With the
release of the Sega Genesis Mini joining the ranks of the NES and SNES Mini and
PS1 Classic consoles, we’re seeing a surprise resurgence in classic gaming from
way before the 2000s. These were the
systems we grew up with and got us plenty prepared for the awesome era of
gaming we live in today. So for the
month of November, I’m going back through the systems I used to play when I was
growing up and even a couple of not so old systems too. It’s going to be tough choosing 5 games from
the decent sized libraries I had, but it’s doable. Welcome to Top 5 Wednesday Retro Video Game
Month. Side note: for games to qualify,
I have to have played them myself at one point or another…so some games many
consider the greatest ever made (like every Zelda game and the occasional Mario
game) wont be included unless I’ve played them.
As much as I would like to do a Top 5 list of Sega
Genesis Games (considering the Mini is the latest relaunch of an old school
system)…I couldn’t come up with a proper Top 5 because the Genesis I did have
didn’t have a large library and even then I spent most of my time on it playing
Sonic the Hedgehog 2. No, I was mostly a
Nintendo baby, logging in mad hours on the NES, SNES and the console that will
be seeing the T5W spotlight today, the Nintendo 64. While I had a larger library of SNES games
(you can also check out that Top 5 from forever ago right here: http://gundamanimeblog.blogspot.com/2017/09/t5w111-top-5-favorite-snes-games.html),
the N64 titles I played through hold special places in my heart for their
gameplay, their sense of wonder and fun and just general eye opening
experiences. So…where the hell is out
N64 Mini Nintendo? Get on that and be
sure to include some if not all of my Top 5 Nintendo 64 Games…please?
#5-NFL Blitz 2000
I’m not the worlds biggest sports fan but I will cheer
for the occasional football game if the stars align. However, I have a huge soft spot for NFL
Blitz 2000. For me, this is NFL for
dummies. Screw tactics and proper plays
(though you can still use them of course), this is all about pummeling players
and getting half a team to dogpile down players and hear the announcers say
“Now that’s just bad sportsmanship”.
This is a great game to play with friends and a pretty good experience
for anyone who loves sports or prefers virtual players to the real deal.
#4-Star Wars: Rogue Squadron
Long before the dismal days of 2018’s Star Wars
Battlefront II, there was the N64 Star Wars experience. As much as I would’ve loved to have played
Shadows of the Empire, Rogue Squadron fell into my lap instead and man did it
give me a new found appretiation for my favorite Star Wars fighter, the
X-Wing. Taking command of Rogue Squadron
leaders Luke Skywalker or Wedge Antilles, the game follows the titular squadron
taking the fight to the Empire across the entire galaxy. Fast paced combat and a diverse assortment of
fighters give you a chance to easily find a favorite…and then you unlock the
Millenium Falcon and that’s all you’ll ever pilot everytime you play again.
#3-Mario Kart 64
My very first N64 game is still one of my all time
favs. Beautiful and colorful tracks, a
great roster of drivers with their own quirks, one of the best game soundtracks
of all time, next to Mario 64, this was the perfect game for beginners of the
N64 and gaming in general. And don’t let
the cuteness fool you, I logged in a ton of drive time to unlock everything I
could and eventually defeat the ever long and amazing Rainbow Road. Plus there’s no better feeling than
unleashing red tortoise shells on those who would hinder your path to
victory…like Peach…or Bowser…or Peach…or D.K…OR PEACH…wow I did not like Peach
in Mario Kart 64.
#2-The Legend of Zelda: Majora’s Mask
This was the very first Zelda game I ever played and
through interesting logistical reasons, it took me nearly a decade to complete
(not exaggerating or lying). I know it’s
not Ocarina of Time but Marjora’s Mask is still an incredible game in its own
right. Link’s nail bitting quest to save
the world from the scariest moon in the universe is stressful and exciting at
the same time. I cant tell you how many
times I rushed to complete mini quests with seconds to spare before turning
back time with my Ocarina to avoid the apocalypse. Termina is such a fun world to explore and
the mask system is brilliant as the one of the games stand out features. And Skull Kid…damn his titular Mask still
gives me nightmares to this day…which is why it’s hella worth it to collect all
24 masks and unleash the Super Saiyan Link…ahem I mean Great Deity Link to kick
his ass properly.
#1-Star Fox 64
This is the game that the original SNES game wanted to be
and more. Based on the almost finished
but never released Star Fox II (until the SNES Mini included it in its library,
completed and eveyrting), Star Fox 64 sees Fox and his crew of walking memes
rocketing from Corneria to Venom and blowing up anything standing between them
and the evil Emperor Andross. The
straight line missions are all cinematic in their presentation and feature smooth
controls and excellent combat. All range
mode makes you feel like you’re playing a space age Top Gun and there’s plenty
of fun easter eggs and inspirations to watch out for (like battling the giant
carrier from the original Star Fox on Corneria or the Independence Day finale
of the Katina mission). Believe me when
I say, there’s no greater feeling than finishing the game on the hardest route,
with your ship and teammates all still alive and you have all of your upgrades…God
this game is F****** AWESOME!!!! And
never forget…DO A BARREL ROLL!!! (it just might save your life).
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