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October 9, 2006
Top 5 'Comfort' Games
via the recent slashdot article.
Naming my top 5 'comfort' [video] games (ie. favorite games that you can go back and play whenever just for fun) is a bit of a challenge due to my small repertoire of games. I'll give it my best:
1. Topping the list is the one [series of] game[s] that was the only easy pick for the list--the SSX (Super Snow[board] Cross) series. I've enjoyed the game play in all four, and SSX on the Wii might be a good enough reason to buy a Wii. If I had to pick just one of the series however, it would be 'SSX Tricky' where I think EA just about perfected the original SSX (my reason for buying a PS2).
2. NHL FaceOff 99 for the original Playstation. I think I enjoyed this one so much because I got to know the players on my team (the Buffalo Sabres) so well that I could kick some serious butt. I haven't really enjoyed the new features in the more recent hockey games that I've tried.
3. Dynasty Warriors. It's probably the second game I got for the PS2 and as repetitive as it is, it's still fun to play. I never really figured out how the game as a whole works, but I enjoy running around in a huge battle with a big sword (or one of the other deadly hand held weapons).
4. Quake 2. As much time as I've spent playing it, it had to make the list.
5. Grand Theft Auto III (the only one I own on the PS2). It's a good mix between a shooter and a driving game. Definitely not the most moral game on the market, but it sure is fun to blow some stuff up every once in a while.
Great games that didn't make the cut:
Final Fantasy XI - I really enjoyed playing this, but it's online only so I can't easily just go back and play it (even though I've often had the urge). Who wants to sign up for WoW (World of Warcraft) with me? =)
Gran Turismo 3 - Not that I was ever great, but I'm simply awful at this game now. There is too much of a learning curve for me to simply jump back into it.
Crazy Taxi - It's lot's of fun, but too repetitive.
Guitar Hero - If I had it, it'd be on the list. But I don't, so it isn't.
Super Mario Brothers 3 - Who doesn't love it?
The Legend of Zelda - The Original! I think my mom would even agree with this one.
I'm sure there are many that I missed..
What are your 'comfort' games? It doesn't have to be video game only if you don't play the video games.
Posted by mhader at October 9, 2006 3:50 PM
Comments
Do Mahjong, Hearts & Solitaire count?
Posted by: ad1 at October 9, 2006 7:36 PM
I think any game that you don't get bored with over time should count..it doesn't even need to be on a computer/video game system.
Posted by: michael at October 9, 2006 8:10 PM
In no particular order:
Any Mario game makes my list. I'm most familiar with Super Mario Bros. 3 and Super Mario World, but lately I've even been playing the N64 one (originally I passed on it because I didn't like the new graphics look).
DDR is a recent addition to my list. I've not played all of the way through yet, but already I find myself going back to my favorite songs again and again. As a bonus, this is a game that Sheena and I both like and play together a lot. (This is my version of Guitar Hero)
Cruisin' USA in the arcade is one that I'm particularly fond of. Unfortunately it's usually $1.00 to play, but if I had the money and space I'd love to own one of these machines at home. I never get sick of it. The other versions (World, Exotica, etc) are fun too, but the USA version is my favorite.
I keep finding myself coming back to play Texas Hold'em online. It's not just a gambling thing, since I use play money, but I just love the game. Sometimes I play while watching the pros play on TV at the same time.
My version of the NHL FaceOff 99 is NCAA Football 2004. Unfortunately every time I come back to it I find myself getting worse. If the 2007 (or 2008) version goes on sale when I'm in the mood, I'll probably upgrade for the new features and teams and try to get good again.
Please don't tempt me with WoW! I have been fighting an internal struggle against joining it for the last three weeks. I know it would swallow me whole, so I'm trying to stay away. However, if you are serious, let's talk after Homecoming... arrrggh noooo...I mean yes....noooo
Posted by: Ben at October 9, 2006 10:39 PM
I've only really played the first three Mario's, since my last Nintendo console was the Super Nintendo. I sadly never beat the first one, never got into the second one, and loved the third.
DDR is fun, but I've only played it once when someone brought it over to my house. I was really good at it when I used the controller versus the pad. =)
I considered NCAA Football 2002 for the list, but I didn't play it nearly as much as the hockey. It was fun playing with the Tigers though. It probably should have made the close, but not quite list.
I've seen Cruisin' USA, but I'm too cheap for arcade games (I didn't even play them when they were 25 cents).
I do really enjoy Texas Hold'em. I've never played it on the computer though. It's on my phone so I play while waiting for a case to start every now and again.
You know you want to play WoW! I've been resisting since I quit playing FFXI because I know that I'd get sucked in too. I think it'd be cool though for several of the readers of this blog to get together every once in a while and play a game like WoW..
Posted by: michael at October 10, 2006 10:19 AM