Regardless of whether or not you believe in a magical sky wizard who has the power to fulfill or crush your hapless human dreams in a split second solely because you loved said mythological deity with all your heart or glanced too long at your best friend’s significant other a moment too long, there is no arguing that a significant portion of humanity unfortunately believes that this Saturday may be the end of this little planet’s journey spinning hazardously through the galactic cosmos. Nevertheless, I’m sure you’re all proud of your gamerscore, how many noobs you’ve owned and, of course, all those things you’ve decked your avatar out with. Well, those aside, there are tons of must-play games to experience before you die, so in celebration of the silliness that May 21, 2011 would just happen to be the day our global reality comes to a grinding halt – go ahead and enjoy an being entreated to ten games you probably should have played before it all came to an end.
10. Pong: Whether you’ve spent all your life gaming or just discovered it after your parents bought you a Wii this past Christmas to make up for that rather awkward childhood wrought with conflict, it’s difficult to ignore the first widely recognized game and that is Pong. Capable of accommodating one or two players, the game was revolutionary at the time, but only spelled out what was to come. A simple digital ball blipping it’s way back and forth across the screen with two paddles flailing back and forth – there is no denying that Pong has doubtlessly earned it’s place in the greater pop culture consciousness – and should be the first game anyone sits down with if for no other reason than to appreciate where exactly the technology has come from and where it has gone in the last several decades.
9. Super Mario Bros. 3: Certainly enough, both of the predecessors to Super Mario Bros. 3 deserve the love, attention and adoration that have garnered them a place in many peoples hearts over the last several years, but if there is a definitive Mario title, SMB 3 is more where it’s at than two turntables and a microphone. Taking the roles of Mario, and if you can find a second player, Luigi, you set out to once again save the Mushroom Kingdom. The differences though between prior titles and SMB 3 are staggering though, any way one looks at it. It’s the first game in the series to include an over-world, granting the ability for players to choose what level they wish to play next or skip altogether, illustrating a sense of control in an otherwise linear world. But more than that, each level amongst the games worlds has a unique, very distinct personality all it’s own, which is without a doubt what has kept players coming back to it and still hanging with Mario after all these years. A classic in its own right, it isn’t to be missed.
8.Sonic the Hedgehog 2: I’m sure there’ll be purists out there who believe that the original, Sonic 3 or Sonic and Knuckles deserves to take the cake. Still, a Sonic game not only belongs on this list because of it’s sheer iconic status, but Sonic 2 was and still is one of the best games to ever be created. Not only is the platforming a solid lesson in video game design as all the levels offer up a different personality that doesn’t leave a player feeling like they’re enduring a series of recycled set pieces, but Sonic 2 continually proves itself to be a strong, cohesive package. The soundtrack is memorable, controls succinct and the boss battles with Dr. Robotnik have all the sheer exemplary qualities that the Sonic series has come to be known for.
This feature top 10 list continues on the next page, please click Page 2 below to see more of the video games you must play before the world ends.
