This post is a purely opinion-based list of my favorite games for each of the consoles I own. This is only a console list — I will do a PC list separately because it’d be too hard to do them all at once, and computers really are different from consoles. It includes top 5 lists for systems I have few games for, top 10 lists for systems I have a medium amount for, top 15 lists for systems I have a lot of games for, and a top 20 for a few combined lists (GB+GBC, for example). Top 1 list for the 32XCD. :p
Please note that all of these lists are just my thinking at the moment, they aren’t set in stone at all! Some of the top titles are definitely my favorites for their consoles, but below that lists like these can always change.
This is different from my last favorite-games-by-platform list because it includes all titles, not just exclusives, and a full list for each platform instead of only one game for each. It’s a much longer list, that’s for sure! I also tried to get the games in the best order I can for how much I like each title. The Honorable Mention sections are, for the most part, in order from best to least best (they’re all good games here, so “worst” doesn’t seem like the right word…), so they are organized and aren’t just random lists.
This post has three major parts — first this introduction section with this, the notes, and a list of how much I like each console relative to the others I have; second the handhelds section of the list; and third the TV consoles section of the list. Within each of the latter two sections, consoles are organized in mostly chronological order from oldest to newest, excepting only the GB line which I group together to make the list flow better. I don’t attempt an overall “my favorite console games I own” list, but maybe I will add one at some point; I’ll make a post about it if I do. That is a lot harder than making single-platform lists.
Notes:
A * before the number marks a game that I’d give a 10/10 if grading easily (that is, if not using a PC Gamer-style tough grading scale where no game gets a perfect score). No game is perfect, but these are better than the rest.
For most platforms I limit the honorable mentions list to titles I’d give at least an 8.5/10 to by the above standard, but for some platforms with fewer games, such as the Sega CD, I go a bit lower than that.
And finally, I usually don’t count Virtual Console-style re-releases for the main lists, though I may mention a few in the Honorable Mentions — straight emulated ports like those should count mainly for their original console. I make exceptions for titles which are changed during the port, such as the new English translation of Monster World IV on the Wii (& other platforms), or Gamecube Ocarina of Time with its new addition, Master Quest.
Ranking my Consoles, favorite to least favorite.
Note that This is purely opinion-based here! Also, all systems from #1 to #20 I like; it’s only the bottom six that I don’t like as much, though they have plenty of great games of course.
—
1. Nintendo 64, N64
2. (tie) Super Nintendo, SNES
2. (tie) Sega Genesis, Gen (with Sega CD, SCD & Sega 32X, 32X)
3. Nintendo DS, DS
4. Game Boy, GB
5. TurboGrafx-16, TG16 (with Turbo CD, TCD)
6. Gamecube, GC
7. Dreamcast, DC
8. NES
9. Wii
10. Odyssey 2, O2
11. Game Boy Advance, GBA
12. Atari 5200, 5200
13. Xbox 360, X360
14. Saturn, SS
15. Nintendo 3DS, 3DS
16. Atari 2600, 2600
17. Xbox
18. Neo Geo Pocket Color
19. Virtual Boy, VB
20. Game Boy Color, GBC
21. PlayStation Portable, PSP
22. Sega Master System, SMS
23. PlayStation, PSX, PS1
24. Game Gear, GG
25. Atari 7800, 7800
26. PlayStation 2, PS2
HANDHELDS
Note – for the Game Boy / GB Color line, I broke this up into four categories — first a combined GB+GBC list, then the original GB grey cart games only, then dual-mode black cart GB/GBC titles, then GBC only (clear cart) titles. It’s messy, but necessary.
Game Boy & GB Color Combined List
—
*1. The Legend of Zelda: Link’s Awakening (GB) (just edging out Link’s Awakening DX (GBC))
*2. Super Mario Land 3: Wario Land (GB
*3. The Legend of Zelda: Oracle of Ages (GBC)
*4. Donkey Kong [’94] (GB)
*5. Kirby’s Dream Land 2 (GB)
*6. Gradius: The Interstellar Assault (GB)
*7. Hexcite (GB/C)
8. Super Mario Bros. Deluxe (GBC)
9. Bionic Commando: Elite Forces (GBC)
10. Mole Mania (GB)
11. The Legend of Zelda: Oracle of Seasons (GBC)
12. Final Fantasy Adventure (GB)
13. Kirby’s Pinball Land (GB)
14. (tie) Mega Man IV (GB)
14. (tie) Mega Man V (GB)
15. Survival Kids (GB/C)
16. Micro Machines (GB)
17. Donkey Kong Country (GBC)
18. Montezuma’s Return (GB/C)
19. Pokemon Puzzle Challenge (GBC)
20. Kirby’s Star Stacker (GB)
Honorable Mentions (the 10 games that are in the GB, GB/C, and GBC lists below but don’t make the top 20): Wave Race (GB), Bionic Commando (GB), WarLocked (GBC), Gargoyle’s Quest (GB), Tetris DX (GBC), Top Gear Pocket 2 (GBC), 3-D Ultra Pinball: Thrillride (GBC)
