1. Mega Man X
CapcomAny platformer list would not be complete unless a Mega Man game made an appearance. There are a number of Mega Man games that could possibly make this list, but Mega Man X seems to be a cut above the rest. When the first Mega Man game was released, it wasn't received terribly well, although it absolutely had its merits, setting the stage for many sequels and spin-offs to come. Games like Mega Man 2 set the franchise on the right course, but after a few more iterations, the gameplay became rather similar and contrived. Then Mega Man X arrived for the SNES and reinvented the franchise. Mega Man X took almost everything from the increasingly stale franchise and upgraded it. The game looked really great for its new platform, with a graphics overhaul that put itself way ahead of its predecessors. The gameplay is similar to the Mega Man games that came before it, but there are added goodies like being able to slide down and jump off of walls that give it a fresh feel. The music is great and the story is interesting, another step-up from the 8-bit era. Mega Man X has lead to a number of spinoffs, sequels and rereleases, and ultimately lead to a renewed interest in the Mega Man series. This is a must for any gamer.