The Games We Played in 2023 - New Releases, Remakes, and Retro Classics / MY LIFE IN GAMING

[@buckchuckgaming597]

This has become a tradition for me each New Year’s Eve and one of my favorite videos each year. Here’s to another great year fellas

[@rickylovesyou]

Gosh darn it, I love it when you guys make videos purely on the games, no matter the system, year or genre. Pure enjoyment and great presentation along with taste. Thanks again!

[@skycloud4802]

It feels more true to life to me than what most other KZbinrs and Review channels are doing. Most people like me, including people I personally know, are picking up games from all eras and platforms going back thirty years. Nobody I know is only playing games released from 2023. The world of gaming is so vast and rich that all games deserve a spotlight, especially long after their intended audiences have moved on to other hobbies.

[@ChalkanCheese]

I'm not sure how these guys can create a feeling of nostalgia through a video, maybe it's the cadence, the theme song... but the minute I start watching I immediately go into "full sofa comfort mode" .

[@RemoWilliams1227]

Agreed and I love it! It's like hanging out with my other nerdy friends as a kid lol.

[@Yntsire]

You know what? The 10 game pledge is a pretty awesome idea. So here's mine: -Dragon Quest 1 (NES) -Super Metroid (SNES) -Last of Us Part 1 (PS5) -Grand Theft Auto III (PS2) -Nier Automata (Switch) -Xenoblade Chronicles 1 (Switch) -The Legend of Zelda (NES) -Jak and Daxter (PS2) -Final Fantasy VI (SNES) -Metal Gear Solid 1 (PS1)

[@oceaniax27]

It's unusual for me to watch a 90 minute video on KZbin, but these end of year videos are the rare exception. Great stuff.

[@PixelPhoenix]

It's been another incredible year with you and everyone in the MLiG community. Onward to 2024!

[@crystaltaiko0274]

Ever since these end of the year videos began, I made it a point to watch them every single year. I love the idea of a "10 game a year" pledge and started doing that myself. Its really helped iron out a lot of games I want to play. 2023, I completed about 5 of those games. Just made my list of 10 for this year, and I look forward to it!! Happy New Year! Amazing video!

[@justanotheryoutubechannel]

I was awakened into loving racing games by Ridge Racer 7 last year too, I used to not really enjoy the series due to struggling with the controls, but Ridge Racer 7 was like a gateway game for me, I loved it so much I played it all the way to the credits, and kept going (albeit slowly due to the difficulty spike!), then went on to play all the other games in the franchise and learn to get good at them. It’s so technically impressive, beautiful, stylish, and energetic. Hopefully next year your section will be full of racing classics!

[@cloudff72000]

Wanted to watch the whole thing before I left my thoughts - I've opened my mind to so many different games and concepts since I started following, and for that I will be eternally grateful. Here's hoping 2024 brings more of the same while washing away any regrets. And hopefully, my Memcard Pro 2 will come so I can finally delve into some of those beefy PS2 RPGs (I'm looking at you, DQ8).

[@bwoeYT]

These are some of my favourite KZbin videos ever every year, keep them coming. Happy New Year MLiG and let's pray for a better 2024.

[@svengini]

You guys are the best! Thank you for all you do - for all the hard work & dedication to our hobby, all the research, boundless information, and pure entertainment! Happy New Year!

[@Cephichan]

I kinda describe Ridge Racer on a whole the same way I feel about Jack-in-the-box. Gourmet fast food, or in this case, gourmet arcade racer. It feels much more polished and slick than your average arcade racer while not being as intimidating as a more "car/racing super fan" type of game may be. It isn't super accurate to how cars and racing are but it also doesn't have to be. It's jus a good looking and sounding fun time! Once again, great job on the years end video you guys~

[@BispoSnake]

Now this is the 23' retrospective I've been waiting for. Thank you so much guys.

[@AndersLnning]

Love this videos from you guys. Have a great 2024

[@PUDINHED]

My favorite video of the year!

[@VideoGameShowcase]

My most anticipated MLIG video of the year!

