Last time I spoke about the Neo-Geo in all its splendor, along with fighting games from the SNES/Genesis era. However, it seems I haven't touched another aspect of video games that has been popular for quite a while and that is sports games. Sure the Atari 2600 had a few games, the Commodore 64 had Hardball and Track and Field, Genesis had Joe Montana, SNES had Super Soccer (amazing soccer game by the way), while Neo-Geo had Super Sidekicks.
Super Sidekicks was the perfect example of an arcade style sports game done right and truly focused on fun more so than simulation. I mean seriously, video games are about granting us fun and entertainment. For some reason or another Neo-Geo was unable to get FIFA licensing for Super Sidekicks but they were still able to make due with what they had. Super Sidekicks was a series that improved with each sequel, with the third one being perhaps the best. I remember being at the arcades in Colombia watching people line up quarters to face a player ripping the competition with his Brazil team. Other players would enter into the Super Sidekicks frenzy with Argentina or Germany. Overall Super Sidekicks was a sports video game focused on good fun with a solid multiplayer aspect. In the end, Super Sidekicks didn't need FIFA's licensing in order to be a fun soccer arcade game. I salute you Super Sidekicks because you are in a similar category as one of my other arcade games known as NFL Blitz!
Nintendo 64 seemed to have promised continuing the dominance Nintendo had established with the NES and SNES, however sadly it didn't deliver quite as much to us gamers. However, the Nintendo 64 was not without its timeless gems. I would go as far as saying that if you were born in the 80's and never gathered with your friends to play Golden Eye 007 on 4 player split screen, YOU are NOT a true gamer. Or if you didn't at least have loads of fun bumping each other off the road in Mario Kart, chances are you just didn't leave your house. Or who hasn't at LEAST gathered with friends to blast each other in Perfect Dark? Well perhaps I went overboard when I stated you weren't a true gamer by not doing any of these things, which if you didn't, chances are you missed out on a very important time in video games history.
Golden Eye 007 has a fairly simplistic single player campaign based on the movie (which in my opinion was mediocre to begin with). However, it is the multiplayer where Golden Eye 007 truly did shine. I personally didn't own a Nintendo 64 but I did spend many nights at my cousin Sergio's house with friends playing Golden Eye 007. Originally we would play Golden Eye 007 on different variations of Deathmatch. It would always be funny to hear someone complain because we decided to do a 3 versus 1 on him/her. Golden Eye 007 did offer other unique modes which made the multiplayer aspect interesting. The man with the golden gun was a perfect example. I had so much fun obtaining the golden gun which killed everyone in 1 hit, however they were able to see me on the radar and would generally gang up on me, therefore in the end it would stop being fun for me (lol). Flag Tag mode in Golden Eye 007 was fun given the sense of urgency in all sides. Basically you had to pick up a token which would disarm you, and at that point you had to run around and hide to keep the token for the longest amount of time until someone found and killed you. In today's standards Golden Eye 007 may not be seen as a great first person shooter video game but it did help revolutionize that genre of video games. Golden Eye 007 is definitely a game worthy of being part of the video games hall of fame.
The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time is touted as perhaps one of the greatest video games of all time by numerous publications (although my opinion greatly differs) and there are several reasons for this. Outside of Super Mario 64, Zelda really gave you the feeling that you were in a big and open world. It is important to note that Ocarina of Time was the first 3D Zelda video game yet excelled at taking advantage of every aspect of it. After going through the Great Deku Tree quest, in Zelda the player gets to truly begin exploring the world around him and even traveling through time. Zelda is a charming video game that did 3D environments and gameplay right, and although it had a typical Zelda story, it still remains charming to this day. Who doesn't remember the first time you got to ride Epona in Zelda? Despite this Zelda being such a great video game, I honestly don't care for it being released on the 3DS. I think this Zelda game should be re-released on the next Nintendo console so that it could be done justice with improved game mechanics and beautiful graphics. In any case, The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time is definitely worthy of the video games hall of fame. On one final note though, who didn't find the Water temple in Zelda annoying?
