8 Video Games that Changed Gaming (Without You Realizing It)

Gaming itself lives, learns, breeds, turns ill, and even dies just like a living creature. Whether the economy is good or bad, it often thrives. When the winds of change blow over it, it shifts to remain relevant. When a fixture of gaming's popularity spills over, it breeds new forms of media- music, a movie, toys, so-on. When it stubbornly refuses to innovate, it suffers from low interest and weakened demand. Gaming even collapsed and died at one point- only to be revived later, much akin to the mythical phoenix's life cycle. Most of all though, gaming evolves alongside its surroundings in order to survive.

At times a single game is responsible for inspiring either evolution or a revolution. The quintessential example would be The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time. This N64 gem, the highest rated game of all-time (rivaled only recently by Super Mario Galaxy 2), altered the future of gaming with its ingenious new innovations in gameplay, story telling, and technical feats. Ocarina of Time and Super Mario 64 are two of the most inspiring games to ever be released- the pair took gaming in unforeseen directions and built the foundation of 3D gaming as we know it.

A handful of games are frequently judged to have changed the face of gaming. Super Mario Brothers, Wii Sports, and Pokemon Red & Blue all get the credit they deserve for their long-lasting effect on gaming- as well as a handful of others. Yet there exists a number of games that either didn't get all the credit they deserved for their impact or their influence went largely unnoticed by gamers and the media.

Many of these titles were denied their rightful honor due to their being released in the last decade- a fact that makes nostalgic gamers turn their noses up at the prospect of giving them due credit for innovation. They didn't achieve this by simply being popular- no, each managed to alter the spectrum of gaming solely with their content and design choices. For those gamers interested in opening their minds and delving deeper into their favorite pastime, here's your chance. Here are eight games that changed gaming without you realizing it.

1. Pikmin

What is it?
Pikmin was an early game released for the GameCube and promoted by Super Smash Brothers Melee. In Pikmin you control Olimar- a little astronaut that's crash-landed on a distant planet. He has thirty days to recover the missing parts of his ship before his power supply fails. Your task is to explore this alien world, recover your ship parts, survive against the local unknown wildlife, and cultivate an army up to one hundred of the good-natured, plant-like inhabitants- the Pikmin. The game's world is a surreal, fascinating setting that gives you a chill with each second that ticks by. The game makes you feeling like you really are trapped on this distant planet with death looming over you.

What did it inspire?
Up until Pikmin, it was extremely difficult to find a decent real-time strategy game on consoles. Pikmin, a true masterpiece for the genre both in control and atmosphere, outclassed RTS rivals on the PC. Pikmin and Pikmin 2 shaped the future of console RTSs with their refined, stream-lined gameplay and technical achievements. Popular titles like Overlord, Overlord: Dark Legend, Overlord 2, Little King's Story, Battalion Wars, Battalion Wars 2, and several other console RTS titles would be impossible without the foundation laid by Pikmin.

Why don't more people realize this?
While very popular in its own right, Pikmin didn't achieve the same massive success of other Nintendo titles- Mario, Zelda, Pokemon, etc. Part of this can be attributed to the game being wrongly perceived to be targeted at young children. The first game also turned off some gamers with its 30-day time limit (each in-game day equaled about thirteen minutes) and trial & error gameplay.

2. Mobile Suit Gundam: Federation Vs Zeon

What is it?
MSG: Federation Vs Zeon, a fighting game based on the hit anime, was released for the PS2 early in its lifespan. Federation Vs Zeon was the first Gundam game to pull many gamers not only into the world of Mobile Suits and the endless cycle of war, but also into mecha games in general. Prior to FVZ, only a handful of Gundam games saw release stateside. The game's mission mode was incredibly deep with an extensive amount of replay value whether you were on the side of Zeon or the Federation. The soundtrack featured the original Japanese music from the show- coupled with the fleshed-out single player mode, this created an almost unheard of package for a fighting game. It was what Gundam fans wanted since the Super Nintendo- a Gundam game done right.

What did it inspire?
This mecha fighting game's fusion of Gundam mythos, third person combat, and team-based gameplay paved the way for numerous western anime game releases- not just exclusive to the Gundam series. The gameplay and success of FVZ spawned Gundam Vs Zeta Gundam, Encounters In Space, MS Saga: A New Dawn, Dynasty Warriors: Gundam, and Dynasty Warriors Gundam 2. On a wider scale, Federation Vs Zeon inspired the combat systems and gameplay designs of countless mecha games outside the Gundam universe.

Why don't more people realize this?
In hindsight, despite its impact, Federation Vs Zeon ended up being sandwiched between a handful of other Gundam games, each with varying success- Journey To Jaburo, Zeonic Front, Battle Assault 3, and so-on. The erratic range of quality in the other Gundam releases of the time make it difficult to recognize FVZ from the rest.

