Here we are. 50 blog posts! It took a good half-decade to reach that milestone, but at least the quality now is much better than it was at the start. I’m following up my previous post with another list of games: my top 50 of all time. Well, sort of. I limited my selection to one entry per series for variety’s sake. In other words, a game on this list also represents my favorite in that franchise. I think you get the concept by now, so let’s get into it.

Do me a favor when you’re reading this: See if you can spot some patterns and maybe give a recommendation for something I might like!

50. WarioWare: Smooth Moves

The Wii is home to an unending pile of minigame collections. For my money, this is the best of all of them. WarioWare has always done well as a sneaky tech demo for whatever harebrained play method Nintendo dreams up. Where Wii Sports showed how motion controls can mimic real-world activities, Wario takes a hard left into absurdism, going absolutely crazy with every possible way you could use a Wiimote. Before each microgame, a pose will flash on screen for you to mimic. Both your mind and body have to adjust to a new game every few seconds, leading to madcap fun. Whether you’re mimicking an elephant, waiter, bodybuilder, or couch potato, there’s no denying that Smooth Moves is a lot of joy in a small package. If the short campaign and high-score chasing aren’t enough, the multiplayer modes provide even more hilarious ways to play.

49. Plants vs. Zombies

For a good many people, the tower defense genre begins and ends here. Divorced from the end product, Plants vs. Zombies is a goofy idea. But the more you dig in, the more genius it is. The plant kingdom provides tons of silly ideas for weaponry. When your arsenal is filled out, you have a lot of potential for synergistic strategies. The artwork is expressive and communicates exactly what each unit does at a glance. The game’s casual approach makes it easy to pick up no matter how long it’s been. Plants vs. Zombies is a fantastic choice if you need to chill out. Either put on your own music or enjoy the catchy tunes inside the game. The franchise was strong enough to birth mobile sequels and several multiplayer shooters, but for me, nothing beats the original.

48. Picross 3D: Round 2

When my life flashes before my eyes, an uncomfortably long time will be spent in front of Picross games. I’ve cleaned out thousands of puzzles across a half-dozen titles, but my favorite is Picross 3D: Round 2 on the 3DS. It was only put on my radar because of the Quick Look back in the day, but once I was hooked, holy cow, I was hooked. Picross 3D effectively has you become a sculptor, chipping away blocks until only the final image remains. On top of that, you’re working with two colors at once. Whereas more complex Picross rules scare me in 2D, I found the 3D version immensely rewarding to complete. The art style is adorable, and the rotating selection of music covers all sorts of genres. I cleared every puzzle in the game without mistakes, and no puzzle game has quite scratched that itch since. Based on the rest of the list, I have no choice but to conclude that it’s my favorite 3DS game.

47. Spyro Reignited

Before you cry foul about including a trilogy of games, I’m specifically not doing that. I’m only talking about the first Spyro the Dragon, which I find to be the most polished, focused, and fun. People call me crazy for that opinion, but it’s true! All I want to do is run around as Spyro and collect gems. I don’t want to do minigames or play as worse characters. All you have in the first game is Spyro’s moveset and the level design, which complement each other excellently. Spyro 1 always keeps the momentum going with levels that are both wide and straightforward. Rooting around for every last gem is no trouble at all for me. That’s helped by the Reignited quality of life improvements, including better fast travel and the ability to sniff out collectables. Not to mention, the graphical overhaul is fantastic. Character animation is an enormous step up from the PS1 version, and the art style is a fairy tale dream. In my experience, there’s not an unpleasant moment in all of Spyro the Dragon.

46. Sleeping Dogs

Ah, the subject of my first blog post. Admittedly, I haven’t touched the game since then. Working from five-year-old memories, I was impressed with the game’s rendition of a setting that’s rarely explored in open worlds. Seeing the various districts of Hong Kong made me yearn for more titles to step beyond the same few American cities we always see. There’s a great sense of escalation in the story as you move up from small-time collection to Triad mastermind. At the same time, Wei’s position as an undercover cop leads to a myriad of enjoyable side activities. The moment that sticks with me the most is a side mission where you must intentionally fail at karaoke. The quest giver is a terrible singer, but if his girlfriend sees a beefcake like you bomb, she’ll think that bad singers are still sexy. It’s straight out of a Yakuza game, and Sleeping Dogs does a similarly good job of balancing silly and serious. Whether you’re jumping through hoops for the platinum trophy or just driving around causing chaos, Sleeping Dogs is a great execution of the open-world crime formula. The lack of a sequel is sad indeed.

45. Forza Horizon 5

I dare anyone to play Forza Horizon and not enjoy it. Even for me, who was never interested in realistic driving games, the newer titles encourage jumping in. However you like to drive, the game supports it. Traditional racing, speed challenges, jump ramps, drift zones, and royale are just some of the options to get your heart pumping. It all goes down in a sprawling, gorgeous open world. The fifth entry highlights Mexico, taking you through jungles, deserts, and volcanoes. The game rewards you for driving off the beaten path. In fact, you’re rewarded for just about anything. Horizon’s progression keeps you engaged without leaning hard on microtransactional nonsense. The game gives you the space, but you get to personalize it and find your own fun. Car lovers and car-curious people alike can get hours of fun out of the sandbox. Personally, I hope the festival never has to end.

