The 50 Compilations That Rocked The World

Action 52 (Genesis)

#50

Number of Games: 52 - Including Star Evil, G-Force Fighters, Operation Full-Moon, Dam Buster, The Cheetahmen, Time Warp Tickers, Beeps and Blips, Evil Empire and Fuzz Power.

We Say: Although we are attempting to name the best compilation of all time we always have time to look at one of the earliest examples of the bad game collection. Nothing about the Action 52 is good, the games are horrible, the price was all wrong and nobody has ever sounded cool bragging about their Genesis game that has 52 games. But these days bad game collections are a dime a dozen, the Action 52 started that trend. And to think, people actually spent $200 to play games like Billy Bob, Dyno Tennis, Air Command, Black Hole and Challenge. The real "challenge" here is finding a game you will want to play for more than 52 seconds. Thankfully we can only go up from here.

Tecmo Classic Arcade (PS2)

#49

Number of Games: 11 - Including Bomb Jack, Tecmo Bowl, Rygar and Star Force.

We Say: When making a list of the top 50 compilations of all time it's important to feature a couple of products that could have been great, but just couldn't make it work for whatever reason. This Tecmo Classic Arcade should have been cool; it's by a company that had more than a few big hits in the 1980s and 90s. But this collection blows; it's one of the worst Tecmo products I've ever seen. Even games that should have been great (like Tecmo Bowl) fail to impress. The only reason you would want to buy this game is if you've collected every other game on this list!

Arc the Lad Collection (PS1)

#48

Number of Games: Arc the Lad, Arc the Lad II, Arc the Lad III and Arc Arena.

We Say: If you're a fan of long winded PlayStation role-playing games that look like they belong on your Super Nintendo then the Arc the Lad Collection is perfect. This Japanese RPG series is not for everyone, but if you're up for several lengthy adventures then you will find a lot of value in this Collection. None of these games really stand out as a classic, but it will take you more than one hundred hours to finish these quests. That's a lot time so you better get started as soon as possible.

Irem Arcade Classics (Saturn)

#47

Number of Games: 3 - 10-Yard Fight, Zippy Race and Spartan X.

We Say: There's no doubt about it, this Irem collection is weak. Instead of offering gamers a wide selection of their greatest hits, Irem decided to give Japanese Saturn owners three ancient games that probably didn't even take up 10 megs of the CD-ROM. The best known game in this set is 10 Yard Fight, one of those 8-bit footballers that people have fond memories of but wouldn't play over the newest Madden. Zippy Race and Spartan X sound exciting ... but they aren't. This entire collection is actually pretty boring; the type of boring that makes you not want to import this product. Perhaps that's one of the reasons this is stuck down in the 40s. Better luck next time, Irem!

Activision Anthology (PS2)

#46

Number of Games: 54 - Including Barnstorming, Kaboom!, Keystone Kapers, Fishing Derby, Spider Fighter, Robot Tank, Pitfall!, Okie Dokie, Tennis, Thwocker, Title Match and Vault Assault.

We Say: After hearing us complain about the paltry selection of games on that Irem collection Activision has decided to go the other direction. Instead of focusing on two or three really big titles Activision decided to just throw in everything they could think of. Activision Anthology features 54 different games; unfortunately all of the games kind of look the same. This compilation does feature a number of games you'll probably remember, it featuers Pitfall! And Robot Tank and Kaboom! But there are also a lot of other games you've never heard of that just aren't any fun. A good compilation will not only bring back memories to the long-time fans of the games, but it should also show newer gamers what was so cool about these classic games. This Activision set won't convince anybody that those games are better than World of WarCraft.

Buster Bros. Collection (PS1)

#45

Number of Games: 3 - Buster Bros., Super Buster Bros. and Buster Buddies.

We Say: This original PlayStation collection features three of Capcom's craziest arcade puzzlers. You get Buster Bros., a game where you shoot harpoons into the air trying to pop giant bubbles (turning them into smaller bubbles). And if that wasn't enough, you get Super Buster Bros. and Buster Buddies, each with different weapons and characters. Despite it's bizarre premise the game proves to be instantly addictive and is easy to recommend. The three Buster Bros. games can even be played with a friend, which turns a throw away arcade game into one of the best party games around. Okay, maybe it's not one of the best party games around, but it's still a lot of fun and well keeping in your collection.

Nintendo Puzzle Collection (GCN)

#44

Number of Games: 3 - Dr. Mario, Yoshi's Cookie and Panel De Pon.

We Say: Nintendo Puzzle Collection isn't a bad game, it features three solid puzzle games that are just as addictive now as they ever were. Dr. Mario is really the star of this collection, but don't rule out Yoshie's Cookie. The problem with this compilation is that it only features three games, it feels like there's a lot of unused space on the disc. Where is Nintendo's version of Tetris? Nintendo may not be known for their puzzle games, but it still would have been nice to get more variety. With Tetris and a few other titles this collection might have been placed higher on our countdown.

