http://www.joystiq.com/2007/03/12/10-most-important-video-games-of-all-time-as-judged-by-2-design/ Joystiq Comments for 10 most important video games of all time, as judged by 2 designers, 2 academics, and 1 lowly blogger http://www.joystiq.com/media/feedlogo.gif http://www.joystiq.com en-us Copyright 2008 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/03/12/10-most-important-video-games-of-all-time-as-judged-by-2-design/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/03/12/10-most-important-video-games-of-all-time-as-judged-by-2-design/Mar 12th 2007 3:01PMhttp://www.joystiq.com/2007/03/12/10-most-important-video-games-of-all-time-as-judged-by-2-design/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/03/12/10-most-important-video-games-of-all-time-as-judged-by-2-design/Mar 12th 2007 3:02PMhttp://www.joystiq.com/2007/03/12/10-most-important-video-games-of-all-time-as-judged-by-2-design/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/03/12/10-most-important-video-games-of-all-time-as-judged-by-2-design/Mar 12th 2007 3:03PMhttp://www.joystiq.com/2007/03/12/10-most-important-video-games-of-all-time-as-judged-by-2-design/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/03/12/10-most-important-video-games-of-all-time-as-judged-by-2-design/]]>Mar 12th 2007 3:04PMhttp://www.joystiq.com/2007/03/12/10-most-important-video-games-of-all-time-as-judged-by-2-design/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/03/12/10-most-important-video-games-of-all-time-as-judged-by-2-design/Mar 12th 2007 3:05PMhttp://www.joystiq.com/2007/03/12/10-most-important-video-games-of-all-time-as-judged-by-2-design/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/03/12/10-most-important-video-games-of-all-time-as-judged-by-2-design/Why No Ultima?
Why doom and not wolf3D?
Why the soccer one?
Why mario 3 intead of one or the hundreds of othe non linear games?]]>Mar 12th 2007 3:05PMhttp://www.joystiq.com/2007/03/12/10-most-important-video-games-of-all-time-as-judged-by-2-design/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/03/12/10-most-important-video-games-of-all-time-as-judged-by-2-design/Mar 12th 2007 3:08PMhttp://www.joystiq.com/2007/03/12/10-most-important-video-games-of-all-time-as-judged-by-2-design/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/03/12/10-most-important-video-games-of-all-time-as-judged-by-2-design/
It also neglects the market that initiated the console market: THE ARCADE.]]>Mar 12th 2007 3:09PMhttp://www.joystiq.com/2007/03/12/10-most-important-video-games-of-all-time-as-judged-by-2-design/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/03/12/10-most-important-video-games-of-all-time-as-judged-by-2-design/Mar 12th 2007 3:11PMhttp://www.joystiq.com/2007/03/12/10-most-important-video-games-of-all-time-as-judged-by-2-design/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/03/12/10-most-important-video-games-of-all-time-as-judged-by-2-design/
Don't agree with the soccer one. Don't agree with Civilization and SimCity both making it. Not so sure about Tetris to be honest. Was that the first somewhat popular puzzler of that general genre?

I can accept the list, but it is weird that SMB3 is the only game I could really stand to play right now.

ZOMG no Halo!! Joystiq BIAZ!!!]]>Mar 12th 2007 3:12PMhttp://www.joystiq.com/2007/03/12/10-most-important-video-games-of-all-time-as-judged-by-2-design/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/03/12/10-most-important-video-games-of-all-time-as-judged-by-2-design/
Street Fighter II - 'nuff said.

Grand Theft Auto III - not only incredible game, but also created the most political controversy.

Dune II (warcraft?!?!?!) - the REAL first RTS.

Pac Man - ever heard of the Pac-Man widows?

Ultima series (including Akalabeth) - RPGs RPGs and RPGs!

