Throwback Thursday Update

Welcome to another Throwback Thursday, which for the past 2 years has been your weekly destination for nostalgic looks into my Top 100 games.  Now that we've covered all 100 games on this list, you may be wondering what next lays in store for this particular blog segment.  For starters, our Top 100 list was previously determined for all games released prior to 2017, so some time will be spent reevaluating the list to include games released / played in the past two years.  Also, the act of closely analyzing and writing about each of these games across these many posts has given new perspectives on each game, to which the rankings of some games may be adjusted during this time.  So look forward to an update on such in the near future.

And although not every game necessarily can stand among what is my Top 100 games, there are still plenty of more great, nostalgic games deserving of time and recognition.  So look forward to more throwbacks still, though please understand they won't appear on as frequent a weekly basis.  Adjusting the frequency of these Throwback segments will allow more time to catch up in completing other posts, such as many pending reviews for Kingdom Hearts III, Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, and Astro Bots: Rescue Mission to name a few.  Also look forward to more game recommendations based off genres, consoles, and more, so still be sure to check in and stay tuned for more gaming discussions on a regular basis.

If you have any suggestions for topics you'd like to see in Throwback gaming or other general gaming, be sure to let me know in the comments.  Be sure to check the Throwback Thursday tab and catch up on any previously discussed games you may have missed.  And look forward to a hopefully greater wealth of gaming content to be found still, just with more unexpected timing and joyous surprise.  Thanks.  And happy gaming!

Throwback Thursday - The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker

Welcome to another Throwback Thursday, our weekly look into my Top 100 games and general nostalgia.  And wouldn't you know it, we've finally arrived at what is perhaps my favorite game of all time.  It is by no means a perfect game I will acknowledge, but no game has managed to ignite my imagination and wonder quite as magically as this masterpiece pulled off.  Topping off our esteemed list of games this week: The game of pulling up sunken treasures and calling upon the forces of weather that is The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker.

Released in the US on March 24th, 2003, The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker was the much anticipated debut of the Zelda series for the GameCube.  After the series' critically acclaimed jump to 3D on the N64 with Ocarina of Time and Majora's Mask, and a demo called Space World showing off the graphical capabilities for this new Nintendo hardware, the world's excitement could not be contained for what next laid in store for this series.  So it was quite a surprise when this next Zelda adventure of The Wind Waker instead featured a bold, cel-shaded art direction with a cartoonish, young Link (we now refer to as Toon Link thanks to the Smash Bros series).  While this caused a heated divide among players at the time, hindsight and time have proven this art direction to have aged flawlessly and to be a timeless work of art.

Throwback Thursday - Super Mario Galaxy (series)

Welcome to another Throwback Thursday, our weekly look into my Top 100 games and general nostalgia, now examining the esteemed Top 10 games I can't recommend higher.  Shooting for the stars this week: The games of interplanetary hopping and alien octopus stomping that are the Super Mario Galaxy series.

Released in the US on November 12th, 2007, Super Mario Galaxy elevated not only the Mario series, but the potential of all platformers to soaring new heights.  As the much anticipated 3D Mario title for the Nintendo Wii, many a player's imagination was ignited as Mario took to the stars quite literally, jumping through many a creative level of spherical rotating designs.  While the game may not be quite as built for sandbox exploration style gameplay as with its previous 3D predecessors, the linear structure of these carefully crafted levels ensured phenomenal pacing and a myriad of clever ideas that never failed to delight and induce a sense of awe and wonder.  I'll never forget the first time I leaped off a planetoid, only to continue flying to the other side underneath.  Or the thrills of fighting Bowser on a spherical planet of lava, making full use of the 360-degree rotation to orchestrate wild encounters of fireballs and chases for victory.

Throwback Thursday - Portal

Welcome to another Throwback Thursday, our weekly look into my Top 100 games and general nostalgia, now examining the esteemed Top 10 games I can't recommend higher.  Turning the world on its head this week: The game of companion cubes and cake ruses that is mind-bender, Portal.

Released on October 10th, 2007, Portal was just a small added-on game to what is one of the greatest deals to be found in gaming, known as the Orange Box, the likes of which included Half-Life 2, it's episodic expansions, Team Fortress 2, and as mentioned above, Portal.  Little did anyone know that this small, experimental first-person puzzle adventure would blow everyone's expectations out of the water in being one of the most innovative and compelling masterpieces to grace the medium of gaming.  Built around the simple concept of a gun that creates two colored portals at any one time to travel between, Portal challenges players to expand their way of thinking and creatively use the laws of physics to solve puzzles and navigate these peculiar testing facilities.

Throwback Thursday - The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past

Welcome to another Throwback Thursday, our weekly look into my Top 100 games and general nostalgia, now examining the esteemed Top 10 games I can't recommend higher.  Readying their blade this week: The game of dungeons and caves and descendants to save that is The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past.

Released on November 21st, 1991, The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past was the third installment in the Zelda series and much anticipated debut for the new SNES console.  After some experimentation as an RPG side-scrolling adventure with Zelda II, A Link to the Past marked a return to form with classic top-down, dungeon crawling fun.  Making full use of this powerful new hardware of its time, players were vividly immersed exploring this intricate world full of layered heights and overlapping bridges.  It's a game that I consider to be the perfect embodiment of pure gameplay; A perfect balance of exploration, action, and puzzle-solving.  And it all begins with one of the most memorable intros in all of gaming, with Link making for a daring rescue at Hyrule Castle on a dark and stormy night.

Throwback Thursday - Metroid Prime Trilogy

Welcome to another Throwback Thursday, our weekly look into my Top 100 games and general nostalgia, now examining the esteemed Top 10 games I can't recommend higher.  Locking onto the target this week: The games of planetary exploration and alien annihilation that are the Metroid Prime Trilogy.

After the release of Super Metroid for the SNES in 1994, there was an 8 year wait until the series would see return to a home console, that being Metroid Prime on the GameCube.  Produced by Nintendo and their new 1st party developers of Retro Studios, Metroid Prime marked a bold move for the series as it transitioned into the world of 3D as a first-person shooter action-adventure, an unusual mix of genres.  But by golly did it work.  One of my fondest memories not just in Metroid Prime but in all of gaming is the incredible immersion felt wearing the helmet of Samus Aran, seeing steam fog up the visor or the intense blast of a charged shot emit a brief reflection of your eyes.  Quite simply this was one of the most expertly designed and engrossing adventures you're likely to find in gaming.

Throwback Thursday - Shovel Knight

Welcome to another Throwback Thursday, our weekly look into my Top 100 games and general nostalgia, now examining the esteemed Top 10 games I can't recommend higher.  Striking the Earth this week: The game of gems to dig and justice to give in indie hit that is Shovel Knight.

Inspired by the likes of retro titles such as Mega Man, Zelda II, Duck Tales and more, Shovel Knight was developed to pay homage to these classics while delivering a unique retro throwback for the modern age.  After a very successful Kickstarter campaign, Shovel Knight finally saw release on June 26th, 2014, to which it not only certainly achieved its goal in emulating these NES greats, but it surpasses them in every possible way.  Despite its entirely silly concept behind it, there is in fact some superb writing which displays plenty of genuinely witty humor and at times stoic intrigue, such as with each conversation that proceeds an encounter with the members of the Order of No Quarter.  It gives the characters and world a weight of history and considerable depth, an impressive feat for fast-paced platformer at that.  Speaking of which, as great as the writing is, the wildly inventive shovel-based action gameplay is where this game truly shines.  Let's dig in (pun intended).

Throwback Thursday - Fire Emblem Awakening

Welcome to another Throwback Thursday, our weekly look into my Top 100 games and general nostalgia, now examining the esteemed Top 10 games I can't recommend higher.  Steeling thy blades this week: The game of tactical battles against warring empires that is Fire Emblem: Awakening.

Released in the US on February 4th, 2013, Fire Emblem Awakening was developed during a time where the series looked to be at an end, unable to make the desired worldwide sales.  So as to have no regrets, this last effort with Awakening sought to culminate the best features of the all the series into one game with a fresh new look to go with it.  It was either to be a glorious swan song or the start of something beautiful.  Turns out to be the latter as the Fire Emblem series has since exploded in popularity thanks to the tremendous success and appeal of Awakening.  I'll admit to joining that bandwagon of Fire Emblem fandom upon playing Awakening as well.  In fact, this game is one of the rare instances where a game demo actually swayed me to purchase this game I otherwise had not considered picking up.  I was blown away by the attractive art style, striking cut scenes for a handheld, the rich soundtrack that beautifully blended between tactics and battle, the fun nods to the pixel-based characters for map view, and the intriguing plot.  I knew this was a game I would need to dive deeper into, and it ended up becoming my favorite game on the Nintendo 3DS and a cherished experience in all of gaming.