Midway Arcade Treasures (PS2)

#43

Number of Games: 24 - Including the original Rampage, Rampart, Gauntlet, Spy Hunter, Klax, Smash TV, Robotron 2084, Marble Madness and Root Beer Tapper.

We Say: The very first PS2 Midway compilation had its share of problems. Some of the games felt odd with the new controls and the menu system was a mess. But none of these problems affected the really good games, including Smash TV, Rampart and Gauntlet. The mediocre games seem to outweigh the really great titles, but there's enough here to recommend it. It's fun to go back and see how the original Rampage does not hold up while the overhead Super Sprint is still one of the best three player games around. You can pretty much skip 720 Degrees now that Tony Hawk has entered the picture, but this collection is worth your $20 for one game and one game alone ... and that game is RoadBlasters!

Metal Slug Anthology (PSP)

#42

Number of Games: 6 - Metal Slug, Metal Slug 2, Metal Slug X, Metal Slug 3, Metal Slug 4 and Metal Slug 5

We Say: A warning for anybody who wants to go through SNK's Metal Slug Anthology: make sure you don't attempt to go through all six games in the same day. Do not ignore my pleas, your hand will thank you for splitting the Metal Slug time up into several days instead of a few hours. Johnny, don't be a hero! This Metal Slug set does exactly what SNK should have been doing from the get-go, packaging a bunch of games together for one low price. The Metal Slug series is one of SNK's best, but if you play them all on one day you will completely lose track of which game is which and your life would cease to have any meaning at all. This is a fun set of 2D shooters, but use Metal Slug at your own risk.

Konami Antiques: MSX Collection (Saturn)

#41

Number of Games: 30 - Including Boxing, Ping Pong, SkyJaguar, Super Cobra, Twin Bee, Gradius, Gradius 2, Comic Bakery and King's Valley.

We Say: Don't feel bad if you've never owned an MSX, most people in the United States have never heard of one let alone own one. Although you may not know much about the MSX chances are you've heard of at least a few of the computer's popular games, like Gradius, Castlevania (Vampire Killer), Super Cobra, Twin Bee and Metal Gear. Almost every major Konami franchises got its start from the MSX and you (along with GamePro) didn't know it. Konami released two of these MSX Collection discs in Japan, but good luck finding them. This collection offers you dozens of Konami's very best ... assuming you only care about the 1980s. You get a nice selection of games, good memories and some useful information. Unfortunately almost everything is in Japanese, but this collection is worth tracking down if you have a chance. You'll probably be the only person you know that owns it.

Mega Man X Collection (PS2)

#40

Number of Games: 7 - Including Mega Man X, Mega Man X2, Mega Man X3, Mega Man X4 and so on so forth.

We Say: Although the Mega Man X Collection comes with seven different games you're really only buying this for the first two titles. After the third game you'll be questioning why you're still playing these games. Along for the ride is Mega Man Battle and Chase, a 3D kart racing game that could not be any more out of place than it is right here. But don't forget that this is nothing more than a budget title with a lot of content. This collection is worth paying attention to if only for faithful emulations of Mega Man X and Mega Man X2.

Atari Anniversary Advance (GBA)

#39

Number of Games: 6 - Tempest, Centipede, Battlezone, Asteroids, Super Breakout and Missile Command

We Say: Video game compilations are hit and miss on the Game Boy Advance. Thankfully this Atari Anniversary Advance collection manages to get everything right. This is a collection of six classic Atari games spanning several genres; we have classics like Tempest and Missile Command, exciting ports of Asteroids and Battlezone, and complete duds like Centipede and Super Breakout. Regardless of what you think of the six games this collection is actually quite competent and worth your time if you have a GBA and remember these hits.

Intellivision Lives! (PS2)

#38

Number of Games: 61 - Including Word Rockets, Shark! Shark!, Thin Ice, Battle Tanks, Tower of Doom, Frog Bog and Crossword.

We Say: If this were a contest for the collection that contained the most amount of games then Intellivision Lives! would be the undisputed champ. This collection of old Intellivision titles features over 60 games (61 to be exact) ... a few of which you might actually enjoy. Like a lot of the Atari and Activision collections, Intellivision Lives! will probably not attract new converts to these old systems, but it will give aging gamers a chance to relive their youth. While not every game in this collection is a must-own, chances are you will spend the first month just trying to figure out what is on this disc.

Gunstar Heroes Treasure Box (PS2)

#37

Number of Games: 3 - GunStar Heroes, Dynamite Headdy and Alien Soldier.

