Lurker > charmander6000

FFX-2 could win if God of War went the way of Assassin's Creed II. Kratos looked pretty bad in 2013.
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Best Year in Gaming - Today's Winners: 1991 and 1994
Current Bracket Score: 25/28

Sonic 1 vs. Sonic 2 is quite debatable IMO. In 2009 Sonic 1 got 32% against Super Mario Bros. 3 and Sonic 2 got 34% against Final Fantasy VI.

In a head to head match I think Sonic 2 wins
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Best Year in Gaming - Today's Winners: 1991 and 1994
Current Bracket Score: 25/28

Top 10 Least Popular Polls
1. 2005 vs. 1978 – Wildcard – 14431
2. 2006 vs. 1981 – Wildcard – 15020
3. 2007 vs. 2012 – Round 1 – 15242
4. 1996 vs. 2000 – Round 2 – 15336
5. 1997 vs. 2007 – Round 2 – 15497
6. 1989 vs. 1983 – Wildcard – 15678
7. 2009 vs. 1979 – Wildcard – 15760
8. 1997 vs. 1999 – Round 1 – 16003
9. 2008 vs. 2009 – Round 1 – 16196
10. 1996 vs. 1989 – Round 1 – 16231

Top 10 Highest Individual Votes
1. 1995 – Round 1 – 14966
2. 1991 – Round 1 – 14850
3. 1998 – Round 1 – 14822
4. 2001 – Round 1 – 13966
5. 1996 – Round 1 – 13583
6. 2009 – Wildcard – 12782
7. 1987 – Round 1 – 12549
8. 1997 – Round 1 – 12363
9. 2005 – Wildcard – 12343
10. 1992 – Round 1 – 12309

Top 10 Lowest Individual Votes
1. 1986 – Round 1 – 1849
2. 1978 – Wildcard – 2088
3. 1988 – Round 1 – 2114
4. 1993 – Round 1 – 2427
5. 1989 – Round 1- 2648
6. 2014 – Round 1 – 2826
7. 1979 – Wildcard – 2978
8. 2012 – Round 1 – 3573
9. 1999 – Round 1 – 3640
10. 1981 – Wildcard – 3862

Top 10 Least Impressive Winners
1. 1996 – Round 2 – 7880
2. 1995 – Round 2 – 8668
3. 2011 – Round 1 – 9262
4. 2003 – Round 1 – 9711
5. 2005 – Round 1 – 9799
6. 1994 – Round 1 – 10236
7. 2000 – Round 1 – 10770
8. 1989 – Wildcard – 10929
9. 1997 – Round 2 – 11000
10. 2006 – Wildcard – 11158

Top 10 Most Impressive Losers
1. 1987 – Round 2 – 7878
2. 2006 – Round 1 – 7622
3. 2000 – Round 2 – 7456
4. 2004 – Round 1 – 7205
5. 2013 – Round 1 – 7024
6. 2015 – Round 1 – 6803
7. 1990 – Round 1 – 5722
8. 2008 – Round 2 – 5251
9. 2010 – Round 1 – 5063
10. 1983 – Wildcard – 4749

Top 10 Most Predictable Matches
1. 1995 vs. 1986 – Round 1 – 88.66%
2. 2009 vs. 1979 – Wildcard – 87.86%
3. 1998 vs. 1993 – Round 1 – 87.84%
4. 1989 vs. 1983 – Wildcard – 87.35%
5. 1991 vs. 1988 – Round 1 – 86.54%
6. 1996 vs. 1989 – Round 1 – 86.18%
7. 2005 vs. 1978 – Wildcard – 85.96%
7. 2001 vs. 2014 – Round 1 – 85.96%
9. 2006 vs. 1981 – Wildcard – 83.03%
10. 1997 vs. 1999 – Round 1 – 81.06%

Top 10 Least Predictable Matches
1. 2005 vs. 2015 – Round 1 – 40.10%
2. 1996 vs. 2000 – Round 2 – 46.81%
3. 1994 vs. 2004 – Round 1 – 49.15%
4. 2003 vs. 2013 – Round 1 – 50.17%
5. 2011 vs. 2006 – Round 1 – 52.93%
6. 1995 vs. 1987 – Round 2 – 57.85%
7. 2000 vs. 1990 – Round 1 – 63.21%
8. 2001 vs. 2008 – Round 2 – 68.02%
9. 1987 vs. 1985 – Round 1 – 68.16%
10. 1997 vs. 2007 – Round 2 – 69.09%
---

Best Year in Gaming - Today's Winners: 1991 and 1994
Current Bracket Score: 25/28

I've expanded the rankings to include a Top 10 here are all the stats including the updates over the past two days.

