A blog I wrote for End of the Week on 12/31/2009 that I forgot to transfer here…

With 2009 coming to a close, we are also at the end of one of the most prominent decades in gaming. The 00’s saw the video game industry become a massive entertainment medium, even grossing more money than films and music. Before we move on to the ’10s, however, let’s see which titles that were predominantly on Nintendo consoles were the MOST INFLUENTIAL in terms of forwarding video games as we know them. This is not a measure of the best games of the decade, although it is certainly a factor, but it is a rather a look at which Nintendo games were…well, game-changing and progressive in certain areas! Synopses are quoted from Wikipedia.

10) Animal Crossing (2002)

Synopsis: “Animal Crossing is a social simulator that has been dubbed a ‘communication game’ by Nintendo. It is open-ended, and the player’s character can live a separate life with little preset plot or mandatory tasks. Players assume the role of a new resident to the town. […] There are also tasks that players can complete and goals they can achieve. The game is played in real-time-observing days, weeks, months and years using the GameCube’s internal clock.”

Game-changer: VIRTUAL WORLD

A couple years before people were engrossed in World of Warcraft or real-world simulators such as Second Life, Animal Crossing set the standard. Let’s not forget that this game was on a console and not a PC! Using the game’s internal clock, situations would arise if you spent too much time away from the game, causing a more addictive gameplay schedule. Gamers either love or hate this title, and if it’s a hate-filled relationship, it’s usually because of all the hours that Animal Crossing stole from the their lives. Real life never ends, and it seems that neither does Animal Crossing, with a sequel that came out for the DS in 2005 and for the Wii in 2008.

9) Pokemon Gold/Silver (2000)

Synopsis: “Like Pokemon Red, Blue, Yellow, and other console role-playing games, Pokemon Gold and Silver are played from a top-down perspective, with players directly navigating the protagonist around the fictional universe, interacting with objects and people. As the player explores this world he or she will encounter different terrains, such as grassy fields, forests, caves, and seas; in which different Pokemon species reside. As the player randomly encounters one of these creatures, the field switches to a turn-based “battle scene”, where the Pokemon will fight.”

Game-changer: SEQUEL TO POPULAR TITLE

Although it was released in 1999 in Japan, this game was a defining title for the Game Boy Color’s library in the United States, with a release date of October 14th, 2000. As successful as its previous titles were, Gold/Silver made a vast array of changes that represented how a sequel to a hit game should be handled. Even though the basic formula of Pokemon remained in place, updates such as a player’s item inventory, a day/night system, battle balance improvement, and two worlds to explore set the bar high for future titles in the Pocket Monster franchise. Most importantly, these games solidified the Pokemon franchise’s grasp on the decade’s generation of gamers. This is most Poke-fans’ favorite set of games in the series and it’s no surprise why – with a remake due in March 2010, it will be intriguing to see how a re-invention of one of most defining sequels of the past decade will be portrayed.

8) Boom Blox (2008)

Synopsis: “Boom Blox has been described as Jenga meets Tetris Blast, Breakout, Duck Hunt, and Lego. Gameplay emphasises reflexes, dexterity, and problem-solving skills. It features a physics model that ensures the blocks collapse realistically, and also measures the velocity at which an object is thrown, recognising four distinct speeds.”

Game-changer: CASUAL AUDIENCE

The 00s will always be remembered for the growth of the casual gaming audience and the Nintendo DS and Wii are the most responsible for the industry expansion. While the DS had titles such as Nintendogs to ease new gamers into what the medium actually is, one of the most intuitive and enjoyable games that ushered this group into gaming was Steven Spielberg’s Boom Blox. When all you have to do is throw a ball at a tower of blocks strategically to gain more points, you have one of the most unique games for the console. Throw in an advancement of the late ’00s in user-generated content, and you have a solid title with Boom Blox. The appeal to the casual audience cannot be denied when it comes to simplicity and entertainment.

7) The Legend of Zelda: Majora’s Mask (2000)

Synopsis: “The gameplay of Majora’s Mask expands on that of Ocarina of Time; it retains the concept of dungeon puzzles and ocarina songs, and introduces character transformations and the restriction of a three-day cycle. As in previous installments, Link can perform basic actions such as walking, running and limited jumping, and must use items to battle enemies and solve puzzles.”

Game-changer: NARRATIVE

Any Legend of Zelda fan has their choice – it’s either Ocarina of Time or Majora’s Mask as their favorite Nintendo 64 installment of the franchise. As classic as OoT’s story is, however, the narrative that is woven in Majora’s Mask was rather unparalleled compared to any other game for its time. The overall plot of “save the world in three days” was turned on its head by players having to relive those three days multiple times, as certain acquisitions of items allowed you to access different areas of Termina, the game’s world. What makes Majora’s Mask so remarkable, however, is the vital importance that non-player characters have in the game’s narrative. Most NPCs act differently depending on which day or time it is, forcing the player to be precise regarding where he is at one time of day. While it isn’t a title for those who don’t enjoy time-based puzzles, one must marvel at what Majora’s Mask accomplishes for a game made in 2000.

6) Mario Kart Wii (2008)

Synopsis: “Up to twelve characters can participate in a race. Players obtain items by driving through item boxes, which can be used for either defense, offense, or for powering up the engine.”

Game-changer: ONLINE GAMEPLAY

Compared to Xbox Live and the Playstation Network, Mario Kart Wii’s online simply doesn’t stack up. But for a Nintendo handheld or console, MKW gets everything right, from its ranking system to its near-lagless gameplay. Nintendo had the chance to practice this in 2005’s Mario Kart DS, which is a strong contender for an online gameplay gamechanger, but you have to rely on Nintendo’s shoddy wireless network for the DS. At least with the Wii, a stable wired connection is possible. When you compare Mario Kart Wii to the other online mulitplayer games for the Wii at the time, whether it’s Super Smash Bros Brawl or The Conduit, the popular go-kart game flies by in terms of performance.