We Say: Ever since the amazing GunStar Heroes I have been hooked on everything Treasure has come up with. I've been there for the action games, the shooters, the 2D brawlers, whatever Treasure came up with I had to have it. So it would seem like this collection would be right up my alley, right? Unfortunately GunStar Heroes Treasure Box only features three of their games. If they could have doubled that amount we would be looking at one of the best video game collections of all time, but unfortunately we only get three games. Where's Guardian Heroes? Silhouette Mirage? Radiant Silvergun? You have the space on the PlayStation 2 disc, let's use it to compile a game collection to remember!

Pac-Man Collection (GBA)

#36

Number of Games: 4 - Pac-Man, Pac-Mania, Pac-Man Arrangement and Pac-Attack.

We Say: Pac-Man has been on literally dozens of Namco collections over the years, he has been made and remade more times than you can count. But if you want the very best collection of Pac-Man games then you better find yourself a copy of the Pac-Man Collection for the Game Boy Advance. Not only does it include Pac-Man and its crazy (and usually lame) sequels, but it features a brand new Arrangement mode that is worth the price of admission all by itself. If this Pac-Man would have featured the far superior Mrs. Pac-Man then it would have ranked a lot higher in our list of the best compilations ever.

Taito Legends (PS2)

#35

Number of Games: 29 - Including Bubble Bobble, Elevator Action, Jungle Hunt, Operation Wolf, Phoenix, Rastan and Zoo Keeper.

We Say: Taito is one of those companies that you know, but when it comes to naming the games they've released it's hard. Most gamers don't associate their brand with their games in the same way people do with Capcom or Nintendo. But one look at this Taito Legends collection and you will be reminded of dozens of classic games Taito had a hand in. Games like Bubble Bobble, Elevator Action, Operation Wolf and Zoo Keeper. This set may feature a lot of diversity, but many of the product's lesser known titles aren't worth playing. But when it's good it's good, and Taito Legends manages to get it right more than wrong.

Ninja Gaiden Trilogy (S-NES)

#34

Number of Games: 3 - Ninja Gaiden, Ninja Gaiden II: The Dark Sword of Chaos, Ninja Gaiden III: The Ancient Ship of Doom.

We Say: The 8-Bit Ninja Gaiden franchise was one of the first action games to develop a deep narrative. Although the story telling looks primitive by today's standards, the NES Ninja Gaiden series told an interesting story in a way you rarely saw used for side scrolling action titles. This collection allows you to go back and experience the extreme frustration that was the Ninja Gaiden franchise. Who knew they could put so many crazy jumps in a row and make you dodge a hawk while other ninjas throw fireballs at you? If you can get over some of the cheap deaths then you will find three great platformers that feature some very compelling story telling. It's time to dust off that Super NES, the Ninja Gaiden Trilogy is dying to be played.

Infocom Classic Text Adventure Masterpieces (PC)

#33

Number of Games: 33 - Zork, Zork II, Zork Zero, Nord and Bert Couldn't Make Head or Tails of It, Hollywood Hijinx, Arthur: The Quest for Excalibur and Starcross.

We Say: These classic Infocom text adventures are not for everybody, there are some gamers out there that will simply be too bored to enjoy a game with nothing but reading. But for those who grew up loving the text adventures this Infocom Classic Text Adventure Masterpieces disc for the PC is about the best collection you could hope for. This thing features 33 different games, including a lot of your favorites. It also features a nice mix of newer titles and a few obscure gems. Best of all it features a game called Nord and Bert Couldn't Make Head or Tails of It ... how can you not be excited to play through something with a name like that? This set of games may not be as exciting as Midway's Arcade Treasures or the GunStar Heroes Treasure Box, but this is one aspect of our history that should not be forgotten.

Dead or Alive Ultimate (Xbox)

#32

Number of Games: 2 - Dead or Alive and a re-imagined Dead or Alive 2.

We Say: Like those girls that populate that Xtreme Beach, Dead or Alive really gets around. Although the game has only had four entries it has managed to invade the PlayStation, Saturn, Dreamcast, PlaySation 2, Xbox and now the Xbox 360. With the international success of Dead or Alive 3, Tecmo was looking for a way on keeping people busy until they developed a fourth installment. Enter Dead or Alive Ultimate, a collection of Dead or Alive 1 and 2. Ultimate was a way for Tecmo to show off their new engine and provide a unique online experience. Players can choose between the original Dead or Alive (which looks exactly like the Saturn version) or this much improved Dead or Alive 2. The new DOA2 features state of the art graphics and improved combat. Although most die hard DOA fans have moved on to the next generation fighter, this Ultimate collection is still a great set of games.

Namco Museum Battle Collection (PSP)

#31

Number of Games: 21 - Pac-Man, Rally-X, Rolling Thunder, Dig Dug, King and Balloon, Motos, Galaga and Mrs. Pac-Man.

