2019 MAIN EVENT Round One

[SkyPikachu]

Welcome to This Old Neon’s fourth official “BEST GAME EVER!!!” Project.

The “BEST GAME EVER!!!” Project is not intended to champion any particular objective quality. The best game can be the best for any of a number of reasons: its earnings or critical reception, its influence and impact, the emotional resonance of its art or music, the playability of its mechanics or the thoughtfulness of its design, the immersiveness of its world, the quality of its writing and characterization, or the memories and nostalgia it invokes. All participants are invited to engage in their own ways, and vote according to their own criteria, however arbitrary and however personal.

You can’t change your votes once they’ve been submitted, so click carefully.

Voting closes on Saturday, 2 March at 23:59 Atlantic Standard Time!

Don’t forget to vote in these user-submitted categories. Others will be added in the coming weeks.

Round One
Best Mech Customization
Most Innovative Mechanics

[SkyPikachu]

Poll 1 of 12
Donkey Kong (1981, Arcade)
Donkey Kong 64 (1999, N64)
Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze (2014, WU)
Fire Emblem Awakening (2012, 3DS)
Fire Emblem Echoes: Shadows of Valentia (2017, 3DS)
Fire Emblem Fates (2015, 3DS)
Fire Emblem: Radiant Dawn (2007, Wii)
Kingdom Hearts (2002, PS2)
Kingdom Hearts II (2005, PS2)
Kingdom Hearts III (2019, PS4/XBO)

Having played All 3 Donkey Kong games and the first 2 Kingdom Hearts this made for a tough choice. I decided on not voting for Kingdom Hearts II as I haven't finished it yet. Also hurts not to vote for the FE games as I just haven't played them yet.

Poll 2 of 12
Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga (2003, GBA)
Mario Golf (1999, N64)
Mario Party 7 (2005, GCN)
Mario Tennis (2000, N64)
New Super Mario Bros. (2006, DS)
New Super Mario Bros. U (2012, WU)
Super Mario 3D Land (2011, 3DS)
Super Mario 3D World (2013, WU)
Super Mario Maker (2015, WU)
Super Paper Mario (2007, Wii)

Having played Superstar Saga, Both NSMB and the two 3d games this looked to be a tough one but I loved Superstar Saga and 3d World is just plain better than 3d Land and the NSMB games are a little stale.

Poll 3 of 12
Infamous (2009, PS3)
Infamous Second Son (2014, PS4)
Kirby Super Star / Kirby's Fun Pak (1996, SNES)
Kirby: Planet Robobot (2016, 3DS)
Kirby's Epic Yarn (2010, Wii)
The Legend of Zelda (1986, NES)
The Legend of Zelda: Spirit Tracks (2009, DS)
The Legend of Zelda: The Minish Cap (2004, GBA)
The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess (2006, GCN)
Zelda II: The Adventure of Link (1987, NES)

Having played Infamous, Super Star (on ds), Minish Cap and Twilight Princess. I decided I just vote for Minish Cap as it was the standout game. I have yet to play Spirit Tracks however I heard wonderful things about it.

Poll 4 of 12
Nintendo Land (2012, WU)
Wii Sports Resort (2009, Wii)
Dr. Mario (1990, NES)
Mario Kart 7 (2011, 3DS)
Mario Kart: Double Dash!! (2003, GCN)
Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker (2014, WU)
Luigi's Mansion [2 / Dark Moon] (2013, 3DS)
Super Smash Bros. Ultimate (NS)
WarioWare: Smooth Moves (2006, Wii)
Animal Crossing: New Leaf (2012, 3DS)

Easily New Leaf one of my favorite games ever there's other games I liked too but I feel like New Leaf trumps them all and deserves a single vote from me.

Poll 5 of 12
Mega Man 2 (1988, NES)
Mega Man 3 (1990, NES)
Bravely Default (2012, 3DS)
Epic Mickey (2010, Wii)
Human: Fall Flat (2016, Multiplatform)
Middle-Earth: Shadow of Mordor (2014, Multiplatform)
Pikmin (2001, GCN)
Pikmin 3 (2013, WU)
Rock Band (2007, Multiplatform)
Uncharted 2: Among Thieves (2009, PS3)

Having played Mega Man 2, Pikmin and Uncharted 2. I picked Mega Man 2 as I hated the other 2 games.

