Board 8 > Best Series Ever II Mock Bracket - 2020 Edition

(+) Yeah! (+)

I've seen quite a few people wondering who actually wants a second series contest, or why that option in our current PotD has such a high percent. Well, hopefully seeing what such a bracket might look like will answer some of those questions. Without further ado...

(1) Mario vs. (16) Civilization
(8) Drakengard vs. (9) Yakuza
(5) God of War vs. (12) Devil May Cry
(4) Mass Effect vs. (13) Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic
(3) Kingdom Hearts vs. (14) Marvel
(6) The Witcher vs. (11) Batman: Arkham
(7) Mario Kart vs. (10) Mega Man X
(2) The Elder Scrolls vs. (15) Dragon Ball

(1) Persona vs. (16) Star Fox
(8) Assassin's Creed vs. (9) Chrono Trigger
(5) Sonic the Hedgehog vs. (12) Paper Mario
(4) Resident Evil vs. (13) Final Fantasy Tactics
(3) Grand Theft Auto vs. (14) Golden Sun
(6) Mega Man vs. (11) The Legend of Heroes
(7) Red Dead vs. (10) EarthBound / Mother
(2) Metal Gear vs. (15) Harvest Moon

(1) Pokemon vs. (16) Suikoden
(8) Tales of vs. (9) Donkey Kong Country
(5) Dark Souls vs. (12) Street Fighter
(4) Fallout vs. (13) Mortal Kombat
(3) Castlevania vs. (14) Crash Bandicoot
(6) Monster Hunter vs. (11) Warcraft
(7) DOOM vs. (10) Half-Life
(2) Metroid vs. (15) Spyro the Dragon

(1) Final Fantasy vs. (16) Hollow Knight
(8) Ace Attorney vs. (9) Animal Crossing
(5) Dragon Quest / Warrior vs. (12) BioShock
(4) Xenoblade vs. (13) Kirby
(3) Fire Emblem vs. (14) Tetris
(6) The Last of Us vs. (11) Portal
(7) Uncharted vs. (10) Halo
(2) Smash Bros. vs. (15) Silent Hill

I ask anyone who wishes to comment to keep a few things in mind here:

• This bracket has Legend of Zelda retired to a bonus match with the contest winner. It won the previous edition (yes, 14 years ago, but still), and we all know it would dominate a redux, so I'd prefer a bracket with a winner worth debating.
• I've assumed that the contest will take place next summer for the first series contest's 15th anniversary, hence the inclusion of Hollow Knight and The Last of Us. You can feel free to mentally replace the latter with the Guru nom, if you think TLoU2 will be received as poorly as its leaks were.
• I tried to keep the seeds realistic to the level of nominations I'd expect for each series, not their strength, so some placements might look a bit weird. The same goes for some of the names I used, each of which is how the series in question is labeled in GameFAQs' database (such as Drakengard representing the Nier games).

That's about it. I welcome and encourage any discussion, predictions, griping about snubs, or any other related comments.

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Oh shit I could feel the power of a metalmind mock bracket from the topic list

Tag

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Great work.

I think Nier will get in over Drakengard and Persona/SMT nomination splitting could get both series in.

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(1) Mario
(9) Yakuza
(12) Devil May Cry
(4) Mass Effect
(3) Kingdom Hearts
(6) The Witcher
(10) Mega Man X
(2) The Elder Scrolls

(1) Persona
(9) Chrono Trigger
(5) Sonic the Hedgehog
(4) Resident Evil
(3) Grand Theft Auto
(6) Mega Man
(10) EarthBound / Mother
(2) Metal Gear

(1) Pokemon
(9) Donkey Kong Country
(12) Street Fighter
(4) Fallout
(3) Castlevania
(11) Warcraft
(10) Half-Life
(2) Metroid

(1) Final Fantasy
(9) Animal Crossing
(5) Dragon Quest / Warrior
(13) Kirby
(14) Tetris
(11) Portal
(7) Uncharted
(2) Smash Bros.

