Top Games Of 2002

Grand Theft Auto: Vice City for the PlayStation2. Alright, so this one was kind of a no-brainer. The prequel to what was really the greatest game of 2001 (and, arguably one of the greatest games of all time), which not only perfected the genre, but improved upon it, had to be included in this list.

Animal Crossing for the GameCube. It's pretty damn gutzy of Ninentdo to do a game that takes place in "real-time", and continues on whether you're playing it or not. It's also pretty damn gutzy to do the sort of advertising blitz that they did for it (not too many companies would take such a chance on such an odd title). This game has so much replayability it's not even funny. I mean, hell, most events happen only during certain times of the year! If you're not playing when they occur, you're SOL! This game is so amazing, that it is currently (at the time of this writing) in a heated competition with Grand Theft Auto: Vice City as to which one will dethrone GrandTheftAuto3 in my DesertedIslandGames list! (As a matter of fact, if anything keeps it from beating VC, it's the fact that, as a single player game, it's not quite as much fun as VC is. Multiplayer is really where Animal Crossing shines!)

Rygar for the PlayStation2. In the words of Christopher Walken as the Continental, "WOW! WOWIE-WOW-WOW!". This game totally came out of nowhere, and was a massive surprise for me. Classic gameplay, excellent modern graphics, tons of hidden things and replay, this game has it all. If you haven't yet tried this game, go out and do so.... right now.

Need for Speed: Hot Pursuit 2 for the PlayStation2. Excellent arcade-style racer. Forget the GameCube version (no idea what happenned there), the PS2 version is the best one.

Eternal Darkness for the GameCube. Okay, it's not as disturbing as Silent Hill, and it's not as gory as Resident Evil. Heck, it's not even generally scary (though there are some creepy moments). But it is Nintendo's first survival horror game, and it's quite innovative (in that it actually screws with you by pretending your system has crashed, or broken, or your TV has gone out). If you haven't tried it yet, I'd recommend it highly.

Timesplitters 2 for the PlayStation2. The same team that brought us the legendary Golden Eye for N64 return for a game that is truely worthy of their skill. Timesplitters 1 was an excellent game, but was rushed. It had marginal graphics, and a simplistic gameplay. It was very fun, don't get me wrong, but was ultimately flawed. Timesplitters 2, on the other hand, is a masterpeice. Truely, one of the greatest FPS games on any system. Granted, the best feature (online gaming) was cancelled at the last minute, but it can work anyway (http://www.neoavalon.com/TS2O/setup/).

SOCOM US Navy Seals for the PlayStation2. Okay, so it didn't take very long for jerks to almost completely overrun Sony's first great online game, so what? Just play with a clan (ClanAM is mine) and forget all the jerks out there. This is really a remarkable multiplayer squad-based shooter.

Super Mario Sunshine for the GameCube. Mario returns in style! This is a beautiful game, with excellent gameplay and some truely memorable missions. You just have to overlook the messy camera. [Some people] thought this was the worst game of 2002, but they are morons.

Metroid Prime for the GameCube. An insanely gorgeous FPS for the GameCube and a rebirth of a classic series.

Medal of Honor: Frontline for the PlayStation2. Wow, seems like it's been forever since this game came out (because there has been so many great games lately), but it was only Summer 2002. I have actually beaten this game, I rented it, and beat it. So I am yet to buy it. Regardless, this is an excellent title.

Ratchet and Clank for the PlayStation2. This is one gorgeous platformer! I've played through my demo about a zillion times, and everyone has raved over this game, so I'm sure it's good.

Arc The Lad Collection for the PlayStation?. Technically, this game was supposed to come out in 2001, but because of delays, it didn't make it out until 2002 (March, I think). I'm not a fan of RPGs, but my wife is, and this game is translated by Working Designs, so you know it's good. While I haven't technically completed every game in this collection, I have seen enough to know that this is one exceptional box set.

