runtlocks
the diff'rence
With the XBOX and Gamecube long since dead and the PS2 starting to be pushed aside for the PS3, it's fair to say that these consoles have taken a backseat to their more powerful, innovative predecessors. So, what consoles from these three did you own, and what were your favourite games on them? Guess you could count the Dreamcast too.
I've got an XBOX, if only for it's homebrew support and it's media centre. Though I have borrowed and played games from all three. Probably will pick up a PS2 later on.
I’ll add more games when they come to me
Ninja Gaiden BLACK (XBOX)
Now my favourite XBOX game and what I consider to be the best game from last generation. The graphics are just unreal, got the look of next-gen all over it. The concept of the way of the ninja is present throughout, and the art direction and gameplay adheres to that flawlessly. If you lose concentration for a blip in the heat of battle, you'll have a couple of swords stuck into you and be dead flat on the floor. The amount of control you get over the character makes the game run so smooth and fluently. Use an enemies head as a platform to jump higher, and stick a few shurikens in him on the way up. An absolute marvel to watch and play.
If Ninja Gaiden Sigma is a PS3 exclusive I won't be too happy.
Jet Set Radio Future (XBOX)
Had a lot to live up to, taking into account what a breath of fresh air the first one on the Dreamcast was. The gameplay was refined to better the playing experience, though the soundtrack, art direction and physics reaffirm the player that this is Jet Set Radio, through and through. Multiplayer was a nice touch, too.
Halo series (XBOX)
Ahh yes, haters be damn well damned. Kicked the XBOX into motion, and has had an enormous influence on FPS games and online console gaming in general. Graphics were nice, too.
Panzer Dragoon ORTA (XBOX)
Very much an overlooked game. Reaffirms my confidence in the rail-shooter genre. Just fantastic, addictive and very flexible gameplay.
Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas (XBOX, PS2, PC)
Working on improving the GTA series in the 3D realm, in a reaal big way. Though bigger doesn't always mean better. The game's much too damn big for it's own good in my honest opinion, and was pumped full of these boring, sometimes frustrating minigames and modes of transport. Flying planes, for one. That aside, the game really shines because of it's attitude - it's characters, (which could've used some development but meh) and soundtrack along with a few gameplay additions that did work, it makes it my favourite 3D GTA.
Hilarious:
"I need that shit you drivin'!"
"Don't take it personal, but you gettin' jacked"
"Aww you asshole, mah shit!"
"This' gon be eaazzzee, bitch!!"
"Gimme that paper!!"
Psychonauts (XBOX, PS2)
Although I'm all but impervious to enjoying most things with a Disney-Pixar kind of feel, looking past that and appreciating the sheer innovation that this game puts forward is very much unavoidable. On a pure gaming level, as a platformer, it is very much solid, rewarding hard work by collecting every last figment or card. Entering the minds of the various mad mental types you encounter offer such beautiful and really off-the-wall stages, something I really appreciate. One of the most inventive games I've played, definitely will squeeze upon the top 15 games I've played ever and second best this generation has to offer, behind Ninja Gaiden
Shadow of the Colossus (PS2)
Never had the chance to finish the game, but I consider this game to be a huge step in the right direction for video games altogether. The experience is just amazing. Nothing but yourself and your horse, and a handful of colossi to tackle. Hopefully game developers will pick up on this, open up their minds and so forth and create something so subtle and beautiful. SotC proves that gaming nowadays doesn’t have to be about beating the other guy, or getting the most points. Absolutely majestic.
Marvel VS Capcom 2 (DC, XBOX, PS2)
A port of the final game of the Marvel vs Capcom crossover series, it just had all the elements of what everyone hoped the VS series would culminate to. Unbalance between characters aside, the most fun you could have with a 2D fighter (or any other kind of fighter for that matter) ever. Shame about the lame soundtrack, though. And non-related backround stages. Here's to hoping Capcom get their hands on the Marvel license again, at least one more time.
Rez (PS2, DC)
Ahh right, a port of one of my favourite games of all time, in glorious 60fps, and with a few extra features and that nagging bitch from Space Channel 5 thrown in for good measure. Why not?
Ikaruga (DC)
Beautiful game, down to the last detail. The score is grand. Fantastic points and grading system and the pursuit for pinpoint perfection will keep me comming back to this game again and again. The pinnacle of airplane top-down shooters.
Powerstone 2 (DC)
(a compilation of PS and PS2 has been released on the PSP, sensibly titled Power Stone Collection)
Really is a lot of fun with 4 players. Insane amount of items to be found and used. Still waiting for a sequel.
Mario Kart: Double Dash!! (GC)
Fresh new gameplay installments for the Mario Kart series. The addition of the second character was no gimmick, added some real tight gameplay adjustments which in my opinion payed off well. I’m a terrible snaker but I do really like the boost of the turns.
Super Smash Bros. Melee (GC)
Took the innovative yet highly flawed fighter that was it's former and improved on it tenfold.
Beyond Good and Evil (XBOX, PS2, GC)
Thrown into the bargain bin after a few months after it’s release, all because of it’s “kiddy” appeal. This game boasts such a light hearted storyline, and the unique gameplay additions such as taking photos of beasts for dosh, and getting fined by the police for shooting a ferry in the harbour just make it a game brimming with a special, warm individuality that sets it apart from other games of the same genre.
Games I still need to play:
Oddworld Series (XBOX)
Katamari series (PS2)
Pikmin series (GC)
Paper Mario series (GC)
Metal Gear Solid 3: Subsistence (PS2)
Soul Calibur III (PS2)
Okami (PS2)
Metroid Prime (GC)
Killer 7 (PS2, GC)
The Legend of Zelda – Windwaker (GC)
Eternal Darkness – Sanity’s Requiem (GC)
Resident Evil 4 (PS2, GC, PC) (I know, I know…
)
ICO (PS2)
I've got an XBOX, if only for it's homebrew support and it's media centre. Though I have borrowed and played games from all three. Probably will pick up a PS2 later on.