44. A Hat in Time

3D platformers have found their audience again, and A Hat in Time deserves a good amount of credit for that. Its platforming mechanics are great – especially the dive jump – but the levels love to mix up what you’re doing each time. The presentation and set dressing endear you to whatever task Hat Kid needs to do. Train mystery? Spooky horror? Housekeeping race? The game mixes things up far more than it initially lets on. Lots of those moments are also tense platforming challenges that match the story’s insanity. Each location invites you to take minute and soak in the atmosphere, even if things can get a little too cute at times. When you tire of the game’s original content, Steam workshop support breaks it wide open in all the best ways. I regret waiting as long as I did to play A Hat in Time. Out of the major 3D platforming revivals released that year, it’s my favorite in terms of structure and execution. It was made by genre fans, unattached from any historical IP or resume. Now, Hat Kid is as beloved as some of those classic characters. What an accomplishment!

43. Metal Gear Solid

Picking a favorite Metal Gear game is hard because they all have something to offer. Is it 5 with its expressive playground? 2 or 3 for their winding narratives? Or Revengeance, living in its own fanatical world? Ultimately, I think I have to land on the PS1 game. It has an aura of class that hasn’t been replicated. I played it alongside my brother – as you know, the buddy system is probably the best way to experience MGS. “H” button or no, adapting to the controls can be a challenge. Still, the game is packed with one iconic moment after another, each still leaving an impression all these years later. It’s the contrast of ambition against technology that I find so fascinating – characters give long monologues about philosophy, but they can only do it by wiggling their heads like puppets. Shadow Moses is an all-time great setting. It’s been graphically reimagined at least three times, but its original blocky form is still the most resonant. In a series that mimics other art forms with mixed results, the story is on the level of airport literature: filled with twists, but mostly coherent in the end. Whether you play on the level of superspy or barely trained monkey, chances are you’ll be doing impressions of Snake and friends for a while after.

42. Grim Fandango Remastered

Speaking of stories, Grim Fandango has one of the best in its genre. Of the myriad adventure game protagonists, few develop an actual character arc like Manny Calavera. From a self-interested travel salesman to a heroic defender, we get to see how his journey through the underworld changes him, and vice versa. He meets so many colorful and tragic characters along the way. They’re talking skeletons and freaky demon creatures, yet they’re written with more humanity than NPCs in most other games. The art design is fantastic. Its Mexican-inspired architecture and color scheme imbue the world with a sense of hyperrealism, and the prerendered environments truly feel explorable. My favorite section, Rubacava, is a massive city full of people to meet and puzzle threads to pull on. The puzzles themselves are not always Grim Fandango’s strongest point – the alien rules of the underworld make for unclear mechanics at times – but truthfully, those moments don’t stick with me as much as all the beautiful things about the adventure.

41. Animal Crossing

Similar to Metal Gear above, the GameCube Animal Crossing has been surpassed a hundred times over by its sequels, to say nothing of all the indie games it inspired. So many more features, quality of life improvements, and opportunities for self-expression were added. But if I’m honest with myself, that first release has the all-important vibes that I don’t get anywhere else. Animal Crossing has quite a few ideas that were dropped and never revisited again. Remember the lottery, or unlocking NES games? That alone makes it interesting to go back and check out. You can have more villagers in your town than in any other entry, and they somehow feel more alive here. The chunky characters and isometric view give the world a toyetic quality, and the music often sounds like someone dinking around on a Casio. Yet, Animal Crossing’s comforting style holds up as one of the leading forces in the low-poly artistic movement. In a world where social media and FOMO have somehow turned the series into a competitive game, I’m content to fill out my tiny house here and go fishing. Some simple pleasures never get old.

40. Kirby: Planet Robobot

Kirby games share 90% of their DNA with each other, but each entry tries something a little new to set it apart. Out of them all, the one that’s most consistently successful is Planet Robobot. This is the one where Kirby is in a mech! What takes it beyond a gimmick is that the robot can also copy enemies’ powers. There are great puzzles built around those mechanics, and the solo Kirby sections aren’t shirked, either. New abilities like doctor, poison, and ESP are good additions, and the game sees the return of some long-absent powers. The reliable Kirby music has an electronic flair that suits the mood without being overbearing. Lastly, the final boss is unreasonably epic even by Kirby standards. Basically, Robobot executes on everything you would want from a sidescrolling Kirby game.

39. EarthBound

I find that people get most attached to “underdog” franchises. For decades, Mother has been the premiere example - always on the periphery but stuffed with so much oddity and charm that those who love it really love it. I’d like to think that I would be a fan no matter its popularity, though. My sense of humor lines up very well with the game’s. The graphics and characters contribute to a cozy mood most of the time, but the story will occasionally turn into real creepy territory. So while EarthBound looks childish at first glance, the stakes are always real. The battle system is not complex, but it’s got enough offbeat ideas to carry it. Any RPG where enemy encounters are visible is better for it. No matter what time in your life you play it, Earthbound is nostalgic. An unassuming thing in the real world will bring up memories of the game. Mother 3 is a better experience in almost every regard, but it feels incomplete without first saving the world in EarthBound.