(1) Mario
(4) Mass Effect
(3) Kingdom Hearts
(2) The Elder Scrolls

(1) Persona
(4) Resident Evil
(6) Mega Man
(2) Metal Gear

(1) Pokemon
(12) Street Fighter
(3) Castlevania
(2) Metroid

(1) Final Fantasy
(5) Dragon Quest / Warrior
(14) Tetris
(2) Smash Bros.

(1) Mario
(3) Kingdom Hearts

(4) Resident Evil
(6) Mega Man

(1) Pokemon
(2) Metroid

(1) Final Fantasy
(2) Smash Bros.

(1) Mario
(6) Mega Man
(1) Pokemon
(1) Final Fantasy

(1) Mario
(1) Final Fantasy

(1) Mario

Surprisingly interesting bracket, actually, as long as it gets shaped correctly. Most of the 4/5-seed 4-packs have a fair bit of intrigue, and some of these later round matches I dunno how they'll go. Taking Mega Man to the final 4 was... weird, but that division is so completely wide open that there are like 5 different reasonable winners. (I am not confident AT ALL in Mega Man > Metal Gear, not even a little bit)

Smash Bros over persona

have one of my famous zen once-overs

(1) Mario > (9) Yakuza
(4) Mass Effect > (5) God of War
(6) The Witcher > (3) Kingdom Hearts
(2) The Elder Scrolls > (10) Mega Man X

(1) Persona > (9) Chrono Trigger
(4) Resident Evil > (5) Sonic the Hedgehog
(6) Mega Man > (3) Grand Theft Auto
(2) Metal Gear > (7) Red Dead

(1) Pokemon > (9) Donkey Kong Country
(5) Dark Souls > (4) Fallout
(3) Castlevania > (6) Monster Hunter
(2) Metroid > (10) Half-Life

(1) Final Fantasy > (8) Ace Attorney
(4) Xenoblade vs. > (5) Dragon Quest / Warrior
(11) Portal > (3) Fire Emblem
(2) Smash Bros. > (7) Uncharted

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(1) Mario > (5) God of War
(2) The Elder Scrolls > (6) The Witcher

(4) Resident Evil > (1) Persona
(2) Metal Gear > (6) Mega Man

(1) Pokemon > (5) Dark Souls
(2) Metroid > (3) Castlevania

(1) Final Fantasy > (4) Xenoblade
(2) Smash Bros. > (11) Portal

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(1) Mario > (2) The Elder Scrolls
(4) Resident Evil > (2) Metal Gear

(1) Pokemon > (2) Metroid
(1) Final Fantasy > (2) Smash Bros.

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(1) Mario > (4) Resident Evil
(1) Pokemon > (1) Final Fantasy

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(1) Mario > (1) Pokemon

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(0) Zelda > (1) Mario

ty for including a sonic vs mario match <3

a good amount of tossups in here, really well made, makes me not mind the idea of series II

i have elder scrolls overtaking witcher cuz even on the witcher 3 subreddit we had some random people going like "yeah all of these suck but witcher 3"

i predicted a deep run for RE because it's had some really good hits lately and i think it would snowball into a movement

i was debating on taking dark souls a bit deeper but pokemon is a big contender, i would move dark souls somewhere where it could stir up some more shit and maybe win a division

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Mario
Yakuza (Id take Nier here but not Drakengard)
God of War
Mass Effect
Kingdom Hearts
The Witcher
Mega Man X
The Elder Scrolls

Persona
Chrono
Sonic
Resident Evil
GTA
Mega Man
Earthbound
Metal Gear

Pokemon
DKC
Street Fighter
Fallout
Castlevania
Warcraft
Half-Life
Metroid

Final Fantasy
Animal Crossing
Bioshock
Xenoblade
Tetris
Portal
Uncharted
Smash Bros

Mario
God of War
Kingdom Hearts
The Elder Scrolls

Chrono
Sonic
Mega Man
Metal Gear

Pokemon
Street Fighter
Castlevania
Metroid

Final Fantasy
Bioshock
Tetris
Smash Bros

Mario
Kingdom Hearts
Chrono
Metal Gear
Pokemon
Metroid
Final Fantasy
Smash Bros

Mario
Chrono
Pokemon
Final Fantasy

Mario
Pokemon

Mario

Very interesting bracket. Trying to figure out how strong Chrono is might be the hardest part of the bracket.

