Top 10 Games of All-Time (#4)

4.) Super Smash Brothers Melee

There is not a single game I've spent more time playing than Super Smash Brothers Melee. Having launched early in the life of the Gamecube, it's also one of the few games I've played throughout an entire console generation. It's a game I enjoyed in high school and carried with me to college, but it's not just about the game itself. Smash is about the bonds, friendships, and rivalries that are born from multiplayer matches that fit the definition of "fun" more than any other game I've ever played.

Gamers and even people in general are often drawn to Smash Bros because of the fast-paced action, bright colors, and most importantly, the classic Nintendo characters. On the surface, observers see a fun, party game with wacky items and zany stages. Admittedly, the party-game style and atmosphere is what drew me to the Nintendo 64 original and the subsequent Gamecube sequel.

Over time, I played Melee with many different people. I started with a neighborhood friend and eventually my dad and two sisters even joined-in on the action. Throughout high school, I started playing with friends on a pretty consistent basis. A few of the more dedicated players and myself started playing more frequently and tweaking various options. We would turn certain items on/off, play only on certain stages, shift from timed matches to stock matches, and so on. Eventually, we decided to remove items completely and only play on stages that didn't actively affect players. Basically, we removed the elements of chance to result in a game more based on skill.

Many games would crumble after taking away so many options and stripping the game down to a bare-bones state. But with Melee, the opposite happened. My friends, myself, and gamers around the world discovered there was actually an incredibly deep, intricate fighting game underneath the party-game veil. We started to have more fun - and more competition - by playing in this style.

Turns out, Melee had a whole host of advanced techniques underneath the surface. Many of them were difficult to master, especially against another human player. Crouch-canceling, wave dashing, edge-hogging are just a few of the strategies dedicated players attempted to learn.

Once I went off to college, I made new friends...and new Melee rivals. I quickly discovered there were so many others who also preferred to play Melee as more of a competitive game rather than a party game. We poured countless hours into the game, playing night after night. The crazy thing? It never got old. I can probably count on one hand the number of games I could play repeatedly, for years, and never have them feel old or stale. We were constantly improving and learning new things about the game. It probably helps that many of us were ultra competitive and wanted to be the absolute best we could be.

Whether you prefer party games or competitive games, Melee is great for both and I don't fault anyone for enjoying one over the other. What's incredible is how Nintendo and HAL Laboratory created a game that so effortlessly works in either environment. In fact...I think I'd like to go play right now.

Top 10 Games of All-Time (#6)

6.) Pokemon Yellow

To those who know me personally, I would guess this selection comes as a surprise. It's true, Pokemon Yellow probably wouldn't have the type of impact today that it had on me nearly 15 years ago. However, it marks the point in my life where I officially became a gamer. In fact, Pokemon Yellow is almost solely responsible for me becoming as passionate about games as I am today.

Sure, I'd owned an original NES, as well as a Genesis, but I'd never stayed up late into the night playing hour after hour. Don't get me wrong, I loved Mario and Sonic, but as a really young child, I lacked the patience to play either game to its full completion. I'd never poured over every single detail and explored every single area of a game...until Pokemon.

I'm not exactly sure how the game managed to completely hook me, other than maybe it's just the Nintendo magic. It manages to be approachable, yet challenging. There's plenty to do in the game, but you'll also be rewarded for your efforts. I picked up on this pretty quickly so I wanted to know everything I could about the game.

I read through the instruction manual. I read about it online. Talked about it with friends. In game, I spoke to every character I came across. I learned about HP, antidotes, the difference between a master ball and an ultra ball, repels, and how to target and exploit enemy weak points. So many features that are RPG staples today, I learned from Pokemon.

I think part of the reason I even had the opportunity to fully experience Pokemon is because it was portable. I took my Gameboy Color everywhere; on car trips, vacations, heck - even the bathroom. I wanted to catch them all, evolve them all, and assemble the best team possible. I can still remember my favorite party, the unstoppable combination of Blastoise, Charizard, Venusaur, Gyarados, Zapdos, and - the prize of my collection - Mewtwo.

I also played through Red and Blue (I told you...I did everything), but I chose Yellow as #6 on my list for two reasons: 1) It's the superior game because you can obtain all three starter Pokemon from Red and Blue without having to trade and 2) It was the first Pokemon game I played.