38. LEGO Star Wars: The Complete Saga

You might count this as a cheat because it’s technically two games in one. The LEGO community seems to have mostly forgotten that, so I’m saying it’s fair game. Your favorite LEGO game will probably correspond with your favorite movie franchise, and when The Complete Saga came out, Star Wars was everything for me. I could play the stories of all six movies and make up for my lack of purchasing power with the game’s robust completionist offerings. Unsurprisingly, it shot up to my top 3 at the time. I’ve played each level endlessly and could probably do so in my sleep now. The Complete Saga has a purity in its charm that eroded in the dozens of games that followed… or maybe we just got older. LEGO games are inherently repetitive, but in a comforting way. The sounds and rhythms are ritualistic and somehow meditative. Am I assigning too much meaning to a kids’ game? Certainly, but realizing years later that thousands of people did the same was a gratifying moment.

37. Portal 2

I go back and forth on whether Portal or Portal 2 is the more perfecter game. The first sets the stage with genius implementation of puzzle mechanics, but the sequel blows the possibilities wide open and expands the world. It’s engaging to play with ideas like light bridges, laser beams, and gels. As always, Valve knows how players think and uses it against us in the best ways. If that’s not enough, co-op adds a second set of portals and strains relationships. The story in Portal 2 sends things into fully offbeat territory with its own dark comedy style. Celebrity voice work can be hit-and-miss, but Stephen Merchant and J.K. Simmons are both endlessly funny. As a comedy fan, I still think that the writing in this series holds up after years of memes. It’s oddly befitting of a physics playground that teases you to subvert Aperture’s controlling eye.

36. Day of the Tentacle Remastered

So many adventure games set off with a great concept for puzzles, only to get bogged down in the execution phase. Not so with Day of the Tentacle. Exploring one location over three time periods, the dysfunctional comedic trio of protagonists have to complete tasks by juggling items and ideas between them. What makes it work so well is the design’s knowledge of point-and-click pitfalls. The game has clear signposting, so you can easily see how one puzzle will give you progress towards the next. Untangling a spaghetti knot of threads is my favorite part of these games, and most of Day of the Tentacle feels interconnected like the Rubacava section of Grim Fandango. Unlike that game, though, the rules are much clearer. Day of the Tentacle is explicitly styled after a classic cartoon, and even if that sort of logic is silly, it’s at least familiar. Adventure games will always have a spot in my heart, and this is one of the best titles from their golden age.

35. Luigi’s Mansion 3

My enjoyment of Luigi’s Mansion 3 was immensely improved by playing it in co-op, and I wouldn’t want to play it any other way. These games are full of secrets and environmental gimmicks that can be messed around with to increase your money. That’s fun on its own, but balancing it against an impatient partner adds a fun madness. I was Gooigi, the unsettling gelatinous clone of the green plumber. With the ability to squeeze through bars and pipes, Gooigi is essential to the puzzles of the haunted hotel (one of the great horror locations). Working through brain teasers together is always a blast, and no one challenge is too hard. Minus some awkward moments of back tracking, the pacing is great. Impossibly-themed floors are added every 15 minutes or so, and seeing the next thing is always tantalizing. But Next Level’s greatest strength is in animation. The Mario cast has never been so expressive, and I have my doubts that even the upcoming movie can match it.

34. Donut County

My favorite games often hit a recessed center of the brain that I couldn’t even identify before playing. In Donut County, you move a hole under things so they fall in. Then your hole gets bigger and can fit more things. That’s it. Somehow, that supports nifty mechanics like setting your hole on fire and launching things out of it. While you’re wrecking the lives of cute postmodern animals, you get to enjoy a charming story involving some filthy racoons. It’s a game that can be completed in just a sitting or two but is nonetheless pleasurable at every minute. I enjoy it so much that part of me wants to check out the creator’s new game, Neon White, despite having absolutely nothing in common with the thing I like.

33. XCOM 2

On the total opposite side, XCOM 2 is a complex game full of interlocking systems that takes dozens of hours to finish. Yet its high-stakes tactical battles kept me glued to the screen for more than two campaign playthroughs. Even on more chill difficulty levels, the alien opposition tends to be overwhelming. Sometimes, you’re just screwed, but keeping tabs on every option to take and putting each to proper use is intensely validating. So is training no-name rookies into unstoppable killing machines. Each person’s playthrough of the game has its own memorable characters and moments formed completely organically. To make XCOM 2 really sing, I recommend pumping it with mods. I used it to add celebrities into my squad as well as overwrite some of the music. Let me tell you, Metal Gear Solid 5’s deployment music over the equivalent screen in this game is essential.

