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TheSilentGod

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My Top Ten Games of 1997

In the spirit of top 10 lists on here, I thought I would do one for each full year that I have been playing video games.

1997 was the year I got my first console (N64) and was introduced to video games as a whole. I got a PS1 the following year, which let me go back to games I missed from 1997, and it is these 2 platforms which dominated my early gaming years, though there was the odd PC and Gameboy game that got to my heart as well. It was a time where Rare was at the top of their game, 3D games were just getting to grips with the way to structure themselves, and everything was immensely exciting.

Without further ado, here are my favourite games that released in 1997.

List items

  • This was the hottest game to get in 1997. While Turok was my introduction to singleplayer shooters, GoldenEye was my first multiplayer shooter experience. The memories of facing off against 3 other friends split-screen in the facility are some pf my best in gaming. It also helps that the singleplayer campaign is phenomenal, with genuine incentives to try it on multiple difficulties and massive replay value. With a wonderful array of guns, lasers, mines and karate chops to take down enemies, tight controls and a massively satisfying structure for levels, Goldeneye is Rare at their best.

  • Take all the charm and colour of Mario Kart, increase it and put it into a racing game with the variety of tracks, transports and story mode that Mario Kart lacked and you get something special. From racing against a dragon and an octopus, to collecting dinosaur eggs in a multiplayer competition, and such a standout soundtrack, Diddy Kong Racing is an incredible carting experience and remains one of my personal all time classics. Incredibly fun and joyful to experience.

  • The first shooter game I ever played, and one that set the standard for me at the time. With its impressive variety of enemies, weapons and levels, Turok is quite an underrated gem. From dinosaurs to cave dwelling leapers, ape-like purlin to mummies, this was a special game. It is also one of the very few games that I made actual maps for to search out all its secrets.

  • One of the first big PS1 games I played, and it left quite an impression. With its wonderful music, captivating setting and a combat system that felt like it had a lot of hidden depth, Final Fantasy VII felt like an event in gaming. I always felt that the story was told a little poorly, and it had some very agitating elements (long summon animations, the snowboarding etc) but even all these years later it merits a playthrough.

  • A big PS1 exclusive, and one that was the definition of how to do a sequel properly. Crash Bandicoot 2 is an absolute gem of a game and an example of platforming genius. With immense charm in its visuals and tone, some great bosses, variety of levels and of course some very challenging difficulty, the whole game comes together to make a fantastic and fun core. Better than its predecessor in every conceivable way, and a must-play at the time.

  • Lylat Wars (as it was in Europe) was among my first experiences with a Nintendo-developed game and one that showed me depth of level design within what appeared to be a pretty linear game. With some impressive boss fights and set pieces, smart ways to change up the gameplay and loads of replay value, this was a must-play on the N64. It also has an 'Independence Day' inspired mission, very memorable.

  • Classic Doom gameplay but with a much darker tone and almost a horror element to the game. It was not the most impressive game of the day. but thanks to smooth controls and an uncompromising focus on being a fresh experience it stands out.

  • The first game I ever owned, and one that while rough in spots, introduced me to the ridiculous violence and fun of both Mortal Kombat and the fighting genre. Filled with crazy characters, the visual look of the fighters really captured my imagination at the time. It was a brutally difficult game for 7 year old me to play, but it was immensely satisfying to get to its boss characters and eventually beat them. Filled with secrets and built perfectly to go split screen against a friend, it was an impressive and unique looking game. Still brings a smile to my face.

  • Great fun to play with a group of friends, all struggling to get ahead on the track. I always felt it was a slightly sparse racer (especially compared to Diddy Kong Racing) but I still had a lot of fun playing this colourful and exciting game.

  • I first seen this game being as a playable demo in a Smyths toystore, and its pretty unique look immediately grabbed my attention. It looked like Mortal Kombat but it was much more colourful and slightly animated in style. The character roster had a werewolf, a robot, an alien snowman and skeleton, and I was pretty hooked from there. I never became good at its combo-centric fighting system and it became overshadowed in time by other fighting games for me, but it was a very fun and different fighter on the N64.
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