5) Super Mario Galaxy (2007)

Synopsis: “Super Mario Galaxy is set in outer space, where Mario travels from galaxy to galaxy in order to collect Power Stars, which are earned by completing quests or defeating enemies. Each galaxy contains a number of planets and other space matter for the player to explore.”

Game-changer: 3-D PHYSICS

Super Mario Galaxy is most well known for its physics system that gave each celestial object its own gravity field. This let the player walk around each object and even jump to new objects by getting pulled by the new object’s gravity field. While the title is not casual-friendly mostly because of its mind-warping set of controls and space in the games massive world, it delighted the veteran gamer. Galaxy was not difficult by any means, but it was the perfect example of how a series can be re-invented by a physics overhaul. Games allow us to challenge new perceptions of reality and when you feel that first pull of a planet’s gravitational field, you know you have something special in Super Mario Galaxy.

4) The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker (2003)

Synopsis: “The game is set on a group of islands in a vast sea – a first for the series. The player controls Link, the protagonist of the Zelda series. He struggles against his nemesis, Ganondorf, for control of a sacred relic known as the Triforce. Link spends a significant portion of the game sailing, traveling between islands, and traversing through dungeons and temples to gain the power necessary to defeat Ganondorf. He also spends time trying to find his little sister.”

Game-changer: GRAPHICS VS. GAMEPLAY

Since Nintendo has not made the jump to HD graphics yet, an important debate that places the company at the center of the conflict is whether graphics or gameplay is more important to the overall video gaming experience. No title symbolized this more in the past decade for Nintendo than The Wind Waker. While Zelda veterans may have shunned the game because of its cel-shaded graphics, The Wind Waker is arguably the best Zelda game of the decade. Gamers may have had gripes with the sailing and the Triforce Quest, but the game tooka big risk with its story setting, characters, and style, which for the most part paid off greatly. The most important lesson that The Wind Waker taught Nintendo gamers in the 00s is to not judge a game solely based off of its graphics – a lesson many individuals still have yet to learn.

3) Super Smash Bros. Melee (2001)

Synopsis: “Like its predecessor, Super Smash Bros. Melee differs from traditional fighting games in that inflicting the most damage does not guarantee victory. Instead, opposing players must force their opponents beyond the boundaries of the stage. Most attacks inflict damage and can, if enough damage is dealt, knock back the enemy. Each character’s health is measured by a meter that represents the damage received as a percentage. The higher the percentage value, the farther the player gets knocked back, and the easier they are to knock off the stage.”

Game-changer: COMPETITION

Fans of the Super Smash Bros games frequently have debates regarding whether Melee (2001) or Brawl (2008) is the better game, but in this case, it really doesn’t matter. Super Smash Bros Melee defined the quintessential party game for the decade. It fostered fierce competition between players and it is known for being very easy to pick up and play. In addition, playing as your favorite Nintendo characters has never been more fun. Melee is by far the more influential game of the decade simply because it came before Brawl. While Super Smash Bros (1999) for the Nintendo 64 started the franchise, Melee transcended the gaming world like its predecessor hadn’t before in terms of competition. Players fostered the expansive growth of a competitive Melee circuit, unlike a non-traditional fighting game had ever seen before, making it near the top of this list.

2) Metroid Prime (2002)

Synopsis: “As in previous Metroid games, Prime takes place in a large, open-ended world with different regions connected by elevators. Each region has a set of rooms separated by doors that can be opened with a shot from the correct beam. The gameplay revolves around solving puzzles to reveal secrets, platform jumping, and shooting foes with the help of a “lock-on” mechanism that allows circle strafing while staying aimed on the enemy.”

Game-changer: IMMERSION

It’s a close battle between this game and the one I chose for the number one spot on this list, but Metroid Prime lands at number two. There’s a reason some have called this game “the Citzen Kane of video games.” The immersion in this first-person adventure is spectacular, creating a fantastic suspension of disbelief. The artistry and scenery is also top-notch for a game of its time, which also expands to the steam and rain effects that appear on Samus Aran’s visor. The control was unique at first, but flowed very naturally for a solo-stick setup and lock-on system. Combine all of this with heart-racing action, clever strategy, and epic boss battles and you have one of the most defining Nintendo games of the decade.

1) Resident Evil 4 (2005)

Synopsis: “The player controls Leon S. Kennedy from a third-person, over-the-shoulder perspective during a mission to rescue the daughter of the President of the United States, Ashley Graham. The gameplay focuses on action and shootouts involving crowds of enemies in large open areas. The camera is focused behind Leon, and it zooms in for an over-the-shoulder view when aiming a weapon.”

Game-changer: DYNAMIC CUT SCENES

Resident Evil 4 maximized the graphic potential of the Gamecube, told an immersive narrative, displayed how a third-person shooter should be done, and became the gold standard for which the survival horror genre will try to live up to. While all of that is impressive for gaming, two traits are important to consider as video games move forward into a new decade. Primarily, the Resident Evil (Biohazard) games had never seen that much critical acclaim before the fourth installment. However, the re-invention that took place shows promise for franchises that exist today and those still to come that games can become major successes if enough effort is put into them. Also, as games become more cinematic, Resident Evil 4 helped push these cut-scenes to be more dynamic and interactive by having players press certain buttons during them to alter game events. While the franchise may never reach the success it once had ever again, RE4 changed video games as we know it on a Nintendo console this decade through all of these subjects.