Welcome back to PRESS START! This edition, I’m taking a break from my usual rant on one game in particular and reminiscing about the games that stuck with me the most. In no particular order, here we go!
The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past (1991)
This game goes back to my childhood! It was one of the few games I had for the Super Nintendo (SNES), and it was probably my favorite, with Super Mario World being a close second.
I love the top-down perspective of this 2D game. The artwork is simple, but effective. The locations are memorable, especially the forest where Link acquires the fake Master Sword. Kakariko Village has especially stuck with me since it’s the first village you visit. From dueling with Hyrule Castle guards, to the complex dungeons, to switching between the light and dark worlds, this game definitely gave me an imagination.
After playing and watching newer Zelda games, I understand why the old games were so long. All of them are long! I have not beaten it, but I still have my SNES. Maybe one day I’ll plug it in and push to the finish!
This game is sorely underrated! I was introduced to Sleeping Dogs by a cousin. I remember asking if it was like Grand Theft Auto, so, of course, I got excited when he said yes.
This game takes place in a fictionalized Hong Kong; however, unlike the GTA games, you play on the side of law enforcement. Don’t roll your eyes just yet! The main character, Wei Shen, is an undercover cop and frequently walks the line between right and wrong.
One of my favorite components of this game is the food stalls. Throughout the game world, you can find these stalls selling pork buns, chicken on a stick, ice cream, noodle bowls and more. When Wei eats, a percentage of his health is regenerated. He can also drink herbal tea or energy drinks for certain boosts.
The combat in Sleeping Dogs is also really good. Wei can jump from his vehicle onto another to catch criminals, as well as perform special moves during hand-to-hand combat. He can also participate in street races to gain access to certain groups.
Unfortunately, Sleeping Dogs did not gain as much fame as it should have. My hope is that Square Enix releases another similar game, even if it’s not a direct sequel.
Grand Theft Auto: Vice City (2002)
I won’t spend too much time on this one since I already wrote about how this was my introduction to the GTA games. But for those who may have missed my “How Grand Theft Auto stole my heart” column, GTA: Vice City is one of my top two favorites.
Confession: I used to hate how the game would confine the player to one portion of the map until you progress to a certain point. Then I realized this is what Rockstar Games does. GTA III, San Andreas and GTA IV were all like this. It wasn’t until GTA V that you could roam the entire map without consequences.
Even with the initial limitations, Vice City is unforgettable in the best ways. The battle between the in-game Cubans and Haitians made me research the real-life conflict between the two groups in Miami. Learning that this game was also inspired by both “Miami Vice” and “Scarface” was no surprise. I love that the Diaz mansion looks like Tony Montana’s mansion in the movie! This leads to our next game on the list.
Scarface: The World Is Yours (2006)
Staying in the spirit of GTA and GTA clones, this is another underrated gem. Based on the movie, you play as Tony Montana. Unlike the movie, the game starts with the player battling in the mansion.
Once you buy back the mansion, you can acquire certain businesses around Miami. Just imagine the movie, except Tony lives on after the mansion battle. The world — or at least Miami — really does become yours once you acquire all the businesses and turf available.
Like Vice City, I’ve touched on this one before, but it bears repeating: GTA V is a game changer! Every open-world GTA clone released after 2013 still gets compared to this game.
With mods, players can make GTA V exactly what they want it to be. Rockstar Games has even loosened their rules against modding, which was previously prohibited.
There have been numerous updates to the online version: The Cayo Perico Heist, with added Cayo Perico island; Diamond Casino; After Hours; The Doomsday Heist; Smuggler’s Run; The Contract, featuring Dr. Dre; and a whole lot more.
GTA VI is set to release Nov. 19. Pre-orders started on June 25, so if you haven’t already, go get it!
Another Rockstar Games masterpiece, Bully is another underrated gem. Don’t let the title fool you: You are not the bully. You are the anti-bully.
You play as 15-year-old Jimmy Hopkins, who is sent to boarding school while his mother and new stepfather enjoy a year-long honeymoon. He tries to mind his own business, but the students won’t let him. Between the nerds, the jocks, the greasers and even the teachers, Jimmy is definitely given a run for his mother’s money.
But wait! This game promotes education, too! Jimmy has to go to class every day, and he has to pass the classes in order to advance to other classes. Of course, in true Rockstar Games fashion, you’re confined to campus until you reach Chapter V.
This game is genius in my book. While you’re not allowed to drive cars, you can acquire bicycles and a go-kart. Once you gain access to the surrounding town, you can acquire a beach house with a playable arcade game inside.
If you enjoy the GTA games, you should enjoy this witty teenage version. It’s just as fun and ridiculous as the adult games. This may be one of the few Rockstar games that is rated T for Teen.