Most underappreciated in 2002

Now, here's some games that I think deserved more credit for 2002:

Robot Alchemic Drive for the PlayStation2 (http://www.gamers.com/game/1171809). Robot Alchemic What? Okay, so the title is a little odd, regardless, this is a very innovative and enjoyable title. Basically, it's a giant robot fighting game. But the twist is that you play as an ordinary human controlling this robot, and you play from the viewpoint of the human on the ground. Meaning you stand there, in the middle of a street with pedestrians frantically trying to get away from the battle, and see the robot towering over the town while you control it. If you have a building obstructing your view, you need to move. If you're standing in the road, you may want to get out of the way (there are some crazy drivers trying to get away and they might hit you). If you're under a building that your robot has been thrown into, then you could be crushed by falling debris or even your robot. It's unlike anything else you've played.

Drakan: The Ancients' Gate for the PlayStation2 (http://www.gamers.com/game/245318). It's a tragedy that more people don't know about this game. A 3D action-adventure-platformer that also includes flight and shooting sections atop a bad-ass dragon. The game has a very open-ended playing style, and many sub-quests, hidden quests, and secrets. In many respects, it's like a GTA game with dragons and swords (not for content, but for gameplay style).

Rez for the PlayStation2 (http://www.gamers.com/game/1066900). This is a wacky musical shooter from Sega. Sure, it's not entirely a game as much as it's a mood and ambiance experience, but it's so different and enjoyable that it deserved more credit than it got.

Pa Rappa The Rapper 2 for the PlayStation2 (http://www.gamers.com/game/1057816). I'm one of those people who likes music games like Bust a Groove and Space Channel 5, but dislikes the game that started the genre, Pa Rappa The Rapper. However, I really did get into this sequel to that terrible game.

Most anticipated for 2003

Here's a list of some of the games I'm most looking forward to in 2003:

Wario World for the GameCube (http://www.gamers.com/game/1153878). Why am I so excited for this? Well, it's being made by one of the greatest development groups in history: Treasure. That's right, the same guys who brought us the legendary Gunstar Heroes for the Genesis, and Guardian Heroes for the Saturn, and even Contra III for the NES! So, duh, I'm excited for it.

Silent Hill 3 for the PlayStation2 (http://www.gamers.com/game/1160959). My wife and I loved the previous games in this series. They have had this consistant level of intensity and depth that set them well above all other survival horror games. Silent Hill 3 looks incredible, and provided it gives that same visceral gameplay with psychologically wounding terror, it should be one of the greatest games of 2003.

Jurassic Park: Operation Genesis for the PlayStation2 (http://www.gamers.com/game/38729). Jurassic Park meats Sim City. Nuf said.

Zone of the Enders: The 2nd Runner for the PlayStation2 (http://www.gamers.com/game/1160923). The first game was brilliant, albeit very, very, very, very short (and with a really irritating ending, which was only irritating because it was really, really, really short). If this sequel can just be more of the same, and I do mean more, it will be an excellent game.

Clock Tower 3 for the PlayStation2 (http://www.gamers.com/game/1150558). Capcom is now heading up this survival horror series, and while I've been generally displeased with the last several Capcom survival horror games (yes, even RE0), I'll give them a chance with this one. Here's hoping they don't let me down...

Mace Griffin: Bounty Hunter for the PlayStation2. You know, I wasn't remotely interested in this title until I saw the video footage of it in the latest DVD included in OPM. Now I can't wait to see if it turns out to be as good as it looks.

Viewtiful Joe for the GameCube (http://www.gamers.com/game/1277508). 2D action-platformer nuttiness.

Dead Phoenix for the GameCube (http://www.gamers.com/game/1277514). "Panzer Dragoon meets Dynasty Warriors"? If so, I'm interested.

Killer 7 for the GameCube (http://www.gamers.com/game/1277510). A cell-shaded, dark and brooding action adventure game. I don't know too much about it, but it looks hot.

Zelda for the GameCube (http://www.gamers.com/feature/zelda/index.jsp). Oooooo.... so sexy. I actually have this one on pre-order, and am anxiously awaiting the day it's released. I'm getting the one that comes with two extra games packed in (I'm sure I'm not the only one ;-)