You can probably sense my passion coming through just talking about the game. The incredibly strong feelings I have toward the other 9 games on this list owe it all to Pokemon Yellow. 

I'm certain I will play better games and enjoy other games more, but no game will ever have the kind of impact on me that Pokemon did. It showed me just how deep, immersive, challenging, and fun a game could be.

Top 10 Games of All-Time (#9)

9.) Super Metroid

Super Metroid is yet another game I missed the "first time around." It released back in 1994. More than a decade had passed by the time I finally tried it out. The fact that Super Metroid stands the test of time is part of what it makes it so great. Not only was it a great game by 1994's standards, it's a great game by 2014's standards and one I highly recommend to anyone.

The graphics of the 16-bit era have aged better than the 8-bit era before it, and some would even say they aged better than the 32 and 64-bit eras that followed. Unsurprisingly, Super Metroid is downright gorgeous. The art style truly sets it apart; evident as you explore the harsh, diverse landscapes of the planet Zebes.

Aside from the visuals, the pacing and difficulty are nearly perfect. I'm not a developer, but I would wager to guess there is no magic formula to nail the pacing of a game. You just know it when you play it. And Super Metroid has it. You're almost immediately met with a sense of desolation, a Metroid staple, but also the freedom of exploration. What you'll quickly discover - and discovery is oh-so-important in Metroid - is certain paths are blocked off at the beginning. Only by upgrading a certain item or ability will you be able to pass. If it sounds familiar, it's likely because you've played a game in recent years with this mechanic. Chances are the inspiration came from Metroid.

Who could forget battling Kraid?

Finally, one would be remiss to not mention the boss battles. They're a collection of the most memorable bosses in gaming, complete with an unforgettable final boss - and even a story twist - that help solidify Super Metroid's place as one of the greatest. You'll need to utilize all your weapons and abilities to conquer all the game has to offer. Oh and don't skip out on energy tanks. Find as many as you can because you'll need them.

Super Metroid represents one of Nintendo's finest games ever made. Gorgeous art and visuals combine with rock-solid gameplay that makes for a truly memorable experience. Even the story is somewhat intriguing, which isn't often said for Nintendo titles. More than anything, it's a game that still plays well 20 years after its release. And my expectation is gamers will continue to enjoy it 20 years into the future...and beyond.

Jonboy's Top 10 Games of All-Time (Honorable Mentions)

I’ve wanted to compile a comprehensive list of my favorite games for years. Unfortunately, there are numerous challenges in attempting such an endeavor, some of which have prevented me from ever completing a list. Until now, that is.  IGN editors’ recent series on their top games of all-time inspired me to finally develop such a list. And oh, how rewarding it has been.

First, I needed to establish a working framework. Are these the best, most well-made games of all time? The most influential? Do I number the list? These list are personal; thus, I’m focusing on my personal favorite games of all-time.  More specifically, what are the 25 games that sold me on gaming in the first place? What are the games that have made this lifetime hobby worth a lifetime of dedication? Those are the questions I set out to answer with this list.

I also decided on a numbered list. I can’t lie; it’s absolutely agonizing to try and nitpick one game over another. To search for minor flaws in my favorite games ever goes against the very nature of a “top 25” list in the first place. But I continued to return to my purpose and the framework I’ve established. In some alternate universe where I’ve never played a single video game, which 25 would I pick for myself to play? Which five would I pick? Which one would I pick?

It wasn’t easy, but I finally managed to complete the list. Rather than making this one enormous blog post, I’ve elected to split it into separate entries. To get started, I’ve elected to list my 15 honorable mention, which round out my top 25. These are games I truly adore, but they just missed the cut of being in my top 10. They are not in any particular order. Hope you enjoy reading this as much as I enjoyed putting it together.

Memorable characters, excellent battle system, and an intriguing story. 

Near perfection in gameplay and excellence in level-design

A roller-coaster epic with top-notch storytelling.

Fantastic world to explore with a truly believable western tale.

My favorite rhythm game ever made, hands-down. Deserves a sequel.

So easy to get lost in the world and its characters. 

The best Batman game ever made. You truly feel like the caped-crusader.

Just plain fun. Pure gameplay in every sense of the word. 

One of the greatest plot twists in all of video games. 

Ground breaking and unlike any game I'd ever played. Emotional and impactful.

One of my favorite multiplayer games ever made. Poured countless hours into this one.

Incredible powers and intriguing story. 