Top 10 Biggest Blowouts
1. 1995 – 89.00% vs. 1986 – 11.00% - Round 1 – 78.00%
2. 1991 – 87.54% vs. 1988 – 12.46% - Round 1 – 75.08%
3. 1998 – 85.93% vs. 1993 – 14.07% - Round 1 – 71.76%
4. 2005 – 85.53% vs. 1978 – 14.47% - Wildcard – 71.06%
5. 1996 – 83.69% vs. 1989 – 16.31% - Round 1 – 67.38%
6. 2001 – 83.17% vs. 2014 – 16.83% - Round 1 – 66.34%
7. 2009 – 81.10% vs. 1979 – 18.90% – Wildcard – 62.20%
8. 1997 – 77.25% vs. 1999 – 22.75% - Round 1 – 54.50%
9. 2007 – 76.56% vs. 2012 – 23.44% - Round 1 – 53.12%
10. 1987 – 74.40% vs. 1985 – 25.60% - Round 1 – 48.80%

Top 10 Largest Vote Gaps
1. 1995 – 14966 vs. 1986 – 1849 – Round 1 – 13117
2. 1991 – 14850 vs. 1988 – 2114 – Round 1 – 12736
3. 1998 – 14822 vs. 1993 – 2427 – Round 1 – 12395
4. 2001 – 13966 vs. 2014 – 2826 – Round 1 – 11140
5. 1996 – 13583 vs. 1989 – 2648 – Round 1 – 10935
6. 2005 – 12343 vs. 1978 – 2088 – Wildcard – 10255
7. 2009 – 12792 vs. 1979 – 2978 – Wildcard – 9804
8. 1997 – 12363 vs. 1999 – 3640 – Round 1 – 8723
9. 1987 – 12549 vs. 1985 – 4319 – Round 1 – 8230
10. 2007 – 11669 vs. 2012 – 3573 – Round 1 – 8096

Top 10 Closest Matches
1. 1996 – 51.38% vs. 2000 – 48.62% - Round 2 – 2.76%
2. 1995 – 52.39% vs. 1987 – 47.61% - Round 2 – 4.78%
3. 2011 – 54.86% vs. 2006 – 45.14% - Round 1 – 9.72%
4. 2003 – 58.03% vs. 2013 – 41.97% - Round 1 – 16.06%
5. 1994 – 58.69% vs. 2004 – 41.31% - Round 1 – 17.38%
6. 2005 – 59.02% vs. 2015 – 40.98% - Round 1 – 18.04%
7. 2000 – 65.30% vs. 1990 – 34.70% - Round 1 – 30.60%
8. 2001 – 68.40% vs. 2008 – 31.60% - Round 2 – 36.80%
9. 1989 – 69.71% vs. 1983 – 30.29% - Wildcard – 39.42%
10. 2002 – 70.37% vs. 2010 – 29.63% - Round 1 – 40.74%

Top 10 Smallest Vote Gaps
1. 1996 – 7880 vs. 2000 – 7465 – Round 2 – 424
2. 1995 – 8668 vs. 1987 – 7878 – Round 2 – 790
3. 2011 – 9262 vs. 2006 – 7622 – Round 1 – 1640
4. 2003 – 9711 vs. 2013 – 7024 – Round 1 – 2687
5. 2005 – 9799 vs. 2015 – 6803 – Round 1 – 2996
6. 1994 – 10236 vs. 2004 – 7205 – Round 1 – 3031
7. 2000 – 10770 vs. 1990 – 5722 – Round 1 – 5048
8. 2001 – 11368 vs. 2008 – 5251 – Round 2 – 6117
9. 1989 – 10929 vs. 1983 – 4749 – Wildcard – 6180
10. 1997 – 11000 vs. 2007 – 4497 – Round 2 – 6503

Top 10 Most Popular Polls
1. 1994 vs. 2004 – Round 1 – 17441
2. 1998 vs. 1993 – Round 1 – 17249
3. 2002 vs. 2010 – Round 1 – 17086
4. 1991 vs. 1988 – Round 1 – 16964
5. 2011 vs. 2006 – Round 1 – 16884
6. 1992 vs. 2016 – Round 1 – 16879
7. 1987 vs. 1985 – Round 1 – 16868
8. 1995 vs. 1986 – Round 1 – 16815
9. 2001 vs. 2014 – Round 1 – 16792
10. 2003 vs. 2013 – Round 1 – 16735
---

Best Year in Gaming - Today's Winners: 1991 and 1994
Current Bracket Score: 25/28

I'm back from my trip...

It's a shame 2000 lost in a close match, eliminating me from the guru. While Pokemon G/S was a bit of a long shot in this picture format Diablo II should have made it over Deus Ex.

