The 7th gen is probably my favorite generation next to potentially the 9th. While I get the issues discussed here, I simply cannot agree with it being the bad generation it seems to get marked as.
I think the 7th is a very weird generation to describe, but if I had to lay out my thoughts on it, it would be that this generation was within the realm of quality over quantity for good games. If this makes sense? It is sort of that revolutionary generation akin to Gen 3 or Gen 5 where it has way less good games than the gen before or maybe after, but the good games are of such a high caliber that it squanders the other gens. Take Gen 5 (N64, PS1) to Gen 6 (GC, PS2, XBOX), while Gen 6 definitely has more good games, I feel like 5 has games that are just bigger like Mario 64 to Sunshine or probably any Final Fantasy to 7. Gen 7 has tons of shovel-ware and shady business practices, yet its good games are so good that I cannot find a reason to go back a console generation, hell, most times I cannot find a reason to go forward.
As a Nintendo fan, I would certainly argue that the 7th gen was an incredible period for a good chunk of the popular franchises. I would say Mario Kart peaked here between Wii having great courses and a superb roster, and DS being highly ambitious with mission mode and other features. Wii and DS seem to be fought over a lot for best Mario Kart for a reason. I would also argue that Brawl was the peak for Smash, or at least the most ambitious title to date. While the fighting sucked, the extra modes in Brawl are untouched, the newcomers are some of the best in the series, and the story mode is one of the coolest features to never be done again. Kirby also peaked in this era as two of its top 3 games are from the 7th gen, being Superstar Ultra and Return to Dreamland. Mario Sports were also amazing with Super Sluggers being in competition with Strikers for best sports title, both of which are Wii games. Pokémon Diamond and Pearl, along with Black & White, are also regarded as the best of the series. Other than Zelda, which was still strong, the main 4 Nintendo icons (Mario, Zelda, Pokémon, and Kirby) were absolutely killing it this generation.
Continuing with the Wii though, how could I not mention the incredible, former, cult-classic Xenoblade Chronicles. I could also talk about how Metroid and Pikmin had their best titles improved this generation with the new-play controls. The Wii also gave us Wii Sports and its sequels, games that are truly revolutionary for their time, and surprisingly hold up well. Finally, there has to be mentions for the comebacks of Donkey Kong Country and Punch Out!!!, two incredible passion projects that updated the originals while adding their own flairs.
The Wii and DS are two of my favorite consoles of all time, not only for the games mentioned, but also just the feel of the console and library. The Wii and DS have this ungodly feeling of relaxation and calmness that took until the Switch for me to feel again. I love big action-packed games, but the simple and calming nature of the libraries is something I cherish dearly. I miss Endless Ocean, Go Vacation, and so many others that made exploration with no goal the winning formula. The Wii and DS, went for casuals, but in doing so really opened up what games could be, allowing for risks like Art Academy, Style Savvy, Hotel Dusk, Trace Memory, Endless Ocean, Brain Age, Go Vacation, Nintendogs, etc.. Party games, sports games, and calmer experiences arose, drawing in audiences of all ages and genders in higher frequencies than before. One could argue that this draw lead to current issues of disconnect and audience fighting in games today. The rise of newfags, like Anita, getting into spaces they have no affiliation with, and current culture wars in nerd spaces. But honestly, I wouldn't want to rewrite what Nintendo did, and would love if it continued more often as I think they opened up the gaming space to possibilities that should not go ignored for not being hardcore enough. I think the Wii and DS really opened gaming to having tons of new possibilities, bringing up the simpler genres of party, art, simulators, puzzles, visual novels, and sports, like never before and never sense. All these titles have heart, but sadly got left to rot by the sands of time and pushes in the industry by gamers to neglect them.
Along with the Wii I had a PS3, which had a fantastic lineup as well. One could easily go over how overlooked the revolutionary status of Little Big Planet and Mod Nation Racers are, being some of the first big creation and online sharing titles, only to be trumped by Minecraft in the same generation. Ratchet and Clank were arguably at a high point early on the the console generation with A Crack in Time being a top 3 contender. Then of course you have Uncharted and The Last of Us, which are both considered masterpieces and definitely movie-quality games. Shout outs should also go to PS All-Stars for being alright, Infamous, and Twisted Metal (2012) for having extremely good gameplay. The PS3 did not have a huge amount of titles for me, but the few games I have hold a very special place for me above anything from the PS2 or 4.
