Thrasher Presents: Thrasher's Top Ten Video Games, Part Seven

Tough choice today between two of my favorite brawlers. Still, I feel comfortable with my pick. First, though, let's recap my picks to date:

Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 2 (PS1)
Thrasher Presents: Skate and Destroy (PS1)
Everything or Nothing (PS2)
Freedom Fighters (PS2)
Crazy Taxi (PS2)
NHLPA '93 (SNES)

Streets of Rage 2 (Genesis)

It's tempting to include this one on my list for sentimental reasons alone. Any other game and I'd feel guilty about that kind of blind nostalgia, but Streets of Rage 2 is different. Despite this being the first game I ever owned, it's still one of the best. I can probably beat it with my eyes closed (on Easy or Normal difficulty, anyway, I'm only human) but it continues to grow on me. This is the archetypal beat-'em-up, and everything that followed fell short of its mark, including Streets of Rage 3. I can find absolutely no fault in this game whatsoever. It's just silky smooth to play, especially co-op. You know it's a classic, and you know it's an indelible part of your childhood, when the soundtrack continues to loop endlessly in your head, even as an adult. Streets of Rage 2, I love you.

For Your Viewing Pleasure, Chickenman's Top Ten Video Games (Part 5)

Top Ten List in Review:
The Sims (PC)
Star Wars: Battlefront (PS2)
Hitman: Blood Money (PS2)
Everything or Nothing (PS2)

All he wanted was some Wushu

Rise to Honor is the best fighting game that I have ever played. I find it more appealing than having to memorize complex, button-masher combos and just let my sticks do my talking. Jet Li's Wushu is beautifully captured and very fun to experience. Also what is great about the game is how similar it is to a DVD of a Hong Kong martial arts film. You open up the menu and you have Chapters and Language Options (with or without subtitles). The story is also like a typical martial arts movie; I'm just here for the fight scenes. What is also pleasing is that it does not feel repetitive. One encounters multiple fighting styles presenting different challenges throughout the entire game. Simply, this is a must-have for martial arts fans.

Honorable Mentions:
Streets of Rage 2 (Genesis), Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Turtles in Time (Arcade)

Code Redd Net Awards: Best Sega Genesis Game

Welcome to the first-ever Code Redd Net Awards. We proudly present 19 prizes that commemorate our 10-year anniversary. Code Redd Net began on this date in 2001, and we can think of no better way to celebrate this day than to finally hold our own awards ceremony, something which was planned but delayed numerous times during our initial run on Geocities from 2001-2009.

All of the nominees and winners were mutually agreed upon by our expert staff, and only those games and movies which were released on or before October 26, 2009 (when our Geocities site went down for good) were eligible to win.

With that being said, our first award of the afternoon is for Best Sega Genesis Game. And the nominees are...

NBA Jam T.E. (1995)
Earthworm Jim (1994)
Tiny Toon Adventures: ACME All-Stars (1994)
Streets of Rage 2 (1992)
Vectorman 2 (1996)

And the winner is...

Tiny Toon Adventures: ACME All-Stars