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Which game defines its generation the best?
- Thread starter DenogginizerOS
- Start date
pre-NES - Pong
8-bit - TETRIS (Gameboy)
16-bit - Chrono Trigger
32/64-bit - Mario 64
bits don't matter - RE4
I chose to take "defines it's generation" to mean:
Defining the level of development, the limitations / capabilites of the technology, and the best quality / most fun games.
I think Pong really defines the tech of the generation, and how things were simple back then, yet still fun and addictive.
Tetris (for GB) came out long after the NES, but it really defined how gaming was growing in popularity, and was getting away from the geek crowd. Videogames were a practical business again, and the games themselves weren't just some computer programmer's rip off of a previous game.
Chrono Trigger really shows how the tech progressed enough to be able to present a rather large, detailed world, and have a complex game. The sound was also top notch. Chrono Trigger speaks volumes as to the types of games coming out of Japan, and the increase in the level of development. The 16-bit generation also marked the end for a bunch of trash US developers whose names no one really remembers. Nintendo stole the video game market, a US market, away from the US and shifted the whole damn thing to the other side of the world. This began with the NES, but was finalized with the SNES, which pounded the nails into the coffins of many US developers.
Mario 64 = 3D. 2D = dying.
RE4 showcases the technology, but also the design. Games can be art. Games can be fun to play AND fun to watch. Japanese companies catering to the US market also represents the shift back to the US as the game market shrinks in Japan, and grows in the US and other territories. We still see tons of jRPGs coming from the east, but we get a hell of a lot of different shit as well. Development = expensive and long. Gamer taste = shitty. "Casual gamers", the annoying shits from the 32/64 bit era, are here to stay, unfortunately. They buy Madden's yearly roster update, but they won't touch gems like RE4.
8-bit - TETRIS (Gameboy)
16-bit - Chrono Trigger
32/64-bit - Mario 64
bits don't matter - RE4
I chose to take "defines it's generation" to mean:
Defining the level of development, the limitations / capabilites of the technology, and the best quality / most fun games.
I think Pong really defines the tech of the generation, and how things were simple back then, yet still fun and addictive.
Tetris (for GB) came out long after the NES, but it really defined how gaming was growing in popularity, and was getting away from the geek crowd. Videogames were a practical business again, and the games themselves weren't just some computer programmer's rip off of a previous game.
Chrono Trigger really shows how the tech progressed enough to be able to present a rather large, detailed world, and have a complex game. The sound was also top notch. Chrono Trigger speaks volumes as to the types of games coming out of Japan, and the increase in the level of development. The 16-bit generation also marked the end for a bunch of trash US developers whose names no one really remembers. Nintendo stole the video game market, a US market, away from the US and shifted the whole damn thing to the other side of the world. This began with the NES, but was finalized with the SNES, which pounded the nails into the coffins of many US developers.
Mario 64 = 3D. 2D = dying.
RE4 showcases the technology, but also the design. Games can be art. Games can be fun to play AND fun to watch. Japanese companies catering to the US market also represents the shift back to the US as the game market shrinks in Japan, and grows in the US and other territories. We still see tons of jRPGs coming from the east, but we get a hell of a lot of different shit as well. Development = expensive and long. Gamer taste = shitty. "Casual gamers", the annoying shits from the 32/64 bit era, are here to stay, unfortunately. They buy Madden's yearly roster update, but they won't touch gems like RE4.
Open Source
Banned
Xbox - Halo 2 (online, FPS)
PS2/DC - GTA3 ($$$$$$$)
Playstation/Saturn - Gameday (3D)
SNES/Genesis - Sonic (video games now have "cool" instead of fat plumbers)
NES/Master System - Super Mario Bros.
PS2/DC - GTA3 ($$$$$$$)
Playstation/Saturn - Gameday (3D)
SNES/Genesis - Sonic (video games now have "cool" instead of fat plumbers)
NES/Master System - Super Mario Bros.
NES/Master System: Super Mario Bros., obviously. Picked over SMB3 only because SMB came first.
GB/GG: Tetris. Again, selected over Pokemon only because Tetris was released first.
SNES/Genesis: I honestly don't think there were any. Most of this generation was just a natural extension of the previous; while the technical aspects were far superior, nothing really changed gameplay-wise aside from having more buttons.
