Top 10 Miyamoto Games (2/2)

5. The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker (GameCube, 2003)

It was a tough call, but if we could only play one Zelda game on our fancy HDTVs, we would choose The Legend of Zelda: Wind Waker over Ocarina of Time. Though Ocarina's gameplay was more pioneering, Wind Waker borrows heavily from it, feels more refined, and has aged better thanks to its darling, cartoon-inspired, enhanced-definition graphics. When the game was first unveiled in 2001, gamers freaked upon seeing the cel-shaded, kid-friendly style. But it wouldn't matter -- Wind Waker plays like a dream, confirming Miyamoto's wise foresight.

4. Wii Sports (Wii, 2006)

Though Wii Sports comes up short in terms of gaming perfection, it's easily one of the most revolutionary and memorable console games ever released, as evidenced by its widespread popularity, its engaging motion controls, and its ability to arouse certain players to the point of self-injury and/or the breaking of really expensive TVs. When Wii Sports 2 is inevitably announced, the mainstream world is likely to explode with joy. Until that time, the original Wii Sports is still a good time in short doses.

3. Super Mario 64 (Nintendo 64, 1996)

What is there to say about Super Mario 64 that hasn't been said already? As stated above, it was the first game to optimize and popularize the freedom of non-linear gameplay. It introduced the now-standard analog stick for player movement, which added subtleties such as variable movement speed based on how hard you pressed the stick. It was also one of the first games to feature a free-roaming camera for players to better gauge their surroundings. Sound familiar? They should -- these features are found in virtually every 3D game that's been released since Mario 64.

2. The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past (SNES, 1992)

Make no mistake: the original Legend of Zelda created by Miyamoto is what started it all for the action-adventure genre. The first game was also the spiritual predecessor for console RPGs and popularized large-scale game maps. But if you only play one 2D Zelda game, make it A Link to the Past. It's bigger, better, and easily stands the test of time. It's two-dimensional Zelda bliss and represents some of Miyamoto's finest production work.

1. Super Mario Bros. 3 (NES, 1990)

Not unlike the first Zelda game, the original Super Mario Bros. was more influential than the third game in the series. But if you only play one 2D Mario game, play this one, Super Mario Bros. 3. Upon doing so, you'll quickly realize why this is the third best-selling game of all time. The levels are diverse beyond compare, the controls are spot-on, and surprises abound in what is still an imaginative-looking game. Play it again for the nostalgia factor before remembering how truly great of a game it was -- and still is. Super Mario Bros. 3 is Miyamoto's ultimate opus.-- Blake Snow

Comments [48]

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EKGPROD

Truly a genious in our time. IGN nailed it with this one. Miyamoto is practically responsible for bringing the industry back to life, and the day Mr. Miyamoto stops making games is the day games will die.

ps360fan

A_Random_Asshole Posted at: 05/14/08 at 6:04 PM PST Miyamoto is OVERRATED
your mom said you were overrated in bed... lol that was a pretty dumb thing to say

rektangl

Zelda: Twillight Princess should be on there and Mario Kart 64 too. Probably Mario Kart Wii too but I haven't tried it yet!!

showmethegames

MIYAMOTO is great, but that game selection of his is rather weak. i assume he is as casual as it can get

showmethegames

everyone of those games are from NINTENDO............ arer you FVCKING kindding me MIYAMOTO? there are tousands of games better than any NINTENDO game out.......... he is such a fanboy.........it's sad.

showmethegames

never mind i made a mistake, i though it was his top 10 favorite games, my bad i didn't know it was about his games.....SORRY......., next time i will read the stupid article

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