Game Boy (GB) – B&W-only games
—
*1. The Legend of Zelda: Link’s Awakening
*2. Super Mario Land 3: Wario Land
*3. Kirby’s Dream Land 2
*4. Donkey Kong [’94]
*5. Gradius: The Interstellar Assault
6. Mole Mania
7. Final Fantasy Adventure
8. Kirby’s Pinball Land
9. (tie) Mega Man IV
9. (tie) Mega Man V
10. Micro Machines
11. Super Mario Land 2: Six Golden Coins
12. Wave Race
13. Kirby’s Star Stacker
14. Bionic Commando (1992)
15. Gargoyle’s Quest
Honorable Mentions: Tetris, Parodius Da! (JP Only Release), Mega Man in Dr. Wily’s Revenge, Mega Man III, Kirby’s Block Ball, Kirby’s Dream Land, Kirby’s Star Stacker, Super Mario Land, Quarth, Wario Land II, Looney Tunes, Montezuma’s Return, Wave Race, Aerostar, Quarth, Bomberman GB, Speedy Gonzales, Looney Tunes, Taz-Mania, Daffy Duck: The Marvin Missions, Out of Gas, Amazing Penguin, Operation C, Alleyway, Lazlo’s Leap, Bionic Commando (1992), Vattle Giuce (JP Only Release), Parodius Da! (JP Only Release), Mega Man III, Turrican, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles 2: Back from the Sewers, Super Mario Land, Castlevania II: Belmont’s Revenge, Ninja Gaiden Shadow, Wario Blast: Featuring Bomberman!, Kid Icarus: Of Myths and Monsters, Rod Land (JP Only Release), Tetris Attack, Donkey Kong Land 3
Game Boy / Game Boy Color Dual-Mode Games
—
*1. The Legend of Zelda: Link’s Awakening DX
*2. Hexcite
3. Survival Kids
4. Montezuma’s Return
5. Tetris DX
Honorable Mentions: Conker’s Pocket Tales, Shanghai Pocket, Ghosts ‘N Goblins, Wario Land II, Looney Tunes, R-Type DX
Game Boy Color (GBC) – GBC Only Games
—
*1. The Legend of Zelda: Oracle of Ages
2. Super Mario Bros. Deluxe
3. Bionic Commando: Elite Forces
4. The Legend of Zelda: Oracle of Seasons
5. Donkey Kong Country
6. Pokemon Puzzle Challenge
7. WarLocked
8. Kirby Tilt ‘n’ Tumble
9. Top Gear Pocket 2
10. 3-D Ultra Pinball: Thrillride
Honorable Mentions: Toki Tori, Wario Land 3, Micro Machines V3, Lufia: The Legend Returns, Driver, Dragon Warrior III, Wendy: Every Witch Way, Top Gear Pocket, Frogger 2, Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone, Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets
Game Gear, GG
—
1. Bust-A-Move
2. Sonic the Hedgehog
3. Crystal Warriors
4. Super Columns
5. Royal Stone (JP Only Release)
6. Ristar
7. Gunstar Heroes (JP Only Release)
8. Psychic World
9. Columns
10. Tails’ Sky Patrol
Honorable Mentions: Pac-Man, Fray: Shuugyouhen (JP Only Release), Donald Duck: The Lucky Dime Caper, Outrun, Poker Face Paul’s Solitaire, Sonic Spinball, Putt & Putter: Miniature Golf, Ms. Pac-Man, GG Aleste II (JP/EU Only Release; JP Version), Sylvan Tale (JP Only Release)
Virtual Boy, VB
—
1. Virtual Boy Wario Land
2. Vertical Force
3. 3-D Tetris
4. Mario’s Tennis
5. Galactic Pinball
Honorable Mentions: Mario Clash, Telero Boxer, Red Alarm, V-Tetris (JP Only Release)
NeoGeo Pocket Color, NGPC & Neo-Geo Pocket, NGP
(combined because I only have a NGPC, so I don’t know how the dual-mode games would play in B&W.)
—
*1. The Last Blade
*2. Metal Slug: First Mission
3. SNK vs. Capcom: Match of the Millenium
4. Picture Puzzle
5. The King of Fighters R-2
Honorable Mentions: Sonic the Hedgehog: Pocket Adventure, Metal Slug: Second Mission, Crush Roller, Samurai Shodown! Pocket Fighting Series (JP version; JP/EU only release), The King of Fighters R-1 (B&W-only game) (JP version; JP/EU only release)
Game Boy Advance, GBA
—
1. Fire Emblem
2. Digidrive (JP Only Release; has Western release on DSiWare)
3. Fire Emblem: The Sacred Stones
4. Summon Night: Swordcraft Story
5. Riviera: The Promised Land
6. Fire Emblem: Fuuin no Tsurugi (JP Only Release)
7. Super Puzzle Fighter II Turbo
8. Kururin Paradise (JP Only Release)
9. Advance Wars 2: Black Hole Rising
10. Golden Sun
11. Gunstar Super Heroes
12. The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past w/ Four Swords
13. Summon Night: Sworcraft Story 2
14. Metroid: Zero Mission
15. Wario Land 4
Honorable Mentions: Super Mario Advance, Castlevania: Circle of the Moon, Summon Night: Hajimari no Ishi (JP Only Release), Shining Soul II, Rayman 3, Mario vs. Donkey Kong, The Legend of Zelda: The Minish Cap, Kirby: Nightmare in Dream Land, The King of Fighters EX2: Howling Blood, Golden Sun: The Lost Age, Final Fantasy V Advance, The Mysterious Murasame Castle (Famicom Mini; JP Only Release), Shining Soul, Mega Man & Bass, Konami Krazy Racers, Karnaaj Rally, Racing Gears Advance, Wario Ware Twisted!, Medal of Honor: Infiltrator, Kirby and the Amazing Mirror, Top Gear Rally, Polarium Advance, Metroid Fusion, Gradius Galaxies, Sabre Wulf, The Legend of Zelda (Classic NES Series), Lady Sia
Nintendo DS, NDS
—
*1. Picross 3D
2. Picross DS
3. Etrian Odyssey III: The Drowned City
4. Advance Wars: Dual Strike
5. Planet Puzzle League
6. Knights in the Nightmare
