There are many leisurely activities in life that I enjoy, which provide me with the satisfaction of creating brief, yet lasting memories, including mixing music, watching comedy videos on YouTube, and reading books. There’s never a shortage of entertainment options, but one of my favorites is video games.

Fundamentally, I tend to enjoy games that provide an engaging storyline and allow players to level up and collect a variety of items. I find that complex and sophisticated characters, along with an immersive world, have a certain appeal and help create a bond throughout the gaming experience. I’m not particularly picky about graphics, as I care more about gameplay than how a game looks.

Throughout my experience playing a wide range of video games, five have had a particularly profound effect on me, helping to shape my love for gaming. Ranked in descending order, here’s my list of top video games I’ve ever played.

Number 5. The Legend of Zelda: Link’s Awakening (Game Boy)

The Legend of Zelda: Link’s Awakening on Game Boy was the first video game I ever played. It is the one that introduced me to the world of virtual gaming, and I was blown away by how complex and innovative the game was. From a vast number of weapons to collect to the various dungeons to explore, there was never be a dull moment. I was also captivated by the fact that Link, the game’s main character, was a teenager. Since it seemed like most protagonists in other games were usually adult males or females, the fact that a 17-year-old boy could be a hero caught my interest.

The plot of the game is that Link’s ship is struck by lightning, so he finds himself stranded on a tropical paradise called Koholint Island, where monsters and foes alike roam around. A sleeping guardian called the Wind Fish sits inside a giant egg and cannot leave unless Link finds eight musical instruments, each of which, when all played at once, completes the tune called the “Ballad of the Wind Fish.” This musical song must be played in order to awaken the Wind Fish. In order to acquire these instruments, Link has to defeat the eight dungeon bosses that guard them. Once completed, Link goes back to the mountain where the Wind Fish slumbers and plays the “Ballad of the Wind Fish,” which then cracks the egg open and allows Link to enter and confront the final boss. 

Number 4. Pokémon Gold Version (Game Boy Color)

Another game I owned as a kid, Pokémon Gold Version, was my second ever Pokémon video game (my first was Pokémon Blue Version). What really stood out to me was the fact that the game was now featured in stunning color, something entirely new at the time. Additionally, the game introduced over 100 new Pokémon and other features that weren’t in the previous installments, such as a real-time internal clock, new versions of Poké Balls, and Pokémon breeding. Pokémon Gold Version was a fantastic gameplay experience that I could never forget.

In Pokémon Gold Version, the gameplay mechanics closely follow the previous installments. You are a kid in town who is about to begin his journey in the Johto region. In the beginning, three starter Pokémon are available to choose from. You must then battle eight Gym Leaders to obtain eight badges, which allows you entrance to battle the Elite Four and Champion of the Pokémon League. However, once all this is completed, something really cool happens: you are now able to travel to the Kanto region, the land that is featured in the Pokémon Blue, Red, and Yellow Versions. After you defeat all eight of the Gym Leaders from this region, you can enter Mt. Silver, a place that holds powerful Pokémon to battle and catch. The unique thing about this area is that the protagonists from the previous games, Red, Blue, and Yellow are available to battle it out in one final, tough Pokémon confrontation.

Number 3. Baten Kaitos: Eternal Wings and the Lost Ocean (Nintendo GameCube)

Even though Baten Kaitos didn’t seem to attain high popularity among gamers, there were many aspects to the game that made it absolutely memorable for me.  As a fan of RPGs (Role-Playing Games), this game instantly caught my attention when I researched it before buying. I am a fan of visually appealing landscapes, diverse areas to explore, and creative battle systems. Using card-based mechanics to fight each battle is something I truly enjoyed, as it was different than traditional “Attack” or “Magic” commands.  The unique battle system used “Magnus” cards that changed over time. Another reason why I remember this game so much is because of its unique arsenal of characters. Each of the six playable characters held a story of their own, were visually appealing, and had individual moves to use in battle.

As most RPGs go, the storyline is both complex and deeply creative. In Baten Kaitos, the protagonist, Kalas, joins up with other members to release the five End Magnus, powerful Magnus that contain a part of the deceased god Malpercio, which can infuse its holder with extraordinary power. The Alfard Empire wishes to gain control of these Magnus so they can unleash the evil power of Malpercio. Throughout the riveting adventure, Xelha, a female teammate to Kalas, falls in love with him, which she confesses while dying in his arms after the final boss fight. Soon after, Kalas is given the pendant Xelha wore throughout the game, through which he can hear her voice when put up to his ear. Journeying and fighting among floating cities, colorful environments, and fascinating characters, Kalas and his allies must secure all End Magnus before Emperor Geldoblame of the Empire acquires them in order to destroy the world.

Number 2. Call of Duty series (PS3, PS4)

Ever since my first experience with the Call of Duty franchise after playing Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare, I instantly became a fan of the series. Because I’ve played every Call of Duty game after the original Modern Warfare, I cannot choose a particular one to single out against all the others, as I have enjoyed every one just as much as the previous release. Even though each game has a single-player campaign, zombies mode, and online multiplayer, I am most definitely attracted to the multiplayer aspect of the games, as they offer a great number of perks and rewards to choose from. Ranking up, weapons, calling cards, visual customization, and all-out multiplayer warfare are what make up the online gameplay experience.  

For me, there is never lack of content or fun to be had in Call of Duty. Being an FPS (first-person shooter), I feel like I am the actual soldier when playing the game. When I first started playing Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare, I became attracted to the leveling up system, which you acquire by getting kills online that give you XP (experience points). The abundance of weapons and other military gadgets also caught my attention. To add to all of this cool stuff was the fact that I was able to earn different calling cards and emblems which I could display on-screen when playing online. I always felt satisfaction when unlocking new items to show off in the game. With every new release of a Call of Duty game, I am sure to have my hands on it shortly after it becomes available.  After all, my online character isn’t going to rank up on its own.

Number 1. Final Fantasy VII (PS1)

The game that will always be the RPG of RPGs is Final Fantasy 7. From my first time playing it, I fell in love. This game alone made me a lifelong fan of the Final Fantasy series, which now spans up to 15 main title releases. It holds a massive, memorable storyline with unforgettable characters and locations. What also really stands out to me about this game is the melodic, beautiful soundtrack. From nostalgic, classical sounds to sad, yet beautiful tunes, the music alone is enough to create an emotional high. Considering it was released in 1997, the graphics are undeniably crisp and impressive for its time. The battle system is ATB (Active Time Battle), where characters take turns dealing damage until one side wins, which to me was a fun experience every time I engaged with a new enemy.

Final Fantasy 7’s story is extremely immersive and unconditionally moving. Cloud Strife is contracted by AVALANCHE, an eco-terrorist insurgent group who opposes Shinra, an all-consuming electric company. After successfully destroying one of Shinra’s Mako reactors, a massive piece of machinery that drains the planet of its energy, Cloud eventually joins up with other allies who fight alongside him to help stop Sephiroth, the game’s main antagonist, from becoming an unstoppable god by absorbing the Lifestream, which is the planet’s source of health. The Lifestream is an ethereal substance that flows beneath the surface of the planet, which in turn is a river of animation that gives life to the world and everything in it. Traveling by land, sea, or air, Cloud and his team do not falter their course to stop the evil Sephiroth from bringing fatal destruction upon the planet.