Reading Time ~ 28 minutes

With so many video games in existence it can be difficult to know exactly which ones to play, well thanks to the trusted team at Two Beard Gaming we have you covered. So sit back, relax and get a brew because its time for another epic countdown – 101 Video Games To Play Before You Die – presented in no particular order.

101. The Legend of Dragoon (PS1)

With remasters of classic RPG’s flooding the markets, we can only hope and pray The Legend of Dragoon will find it’s way back into the spotlight. A fresh twist on turn-based combat, the game implemented a QTE system to level up and unlock new attacks. The game features well-rounded characters, emotional storytelling, and plenty of dragons. It gets everything right in the era of late 90s RPG’s.

100. Perfect Dark (N64)

Most people who owned an N64 are familiar with GoldenEye 007, a game where four people can gather around awkward controllers and blow each other up with rockets. A similar game, Perfect Dark, takes the old school FPS style and moves it to the future. It has everything an action movie should PLUS aliens. The game should be played for the co-op alone, but avoid the Xbox 360 prequel, Perfect Dark Zero, at all costs.

99. Jet Set Radio (Dreamcast)

Graffiti gangs zipping around Tokyo on rollerblades. That’s it. That’s the game, and it’s insanely addictive. This fast-paced and colourful game was ported to multiple systems and got an equally amazing sequel. Part of the charm came from the focus on music, with a powerhouse of a soundtrack. The world needs more Jet Set Radio.

98. Undertale (PC)

This indie title flipped the traditional RPG formula on its head. The game is centred around a unique battle system that lets you choose to either battle monsters, or befriend them without any bloodshed. Undertale has some of the best storytelling in recent history and has some of the most interesting characters and one of the best soundtracks to boot.

97. Shenmue I & II (Dreamcast)

Shenmue is a story about revenge, slowly brought to life by the day to day things that you have to do in order to achieve it. With remasters on current-gen consoles and the third chapter recently published, now’s as good a time as any to refresh your memory on Ryo’s journey from a sleepy town in Japan to bustling parts of China. The games incorporate so many different elements to the mix, like a robust fighting system and slice-of-life simulation. Try not to spend too much time buying capsule toys!

96. Galaga (Arcade)

Arcade culture has been rising from the ashes with popular bar-cades popping up all over major cities. Of course people will gravitate to games like Pac-Man or Street Fighter, but the best game played in an arcade cabinet is hands down Galaga. Played in short bursts, you can challenge your friends 1v1 sessions to see who can destroy the most insect-like aliens and get the highest score. Perfectly paired with a pint.

95. PaRappa the Rapper (PS1)

As far rhythm games are concerned, PaRappa the Rapper is a must-play. The game is about a dog that wants to win over a flower by rapping. A true modern-day love story. The unique art style and catchy songs make this a memorable experience. It even spawned a sequel and an anime series.

94. Azure Dreams (GBC)

Pokemon meets Dark Cloud meets Harvest Moon. Azure Dreams is a dungeon crawler, where the only way to make it to the higher levels is to level up your equipment and monster buddies, or familiars since the main character does not retain he’s level upon entering the tower. There’s a spin on the genre by letting the player rebuild their town and pursue romantic interests. The GBC version holds up better than the original on PS1, with graphics and gameplay feeling less dated.

93. Tomb Raider (PS1)

This game needs no introduction. The Lara Croft action-adventure video game has come a long way since its initial release back in 1996, but there’s no denying that the original games were the most fun. Complete with her triangular body, Lara has to overcome some insanely difficult puzzles as she traverses the globe in search of a trio of ancient artefacts.

92. Devil May Cry 3 (PS2)

DMC first released in 2001 setting a new standard for hack and slash adventures, but it wasn’t until 2005 that the franchise would reach its full potential. Serving as a prequel jump into the boots of a younger Dante as he faces off against his twin brother, masters six combat styles, wields a wide selection of weapons and slays monsters to a kick-ass soundtrack, this is action-adventure at its finest.

91. Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater (PS2)

MGS is known far and wide, filled with memorable characters, fourth-wall-breaking moments and a batshit crazy sci-fi take on history. Most fans will fail to choose between MGS2 and MGS3 as the best but we are sticking with 3. Taking control of a young Big Boss trekking through the jungle to stop a defection during the cold war. Ahead of its time, you must hunt for food, use camo wisely and face off against some of the best enemies ever to grace a video game.