3. Animal Crossing

What is it?
‎"It's playing even when you aren't!" In 2002 that tagline attracted many gamers to Nintendo's latest title for the GameCube. The little village that Animal Crossing created for your GameCube kept living even when you hit the power button. New neighbors came and went, holidays were celebrated, seasons were experienced, and new things were waiting to be found the next time you played. The addictive, alternative gameplay and wholly original premise revolutionized the Simulation genre. In Animal Crossing, Nintendo crafted a little world for players to live and play in that was eternally changing for the entertainment of both the gamers and the virtual inhabitants.

What did it inspire?
Numerous games owe their design and popularity to Animal Crossing. MySims, MySims Kingdom, MySims Agent, Viva Pinata, The Sims 3, Harvest Moon: Magical Melody, Harvest Moon: Sunshine Islands, Animal Crossing: Wild World, Animal Crossing: City Folk, and even the Wii's Mii system was designed by the creator of Animal Crossing!

Why don't more people realize this?

While many acknowledge Animal Crossing for its achievements, there are those that ignore it due to its bright, colorful graphical style. The original and its sequels have sold millions yet the success hasn't translated to the respect it deserves.

4. The Legend of Zelda: Four Swords Adventure

What is it?
The Legend of Zelda is considered by millions to be the greatest series in all of gaming. LoZ: Four Swords Adventure was a title released for the GameCube that supported multiplayer through GBA connectivity. The highly addictive 4 player cooperative gameplay in Four Swords Adventure is considered king among co-op experiences. Nothing quite compares to the feeling of facing off against hordes of enemies together, solving multi-tiered puzzles, and setting your friends on fire in Four Swords Adventure. Split into four Links (Green, Red, Blue and Purple) you and your friends can face the wind mage, Vaati, and his stop his evil from spreading over Hyrule.

What did it inspire?
Nintendo's modern approach to cooperative gameplay owes heavily to Four Swords Adventures. The GameCube's processing power, 4 player support, and heavy focus on multiplayer titles cultivated the perfect environment for games like LoZ: Four Swords Adventure. The likes of New Super Mario Bros. Wii, LittleBigPlanet, Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles: Echoes of Time, Dokapon Kingdom, Monster Hunter Tri, Marvel Ultimate Alliance, and Dynasty Warriors: Strikeforce all borrow co-op elements from Four Swords Adventure.

Why don't more people realize this?

While a fantastic game, LoZ: Four Swords Adventure is as controversial among fans as it is monumental- and all for one reason. The Gameboy Advance connectivity. Each player must have a GBA and GBA-To-GC cable in order to engage in multiplayer. This critical flaw hurt the game's appeal as it made it extremely difficult (and expensive!) to setup.

5. Godzilla Unleashed

What is it?
The Godzilla movies might be incredibly boring until the last half hour, but Godzilla Unleashed for the Nintendo Wii manages to entertain from the moment its put in and until its taken out. While the films rely on long-winded plots that are little more than an excuse to see an awesome city-leveling battle between two monsters, the game throws you right into the action no matter what mode you select. Godzilla Unleashed succeeded where its prequels, Destroy All Monsters Melee & Save The Earth, failed. A more fleshed out single player mode as well as numerous improvements in multiplayer depth and kaiju count all made Godzilla Unleashed the king of the Godzilla games. Yet it was not only the massively entertaining 4 player multiplayer and faction-based single player that made an impact- it was the circumstances surrounding the game that cemented it as a fixture on this list.

What did it inspire?
Atari revealed Godzilla Unleashed for the Wii, DS, and PS2 with the announcement that the Wii version would contain considerably more content, better graphics, and a deeper fighting system thanks to the motion controls. Sure enough, Atari delivered on its promises. Godzilla Unleashed for the Wii had several extra monsters and features, an extremely impressive graphical engine, and the added bonus of motion controls. GU came at a critical time for the Wii in 2007. Several developers were cashing in on the Wii with half-hearted ports and multiplatform releases between it and the PS2. The coming of Godzilla on the Wii showed gamers that with enough effort and polish, this annoyance could be avoided. After Godzilla Unleashed, the Wii began to receive better treatment and exclusive content when it came to multiplatform releases. The Wii versions of Marvel Ultimate Alliance 2 (exclusive characters), Star Wars: The Force Unleashed (exclusive multiplayer), Sonic Unleashed (exclusive levels), and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Smash Up (exclusive characters, online play, and arenas) all received extra content thanks in part to the reaction of Atari's treatment of Godzilla Unleashed.

Why don't more people realize this?
While loved by Godzilla fans, Godzilla Unleashed was not so appreciated by other gamers. While many are aware of Atari's respect paid to the Wii version of Godzilla Unleashed, not all of them realize the impact it made on the industry in regards to the Wii's multiplatform treatment.

