I've been gaming since 1986. That's 23 long years. Whoa. "Top whatever" lists have come and gone, but one that has always changed with me has been my "Top 5 Games of All Time". I've been going through a bunch of stuff and have been selling lots of things I can live without when I realized that, holy crap, I only have five games left! So, apparently patience really is a virtue, because the question that I have been trying to answer for a loooooong time has answered itself.

Moral of the story: trust in the universe (and always hug animals, even other humans).

Here are my Top 5, in chronological order:

Tetris (Game Boy): Still the Mothership of All Things Tetris, the behemoth version of the game that, as far as I'm concerned, birthed all of the sequels and off-shoots of the main series because, years later, I can still pop this puppy in my ancient Game Boy and have just as much fun as I did when I was a kid. The Tengen NES cart has nada on this one. My cart has the letter "T" on the label in ball point pen, because when you're like, ten years old, you do things like that.

Final Fantasy III (SNES): Thinking about this game and its timelessness gives me a headache that only a SUV sized aspirin would alleviate. My favorite RPG, my favorite soundtrack, this is pretty much The Only RPG I Need, Ever. And I'd say it's also the Only RPG You Need, Ever, but I'm not going to be that brash. (Although it's probably true.)

Super Mario 64 (N64): Classic music, classic levels, classic controls, classic crappy camera. The definition of unconditional love (and the true genesis of 3D platforming). I look back on this not as an aged game, but as one of the pillars of gaming as a whole, the same way people look back to ancient Rome as something violent, artsy and Italian. Just like me!

Goldeneye 007 (N64): People looking for a Halo killer only need to turn their gaze back to August of '97 when this life-changing FPS came out. The multiplayer is still unbelievable twelve years later, and it's the most cohesive single player FPS I've played, well, ever. So what if I'm being dramatic? This is my Top 5 list so I can do whatever I want! Once I finish this post I'm gonna eat dessert before dinner and then immediately go swimming without any parental supervision!

Resident Evil 4 (GC): Oye.

So that's me. Destiny (and an urge to sell my stuff) picked my Top 5. Now you should pick yours.

This will change somewhere down the line, but here it is for now, in no particular order.

Final Fantasy VII
I'm sure most folks who answer lists like these include at least one Final Fantasy title, and I'm equally sure that the majority of those will be FFVII. At this point, there is really not much to say about the game. I feel that the materia system was a stroke of genius, the characters (despite being cliched archetypes in more ways than one) were very well characterized, the story hit several nerves for me (and continue to do so). I also felt that it was Uematsu's darkest and most inorganic score up until now which really drives home that cold, mechanical feeling of much of the game's setting.

Yeah, it had flaws. It was way too easy, translation had a few hiccups here and there, and more likely than not, the hype surrounding the game alone was enough to kill the experience for a lot of people (kind of like how all the Naruto retards castrated whatever enjoyment I may have had from it). But for me, this is where it's at as far as Final Fantasies go.

Resident Evil 4
This is a tough one. It was either this, RE2, or Code Veronica. With that said, there's no way I could possibly fellate this game any more than it already has been on STC. Modern day classic, avant garde, whatever bullshit label you wanna attach to it is fine, but it all boils down to this: This game kicked your ass so hard in 2005 that it still hurts to sit down.

Super Metroid
I have the fondest memories for this game. I remember my first time playing it, it was late at night, I was real young, it was raining heavily outside, and I could hear the drops hitting my window. I remember the music, first and foremost. Cold, inorganic. Alien. I was unwelcome on planet Zebes, and the game let me know it. Probably the first game to ever make me feel fear. That feeling of isolation was almost palpable.

Oh, yeah, the gameplay kicked ass, too.

Shadow of the Colossus
At the risk of sounding like a pretentious dickhole, this title is probably the closest that video games, as a medium, will ever come to being 'art'. Have you ever seen that much life breathed into a polygonal character? The barren, lifeless landscape does much to hide the tragic events that course along its' surface. I will admit that it took me a long time to get into the game. I got to the first Colossus, got raped, and gave up, not going back until I was literally forced to by my friend. Man, was I ever glad to be proven wrong so quickly and harshly.

