2 SR6

I know that many of you may not agree with my top games lists so I'm
giving you all the chance to vote for your favorite games. Read on to
find out how.

First, allow me to state that, in my opinion, the ranking of the Top
Games is not as easy as taking the games with the highest review
scores and ranking them in order. The Top Games lists are meant to
rank the most enjoyable and outstanding games for each system. There
may be a game for a system that may not be as "flawless" as another
game, but is somehow better than that game.

I know this may not make much sense, but perhaps this example may
help. Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 2 for the Dreamcast is near perfect and
has a higher review score than does Phantasy Star Online but I feel that
Phantasy Star Online, because of the nature of the game and it's overall
fun factor, deserves to have a higher spot on the top games list. Think
about innovation. Is THPS 2 that revolutionary? Hmm...new skaters,
new music, and new tricks...nope, not really. How about PSO, the first
multiplayer online console RPG in the history of the world? You better
believe it.

In other words, yes a game may have a higher review score, but that is
most likely due to the restrictions of its genre. The Top Games lists go
beyond all genre limitations in order to provide a definitive list of the
best games for each system.

The Readers Vote will be a continuous poll that I will update whenever
a change in rank occurs. To vote, readers should email me there votes
following the guidelines specified below:

You may vote for up to 5 games for each Sega System. Please rank the
games (1 through 5) so that I can assign them a specific score. I will
add up the scores for every game and post the overall reader ranking
for each system. Readers should vote for every system that they feel
confident voting in and may also provide their top overall picks. Also
note that the scores of all upgraded games (those that are not true
sequels---i.e. Phantasy Star Online ver. 2 or Samba De Amigo ver. 2000)
will be combined with their original counterparts and ranked as one
game.

The game ranking/point scoring system is as follows:

#5 games will receive 1 point

#4 games will receive 2 points

#3 games will receive 3 points

#2 games will receive 4 points

#1 games will receive 5 points

If a reader votes without ranking games (i.e. - he or she only lists the
games) I will count each game as a #5 and will assign it 1 point.
Readers do not have to submit 5 games for every system. For example,
if they only submit 3 games, I will only score those 3 games.

Likewise, you are not required to submit an overall vote either because
I will add up the scores of all games submitted in the system voting to
determine the overall top games (the option to submit an overall vote is
just another chance to boost your favorites. Also, you can submit 5
games for an overall import vote to be seen in SCG's Import Area. The
procedure will be the same as before---I will add up the scores for all
import games in your individual systems' submissions to your overall
import vote.

Here is a sample of what a reader submission might look like, followed
by the scoring system results:

Master System:

1. Alex Kidd in Miracle World (+5)

2. Space Harrier 3D (+4)

3. Wonder Boy (+3)

4. R-Type (+2)

5. Power Strike (+1)

Genesis:

1. Gunstar Heroes (+5)

2. Phantasy Star 3 (+4)

3. Streets of Rage 2 (+3)

(Reader only submits 3 choices)

Saturn:

Shining Force 3 (+1)

Virtua Fighter 2 (+1)

Grandia (Import) (+1)

Panzer Dragoon Saga (+1)

(Reader submits 4 without ranking---all are scored as #5s. Also, one
game is an import, which is acceptable but should be specified in your
submission)

Overall Import:

1. Shenmue II (DC - Europe) (+5)

2. Grandia (SS - Japan) (+4)

(Reader submits only 2 choices with a ranking. Also, note that the
reader specifies the market and the system of the game.

Overall:

1. Gunstar Heroes (SG) (+5)

2. Phantasy Star 3 (SG) (+4)

3. Alex Kidd in Miracle World (SMS) (+3)

Space Harrier 3D (SMS) (+1)

Lunar: Eternal Blue (SCD) (+1)

Note that the reader only ranks 3 of his 5 submissions so the last 2 are
scored as #5s, and that he or she values his second Genesis game over
his first Master System game, which will probably be quite common---
lower ranked games from some systems being ranked higher overall
than higher ranked games of other systems. Also, note that the reader
had no submissions for the 32X, Saturn, or Dreamcast, which is also
acceptable; but specifies each game's system.

Thus, from this reader's vote alone, every game mentioned would get
the score next to it in parentheses counted towards its overall system
vote as well as the overall game vote. In other words, Gunstar Heroes
would receive 10 points for the overall game vote, but only 5 points for
its overall Genesis vote, while Phantasy Star 3 would receive 8 points
for the overall game vote and 4 points for its overall Genesis vote.
Please note that the games on the aforementioned list are for example
only.

I hope this helps and encourages you all to vote. Don't forget that
import games are accepted for this vote. I am the first to admit that
some of the best games never make the journey over to America. Either
send me an email with the phrase "SCG Readers' Vote" in the subject
line, or fill out the form I created for you by clicking here.