12.30
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#70
Sunset Riders
Developer: Konami
Publisher: Konami
Genre: Run N’ Gun, Shooter
Release Date: 1991
Platforms: Arcade, Super Nintendo Entertainment System [SNES], Sega Genesis
Konami was doing gangbusters in the arcade world in the early-1990s and late-80s, and one of their biggest and best draws was the frantic arcade shooter known as Sunset Riders. Taking their ideas from the TMNT arcade games with the cartoon art, humor, and four player co-op, and adding in the frantic action of Contra lead to one of the best arcade games of all time. Sunset Riders is also quite the lengthy game for arcades, featuring eight packed levels full of horse racing, dynamite explosions, bull stampedes, bandits, and some of the most devious outlaws this side of Sir Richard Rose, Sunset Riders is quite possibly the most fun you can have in an arcade with pals. The SNES version is almost intact (save for the lack of 4 players and some slight censorship), but the Genesis version was hit the worst featuring half the bosses being removed among other issues. That said, Konami hit it out of the park with Sunset Riders and stands as one of the best entries in the long-missed world of the arcade. ~ Spark Of Spirit
#69
NBA Street Vol. 2
Developer: EA Canada
Publisher: EA Sports BIG
Genre: Sports
Release Date: 2003
Platforms: PlayStation 2, Gamecube, XBOX
Much like how street basketball ignores many of the offical NBA rules for more aggressive and fast-paced balling, the appropriately titled NBA Street games ignore the realistic NBA simulation type video games for a more arcade-style approach to baskeball gameplay, and a more fun approach at that. NBA Street Vol. 2 is where many feel that the series reaches its pinnacle in gameplay and entertainment value. The basic concept of Basketball is the same as ever in this game, however its well-built gameplay system and mechanics help make things all the more interesting. You can earn points in matches by scoring shots, blocking shots, stealing the ball, or performing tricks at the risk of getting the ball stolen from you. These points add up to the game’s appropriately titled Game Breakers, which when activated allow players to score shots and add extra points to their score while subtracting points from their opponent’s score. This encourages very slick and over-the-top gameplay, and the result is one of the most fun video game adaptations of basketball available to date. On top of a great multiplayer the game features an addicting career mode titled “Be A Legend,” which allows you to create you’re own character place them in a team in an effort to succeed at boosting you’re reputation and becoming a street legend champion. With a package as fantastic and fully loaded as this, its hard to think of a better basketball game to ask for. ~ Ensatsu-ken
#68
Mega Man 2 / Mega Man 3
Developer: Capcom
Publisher: Capcom
Genre: Shooter, Platformer
Release Date: 1988 [Mega Man 2] / 1990 [Mega Man 3]
Platforms: Nintendo Entertainment System [NES], Nintendo Wii,
PlayStation Network [PS3/PSP], Phones
NOTE: *There are certain entries on our list (not many, mind) where two entries in a series are so similar in quality (but do just enough different) in order to merit split rankings on our list. Because we feel they are of similar quality, and not ranking one- or choosing one over the other just doesn’t sit right, they are considered the same rank on the list. If you do not agree with our decision in regards to this, feel free to pick the entry you feel more comfortable with and ignore the other for a more “pure” list. Besides, this is our list and we make the rules, sucka!*
Mega Man 2
Mega Man featured a solid foundation and, in spite of some inherent frustrations, was one of the most charming action platformers seen yet at the time of its release. But Mega Man 2 was better. Way better. Instead of adding in new and unnecessary features or shifting design philosophies as all too many sequels often do, this game refined the concepts and mechanics of the original into an art form. Sure, it didn’t feature many surprises (though there are a few!), but the level designs and boss battles were far superior to those of the first game in terms of both creativity and general amount of fun to be had. And there’s simply a whole lot more to this game than the original and many other releases of its ilk; it’s extremely meaty by NES standards without ever being monotonous or tiring. And the level of challenge is spot on, thereby making this one of the most satisfying and memorable platformers of all time. ~ Foggle
Gameplay Video
Mega Man 3
