We grew up playing these games but who is best? Best Damner Bernie is back to give his Top 10.
OK, I know I said I'd pick the greatest video game players ever, but I can't say that I've played every video game so my vision is skewed. I'm going to go with the only three games that matter to me: Tecmo Super Bowl, RBI Baseball, and NHL Hockey '94 (EA Sports) for the Sega Genesis. I think it's safe to say that these are the most popular classic games of all time, so that's what the list is based on. So here we go with the Top 10:
10. Tony Armas
He has 4 million home runs and he's on the bench? Why? I have no idea, but you have to put him in because he pounds the ball.
9. Lawrence Taylor
If this was based on the original Tecmo, LT would rank #1. In the original, LT was the fastest in the game and could block field goals. In Tecmo Super, he's still great, just not as dominant.
8. David Fulcher
You may be asking yourself: who is David Fulcher? Well he's a safety on the Bengals and he is nasty. He is the best at picking off passes and makes big plays when it matters.
7. Will Clark
Always gets good wood on the ball. Every time he's up in a clutch situation, he delivers.
6. Tim Raines
This will cause a debate but it shouldn't. He's got great speed, can hit for average, and hits for power too. There isn't a player as well-rounded as Raines in the game.
5. Howie Long/Reggie White
These guys are pretty much interchangeable. You can stuff every play action pass with a dive and easily notch 50 sacks in a season.
4. Steve Yzerman
My favorite player to use in NHL '94. He's fast, accurate and has a hard shot. Great player to use on the break and easy to maneuver on the ice.
3. Bo Jackson
I think I'm the only person in the world that thinks Bo isn't the greatest video game player ever. Here's my reason: when you are playing the computer late in the playoffs you pretty much have to abandon the running game. I wanted to test this theory so I played a full season with the Raiders. Bo racked up 2200+ yards in the regular season. But when I got to the AFC championship, Bo had 23 yards and fumbled. I won the game with a punt return by Nick Bell and some savvy passing. In the Super Bowl, Bo had 28 yards and a fumble. I still won but Bo was a non-factor and he was in average health. For this reason, I can't say he's the best video game player ever or even the best in the game.
2. Joe Montana
He completes every pass, never throws picks and his condition is irrelevant. I've had him at bad all season and he still dominates. He's pretty much the only QB in the game that can complete the fly pattern when the receiver is in the back of the end zone for more than 4 seconds. Hardcore Tecmo Super Bowl players know what I mean. If you let the receiver run the fly pattern and he hits the back of the end zone, most QBs with airmail the pass. Not Montana. He completes it every time. Montana is the best in the game, hands down. It pains me to say it because I love Bo so much, but it's a fact.
1. Jeremy Roenick
He is Steve Yzerman with a harder slap shot and can check players like a defenseman. I don't like using the Blackhawks because Roenick is unfair. I believe Trent said it best: It's not so much me as it is Roenick, he's good.
So that's the list. Remember it's based on three games, but I think after years and years of playing these games, the list is pretty accurate. Let the debate begin!
I have a feeling there's gonna be some hate mail over this. Good luck, Bernie.