90. Diablo 2 (PC)

Regarded by many to be one of the greatest action RPG’s ever made, Diablo 2 builds on the original in every way. Dark fantasy and gothic horror vibes are in full flow as you choose from five character classes to venture through a land full of danger, completing quests, discovering lore and managing items in a randomly generated world on your quest to stop the lord of terror.

89. Halo (Xbox)

In 2001 a new standard for FPS games was set with Bungie’s debut of Halo. Delivering an immersive campaign full of lavish landscapes, intense action and rich lore that went on to inspire a number of sequels, a huge extended universe of books and movies as well as an upcoming TV series, Master Chief remains an iconic figure in the world of gaming and still holds the flag high for Microsoft’s green brand.

88. Assassins Creed IV: Black Flag (PS3)

Black Flag shook up the AC franchise by moving away from busy cities to giving you control of your own pirate ship and sailing the Caribbean seas. Engage in intense naval battles, plunder treasure, chill out with black beard as you attempt to thwart the templars once more. Considered by many to be the best entry in the series this is one AC title you must play.

87. Alien Isolation (PS4)

The Alien franchise has had a rough time in the gaming world but that all changed with Alien Isolation. Serving as a sequel to the original movie, take control of Amanda Ripley as she searches a space station for the black box from the Nostromo. Naturally, the Alien is about and hunting you, featuring random engagements, terrifyingly intense hide and seek tactics and a great story in a lengthy campaign, you’ll need spare underwear for this one.

86. Streets of Rage (Mega Drive)

Playing solo or with a friend, choose from one of the three characters and fight your way through grimy streets, industrial complexes and beyond facing off against a range of street thugs and bosses all inspired by classic ’80s and ’90s icons to the sound of a memorable soundtrack.

85. Fantasy World Dizzy (Amiga)

One of the most successful British game franchises of the late ’80s and early ’90s. The Dizzy series follows the adventures of an egg names Dizzy as he rescues his friends (the yolk folk) in worlds inspired by fairy tales and fables. Fantasy World is the third in the series and really brings together the great puzzle-solving and exploration as you rescue your kidnapped girlfriend.

84. Resident Evil 4 (PS2)

The horror of Resident Evil evolves as Leon Kennedy head’s to western Europe to rescue the president’s daughter. No time to breath a sigh of relief for lack of zombies as a sinister cult is playing body snatchers with a newly discovered parasite. Crazed villagers, chainsaw-wielding maniacs, giant fish, Bilbo Baggins and Emporer Palpatine are all out to get you as you learn to be afraid of the light.

83. Mario Kart 8 Deluxe (Switch)

Okay, so we could put pretty much any MK title on here and it wouldn’t be out of place, but MK8 really is deserving despite being the most recent. A generous helping of content is on hand featuring forty-eight tracks, forty-one characters, various multiplayer modes for both on and offline, a huge range of collectables, customisable kart’s and Amiibo support, this is the total package.

82. Xenosaga 1-3 (PS2)

Unfortunately, the whole Xeno trilogy wasn’t released in the UK but you were in for a winner if you managed to get hold of it. We’re cheating slightly and grouping the three games together as each is a part of the same story arc and amazing throughout. For fans of RPG’s, this is a must.

81. Mirrors Edge (Xbox 360)

Mirrors Edge has garnered a cult following since it’s release and even spawned a sequel. The game plays as a first-person action parkour adventure with a stunningly stylised and striking visual, although for some it was just too much and caused motion sickness. The story follows a ‘runner’ named Faith who is embroiled in a conspiracy.

80. Flower (PS3)

Following in the footsteps of FlOw thatgamecompany released Flower in 2009 for the PlayStation 3. The idea behind Flower was to make a fun experience allowing players to feel at ease while evoking a range of emotions. The premise is simple, guide a petal through levels and return colour to the world.

79. Samba De Amigo (Dreamcast)

Many people will have missed out on this thumping party hit as it was released near to the end of the Dreamcast’s lifecycle. It’s a rhythm action game with a Samba soundtrack that came complete with an impressive maraca peripheral in a time before Guitar Hero and Rock Band. It received a port onto the Nintendo Wii but wasn’t the same using a Wiimote, so if you can find an original copy anywhere buy it.