7. Castlevania: Portrait of Ruin
8. Mario vs. Donkey Kong: Mini-Land Mayhem
9. Tetris DS
10. Etrian Odyssey
11. Desktop Tower Defense
12. Professor Layton and the Curious Village
13. Puzzle Quest: Galactix
14. Castlevania: Order of Ecclesia
15. Mega Man ZX Advent
Honorable Mentions: Phantasy Star 0 [Zero], Professor Layton and the Diabolical Box, Magnetica, Mario Kart DS, Mega Man ZX, Metroid Prime: Hunters, The Legend of Zelda: Spirit Tracks, Dragon Quest IX, Touch Detective, Touch Detective 2 1/2, Speed Racer: The Videogame, TrackMania Turbo: Build to Race, The Legend of Kage 2, Mega Man ZX, Meteos, Etrian Odyssey II: Heroes of Lagaard, pac’n Roll, Trace Memory, Might & Magic: Clash of Heroes, The Legend of Zelda: The Phantom Hourglass, Kirby Super Star Ultra, Kirby Mass Attack, Custom Robo Arena, Advance Wars: Days of Ruin, New Super Mario Bros., Yoshi’s Island DS, Super Speed Machines, Pokemon Ranger, Space Invaders Extreme 2, Orcs & Elves, Mazes of Fate Lunar: Dragon Song, Kirby Canvass Curse, Heroes of Mana, Geometry Wars: Galaxies, Bust-A-Move DFS, 7th Dragon (JP Only Release)
PlayStation Portable, PSP
—
1. Growlanser IV: Wayfarer of Time
2. Knights in the Nightmare
3. Castlevania: The Dracula X Chronicles
4. Every Extend Extra
5. Class of Heroes II
6. Class of Heroes
7. Ys Seven
8. WipEout Pulse
9. Hot Shots Tennis: Get a Grip
10. Daxter
11. Gurumin: A Monstrous Adventure
12. Lemmings
13. Ys I & II Chronicles
14. WipEout Pure
15. Gradius Collection
Honorable Mentions: Outrun 2006: Coast 2 Coast, Sid Meier’s Pirates!, PixelJunk Monsters Deluxe, Dissidia [012] Final Fantasy, Mega Man Powered Up, Gungnir, Capcom Puzzle World, Untold Legends: Brotherhood of the Blade, Super Collapse 3, N+, BlazBlue: Calamity Trigger Portable, BlazBlue: Continuum Shift II
Nintendo 3DS, 3DS
(my newest system, so only a top 5 for this one.)
—
1. Fire Emblem Awakening
2. The Legend of Zelda: A Link Between Worlds
3. Etrian Odyssey IV: Legends of the Titan
4. Mario Kart 7
5. Tetris Axis
Honorable Mentions: Super Mario 3D Land, Sonic: Lost World, Crosswords Plus
TV CONSOLES
Atari 2600, 2600
—
1. Warlords
2. Kaboom
3. Megamania
4. Buck Rogers: Planet of Zoom!
5. Enduro
6. Moon Patrol
7. Space Invaders
8. Solaris
9. Indy 500
10. Amidar
Honorable Mentions: Dodger Cars (Dodge ’em), Dragonfire, Commando Raid, Pheonix, Demon Attack, Moonsweeper, Kangaroo, Turmoil, Atlantis, Secret Quest, Dragonfire, Star Trek: Strategic Operations Simulator, Spider Fighter, Sprintmaster
Odyssey2/Videopac, O2
(different from my original O2 list because I have more games now. I’m listing a top 10 despite having a small library for this system because this system has a lot of great games, I can’t pick just five.)
—
1. UFO!
2. Turtles
3. Quest for the Rings
4. K.C. Munchkin!
5. K.C.’s Krazy Chase!
6. Blockout! Breakdown!
7. P.T. Barnum’s Acrobats!
8. Freedom Fighters!
9. Alien Invaders – Plus!
10. Speedway!
Honorable Mentions: Pick Axe Pete!, Out of this World!, S.I.D. The Spellbinder!, Alpine Skiing!
Atari 5200, 5200
(only a top 5 because I have few games for this system)
—
1. Defender
2. Galaxian
3. Pole Position
4. Super Cobra
5. Popeye
Honorable Mentions: Dig-Dug, Astro Chase, Centipede, Missile Command, Star Raiders, Moon Patrol
Atari 7800, 7800
(only a top 5 because I have few games for this system.)
—
1. Galaga
2. Pole Position II
3. Desert Falcon
4. Centipede
5. Asteroids
Honorable Mentions: Robotron 2084, Food Fight, Ms. Pac-Man, Joust, Xevious
NES
—
*1. Super Mario Bros.
2. Mega Man 4
3. Super Mario Bros. 2
4. Super Mario Bros. 3
5. Kirby’s Adventure
6. Battletoads
7. “Ironman” Ivan Stewart’s Super Off-Road
8. Startropics
9. Rolling Thunder
10. Metal Storm
11. Mega Man 2
12. The Guardian Legend
13. Faxanadu
14. Gradius
15. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles III: The Manhattan Project
Honorable Mentions: Ninja Gaiden II: The Dark Sword of Chaos, The Legend of Zelda, DuckTales, Zoda’s Revenge: StarTropics II, Salamander (JP version of Life Force; better than the US release), Super Spy Hunter, Starship Hector, Gauntlet, Faria, Conquest of the Crystal Palace, Abadox, The Adventures of Lolo 2, Life Force (the US version), Iron Tank, Crystalis, Bionic Commando, To the Earth, Rollergames, Ninja Gaiden, Jackal, Gargoyle’s Quest II: The Demon Darkness, Donkey Kong Classics, Contra, Castlevanai Bubble Bobble, The Adventures of Lolo, Double Dragon II: The Revenge, Vindicators, Guerilla War, Bucky O’Hare, Zelda II: The Adventure of Link, Xexyz, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles II: The Arcade Game, P.O.W., Magical Taruruuto-kun: Fantastic World (JP Only Release), Little Nemo: The Dream Master, Blaster Master, Archon, Ninja Jajamaru: Ginga Daisakusen (JP Only Release), Journey to Silius, Layla (JP Only Release), Kabuki Quantum Fighter, Gyruss, Dr. Mario, Chip ‘N Dale: Rescue Rangers
