Dr-Madness' Top 5 Most Influential Games

Final Fantasy II (US - SNES)

While I had been gaming for nearly a decade by the time this title came to the US, I had mostly stuck Action/Adventure titles, but all that changed with my indoctrination into RPGs. I'd missed out on the original Final Fantasy, but had fallen in love with the in-depth strategy guide, so when FFII came out I had the chance to fall for a game with deep (albeit poorly translated) characterization and a moving story.


Doom II (PC)

As RPGs started to take over my gaming in the 90s, I came upon a gem as I was introduced to the FPS genre. While I had played Wolfenstein on the local YMCA's computers, this was much more than I expected. Doom II had beautiful fake 3D sprites and introduced me to the concept of game modding, it was also the first PC game I bought with my own money.


Earthbound (SNES)

One of the games that really cemented me as an RPG fan. Earthbound also introduced me to the concept of a believable reality in games, such as the type of setting you'd see in a Resident Evil or other survival horror game. Because its weapons and items were often grounded in reality, I believe that helped to really draw me into the story and gameplay.


Leisure Suit Larry (PC)

The alpha adult game. I was introduced to the original LSL on my family's old Tandy, the quiz that served as a rudimentary attempt at child-blocking was amusing. The colorful, yet crude characters, text commands, and adult humor- memories. You could say this game set me down the path of "adult" gaming that my life has followed and I don't regret a second of it.


Super Mario Bros./Duck Hunt (NES)

The original and best. My first NES was bought second-hand and only had a stand-alone Duck Hunt, but my family's second NES was one of those repackaged units that came with the SMB/Duck Hunt cart.
I chose to list the combo cart here because both of these games were highly influential on me; I honestly think Duck Hunt and the NES Zapper introduced me to guns and the idea of them being "cool." Super Mario Bros was the king of the platformers, about 80% of the games (even a few of the RPGs) I played in the 80s and 90s could basically be called an off-shoot or influenced by this one game.


Note: The above are games that had the biggest impact on not only my gaming life but my life in general. They are hardly my top 5 favourite games.