Throwback Thursday - Donkey Kong Country Returns

Welcome to another Throwback Thursday, our weekly look into my Top 100 games and general nostalgia, now examining the esteemed Top 10 games I can't recommend higher.  Defying the laws of gravity this week: The game of fist slamming simians and devious tiki minions that is Donkey Kong Country Returns.

Released in the US on November 21st, 2010, Donkey Kong Country Returns marked a spirited return in modern form to the beloved platforming series of the SNES era.  And who would of thought that Retro Studios, the developers whose only previous work included the esteemed first-person shooter envisioning of the Metroid Prime Trilogy, would go on to make what is one of the finest platformers to grace us in a generation.  Masterfully blending nostalgic elements with fun and creative ideas, this game takes players on a wild ride that feels right at home.  The adventure begins on an all too-familiar note, some nefarious no-doers, this time a group of hypnotically-enchanting tikis, stealing the coveted hoard of Kong bananas.  As DK happens to be immune to the tiki's hypnotic gaze, players make use of the Wii's motion controls to deliver a satisfying flurry of punches in exaggerated cartoon fashion, and burst into a journey of justice, barrel blasting and plenty of bananas.

(Belated) Throwback Thursday - Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door

Welcome to another Throwback Thursday (a bit belated), our weekly look into my Top 100 games and general nostalgia, now examining the esteemed Top 10 games I can't recommend higher.  Sorry for the delay folks as it's been a busy week, and I didn't want to shortchange such a beloved game here.  Speaking of which, making the fold this week: The game of paper planes and luxury trains that is Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door.

Released in the US on October 11th, 2004, Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door is the second entry in the Paper Mario series and is highly regarded as the best of its peers, if not one of the greatest RPG's ever made (I'm willing to defend this bold assertion).  Taking what was a strong foundation from Paper Mario for the N64, Thousand-Year Door is a familiar sight with its unique paper aesthetics, clever turn-based battles with timed-based action inputs, and its creative world building.  However, this game takes all of these wonderful attributes and pushes the boundaries of each into a more engaging, bizarre and memorable adventure ever thought possible.  It all begins with Mario voyaging to the new horizons of Rogueport, a seedy and dicey pirate port that stands in striking contrast to the colorful and upbeat Mushroom Kingdom. With a missing princess Peach, a mysterious group of thugs known as the X-Nauts, and a magical map to an unknown treasure as their only lead, the stage is set for an adventure like none other.

Throwback Thursday - The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time

Welcome to another Throwback Thursday, our weekly look into my Top 100 games and general nostalgia, now examining the esteemed Top 10 games I can't recommend higher.  Leading us off in this prestigious climax and taking target this week: The game of magical sonatas and epic tennis battles that is The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time.

Released in November 1998, 20 years ago to this month, Ocarina of Time marked the much anticipated debut of The Legend of Zelda series into the world of 3D and is heralded by many as quite possibly one of the most influential and greatest games of all time.  This fantastical adventure begins with a young boy, Link, who is the only child to live in Kokiri Forest that is without a fairy.  When sinister schemes are put into motion by a wandering Gerudo, Ganondorf, Link sets off on a grand quest to save the kingdom of Hyrule.  Little does he know the key to smiting this evil force will require the kingdom to fall to ruin, as Link will travel through time and enter a future where Ganondorf has taken rule by means of uncontested power.  Exploring these sprawling lands and discovering the many colorful characters that inhabit such, split across two timelines, makes for what feels like such a classical and epic saga.  The remorse of leaving a dear friend to embark to new lands.  The bond between a horse and a melody that time cannot break.  The intrigue of a mysterious stranger who offers wisdom and always seems to be just one step ahead of you.  The feelings this game is able to evoke is the quintessential embodiment of fantasy.

Throwback Thursday - Banjo-Kazooie (series)

Welcome to another Throwback Thursday, our weekly look into my Top 100 games and general nostalgia, now examining the cream of the crop with the Top 20.  Completing the puzzle this week: The games of rhyming witches and jigsaw switches that is the ever endearing Banjo-Kazooie series.

Released in the US on June 29th, 1998, Banjo-Kazooie debuted on the N64 set to capture the success and fun that was 3D adventure platforming as introduced by Super Mario 64.  Developed by Rare during their years of partnership with Nintendo (the golden years), Banjo-Kazooie delivered on the many hallmarks this company was becoming well known for, notably impressive graphics and top-notch sound design.  This goofy, lovable adventure follows the exploits of a bear named Banjo and bird named Kazooie, the latter of which lives in Banjo's backpack.  When a wicked witch, Gruntilda, captures Banjo's little sister Tootie to steal her youth, the dynamic duo of bear and bird set forth into Gruntilda's lair to gather the many scattered Jiggies and ascend the tower's peak.  Jiggies unlocked new worlds for more Jiggies and more musical notes to find, of which allowed further access into the tower for more worlds to uncover, and thus began the cycle of what was the popular and addicting genre of the collect-a-thon.

