The 2008 AVGW 500

500-401 400-301 300-201 200-101 100-1

400. ASSASSIN'S CREED
(Playstation 3 ~ 2007 ~ Ubisoft ~ Action ~ NL)

Assassin's Creed was, well, a little bizarre to say the least. You play a dual storyline with one in modern times and one in the distant past. The game itself is fun to play and it almost has a Grand Theft Auto-esque feel if you just decide to explore the beautiful cities rather than continue the plot...Especially if you do wrong and have the authorities chasing after you.

399. NINJA GAIDEN
(NES ~ 1989 ~ Tecmo ~ Action ~ 238)

Kids who played this game forgot about dreams of being doctors, lawyers, or shoe shiners...After playing this game, they wanted to be ninjas. The ten levels in this game delivered an experience that can only be described in one word; classic.

398. LEGENDARY AXE
(TurboGrafx 16 ~ 1989 ~ NEC ~ Action ~ 284)

There's nothing real fancy here. It's just good ol' fashioned hack 'n' slash action previously exclusive to the Turbografx 16 console. Now, Wii owners have an opportunity to enjoy this fun title, too so a whole new generation can enjoy its goodness.

397. SSX
(Playstation 2 ~ 2000 ~ Electronic Arts ~ Sports ~ 228)

One of the first great games to hit the Playstation 2 was SSX, a game that put Cool Boarders to shame. With high-speed snowboarding mixed with groovy tricks, SSX's exaggerated, arcadey version of snowboarding made for great, great fun.

396. DUCK TALES 2
(NES ~ 1993 ~ Capcom ~ Platform ~ 305)

Released for the NES after the SNES had already sold a bundle, a lot of folks missed out on this nifty sequel. Much like the original Duck Tales, Scrooge McDuck looks for more money with new abilities, new locations, and new bosses. This game is worth as much as Scrooge McDuck himself.

395. BATEN KAITOS: ETERNAL WINGS AND THE LOST OCEAN
(Gamecube ~ 2004 ~ Namco ~ RPG ~ 226)

This game may have the absolute worst voice-acting in the history of video games, but the incredible graphics and gameplay more than make up for its vocal shortcomings. The game proved that a card-based system could work wonderfully if done correctly...But the greatest feature in the game of all: You could turn off the horrid voice-overs.

394. BLOODY ROAR
(Playstation ~ 1997 ~ Sony CEA ~ Fighting ~ 306)

While later games in the series kinda died in terms of playability, the first Bloody Roar was an innovate fighting title with the ability to transform into various creatures like a fox, gorilla, or bunny. Battling that killer bunny gave some gamers an Elmer Fudd-like humbling when that wascally wabbit got the best of them.

393. MARIO TENNIS
(Nintendo 64 ~ 2000 ~ Nintendo ~ Sports ~ 184)

Not since Pong had there been such a fanbase for a game where two people bounce a ball back and forth with paddles. Mario Tennis included favorites from the Mario Universe as well as extremely addicting and fast-pased gameplay. While later games in the series added goofy effects to the game, this one was more of a pure game of tennis...And it might be the best tennis game ever made.

392. DEF JAM VENDETTA
(Gamecube ~ 2003 ~ Electronic Arts ~ Fighting ~ 259)

A lot of folks groaned when they heard that a wrestling game starring hip hop folks would be coming out...After all, after the SNES monstrocity known as Rap Jam: Volume One, you can't blame anyone for being skeptical about any sports title with rappers in it. But behold, Vendetta brought great, over-the-top wrestling into our homes and everyone rejoyced.

391. DINO CRISIS
(Playstation ~ 1999 ~ Capcom ~ Adventure ~ 280)

It was like Resident Evil with dinosaurs instead of zombies. The reptiles proved to cause a little bit more panic than their undead counterparts due to their speed. In Resident Evil, you could simply run away. In Dino Crisis, several of the dinosaurs could more than match your speed. The fun one gets from this title will likely never become extinct.

390. SUIKODEN III
(Playstation 2 ~ 2002 ~ Konami ~ RPG ~ 330)

The first game in the series to venture into a 3-D world, Suikoden III was a fantastic game. You controled six different characters in the game (three main and three sidequest-like characters) and watch as each character's story overlaps and combines with the others. Plus, the bonus of being able to play as the main villian after you've obtained all 108 Stars of Destiny is one of the coolest unlockables ever.

389. SUPER MARIO LAND
(Game Boy ~ 1989 ~ Nintendo ~ Platform ~ 295)

Mario's first adventure in handheld form was an interesting one. It introduced new enemies, vehicles for Mario to drive, and that stupid Princess needing help again. Really, someone needs to put a leash on that lass...Or better yet, teach her how to float out of danger or something.

388. BIONIC COMMANDO: ELITE FORCES
(Game Boy Color ~ 1999 ~ Nintendo ~ Action ~ NL)

While the slight change in level design and new graphical style annoyed some long-time Bionic Commando fans, it eventually grew on them as they played. The gameplay was fantastic and won over even the most stubborn of Bionic Commando purists. This game was a grand treat for Bionic Commando fans wanting some fun on the go.