32. Kentucky Route Zero

Kentucky Route Zero was completely off my radar before its final release, but eventually, it became the best book I read that year. It didn’t start out that way, though. In the first chapter, I was purposefully skipping dialogue that didn’t seem interesting to me, at the surprise of the characters themselves. At some point, though, that dynamic flipped. When I accidentally skipped something later in the game, I was shaken and upset. That kind of turnaround is rare for any narrative, and it’s all due to its storytelling chops developing in real time. There’s plenty of outlandish stuff in Kentucky Route Zero, but no one within the world seems to mind it. These elements are mysterious instead of goofy. You often have moments to sit and reflect on whatever just happened, and even if these somber moments don’t make immediate sense, they are nonetheless affecting on an emotional level. I also love the creators’ penchant for experimentation in viewpoints as the game winds on. Like any good story, different people will take different things from Kentucky Route Zero. I know that the next time I play it, I’ll be a different person, too.

31. Control

Control is just as weird of a game, if not weirder, but these writers are half-winking at you the whole time, and that’s just fun. This is a place where a plastic flamingo or old telephone can host otherworldly power. Taking that power for yourself means flying around and chucking garbage at smoke monsters, and that’s also just fun. What Control’s combat lacks in polish it makes up for in spontaneity. Enemies will pop up in tons of random places, giving opportunities to capitalize on level geometry for your assault. Ultimately, it was seeing the next crazy thing that kept me invested in exploring The Oldest House, and the game almost never disappoints in that regard. It’s also the rare case where I actually like going after lore documents scattered around the place – even if they could have scaled back on the number of them.

30. HypnoSpace Outlaw

HypnoSpace Outlaw is difficult to describe without sounding crazy. You sleuth around a fictional Y2K-era internet filled with bizarre people’s equally weird pages. Although the game is set in an alternate universe, each HypnoSpace user is nonetheless based in reality. Every piece of text is reminiscent of one you’ve no doubt seen online. Someone like Zane might start out as a simple assignment, but you could easily get attached to the little piece of garbage. The writing does a great job at conveying a multitude of voices. Just like on the real internet, it’s easy to spiral into interconnected rabbit holes, and doing so is required to advance. Exploring HypnoSpace as the story continues is both gratifying and immersive. Clearly, I enjoy goofy games, but there has to be a point to them. HypnoSpace Outlaw clears that bar with gusto, inviting you to practice online empathy in an age where the practice is all but forgotten.

29. Ori and the Will of the Wisps

Troidlikes and I have a messy history, but it was finally at Ori and the Will of the Wisps that I acquiesced. That’s because it’s better than 99% of troidlikes. It’s visually stunning, obviously, and the world is a joy to navigate. Ori is a master of momentum. You’re asked to string together jumps, grapples, bashes, glides, and more to reach out-of-the way areas or just to show off. I especially enjoy the time trials, which feature intense races against ghost data. The progression is very strong, not only in Ori’s abilities but with the evolving town as well. You have plenty of incentive to fill out every corner of the map. The troidlike boom is slowing down a bit, but at the end of it all, Ori and the Will of the Wisps will still be the gold standard for this genre in my eyes.

28. Before Your Eyes

Never has a peripheral control scheme been so effectively used as in Before Your Eyes. At least, that’s what I would like to say, but my webcam wasn’t behaving at the time I played it. So, instead of the game tracking every time I blinked, I just hit a button using the honor system. Even so, the method of control is intensely immersive. Living through a multitude of vignettes is pressured with the knowledge that you can only stay as long as your eyes are open. The story is barely feature-length, but it nonetheless rounds out its principal characters while giving you some meaningful-feeling choices. It’s a narrative that’s almost too sad to bear, but most people will find something to latch on to. I know I was able to connect much of it to events in my own life. Before Your Eyes is best experienced with no knowledge at all, so that’s all you’re getting for now. And I hate being that guy, so you know it must be special.

27. Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze

Nintendo has published countless 2D platformers, and Tropical Freeze is the best one. Not sorry. The level designers at Retro studios prove to be masters in their art at every opportunity. Basing a stage around one mechanic is common practice now, but in Tropical Freeze, you almost don’t even notice they’re doing it. Every challenge feels naturalistic, expertly laid out for Donkey Kong’s platforming abilities. Stuff is always blowing up in some manner, keeping things dynamic. That explosive energy is balanced with secrets around every corner. It’s a challenging game – at a level that feels right for me but can be lowered with in-game items. Also, it’s got the best soundtrack of the year it came out, and any year for that matter.

26. Mario Kart 8

Another Wii U favorite, and one that exemplifies the peak of kart racing today. I immediately have to take back what I said about Donkey Kong’s music, because Mario Kart 8 came out the same year and its soundtrack is unparalleled. Whoever made the choice to go with big band jazz did the world a great favor. The game’s a looker, too, but it’s all about the feel of racing. I usually stick with the same build each time, so I often forget how much control you have over your vehicle’s attributes. Antigravity is an enjoyable but unintrusive gimmick that adds variety to tracks. Mostly, it’s an excuse for crazy set pieces like driving straight up a waterfall or splitting the road back-to-back. Every course offers something unique. There are few, if any, stinkers in the bunch. Admittedly, I have yet to bite on the new DLC tracks, but their existence at all is proof of Mario Kart 8’s enduring popularity. This is the game where you can destroy a blue shell. Justice is sweet.