You remember the first time you slew a Colossus? How they come crashing into the ground, dead before they even hit the dirt? I can't think of a single game where I truly felt guilty for doing the things I was doing. A sad, hopeless journey.

Initial D: Arcade Stage
I must've spent thousands on this title at the arcades back in the day. Way too technical to be called an arcade racer, but way too much pick-up-and-go fun to be called a simulation, this was one of those bizarre titles that I don't really classify so much as a racing game, but as an anime simulator. Coasting through the mountain courses was such a blast; they were so picturesque, too. I can't forget Myogi with it's deep mountain inlays, craggy rock covering one side of the road, a deep, lush forested ravine on the other. Or Irohazaka! Your desperate hairpins often got the better of me, but once I mastered your layouts, I flowed naturally through them like a babbling brook on a mountainpass. Tsuchisaka, however, was my favorite. A densely forested area with beautiful mountains in the distance. Playing in rainy weather yielded some beautiful effects, such as morning mist rising from the ground, veiling everything in front of you.

This, of course, made racing through the hairpins and the bends even more fun! To this day, I can't stand racing games where I am confined to a circuit plastered with billboards advertising products I couldn't give two shits about. Give me a mountain pass any day. Beautiful scenery a must.

Gameplay was tricky, too. You may pass Akina's Ghost, but just you wait. All it takes is one hairpin taken a touch too slow, and once you see the 86's headlamps in your rearview, glowing like demon's eyes, it's over . . .

Sweet, I haven't done one of these in a long time and I've got some time to kill. Let's see if my memories are consistent.

1. Mega Man 2. I can still play this game three times in a row and not get bored with it. Other than that, everything you've heard about this game really is true. Except all the bad parts, they're just lies.

2. Vagrant Story. A personal epoch-making game for me. College would not have been the same without the atmosphere of Lea Monde lurking in my mind, nor would writing papers at the last minute been as stimulating without "Factory" there to help turn my brain into a BS workshop!

3. Goldeneye/Perfect Dark. Because they are the same damn game. I still like Goldeneye's single-player better (failing objectives doesn't grind the stage to a halt like in PD), but PD's multiplayer blows it (and still most others) out of the water. Not that I've played either in years, but I played them for what seemed like years, if you get what I'm saying.

4. Super Castlevania IV. Like Mega Man 2, this is another game I can constantly play without feeling fatigued. Pretty easy by Castlevania standards, but as a result it's a largely stress-free experience that's just god damned fun.

Can't say I was too sure about #5. Historically, it should be some sort of Final Fantasy game (likely IV), but an educated, future-thinking guess would lead me to:

5. Shin Megami Tensei: Nocturne. A casual reading of some mythology lead me to dust off my disused copy of this game, and since then, I've rarely looked at any other JRPG series. It also amplified whatever interest I had in mythology and religion to a degree where I'm considering going back to school to study it.

Consolation goes out to FFIV, Blaster Master, Symphony of the Night, Mega Man X4, and Super Metroid. Better luck next life, guys!

1. Ultima VI (SNES)
Yes, it's not VII (VII wasn't localized properly here), but what if. I think this game explains why I don't like much of JPRGs. 

2. Tactics Ogre (SNES)
I tell you the truth; FFT is an inferior game in every attribute. Again, TO >>>>> FFT.

3. King's Field II
I really don't understand why Oblivion was so hyped when it arrived in Japan, because we already had a much better first person RPG. I can hardly believe this was the second game of the company who hadn't previously developed a single game IV was also really solid.

4. Final Fantasy XI (PS2)
Sigh. As much as I hate to list this game, I don't think it's fair to eliminate the game I played for 2.3 years almost everyday. It exhausted my time so I really don't want to recall it nowadays. 

5. N/A
I can't pick up it, as the top 3 games are so absolute. Romancing SaGa, First Pokemon, Jumping Flash, Shadow and Colossus are possible.

