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Obligatory HG101 = Hardcore Gaming 101. A site dedicated to long form articles, often about niche titles and genres.

I'm not a fan of top lists. They are often devoid of any insightful information and more about vindicating opinions. The only time I have found them useful is introducing me to things I have missed or overlooked. I suspect based on HG101's track record it will introduce me to a few things or possibly even make me reconsider hard headed stances I hold dear.

They look to be doing a few key things with their list that sets it apart.

• The list is not ranked. Trying to reason why God Hand is two spots below Super Mario Bros is a pointless exercise.
• Every game gets around 450 words to explore why it matters.
• Each editor gets 50 runner up games for a real total of 450 games. This allows concessions for games where people realize their strong emotional attachment is in no way rational but they also can't deny the feeling.
• No attempt to hide that the list is personal and biased and embracing that fact rather than constructing some complex criteria to try and feign objectivity.

Lastly it is being published as a proper-ass book. Which is very atypical of this sort of thing. If that bothers you there looks to be digital avenues available.

Hardcore Gaming 101 Presents The 200 Best Video Games of All Time

Featuring:

Joust
Mappy
Bubble Bobble
Geometry Wars 3
Pac Man Champion Edition DX
TxK
Super Mario Bros. 3
Super Mario World 2: Yoshi's Island
Donkey Kong Country Returns Tropical Freeze
Sonic CD
Klonoa: Door to Phantomile
Super Meat Boy
Shinobi (ARC)
Strider (ARC)
Ninja Gaiden (NES)
Bionic Commando Rearmed
Gimmick!
Castlevania Dracula X (PCE)
Demon's Crest
Mega Man X
Volgarr the Viking
Shovel Knight
Prince of Persia
Another World
Wonder Boy III: The Dragon's Trap
Super Metroid
Castlevania: Symphony of the Night
Cave Story
Rogue Legacy
Dust: An Elysian Tail
Legacy of the Wizard
The Guardian Legend
Zelda II: The Adventure of Link
The Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening
Terranigma
Seiken Densetsu 3
The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask
Ys: The Oath in Felghana
Mega Man Legends
Legacy of Kain: Soul Reaver
Okami
Shadow of the Collosus
Nier
Bloodborne
Shenmue II
Yakuza 4
Red Dead Redemption
Contra: Shattered Soldier
Turrican II
Gunstar Heroes
Shock Troopers
Metal Slug 3
Hotline Miami
Fantasy Zone IIDX
Gradius Gaiden
Sexy Parodius
MUSHA
R-Type Delta
Batsugun
Battle Garegga
Ikaruga
Mushihime-sama Futari
Space Harrier
Sin & Punishment: Star Successor
Vampire Savior
Street Fighter Alpha 3
Street Fighter III: Third Strike
The Last Blade II
Garou: Mark of the Wolves
The King of Fighters 2002 Ultimate Match
Guilty Gear XX Accent Core Plus R
Super Smash Bros. Melee
SoulCalibur II
Virtua Fighter 5
Streets of Rage 2
Violent Storm
Alien vs. Predator (ARC)
Double Dragon Advance
Guardian Heroes
Nights...into Dreams
Crash Bandicoot 3
Psychonauts
Super Mario Galaxy 2
Ninja Gaiden Black
Otogi 2: Immortal Warriors
God Hand
Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance
Bayonetta 2
A Mind Forever Voyaging
Monkey Island II: LeChuck's Revenge
Maniac Mansion: Day of the Tentacle
Grim Fandango
Space Quest IV: Roger Wilco and the Time Rippers
Quest for Glory IV
Gabriel Knight: Sins of the Fathers
Broken Sword: The Shadow of the Templars
The Last Express
Dreamfall: The Longest Journey
Cosmology of Kyoto
Snatcher
Ghost Trick
Steins;Gate
Nine Persons Nine Hours Nine Doors
Danganronpa 2
Silent Hill
Amnesia: The Dark Descent
Ultima VII: The Black Gate
Wizardry VII: Crusaders of the Dark Savant
Realms of Arkania 2: Star Trail
Diablo II
Fallout 2
Planescape Torment
Arcanum
Baldur's Gate II
Star Wars: Knight of the Old Republic 2
The Witcher III: Wild Hunt
Legend of Grimrock II
Star Control 2
X-COM: UFO Defense
Jagged Alliance 2
Final Fantasy V
Final Fantasy VI
Dragon Quest V: Hand of the Heavenly Bride
Chrono Trigger
Earthbound
Suikoden II
Phantasy Star IV: End of the Millenium
Panzer Dragoon Saga
Shin Megami Tensei Nocturne
Persona 4 Golden
Breath of Fire Dragon Quarter
The World Ends With You
Xenoblade Chronicles
Etrian Odyssey III
Barkley Shut Up and Jam Gaiden
Final Fantasy Tactics
Fire Emblem: Path of Radiance
Advance Wars: Days of Ruin
Front Mission 5
Valkyria Chronicles
Dragon Force
Command and Conquer: Red Alert 2
Starcraft
Total Annihilation
Homeworld
Company of Heroes
Age of Empires II
Total War: Rome
Heroes of Might & Magic III
Crusader Kings 2
Civilization IV
Alpha Centauri
Pirates!
SimCity 4
Doom
Blood
Star Wars Dark Forces II: Jedi Knight
No One Lives Forever
Perfect Dark
Half-Life 2
FEAR
SWAT 4
Crysis
Bulletstorm
System Shock 2
Deus Ex
Thief 2
Metroid Prime
The Elder Scrolls: Morrowind
Vampire: The Masquerade: Bloodlines
STALKER: Shadow of Chernobyl
Max Payne 2
Resident Evil 4
Killer7
Freedom Fighters
The Last of Us
Mirror's Edge
Portal 2
TIE Fighter
Descent: Freespace 2
Metal Gear Solid 3
Splinter Cell: Chaos Theory
Hitman: Blood Money
Burnout 3: Takedown
OutRun 2006
Sonic & All Stars Racing Transformed
F-Zero X
Punch-Out!!
SSX3
Jet Set Radio
Saturn Bomberman
Worms Armageddon
Puyo Puyo 2
Twinkle Star Sprites
Windjammers
Lemmings
Elite Beat Agents
Space Channel 5 Part 2
Devil's Crush
Typing of the Dead