25. Sonic Mania

There are still people who try to gaslight by saying Sonic was never good, and that’s too bad. Those people have clearly never played Sonic Mania. It’s a glorious tribute to everything about the hedgehog in his early chubby years. The first half of each zone is mostly faithful with some updated ideas. In the second half, though, the mechanics go absolutely wild in the best ways. The same applies to the soundtrack, which is a perfect modern interpretation of the classic SEGA sound. Most importantly, Sonic feels like he should. You could roll right into Mania from your fancy Origins collection and be right at home. The physics are the exact right match for the level design. Each playable animal brings something unique to the table while retaining the awesome sense of speed. The only weakness in Sonic Mania is the sense of longing for more once the game is done. It’s a beautiful and engrossing title that could only be made by true fans.

24. OMORI

The thing you like BUT TWISTED!! Such an overdone trope, and one that I don’t have patience for. But OMORI isn’t like that because it’s sincere. On the surface, it’s an Earthbound-inspired RPG that’s worthwhile even without the layer of horror that occasionally peeks in. Every NPC is some goofy shape and has something equally silly to say. OMORI’s humor is just as funny as its horror is scary. The silly adventure portions get you heavily attached in the characters, so you’re all the more invested when the time comes to uncover what happened outside of the dream world. Like I said, the scary elements aren’t just played for shock value. It’s a deeply involved story that kept me pushing through because I was dying to know where it would go next. There’s so much content I didn’t see because it involves going after a bad ending, and I would never do that for these kids! The game’s art and music are reminiscent of older things while unmistakably affirming their own style. A lot of players will attest that just one image or tune will send them reeling back. I’m not sure if I’ll replay OMORI any time soon, but the time I spent with it is unforgettable.

23. Banjo-Kazooie

Banjo-Kazooie is my favorite platformer of its era because it makes a big impression in a short time. It’s a quirky world filled with goofy characters and googly eyes on practically everything. The dynamic between braggadocious Grunty the witch, earnest Banjo the bear, and abrasive Kazooie the bird is a memorable one that propels you through their conflict. Unlike so many 3D platformers of the time, the world design of Banjo-Kazooie is the exact right size for me. You can do a lap around each in just a few minutes, but fun challenges are peppered everywhere. Traversing these worlds is fun because of Banjo and Kazooie’s moveset, which takes full advantage of their combination. The few difficult parts aren’t so extreme – especially on the Xbox remaster which lets you keep collectables between deaths. Banjo-Kazooie is a comfort game for me, where I can zip through stages with increasing efficiency and ace the quiz board at the end.

22. Super Smash Bros. Ultimate

I have great memories with every Smash entry, but it only feels right to award the biggest and baddest of them all. Ultimate brings back every character from the series and realizes crossovers that were thought impossible. I was jumping out of my chair when Joker was revealed, and Banjo sent me through the roof. I didn’t even buy any characters after that because I was totally satisfied. When I first played Ultimate, I stuck with my old standbys: Kirby, Ness, Duck Hunt, etc. But the redesign of Zelda was so appealing to me that I made a conscious effort to try her out. At first, we didn’t gel at all, just like in the other games. But I stuck with her, and I quickly learned to love her playstyle as she became my true main. As someone who never has the mindset for fighting games, this was a gratifying taste of what others experience. To me, though, Smash is better the more insane it is. Bring on the items and the unhinged stages. Ultimate has you covered with a staggering array of options so that no two matches are ever the same.

21. Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney – Trials and Tribulations

The third Phoenix Wright game surprised me with its ability to wrap disparate threads into a satisfying trilogy. All the characters are fun as ever, and the story gives a lot of room for them to bump against each other. I also reversed course on an opinion I had from the earlier games: that the stakes are less interesting the more literal ghosts factor into the plot. Not only did the supernatural parts add to the story here, they led to exciting revelations that I was able to foresee. It’s a real thrill when your half-baked theory turns out to be spot on. In the end, though, this is like Return of the King winning all of those Oscars. It’s really about the whole trilogy, which is a great ride. Even if you don’t think you would enjoy this kind of game, just give it a try.

20. Hitman 3

All right, this could constitute another cheat for including Hitman 1 and 2 under the umbrella. I’m just going for it because who’s gonna stop me? There is technically a “right” way to play these games, but they are more than happy to encourage you to play the wrong way. My favorite missions are in larger-than-life locations with awful people just begging for the piano wire. 47 is a weird alien man, and the writing gets so much mileage out of it that it’s impossible not to love him. The best goofy kills could fill a book. Once you decide to play the “right” way, though, Hitman becomes a whole new experience. Going after silent assassinations can be maddening, but each time you learn a little more about AI patterns and the map. I earned the platinum last year, and I felt like every hour I put in was rewarded. If I didn’t have everything packed up at the moment, I would be playing the new map right now.

