If you could choose 15 games to put in a capsule
0
If you could choose 15 games to put in a capsule as a cross section of exemplary and influential gaming across genres to leave for the future game designers, what would you include and why?
On my list personally I include at most one game from a franchise, which eliminated a lot of viable possibilities I thought about for older games. I tried to span many genres and for great franchises, to choose the one game that was the greatest in my mind.
Mario 64 - One of the best games ever made. If I had to make a list of the best games of all time on the spot, this would probably be number one. It was a triumphant introduction of Mario and platforming to 3D and features some of the best level design of any game ever.
Shenmue - In some ways an odd choice, but despite its flaws, an amazing game that showcases ambition to push the boundries, cross genres, and really bring the idealization of gaming to life. Certainly not perfect, but a visionary masterpiece.
Final Fantasy 7 - Probably the most influential RPG of all time, and also one of the best. It brought FF into the third dimension and managed to up the ante for RPGs with larger and more varied environments, enemies, abilities, and features than previously seen. And it did all this while staying true to the exciting gameplay and epic storylines that have made the FF franchise great.
Metal Gear Solid 4 - The most awesome synthesis of storytelling and gaming yet seen, in my opinion. In addition to playing excellently and featuring intense boss fights, Kojima went all in on the story to give Solid Snake, one of gaming's iconic heroes, a truly spectacular and memorable finale. A true masterpiece, this would also appear on my list of greatest games of all time.
Tetris - The oldest game on my list, but also the definitive puzzle game of all time. Both simple and complex, it took the world by storm and is still played today.
Command and Conquer - Along with it's cold war setting, simple fast paced gameplay, and strategic unit choices, C&C helped popularize the concept of the RTS and represents a high achievement in the genre.
Myst - Another very influential game, Myst was one of the first games to build such a fully immersive world. While it may seem primitive by today's standards, the game was groundbreaking at the time. The immersive and haunting atmosphere along with the clever and addictive puzzles helped this game gain widespread popularity and spawn numerous sequels.
Call of Duty - The choice of FPSs was hard, since they are so abundant, but I narrowly decided on this game based on the level of realism and gravity it brought to the genre. Gone are the days of point and click accuracy and exploration of endless identical 2D brick hallways.
Gran Turismo - One of the premier racing games of all time, it featured both a high level of customization and top notch graphics and handling for it's time. Finally, NFS meets Mechwarrior.
World of Warcraft - The definitive MMORPG and the game that really brought concept of MMORPGs into the mainstream. There's not much to say about WoW that hasn't already been said.
Soul Calibur - With a huge repertory of moves, a cast of unique characters, and solid gameplay, this game set a new bar for fighting games, especially 3D ones. While to some, Marvel vs. Capcom 2 and Street Fighter 4 have kept the 2D fighting genre alive, none of these games have eclipsed the combination natural play and sophistication found in Soul Calibur.
Grand Theft Auto 3 - the transition of GTA to 3D brought with it a new level of open world gameplay. Sure, there were missions, but you were just as free to try and steal a tank or drive your Ferrari off a dock.
Mechwarrior 2 - Still, in many ways, the definitive Mech sim and the template which later mech sims have followed. Fully 3D, the game gave players an abundance of options for moving their mechs in all sorts of ways and a huge amount of frames and weapons with which to customize their machines.
Guitar Hero 2 - The rhythm game that caused the most recent explosion in rhythm game popularity. While GH was fine as a game, GH2 featured a more exciting soundtrack, smoother gameplay, and really caused the game to explode in popularity. Proof of GH2's influence can be seen in the myriad of imitators that now line the shelves.
SimCity 2000 - Still the definitive sim game. While later SimCity games have tweaked the genre, no change has been as radical as the transition from SimCity to SimCity 2000. This game is still the basic template that simulation games often follow.
Other options I thought about
Mario 3(instead of Mario 64)
Donkey Kong Country(instead of Mario 64)
Ocarina of Time(instead of Shenmue. As a side note, this is a good game, but I don't understand why people think it is the best game ever)
FFIII/VI(instead of FFVII)
Lemmings(instead of Tetris)
Warcraft(instead of Command and Conquer)
Doom(instead of Call of Duty)
Half-Life 2(instead of Call of Duty)
Goldeneye(instead of Call of Duty)
Street Fighter II(instead of Soul Calibur)
Morrowind(instead of GTA3)
DanceDance Revolution(instead of GH2)
The Sims(instead of SimCity 2000)
On my list personally I include at most one game from a franchise, which eliminated a lot of viable possibilities I thought about for older games. I tried to span many genres and for great franchises, to choose the one game that was the greatest in my mind.