78. Steel Battalion (Xbox)

We’ve included Steel Batallion for the crazy peripheral alone. It was a decent mech game that was accompanied by a massive dual-stick 52 button controller, it was absolutely bonkers and essential to play. The launch sequence alone took a good few inputs just to get the giant moving and if you didn’t manage to eject out of the cockpit when under fire it would wipe the save data completely. Harsh.

77. Panzer Dragoon Orta (Xbox)

This stunningly beautiful on the rails shooter which sits in the Panzer Dragoon world and a must for our list. It’s the fourth release in the series by Sega’s Smilebit studio.

76. Beyond Good and Evil (GameCube)

Beyond Good and Evil has been elevated to cult status after having several re-releases, on many formats across the years. People love this action-adventure thanks to its loveable characters, stellar story and excellent gameplay. And yes, we are finally going to see a sequel.

75. Metroid Prime (GameCube)

This first-person take on the much-loved series that coined the all too common phrase Metroidvania was a breath of fresh air. Developed by Retro Studios and Nintendo it was the first entry in a trilogy that saw bounty hunter Samus intercept a distress signal.

74. Tales of Symphonia (GameCube)

This stunning action RPG is our favourite of the entire Tales series. Even though Symphonia is the fifth instalment, it acts an excellent access point to someone has not played previously. The storyline follows Lloyd Irving on an adventure across the fictional world called Sylvarant. The cel-shaded graphics were immense at the time and have aged perfectly.

73. Soul Calibur 2 (GameCube)

We all know the GameCube release was easily the best version of this edition of Namco’s long-standing fighter, right? The simple inclusion of Link as a playable character pipped all of the others to the post, add into the equation the GameCube controller itself and we need not discuss further.

72. Nier Automata (PS4)

How to describe Neir, it starts off as a classic bullet-hell shooter and then partway through switches into a third-person action-adventure. With an excellent story that drives multiple playthroughs to uncover all of the secrets, it’s definitely worth a look.

71. Street Fighter Anniversary Collection (PS2)

Street Fighter Anniversary Collection packaged two great entries in the series onto one disc. It included Hyper Street Fighter 2 and Street Fighter III: 3rd Strike for hours of entertainment and button mashing. As a bonus, the PlayStation version included the animated movie.

70. Uncharted 2: Among Thieves (PS3)

Uncharted: Drake’s Fortune released for PlayStation 3 in 2007. It felt like playing the lead role in a Hollywood blockbuster but the second game in the series, Among Thieves, is the real show stopper. It manages to improve on the very high bar set by its predecessor in almost every way and that train crash set-piece was epic.

69. Super Mario Bros. 3 (NES)

Super Mario Bros. 3 is a 2D side-scrolling platformer which takes place over the eight kingdoms of the Mushroom World and features everyone’s favourite plumber. Each area has been invaded by antagonist Bowser and one of his seven children, the Koopalings. It has recently given a new lease of life as part of the Nintendo Online Subscription Service.

68. Journey (PS3)

As part of a three-game exclusive thatgamecompany released Journey on the PlayStation 3. The premise is simple, you play as a robed figure surrounded by a vast desert with the goal of reaching a mountain far away in the distance. The story is told without the need for words through a combination of gameplay and cutscenes. The journey and emotional challenges you face in reaching the goal is quite an experience.

67. Rock Band 2 (PS3)

It all started way back when Frequency released on PlayStation 2 in 2001. Harmonix followed it up with a number of different music games, notably Guitar Hero, before eventually pulling all of their previous visions together in one complete package known as Rock Band. As with many great sequels, Rock Band 2 added to a solid foundation, allowing for that complete band experience from the comfort of your living room.

66. Zelda: Breath of the Wild (Switch)

When Nintendo announced the Switch would release with Breath of the Wild it guaranteed the console would at least have a fighting chance. Receiving critical acclaim from all angles it departed from the tried and tested formula by placed Link in a massive, beautiful, living open world with exploration its primary focus.

65. Monkey Island 1&2 (PC)

We can’t really separate Monkey Island 1 or 2 so have decided to include them both. The team over at LucasArts perfectly crafted the story, characters and included a level of humour that made playing this adventure a blast. With great music, it really got us into the spirit of being a pirate.

64. Pokemon Yellow (GameBoy)

Pokemon Yellow was essentially an enhanced version of Red/Blue that importantly included a Pikachu from that start that followed you around on the main map. It took us on the grandest of adventures while on the go. There was something extremely addictive about trying to catch them all which has the world playing Pokemon for the best part of twenty-odd years.

63. Final Fantasy VII (PS1)

Considered one of the all-time greats Final Fantasy VII was a giant leap in storytelling and visuals wrapped in magic. Ok, so the main in-game backgrounds were all pre-rendered and only the characters were created as basic 3D models but the experience was cinematic and deep. Simply unlike anything before and loved enough that we will finally see the release of the remake this year.

62. Street Fighter 2 Turbo: Hyper Fighting (SNES)

One of Street Fighters greatest achievements is that on the surface it is a simple fighting game, accessible to all. Yet for the pro, it can become a real test of skill and the ultimate multiplayer challenge.

61. Red Dead Redemption (PS3)

Rockstar gave us Red Dead Redemption in 2010 for Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3. It took their tried and tested GTA formula to the Wild West as players took control of protagonist John Marston. It combined a massive open world with great storytelling leading to it winning numerous game of the year accolades along the way.

60. The Last of Us (PS3)

A swan song for the PlayStation 3, The Last of Us was a coming of age title from already accomplished developer Naughty Dog. It was a showcase of just how far they had grown in emotional storytelling, engagement and visual style. Without a doubt, it was and still is, one of the finest examples in the survival horror genre and even gaming as a whole. It follows the story of Joel and Ellie who are thrust together in a tragic story set in the post-apocalyptic United States.

59. Cannon Fodder (Amiga)

War has never been so much fun and that’s why this classic is a must-play. Take control of a platoon of troops and lead them to victory!

58. Shovel Knight (PC)

If you’re a fan of retro platformers you NEED to play this game. Everything from the gameplay to the phenomenal soundtrack is perfect. Not to mention, the FREE DLC that comes in the form of what’s essentially four brand new games.

57. Monster Boy & The Cursed Kingdom (Switch)

This beautifully animated Metroidvania style platformer is one of the most charming games ever. If you enjoy games like Super Metroid and Castlevania: Symphony of the Night, you owe it to yourself to play this one.

56. Dead Rising (Xbox 360)

Fans of George A. Romero’s Dawn of the Dead will find the premise of this game a bit familiar as you take down hordes of zombies in a shopping mall. This game is pure arcade fun. So, if that’s your style, definitely check this one out and while you’re at it try out the sequels.

55. Sunset Overdrive (Xbox One)

Combine the absurd weapons of the Ratchet & Clank games with the freestyle movement of Jet Set Radio and add loads of punk rock style and you’ve got Sunset Overdrive. If you slept on this game, do yourself a favour and WAKE UP!

54. Steambot Chronicles (PS2)

A steam-punk action RPG with great mech combat, a huge open world with loads to do, and a fantastic story with wonderful characters. This game seemed to fly way under the radar, so I’d definitely recommend seeking it out.

53. No More Heroes (Wii)

One of SUDA 51’s best. Everything about this game is completely over the top and it plays great. If you’re looking for a truly unique experience, you can’t go wrong jumping into the shoes of Travis Touchdown, an anime geek killing his way to the top of the world assassin’s rankings.

52. Toejam & Earl (Mega Drive)

A very unique game, especially for its time. This Sega classic tasks you with guiding the titular heroes through a fixed OR randomly generated world to find all of the pieces of their broken rocket ship. With fantastic sound effects and a FUNKY soundtrack, this is a game experience not quite like any other.

51. Brave Fencer Musashi (PS1)

An early entry in the original PlayStation’s library, this seems to be Square’s forgotten action RPG. Memorable characters, excellent gameplay, and an almost Kirby-like enemy copy ability make this game a must-play.

50. Shadow of the Colossus (PS2)

In order to bring back the love of your life, you have been asked to slay 16 colossi. There is no main bad guy or ‘normal’ enemies. Just you, the colossi, a vast barren land. Each colossi has it’s own distinct, unique features and solving out how to take each one down can take some time to master its puzzle. Taking down each colossi, some which take up the whole screen, can be intoxicating and saying anything else about the game would be a spoiler.

49. Dark Souls (PS3)

You think you’re good at games? Come check out Dark Souls, or really any Souls game by From Software. It will push you to the limits like never before but offer a great reward. As sadistic as the game can get, it’s always fair. The level design is top-notch with the majority of the map being interconnected and that ‘map’ isn’t an option to look at in-game. It’s something you’ll have to remember in your head in order to get from point A to B. Will it be your favourite game of all time? Maybe, maybe not. But for those that appreciate a great challenge and don’t mind taking some time to sink their teeth in this won’t be disappointed.

