My Top Ten Video Games

This is going to be a difficult entry into the blog just because my top five are going to be so difficult to choose. I'm sure if I ask any of you gamers out there over the age of 25 to give me your top ten games you are gonna have to think about that one for a while. You might even have to sit down and write a list like I am about to do. For those of you who don't know much about me, my gaming career began in 1986 when the Atari 7800 dropped. My dad's friend came over with this black console and a controller. I waited so patiently for my turn to play asteroids and when my time came I could barely control myself. Here's my list of the best video games that I have played. I know at least one of the Final Fantasy games should be on here but I never got into that franchise. Anyway these are my personal favorites starting at the bottom of the list.

10. Call of Duty 4 Modern Warfare
I am not a big fan of 1st person shooters but this game for the Xbox 360 console changed my whole perception of the genre. This is hands down the best 1st person shooter I have ever played. The weapons were sweet, the maps were on point. I did not replay the campaign too much but the online experience was intense and very addicting. I'd have to say the sweetest thing about this game is three kills get that UAV, 5 kills get that air strike, and 7 kills call in that helicop. This game is still very popular in the online community. I can hop on xbl right now and have at least 8 friends playing this game right now. That's how you know you gotta good game, two, three years later people still playing online all day.

9. Street Fighter II
This game was the reason we used to go to the youth center when I was 11 years old. Since it was released by Capcom as a coin operated arcade game we had a reason to leave home. They had to bring in two more machines because of the problems this game caused. I mean kids would line up and have to wait hours to play just one match. Remember placing your quarters on the screen saying "next"? I would bring Chun Li out and run through 20 opponents on any given day. My favorite character would have to be Ken in this game.

8. Mike Tyson's Punchout
I believe the year was 1987, I was seven just breaking my nintendo in. My mom purchased this game for me and the first day I played for 6 hours straight. Little Mac was the man, for someone reason you just felt great defeating opponents with this 3 foot tall boxer. I used to run in place when he was jogging with his trainer in the park. What I remember most about this game is earning the little heart after a good counter punch. I would save up all three and use that super uppercut to finish em off. I never officially beat Mike Tyson in that game now that I think about it.

7. The Legend of Zelda
I had to put this game in the list just from the number of hours that were put into playing it. This game combined role playing with puzzles and action. I know you remember the tri-force. And I still think about exploring the caves with the lantern burning. Just an all around good game at that time.

6. Metal Gear Solid
I think this was one of the most innovative games when it comes to stealth and using your environment. That little alarm sound from being spotted by enemies is something you could never forget if you played this game long enough. I think I had just graduated high school when I got this game so I played it non stop for that entire summer. I love third person shooters and this game was ahead of its time. The graphics were good for that time and the gameplay smooth. Metal Gear was a very challenging game I can remember having to fight some of those bosses 9 or 10 times.

5. Contra
My buddy and I would put in that code for 30 lives and play this game til the wee hours of the morning. Up Up Down Down Left Right Left Right B A Start. This was your basic run and gun shoot em up classic. Now that I think about it this game was pretty difficult because you could only get hit once and you were dead and you started out with three lives. So without the cheat code many people would have never beat this game. This game is probably on the top ten list of a lot of gamers.

4. Double Dragon
The intro to the game is still in the back of my brain. The bad guys would come up punch your girl in the stomach and walk off with her. They kidnapped her in exchange for the martial art secrets of Billy and Jimmy Lee, the two main characters. What I loved most about this game was the level up system to unlock new moves. Remember those big Abobo characters?

3. Gears of War
Now we are getting to my top 3 and Gears had to be up here. Anyone on my friends list on xbox live will tell you I am an official gearshead. When this game came out I was working night shift 6pm to 6am at IBM. I would get home at about 7 am, have breakfast and play this game until 2 or 3 in the afternoon everyday. My friends and I would be tired as hell at work that night but I tell you, those were some of the best gaming days of my life. This game totally changed everything when it comes to shooters. The fact it was a third person grabbed me immediately. The characters were these huge muscular dudes with the craziest weapons I have ever seen. The cover system was revolutionary. There's nothing better than being behind cover and blind firing someone's face off. The sounds of curb stomps and head shots are like music to my ears. The torque bow would probably have to be my favorite weapon in this game. The online play is second to none. In fact there are still loyal players who choose not to play Gears of War 2. I played this game from the time it came out until the night the sequel came out. Now that's getting my money's worth out of a game.

2. NBA 2k9
I used to be strictly EA sports when it came to basketball simulations. I grew up on Lakers vs. Celtics, Bulls vs. Blazers, and then the NBA Live franchise. Then one year I did not like what EA Sports did with NBA Live, they added some crap where you assign qualities to your player during the game. Like, you could turn Kobe into a lock down defender or a high flyer. Since NBA Live let me down that year I decided to give the NBA 2k a chance. I have to admit, I never thought I would leave EA when it comes to basketball games but 2k took the crown. The graphics are top notch and the moves are very fluid. When friends come over and watch me play they say the video game looks better than an actual basketball game. I still like to run with the Charlotte Bobcats so if any of you wanna challenge me send you gamertag. I'd say the best things about 2k9 this year is the ranking system and the team up. I like the idea of having your rank under you players during the game. You have rookie,star, veteran, and hall of fame. The hall of fame gives you a trophy on the floor which looks quite impressive next to the R on the floor for a rookie. The team up idea is pretty cool as well. There were a few problems with the lag but besides that it's a great experience if you have teammates who understand they can't dribble up the court with a center.

1. Super Mario Bros.
We have reached the top spot and Super Mario Bros. is my winner. This is not my favorite game to play nowadays but the effect this game had on me as a young boy is undeniable. I still remember getting that Nintendo for Christmas and being so excited to play this game. Who would have known that a game with no weapons could be so fun. Well, you could get the fireballs to spit out but besides that you had to use your wits and reflexes to get through this game. Besides Gears of War and NBA 2k, this is probably the game that got the most playing time. Remember playing two players and having to wait for your friend to die so it could be your turn. Mario Bros. is and always will be that game that you can look back on and say "damn, that was a helluva game!"