Super NES

The second console I got was the Super NES, which I got for Christmas in 1991 along with Super Mario World (it came with the console), F-Zero, Final Fight, Pilotwings, and Sim City. It was right around this time that I developed an affinity for role playing games. Pretty much any game that had a story, I was going to devour it. The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past, Secret of Mana, Secret of Evermore, Illusion of Gaia, and the legendary Chrono Trigger were all favorite games of mine, and continue to be to this day.

Favorite Games

1. Chrono Trigger

   What can I say about Chrono Trigger that hasn't been said before? The game is an absolute masterpiece, the likes of which might not ever be seen again. The graphics are the pinnacle of 16-bit design; the soundtrack is so good, it's being sampled by mainstream artists to this day; the story is a classic, the characters are compelling and well written, and the gameplay is polished to a mirror finish. I have argued that this is the best video game ever created, and I still stand by that statement.

2. The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past

   If Chrono Trigger is like high literature, then for me The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past is the well read copy of your favorite adventure novel. Is it the best entry in the Zelda franchise? Probably not, but when I'm feeling down and just want to chill with a game I've played through a hundred times, it's always there for me. Seriously, I've got this game memorized. Start to finish, every item, every heart piece.

3. Secret of Evermore

   Secret of Evermore draws a lot of comparisons to its sister title, Secret of Mana, but it usually doesn't get a lot of the same praise, and I never understood why. The controls are better than Mana, since diagonals are a thing, and the story never felt rushed like it was with Mana, which was something that always bothered me. True, Secret of Evermore lost the multiplayer feature that Mana had, but we still got a solid action RPG that I think still holds up.

4. Super Metroid

   Ah, Metroid. The speedrunner's paradise. While I've never been much of a speedrunner, Super Metroid never disappoints. I love the how the story is presented with no words, save the short opening at the very beginning of the game. After that, you're on your own on a hostile planet. The isolation is palpable, but it's not anxiety inducing like Metroid: Dread or even Metroid: Fusion. Instead, it's a perfect balance of everything the Metroid franchise has to offer.

5. Illusion of Gaia

   Illusion of Gaia was the perfect game for me growing up. It had a rich story just waiting for me to discover, locked behind a game that wasn't terribly difficult; I could play through it at my leisure. The characters were surprisingly deep, and I actually found myself wanting them all to be OK throughout the journey. And all of this story takes place around real life ancient sites, each with their own mysteries and mystique. I don't think I ever found all 50 hidden gems, but it didn't matter. The story and the journey was well worth it, anyway.

6. Demon's Crest

   Demon's Crest almost flew under my radar when it came out. If it hadn't been for my subscription to Nintendo Power, I probably would have missed it. Even then, I never owned this one. Still don't. I just rented it a couple of times. Demon's Crest was a spin-off of Gargoyle's Quest, which in turn was a spin-off of Ghosts 'n Goblins, a game which I actively hate to this day; I'm just not that into that kind of punishing challenge. But Demon's Crest, on the other hand, has just the right level of challenge and a great mix of side-scrolling platforming and RPG elements that I really dig.

7. Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars

   Super Mario RPG was juat plain fun. The isometric view wasn't the easiest thing to get used to, especially when it came time for precision jumping, but the combat system encouraged the player to pay attention instead of mindlessly using the "Attack" over and over. It had a light-hearted story that didn't take itself too seriously, and in a time of epic RPG adventures on the SNES, Super Mario RPG was a breath of fresh air.

8. ActRaiser

   ActRaiser was another one of those games that I didn't own. In fact, I never got to play this one until well after the SNES had reached the end of it's life cycle. It wasn't until I started emulating games that I figured out that I had missed out big time. ActRaiser is a blend of side-scrolling platforming and world-building. You literally play the role of a god, and you have to save humanity from demons and direct them how to build, grow, and prosper. In turn, you gain more power that will help you in the platforming stages. I can honestly say that I've never played a game quite like this one, and I was disappointed when the sequel ditched the world-building aspect of the game.

9. Breath of Fire

   If you hadn't gathered by now, I'm a sucker for a good story, and Breath of Fire delivered. Last survivor of a powerful clan? Check. Save the world from unstoppable evil? Check. Ensemble cast of characters? Check. This adventure was epic, and that was enough for me to be able to push through some of the game's grind. Plus, being able to transform into a dragon and unleash havoc is never a bad time.

10. Mega Man X

    I didn't own this game when I was a kid, but my brother did. And honestly, I'm not sure which of us played it more. I had this game completely memorized; every heart tank, every sub-tank, the best order to tackle the levels, everything. This game had the perfect balance of challenge, and when I want to play a Mega Man game, this one is my go-to.