N64/PSX: Super Mario 64 and Final Fantasy VII. Much to my chagrine, since both were extremely inferior compared to their 2D prequels--and to a lot of 2D games in general, which have now been all but snuffed out.
GBC: N/A.
GBA: N/A. Too spread out to have one defining game.
PS2/GC/XB: GTA. Again, much to my chagrine.
DS/PSP: Nintendogs, I guess. Now that I think about it, I believe every generation-defining game made after Tetris is highly overrated.
GB/GG: Tetris. Again, selected over Pokemon only because Tetris was released first.
SNES/Genesis: I honestly don't think there were any. Most of this generation was just a natural extension of the previous; while the technical aspects were far superior, nothing really changed gameplay-wise aside from having more buttons.
N64/PSX: Super Mario 64 and Final Fantasy VII. Much to my chagrine, since both were extremely inferior compared to their 2D prequels--and to a lot of 2D games in general, which have now been all but snuffed out.
GBC: N/A.
GBA: N/A. Too spread out to have one defining game.
PS2/GC/XB: GTA. Again, much to my chagrine.
DS/PSP: Nintendogs, I guess. Now that I think about it, I believe every generation-defining game made after Tetris is highly overrated.
Ghengis Cohen
Banned
Driv3r
Shitty game, unispired, sequel, ripped off better games wholesale, overhyped, and people bought boatloads of it. Seems like the generation to me.
Shitty game, unispired, sequel, ripped off better games wholesale, overhyped, and people bought boatloads of it. Seems like the generation to me.
Fallout-NL
Member
Reilly said:
Well, its the best action adventure game ever for one.
And, first shooting someone in the knee and then in the head never felt this good.
Mario 64 definitely goes before before anything for the PS1/N64 era.
This generation, I don't know. GTA3 simply seems like an expansion of what was already done on games like Ocarina, but I can't think of anything else at the moment, so I guess it gets my vote. Not to mention how many urban thugz clones that resulted from it.
This generation, I don't know. GTA3 simply seems like an expansion of what was already done on games like Ocarina, but I can't think of anything else at the moment, so I guess it gets my vote. Not to mention how many urban thugz clones that resulted from it.
Fallout-NL
Member
Reilly said:
Cause it executed the concept so extremely well I guess. They nailed every aspect of what an action adventure game should be like, everything ranging from the feel of the guns to the level design. Its spot on. Even someone who doesnt like the game should be able to acknowledge this (but why ffs would someone not like it?)
And besides that, I find it very admirable that they (capcom) were able to turn the series around in such a dramatic manner. I thought it was going to suck forever.
MaddenNFL64
Member
Not saying these are my favorites of these generations, but they're what I believe defined them.
Late 70's/Early 80's era - Pac-Man
NES/Master System era - Super Mario Bros.
GB/Game Gear era - Tetris
SNES/Genesis era - Super Mario World
GBC - Pokemon silver/gold
PSX/N64 era - Mario 64
GBA - Pokemon ruby/sapphire
PS2/GCN/XBX era - GTA3
Late 70's/Early 80's era - Pac-Man
NES/Master System era - Super Mario Bros.
GB/Game Gear era - Tetris
SNES/Genesis era - Super Mario World
GBC - Pokemon silver/gold
PSX/N64 era - Mario 64
GBA - Pokemon ruby/sapphire
PS2/GCN/XBX era - GTA3
Fallout-NL said:
Yes, but how does that exemplify the games of its generation? In what way is it the representative of its peers? What influence in terms of gameplay, graphics, presentation, etc has it spread amongst countless other games?
Reilly is correct. People aren't really getting the question.
Twitchfactor
Member
I like how an entire generation is somehow defined by someone's favorite game on their favorite platform.
By no means does Super Mario Bros. define the 8-bit generation, when there wasn't a Mario on Sega Master System, Lynx, Atari 5200, C64, etc.
I'm not baggin' on people's choices, but it's better to think about games in terms of what defined THAT system, not an entire generation.
By no means does Super Mario Bros. define the 8-bit generation, when there wasn't a Mario on Sega Master System, Lynx, Atari 5200, C64, etc.