The PS2's swan song was a gorgeous, action-packed epic.

Car combat at its finest. My friends and I had a blast with this one.

 Fantastic puzzles and an unexpectedly funny, well-told story.

Nintendo Should Revive the Gamecube Controller with Smash Bros Wii U

Super Smash Bros Wii U and Mario Kart 8 are the two premier titles Nintendo is set to launch on the Wii U later this year. In case you haven't heard, the Wii U isn't exactly selling all that well. Nintendo was forced to cut their sales estimates by more than 6 million for the system.

Many have written articles with recommendations for "saving Nintendo" and "turning around the Wii U," but I'd like to take a moment to pose another idea. No, this won't save Nintendo or reverse the fortunes of the Wii U. It would, however, serve as a small gesture of goodwill to long-time Nintendo fans who've supported the company through difficult times: the should release a collector's edition of Super Smash Bros Wii U and bundle it with a redesigned, Gamecube-esque pro controller.

Collector's editions are somewhat rare, although not totally uncommon, for Nintendo. Most recently, we've seen special editions with Zelda titles. They went all-out on Skyward Sword for the Wii, releasing a special edition bundle including the game, 25th anniversary soundtrack (also with the standard version), and a Zelda-themed Wii Remote Plus.

For Wind Waker HD, they packaged the game with a custom Ganondorf figurine.

They also bundled a standard Wii controller with Wii Play and released the Metroid Prime Collection with a steel case and an art book. So it wouldn't be totally outside the realm of possibility for it to happen with Smash, yet it would be a first for the Smash series.

Perhaps I'm just being selfish regarding the controller choice, considering the Gamecube controller is probably my favorite of all-time. Additionally, I've only known Smash with a Cube controller. Of course I played the N64 original, but Super Smash Bros Melee is when the series really took off. The game worked to perfection with the controller, feeling as if every detail had been designed with the controller in mind. Nintendo must have agreed as they elected to enable a number of controller options for the next iteration: Super Smash Bros Brawl.

Unfortunately, the Wii U dropped the Gamecube compatibility of its predecessor and thus, the Gamecube controller ports. Therefore, Nintendo would have to create a complete new controller design to work wirelessly with the Wii U. To be honest, it saddens me that Nintendo went away from the Cube controller design in the first place. With a few tweaks to the triggers and the d-pad, they would have found a classic design with staying power, similar to what we've seen with Sony and Microsoft's controller. Instead, they chose a new design with their Wii Classic Controller and now the Wii U Pro Controller, and in the case of the latter, a design strikingly similar to that of their competitors.

In terms of design, I would use the same body as the Wavebird controller. The coloring would be all black with a subtle Smash Bros Wii U logo at the bottom center. I would also make the d-pad slightly larger, re-design the top z-button and add another to the left, and tweak the triggers ever so slightly to give them less travel distance and slightly more responsiveness when you press them down, but leaving that satisfying "click" at the end. Of course the center would need to be redesigned with a plus/minus button and also the home button. This would be me my ideal design, but there's now way I'd complain even if they just released the exact same controller. 

Let's be clear, the Wii U Gamepad and the Wii U Pro controller will be fine options for Super Smash Bros Wii U, but I'm not sure it will feel perfect on either of those. There are also attachments sold online (like the one here) that allow players to use the Gamecube controller on the Wii U, essentially turning it into a Wii Classic Controller - but not a Wii U Pro Controller. And the difference is significant being that some games do not support the old Wii Classic Controller as an option (ex. Mario 3D World does, Wind Waker HD does not). Given their history of supporting every input imaginable, one would think that Smash Bros Wii U will support the classic, but there's no way to be certain. So even if Nintendo doesn't make an updated Cube controller as I'm hoping, it's still possible the die-hard Smash fans will still be able to use our old Cube controllers. 

A move like this certainly isn't going to reverse Nintendo's fortunes with the Wii U, but I do think it would go a long way toward enticing fans of the Gamecube classic to return and play the latest edition of Nintendo's brawler...just how they remember it. Oh and if they really wanted to send the fans into a frenzy, they could finally announce the launch of a Gamecube Virtual Console to coincide with the controller's release.

