Rare's 1997 hit proved the possibilities for first-person shooters on consoles.
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1UP COVER STORY
1UP COVER STORY | WEEK OF DECEMBER 17 | THE ESSENTIAL 100, PART FOUR
1UP's Essential 100, Part Four
You vote, we wrote! The 25 most important games of all time, according to you.
This week marks the conclusion of one of 1UP's most ambitious projects in its entire history: The Essential 100, a countdown of gaming's most important, influential, and innovative works.
Sure, every gaming publication worth its salt has run a "100 best games" feature... probably many times over at that. Our Essential 100 stands apart from the rest, though. This is no mere list; it's a collection of full-length retrospectives on these selections. Each quarter of the series has taken over the site for an entire week apiece, meaning we'll have devoted a full month of 1UP top content to the series by the time it's all said and done.
Most importantly, though, when we say "our" Essential 100, we don't mean "the 1UP staff's." Here, "our" is a far more inclusive pronoun that also encompasses the 1UP community. As detailed in our previous weeks, our readers (that's you!) helped select the entries for this series. Hundreds of you passed along your personal picks for most important games ever, and when we compiled the final list we gave equal weight to both community rankings and staff/contributor rankings. The final list therefore includes selections that wouldn't have appeared (or appeared where they did) had this been strictly a staff-run process or a wholly community-created piece. It truly represents the sum total of 1UP.
As with every list of this type, we won't pretend the Essential 100 is some definitive, perfect list. Again, the overwhelming majority of 1UP staff and readers hail from North America, which means key titles that might have shown up (for example) on a European list, or one from Japan, didn't make the cut. Be that as it may, I think we've all assembled a fantastic list here, and I hope the insights we've been able to offer on these monumental works live up to their respective legacies.
In case you missed them, you can catch up on the first 75 entries of this series through our Cover Stories hub... or just click over from here:
Thanks to all who helped create and curate this list, and thanks as well to everyone who's been reading! Stay tuned for new and exciting projects in 2013. -- Jeremy Parish
MONDAY, DECEMBER 17
id Software introduces first-person-shooters to the world, and gives Hitler the chance to die all over again.
No. 21: The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time
Nintendo proved the possibilities of 3D adventure by relying on a rock-solid formula.
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 18
Valve transformed the concept of story in video games by reminding us that the game should always come first.
Nintendo's portable adventure managed to escape our pockets and invade the entirety of popular culture.
This sneaky PlayStation game showed the world that 3D games could deliver Hollywood-caliber entertainment.
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 19
Blizzard radically redefined MMOs and brought a niche genre into the mainstream.
Explore a land full of unique discoveries in a non-linear adventure, and then tell your friends all about it.
Namco's breakthrough arcade hit tapped deep into the human psyche with nothing more than a little yellow circle.
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 20
How a gruff space soldier led the west's charge to reclaim the console gaming market.
Rockstar revolutionized the industry by bestowing players with the gift of freedom.
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 21
An inimitable experience that perfectly embodied the essence of video gaming.
The most important game ever made, as chosen by the 1UP staff and community!
See Also
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Comments (31)
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my top ten
Posted: userComment.createdDate by saint.reserve
Top ten10 castlevaina 2 simons quest09 final fantasy08 super mario world07 super metroid06 metal gear solid05 final fantasy 704 tony hawk 2 03 gta 302 counter strike01 wwe smackdown: here comes the pain
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Now that the list is done.
Posted: userComment.createdDate by sean697
I would really be interested in reading a follow up story with the breakdown of members vs journalist picks used to combine to make the final list. You talked about how the results were suprising in that some games that didnt make the top 100 on both lists had enough to make the final list and how some games got boosts unexpectedly etc. And how some games were grouped together instead of by individual game (I am assuming D&D this was the case.) I think maybe a Jparish blog or something with a follow up article and maybe looking at the two lists that made up the final list would be an interesting story. Inquiring minds want to know.
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Ocarina ...
Posted: userComment.createdDate by TheCreepyFriend243
is underrated... seriously, its just as revolutionary as Mario 64. Games placed ahead of it like GTA3 wouldnt exsist without OoT....
FF 7 was exactly the FF formula, more so than OoT was to ALTTP....
just like walking dead winning vga, gaming "journalists" are pretending to make the objective decision but actually just try to make the interesting, I look smart decision.
