As Dave explained in his kickoff post, ’tis the season for “best of” lists, and who are we to buck tradition?
Just to warn you, my list isn’t going to look like the rest of the lists you’ll see on this site over the next few days. Compare my picks with Dave’s and you’ll see what I mean. That’s because I don’t own all three consoles, or play a lot of new games. In these harsh economic times, can you blame me? Somehow, though, I managed to play a few—mostly on Nintendo systems. Go figure. Click through for the best of what 2009 had to offer the Asperschlager household.
5. Punch-Out!! (Wii)
Everything old is new again in 2009 Nintendo-land, a trend that began in February with the release of Punch-Out!! Part re-imagining, part re-creation of the ’80s NES classic (sans “Mike Tyson”), this retrotastic entry updated the original puzzle fighter with sweet graphics, smooth animation, and nods to the days of gaming yore. Although the game sported various motion control set-ups, the only way to play is by holding the Wii-mote sideways, NES-style. If Punch-Out!! only had Career Mode, the limited roster of opponents would have seemed like a cheap move, but the addition of an expanded Title Defense Mode (featuring much tougher remixed versions of the boxers), and the masochistic Last Stand Mode, made sure old-school game fans had plenty to keep them busy. Is Punch-Out!! too hard? Maybe. Or maybe you’re just a wimp.
The Contrarian Fanboy speaks: I sure hope you like all the old characters, ’cause they only came up with one new fighter, the cringe-inducing gay stereotyped “Disco Kid.”
A knockout blow for retro gaming... and for cheesy captions.
4. Mario & Luigi: Bowser’s Inside Story (DS)
For fans of Nintendo’s Mario & Luigi RPG series, the wait was worth it with the third entry, Bowser’s Inside Story. Trading the Mario babies dynamic of 2005′s Partners in Time for a starring turn by the biggest bad of them all, this game takes full advantage of the DS by dedicating the top screen to Bowser and the bottom screen to the brothers, who start the game by being shrunk down and ingested by the Koopa King. So while Bowser trundles around the overworld, Mario and Luigi traverse his innards—exploring, battling enemies, and helping their sworn enemy solve puzzles from the inside out. The interactive battle system and varied enemies make this way more than “my first RPG.” The sharp writing and willingness to poke fun at the company that created it makes Bowser’s Inside Story one of the best things a Nintendo fan can put into their DS.
The Contrarian Fanboy speaks: I know RPGs are supposed to be long, but good-sized chunks of this game feel like padding. Quantity does not trump quality.
Burn, Bowsy, Burn!
3. The Legend of Zelda: Spirit Tracks (DS)
2007′s Phantom Hourglass proved that Zelda could be played with a stylus. Spirit Tracks proves that it can be done even better. Instead of endlessly retracing your steps through Hourglass‘s Temple of the Ocean King, Tracks lets you bypass completed levels of its central dungeon, the Tower of Spirits. Instead of mapping the roll attack to a tough to execute curlicue stylus motion, Link can now roll with a simple double tap. Minor changes, sure, but add in a unique twist to the Link-Zelda relationship and the love-it-or-hate-it train travel (I dig it) and Spirit Tracks is the perfect fix for Zelda fans waiting for the forthcoming Wii entry. The difficulty ramps up gradually—maybe a bit too gradually for the experienced player—but as you move into the second half of the game, Tracks piles on the side quests, new gameplay mechanics, and head-scratching puzzles. In the interest of full disclosure, I’m a dungeon or two away from finishing the game. But what I’ve played so far makes this an easy choice for my Top 5 list.
The Contrarian Fanboy speaks: Although the game does occasionally force you to take on a sidequest, Spirit Tracks is a linear experience for a long time, and with only four major dungeons in the game, you hit the “halfway” point way too soon.
Clickety clack, Link fights back!
2. Borderlands (Xbox 360/PS3)
I’m not sure if I would have gotten Borderlands if not for two things: Xbox Live and the constant nagging of Dave Johnson. Thanks to both for getting me into one of the most addictive first person shooters I’ve ever played. The constant loot drops, character progression, and ability to tear through the Pandoran desert with three friends has made this one of my most-played games this year—and it only came out in October. This game also marks the first time I chose to play a female character. Who knew a sci-fi gunfest could also strike a blow for equal rights?
The Contrarian Fanboy speaks: This game is a blast to play with friends, but unless you host everyone else, you’ll be playing in someone else’s game. It’s fine as long as you can keep regular multiplayer sessions going, but the game turns into Boringlands when you’re forced to replay all the early missions in your solo campaign.
Pandora the Explorer
1. New Super Mario Bros. Wii (Wii)
When this game was revealed at Nintendo’s E3 press conference this year, there was much hemming and hawing on the internet. Some people assumed it was a port of the DS game. Others thought it was multiplayer only. I didn’t know what to expect, but I didn’t expect it to be my personal game of the year. While much of New Super Mario Bros. Wii feels like the DS game, it is way more fun, varied, and challenging than its handheld brother. Gone are lame power-ups like the mega mushroom and koopa shell, replaced by legitimately useful items like the ice flower and penguin suit. The game is just as fun alone as with friends, and is equally rewarding whether you’re brand new to video games or have been mashing the B button since the ’80s. The tweaks to the tried-and-true Mario formula are subtle yet rewarding, and even after you’ve beaten all eight worlds and bested the Koopa clan, trying to find all the hidden star coins will keep you coming back. Ignore the whining of jaded gamers. This is a must-buy if you own a Wii, and may even be a reason to buy one.
The Contrarian Fanboy speaks: The 2.5-D graphics are hit-or-miss, with the backgrounds often looking better than the characters you’re playing. It’s a reminder that in Nintendo’s world, despite the Wii’s popularity, the DS is king. Expect to see more Wii games take their cues from the lower-res handheld juggernaut.
Jumpman of the Year