Zack and Wiki: Quest for Barbaros' Treasure

Ahh...Zack and Wiki. I still fondly remember the look my wife gave me when I received this title one Christmas. Sadly, one of the best hardcore Wii games ever made suffered from a terrible name and a deceptively childish cover art. Judging this game by its cover alone would likely lead you to an assumption similar to my wife's reaction.  It looks like a cartoon about pirates. Certainly it's riddled with fetch quests, boring collectables, and snooze-inducing gameplay? This couldn't be further from the truth.

Zack and Wiki is certainly cartoonish in style, yet the core gameplay is designed solely for the thoughtful gamer. As a point-and-click adventure, you control Zack solely with the Wii remote (no nunhuck required). Each level is laid out entirely before you begin and you're tasked with reaching a lone treasure chest, which houses a piece of Barbaros himself.

Former IGN editors Matt Casamassina and Mark Bozon spoke of this title throughout its development. I know many gamers have those two to thank for giving Zack and Wiki the attention it deserved. Casamassina awarded the title with an outstanding score of 9.0/10 and posted the review with a simple tagline: "But it. Now."

Sadly, Zack and Wiki didn't sell well enough to warrant a sequel. Even so, it's never too late to go back and revisit such a classic. Here are just a few reasons IGN, myself, and others loved Zack and Wiki so much.

-Incredible puzzles
-Multiple ways to solve certain puzzles
-Excellent pacing w/ steady increase in difficulty
-Varied level design
-Beautiful cel-shading
-Replay value thanks to the high scores
-Solid controls that work well
-Appropriate gestures that almost always make sense

Not only did Zack and Wiki live up to my expectations, it won my wife over as well. She too was enamored by the clever puzzles. I'll never forget one particular glorious moment of realization when she helped solve a difficult puzzle just by shouting "snakes eat frogs!" If you somehow missed this title and are looking for something to enjoy on your old Wii (or new Wii U), pick it up on the cheap and enjoy an experience you and your whole family can enjoy.

Throwback Thursday: Revisiting The NES And SNES

Confession #1: I never owned a Super Nintendo (SNES) growing up. For whatever reason, I owned a Sega Genesis instead. As I've grown older, I realized the number of incredible titles I missed and I've made an effort to play as many as I can. Lucky for me, my high-school girlfriend (and now my wife) owned one of the greatest gaming systems of all-time. She also had a decent collection of games to go with it.

Confession #2: I've never beaten The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past. I've played it on a few different occasions, but never all the way through. Coincidentally, I've recently discovered Neogaf's buy/sell/trade thread, which is an excellent place to find old-school games for a respectable price. So whenever I came across a copy of Link to the Past for $20, I had to pull the trigger.

The first thing to strike me is how beautiful the game still looks. It's really amazing how the SNES has aged so well. Original Nintendo titles don't hold up nearly as well as the 16-bit SNES generation. The colors in Link to the Past really pop and the art style is exactly what we've come to expect from the Zelda series. I'm still very early in the game, but I hope to make Throwback Thursdays a recurring segment here on Retro Raconteur. Perhaps I will revisit my experience with Link to the Past in the coming months.

Still looks beautiful today.

I've also unearthed an original Nintendo Entertainment System (NES) that belongs to my brother-in-law. Regrettably, I sold my system long ago. His system also came with a wide array of titles and he even had many of the original boxes. Upon finding these two legacy systems, I'm getting an itch to start collecting old systems and games. I'm already off to a good start with the aforementioned SNES and NES.

It really is amazing to look back on the history of gaming to see how the industry has changed. Even still, you can also see how much has stayed the same. Nintendo has taken Mario, Metroid, and Zelda from 2d to 3d, they've added new control schemes, new weapons, and new worlds to explore, yet that core experience of each title is rock solid. It's part of the reason Nintendo's titles still resonate with so many gamers across the globe.

Trophy Tuesday

Oh to hear the satisfying little tone of a new trophy increasing my PSN score by a tiny fraction of a percentage point. To someone who isn't a gamer (and even to some who are), it's very difficult to explain the tenacity and dedication with which many Playstation, Xbox, and Steam gamers pursue these seemingly useless little trinkets. Just to get an idea of how far a gamer will go for these digital rewards, look no further than the 2010 Great IGN Trophy Whore War.

I must confess: I myself am a trophy addict. You see, it all started with Infamous. I really loved the title from Sucker Punch and thought it might be cool to go for the platinum trophy. I wanted to play through a separate time as Evil Cole. I wanted to collect all the power-ups. So, I played the game and searched every inch of Empire City for those little blast shards. Finally, I received this...