I know the question is limited to five games, but I hold dear 8 games, so, in no particular order:

Vampire: The Masquerade - Bloodlines The main draw is the setting, which I had no idea about before I played the game. A dark and macabre world mixed with gothic and punk stylings, twisted cast of characters, juicy dialogue and enjoyable gameplay, as frustrating as it can be in the latter parts of the game, are enough for me to love it. If the pen-and-paper RPG wasn't so convoluted and complex, I'd be an even more ardent fan of World of Darkness. Too bad Troika closed its doors, I would've liked to see more WoD RPG-s from them.

Legacy of Kain: Soul Reaver - I think it was in 2000 when I bought the game and was hooked right at the opening video. I was only 8 years old and my ability to comprehend English extremely poor, but the convincing voice performance was enough for me to know that there lies an interesting story. The gameplay stood out, the mix of dark fantasy and horror just the right atmosphere (I'm really fond of Dumah's domain for some reason, there hasn't been a game that has hit the nail on the head with the dark ages feeling). The industrial soundscape contributes a lot to the ambience and the decaying Nosgoth. I would've preferred the original vision as far as overall story is concerned, but still, a wonderful game in every aspect. Maybe the only game in this list that exceeds everything else.

Shadow of Destiny - This one is a fresh favourite for me. To be honest, I haven't explored all the endings and gotten to the core of the whole plot, but the first time, even with a real pathetic ending, was a blast. An unique story coupled with time-travelling and a cinematic feel is the reason why it's in my all-time favourites list.

Shin Megami Tensei III: Nocturne - Eirikr pretty much summed up my feelings on this one, because I became interested in mythology and religions also after playing the game. I like how hostile the world is, with no colourful side-kicks or plushies running around. Yes, Jack Frost is a tad bit peculiar, but it doesn't muffle the general dread and solitude. Having one of the most fluid and fast battle systems which emphasizes preparation over launching spells of nuclear bomb magnitude.

Persona 3 - I'm fond of Persona 3 for different reasons than Nocturne, but they have similarities either way. The characterisation is spot on and dialogues don't succumb to the verbosity of Persona 4 (I have no qualms with dialogue if it isn't overly redundant), and while it sinked into the sea of apocalyptic JRPG-s later in the game, the ending was really depressing. The whole game had this mellow style that culminated in the downright oppresive sadness of the endgame.

Silent Hill 2: Restless Dreams - The intensity of my feelings for the game has cooled off a bit (and appreciation for the first installment grown), but when I think of James and his tragic tale, I can't but proclaim my love for the game. It lost the brutal terror of the first game, but brought new ideas to the world of Silent Hill (which unfortunately have become the main theme of the series), juxtaposing the oppresiveness of Silent Hill with a unhappy love story. The shocking revelation might change player's opinion of the main character, but for me, conflicting characters like James, the ones you sympathize and detest at the same time are the most interesting because they symbolize the struggle of one's soul. Maybe the game is too overrated by its fanbase who continue to post their often ridiculous theories, but another beauty of the game is that its open to various theories. Even Takayoshi Sato told me that there is no canon ending, all endings are plausible and canon in their own way (yes, even the dog ending).

Okami - It may seem by now that I like dark or grim video games the best, but that isn't  necessarily the case. I've never been a Zelda junkie and have only tried them a few times, but I appreciate the open-ended action adventure genre, and Okami won me over the moment I saw it. Beautiful, gorgeous art style, dipped in the soup of extra-Japanese culture and fluid gameplay = masterpiece. I wasn't annoyed by the length of it either, and enjoyed it to the end. Definitely a game I will replay in the future.

Suikoden III - I've been catching up with Suikoden saga over the past few years and this summer I ventured on a journey through Grasslands. My initial impressions were poor, I didn't like the abhorrid music, clunky battle system nor the small scope of the world. But the ending of Hugo's 1st chapter amazed me and I continued playing until I was so invested in the characters and the story that I looked past the annoyances that had shocked me in the start. It's a JRPG version of "War and Peace", obviously not as philosophical and realistic, but for me it explored more ethics than the previous game did. I like how it deviates from the standard formula of Suikoverse too, yet retains the core elements of Suikoden. "Is it possible not to love Suikoden?

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Sorry if it's a jumbled mess infested with grammar mistakes, don't have the time to reread it at the moment.