 

[GavinUK86]

#1

 

[Tetsuo9]

Its a very generous offer to join the patreon and also get all of the previous books. I will support this for some months for sure.

 

[Bakkus]

This list is pretty much guaranteed to be a million times better than all the ones from game journalist "experts". Looking forward to it.

 

[Maintenance]

Of course this will end up well, I can't see anything that could go wrong.

Spoiler

+1 for putting Monokuma and Neku there though.

 

[Morfeo]

Cool! HG101 do great work, so will be fun to see how they rank this.

Edit: Ok, not ranking but at least which games they pick and their reasons.

 

[Finale Fireworker]

I don't mean to be a downer, but man, I am so tired of lists like these. I remember reading IGN's practically annual 100 Greatest Games of All Time articles and feeling validated when my favorite games made the list. But there are just so many. And there is never any sort of quota. There's never any actual basis for judging the games, which would be nearly impossible to come up with anyway.

So what we get instead is 100 games that a small group voted on and wrote a paragraph about.

I am just so out off by them now.

HOWEVER, this list seems like the closest thing to what I would actually want to read. The self-awareness and respectful evaluation really sets its apart from other venues that have attempted the same. I actually would like to read this one.

 

[@MUWANdo]

HG101 is a useful resource but I don't put much stock in their reviews, frankly, and nothing they've written about this book makes it sound any less inessential than the average best-of compilation. I'm glad the owner has found a paying audience for his work, at least.

 

[SmiteOfHand]

HG101 is a useful resource but I don't put much stock in their reviews, frankly, and nothing they've written about this book makes it sound any less inessential than the average best-of compilation. I'm glad the owner has found a paying audience for his work, at least.

I think I agree with this assessment though I am curious about the distinction between the sites usefulness as a resource and its critique. I have definitely had issues with the latter over the years. What value as a resource does it provide you exactly?

Edit: let me put a finer point on it. What value does it provide that something like Wikipedia does not.

 

[Zonic]

I've been buying all of HG101's books (I got their Untold History of Japanese Developers book not too long ago, need to start reading it), so might give this a read.