Unlock the platinum trophy by unlocking all other trophies.

Well, I say "received." It really just appeared in my PSN Profile, which I admittedly thought was cool. After that, I honestly didn't think anything else about it. That is...until a fellow gamer and friend commented on the platinum trophy. Then I suddenly realized that he too may pursue the Infamous platinum. Even worse, he may pursue more trophies and pass my level! I couldn't have that. And so began the great trophy war between myself and two of my closest friends.

Currently, we are all hovering around the level 19 mark. It's a never ending competition, not to see who's the best or the most talented, but to see who has the most dedication to push forward for a higher PSN score and the ever elusive platinum trophy. I'm currently 2nd in the trophy race, but my tally of 39 Platinum Trophies has long been the benchmark (at least for us...more on that later).

Sony's official PSN ID Badge.

The way PSN calculates points is quite unique. Bronze, silver, gold and platinum all have different weights depending on your current level. If you're a level 5 and you get three platinums, three days in a row, your level is going to skyrocket fast. For someone like me who sits at level 19, three platinums wouldn't even shift me a single level. My friends and I have each held a significant lead at some point during our trophy war, only to have the other two come storming back to even things up and eventually take the lead. You're never really out of the race.

Thanks to a wonderful little website called PSN Profiles, it's easier than ever to keep track of your trophies. You can see where you rank against other Playstation gamers, pinpoint your very first trophy, and even learn about the rarest trophy in your collection. My profile is featured at the bottom of this page. To the average gamer, a level 19 with nearly 3,000 trophies may seem like a lot. But take a look at PSN Profiles leader board here. I play a ton of video games. I can honestly say I have no idea how someone can have enough time to earn this many trophies. Beta tester? Game developer? Who knows! Even guys who play games for a living, such as IGN's Greg Miller , only come in at a level 22.

To be totally honest, I'm not sure if trophies/achievements are good for gaming or not. I can honestly say I've played some games just because they have easy trophies. Additionally, I have played a few games far more than I would have if they hadn't had obtainable platinum trophies. I enjoyed Assassin's Creed II, but without trophies, I would have stopped the game immediately upon beating the single player story. Then there are games that are so good, it doesn't really matter about the trophies. I platinumed both Mass Effect 2 and Skyrim (over 120 hours!)...but I loved every second of it.

The main downside to trophy hunting is when a gamer misses out on other quality titles. Maybe the trophies are too difficult that they don't even bother playing or maybe the player is too busy spending hours in another game just for one trophy. Recently,  I've made an effort to focus on quality instead of quantity. I pursue platinum trophies relentlessly with quality titles like Dishonored and Sly Cooper, rather than Kung Fu Panda or Megamind, which are notoriously easy platinums.

Trophies and achievements may be new, but accomplishing random tasks just for fun have been around since the days of Pac-Man and Mario. Only now, we have a record of completing these inane tasks. What would be really awesome is if Sony and Microsoft would work out a rewards program, similar to Club Nintendo (although it rewards purchases, not in-game achievements). Perhaps an Infamous platinum trophy earns you a poster or maybe a Skyrim platinum nets you $10 PSN store credit? The opportunities are endless for companies to further develop an already loyal fan base.

In a very weird way, I guess the trophies make it all seem worth it. No matter what happens to your saves, hard drives, or if you never pick up another title, your trophies and experiences with each game can never be taken away. Don't have a platinum trophy yet? Give it a shot. You just might become addicted.

Metroid Prime is the Greatest Game of All-Time

There's no better way to kick off a new gaming blog than to discuss my favorite game of all time: Metroid Prime. While not a popular choice for best game of all-time, the first-person adventure is certainly one of the most critically acclaimed titles in video game history. The original Gamecube title has an astonishing 97 metascore on metacritic.com, which would be tied for 2nd if metacritic included legacy platforms in their all-time rankings.

Metroid Prime released in 2002 from the relatively unknown Retro Studios. Many longtime Nintendo fans were just a tad enraged when they learned one of Nintendo's most beloved franchises had been given to an up-and-coming studio, not to mention the longtime 2d series would not only be going 3d, but also 1st person. Early screenshots and preview builds of the game did nothing to quell those fears. Sensing the game wasn't shaping up as they'd hoped, Nintendo and Retro started meeting more often. While we'll likely never know the exact details of what happened in those meetings, Nintendo cancelled Retro's other projects and everyone focused solely on Metroid.