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MetalmindStats posted...

I tried to keep the seeds realistic to the level of nominations I'd expect for each series, not their strength, so some placements might look a bit weird.

I would say Ace Attorney is definitely underseeded, then. With Board 8 having huge influence in the nominations, no way does it get just a 9. I'll take a closer look at the bracket later, but this strike me as really odd.

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Hmm, I think Shin Megami Tensei might be the biggest wildcard of a series contest, since it's an open question of how the Persona fanbase views its mother series. If there's 64 slots open and with B8 dominating the nominations, I think Shin Megami Tensei has a very good shot at making the bracket.

And in a contest, SMT might be one of the most pic dependent entries we've had. If it gets Joker or other Persona pictures, SMT would be a whole deal stronger than if it got any of its mainline titles or non-Persona spinoffs.

Drakengard is an interesting question as well. I think if Drakengard got 2B and Nier:Automata match pics, it's strength would be way higher than if it got Caim pictures. I'm actually kind of surprised Nier is not listed as a separate series when Persona is since they are basically in the same boat.

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what does Marvel mean in this bracket. Is it just MvC or like every marvel themed game ever
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Drakengard would be turbofodder if entered under that name, and SMT wouldn't that far off.

Even with pics depicting the popular entries in the series, I think a lot of voters are too dumb to know those are the mother series for their favorite games and get confused.

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(1) Mario
(8) Drakengard (Yakuza is a great choice if you think Drakengard loses a step not being called NieR)
(5) God of War
(4) Mass Effect (I see what you did here)
(3) Kingdom Hearts
(11) Batman: Arkham (how many people do you think don't know there's a Witcher 1 and 2?)
(7) Mario Kart (I won't stake my account on this)
(2) The Elder Scrolls

(1) Persona (Now, if you REALLY want to bank on people confusing series, billing Persona as SMT and then taking StarFox is a hell of a choice)
(9) Chrono Trigger
(5) Sonic the Hedgehog
(4) Resident Evil
(3) Grand Theft Auto (yeah, this bracket is definitely continuity porn, if nothing else)
(6) Mega Man
(10) EarthBound / Mother
(2) Metal Gear

(1) Pokemon
(9) Donkey Kong Country
(12) Street Fighter
(4) Fallout
(3) Castlevania
(11) Warcraft
(10) Half-Life
(2) Metroid

(1) Final Fantasy
(8) Ace Attorney
(5) Dragon Quest / Warrior
(4) Xenoblade
(3) Fire Emblem
(11) Portal (Last of Us is not getting a six seed, even if the second game comes out without controversy)
(7) Uncharted
(2) Smash Bros

(1) Mario
(4) Mass Effect
(3) Kingdom Hearts
(2) The Elder Scrolls

(1) Persona
(5) Sonic the Hedgehog
(6) Mega Man
(2) Metal Gear

(1) Pokemon
(12) Street Fighter
(3) Castlevania
(2) Metroid

(1) Final Fantasy
(5) Dragon Quest / Warrior
(3) Fire Emblem
(2) Smash Bros

(1) Mario
(2) The Elder Scrolls

(5) Sonic the Hedgehog
(2) Metal Gear

(1) Pokemon
(2) Metroid

(1) Final Fantasy
(2) Smash Bros

(1) Mario

(5) Sonic the Hedgehog

(1) Pokemon

(2) Smash Bros

(1) Mario

(2) Smash Bros

(1) Mario wins, but loses to Zelda in the bonus poll.

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_SecretSquirrel posted...

I would say Ace Attorney is definitely underseeded, then. With Board 8 having huge influence in the nominations, no way does it get just a 9. I'll take a closer look at the bracket later, but this strike me as really odd.

I would beg to differ, based on the Ace Attorney games' low seeds in 2015 and their complete failure to make this past contest at all. Obviously, focusing those nominations on one entrant will have better results, but I don't think a midpack seed (above the likes of Animal Crossing, Chrono Trigger, Mother, Street Fighter, Kirby, and Yakuza, the last two fellow B8 favorites with more mainstream appeal) is implausible.