We Say: Namco is one of those companies that likes to trot out a new video game compilation every couple years. A collector of game compilations could have easily amassed dozens of emulations of Pac-Man throughout the years, all without actually buying the stand alone game. This PSP collection is about as comprehensive as Namco gets, it features 21 games ... although a few of those are the same game with better graphics. The good news is that most of the best Namco games made it into this collection; the bad news is that there are still plenty of titles that are completely passed over. The new versions of the old games aren't bad, but with all that disc space Namco could have easily doubled the amount of games. At least they managed to get Dig Dug and Rolling Thunder under one roof.

Sega Classics Arcade Collection (Sega CD)

#30

Number of Games: 4 - Streets of Rage, Revenge of Shinobi, Columns and Golden Axe.

We Say: What better way to sell Genesis owners on the power of the expensive CD attachment than to give them more Genesis games? This Sega Classic Arcade Collection is a real disc that came with the Sega CD (along with a Sherlock Holmes full-motion video game, Sol-Feace and a whole bunch of music). What is odd is that this collection is one of the few compilations on the Sega CD; it's a unique product that features some good games. I still hear people longing for a collection that features Streets of Rage.

Game and Watch Gallery Series (GB)

#29

Number of Games: 41 - Including Manhole, Donkey Kong, Flagman, Egg, Chef, Parachute, Oil Panic and Rain Shower.

We Say: One of the reasons Nintendo's fans stay so loyal to their favorite company is because Nintendo stays loyal to them. While a lot of companies forget their roots, Nintendo is always looking at the past and reminding gamers of their classic 8-bit games. The Game and Watch Gallery series is another extension of Nintendo reminding gamers of their classic games, even if these games were never strong enough to reside on a console. This series is available on both the Game Boy and Game Boy Advance and features more than 40 simple (and often frustrating) games. In the future we hope that Nintendo will release a comprehensive set on the Nintendo DS, this series could use a history lesson that puts it all into context.

Garou Densetsu Battle Archives 1 (PS2)

#28

Number of Games: 4 - Fatal Fury, Fatal Fury 2, Fatal Fury Special and Fatal Fury 3.

We Say: Don't recognize the name? Don't worry, all you need to know is that it features four separate Fatal Fury games. This is another example of SNK delivering a solid compilation disc to Japan but leaving the U.S. and Europe out of the loop. It's fun to go back and see how bad the original Fatal Fury is. With each passing sequel this series actually started to become worthwhile, to the point where there are actually a couple games in this collection worth going back and playing.

Final Fantasy 1 + 2: Dawn of Souls (GBA)

#27

Number of Games: 2 - Final Fantasy and Final Fantasy II.

We Say: When your collection consists of only two games then they better be top quality. Thankfully Final Fantasy 1 + 2: Dawn of Souls makes up for the lack of games with two of the best role-playing games of all time. Both of these two Final Fantasy games feature brand new graphics, they really stand out even after all this time has passed. The original Final Fantasy was a hit in the United States back in the early 1990s, but most American gamers never had a chance to play through the brilliant Final Fantasy II (our Final Fantasy II was actually a port of Final Fantasy IV). If you are going on a long trip and can only take one game then there is no better Game Boy Advance time waster than Final Fantasy 1 + 2: Dawn of Souls.

Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time (Xbox)

#26

Number of Games: 3 - Prince of Persia, Prince of Persia 2 and Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time.

We Say: There have been two Prince of Persia games released since The Sands of Time, but it's this 2003 adventure game that really deserves your attention. At first glance this doesn't look like a compilation, but the Xbox version of the game features both the original PC Prince of Persia as well as Prince of Persia 2. What you are really getting here are the three best Prince of Persia games for one price, that's not a bad deal when you consider the quality of the series.

Sega Saturn 3 Free Games (Saturn)

#25

Number of Games: 3 - Virtua Fighter 2, Virtua Cop and Daytona USA.

We Say: When your console is in second (or even third) place sometimes desperate times call for desperate measures. To stop the bleeding from the Saturn, Sega decided to offer a set of three new games to anybody who bought the system. This set is the Sega Saturn 3 Free Games, it features Virtua Fighter 2, Virtua Cop and Daytona USA. Each game comes on its own disc, so this isn't a compilation in the truest sense. But this is a unique package that only new adopters were supposed to receive. In the end most video game stores ended up just giving this box set away to anybody who even knew somebody with a Saturn.

Konami Collector's Series: Arcade Advanced (GBA)

#24

Number of Games: 6 - Frogger, Gyruss, Time Pilot, Rush'n Attack, Scramble, and Yie Ar Kung-Fu.

We Say: At the time of the Konami Collector's Series: Arcade Advanced there weren't very many game compilations on the Game Boy Advance. This Konami set raised the bar for portable game collections; it's a great set of games that is still worth seeking out. This collection features the arcade classics you want (Frogger and Gyruss), the arcade games you only think you want (Time Pilot and Yie Ar Kung Fu), and the arcade games you rarely see anymore (Rush'n Attack and Scramble). Some of these games are just now starting to creep onto the Xbox 360's Live Arcade, but if you pick up this fantastic collection now for a fraction of the price of those Microsoft points.