I'm not baggin' on people's choices, but it's better to think about games in terms of what defined THAT system, not an entire generation.
Mama Smurf
My penis is still intact.
People definitely arne't getting the question.
It's not which game is the best for its generation. It's which game defines its generation. In other words, which game best represents what its generation was about.
It's not which game is the best for its generation. It's which game defines its generation. In other words, which game best represents what its generation was about.
NES/SMS: Super Mario Bros. 3 (It began the notion that gaming can be more than the most basic of tasks, and can be both extremely fulfilling and engaging)
SNES/Genesis: Nothing (This gen is defined not by a few specific titles, but rather by the continued refinement and eventual perfection of the NES formula on Nintendo's side, and the emergence of realistic and extremely addicting sports titles on the Genesis)
PSone/Saturn/N64: Metal Gear Solid, Final Fantasy VII (The advent of mature and intelligent storytelling in gaming, and the evolution of the medium beyond mere interaction)
PS2/GC/Xbox: Ico, Shadow of the Colossus, Rez (Gaming as an artform)
SNES/Genesis: Nothing (This gen is defined not by a few specific titles, but rather by the continued refinement and eventual perfection of the NES formula on Nintendo's side, and the emergence of realistic and extremely addicting sports titles on the Genesis)
PSone/Saturn/N64: Metal Gear Solid, Final Fantasy VII (The advent of mature and intelligent storytelling in gaming, and the evolution of the medium beyond mere interaction)
PS2/GC/Xbox: Ico, Shadow of the Colossus, Rez (Gaming as an artform)
Half the people are confusing "Which game defines it's generation the best?" with "What's your favorite game?"
The true answers are... in terms of association with the console and how the console was defined by the general public...
Pre-NES = Pong
NES = Super Mario Bros.
Gameboy = Tetris
SNES = No single game defined this console to the general public.
Genesis = Sonic
Gameboy Colour = Pokemon
PSOne = Final Fantasy VII / Metal Gear Solid
N64 = Goldeneye 64 (this defined what the N64 was for most NA players)
PS2 = Grand Theft Auto 3
XBox = Halo
Gamecube = No game defined this console to the general public
The true answers are... in terms of association with the console and how the console was defined by the general public...
Pre-NES = Pong
NES = Super Mario Bros.
Gameboy = Tetris
SNES = No single game defined this console to the general public.
Genesis = Sonic
Gameboy Colour = Pokemon
PSOne = Final Fantasy VII / Metal Gear Solid
N64 = Goldeneye 64 (this defined what the N64 was for most NA players)
PS2 = Grand Theft Auto 3
XBox = Halo
Gamecube = No game defined this console to the general public
The problem is that we have to settle on what aspects defined each generation.
I'd argue that the PSX/N64 era was defined by the transition into three dimensional gameplay and graphics, and that Super Mario 64 was the game that a) kickstarted the generation into full gear, and b) was the truest conversion of 2D to 3D gameplay.
Granted, I could be WRONG, but...
I'd argue that the PSX/N64 era was defined by the transition into three dimensional gameplay and graphics, and that Super Mario 64 was the game that a) kickstarted the generation into full gear, and b) was the truest conversion of 2D to 3D gameplay.
Granted, I could be WRONG, but...
SolidSnakex
Member
Oblivion said:
Goldeneye works because it basically made the N64 the system to own for multiplayer gaming. Plus it showed that FPS could be done on consoles.
Chairman Yang
if he talks about books, you better damn well listen
I don't think any one game can define a generation, to be honest.
SolidSnakex
Member
cvxfreak said:
Yah but everywhere else it was really GE, Mario Kart was definetly in there. But GE really pushed multiplayer gaming in the US and Europe for the N64.
Chairman Yang said:
Its generally just the game that most people think of when a generation is mentioned. If you ask most people about this gen the first game to be said woud likely be GTA. It's not only hugely popular but had a big influence on other games. That's what seperates it from some games that have been mentioned. There's a difference between games that are really good, and games that define a generation.
Wafflecopter
Banned
Doom_Bringer said:
QFT
BudokaiMR2
Member
As far as the PS/N64/Saturn generation. I don't think anything comes as close as Mario 64.
It set the standard for pretty much all 3D games.
It set the standard for pretty much all 3D games.