The SIMs - love it or hate it, no can deny its eaten up half of the best-seller list for many years.]]>Mar 12th 2007 3:12PMhttp://www.joystiq.com/2007/03/12/10-most-important-video-games-of-all-time-as-judged-by-2-design/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/03/12/10-most-important-video-games-of-all-time-as-judged-by-2-design/"It was widely regarded as the most successful football game of its time, constantly topping charts such as Amiga Power's "All Time Top 100", and achieving high scoring reviews mostly of 90% and above. Many dubbed it a vast improvement over previous games in the genre, such as the Kick Off series."

]]>Mar 12th 2007 3:13PMhttp://www.joystiq.com/2007/03/12/10-most-important-video-games-of-all-time-as-judged-by-2-design/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/03/12/10-most-important-video-games-of-all-time-as-judged-by-2-design/
For example, does it matter that the Vikings discovered and settled North America centuries before Columbus? Not much, since it didn't lead to much. The important discovery was Columbus even though he wasn't first.

The people who made this list seemed to value the first really quality game that caught on over the one that was technically first.]]>Mar 12th 2007 3:22PMhttp://www.joystiq.com/2007/03/12/10-most-important-video-games-of-all-time-as-judged-by-2-design/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/03/12/10-most-important-video-games-of-all-time-as-judged-by-2-design/Mar 12th 2007 3:23PMhttp://www.joystiq.com/2007/03/12/10-most-important-video-games-of-all-time-as-judged-by-2-design/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/03/12/10-most-important-video-games-of-all-time-as-judged-by-2-design/Mar 12th 2007 3:29PMhttp://www.joystiq.com/2007/03/12/10-most-important-video-games-of-all-time-as-judged-by-2-design/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/03/12/10-most-important-video-games-of-all-time-as-judged-by-2-design/Mar 12th 2007 3:30PMhttp://www.joystiq.com/2007/03/12/10-most-important-video-games-of-all-time-as-judged-by-2-design/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/03/12/10-most-important-video-games-of-all-time-as-judged-by-2-design/
As far as this whole list goes, that's a big fat "whatever."]]>Mar 12th 2007 3:31PMhttp://www.joystiq.com/2007/03/12/10-most-important-video-games-of-all-time-as-judged-by-2-design/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/03/12/10-most-important-video-games-of-all-time-as-judged-by-2-design/
Penn and Teller: Smoke and Mirrors? Anyone?]]>Mar 12th 2007 3:39PMhttp://www.joystiq.com/2007/03/12/10-most-important-video-games-of-all-time-as-judged-by-2-design/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/03/12/10-most-important-video-games-of-all-time-as-judged-by-2-design/
Some I agree with (Tetris and Doom).

But no Zelda? That spawned a whole genre on it's own.

No Mario? That games continues to define the platformer.

No SFII???? This is the most agregious oversite. SF2 IS fighting games.

No Final Fantasy and/or Dragon Quest?????

again....these games define the beginning of console RPGs.

No PONG!!?? The first videogame of them all???

Guys...I think we can all do better.

Here is my list

- Super Mario Brothers

- Doom

- Tetris

- Pong

- Street Fighter II

- Dragon Quest (I would have said FF, but FF1 was realy an answer to DQ)

