Game Systems
I was unable to acquire this system for quite some time after its launch. Fortunately, Gamestop did a promotion during the holiday season in 2007 where you could buy the system and receive a blank game case stating that one was on its way.
Nintendo Wii
I made it to last level, but I have never beaten this game (even though my sister has!). Even using warp pipes, I still succumbed to those pesky hammer brothers in the penultimate stage.
Super Mario Bros.
Though not a multiplayer game, my brother and I took turns and blazed through this SNES classic over a weekend when he came to visit me in college. We traded the controller every time we got a pendant or crystal.
The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past
Possibly one of the best games to launch a system with. I have easily poured 100+ hours in this game exploring, wandering, and going in the opposite direction it wants me to go. I've always wanted to get the DLC just to see the path I've taken across the huge open world environment.
The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild
I have been married for this many years, for we just celebrated our silver anniversary.
25 years
I waited outside Target for four hours to snag this system at launch. I was the first person in line when I arrived at 4 AM. A couple joined me an hour later, and it was the three of us for the next two hours. It turns out that I didn't need to worry about the availability for this one since it only sold through less than 15M units.
Nintendo WiiU
We rented this underrated sequel five times before my parents decided it was best to just buy the game. My siblings and I worked together to restore the crystals to the six palaces, but somehow it was my sister who defeated the Thunderbird.
Zelda II: The Adventures of Link
This is the first game that I completed while playing with a friend over the internet. We completed it together with our teenage children. The gameplay was fantastic and echoed the amazing control, graphics, and sounds of the old coin-op from 1989. My friend, Mike, naturally chose to play as the wise-cracking, nunchaku's-wielding hero.
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Shredder's Revenge
Greg's very correct GOTY for 2024 may very well end up as my most played game of all time. Each run is different and unique, and the possibilities are endless. Though I have only achieved a score over 10^15 (e15 in the game) once, I won't stop until I reach "naneinf."
Balatro
The number 1024 in my username "mathman1024" isn't related to my birthday. Instead, it comes from 2 raised to this power.
10
210=1024
I bought the 250 GB model of this system that came bundled with four games for less than $200. I sold the bundled games (including a Batman and Tomb Raider game) which brought the final price down to $130. Because I acquired the system so late in its life cycle, I never had to worry about deathly rings.
Xbox 360
My good friend, John, and I played this third entry in a classic side-scrolling brawler series during a sleepover. The co-op was great as we kicked and punched our way to the final boss using a cast of characters that even included a ninja. My buddy lost his last life, and I dealt what I thought was the killing blow. Unfortunately, there was a second form, and I died without any remaining continues.
Double Dragon III: The Sacred Stones
Since we didn't have to rely on internal saves on the cartridge, I was able to complete this rented game with my friend because I had a password (albeit one with characters that could easily be mistaken for other characters). Based on the game's title, you would expect to see at least one appearance of Olivia Newton-John on roller skates, but alas...
Faxanadu
My first experience with this long running series from Ubisoft is one of my favorite games of all time. The ship combat is satisfying, and there is a real sense of being able to go anywhere. Parkour to the extreme, stealth kills, and sea shanties make this one of my most played games.
Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag
I grew up in Tennessee which shares a border with this many states.
(Give yourself extra points if you can name all of them.)
8 - Kentucky, Virginia, North Carolina, Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi, Arkansas, Missouri
Sega Game Gear
Creator, the final boss in this first SaGa game, gave me so many fits that I haven't beaten it. Fortunately, I can use an item to leave the area, otherwise I would have soft-locked the game with no way to level up or improve my party members. Too bad I didn't save the Saw weapon for this battle...
Final Fantasy Legend
A single rental was all we needed to beat this game on the Nintendo 64. Naturally I chose to play as the Wizard, while my friends picked up the remaining characters of Warrior, Archer, and Valkyrie.
Gauntlet Legends
120 hours. That's how long I spent making sure everyone was at level 99 before heading into the final boss. This RPG has a great cast of characters, including the fiery mage, Veronica, and the overly dramatic and charismatic Sylvando. There is even an option to play in a more traditional 2D style. You can also play through altered versions of scenes from the previous installments in this long-running series.
Dragon Quest XI S: Echoes of an Elusive Age
I have a B.S. in Mathematics, but my Master's degree is in this.
Mathematics
I have very fond memories of this system that my parents sold in order to buy an Atari 2600. The controller used plastic overlays and a black circular pad, but the games were amazing. I have many fond memories of playing Utopia, Astrosmash, and Night Stalker.
Intellivision
Never let Jason borrow a cartridge with your save file that is just before the final boss and has your characters fully spec'd out because the cartridge might "malfunction" and delete all the save files. This is why I have never beaten this action-based RPG that allowed up to three players to play together using the Super Multitap.
Secret of Mana
The first time I beat this game was in the co-op mode with my younger son. It is punishingly difficult but always fair. And to think, some people couldn't get past the tutorial...
Cuphead
The lead character in this game is quite literally "the best." Finally, an RPG with characters that are my age who feel soreness in their backs and the weight of their many years.
Yakuza: Like a Dragon
This is the day of the year on which my birthday falls. Formerly known as Dominion Day to our friends up north, this day celebrates the anniversary of the union of the United Canadas, New Brunswick, and Nova Scotia into the single dominion called Canada in 1867.
July 1