NES/Master System/7800
Super Mario Bros. - defined games for years to come
The Legend of Zelda - depth and variety, things earlier hardware couldn't handle
Also Notable
Ninja Gaiden - the beginning of cinematic console games
Double Dragon - popularized the brawler genre at home and in arcades
Tetris - defined puzzle games (more important for portables)
Genesis/Super NES/TurboGrafx 16/Neo Geo
John Madden Football - bringing older gamers into the market and making sports a driving force in the industry
Street Fighter II - made on-on-one fighting games the dominant genre, killed off "move forward and hit the buttons as fast as possible" games
Also Notable
Ys: Books I&II - first game to use CD-ROM properly: a really big console game
Sherlock Holmes: Consulting Detective - full motion video, this game did it first
Mortal Kombat - the first truly controversial game
Hard Drivin' - first game with polygonal graphics
PlayStation/Saturn/N64/3DO/Jaguar/CD-i
Super Mario 64 and Tomb Raider - defined free roaming 3D games
Final Fantasy VII - made gaming (and RPGs) mainstream
Also Notable
Gran Turismo - adding realism to driving games
Metal Gear Solid - took cinematic games to the next level, and stealth
Parappa the Rapper - created the rhythm genre
Namco Museum and Williams Arcade's Greatest Hits - the first classic game compilations
Dreamcast/PS2/Xbox/GameCube/NUON
Grand Theft Auto III - created the "sandbox" genre: do anything
Also Notable
Soul Calibur - the death note for arcades
Devil May Cry - redefined the traditional action game
Halo - made first person shooters a viable genre on consoles
Super Mario Bros. - defined games for years to come
The Legend of Zelda - depth and variety, things earlier hardware couldn't handle
Also Notable
Ninja Gaiden - the beginning of cinematic console games
Double Dragon - popularized the brawler genre at home and in arcades
Tetris - defined puzzle games (more important for portables)
Genesis/Super NES/TurboGrafx 16/Neo Geo
John Madden Football - bringing older gamers into the market and making sports a driving force in the industry
Street Fighter II - made on-on-one fighting games the dominant genre, killed off "move forward and hit the buttons as fast as possible" games
Also Notable
Ys: Books I&II - first game to use CD-ROM properly: a really big console game
Sherlock Holmes: Consulting Detective - full motion video, this game did it first
Mortal Kombat - the first truly controversial game
Hard Drivin' - first game with polygonal graphics
PlayStation/Saturn/N64/3DO/Jaguar/CD-i
Super Mario 64 and Tomb Raider - defined free roaming 3D games
Final Fantasy VII - made gaming (and RPGs) mainstream
Also Notable
Gran Turismo - adding realism to driving games
Metal Gear Solid - took cinematic games to the next level, and stealth
Parappa the Rapper - created the rhythm genre
Namco Museum and Williams Arcade's Greatest Hits - the first classic game compilations
Dreamcast/PS2/Xbox/GameCube/NUON
Grand Theft Auto III - created the "sandbox" genre: do anything
Also Notable
Soul Calibur - the death note for arcades
Devil May Cry - redefined the traditional action game
Halo - made first person shooters a viable genre on consoles
Greenpanda
Banned
I tried to pick the games that best represented the zeitgeist of each generation, not just a game that was particularly popular. These are the games that you could show someone to give them an idea what the whole generation was like.
NES/SMS: Super Mario Bros, obv. Games are somewhat simple, but are also a lot more complicated and lengthy than previous titles that had (at most) a few levels. A lot of weirdness (aka "Nintendo logic") abounds; games still have lots of crazy ideas and haven't yet started trying to be "cool."
SNES/Genesis: Sonic the Hedgehog. Games start trying to be "cool" and have "attitude," and Nintendo no longer dominates everything.
PSone/Saturn/N64: Definitely Metal Gear Solid--games in this generation put a lot of emphasis on getting more cinematic with increasingly complex gameplay systems and layouts. Classic franchises are reinvented in 3D.
For PS2/Xbox/DC/GCN: Halo, representing the "back to action" aesthetics of the current gen and the rise of online gaming. Franchising means that many games draw a story or universe out over multiple games. (As popular as GTA is, I'm not sure how well it represents the rest of the games of this gen.)