Master System, SMS
—
1. Zaxxon 3-D (in 3D mode, with the SegaScope 3D Glasses)
2. The Ninja
3. Ys: The Vanished Omens
4. Choplifter!
5. Rastan
6. Rambo: First Blood Part II
7. Kenseiden
8. Power Strike (aka Aleste)
9. Global Defense
10. Shinobi
Honorable Mentions: Shooting Gallery, Shanghai, Action Fighter, Golvellius: Valley of Doom, Missile Command 3-D
Combined TG16 & TCD List
—
1. Gradius II: Gofer no Yabou (JP Only Release) (TCD)
2. Nexzr Special: Summer Carnival ’93 (JP Only Release) (TCD)
3. Blazing Lazers (TG16)
4. Ginga Fukei Densetsu Sapphire (JP Only Release) (TCD)
5. Alzadick: Summer Carnival ’92 (JP Only Release) (TCD)
6. Castlevania X: Rondo of Blood (JP Only Release) (TCD)
7. Bomberman ’93 (TG16)
8. R-Type (TG16)
9. Monster Lair (TCD)
10. Bonk’s Revenge (TG16)
11. Zero Wing (JP Only Release) (TCD)
12. Bomberman ’94 (JP Only Release) (TG16)
13. Victory Run (TG16)
14. Super Darius II (JP Only Release) (TCD)
15. Valkyrie no Densetsu (TG16)
16. Bonk’s Adventure (TG16)
17. Gradius (JP Only Release) (TG16)
18. Bikkuriman World (JP Only Release) [Wonder Boy in Monster Land] (TG16)
19. W-Ring: The Double Rings (JP Only Release) (TG16)
20. Aero Blasters (TG16)
Honorable Mentions (the 10 TG16 and TCD games that are in the numbered lists below but don’t make the top 20 here): Avenger (JP Only Release) (TCD), Down Load (TG16), Splash Lake (TCD), Metal Stoker (TG16), Hyperdyne Sidearms (TG16), Shanghai II (JP Only Release), Puyo Puyo CD (JP Only Release), Ys Books I & II, Seirei Senshi Spriggan (JP Only Release), Alien Crush (TG16)
TurboGrafx-16, TG16
—
1. Blazing Lazers
2. Bomberman ’93
3. R-Type
4. Bomberman ’94 (JP Only Release)
5. Bonk’s Revenge
6. Victory Run
6. Bonk’s Adventure
7. Valkyrie no Densetsu (JP Only Release)
8. Gradius (JP Only Release)
9. Bikkuriman World (JP Only Release) [Wonder Boy in Monster Land]
10. W-Ring: The Double Rings (JP Only Release)
11. Aero Blasters
12. Down Load (JP Only Release)
13. Hyperdyne Sidearms
14. Metal Stoker: Neo Hardboiled Shooting (JP Only Release)
15. Kyukyoku Tiger (JP Only Release) [Twin Cobra]
Honorable Mentions: Kaizou Chounin Shubininman (JP Only Release), Final Soldier (JP Only Release), Cyber Core, Gomola Speed (JP Only Release), Son Son II (JP Only Release), Neutopia, Kiki Kaikai (JP Only Release), Tiger Road, Super Star Soldier, Street Fighter II’: Champion Edition (JP Only Release), Momotarou Katsugeki (JP Only Release), Keith Courage in Alpha Zones, F1 Circus ’91 (JP Only Release), Dungeon Explorer, Armed Formation F (JP Only Release), Moto Roader, Final Blaster (JP Only Release), Doraemon: Meikyuu Daisakusen (JP version of Cratermaze, slightly different), Shockman
TurboGrafx-CD, TCD
—
1. Gradius II: Gofer no Yabou (JP Only Release)
2. Nexzr Special: Summer Carnival ’93 (JP Only Release)
3. Ginga Fukei Densetsu Sapphire (JP Only Release)
4. Alzadick: Summer Carnival ’92 (JP Only Release)
5. Castlevania X: Rondo of Blood (JP Only Release)
6. Monster Lair
7. Zero Wing (JP Only Release)
8. Super Darius II (JP Only Release)
9. World Heroes 2 (JP Only Release)
10. Avenger (JP Only Release)
11. Splash Lake
12. Shanghai II (JP Only Release)
13. Puyo Puyo CD (JP Only Release)
14. Ys I & II
15. Spriggan (JP Only Release)
Honorable Mentions: Blood Gear (JP Only Release), Sylphia (JP Only Release), Efera & Jiliora: The Emblem from Darkness (JP Only Release), The Legend of Xanadu II (JP Only Release), Brandish (JP Only Release), Cosmic Fantasy 2, Super Darius (JP Only Release), Minesweeper (JP Only Release), Magicoal (JP Only Release), Last Alert, Ultra Box (I have vols 2, 3, 4, and 6) (JP Only Release), L-Dis (JP Only Release), Langrisser: Hikari no Matsuei (JP Only Release), Daisenpuu Custom (JP Only Release), Xak III (JP Only Release), Ys IV (JP Only Release)
Genesis plus Sega CD plus 32X (all combined)
—
*1. Sonic 3 & Knuckles (I’m going to count this as one game.)