387. WARIO BLAST: FEATURING BOMBERMAN
(Game Boy ~ 1994 ~ Nintendo ~ Action ~ NL)

There's a reason this Wario game features Bomberman...Because it basically is Bomberman. There isn't really much of a difference here between this game and the Bomberman series, buuuut, this one is as the title suggests -- a blast. Eventhough this game is a Bomberman clone, it's even better than the original Game Boy Bomberman, which makes us place it on this list.

386. TYPING OF THE DEAD
(Dreamcast ~ 2001 ~ SEGA ~ Action ~ 235)

Sega's House of the Dead series is fun, but take away light gun support and add in a learn-to-type interface and you've got typing of the dead; the most fun you'll proably ever have while learning something. It doesn't just teach you how to type, it gives you frantic moments where you're desperately trying to type out a word so a zombie doesn't eat your flesh. Is it wierd? Yes. Bizarre? Most definately. Great? Without a question.

385. JOUST
(Atari 2600 ~ 1983 ~ Atari ~ Action ~ 302)

Why were guys riding ostriches?....Why were the ostriches flying?....Why were these guys on ostriches fighting each other? Answer? Who cares. Grab a friend and challenge them and their feathery steed to a duel and enjoy it for what it is; absolutely wonderful.

384. SUPER MARIO BROS.: THE LOST LEVELS
(NES ~ 1986 ~ Nintendo ~ Platform ~ NL)

Known as Super Mario Bros. 2 in Japan, The Lost Levels felt more like an add-on for the original Super Mario Bros. than a true sequel. However, the increased difficulty provided gamers with a better challenge to those who had already perfected the original game. Nintendo released an enhanced version in Super Mario All-Stars on the Super NES, but if you want to experience it in its original 8-bit glory, it's also available on the Wii's Virtual Console.

383. WWE SMACKDOWN!: HERE COMES THE PAIN
(Playstation 2 ~ 2003 ~ THQ ~ Fighting ~ 151)

Considered by many to be the best of the Smackdown! series, or at least the best of the PS2 games in the series, Here Comes the Pain tweaked all the mechanics of the game to give gamers a fantastic wrestling game that is easily one of the best grapplers you can find on any system...Plus, they had the carts from Wrestlemanias III and VI which makes Ape smile.

382. FEAR EFFECT 2: RETRO HELIX
(Playstation ~ 2001 ~ Eidos Interactive ~ Adventure ~ 301)

Definately not a kids game, the prequel to Fear Effect pushed the limits of the Mature rating a tad. However, it's not on the list due to adult themes, it's on the list for being a good action adventure game that spans various loactions from the perspective of various people...Just don't let the kiddies play this one.

381. SHANGHAI POCKET
(Game Boy Color ~ 1998 ~ Sunsoft ~ Puzzle ~ NL)

Shanghai Pocket is basically just a version of Mahjong that you can fit in your pocket. Basically, it's almost like Solitaire except not really. Basically, your goal is to clear the board of all tiles. It's a simple game, but it's perfect for a handheld system like the Game Boy Color.

380. DUCK TALES
(NES ~ 1990 ~ Capcom ~ Platform ~ 300)

Considered by many to be one of the best platformers on the NES, Duck Tales encouraged players to make the rich Scrooge McDuck even richer by having him collect various artifacts from around the world and beating up bad guys and taking the diamonds they carried. With various hidden areas to discover and appearances by favorites from the cartoon series, Duck Tales is a treat for gamers and fans of the cartoon alike.

379. BOMBERMAN TOURNAMENT
(Game Boy Advance ~ 2001 ~ Activision ~ Action ~ NL)

Bomberman Tournament was the best Bomberman title to hit store shelves since Saturn Bomberman arrived back in '97. Not only did it include the regular Bomberman gameplay that we all know and love, but it also included a nice story mode that allowed players to romp on an adventure with their favorite bomb-dropping robot.

378. DONKEY KONG COUNTRY 2: DIDDY'S KONG QUEST
(Super NES ~ 1995 ~ Nintendo ~ Platform ~ 161)

Widely considered to be the best in the Donkey Kong Country series, Donkey Kong Country 2 is also considered to be one of the best 2D platformers ever. It took what was great about the first Donkey Kong Country and improved upon it, giving you better graphics, groovier levels, and gameplay that was even more fun than the original.

377. OGRE BATTLE 64: PERSON OF LORDLY CALIBUR
(Nintendo 64 ~ 2000 ~ Atlus ~ Strategy ~ 145)

Just so Nintendo 64 owners wouldn't be left out of the Strategy game happiness that Playstation owners had with Final Fantasy Tactics, Atlus brought Ogre Battle 64 into the picture. It was a great reason to own a Nintendo 64 system and one of the best Strategy games you'll find anywhere.