Poll 6 of 12
Metroid Fusion (2002, GBA)
Metroid Prime 3: Corruption (2007, Wii)
Bully / Canis Canem Edit (2006, PS2)
Eternal Darkness: Sanity's Requiem (2002, GCN)
Ico (2001, PS2)
Mighty Switch Force! (2011, 3DS)
Mole Mania (1996, GB)
Pokémon [Moon/Sun] (2016, 3DS)
Pokémon Go (2016, Mobile)
The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim (2011, Multiplatform)
Zack & Wiki: Quest for Barbaros' Treasure (2007, Wii)

Passing. I have played Skyrim, Pokemon Sun/Moon and Mighty Switch Force but none of them stood out.

Poll 7 of 12
Yoshi's Story (1997, N64)
Yoshi's Woolly World (2015, WU)
Castlevania III: Dracula's Curse (1989, NES)
Fantasy Life (2012, 3DS)
Harvest Moon (1996, SNES)
Into the Breach (2018, NS/PC)
Professor Layton and the [Lost/Unwound] Future (2008, DS)
Professor Layton and the Curious Village (2007, DS)
Professor Layton vs. Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney (2012, 3DS)
Rune Factory 4 (2012, 3DS)
Terraria (2011, PC)

Having played Woolly World and Fantasy Life and having watched a lot of Yoshi's Story I decided to vote the 2 Yoshi games.

Poll 8 of 12
Alan Wake (2010, X360)
Crash Bandicoot[ 3]: Warped (1998, PS1)
Forza Horizon 4 (2018, PC/XBO)
Journey (2012, PS3)
Monster Hunter 3 Ultimate (2012, WU)
Monster Hunter 4 Ultimate (2015, 3DS)
Pushmo / Pullblox (2011, 3DS)
Shantae and the Pirate's Curse (2014, Multiplatform)
The Last of Us (2013, PS3)
Thomas Was Alone (2013, Multiplatform)

Only played Forza 4, Shantae and Pullbox and Pullbox wasn't anything special so Forza and Shantae were easy picks.

Poll 9 of 12
Assassin's Creed Odyssey (2018, Multiplatform)
Cuphead (2017, PC/XBO)
Heavy Rain (2010, PS3)
Kid Icarus: Uprising (2012, 3DS)
Octopath Traveler (2018, NS)
Puyo Puyo Tetris (2014, Multiplatform)
Shovel Knight: Treasure Trove (2014, Multiplatform)
The Messenger (2018, NS/PC)
Toki Tori (2008, Multiplatform)
Toki Tori 2 (2013, Multiplatform)

Passing, Have played Cuphead, Puyo Puyo Demo and Shovel Knight none of them stood out.

Poll 10 of 12
Bayonetta 2 (2014, WU)
Diablo III (2012, Multiplatform)
Hellblade: Senua's Sacrifice (2017, Multiplatform)
Little King's Story (2009, Multiplatform)
Okami (2008, Multiplatform)
Rayman Legends (2013, Multiplatform)
Silent Hill: Homecoming (2008, PS3)
The Walking Dead: Season One (2012, Multiplatform)
Tomodachi Life (2013, 3DS)
Until Dawn (2015, PS4)

Having only played Okami and Rayman. Rayman is the standout game and I haven't played enough of Okami.

Poll 11 of 12
Bomberman 64 (1997, N64)
Doom (2016, Multiplatform)
Hollow Knight (2017, Multiplatform)
LittleBigPlanet (2008, PS3)
Overcooked 2 (2018, Multiplatform)
Resident Evil: Revelations (2012, 3DS)
Splatoon 2 (2017, NS)
The World Ends With You (2007, DS)
Trine 2 (2011, Multiplatform)
Woah Dave! (2014, Multiplatform)

having played Hollow Knight, LBP and Splatoon 2 I decided to vote LittleBigPlanet as couldn't get into Hollow Knight and I didn't like Splatoon 2 as much as 1.

Poll 12 of 12
BoxBoy! (2015, 3DS)
EarthBound (1994, SNES)
Horizon Zero Dawn (2017, PS4)
Lumines: Puzzle Fusion [incl. Remastered] (2004, PSP)
Persona 5 (2016, PS4)
Rime (2017, Multiplatform)
SteamWorld Dig 2 (2017, Multiplatform)
SteamWorld Heist (2015, Multiplatform)
Thimbleweed Park (2017, Multiplatform)
Xenoblade Chronicles (2010, Wii)
Xenoblade Chronicles 2 (2017, NS)

Having barely touched Horizon and finishing Rime they both didn't really grab me while Persona 5 has so much charm (even though I haven't played it in a while. I played the 3ds version of Xenoblade and I never continued playing. So I voted Persona 5.