19. Okami

Is it heresy to call Okami my second-favorite Zelda game? I love when abilities double for puzzles and exploration, and the celestial brush is the perfect implementation. Summoning the elements with a simple motion never gets old. Fittingly, the world is rendered in a gorgeous inky style that grows even more beautiful once you restore nature. I was more than happy to stick Ammy’s snout into every corner of the map for the platinum trophy, even making a spreadsheet to keep track of all the missable stuff. That’s how dedicated I was! People complain about Okami’s length, but it never once bothered me. The story always has stakes that keep you going. And since we’re not liable to get any more Okami sequels, I like that this is basically three adventures in one.

18. Desperados 3

I’ve probably written more words hyping up Desperados 3 than any other game on the site. To avoid becoming a broken record, I’ll just say that it’s a strategy game that always challenges you to use every tool in the arsenal. It encourages you intrinsically with its quick save implementation. It contains a mountain of scenarios for stealth afficionados wanting the most out of their experience. If you want more elaboration on what makes it so great, you can look up my previous writings, as I will evangelize Desperados 3 to anyone who will listen.

17. Pikmin 3

Pikmin 3 hits the Goldilocks spot between the compressed first and sprawling second games, pleasing everyone. It eases off on the strict pressure by letting you extend your limit of days the more fruit you collect – and really, there’s no danger of running out. The puzzles involving different Pikmin types and captain strategies are inventive. Optimizing your run each playthrough is the heart of Pikmin, and 3 brings it back to the forefront. Where the game really shines, though, is in the bonus modes. I love routing out challenge stages for the fastest times, which makes you into a master strategist. My very favorite mode, though, is Bingo Battle. Call me crazy, but I would play that before any Splatoon or Mario Party game. It’s a mode where your careful planning can get thrown into chaos in an instant, but reacting to that and screwing over your opponent in return is even better. What a great game!

16. Paper Mario: The Thousand Year Door

The early Mario RPGs expand his world beyond floating platforms into a place where quirky characters get up to crazy stuff. In Thousand Year Door alone, there’s a Pianta mob, a floating wrestling federation, and another train mystery. As it turns out, Mario doesn’t feel that out of place interjected in these scenarios. The main story is just the tip of the iceberg for what the game has to offer, however. There’s a robust cooking system, dozens of sidequests, minigames, a challenge dungeon, and more flavor dialogue than you could imagine – and you’re not asked to engage in any of it if you don’t want to. While the battle system is iterative on the first Paper Mario, it’s still accessible and fun, and the party members leave a much stronger impression. Fans of the series still miss Thousand Year Door’s depth and willingness to experiment. In retrospect, it’s almost like the developers knew they wouldn’t get that opportunity again and left such a big game to explore for years after the fact.

15. Anodyne 2: Return to Dust

Anodyne is something you’re not likely to come across unless you were seeking it out. It throws its weirdness right in your face, transitioning between a low-poly overworld and top-down pixelated dungeons. I’m so glad I gave it a chance. Enough time spent in the game will lead to unforgettable moments with unexpectedly funny characters. Nonetheless, they aren’t exactly functioning well. An air of melancholy hangs over the whole thing, aided by the dampened color palette. The question of purpose is pervasive; more specifically, what happens if you fail at or reject your purpose. Anodyne 2 is a small game that uses every part of itself for maximum impact. If you’re willing to get on the ride, I promise that every stop is one to remember.

14. Chrono Trigger

Chrono Trigger is king of the classic JRPGs because it does everything right. Every party member is excellent both in combat and narrative. That’s bolstered by dual techs which have them team up for sweet attacks. Even in tricky battles, the game always communicates what you need to do. It’s a time travel adventure, yet the plot threads are all kept in order, and each era has its own storyline to enjoy. So, an engaging team of characters, accessible combat, and a sensible story. Few JRPGs can hit all those marks at once, least of all Chrono Trigger’s own sequel. Because it’s so hard to find flaws in the game, placing it so high is almost a boring choice. But search me, I don’t see any reason why it shouldn’t be here. Honestly, the Chrono Trigger soundtrack on its own would still rank in the top 20.

13. Hades

Likewise, Hades is arguably the best of its own genre, the roguelike. So many of these games fail to click because losing everything is demoralizing to me. Hades averts this on two fronts. First, the ludicrous potential for different builds gives each run a different flavor. Second, the House of Hades is something you look forward to each time your run ends. Turning in your gains to upgrade yourself, advance quests, and improve the space ensures that you’re never stuck in the roguelike rut. The volume of dialogue is enormous, all well-written and voiced. I was rebuffed at first when I learned that the game isn’t “finished” until you do 10 successful runs. But once the first was done, the others followed just like that. In retrospect, that requirement made me really appreciate the nuance in Hades. As much as I respect the game, though, I never went back after credits rolled. I was satisfied with where it landed, and I know that it’s always there if I get the urge again.