376. BONK'S ADVENTURE
(TurboGrafx 16 ~ 1990 ~ Hudson Soft ~ Platform ~ 268)

The debut of the caveman with a giant cranium, Bonk's Adventure was one of the best reasons to own a TurboGrafx 16. Headbutting your way through this classic is a fun way to spend the time even after all these years. Plus, there's no other feeling in the world like the one you feel when you make a grown dinosaur cry.

375. TWISTED METAL: BLACK
(Playstation 2 ~ 2001 ~ Sony CEA ~ Action ~ 211)

The Twisted Metal series took a wonderfully morbid and dark turn with this game, and really perfected the gameplay that made the first two games in the series so great. When it comes to car combat, there isn't much of a debate, Twisted Metal: Black is the king. It's just a shame there isn't much of a chance of us seeing a sequel with dark, morbid stories similar to this one.

374. R-TYPE
(TurboGrafx 16 ~ 1989 ~ Irem ~ Action ~ 249)

R-Type is one of the greatest shooting games of all-time. The levels are memorable, as are the boss fights...Including the groovy level where the entire level doubles as the boss fight...Which may be the largest boss in gaming history. It spawned several sequels, but the original is often the best remembered of them all.

373. DONKEY KONG JR.
(NES ~ 1986 ~ Nintendo ~ Platform ~ 481)

The sequel to the immensely popular Donkey Kong, this game stars Donkey Kong Jr. as he attempts to rescue his dad who was kidnapped and caged by that evil Italian jerk, Mario. While not as great as the original, Donkey Kong Jr. is definately a classic in its own right...Plus, gorillas wearing tank tops are pretty amusing.

372. MARIO GOLF: ADVANCE TOUR
(Game Boy Advance ~ 2004 ~ Nintendo ~ Sports ~ 169)

While it didn't surpass the original Mario Golf on Game Boy Color, it was still an amazing game that could keep you on the toilet long after you had finished doing your business. If you're looking for a grand golf game compatible with your Nintendo DS, though, this gem is your best option.

371. AERO FIGHTERS 3
(Neo-Geo ~ 1995 ~ SNK ~ Action ~ 294)

Aero Fighters 3 included two-player simultaneous play, multiple characters to choose to pilot your jet, special attacks, storylines for each character, and destructive scenery that gave you money to power up your fighter...On top of all of that, you can play as a dolphin that can fly jets. That fact alone makes this game a wonderful experience.

370. SUPER MONKEY BALL
(Gamecube ~ 2001 ~ SEGA ~ Action ~ 254)

Imagine Marble Madness with monkeys and minigames and you've got this masterpiece from Sega. The various Marble Madness-like stages were fun, but the unlockable mini-games were what made gamers keep coming back for more...and usually with a few friends.

369. LOCO ROCO
(Playstation Portable ~ 2006 ~ Sony CEA ~ Action ~ 216)

It may be one of the most bizarre games on the Playstation Portable, but it's also one of the best. It's got addictive tunes, wonderfully designed levels loaded with secrets, and a unique control scheme. It's also got a special place in the heart of anyone who plays it.

368. RESISTANCE: FALL OF MAN
(Playstation 3 ~ 2006 ~ Sony CEA ~ Shooter ~ 292)

The first great game for the Playstation 3, Resistance: Fall of Man offered multiple unique weapons and each one was fun to use. Experimenting to find out which weapon killed the alien you had in your sights in the most amusing way offered grand fun. Plus, the alternate reality World War II setting provided an interesting background to romp around in.

367. COMBAT
(Atari 2600 ~ 1977 ~ Atari ~ Action ~ NL)

From tanks to jets, Combat provided fun entertainment for friends wanting to 'duke it out' with one another. Kinda like Pong, Combat is very simple yet extremely addicting. Even if you pull this masterpiece out today, you're bound to have some fun...Just like how every great game is supposed to be.

366. OUTRUN
(Genesis ~ 1991 ~ SEGA ~ Racing ~ 287)

While this re-creation wasn't as pretty as the arcade game it emulated, all of the driving fun remained intact. The forks in the road you came across while racing allowed for an opportunity to race a different route each time you played, with varying difficulties depending on which route you chose. At its time, there weren't many other racing games that could touch the fun that OutRun delivered.

365. BREATH OF FIRE III
(Playstation ~ 1998 ~ Capcom ~ RPG ~ 289)

Once again taking control of Ryu, the half-human, half-dragon hero of the series, Breath of Fire III took fans of the series on a fun adventure full of memorable characters. Changing into a dragon to kill tougher enemies is still pretty cool, too.

364. COLIN MCRAE RALLY
(Playstation ~ 2000 ~ Codemasters ~ Racing ~ NL)

Some folks had called it the Gran Turismo of rally racing back when it came out...We'd have to agree. It may not be the best rally game ever made, but it's easily in the top three. If you're a fan of rally-style racing, this game is definitely a must-play.