- Pac Man

- Everquest

- The Legend of Zelda

- Mario 64

Thoughts?]]>Mar 12th 2007 3:42PMhttp://www.joystiq.com/2007/03/12/10-most-important-video-games-of-all-time-as-judged-by-2-design/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/03/12/10-most-important-video-games-of-all-time-as-judged-by-2-design/
Not having Pong is inexcusible. It spawned everything. I don't really care about the Soccer Game, but there are some absolutely phenominal sports games that came out before 1994, if that is what they are getting at. Tecmo Super Bowl was probably the first true indepth sim that I can recall (where players stats change over the course of a season, had cut scenes for dramatic effect, full seasons/playoffs, and complete NFL/NFLPA license). Not sure of any other game in any other sport before it that had everything found commonly in todays sports games.]]>Mar 12th 2007 3:46PMhttp://www.joystiq.com/2007/03/12/10-most-important-video-games-of-all-time-as-judged-by-2-design/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/03/12/10-most-important-video-games-of-all-time-as-judged-by-2-design/]]>Mar 12th 2007 3:46PMhttp://www.joystiq.com/2007/03/12/10-most-important-video-games-of-all-time-as-judged-by-2-design/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/03/12/10-most-important-video-games-of-all-time-as-judged-by-2-design/Mar 12th 2007 3:51PMhttp://www.joystiq.com/2007/03/12/10-most-important-video-games-of-all-time-as-judged-by-2-design/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/03/12/10-most-important-video-games-of-all-time-as-judged-by-2-design/Mar 12th 2007 3:52PMhttp://www.joystiq.com/2007/03/12/10-most-important-video-games-of-all-time-as-judged-by-2-design/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/03/12/10-most-important-video-games-of-all-time-as-judged-by-2-design/Mar 12th 2007 3:53PMhttp://www.joystiq.com/2007/03/12/10-most-important-video-games-of-all-time-as-judged-by-2-design/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/03/12/10-most-important-video-games-of-all-time-as-judged-by-2-design/I agree with your list more. Never even heard of Sensible world soccer. and think that Mario 64 did more for gaming than SMB3]]>Mar 12th 2007 3:54PMhttp://www.joystiq.com/2007/03/12/10-most-important-video-games-of-all-time-as-judged-by-2-design/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/03/12/10-most-important-video-games-of-all-time-as-judged-by-2-design/Mar 12th 2007 3:56PMhttp://www.joystiq.com/2007/03/12/10-most-important-video-games-of-all-time-as-judged-by-2-design/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/03/12/10-most-important-video-games-of-all-time-as-judged-by-2-design/HOw about a list not drawn up by people with beards and/or glasses]]>Mar 12th 2007 3:57PMhttp://www.joystiq.com/2007/03/12/10-most-important-video-games-of-all-time-as-judged-by-2-design/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/03/12/10-most-important-video-games-of-all-time-as-judged-by-2-design/Mar 12th 2007 4:01PMhttp://www.joystiq.com/2007/03/12/10-most-important-video-games-of-all-time-as-judged-by-2-design/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/03/12/10-most-important-video-games-of-all-time-as-judged-by-2-design/
I guess the list is deficient in modern console genres, but this is list heavy in the early stuff. So nothing wrong with leaving out fighters and FF style RPGs and racing games, etc.

It's only odd to include SpaceWar and exclude Pong when you're including Warcraft and excluding Dune. Seems inconsistent, that's all. But I doubt any gamer would agree with these academics (and blogger) on any top 10 list.]]>Mar 12th 2007 4:02PMhttp://www.joystiq.com/2007/03/12/10-most-important-video-games-of-all-time-as-judged-by-2-design/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/03/12/10-most-important-video-games-of-all-time-as-judged-by-2-design/Mar 12th 2007 4:03PMhttp://www.joystiq.com/2007/03/12/10-most-important-video-games-of-all-time-as-judged-by-2-design/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/03/12/10-most-important-video-games-of-all-time-as-judged-by-2-design/
Kankles: Non-linearity was only one reason for my selection of SMB3. Others included the game's immense popularity (arguably the best selling game of all time), it's cultural influence (SMB is one of the most remixed and recycled cultural properties today), the marketing storm around 3's release (now commonplace for major titles), and the evolution and perfection of the 2D platformer from SMB1 to SMB3 on the very same platform, before technology granted the designers more tools.

Jake: Playability was a primary concern in the selection of my two games: DOOM and SMB3.

