all time favorite video games 50-47

The top fifty, the main event, the real deal! The kickoff of my favorite fifty video games of all time starts with...

50. Axis and Allies (PC)
This game is not pretty by today's standards. Heck, it probably wasn't even pretty by the 1999 standards of its contemporaries. I can tell you that it is fun though. Taking all the awesome elements of the board game and making it in one easy to use package does two things. Firstly, it allows you to play an entire game in about two to three hours instead of seven to eight hours. Secondly, it loses the fun factor of playing against other people. The mixed result leaves you satisfied, but ultimately wanting just a bit more--even if it is only someone to point at when their attack on Karelia fails.

49. Metroid Prime (GC)
When they originally announced that they were revamping Nintendo's beloved Metroid series into what is essentially a glorified first person shooter many were outraged. Why not take Mario and put him in a go-cart for crying out loud? Wait a minute... Anyway, Metroid Prime kicked ass. The blend of shooting and puzzling elements, combined with awesome boss battles and the ability to still use the "morph ball," added up to one highly enjoyable experience. The game could be frustratringly hard, but when it was over you just kept wanting more. The series has also made a part two and three, but I wonder if Nintendo will ever answer my prayers and release a huge 2D Metroid game again. One can hope that there is room for both types of games for Samus Aran.

48. X-Men Legends II (GC)
Released for many systems, the sequel to the hit X-Men Legends improved on everything the first did right. More characters, more options, better leveling up, cooler bosses, a great storyline--you name it. I LOVE this kind of game. RPG meets action. It's a great formula for games. Since someone (Karen) always took Wolvering, Cyclops became my de facto character. It ended up working out since I love ranged characters anyway. I hope more of these type of games are on the way.

47. Ken Griffey Jr. Presents Major League Baseball (SNES)
I might actually dust this off and start a new game. I have been for years trying to find a great baseball game to play. If you know me at all you know that I'm a huge baseball fan. Isn't it sad that the highest rated baseball game on this list comes in at 47? 47! 1994 is a long time ago to still be waiting for a fun baseball game. KGJPMLB used real teams and stadium, but was unable to secure actual player names and therefore uses hilarious ficticious names for the players. You could customize them though and change everyone except Ken Griffey Jr. himself. All the money and celebrity he was making. Makes you wonder why Griffey left the Mariners doesn't it? They both went downhill when he left.

UP NEXT: A couple of games featuring apes and monkeys, and a game that shouldn't have been popular--but was with my friends...