Half-baked gaming [Update 1]

by Ross Miller { Apr 18th 2006 at 7:25PM }

Cannabis, also known as marijuana, is one of the most culturally-accepted illegal substance in the United States. Despite its lack of legality, the wacky weed has been a part of pop culture and the source of a number of movies, songs, television shows (most recently a TV series on Showtime), and has been ingrained in the history of our pop culture. While we do not advocate the use of marijuana (nor are we suggesting that any Joystiq writers actually participate in such illegal activity), Games.net has posted an interesting video highlighting what they consider are the "Top 10 Games to Play When You're Stoned." We have a few beefs with the list, but we will discuss that in a moment.

The list, for those who are too impatient to watch a 4-minute video:

Rez
Katamari Damacy
Super Smash Bros. Melee
Beyond Good & Evil
Lumines
Sly Cooper & the Thievius Raccoonus
Viewtiful Joe
SSX Tricky
Fantavision
Parappa the Rapper

The list is pretty concise, and we definitely agree with its number 1 choice (Rez was featured on our list of the Top 10 Hidden Gems of this generation -- and, in retrospect, probably should have scored higher). In fact, anything by Tetsuya Mizuguchi is worthy of the list. Any game that makes the list should be bright and colorful with simplistic gameplay. It is with that in mind that we nix the colorful -- yet a tad too difficult to pick up and play -- Viewtiful Joe. Beyond Good & Evil is an amazing game, no doubt, but its story is too good to miss out on (and sides, we can think of better games to put in its place). Lumines, although from the mind of Mizuguchi, will probably strain the eyes too much since you cannot play it on a normal television. Thus, we present to you our revised list:

Rez
Katamari Damacy
Super Smash Bros. Melee
Geometry Wars
Psychonauts
Any Mario Party
Sly Cooper & the Thievius Racoonus
Fantavision
Parappa the Rapper
Any Mario Kart

We have to hand it to Nintendo, they really know how to make a game that is anyone -- under most any condition -- can pick up and play. Geometry Wars is pretty challenging, but anyone can comprehend pressing two joysticks, and the game is wickedly beautiful and colorful. Anything we forgot?

[Update: fixed an awkward phrasing]

Tags: marijuana

Related From Joystiq

TIME declares Modern Warfare 2 top game of 2009
23 hours ago
Google Zeitgeist 2009 shows year's top game searches
7 days ago
Bruce Shelley answers 10 Questions from the Academy
27 days ago

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)

yjs @ Apr 18th 2006 7:34PM

Gamer druggos are retarded idiots who tries to be hip.

Joel @ Apr 18th 2006 7:35PM

What is Beyond Good And Evil doing on that list? I mean, sure, it's a good game and all, but...it isn't a stoner's game!

liquefied @ Apr 18th 2006 7:36PM

What about GTA? I can drive around for hours in that game after a few bowls. I don't even kill anyone. Just drive.

Goober @ Apr 18th 2006 7:37PM

Rez always makes me wish my PS2 didn't start getting disc read errors.

Michael @ Apr 18th 2006 7:46PM

Actually, my favorites are MMOs where I can just run around and get lost.

Believe it or not, the best time I probably ever has was with EQOA on PS2. No zones and a very social game, it was great.

As for SSBM, I could never keep up whilst under the influence.

Other favorites are CSS, and playing user-created maps in HL2:DM

Crosswayboy @ Apr 18th 2006 7:47PM

Rez? Okay.
Katamari? Sure.
Geometry Wars? Definitely.

Sly Cooper??? What are you guys smoking??? (Must be some of that laced shit...)

No Frequency? Amplitude?

And what about Halo 2? Half the people that play the game are actively smoking while they're playing!

This is just one of those things that people will never be able to agree on, but I strongly disagree with putting Sly Copper on there. What kind of stoners are you? High Schoolers?

For shame.

dori. @ Apr 18th 2006 7:53PM

the best, and I mean THE BEST game to play while stoned/drunk/intoxicated/inebriated/whatever is Samba de Amigo for Dreamcast.

R.U.Sirius @ Apr 18th 2006 7:53PM

Oh, definitely GTA. Was driving around til morning light on one of my friends Playstation's GTA San Andreas after we had some cake.

Perfect game with perfect music for that...

-R.U.Sirius

Logan @ Apr 18th 2006 7:58PM

@5.

I don't know, a raccoon going around stealing crap with a pink hippo and a turtle in a wheelchair seems pretty weed-worthy to me.

Komrade Kayce @ Apr 18th 2006 7:58PM

I fully agree with Katamari. I fire up a couple then play that game forever, the music and the activity is just mesmerizing.

Im surprised FEAR wasnt in that list. Theres nothing scarier than playing a game where things spontaneously pop out at you than playing that same game completely high.

Fuzz @ Apr 18th 2006 8:04PM

Killer 7- i think the only time I actually played that game was when I was stoned. it's ok, though. I'm from Canada, it's legal here. :)

Oh, and Mario Golf with friends and beer.

Exo @ Apr 18th 2006 8:05PM

@ #10

I think This is more for console games, especially because if you are stoned you usually have a bunch of friends with you. and chances are you dont have a ton of computers set up for lan play at yourhouse in the same room.

insertnamehere @ Apr 18th 2006 8:05PM

The clip showed SSB64 not Melee.

Just thought you should know.

Exo @ Apr 18th 2006 8:07PM

@ #1, and you are a retard that can't use english properly while sober, so you have no room to talk.

epobirs @ Apr 18th 2006 8:08PM

Amped 3 should be a winner among the 'Yellow Submarine' fans.