*2. Sonic the Hedgehog 2
3. Lunar 2: Eternal Blue (SCD)
4. Sonic the Hedgehog
5. Mega Turrican
6. Outrun 2019
7. Space Harrier (32X)
8. Aladdin
9. Silpheed (SCD)
10. The Adventures of Batman & Robin
11. Landstalker: The Treasures of King Nole
12. Streets of Rage 2
13. Lightening Force
14. Shadow Dancer: The Secret of Shinobi
15. Sonic CD (SCD)
16. Ranger-X
17. Contra: Hard Corps
18. Vectorman
19. Golden Axe
20. Robo Aleste (SCD)
Honorable Mentions (the 10 games that are in the Genesis, SCD, and 32X lists but don’t make the top 20): V.R.: Virtua Racing Deluxe (32X), Popful Mail (SCD), Ecco the Dolphin (SCD), NBA Jam T.E. (32X), The Adventures of Batman & Robin (SCD), SoulStar (SCD), Dark Wizard (SCD), Flink (SCD), After Burner (32X). Note that 34 Genesis games not listed here are as good or better than any of these ten games, but those games can’t fit in to my Genesis top 15 so they’re only in the Genesis Honorable Mentions list.
Genesis, Gen (Genesis Only)
—
*1. Sonic 3 & Knuckles
*2. Sonic the Hedgehog 2
3. Sonic the Hedgehog
4. Mega Turrican
5. Outrun 2019
6. Aladdin
7. Adventures of Batman & Robin
8. Landstalker: The Treasures of King Nole
9. Streets of Rage 2
10. Lightening Force
11. Shadow Dancer: The Secret of Shinobi
12. Ranger-X
13. Contra: Hard Corps
14. Vectorman
15. Golden Axe
Honorable Mentions: Alisia Dragoon, Monster World IV (JP Only Release), Eliminate Down (JP Only Release), Hardball III, Rocket Knight Adventures, Wonder Boy in Monster World, Universal Soldier, The Lost Vikings, Rolling Thunder 2, Eliminate Down, Golden Axe II, Truxton, Gauntlet IV, Warsong, Phelios, Micro Machines, Viewpoint, Blades of Vengeance, Comix Zone, Street Fighter II: Special Champion Edition, Sub-Terrania, Beyond Oasis, Roadblasters, Warsong, The Lost Vikings, Crusader of Centy, Zombies Ate my Neighbors, World of Illusion, Viewpoint, Vectorman 2, Target Earth, Gleylancer (JP Only Release), Dynamite Headdy, Cool Spot, Atomic Runner, Arcus Odyssey, Technoclash, Shinobi III, The Ooze, NBA Jam, El Viento, Samurai Shodown, Rolling Thunder 3, Ristar, MERCS, Ghouls ‘n Ghosts, Bio-Hazard Battle, Trouble Shooter, Red Zone, The Lost World: Jurassic Park, Fatal Rewind, Sonic 3D Blast, Boogerman, Burning Force, Desert Demolition starring Road Runner and Wile E. Coyote, Fire Shark, Greendog: The Beached Surfer Dude, Gunstar Heroes, Shining Force II
Super NES, SNES
—
*1. Super Mario World
2. F-Zero
3. Donkey Kong Country 3: Dixie’s Double Trouble
4. Super Turrican
5. Gradius III
5. Super Metroid
6. Illusion of Gaia
7. Donkey Kong Country 2: Diddy’s Kong Quest
8. Super Street Fighter II: The New Challengers
9. Firepower 2000
10. Donkey Kong Country
11. Space Megaforce
12. The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past
13. Kirby’s Dream Course
14. Yoshi’s Island: Super Mario World 2
15. Top Gear
Honorable Mentions : Doom, BlaZeon, Sunset Riders, Super Castlevania IV, Uniracers, Super Mario All-Stars, Super Bonk, Rockman & Forte (JP Only Release), Mega Man X, Jim Power: The Lost Dimension in 3D, Super Star Wars: Return of the Jedi, Street Racer, U.N. Squadron, Suoul Blazer, Tetris Attack, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles IV: Turtles in Time, Super Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back, Super Nova [Darius Force], Operation: Logic Bomb, NBA Jam: Tournament Edition, Gun Force: Battle Fire Engulfed Terror Island, Final Fight 3, Ganbare Goemon 2: Kiteretsu Shogun Magginesu! (JP Only Release), Battle Cars, Axelay, ActRaiser, Top Gear II, Super Tetris 3 (JP Only Release), Seiken Densetsu III (JP Only Release), Spectre, Mohawk and Headphone Jack, Hyper Zone, Goof Troop, Top Gear 3000, World Heroes 2, Choplifter III, Wing Commander: The Secret Missions, The Twisted Tales of Spike McFang, Secret of Mana, Pop’n Twinbee (JP Only Release), Pilotwings, MechWarrior 3050, Magic Sword, Indiana Jones’ Greatest Adventures, Gods, First Samurai, The Block Kuzushi (JP Only Release), Arkanoid: Doh it Again, Ganbare Goemon [4]: Kirakira Douchuu — Boku ga Dancer ni natta Riyuu (JP Only Release), Fire Emblem: Mystery of the Emblem (JP Only Release)
Sega CD, SCD
—
1. Lunar 2: Eternal Blue
2. Silpheed
3. Sonic CD
4. Robo Aleste
5. Popful Mail
6. Ecco the Dolphin
7. The Adventures of Batman & Robin
8. SoulStar
9. Dark Wizard
10. Flink
Honorable Mentions: Lords of Thunder, Star Wars: Rebel Assault, Wirehead, Ground Zero Texas, Android Assault, Mickey Mania, Battlecorps, Night Striker (JP only release), Sol-Feace, Lunar: The Silver Star, Shining Force CD, Mortal Kombat, Ecco 2: The Tides of Time, Snatcher
Sega 32X, 32X
This is only a top 5 because I have few games for this system.