1991 isn't doing that badly, 2002 was a pretty good year too. Especially after what 2004 did to 1994. Just because the 90s were going to be the strongest years doesn't mean it would have crushed the stronger 00s years.

As for 2002 vs. 2004 I'd expect the match to be very close. All four games in the picture are pretty even. I guess 2002 would have a bit of a picture advantage with Metroid Prime and Kingdom Hearts being listed first.
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Best Year in Gaming - Today's Winners: 1991 and 1994
Current Bracket Score: 25/28

Bhaas1107 posted...

charmander6000 posted...

Bhaas1107 posted...

_SJimW_ posted...

There was also Conker

When did that come
Out?

2001, about a month after Paper Mario

Was it after Stadium 2?

Stadium 2 came out about 3 weeks later in North America
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Best Year in Gaming - Today's Winners: 1995 and 2001
Current Bracket Score: 19/20

Bhaas1107 posted...

_SJimW_ posted...

There was also Conker

When did that come
Out?

2001, about a month after Paper Mario
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Best Year in Gaming - Today's Winners: 1995 and 2001
Current Bracket Score: 19/20

Conker's Bad Fur Day was also just after Paper Mario though whether it was great is debatable.
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Best Year in Gaming - Today's Winners: 1995 and 2001
Current Bracket Score: 19/20

Match XXVI – Round 2 – 1994 vs. 2011

Previous Results

1994
Round 1: Defeated 2004, 58.69% - 41.31%

2011
Round 1: Defeated 2006, 54.86% - 45.14%

Analysis

I still maintain the belief that 2006 would have defeated 2011 if it got a better picture, but alas we are here. Regardless as to which year made it here 1994 should have no problem winning. The year did underperform to our expectation last round, but to be fair 2004 was a pretty good year in gaming and it did cause quite a few people to whine about the results.

Both Final Fantasy VI and Super Metroid should be able to handle Skyrim while Mega Man X and Sonic and Knuckles are great depth games. 2011 does have some pretty good depth as well, but it’s hard to compete with a year like 1994. The bigger question is whether or not 2011 would defeat 2004 in a match and honestly that has made me paused.

On one hand Skyrim likely defeats everything in that match, but 2004 has some pretty good depth and it’s not like Skyrim would crush Metal Gear Solid 3 or even Half-Life 2. I guess it would boil down to however strong you think Skyward Sword is. I’m going to go with 2011 having a worse performance relative to 2004, but I wouldn’t be surprised if the reverse happened.

charmander6000’s Bracket: 1994 > 2006

charmander6000’s Prediction: 1994 wins, 62.12% - 37.88%
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Best Year in Gaming - Today's Winners: 1995 and 2001
Current Bracket Score: 19/20

Match XXV – Round 2 – 1991 vs. 2002

Previous Results

1991
Round 1: Defeated 1988, 87.54% - 12.46%

2002
Round 1: Defeated 2010, 70.37% - 29.63%

Analysis

Last round both years scored an impressive victory; 1991 likely picked up some SFF against 1988 while 2002 clearly dominated 2010. On paper 1991 should win, but I feel 2002 will look impressive in its defeat. While it’s no 2001 the year does have some decent strength and some pretty good depth. Metroid Prime and Kingdom Hearts likely defeats everything outside of Super Mario World while Vice City and Warcraft III can hang around Sonic 1 and Street Fighter II.

SFF and LFF may play a role in this match. If Metroid Prime can avoid SFF while Kingdom Hearts SFFs Final Fantasy IV we could get an interesting match. I’m not exactly confident that scenario will play out, Final Fantasy IV and Kingdom Hearts don’t have as much in common relative to Final Fantasys VII – X where characters from those games actually appeared in Kingdom Hearts. They also don’t overlap in the match picture.

After the first round the board felt 1991 is now the favourite in third round against 1994 due to 1994’s performance. This will likely give us some insight about 1991’s strength and whether that favourite status is warranted. I feel 2002 will have a great chance at breaking 40%. I would probably take 2002 over 2004 in a close match so if 1991 can outdo that percentage I would consider it the favourite next round.

charmander6000’s Bracket: 1991 > 2002

charmander6000’s Prediction: 1991 wins, 57.32% - 42.68%
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Best Year in Gaming - Today's Winners: 1995 and 2001
Current Bracket Score: 19/20

Match XXIV – Round 2 – 2000 vs. 1996

Previous Results

2000
Round 1: Defeated 1990, 65.30% - 34.70%

1996
Round 1: Defeated 1989, 83.69% - 16.31%

Analysis

As a person whom backed the guru underdog in my bracket I do feel pretty good about the performance by 2000 last round. With that said 1996 should easily outperform what 1990 did. Super Mario Bros. 3 was essentially going solo in that match given Final Fantasy was SFF’d by Final Fantasy IX. 1996 on the other hand has Super Mario 64 which is at around the same strength as Super Mario Bros. 3, Super Mario RPG and Resident Evil.