363. GHOULS 'N' GHOSTS
(Genesis ~ 1989 ~ SEGA ~ Platform ~ 267)

Depending on your tastes, you may want to swap Ghouls 'N' Ghosts' number with Super Ghouls 'N' Ghosts'. Both games are fantastic side-scrolling action titles. However, Ghouls 'N' Ghosts ends up further down on the list due to its slightly easier gameplay, which has led to it feeling slightly less rewarding after you reach the ending screen.

362. ROGUE GALAXY
(Playstation 2 ~ 2007 ~ Sony CEA ~ RPG ~ NL)

Developers Level-5 once again created RPG greatness when they provided us all with Rogue Galaxy. It not only provided several planets to explore and countless hours of neat-o gameplay, but it gave us an item synthesis and creation system that was pretty fantastic. Include a fun, action-based, real-time fighting system with combos and special attacks thrown in for good measure and you've got yourself a great, great game.

361. FROGGER
(Atari 2600 ~ 1984 ~ Starpath ~ Action ~ NL)

Frogger is a classic game in every sense of the word. There's a reason that George Costanza was obsessed about having the high score on a Frogger machine; it's fantastic. Two versions of Frogger are found on the Atari 2600, however Starpath's version is superior to the Parker Bros. version in nearly every way, so it gets the nod to be on the list.

360. BREATH OF FIRE IV
(Playstation ~ 2000 ~ Capcom ~ RPG ~ NL)

The fourth entry in the Breath of Fire series didn't really do anything groundbreaking. It didn't even really do anything original when compared to the previous games in the series. However, when a game is as solid as Breath of Fire IV is, originality can feel overrated.

359. MARIO'S PICROSS
(Game Boy ~ 1995 ~ Nintendo ~ Puzzle ~ 277)

This hybrid of math and crossword puzzles starring Mario was a suprisingly great addition to the Game Boy library. Some say it was too simple to be great. We say that simple is perfect for a handheld title. Nintendo recently made a new Picross title for the DS, however we still feel that this one is the better of the two...Even without the fancy touch-screen.

358. ALEX KIDD IN MIRACLE WORLD
(Master System ~ 1986 ~ SEGA ~ Platform ~ NL)

Years before a blue hedgehog became SEGA's platforming mascot, Alex Kidd was the headliner of the company. The gameplay feels pretty similar to Mario, but with slight differences. Mr. Kidd even breaks bricks...Except he prefers to punch them rather than jump into them. Even if they're not quite as good as the Super Mario series, Alex Kidd's games (well, most of them) were fantastic and Miracle World was one of the best.

357. MARIO KART SUPER CIRCUIT
(Game Boy Advance ~ 2001 ~ Nintendo ~ Racing ~ 205)

Words cannot describe how it felt to play Mario Kart while sitting on the toilet back when this game came out...But playing Mario Kart on the go was definately a big deal. With forty tracks littered with obstacles and weapons, sometimes it was hard leaving the bathroom.

356. SUPER PAPER MARIO
(Wii ~ 2007 ~ Nintendo ~ Platform ~ NL)

This unique title for the Wii gave gamers an interesting (and fun) concept in allowing the player to switch between 2D and 3D gameplay as they traverse the world around them. It was a neat concept that was pulled off well and the end result makes it a game that's well-deserving to be on this list amongst the best of all-time.

355. DAYTONA USA
(Dreamcast ~ 2001 ~ SEGA ~ Racing ~ 276)

Roooooooooolling Staaaaaaaaart!! The arcade version of Daytona USA is widely considered to be one of the greatest arcade games of all-time. This Dreamcast port is actually better in some aspects than the arcade version. Plus that "rolling start" yelling at the beginning of each race is quite grand.

354. FATAL FRAME II: CRIMSON BUTTERFLY
(Playstation 2 ~ 2003 ~ Tecmo ~ Adventure ~ 199)

The first Fatal Frame was a different take on the survival horror genre, but was a little rough around the edges. Crimson Butterfly smoothed those edges out and gave gamers an extremely creepy experience along with the same unique gameplay that made the original such a hit.

353. PANZER DRAGOON ORTA
(Xbox ~ 2003 ~ SEGA ~ Shooter ~ 188)

The fourth title in the Panzer Dragoon library, Panzer Dragoon Orta was a delightful suprise for fans of the then Saturn-exclusive Panzer Dragoon series. While is was easily the best looking of the series, it couldn't compete with the two earlier games in the series as far as gameplay. Its gameplay was good enough, however, to show XBox owners a taste of what they had missed out on on the Sega Saturn.

352. SHADOW HEARTS: COVENANT
(Playstation 2 ~ 2004 ~ Midway ~ RPG ~ NL)

It was dark and goofy at the same time. Shadow Hearts: Covenant also gave players a fantastic, original combat engine. Throw in all the other little extras and norms of the RPG genre with the neat cast, combat system, and story and you've got yourself a game that no RPG fan should miss.

351. STAR WARS: KNIGHTS OF THE OLD REPUBLIC II: THE SITH WARS
(Xbox ~ 2004 ~ LucasArts ~ Adventure ~ NL)

To put it simply, Ape cannot stand anything Star Wars...So when he plays a Star Wars game and actually finds enjoyment in it, you know it's something special. Knights of the Old Republic II is a great game that you can enjoy even if you hate the franchise it's based off of. It's pretty grand.

