Top 5: Games of my childhood
Hello fans of video games and technology! In my short time spent here at Forget The Box, I have noticed that even though there are loads of columns and articles, there seems to be a lack of any sort of “top 10″ or “top 5″ lists related to music, movies, political incompetence, or even video games for that matter. This week, I plan to change all that by counting down my top 5 most influential games I played as a child born in 90s.
So, I’m 19 years old, I get it — I wasn’t around for the Atari 2600 or the great video game crash, but I do know about it and I have a great amount of respect for game designers back then. However, this list shall cover games I played from whatever age I was when I first started to “game” up until I was about twelve or so. Keep in mind that these games helped shape the man who writes your weekly dose of all things digital.
And so it begins…
Number 5: Super Mario Brothers 2 & 3 – Nintendo Entertainment System [NES]
We all know Mario. We have all, at one point in our lives, picked up a controller and played a Mario game. Well, although I owned Super Mario Brothers 1, it was 2 and 3 which helped shape me.
I can somewhat recall my old basement in Laval where my dad kept the NES along with our somewhat tiny collection of games. I don’t remember how old I was exactly when I first picked up a controller, but I was definitely in my basement playing my NES.
Super Mario Brothers 2 was years ahead of the first Mario game with a larger collection of characters, more levels, more enemies and just more fun.
The third instalment is considered to be the best 2D Mario game of all time and probably the best 2D game ever made even by today’s standards. I still remember having to return to the very first level only with three quarters of the level in darkness later on in the game. Good, good times.
A little side note: Mario first appeared in the arcade in Donkey Kong. Oddly, you didn’t play as Donkey Kong in that game, but rather as Mario trying to rescue the princess from the large ape.
Number 4: Star Craft – PC, N64
I already reviewed Star Craft here on Forum M a few months ago. Still awaiting its sequel, Star Craft really inspired me in a number of ways with its memorable quotes and dynamic space opera storyline.
I wouldn’t quite say the game-play itself helped me become who I am today, but I hold the story as a close second in terms of sci-fi to Star Wars. Not bad considering Star Craft isn’t a film series.
I grew up reciting Star Craft quotes — especially that from the Protoss Level 10 Mission Briefing. In fact, I have that whole five-minute scene memorized completely.
But as you will see, a game ranked a bit closer to #1 has me reciting far more quotes than anything…
Number 3: The Legend of Zelda – Ocarina of Time – Nintendo 64
Probably the single best game ever made. Probably the best adventure game ever made. Probably the most memorable game ever made. Simply amazing.
The Legend of Zelda OOT is by far the highest-rated game of all time and for good reason: it didn’t matter how old you were, your race, gender, sexual orientation, your political views, or your affiliation to a sports team such as the Toronto Maple Leafs, the game was still the best.
The reason why it influenced me: it made me continue gaming. It got me to think about puzzles and it got me to think fast.
It may have taken me about two years to beat the first time, mainly because I was uber young playing without a strategy guide like all my friends, but it still kept me interested and playing… and playing… and playing.
Number 2: Star Fox 64 – Nintendo 64
“Do a barrel roll”
Simply, Star Fox 64 was the console game I played the most of as a child. It was easy, but it was addictive. I could not get enough of it.
The weird thing about Star Fox was that you could beat it within an hour and a half, but there were a few routes you could take to make it to the end.
For some reason, running into the same enemies and engaging in fun aerial combat was just too much fun. Add in the fact that it was one of the few N64 games with voice-acting and I was sold back then.
Quotes such as “do a barrel roll,” “try a summersault,” “can’t let you do that, Star Fox,” “hey Einstein, I’m on your side” and “use bombs wisely” are some of the most quoted video game sayings of all time.
Don’t believe me? Check this out.
Whether they are infamous or famous, they still helped shape me into who I am today and by god the game itself was kick ass.
However, during my last year of high school, I downloaded a Rom Emulator to play the popular N64 game on my laptop during class. I was in the middle of an assignment, playing the game when some of the Ottawa 67′s (OHL Hockey Team) started to watch me play. Yes, they’re in high school, or at least were at the time. One of the people in the group ended up getting drafted to Nashville in the NHL.
Anyway, I ended up beating the game with my battery on low and my teacher demanding I turn the game off… I can remember seeing the credits rolling on my screen and people cheering as I beat the game in class.
An epic moment to say the least.
Number 1: Pokemon Red and Blue – Gameboy
You knew it was coming, didn’t you? I mean, a 90s kid not bringing up Pokemon as an influence in his childhood? Believe it.
Pokemon Red and Blue were my obsession way back when. I remember waking up at like 5:00 AM and playing my Gameboy non-stop until school started. I would play on the ride to school, during recess, during lunch, on the way home, etc…
Pokemon played a key part in my life, because having Aspergers syndrome, especially back then, I had a lot of trouble in social situations. Thus, since a lot of people were into Pokemon, we would talk about that instead of other issues.
I was very young though, so that’s pretty much why I was so drawn to the games and what they were all about. And let’s be honest, whoever marketed Pokemon was a genius — “Gotta Catch Em All!” I mean, come on, that’s golden from a marketing perspective.
Anyway, this has been my top 5 games that impacted me during my childhood. Once again, feel free to contact me at mickael_x99@hotmail.com should you wish to request a review.
Up next shall be a review of Tetris!
-
http://www.writing.literary-planet.com/ wowfood