—
1. Space Harrier
2. Shadow Squadron
3. V.R.: Virtua Racing Deluxe
4. NBA Jam TE
5. After Burner
Honorable Mentions: Kolibri, Star Wars Arcade, Zaxxon’s Motherbase 2000, Tempo, Metal Head, Mortal Kombat 2, Star Trek Starfleet Academy Starship Bridge Simulator
Sega 32X CD, 32XCD
—
1. Fahrenheit (the worst game in this entire post; but I wish 32XCD Soviet Strike actually was out there or it’d be that! And Wirehead 32XCD should have been finished, too.)
Saturn, SS
—
1. Panzer Dragoon
2. Panzer Dragoon II: Zwei
3. WipEout
4. Vampire Saviour: The Lord of Vampire (JP Only Release)
5. Daytona USA: Circuit Edition (JP Only Release)
6. Assault Suit Leynos 2 (JP Only Release)
7. NBA Jam: Tournament Edition
8. NiGHTS into dreams…
9. V.R.: Virtua Racing
10. Daytona USA
11. Magical Drop II (JP Only Release)
12. Night Warriors: DarkStalkers’ Revenge
13. Star Fighter
14. Soukyugurentai Otokuyo (JP Only Release)
15. Tokimeki Memorial Taisen Puzzle Dama (JP Only Release)
Honorable Mentions: Bug!, Galactic Attack, Steamgear Mash (JP Only Release), Soviet Strike, SEGA Rally Championship, Mega Man 8, MechWarrior 2: Arcade Combat Edition, Grandia (JP Only Release), Dead or Alive (JP Only Release), Willy Wombat (JP Only Release), Sonic Wings Special (JP Only Release), Mass Destruction, Magical School Lunar! (JP Only Release), CrimeWave, Bulk Slash (JP Only Release), Solo Crisis (JP Only Release), Puyo Puyo Sun (JP Only Release), Lunacy, Hang-On GP, Fighting Vipers, Puyo Puyo Tsuu (JP Only Release), Last Gladiators: Digital Pinball, Bust-A-Move 2: Arcade Edition, Bug Too!, Arcade’s Greatest Hits: The Atari Collection 1, Detana Twinbee Yahho! Deluxe Pack (JP Only Release), Parodius Deluxe Pack (JP Only Release)
PlayStation, PSX, PS1
This order is different from the list I posted several years ago in the PS1 list, but these lists aren’t meant to be set forever, so that’s fine.
—
1. Threads of Fate
2. Star Ocean: The Second Story
3. Tempest X3
4. Wipeout 3
5. Rollcage
6. Darkstalkers 3
7. Wipeout XL
8. Warhawk
9. Strikers 1945 (II)
10. Croc: Legend of the Gobbos
11. Lunar: Silver Star Story Complete
12. Evil Zone
13. Red Asphalt
14. Grandia
15. Tenchu: Stealth Assassins
Honorable Mentions: Alundra, Motor Toon Grand Prix, Persona 2: Eternal Punishment, Steel Reign, Gradius Gaiden (JP only release), PuchiCarat (JP only release), Sled Storm, Need for Speed: High Stakes, Space Hulk: Vengeance of the Blood Angels, Megatudo 2096 (JP only release), Egg (JP only release), Bushido Blade 2, Dead or Alive, Rage Racer, Sea-Doo HydroCross, Heart of Darkness, Road Rash 3D, MDK, Wild ARMs, Croc 2, Brave Fencer Musashi, Driver, Driver 2, Vandal Hearts, Rush Hour, Pac-Man World, Ghost in the Shell
Nintendo 64, N64
—
*1. The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time
*2. Super Mario 64 / Super Mario 64: Rumble Pak Edition (JP Only Release)
*3. San Francisco Rush 2049
*4. F-Zero X
5. Wipeout 64
6. Paper Mario
7. Goemon’s Great Adventure
8. Donkey Kong 64
9. Perfect Dark
10. Ogre Battle 64
11. Excitebike 64
12. Blast Corps
13. Wave Race 64
14. Jet Force Gemini
15.