Mega Man 3 built on the massive improvements Mega Man 2 gave the series, including the addition of the slide move making the gameplay not only faster, but making the stage hazards and bosses a much more serious threat. The addition of Mega Man’s robot dog Rush added some neat new wrinkles to the classic gameplay, and the addition of bonus stages (that are rock hard) to the usual 8 robot master formula was a welcome addition. The story also got a kick in the pants with the addition of Protoman, one of the longest enduring characters from the series. But the levels and bosses are where Mega Man 3 truly stand out. Mega Man 3 is the only entry in the series that doesn’t rely on elemental tropes for any of its bosses or stages, where instead every level and idea is basically built from scratch making it not only the complete opposite of Mega Man 2 in execution, but a true sequel in how dissimilar the two are aside from the core shooting. To be completely honest, ranking one without the other is simply not possible in how different they are, yet how they are both two of the very best games in the NES library, and two of the very best altogether. ~ Spark Of Spirit
#67
Streets Of Rage 2
Developer: Sega (AM7) / Ancient / H.I.C. / Shout! Designworks
Publisher: Sega
Genre: Beat ‘Em Up, Brawler
Release Date: 1992
Platforms: Sega Genesis, PC, Nintendo Wii
XBOX 360, PlayStation 3, iOS
In the late-80s, there were a lot of beat em ups (games where you walk from left to right beating on bad guys) some which were good (Final Fight, Double Dragon), and some which… well, weren’t. Arguably the best of this genre came along at around the absolute apex of the genre’s popularity, being Streets Of Rage 2. The game is simple, yet has a wide range of abilities and moves, a big and bright palette of colors, pitch perfect controls and levels, and one of the best game soundtracks of all time. The game basically epitomizes the entire genre in this one game including just about everything you could want in a simple arcade brawler, including some great multiplayer along the way with it. Sega was at their peak of popularity when this came out, and they definitely knew it when this topped all the charts. Simply put, you can’t do much better than this for beat ’em up action. ~ Spark Of Spirit
#66
Sonic The Hedgehog
Developer: Sonic Team
Publisher: Sega
Genre: Platformer
Release Date: 1991
Platforms: Sega Genesis, numerous re-releases over numerous different consoles
Before the great console wars of the early to mid-90’s, Sega was merely a blip on Nintendo’s radar. Although they had been a player in the home console market during the 80’s, with the SG-100 and Master System, neither of these ever proved to be a threat to Nintendo and their dominance with the NES. Failed mascots came and went with Alex Kidd, among others, and the while the Master System did begin to find a niche over time, it lacked the quote unquote “killer app” to really put it over the top and give Nintendo a run for their money. Although Sega was rounding into form as a game developer, for the time being, they were squarely caught in second place.
That all began to change in the late 80’s, with the release of the Sega Genesis in 1989. They came out of the gate firing with a catchy marketing campaign (who could forget “Genesis does what Nintendon’t”?), and with far more powerful hardware, this was about the time people really began to take notice of what Sega was capable of. Although Mario was still king for the time being, the tides began to turn in June of 1991, with the release of the original Sonic the Hedgehog. Dubbed “The World’s Fastest Hedgehog”, Sonic was seen as the “anti-Mario”; fast, hip, and cool, he made the slow, portly plumber look cumbersome by comparison. It took them nearly two years after the Genesis’ birth, but Sega had finally found that killer app that they had lacked for so long. A mascot, nay, a star, was born.
As far as the game itself goes, Sonic 1 is pretty much everything you could possibly want in a side-scrolling platformer, wrapped up neatly in one little package. Littered with vibrant, colorful environments, the levels provide a solid mix of speed-based (Green Hill, Spring Yard, and Starlight Zones) and puzzle-based (Marble, Labyrinth, and Scrap Brain Zones) challenges. Special Stages add to the experience for seasoned gamers with an extra challenge beyond simply racing through the levels; beat all six to collect the Chaos Emeralds, and receive the “good”, or proper ending. The music is catchy and memorable, the bosses challenging but not too overly difficult, and it’s just downright fun to play. Once you’ve played it for yourself, you can see exactly how and why this spawned a successful franchise, still plugging away over 20 years later.