The match could go either way in my eyes and it will depend on a few things. The major question going into the match is how will Super Mario 64/Majora’s Mask play out. Super Mario 64 likely wins in an indirect close match, but could there be SFF? We saw Ocarina of Time utterly destroy Super Mario 64 in 2004 so there is precedence of a large overlap, but that was 13 years ago. Typically it is hard to SFF Zelda, but if Super Mario 64 can pull it off the match is likely over.

The other question is how many new voters Super Mario RPG would bring to 1996. I’d imagine Super Mario 64 already brings in most of the Mario fans, but Super Mario RPG could bring in some SNES fans. This match could also be a way to test the allegiance of Super Mario RPG’s Square fans. Would they abandon ship when a Final Fantasy title shows up?

I was disappointed that Pokemon Gold/Silver failed to make the picture in the first round and it looks like it will miss it again along with Diablo II. In a fair match I feel 2000 will win, though all is not lost. It’s a shame that I will miss the entire match considering my guru existence will rely on the results here.

charmander6000’s Bracket: 2000 > 1996

charmander6000’s Prediction: 2000 wins, 51.72% - 48.28%
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Best Year in Gaming - Today's Winners: 1995 and 2001
Current Bracket Score: 19/20

Match XXIII – Round 2 – 1997 vs. 2007

Previous Results

1997
Round 1: Defeated 1999, 77.25% - 22.75%

2007
Round 1: Defeated 2012, 76.56% - 23.44%

Analysis

Both years scored big victories last round with 1997 possibly picking up SFF against 1999 and 2007 beating down the weakest year outside of the 70s and 80s. This match will give us a better idea as to where 1997 stands and whether or not it has a chance of making the finals.

While a lot of people have been focussing on Final Fantasy VII I feel they haven’t taken its depth into a large amount of consideration. Both Castlevania: Symphony of the Night and GoldenEye 007 would be able to handle anything from 2007 and in most years ignoring the anchor. Yes, depth matters more than a strong anchor, but 1997 takes the best of both worlds.

Without a true anchor the best 2007 can hope for is a respectable performance and I think it will get it. The first round may have seen a lot of huge blowouts, but now that the weak years have been weeded out we are now seeing regular easy wins.

charmander6000’s Bracket: 1997 > 2007

charmander6000’s Prediction: 1997 wins, 67.23% - 32.77%
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Best Year in Gaming - Today's Winners: 1995 and 2001
Current Bracket Score: 19/20

I'll be gone for the weekend so I'm going to post my analyses now.
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Best Year in Gaming - Today's Winners: 1995 and 2001
Current Bracket Score: 19/20

Round 2

1997 - 67.23%
2000 - 51.72%

1991 - 57.32%
1994 - 62.12%

1998 - 67.27%
2003 - 53.12%
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Best Year in Gaming - Today's Winners: 1995 and 2001
Current Bracket Score: 19/20

Mac Arrowny posted...

Was there ever any evidence that CT is stronger than Pokemon RBY?

Pokemon RBY wasn't too far ahead of SMB3 during the low level Undertale rally portion of the match.
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Best Year in Gaming - Today's Winners: 1995 and 2001
Current Bracket Score: 19/20

First cut
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Best Year in Gaming - Today's Winners: 1995 and 2001
Current Bracket Score: 19/20

I wonder if we'll get trends due to Chrono Trigger being terrible in Europe...
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Best Year in Gaming - Today's Winners: 1995 and 2001
Current Bracket Score: 19/20

Updated Top 5

Top 5 Closest Matches
1. 2011 – 54.86% vs. 2006 – 45.14% - Round 1 – 9.72%
2. 2003 – 58.03% vs. 2013 – 41.97% - Round 1 – 16.06%
3. 1994 – 58.69% vs. 2004 – 41.31% - Round 1 – 17.38%
4. 2005 – 59.02% vs. 2015 – 40.98% - Round 1 – 18.04%
5. 2000 – 65.30% vs. 1990 – 34.70% - Round 1 – 30.60%

Top 5 Smallest Vote Gaps
1. 2011 – 9262 vs. 2006 – 7622 – Round 1 – 1640
2. 2003 – 9711 vs. 2013 – 7024 – Round 1 – 2687
3. 2005 – 9799 vs. 2015 – 6803 – Round 1 – 2996
4. 1994 – 10236 vs. 2004 – 7205 – Round 1 – 3031
5. 2000 – 10770 vs. 1990 – 5722 – Round 1 – 5048

