Comments on: Best of the Decade: Video Games

By: Tracey John

Tracey John — Fri, 11 Dec 2009 22:17:44 +0000

@okkervil1 – Actually, by “best,” I think for this list we did go with games we loved along with what was “most impactful” or “biggest” (most popular), and Wii Sports would fit into that. Feel better? ;)

I think Wii Sports is important because it convinced *us* to play, as well as Grandma. Maybe a lot of it was marketing but if it didn’t play well or feel right to convince us that the motion controls worked and were fun, the Wii would’ve tanked.

Regarding the Wii’s technology, what promises do you think weren’t fulfilled?

By: okkervil1

okkervil1 — Fri, 11 Dec 2009 21:01:18 +0000

Yeah, it’s all down to personal taste, of course. Still, seeing Animal Crossing and Wii Sports as the represenation of Nintendo games for this decade is a little disheartening. If this list was going for “most impactful” or “biggest” (in terms of popularity) of the decade, I might feel better about some of the choices. There just isn’t enough to Wii Sports to grant it “best of decade” status. Is it important? Yeah, kinda, if getting grandma to play is that important. That’s more of a breakthrough for video game marketing than it is for video game design, I think. Because honestly, I don’t think the technology is quite yet where it needs to be to fulfill what the Wii originally promised.

By: Tracey John

Tracey John — Fri, 11 Dec 2009 20:16:42 +0000

@okkervil1 – For me, I don’t think Mario Galaxy warranted a spot in the top 10 of the entire decade. Maybe if the list were expanded to 50. And actually, Warcraft III, Fallout 3 and Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion would be on my personal list of all-time favorite games.

By: okkervil1

okkervil1 — Fri, 11 Dec 2009 19:45:57 +0000

Hm. I just don’t see how Mario Galaxy can be left off a list like this. Not even an honorable mention. Glad to see WoW at the very top, at least (although my personal favorite of the decade is actually Warcraft III). The rest of my top 5 would include Metroid Prime, WoW, Galaxy and Fallout 3.

By: Tracey John

Tracey John — Fri, 11 Dec 2009 19:32:37 +0000

@explosionhead – I think between the three of us, we had played most, if not all, the games that were under consideration. Yeah, picking just 10 was brutal! Were there any that you would’ve put in or taken out?

By: explosionhead

explosionhead — Fri, 11 Dec 2009 17:52:39 +0000

I am amazed that you were able to get a top ten list. I would have been okay with a top twenty.

just one question though: Did you guys play through all 50 titles you were considering or did you go by memory?

Either way, it must have been a tough job.