The Video Game Thread

[EeJay]

I'll keep this plain and direct. I'm choosing to use the word "favourite" over "best" because it's all subjective. I think this will be a big post.

Favourite System: Nintendo 64

It was the first console I owned since the grey brick Gameboy, so naturally, it's going to be my favourite system. I only wish they decided against the cartridge format, but then again, it was a smart idea on their behalf to prevent piracy. Cartridge does deliver instant loading, if it does suffer from lack of storage capcity. It doesn't seem too limited when you look at games like Turok 2, Perfect Dark and Zelda, those games are huge.

I also honestly think the 64 controller is the best design ever, it just fits your hand so well and every button is easily accessible.

Favourite Game(s) (Top 10?):

Goldeneye Definitely the first that comes to mind. My very best video gaming memories come with this game, both multiplayer and single. Not since the late early 90's computer games had I really enjoyed a first person shooter. Single player was just so addictive and intense. Once finished and mastered, it's very replayable, especially when you make up your own rules to follow. It's also my favourite multiplayer game ever, hectic ****.

Perfect Dark I didn't nearly have as much fun with this as I did Goldeneye, but it's still very good. I know it was meant to be different and therefore fresher, but I think my hype for it being billed as the "Goldeneye Sequel" left me a bit disappointed. I might've liked it better than Goldeneye if it came out first. It probably boasts the best graphics of a 64 game and has very impressive audio given the cart restrictions for a game that size. Kinda pay for that in frame-rate though.

Mario Kart 64 Never owned the original, and that's why I reckon this one's superior. I dunno, there's something about the gameplay of Mario games that makes them a lot of fun for pretty much any skill level or age, Nintendo rule. Multiplayer is way up there with Goldeneye.

Diddy Kong Racing A superior species to Mario Kart 64 in many aspects, except for maybe the raw pick-up-and-play gameplay. Some pretty innovative addittions above MK as well. Infinitely tougher to beat than MK.

Blast Corps Totally awesome concept. I don't know what genre it'd fall into, maybe some weird kind of RPG/Puzzle hybrid. It's ****en addictive, huge, and really tough to beat. I still haven't completely finished everything, it seems beyond my skill.

FIFA World Cup '98 Single player, it's good fun for a while, but lacks longevity. I've probably had the most fun out of its multiplayer over the last two years, every game is different so it's always fresh. It can really push the extreme levels of intensity, frustration and excitement.

Super Mario 64 The very first console game I ever owned, and it was pretty revolutionary, so i've got good memories of it. I was glued to it till I finished it, and that's the first of two complaints I have about it, it was too quick and easy to finish. It's been just over 6 years since I bought it, and yesterday I finished it for the third time (it took 3 days), so it's not very replayable for me, that's my second and final complaint.

Banjo Kazooie Again, it suffers from lack of replay value. I think it just might be the fact that you're in a 3D world though, as 2D scrolling platformers seem to have better replay value, although you'd think it'd be the other way around. I think Banjo beats Mario in every single aspect, especially size, world and enemy design, and difficulty. Without a doubt my favourite platform game ever.

Donkey Kong 64 It would probably beat BJ if I didn't find the role playing so tedious. It goes steps ahead again in many aspects of 3D platformers since BJ, but it always comes down to gameplay that's most important.

x-Quest Sierra games: Most of my younger video gaming days were taken up with these games. I remember they'd last forever because I was such a slow typer, but they were so enveloping and addictive. I just loved the way the games played your curiosity, inquisitiveness and thirst for adventure. I'd have to say Space Quest II was my favourite, and I don't think I played them all.

Favourite Game Developers: If you were paying attention to my favourite games, you'd probably already know my answer to this - Rare Ware. Rare are easily my favourite developers, just about all their games for the 64 were innovative and quality. It's a shame they've left Nintendo for Microsoft, as I was planning on getting a GameCube, I don't know anymore.

Nintendo are probably my second choice, as their games (especially Mario ones) are just so much fun. Just about any person of any skill level or age can pick up one of their games and have fun. They are also just about the pioneers of video gaming as we know it today, I think they deserve a hell of a lot of respect, no matter what you think of their games.

Gee, I hope this thread gets some replies, I'll look like a fool for typing all that out otherwise.