SJComp and Hangtime's Top 5 Favorite Games

HANGTIME'S PICKS

When coming up with this list I asked myself a pretty simple question. Out of all the games I’ve ever played, which games could I pick up today and have the most fun with? There are some amazing single player games that I have played over the years that have memorable stories, great gameplay and immersive world building. However, at the end of the day I play video games to have fun. There are definitely objectively better games I’ve played that are not on this list, but these are games that I still would pick and play today and have a blast.

Let’s take a look at my favorite games of all time!

NBA Hangtime

If you couldn’t tell by name, I love this game. One of the biggest reasons why I love this game is due its timeless gameplay. NBA Hangtime stays true to the NBA Jam formula. It’s fast paced, over the top, 2 v 2 basketball, with high flying dunks, flagrant fouls, and lights out shooting. Not only did this game get me into the sport of Basketball, it was one of the first console games I ever owned on the N64. This was one of the few games that my brothers, Dad and I could play as a family. Still to this day, whenever the family gets together, NBA Hangtime is busted out and we have some intense and crazy matches. It seems like every game is decided by 5 points or fewer, making every game a nail biter. I’ve you’ve got an N64 and want a good game to play with 4 player, I can’t recommend this game enough.

Team Fortress 2

I don’t consider myself to be the biggest First Person shooter fan out there. However, Team Fortress 2 is the exception. This is probably my most played game on my list, and for good reason. In TF2 you’ve got 9 unique classes to choose from. Each class has a variety of different strengths and weaknesses. Coordination, map awareness and communication are very important here because of how each class has favorable and unfavorable matchups. There are also some really fun gameplay mechanics like the rocket and sticky jumping that make movement in this game a lot of fun. While it has been a minute since I’ve booted up this game, there are still servers filled with passionate players, despite it being the year 2023!


Smash Smash Bros. Ultimate

Smash ultimate combines two things I really enjoy. Iconic Nintendo characters and the fighting game genre. I normally am terrible at fighting games, but love watching, playing and learning combos in the genre. Luckily, with Smash, there is a ton of freedom of movement and creativity to be had with each character where you don’t feel too restricted. This allows you to pull off some fun and unique combos. Plus, you get to play as Nintendo’s most beloved characters. In fact, ALL of the characters from previous Smash entries are here plus more! With so many characters in this game, there are so many different match ups which makes for great replay-ability. While I personally enjoy the more ‘competitive’ side of Smash, there is still a bunch of fun to be had with friends by turning all of the items on high and seeing chaos on the screen.


Minecraft

Minecraft is the perfect game for me if I ever want to shut my brain off and relax. Sometimes I’ll turn on some J Dilla, Madlib or Flying Lotus and mine for hours. There’s something about it that is very therapeutic. It’s one of the few games where I can really lose track of time. Everyone has played Minecraft at one point in time, so I don’t think I really need to explain why this game is so popular, or why it is one of the most popular games of all time. They’re continuing to add more content to it still to this day which always gives me reason to boot it up to this day.


Tony Hawk’s Underground

The Tony Hawk Pro Skater series is one of my most favorite video game series of all time. Out of the entire series, I feel that Underground perfected the gameplay. There’s so many different ways to link together your combos. For example, wall rides, wall plants, manuals, reverts and.. Running! Yes, you are finally able to get off of your board for the first time ever in THUG. If you’re in the middle of a combo, you can jump off your board for several seconds and continue the combo. The endless combos, on top of memorable and large maps make this one of my favorite games in the series. On top of that there’s also a story mode that is so cheesy it’s good. If you’ve never played a Tony Hawk game, I highly recommend starting with THUG.

SJ'S TOP GAMES

SJ here! I also fall in the "play games for fun" space and with that my list does change often. It's difficult for me to pick and I find that to be alright. If you were to ask me a year from now what my FIVE favorite games were, 2 of them will change. So I am going to give you my SOLID THREE and swappable two:

Suikoden (1 & 2)

The first two games in this series are my absolute FAVORITE games ever. Each has an amazing story, fantastic cast of characters, revolutionary (at the time, it was the 90's, come on) battle system and much more. Putting hundreds of hours into recruiting HUNDREDS of characters to build your army is an experience I will never forget. The remasters of these are coming out soon and I am beyond excited for those.

Borderlands 2

Do you like...EXPLOSIONS?! Borderlands 2 does. Whether you're blowing up bad guys with one of the BILLIONS of guns, or laughing at the insane dialogue, Borderlands 2 is a ride that I can go on again and again. Each time is different with the multiple ways to play and combinations you and your friends can have. With hilarious writing and one of the BEST villains of all time in Handsome Jack, you can not go wrong with Borderlands 2.

Life Is Strange

This may be a weird one compared to the first two on the list. Regardless, Life Is Strange is a narrative game full of choices and "oh shit I didn't see that coming" type twists. Playing through this game during its original launch and having to wait MONTHS in-between each part wrecked my soul. The soundtrack and the ending are something I do not think I could ever forget.

And now for the SWAPPABLE

Need For Speed Underground 2

2 Fast 2 Furious as some would say. NFSU2 was a game I cherish so much not only because it had a kick ass soundtrack, but the DRIFTING was so awesome back then. My brother and I would race and top eachother's high scores for HOURS on end. Customizing your car to perfection and taking it to the drag strip made core memories that I can almost relive every second of.

Halo 2

You hear it don't you? The song. The one everyone does in an empty stairwell or hallway. Yeah that's right. Halo. Halo 2 was my first true obsession in video games. By that I mean I HAD to be the best. I competed locally and just absolutely demolished my friends. None of them had any real interest in games but that never stopped me. Besides ripping apart and teabagging NEWBS in the multiplayer, there is nothing more infuriating and satisfying than turning on all the Skull modifiers and attempting to beat this damn game with buds on Legendary. Take me back!

There ya have it, folks. SJ and Hangtime's FAVORITE games of all time. Will other games be coming out soon that will climb these leaderboards? Find out here and on our Youtube: