Video game wish list for a public library
July 21, 2010 8:54 AM Subscribe
What video games would be awesome to see on the shelves at a public library? I'm generating a list of titles to be ordered.
The only exclusion are handheld titles (so no DS, PSP, etc.) This is for the adult area so M-rated games are okay.
The only exclusion are handheld titles (so no DS, PSP, etc.) This is for the adult area so M-rated games are okay.
Ico and Shadow of the Colossus. They come as close to art as anything I've seen in the video game world. Also, Okami.
posted by SpacemanStix at 9:11 AM on July 21, 2010 [1 favorite]
posted by SpacemanStix at 9:11 AM on July 21, 2010 [1 favorite]
The orange box. The grand theft auto games. The guitar hero and rock band games (for folks who have the controllers but not all the games that work with them). Whatever is currently awesome for multiplayer -- I can see wanting to game with my friends over the net without shelling out $$ for the latest "gears of splinter halo" thing.
posted by rmd1023 at 9:12 AM on July 21, 2010
posted by rmd1023 at 9:12 AM on July 21, 2010
For current generations, Fallout 3 has been quite enjoyable, as well as Alan Wake. Both very highly rated. I hear Red Dead Redemption is quite good, but I haven't played it yet.
posted by SpacemanStix at 9:15 AM on July 21, 2010
posted by SpacemanStix at 9:15 AM on July 21, 2010
Uncharted 2 and Assassin's Creed 2 are both legendary.
posted by The Winsome Parker Lewis at 9:25 AM on July 21, 2010
posted by The Winsome Parker Lewis at 9:25 AM on July 21, 2010
I recommend touring through the major video game review sites (1up, gamespot, etc) and simply going down the top-50 lists and correlating consistent picks from site-to-site. To start, focus on top rated games and monitor the play rate to see what folks are interested in, then order more of those sorts of games.
This approach is what we did when we decided to hold off on a PS3 for another year or so. Our PS2 is still running fine and to round out our collection we toured the top rated games, picked ones in genres we like and went nuts on eBay. So about a week ago we received 9 new games after spending like $150 and an hour doing research. Not a lunker in the collection and we're good for a year at least.
One thing to be aware of -- RPG titles tend to require 40+ hours (and can be over 100 hours) of playtime for the devotee, and if you're doing check-out three weeks won't do it. If you're not doing check-out, people are going to need their own memory cards / USB keys to bring in for game save files (on almost any game).
This is a great idea, and your library is to be commended!
posted by seanmpuckett at 9:33 AM on July 21, 2010
This approach is what we did when we decided to hold off on a PS3 for another year or so. Our PS2 is still running fine and to round out our collection we toured the top rated games, picked ones in genres we like and went nuts on eBay. So about a week ago we received 9 new games after spending like $150 and an hour doing research. Not a lunker in the collection and we're good for a year at least.
One thing to be aware of -- RPG titles tend to require 40+ hours (and can be over 100 hours) of playtime for the devotee, and if you're doing check-out three weeks won't do it. If you're not doing check-out, people are going to need their own memory cards / USB keys to bring in for game save files (on almost any game).
This is a great idea, and your library is to be commended!
posted by seanmpuckett at 9:33 AM on July 21, 2010
Spore.
posted by Hardcore Poser at 9:41 AM on July 21, 2010
posted by Hardcore Poser at 9:41 AM on July 21, 2010
I'd say games with extensive single-player campaigns wouldn't be a very good choice, unless there was some way to maintain individual profiles for each user. I mean, I wouldn't like to spend 20+ hours playing GTA over the course of several days only to one day return and find my save deleted or whatever. Perhaps it would be better to focus on competitive titles (Virtua Fighter springs to mind) or games that can be finished "easily" in one sitting (like shoot 'em ups) to avoid potential complaints from disappointed regulars. If you don't think this is a valid concern, then definitely God Hand.
posted by Bangaioh at 9:48 AM on July 21, 2010
posted by Bangaioh at 9:48 AM on July 21, 2010
For the Wii: New Super Mario Bros. Wii, Super Mario Galaxy, Super Mario Galaxy 2, Metroid Prime Trilogy and Zelda: Twilight Princess.
posted by mmascolino at 9:52 AM on July 21, 2010
posted by mmascolino at 9:52 AM on July 21, 2010
Bangaioh: "I'd say games with extensive single-player campaigns wouldn't be a very good choice, unless there was some way to maintain individual profiles for each user. I mean, I wouldn't like to spend 20+ hours playing GTA over the course of several days only to one day return and find my save deleted or whatever."
If these are games for rent then there's really no need to worry about that since the game is either saved on your console's hard drive or on a memory card. There's no saving on the actual game.
If these are games for people to play in the library, then I totally agree with Bangaioh. Although I wouldn't say not to get those games, just to make sure that people know there will be no attempt to make sure "their' game is there next time.
As for suggestions, don't forget the sports titles.
posted by theichibun at 9:57 AM on July 21, 2010
If these are games for rent then there's really no need to worry about that since the game is either saved on your console's hard drive or on a memory card. There's no saving on the actual game.