[The Shoemaker]

Poll 1 of 12
Donkey Kong (1981, Arcade)
Donkey Kong 64 (1999, N64)
Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze (2014, WU)
Fire Emblem Awakening (2012, 3DS)
Fire Emblem Echoes: Shadows of Valentia (2017, 3DS)
Fire Emblem Fates (2015, 3DS)
Fire Emblem: Radiant Dawn (2007, Wii)
Kingdom Hearts (2002, PS2)
Kingdom Hearts II (2005, PS2)
Kingdom Hearts III (2019, PS4/XBO)

Killing my babies here. I loved all the 3DS Fire Emblems, but Radiant Dawn is probably my favorite just for the old school design and world building. Awakening was a great resurgance for the series and Valentia was a nice return to form in terms of writing and characters.

Kingdom Hearts III is easily the best of the KH games, though being so new I doubt it will get much traction here. DK Tropical Freeze is a top of the line platformer. DK 64 has a spot in my heart, but it doesn't win this one.

Poll 2 of 12
Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga (2003, GBA)
Mario Golf (1999, N64)
Mario Party 7 (2005, GCN)
Mario Tennis (2000, N64)
New Super Mario Bros. (2006, DS)
New Super Mario Bros. U (2012, WU)
Super Mario 3D Land (2011, 3DS)
Super Mario 3D World (2013, WU)
Super Mario Maker (2015, WU)
Super Paper Mario (2007, Wii)

Super Mario Maker is a stand out of the Wii U's library. So much creativity put in to the level creating tools.

Poll 3 of 12
Infamous (2009, PS3)
Infamous Second Son (2014, PS4)
Kirby Super Star / Kirby's Fun Pak (1996, SNES)
Kirby: Planet Robobot (2016, 3DS)
Kirby's Epic Yarn (2010, Wii)
The Legend of Zelda (1986, NES)
The Legend of Zelda: Spirit Tracks (2009, DS)
The Legend of Zelda: The Minish Cap (2004, GBA)
The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess (2006, GCN)
Zelda II: The Adventure of Link (1987, NES)

Enjoyed the inFamous games, enjoyed the kirby games, but Zelda is on top. The original LOZ still holds up today as a great open adventure game, and Twilight Princess stands out more to me than the others.

Poll 6 of 12
Metroid Fusion (2002, GBA)
Metroid Prime 3: Corruption (2007, Wii)
Bully / Canis Canem Edit (2006, PS2)
Eternal Darkness: Sanity's Requiem (2002, GCN)
Ico (2001, PS2)
Mighty Switch Force! (2011, 3DS)
Mole Mania (1996, GB)
Pokémon [Moon/Sun] (2016, 3DS)
Pokémon Go (2016, Mobile)
The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim (2011, Multiplatform)
Zack & Wiki: Quest for Barbaros' Treasure (2007, Wii)

Zack and Wiki was a great puzzle game from the Wii I will always vouch for. Sequel please!

Poll 7 of 12
Yoshi's Story (1997, N64)
Yoshi's Woolly World (2015, WU)
Castlevania III: Dracula's Curse (1989, NES)
Fantasy Life (2012, 3DS)
Harvest Moon (1996, SNES)
Into the Breach (2018, NS/PC)
Professor Layton and the [Lost/Unwound] Future (2008, DS)
Professor Layton and the Curious Village (2007, DS)
Professor Layton vs. Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney (2012, 3DS)
Rune Factory 4 (2012, 3DS)
Terraria (2011, PC)

I love the Layton games, I'll throw my vote to Unwound Future, fantastic teary end to the first trilogy. Props to Harvest Moon as well for being the basis of essentially all farming games today.

Poll 8 of 12
Alan Wake (2010, X360)
Crash Bandicoot[ 3]: Warped (1998, PS1)
Forza Horizon 4 (2018, PC/XBO)
Journey (2012, PS3)
Monster Hunter 3 Ultimate (2012, WU)
Monster Hunter 4 Ultimate (2015, 3DS)
Pushmo / Pullblox (2011, 3DS)
Shantae and the Pirate's Curse (2014, Multiplatform)
The Last of Us (2013, PS3)
Thomas Was Alone (2013, Multiplatform)

Thomas Was Alone is a title I only played recently, but it's another one of those titles where the gameplay and story really feel like a cohesive match.