All-time top 5, eh?  This is going to be very hard.  The problem as I see it is that I tend to think of some games in the same series as being impossible to separate.  Some examples of this are the Bard's Tale series, Ultima IV/V, and Ys I/II.  That being said, here are the ones that I think have stood the test of time the best:

1. Ys I/II:  It is impossible to separate these two games, so I won't try.  Falcom has released these games dozens of times, and yet they are still entertaining.  I admit, I fell in love with the Turbo Grafx CD version, but Ys I&II Complete was absolutely fantastic, Ys I&II Eternal Story was pretty fun, and now I'm looking forward to Ys I&II Chronicles.  They keep re-releasing these games, and they keep getting better.

2. Ultima V:  As I said before, I tend to consider Ultima V more as an extension of Ultima IV (unlike previous Ultima games which were by and large independent), but I think V was the better game.  Ultima V had a more sinister feel to it, and presented a greater challenge.  The ability to switch out party members by ditching them at the inn was pretty innovative at the time.  I never finished the game, but that didn't take away from its appeal.

3. Disgaea: Hour of Darkness:  If it wasn't for this game, I wouldn't be obsessed with Nippon Ichi (and I am).  I spent over 400 hours playing the original, and love it to death.  The geo panels puzzles were fun, and the fact that you can power up all of your items in the optional item world added hundreds of hours to the gameplay.  It took a while to get into La Pucelle, but Disgaea was fun right from the start.  Subsequent Disgaea games have been a lot of fun as well, but they can't match up to the original.  It's also the only game that I have two copies of (in case I lose one of them).

4. Dracula X Chronicles:  I loved Symphony of the Night and Rondo of Blood, so when they put the two games together, it's magic.  SotN is probably the most well-balanced action RPG out there, while RoB is a fine action game that still harbors some challenge after all these years.

5. Katamari Damacy:  I was thinking about Shadow Hearts: Covenant, Skies of Arcadia, Super Smash Bros. Melee, the DDR series, and a bunch of other games for this last spot.  But I visited a friend last weekend, and for two days straight, we played Katamari.  I don't know how many other games I would be able to say that about.  Almost every game that's made these days forces you to carve out a solid hour or more of gaming time to feel like you're making progress.  Not Katamari.  You can just pick it up and play for fifteen minutes or half an hour and feel like you've accomplished something.  And that feeling is getting harder and harder to find.

Alphabetically, since I can't decide on the ordering:

Final Fantasy VII (PS1) - I could simply say that in the 12 years since its release I've played this through just shy of thirty times and leave it at that. The art direction, the music, the Materia system, the direction (the subtle transition at the 8-minute mark or so in this vid still impresses the hell out of me), all of it congeals into the perfect popcorn RPG, one that I wonder if I'll ever get tired of. (For what it's worth, I don't even like the flower girl, and I still hold the game in such regard.)

Megaman Powered Up (PSP) - You knew SOMETHING Megaman-related had to be here, and if you've read me gushing about this in the past year, you probably expected this one. Absolutely overflowing with flexibilty and personality, and in my estimation the greatest portable game ever made.

Rocket Knight Adventures (Genesis) - You'd be forgiven for thinking this only comes to mind because of the recent sequel announcement, but shortly after discovering this one around 2000, it became a staple of my gaming diet for months, and even revisiting it in light of the announcement, it feels as fresh as the first time. Favorite Genesis title by a wide margin, with apologies to Gunstar.

Super Mario 64 (N64) - The first game where I had nearly as much fun doing nothing as doing something. There's a flexibilty and a simplicity to this entry that the more recent 3D Marios lack, and with each passing year SM64 looks all the better for it.

Tetris Attack (SNES) - Best puzzle game ever.

The secret for me, then, is indefatigability.

Definitely. Soul Reaver was one of the best games of the PS1 era, hands down, and the atmosphere was great. My favourite areas are the Silenced Cathedral (Zephon's domain) and the Drowned Abbey (Rahab's domain). I love all the LoK games, but it seems like first two PS1 games had a lot more atmosphere than the later games (who seemed more focused on storytelling and action). Blood Omen 1 also had great gothic atmosphere (it was actually even better in nailing the "dark ages" grimness, in my opinion, although Soul Reaver surpassed it in other ways).

