As a 19-year-old male, you could assume that I greatly enjoy video games or at least dabble in the craft. I would be remiss if I told you I didn't. Now that we’ve gotten that out of the way let’s talk about what I play. I own a PlayStation 4 and have been committed to Sony for years, but I started my gaming career on a Sega Dreamcast (*insert magical throwback music*). I am here without news, just nostalgia and a new to do list if you’ve never played these games.
1. Crazy Taxi
Ahh Crazy Taxi. This open world game allowed you to be the cabbie from hell with its fast paced playstyle. Originally an arcade game, something this good had to be brought to the couch potatoes. As with all racing games you are bound to break every law known to man in a vehicle, but Crazy Taxi did it with 90’s logic. I can’t pick up a customer in my convertible taxi and drive underwater and get tipped for it. Enjoy this reminder.
2. Power Stone
The best 3D fighter of the 90s (and I will actively fight you if told otherwise) Power Stone was a game set in the 19th century that basically had the plot of Dragon Ball Z. People search for the Magical Power Stones that can make your wildest dreams true, but in game collecting 3 power stones transformed you temporarily. This spawned an anime and a sequel game which was just as good as the original.
3. Jak and Daxter
This game series was one of the Trifecta that would consume most of my life until the end of high school. Jak and Daxter was one of the handful of games that could undergo massive change and still be relevant. What started as a simple platformer (not far from Crash Bandicoot) with the sole mission of reversing Daxter’s change in to an animal turned into the Elf-like protagonist Jak thrust into the future where guns are very prominent (not far from Grand Theft Auto). I can’t do this game enough justice by talking about it. Take my word and play it.
The second part of the Trifecta is the space game everyone should have played once. With a new game based on the new movie based off the original game coming out (confusing, right) lets be reminded of this beauty. A simple game where you play as a cat-like mechanic partnered with a robot you cruise through the galaxy and beyond shooting bad guys with powerful weapons. These 11 games (and a remake) never changed and was a constant provider of great story and destruction.
5. Freekstyle
One of the best gifts I’ve ever received was the 2002 motorcross game Freekstyle. It was full of wild tricks and 8 entertaing characters who each had unique special tricks. The objective was obviously to win races and while I did do that (against my younger brother) it was well after 2002 that I got good.
6. Sly Cooper
Most kids my age had Kingdom Hearts. I had Sly Cooper. Both games had a great story and took years to release their final game (I waited seven years for Sly Cooper 4) but only Sly Cooper let me play as a thieving raccoon and company (crippled turtle, wrestling hippo etc.). All about a raccoon saving his family name and becoming the best thief ever this game was never short of great missions. This too will be a movie this year.