Now, it should be said; when stood next to future Sonic titles, it is a bit dated by comparison. Sonic’s patented “Spin Dash” ability hadn’t yet come to fruition, there are only six Chaos Emeralds instead of seven, and overall it just doesn’t hold up quite as well. But, that’s just the sort of thing that tends to happen to pioneering titles over the course of time; after all, the original Super Mario Bros. has nothing on SMB3, but that doesn’t make it any less of a great game. Sonic 1 still has a tremendous “pick up and play” feel to it, and even 21 years later, is still a great way to pass the time on a lazy summer afternoon. ~ Kiddington
#65
Resident Evil 2
Developer: Capcom
Publisher: Capcom
Genre: Survival Horror
Release Date: 1998
Platforms: PlayStation, GameCube, PlayStation 3
Dreamcast, Nintendo 64, Windows PC
Resident Evil is far from the most frightening horror franchise on the market, but it’s certainly the most popular – and for good reason. Every PlayStation entry in the series is a true classic, but no installment exemplifies the brilliance of its original formula quite as well as Resident Evil 2. From the great atmosphere – that police station music goes a long way – to the expertly-placed jump scares – beware the interrogation room! – to the healthy dose of B-movie camp – nothing will prepare you for Chief Irons – this game is a definite winner on all fronts. The opening sequence, which sees you dashing through the zombie-infested streets of iconic Raccoon City with very little in the way of ammunition, sets the stage perfectly and is but a taste of the wonders to come. Stick around for the marginally different Scenario B (there are two playable characters!) for a chance to meet Mr. X… just be sure to bring some spare trousers along for that one. ~ Foggle
#64
Castlevania: Rondo Of Blood [Dracula X] / Castlevania: Symphony Of The Night
Developer: Konami
Publisher: Konami
Genre: Action-Platformer, Adventure
Release Date: 1993 [RoB], 1997 [SOTN]
Platforms [RoB]: PC-Engine [Turbografx-16 CD], Nintendo Wii
PlayStation Portable [PSP] (Remake), Super Nintendo Entertainment System [SNES] (Port)
Platforms [SOTN]: PlayStation, PlayStation 3, XBOX 360
Sega Saturn, PlayStation Portable [PSP] (With RoB)
NOTE: *There are certain entries on our list (not many, mind) where two entries in a series are so similar in quality (but do just enough different) in order to merit split rankings on our list. Because we feel they are of similar quality, and not ranking one- or choosing one over the other just doesn’t sit right, they are considered the same rank on the list. If you do not agree with our decision in regards to this, feel free to pick the entry you feel more comfortable with and ignore the other for a more “pure” list. Besides, this is our list and we make the rules, sucka!*
Rondo Of Blood
Castlevania III made a lot of changes to the classic Castlevania series. Branching paths, multiple characters, more set pieces, and tempering the difficulty to be harder and less unfair (to an extent), but it was Rondo Of Blood that finely tuned it with the more reasonable controls and tight stages of Castlevania IV making it more or less the best game (and one of the last) in the classic series. Make no mistake, RoB is still as hard as any other Castlevania game, but several strides are made to make it feel more accessible to all players. For one, there are no “Real” game overs. You simply lose your score and progress on the level, but you can restart from any level you’ve previously beaten to discover new levels and paths through them making it by far the meatiest Castlevania game. The soundtrack and art design is the best the series has ever been, too. More or less, this is a hidden gem of a game that never really got its due, but should be played by any fan of action games. ~ Spark Of Spirit
Symphony Of The Night
Welcome to Dracula’s dark and mystical castle…but this time there’s a twist. Symphony Of The Night marks the very first time the Castlevania series has ventured into the territory of Metroid-style level design. In SOTN, gone are the linear stages from the previous games and in it’s place is one massive castle setting that houses many types of interconnected areas. Exploration is key in this title. As Alucard, Dracula’s half human/half vampire son who’s on a mission to destroy his father once and for all, you’ll travel and platform through 100s of ‘rooms’ (squares on the map) in the castle, some hidden. You will encounter and find many things throughout Dracula’s medieval fortress. Among them include countless weapons (swords, metal knuckles, tonfas and more), armor, shields, capes, accessories and various items. All of which Alucard can equip and/or use and much of the time they boost Alucard’s stats. Alucard can also use spells and later in the game, even obtain the ability to use summons and transform into different forms. You’ll need all of this and a good amount of skill to survive in this game. The castle has enemies and bosses ranging from the undead to gigantic monsters and many traps. If you aren’t careful, you could end up being very dead before you know it. This game also includes other interesting elements and surprises, all of which you should experience yourself, if you already haven’t.
Symphony Of The Night is the best Metroidvania Konami has ever produced and one of the all time greatest games from the fifth generation of gaming. It clearly belongs on this list. ~ Gunswordfist
#63
Kirby Super Star
Developer: HAL Laboratory
Publisher: Nintendo
Genre: Platformer, Action
Release Date: 1996
Platforms: SNES, Nintendo Wii
If two games are better than one, what does that make nine?
