Heroic Mario's Top 40 Games + More (September 2010 Edition)

Heroic Mario brings you his latest game-related lists at the end of 2010.

It's a-Heroic-Mario time!

Top 40 Games
40) Final Fantasy IX (PS1) http://image.com.com/gamespot/images/bigboxshots/8/197338_50278_front.jpg

I'm not sure exactly where I had FFIX the last time I made a list, but it was probably closer to the top 10 than the top 50. This will seem like a rather drastic drop, and in some ways it kinda is, but it's not so much the game's fault as it is my increasing lack of interest in RPGs, Japanese and Western both. There are more than a few that were top of the line in years past that aren't anymore. I dunno, it's not that I dislike these games less necessarily, but that I like other games more.

Anyway, that said, FFIX is a great game. When I think about this game I don't think of the storyline, or the cutscenes / events, but the places you visit, the characters you meet, and the world you explore. In that sense, it captures what makes old school RPGs so good. It has that irresistible charm that makes you overlook any bad points the game may have -- and they are rather numerous. Yeah, the battle system might be slow, half the party might not have any relevance to the plot, the main villain may wear a thong and randomly recite poetry, but who doesn't remember going to Alexandria? Burmecia? The Black Mage Village? Those places are what makes the game to me.

The other bright point is the cast. For the most part, I thought they were all pretty good. None of them are deep and meaningful, there's not much development happening from beginning to end, but they work well together and have a little quirk that makes them memorable. Zidane's one of the best Final Fantasy leads, Vivi's got some weird endearing quality that's hard to pin down, Steiner is Steiner, Garnet...you know, I can't remember much about Garnet except that she cuts her hair. I think that was her one pivotal moment, did she even do anything else except get captured by that dumb plant in the beginning of the game? Who knows, who cares!

Final Fantasy IX.

Top 10 Characters
???