There are only three more issues of the Icebox left. It feels sudden, doesn’t it? Stay tuned for the grand finale, where I will be making a special announcement for my loyal readers. During three years of the Icebox, I have been able to introduce people to many different video games. I really like to promote the idea of playing a game for enjoyment, especially single player experiences. However, anyone can enjoy any game. I want people to understand that there are many types of gamers out there and that each of their tastes should be respected and considered.
It’s about time that I provide you with my own comprehensive list of video games. Only the best of the best. The games that have truly changed my life. To make things short and simple, I will only mention my most favorite game for each genre. Super Smash Bros. is the first game, of course.
Although it is categorized as a platform fighter, I consider it in its own category as “my favorite.” It’s a game that features Nintendo’s greatest creations and even borrows characters from a wide range of franchises like Sonic, Mega Man, Final Fantasy, Street Fighter, Tekken and even Minecraft. Not only is the game extremely fun for all ages, but it has done wonders for the gaming community. It spotlights unknown video game characters, helps others step out of their comfort zone and brings people together from different gaming backgrounds. You can thank Masahiro Sakurai, creator of Kirby, Kid Icarus and Smash.
The next game is Mario Kart, which I categorize as a family-friendly party game. One of my earliest Icebox stories was about this game! For a more modern and diverse feel, I tend to play Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, which is the current standard for competitive Mario Kart. However, I enjoy Mario Kart in a leisurely capacity these days. That’s why Mario Kart World has been absolutely perfect for me. The visuals, the landscapes, the music and the character options make it a unique adventure.
Nintendo is definitely cooking with the newest 3D titles, such as Super Mario Odyssey, Donkey Kong Bananza and the open-world Zelda games. These should be your go-to if you are trying to get into Nintendo gaming.
One of my favorite 3D Nintendo games, however, is Super Mario 64. Who doesn’t love that game, right? For me, there is a huge aspect of nostalgia that sets it above the modern games, which are arguably more fun to play and have more content. If you really want to stretch the definition of 3D Mario, however, my ultimate recommendation is actually Super Mario Galaxy. This game is probably one of the most well-directed projects that Nintendo has ever put out there.
In the realm of 2D platformers, my favorite is actually an indie game called N++.
This is a speedrun-heavy game with cool technical themes. You play as a ninja in a maze full of deadly, robotic obstacles. Each level is designed like some kind of elaborate death chamber, and the goal is to open the exit door and leave.
Another major genre in 2D is called “beat-em-up” where you are a character on a screen full of enemies and your goal is to, well, beat all of them up. My favorite game in this genre is easily Castle Crashers. The game is hand-drawn, has a soundtrack that goes hard for no reason and is playable for up to four people. The game also features a wide variety of weapons, magic, pets and playable characters. The levels are surprisingly difficult. Also, the game developers have a fantastic sense of humor. The game has been around for eighteen years and still holds to this day.
There are other genres that require you to beat up characters, such as my most favorite video game genre. Fighting games are difficult to get into, but once you do it’s a lot of fun and you open yourself to many options. If I were to pick just one that I recommend, I would say Tekken due to personal bias. However, the game is actually not that kind to newcomers and is currently in bad shape for competitive play. Therefore, I will recommend Marvel vs. Capcom. It is a fighting game that you are surely able to enjoy. It has characters you would recognize and uses mechanics inspired by the Street Fighter series, which is also a great starter game into the mix.
Perhaps the aforementioned genres do not interest you. Not to worry, because I indulge in almost everything out there.
Do you like being creative? Minecraft. Enough said about that one. I don’t believe that game requires an explanation. Sometimes you may get bored of it. In that case I recommend switching it up. If you usually play for leisure, try a hardcore speedrun. If you usually play hardcore, try to relax a bit and build something nice in creative.
Maybe you like puzzles? Well, there are way too many puzzle games out there. I recommend Superliminal, a first-person, singleplayer experience that has a very unique take on objects. The game teaches you about perception! Actually, it fits into its own unique category within puzzle games. Another major category are games such as It Takes Two, which is a two-player experience that you shouldn’t miss. I recommend playing that with your partner or a sibling.
The first-person world of games opens up a lot of opportunities. My favorite shooting game, for example, is probably Rainbow Six Siege. I don’t really enjoy shooting games all that much, but this is the one that I consistently enjoyed the most. The reason is because the game isn’t just about movement and grinding for hours. It requires actual thought and strategy. My favorite games that have shooting mechanics are slightly different, however. I recommend Doom Eternal, Neon White and Cuphead as very enjoyable and non-competitive shooting games.
Another first-person genre is racing games. I haven’t had the chance to play them lately, but I distinctly remember Forza being one of my favorite racing franchises. I believe Forza has a pretty accurate direction on how racing games should be made. However, I also recommend Need for Speed if you ever stumble across it at an arcade.
Racing games often have realistic graphics, similar to stealth games. My favorite stealth game is, of course, Metal Gear Solid! It’s a franchise created by the genius Hideo Kojima. Many video games have some type of salute to the Metal Gear Solid series because the games are that influential.
Another stealth game that fits into its own realm is Superhot, which I will categorize as my favorite virtual reality experience. It’s a game where you get to be an assassin, tearing apart glass enemies in small, enclosed spaces.
The opposite of stealthy would be noisy. Rhythm games bring about the noise. I have a few recommendations, with Beat Saber being my favorite. The other ones are more for anime fans, such as Project Sekai and Osu. Both are easy to be good at. Honestly, I think these types of games deserve more attention.
Finally, I would like to end this list with a mobile game recommendation. To be honest, mobile games are my least favorite in general. However, I would recommend Bloons as the most top-tier mobile game out there. You can’t go wrong with the classic monkey-vs-balloon game from all of our childhoods.
That’s going to do it for this issue. I hope my recommendations sound interesting. This is merely scratching the surface of the Icebox if you will!