48. Half-Life 2 (PC)

There isn’t a moment in this game where you feel like you have the upper hand. There are two key ingredients to this game that make this game really shine. One being the gravity gun that can be used in some creative ways to become a deadly weapon. The other is not having any cut scenes. The entire game is from the perspective of your character, Gordon Freeman. So you’re always feeling 100% immersed in the game. With the ending having one of the most memorable cliff hangers ever, after over 10 years we are still waiting for Half-Life 3. Please?

47. Portal 2 (Xbox 360)

The first Portal was great. But it felt like a demo that was included with The Orange Box. Your only weapon is a portal gun to get from point A to B. And that is a lot easier said than done as you traverse the test chambers of Aperture. The antagonist, GLaDOS, is a character you will never forget. Especially as a potato. The dialogue and humour are top-notch.

46. Super Mario World (SNES)

Back in 1990, Nintendo needed something – anything – to help cement its status as number one in the console wars. That something came with the release of Super Mario World in 1990. Released on the Super Nintendo (SNES), Super Mario World brought the Mario Universe to the 16-bit arena with the sexiest looking entry (perhaps ever) in the popular platformer series.

45. Championship Manager: Season 97/98 (PC)

If you’re into your football management games, then there really wasn’t anything better on the market than Eidos Interactive’s Championship Manager series, and in particular, it’s 1997-1998 edition. Maybe it’s because those years just so happened to have some of the very best footballers in the world on the active roster, or maybe it was the ability to manipulate players stats or even create yourself as a super striker, but Championship Manager: Season 97/98 was one of the most addictive games ever released – so much so it seriously hindered my ability to revise for my GCSE’s. Fortunately, I still managed to gain 11 qualifications, which in truth paled in comparison to the number of Premiership titles and England Caps I won over that same period. (M445P)

44. Outlast (PS4)

Hide and seek horrors have become a winning formula in horror this gen but one of the first to find true success was Outlast. Take the role of Miles Upshur as he follows the reports of strange going’s on at Mount Massive Asylum. With nothing but your camcorder to hand, you must find a way to escape the asylum and reveal to the world its dark secrets. Full of jump scares and intense chases, Outlast is a perfect choice to keep you on the edge of the sofa.

43. GoldenEye 007 (N64)

Arguably the most fondly remembered shooter from the nineties, GoldenEye was the must-have game for any N64 owner. Released in 1997 and based off the popular 007 movie of the same name, GoldenEye marked a turning point in how shooters were perceived in the gaming market with it’s more “realistic” take on FPS action. Gamers were given a lengthy campaign as well as multiplayer for up to four players across five game modes. It’s true every character looked like they had just drunk some sharp lemonade but this was licensed gaming at it’s finest.

42. The Secret of Mana (SNES)

Want a decent RPG? well look no further, Square have created an all-time classic with the Secret of Mana. This entry would make a great addition to anyone’s library and keep you entertained for hours.

41. ChuChu Rocket! (Dreamcast)

What do you get if you mix Bomberman, Pac Man, Lemmings, and Krusty’s Super Funhouse? This insane little title from the genius mind behind Sonic the Hedgehog, Yuji Naka. Released on Dreamcast in 1999, ChuChu Rocket has you in the role of a less bloodthirsty Pied Piper as you place a series of arrows across a game map to help direct a gang of mice to a rocket ship that will blast them away into orbit and away from the feline danger that lurks around every corner.

40. The Simpsons Arcade (Arcade)

Mention The Simpsons to any arcade gamer from the 1990s and you’ll see them break out into a huge smile. That’s because The Simpsons Arcade was one of the very best titles ever devised, and captured the hearts – and coins – of an entire generation. Even back in 1991, The Simpsons Arcade looked just like a cartoon. It featured a plethora of characters from the TV show and more levels than Grampa Simpson could shake a fist at.

39. Gunstar Heros (Mega Drive)

Gunstar Heros is a run and gun shooting platform game that originally released back in September of 1993. The game offers co-op play, weapon upgrades and acrobatic manoeuvres as the battle against an evil empire ensues. The concept of Gunstar was initially the vision of a small team working for Konami before they broke away and formed their own company, Treasure, to see the project through to completion.

