XBOX – Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic
At the time of release I was torn between a PS2 and Microsoft’s first foray into the console market, then someone showed me the trailer for KOTOR, it simply blew me away and I knew which console I was going to buy. Bioware managed to produce a game so compelling and addictive, while not ripping out the RPG soul of the game (like Mass Effect ended up doing), that people had no problem playing it through twice, once as a Jedi and then as a Sith. The story is on another level to almost every other game I’ve ever played, with twists, turns and heart-break throughout. It’s recently been released on iPad and if you’ve never experienced it before, I can’t encourage you enough to go experience it for yourself.
PLAYSTATION 2 – Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty
The PS2 is quite possibly the most successfully console of all time, following on from the huge success of the PS1 was no easy feat, but Sony produced a console that was aimed at all ages and turned it into a huge success. The only problem I have with the PS2 is while it has a huge selection of very good games (Silent Hill 2, GTA: San Andreas, Gran Tourismo 3), there are no games totally synonymous with the console, and that’s the sole reason the SNES will always be held in higher regard, but the best of these games has to be MGS 2. It’s predecessor could be many people’s PS1 game of the console, that is how consistently great this franchise is. The combination of stealth, graphics, the story and high quality cut-scenes ensured everyone had fond memories of this exceptional game. Somehow it is fitting that the second PlayStation has a sequel as it’s best game.
GAMECUBE – Star Wars: Rogue Leader: Rogue Squadron 2
The last Nintendo console of any relevance sees Star Wars: Rogue Squadron slot in as the overwhelming favourite. It’s unique blend of fighter simulator and arcade action made it an instant hit with Star Wars fanboys and generally gamers alike. The relentless pace of the story simply added to the addictive nature of the game and helped solidify it as one of the top games of it’s generation. If only the Star Trek franchise could produce such constant quality games. Sadly, these days Nintendo like to ram family friendly annoyances, like the Wii Sports, down our throats, so this represents Nintendo’s last appearance on this list. Despite financial success of the Wii, with the very rare good game (Super Mario Galaxy), the gimmicky Wii has no place in my life, and the less said about the Wii U (it can’t be far off being a shocking disaster for the company already) the better. If only Nintendo has evolved with the market. What might have been…
XBOX 360 – Mass Effect
This may be controversial, but I prefer Mass Effect over it’s sequels. Don’t get me wrong, I love the trilogy as a whole, but I preferred the RPG aspect of this original that was excluded from it’s sequels. But let’s not forget, Mass Effect was originally Xbox exclusive and the sole reason I chose an Xbox 360 over Sony’s rival PS3, at least until Sony finally got it’s act together and the PS3 surpassed the 360 in quality games. A brand new sci-fi IP made by the makers of Star Wars: KOTOR, I was sold on it straight away. It’s backbone was very much inspired by KOTOR on the previous console, but with the 360, Bioware were able to take everything to the next level. Deeper story choices, awesome graphics, an immersive and emotional plot – Mass Effect contains everything. When I think back to my 360 days, Mass Effect is the first thing that springs to mind.
PLAYSTATION 3 – The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim
Okay, so Skyrim might not be exclusive to the PS3, but it certainly looked better, and without the farce of having to swap discs for certain levels (the flashbacks to the PS1 must have been amusing). There has been no game in the last 5-6 years that I have sunk more hours into than Skyrim, it’s depth, world building and general f***ing awesomeness means it deserves to be mentioned in this catergory – you can’t help but wonder what thought process went on at Bethesda when The Elder Scrolls: Online was mentioned, because the gaming world groaned in unison at that decision. Drake’s Fortune 2 and 3 ran Skyrim a very close second, as did The Last of Us, and what is great about both of them is that both franchises are Sony made, so it’s exciting to see what they produce for the PS4 now they’ve got some real quality games in their back pocket.
Agree? Disagree? Let us know your thoughts…
Andy Naylor – Follow me on Twitter.
Originally published September 20, 2014. Updated April 15, 2018.