Top 5 Least Impressive Winners
1. 2011 – Round 1 – 9262
2. 2003 – Round 1 – 9711
3. 2005 – Round 1 – 9799
4. 1994 – Round 1 – 10236
5. 2000 – Round 1 – 10770

Top 5 Most Impressive Losers
1. 2006 – Round 1 – 7622
2. 2004 – Round 1 – 7205
3. 2013 – Round 1 – 7024
4. 2015 – Round 1 – 6803
5. 1990 – Round 1 – 5722

Top 5 Least Predictable Matches
1. 2005 vs. 2015 – Round 1 – 40.10%
2. 1994 vs. 2004 – Round 1 – 49.15%
3. 2003 vs. 2013 – Round 1 – 50.17%
4. 2011 vs. 2006 – Round 1 – 52.93%
5. 2000 vs. 1990 – Round 1 – 63.21%
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Best Year in Gaming - Today's Winners: 1995 and 2001
Current Bracket Score: 19/20

Come on 2008 wasn't that bad...
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Best Year in Gaming - Today's Winners: 1995 and 2001
Current Bracket Score: 19/20

Wow, looks like we wrecked the casuals yesterday

also

46. charmander6000 - 19

It's been a while...
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Best Year in Gaming - Today's Winners: 1995 and 2001
Current Bracket Score: 19/20

Match XXII – Round 2 – 2001 vs. 2008

Previous Results

2001
Round 1: Defeated 2014, 83.17% - 16.83%

2008
Round 1: Defeated 2009, 71.83% - 28.17%

Analysis

This will be 2001’s second opponent to also have a Super Smash Bros. game. Despite being a strong Brawl supporter during the 2010 contest if a rematch between the two games were to occur I would take Melee to win. With that said I would expect Brawl to have a decent performance. 2008 looked pretty good last round though that is likely due to 2009 being weak.

Despite taking 2001 to the final I have a feeling 2008 will impress in this match. The SSBB/MGS4/Fallout 3 trio is still a group of games people would want on their side while I’m beginning to feel Halo may be more deadweight than helpful for 2001. On one hand it brings diversity, but on the other it feels like GameFAQs has stopped caring about the series. Assuming Metal Gear Solid 2 fails to appear in the picture Melee and Final Fantasy X will have to pick up the slack caused by the bottom two games.

2001 should still win the match, but I’m expecting a repeat of 1994/2004 where a lot of people will question 2001’s chances in the third round.

charmander6000’s Bracket: 2001 > 2008

charmander6000’s Prediction: 2001 wins, 58.21% - 41.79%
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Best Year in Gaming - Today's Winners: 2003 and 2005
Current Bracket Score: 17/18

Match XXI – Round 2 – 1995 vs. 1987

Previous Results

1995
Round 1: Defeated 1986, 89.00% - 11.00%

1987
Round 1: Defeated 1985, 74.40% - 25.60%

Analysis

Round 2, begin. 1995 did pretty well in the first round, scoring the biggest blowout of the round and likely the contest and it did it without any of its Nintendo SNES games for support. I’m still waiting for the match picture and I hope SBAllen has changed it up a bit, but even if he does a repeat of the first round I feel 1995 (Chrono Trigger) will be strong enough to win.

Relative to the board’s expectation 1987 performed incredibly well, though to be fair this was likely due to SFF. In hindsight we should have seen this coming, outside of the diehard Mario fans very few people would consider 1985 to be a better year for NES gaming than 1987.

There was some talk about 1987 pulling off the upset, but I don’t see it. Unlike Super Mario Bros. Chrono Trigger would crush The Legend of Zelda in a match and I don’t see the other 1987 titles closing the gap. Sure the year benefits from franchise voting, but those voters are much more easily swayed when something popular comes their way.

charmander6000’s Bracket: 1995 > 1987

charmander6000’s Prediction: 1995 wins, 67.33% - 32.67%
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Best Year in Gaming - Today's Winners: 2003 and 2005
Current Bracket Score: 17/18

Round 2

1995 - 67.33%
2001 - 58.21%
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Best Year in Gaming - Today's Winners: 2003 and 2005
Current Bracket Score: 17/18

I'd like to imagine Trump initially believing the story, but then realizing, "wait a second, they're talk about me, better clear things up"
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Best Year in Gaming - Today's Winners: 2003 and 2005
Current Bracket Score: 17/18

Both San Andreas and GTAIV missed the picture
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Best Year in Gaming - Today's Winners: 2003 and 2005
Current Bracket Score: 17/18

Lightning Strikes posted...

I think 2011 settles the depth argument. It should also be noted that yes, maybe 2006 did not have its full strength, but neither did 2011 because so many of 2011's legion of games weren't shown.