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Who...
Posted: userComment.createdDate by Sinfullyvannila
Does the art for these article? Whoever does is brilliant.
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What I haven't seen.
Posted: userComment.createdDate by Omnicrono
Uh oooh...
I just realized that Baldur's Gate II hasn't been listed yet. Could it be #1 or #2? Doubtful... but I will be pretty shocked if it doesn't make this essential 100 list. The game is sooooo much more essential than the original BG. (though both are worthy of the list)
(UPDATE: Oh no they didn't! Trolled me, 1up. You had to go putting table-top "Dungeons & Dragons" on there and not BGII. I thought this was a video games list? Haha!)
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Calling the final 4 (in no particular order)
Posted: userComment.createdDate by cartman414
Super Mario Bros. (at #1)
Tetris
Street Fighter II
Space War (prepared to be wrong on this one)
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My personal top five
Posted: userComment.createdDate by Dr_Corndog
Well, I was going to list my top five, but it's too hard to sort out. My top five could easily change depending on my mood, and could include Metroid Prime, Super Smash Bros. Melee, Final Fantasy IX, Zelda: A Link to the Past, Metal Gear Solid 3, Super Metroid, and probably a few others. The only constant is that #1 is Super Mario 64.
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Again?
Posted: userComment.createdDate by GamerBG
I'm starting to get kinda disappointed - it looks that on this list there are many, many games, that justify their place only if you read the article describing them. I agree that there are too many titles for a good and moron-proof list like this one. Still, I don't see many games that defined genres, changed the industry and also sold pretty well - why not limit the entries to one per franchise? Three Zelda games? Really? At least ten of one hundred are sequels to another games on the list. There's still no Max Payne, no Splinter Cell, no Hitman, no Medal of Honor, no Assassin's Creed, no Mafia, Oni, Black & White, Heroes of Might & Magic, Worms, Deus Ex. And not to mention classics as Prince of Persia and Karateka. The top 5 are, no doubt, games that top almost all such lists - Mario 3, Donkey Kong, Street Fighter, Sonic The Hedgehog... I believed this time it's gonna be different... and that makes me insane, according to Far Cry 3, which belongs in a franchise, that is not featured too...
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Because
Posted: 12/21/2012 by Turkish1011
they're 'essential' for different reasons. Super Mario Bros. defined the 2D platformer - Mario 64 defined the 3D platformer. Two different genres, two different games. Ditto with the Zelda games (except Majora's Mask, which was apparently just a very good game). You can't really explain the completely different influences of Final Fantasy I and VII in a single entry. Well you can, but that defeats the purpose of having a list of 100 games then.
ps. Deus Ex is on the list somewhere, I'm pretty sure...
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Is That So?
Posted: 12/21/2012 by GamerBG
Why the games I mentioned should be on the list:
Max Payne - first bullet time mechanic, first adaptive AI, unique storytelling (comics) and presentation
Splinter Cell - at least the first three entries are defining the stealth genre, along with MGS 1-3 - also: SAM FISHER RULES
Hitman - first use of ragdoll, crowd stealth and open world with many possibilities in a stealth game. also can be played as a FPS
Medal of Honor - was before COD, was better than COD. started WW2 shooter trend, first three games were directed by Stephen Spielberg.
Assassin's Creed - historically-based open world action game, enhanced crowd stealth, double storyline, sold more with five games, than all of the above combined
Mafia - first good mafia game, immersive storytelling, great graphics for it's time, introduces realistic AI and police system
Oni - first good anime-related game - also an awesome beat 'em up with a lot of combos and style
Black & White - along with Populous - the game defining "god game", gives you a mix of strategy, adventure and tamagochi. first Molyneux game in which your actions impact the outcome, ala Fable, first day/night cycle and weather systems
Heroes of Might & Magic - I feel insulted for having to explain why this one should be on the list - not the IV-VI installments though. So I won't
Worms - see Heroes of Might & Magic
Deus Ex - first good implementation of RPG elements in a shooter, first non-linear gameplay, great graphics for the time, GOTY 2000 of more than 50 magazines
Prince of Persia - the first one could be beat in 27 minutes, but the first time takes forever. First good use of rotoscopy in a video game, first "1001 nights" themed-game, that sells well. SoT, WW and TTT each introduced a different gameplay mechanics to the gaming industry (instant correction of mistakes, adaptive battle system with more than 1000 different combos, giant bosses and chariot races). Not to mention the sick storytelling, especially in the trilogy.
