As I continue the Mog Pile project, there is potential for new games to make their way into my Top 100 list. This means the games at the bottom will be bumped off. Consider this a “Runner-Up” collective. For posterity, I’ll keep the write-ups for games that were knocked off the list here.
Super Mario World
Occasionally, I like the basics. And there isn’t a game that defined the basics of video games as much as Super Mario World. I’m convinced 2D platforming doesn’t get much more pure and perfected than this game. Even today, it’s a marvel of variety and execution in equal measure. It’s just a comfort-food game that will never age.
Time Stalkers
Perhaps the most quirky and creative dungeon crawler I’ve ever played. While it can be a slog at times, the way it blends it’s unique and cartoonish world with it’s Pokemon-esque dungeon crawling gameplay loop is a delight, even if it can sometimes be a total disaster. Something about this weird atmosphere and characters resonated with me.
Bioshock Infinite
I understand the criticisms of this game’s story and politics, but when it hits it hits HARD. But mostly this game is hard-carried by it’s ridiculously silly and off-the-walls combat mechanics. Zipping around on rails then leaping off to jam a giant hook thing into some poor shmucks face was undeniably enjoyable. And you know what? I think the story has plenty of incredible moments that are still pretty impressive to this day, even ignoring how much the ending made me want to eat my controller in utter confusion and frustration.
Also, the Songbird is cool.
M.C. Kids
A McDonald’s licensed platformer on the NES. Yeah sure, that’s probably awful, right? Nope. It’s actually a total blast to play through. Sure, the floaty-as-hell controls can take some getting used to, but the unique level design and explorative nature of it’s core makes it an engaging game from start to finish. Completing it requires you to poke and prod at the levels until they break in consistently different ways.
The Mog Pile 