Mario 64 - One of the best games ever made. If I had to make a list of the best games of all time on the spot, this would probably be number one. It was a triumphant introduction of Mario and platforming to 3D and features some of the best level design of any game ever.
Shenmue - In some ways an odd choice, but despite its flaws, an amazing game that showcases ambition to push the boundries, cross genres, and really bring the idealization of gaming to life. Certainly not perfect, but a visionary masterpiece.
Final Fantasy 7 - Probably the most influential RPG of all time, and also one of the best. It brought FF into the third dimension and managed to up the ante for RPGs with larger and more varied environments, enemies, abilities, and features than previously seen. And it did all this while staying true to the exciting gameplay and epic storylines that have made the FF franchise great.
Metal Gear Solid 4 - The most awesome synthesis of storytelling and gaming yet seen, in my opinion. In addition to playing excellently and featuring intense boss fights, Kojima went all in on the story to give Solid Snake, one of gaming's iconic heroes, a truly spectacular and memorable finale. A true masterpiece, this would also appear on my list of greatest games of all time.
Tetris - The oldest game on my list, but also the definitive puzzle game of all time. Both simple and complex, it took the world by storm and is still played today.
Command and Conquer - Along with it's cold war setting, simple fast paced gameplay, and strategic unit choices, C&C helped popularize the concept of the RTS and represents a high achievement in the genre.
Myst - Another very influential game, Myst was one of the first games to build such a fully immersive world. While it may seem primitive by today's standards, the game was groundbreaking at the time. The immersive and haunting atmosphere along with the clever and addictive puzzles helped this game gain widespread popularity and spawn numerous sequels.
Call of Duty - The choice of FPSs was hard, since they are so abundant, but I narrowly decided on this game based on the level of realism and gravity it brought to the genre. Gone are the days of point and click accuracy and exploration of endless identical 2D brick hallways.
Gran Turismo - One of the premier racing games of all time, it featured both a high level of customization and top notch graphics and handling for it's time. Finally, NFS meets Mechwarrior.
World of Warcraft - The definitive MMORPG and the game that really brought concept of MMORPGs into the mainstream. There's not much to say about WoW that hasn't already been said.
Soul Calibur - With a huge repertory of moves, a cast of unique characters, and solid gameplay, this game set a new bar for fighting games, especially 3D ones. While to some, Marvel vs. Capcom 2 and Street Fighter 4 have kept the 2D fighting genre alive, none of these games have eclipsed the combination natural play and sophistication found in Soul Calibur.
Grand Theft Auto 3 - the transition of GTA to 3D brought with it a new level of open world gameplay. Sure, there were missions, but you were just as free to try and steal a tank or drive your Ferrari off a dock.
Mechwarrior 2 - Still, in many ways, the definitive Mech sim and the template which later mech sims have followed. Fully 3D, the game gave players an abundance of options for moving their mechs in all sorts of ways and a huge amount of frames and weapons with which to customize their machines.
Guitar Hero 2 - The rhythm game that caused the most recent explosion in rhythm game popularity. While GH was fine as a game, GH2 featured a more exciting soundtrack, smoother gameplay, and really caused the game to explode in popularity. Proof of GH2's influence can be seen in the myriad of imitators that now line the shelves.
SimCity 2000 - Still the definitive sim game. While later SimCity games have tweaked the genre, no change has been as radical as the transition from SimCity to SimCity 2000. This game is still the basic template that simulation games often follow.
Other options I thought about
Mario 3(instead of Mario 64)
Donkey Kong Country(instead of Mario 64)
Ocarina of Time(instead of Shenmue. As a side note, this is a good game, but I don't understand why people think it is the best game ever)
FFIII/VI(instead of FFVII)
Lemmings(instead of Tetris)
Warcraft(instead of Command and Conquer)
Doom(instead of Call of Duty)
Half-Life 2(instead of Call of Duty)
Goldeneye(instead of Call of Duty)
Street Fighter II(instead of Soul Calibur)
Morrowind(instead of GTA3)
DanceDance Revolution(instead of GH2)
The Sims(instead of SimCity 2000)
