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Listocracy: "Top 8 Most Underrated Video Games"
These are my personal top eight video games that I think more people should know about and play. Whether it was because of bad marketing, lack of interest, or weak critical reception, these game just never got the love that they deserved. I put these games in order based on how well-known the game is compared to how good it is. This is limited only to games that I have played, but if you have any of your own suggestions as to what else could or should be on this list, feel free to let me know.
8. Earthbound (SNES)
This one is so low on the list because it is slowly coming into the spotlight thanks to games like the "Super Smash Bros." series. You play as Ness, a young boy with psychic powers, who sets out to save the world from being destroyed by the evil entity Giygas. It's a fun, quirky game with good comedic writing and some emotional scenes, including the stomach-turning final battle. My only problem with this game is that it can be almost unfairly hard at times, but it does feel rewarding when you finally persevere.
7. Jet Set Radio Future (X Box)
This is another one that seems to be getting more recognition through crossover games. You play as a multitude of members of a rollerblading street gang as they try to protect their turf and Japan while also avoiding being captured by the police. I'm focusing on the sequel because that's the one I've played more. It has fun gameplay, a great soundtrack, and a style all its own (or at least it was until cel shading became more popular). The original is great, too, but the sequel managed to work out some of the kinks and have better overall presentation.
6. Mischief Makers (N64)
Here's a game that was almost completely centered around one gimmick: grabbing and shaking things. Yet, it somehow works. You play as Marina, a cyborg maid, who is tasked with saving her creator, Professor Theo, from the Empire (no, not that Empire) on the strange planet of Clancer. The game isn't very long (unless you're going for 100% completion), but the unique gameplay mechanics and interesting presentation keep this game fun and nice to look at. Also, some of the bosses can get pretty tough (especially if you're trying to get the Golden Gems).
5. The World Ends With You (DS)
This is probably the best game involving fashion that I've ever played. You play as Neku, a loner in Japan, who gets pulled into the mysterious "Reaper's Game" and must work with complete strangers in order to win. This game has a style and presentation that I really haven't seen in many other games (and never this well executed). The gameplay, which involves you controlling characters on both screens at the same time during battles, keeps things fast-paced and fun. The story is great and keeps you guessing to the very end, and the music is very memorable.
4. Um Jammer Lammy (PS1)
Speaking of memorable music, this game has it in spades. A spin-off of the "PaRappa the Rapper" series, you play as Lammy, the shy guitarist of the band MilkCan, who must find her way through ridiculous circumstances and make it to her band's concert on time. This game is, in my opinion, the pinnacle of the "PaRappa" series. The gameplay is the same as those games, but executed much better, and there's a variety of different modes to play, including a two-player campaign. You can even unlock PaRappa himself. When playing as him, all the songs changes from their original forms into almost completely different rap-themed songs, effectively doubling the game's length. It's still extremely short, but that just means that it doesn't overstay its welcome.
3. Okami (PS2 / Wii)
This game is art. You play as the Japanese sun goddess Amaterasu as she tries to restore the world as it's being destroyed by the evil spirit Orochi. This game's most notable quality is it's presentation. Everything is done in a style similar to Japanese watercolor, leading to a beautiful game. The gameplay is also great, and the Celestial Brush that you use to fight enemies and repair the world is a brilliant innovation. You also have a huge overworld to explore and tons of interesting characters to interact with. The game is somewhat easy, but it's still an experience worth having.
2. Psychonauts (X Box / PS2)
This is probably the game on the list that I've played through in its entirety the most amount of times (besides "Um Jammer Lammy", but you can beat that game in one sitting). You play as Raz, a young boy who has run away from the circus in order to join a psychic summer camp and hone his powers. This game is hilarious. The writing is sharp, and the delivery is always perfect. The characters are all individuals with their own problems and storylines. The gameplay is fun, and using all of the psychic powers at your disposal is always a blast. Entering people's minds to see what their inner workings look like is such an interesting premise, and I want to see it explored more in a sequel that may never come to fruition.
1. Brave Fencer Musashi (PS1)
This game is my childhood. You play as Musashi, a hero of legend called into a new dimension in order to help the Allucaneet Kingdom fight back against the Thirstquencher Empire. The writing is funny with just the right amount of drama and cheesiness, the characters are quirky and charming, and the gameplay is fun and fast-paced. The only reason that this isn't the number one most played game on this list is that I somehow managed to lose my copy of the game a few years ago. I recently bought a new one, and the game totally holds up after all these years. This game garnered a sequel that was released many years later, but it was nowhere near as good. Everyone should play this game, and I don't know why it isn't more popular.
JoJo's Bizzare Adventure Is deeply enterenched in our society (case point: Jet Set Radio)
Alright so I was thinking up ideas for characters and I came across an interesting paralell in a character from JoJo and JSR/F. There's this dog character from Part 3 of the hero cast named Iggy.
Iggy is a normal Dog with a Stand. He can't talk or anything, but he can understand the other characters and is a loyal dog. He evantually gets in battle with a Stand user named Pet Shop, his appearance changes and his face becomes human-like.
In Jet Set Radio/Future we have a character named Potts. Potts is also a dog and the animal character of the playable gang GG's. He starts off as a normal dog that hangs out in the garage HQ. Depending on the players choice in the first game, Potts can be kidnapped by the Noise Tanks. They put a box on his back that makes him moo instead of bark after he gets saved. After beating the story, you can get challenged to a race by a noise tank, if you win, he will press a button on the box and Potts becomes an anthromorphic skating dog.
SOOOOO. That being said. They're both based off of Boston Terriers with same body pattern, similar size. Both become anthromorphic in a way. Iggy is a stand user while Potts becomes/is a skater. In Jet Set Radio Future Potts is Canonically owned by YoYo! YoYo/JoJo. OHO! So my theory is that Potts is a callback/inspired by to JJBA, there may be other references in the game, but this just shown to me in an AHA! moment.