I’ll add more games when they come to me
Ninja Gaiden BLACK (XBOX)
Now my favourite XBOX game and what I consider to be the best game from last generation. The graphics are just unreal, got the look of next-gen all over it. The concept of the way of the ninja is present throughout, and the art direction and gameplay adheres to that flawlessly. If you lose concentration for a blip in the heat of battle, you'll have a couple of swords stuck into you and be dead flat on the floor. The amount of control you get over the character makes the game run so smooth and fluently. Use an enemies head as a platform to jump higher, and stick a few shurikens in him on the way up. An absolute marvel to watch and play.
If Ninja Gaiden Sigma is a PS3 exclusive I won't be too happy.
Jet Set Radio Future (XBOX)
Had a lot to live up to, taking into account what a breath of fresh air the first one on the Dreamcast was. The gameplay was refined to better the playing experience, though the soundtrack, art direction and physics reaffirm the player that this is Jet Set Radio, through and through. Multiplayer was a nice touch, too.
Halo series (XBOX)
Ahh yes, haters be damn well damned. Kicked the XBOX into motion, and has had an enormous influence on FPS games and online console gaming in general. Graphics were nice, too.
Panzer Dragoon ORTA (XBOX)
Very much an overlooked game. Reaffirms my confidence in the rail-shooter genre. Just fantastic, addictive and very flexible gameplay.
Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas (XBOX, PS2, PC)
Working on improving the GTA series in the 3D realm, in a reaal big way. Though bigger doesn't always mean better. The game's much too damn big for it's own good in my honest opinion, and was pumped full of these boring, sometimes frustrating minigames and modes of transport. Flying planes, for one. That aside, the game really shines because of it's attitude - it's characters, (which could've used some development but meh) and soundtrack along with a few gameplay additions that did work, it makes it my favourite 3D GTA.
Hilarious:
"I need that shit you drivin'!"
"Don't take it personal, but you gettin' jacked"
"Aww you asshole, mah shit!"
"This' gon be eaazzzee, bitch!!"
"Gimme that paper!!"
Psychonauts (XBOX, PS2)
Although I'm all but impervious to enjoying most things with a Disney-Pixar kind of feel, looking past that and appreciating the sheer innovation that this game puts forward is very much unavoidable. On a pure gaming level, as a platformer, it is very much solid, rewarding hard work by collecting every last figment or card. Entering the minds of the various mad mental types you encounter offer such beautiful and really off-the-wall stages, something I really appreciate. One of the most inventive games I've played, definitely will squeeze upon the top 15 games I've played ever and second best this generation has to offer, behind Ninja Gaiden
Shadow of the Colossus (PS2)
Never had the chance to finish the game, but I consider this game to be a huge step in the right direction for video games altogether. The experience is just amazing. Nothing but yourself and your horse, and a handful of colossi to tackle. Hopefully game developers will pick up on this, open up their minds and so forth and create something so subtle and beautiful. SotC proves that gaming nowadays doesn’t have to be about beating the other guy, or getting the most points. Absolutely majestic.
Marvel VS Capcom 2 (DC, XBOX, PS2)
A port of the final game of the Marvel vs Capcom crossover series, it just had all the elements of what everyone hoped the VS series would culminate to. Unbalance between characters aside, the most fun you could have with a 2D fighter (or any other kind of fighter for that matter) ever. Shame about the lame soundtrack, though. And non-related backround stages. Here's to hoping Capcom get their hands on the Marvel license again, at least one more time.
Rez (PS2, DC)
Ahh right, a port of one of my favourite games of all time, in glorious 60fps, and with a few extra features and that nagging bitch from Space Channel 5 thrown in for good measure. Why not?
Ikaruga (DC)
Beautiful game, down to the last detail. The score is grand. Fantastic points and grading system and the pursuit for pinpoint perfection will keep me comming back to this game again and again. The pinnacle of airplane top-down shooters.
Powerstone 2 (DC)
(a compilation of PS and PS2 has been released on the PSP, sensibly titled Power Stone Collection)
Really is a lot of fun with 4 players. Insane amount of items to be found and used. Still waiting for a sequel.
Mario Kart: Double Dash!! (GC)
Fresh new gameplay installments for the Mario Kart series. The addition of the second character was no gimmick, added some real tight gameplay adjustments which in my opinion payed off well. I’m a terrible snaker but I do really like the boost of the turns.
Super Smash Bros. Melee (GC)
Took the innovative yet highly flawed fighter that was it's former and improved on it tenfold.
Beyond Good and Evil (XBOX, PS2, GC)
Thrown into the bargain bin after a few months after it’s release, all because of it’s “kiddy” appeal. This game boasts such a light hearted storyline, and the unique gameplay additions such as taking photos of beasts for dosh, and getting fined by the police for shooting a ferry in the harbour just make it a game brimming with a special, warm individuality that sets it apart from other games of the same genre.
Games I still need to play:
Oddworld Series (XBOX)
Katamari series (PS2)
Pikmin series (GC)
Paper Mario series (GC)
Metal Gear Solid 3: Subsistence (PS2)
Soul Calibur III (PS2)
Okami (PS2)
Metroid Prime (GC)
Killer 7 (PS2, GC)
The Legend of Zelda – Windwaker (GC)
Eternal Darkness – Sanity’s Requiem (GC)
Resident Evil 4 (PS2, GC, PC) (I know, I know…
)ICO (PS2)
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