Foreword
I want to start by stating just how hard this is for me. I mean, if I win... even better because E3 is but 40 minutes away... but you're asking me to pick my 20 best games... this is not easy.

I want it noted though that this isn't going to be like everyone else's list. I doubt anyone will agree with me.

20) Left 4 Dead
I've spent far too many nights on this recently... it's made a dent on my brain...
Plus I'd like to note that this title is just a fun multiplayer experience, and in my opinion, an evolution of gaming.

19) Street FIghter 2
Many hours I spent uppercutting my brother as a young boy. Many hours indeed. I just wish I had the dexterity back then to truly "pwn" him with a Hadouken... Sigh...missed opportunity.

18) Sonic and Tails
I spent alot of time as a kid trying to get past that damn 2 stage...

17) New Super Mario Bros
This to me is the perfect evolution of the classic side scrolling adventure. Very fun, and it added multiplayer elements. Couldn't get much better.

16) Legend of Zelda: Wind Waker
One of the most beautiful titles of all time. I can really say this is the closest we've gotten to art in the video game industry thus far.

15) Doom
Doom for me will live out in infamy as the first game I ever played when I was 3. Exceptionally violent, very fun, not at all appropriate for my first game of all time. But... enh, I'm a walking argument against Jack Thompson at least.

14) Pokemon Yellow
I played this game so much when it first came out that my parents had to ground me for weeks at a time, so I would actually live my life, and go to school. But god dammit... I had to play Surfing Pikachu!

13) Star Wars Battlefront II
This game deserves its dues. You really feel like you're in a fight for survival, going up against hundreds of opposing soldiers. And all of it is dressed in the Star Wars universe! Not to mention it's inclusion of 4 player local co-op. To me, this should be a standard in all FPSs.

12)Mortal Kombat
MK is largely responsible for the amount of violence we see in games today. You can even attribute the skimpy costumes of later series to the amount of sex in games. And as an adult gamer today, I like that this game has allowed us to grow this industry. Also... I really enjoy pulling the heart out of my opponent. Fatality baby.

11)Psychonauts
Tim Schaeffer's first real foray into 3D adventure titles with his Double Fine studio was a hilarious masterpiece that feels like one of those mature children's cartoons of the 90's (IE Ren and Stimpy, Rocko's Modern Life, Dexter's Lab, ETC), and it's just plain fun to jump around

10) Halo: Combat Evolved
This title revolutionized console shooters. In fact, we can see all of the changes to the FPS genre in all of the today's titles. From the limited number of weapons held (and the scavenger approach to choosing your "arsenal") to the use of get-in-and-drive vehicles. I'm not super hot on the next two installments (though they are fun) mainly because this was truly a fresh of breath air into console shooters.

9) Kingdom Hearts
What can I say? I really enjoyed this game. Not to the level of Zexion or anyone of the Square fanboys Gamepro is host to. But it was a wonderful love story, exemplifying all aspects of romance. Plus, never in a million years would I have thought that Square and Disney went together like Sea-salt and Ice cream.

8) Portal
Do I really need to say anything about this game? Okay, two words: Infinitely enjoyable.

7) Ratchet and Clank: Tools of Destruction
It was hard for me to pick a single Ratchet and Clank title, because I've loved the entire series (even that ridiculously "Jak-ed up" Deadlocked). But to me, ToD took what I loved about the entire series, but added a little something more... I actually teared-up when I reached the end of the game. Sure I didn't have much love for the 6 Axis features (and I never really care for these...) but it was still one of the best titles of this generation.

6) Metal Gear Solid 4
Epic, is one word that describes this title. In fact the last 20 hours of the game are so exciting, it can potentially cause your brain to explode with overstimulation. The MGS series has always been fantastically over the top... but it just skims too high. The great thing about MGS 4 is that the action gets over the top, but they ground the entire Metal Gear series in a believable world (FINALLY!). Its simply sublime.

THE TOP 5!!!
I want to state here that there were many candidates. I really wanted MGS4 to be on this list... but these games to me are the absolute best of all gaming.

5) Half Life 2 (Episodes 1, and 2 included)
Gordon Freeman is one of the reasons why I am proud to be a nerd. He really is just some guy with hip horn rimmed glasses, a crowbar, and an exceptionally uncool orange jump suit. But I actually believe he can take the steroid ridden Master Chief for all the marbles.
As for the game, it's arguably the best first person shooter of all time. The graphics are amazing, the story is immersive, the characters are unforgettable, and you get to play with a physics gun! It doesn't get much cooler than that.

4) Knights of the Old Republic
I have played alot of Star Wars games in my life, and never did any of them even skim the experience of KOTOR. I really felt like I was having a Star Wars adventure with this game, despite the game taking place 1000 years before any of the familiar characters (okay, fine 200 if you really want to be picky with Yoda, who is 800+ at the time of the prequels, damn finnicky audience...). The experience is addictive, and all consuming, and is by far the best Western RPG of all time.

3) Bioshock
I know... I know... How unbearably "expected," right? But what can I say? I am a huge fan of literature, and the basis for this story was Ayn Rand's The Fountainhead, mixed with Atlas Shrugged! But it takes it to a level where I believe Bioshock transcends it's basis, and stands as a literary classic all it's own. Aside for the superb narrative, the gameplay was just so engaging.
"Oh noez!1! Look, another splicer!" *Electric attack*
"Dizzzamn! A Big Daddy! but I need that Little Sister!" *Grenade Launcher made from a can of soup*
Basically its a game that touches the fun centers of your brain, and stimulates the smart ones as well.

2) Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time
Is undoubtedly one of the greatest, and most timeless games of all time. It's better than most of the games released today, and should always appear on a top list of games no matter what.
But also... this was one of the first games I had ever beaten, that was this long. It was a visceral experience, and a treat for my eyes, as well as the closest thing I'd ever get to a classic "save the princess" epic adventure of my own.
In retrospect though, I wish I would have just stuck with "Link" instead of trying to be witty and going with the obvious choice of "fart."

1)Mario Kart DS
I know what you're thinking... How could this beat out any number of games on this list? BUt Mario Kart DS is what gaming should be. In my opinion, this is the pinnacle of gaming today, and what I believe gaming will grow to in the coming generations. Mario Kart DS is a fun, on-the-go title that you can play with friends, online, or just by yourself, and still have loads of fun. I lost myself in hours of this game in class, at work, during job interviews, in car rides, talking to friends... it's naturally addictive, and a fantastic title for everyone, regardless of whether you like Mario or don't enjoy racing titles.