38. Doom 2 (PC)

Doom was one of the coolest games of 1993, so it was a safe bet that Doom II would be just as good if not better. Well, id Software didn’t disappoint. In fact, they just gave us Doom with even more Doom thrown in to make it even Doom-ier than the first Doom. It wouldn’t be until 2004 that the Doom franchise would be completely reinvented, but that’s a story for another day.

37. The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time (N64)

It was only a matter of time before Nintendo’s beloved adventurer Link got the 3D treatment and in 1998 fans got their wish. Venturing across Hyrule to stop Ganondorf from obtaining the Triforce, fans were given the biggest adventure yet, filled with puzzles and dungeons to conquer the latest entry in Link’s story sold over seven million copies worldwide!

36. The Legend of Zelda: Majoras Mask (N64)

Released in 2000, the direct sequel to Ocarina of Time launched to huge acclaim, having spent just two years in development and offering enhanced graphics and darker story tones, Majoras’s Mask was set in an alternate reality. Mixing up the gameplay elements, fans were tasked with preventing the end of the world by acquiring a series of mask’s to transform their hero as well as learn tunes on the infamous Ocarina to open passages and manipulate time.

35. Sonic The Hedgehog 3 (Mega Drive)

Sonic the Hedgehog was as essential to the 1990s as flannel shirts and hightop sneakers. In fact, despite how it might seem to today’s gamers, Sonic was a GIANT of the gaming industry, who for the longest time truly rivalled Mario for the number one spot. Of course, the moustachioed plumber would win the console war, but it didn’t stop Sega from chucking out some really great titles and Sonic the Hedgehog 3 was one of the best. Improved graphics, sound and gameplay make this one of the very best video game sequels ever made, and when combined with Sonic & Knuckles it was something else.

34. Dizzy Prince of the Yolkfolk (ZX Spectrum)

The Dizzy games were a staple of the Amstrad and Spectrum catalogues back in the 1990s and make for an egg-cellent addition to our 101. Based on the adventures of a plucky heroic egg named Dizzy, the games featured some hard-boiled side-scrolling adventures as well as puzzles that would leave your brain feeling more than a little scrambled.

33. Zombies Ate My Neighbors (Mega Drive)

This action platformer with added zombies hit the spot offering the perfect mix of action and item collection. It is simply a must.

32. Sunset Riders (Arcade)

A two-player co-op, side-scrolling, shoot ’em up cowboy game? Yes, please. Sorry Red Dead, this is still the king of cowboy games and so much fun with its cartoony style. How cool was it to hear “Thank you nice boys” at the end of a level as you saved a dame?

31. Theme Park (PC)

If going out experiencing rollercoasters first hand wasn’t your thing back in the 1990s then you could stay home instead and build your very own theme park – complete with vomit-inducing loop-the-loops, courtesy of the once-mighty Bullfrog Productions and its must-have construction sim.

30. Tetris (GameBoy)

Never in the history of video games has one title managed to infiltrate so many different types of hardware than Alexy Pajitnov’s groundbreaking mathematical puzzle game. Created in 1984, Tetris was nothing more than a distraction for its creator while he worked on other projects, but went on to become the one game synonymous with his name – and the most enduring OG videogame of all time. In a list of the greatest video games ever made Tetris has to be top 5.

29. Mega Man X (SNES)

The Mega Man games have always been incredibly popular, so when in 1994 the little Blue Bomber found his way onto a powerful gaming system like the Super Nintendo it was no surprise that it sold a stack of units.

Capcom stuck to their tried and tested formula, simply opting for some killer graphics and a buzzing soundtrack instead of tweaking too much of what had always worked for the character. Several sequels would follow, but Mega Man X would always be the blueprint for how to upgrade a gaming property for the next generation of console.

28. Super Star Wars: Return of the Jedi (SNES)

Super Star Wars: Return of the Jedi is an insane look at Luke Skywalker’s rise from scruffy little farm oik to the GREATEST JEDI OF AAAALLL TIME. The game is actually only loosely based on the movie because as far as anyone in the TBG office can remember, Luke, Han, and Chewbacca didn’t indiscriminately kill anything that moved in the film. In fact, this is more like Pulp Fiction and Star Wars had a baby. It’s a shame Mace Windu wasn’t available because he’d have been the perfect fit to base this game on! Does he look like a bitch? Then why are you trying to Force Choke him like a bitch?

