# Games that are the best of their genre **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [November 10, 2003, 2:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/games-that-are-the-best-of-their-genre/212333 "2003-11-10T02:24:33Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Throatwarbler\_Mangrove](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/8c91f0/32.png) [@Throatwarbler\_Mangrove](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Throatwarbler_Mangrove)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2003, 6:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/games-that-are-the-best-of-their-genre/212333/21 "2003-11-11T06:15:02Z")
Child rearing sim: Princess Maker 2 . I spent untold hours playing this game and haven’t begun to scratch the surface. There are so many possible endings, (even one where you marry your own daughter!), the RPG element is fun, the artwork is top notch, and the ending never ceases to bring me to tears, no matter what my daughter becomes. Much better than it’s mediocre succesor PM3 (Point of interest: It’s produced by gainax, the same company responsible for the Neon Genesis Evangelion and FLCL Anime series) Chinese RPG: Xiang Jian Qi Xia Zhuan, If anyone knows an official english title, I’d like to know it. I’ve never played ANY RPG, english or otherwise, that came close in the engrossing plot or beautiful(in 1997) graphics, and it actually makes the FF style combat system fun! Fan made (doujinshi) game: Queen of Hearts 99 Again, untold # of hours wasted playing head to head, I bought 2 USB playstation controllers JUST to play this game. excellent artwork, considering it’s made completely by fans, a large number of unique, cute characters with interesting moves and combos == endless replayability. I haven’t managed to get the Special Edition yet, but if the online multiplayer works I suspect i will never leave my room again. QoH01 has somewhat more modern graphics and draws characters from Comic party, one of my fav anime shows, but the limited # of characters kinda lets it down. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Weak\_Force](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/9dc877/32.png) [@The\_Weak\_Force](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Weak_Force)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2003, 7:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/games-that-are-the-best-of-their-genre/212333/22 "2003-11-11T07:01:11Z")
Fighting game - I’m not sure; I’m torn between Street Fighter II and Killer Instinct. 3D platformer - Super Mario 64. 2D platformer - Super Metroid. (On the whole, Super Metroid is a more refined game than SM64 is, but to be fair, they’re representatives of different genres.) **New category:** Shoot-em-up (I’m not qualified to judge this one, since I’ve only played a few.) ---
**Author:** ![CaptBushido](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/a88e4f/32.png) [@CaptBushido](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CaptBushido)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2003, 7:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/games-that-are-the-best-of-their-genre/212333/23 "2003-11-11T07:45:42Z")
Ah, Princess Maker… I downloaded and played that a few years ago, and my friends came over and gave it a try and we all got hooked. We talked and laughed about it for a month, which earned very awkward (not to mention frightened) looks from my Parents. “Man, on Princess Maker, its really hard to get enough money in the first year to buy your daughter a silk dress to help her chances in the dancing competition!” Yes, very awkward. ---
**Author:** ![Eternal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/ecb155/32.png) [@Eternal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eternal)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2003, 8:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/games-that-are-the-best-of-their-genre/212333/24 "2003-11-11T08:25:28Z")
Half-life sucks. Why does no one see this? ---
**Author:** ![Ferrous](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/8e7dd6/32.png) [@Ferrous](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ferrous)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2003, 8:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/games-that-are-the-best-of-their-genre/212333/25 "2003-11-11T08:35:54Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by ultrafilter \* > \*\*For the run, jump, shoot, and collect things genre, it’s a pretty close tie between Jak & Daxter and Ratchet & Clank \*\* Seconded. I love both those games. I think R&C is more fun to play, because of all the guns and gadgets and stuff, but J&D looks cooler. I’m playing JakII right now, and while it’s a pretty good game, I don’t like it as well as the first. Looking forward to R&C 2—comes out tomorrow! ---
**Author:** ![Urban\_Ranger](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/e9c0ed/32.png) [@Urban\_Ranger](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Urban_Ranger)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2003, 8:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/games-that-are-the-best-of-their-genre/212333/26 "2003-11-11T08:55:24Z")
4X: _Alpha Centauri_ TBS: _Warlords III_ (so far) Hybrid strategy: _UFO_ Classical: _M.U.L.E._ ---
**Author:** ![SolGrundy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/bbce88/32.png) [@SolGrundy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SolGrundy)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2003, 10:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/games-that-are-the-best-of-their-genre/212333/27 "2003-11-11T10:51:04Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Eternal \* > \*\*Half-life sucks. Why does no one see this? \*\* Well, I can’t argue with that logic. You make an excellent point; I’m going to change my answer to say Hal-- wait. What was your point, again? ---
**Author:** ![Alessan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alessan/32/465_2.png) [@Alessan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alessan)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2003, 11:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/games-that-are-the-best-of-their-genre/212333/28 "2003-11-11T11:35:23Z")
The thing is, some of the best games won’t appear on this list because they can’t really be cubbyholed. Where would you put the **Diablo** series? How about the **Total War** games? Even my favorite “pure” RTS, **Ground Control** is more of a Real Time _Tactical_ game. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Weak\_Force](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/9dc877/32.png) [@The\_Weak\_Force](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Weak_Force)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2003, 5:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/games-that-are-the-best-of-their-genre/212333/29 "2003-11-11T17:05:30Z")
