Jenny's Top 5 Games of All Time

I kinda apologize for my RPG-heavy Top 5 (all but #4!), but RPGs were the games that first made me a gamer. These days I'll pick up almost any game that shows even the slightest bit of creativity and fun, but back then, I lived off a smaller allowance and RPGs were value for money ($80 for a 60 hour, interactive story? Sign me up!). So here are my Top 5:

5. Final Fantasy VI: I had played previous Final Fantasy games before this, but this was the one that made me a fan of Squaresoft RPGs. I was fascinated by the characterization, the lore of the Espers, and the huge world to explore. I'll especially never forget my shock halfway through when I was convinced I was going to beat the game, only to (spoiler alert!) have my characters stand by helplessly as the world as they knew it got destroyed. Screw Sephiroth, cackling Kefka is easily one of the best villains in gaming.

4. Legend of the Mystical Ninja (Goemon): It was a massively flawed game, and left me biting my controller in frustration many times (yes, biting). And yet, the cheerful music and eccentric imagery kept me coming back for more. I never even owned the game; I simply rented it over and over again over a number of years. I don't even know why it's on this list; my brain knows it wasn't the best game ever, but my heart loves it so.

3. Chrono Trigger: This was an easy one. I don't even know how to sing its praises other than if you've never played Chrono Trigger, buy it for the DS and play it. Now. Go!

2. Legend of Zelda, A Link to the Past: My Dad bought this for himself when purchasing the SNES for my Christmas present. He tried to explain the idea of an RPG to me, but my 8 year old self didn't understand the point of it. One day, he was at work and I was bored, so I gave it a try. And ever since that fateful day, I was an RPG addict.

1. Secret of Mana: Secret of Mana was my second-ever RPG. It was indeed flawed: crappy translation job, glitches, characters I didn't really care about (except for the Mana beast!), to name a few. The elements I liked about this game doesn't do justice to how much I genuinely care for it though. I guess it was the gameplay that sucked me in first, followed closely by the catchy music, the colorful world, and the chance to be OCD for a bit and level up all magic and weaponry to the highest levels. But best of all, years later, a shared love of this game is how I first met my soon-to-be husband.

(Awwwww :P )