Pokemon represents all handheld consoles collectively.
NES/SMS: Super Mario Bros, obv. Games are somewhat simple, but are also a lot more complicated and lengthy than previous titles that had (at most) a few levels. A lot of weirdness (aka "Nintendo logic") abounds; games still have lots of crazy ideas and haven't yet started trying to be "cool."
SNES/Genesis: Sonic the Hedgehog. Games start trying to be "cool" and have "attitude," and Nintendo no longer dominates everything.
PSone/Saturn/N64: Definitely Metal Gear Solid--games in this generation put a lot of emphasis on getting more cinematic with increasingly complex gameplay systems and layouts. Classic franchises are reinvented in 3D.
For PS2/Xbox/DC/GCN: Halo, representing the "back to action" aesthetics of the current gen and the rise of online gaming. Franchising means that many games draw a story or universe out over multiple games. (As popular as GTA is, I'm not sure how well it represents the rest of the games of this gen.)
Pokemon represents all handheld consoles collectively.
Greenpanda
Banned
Heian-kyo said:
...and then there's Final Fantasy VII!
CajoleJuice
Member
Damn good list. But it's impossible not to put GTA3. It's just a phenomeon.Greenpanda said:
I think it's better to ask the question: "What games influenced the general design trends and public perception of it's generation and possibly generations beyond that?" Makes a bit more sense I think. You are more or less talking about the most influential games in history then (at least as far as design choices and public perception go).
NES/Master System
Super Mario Bros. - One of the first games with a true storyline, jump 'n run gameplay in levels spanning much more than one screen, secret areas and collectathons for bonuses, bosses, reflexes and timing went to a whole new level, physics became much more important (running speed, jumping height, impact etc.), more interactive environments (destroyable blocks etc.), upgrades/boosts to find and use (Super Shroom, Starman etc.), multiplayer, each enemy needs a unique strategy to be defeated
The Legend of Zelda - Free exploration of the world, regular expansion of possibilities and accessible areas through upgrades/new items, large and expansive world in 2D, importance of using items/secondary weapons, weak spots for bosses, use of NPC's for support/help, solving puzzles to advance in areas, finding keys to open doors, importance of exploration through maps, save/load system, enemies dropping stuff, money and shop system, gameplay through top-down view
Metroid - Combining the defining gameplay elements from Zelda and Mario into one working formula (2D sidescrolling goodness with free exploration, finding upgrades/new items, weak spots on bosses, finding "keys", and drops on enemies), both horizontal and vertical gameplay, morphing into different forms
Dragon Warrior - Adaption of RPG gameplay to consoles, turn-based battlesystems, using a worldmap as a hub for towns and dungeons, random encounters, big expansion on the level-up and shop systems from Zelda, playing with multiple characters, multi-leveled dungeons
SNES/Genesis
Street Fighter II - Introduction of head-to-head fighters, complex controlsystems and movesets, took blocking and dodging to a new level
Sonic The Hedgehog - Started the mascot craze, gave games a cool edge, open platformlevels with more paths and freedom, emphasized element of speed
Final Fantasy IV - More emphasize on emotional storytelling, maturing of soundtracks
PS1/N64/Saturn
Metal Gear Solid - Made games much more cinematic, took sneaking and AI to a new level, increased interactivity greatly
Super Mario 64 - Showed 3D exploration gameplay could work very well, camerasystem, hub world, multiple goals/level, double/triple jump, new level of physics, true 3D world
Zelda: OoT - Lock-on combatsystem, large and expansive world in 3D, more interactive and physics-based puzzles, night/day element, interactive/puzzle-like bossbattles, quickbuttons for items
Goldeneye 64 - Showed how FPS should play on a console, new level of physics and AI, new control options for FPS, more tactical gameplay, hitzones on enemies
DC/PS2/GCN/Xbox
GTA III - free-roaming and fully interactive world, open-ended gameplay, hybrid of multiple genres, violence gets much more important, gangster themes, very good use of licenced soundtrack, non-lineair mission structure
Devil May Cry - Defined the form 3D actiongames should take, blocking and dodging in 3D, combostrings and hitscores, using RPG elements in 3D actiongames
Halo - Standard for every console-based shooter to follow controlwise, took physics and AI to a new level, vehicular combat, melee attack
Notice how I only focused on games that influenced console gaming. I took PC gaming out of this equation. Also, I could've added games like Gran Turismo, F-Zero, Super Mario Kart and Virtua Fighter, but they only influenced one or two genres specifically. The NES/Master System was clearly the most influential, with the PS1/N64/Saturn generation at second place. To me, these were the two major paradigm shifsts of the games industry on almost every accountable level. The SNES/Genesis generation was a simple improvement over the previous one on most accounts. This is also illustrated by most Nintendo games back then, which simply improved on the concepts set by their predecessors (ie. Super Metroid, Zelda: LttP, SMW). The current generation looks a lot like this, but it seems the next generation simply continues this without bringing any major shift like the so called 8-bit and 32/64-bit generations did. I wonder if Revolution could do something about this.
