Top 8 Games of 1994

Note: For my money, 1994 was the year that truly saw the Super Nintendo come into its own. While Nintendo split their attention between the Super NES and NES to some extent in 1993, 1994 saw the last licensed game released for the NES (Wario’s Woods) as Nintendo focused solely on their 16-bit machine. That said, Sega was not exactly sitting quietly on the sidelines, releasing a phenomenal RPG title as well as a title that included technology not seen before.

Honorable Mentions:
– Arcade: Killer Instinct, Primal Rage
– Atari Jaguar: Alien Versus Predator
– PC: Doom II – Hell on Earth
– Sega Genesis: Shining Force II, Streets of Rage 3, Maximum Carnage, Mortal Kombat II
– Gameboy: Bonk’s Revenge, Donkey Kong
– NES: Chip ‘n Dale – Rescue Rangers 2, Zoda’s Revenge – Startropics II
– Super NES: Breath of Fire, Illusion of Gaia, Knights of the Round, R-Type III – The Third Lightning, Maximum Carnage

8. Wario Land: Super Mario Land 3 (Gameboy)(Tie)
After the release of Super Mario Land 2 on the Gameboy, it was only a question of when, not if, a sequel would be coming. What practically no one expected was for the sequel to star Wario, introduced as Mario’s nemesis in Super Mario Land 2, as the protagonist. Not a surprise? The quality of the game. Wario Land is an excellent platformer that combines the level design of past Mario titles with an array of new power-ups for Wario (in the form of caps). Playing upon Wario’s greed, the goal of the game is to gather as many coins and treasures as possible in order for Wario to build his ultimate castle. The aforementioned treasures are well hidden, though, as are numerous secret levels (similar to Super Mario World). This game may now be thirty years old, but it is so well designed that revisiting it today is just as much fun as playing it upon release.

8. Mega Man 6 (NES)(Tie)
I’m a sucker for the Mega Man series, so there is a bias here. Still, I think it’s worth noting that this game, released extremely late in the life of the NES (it came out after Mega Man X for the Super NES), does not simply rest on the popularity of the franchise. While the gameplay is largely unchanged from the previous entries, Capcom did add in some new ideas. Most notably are the Rush adapters. Gone are the Rush Coil, Rush Jet, and Rush Marine, in their place, Mega Man can acquire a Rush Power Adapter which gives him a strong, short range charged shot, as well as a Rush Jet Adapter which equips Mega Man with a jet pack. Again, it would have been easy for Capcom to phone this title in, but instead they delivered a game that is classic Mega Man, but also incorporates enough new ideas to feel unique within the series.

7. Sonic the Hedgehog 3 / Sonic & Knuckles (Sega Genesis)(Tie)
I’m listing these titles together because they feel like two parts of one game (they were being developed as one title, but were ultimately split due to time constraints and expenses). The gameplay and design of these two titles are classic Sonic the Hedgehog, but what makes both so special is the lock-on technology Sega used with the Sonic & Knuckles cartridge. Placing Sonic 3 (or Sonic 2) into the Sonic & Knuckles cart would make Knuckles the playable character of the game. Given Knuckles unique abilities (flying and climbing), playing as him in either title changed the feel of the game drastically. I can still remember when this launched and how groundbreaking it seemed. I’m a bit confused that no other games ever attempted this, but we’ll always have Sonic & Knuckles.

7. Phantasy Star IV: The End of the Millennium (Sega Genesis)(Tie)
There are many Sega titles that you can look at as an answer to a Nintendo game, but thinking of Phantasy Star only as an answer to Final Fantasy would be doing Phantasy Star a grave injustice. While I’ve never completed Phantasy Star IV, I have completed about 50-60% of it, and it easily stands alongside titles such as Final Fantasy IV, Final Fantasy VI, and Chrono Trigger as a stellar 16-bit RPG title. Phantasy Star IV combines a deep story with RPG staples such as magic attacks (techniques) and a large map to explore. While my previous save file is now gone (RIP my Xbox 360), this is a game I have every intention of picking up again. It is a true gem.