How many games did you think will be shown? 10? I thought we were going to get the same picture as we saw in the 80s vote-in. So basically it would have been

2006
Twilight Princess
Kingdom Hearts II
Oblivion
Okami
Final Fantasy XII
Gears of War

2011
Skyrim
Skyward Sword
Dark Souls
Batman: Arkham City
Portal 2
Pokemon Black/White

That still looks like a win for 2006, only the last game is when 2011 takes the lead. Maybe Portal 2 can defeat Final Fantasy XII.
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Best Year in Gaming - Today's Winners: 2003 and 2005
Current Bracket Score: 17/18

It begins
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Best Year in Gaming - Today's Winners: 2003 and 2005
Current Bracket Score: 17/18

Depth matters to a point, for example 1998's 8th strongest game is Banjo-Kazooie and it would destory every other year's 8th strongest game, but it doesn't matter because it's doubtful people or the contest are going that far down the list.
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Best Year in Gaming - Today's Winners: 2003 and 2005
Current Bracket Score: 17/18

KamikazePotato posted...

Skyrim isn't even the strongest game there. Twilight Princess outperformed it significantly in the 2015 contest. People tend to ignore how strong TP is because it doesn't have as many diehard fans, but it's always been up there.

I'd argue Kingdom Hearts II would have a very close match, if not win against Skyrim too (it did get almost 45% against Melee). If you ignore SFF Oblivion likely defeats everything not Skyrim while Okami defeats everything outside of Skyrim and Skyward Sword (probably).
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Best Year in Gaming - Today's Winners: 2003 and 2005
Current Bracket Score: 17/18

Lightning Strikes posted...

Skyrim, Dark Souls, Witcher, Deus Ex, Pokemon, as opposed to 2006 which has Oblivion, KHII, and FFXII. I know which year looks better for the site's favourite genre.

Witcher 2 and Deus Ex are nothing while Pokemon Black/White won't add much, but the point is moot since the average person won't remember all those games in the poll.

2006 wouldn't have crushed 2011, but there's little doubt it would have won.
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Best Year in Gaming - Today's Winners: 2003 and 2005
Current Bracket Score: 17/18

It's the best evidence that the picture matters. Kingdom Hearts II and Final Fantasy XII weren't in the picture while Twilight Princess was at the bottom.

Even if we look at head to head games; Skyward Sword probably defeats Okami (or it is very close), Skyrim SFFs Oblivion and Dark Souls defeats God of War. Twilight Princess may get a blowout against Mortal Kombat, but by that point fewer people would have noticed or they could have gone "2011 wins 3-1."
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Best Year in Gaming - Today's Winners: 2003 and 2005
Current Bracket Score: 17/18

CaptainOfCrush posted...

Undertale didn't even start cutting ME3 until like 17 hours into the match.

I agree with what KP is saying, and I think this match is 99.9% locked in, but with rallies winning our last two contests (the last time we had a non-rallied, "traditional" contest winner was six years ago), I won't feel that last 0.1% of assurance until 9 p.m. Pacific.

Even before the rally came on I noticed the vote totals were higher, like we were heading to easily break 40k then when everything was at around 38k. Today the vote totals are around the average.
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Best Year in Gaming - Today's Winners: 2003 and 2005
Current Bracket Score: 17/18

GameFAQs stopped playing games since 2008

2011 is a bit of an exception...
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Best Year in Gaming - Today's Winners: 2003 and 2005
Current Bracket Score: 17/18

Regardless, Undertale would have needed to have gone up to something like SotC strength for 2015 to have a chance here, the year is quite weak because GameFAQs has stopped playing games.

I mean look at the GotY polls, GameFAQs never took to the game, even when it was popular.
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Best Year in Gaming - Today's Winners: 2003 and 2005
Current Bracket Score: 17/18

If you were to run another contest without rallying I'd expect Undertale to perform a lot better against Mass Effect 3. Obviously it is not a top game on GameFAQs, it was quite clear it got its strength from rallying.

Though to say Undertale was a fad because it isn't popular on GameFAQs is wrong. League of Legends is hugely popular and as a Nintendo example Animal Crossing is one of the most popular series and is yet ignored here. Gaming has become quite diverse, a hugely popular game at one corner is barely noticed in another.

