1998

This is a year that stood out in our minds since the very first discussions of this feature, simply because of three games: Metal Gear Solid, The Legend of Zelda: The Ocarina of Time, and Half-Life. These three games completely rocked the world of gaming in their own way, and each stands among the highest achievements of each platform, PlayStation, Nintendo 64 and PC, respectively. To call them inspirational to games to follow would be an understatement.

But begin to chew on the year, and there is no shortage of amazing games. PC RPG fans were treated to Baldur's Gate and Diablo, while Unreal, Thief and StarCraft all appeared to help lend shape to their own genres.

The Nintendo 64 was in full swing, and Zelda wasn't the only innovator this year. Though we're sick of the series now, Mario Party was something new and incredibly fun back then, and Banjo-Kazooie is arguably the last platformer Rare made before it jumped the shark. Turok 2 is remembered very fondly by any number of N64 shooter fans, still reeling from 1997's GoldenEye 64, as well.

The Saturn, sadly, said its goodbyes this year, but not without releasing three of its most memorable games. Shining Force III yanked the strategy series into 3D and did it superbly. Panzer Dragoon Saga showed us what a cinematic, full-3D RPG could truly be; no one came close to its drama for years. Radiant Silvergun, though technically a Japanese import, was available at EB Games stores for a limited time. It must be mentioned for its incredibly refined 2D shooter gameplay and 3D graphics, which have led only to massive inflation in the following years. Used copies go for well over $100 even now.

The PlayStation wasn't simply the home to Solid Snake. Tekken 3 became the system's biggest fighter hit, while Final Fantasy Tactics showed a level of strategic depth many weren't ready for. Resident Evil 2's innovative dual-disc adventure blew the doors off the original in every possible way, while Silent Hill showed us that video game horror could be creepy and psychological. Fan favorites Klonoa and Einhander may not have made much money, but they endure as the favorites of gaming conisseurs... who were the only ones left at the arcade, playing King of Fighters '98 and Soul Calibur, if they could find it.

[Ed - sharp-eyed folks both inside and outside of the office have noted that both the original GBA Pokemon games and PC adventure masterpiece Grim Fandango should have been on this year's list. Which is absolutely correct, so please consider them added. What a monster year.]