The King of Fighters Nests (PS2)

#23

Number of Games: 4 - The King of Fighters '99: Millennium Battle, The King of Fighters 2000, The King of Fighters 2001 and The King of Fighters 2002

We Say: I hate to sound like a broken record, but here is yet another SNK compilation that never managed to get a state side release. This is The King of Fighters Nests, a collection of four years worth of KOF entries. What sets this collection apart from all the rest is how different these four games end up being. When you go back and play The King of Fighters '99 it feels like you are playing the best of the original generation of KOF games. By the time they hit 2002 SNK had refined the formula to create a much different (and dare I say it, much better) King of Fighters experience. This collection also allows you to play these four games online.

Mother 1+2 (GBA)

#22

Number of Games: 2 - Mother 1 and Mother 2.

We Say: The Mother series has such a loyal fan base it would be stupid not to include this Game Boy Advance collection on the list. Like it or not, this Mother 1 + 2 set is still relevant. To date only one of the Mother games has been released in the United States and it was a, well, let's just say it didn't do so well. With this set (that you can only get from Japan) you get both Mother 1 and 2, but of course you'll have to deal with the pesky language issue. Thankfully fans of the series have a few options: they can pray that Nintendo wises up and delivers a full Mother collection on the DS, they can download fan edits that feature the English language, or they can learn to speak Japanese. Regardless of what you do decide to do it doesn't change the fact that this is a fantastic portable collection that should have been released in the U.S.

Gradius Collection (PSP)

#21

Number of Games: 5 - Gradius, Graduis II, Gradius III, Gradius IV and Gradius Gaiden.

We Say: This PSP collection is a comprehensive look at all of the Gradius games over the years, including five 2D shooters on one UMD. I don't think I need to tell you this, but with five 2D shooters that's a lot of dodging and split second timing, hope your eyes can keep up. This set of Gradius sequels only illustrates the complete lack of quality 2D shooters these days. These five games are so much fun that they make you want a larger variety of horizontal scrolling shooters to choose from. But alas, all you have is Gradius ... and that's fine, because these five games aren't getting old any time soon.

TurboDuo 3-in-1 CD (TurboDuo)

#20

Number of Games: 4 - Bonk's Adventure, Bonk's Revenge, Gates of Thunder and a hidden Bomberman.

We Say: When TTI/NEC launched the TurboDuo in the United States it came with this 3-in-1 CD. The disc featured the amazing 2D shooter Gates of Thunder, Bonk's Adventure and Bonk's Revenge. If you were the hunting type you could even find a very special hidden game, the five-player TurboGrafx-16 version of Bomberman. This collection is nothing more than a quickly thrown together pack-in, the type of product that has something for everybody ... assuming like they platformers or shooters. But just because this is no frills doesn't mean it's not good, this may not be the most competent collection but it's still a lot of fun. Sort of makes me yearn for TurboDuo Collection discs for the current generation consoles.

Mega Man Anniversary Collection (GBA)

#19

Number of Games: 5 - Mega Man, Mega Man 2, Mega Man 3, Mega Man 4 and, you guessed it, Mega Man 5.

We Say: This oft-delayed Game Boy Advance version of the Mega Man Anniversary Collection is finally coming out, and not a moment too soon. Unlike the PS2 version of this Mega Man set this GBA cartridge holds all of the classic black and white Game Boy Mega Man titles. These early Game Boy Mega Man games were trying their hardest to be like their console bigger brother, they feature some of the same levels and enemies as you would find in the NES game. But despite trying to imitate something it could never be, the Game Boy Mega Man games managed to carve out their own identity. And that's why this Game Boy Advance version of the game is so damn cool. Get out there and show your love for the Mega Man, the underdog!

NeoGeo Online Collection Vol. 2: Last Blade 1 & 2 (PS2)

#18

Number of Games: 2 - Last Blade and Last Blade 2.

We Say: As we get closer to revealing the number one video game compilation of all time there are some themes starting to take shape. For example, you will notice that a lot of the collections are from Capcom, Sega and other large companies. SNK is another one of those players that we seem to come back to over and over again. Here is the Last Blade collection, an Japanese PlayStation 2 game that should be in everybody's library. Not only does this disc feature flawless ports of Last Blade 1 and 2, but it also allows you to play them online. Why SNK decided to leave this in Japan but release Samurai Shodown V is something I will never understand. If you've never played the Last Blade series then it's worth it to modify your PlayStation 2 just to import this fantastic collection.

Capcom Puzzle World (PSP)

#17

Number of Games: 5 - Including Block Block, Super Buster Bros. and Super Puzzle Fighter II Turbo.