If these are games for people to play in the library, then I totally agree with Bangaioh. Although I wouldn't say not to get those games, just to make sure that people know there will be no attempt to make sure "their' game is there next time.
As for suggestions, don't forget the sports titles.
posted by theichibun at 9:57 AM on July 21, 2010
seanmpuckett: One thing to be aware of -- RPG titles tend to require 40+ hours (and can be over 100 hours) of playtime for the devotee, and if you're doing check-out three weeks won't do it.
This is an excellent point. I'd avoid RPG games for this reason. Arcade/shooter/sports games are great because you can check the out, play the hell out it over a weekend, and bring it back.
posted by mkultra at 10:02 AM on July 21, 2010
This is an excellent point. I'd avoid RPG games for this reason. Arcade/shooter/sports games are great because you can check the out, play the hell out it over a weekend, and bring it back.
posted by mkultra at 10:02 AM on July 21, 2010
i'd like to see games in the library that have some artistic merit or encourage interest in history or literature, so:
Bioshock and any of the God of War franchise (which also ties in to Greek and Roman mythology).
Seconding Fallout 3, maybe some of the early Call of Duty games as well for the historical accuracy.
posted by misha at 10:25 AM on July 21, 2010
Bioshock and any of the God of War franchise (which also ties in to Greek and Roman mythology).
Seconding Fallout 3, maybe some of the early Call of Duty games as well for the historical accuracy.
posted by misha at 10:25 AM on July 21, 2010
I think it depends what system we're talking about. Any console in particular? Will you consider retro games/systems?
posted by mollyC at 10:58 AM on July 21, 2010
posted by mollyC at 10:58 AM on July 21, 2010
My suggestions:
Sonic's Ultimate Genesis Collection for Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3
or
Sega Genesis Collection for PlayStation 2
Mega Man Anniversary Collection
Mega Man X Collection
Activision Anthology
Atari Anthology
Namco Museum 50th Anniversary
Capcom Generations
Pinball Hall of Fame: The Williams Collection
These are compilation discs of classic console and arcade games, ported for newer consoles. I think they are good for giving an understanding of the medium's history and appealing to somewhat older gamers. They also have good bang for the buck with a dozen or more titles at bargain prices and tend to be light on the need for saves.
posted by MrFish at 11:01 AM on July 21, 2010
Sonic's Ultimate Genesis Collection for Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3
or
Sega Genesis Collection for PlayStation 2
Mega Man Anniversary Collection
Mega Man X Collection
Activision Anthology
Atari Anthology
Namco Museum 50th Anniversary
Capcom Generations
Pinball Hall of Fame: The Williams Collection
These are compilation discs of classic console and arcade games, ported for newer consoles. I think they are good for giving an understanding of the medium's history and appealing to somewhat older gamers. They also have good bang for the buck with a dozen or more titles at bargain prices and tend to be light on the need for saves.
posted by MrFish at 11:01 AM on July 21, 2010
Yeah, I'd say that most RPGs wouldn't be a good idea-it's hard to finish one within the first two weeks.
ICO and Shadow are great choices-both are wonderful, but have a relatively short playing time. Portal for the same reason. Katamari Damacy is a little dated by now, but still a good choice. Rock Band and Guitar Hero iterations would be fun, as would Mario Party/Wario party for the wii. Oh, and Mario Kart.
Fighting games in general, I guess.
posted by dinty_moore at 11:04 AM on July 21, 2010
ICO and Shadow are great choices-both are wonderful, but have a relatively short playing time. Portal for the same reason. Katamari Damacy is a little dated by now, but still a good choice. Rock Band and Guitar Hero iterations would be fun, as would Mario Party/Wario party for the wii. Oh, and Mario Kart.
Fighting games in general, I guess.
posted by dinty_moore at 11:04 AM on July 21, 2010
Pinball Hall of Fame: The Williams Collection is sooooo good.
posted by yeti at 11:25 AM on July 21, 2010
posted by yeti at 11:25 AM on July 21, 2010
Ikaruga (gamecube)
Viewtiful Joe (gamecube)
Eternal Darkness (gamecube)
Jet Set Radio Future (X-box)
Panzer Dragoon Orta (Xbox)
New Super Mario Bros (Wii)
Super Mario Galaxy (Wii)
Boom Blox (Wii) - fun simple easy pick up and play single player/multiplayer game for the whole family - designed by Steven Spielberg (what that *actually* means, I have no idea).
Megaman anniversary collection (as mentioned above) is a great idea - I'd do the xbox one, I believe there's some better extras on the disc, but I can't remember what...
I don't have any Sony systems (nor the 360), so I can't recommend anything on them.