Mario Kart 64
Honorable Mentions: Bust-A-Move ’99, Turok 3: Shadow of Obliviion, Shadowgate 64: Trials of the FOur Towers, San Francisco Rush: Extreme Racing, Doom 64, Custom Robo (JP Only Release), Banjo-Tooie, Susume! Taisen Puzzle Dama (JP Only Release), Gauntlet Legends, Forsaken 64, Bomberman 64 (2001, JP; JP Only Release), Worms Armageddon, Star Wars: Rogue Squadron, Top Gear Rally, Sin and Punishment: Successor to the Earth (JP Only Release), Resident Evil 2, NFL Blitz 2000, The New Tetris, Mysterious Dungeon: Shiren the Wanderer 2 (JP Only Release), Mischief Makers, Micro Machines 64 Turbo, Dr. Mario 64, Custom Robo V2 (JP Only Release), Conker’s Bad Fur Day, Banjo-Kazooie, Turok: Dinosaur Hunter, Top Gear Hyper-Bike, Tetrisphere, Star Wars: Battle for Naboo, Shadow Man, Lode Runner 3D, The Legend of Zelda: Majora’s Mask, Extreme-G 2, Wertrix, Turok 2: Seeds of Evil, Super Smash Bros., Star Fox 64, Space Station Silicon Valley, Rush 2: Extreme Racing USA, Pilotwings 64, Mickey’s Speedway USA, Indiana Jones and the Infernal Machine, California Speed, Big Mountain 2000, 007: The World Is Not Enough, WinBack: Covert Operations, Turok: Rage Wars, Top Gear OVerdrive, NBA Hang Time, Fighter’s Destiny, Castlevania: Legacy of Darkness, BattleTanx: Global Assault, Snowboard Kids 2, SD Hiryu no Ken Densetsu (JP Only Release), Rocket: Robot on Wheels, Pokemon Puzzle League, Monaco Grand Prix, Mega Man 64, Fighter Destiny 2, Diddy Kong Racing, All-Star Baseball ’99
Dreamcast
—
*1. Skies of Arcadia
2. Ikaruga (JP Only Release)
3. Rayman 2: The Great Escape
4. San Francisco Rush 2049
5. Street Fighter III: Double Impact & SFIII: Third Strike
6. Project Justice
7. Under Defeat (JP Only Release)
8. Jet Grind Radio
9. Soulcalibur
10. Crazy Taxi
11. Dead or Alive 2 Limited Edition (JP Only Release; this has more content than the earlier US version.)
12. Tennis 2K2
13. Grandia II
14. 4 Wheel Thunder
15. Sonic Adventure 2
Honorable Mentions: GunLord, Bangai-O, Giga Wing 2, Virtua Tennis, San Francisco Rush 2049, Toy Commander, Unreal Tournament, Quake III, The King of Fighters ’99 Evolution, Re-Volt, Vampire Chronicle for Matching Service (JP Only Release), Super Puzzle Fighter II X For Matching Service (JP Only Release), Phantasy Star Online ver. 1.0, Grandia II, Red Dog, Bust-A-Move 4, Ecco the Dolphin: Defender of the Future, Sonic Adventure, Rune Jade (JP Only Release), Border Down (JP Only Release), Trizeal (JP Only Release), Frogger 2: Swampy’s Revenge, Zombie Revenge, Puyo Puyo Fever (JP Only Release), Suzuki Alstare Extreme Racing, Crazy Taxi 2, Daytona USA (2001), House of the Dead 2, Sturmwind (Homebrew Release), Get!! Colonies (JP Only Release), Dynamite Cop, Capcom vs. SNK 2, Draconus: Cult of the Wyrm, TimeStalkers, Power Stone 2, The King of Fighters: Dream Match 1999, Fur Fighters, MSR: Metropolis Street Racer, Dynamite Cop!, Capcom vs. SNK: Millenium Fight 2000, Capcom vs. SNK 2 (JP Only Release), Street Fighter Alpha 3, Blue Stinger, Armada, Sakura Wars: Hanagumi Taisen Columns 2 (JP Only Release, Bang! Gunship Elite, Puyo Puyo 4: Puyo Puyo~n (JP Only Release), Centipede, 18-Wheeler: American Pro Trucker
PlayStation 2, PS2
—
1. Outrun 2006: Coast 2 Coast
2. Metal Slug Anthology
3. Maximo: Ghosts to Glory
4. Gradius V
5. Final Fantasy XII
6. The King of Fighters ’02/’03
7. The King of Fighters XI
8. Jak and Daxter: The Precursor Legacy
9. Champions of Norrath: Realms of EverQuest
10. Dragon Quest VIII: Journey of the Cursed King
11. Unlimited SaGa
12. WipEout Fusion
13. Rogue Galaxy
14. Shining Force Neo
15. Okami
Honorable Mentions: Primal, The King of Fighters 2006, Kinetica, Grand Theft Auto III, Chaos Wars, Soulcalibur III, Kya: Dark Lineage, Samurai Shodown Anthology, The King of Fighters ’98: Ultimate Match, Ys VI: The Ark of Napishtim, Jet X2O, Tribes: Aerial Assault, Stuntman, Nightshade, World Heroes Anthology, Haven: Call of the King, Sly Cooper and the Thevius Raccoonus, Gradius III and IV, Dark Cloud, Tenchu: Fatal Shadows, Taito Legends 2, Champions: Return to Arms, Xenosaga Episode I: Der Wille zur Macht, Tenchu: Wrath of Heaven, Stella Deus: The Gate of Eternity, Shadow Hearts, The Mark of Kri
GameCube, GCN
—
*1. Eternal Darkness: Sanity’s Requiem
*2. The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time / Master Quest (listed because MQ was new)
3. Metroid Prime
4. The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess
5. Skies of Arcadia Legends
6. XGRA: Extreme-G Racing Association
7. Fire Emblem: Path of Radiance]
8. The Legned of Zelda: The Wind Waker
9. F-Zero GX
10. Star Wars: Rogue Squadron II: Rogue Leader
11. Wario Ware Inc.: Mega Party Games
12. Capcom vs SNK 2: EO
13. Gauntlet: Dark Legacy
14. Soulcalibur II
15. Super Mario Sunshine