We Say: Considering how popular (and well suited) puzzle games are for portable game systems you would think there would be more mind games on the PSP. Up until now we've only seen a few puzzlers, from the great (Lumines) to the quirky (Exit) to the interesting (Mercury) to the downright bad (Smart Bomb). This collection of Capcom puzzle games goes a long way to keep the genre alive on Sony's PlayStation Portable. You get one of the best puzzle games of all time, Super Puzzle Fighter II Turbo, and a trio of Super Buster Bros. Unfortunately you are also getting Block Block (which has been included in other Capcom collections), but I'm sure you can ignore that one.

Metal Gear Solid 3: Subsistence (PS2)

#16

Number of Games: 3 - Metal Gear, Metal Gear: Solid Snake and a re-imagined Metal Gear Solid 3.

We Say: I bet you are surprised to see a Metal Gear Solid game on this list, but until Hideo Kojima decides to give us a full fledged Metal Gear collection we are forced to bring you the next best thing. This is Metal Gear Solid 3 Subsistence. When the media talks about this version of Metal Gear Solid they often mention the new 3D graphics engine or the brand new online mode, but that's not why Subsistence is on this list. This PS2 game is here because it actually features two games that had never been released in the United States. I'm talking about none other than the original MSX-2 Metal Gear and Metal Gear: Solid Snake. It offers you those two games and an exciting third chapter in the Solid series, how can you resist a deal like that?

Gunvari Collection + Time Crisis (PS2)

#15

Number of Games: 4 - Gunvari, Gunvari II, Gunvari III and Time Crisis.

We Say: There is nothing better than a Gunvari (that's Point Blank for us English speaking folk) party! Get a bunch of Namco Guncon's together and get ready to shoot like your life depends on it. The brilliance of Point Blank (or, Gunvari) comes with all of the crazy games you have to play, it's almost like a multiplayer Wario Wares with a gun. Gunvari is the game for all of those people who don't see a point in buying a light gun for your home console; it's the type of game you can play over and over because it's never the same. If you do want to switch over to one of those traditional gun games where you memorize enemy placement then there's always Tim Crisis. It's a shame this collection doesn't feature more of the Time Crisis series, perhaps in a future installment.

Street Fighter Alpha Anthology (PS2)

#14

Number of Games: 5 - Street Fighter Alpha, Street Fighter Alpha 2, Street Fighter Alpha 2 Gold, Street Fighter Alpha 3 and Super Gem Fighter MiniMix.

We Say: Considering how many different game collections Street Fighter II was on you would expect to see some kind of Street Fighter Collection on this list. But it's not here. The closest you're going to get to a Street Fighter collection is this brilliant Street Fighter Alpha Anthology. This game features just about every version of Street Fighter Alpha known to man. In fact, the only Alpha you don't get in this package is Street Fighter Alpha 3 Max (a PSP exclusive). You do get some of the best 2D fighters of all time. This is the series that allowed Capcom to bring a few other franchises into the mix. Look for characters from both the original Street Fighter as well as Final Fight. This collection does an excellent job of reminding you just how cool these games were back when the arcade was still alive.

Midway Arcade Treasures 2 (PS2)

#13

Number of Games: 20 - Including Mortal Kombat II, Mortal Kombat 3, NARC, Total Carnage, Primal Rage and Rampage World Tour.

We Say: The first Midway Arcade Treasures was nice; it had an okay selection of games and some funky menu problems. In their second attempt Midway manages to get it right. Gone are the hard to navigate menus. Gone are the boring games like 720 Degrees. Gone is the crummy artwork. Midway Arcade Treasures 2 is a big improvement over the other games in the series. If the technical improvements don't get you then perhaps you'll be impressed with the collection of games. Play through Mortal Kombat II, experience Mortal Kombat 3, kill drug dealers in NARC and pee on a dinosaur in Primal Rage. Not every game in this collection is a home run, but there's enough diversity to keep you coming back for more long after you've destroyed the entire world in Rampage World Tour.

Grand Theft Auto: Double Pack (Xbox)

#12

Number of Games: 2 - Grand Theft Auto III and Grand Theft Auto: Vice City.

We Say: How can the Grand Theft Auto: Double Pack be included as a video game compilation? It's because this was the first time either Grand Theft Auto III or Vice City had appeared on the Xbox and it this box set was the only way you could purchase them. This budget set offered Xbox gamers a chance to fight through the mean streets of Liberty City and fly overhead the beautiful beaches of Vice City. These are two of the very best games released in the 21st century and you can get them both in this one box set. And best of all, unlike most of the games on this list, these two Xbox games work perfectly in Microsoft's next generation Xbox 360. Take that Midway Arcade Treasures 2!!

Power Stone Collection (PSP)

#11

Number of Games: 2 - Power Stone and Power Stone 2.