]]>Mar 12th 2007 4:04PMhttp://www.joystiq.com/2007/03/12/10-most-important-video-games-of-all-time-as-judged-by-2-design/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/03/12/10-most-important-video-games-of-all-time-as-judged-by-2-design/Mar 12th 2007 4:04PMhttp://www.joystiq.com/2007/03/12/10-most-important-video-games-of-all-time-as-judged-by-2-design/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/03/12/10-most-important-video-games-of-all-time-as-judged-by-2-design/I agree, sf2, mario 64, and final fantasy should b on the list. and of course legend of zelda. these guys who made this list are unworthy to make the list of worthy games.]]>Mar 12th 2007 4:11PMhttp://www.joystiq.com/2007/03/12/10-most-important-video-games-of-all-time-as-judged-by-2-design/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/03/12/10-most-important-video-games-of-all-time-as-judged-by-2-design/Mar 12th 2007 4:12PMhttp://www.joystiq.com/2007/03/12/10-most-important-video-games-of-all-time-as-judged-by-2-design/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/03/12/10-most-important-video-games-of-all-time-as-judged-by-2-design/
One thing I think wasn't clear enough in the article is these are top 10 console games of all time. That is why pac-man and SFII aren't in there, because those were arcade games that were transfered to consoles. And, while Pong was huge to the video game world, it didn't introduce many specific concepts that stuck. There weren't many or any successful Pong ripoffs.

The original Zelda, for as awesome as it is, didn't totally spawn tons of features that stuck in many other games to come. It more combined other features in a unique way and did an awesome job at it. But then again, Mario3 didn't introduce much for concepts and it is in there. All Mario 3 did was introduce the "world with icon that moves to different levels" feature. I think Zelda and Mario1 should be in and Mario3 should be out.

Metroid1 brought a bit to the table; it should at least get an honorable mention. Some will flame me for this, but Halo deserves a mention if Mario3 got in there. Halo introduced more features that have stuck to the FPS genre than Mario3 did to the platformer. They are both kind of similar in that they weren't the first to do a lot of stuff, but did them so well that they became standards for years to come.

Personally, I think they should have used 20 games just to cover every genre. River City Ransom anyone (I think that was the first run around and beat countless amounts of crap up game)? Grand Theft Auto 3 should maybe be in there, as it influences a lot of today's games. Doom is the only shooter in the list, despite the fact that 20% of today's games are shooters. Not even one shooter that involves aiming, the primary gameplay aspect of shooters? Soccer instead of Tecmo Bowl. You know the countless hordes of Madden players that were gaming in the NES days were Tecmo freaks, right. Madden, the yearly #1 selling game thingy if you haven't heard.

With only 10, though, there is no way to make a list that includes what is deserving. The list should be 20. Even though SFII was an arcade game originally, it should probably be in since it created fighting games. If you are going to have WoW, you better have Madden. (today's most popular games, both of which I don't like)]]>Mar 12th 2007 4:12PMhttp://www.joystiq.com/2007/03/12/10-most-important-video-games-of-all-time-as-judged-by-2-design/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/03/12/10-most-important-video-games-of-all-time-as-judged-by-2-design/
It's just kind of odd that the whole arcade generation seems to have been skipped over. I mean, Space Invaders, Pong. Arcade games marketing home console versions. Surely those were a sign of their cultural times as well. Though I'd agree their legacy isn't as known today, but still.

Thanks for the input anyways. :)]]>Mar 12th 2007 4:12PMhttp://www.joystiq.com/2007/03/12/10-most-important-video-games-of-all-time-as-judged-by-2-design/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/03/12/10-most-important-video-games-of-all-time-as-judged-by-2-design/2- Pong
3- Super Mario World
4- Wolfvenstein
5- Doom
6- Zelda
7- warcraft series
8- Sensible World Soccer
9- Half Life
10-Halo
]]>Mar 12th 2007 4:13PMhttp://www.joystiq.com/2007/03/12/10-most-important-video-games-of-all-time-as-judged-by-2-design/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/03/12/10-most-important-video-games-of-all-time-as-judged-by-2-design/Mar 12th 2007 4:13PMhttp://www.joystiq.com/2007/03/12/10-most-important-video-games-of-all-time-as-judged-by-2-design/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/03/12/10-most-important-video-games-of-all-time-as-judged-by-2-design/
Case in point: There is no possible way that Sensible World of Soccer was more important than Tecmo Bowl or the Madden series...no way.]]>Mar 12th 2007 4:13PMhttp://www.joystiq.com/2007/03/12/10-most-important-video-games-of-all-time-as-judged-by-2-design/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/03/12/10-most-important-video-games-of-all-time-as-judged-by-2-design/Mar 12th 2007 4:15PMhttp://www.joystiq.com/2007/03/12/10-most-important-video-games-of-all-time-as-judged-by-2-design/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/03/12/10-most-important-video-games-of-all-time-as-judged-by-2-design/Mar 12th 2007 4:17PMhttp://www.joystiq.com/2007/03/12/10-most-important-video-games-of-all-time-as-judged-by-2-design/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/03/12/10-most-important-video-games-of-all-time-as-judged-by-2-design/Mar 12th 2007 4:18PMhttp://www.joystiq.com/2007/03/12/10-most-important-video-games-of-all-time-as-judged-by-2-design/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/03/12/10-most-important-video-games-of-all-time-as-judged-by-2-design/
@10: Tetris is on the list because it pretty much created the casual puzzle genre. It reached unprecedented mainstream appeal.