Honorable Mentions: Paper Mario: The Thousand Year Door, Custom Robo: Battle Revolution, Defender, Donkey Kong Jungle Beat, Geist, The Legend of Zelda: Four Swords Adventures, Lost Kingdoms, Mario Kart Double Dash, Mega Man Anniversary Collection, P.N.03, Ikaruga, Metal Arms: Glitch in the System, Midway Arcade Treasures, Mystic Heroes, Beach Spikers, Star Wars Rogue Squadron III: Rebel Strike, Sonic Adventure 2 Battle, SpyHunter, Tales of Symphonia, SSX 3, Super Monkey Ball, Wave Race: Blue Storm, XG3: Extreme-G Racing, Phantasy Star Online Episode III: C.A.R.D. Revolution, Turok: Evolution, Super Smash Bros. Melee, Battalion Wars, Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles, SpyHunter, Wario World, Phantasy Star Online Episodes I & II Plus, Mega Man X Collection, 1080 Degrees Avalanche, Resident Evil Zero, Donkey Kong: Jungle Beat, Zapper: One Wicked Cricket, Super Monkey Ball, Mega Man X: Command Mission, Lego Drome Racers, Billy Hatcher and the Giant Egg
Xbox
—
*1. Panzer Dragoon Orta
2. Quantum Redshift
3. Dead or Alive Ultimate
4. OutRun2
5. Crimson Skies: High Road to Revenge
6. GUNVALKYRIE
7. Burnout 3: Takedown
8. Enclave
9. I-Ninja
10. Hunter: The Reckoning
11. Oddworld: Stranger’s Wrath
12. Dead or Alive 3
13. Yager
14. Sphinx and the Cursed Mummy
15. Jet Set Radio Future
Honorable Mentions: Otogi: Myth of Demons, Sonic Mega Collection Plus, Street Fighter Anniversary Collection, SSX Tricky, RalliSport Challenge 2, Vexx, Turok Evolution, MechAssault, Halo: Combat Evolved, Guilty Gear X2 #Reload, Sonic Riders, Top Spin Tennis, SSX On Tour, NBA Ballers, The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers, Blinx: The Time Sweeper, Unreal Championship, Whiteout, Sudeki, Tecmo Classic Arcade, Red Dead Revlver, Mortal Kombat: Armageddon, Malice, The King of Fighters NeoWave, Hunter: The Recknoning – Redeemer, The Bard’s Tale, Arctic THudner, Tenchu: Return from Darkness, Star Wars: Obi-Wan, Metal Slug 3, Black, Fable: The Lost Chapters, House of the Dead III, Freaky Fliers
Xbox 360, X360
—
1. Hydro Thunder Hurricane (XBLA)
2. The King of Fighters XIII
3. Kameo: Elements of Power
4. Daytona USA (XBLA)
5. Dead or Alive 4
6. Banjo-Kazooie: Nuts & Bolts
7. Dragon’s Dogma: Dark Arisen
8. Dead or Alive 5 Ultimate
9. Fatal Inertia
10. Dust: An Elysian Tale (XBLA)
Honorable Mentions: Stuntman: Ignition, Pure, Virtua Fighter 5 Online, The King of Fighters XII, Too Human, Catherine, BlazBlue: Calamity Trigger, Jetpac Refueled (XBLA), D&D: Chronicles of Mystara (XBLA), Moon Diver (XBLA), SSX, Blue Dragon, Venetica, BattleBlock Theater (XBLA), Rocket Knight (XBLA), Motocross Madness (XBLA), Defense Grid: The Awakening (XBLA), Dishonored, Crackdown
Wii
—
1. Super Mario Galaxy
2. The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword
3. Super Paper Mario
4. Kirby’s Return to Dream Land
5. Metroid Prime Trilogy
6. Xenoblade Chronicles
7. Mario Kart Wii
8. Fire Emblem: Radiant Dawn
9. Kirby’s Dream Collection: Special Edition
10. Donkey Kong Country Returns
11. Sin & Punishment: Star Successor
12. Monster World IV (Virtual Console – Sega Genesis – listed because the official translation of this previously JP-only title is new)
13. Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles: My Life as a Darklord (WiiWare)
14. Mega Man 9 (WiiWare)
15. Gradius ReBirth (WiiWare)
Honorable Mentions: Mega Man 10 (WiiWare), Wii Sports Resort, Super Smash Bros. Brawl, Kirby’s Epic Yarn, Speed Racer: The Videogame, Spectrobes: Origins, Overlord: Dark Legend, Need for Speed: The Run, de Blob, NyxQuest: Kindred Spirits (WiiWare), Archer Maclean’s Speed Zone, NBA Jam, Geometry Wars: Galaxies, Excitebots: Trick Racing, FAST Racing League (WiiWare), TrackMania: Build to Race, Sonic and the Secret Rings, Klonoa, Shiren the Wanderer [3], Vampire Crystals, Wario Land: Shake It!, SSX Blur, Disney Epic Mickey, Excite Truck, Heavenly Guardian, Muramasa: The Demon Blade, New Super Mario Bros. Wii, Cruis’n, Tales of Symphonia: Dawn of the New World, Octomania, NiGHTS: Journey of Dreams, The Conduit, New Play Control! Pikmin, New Play Control! Pikmin 2, Naruto: Clash of Ninja Revolution, Naruto: Clash of Ninja Revolution 2, The Last Story, Dragon Quest Swords: The Masked Queen and the Tower of Mirrors, Jett Rocket (WiiWare), Eduardo the Samurai Toaster (WiiWare)
Of the very few other Wii Virtual Console games I have, Castlevania Dracula X: Rondo of Blood (from the Turbo CD) and Sin & Punishment: Successor to the Earth (from the N64) are also fantastic, as good as many games in the Wii top 15.
Nice to see some Mega Man love in the lists, one of my favorite series by far!
Yeah, Mega Man is great, the NES games particularly; they always have been my favorites. As for X though, X4 is my favorite; I only have it for PC and the collection for Gamecube, but if I had the PS1 or Saturn versions, it’d probably be in third place on either one of those lists. (The two GC collections are fantastic, but don’t quite make my top-list for the GC. The emulation isn’t quite perfect…)