That’s exactly what Nintendo and HAL Laboratories have cooked up with #63 on our list, the ever expansive Kirby Super Star. Featuring not one, not two, but nine new additions to the Kirby franchise (five of which are full-blown platformers, while the other four are classified as “sub games”; basically mini-games, in a sense), this all-in-one package really sets the tone for variety (and fun). The tried and true platforming formula that the series honed back on the NES and Game Boy remains relatively unchanged, but each new game offers a fresh and exciting take that is sure to please just about any taste. Is strategy, adventure, and treasure hunting your forte? “The Great Cave Offensive” is for you. Like fast-paced platforming action? Give “Revenge of Meta Knight” a shot. Feeling nostalgic? “Spring Breeze”, a remake of the original Kirby’s Dreamland for Game Boy, is right up your alley. Or maybe your just in the mood to kick some ass, and take names; that’s where “The Arena” comes in, a no-holds-barred, winner-take-all boss run, pitting young Kirby against the baddest of the bad that Dreamland has to offer. And here’s the incredible thing; the games listed above only begin to scratch the surface of what KSS has to offer. I haven’t even mentioned “Milky Way Wishes” yet, which may just be the best of the lot.
When it comes right down to it, Kirby Super Star has something for just about everyone. There’s just so much to do, so much to see, and so much to explore here that it’s almost hard to believe it all comes neatly wrapped in the same little package (erm, cartridge). This is pretty much the definitive Kirby experience, and one of the best adventures that the SNES has to offer. ~ Kiddington
#62
Radiant Silvergun
Developer: Treasure
Publisher: ESP
Genre: Shooter
Release Date: 1998
Platforms: Arcade, Sega Saturn
Treasure has always been great at making action games. From Gunstar Heroes, to Mischief Makers, to Astro Boy: Omega Factor, they have always been for the fast and the loud. While this has some times lead to shallow and vapid gaming, much of the time you end up with a game like Radiant Silvergun. A game that manages to have a lot of depth to game play. There are no power ups in Radiant Silvergun, all 7 weapons you start with (Yes, seven) can be used for different situations and for different play styles and can all be leveled up through usage to be made stronger. This unique aspect is carried over to the strange (and controversial) scoring system which rewards chaining certain colours of enemies for bonus points. Also included in the Saturn version is the “Story” mode which, while carrying the usual dopey Treasure story has the unique feature of saving leveled up weapons with a Game Over, helping out players who might not be so adept at shooters. Unlike most shooters (even Ikaruga- Radiant’s spiritual successor), the game has a lot of depth to it that can be experienced by even the weakest arcade shooter player, giving it an appeal to both the hardcore and casual that has rarely been seen in the genre.
In 2011, a remake was released to Microsoft’s XBLA game service polishing up a lot of the game’s quirks and adding a new style of scoring based on Ikaruga, which is the most affordable way to experience this game. All that aside, Radiant Silvergun is widely considered the best in its genre and is a game anyone with an interest in it should seek out. ~ Spark Of Spirit
#61
Rocket Knight Adventures
Developer: Konami
Publisher: Konami
Genre: Platformer, Action-Adventure, Side-Scroller
Release Date: 1993
Platforms: Sega Genesis/Mega Drive
During the 16-bit generation of consoles, we had a little thing going on that I like to refer to as the mascot-craze. Both Nintendo and Sega had their own iconic mascots, but there were a lot of hacks out there trying to capitalize on making a popular mascot as the driving force to sell their games. The problem was that they focused far more on pushing their mascots to be popular than actually making good games for them, and as a result we got a pile of shit instead of the next Mario or Sonic. On the opposite end of the spectrum, though, Konami had been working on a terrific game and came up with a fantastic mascot to represent it, making one of the very few exceptions to the crap that was coming out. As a result, gamers were delighted with the presence of Sparkster in his first ever video game adventure, Rocket Knight Adventures. If the words “rocket knight” don’t register too well with you, just know that its really exactly what it sounds like. You’re an opossum knight that wears a rocket which is used as a jet-pack to propel you through the air. The game combines classic platforming with a jet-pack, and sword-play action with a taste of shoot-em-up combat being that Sparkster’s sword strikes also turn into projectile attack waves. That right there is every awesome gaming element a kid could want rolled into a single package, and its pulled off with perfection. You utilize Sparkster’s numerous versatile abilities to traverse some of the most creative and expertly-crafted levels in a platformer, and unlike so-called “creative” platforming titles from this generation such as Braid or Limbo, this game is never so pretentious or up its own ass about it.
Basically, Rocket Knight Adventures is very much the epitomy of what makes a great platformer great, from combining traditional gameplay elements of the genre with creative scenarios ranging from flight segments to a freaking giant robot fist fight. The only problem with the game, sadly enough, is that apparently nobody actually played it, since the game was never that financially successful, nor were its relatively good sequel, spin-off, and XBLA reboot. Even so, our list is here to give games like this credit where credit is due, and for those who have played it, Rocket Knight Adventures is one of the best gaming experiences that any video game mascot could offer. ~ Ensatsu-ken
Coming up next: We finish off the first half of the list!