In general, it's easy to track the evolution of video games throughout history, but it's difficult to pinpoint specific games that shifted paradigms or created genres. These guys have a difficult feat to accomplish.]]>Mar 12th 2007 4:21PMhttp://www.joystiq.com/2007/03/12/10-most-important-video-games-of-all-time-as-judged-by-2-design/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/03/12/10-most-important-video-games-of-all-time-as-judged-by-2-design/Mar 12th 2007 4:23PMhttp://www.joystiq.com/2007/03/12/10-most-important-video-games-of-all-time-as-judged-by-2-design/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/03/12/10-most-important-video-games-of-all-time-as-judged-by-2-design/
Also, anyone else find it odd that Adventure, Legend of Zelda, and Dragon Quest all got left off? I'd probably knock out SWS and Star Raiders in favor of Adventure and Dragon Quest, though there are good arguments that Zelda should make it in before Adventure.

Also, in terms of sim games - either SimCity or Civ (probably the latter) should be dumped in favor of M.U.L.E. The truly old-school know why.]]>Mar 12th 2007 4:24PMhttp://www.joystiq.com/2007/03/12/10-most-important-video-games-of-all-time-as-judged-by-2-design/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/03/12/10-most-important-video-games-of-all-time-as-judged-by-2-design/
Dump Sensible World of Soccer for GoldenEye or an earlier pro sports game.]]>Mar 12th 2007 4:24PMhttp://www.joystiq.com/2007/03/12/10-most-important-video-games-of-all-time-as-judged-by-2-design/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/03/12/10-most-important-video-games-of-all-time-as-judged-by-2-design/
There is only 10 spots. If we were going for the top 50 games of all time, you could then put those games you named on there. Just remember it's top 10! Not 50.

Also it's not the best games of all time, it's the most IMPORTANT games of all time in the Gaming Industry.

@ Nate, Sorry the madden francise went downhill because of money hungry EA. It's important GOOD things that happened to the industry not the EVIL. Yes, I hate EA. Sadly, Madden is theirs and they own the damn rights to football. At first I was like ok, they own the rights now to see some really kick ass football games. NOPE, just a crappy looking game running at (Their words) "Next-GEN" 30 fps. My suggestion to EA if you own the rights, show the world that you are capable to give us the best, even if that means not releasing a Madden game one year to get a 1 year extra of development. ]]>Mar 12th 2007 4:25PMhttp://www.joystiq.com/2007/03/12/10-most-important-video-games-of-all-time-as-judged-by-2-design/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/03/12/10-most-important-video-games-of-all-time-as-judged-by-2-design/Mar 12th 2007 4:26PMhttp://www.joystiq.com/2007/03/12/10-most-important-video-games-of-all-time-as-judged-by-2-design/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/03/12/10-most-important-video-games-of-all-time-as-judged-by-2-design/
Spacewar ate quarters first, but Pong is the oldest.]]>Mar 12th 2007 4:27PMhttp://www.joystiq.com/2007/03/12/10-most-important-video-games-of-all-time-as-judged-by-2-design/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/03/12/10-most-important-video-games-of-all-time-as-judged-by-2-design/
http://www.pong-story.com/inventor.htm]]>Mar 12th 2007 4:28PM