Welcome to the final installment of the 31 (Halloween remember) Games I would like to play before the Apocalypse.

Click here for Part 1, Part. 2

We're in the top ten now people!

10: Duke Nukem Forever- Xbox 360, PlayStation 3

I’ve never been the biggest fan of the Duke Nukem games but I have always liked the humor and over all badassery of Duke himself. But that isn’t the reason why this game has taken the number ten spot on the list. No. The reason is this game has had over a decade’s worth of hype and build up. This game has had constant delays and was even canceled a few times. But it just wouldn’t die. Now fans of the series and even gamers who have never picked up a Duke game before will want to give this one a try. I mean, with build up like that it has to be something special. Right?  

It would have been ranked higher but considering that the game will be out sometime in 2011 (as soon as the first quarter) and available on the 360, the chances of me playing this one are higher than most of the other games on this list.  

9: Professor Layton and the Specter’s Flute- Nintendo DS

I am a huge fan of the Professor Layton series and I usually buy the games shortly after their release date. You might be thinking if that is the case than why is this even on the list if I would seem destined to pick it up? Well considering that this has yet to leave Japan and with the 3DS on the way, I have the fear that Level-5 could be skipping over Specter’s Flute’s North American/European release in favor of rushing out the localization of Mask of Miracle for the 3DS ASAP. After reading all of the news out of E3 it certainly seems that way. There have been talks about MOM getting a western release but no news if SP will see a release state side. Hopefully this is just me being illogical because skipping over an entire chapter in this wonderful series of puzzle games just wouldn’t be right.  If it does leave Japan, hopefully the London Life RPG would be included in the bundle. There's just something about a Layton RPG that seems fascinating.

Click here for the Japanese lanch trailer.

8: Kingdom Hearts- PlayStation 2

As an outsider looking in, it would seem as though the Kingdom Hearts series’ continuity has become to confusing and convoluted due to the constant barrage of prequels and sequels of prequels. While this is true, I still feel a bit of curiosity as fan of Final Fantasy, RPGs and classic Disney animation. I have heard some great things about the series from some of my friends, so maybe it is worth giving this franchise a chance from the ground up. Even if the plot structure is kind of flawed as the series continues with its continuity. 

7: Punch-Out!!- Nintendo Wii

I love the NES version of Punch-Out!! Whether it was Mike Tyson’s or Featuring Mr. Dream, Punch-Out!! was always a top contender. After seeing the trailers for this franchise’s reboot, I knew I had to step into the ring just one more time. It has a great 3D graphical update with a cartoony (and yes stereotypical) look that stays true to the original games, as well as most of the classic characters and motion controls. Throw in a whole new challenge with the title defense mode and you got yourself a new take on a beloved classic that’s just begging to be played.

6: Power Stone 2- Sega Dreamcast

You might think that it is the wide variety of characters, the massive multiplayer free-for-alls, sweet 3D graphics, the background/foreground interaction and characters who use magical stones to transform into crazy ass robot things so they can perform insanely powerful combos. But Power Stone’s selling point for me was actually the anime adaptation.

Now you tell me that doesn’t look cool…

Ok so I was in Jr. High at the time but considering that the game still seems like it is all kinds of awesome and it does have a legacy of being one of the best fighters ever, I am more than willing to give this one a shot. Come on Capcom. Put this up on Xbox Live.
 

5: The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past- Super Nintendo Entertainment System

Um, Wow. If you thought my not play Ocarina of Time was bad, you’re really going to hate me for this. I really have to admit that I haven’t played A Link to the Past. I guess I can’t really call myself a gamer now can I?

But in all serious I happen to think that the Legend of Zelda series (or what I’ve played of it) is just fantastic and every time I see gameplay footage of A Link to the Past, it makes me want to check it out all the more. The graphics look bright and colorful, the music is sounds fantastic and come on, do I even have to compliment the 2D Zelda gameplay? With this being the last major Zelda title of the 2D era, it is clear that Miyamoto tried his damnedest to make this a magnum opus in glorious 16-Bit. And from the looks of things, it seems that he has succeeded.     

4: Super Mario Sunshine- Nintendo Game Cube

Ok. Now this is a weird one. Critics consider this to be a classic of the previous console-generation, while some fans consider it to be the lonely stepchild of the Mario franchise. For me, it’s a Mario title (I love me some Mario) that looks so strange and out of place that I just have to play it. I mean we’re talking about a Mario platformer where the objective is to blast filthy enemies with a water canon until they sparkle. Can you tell me why that’s not awesome? Not too mention that it has Mario 64’s gameplay style, as well as some unique special abilities, like blasting off into the air thanks to the canon. Super Mario Sunshine looks too delightfully bat-shit to pass up. But it loses points for no Luigi.

3: Final Fantasy IX- Sony PlayStation

Talking about this one is simple. This came out at a time when I was really getting into the Final Fantasy games. Final Fantasy V was good, VI was fantastic and I absolutely loved VII but Final Fantasy VIII left me feeling disappointed, as I didn’t much care for the overly realistic look or the game’s plot. But after seeing Final Fantasy IX in an issue of EGM, I couldn’t help but get excited. The game’s art direction just blew me away. The otherworldly backdrop and the fantasy inspired characters just took my breath away. To me it looked and sounded like everything a Final Fantasy game should be. Unfortunately, I was unable to find a copy back when I had my PlayStation. After playing though the older Final Fantasy games (I-IV), which this game was said to be like rather than the others in the Sony library, I can honestly say that it makes me even more interested in the game. I have grown to love the old school Final Fantasy games and the thought of the style gameplay and story of the 2D games mixed in with the stunning visuals of the 3D games, makes this a Fantasy I could see myself getting lost in.

2: Mega Man Legends A.K.A. Mega Man 64- Sony PlayStation, Nintendo 64

Another title I missed out on back when I had my PS One and what a pity to because it happens to involve my favorite franchise. Mega Man Legends is a free roaming, 3D Mega Man title that takes place at the tail end of the Mega Man time line. What fascinates me about Mega Man Legends is the fact that it is a 3D style action game rather than a 2D platformer, which has been the Mega Man formula since the franchise debuted back in 1987. I also find it interesting that Legends is focused on a human character in the Mega Man suit instead of the traditional robot Mega Man seen in the other portions of the time line. I like the look of the game and I have always wondered what a fully 3D version of my favorite 2D platformer would play like but it isn’t enough to make it my number one pick.

And the number one game I would like to play before the Apocalypse is…..

1. Sonic CD- Sega CD, PC

Well, here it is. Sonic CD tops the list for two reasons. The first being that I love the 2D Sonic games and Sonic CD took that blueprint and expanded upon as much as they could possibly could with the technology and Blast Processing that was available at the time. Making Sonic CD an astonishing blend of 2D and 3D gameplay. Also add in the fact that it had some rockin tunes and sweet anime cutscenes and you got yourself something special. The second reason is that it is so hard to come by. I mean, my brother had a Sega CD and even then it was hard to find a copy of Sonic CD anywhere and none of the rental stores in town carried Sega CD games. Even with all of the Sonic Compilations out there, Sega only put it in one of them, the Sonic Gems Collection if I’m not mistaken. Come on Sega. Please release on the Virtual Console, PSN and XBLA.

Well that’s the list. I’m sure you’re bored after hearing me go on for three articles now, so I’ll leave it to you. What games to do want to play before the world comes to an end? Be sure to tell me in the comments.

Muwahahahaha!