The older you get, the harder the question gets.
That’s part of the fun, though, right? Having to weigh all possible factors and coming to a decision? Trying to determine how big of a role nostalgia plays? Considering the differences in the industry and your changing game preferences over the years? Yeah, it becomes a lot more complex when you really think about it.
No matter how hard I try, I end up going ’round and ’round with three consoles. On certain days, I settle on one and say, “of course, that’s the one.” Before the week is out, I’m either seriously questioning that pick or I’ve already changed it. That’s the way it goes, I suppose.
Anyway, I’m going to cheat and finish the sentence posed in the headline with those three game systems. In chronological order:
Super Nintendo
Ah, the SNES. You know, for a while, I was all about the Sega Genesis. I was one of the many who caved and started to believe those “Genesis does what Nintendon’t” commercials. I loved titles like Phantasy Star, for example. However, the SNES nailed down its enduring position in my heart with its famous mascots. How could you not fall in love with the Mario, Metroid, and Zelda titles? I also can’t forget that I began my longstanding love affair with Final Fantasy during the 16-bit days, so it’s safe to say the SNES eventually ruled my gaming time. I could spend hours on Super Mario Kart alone, and FF wasn’t the only RPG I loved in those days; Secret of Mana and Illusion of Gaia, anyone?
Every time a new installment in one of those massive franchises arrived, I was immediately enthralled. Did they make a bad entry? Did you ever play a poor Mario, Metroid, Zelda, or Final Fantasy game on the SNES? I sure as hell never did.
The PlayStation
Not only did my favorite franchise, Final Fantasy, make the jump from Nintendo to Sony, but the original PlayStation became home to my new favorite genre: JRPGs. To this day, I say it’s the JRPG king (although my next selection makes a strong case for the title). All I wanted was the next great RPG; my memories are filled with names such as Suikoden, Wild ARMs, Star Ocean, Legend of Legaia, Legend of Dragoon, Chrono Cross, and Vagrant Story. I also got into the strategy/RPG sub-genre; Final Fantasy Tactics became my favorite game of all time, for example.
I did spend most of my time with role-playing games in the PS1 days, but we can’t forget the other iconic IPs that came into existence. Metal Gear Solid, Resident Evil, Gran Turismo, Medal of Honor, Twisted Metal, Jet Moto, Dino Crisis and many others continued to arrive year after year. The PlayStation exploded onto the video game scene and it’s fair to say that it captured everyone’s fascination.
The PlayStation 2
I give the PS2 credit for encouraging me to break free of my JRPG shell. I played other games on the PS1, of course, but because RPGs took so long I was starting to completely ignore other genres. But the PS2 offered so many amazing games in so many different categories of gaming, that I branched out fast. Do we all remember 2001? Onimusha: Warlords, Devil May Cry, Soul Reaver, Red Faction, Twisted Metal: Black, Gran Turismo 3: A-Spec, Final Fantasy X, Grand Theft Auto III, Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty, Silent Hill 2, Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3, etc, etc, etc. And that was just on the PS2!
So, in addition to my go-to RPGs in the Shadow Hearts, Legaia, Suikoden, and Wild ARMs franchises (among many others), I got a chance to play just about every type of game under the sun. That love of diversity in my video entertainment has continued ever since and honestly, I will always say the PS2 is to thank for that.
Yep, can’t choose
As usual, I can’t pick just one. Yeah, it’s unfair to go with three winners but hey, I wrote it so I can cheat. 😉
What is your favorite game system of all time?
Published: Jan 10, 2014 07:40 pm