Throwback Thursday - Super Mario 64

Welcome to another Throwback Thursday, our weekly look into my Top 100 games and general nostalgia, now examining the cream of the crop with the Top 20.  Making the long jump this week: The game of plentiful yahoo's and wahoo's that is Super Mario 64.

Released in the US on September 29th, 1996, Super Mario 64 was the iconic plumber's first foray into the world of 3D and would pave the way for much of the industry and other 3D games to follow.  At the invitation of the princess and delicious prospects of cake, Mario ventures to Peach's castle only to find Bowser's shenanigans at play once again, capturing both the princess and all the Power Stars of the castle.  From the very opening moments of the game, players have free reign to perform all sorts of acrobatic moves and run around wherever their whims desire, creating an immersion into the world of Mario like never before.  As players push the bounds of their curiosity, they'll notice many peculiarities that will require returned investigation.  A door beneath the water's surface of the front moat.  A ghost at the end of a long hallway.  A painting that wavers at close touch.  And then the magic happens.  You decide to jump into the mysterious painting, and you're literally sucked into a whole new world of possibilities.

Throwback Thursday - Beyond Good & Evil

Welcome to another Throwback Thursday, our weekly look into my Top 100 games and general nostalgia, now examining the cream of the crop with the Top 20.  Sneaking into the fray this week: The game of anthropomorphic aliens and sneaking into things that is Beyond Good & Evil.

Released on November 11th, 2003, Beyond Good & Evil is yet another game from Michel Ancel of Ubisoft, creator of the Rayman series, set in a new universe filled with aliens, war, conspiracies, espionage and more.  Players take control of Jade, a female photojournalist, who lives with her "uncle" Pey'j, a pig-like human mechanic, among other orphans on the planet Hillys.  The planet is under attack by a hostile alien force known as DomZ, to which a government force known as the Alpha Sections has the planet under lock-down for its protection against this opposing force.  Strapped for cash in which to shield their home, players take an assortment of odd-end photography jobs to pay the bills.  However, these pursuits soon lead to discovery of darker truths to be found in this world of Hillys.

Throwback Thursday - Rayman Origins

Welcome to another Throwback Thursday, our weekly look into my Top 100 games and general nostalgia, now examining the cream of the crop with the Top 20.  Striking a pose this week: The game of slapstick humor and soaring mosquitoes that is Rayman Origins.

Released on November 11th, 2011, Rayman Origins sees a return to the series's 2D platforming roots while also being the first game released by Ubisoft to make use of their new UbiArt Framework, a graphics engine which more seamlessly translates and incorporates their 2D illustrations into easy to use game assets.  The result of this new engine is nothing short of what feels like being inside and interacting with a Saturday morning cartoon.  The art and animation in this game is so delightfully whimsical and exaggerated, it perfectly pairs with the slapstick nature of literally slapping enemies and watching them inflate to balloon proportions before giving a satisfying pop.  The nonsensical nature of the game is only furthered by what is a very loose and silly plot, which entails our obnoxiously loud snoring clad of heroes awakening the land of the dead, who then captures all the Teensies, Electoons, and Nymphs across the various lands of the Glade.  As such, our heroes are tasked to travel through thick jungles, musical deserts, delicious tundras and more to restore peace to these outlandish lands.

Throwback Thursday - Inside

Welcome to another Throwback Thursday, our weekly look into my Top 100 games and general nostalgia, now examining the cream of the crop with the Top 20.  While this blog is rated E for everyone's safe and enjoyable viewing, I should mention this week's throwback is rated M for Mature.  Parental discretion is advised for playing this game.

Speaking of which, making the sprint this week: The game of moving right and curious sights that is Inside.