[@mrttype]

I loved this format last year - I got a shock to see a new one in my feed. Can’t believe it’s been twelve months.

[@slot9]

Great video! Refreshing

[@AnxMa]

I have a voice acting background and have to say that Yuri Lowenthal's voice has been such an inspiration for me since the Prince of Persia Trilogy. His performance in Spidey 2 is amazing. The vocal training was really tough, sometimes without noticeable results for months but actors like him and the late Kevin Conroy are a great impulse to not give up. You almost saw me as Leon in those new RE games :)

[@threwanade]

Happy holidays and hope for more from you this 2024! I love the pledge idea and I’m going to pledge to beat 10 games myself: I may beat more but it will be 10 I love and just never got around to beating, or 10 that were challenging as a kid that I never took the time to beat but want to now, that is my 2 themes for my pics.

[@julieb3240]

This video is so gooooood. You guys have such awesome/well-rounded tastes, and your experience and love for the medium is apparent in your commentary. I find it all so very relatable and super enjoyable. Keep it up. Love it!

[@StewNWT]

I always really appreciate when channels play a mix of new and retro games

[@chriswalsh3149]

My backlog was reduced by one in 2023 and now... how can I be cross at you, Try? Lovely video and lots of gems to be on the lookout for! Good work fellas and I hope to actually watch one of your streams in 2024! Happy new year folks!

[@mindofone]

I really love these “end of year” recap videos you guys do. I look forward to them every year!

[@tubinonyou]

With all due respect, Control deserves to be at the top of your short list. You've probably heard how awesome it is already and I won't bore you with why I love it. But I must say that this game burrowed its way into my psyche in a way no other game ever has. It is an all-time Top 3 game for me.

[@blastedmcgraw152]

Your annual recap episodes are arguably the best thing on KZbin.. Thanks for the work you guys do!

[@Scott_Snyder]

1:34:50 I’m a little rusty on my timestamping but it is an honor to be mentioned on one of your videos and being next to Joe Redifer (@GameSack) makes it even more awesome! Thank you guys for making my New Years 2R2BR!

[@mylifeingaming]

[Try4ce] Thank YOU for all your help with the stream archives this past year! Also thanks for You Suck At Parking! I didn't have a chance to play more after that stream, but I wanted to at least show a quick clip of it!

[@Dang0thebepis]

This was so wholesome and I loved it 😭💕

[@maybelater7436]

What is that visualizer in the background? I've been looking for something like that.

[@mylifeingaming]

PS3 Visualizer by Q-Games

[@eddsnake]

Always really enjoy these and this was no exception. Also gives me some inspiration to work on my huge backlog this year. Thanks Coury and Try and all the best for 2024.

[@travisbowmanmusic]

Rock on fellas, thanks for another year of great videos!

[@ChadDidNothingWrong]

12:53 I've been thinking the same thing about making some games in that unique 90's CGI aesthetic, and man you've offered a brilliant application for that concept here!

[@SkyScourgeGod]

Will you guys ever revisit the RGB2XX series? The last one you did was for the PS2 and that was 5 years ago. With all the new RetroTink machines that have come out since then like the 5X and the 4K it would be pretty neat to see the Wii, original Xbox, Xbox 360 and PS3 get an RGB2XX discussion about them.

[@mylifeingaming]

[Try4ce] We certainly intend to, and the long delay was certainly not intentional.

[@SkyScourgeGod]

​@@mylifeingamingNeat. 😁👍

[@cutter6900]

Always look forward to these for all the interesting games not just from the current year, but all throughout gaming history. Good job again, guys!

[@Daniel-it1dp]

This is always a great video I look forward to since I don’t get to watch your livestreams. It gives me an idea of games I should pick up, add to my backlog, and continue not to play but give me something exciting to look forward to when I retire and hopefully have time 😆

[@Blueflag04]

41:28 how did you even missed out on this game? Its so popular everywhere. Also, everyone already knew what is the ending anyway.