A game like Undertale was never going to be the next Mario or Zelda, it was going to be more like an Earthbound.
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Best Year in Gaming - Today's Winners: 2003 and 2005
Current Bracket Score: 17/18

Updated Top 5

Best Year in Gaming Stats

Top 5 Biggest Blowouts
1. 1995 – 89.00% vs. 1986 – 11.00% - Round 1 – 78.00%
2. 1991 – 87.54% vs. 1988 – 12.46% - Round 1 – 75.08%
3. 1998 – 85.93% vs. 1993 – 14.07% - Round 1 – 71.76%
4. 2005 – 85.53% vs. 1978 – 14.47% - Wildcard – 71.06%
5. 1996 – 83.69% vs. 1989 – 16.31% - Round 1 – 67.38%

Top 5 Largest Vote Gaps
1. 1995 – 14966 vs. 1986 – 1849 – Round 1 – 13117
2. 1991 – 14850 vs. 1988 – 2114 – Round 1 – 12736
3. 1998 – 14822 vs. 1993 – 2427 – Round 1 – 12395
4. 2001 – 13966 vs. 2014 – 2826 – Round 1 – 11140
5. 1996 – 13583 vs. 1989 – 2648 – Round 1 – 10935

Top 5 Most Popular Polls
1. 1994 vs. 2004 – Round 1 – 17441
2. 1998 vs. 1993 – Round 1 – 17249
3. 2002 vs. 2010 – Round 1 – 17086
4. 1991 vs. 1988 – Round 1 – 16964
5. 2011 vs. 2006 – Round 1 – 16884

Top 5 Highest Individual Votes
1. 1995 – Round 1 – 14966
2. 1991 – Round 1 – 14850
3. 1998 – Round 1 – 14822
4. 2001 – Round 1 – 13966
5. 1996 – Round 1 – 13583

Top 5 Lowest Individual Votes
1. 1986 – Round 1 – 1849
2. 1978 – Wildcard – 2088
3. 1988 – Round 1 – 2114
4. 1993 – Round 1 – 2427
5. 1989 – Round 1- 2648

Top 5 Most Predictable Matches
1. 1995 vs. 1986 – Round 1 – 88.66%
2. 2009 vs. 1979 – Wildcard – 87.86%
3. 1998 vs. 1993 – Round 1 – 87.84%
4. 1989 vs. 1983 – Wildcard – 87.35%
5. 1991 vs. 1988 – Round 1 – 86.54%
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Best Year in Gaming - Today's Winners: 2003 and 2005
Current Bracket Score: 17/18

Match XX – Round 1 – 2015 vs. 2005

Notable Releases – Adjusted X-Stats (Year)

2015
Games
The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt – 27.56% (2015)
Rocket League
Undertale – 18.52% (2015)
Fallout 4

Platforms
None

2005
Games
God of War – 33.29% (2010)
Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney – 23.32% (2015)
Resident Evil 4 – 33.17% (2015)
Shadow of the Colossus – 30.17% (2015)

Platforms
Playstation Portable
Xbox 360

Analysis

Relatively speaking 2005 didn’t perform too well against 1978. If we kept the results of the 70s vote-in constant the year is expected to get 56.79% against 2009. Of course using the results of a multi-way poll may not be the wisest choice. If there was an underperformance, one reason for it could be due to 2005’s strongest games being placed third and fourth in the picture rotation. If true 2005 could be in for another bumpy match as their opponent begins with The Witcher 3 against their God of War, whom is overrated in the 2010 x-stats and is likely weaker today relative to back then.

Conversely Rocket League as the second game probably helps 2005. While we don’t know its strength it does push Undertale and Fallout 4 into direct matches against Resident Evil 4 and Shadow of the Colossus provided people actually wait to see all of the pictures.

Actually scratch what I said in the previous write-up. I’m getting a feeling that this could be a repeat of 2011/2006. Undertale is likely stronger than what its x-stat value says while I expect Fallout 4 to have some strength. Neither game would defeat Resident Evil 4 or Shadow of the Colossus, but if a significant number of people are no longer watching the picture it may not reverse the beating The Witcher 3 will give to God of War.

charmander6000’s Bracket: 2005 > 2015

charmander6000’s Prediction: 2005 wins, 55.77% - 44.23%
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Best Year in Gaming - Today's Winners: 1998 and 1992
Current Bracket Score: 15/16

Match XIX – Round 1 – 2013 vs. 2003

Notable Releases – Adjusted X-Stats (Year)

2013
Games
Grand Theft Auto V – 29.29% (2015)
The Last of Us – 27.36% (2015)
BioShock Infinite – 24.49% (2015)
Fire Emblem: Awakening – 22.89% (2015)

Platforms
Playstation 4
Xbox One

2003
Games
Final Fantasy X-2
The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker – 37.54% (2015)
Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic – 27.59% (2015)
Disgaea: Hour of Darkness – 18.96% (2010)

Platforms
N-Gage

Analysis

During the pre-contest this entire four-pack got a lot of debate though I’m not too sure if either 2013 or 2015 can cause an upset. 2013 is filled with a bunch of mid-tier games and on any other site I would argue it has a pretty nice set of games, but this is GameFAQs and from the 2015 contest these games did okay, but were nothing special.