NES/Master System
Super Mario Bros. - One of the first games with a true storyline, jump 'n run gameplay in levels spanning much more than one screen, secret areas and collectathons for bonuses, bosses, reflexes and timing went to a whole new level, physics became much more important (running speed, jumping height, impact etc.), more interactive environments (destroyable blocks etc.), upgrades/boosts to find and use (Super Shroom, Starman etc.), multiplayer, each enemy needs a unique strategy to be defeated
The Legend of Zelda - Free exploration of the world, regular expansion of possibilities and accessible areas through upgrades/new items, large and expansive world in 2D, importance of using items/secondary weapons, weak spots for bosses, use of NPC's for support/help, solving puzzles to advance in areas, finding keys to open doors, importance of exploration through maps, save/load system, enemies dropping stuff, money and shop system, gameplay through top-down view
Metroid - Combining the defining gameplay elements from Zelda and Mario into one working formula (2D sidescrolling goodness with free exploration, finding upgrades/new items, weak spots on bosses, finding "keys", and drops on enemies), both horizontal and vertical gameplay, morphing into different forms
Dragon Warrior - Adaption of RPG gameplay to consoles, turn-based battlesystems, using a worldmap as a hub for towns and dungeons, random encounters, big expansion on the level-up and shop systems from Zelda, playing with multiple characters, multi-leveled dungeons
SNES/Genesis
Street Fighter II - Introduction of head-to-head fighters, complex controlsystems and movesets, took blocking and dodging to a new level
Sonic The Hedgehog - Started the mascot craze, gave games a cool edge, open platformlevels with more paths and freedom, emphasized element of speed
Final Fantasy IV - More emphasize on emotional storytelling, maturing of soundtracks
PS1/N64/Saturn
Metal Gear Solid - Made games much more cinematic, took sneaking and AI to a new level, increased interactivity greatly
Super Mario 64 - Showed 3D exploration gameplay could work very well, camerasystem, hub world, multiple goals/level, double/triple jump, new level of physics, true 3D world
Zelda: OoT - Lock-on combatsystem, large and expansive world in 3D, more interactive and physics-based puzzles, night/day element, interactive/puzzle-like bossbattles, quickbuttons for items
Goldeneye 64 - Showed how FPS should play on a console, new level of physics and AI, new control options for FPS, more tactical gameplay, hitzones on enemies
DC/PS2/GCN/Xbox
GTA III - free-roaming and fully interactive world, open-ended gameplay, hybrid of multiple genres, violence gets much more important, gangster themes, very good use of licenced soundtrack, non-lineair mission structure
Devil May Cry - Defined the form 3D actiongames should take, blocking and dodging in 3D, combostrings and hitscores, using RPG elements in 3D actiongames
Halo - Standard for every console-based shooter to follow controlwise, took physics and AI to a new level, vehicular combat, melee attack
Notice how I only focused on games that influenced console gaming. I took PC gaming out of this equation. Also, I could've added games like Gran Turismo, F-Zero, Super Mario Kart and Virtua Fighter, but they only influenced one or two genres specifically. The NES/Master System was clearly the most influential, with the PS1/N64/Saturn generation at second place. To me, these were the two major paradigm shifsts of the games industry on almost every accountable level. The SNES/Genesis generation was a simple improvement over the previous one on most accounts. This is also illustrated by most Nintendo games back then, which simply improved on the concepts set by their predecessors (ie. Super Metroid, Zelda: LttP, SMW). The current generation looks a lot like this, but it seems the next generation simply continues this without bringing any major shift like the so called 8-bit and 32/64-bit generations did. I wonder if Revolution could do something about this.
