by Samuel Bowcock

Created on: March 05, 2007   Last Updated: January 25, 2012

Well maybe not the best, but the games that are on my mind at the moment. In no particular order (though the games at the top are currently drawing more of my attention, not necessarily recent play time, but commanding a lofty degree of respect).

• The Legend of Zelda series. I'm currently playing through 'Ocarina of Time' again, and like all those who have made such sweet music using only the 'c' stick, I will whistle Saria's Song for the rest of my life, and the Sun's Song notation will be engraved on my tombstone. I didn't clock nearly enough playtime on A Link to the Past in my younger years, but I am currently looking for a copy on eBay to rectify that. They're just really well made, fun, involving, just awesome.

• 'Final Fantasy 7'. Number 6 was awesome as well, 8 was kinda cool, as was 10, but 7 is certainly my favourite. I remember getting really excited whenever I could pick up some red material, of course I realise now that the Summon material are not really that useful anyway, that is, at least, I never really use them, but they still look awesome (especially Odin, when the big spear attack hits Palmer, it looks hilarious). And also Sephiroth is the coolest thing on the planet (in the planet, around the planet).

• 'Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles IV: Turtles in Time'. Whilst I pretty much grew up playing this SNES game's Sega Mega Drive cousin 'The Hyperstone Heist', this version is much better. Longer, better soundbites ("Big Apple 3 A.M.", the most beautiful combination of words on the planet?), and it has the cool 'throw the enemies at the screen' animation. It also includes Bebop, who was unjustly excluded from the Mega Drive port.

• 'Road Rash'. The greatest game to ever feature prolonged periods of staring at a guy's back, and it was educational, cops are snooty, driving into pee can be hazardous to your health, and perhaps most important 'everyone in the world is against you, and they will wear matching helmets and leathers to illustrate it'. Also, the music ruled. One of those few games in which you can gel with the gameplay, the music, the sound effects, you achieve a higher state of consciousness, you can feel the bumps/pee in the road, you become unbeatable, the chain becomes an extension of your arm. The computer game publication 'Mean Machines' released a novelisation of Road Rash, did you know that the main character's name is Alex Player?

• The Metal Gear series. The most imitated computer game in my circle of friends, successful renditions of the phrase "A rail gun?!" and "what was that noise?!" will be met with eternal recognition, and having the next born child named after you. Any game that has Revolver Ocelot in has to be awesome, an elderly, trench coat and pony tail wearing, gun slinging Russian has to be the ultimate step in human evolution.

• The Sonic the Hedgehog series. Though the franchise has been a little off these past few years, nothing can beat the thrill of running from left to right at really high speeds. Music, fun, animation, everything about it was great.

• 'Super Mario World'. Same as above, but slightly slower, but no less fun. But then there are those guys who can speed run 'Super Mario Bros.' in like 15 seconds, that is impressive.

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