Takeshi Hiraoka, Video Producer - Ouendan
Ive always been a big fan of rhythm games and as someone whos dabbled in playing with import games, my love for Osu! Tatakae! Ouendan! is undying. Its got the drama of regular individuals struggling through life with a troupe of manly men screaming and cheering you on to success. It uses the touch controls of the DS brilliantly, with humor and charm like no other. Beat the game in hard mode and a team of graceful cheerleaders replaces your studly cheer squad. Ouendan was the first in a series of rhythm games created by iNiS, which took the form of Elite Beat Agents here in the states. Theyre all great but the first one has always held a special place in this jaded gamer heart of mine. This game is totally fun, completely addictive, and one of the few games I still put in from time to time and still get just as much fun out of. How many games can you say that about?
Lorenzo Veloria, Guides Editor Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic
There are few things that I love more than video games and Star Wars. So, when a game finally captured the true essence of going on an adventure in a galaxy far, far away, it was love at first sight. The unforgettable characters, plot twists that rival Empires I am your Father, and fully explorable worlds had me hooked. Also, the fact that it is set in a time where Jedi were still the most badass religious cult in the universe and there were thousands of them running around throwing Force powers at each other made Knights of the Old Republic even more exciting to play. KOTOR wasnt my first gaming love, but its definitely the one that sticks out as the best.
Sterling McGarvey, Reviews Editor WWF No Mercy
I love WWF No Mercy. Sure, I could say "any of the Metal Gear Solid games except MGS2" or "most of the GTA games except those PS2 ports of the PSP games," but when I think about a game that truly captured the essence of the so-called sport it sought to cover, no one has topped AKI's magnum opus in a dozen years. It is the closest that pro wrestling fans have ever gotten to the nostalgic glory that our brethren on the other side of the Pacific feel about Fire Pro Wrestling (also an amazing series, particularly the late release PS2 game).
Its grapple and counter system were intuitive and felt super-balanced; the presentation for the time was absolutely top-notch, and I still have fond memories of the tag team of newly-inaugurated Bush and Cheney jumping the Dudleyz. I don't even watch wrestling anymore, but I'd probably lose my mind at the prospect of an XBLA/PSN version of No Mercy HD.
Sophia Tong, Managing Editor - Final Fantasy X
To Zanarkand wasnt the only thing I loved about Final Fantasy X. I fell in love with the heartbreaking story and the varied cast of characters. I personally didnt think Tidus was that annoying, and the scene where the two lovebirds share their first kiss (omg spoilers!) was one of the most beautiful sequences I had ever seen in a game. At least, up until that point. I am still mesmerized by that cutscene and cant wait to play it again when it comes out on the PS Vita.
Henry Gilbert, Associate Editor- Advance Wars
Ive loved many games in my life, from Mario to BioShock and everything in between. However, when I think back on a game I can (and do) return to over and over again, either to play for 20 minutes or six hours, only one comes to mind: Advance Wars. Across the multiple releases on the Game Boy Advance and DS, Ive probably played over 500 hours of AW in my life. I return to it out of my love for strategy games in general, but Advance Wars is my turn-based comfort food. Why? The incredibly balanced/diverse gameplay and level design is backed up by retro, colorful 2D graphics, a lovely callback to a simpler time. Planning my stratagy works out my brain in some ways, while the rules and settings feel like a warm hug. Whenever I have some time to kill I can set up any combination of map, enemy CO and difficulty and play my life away.
Hollander Cooper, Associate Editor - Shadow of the Colossus
And then I saw the first boss, and couldnt believe my eyes. Every colossus blew me away, and the desolate landscape and gripping story completely swept me off my feet. I usually dont go back and replay games, but I make time for Shadow of the Colossus at least once a year, taking down a few of the giants and remembering why I love the game so damn much.
Lucas Sullivan, Associate Editor - Grim Fandango
Grim Fandango took everything I love about adventure games - fascinating atmospheres, relatable characters, the kinds of quirky puzzles youd never see elsewhere - and infused them into a noir-meets-Cinco-de-Mayo world that I genuinely wish existed. Manny Calaveras journey from lowly reaper to world-traveling entrepreneur captivates me every time I play through it. Its mind-blowing how quickly time can pass in the story, and how even in the afterlife, people still fret about death and the pursuit of happiness.
Year Two exemplifies what makes the game so great: chatting with the oddball characters, cheering up your bumbling buddy Glottis, or just strolling around listening to the ear-massaging jazz tunes was a treat. It also converted me into a Tim Schaefer fanboy, inspiring me to go back and play through classics like Full Throttle, the Monkey Island series, and even Day of the Tentacle. Like a cherished novel, Grim Fandangos ending evoked strong, mixed feelings out of me: happiness to see the story resolved mixed with profound sadness that the cast Id grown so attached to was riding off into the sunset. But, as with any good book, recapturing that kind of profound attachment is as simple as picking it back up and starting all over again.
Amber Fariss, Production Editor - World of Illusion starring Mickey Mouse and Donald Duck
Out of the handful of Disney video games that came out in the early to mid-90s, World of Illusion stuck with me the most. Unlike all the other classic Disney games that I played, this one stood out with colorful environments that werent simply taken from other Disney movies. Instead, Disney had a few fun character cameos and levels that were more Disney inspired than straight recreations, leaving more space for creativity. Like a level made entirely out of sweets, with gummy bear and gingerbread men enemies that shoot candy canes at you? How could anyone not like that? And despite the awful (but also very memorable) sound effects, I could play this game over and over today without a doubt.
Gary Steinman, Editor in Chief - Final Fantasy Tactics
It was the first game I spent over a hundred hours playing, and I loved every second of it. Id come home after a long days work, turn on my PlayStation, and just sit back for several hours every night, grinding away. I tried out all kinds of killer combinations of teams: four dancers and a mime; the all-mighty calculator, along with a potion-tossing chemist, a geomancer and a dual-wielding ninja; the all-chocobo party! Id replay battles with my best thief, just to steal a limited weapon. I chased down Cloud and added him to my party. Sure, I could barely follow the story, but none of that mattered. I was connected to my characters, deeply and emotionally, because I nurtured them, built them up and sent them, into battle after battle all set to a stirring soundtrack that I still listen to this day.