6. Fable II

What is it?
The original Fable for the Xbox promised so much that it became little more than a joke after its failure to meet the countless promises of its creator. Fable II, an action-RPG for the Xbox 360, addressed many of the complaints toward the original and lived up to some of the prior promises. More than anything else, the strong focus on co-op takes the show in Fable II. Spend an hour traversing Fable II's fantasy world with a friend spreading chaos or defending the innocent and you'll be hooked. You live the life of a hero shaped entirely by your moral and lifestyle choices. Set free the captured villagers from enslavement or accept a bribe and turn a blind eye? Aid the guards against the local outlaws or let the city fall into criminal disarray? Marry the love of your life or spend your nights with women on the corners? Slaughter a village, eat healthily, insult all you meet, protect the weak- good or evil, in Fable II, the choice is yours.

What did it inspire?
Fable and Fable II were successful forays into the 'choose-your-own-adventure' genre of modern times. They offered rewards and consequences with each decision and allowed the player to craft a compelling story all their own. It also gave gamers an extremely satisfying experience on the side of evil. Fable and Fable II inspired the likes of Mass Effect, Overlord, Red Dead Redemption, Dragon Age: Origins, Two Worlds, Assassin's Creed, and a handful of other such games.

Why don't more people realize this?

Despite strides toward reaching the promises of the original in Fable 2, it has yet to live up to the hype made by the creator- not by a long shot. Though a fantastic experience, Fable 2 is something of a running joke among gamers when it comes to 'potential', 'hype', and 'promise delivery'.

7. Disgaea

What is it?
The netherworld- a place of eccentric Overlords and the lazy vassals that ignore them. The perfect place for a humorous, tactical-RPG! The Disgaea series is known for its trademark anime sprites, depth of tactical gameplay, genuinely funny writing, and memorable cast of demons, heroes, and monsters. Even with the PS2 library bloated with countless mediocre RPGs, Disgaea managed to break from the rest and distinguish itself. The first game, Disgaea: Hour of Darkness, follows the rise of young Overlord-Prince Laharl and his band of lazy, resentful vassals. The second game, Disgaea: Cursed Memories, takes place in the human world where a curse has transformed everyone but our hero, Adell, into a demon. The third Disgaea game, Disgaea: Absence of Justice, returns to the netherworld- this time revolving around the dual stories of 'Demon Honor Student' Mao and 'Fake Hero' Almaz.

What did it inspire?
In the Disgaea series you gradually unlock more and more fighters to conscript as members of your army. You'll enter the field with a sly cowboy, a flower monster girl, a cheerleading demon, and an explosive penguin- or whoever else you happen to have recruited so far. Numerous strategy RPGs owe Disgaea for their core concepts and tactical foundation. Makai Kingdom, Phantom Brave, Pokemon spin-offs, Rune Factory, and Sakura Wars: So Long My Love. Even Square Enix took numerous design choices from NIS and the Disgaea series for- Final Fantasy III DS, Final Fantasy XII: Revenant Wings, Final Fantasy Tactics A2, Final Fantasy XIII, as well as several others.

Why don't more people realize this?
While the original Disgaea was fantastic, the sequel was quite the disappointment due to it being little more than a glorified love story. Thankfully NIS did an equally fantastic job on the third game for the PS3. The rollercoaster of quality for the Disgaea games has turned some fans off of the series. Combine this with the crowded RPG market on the PS2 as well as the unfriendly attitude toward turn-based gameplay among Sony fans and you can see how Disgaea is often brushed aside.

8. Harvest Moon

What is it?
From the original to the hit titles on GameCube (A Wonderful Life, Magical Melody), Nintendo DS (Sunshine Island, Island of Happiness), to the Wii (Tree of Tranquility, Animal Parade)- Harvest Moon has been giving gamers the chance to farm, forage, care for animals, and raise a family. The series prides itself on giving players a game they can play anyway they like- an amount of freedom that goes beyond killing random passerby's in Grand Theft Auto. You usually start with just a farm, a cow, and a few seeds in your pocket. With these meager tools you're tasked with building a life for yourself and helping your fellow villagers to improve theirs.

What did it inspire?
Harvest Moon was essentially the game that taught gamers how fun it was to fish, forage, and build relationships. A Wonderful Life for the GC gave us a more story-oriented Harvest Moon- it followed the chapters of your character's life and had an ending, unlike most HM titles. Tree of Tranquility stream-lined and polished the gameplay to the point of being the pinnacle of the series and setting an example for the rest of the generation. Animal Parade improved every facet of Tree of Tranquility- combining the gameplay refinements with the story elements of A Wonderful Life to form the greatest entry in the series. Gaming giants like Animal Crossing, The Sims, Monster Hunter, MySims, Nintendogs, and even the Legend of Zelda have all been inspired by elements of Harvest Moon.

Why don't more people realize this?
Harvest Moon is not a series for everyone. If you require constant stimulation through violence and plot twists- you'll be disappointed by the game's focus on ingenuity, time management, and helping your friends around town. Those turned off by the HM formula often fail to realize the impact made by it.

Source(s):
Personal Experience
Nintendo Power Magazine
E3 Exhibition
Gamepro Magazine