When the game released, critics were blown away. Not only did the game play well as a 1st person shooter/adventure, Retro took Metroid from 2d to 3d flawlessly. The series retained its sense of exploration, isolation, and epic boss battles. I remember picking up the latest copy of Electronic Gaming Monthly (EGM) and flipping through until I found the Prime review. I had hoped for a silver award, maybe even a gold, but what I found was almost unthinkable: three 10's and EGM's prestigious platinum award.

From the moment you pop the mini-DVD into little purple cube, you'll realize the game sets itself apart in a big way. You're treated instantly to a sleek menu accompanied by a wonderful score; Metroid Prime exudes polish from the very first menu and until the final credits roll. At the time of its release, Metroid Prime was the best looking game on a console. Period. Yes, that includes the more powerful Xbox system, which of course featured Halo: Combat Evolved. Prime wasn't just good; it excelled on so many levels. I could go on for pages about what makes Prime great, but I'll try and highlight three reasons why it's my personal favorite game of all-time.

1.) The Boss Battles: Every gamer loves a good boss battle and Prime is chock-full of them. The best boss fights are those when you face seemingly insurmountable odds. A creature far more powerful than yourself, yet you have the ability to outsmart it by exploiting a particular weakness. I will never forget the sense of awe when battling Meta Ridley, Thardus, and even the Parasite Queen in the game's opening sequence. The music, the sequence of events leading up to it, and the fights themselves are just astounding. 

2.) The Sense of Isolation: This is one area where many modern games fail. The original Dead Space did an excellent job of making you feel completely alone and isolated; however, other games like Resident Evil have slowly turned into more action-oriented games. While Prime has plenty of action, you play as a bounty hunter who is very much alone. This is made completely evident from the moment you investigate the Space Pirate frigate Orpheon. The other locations Samus visits throughout Tallon IV continue to illustrate the isolation and how alone you are. Even so, you're never bored or left wondering where to go next. From the ice-capped Phendrana Drifts to the underground Magmoor Caverns, you'll always want to push forward and explore even more of the beautiful planet.

3.) The Little Things: Part of what makes Prime so great are the tiny details. The way Samus can see her reflection in the visor when a large light flashes or the way it fogs up when she enters a room with disconnected pipes. My personal favorite is the heat that rises from her arm cannon after you fire off a few bursts in quick succession. Prime is loaded with these unique touches. And speaking of loading, it's almost non-existant, which is unheard of for a disc based title. Prime hides its loading in very subtle ways through the use of locked doors and moving elevators. In fact, you'll never see a single loading screen for the 10-15 hours you spend behind the visor.

If you've never played Metroid Prime, do yourself a favor and find a Gamecube (or a Wii) to play it. The first game can be had for fairly cheap on eBay and Amazon. Even better if you can find a copy of the collection with all three Prime titles; although finding a copy for a decent price may prove difficult. What's more surprising is the following sequels, Metroid Prime 2 Echoes and Metroid Prime 3 Corruption, are equally as good. Every Metroid fan has a preference, but the original Prime will always have a special place for me because it did something incredibly unique that had never been done before. Although it released more than a decade ago, Metroid Prime remains my favorite game of all-time.

Music of Zelda

I must confess...I've strayed further and further away from Nintendo during the Wii years. Even so, I made sure I purchased a copy of The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword, which included a special 25th anniversary CD featuring some of the all-time greats from Koji Kondo.

I've played almost every Zelda game so I knew the music was top-notch, but wow; this disc is simply a masterpiece. I've had it playing in my car for about a week straight now and it's taken me back to a number of previous Zelda games. Scenery and locales I thought I'd forgotten quickly spring forth in my mind when the corresponding tune plays. The track list is as follows.

1. The Legend of Zelda 25th Anniversary Medley
2. Kakariko Village Twilight Princess Theme
3. The Wind Waker Symphonic Movement
4. Gerudo Valley
5. Great Fairy's Fountain Theme
6. Twilight Princess Symphonic Movement
7. The Legend of Zelda Main Theme Medley
8. Ballad of the Goddess from Skyward Sword

The Wind Waker Symphonic Movement is - hands down - my favorite track on the entire score. Wind Waker may not have been my favorite Zelda game, but the music may be the best in the series. If you're a Zelda fan or just a fan of classical music in general, I strongly encourage you to give this special compilation a listen.