LogFAQs > #950222336

36. WarioWare Gold (3DS, 2018)

I've said it a few times already, but I love the WarioWare series. Each game carries over a unique control scheme, a boatload of new microgames, and a ton of quirkiness and offbeat humor. After the first few games, the series took some detours into a custom game maker (D.I.Y.) and a small Wii U Gamepad-themed minigame collection (Game & Wario), before returning to the classic formula with WarioWare Gold in 2018. Gold is a "greatest hits" compilation of sorts, with an even distribution of games between Standard, Touched, and Twisted controls. Cleverly, some games have been repurposed - a game from Twisted might be re-invented as a Touch-control scheme; a boss game from the original is reinvented as a short microgame; and a Game & Wario multiplayer game is reimagined as a Boss challenge here.
The game is also just a love letter to the entire series, chock full of fun references to all sorts of minor characters and critters from the entire series' run in both the games and the story cutscenes. All the main characters from the series get their own story sections, and there's a ton of extra content too: mini-games (like Pyoro) both new and revised from the whole series, and extra modes (like "Gamer" from Game & Wario) make an appearance. And there's a swath of neat endless challenge modes that are often playable in any of the three game styles or Ultra, which bounces between any of the three control schemes from game to game. The level of content is such a step up from prior series entries, with the same endlessly addictive gameplay.
The only real complaint is that the multiplayer option, while totally fine and enjoyable, is pretty bare-bones, especially relative to the whole compilation. But it's just such a satisfying game for a WarioWare lover and just a real treat for anyone who's ever enjoyed the series even a little bit. The only real shame here is that it came out so late in the 3DS run (and after the Switch dropped) that it didn't get nearly the attention and love it deserves.

35. Super Mario World 2: Yoshi's Island (SNES, 1995)

Yoshi's Island may be Super Mario World's sequel by title (in the US, at least), but it really feels like it has more in common with Donkey Kong Country and other similar collection-heavy platformers than it does with the mainline Mario games. With beautiful graphics, unique gameplay, and a ton of hidden secrets and extra mini-games, Yoshi's Island really stands out relative to most of its platforming contemporaries, especially from the SNES (and prior) era. The levels feel distinct and often have some sort of unique gimmick or mechanic that helps them stand out from the core mechanics of eating enemies and tossing eggs. The structure is also super solid - you can plow through levels directly to reach the end, or spend time collecting every flower and red coin and unlocking the secret stages and mini-games.
It's also a game with an absolutely lovely soundtrack, which adds to the game's aesthetic perfectly. There's just something very relaxing and satisfying about playing through a Yoshi's Island stage - it's a game whose presentation invites you to leisurely explore and take in the new stuff the game is consistently throwing at you. That said, there are definitely some tricky levels and somewhat frustrating challenges (at least when going for 100%s and playing the secret levels) but especially for its time, it is rarely too punishing and there are plenty of in-game rewards to keep your lives up or give you extra power-ups.
Interestingly, I've never really gotten into its sequels (I played Yoshi's Island DS and the demo of Crafted World) - they were fine, but failed to live up to the charm and creativity of the original. And thus, it stands alone here as the top "Yoshi game" (whatever that really means) on this list.

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it's an underwater adventure ride