1. Super Smash Brothers - N64 (January 3)
2. Shovel Knight - Wii U (January 6)
3. NES Remix - Wii U (January 14)
4. NES Remix 2 - Wii U (January 14)
5. Streets of Rage - Genesis (January 16)
6. F-Zero - SNES (January 21)
7. Super Mario 3D World - Wii U (January 28)
8. Hyrule Warriors - Wii U (February 5)
9. Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask 3D - 3DS (February 23)
10. Double Dragon Neon - PC (March 1)
11. Mario Kart 8 - Wii U (March 3)
12. Hotline Miami - PS3 (March 14)
13. Pokemon White - Nintendo DS (March 17)
14. Pokemon Soul Silver - Nintendo DS (April 2)
15. Pokemon White 2 - Nintendo DS (April 14)
16. Pokemon X - Nintendo 3DS (April 30)
17. Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare - Xbox One (May 3)
18. Pokemon Shuffle - Nintendo 3DS (May 12)
19. Hearthstone: Blackrock Mountain - PC / iPhone (May 17)
20. Splatoon - Wii U (June 7)
21. Fallout Shelter - iOS (June 21)
22. Phantasy Star Online Episode II - GameCube (August 24)
22. Resident Evil 4 - Wii (August 31)
23. Earthbound - Wii U Virtual Console (September 7)
I have fond memories of watching a childhood friend play this one. It was a game I knew existed at least as a kid, but didn't quite see the appeal of RPG's at the time. I knew I wanted to play this one a ways back, and was the first Virtual Console game I picked up after its release was announced.
I don't think words could do this game a service. I found it to be absolutely endearing, memorable, emotional and gripping. The script is absolutely brilliant. I love all the satirical elements and tongue-in-cheek humor that this game has. For that reason, I usually explored everything and talked to all the characters I'd meet.
I loved the way the sanctuaries were integrated into the game and how they reflect inwardly back to Ness narrowing to a very cool plot point. Lumine Hall is particularly wonderful. The music is incredible. Waking up after a hotel stay is therapeutic and relaxing, as is the music after visiting a sanctuary. The Threed Inn music, so creepy! It's got a great battle system. I love the way health drops so that there's a way to intervene and save a party member from death. Sometimes those 1/128 drops were a bit of a nuisance, but I at least got Poo fully outfitted with his gear.
I can see why this game is so revered. It is genre-defining for me and one of the best RPG's I've ever played. I loved Mr. Itoi's vision for the game, and saw how that this team really poured their hearts into their work. Oh and that last boss fight was a great triumph for me and unlike anything I had experienced. Truly amazing.