As for The Last of Us, I feel like recency bias always causes new things to be overnominated, so I guess we'll see.

MoogleKupo141 posted...

what does Marvel mean in this bracket. Is it just MvC or like every marvel themed game ever

This is what the site database considers Marvel to be: https://gamefaqs.gamespot.com/games/franchise/284-marvel

I intended there to be an interesting question about what exactly would get represented in the match picture there, and thus how it would perform - would it just be the Marvel logo? Perhaps a lineup of Iron Man, Spider-Man, and the like? It's not really a question of whether or not it would win, though, because KH is just too strong an opponent.

ZenOfThunder posted...

ty for including a sonic vs mario match <3

I aim to please!

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MetalmindStats posted...

I would beg to differ, based on the Ace Attorney games' low seeds in 2015 and their complete failure to make this past contest at all. Obviously, focusing those nominations on one entrant will have better results, but I don't think a midpack seed (above the likes of Animal Crossing, Chrono Trigger, Mother, Street Fighter, Kirby, and Yakuza, the last two fellow B8 favorites with more mainstream appeal) is implausible.

Phoenix himself scored a 2 seed in 2013, and a 3 in 2018, as well as a lucrative 1 seed in Rivalry Rumble. A series contest is going to bring that level of nomination power, without having to split nominations between PW1 and T&T, or having to deal with other VN series stealing its thunder (plus having DD and SoJ cannibalize themselves) for this years contest.

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This is what the site database considers Marvel to be: https://gamefaqs.gamespot.com/games/franchise/284-marvel

I intended there to be an interesting question about what exactly would get represented in the match picture there, and thus how it would perform - would it just be the Marvel logo? Perhaps a lineup of Iron Man, Spider-Man, and the like? It's not really a question of whether or not it would win, though, because KH is just too strong an opponent.

Hmm, I hope that if we do have this contest, Allen doesnt just use the currently existing franchise categories. It seems weird that Marvel Ultimate Alliance and LEGO Marvel are the same thing, but Final Fantasy Tactics gets to be its own series.

although if people were actually nominating based on the game on that franchise page, I dont think Marvel makes it in the contest. The most popular Marvel games (MvC2, Spider-Man) arent even included

of course how would people voting really know that Marvel was only intended to refer to that specific list of games.

I dunno, im overthinking an entrant that probably wouldnt be in a position to win a match regardless
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Nice bracket, lets do it!

I know I said I wasnt feeling this contest before, but that was based on two factors.

1) I would definitely NOT want to use my pick on this if I somehow won Guru this contest. Well, I didnt, so its a moot point! (Sorry azuarc!)

2) I wouldnt want it in place of a main contest, like a character battle, but as a side contest in what would otherwise be an off-year, it would be perfect. (I would always prefer any contest rather than no contest, and that included Years!)

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MechanicalWall posted...

Drakengard would be turbofodder if entered under that name, and SMT wouldn't that far off.

Even with pics depicting the popular entries in the series, I think a lot of voters are too dumb to know those are the mother series for their favorite games and get confused.

Persona 3/4 were released as Shin Megami Tensei: Persona 3/4 in the West so I imagine a good chunk of fans have at least heard of their mother series. If it gets recognizable Persona 3-5 pictures, I imagine it will still be a good deal weaker than Persona but not complete turbofodder.

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blind predictions

round 1 winners

(1) Mario
(8) Drakengard
(5) God of War
(4) Mass Effect
(3) Kingdom Hearts
(11) Batman: Arkham
(7) Mario Kart
(2) The Elder Scrolls

(1) Persona
(9) Chrono Trigger
(5) Sonic the Hedgehog
(4) Resident Evil
(3) Grand Theft Auto
(6) Mega Man
(10) EarthBound / Mother
(2) Metal Gear

(1) Pokemon
(9) Donkey Kong Country
(12) Street Fighter
(4) Fallout
(3) Castlevania
(6) Monster Hunter
(10) Half-Life
(2) Metroid