I do like how some of this is being handled, i.e. no ranking/numeric place on a list since it just leads to "WHY IS X HIGHER THAN Y?!" considering certain games, as they put it, "is like comparing apples to baseballs." & the "see also" section is a good idea as well so we don't get swamped with sequels & such. It sounds like they really want to not just be another "TOP x GAMES" list so many other sites have done, & that's nice to see.

Also props for having Monokuma, Klonoa, Elite Beat Agents, Neku, & Quote on the front/back.

Edit: So what other books are they coming out with? Last I've heard from May, there was gonna be another Digest on Taito games, & then another on Data East, then Sega Arcade Classics Vol. 2, & perhaps one on Contra & Goemon?

 

[@MUWANdo]

I think I agree with this assessment though I am curious about the distinction between the sites usefulness as a resource and its critique. I have definitely had issues with the latter over the years. What value as a resource does it provide you exactly?

Edit: let me put a finer point on it. What value does it provide that something like Wikipedia does not.

It's most useful to me as a factual resource: they're good about detailing the differences between different versions of a game, for example, and each game/series is sensibly categorised with a little more context than you'd find on Giantbomb, Gamefaqs, etc so it's more convenient to casually browse.

I absolutely agree that it'd make more sense as a wiki but I suppose that'd require more around-the-clock work on the part of the editors. Maybe they're afraid it'd be too dry, who knows.

I will say that the quality of their articles has improved over the last couple years and they've been making an effort to replace a lot of the really bad older articles, thankfully.

 

[ViewtifulJC]

knowing HG101, this is gonna be the most Japanese-heavy ass list...

 

[Danny Dudekisser]

I can imagine this being a lot more interesting than basically 100% of the generic top 100 lists that pop up every now and then, seeing as how HG101 is a lot more open to more niche stuff. To date, the only "best games of all time" list I've seen that's been particularly good was EGM's from issue 150... which is still a pretty fantastic list of stuff to check out.


Anyway, I'll probably get this.

 

[Enter the Dragon Punch]

Mappy does not belong in a top 200 list.

 

[Vyrance]

I don't know their site, but should I expect this to be another list devoid of pc games?

 

[Ionic]

I don't know their site, but should I expect this to be another list devoid of pc games?

They do have Gordon back and center. Maybe there's hope of a few getting in.

 

[Zonic]

I don't know their site, but should I expect this to be another list devoid of pc games?

They name drop No One Lives Forever being in the book, so while it's hard to say if they'll include a lot of PC-only titles, there should at least be some that're playable on PC.

Jedi Knight was mentioned as well, & I recall that was on PC first before coming to systems.

 

[SmiteOfHand]

Lucasarts, Worms, Doomguy, and I believe that is a Tie Fighter reference on the top of the back cover, but it could be lots of things I guess. Seems there will be decent PC representation.

Anyone up to the task of identifying every character? A couple I don't immediately know, for sure.

e: I just realized the image goes the other way. Fixing. Fixed. ohgod now it is slightly not aligned and causing a crease. I can't take it. Heading into PS. phheww. Ok. Fixed for real.

 

[The Yo Tornado]

HG101 does really good work, especially on titles that fell to the wayside over the years, so I'm really curious to see what will make up their list. I own two of their other books as well, and despite taking a lot of material from the site are very professionally done, so I'll probably grab this as well when I get the chance.

 

[@MUWANdo]

I don't know their site, but should I expect this to be another list devoid of pc games?

I'm sure it'll include more than a few PC games from all corners of the world but they also said they won't be including MMOs, MOBAs or MP-centric FPS games and that they had to find an external contributor to select some RTS games, so make of that what you will.

 

[stuminus3]

This will probably be a good read. Look at it as a celebration of great games, not a "top 200" list.

 

[Wagram]

I can't even reliably make a top 5 let alone 200. I would be torn on everything.

 

[ForsakenLotus]

This sounds very well thought out. Hopefully the book is well made, well written, and has good accompanying artwork. There is a good chance I'll buy this, but I'll certainly be keeping my eye out for it.

 

[Majestad]

I wonder if it will be better than that EDGE hipster garbage.

 

[Anth0ny]

This should be really good. HG101 produces some great stuff.

 

[Decider]

HG101 is a useful resource but I don't put much stock in their reviews, frankly, and nothing they've written about this book makes it sound any less inessential than the average best-of compilation. I'm glad the owner has found a paying audience for his work, at least.

