- Zelda Majora’s mask – This was the first game I felt I was in a living world. I would love to see how you could affect people’s lives over the three-day cycle. The certainty of the moon crashing gave it a darker tone.
- Halo 3 – I was obsessed with this game before it came out. I was reading about the equipment and new guns. I gave my friend’s mom money to buy it for me when she was out of town. It was the Halo I put the most hours in and have the best memories. Playing the campaign on legendary for the first time also sticks out.
- Super Smash Bros Melee and Ultimate – I couldn’t pick between these two. I was obsessed with Melee before I owned it. Ultimate is the most incredible crossover ever, with so many characters. Seeing Nintendo characters fight it out is always fun at parties. Once we start playing, you could go hours into the night.
- Pokemon Gold – I would always play pokemon on the bus. The second version is my favorite because it improved upon the original mechanics. You could also refight all the Kanto gym leaders. These were the go-to bus games.
- League of Legends – The variety of champions causes each game to be different. Once you get over the hump, you can play this game endlessly.
- Elder Scroll Oblivion and Skyrim – Oblivion made me want to get an Xbox 360. The amount of freedom and the openness of the world appealed to me greatly. I was so obsessed with it that I knew exactly how to build my character before I started because I had studied it so much. Skyrim goes hand and hand with oblivion with the amount of openness. My favorite quest of all time is in oblivion with the dark brotherhood.
- NBA 2k13 – I played this online and with friends consistently in college. It made me understand all sorts of different rosters and players—the best sports simulation game.
- World of Warcraft – I spent many hours in HS on WoW. I would spend the time raiding and going through the PVP zones. The MMO I spent most my time in.
- Call of Duty Modern Warefare 2 – The shooter in High School and the highest nostalgia for. The maps were exceptionally designed, and having custom kill streaks for the first time helped add some depth—my favorite COD multiplayer.
- Destiny – When Bungie first released its first non-halo game, my anticipation couldn’t be higher. The first time you beat the vault of glass with friends is a memory you can’t forget. One of the most satisfying achievements in gaming.
Please note the list is one per franchise.