MASTERPIECE VIDEO GAMES
These are games I consider masterpieces. There is no criteria for consideration. They may or may not be perfect games, but rather deliver on execution in one or multiple ways. Games are listed in chronological order.
Donkey Kong (Arcade, 1981)
An historic game that played a large role in reviving the video game industry after a large-scale crash in the late 70s. Donkey Kong is simple and sparse by todays standards but
Super Mario Bros. 3 (NES, 1988)
Can you believe this was a NES game?
Chrono Trigger (SNES, 1995)
Considered by many as one of the most perfectly-paced games ever made. Both the artwork and music are iconic and everlasting. The story is full of charm and the active battle system keeps the game exciting. It’s amazing to think of everything this game did right that modern games are still struggling with.
Battle Pinball (SNES, 1995)
Absolutely obsessed with how well designed these boards are. A perfect pick-up-and-play game. Especially when played on a portable system.
Virtual On: Cyber Troopers (Saturn, 1995)
I love this control scheme. I love the chunky pixels.
Wipeout 2097 (PSX, 1996)
I think this is where I knew I wanted to become a graphic designer. Until this point I did not know how graphics and UI could move you.
Mystical Ninja Starring Goemon (N64, 1997)
Just a fun game full of quirks. It’s a classic linear action-adventure before everything added RPG elements. It is actually funny.
Metal Gear Solid (PSX, 1998)
The moment games became movies.
Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 2 (PSX, 2000)
Ico (PS2, 2001)
Ikaruga (GCN, 2001)
The Legend of Zelda: Wind Waker (GCN 2002)
Metroid: Zero Mission (GBA, 2004)
Katamari Damacy (PS2, 2004)
Drill Dozer (GBA 2005)
This game mastered the Nintendo ideology of creating a single interesting mechanic and re-working it in a multitude of clever waves.
WarioWare: Twisted (GBA, 2005)
The original successful motion controlled game. It just makes a lot of sense.
Shadow of the Colossus (PS2, 2005)
Wii Sports (Wii, 2006)
The game that got my uncle to play video games.
Final Fantasy Tactics: The War of the Lions (PSP, 2007)
Perhaps my desert island game. Near endless replayability through sheer customization. One of the non-online games I have put hundreds of hours into.
Space Invaders Extreme (PSP, 2008)
Dead Space (Multi, 2008)
Batman: Arkham Asylum (Multi, 2009)
Might & Magic: Clash of Heroes (DS, 2009)
Super Mario Galaxy 2 (Wii, 2010)
Stunning soundtrack and masterful level design. Personally I don’t think it needed to be a Mario game, but in terms of gameplay in a 3D space, there is nothing better.
Kirby Epic Yarn (Wii, 2010)
Alien Swarm (PC, 2010)
Brilliant and underrated co-op game that came out before Left 4 Dead kickstarted a co-op game renaissance.
Trauma Team (Wii, 2010)
Ghost Trick: Phantom Detective (DS, 2010)
Protect Me Knight (XBLA, 2010)
Halo: Reach (Xbox, 2010)
A story I’ll always remember told well through video game mechanics. It was the peak of the Halo franchise craze.
Cho Chabudai Gaeshi (Arcade, 2010)
FTL: Faster Than Light (PC, 2012)
Johann Sebastian Joust (PC, 2013)
Barely a video game, but an incredible experience nonetheless.
Attack of the Friday Monsters! A Tokyo Tale (NDS, 2013)
Neko Atsume: Kitty Collector (Mobile, 2014)
Splatoon (Wii U, 2015)
Lovers in a Dangerous Spacetime (PC, 2015)
Pocket Card Jockey (3DS, 2016)
VA-11 Hall-A (PC, 2016)
Titanfall 2 (MULTI, 2016)
The total package of a modern game. Amazing single player campaign and thorough multiplayer modes.
The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild (Switch, 2017)
Part Time UFO (Mobile 2017)
Into the Breach (Switch, 2018)
Masterful game design like an amped up chess. It’s like Final Fantasy Tactics with time travelling robots.
Battletech (PC, 2018)
A game you can really sink your teeth into. The story is lean and well done using a mix of static images and classic in-game cutscenes. Though the early parts of the game are incredibly challenging, the gameplay loop of going on missions to get money to upgrade your mechs, is endlessly enjoyable.