We Say: This PSP collection only contains two games, ports of two Dreamcast Power Stone titles. To a lot of gamers this means nothing, it's just another in a long line of Capcom collections for the PSP. But Power Stone is one of those party games that never managed to take off. Overshadowed by games like Soul Calibur, Power Stone 1 and 2 were thought to have been lost forever, games you remember only in a faint memory. This PSP collection features Dreamcast-perfect renditions of Capcom's two Power Stone titles. They have also included some new weapons, characters and special items. But we aren't featuring the Power Stone Collection because of the new stuff; we support it because it's a collection of two of Capcom's lesser known titles. This should give us all hope that future obscure games will be included in compilation discs.

Sonic Mega Collection Plus (Xbox)

#10

Number of Games: 15 - Including Sonic the Hedgehog, Sonic 3, Sonic and Knuckles, Comix Zone and the Ooze.

We Say: There were other versions of the Sonic Mega Collection on the market, including the original GameCube product. However, this Xbox version features the most Sonic games of any system out there. It offers you the original Sonic the Hedgehog, his sequels, spin-offs and add-ons. And just when you think you're done with Sonic, he's back with a half dozen Sega Master System ports. Add into the mix Comix Zone and The Ooze and you have a collection well worth finding. It leaves out the best Sonic title, Sonic CD, but features almost everything else.

Mega Man Anniversary Collection (PS2)

#9

Number of Games: 10 - Mega Man, Mega Man 2, Mega Man 3, Mega Man 4, Mega Man 5, Mega Man: The Power Battle and Mega Man 2: The Power Fighters. Oh, and Mega Man 6, 7 and 8, too.

We Say: With so many sequels, spin-offs and remakes, Mega Man is an easy target. But I dare any one of you to go back and play through Mega Man 2 and 3 and tell me that it's not a 2D classic. Some of these games hold up remarkably well; the idea of stealing your enemy's weapon is a great idea that still feels fresh. Unfortunately with each passing sequel these clich?s became less fun, but you should be able to ignore the boring games and just focus on the real classics. And to make this compilation even sweeter Capcom has added Mega Man: The Power Battle and Mega Man 2: The Power Fighters. These aren't good games, but it's probably the first time you've ever seen them up close. This Mega Man Anniversary Collection is a great example of how you can take something good just a little too far.

Nintendo Entertainment System Pack-In Cartridge (NES)

#8

Number of Games: 3 - Super Mario Bros., Duck Hunt and World Class Track Meet.

We Say: Chances are that the Nintendo Entertainment System pack-in cartridge was the first video game compilation you ever saw. This pack-in came in a couple of different forms, but our favorite is the one that includes the original Super Mario Bros., Duck Hunt and World Class Track Meet (one of the few games that used the Power Pad). While you could buy Super Mario Bros. and Duck Hunt individually, this three-in-one cartridge could only be attained by purchasing a unit. Eventually used copies flooded the market, but we feel that due to its time and importance we would be insane to ignore Nintendo Entertainment System pack-in game.

Phantasy Star Collection (GBA)

#7

Number of Games: 3 - Phantasy Star, Phantasy Star II and Phantasy Star III.

We Say: While Phantasy Star was never as popular as Square's Final Fantasy and Dragon Quest from Enix, it was a solid role-playing series with at least four great installments. Three of those installments are on this Game Boy Advance cartridge. The real reason to pick up this collection is for he original Phantasy Star game, an 8-bit Master System title that is finally starting to get the recognition it deserves. With three lengthy adventures at hand you will have your work cut out for you if you choose to help Rolf save Algo. Had this Game Boy Advance cartridge held Phantasy Star IV it would have been a perfect set, as it is the Phantasy Star Collection is an exciting look back at three great role-playing games.

Final Fantasy Chronicles (PS1)

#6

Number of Games: 2 - Final Fantasy IV and Chrono Trigger.

We Say: This Final Fantasy set may not have as many games as the other games on the list, but what it lacks in quantity it makes up for in quality. The Final Fantasy Chronicles features two of the best role-playing games of all time, Final Fantasy IV and Chrono Trigger. It's a PlayStation game that added new cinemas and music, a game that allowed a new generation of gamers a chance to play two of Square's best titles. One of the reasons this collection is so high on the list is that even today this set is hard to top, it's still one of the only places you can get Chrono Trigger, and Final Fantasy IV isn't that easy to come by either. Square has yet to do a full-on compilation with several games; instead they seem content with only giving us two at a time. No matter what Square decides to do in the future, the Final Fantasy Chronicles is a compilation worth caring about.

Tekken 5 (PS2)

#5

Number of Games: 4 - Tekken, Tekken 2, Tekken 3 and Tekken 5.