350. TOM CLANCY'S GHOST RECON: ADVANCED WARFIGHTER 2
(Xbox 360 ~ 2007 ~ Ubisoft ~ Shooter ~ NL)

The single player mode might have given gamers a shorter experience than the previous game, but the overall quality of that experience was improved in this outing. The bulk of the gameplay, however, can be found in the multiplayer game, which is pretty dang impressive.

349. WARIO LAND 2
(Game Boy Color ~ 1999 ~ Nintendo ~ Platform ~ NL)

When it came out, Wario Land II had been the best 2D platformer to come out of Nintendo in years. It was pretty marvelous being the invincible Wario while you destroyed things and tried to get filthy rich. To this day it's still one of the better platformers you can find on any handheld system; new or old.

348. KIZUNA ENCOUNTER: SUPER TAG BATTLE
(Neo-Geo ~ 1996 ~ SNK ~ Fighting ~ 269)

Probably the first fighting game to include "tagging", Kizuna Encounter involved a team of two versus a team of two with the winning team being the first one to defeat one of the opposing fighters. Trying to tag out just before your opponent hits a finishing blow is frantic fun. Most tag fighters since have this title to thank for that option.

347. IRON STORM
(Saturn ~ 1996 ~ Working Designs ~ Strategy ~ NL)

Part of a long-running series of strategy games from Japan called Daisenryaku, Iron Storm was imported to the 'States via the good folks at Working Designs. Basically, you're in World War II, and you're able to possibly change history depending on whether you chose to fight as the USA, Japan, or Nazi Germany. For example, if you fight as Nazi Germany and win the Battle of Britain, it sets up an eventual invasion of US soil. Being able to see how history could have been different was a neat aspect of this grand game.

346. RESIDENT EVIL
(Playstation ~ 1996 ~ Capcom ~ Adventure ~ 233)

It may not have been the originator of the survival horror genre of games, but it was definately the one that brought it mainstream. Resident Evil's success inspired countless clones over the years, but very few could match RE's gameplay. To this day, whether you're playing the original on Playstation or Saturn, or playing the remake on Gamecube, the game is still fun and it can still make you jump. Good times.

345. TEKKEN 2
(Playstation ~ 1996 ~ Namco ~ Fighting ~ 271)

The first Tekken was one of the first good 3-D fighting games and Tekken 2 blew the first one out of the water. With just about everything in the fighting engine improved, Tekken 2 created a legion of Tekken fans and showed that the second King of the Iron Fist Tournament was a tournament that you best not miss out on.

344. SUPER PUNCH-OUT!!
(Super NES ~ 1994 ~ Nintendo ~ Fighting ~ NL)

The follow-up to Mike Tyson's Punch-Out!!, this sequel is pretty mcuh the same in terms of gameplay, but it adds a super attack meter. Some old faces return with new tricks alongside new boxers. The only boxing game better than this gem is the original.

343. PHANTASY STAR IV: THE END OF THE MILLENIUM
(Genesis ~ 1993 ~ SEGA ~ RPG ~ NL)

Taking place 1,000 years after the events of Phantasy Star II, Phantasy Star IV ends the turn-based Phantasy Star series with a bang. This game has a considerable decrease in difficulty when compared to others in the series, but it still remains as the favorite amongst a large portion of fans of the series.

342. WARIO LAND 3
(Game Boy Color ~ 2000 ~ Nintendo ~ Platform ~ 265)

Arguably, the best Wario platform/action game, Wario Land 3 is easily one of the best reasons to own a Game Boy Color. With weird transformations, such as zombie Wario, moving through the levels and experimenting with these transformations was the key to beating the game. They need another Wario game like this one.

341. NINJA SPIRIT
(TurboGrafx-16 ~ 1990 ~ Irem ~ Action ~ 273)

Ninja Spirit played sorta like Shinobi merged with Ninja Gaiden...The result was a fantastic edition to the Turbografx 16 library. With this game now on Wii's Virtual Console, everyone who missed out on it the first time, has another chance to experience its glory.

340. DEMON'S CREST
(Super NES ~ 1994 ~ Capcom ~ Action ~ NL)

Demon's Crest never did very good sales...In fact, there's a rumor that one week it actually got negative sales; more people returned it than bought it. I don't know if that rumor is true or not, but if it is, those folks that returned it are fools. Give Demon's Crest a chance and you'll probably agree.

339. KLONOA: EMPIRE OF DREAMS
(Game Boy Advance ~ 2001 ~ Namco ~ Platform ~ 263)

As far as the Klonoa series goes, this handheld masterpiece my be the best of them all. Every level in this handheld gem was a pleasure to traverse through. This first handheld edition to the series may actually be the best game overall in the series. This game blends puzzles into its platforming action seemlessly. It's one of the greats of handheld history.

