One of the most controversial things you can do within the gaming community is rank classic games. It’s a near-impossible task, because you’re taking people’s cherished childhood memories and either validating them or saying they’re crap.
I wanted to make this list because I didn’t have your typical gaming childhood. Growing up, my parents had decided that video games were time-wasters and that I should be outside riding my bike instead. Ours was a console-free household. Well, ride my bike I did – all the way over to my mate’s house, laden as it was with consoles and games galore.
For this reason, most of the early games that were a big part of my childhood were multiplayer classics and platformers I would play with my friends. I get envious hearing people talk wistfully about The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time – because it was an experience I never had (I’ve dabbled since, but it’s not the same). And I suppose I didn’t fully get deep into gaming until I bought a PC and the newer generation of consoles. And guess who went on to pursue a career in video games after being so deprived in my youth. Oh, irony.
So, here’s a list of games that were special to me. I don’t omit your favourites because I don’t think they deserve to be here, but because these were the games that set me on a path to fully-fledged video game obsession.
1. The Elder Scrolls: Oblivion
I was driven to games out of a love of fantasy fiction, I’ve always read so much fantasy – and I really saw video games as an extension of those worlds I loved reading about. I’ll never forget escaping from the underground tunnels of that prison and out into the world – it was SO nerdy I could have cried.
I chose to join the Thieves Guild and the process of proving myself, skulking around and gleaning what info I could and pilfering in the dark was beyond exciting. I can feel the goosebumps even now. To this day it’s still one of the most profound gaming experiences I’ve ever had.
2. Halo
Look, I’ve never been great at shooters, and I am still probably the last person on earth you want driving your Warthog. But Halo was such a breathtaking sci-fi adventure it was impossible not to be drawn in by it. The Chief, faceless and mysterious. The Halo itself – such a wild and imaginative concept. The music!
It’s still one of the most impressive and emotional video game scores out there. I loved playing through these in co-op as a gateway to shooters when I felt nervous about getting into them.
3. GoldenEye
Ah, who could forget – squinting at your little quarter of the screen while an imprint of concentric circles bore itself into your thumb from the madness of N64 controller-abuse.
I initially loved playing as Natalya (I just wanted to play a girl) – until I, of course, discovered that OddJob was the smartest choice, being so much smaller and difficult to hit (we ended up banning OddJob from character picks to keep it fair). One of the few movie game tie-ins that lived up to the hype.
4. Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic
Truthfully, I was never a huge Star Wars fan, favouring fantasy over sci-fi, but I loved a compelling story. Games were a little slow to realise the true value of the kinds of stories they could tell – but there were stand-outs early on. I found KOTOR much later than most, but I am astounded by just how emotionally gripping the narrative is. It’s easy to see why this game is still heralded as one of the greatest RPGs of all time.
5. SimCity
I never got into The Sims, but I played sooooo much SimCity. My friend and I would take turns wielding the mouse on her older brother’s PC building cities and arguing over planning approaches. It was one of the first games I played where I realised you could sit down in front of the monitor after breakfast and not realise it had somehow transitioned into the night.
It was a delicious, addictive nightmare, trying to keep everyone happy. I always overspent – and we played with Disasters turned ON – because in my opinion, it’s cheating if you don’t.
6. MarioKart64
Need I even explain this? It’s an institution. I played the heck out of this game – especially in battle mode. The thrill of discovering that when I played as Bowser and managed to time my acceleration at the start to get the boost – if I drove directly into a smaller character, they’d spin out and lose a balloon instantly!
Best level: Block Fort. Aside from the mini-map you could screen-cheat and see which colour your friend was in when you wanted to pick them off with a red shell. Worst level: Double Deck – a nightmare zone of back-and-forth pinging green shells, it all looked the same. Ugh. No.
7. Banjo Kazooie
Ah, the unstoppable duo – bird and bear. What a joy to spend time in a world that was so quirky and charming, it was like an injection of happiness every time I sat down to play. And I think we all have our own personal impressions of the hilarious sounds the characters would make. This was 3D platforming at its 90s peak – and seeking out all those little hidden secrets was pure, unadulterated joy.
8. DOOM
I have a nerdy uncle who worked in IT when I was a kid. Whenever my family would head over there for dinner, he would invariably be upstairs finishing off some game when we arrived.
I would always sneak upstairs to watch him play DOOM while yelling, ‘BEHIND YOU!’ and ‘GROSS EYEBALL THING COMING!’ as he attempted to beat each level. He would often let me have a go but honestly, the stress was just too much. I would go home dreaming of demons and beholders. It was the first time I experienced the thrill and suspense that games could create.
9. Donkey Kong Country
This was such great co-op design. It had a sense of pace to it that kept driving you forward – and those just-out-of-reach bananas that had you desperate to improve the timing of your jumps. Why could I never seem to get all the letters that spelt DONKEY KONG? Not to mention another iconic soundtrack that is impossible to get out of your head!
10. Sonic and Knuckles
My next-door neighbours were a Sega household. They even had a Sega Saturn – and I’ve never met anyone else to this day who had a Sega Saturn. They had a lot of games we loved, but Sonic and Knuckles on the Mega Drive was impossible to put down once we started. My eyes would be dry from refusing to blink, because moving so quickly through the world meant that you couldn’t break your attention for even a moment.
Well, there it is, my list. I hope if anything it’s sent you on a trip down memory lane and perhaps inspired you to create your own ‘top ten’. I legit think I’m going to go back to Oblivion and re-live the memories since reflecting on it – the breathtaking landscapes of Cyrodiil awaits!