That's one of the great merits of the first two SH games: they didn't hold your hand. SH3 began to hold your hand, and its just been downhill from there. SH1 is even better than SH2 in this regard, in my opinion, in that it's story is almost entirely conjunction and theory, not fact. The uncertainty and vagueness of the plot mirrored the physical darkness and fog of the town, and that mix is what made it for me (well, that and the setting, the atmosphere, and, of course, the music).

I hesitate to answer this poll until I've at least played through the upcoming Uncharted 2.  And on that note.....

It's no coincidence that director Amy Hennig was involved with both games.  Uncharted 2 will undoubtedly be her magnum opus of this current gen.

What a tough topic and made even tougher by the fact that I'm not quite sure how to do the bold tags. Is it just b? I'll try that. I expect as soon as I type these, I'll change my mind. There's no real way I could answer this and ever be content with the choices. So here are the ones that just come to mind.

Silent Hill 2 - This game affected my like no other before it and no other has since. Yes, I see Daniel's point on SH1 and I loved SH1 and certainly found it scarier but the cult/drugs/messy plot meant that, while the atmosphere and world totally got me, I never really felt for the characters. SH2 was totally different in that regard. I became James. And every part of the world meant something to me. Every character, every image. It was an exploration into my mind and, as the story unfolded, I was just amazed at every step. I thought about this game for weeks after I played it.

Nights - You know, I didn't even play Nights properly. I didn't try to beat my scores over and over. I just loved playing it. And I loved creating little Pian societies and seeing what mutations would spread and what wouldn't. I loved the music and the feel. I just loved playing.

Exhumed - Known as Powerslave in the US, this Saturn FPS is still a classic to me (there are PC and PS1 versions but the Saturn one is better). It was like an Egyptian-themed Metroid type platformer presented as a FPS. And it all worked. The level design was, in my opinion, incredibly smart and felt so natural. Each area was like a puzzle that led to larger puzzles. And it's the only time I've seen platforming work in first person. I'm stunned there hasn't been many more like this and was gutted that the company folded and the sequel never appeared.

Outcast - A wonderful PC sci-fi game. A beautiful planet, a really interesting world and plenty of exploration. And yet it's actually not easy to pin down why I loved this so much. There was a sequel on the way but, like Exhumed, I was gutted that the company folded and the sequel never appeared.

Street Fighter Alpha 2 - best SF game.

And here's dinner so no more on Street Fighter. By the time I'm finished eating, I'll likely want to completely revise this list.

I've been looking forever for Powerslave for my Saturn, but I'll likely never get it. Stupid sexy rare Saturn games.

Amen, brother. It was a very personal experience for me as well and made me think about a lot of things. The game came out shortly after I turned 21, during a dark and very depressing autumn when I was going through some shit with an ex-girlfriend, and it just resonated on so many levels... I still think SH1 is the better game, but, yeah, SH2 always has that special way of eating into your soul. Very rare for a video game.

You know, when SH2 was released, I had the euphoric sensation that we stood at the verge of an entire revolution of the horror game genre, I thought "if this is what they can achieve know, things will just get better from here on out". But, it seems no horror game since has been able or willing to take up the battle with SH2 when it comes to psychological complexity, few have even tried (and that includes the newer SHs). Considering the evolution of "survival horror" in the eight years since, things didn't quite go the way I had hoped, the average horror game is just as retarded and childish as the first Resident Evil or Clock Tower was, its only the gameplay and graphics that have been streamlined and improved. The technical aspects are easy enough to beef up, that comes by itself with the advance of hardware technology, but I keep wondering, who's gonna pick up the torch of psychological horror games, continue down the path SH2 opened up? Silent Hill 3 was a paradox in this way, it was a very good and scary game in itself, but since it ditched much of the psychological aspects of the first two, it ultimately lost the cerebral aspect that made the SH series so distinct from other horror games, that made it something different than the slaughtering/running away from monsters in a dark setting that makes up 95% of the horror genre. There have been other games since that have kind of tried to do the same thing in the context of the horror genre, like Eternal Darkness and Rule of Rose, but although they were good tries, they didn't quite reach the high ground tread by the early SHs (and, in the case of Rule of Rose, had horrible gameplay problems).