Poll 12 of 12
BoxBoy! (2015, 3DS)
EarthBound (1994, SNES)
Horizon Zero Dawn (2017, PS4)
Lumines: Puzzle Fusion [incl. Remastered] (2004, PSP)
Persona 5 (2016, PS4)
Rime (2017, Multiplatform)
SteamWorld Dig 2 (2017, Multiplatform)
SteamWorld Heist (2015, Multiplatform)
Thimbleweed Park (2017, Multiplatform)
Xenoblade Chronicles (2010, Wii)
Xenoblade Chronicles 2 (2017, NS)

Picking Xenoblade 1 over 2 just because I think the story was a little more consistent throughout, leaving a stronger impression, but I probably enjoy 2 more. SteamWorld Dig 2 I think is criminally under rated here, such a gem.

[Kong Wen]

These are more or less my Round One Main Event picks. I haven't cast them yet, but I don't see anything changing... maybe I'll toss in a vote for the polls from which I've abstained here... maybe.


Poll 1 of 12
Donkey Kong (1981, Arcade)
Donkey Kong 64 (1999, N64)
Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze (2014, WU)
Fire Emblem Awakening (2012, 3DS)
Fire Emblem Echoes: Shadows of Valentia (2017, 3DS)
Fire Emblem Fates (2015, 3DS)
Fire Emblem: Radiant Dawn (2007, Wii)
Kingdom Hearts (2002, PS2)
Kingdom Hearts II (2005, PS2)
Kingdom Hearts III (2019, PS4/XBO)

Poll 2 of 12
Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga (2003, GBA)
Mario Golf (1999, N64)
Mario Party 7 (2005, GCN)
Mario Tennis (2000, N64)
New Super Mario Bros. (2006, DS)
New Super Mario Bros. U (2012, WU)
Super Mario 3D Land (2011, 3DS)
Super Mario 3D World (2013, WU)
Super Mario Maker (2015, WU)
Super Paper Mario (2007, Wii)

Poll 3 of 12
Infamous (2009, PS3)
Infamous Second Son (2014, PS4)
Kirby Super Star / Kirby's Fun Pak (1996, SNES)
Kirby: Planet Robobot (2016, 3DS)
Kirby's Epic Yarn (2010, Wii)
The Legend of Zelda (1986, NES)
The Legend of Zelda: Spirit Tracks (2009, DS)
The Legend of Zelda: The Minish Cap (2004, GBA)
The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess (2006, GCN)
Zelda II: The Adventure of Link (1987, NES)

Poll 4 of 12
Nintendo Land (2012, WU)
Wii Sports Resort (2009, Wii)
Dr. Mario (1990, NES)
Mario Kart 7 (2011, 3DS)
Mario Kart: Double Dash!! (2003, GCN)
Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker (2014, WU)
Luigi's Mansion [2 / Dark Moon] (2013, 3DS)
Super Smash Bros. Ultimate (NS)
WarioWare: Smooth Moves (2006, Wii)
Animal Crossing: New Leaf (2012, 3DS)

Poll 5 of 12
Mega Man 2 (1988, NES)
Mega Man 3 (1990, NES)
Bravely Default (2012, 3DS)
Epic Mickey (2010, Wii)
Human: Fall Flat (2016, Multiplatform)
Middle-Earth: Shadow of Mordor (2014, Multiplatform)
Pikmin (2001, GCN)
Pikmin 3 (2013, WU)
Rock Band (2007, Multiplatform)
Uncharted 2: Among Thieves (2009, PS3)

Poll 6 of 12
Metroid Fusion (2002, GBA)
Metroid Prime 3: Corruption (2007, Wii)
Bully / Canis Canem Edit (2006, PS2)
Eternal Darkness: Sanity's Requiem (2002, GCN)
Ico (2001, PS2)
Mighty Switch Force! (2011, 3DS)
Mole Mania (1996, GB)
Pokémon [Moon/Sun] (2016, 3DS)
Pokémon Go (2016, Mobile)
The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim (2011, Multiplatform)
Zack & Wiki: Quest for Barbaros' Treasure (2007, Wii)

Poll 7 of 12
Yoshi's Story (1997, N64)
Yoshi's Woolly World (2015, WU)
Castlevania III: Dracula's Curse (1989, NES)
Fantasy Life (2012, 3DS)
Harvest Moon (1996, SNES)
Into the Breach (2018, NS/PC)
Professor Layton and the [Lost/Unwound] Future (2008, DS)
Professor Layton and the Curious Village (2007, DS)
Professor Layton vs. Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney (2012, 3DS)
Rune Factory 4 (2012, 3DS)
Terraria (2011, PC)

