The WGTC Staff’s #7FaveGames List

Eric Hall – Reviewer

Super Punch-Out

I’ve tried many times to explain it, but Super Punch-Out!! is my favorite game of all-time. I know in my heart that it is not the “best” game ever, but it’s one of few that I find myself constantly coming back to. Ever since I played it as a child, and couldn’t get past Piston Hurricane, I have enjoyed its simplistic take on boxing. The simplicity, though, hides the deceptive challenge the title presents. Every fighter has a unique offense that needs to be studied if you wish to succeed. Whether it’s stopping Aran Ryan before he begins a flurry or dodging the cane-based offense of Hoy Quarlow, there’s always something new to learn. And even though I’ve made my way up the rankings more times than I can count, I will always be down to come back and knock out Narcis Prince time and time again.

Final Fantasy VI

The Final Fantasy series, and perhaps no other series, has a variety of titles that can be chosen as favorites by fans. Some prefer Cloud Strife and the cast of Final Fantasy VII, while others are more inclined the relive the love of Yuna and Tidus and Final Fantasy X. For me, though, I’ll take Final Fantasy VI over any other. It features a sweeping story, a great supporting cast of characters and arguably the best villain in the series’ history. Final Fantasy may have evolved since then, but this one will always remain my favorite.

Rock Band 2

Despite most of the titles on my list having come from earlier generations, I do love the Xbox 360/PS3/Wii era. Tons upon tons of classics were released during this time period. And yet, the game I spent the greatest amount of time with was Harmonix’s opus Rock Band 2. A refinement of the rhythm gameplay they had successfully brought to the mainstream, Rock Band 2 was when the franchise came into its own. The kinks of the first one had been worked out, and with the new publicity, the studio was able to secure a massive track list. Rock legends such as AC/DC and Metallica were paired side-by-side with acts like The Talking Heads and Modest Mouse. While Rock Band 3 would feature more tracks, and keyboard support, there was just something lacking in it that the second entry had in spades.

Mega Man X

As an NES owner as a kid, I had plenty of experience playing earlier Mega Man titles. Even the “bad” later entries are still pretty decent to me. With that said, Mega Man X blows all of them out of the water. Sure, the apocalyptic storyline is a little cheesy, but when the gameplay is as tight as it is here, who cares? The ability to skip off walls, as well as upgrades such as dashing, brought the franchise into modern gaming with style and grace. Even the bosses, who stray from the “__ Man” ways of old, are still incredibly memorable to me. Dueling Storm Eagle up on an airport tower or tangling with Sting Chameleon in the jungle are seminal gaming moments for me.

Marvel vs. Capcom 2

Even though I’m not particularly great at them, I love fighting games. Honestly, I could have probably filled this list with seven different fighting games if I wanted to. However, there was one that stood out head and shoulders over the others, and that’s Marvel vs. Capcom 2. The roster of Marvel superstars and Capcom legends (and, uh, Amingo) is mind-blowing, even 16 years later. And while it may lack the depth of future fighters, the three-on-three combat engine lends it a unique depth that others lack. There have been better fighters released before and after (Street Fighter III, Garou), but none have come close to matching the fun provided this collaboration.

Prince Of Persia: The Sands Of Time

Forget about the lackluster film. 2003’s Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time is one of the finest 3D platformers to ever be developed. It’s a sweeping and epic adventure that calls upon some of the greatest stories ever to be told. However, instead of reading or watching this tale, you are experiencing it. The parkour-driven gameplay lets you make full use of the acrobatic skills possessed by the Prince. And you’ll need them in order to survive the booby-trapped palace you are stuck in. I struggle to think of a game, outside of Mirror’s Edge, where the flow of movement feels as solid as it does here. And unlike DICE’s effort, the combat doesn’t suck eggs here.

Donkey Kong Country 2

On a platform filled to the brim with excellent platformers, Donkey Kong Country 2 remains my favorite to play. It strikes the perfect balance between challenging and fun, and swapping Dixie Kong for Donkey Kong was a great decision by Rare. It’s a sequel that builds upon every facet of the original. The rideable animals are more varied, the levels are better designed and even the music is better. The David Wise-composed soundtrack is so good too that it elevates the game over equally-excellent contemporaries.