In today’s post, we cover just one Nintendo game!

Welcome to the beginning of my top 10 games of all time! The other 15 games I’ve already mentioned are surely some fine games themselves, but these are the best of the best. Perhaps you may see a few of your favorites as well? Let’s not waste any more time. Today, PlayStation gets some love, but so does a few PC sequels! Oh yeah, and Mario 64.

Developer: Criterion Games

Publisher: Electronic Arts

Release Date: September 7, 2004

Platform(s): PlayStation 2, Xbox

You shouldn’t be surprised. I’m a massive Burnout fan. The franchise alone is enough to make EA one of my favorite third party publishers (I know, so scandalous!). And while the racing series has its ups and downs (as much as I did enjoy Burnout Legends, that game was sooo bad), Burnout 3: Takedown is the one game that defines what makes Burnout so great. It’s hands down the best racing game ever made. There’s just this unexplainable feeling of satisfaction when you go from destroying opponent cars and crashing into tankers to breaking through buildings and taking ridiculous amounts of air. It’s the purest of fun, really, and one that easily makes it to my top 10.

Burnout 3: Takedown also gets the honor of “Best Xbox Game” and “Best Racing Game”.

Developer: SCE Japan Studio

Publisher: Sony Computer Entertainment Japan

Release Date: January 17, 2006

Platform(s): PlayStation 2

Sony made magic happen with Ape Escape 2, but Ape Escape 3 transformed (quite literally!) the game to a whole other level. Ape Escape 3 added more stuff than you could ever imagine in a sequel, from more monkeys to more gadgets to friggen’ superpower transformations. Yes, transformations! You can be a ninja one moment, a cowboy another, and giant monkey the next… this game is ridiculous. As with Ape Escape 3, it’s also full of laughs and pop culture references as well as witty dialogue and a ridiculous story. I can never get enough of Ape Escape; it’s a franchise that continues to surprise me each time I play it, which is a huge testament to its ingenious design. It’s just too bad Sony no longer cares about this franchise though, but I do hope they will realize the untapped potential of Ape Escape and finally bring out an Ape Escape 4.

Ape Escape 3 also gets the honor of “Best PlayStation 2 Game”.

Developer: Chris Sawyer Productions

Publisher: Infogrames

Release Date: October 15, 2002

Platform(s): PC

If there was one PC game that defined by childhood, it would be RCT2. If you don't know what RCT2 is, you need to seriously reconsider yourself as a gamer. The first RollerCoaster Tycoon was a huge hit, and while many critics viewed RCT2 as just more of the same, I have to disagree. RCT2 expanded the original RCT formula with a better UI, dozens of more rides, hundreds of new scenery options, real-life park scenarios, literally thousands of new options, and of course, the wondrous scenario editor. Now that is what I spent most of my time doing. Yes, the original scenarios are fine and a lot of fun to play, but they’re restrictive and only let you do so much with the limited number of rides and such. With the addition of the scenario editor, you no longer have to abide by those arbitrary restrictions. I made Nintendo Land before Nintendo Land even existed, and to be honest, I think my Rainbow Road roller coaster is way better than that Mario Chase attraction. Psh.

Developer: Nintendo EAD

Publisher: Nintendo

Release Date: September 26, 1996

Platform(s): Nintendo 64

Well, I'm not going to lie to you here. Super Mario 64 is a pretty amazing game. Sure, it wasn't the first 3D platformer ever created, but it certainly was the best one when it came out, and then some. This game was literally a system seller. Everybody wanted to play it. Controlling Mario with that wiggly analog stick felt so natural. The third dimension added so much to the Mario universe. The amount of detail in each level was unparalleled at the time, and in some cases it even still is today. It’s amazing how Nintendo managed to get so many things right on their first try, which is why I continue to go back to this game from time to time just to relive its magic. Everything still holds up, which is impressive considering this is the oldest game on my list. It’s such a great game, and easily one of the best ever.

Developer: Valve Corporation

Publisher: Valve Corporation

Release Date: April 19, 2011

Platform(s): PC, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360

Portal 2 is one of the more recent additions to my top 10 list and the only one from the seventh generation that made it. I loved the first Portal to bits, of course, but its sequel is really what blew me away. More puzzles, an amazing story, and some great characters gave the game the presentational boost it needed, while a more open environment and the inclusion of gels added a ton of extra variety. The game’s co-op modes and Steam workshop integration makes it a game that literally never ends! I’m always amazed at Valve’s handiwork, and this game is no exception. A beautiful puzzle shooter and pop culture phenomenon, Portal 2 is one of the best games ever made, and ranks as my number one PC game of all time.

Portal 2 also gets the honor of “Best PC Game”, “Best PlayStation 3 Game”, and “Best Xbox 360 Game”.

Almost done here folks, but you have to wait until tomorrow for the top five! See you soon.

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