- Video Games
- > Specials
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Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past
- Platform:
- Nintendo, 1992
- Debut system:
- Super NES
Many ideas that identify the Zelda series were either established, or wonderfully refined for Link to the Past. One puzzle leads to another in a huge and unfailingly magical quest.
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Super Mario World
- Platform:
- Nintendo, 1991
- Debut system:
- Super NES
Where Yoshi the dinosaur made his debut, helping Mario find all-new ways to crack all 96 levels, finding shortcuts and warp-zones aplenty. Flawlessly constructed, impeccably produced, paragon of platform games.
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Super Mario All Stars
- Platform:
- Nintendo, 1993
- Debut system:
- Super NES
We’re cheating a tad with this collection of revamped Mario classics, up to and including Mario Bros III – the kookiest of the series. Hard to call alongside Super Mario World...
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Warioware GBA
- Platform:
- Nintendo, 2004
- Debut system:
- Game Boy Advance
Over 200 outrageous mini-games, thrown at you in rapid-succession, with five seconds or less to grasp then act upon what’s required. The phrase ‘off the wall’ doesn’t do it justice!
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The Sims
- Platform:
- Electronic Arts, 2001
- Debut system:
- PC
As close to Reality TV as games get, and better because you engineer situations for The Sims to see how they react. Just remember to live your own life too!
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Doom
- Platform:
- iD Software, 1993
- Debut system:
- PC
Hell had come to every PC... for free! This was shareware, lest we forget, making it even better to hoe down relentless hordes of hideous hellspawn. Pure adrenalin, abject fear!
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Virtua Fighter 4 Evo
- Platform:
- Sega, 2003
- Debut system:
- Arcade
Speed Chess, the pros call it – the ability to outthink your rival during every split second of a bout. VF is excruciatingly demanding but deservedly the long-standing 3D-fighter of choice.
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Legend of Zelda: Wind Waker
- Platform:
- Nintendo, 2003
- Debut system:
- GameCube
Link uses a magical baton to conduct time of day and wind direction, setting sail on his most charming adventure yet. Engaging use of cartoon graphics holds you hopelessly spellbound.
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Grand Theft Auto III
- Platform:
- DMA Design, 2001
- Debut system:
- PlayStation 2
Gave everyone (over 18!) permission to become a criminal... and reap the rewards! GTA was already a great series on PC, but its 3D debut on PS2 blew people away.
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Metal Gear Solid
- Platform:
- Konami, 1998
- Debut system:
- PlayStation
The only game in this 100 list that deserves the accolade ‘astonishing’: visually groundbreaking, magnificent sound effects and musical score, intensely involving and pioneering gameplay, plus an unforgettable psychic adversary.