Let’s step away from GTA and GTA clones to talk about this blast from the past. This was my favorite game on Sega Genesis, with Mortal Kombat II being a close second.
The soundtrack for this game was top tier! The song for the Green Hill Zone lives rent-free in my head, followed by the Marble Zone, the Spring Yard Zone and Dr. Robotnik’s battle song.
The Marble Zone was amazing! Whether you’re jumping onto the next platform before flames consume you or going underground hoping to avoid the falling spikes, this was definitely the more Mario-inspired level.
I must admit, I have not played another Sonic game since the first one. I’m not even familiar with the other characters, but that’s okay! The original game is good enough for me.
My very first PRESS START column was on the PlayStation 2 release of The Sims, so I won’t spend too much time on this game.
As much as we don’t like doing our own chores, there is something fun about making Sims do what we do in real life. Becoming a home builder and interior designer adds to the fun as well.
The “Get A Life” story mode on PlayStation 2 was way more entertaining than the free play mode. As hard as it is to get out of Mom’s house, then to get past the roommates, it is just as rewarding.
As I’ve mentioned in my first “F.I.B.O.” column, the soundtrack is top tier. It’s jazzy, relaxing and arranged really well.
If you ever wish to play The Sims, go back to the original. I promise you won’t regret it!
These days, there are plenty of tycoon games, but none of them compare to the original RollerCoaster Tycoon. If you missed my second column, “FIBO part 2: Are you a tycoon,” allow me to recap. The first RollerCoaster Tycoon is the best RollerCoaster Tycoon!
I’ve played RollerCoaster Tycoon 3, as well as Theme Park Roller Coaster, released by Electronic Arts (EA) for PlayStation 2. They were decent releases, but both were underwhelming compared to the original RCT. There’s just something about that game that is still fun to play today.
Before I get into Mario Golf, I want to give Mario Tennis for Nintendo 64 an honorable mention. As for Mario Golf, I played the game before I knew the rules of golf. I just knew Mario was involved, and that was enough for me!
I played this game on the Game Boy Color. After not understanding how the scoring worked, I eventually became aware that negative scores are good! Counter-intuitive, right? I knew that bogeys were bad, pars were decent and birdies and eagles were better. I also knew that a hole-in-one was exceptional.
The thing about golf games is that you have to have the right timing. Pressing a button too soon or too late will result in a bad shot. Once I got my bearings, it was time to graduate to the next game.
I remember watching Tiger Woods on television in the 90s. This man was unstoppable in my eyes. Now, imagine a game where he is the main feature.
The first Tiger Woods PGA Tour game to be released was Tiger Woods 99: PGA Tour Golf. I did not find out about the series until 2001. Once I did, my world changed. Yes, Mario Golf introduced me to golf video games, but the Tiger Woods series introduced me to real golfers. This was around the same time that I started watching golf on television.
What actually got me excited about golf? Seeing Ernie Els hit a hole-in-one live on national television! After that, I was hooked! That’s my story, but if you think golf is boring, play a golf video game. Your mind will change!
I have since played Tiger Woods PGA Tour 2002, 2004, 08 and 12. Tiger Woods PGA Tour 12: The Masters was great because it introduced the course creator. Anybody that really knows me knows that I love creating golf courses!
The Tiger Woods series continued through Tiger Woods PGA Tour 14, then released Rory McIlroy PGA Tour in 2015. After an eight-year gap, EA Sports PGA Tour was released in 2023.
Let’s go back to my “Beyond the missions” series to review these next two games. Far Cry 3 was my introduction to the Far Cry series.
I’ll be honest: When I first started playing, I could not get into it. I am generally not a fan of games in the first-person perspective because I like to see my character. It took a year for me to pick it back up. Once I did, I was hooked!
The main character, Jason Brody, is forgettable. However, the infamous Vaas Montenegro is one of the most memorable antagonists in video game history. “Do you know the definition of insanity?”
Far Cry 3 also taught me what a cassowary is. You do not want to mess with this bird!
Much like GTA: Vice City, my introduction to a gaming franchise is usually the one that leaves the biggest impression. Far Cry 3 is definitely one of those games for me. However, Far Cry 4 outranks this Ubisoft masterpiece.
Just like the prequel, Far Cry 4 ranks very high for me. The storyline, the environment and level design, and Pagan Min’s voice acting really brings this game together in a dramatic way.
This fictional Himalayan world is beautifully done. Did I mention that Ajay can ride elephants? While you cannot have animal sidekicks like in Far Cry 5 and beyond, you can enlist the help of The Golden Path during certain events.
Far Cry 4 is one of those games you have to play. Don’t just take my word for it. Then again, all of the games listed are must-play games for their time.
I hope you enjoyed my list of most memorable games. Be on the lookout for more video game ramblings. Happy playing!