Dave @ Apr 18th 2006 8:08PM

That host sounds more like an emo kid I'd find at the local Cookie Cottage than someone on drugs.

jay @ Apr 18th 2006 8:10PM

Drug takers are generally wankers anyway.

KevinM @ Apr 18th 2006 8:13PM

A little Frequency for the PS2 never hurt, unless you can't play it even while sober :)

Dave @ Apr 18th 2006 8:23PM

Bah, Geometry Wars is better on acid...

Nambit @ Apr 18th 2006 8:25PM

Activision's "Master Of the Lamps" on the commodore 64 has *GOT* to be the top game for being stoned/drunk/etc. Heck, there are a lot of games that came out for that machine that were perfect for playing "under the influence".

Wonderflex @ Apr 18th 2006 8:26PM

I've never been high, but I can only imagine that N^2o on the Playstation would have to be one of those types of games that would be pretty crazy to play stoned.

alps @ Apr 18th 2006 8:34PM

amplitude!!!! come on!

TeaTom @ Apr 18th 2006 8:38PM

I'd agree with you jay on most drugs (especially alcohol) but at least stoners have full control of their faculties and don't become violent when they abuse their substance of choice in excess.

On topic however I'd say anything you can play one-handed is a big help for the habitual toker.

dan s. @ Apr 18th 2006 8:53PM

I'll strongly agree with the LSD/Geometry Wars thing.

And to the uneducated jerks who know nothing but propoganda and rhetoric about drugs, go educate yourself instead of making blind blanket statements. There are a world of user around you, but you never hear about them because they are successful, nice people.

#22, again, educate yourself. 99% of drugs make the users want less trouble, not more. Your correlation between drug use and violence is ignorant at best.

Evad @ Apr 18th 2006 8:54PM

@ 13

Uhh... What? I think you should watch it again.

Yoshi Likes Boys @ Apr 18th 2006 8:57PM

Winner = Not even a game, but XBMC visualization on an ambilight plasma. Yayuh!

Exo @ Apr 18th 2006 8:59PM

@ #24, maybe you should watch it again, becasue it is the 64 version.

doodie @ Apr 18th 2006 9:02PM

wario ware, unreal tournament, metroid prime, elder scrolls.... fin

Barry @ Apr 18th 2006 9:06PM

Can't believe they left out Pikmin. Is there a more harmonious marriage of any two things than weed and giant killer flower armies?

KingBigos @ Apr 18th 2006 9:06PM

Rez is the most amazing game ever (and no I'm not a stoner, nor do I plan on being so).

treeman @ Apr 18th 2006 9:14PM

How can geometry wars not be on this list?

baR_n1 @ Apr 18th 2006 9:22PM

GTA is the king of stoner games... i actually cant understand how non-smokers dont get bored with it.

The most fun is definitely spiderman 2 though.

Exbzurg @ Apr 18th 2006 9:26PM

i would say meteos, but that game requires some thought and quick reactions combined, so it may be difficult for some stoners to play while stoned.
but hey you can never go wrong with colorful blocks, explosions(sorta) and werid ass music.

Silver @ Apr 18th 2006 9:26PM

13 & 24 ;

They first show the 64 version, then Melee, but they only say Melee.

-KJ

Wesley Erdelack @ Apr 18th 2006 9:27PM

I'd like to toss in a vote for WarioWare: Micro Mingame$ for the GBA. Sure, the GBA isn't a very social experience but WarioWare combines great music, bizarre humor and an onslaught of low-attention span tasks. Nose-picking, hotdog-jumping, etc. It'll blow your mind.

Princess Zelda @ Apr 18th 2006 9:32PM

Fuzz: I'm from Canada, it's legal here. :)

Fuzz, Cannabis is NOT Legal in Canada.

Go read the criminal code.
http://lois.justice.gc.ca/en/C-46/index.html

As a bonus late night reading the Controlled Substances Act
http://lois.justice.gc.ca/en/C-38.8/index.html

here's the punishmnent
(5) Every person who contravenes subsection (1) where the subject-matter of the offence is a substance included in Schedule II in an amount that does not exceed the amount set out for that substance in Schedule VIII is guilty of an offence punishable on summary conviction and liable to a fine not exceeding one thousand dollars or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding six months, or to both.

dmunky @ Apr 18th 2006 9:38PM

They are missing Electroplankton.

Todd Rabanus @ Apr 18th 2006 9:50PM

My vote goes to counter strike. smoke a fat hooter, crack up a 40oz., turn on some three six mafia, and boom! headshots all night.

Fuzz @ Apr 18th 2006 9:53PM

Princess Zelda- LOL

I guess you didn't see my smiley face, meant to indicate that I am fully aware that it is technically illegal. . . technicaly. Nothing wrong with a little cannibis. And I'd like to know the last time someone got punished for smoking a little pot in there own home, causing no ill effect towards others. Some laws are just dumb, that's why the Liberals were going to be kind enough to remove this one, and replace it with a sane one. Unfortunatly we are now stuck with it for abit longer.

Rocketboy @ Apr 18th 2006 9:59PM

Wow, I wish I was cool enough to get stoned and play video games. Maybe if I was really cool, I'd live in my parents basement also.

Clayton @ Apr 18th 2006 10:01PM

I can't believe no one has said Tetris or Dr. Mario! When I was in college those were THE games to play when you had a bunch of friends over to get stoned. Any of the versions of either game are great, but the N64 versions were a blast because you can get 4 people on. Tetris Attack is also great stoned, oh and the new Tetris DS too.