I've enjoyed the rest of their books but I agree. Listening to them lazily crapping on Syndicate during one of their recent podcasts was particularly painful, especially when it became clear that some of the people on there had hardly played it. I've had much less faith in their content after that but yes, it's still a useful resource.

I've been buying all of HG101's books (I got their Untold History of Japanese Developers book not too long ago, need to start reading it), so might give this a read.

That wasn't a HG101 book, as I understand it. Sketcz was a contributor, though.

 

[transience]

fuck yeah devil's crush

 

[Jerry Orbach]

These lists are all the same - Kampfgruppe, Harpoon, Battleground Antietam, maybe a Links if we're lucky... you know, there's a whole WORLD of games out there that don't take place on a hex grid, maybe you so-called "hardcore gamers" ought to try playing some one day! Here's my recommendation: get yourselves a Nintendo, and ask your kids to recommend you some tapes for it. I think you'll be pleasantly surprised how nice it feels to shut your big brains off and just mash buttons now and then.

 

[SmiteOfHand]

These lists are all the same - Kampfgruppe, Harpoon, Battleground Antietam, maybe a Links if we're lucky... you know, there's a whole WORLD of games out there that don't take place on a hex grid, maybe you so-called "hardcore gamers" ought to try playing some one day! Here's my recommendation: get yourselves a Nintendo, and ask your kids to recommend you some tapes for it. I think you'll be pleasantly surprised how nice it feels to shut your big brains off and just mash buttons now and then.

Woah. That is a lasagna of sarcasm layers.

 

[higemaru]

For those worried at PC representation; you shouldn't have to worry too much on the retro front. HG101 likes their 80s/90s graphic adventures and FPS games.

Modern games might not get much rep. Maybe some indie titles but I wouldn't hold my breath.

 

[@MUWANdo]

The example they gave of "representative late-90s/early-00s FPS games" was NOLF and Jedi Knight. I don't need to worry, I've already checked out.

 

[cj_iwakura]

knowing HG101, this is gonna be the most Japanese-heavy ass list...

It's VERY balanced. I contributed a few of my favorites too. You're welcome to guess which.

(I write for HG101 too.)

 

[IrishNinja]

HG101 is awesome, so glad to see this

knowing HG101, this is gonna be the most Japanese-heavy ass list...

like it's a bad thing bruh

I can imagine this being a lot more interesting than basically 100% of the generic top 100 lists that pop up every now and then, seeing as how HG101 is a lot more open to more niche stuff. To date, the only "best games of all time" list I've seen that's been particularly good was EGM's from issue 150... which is still a pretty fantastic list of stuff to check out.

Anyway, I'll probably get this.

+1 - also, HG's books on castlevania, sega & konami shooters have all been awesome so far (cheap too)!

 

[cj_iwakura]

For those worried at PC representation; you shouldn't have to worry too much on the retro front. HG101 likes their 80s/90s graphic adventures and FPS games.

Modern games might not get much rep. Maybe some indie titles but I wouldn't hold my breath.

There's quite a few modern games, more than you might expect. I contributed

Spoiler

Steins;Gate/Corpse Party, Dragon Force, and 999/VLR.

 

[sora87]

Look at my bandicoot Crash front and proud there

 

[djtiesto]

knowing HG101, this is gonna be the most Japanese-heavy ass list...

You can read RPGCodex or a PC game focused site or even IGN if you want more western representation.

 

[PassiveObserver]

Can we talk about how much cool stuff they stuffed into the cover image? Pretty rad.

Broken Sword mains, Space Harrier elephant, Manny Calaveras peeking out. HG101 definitely represents.

 

[ViewtifulJC]

It's VERY balanced. I contributed a few of my favorites too. You're welcome to guess which.

(I write for HG101 too.)

Good. I'm looking for a balance between Elite Beat Agents and Counter-Strike. Between modern day greats and old classics. I want to see all genres represented, not just JRPG or WRPG, but real-time strategy, rhythm, sports, adventure, beat'em'up, platformer, FPS, third persons shooters, 2D and 3D Fighters, etc. I think the only way to make a list like this is to A) focus on what's good to play TODAY, not influence/impact/important/it was really good like 20 years ago and B) invite people outside your circle of influence to represent genres you're not familiar with. Like great, Jet Set Radio and Crazy Taxi should be here, but apparently nobody played Prince of Persia: Sands of Time or any X-COM game? I don't even need to agree with the specific title, but I like to have as many genres and time periods as possible represented.