(1) Final Fantasy
(9) Animal Crossing
(5) Dragon Quest / Warrior
(13) Kirby
(3) Fire Emblem
(11) Portal
(7) Uncharted
(2) Smash Bros.

round 2 winners

(1) Mario
(4) Mass Effect
(3) Kingdom Hearts
(2) The Elder Scrolls

(1) Persona
(5) Sonic the Hedgehog
(6) Mega Man
(2) Metal Gear

(1) Pokemon
(4) Fallout
(3) Castlevania
(2) Metroid

(1) Final Fantasy
(5) Dragon Quest / Warrior
(3) Fire Emblem
(2) Smash Bros.

round 3 winners

(1) Mario
(3) Kingdom Hearts

(5) Sonic the Hedgehog
(2) Metal Gear

(1) Pokemon
(2) Metroid

(1) Final Fantasy
(2) Smash Bros.

round 4 winners

(1) Mario

(2) Metal Gear

(1) Pokemon

(1) Final Fantasy

round 5 winners

(1) Mario

(1) Final Fantasy

round 6 winner

(1) Mario

now to see what others picked

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(1) Mario
(9) Yakuza
(5) God of War
(4) Mass Effect
(3) Kingdom Hearts
(6) The Witcher
(10) Mega Man X
(2) The Elder Scrolls

(1) Persona
(9) Chrono Trigger
(5) Sonic the Hedgehog
(13) Final Fantasy Tactics
(3) Grand Theft Auto
(6) Mega Man
(10) EarthBound / Mother
(2) Metal Gear

(1) Pokemon
(9) Donkey Kong Country
(5) Dark Souls
(4) Fallout
(3) Castlevania
(6) Monster Hunter
(7) DOOM
(2) Metroid

(1) Final Fantasy
(9) Animal Crossing
(5) Dragon Quest / Warrior
(4) Xenoblade
(3) Fire Emblem
(11) Portal
(10) Halo
(2) Smash Bros.

=-=-=

(1) Mario
(4) Mass Effect
(6) The Witcher
(10) Mega Man X

(1) Persona
(5) Sonic the Hedgehog
(6) Mega Man
(2) Metal Gear

(1) Pokemon
(5) Dark Souls
(3) Castlevania
(2) Metroid

(1) Final Fantasy
(4) Xenoblade
(3) Fire Emblem
(2) Smash Bros.

=-=-=

(1) Mario
(6) The Witcher

(1) Persona
(2) Metal Gear

(1) Pokemon
(3) Castlevania

(1) Final Fantasy
(2) Smash Bros.

=-=-=

(1) Mario

(2) Metal Gear

(1) Pokemon

(2) Smash Bros.

=-=-=
Mario > Smash in the Finals

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Really strong bracket, I think this does a great job showing the potential for this idea (as long as Zelda is removed)!

I agree Mario should be the favorite under this scenario, but surprised at the sweep... I think there would be plenty of Pokemon and Final Fantasy pickers sitewide.


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Here would be my predictions:

Round 1:
(1) Mario
(8) Drakengard
(5) God of War
(4) Mass Effect
(3) Kingdom Hearts
(6) The Witcher
(10) Mega Man X
(2) The Elder Scrolls

(1) Persona
(9) Chrono Trigger
(5) Sonic the Hedgehog
(4) Resident Evil
(14) Golden Sun
(6) Mega Man
(10) EarthBound / Mother
(2) Metal Gear

(1) Pokemon
(9) Donkey Kong Country
(5) Dark Souls
(4) Fallout
(3) Castlevania
(6) Monster Hunter
(7) DOOM
(2) Metroid

(1) Final Fantasy
(9) Animal Crossing
(5) Dragon Quest / Warrior
(4) Xenoblade
(3) Fire Emblem
(11) Portal
(10) Halo
(2) Smash Bros.

Round 2:
(1) Mario
(4) Mass Effect
(6) The Witcher
(2) The Elder Scrolls

(1) Persona
(5) Sonic the Hedgehog
(6) Mega Man
(2) Metal Gear

(1) Pokemon
(5) Dark Souls
(3) Castlevania
(2) Metroid

(1) Final Fantasy
(4) Xenoblade
(3) Fire Emblem
(2) Smash Bros.