What the gaming world needs is the equivalent of a Fyodor Dostoevsky, David Lynch, or Ingmar Bergman, someone that aims to make scary/disturbing games built more around the psychological dimension than on "OMFG!! A MONSTER JUMPED OUT, PULL OUT THE MACHINEGUN AND GO KICK SOME ASS!!!!11".

...Ehm, sorry, didn't mean to derail the thread. My apologies to the thread-starter. As for the original topic, a Top 5 or Top 10 is too hard a task for me to attempt. I can say that the first two Silent Hills as well as Castlevania - Symphony of the Night and Persona 2 are up there for me, for sure.

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Final Fantasy VI - Kind of self-explanatory.  It's long been my favorite RPG, and each time I revisit it, it amazes me how ahead of its time it was.  JRPGs haven't really evolved after this one, and more often than not, they lack its thematic power.  This game took its emphasis on the cast to a level that few if any RPGs are able to match.  While you ultimately stop the bad guy and save the world, the game firmly establishes through its armageddon (the World of Ruin, to me, is still brilliant on a level that most RPGs can't hope to match) that the world doesn't really matter.  Instead, it's all about the hopes and dreams of the characters, about finding a reason to overcome the tragedies of the past and finding your personal reason to live on.  I like Final Fantasy VII and XII a lot, but VI was the pinnacle of the series, and it's no surprise to me that the FF series has generally been viewed as less special ever since.  VII is and will always be the most popular of the series, and I think it does deserve some of the praise, but VI will always be the most respected.

KOTOR II - This one is not so self-explanatory, but this game had (and continues to have) a big impact on me with the way that it takes two sides of a faith and examines them in a way that is not for the purpose of labeling one 'good' and the other 'bad'.  Kreia is undoubtedly the most complex RPG character I've ever seen, and the way the story is so dark and mysterious always sucks me in.  What does make this game special, of course, are the various characters.  It veers away from the straightforward and frankly, somewhat cartoonish characters and story of the first KOTOR.  Your comrades are tortured, skeptical souls who are open to suggestion.  Some people criticize the influence system, but the way it's tied into the overall plot is nothing short of brilliant.  In the end, the game puts the value of the self above the value of belief, and not unlike Planescape: Torment (which was developed by essentially the same team), the overall storyline is just a step above 99% of the other RPG and videogame stories out there.

Super Metroid - Flawless?  To me, this game is just about the pinnacle of side-scrolling game design.  It uses every inch of space within its game world in a way that even Symphony of the Night can only envy.  The spooky sci-fi atmosphere is fantastic from the moment you start it (what other Nintendo-developed game starts off with a facility full of dead scientists?) to the moment you finish it.  And not only is the exploration fantastic, but the game even manages to surprise you with an emotional moment near the end.  I love Metroid Prime, and I think it comes pretty close to this one, but the sense of isolation in Super Metroid and the near-perfect 2D game design of it keeps it at the top for me.  What else can be said?  Unique and haunting soundtrack?  Yep.  Huge and memorable bosses?  Yep.  This game sets the standard for sidescrollers and it probably always will.

I'm kind of having a hard time picking two others, so I'll just list some possible candidates: Earthbound (it's brilliant), Ogre Battle series (I love them all, hence the icon), Donkey Kong Country 2 (like SM, this game is virtually flawless), Super Mario Bros. 3 (probably the best platformer ever made), Deus Ex (awesome meld of game and story), Legend of Mana (imaginative and unconventional), Valkyrie Profile (a work of art)

this kind of blows my mind, just a little bit. Black Gate/Serpent Isle are pretty much my favorite Ultima games, and were my biggest initiation into not just RPGs, but non-linearity, attention to environmental detail, non-signpost NPCs, etc.

Especially weird since, to my knowledge, Japan got every Ultima game except those and Martian Dreams (and Mount Drash, I guess).

You might want to check out Montezuma's Return for PC. It's not exactly a great game (it has quite a few flaws, such as a short length and no in-level saves), but it's one of the few first-person games where platforming is the main focus of the design.