Released on June 29th, 2016, Inside is the highly anticipated follow-up to Playdead's critically acclaimed hit Limbo back in 2010.  At surface level, this game bears many similarities to its former counterpart: A boy who wakes up in a mysterious forest and sets off on some unknown driven purpose, solving various puzzles in which to press forward and satiate an unyielding curiosity.  However, Inside tells a story distinctly its own and raises the bar over that of Limbo in most every conceivable way.  The animation is some of the best animation to be displayed in any medium; the way in which the boy perfectly reacts to the world around him to the haunting marches of the brain-dead bodies.  Even as a 2D platformer, the world is richer and fuller than most any game you could hope to explore, completely enamoring the player with its beautiful, cinematic framing and perfect pacing.  The sound design, so wonderfully rich and chilling.  The narrative, so strange and yet so incredibly captivating, you can't help but keep thinking about long after the credits finish rolling.  It's a game that begs further discussion and an unhealthy amount of further diving into every facet of this world for deeper meaning.

Throwback Thursday - Braid

Welcome to another Throwback Thursday, our weekly look into my Top 100 games and general nostalgia, now examining the cream of the crop with the Top 20.  Breaking conventions this week: The game of puzzles to rewind that blow your mind that is Braid.

Released in the US on August 6th, 2008, Braid is a unique puzzle-platformer that sought to reexamine the fundamentals of game trends and traditional storytelling.  Right from the start of the game, players are presented with a mysterious, lonesome building with but a single room lit titled "2. Time and Forgiveness".  Questions and curiosity immediately arise as to why start with "2" if this is the start of journey?  What happened to "1"?  And what is this fault our character has committed that he wishes to be forgiven?  With these lingering thoughts in mind, players take pursuit into surreal and meditative worlds, to gather the many scattered puzzle pieces that may better illustrate the answers to these very mysteries.

Throwback Thursday - Super Mario RPG

Welcome to another Throwback Thursday, our weekly look into my Top 100 games and general nostalgia, now examining the cream of the crop with the Top 20.  Mixing it up this week: The game of Mushroom Kingdom all-stars battling isometric monsters that is Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars.

Released on the US on May 13th, 1996, Super Mario RPG was the result of a rare and magical collaboration between Nintendo and Square.  Combining the whimsical nature of the Mario universe with the somber and epic tones of that the likes of a Final Fantasy RPG, this is a game that hits all the right notes in appeasing players of either preferred genre.  It's in fact a good jumping ground (pun intended) for players not overly found of the intimidating complexities or repetitive turn-based nature of RPG's.  The adventure begins on a familiar note: Bowser kidnaps Princess Toadstool (aka Peach), and Mario springs into action.  But from here, the series of choices following this very intro completely shift player expectations and set the tone of what will be an incredible grand and memorable adventure.

Throwback Thursday - Limbo

Welcome to another Throwback Thursday, our weekly look into my Top 100 games and general nostalgia, now examining the cream of the crop with the Top 20.  While this game is only rated T for Teen, there are many gruesome variances of death sequences to be found in this somber world.  This blog is rated E for everyone's safe and enjoyable viewing, but I'd advise some parental discretion for playing this game.

Speaking of which, taking a stab this week: The game of brutal deaths and fun with physics that is Limbo.

Released on July 21st, 2010, Limbo starred as the eye-catching new indie game of Xbox's "Summer of Arcade" promotion.  And boy did it turn some heads, with its simplistic and yet incredibly gripping art style and gameplay mechanics.  By stripping down the components of its design, this is a game that manages to be both surprisingly accessible and deeply engaging.  As a puzzle-platformer, players explore this entrancing world filled with all sorts of interesting puzzles, either comprised of new ideas or familiar elements with new layers of complexity.  The main basis of most of these puzzles and the game centers around a trial by error system (or "trial by death" as the creators put it).  This may sound frustrating dying over and over again, but such is kept from feeling grinding thanks to generous checkpoints and the many varied horrific, yet strangely captivating deaths.  The deeper you dive into this haunting world, the more you develop a sense for anticipating these devious traps and a satisfaction for overcoming such.

Throwback Thursday - Super Mario World

Welcome to another Throwback Thursday, our weekly look into my Top 100 games and general nostalgia, now examining the cream of the crop with the Top 20.  Making a sprint for the goal this week: The game of spin-jumps and 1-ups that is the classic Super Mario World.

Released in the US on August 13th, 1991, Super Mario World was the debut Mario title to launch with the new Super Nintendo Entertainment System (SNES).  It's a little difficult not to be a little bias in regards to my affinity for this game as it also marks my first foray into the world of video games.  And what a superbly jolly and creative introduction into the medium it was.  Players take control of this mustached hero as he dawns bright yellow capes and mounts adorable green dinosaurs, soaring to the skies to rescue the princess on a island named entirely off delicious sweets.  Sounds like the perfect start to a very memorable adventure.