To List off a few more high points of 7th gen:
Downsides
I think the 7th is a very weird generation to describe, but if I had to lay out my thoughts on it, it would be that this generation was within the realm of quality over quantity for good games. If this makes sense? It is sort of that revolutionary generation akin to Gen 3 or Gen 5 where it has way less good games than the gen before or maybe after, but the good games are of such a high caliber that it squanders the other gens. Take Gen 5 (N64, PS1) to Gen 6 (GC, PS2, XBOX), while Gen 6 definitely has more good games, I feel like 5 has games that are just bigger like Mario 64 to Sunshine or probably any Final Fantasy to 7. Gen 7 has tons of shovel-ware and shady business practices, yet its good games are so good that I cannot find a reason to go back a console generation, hell, most times I cannot find a reason to go forward.
As a Nintendo fan, I would certainly argue that the 7th gen was an incredible period for a good chunk of the popular franchises. I would say Mario Kart peaked here between Wii having great courses and a superb roster, and DS being highly ambitious with mission mode and other features. Wii and DS seem to be fought over a lot for best Mario Kart for a reason. I would also argue that Brawl was the peak for Smash, or at least the most ambitious title to date. While the fighting sucked, the extra modes in Brawl are untouched, the newcomers are some of the best in the series, and the story mode is one of the coolest features to never be done again. Kirby also peaked in this era as two of its top 3 games are from the 7th gen, being Superstar Ultra and Return to Dreamland. Mario Sports were also amazing with Super Sluggers being in competition with Strikers for best sports title, both of which are Wii games. Pokémon Diamond and Pearl, along with Black & White, are also regarded as the best of the series. Other than Zelda, which was still strong, the main 4 Nintendo icons (Mario, Zelda, Pokémon, and Kirby) were absolutely killing it this generation.
Continuing with the Wii though, how could I not mention the incredible, former, cult-classic Xenoblade Chronicles. I could also talk about how Metroid and Pikmin had their best titles improved this generation with the new-play controls. The Wii also gave us Wii Sports and its sequels, games that are truly revolutionary for their time, and surprisingly hold up well. Finally, there has to be mentions for the comebacks of Donkey Kong Country and Punch Out!!!, two incredible passion projects that updated the originals while adding their own flairs.
The Wii and DS are two of my favorite consoles of all time, not only for the games mentioned, but also just the feel of the console and library. The Wii and DS have this ungodly feeling of relaxation and calmness that took until the Switch for me to feel again. I love big action-packed games, but the simple and calming nature of the libraries is something I cherish dearly. I miss Endless Ocean, Go Vacation, and so many others that made exploration with no goal the winning formula. The Wii and DS, went for casuals, but in doing so really opened up what games could be, allowing for risks like Art Academy, Style Savvy, Hotel Dusk, Trace Memory, Endless Ocean, Brain Age, Go Vacation, Nintendogs, etc.. Party games, sports games, and calmer experiences arose, drawing in audiences of all ages and genders in higher frequencies than before. One could argue that this draw lead to current issues of disconnect and audience fighting in games today. The rise of newfags, like Anita, getting into spaces they have no affiliation with, and current culture wars in nerd spaces. But honestly, I wouldn't want to rewrite what Nintendo did, and would love if it continued more often as I think they opened up the gaming space to possibilities that should not go ignored for not being hardcore enough. I think the Wii and DS really opened gaming to having tons of new possibilities, bringing up the simpler genres of party, art, simulators, puzzles, visual novels, and sports, like never before and never sense. All these titles have heart, but sadly got left to rot by the sands of time and pushes in the industry by gamers to neglect them.
Along with the Wii I had a PS3, which had a fantastic lineup as well. One could easily go over how overlooked the revolutionary status of Little Big Planet and Mod Nation Racers are, being some of the first big creation and online sharing titles, only to be trumped by Minecraft in the same generation. Ratchet and Clank were arguably at a high point early on the the console generation with A Crack in Time being a top 3 contender. Then of course you have Uncharted and The Last of Us, which are both considered masterpieces and definitely movie-quality games. Shout outs should also go to PS All-Stars for being alright, Infamous, and Twisted Metal (2012) for having extremely good gameplay. The PS3 did not have a huge amount of titles for me, but the few games I have hold a very special place for me above anything from the PS2 or 4.
To List off a few more high points of 7th gen:
- 2D Platformers made a large comeback, which gave us the fantastic Rayman Origins in 2010.
- 2D Fighting games made a comeback between Street Fighter 4 and Mortal Kombat 9.
- Batman Arkham revolutionized the superhero game.
- Puzzlers were huge, giving us Professor Layton, and my personal favorite, Catherine. One could also mention Portal.
- Minecraft
- Sonic being good in the later half (Generations and Colors).
Downsides
- The death of 3D platformers (Crash, Spyro, Jak, Sly (debatably, it had a 4th entry in 2013), Banjo, etc.)
- DLC and Toys to Life practices.
- Wii shovelware and pointless motion controls.
- FPS and EA Sports takeover.
- Everything must be open-world!!!
- Death of licensed games after. (Look, every now and again, you may get a Battle for Bikini Bottom)