12. Marvel’s Spider-Man

I think I screwed up with my 2018 Game of the Year. At the time, I liked God of War the best, sure. But when it comes to my desire to replay and excitement for the sequel, Marvel’s Spider-Man is so much higher. I’ve loved Spider-Man since I was a kid, and Insomniac’s version does well at molding something unique from all his incarnations. New York is an open world full of side activities, but sometimes I don’t even need to do them. Just swinging around and sightseeing is plenty engaging. You’ve got to do it every time you put on a sweet new suit at least. The orchestral theme that kicks in when Spidey gets any sort of momentum puts a smile on my face every time. Just as enjoyable is the story, which highlights the important core characters, develops a sympathetic antagonist, and throws in some extra bad guys just for fun. It’s a game I never get tired of and a fitting tribute to my favorite hero.

11. NieR: Automata

NieR: Automata is not always the most engaging moment-to-moment, be it in combat in or in questing. It’s a massive credit to the story, then, that I never once thought about stopping. The first chunk of the game is exciting in its own right, already including bombastic set pieces and contemplative character moments. Side content presents many moments of introspection, either darkly funny or just plain depressing. As the game hurtles towards the final ending, though, the pressure explodes. Revelations abound as you watch a tragedy in motion that’s already too far along to stop. Every time you know what to expect, Automata pulls the rug out in some jaw-dropping way. Chasing after the 20-some joke endings is fun as well, and often brings the game’s comedic voice to the forefront. As much as I love the game, playing it again wouldn’t feel right. If you know, you know.

10. Persona 5

I never would have cared about Persona if not for its slamming music and eye-popping aesthetic. The presentation was so appealing to me that I just had to try it. I wasn’t expecting to get sucked in for a 75-hour playthrough that wouldn’t let me go. The character dynamics are a treat, especially when you meddle in their lives for social links. While it’s not always concisely told, the story is resonant. If nothing else, it is great at making the bad guys real scumbags. The intricacies of Persona management are not that interesting to me, but I could squeak by on easy and soak up everything else. Persona 5 is amazing at establishing a vibe you want to settle down in. Not every moment lands, but the mark it made is indelible and something I think about to this day.

9. Yakuza 0

Every Yakuza game is great, so picking a favorite is tricky. Ultimately, I have to go with Yakuza 0, because it has everything. Two intertwining narratives with high stakes. Eight fighting styles with spectacular heat actions. Some of the most wonderfully detestable villains in the medium. Real estate, cabaret management, pocket racing, dancing, bowling, karaoke, and more nutty side stories than you can handle. Furthermore, this is a prequel that actually works. New fans often start with 0 because there’s no baggage from previous stories to worry about. The characters set up here give more context to their fleeting appearances in the original Yakuza. There’s a warm glow to the 80s setting that intoxicates you, keeping you glued to your seat like in a windowless casino. Kiryu and Majima are both in top form here, and overcoming the slow start leads to a gripping conclusion to their origins. This is the game that let Yakuza break out, for good reason.

8. PaRappa the Rapper 2

I don’t think you can play PaRappa the Rapper and not be charmed on some level. He’s a rapping puppy! Somehow, that’s one of the least ridiculous things in his world. It’s full of bizarre 2D animal creatures that are mostly unhinged, but also have some serious flow. The storyline of the sequel features noodles taking over the world, with only PaRappa’s rhymes able to save the day. It’s a step away from the more down-to-earth plot of the original, but number two is my favorite for some key reasons. First, the timing inputs are much more lenient. Second, every track in the game is a stone-cold classic. Jams front to back, with a different groove each time. That makes replaying stages a blast, where you can also notice the silly background events that happen during the songs. All the PaRappa the Rapper content in the world adds up to just a few hours. That said, I don’t know what else I could want from him that isn’t in his final game.

7. Star Fox 64

Conversely, I desperately want another game like Star Fox 64. The second (released) game in the series is still better than every other entry. But I’m officially resigned to the idea that Star Fox 64 is singular, never to be replicated. Nearly all of that is the production value. This is the era where it’s perfectly fine to have spaceships made of four polygons, with your imagination filling the blanks. Every voice line is etched into my head so deeply that hearing the uncompressed versions sound wrong. It’s a pulpy adventure populated by talking animals, yet the tone is perfect. There’s an excellent balance of characters playing it straight and cheesing it up to a hilarious degree. In terms of gameplay, the Arwing is a dream to control, boasting acrobatic techniques and potent firepower when upgraded. The other vehicles also exist. But Star Fox 64’s best idea is its branching progression. By giving you multiple outcomes to most missions, it rewards skillful and observant play. Those dynamics spice up each of my many playthroughs. Most recently, it was the 3DS version – an admirably faithful remake, but something in me will always be drawn to the 64-bit release.

6. Psychonauts 2

Psychonauts was one of my favorite games when I first played it, but I was kind of scared to go back to it in case it had aged poorly. The long-awaited sequel assuaged my anxiety by playing wonderfully and doubling down on the heart and creativity that made the original a cult classic. Experiencing the interconnected story of the Psychonauts in each brain world is a great idea that reframes the same events through many lenses. It’s another game that preaches empathy and learning from one another… while also having a cooking game show with the audience as the ingredients. Each mind is inspired – my favorite being the library – but I loved the real world just as much. It pays to go everywhere, talk to everyone, and use every power for every morsel of content you can find. Revisiting Psychonauts was an enormous success. It’s almost sad that sequels are the exception rather than the norm for Double Fine, but whatever comes next gets my automatic attention.