338. RESIDENT EVIL: CODE VERONICA
(Dreamcast ~ 2000 ~ Capcom ~ Adventure ~ 194)

It was originally a Dreamcast exclusive title that made Sony-loyal Resident Evil fans cry into their pillows at night. Code Veronica is one of the best and most entertaining chapters in the Resident Evil story...And those pouting Sony-loyalists eventually got their way when it was ported over to the Playstation 2 and a later-made Gamecube remake cheered up Nintendo fanboys as well.

337. LITTLE NEMO: THE DREAM MASTER
(NES ~ 1990 ~ Capcom ~ Platform ~ 303)

Feeding candy to various animals allowed you ride them, giving you the skills you needed to advance on in the game. Some folks, though (Ape), believe that the candy is just a way for Nemo to bribe the animals his way before he skins them alive and wears their birthday suits as he sneaks past enemies. We think someone's watched too many suspense movies.

336. NBA JAM
(Super NES ~ 1994 ~ Acclaim ~ Sports ~ 288)

The game was over the top, some of the slam dunks were unrealistic, and sometimes your ball would start on fire...Yet many consider this to be one of the greatest sports games ever made. We won't argue. NBA Jam's gameplay was fun for everyone, even people who didn't like sports games found fun in it. The multiple hidden characters for players to discover just added to the greatness of this tremendous game.

335. SPYRO 2: RIPTO'S RAGE
(Playstation ~ 1999 ~ Sony CEA ~ Platform ~ NL)

The original Spyro the Dragon was already a blast to play...Ripto's Rage continued on with the trend. As Spyro, the adorable little dragon, you romp around colorful levels, meet entertaining characters, and burn things alive. It's a fantastic platformer that's a great addition to anyone's collection.

334. ELEVATOR ACTION
(NES ~ 1987 ~ Taito ~ Action ~ 313)

You ride elevators, shoot people, and steal top secret papers...Elevator Action's simple gameplay, true to the arcade version, is still fun today. Who knew that riding elevators would make such a great game?

333. POWER STONE 2
(Dreamcast ~ 2000 ~ Capcom ~ Fighting ~ 225)

Similar to the original Power Stone, Power Stone 2 brought back the 3-D action along with several other modes, weapons, levels, and moves to make this one of the best fighters on the Dreamcast and a game fondly remembered by those who played it.

332. CONTRA: HARD CORPS
(Genesis ~ 1994 ~ Konami ~ Action ~ 247)

When Contra finally hit Genesis, Sega owners could finally see what all the fuss was about. Hard Corps plays true to the original and with multiple characters to play as, including a wolfman, and lots of explosions, this game is a winner.

331. FINAL FANTASY III
(Nintendo DS ~ 2006 ~ Square Enix ~ RPG ~ 229)

This was the first time that most U.S. gamers had the opportunity to play the third installment of the Final Fantasy series. With gameplay true to the original, updated graphics, an enhanced story, and a unique zoom in/out feature for finding treasure and key items, it was a grand debut, indeed.

330. CASTLEVANIA: PORTRAIT OF RUIN
(Nintendo DS ~ 2006 ~ Konami ~ Action ~ NL)

Staying true to the Castlevania formula that started with Symphony of the Night, Portrait of Ruin delivers a grand handheld experience. It's not as good as the other Castlevania DS, Dawn of Ruin, was...But it's still a fantastic game that every DS owner should play.

329. NFL BLITZ
(Playstation ~ 1998 ~ Midway ~ Sports ~ 257)

NFL Blitz arrived in 1998 and punched Madden in the teeth. It can be called the NBA Jam of football games; it even has the flaming ball. The lack of most rules made Blitz a blast to play since the action rarely slowed down...Plus, it included all the NFL teams and players...So the purists could enjoy it, too.

328. TOP SPIN
(Xbox ~ 2003 ~ Microsoft ~ Sports ~ 202)

Microsoft's attempt to de-throne Virtua Tennis as the king of tennis games just barely came short, but it was still a fantastic attempt with a marvelous game. If all you own is an Xbox, then you won't find a better tennis game out there than Top Spin.

327. SURVIVAL KIDS
(Game Boy Color ~ 1999 ~ Konami ~ RPG ~ NL)

The concept of Survival Kids is simple; you're on a deserted island and you need to try and survive. It sounds like it'd get old fast, but this gem makes it mighty fun. It features an open-ended structure that grants the player multiple ways to progress through the game. It may have gotten under the radar of a lot of folks, but if you ever get the chance to play it, go for it.

326. DRIVER
(Playstation ~ 1999 ~ GT Interactive ~ Action ~ 256)

Before Grand Theft Auto changed the face of video games with their third installment of the series, Driver was the game to play. It lacked a lot of things that gamers expect now, but for its time, nothing was really like it. Grand Theft Auto had already been out when Driver hit shelves, but if not for Driver as competition, Grand Theft Auto 3 may not have pushed the envelope as much as they did.