Soul Calibur (multiple systems, I believe)
Street Fighter IV (again - multiple systems)
posted by symbioid at 11:56 AM on July 21, 2010
Viewtiful Joe (gamecube)
Eternal Darkness (gamecube)
Jet Set Radio Future (X-box)
Panzer Dragoon Orta (Xbox)
New Super Mario Bros (Wii)
Super Mario Galaxy (Wii)
Boom Blox (Wii) - fun simple easy pick up and play single player/multiplayer game for the whole family - designed by Steven Spielberg (what that *actually* means, I have no idea).
Megaman anniversary collection (as mentioned above) is a great idea - I'd do the xbox one, I believe there's some better extras on the disc, but I can't remember what...
I don't have any Sony systems (nor the 360), so I can't recommend anything on them.
Soul Calibur (multiple systems, I believe)
Street Fighter IV (again - multiple systems)
posted by symbioid at 11:56 AM on July 21, 2010
Check gamerankings--it's the Metacritic/Rotten Tomatoes of video-game sites.
What consoles/systems will you be buying games for? Will you also buy any hardware (e.g., specialized controllers or multitaps or memory cards or consoles)?
What game systems are most common among people in your service area (e.g., my public-library branch is in a fairly poor neighborhood, so there are still significant numbers of people with original-Xboxes and PS2s)?
What's your acquisitions policy like? Are you looking for things that will simply be popular, or are you looking for things with historical/artistic/literary value, or some combination, or something else entirely?
posted by box at 12:41 PM on July 21, 2010
What consoles/systems will you be buying games for? Will you also buy any hardware (e.g., specialized controllers or multitaps or memory cards or consoles)?
What game systems are most common among people in your service area (e.g., my public-library branch is in a fairly poor neighborhood, so there are still significant numbers of people with original-Xboxes and PS2s)?
What's your acquisitions policy like? Are you looking for things that will simply be popular, or are you looking for things with historical/artistic/literary value, or some combination, or something else entirely?
posted by box at 12:41 PM on July 21, 2010
Response by poster: Wow, thanks for the responses, all!
Forgot to mention that we're only buying titles for Xbox 360, PS2, PS3 and Wii. There hasn't been any demand for games for GC or the original Xbox.
As for RPGs, we already have a few in our YA area like Final Fantasy and Sakura Wars, and no one's complained about only having a one week checkout with them. And yes, we're focusing on titles that are most likely to circulate, not necessarily just ZOMG CLASSIC stuff.
Basically I'm looking for the titles grown ups would be interested in, since we already have a lot of Mario, Sonic, etc. The only series I can think of that I think would be good to have are Devil May Cry, Castlevania, and God of War. But those are strictly from my personal tastes, hence my asking. :)
posted by Anima Mundi at 1:11 PM on July 21, 2010
Forgot to mention that we're only buying titles for Xbox 360, PS2, PS3 and Wii. There hasn't been any demand for games for GC or the original Xbox.
As for RPGs, we already have a few in our YA area like Final Fantasy and Sakura Wars, and no one's complained about only having a one week checkout with them. And yes, we're focusing on titles that are most likely to circulate, not necessarily just ZOMG CLASSIC stuff.
Basically I'm looking for the titles grown ups would be interested in, since we already have a lot of Mario, Sonic, etc. The only series I can think of that I think would be good to have are Devil May Cry, Castlevania, and God of War. But those are strictly from my personal tastes, hence my asking. :)
posted by Anima Mundi at 1:11 PM on July 21, 2010
Check gamerankings--it's the Metacritic/Rotten Tomatoes of video-game sites. ...
Metacritic does video games also:
Metacritic Games Section
They also have a "Best of 2009" listing for each platform:
http://www.metacritic.com/games/bests/2009.shtml
And will also rank the entire game library for a platform by their "metascore" (below is for xbox 360):
http://www.metacritic.com/games/xbox360/scores/
posted by de void at 1:36 PM on July 21, 2010
Metacritic does video games also:
Metacritic Games Section
They also have a "Best of 2009" listing for each platform:
http://www.metacritic.com/games/bests/2009.shtml
And will also rank the entire game library for a platform by their "metascore" (below is for xbox 360):
http://www.metacritic.com/games/xbox360/scores/
posted by de void at 1:36 PM on July 21, 2010
I know very few people who have played the Katamari Damacy series and not liked them, so We <3> if you can find it, or Katamari Forever for the PS3, or Beautiful Katamari for the 360. These games are basically blue skies, sunshine, and flowers on a disc, and are equally popular across age groups.
posted by Pope Guilty at 1:48 PM on July 21, 2010 [1 favorite]
posted by Pope Guilty at 1:48 PM on July 21, 2010 [1 favorite]
That should be We <3 Katamari. Dratted html.
posted by Pope Guilty at 1:49 PM on July 21, 2010
posted by Pope Guilty at 1:49 PM on July 21, 2010
YES YES all things Katamari are made of awesomeness and win.
posted by elizardbits at 4:46 PM on July 21, 2010
posted by elizardbits at 4:46 PM on July 21, 2010
« Older How to be close to my young toddler son.? | Writing website for charity...should I copyright... Newer »
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by phunniemee at 9:01 AM on July 21, 2010