[@mylifeingaming]

[Try4ce] Well I'm glad I didn't know how crazy the final level was. I've been playing through the Metal Slug games in order, and not particularly quickly, so it just took me a while to get to 3.

[@ssaunders1122]

Lunar music. So calm. So serine. So nostalgic.

[@reverendhoover]

This was a lot of fun and I've picked up quite a few games that you've covered, lots of which I hadn't even heard of. I love the way you guys choose games from so many systems, both modern and retro and it reminds me that there's so many great titles I've yet to play. The production of this video was also amazing.

[@bearianna]

I'll be honest. I've had Captain Toad in my switch collection for a few years because I really wanted to play it, but I booted it up and discovered that I thought it was only a multiplayer game. Luckily, I kept the game in my small collection because I spent the money on the physical release. Thanks to this video, I figured out you could play it single player on handheld mode! So in essence, I gave myself a late Christmas gift without having to buy the game first and I'm in love with it! 💛💎💛

[@GalacticLimes]

I liked the game pledge idea enough that I’m doing it again this year but I’m also going to add some games I’d like to REplay for a fresher opinion.

[@JaySharknado]

Upon learning that Try expressed cromulent tidings with Metagal, I'm feeling much more embiggened to look forward to the rest of the video!

[@mygirlfriendismean]

Spent a lot of time with you dudes this year. Hope you and your families have a great 2024. Cheers!

[@robatw]

Man...thank you so much for your awesome work and content. This is just always so much fun to watch.

[@dcashley303]

What a great way to cap off what was a very difficult year for many of us. Thank you MLIG for keeping the good vibes going 🎉❤

[@ryanpyle9822]

I totally agree that Mario RPG should've looked more like the high quality renders of the original. That would've been amazing. I wish they would do the same with Donkey Kong Country.

[@craigjuan5744]

Happy 10th anniversary to MLiG! Those were some good games that you guys played throughout 2023, and some surprisingly enjoyable ones that I myself have yet to experience. Gotta love Try's sudden deep voice for MEGAGON! It's like he himself turned into an oversized giant with massive gains. "Totsuzen Macho Man" is right! I own a lot of these games, so now I have a new motivation to finish a couple in my backlog when 2024 arrives. I know I haven't been too active in the streams lately as much as I used to. But it was great to see you guys again and that you still remember good ol Craig Juan. As usual, I'm sending my love from San Diego, CA. And as always, thank you for all you do.

[@WMARUoriginal]

I look forward to this every year! I’d love to see more regular recaps

[@glennwwicks]

50:20 Coury losing angrily, then laughing in spite of himself gave me that kind of joy that can only be understood by someone who has a bizarre sense of nostalgia for hard games kicking your butt. (It's one of the main reasons why AVGN has always been so fun to watch - game over rage hits close to home!) Long Live MLiG!

[@IgnatiusAlpha]

Very nice to see Amagon and Lunar: The Silver Star on this year's video. And as someone whom just turned 40 a few months ago, I appreciate Coury giving a shout-out to us "olds", lol. And yes, I too will play Policenauts one day. And Try: Absolutely play Willow for the NES. It's one of my all-time favorite NES games and games period of any platform.

[@MrAlexthemachine]

2023 was the year I imported a pc engine and a lot of games. Ifu-30 and cd-rom2 with a turbonanza s video mod on the pc engine. Hori arcade stick pc and good stereo speakers. Pure awesome for this shooter fan

[@treefroggy]

Coury! I just finished Mega Man Legends today! I 100%'d it and spent a lot of time hanging out, it was 14 hours by the end. You can finish it in half that time if you wanted to! It's a perfect game! And MML2 is one of the best games of all time... don't miss out on it!

[@Foxanic]

Thanks for sharing your experiences in 2023. Love the channel! Happy new year 🎉

[@guillermos8447]

A Short Hike is so beautiful.

[@TNDVideoGames]

I literally, and figuratively, wait all year for this video. It is my absolutely most favorite video of any channel at any time of the year.

