1/2 thru R2!

[Kong Wen]

We're now officially halfway through the second round of pools, which means we're 75% of the way through the round of pools as a whole, and of course like... I don't know, 3/8 through the entire #BGE2020? Much like 2020 in general, this contest is interminable!

Of course, this also means that 1300 games have gotten their final vote totals, with the votes locked in from rounds 1 and 2, so I thought it would be interesting to provide a snapshot of what things look like at this current precise moment.

Bear in mind, obviously, that there's still a lot of pool voting to be done, so none of these statistics or rankings are final or permanent. There are a lot of great games that performed really well in Round 1 that won't be reflected here because they don't have their Round 2 votes added onto their scores yet.

OK, with that preamble out of the way, here are the current top 10 games in the #BGE2020!

1. The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past (1991, SNES)
2. The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild (2017, NS)
3. Metroid Fusion (2002, GBA)
4. Castlevania: Symphony of the Night (1997, PS1)
5. Super Mario Bros. 2 (1988, NES)
6. Super Mario Odyssey (2017, NS)
7. Portal 2 (2011, PC/PS3/X360)
8. Super Smash Bros. Melee (2001, GCN)
9. Sonic the Hedgehog (1991, Genesis)
10. X-Men (1992, Arcade)

There are a few interesting stats to look at as well. Oh, first of all, I'm happy to report that our overall tie-breaker structure is working very well. There are currently no ties in the top ~100 or so in the final rankings. This means our seeding for the elimination round will be mathematically objective.

OK, yeah, on to those stats:

Most total votes: The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past

This is why this game is winning. Total votes is the primary criterion. It received a mind-blowing 54 votes across two rounds.

Highest Average Vote %: Metroid Fusion

This game received 50% of ALL the votes cast in the two pools in which it appeared.

Most total voters: Sonic the Hedgehog

Yes, this is not even a tie—this game alone received votes from more individual voters than any other game (so far), with 20 people giving it some points.

There will be more stats to go over and more mini-crowns to offer when the second round of pools concludes and we have a full picture of all the data. For example, we'll be able to look at the highest individual vote total in any round (currently held by Super Mario Galaxy with 31 votes in Round 1), big jumps and drops across rounds, and of course the most exciting revelation of all: the seeding for the elimination matches.

Thanks for voting, and thanks for supporting the "BEST GAME EVER!!!" Project.

[Kong Wen]

Replying just to add this: the top 10 games that haven't yet shown up in Round 2 (and thus the most likely candidates for meteoric advancement in the overall standings) are:

Super Mario Galaxy (2007, Wii)
Super Metroid (1994, SNES)
Super Mario World (1990, SNES)
Chrono Trigger (1995, SNES)
Super Mario World 2: Yoshi's Island (1995, SNES)
Mega Man 2 (1988, NES)
Doom (1993, PC)
Mega Man 9 (2008, PS3/Wii/X360)
Dragon Warrior (1986, NES)
Metroid Prime (2002, GCN/Wii)

[Sharecrow]

I’m a little surprised that Doom showed up but Doom 2 did not.

Metroid Fusion is the best 2D Metroid game, by far, IMHO. I won’t be voting for Super Metroid because of its finicky wall jump controls. Maybe it’s a personal dexterity issue but sheesh. Doesn’t work for me.

No forecasting of a meteoric rise for Creature of Havoc??? That’s heart breaking.

[Kong Wen]

I’m a little surprised that Doom showed up but Doom 2 did not.

Doom II's in good shape, but it's not hanging on the edge of the top 10 like these. It'll be a strong contender.

[SkyPikachu]

Voted melee overrated game in an overrated series but I'm surprised SMB2 made it

[Kong Wen]

1. The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past (1991, SNES)
2. The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild (2017, NS)
3. Metroid Fusion (2002, GBA)
4. Castlevania: Symphony of the Night (1997, PS1)
5. Super Mario Bros. 2 (1988, NES)
6. Super Mario Odyssey (2017, NS)
7. Portal 2 (2011, PC/PS3/X360)
8. Super Smash Bros. Melee (2001, GCN)
9. Sonic the Hedgehog (1991, Genesis)
10. X-Men (1992, Arcade)

After last week, we have a new provisional Top 10:

1. The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past (1991, SNES)
   
2. Batman: Arkham Asylum (2009, PC/PS3/X360)
   
3. The Legend of Zelda (1986, NES)
4. The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild (2017, NS)
5. Metroid Fusion (2002, GBA)
6. Castlevania: Symphony of the Night (1997, PS1)
   
7. The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker (2002, GCN)
8. Super Mario Bros. 2 (1988, NES)
9. Super Mario Odyssey (2017, NS)
   
10. Metroid: Zero Mission (2004, GBA)

That means Portal 2, Super Smash Bros. Melee, Sonic the Hedgehog, and X-Men are bumped, likely satisfying—at least to some bittersweet degree in some cases—Share, Pluvius, Sky, Clay, Evil, and Han.

I don't know if you think these little weekly updates are interesting, or if they're too much? Too cheaty? Take the wind out of the sails of the final results going into the elimination round?

[The Shoemaker]

Lmao read the poll as which game AT LEAST deserves to be there.

I find these stats interesting.

[Kong Wen]

Lmao read the poll as which game AT LEAST deserves to be there.

I find these stats interesting.

I think I have this one set to allow you to change your vote.

[The Shoemaker]

Lmao read the poll as which game AT LEAST deserves to be there.

I find these stats interesting.

I think I have this one set to allow you to change your vote.

You do!

[Kong Wen]

After last week, we have a new provisional Top 10:

1. The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past (1991, SNES)
   
2. Batman: Arkham Asylum (2009, PC/PS3/X360)
   
3. The Legend of Zelda (1986, NES)
4. The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild (2017, NS)
5. Metroid Fusion (2002, GBA)
6. Castlevania: Symphony of the Night (1997, PS1)
   
7. The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker (2002, GCN)
8. Super Mario Bros. 2 (1988, NES)
9. Super Mario Odyssey (2017, NS)
   
10. Metroid: Zero Mission (2004, GBA)

The interim Top 10 hasn't changed from last week.