Pure puzzle - Not sure. Maybe Tetris Attack, but there are other good games. Multiplayer puzzle - Tetris Attack (or the sequel, Pokemon Puzzle League). Puzzle/adventure - Chip’s Challenge. (And nobody should say otherwise without at least having _played_ Chip’s Challenge.) And I think to date, the Dance Dance Revolution series epitomizes the music/rhythm genre most of all. ---
**Author:** ![smam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/46a35a/32.png) [@smam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/smam)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2003, 7:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/games-that-are-the-best-of-their-genre/212333/30 "2003-11-11T19:23:28Z")
Horror - Silent Hill Puzzle - Bombuzal Run, jump and Shoot - Turrican I/II (cbm64 version) Racing - Mario-Kart Humor - Vice City ---
**Author:** ![rjung](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/45deac/32.png) [@rjung](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rjung)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2003, 7:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/games-that-are-the-best-of-their-genre/212333/31 "2003-11-11T19:25:14Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by The Weak Force \* > Puzzle/adventure - Chip’s Challenge. (And nobody should say otherwise without at least having _played_ Chip’s Challenge.) I finished **Chip’s Challenge,** does that count? Even now I still get email from total strangers asking where they can download/buy the game. Not that I’d know, but it’s odd… ---
**Author:** ![DrNick](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/f6c823/32.png) [@DrNick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrNick)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2003, 7:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/games-that-are-the-best-of-their-genre/212333/32 "2003-11-11T19:45:10Z")
Well, my tuppence worth: First Person Shooter: Goldeneye Platformer: Mario Sunshine, but I expect most people won’t agree Adventure: hazy category, but I’d say Metroid Prime or Ico Turn Based Strategy: Civ 3. Or 2, not fussed, both incredible. Real Time Strategy: Medieval Total War, or more ‘purely’ Starcraft Music: Samba De Amigo Racing: Mario Kart, of course Beat 'em Up: Soul Calibur 2 ---
**Author:** ![DeadlyAccurate](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ac91a4/32.png) [@DeadlyAccurate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DeadlyAccurate)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2003, 8:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/games-that-are-the-best-of-their-genre/212333/33 "2003-11-11T20:05:15Z")
FPS: Half-Life RTS: Warcraft II (3 was good, but it didn’t have the atmosphere of 2) RPG: Planescape: Torment Adventure: The Longest Journey Racing: NFS: Porsche Unleashed (PC), Rally Sport Challenge (XBox) TBS: Worms, though it’s close with Heroes of Might & Magic II Action RPG: Diablo I 3rd-person shooter: Max Payne I & II ---
**Author:** ![moriah](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/b2d939/32.png) [@moriah](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/moriah)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2003, 8:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/games-that-are-the-best-of-their-genre/212333/34 "2003-11-11T20:35:41Z")
Dreamcast lost soul here, the games I keep going back to… **RPG (with turn-based fighting):** Grandia II **First person shooter** : Toy Commander **Hand to Hand fighter:** Soul Caliber ---
**Author:** ![Vezer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/b38774/32.png) [@Vezer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Vezer)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2003, 10:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/games-that-are-the-best-of-their-genre/212333/35 "2003-11-11T22:41:15Z")
FPS: Tribes 1 RTS: Outpost 2 Adventure: Sam and Max (only hope new one can be 1/3 as good!) 3rd-person: Max Payne Series Platformer: Ape Escape Flying: Falcon 4 ---
**Author:** ![Moo\_the\_Magic\_Cow](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ebca7d/32.png) [@Moo\_the\_Magic\_Cow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Moo_the_Magic_Cow)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2003, 10:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/games-that-are-the-best-of-their-genre/212333/36 "2003-11-11T22:54:08Z")
Fighting: Street Fighter Alpha 2 Puzzle: Super Puzzle Fighter 2 Adventure: Zelda: Ocarina of Time Tactical RPG: Final Fantasy Tactics Sidescroller: Super Metroid or Castlevania: Symphony of the Night Click on crap until it dies: Diablo 2 Strategy: I never liked much after Warcraft 2 ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Cheatem\_Undhow](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/13edae/32.png) [@Dewey\_Cheatem\_Undhow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Cheatem_Undhow)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2003, 10:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/games-that-are-the-best-of-their-genre/212333/37 "2003-11-11T22:55:01Z")
**Star Control 2** should damned well be the epitome of _something_, but I’ll be damned if I can categorize it. ---
**Author:** ![BIH\_Boy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/49beb7/32.png) [@BIH\_Boy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BIH_Boy)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2003, 11:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/games-that-are-the-best-of-their-genre/212333/38 "2003-11-11T23:04:58Z")
Platformer (2d): Super Mario World Platformer (3d): Super Mario 64 Beat em Up: SF2 Adventure: Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time FPS: Goldeneye Shoot em up: Truxton (arcade) Puzzle: Kuri Kuri Kururin Goddamn my nintendo obsession… ---
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2003, 11:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/games-that-are-the-best-of-their-genre/212333/39 "2003-11-11T23:31:50Z")
Console, Sports: **Tiger Woods Golf** Almost as good as the real thing! I’m not up on all this gamer lingo, so I hope I’m using the term “console” correctly. I mean XBOX or Playstation. ---
**Author:** ![Nightime](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/e9c0ed/32.png) [@Nightime](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nightime)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2003, 11:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/games-that-are-the-best-of-their-genre/212333/40 "2003-11-11T23:48:54Z")
Adventure: Grim Fandango Extreme Sports: Jet Grind Radio Fighting: Street Fighter 2 runner up: Soul Calibur FPS: Marathon Music/Rhythm: Space Channel 5 Part 2 Puzzle: Chu Chu Rocket Racing: Mario Kart RPG (PC): Fallout 2 RPG (Console): FF6 runner up: Chrono Trigger Shooter: Ikaruga TBS: Worms [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/games-that-are-the-best-of-their-genre/212333.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/games-that-are-the-best-of-their-genre/212333.md?page=3)