Layton, Luke and the assortment of interesting characters that populate their world is time well spent, and Curious Village was the letter of invitation that provided our introduction.


Halo 3: ODST [September 2009, Xbox 360]

Halo: Combat Evolved is another FPS that had a profound impact on the gaming landscape and could easily have found its way to this list. But, for me when picking a Halo game that deserves a spot in the top 20 I have to go with Halo 3: ODST as it includes my favourite campaign of all the Halo games. It was built off of the rock-solid engine that powered Halo 3 and also delivered Bungie's take on horde mode with Firefight, which proved to be a decent timesink in and of itself. Again, perhaps not the obvious pick but the one I have to go with.


Vanquish [October 2010, Xbox 360]

Platinum Games are probably best known for Bayonetta, which is itself a masterful game, but for me their best work so far is Vanquish. 3rd person shooters have been more than a little influenced by the Gears of War series, with plodding hulking beefcake soldiers hiding behind chest-high walls in brown/grey environments being all serious and gruff. Vanquish has chest-high walls sure, but the game also has you rocket sliding across the battlefield to boost-kick a robot in the face, launch yourself into slow-mo mode so you can shoot the next bad guy before it can react (oh and it's story is utterly silly and camp). Vanquish is a glorious burst of fun and inventive gameplay, and easily one of my favourite games of the last few years without a doubt.


Bastion [July 2011, XBLA]

The indie-game movement has certainly taken off in recent years and if any game demonstrates the kind of gems that small developers are capable of delivering then Bastion is it for me. The gameplay is rock solid, but the artwork, story and music in this game are straight up beautiful. Then there's that constant narration that shouldn't work, and yet it does; and it works in a way that helps to tell the story and build the crazy world you find yourself exploring. Bastion is such a well-executed whole that with just one game under their belts I already feel confident and excited for Supergiant Games' next.


Minecraft [November 2011, PC/XBLA]

I'll admit I was sceptical about Minecraft before I gave it a go, but once you get hands on it's not hard to see just why this game has been such a hit. This is a game that, on the surface of things, seems very simplistic, but has a remarkable amount of depth. The most important and powerful aspect is the opportunity to be creative; it's almost daunting how much you can create and just what the seemingly simple tools allow you to achieve. But it's fantastic fun to do so, and spending time with friends building a replica of Castle Grayskull has been some of the best times I've had with mates in co-operative gaming. And then throw in that this is another game that has had a huge influence on the gameplay landscape, from gameplay elements like crafting to development aspects like delivery and funding; this is absolutely a game that deserves a place in this list.


Fire Emblem: Awakening [April 2013, Nintendo 3DS]

There was an argument to be made for Fire Emblem: The Sacred Stones or Advance Wars, but for that style of tactical RPG there's little doubt in my mind that Fire Emblem: Awakening is the best in class. This game delivers on all fronts and has hopefully demonstrated that these kind of games deserve a place in our ongoing gaming landscape.


The Last of Us [June 2013, PlayStation 3]

I can see this being the most controversial of my picks, but here it is. Ultimately this came down to a decision between The Last of Us and Naughty Dog's other top class game Uncharted 2: Among Thieves. Whist these games play very differently and are tonally worlds apart I feel they occupy the same sort of space in delivering top of the line cinematic experiences with emphasis in building character and story. And it's on that level that The Last of Us is the pick for me, with some of the most involving character and story work I've experienced in a game. This was a world and story I totally bought into and as a result the game delivered an amazing experience that'll stick with me for years to come.

I am a dolphin, do you want me on your body?