27. Bust-A-Move 2 (Arcade)

Simple, intuitive and highly addictive. Quite simply one of the greatest puzzle games ever made, plus it has Bub and Bob from Bubble Bobble in it.

26. Super Metroid (SNES)

After 8 long years, the ultimate Metroid game finally landed on a console worthy of its design and it delivered on every level. With its boundary-pushing visuals, jaw-dropping level design and badass end boss level, Super Metroid was easily one of the greatest games ever released on the Super Nintendo.

25. The Witcher 3 (PC)

Truly epic in scope and manages to be far more accessible than previous games in the series, it’s nicely balanced and you definitely feel a sense of achievement as you improve with the combat. The story is great, the acting is very impressive and simply it is one of the best RPGs ever.

24. Bart Vs the Space Mutants (Mega Drive)

There’s no denying that Bart vs the Space Mutants was a highly flawed (and insanely difficult) game back in the day, but it remains an all-time favourite whenever you ask people about their favourite Simpsons video game memories.

23. Pokemon Snap (N64)

Developed by HAL Laboratory it took a refreshing spin on the series telling the story of photographer Todd Snap who is sent on a research mission by the great Professor Oak. Gameplay was limited to an on-rails rollercoaster affair with the goal of photographing as many Pokemon as possible. Players were awarded points at the end of each round dependant on the quality of the photos taken.

22. Earthworm Jim (SNES)

Earthworm Jim – a super-suit wearing earthworm – was one of the very best gaming titles of the 1990s. In fact, we’d go as far as to say it was one of the very best platformers ever made. Even in 1994, the cartoony graphics were impressive, and the gameplay suitable difficult enough to keep you guessing. The premise is absolutely bonkers, and we love it.

21. Ghostbusters: The Video Game (PS3)

Recently released, this remaster of the 2009 favourite serves as a follow up to the second movie. The full cast is here providing their voices and likeness as you take control of a new recruit and follow the Ghostbusters on another adventure filled with spooks and laughter aplenty. With a solid campaign, this is one for a more light-hearted evening with a bowl of popcorn to hand.

20. Virtua Racing (Arcade)

Virtua Racing didn’t have the best graphics, but you got to sit in a scaled-down Formula 1 race car to play it in the arcades. Nigel Mansell moustaches were an optional extra. Recently ported to the Nintendo Switch there’s no excuse why you cannot give it a try.

19. Mass Effect 2 (Xbox 360)

The sequel improves on the original in almost every way. Vastly improved combat mechanics combined with the removal of the clunky inventory and because of this, it’s a much more streamlined experience. The story also manages to make you feel like there are genuine stakes at play, there’s a real sense of urgency and danger which is a great tone to set for the conflict that’s being set up.

18. Skyrim (everything)

As utterly vast as you’d expect an Elder Scrolls game to be with the added bonus of being able to utilise the new dragon shout mechanic to punt people off cliffs and stuff. It really is a lot of fun and comparatively very accessible. There is also a hell of a lot to do and the current-gen releases have all the DLC included which is a decent chunk of extra content.

17. Eternal Darkness: Sanity’s Requiem (GameCube)

Eternal Darkness: Sanity’s Requiem was a game that came out of nowhere, it was a messed up psychological horror action-adventure that somehow managed to make its way onto the wholesome Nintendo GameCube. The story revolved around several characters struggling against a powerful entity on a mission to enslave humanity over a number of time periods.

16. WWF Wrestlefest (Arcade)

Boasting a stacked roster including Hulk Hogan, Big Boss Man, and the Legion of Doom, WWF WrestleFest was a button-bashers wet dream. It may have been more years than we’d care for since it ate all of our coins at the arcade, but there’s never been a button-bashing wrestling video game that’s even come close to topping this classic.

15. Snatcher (Mega CD)

There’s this guy I know who still talks about how good Snatcher is (not was), and how it should have been the biggest video game of all time but people are stupid and didn’t go out and buy it. Although this sentiment isn’t shared by this writer, there’s no denying how good Hideo Kojima’s adventure opus truly is/was.

Snatcher had a cyberpunk feel that was very reminiscent of Blade Runner, in which so-called Snatchers – humanoid robots – have been killing off prominent humans and replacing them in society. It was released for numerous consoles but was predominantly featured on the Mega CD, a console that sadly failed to take-off with most Western gamers. This made it more of a rarity to find someone who had a copy and a big reason why it sells on eBay for an insane amount of money in 2019.