We Say: Some might not consider Tekken 5 to be a true video game compilation; the people cry foul that this is nothing more than a brand new game with some extras. But Tekken 5 plays host to four different versions of Tekken, the game you paid full price for and three arcade emulations of earlier games. Now you will be able to play your friends at Tekken, Tekken 2, Tekken 3 and Tekken 5, all without having to change the disc. If you're a fan of arcade fighting games then Tekken 5 is perfect for you, no matter what era was your favorite. You can have just as much fun playing your buddies at Tekken 3 as you can going through all of the new stuff. It's also a hoot to see how different the original Tekken was to the other sequels, this is one series that has really evolved over the past decade. So no matter if you're a fan of the newest and best 3D brawler or you like the earlier generation, Tekken 5 has something for just about everybody.

Capcom Generation 2: Ghosts N Goblins (Saturn)

#4

Number of Games: 3 - Ghosts N Goblins, Ghouls N Ghosts and Super Ghouls N Ghosts.

We Say: After years of working hard to stay on the D-List, Capcom's Ghosts N Goblins series (or is it Ghouls N Ghosts series?) is finally starting to go somewhere. The PSP is getting a full fledged sequel and the three games found on this Japanese Saturn game are finally getting released in major compilations. When Capcom Generation 2: Ghosts N Goblins hit Japan there weren't a lot of compilations letting you fight zombies and plants in Ghouls N Ghosts, this was pretty much it. And it did its job flawlessly. The three games are given the royal treatment; they are a real joy to play. What is especially intriguing about this collection is that these games are just as much fun today as they were back in the 1980s and early 90s. The levels in each game are imaginative, the enemies are a lot of fun and the bosses are crazy. This is one of the best video game franchises out there and this Saturn game gets it right.

The Legend of Zelda Collector's Edition (GCN)

#3

Number of Games: 4 - The Legend of Zelda, Zelda II: The Adventure of Link, The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time, and The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask

We Say: It's hard to do any better than a disc full of Legend of Zelda games. This is a near flawless compilation, a set that comes so close to being the absolute best game collection out there. This disc was given out in the run up to The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker on the Nintendo GameCube, it features most of Link's previous outings in one easy to use disc. The only problem is that the disc is not complete, it's missing what many consider to be the best 2D Zelda title, Zelda III: A Link to the Past. Fans blame the Game Boy Advance version of A Link to the Past for its absence in the Zelda Collector's Edition disc, but whatever the reason it's a painful omission that keeps this disc from being the best compilation of all time.

Capcom Classic Collection Remixed/Reloaded (PSP)

#2

Number of Games: 39 - Including Street Fighter II, Strider, Ghosts N Goblins, Super Ghouls N Ghosts, Final Fight, Captain Commando, Magic Sword, 1941, 1942, MERCS, Bionic Commando and even the original Street Fighter.

We Say: No matter where you are or what you are doing if you have these two PSP games nearby you will never be bored. The 39 games packaged in Capcom Classics Collections Remixed and Reloaded offer so much variety that it should be able to satisfy any mood at any time, there's fighting, shooting, trivia, puzzle, racing, platforming and so much more. The games themselves include many of the best arcade games of the past 20 years, including Strider, Street Fighter II, Ghouls N Ghosts, MERCS, Final Fight and Captain Commando. But it's not all big names; these discs also include a number of obscure arcade treats, titles that most people in the U.S. have ever heard of. Another reason these games rate so high is because of their solid presentation, they offer game-specific secrets to unlock, an achievement system and all of the options you would want in a portable game collection. These two Capcom Classics discs set the standard for how all arcade compilations should be handled, Capcom got it right! If you're a fan of arcade games then these two PSP games may be hard to pass up.

Super Mario All-Stars (S-NES)

#1

Number of Games: 4 - Super Mario Bros., Super Mario Bros. 2, Super Mario Bros. 3 and Super Mario Bros. USA.

We Say: Even after all of these years Super Mario All-Stars is the best of the compilations. No matter how hard you try you cannot get a better collection of games into one cartridge, it's physically impossible. All-Stars was released at a time when it wasn't chic to cash in on past success, up until that point companies had been looking forward instead of packaging a number of games onto one cartridge. Leave it to Nintendo to turn the tables on the industry and give each of their 8-bit Mario adventures a full 16-bit make over. With detailed graphics and vibrant colors, Super Mario Bros. never looked so good.

But forget the new looks and stereo sound, the reason this collection works is because these four games were so good. Super Mario Bros. 3 is arguably the finest 2D platformer of all time and the original Super Mario Bros. is one of those games that you never get sick of playing. And best of all, this collection offered American gamers their first chance at seeing the real Super Mario Bros., the Japanese game that didn't find its way to the U.S. This is the type of collection that could be released in any era; I can see gamers buying this for $30 if it was released as a GameCube title. Super Mario All-Stars set the bar for future video game compilations, a bar that is still extremely difficult to reach.