Poll 8 of 12
Alan Wake (2010, X360)
Crash Bandicoot[ 3]: Warped (1998, PS1)
Forza Horizon 4 (2018, PC/XBO)
Journey (2012, PS3)
Monster Hunter 3 Ultimate (2012, WU)
Monster Hunter 4 Ultimate (2015, 3DS)
Pushmo / Pullblox (2011, 3DS)
Shantae and the Pirate's Curse (2014, Multiplatform)
The Last of Us (2013, PS3)
Thomas Was Alone (2013, Multiplatform)

Poll 9 of 12
Assassin's Creed Odyssey (2018, Multiplatform)
Cuphead (2017, PC/XBO)
Heavy Rain (2010, PS3)
Kid Icarus: Uprising (2012, 3DS)
Octopath Traveler (2018, NS)
Puyo Puyo Tetris (2014, Multiplatform)
Shovel Knight: Treasure Trove (2014, Multiplatform)
The Messenger (2018, NS/PC)
Toki Tori (2008, Multiplatform)
Toki Tori 2 (2013, Multiplatform)

Poll 10 of 12
Bayonetta 2 (2014, WU)
Diablo III (2012, Multiplatform)
Hellblade: Senua's Sacrifice (2017, Multiplatform)
Little King's Story (2009, Multiplatform)
Okami (2008, Multiplatform)
Rayman Legends (2013, Multiplatform)
Silent Hill: Homecoming (2008, PS3)
The Walking Dead: Season One (2012, Multiplatform)
Tomodachi Life (2013, 3DS)
Until Dawn (2015, PS4)

Poll 11 of 12
Bomberman 64 (1997, N64)
Doom (2016, Multiplatform)
Hollow Knight (2017, Multiplatform)
LittleBigPlanet (2008, PS3)
Overcooked 2 (2018, Multiplatform)
Resident Evil: Revelations (2012, 3DS)
Splatoon 2 (2017, NS)
The World Ends With You (2007, DS)
Trine 2 (2011, Multiplatform)
Woah Dave! (2014, Multiplatform)

Poll 12 of 12
BoxBoy! (2015, 3DS)
EarthBound (1994, SNES)
Horizon Zero Dawn (2017, PS4)
Lumines: Puzzle Fusion [incl. Remastered] (2004, PSP)
Persona 5 (2016, PS4)
Rime (2017, Multiplatform)
SteamWorld Dig 2 (2017, Multiplatform)
SteamWorld Heist (2015, Multiplatform)
Thimbleweed Park (2017, Multiplatform)
Xenoblade Chronicles (2010, Wii)
Xenoblade Chronicles 2 (2017, NS)

[Ouenben]

Poll 1 of 12
Donkey Kong (1981, Arcade)
Donkey Kong 64 (1999, N64)
Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze (2014, WU)
Fire Emblem Awakening (2012, 3DS)
Fire Emblem Echoes: Shadows of Valentia (2017, 3DS)
Fire Emblem Fates (2015, 3DS)
Fire Emblem: Radiant Dawn (2007, Wii)
Kingdom Hearts (2002, PS2)
Kingdom Hearts II (2005, PS2)
Kingdom Hearts III (2019, PS4/XBO)


One of Nintendo's earliest titles, innovative and fun, huge impact on the gaming industry.

Poll 2 of 12
Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga (2003, GBA)
Mario Golf (1999, N64)
Mario Party 7 (2005, GCN)
Mario Tennis (2000, N64)
New Super Mario Bros. (2006, DS)
New Super Mario Bros. U (2012, WU)
Super Mario 3D Land (2011, 3DS)
Super Mario 3D World (2013, WU)
Super Mario Maker (2015, WU)
Super Paper Mario (2007, Wii)

Was going to abstain because most of these titles are not the best in their series, some should straight-up not be here (Mario Party 7, really?) but Superstar Saga is one of the best Mario RPG titles I've played, the story is fun, the writing is funny, and they managed to make turn based battles fun and more engaging.

