Here’s a fun little exercise: Don’t take too long to think about it. Fifteen video games you’ve played that will always stick with you. List the first fifteen you can recall in no more than fifteen minutes. (I saw this first at Forbes.com but have seen it elsewhere now)
Lemonade stand – I don’t remember what system I played this on first (probably my friend’s C64) but I’ve always considered myself a entrepreneurial/capitalistic kind of guy, so I was all about selling that lemonade.
Below the Root – Another game that I played non-stop at a friend’s house, Below the Root was a world I loved.
TSR/SSI/Goldbox Games – I’m cheating here a bit, but all the goldbox games will always stick with me, especially the Dragonlance series.
Tradewars 2002 – A precursor to MMO’s and browser-based games, BBS Doors were some of my favorite games, but TW2002 was my favorite. I always named my ships “Ride the Lightning” and I continue that naming system to this day.
Syndicate – I actually only remember playing Syndicate for maybe six hours total, but this mini-strategy game was one that tapped directly into my pleasure centers. I am still hoping for a remake.
Mortal Kombat 2 (arcade) – I may have mentioned this before, but I worked at an arcade in high school, so I had free arcade games for about two straight years, in the hey-day (in my opinion) of video games, the early 90’s. We’re talking X-Men, Ninja Turtles, Off-Road and of course Mortal Kombat. When Mortal Kombat 2 came out, I was already in college and no longer working at the arcade, but I couldn’t get enough MK2.
Ivan “Ironman” Stewart’s Super Off Road (arcade) – Another video game I could play all day. When I buy my first upright arcade game, it’s going to be Super Off Road.
Doom – Opened my eyes and forever made me a fan of first person shooters.
Super Mario Brothers – Take which ever one you want and you’ll be fine. Right now, I’m loving Super Mario Galaxy 2. That’s TWENTY ONE YEARS of playing Super Mario. That’s got to count for something.
Metroid Prime – I loved the 8- and 16-bit versions of Metroid, but Metroid Prime was a transcedent experience for me. The atmosphere, the loneliness and the music. Oh, the music. It’s still on heavy rotation on my iPod to this day.
Resident Evil 4 – I’ve beaten it more times than I care to admit. And probably played Mercenaries more than that. Also: HUNK.
Neocron – Very misunderstood, tragically underplayed Sci-Fi MMO from Europe. Had the best crafting in the business.
EVE Online – Another misunderstood Sci-Fi MMO that I wish I had more time for. Spreadsheets in Space is not a bad thing. Another game that scratched that entrepreneurial/capitalist itch I have.
Dead Rising – It’s probably because I’m currently playing (and loving) Dead Rising 2, but Dead Rising will always stick with me as a game I loved. What a game.
My list isn’t in any order, other than roughly chronological. This would be a great weekend de-lurking opportunity. Don’t spend a lot of time thinking about it, just list 15 games that will always stick with you. Let us know what they are in the comments! (Or throw up your own blog post and send us a link)