Ultima VII on the PC was a masterpiece. So was Ultima V.
Other amazing RPGs include Might and Magic III, M&M VI, Wizardry Gold...
current gen, I would have to say Morrowind and Oblivion are the best.

cheers,

-avatar!

Hrm... I'm not a Front Mission fan but I'm a sucker for a huge, well-characterized tragedy, ala Suikoden II and V. I'll have to check this out.

As for my list, it's hard to narrow it down to five, honestly. I could list the games that made a big impact on me:

Super Metroid - Perfection. It could have been longer... but there are few games that have the whole package and this is one of them.
Final Fantasy VI - The first RPG I played where the characters drove the story, as opposed to the other way around. In a lot of ways, VII eclipsed it... but I'll still have a place in my heart for VI.
Super Mario Brothers III - A classic. Super Mario World also is a great game... but III completely opened my world as a kid.
Ultima VII: The Black Gate - I played this PC RPG gem for hours on end. Never beat it until just a few months ago, revisiting the game for the first time since childhood. I swear that the majority of my morals were founded on this series.
Mega Man II -  Subsequent games were more complicated (and longer) but they weren't quite able to recapture the magic. Terrific soundtrack, level design and I still get nightmares thinking of the Wily Castle boss where you have to clash bomb your way to victory, while finding a way to dodge synchronized bullets.

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There's no way I could put my top 5 into any sort of order, so here they are, all tied for first!

- Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past:  I just recently played through this one again and it's still as brilliant as I remembered.  Two worlds spanning 11+ dungeons and gadgets galore!  The graphics still hold their own even by today's standards and the gameplay hasn't lost a beat.  So unbelievably epic.  My absolute favorite Zelda game.

- Super Metroid:  There's nothing that I can say that hasn't been said a million times before.  The perfect game.

- Blaster Master:  My first true love with a video game.  The epic music combined with Metroid-style exploration (back before it was actually classified as such) and great gameplay makes it one of my favorites.  I believe I pointed out the intro music in one of our threads here.

- Valkyria Chronicles:  Taking a break from the retro stuff, this one threw me for a loop.  Quite the unexpected surprise and a compelling experience from start to finish.  Totally psyched for the next one!

-Sonic the Hedgehog 2.  The best Sonic game ever.  f--- you if you say otherwise.

Ones I was really, really surprised that didn't make the cut:  Terranigma, Chrono Trigger, Final Fantasy III (VI).

1. Super Metroid
The best experience I ever had with a game. To think I nearly shelved this game cause the lone intro stage actually turned me off at the time..

2. Secret of Mana
A co-op action rpg? Not much of those around and this one happens to be the most fun, colorful and fantastical. Pure bliss.

3. Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask
Ocarina was epic and would have definitely made this list if not for this totally brilliant 'sequel'. For a first it's not about the dungeons but instead the whole game is made of captivating sidequests. So many great moments. I must say though, I never figured out what that 'travel' Goron was about...

4. Perfect Dark
Yeah Goldeneye was first and the singleplayer campaign was better bur really singleplayer mode is like 0,1% of the hours I spent on the multiplayer mode. I still play this game and just for the record I don't need the upcoming Xbox Live HD update. I cherish my blurry N64 graphics.

5. Super Mario 64
I remember so clearly the first time I saw this game in my local game store. It completely blowed my mind away. This game really started my favorite gaming era. Yeah the Ultra 64 is my favorite console.

I wish I could have added more games because really I couldn't leave out Street Fighter II Turbo, Ocarina of Time, Resident Evil 4, Metroid Prime and Xenogears

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plus you get to kick santa's ass...

there's actually a fair handful of other co-op action RPGs (even a few more on the SNES, although none officially released outside Japan), just none that have really "hit every note" like Secret of Mana did. And it's actually kind of surprising how well that game came together and how much people still love it today, considering that even a casual examination of the game's battle physics shows a serious disregard for rewarding playing skill or maintaining consistency in presentation.

There are many details I'd forgotten about Secret of Mana, but this one I vividly remember.  Does this make me a bad person?