While I have 2003 winning this four-pack I do feel a bit nervous about its strength. The Wind Waker is clearly the strongest game between the two years while Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic brings some depth, but after that there isn’t much else. I’m not sure how I feel about Final Fantasy X-2 on one hand it’s nice to have a Final Fantasy games on your side, but on the other it wasn’t a very popular one.

I expect 2013 to put up a respectable performance, but I don’t see it threatening 2003. Unlike 2006 the picture order is a bit more favourable for 2003 with Final Fantasy and Zelda in the first two slots and its weakest game in the last slot.

charmander6000’s Bracket: 2003 > 2013

charmander6000’s Prediction: 2003 wins, 59.24% - 40.76%
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Best Year in Gaming - Today's Winners: 1998 and 1992
Current Bracket Score: 15/16

Round 1

2003 - 59.24%
2005 - 55.77%
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Best Year in Gaming - Today's Winners: 1998 and 1992
Current Bracket Score: 15/16

Opps forgot to post this last night

Updated Top 5

Top 5 Closest Matches
1. 2011 – 54.86% vs. 2006 – 45.14% - Round 1 – 9.72%
2. 1994 – 58.69% vs. 2004 – 41.31% - Round 1 – 17.38%
3. 2000 – 65.30% vs. 1990 – 34.70% - Round 1 – 30.60%
4. 1989 – 69.71% vs. 1983 – 30.29% - Wildcard – 39.42%
5. 2002 – 70.37% vs. 2010 – 29.63% - Round 1 – 40.74%

Top 5 Smallest Vote Gaps
1. 2011 – 9262 vs. 2006 – 7622 – Round 1 – 1640
2. 1994 – 10236 vs. 2004 – 7205 – Round 1 – 3031
3. 2000 – 10770 vs. 1990 – 5722 – Round 1 – 5048
4. 1989 – 10929 vs. 1983 – 4749 – Wildcard – 6180
5. 2002 – 12023 vs. 2010 – 5063 – Round 1 – 6960

Top 5 Most Popular Polls
1. 1994 vs. 2004 – Round 1 – 17441
2. 2002 vs. 2010 – Round 1 – 17086
3. 1991 vs. 1988 – Round 1 – 16964
4. 2011 vs. 2006 – Round 1 – 16884
5. 1987 vs. 1985 – Round 1 – 16868

Top 5 Least Impressive Winners
1. 2011 – Round 1 – 9262
2. 1994 – Round 1 – 10236
3. 2000 – Round 1 – 10770
4. 1989 – Wildcard – 10929
5. 2006 – Wildcard – 11158

Top 5 Most Impressive Losers
1. 2006 – Round 1 – 7622
2. 2004 – Round 1 – 7205
3. 1990 – Round 1 – 5722
4. 2010 – Round 1 – 5063
5. 1983 – Wildcard – 4749

Top 5 Least Predictable Matches
1. 1994 vs. 2004 – Round 1 – 49.15%
2. 2011 vs. 2006 – Round 1 – 52.93%
3. 2000 vs. 1990 – Round 1 – 63.21%
4. 1987 vs. 1985 – Round 1 – 68.16%
5. 2002 vs. 2010 – Round 1 – 69.43%
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Best Year in Gaming - Today's Winners: 1998 and 1992
Current Bracket Score: 15/16

metroid composite posted...

Like...don't get me wrong, I've lived in democracies where political opponents did conciliatory acts like this right after getting elected. Like...in Brittish Columbia, when one party won...basically every seat in the province when the other party had 25% of the vote...they changed the election rules so that this couldn't happen, so that one party could not control all the seats and sit basically unopposed. They changed the election rules within a week of getting elected, to have less power if a similar election happened in the future.

Yup.

So how about that election last night? For everyone else it's currently a Liberal minority (43 Liberals, 41 NDP, 3 Greens), but we won't know for sure until the end of the month when the absentee ballots are counted and likely recounts, one riding was won by the NDP by 9 votes excluding absentees.
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Best Year in Gaming - Today's Winners: 1998 and 1992
Current Bracket Score: 15/16

I totally forgot the quote.

I still remember Tharja's while she looked at Aerith.
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Best Year in Gaming - Today's Winners: 1994 and 2006
Current Bracket Score: 14/14

Round 1

1998 - 91.42%
1992 - 78.93%
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Best Year in Gaming - Today's Winners: 1994 and 2006
Current Bracket Score: 14/14

I regret bumping up my 1994 prediction after I looked at the picture. 2006 may not even hold either.
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Best Year in Gaming - Today's Winners: 1994 and 2006
Current Bracket Score: 14/14