Karateka - first ever use of rotoscopy in a video game. first multi-ending game, first realistic fighting systemBefore Quake, it was Delta Force, that made the FPS genre leap to 3D with movable mouse pointer. Commandos and Jagged Alliance created a genre. Battlefield 1942 made multiplayer in war-shooters popular. Baldur's Gate and Icewind Dale first adapted the AD&D system in a game, and still are a standart for today's RPG games. The Elder Scrolls and Might & Magic brought open world RPG exploration.
Also - Rayman, Syphon Filter (which created the 3D espionage genre), Crash Bandicoot, Spyro The Dragon, American McGee's Alice
This list is for Nintendo fanboys and it SUCKS. Period.
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Kinda hate to say it,
Posted: 12/21/2012 by Dr_Corndog
but your reasons for including some of those games are pretty weak. This list is fine.
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Don't worry, GamerBG...
Posted: 12/21/2012 by McBiggitty
You'll find out later today that Mafia and American McGee's Alice came in at #1 and #2, so hopefully all is forgiven.
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You know what, guys
Posted: 12/21/2012 by GamerBG
I'm sorry. I realize now my anger was selfish and that, in fact, some of my reasons really were weak. You guys made me laugh afterwards and I am really sorry - again. And this is why I love 1UP the most - it's community. Thanks for reminding me of that, and not web-screaming at me for being such a jerk :)
And so, there is my real top five for "essential" games, that none should miss:
1. Super Mario Bros.
2. Tetris
3. Heroes of Might & Magic III
4. GTA - San Andreas
5. Final Fantasy VII or, my other favorite from the PSX era - IX
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And #1 Is...
Posted: userComment.createdDate by Omnicrono
Super Mario Bros. (my prediction)
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...And back again
Posted: 12/21/2012 by Omnicrono
Haha! Well, I'd be lying if I didn't say I feel it would be total fooey if Super Mario Bros. 3 was not only ranked higher than Super Mario World, but even higher than the game that started it all. SMWorld was more impactful and "essential" than SMB3, in my opinion.
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And on and on and on
Posted: 12/21/2012 by GamerBG
I kinda appreciate and cherish the first SMB the most - I live in Eastern Europe and here, the AC adapters that came with the NES knock-offs we had, tended to explode if you played more than 2-3 hours before giving the adapter a break. So I never finished SMB3 as a kid - we didn't have Nintendo Power to tell us the secrets like the whistle. So we had to take the long road... every single time. Years later, I finally beat the crap outta this game, but it was more kinda about revenge, than the simple pleasure of playing :)
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Haha! Well met.
Posted: 12/21/2012 by Omnicrono
Great story. Especially the part about AC adapters exploding, haha! I remember constantly blowing the dust out of my NES's cartridge dock, and the cartridges themselves... as if it did any of us any good. We always heard conflicting reports about whether or not it did more harm than good. We kept doing it anyway, and it seemed to work out ok for us. At the very least, it gave our young intellects the illusion that we were doing something useful in getting our games up and running.
I never did play through and complete every world in SMB3 (maybe I shouldn't be confessing that here, haha). I always went the cheapo route and used the whistles. But, admittedly, SMB3 didn't draw me into the game the way SMWorld did.
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My predictions for top:
Posted: userComment.createdDate by postmita
1. Super Mario Bros. 3
2. Street Fighter 2
3. Final Fantasy 7
4. Zelda Link to the past
5. Super Mario 64
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One of those already made the list...
Posted: 12/19/2012 by KnuckIfYouBuckley
Link to the Past was #30.
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finally
Posted: userComment.createdDate by saint.reserve
ive been waiting for a couple of months for this and im very happy i can continue reading the coundown. i am also surprised how many first person shooters made it on the top twenty five but yet counter strike was up in the eighties or ninties.
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Orange Box
Posted: userComment.createdDate by halochief_90
Clever artwork there. I am curious the justification for putting it on this list with Portal already on it.
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MGS2
Posted: 12/18/2012 by Shi_Wei_Li
Actually, some of the boxes in Metal Gear Solid 2 already had 'The Orange' written on them. So, the reference to Valve's gift to us is just a coincidence/freebie I think.
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