Poll 3 of 12
Infamous (2009, PS3)
Infamous Second Son (2014, PS4)
Kirby Super Star / Kirby's Fun Pak (1996, SNES)
Kirby: Planet Robobot (2016, 3DS)
Kirby's Epic Yarn (2010, Wii)
The Legend of Zelda (1986, NES)
The Legend of Zelda: Spirit Tracks (2009, DS)
The Legend of Zelda: The Minish Cap (2004, GBA)
The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess (2006, GCN)
Zelda II: The Adventure of Link (1987, NES)

While I actually prerfer playing Minish Cap and Twilight Princess, I can't overlook what the original Zelda did for gaming and Nintendo. Spirit Tracks shouldn't be here at all.

Poll 4 of 12
Nintendo Land (2012, WU)
Wii Sports Resort (2009, Wii)
Dr. Mario (1990, NES)
Mario Kart 7 (2011, 3DS)
Mario Kart: Double Dash!! (2003, GCN)
Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker (2014, WU)
Luigi's Mansion [2 / Dark Moon] (2013, 3DS)
Super Smash Bros. Ultimate (NS)
WarioWare: Smooth Moves (2006, Wii)
Animal Crossing: New Leaf (2012, 3DS)

Abstaining, none of these games are really BGE material. Though Smash Bros Ultimate is a very well polished and fun game it feels like a slightly expanded collection of the previous entries.

Poll 5 of 12
Mega Man 2 (1988, NES)
Mega Man 3 (1990, NES)
Bravely Default (2012, 3DS)
Epic Mickey (2010, Wii)
Human: Fall Flat (2016, Multiplatform)
Middle-Earth: Shadow of Mordor (2014, Multiplatform)
Pikmin (2001, GCN)
Pikmin 3 (2013, WU)
Rock Band (2007, Multiplatform)
Uncharted 2: Among Thieves (2009, PS3)

Rock Band - took the tired and done-to-death Guitar hero gameplay and ramped it up three more levels by letting you run a whole band, the drums were my favourite and I have fond memories playing this game to death with both family and friends.

Poll 6 of 12
Metroid Fusion (2002, GBA)
Metroid Prime 3: Corruption (2007, Wii)
Bully / Canis Canem Edit (2006, PS2)
Eternal Darkness: Sanity's Requiem (2002, GCN)
Ico (2001, PS2)
Mighty Switch Force! (2011, 3DS)
Mole Mania (1996, GB)
Pokémon [Moon/Sun] (2016, 3DS)
Pokémon Go (2016, Mobile)
The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim (2011, Multiplatform)
Zack & Wiki: Quest for Barbaros' Treasure (2007, Wii)

Metroid 4 was a fantastic portable Metroid which was absolutely brimming with tension, atmosphere and immersion. The SA-X to this day remains the scariest sprite in existence. They also managed to somehow make a really good Metroid title that was very linear - unheard of.

Poll 7 of 12
Yoshi's Story (1997, N64)
Yoshi's Woolly World (2015, WU)
Castlevania III: Dracula's Curse (1989, NES)
Fantasy Life (2012, 3DS)
Harvest Moon (1996, SNES)
Into the Breach (2018, NS/PC)
Professor Layton and the [Lost/Unwound] Future (2008, DS)
Professor Layton and the Curious Village (2007, DS)
Professor Layton vs. Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney (2012, 3DS)
Rune Factory 4 (2012, 3DS)
Terraria (2011, PC)

A game where you spend all waking hours tending to a farm, harvesting crops, milking cows and speaking to nearby villagers. On paper it doesn't sound particularly interesting but it ended up being one of my favourite sim games and the visual style and soundtrack is far more charming than one would expect. I actually played the Gameboy one the most, which suited being portable but the SNES version had more content such as marriage etc. Get out of here Yoshi's story

Poll 8 of 12
Alan Wake (2010, X360)
Crash Bandicoot[ 3]: Warped (1998, PS1)
Forza Horizon 4 (2018, PC/XBO)
Journey (2012, PS3)
Monster Hunter 3 Ultimate (2012, WU)
Monster Hunter 4 Ultimate (2015, 3DS)
Pushmo / Pullblox (2011, 3DS)
Shantae and the Pirate's Curse (2014, Multiplatform)
The Last of Us (2013, PS3)
Thomas Was Alone (2013, Multiplatform)

Last of Us was a breathtaking, cinematic experience from start to finish and one of the most polished and beautiful games I played on the PS3. Very eager for the sequel

Poll 9 of 12
Assassin's Creed Odyssey (2018, Multiplatform)
Cuphead (2017, PC/XBO)
Heavy Rain (2010, PS3)
Kid Icarus: Uprising (2012, 3DS)
Octopath Traveler (2018, NS)
Puyo Puyo Tetris (2014, Multiplatform)
Shovel Knight: Treasure Trove (2014, Multiplatform)
The Messenger (2018, NS/PC)
Toki Tori (2008, Multiplatform)
Toki Tori 2 (2013, Multiplatform)

I highly enjoyed Shovel Knight, Heavy Rain and Cuphead. Not sure I'd consider them BGE material, though Cuphead was incredibly well made and has the best artistic style ever.