Round 3:
(1) Mario
(6) The Witcher

(1) Persona
(2) Metal Gear

(1) Pokemon
(2) Metroid

(1) Final Fantasy
(2) Smash Bros.

Division Final:
(1) Mario

(2) Metal Gear

(1) Pokemon

(1) Final Fantasy

Semifinal:
(1) Mario

(1) Final Fantasy

Final:
(1) Mario

Well, I don't think I'll be squeezing a second page out this time around, but I can at least try!

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My initial reaction was no way does Persona score such a high seed.

It looks like a good bracket, I'll try to predict later.

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MetalmindStats posted...

Well, I don't think I'll be squeezing a second page out this time around, but I can at least try!

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(1) Mario
(9) Yakuza
(5) God of War
(4) Mass Effect
(3) Kingdom Hearts
(6) The Witcher
(7) Mario Kart
(2) The Elder Scrolls

(1) Persona
(9) Chrono Trigger
(5) Sonic the Hedgehog
(4) Resident Evil
(14) Golden Sun
(6) Mega Man
(10) EarthBound / Mother
(2) Metal Gear

(1) Pokemon
(9) Donkey Kong Country
(5) Dark Souls
(4) Fallout
(3) Castlevania
(6) Monster Hunter
(7) DOOM
(2) Metroid

(1) Final Fantasy
(9) Animal Crossing
(5) Dragon Quest / Warrior
(4) Xenoblade
(3) Fire Emblem
(11) Portal
(10) Halo
(2) Smash Bros.
---------------
(1) Mario
(4) Mass Effect
(6) The Witcher
(2) The Elder Scrolls

(9) Chrono Trigger
(5) Sonic the Hedgehog
(6) Mega Man
(2) Metal Gear

(1) Pokemon
(5) Dark Souls
(3) Castlevania
(2) Metroid

(1) Final Fantasy
(5) Dragon Quest / Warrior
(11) Portal
(2) Smash Bros.
---------------
(1) Mario
(6) The Witcher

(5) Sonic the Hedgehog
(2) Metal Gear

(1) Pokemon
(2) Metroid

(1) Final Fantasy
(2) Smash Bros.
---------------
(1) Mario

(2) Metal Gear

(1) Pokemon

(1) Final Fantasy
---------------
(1) Mario
(1) Final Fantasy
---------------
(1) Mario

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Gut picks

(1) Mario
(9) Yakuza
(12) Devil May Cry
(4) Mass Effect
(3) Kingdom Hearts
(6) The Witcher
(7) Mario Kart
(2) The Elder Scrolls

(1) Persona
(9) Chrono Trigger
(5) Sonic the Hedgehog
(4) Resident Evil
(3) Grand Theft Auto
(6) Mega Man
(7) Red Dead
(2) Metal Gear

(1) Pokemon
(9) Donkey Kong Country
(5) Dark Souls
(4) Fallout
(3) Castlevania
(6) Monster Hunter
(7) DOOM
(2) Metroid

(1) Final Fantasy
(9) Animal Crossing
(5) Dragon Quest / Warrior
(4) Xenoblade
(3) Fire Emblem
(11) Portal
(7) Uncharted
(2) Smash Bros.

(1) Mario
(12) Devil May Cry
(3) Kingdom Hearts
(2) The Elder Scrolls

(9) Chrono Trigger
(4) Sonic the Hedgehog
(6) Mega Man
(2) Metal Gear

(1) Pokemon
(5) Dark Souls
(3) Castlevania
(2) Metroid

(1) Final Fantasy
(5) Dragon Quest / Warrior
(11) Portal
(2) Smash Bros.

(1) Mario
(2) The Elder Scrolls

(4) Sonic the Hedgehog
(2) Metal Gear

(1) Pokemon
(2) Metroid

(1) Final Fantasy
(2) Smash Bros.

(1) Mario
(4) Sonic the Hedgehog
(2) Metroid
(1) Final Fantasy

(1) Mario
(1) Final Fantasy

(1) Mario

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