Who doesn't remember when Sony entered the video game console market with the Sony Playstation? This little system that was supposed to be an add-on to the SNES ended up becoming a powerhouse thanks to many great games that were released for it. Also many would argue that this was one of the golden ages for RPG's. The Playstation was a video game console that received huge support and definitely delivered. Playstation is where great video games were born and in some cases re-born, such as Resident Evil, Metal Gear Solid (rebirth), Wild Arms, Grandia, Twisted Metal, Alundra, Valkyrie Profile, Vagrant Story, The Legend of Mana(rebirth), Xenogears, Syphon Filter, Crash Bandicoot, Spyro, etc, etc. This was also the first time that Final Fantasy became a more mainstream game when Final Fantasy VII released. I know many SNES fanboys will argue FF VI was better because of Kefka, but no sorry Sephiroth is more beast and he could also destroy worlds with meteor, and he was born with these powers, Kefka had to obtain them. Back on topic, the Playstation brought us so many games in such a short span of time, and I feel fortunate enough to have bought one.
As mentioned previously, the Sony Playstation brought us Final Fantasy VII. This was definitely a game redefining a genre thanks to the visuals and even a deep story. Final Fantasy VII is a timeless video game and many fans have been begging for a remake with today's visuals, and honestly I do not blame them. In Final Fantasy VII the main character Cloud was mysterious yet funny at times. In this Final Fantasy the hero was not really as straight forward and he definitely had a dark side to him. Also if there is one scene that is always stuck in my head from any video game, it has to be when the main antagonist Sephiroth is standing there with his blade (Masamune) in the middle of the fires burning Nibelheim (I am sure many of you share this with me). Although it may not be the hardest Final Fantasy, it is important to note that the first time you face Emerald Weapon and Ruby Weapon, you have absolutely no chance of winning and that becomes intimidating. I would say Final Fantasy VII did a great job in showing the player what powerlessness really was just when you thought you had the levels and weapons to kill anything. If you don't believe me, try encountering a Marlboro without red ribbons. I am a little embarrassed to admit this but I did shed a tear when *Spoiler Alert* I saw Sephiroth descend from the skies and kill Aeris (really Aerith). Overall Final Fantasy VII had characters with personality that was well displayed for a video game. I know people who loved Barret, or Tifa, or Vincent over Cloud and vice versa. The gameplay in Final Fantasy VII was solid and the materia system was well handled and gave many possibilities to the player. Final Fantasy VII is worthy of being in the video games hall of fame. Also, if you haven't already, please watch Final Fantasy VII: Advent Children Complete, because it definitely offers closer to the series.
Back in the NES days I remember a cousin of mind hating a video game his mother gave him because it was too hard. This little game was called Metal Gear, and boy was it hard. At the time I was probably about 10 when I played it. We fast forward to about 1996 when I had the privelage to play Metal Gear Solid. The stealth genre of games started with Metal Gear, and Metal Gear Solid gave the series more flair. From interesting characters like Revolver Ocelot, to sexy yet dangerous women like Sniper Wolf and Meryl, Metal Gear Solid had it all. Many times video games focus too much on being movies yet end up having no real substance nor gameplay to back it up, but Metal Gear Solid got it right. I mean honestly, who doesn't remember the first time they hit a wall when trying to beat Psycho Mantis only to find out you had to plug the controller in the second port so he couldn't "read" your mind. Metal Gear Solid did offer memorable battles as well as a memorable storyline. Also Metal Gear Solid boasted one of the coolest characters with the Cyborg Ninja (not to mention the plot twist if you played the previous game). As I am typing this, I have a Metal Gear Solid youtube video playing that shows the first time you walk in the hub where the actual Metal Gear is. Sure the graphics are a bit outdated but just remembering the first time I went "OH MY GOD...am I going to have to fight THAAAAT?!" is so worth it. For those that haven't played through Metal Gear Solid, just know that you are missing out on one of the best games in the series that started the stealth genre. Metal Gear Solid is another video games hall of famer to me and I have yet to encounter another quite like it. Thank you Hideo Kojima for bringing us Metal Gear Solid along with the rest of the series (it is one of my all time favorites).
Unfortunately it is past 6am and I need my beauty sleep, but next time I will continue on this long trip down memory lane. As always, feel free to comment and send me feedback. I would like to know what other games people have loved over the ages. Until next time fellow gamers.
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