14. Super Mario Sunshine (GameCube)

Super Mario Sunshine released on the GameCube in 2002 and holds a special place in the franchise for many of us. It took the gang on a journey to the tropical Island of Delfino and introduced a new game mechanic in the form of robotic backpack FLUUD (Flash Liquidizing Ultra Dousing Device). Handy, as Mario is wrongly blamed for terrorising the local area by plastering it with graffiti.

13. Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic (PC)

Say what you will about the Star Wars video game universe, but there simply hasn’t been a better series of video game spin-offs than the incredible Knights of the Old Republic titles.

12. Power Stone (Dreamcast)

Power Stone is probably best remembered as a Dreamcast title, but for a brief time in the very late nineties, it was also a radical 3D arcade fighter that allowed combatants to make use of their environments as weapons to ensure a hard-fought victory.

11. Fallout (PC)

Fallout 76 is probably one of the most controversial big-ticket releases of the last decade, but this doesn’t take away anything from the other games in the series, which have been entertaining the post-apocalyptic masses since 1997.

The original Fallout was one of the very best turn-based RPG’s ever made, and although it looks somewhat primitive by today’s standards, it has an unwavering fan base that returns to the Vault 13 even today.

10. The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past (SNES)

This SNES release of the already popular franchise added the visual and soundtrack we deserve while expanding on everything we love. The RPG element mixed with great storytelling, pacing and action simply makes this a must-have on our list.

9. Die Hard Trilogy (Saturn)

Firstly, it was three games in one, 3rd person action, light gun game and an arcade driving game. Singularly these games aren’t great, however the light gun section stands out as the clear strong point on par with Virtua Cop, the other parts were a decent bonus.

8. Earthbound (SNES)

It’s really hard to say anything bad about Earthbound. Not only because it’s a pretty flawless video game, but also because the rabid fanbase would tear us a new a-hole if we did.

7. Taiko No Tatsujin (Arcade)

Before Guitar Hero, there was Namco’s Taiko Master series in which players beat the shit out of a couple of Taiko drums, just for the Hell of it. The series was incredibly fun and interactive, and at the time there just wasn’t anything else like it in the arcades. This one is sure to keep your kids entertained for ages.

6. Bioshock (Xbox 360)

Originally released in 2007, Bioshock quickly became a firm favourite with gamers. Set in an underwater utopia called Rapture you must fight for survival against the inhabitants that have all turned psychotic. Not you’re average horror game but one that is filled with twisted enemies, a rich story and plenty of atmosphere.

5. Vib-Ribbon (PS1)

Many people have not had the fortuitousness to experience this game, it was never released in the U.S. Vib-Ribbon is a rhythm game with an amazing J-Pop soundtrack and the ability to accept any regular music cd into the PlayStation, which you can then play along to, admittedly with partial success. Its rarity makes it very special.

4. Pac-Man (Arcade)

If you need Pac-Man explaining to you then you’ve no business reading this list. Did you know that the original name for Pac-Man was Puck-Man? You’d think it was because he looks like a hockey puck but it actually comes from the Japanese phrase ‘Paku-Paku,’ which means to flap one’s mouth open and closed.

3. Dino Crisis (PS1)

Resident Evil crossed with Jurassic Park enough said, if a game ever needed a remaster or a reboot it is this. The sequel did equally as well and then Capcom went and released some half-arsed third instalment on the OG Xbox, it was here that the franchise died. Let’s hope it gets a resurrection.

2. Mortal Kombat (Mega Drive)

Street Fighter II set the bar impossibly high back in 1991, so Midway needed to do something pretty special to drag the crowds of children to their new beat-em-up instead. They did just that by adding layer upon layer of ultra-violence! And if there’s one thing young impressionable kids like more than fighting, it’s ripping their opponents beating hearts out of their chests.

1. Super Mario 64 (N64)

Mario 64 was one of the two launch titles and the first in the series to utilise full three-dimensional graphics, gamers were able to explore the mushroom kingdom like never before. Setting off to save Princess Peach from the evil clutches of that randy dinosaur Bowser in what many argue to be the best entry in the Super Mario series, I think the movie staring Bob Hoskins is the only contender.

Well there you have it, 101 games to play before you die. We absolutely know there’s more than 101 so please feel free to add your suggestions in the comments section, on Twitter and our FB page. Until the next 101…

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