Poll 10 of 12
Bayonetta 2 (2014, WU)
Diablo III (2012, Multiplatform)
Hellblade: Senua's Sacrifice (2017, Multiplatform)
Little King's Story (2009, Multiplatform)
Okami (2008, Multiplatform)
Rayman Legends (2013, Multiplatform)
Silent Hill: Homecoming (2008, PS3)
The Walking Dead: Season One (2012, Multiplatform)
Tomodachi Life (2013, 3DS)
Until Dawn (2015, PS4)

Utterly simple yet completely addictive gameplay, must have ran through the story at least 5 times. Many fond memories of playing in co-op with my best friend and getting to level 70 with one character then again with a second character who I found way more fun. The gameplay was tight and polished and the game was brimming with content to keep me coming back to try and get better loot and upgrades. My first Diablo game but definitely not my last.
I loved the Walking Dead, especially Season 1 which was my first telltale game, the story was gripping and the illusion of choice in the story was
initially convincing and unlike anything I had played before, and one of the toughest most emotional endings to a game I've ever played. Didn't vote for it though as the engine is dated (Even when it came out) and quite glitchy, plus the actual degree of choice disappointed me compared to what I thought I'd be getting.

Poll 11 of 12
Bomberman 64 (1997, N64)
Doom (2016, Multiplatform)
Hollow Knight (2017, Multiplatform)
LittleBigPlanet (2008, PS3)
Overcooked 2 (2018, Multiplatform)
Resident Evil: Revelations (2012, 3DS)
Splatoon 2 (2017, NS)
The World Ends With You (2007, DS)
Trine 2 (2011, Multiplatform)
Woah Dave! (2014, Multiplatform)

Been obsessed with platformers since I was barely able to work and for years had been drawing my own designs for levels on paper, every year I wished for a Mario-like game where I could make the levels easily without any programming knowledge or ridiculous hacks and unofficial tools on PC. This was it, I could finally make levels I wanted, and the sheer creativity of the community was amazing, the tools and switches people made with the fairly limited level editor were simply astounding. I spent hours upon hours making levels and testing them and having friends test them. I had a few gripes with how well certain things worked and how basic some tools and enemies were but much of this was addressed in the sequels.

Poll 12 of 12
BoxBoy! (2015, 3DS)
EarthBound (1994, SNES)
Horizon Zero Dawn (2017, PS4)
Lumines: Puzzle Fusion [incl. Remastered] (2004, PSP)
Persona 5 (2016, PS4)
Rime (2017, Multiplatform)
SteamWorld Dig 2 (2017, Multiplatform)
SteamWorld Heist (2015, Multiplatform)
Thimbleweed Park (2017, Multiplatform)
Xenoblade Chronicles (2010, Wii)
Xenoblade Chronicles 2 (2017, NS)

Nothing really worth voting for here, however Thimbleweed so far has been very very fun and a nice homage to old school point and click adventures.

[The Shoemaker]

Ouenben tearing apart my nominations! Mario Party 7 I actually have the most fond memories of out of all the Mario Party's. Felt like a good evolution of the gameplay with interesting maps, and good music.

Few more shout outs:

Hollow Knight: Fantastic experience beginning to end. Metroidvania with a dark souls flair, but still being able to hold it's own identity.

Splatoon 2: Love the game, I still play it weekly. But I have to give credit to Doom and Hollow Knight, and I know it's never going to make it out of round one with this audience.

Assassin's Creed Odyssey: A very well done open world RPG. Fun gameplay loop, beautiful world, decent amount of variety. I appreciate that it recognizes it's a video game and tries not to waste your time. Your horse can walk up mountains, jump off cliffs, and come running to your whistle no matter how far away it is.

Little King's Story: One of my favorites from the Wii. Great town builder/adventure rpg-lite

[Ouenben]

Ouenben tearing apart my nominations! Mario Party 7 I actually have the most fond memories of out of all the Mario Party's. Felt like a good evolution of the gameplay with interesting maps, and good music.