I think that's really the only way to do a list like this, to really showcase the breadth of what video games have to offer.

 

[jhmtehgamr20xx]

Very smart of them to make it unranked. At the end of the day once a technical threshold is reached a taste in a game comes down more to subjective traits rather than objective anyhow. It should also help cut down on the console warrior bs.

These lists are all the same - Kampfgruppe, Harpoon, Battleground Antietam, maybe a Links if we're lucky... you know, there's a whole WORLD of games out there that don't take place on a hex grid, maybe you so-called "hardcore gamers" ought to try playing some one day! Here's my recommendation: get yourselves a Nintendo, and ask your kids to recommend you some tapes for it. I think you'll be pleasantly surprised how nice it feels to shut your big brains off and just mash buttons now and then.

I think you have HG101 confused with Eurogamer...

 

[Tizoc]

Will there be a published ver. of this book I could get via say amazon, etc.?
Dat cover doe....

 

[Tagyhag]

Not ranked and around 400 words for each game to explain why it's there?

This sounds like the best top video game list in a long time.

 

[kswiston]

Not ranked and around 400 words for each game to explain why it's there?

This sounds like the best top video game list in a long time.

Ya. I am curious to see how many of the 200 I have tried.

 

[cj_iwakura]

Good. I'm looking for a balance between Elite Beat Agents and Counter-Strike. Between modern day greats and old classics. I want to see all genres represented, not just JRPG or WRPG, but real-time strategy, rhythm, sports, adventure, beat'em'up, platformer, FPS, third persons shooters, 2D and 3D Fighters, etc. I think the only way to make a list like this is to A) focus on what's good to play TODAY, not influence/impact/important/it was really good like 20 years ago and B) invite people outside your circle of influence to represent genres you're not familiar with. Like great, Jet Set Radio and Crazy Taxi should be here, but apparently nobody played Prince of Persia: Sands of Time or any X-COM game? I don't even need to agree with the specific title, but I like to have as many genres and time periods as possible represented.

I think that's really the only way to do a list like this, to really showcase the breadth of what video games have to offer.

It's organized by genres, and I'm pretty sure both Sands of Time and an X-COM game were represented.

 

[ViewtifulJC]

It's organized by genres, and I'm pretty sure both Sands of Time and an X-COM game were represented.

Then you're already better than EDGE's list

 

[MrT-Tar]

I will definitely buy a physical copy. This looks fantastic.

 

[Sir_Crocodile]

UFO: Enemy Unknown/ XCOM: Ufo Defence is the best pc game ever so I'd assume it makes the cut lol

Hoping to see Shining Force 3, Panzer Dragoon Saga & Story of Thor. Speaking of Prince of Persia, wonder if the SNES port of the original will make the cut? Definitive version for me

 

[Magic Mushroom]

I wonder if it will be better than that EDGE hipster garbage.

I bought that one and it's really good actually. Even if your top 100 is different, and everbody has a different list, it's wonderfully written. The writing gives meaning to the numbers and I recommend the special to everyone who loves games.

Interested in this one as well.

Then you're already better than EDGE's list

Edge has both actually.

For those worried at PC representation; you shouldn't have to worry too much on the retro front. HG101 likes their 80s/90s graphic adventures and FPS games.

Modern games might not get much rep. Maybe some indie titles but I wouldn't hold my breath.

Vanquish, Bayo, Galaxy and Soulsborne need to be on it.

 

[orthodoxy1095]

The list is not ranked.

Oh my God. YES.

The self-awareness and intelligence to not attempt to rank games in some ridiculous arbitrary fashion is extremely appreciated.

Every game gets around 450 words to explore why it matters.

Heyooooo. Now I'm really in. Excellent.

 

[bob_arctor]

Is this out for purchase yet? Definitely getting a physical copy to read and pass on to my son.

 

[SmiteOfHand]

Is this out for purchase yet? Definitely getting a physical copy to read and pass on to my son.

Not yet. They haven't narrowed down a date more than just November.