6. Demon’s Crest (Super NES)
Of all the side characters to get their own game, the Red Demon from Ghosts ‘N Goblins was probably low on most people’s list, but after successful games on the Gameboy (Gargoyle’s Quest) and NES (Gargoyle’s Quest 2), Capcom decided to give Firebrand (the Red Demon) an entry on the Super NES as well. While the previous two entries played like action RPG’s with a world map and side-scrolling sections, Demon’s Crest features levels that you can visit in any order, and then revisit as you upgrade Firebrand’s abilities which allows you to access new areas and obtain new powers. Demon’s Crest also features multiple endings, one of which can be achieved without ever seeing the latter few levels of the game (I know this because it took me a couple of playthroughs to find this out). My brother and I picked this game up on clearance for $20.00 at Wal-Mart, and it’s still a title I go back to every now and again.

5. Castlevania: Bloodlines (Sega Genesis)
I feel that Castlevania: Bloodlines is often overshadowed by Super Castlevania IV, which is a shame. While Super Castlevania IV edges Bloodlines out by a hair (in my opinion, of course), Bloodlines is still a phenomenal Castlevania title (I have it at #3 on my personal ranking of the console Castlevania titles). While the gameplay is similar to IV and the NES titles, Bloodlines allows you to pick one of two characters to play through the game as, with each having a distinctive playstyle. John Morris, who uses a whip, and Eric Lecarde, who uses a spear. In some levels, the characters will take different paths as Eric can perform a high jump while John can swing across gaps using his whip. This variety, combined with stellar level design, makes this a must play game.

4. Donkey Kong Country (Super NES)
Resurrecting a decade old character as the centerpiece of a new game was an…interesting decision, but what Rare did with Donkey Kong Country was nothing short of amazing. First of all, the game had groundbreaking visuals for the era (and is still striking today). Rare utilized prerendered 3-D graphics for the title which was unlike nearly any other console game at the time. Secondly, the soundtrack was and is fantastic. David Wise was hired to score the game and played the levels to get an idea for the score. Aquatic Ambience never fails to impress me. Finally, the meat of the game, the gameplay and design, are also top-notch. The levels are challenging but never feel unfair. All these years later, and DKC still feels fresh whenever I play it.

3. Mega Man X / Mega Man X2 (Super NES)
As an avid Mega Man fan, when I learned of the existence of Mega Man X, I knew I had to have it (I didn’t have a Super NES right away, so it was out for some time before I had the ability to play it). When I finally did so, I was not disappointed. Mega Man X & X2 take the standard Mega Man formula, and essentially speed it up. Mega Man X is given a dash as well as a wall-jump. Both allow you to speed through levels, especially as you get used to the excellent level design. I did not realize that Mega Man X2 came out only about ten months after Mega Man X. It’s rather amazing that X2 is practically as great as X given the quick turnaround time. Having both of these games come out in the same year for the Super NES is basically an embarrassment of riches.

2. Final Fantasy III (Super NES)
This was the first Final Fantasy I ever played, and remains my favorite still today. Truly, I can find no negatives in this game. The story is in-depth and a bit of a rollercoaster, with at least a couple of surprising twists as you navigate the game. Final Fantasy III features around 16 playable characters, each with a unique backstory and engaging character arcs (for the most part). As an aside, my personal favorite is probably Gau, who learns enemies’ moves by visiting a section of the world called the Veldt. Finally, no mention of this game is complete without acknowledging that Kefka is one of the most devious and malevolent video game villains ever created, and (spoiler alert here) he actually succeeds in his plans.

1. Super Metroid (Super NES)
I know, big surprise here. I love this game. I’ve written about it a few times now. I’m not sure what else I can say at this point. I love the design of the game, the music, the atmosphere, the fact that it tells a story with minimal to no dialogue. The world is so well constructed that I’m still finding new ways to traverse it. It encourages outside the box thinking, but never demands it, meaning you can play it completely straight or approach it in a way that bucks the intended progression. Super Metroid is not only my favorite game from 1994, but my favorite game ever made. Thirty years old, and this game still gives me chills every single time I play it. Truly a masterpiece.