human5892 said:
I DO get what is being asked, I just took a different spin to it as you can read at the beginning of my post. IMO it is perfectly feasable to add in FF4 (not 6) to that equation because it matured console storylines quite a bit. Maybe there was already a game before this one that actually managed to do that, but I can't really think of one. It was one of the first games which focused on emotions and character relationships in a game. Also, the game had a really expansive and well composed soundtrack which complemented the game world and characters perfectly. All the music was made to fit with all story elements. Again, I can't really think of a consolegame that actually did that before this one.
Well, I wasn't talking about you, but since you mentioned it:R0nn said:
That's all well and good, but did FF4 define its generation? When one thinks of the 16-bit generation of videogames, do countless RPGs with emotion and character-based relationships and well-composed soundtracks come to mind? Maybe for you, but for the majority the 16-bit generation was by no means defined by a game like FFIV that didn't have nearly the impact on the mainstream that a game like SF2 or Mortal Kombat (both fighters...I'd say you could make a strong case for one of those being the defining factor for the 16-bit generation) did.
See, that's what I'm talking about when I say some people aren't getting it (although I wouldn't necessarily pick FFVII for last gen, it's a damn sight better of a choice than FFIV). Your criteria seems to be "defining a generation" = "adding new things to videogames", when in reality such a relationship would only be coincidental.
human5892 said:
Yeah to me, it was more about games that "defined" other games that followed in it's wake both from a general design and public perception standpoint. That's the personal spin I took to this thread.
When talking about games that are the defining factor of their generation so to speak, you are absolutely right and FFIV (or any RPG for that matter) shouldn't belong in this thread. Then it should probably be:
NES/Master System - Super Mario Bros.
SNES/Genesis - ...
PS1/N64/Saturn - Super Mario 64/Metal Gear Solid
DC/PS2/GCN/Xbox - GTA III
As far as I'm concerned, the 32/64 bit era was the advent of more cinematic game experiences with a bit more focus on realism and believability and no other game defines that better than MGS. Of course, SM64 is a perfect example of how a third person 3D game should play and it was representative of a lot of games that were released that generation. So it's basically a tie between those two. I'm still pondering on what actually was the defining factor of the 16 bit generation. Especially since that generation was a simple improvement over the previous one for the most part.
DenogginizerOS
BenjaminBirdie's Thomas Jefferson
I do think some have misread the original question in that they named multiple games for a single generation. It is hard, I know, to narrow it down to one game, but that's what makes it fun. As far as "defines its generation", I think you have to look at what game most embodies the best advancements in game design of its generation AS WELL AS advancing the world of video game entertainment. GTA 3 gave us (1) an open-ended game world to explore, (2) great production values, (3) great sales, (4) great buzz, (5) great gameplay that seemingly never-ended, and (5) helped give a console a siginificant lead over all others. There are other features, but just as the word Playstation has embedded itself in the lexicon of every day people, GTA has become an irreplaceable force of this soon to be last generation.
LittleTokyo
Member
NES - Super Mario Bros.
SNES/Genesis - Street Fighter II, Mortal Kombat I & II
PSX/N64 - Mario 64, Tombraider, Final Fantasy VII
DC/PS2.GCN/XBOX - Halo, GTA
SNES/Genesis - Street Fighter II, Mortal Kombat I & II
PSX/N64 - Mario 64, Tombraider, Final Fantasy VII
DC/PS2.GCN/XBOX - Halo, GTA
Yoshi said:
What's so defining about Metroid Prime if I may ask? Sure, it was a fantastic and incredibly immersive game with great gameplay mechanics, but did it truly define this generation as DenogginizerOS describes it? Same goes even more for Resident Evil (even RE4). The games were great, but hardly in any way influential to their generation as a whole (sadly). Also, a game like Metroid Prime wont probably be a game the general public would think of when the current-gen gets mentioned. Only real contestant to this title is GTA afaic. Maybe Halo also, but that game was only really influential to FPS and nothing else. GTA went quite a bit further than that.