325. VIEWTIFUL JOE
(Gamecube ~ 2003 ~ Capcom ~ Action ~ 142)

Further proof that 2D gameplay still has a solid place in today's video game market, Viewtiful Joe seemingly came out of nowhere and stole itself a healthy fanbase with its mixture of classic gameplay along with some innovative ideas. The way Ape describes it to his friends is "stupid name, great game." It's so true.

324. SPYRO THE DRAGON
(Playstation ~ 1998 ~ Sony CEA ~ Platform ~ 252)

Although his titles these days are bland and not too fun, Spyro's debut in gaming was a great one. The gameplay was fun, the characters were memorable, and the environments were fun to explore. Spyro the Dragon was one of those rare games where it was just fun to just run around and explore the landscape to see what you could find. It's a shame they don't make 'em like they used to.

323. TOMB RAIDER
(Playstation ~ 1996 ~ Eidos ~ Adventure ~ 299)

Lara Croft's first adventure was a great game for its time. Exploration was fun, the action was exciting, and the fabled "nude code" had pimply-faced lads going through puberty desperately trying to figure out how to turn the game into a pixelated porno.

322. BEETLE ADVENTURE RACING
(Nintendo 64 ~ 1999 ~ Electronic Arts ~ Racing ~ 239)

This game helped promote the return of the Beetle...And it did a great job. Quite possibly the best racing game on the N64, Beetle Adventure Racing can easily hold its own against any other racer out there. With hidden shortcuts, nitro boosts, and jumps, this game is a must play for racing fans.

321. GHOSTS 'N' GOBLINS
(NES ~ 1986 ~ Capcom ~ Action ~ 304)

The difficult run and jump gameplay turned some gamers off, but those who stuck around found an amazing game wrapped up in the difficulty. Plus, any game where a knight kills zombies in his boxer shorts is fantastic in our book.

320. MVP BASEBALL 2004
(Xbox ~ 2004 ~ Electronic Arts ~ Sports ~ 190)

The game had the ability to play a season with three from the minors to the pros and the option to play, manage, or simulate the games as they progressed along in the season. The fact that Electronic Arts had tweaked the already fantastic gameplay for the 2004 season just makes it better and a worthy addition to this list.

319. BLAZING STAR
(Neo-Geo ~ 1998 ~ SNK ~ Action ~ NL)

Fun side-scrolling gameplay, pretty graphics, and a horrible translation from Japanese to English...Blazing Star had all the tools to be a cult classic amongst gamers. In fact, one of the translations in the game ("You fail it! Your skill is not enough, see you next time, bye-bye!") has become quite a popular phrase around the 'net. But anyway, this game is quite grand and if you enjoy side-scrolling shoot-em-ups, then this gem is quite fabulous.

318. ELDER SCROLLS III: MORROWIND
(Xbox ~ 2002 ~ Bethesda Softworks ~ Adventure ~ 327)

Elder Scrolls III gave players total freedom of how they wanted to play the game. Did they want to be a heroic gentleman/woman and help everyone in need, or did they want to be the most evil, dispicable creature they could possibly imagine? This freedom kept players hooked...And, of course, it's more fun being evil than a wussy good guy.

317. METAL GEAR
(NES ~ 1988 ~ Ultra Games ~ Action ~ 297)

While not as good as the Japan-only MSX 2 game of the same name, Metal Gear on the NES was still very good and very addicting. While it lacked the final boss battle with Metal Gear that the MSX 2 version had, most gamers who have played this game still hold it close to their heart.

316. DRAGON WARRIOR MONSTERS
(Game Boy Color ~ 1999 ~ Eidos ~ RPG ~ NL)

The first installment of the Dragon Warrior (Quest) Monster series was a doozy when it hit our Game Boy Colors around the world. The game featured characters new to most of the U.S. audience, but they were actually two characters from Dragon Quest VI (only released in Japan) when they were children before the events of that game. But anyway, it was quite fun...especially the breeding system that allowed the player to breed two monsters in order to create a new, more powerful one. This is a fantastic handheld RPG and one of the best to grace a handheld console.

315. LUMINES
(Playstation Portable ~ 2005 ~ Ubisoft ~ Puzzle ~ 197)

The first must-buy game for the PSP was this delightful little puzzle game full of techno beats. Some people claimed that it was the best puzzle game created since Tetris...I dunno if we'd go that far, but it's most definitely one of the best puzzle games ever made.

314. TENCHU: STEALTH ASSASSINS
(Playstation ~ 1998 ~ Activision ~ Action ~ 236)

When Tenchu hit the stores shelves, it wasn't the first ninja game by far...But it was the first ninja game to put a high emphasis on stealth and not being caught. Yeah, you could just run in and chop some heads off, but that wasn't as satisfying as slowly creeping up on an enemy and making them part from this world before they can even realize what was happening.

313. CRASH BANDICOOT: WARPED!
(Playstation ~ 1998 ~ Sony CEA ~ Platform ~ 234)

This is the crowned jewel of the Crash series. Using a time machine to warp from stage to stage is fun and allows for variance in the levels. Add in the classic Crash Bandicoot gameplay and you've got yourself quite the winner.