Haha I believe we just have quite different tastes. I bought/played Mario party 1-9 and Super Mario party on switch. I don't recall anything too exciting about 7, I know it used the Microphone but so did 6. My favourite to this day is still 4, so many good mini games and pretty decent boards.
I couldn't stand the vehicle Mario party games where all four players moved at the same time... Absolute trash

[SkyPikachu]

Poll 2 of 12
Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga (2003, GBA)
Mario Golf (1999, N64)
Mario Party 7 (2005, GCN)
Mario Tennis (2000, N64)
New Super Mario Bros. (2006, DS)
New Super Mario Bros. U (2012, WU)
Super Mario 3D Land (2011, 3DS)
Super Mario 3D World (2013, WU)
Super Mario Maker (2015, WU)
Super Paper Mario (2007, Wii)

Was going to abstain because most of these titles are not the best in their series, some should straight-up not be here (Mario Party 7, really?)

and Nintendo. Spirit Tracks shouldn't be here at all.

Poll 4 of 12
Nintendo Land (2012, WU)
Wii Sports Resort (2009, Wii)
Dr. Mario (1990, NES)
Mario Kart 7 (2011, 3DS)
Mario Kart: Double Dash!! (2003, GCN)
Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker (2014, WU)
Luigi's Mansion [2 / Dark Moon] (2013, 3DS)
Super Smash Bros. Ultimate (NS)
WarioWare: Smooth Moves (2006, Wii)
Animal Crossing: New Leaf (2012, 3DS)

Abstaining, none of these games are really BGE material.

I don't think you grasp how different people see games differently and have different tastes to you.

For example I haven't spoken about this before but Animal Crossing new leaf quiet possibly saved me life. I. tried to kill myself shortly before it's release then found the game and started playing it. The game hooked me and I played over 500 hours of it. The game gave me something to wake up for everyday and a fun escape from life. I started making friends who also played the game on the net. This alone puts the game in the top 5 list for me. Saying its not BGE material is pretty harsh and saying some games flat out shouldn't be here is harsh as well. Someone liked a game enough to nominate it and it must mean something to them.

Also I'm not sure if this is just me but I try to nominate my top 30 or so games ever because the list for me is about ranking the games. So all these games deserve to be here. Quiet likely only 1 or these games will make it far out but these games get to shape the lower half of the standings.

[Skullomancer]

I just want to say thank you to whoever nominated Mole Mania. Now there's a game I haven't thought about in a while. Loved it back in the day.

I'll be surprised if it advances since it's in a pretty tough pool, but still, it's nice to see it here.

[Ouenben]

Abstaining, none of these games are really BGE material.

I don't think you grasp how different people see games differently and have different tastes to you.

For example I haven't spoken about this before but Animal Crossing new leaf quiet possibly saved me life. I. tried to kill myself shortly before it's release then found the game and started playing it. The game hooked me and I played over 500 hours of it. The game gave me something to wake up for everyday and a fun escape from life. I started making friends who also played the game on the net. This alone puts the game in the top 5 list for me. Saying its not BGE material is pretty harsh and saying some games flat out shouldn't be here is harsh as well. Someone liked a game enough to nominate it and it must mean something to them.

Also I'm not sure if this is just me but I try to nominate my top 30 or so games ever because the list for me is about ranking the games. So all these games deserve to be here. Quiet likely only 1 or these games will make it far out but these games get to shape the lower half of the standings.

The issue here is I don't think you grasp how different people see games differently and have different tastes to you. Others may not actually think these games are worthy of the BGE nominations due to not meeting their own personal qualifying requirements. For example, I wouldn't be particularly keen on voting for a game which is merely a sequel which has barely changed from the previous X versions aside from adding online play while being handheld which is more standard progression than any actual innovation.

This is the beauty of BGE though, different minds nominating for and voting for different games for any reason they see fit. Some might agree, and that's great, some might not agree and that's okay as well, everyone is entitled to their own reasoning and to agree with or disagree with any nominations placed so far. You shouldn't take it personally when someone doesn't think your pick is BGE material, it's not an attack on you or your opinion it is just a different view. Debate and discussion around picks including why and why not should be encouraged. I enjoy hearing why some people wouldn't pick certain games or why they would pick A over B etc. Plus I might hear some new viewpoints I didn't consider myself which may influence my voting decision (e.g. Pac-man being possibly the first ever game with named characters. I hadn't even considered that and it's a pretty cool point if you ask me)