5. Cuphead

Cuphead moves so fast that you don’t often get the opportunity to sit and absorb the stunning animation. But when you do, the near-perfection is all the more apparent. Cuphead is a gorgeous tribute to classic animation with a ludicrous devotion to the era’s processes as much as its style. A more seasoned studio would know to never try such a thing for cost and scheduling reasons, but this small team of developers hits the mark dead-on with every frame. It also helps that Cuphead is an immensely satisfying game to master. A mixture of skill, strategy, and knowledge is needed to defeat each imposing boss, and every time a hurdle is cleared is electrifying. And the music, of course, is right up my alley. I can recommend the energetic soundtrack to anyone regardless of their ability to run or gun. If you judge a product on how well it achieves its vision, you can’t find any shortcomings in Cuphead.

4. Tetris Effect

To rank this high on my list, you have to be pretty special. Tetris Effect is the most special version of, arguably, one of the few perfect video games. To say Alexey Pajitnov created Tetris somehow feels less accurate than to say he discovered it, that it was always a foundational element of our world. Tetris Effect is this idea incarnate. It presents Tetris as the unifying link between all people in the universe. It is about nothing but simultaneously about everything, about joy and love and spirit. You’re enveloped in blistering images and supportive lyrics, and it’s up to you what to make of the mess of feelings that follow. The speed of the game oscillates depending on the moment, one of the few things keeping you from fully giving over to the trance. Challenge modes add a twist on block dropping if you want things to get really crazy. I make sure to play through Tetris Effect at least once a year, usually twice. Everyone loves Tetris, and this is a Tetris that speaks to everyone. It’s timeless.

3. Katamari Damacy

Katamari doesn’t care about your hour count or squeezing maximum engagement out of you. It doesn’t care about a rich story. It doesn’t even care about power-ups or minigames. All Katamari cares about is making the one act of rolling as fun as humanly possible, and on nearly every count, it succeeds. Picking up consecutively bigger objects never, ever gets old. The simple geometry of everything allows for a lot of stuff on screen, but it also contributes to a distinct look that still looks appealing. The King is a hilarious jerk, and in this first game you can get him to eat his words with a good enough score. Even with only three main locations to roll around, the stages are varied enough to prevent it from being a problem. The music… all you need to say is “Na naaa” and I’m finished for the rest of the day. Katamari is yet another timeless game, concerned only with putting a smile on your face.

2. The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker HD

Wind Waker is a tremendous game, but that is less important than what it represents to me. That’s a great wide ocean with islands to explore, people to meet, and treasure to find. At the time, I had never known such a sense of open adventure. The flaws that bothered other players simply never wore on me. The HD version on the Wii U, though, addresses those flaws, making the journey even better. Using the GamePad to swap items and check the map is huge. The faster sailing is a treat for those who need it. Miiverse (R.I.P.) made me go after the unreasonable quest of photographing every character in the game thanks to players sharing their own images. The characters are what give Wind Waker life thanks to eccentric designs and expressive animation. Learning more about them with their figurines is delightful. Underneath it all, though, Wind Waker is still an excellent Zelda entry. Puzzles aren’t as numerous, but they’re inventive, and the combat spectacle is ratcheted up. Not to mention, it’s one of the prettiest games Nintendo’s ever created. In 50 years, it will still look great, and it will probably still be my favorite Zelda.

1. Super Mario Galaxy

There is only one word I associate with Super Mario Galaxy, and that word is joy. It’s a cosmic adventure that takes Mario to places all across the universe. The first Galaxy title has a nice split between exploratory areas and linear platforming challenges. Each galaxy has its own memorable visual style, often taking full advantage of the outer space theming. At the time, it felt like Mario could go anywhere, and seeing each new playground was a thrill. Galaxy’s big idea is gravity, and the way this affects Mario’s control is great. He feels a lot lighter than usual, giving you lots of maneuverability in the air with the versatile spin move. I love stringing long jumps to make Mario bounce like a frog, or maximizing my height with some tricky wall jump maneuvers. The movement hides opportunities for depth behind deceptively simple controls. That makes the third or fourth playthrough, where you can push the game’s boundaries, just as fun as the first. Galaxy also incentivizes replays with more secrets than you might expect. Every time I play it, I find a new hidden alcove with a 1-up or something. On a similar topic, star bits are the most enjoyable collectables in any game. You’re rewarded with them just for fooling around and seeing what you can do. Collecting them with the cursor is awfully satisfying, as is the noise that accompanies it. Galaxy’s sound and music is phenomenal – the sequel may have more orchestral performances, but what’s here is groundbreaking and awe-inspiring, conveying a multitude of moods for any given moment. Super Mario Galaxy takes something from every great Mario adventure and makes a beautiful cross-section of everything to love about the series – and, by extension, video games themselves.