312. NBA STREET
(Playstation 2 ~ 2001 ~ Electronic Arts ~ Sports ~ 187)

Long after NBA Jam was no longer 'on fire' in households around the United States, NBA Street made an attempt to make arcade basketball find its way into peoples' homes again. They did it. Gameplay was very similar to NBA Jam, but it was innovative enough to make you feel like you weren't just playing a 'Jam rip-off. It was the first game in the 'Street' franchise by EA, and it's definitely the best.

311. SHANTAE
(Game Boy Color ~ 2002 ~ Capcom ~ Platform ~ NL)

This game was never really hyped...It never really sold well...And when most people first play it, they're not expecting much. Then, Shantae's gameplay kicks you in the face and wakes you up to the wonderful reality that this is amongst the best platform games that you have ever played. There's talks of a WiiWare and DS sequel to this gem. Let's hope so because if they're any bit as fun as this gem was, they'll likely find their way onto a future AVGW 500 list as time rolls by.

310. BUST-A-GROOVE
(Playstation ~ 1998 ~ 989 Studios ~ Music ~ NL)

This game was originally titled 'Bust-A-Move' but since the puzzle game known in Japan as 'Puzzle Bobble' had already taken that name, Bust-A-Move became Bust-A-Groove. While completely different from that puzzle game, Bust-A-Move's hybrid gameplay between a music game and a fighting game made it just as good. It was fun and addicting...Unfortunately, the game is pretty rare so the number of folks that got to experience its joy are few and far between.

309. LITTLE SAMSON
(NES ~ 1992 ~ Taito ~ Platform ~ 231)

Most people may not have heard of this gem, but Little Samson is definately a game that you shouldn't miss out on. With four playable characters, each with their own levels and strengths, weaknesses, and abilities, the gameplay is varied and fun. This is easily one of the best games that nobody has heard of.

308. GEOMETRY WARS: GALAXIES
(Wii ~ 2007 ~ Sierra ~ Action ~ NL)

A throwback to the games of old, where the goal was to stay alive as long as possible and rack up as many points as you could during that timeframe, Geometry Wars was a fantastic game...This sequel released on the Wii was just as good as the original plus it included new enemies, multiplayer support, and several changes to the scoring system. This game is absolutely wonderful.

307. PHANTASY STAR ONLINE
(Dreamcast ~ 2001 ~ SEGA ~ Adventure ~ 174)

Sega revolutionized online console gaming with Phantasy Star Online. Interacting with people around the world, and teaming up with them to beat powerful monsters was a blast. Plus, even if you didn't have internet access, the game itself was still incredibly fun to play...The online experience just enhanced it.

306. DONKEY KONG COUNTRY 3: DIXIE KONG'S DOUBLE TROUBLE
(Super NES ~ 1996 ~ Nintendo ~ Platform ~ NL)

The final installment of the Donkey Kong Country trilogy, DKC 3 pulled out all the stops. It replaced Diddy Kong with the less-likeable Kiddy Kong...But that had no effect on the goodness of the gameplay. While some folks still argue that DKC 2 is the best in the series, a lot of people feel that Donkey Kong Country 3 is just as good...Maybe even better.

305. MIDNIGHT CLUB II
(Playstation 2 ~ 2003 ~ Rockstar Games ~ Racing ~ 247)

Midnight Club delivered an average street-racing game to the Playstation 2 early on in the system's life. Midnight Club II improved on everything from the original and delivered a fantastic experience that any racing fan could appreciate. You could select your opponents as you drove through three cities, then leave them in the dust after you master the roads and learn all the shortcuts in the book.

304. WORLD SERIES BASEBALL '98
(Saturn ~ 1997 ~ SEGA ~ Sports ~ 219)

This game can easily hold its own amongst the great baseball games of all-time. With decent play by play of the action, it felt good to make a great play in the game. World Series Baseball was THE baseball series to get ten years ago, and playing this title just shows why that was.

303. SAN FRANCISCO RUSH: 2049
(Nintendo 64 ~ 2000 ~ Midway Games ~ Racing ~ NL)

The sequel to the first two San Francisco Rush games, 2049 blew the others out of the water with its amazing gameplay and fun extra modes. There are a lot of arcade-style racers out there, but this one stands tall as one of the best on any system. It's marvelous.

302. ONIMUSHA: WARLORDS
(Playstation 2 ~ 2001 ~ Capcom ~ Adventure ~ 244)

The first great selling game of the PS2, Onimusha was almost like Resdient Evil based more on melee action than running away and trying to find bullets. The result is a fun alternative to the normal action-adventure scene in gaming.

301. BUST-A-MOVE
(Super NES ~ 1995 ~ Taito ~ Puzzle ~ 281)

This puzzle game, loosely based off of Bubble Bobble, was incredibly addicting when it first hit stores shelves. Trying to clear each stage by eliminating all bubbles before they covered the screen was a blast back then, and it's just as fun today.

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