[@fixorbricks]

I also played The Order after watching the Digital Foundry video. Incredible story! Truly a shame it hasn't gotten a 60fps non-letterboxed update (unless you have a hacked PS5)

[@wilkieretrogamer]

happy new year guys always look forward to this every year !

[@darcyska]

I love these videos!! - Look forward to it every year

[@unoclay]

love these yearly wrapups. Its a good way for all of us to share some gaming context. I wrote down several items for my own future lists.

[@Reluctant_Hero]

Sweet! I’ve been waiting for this! Thanks, guys! Happy New Year!

[@PrometheusSansei]

As a Shenmue fan since 1999 I really appreciated you finally took the time to try it. I think it has a very compelling story, mismanaged in the third installment. How about a video about your all time favourite game narratives?

[@Fahrenheit38]

You didn't like 3 either? Feel like I'm the only one

[@PrometheusSansei]

I liked it as a fan, but was expecting more story wise, no major plot advancements. That saga needs a reboot, for example the anime is better in several spots

[@Fahrenheit38]

@@PrometheusSansei it didn't have enough Shenmue stuff for me, I just wanna go back to exploring 80s Japan houses

[@MarcelusCastleRain]

Try gave Final Fight 2 props. That was my first SNES game back then (the JP version) :') Enjoyed a lot and loved the OST and the color palette of the SNES at that time! Another game that blew my mind because of its graphics was Tiny Toons Buster Boosts Loose. Happy 2024. Thanks for the video guys!

[@HyperSniperCo]

Cant wait to see what you think of Outer Wilds!

[@simondavies4834]

Happy new year guys. Love these annual ‘games we played’ videos

[@oaktreep1987]

What a great video and so many games in this video i played or replayed in 2023(Policenauts, Shenmue). The most fun i had this year in gaming,was playing Dynamite Deka 2 with a friend on the Dreamcast. Just playing a game with couch coop and beating it in a very short time together was awesome.

[@mylifeingaming]

Not to mention that you actually fight the Kraken in it! The Kraken!

[@rcdr0614]

As for the 'We were better players when we were young' sentiment -- I finally beat Mike Tyson's Punch Out back in 2018, when I was 40 years old. When I was a kid, I could only go up to Mr. Sandman and only fought Super Macho Man and Tyson via code, but never beaten them. So six years ago I beat them all, including Mike with a 3rd round TKO. Goes to show that while we may had the time and reflexes as kids, our brains are better wired to learn and adapt as we age.

[@peterkeleher]

LOVE these videso - thank you so much for making it!

[@GurusWorld1]

Something I never thought i ever hear on a gaming channel. Fat as a Wegmans sub. Now I am from the city where Wegmans started in the 50s as a small store. But this just blew my mind. If you find a DiBellas near you they were also from my city too. Lol

[@Swedishgamefreak]

I love these videos. It's a great way to end the year! :)

[@treedeblue]

Try never stops trying for perfection

[@georgebraymusic]

OMG THAT DOG IS SO ADORABLE!!!!!

[@rancid_]

Please never stop making these videos, I find so games I've never would have played otherwise.

[@samk2167]

This is a completely random question, but can anyone identify the Gamecube-styled joycons Coury's using at 18:19?

[@GalacticLimes]

That’s the Switch Handheld Controller by RetroFlag. They go into more detail on it in “Our Favorite Gaming Accessories in 2023”

[@samk2167]

@@GalacticLimes Thanks so much for the reply, much appreciated!

[@Mike_jmg9]

I really like this type of videos because I see games that otherwise I would never know about. Or forget that I haven't played them and that I actually should. Thank you for the game recommendations, I did like a lot of the ones you guys played, we'll see how many I can go through this year. I already had YS VIII and Elden Ring on my list, along with Doom Eternal, which I started when it came out, but I never finished it.

[@kariohki]

Somehow it surprises me that Coury hasn't finished Crystalis before!

[@erickbrags]

This is already a tradition for us to gather here, love it. It's my favorite video on KZbin each year. Success for all in 2024.

[@lpjunior999]

Props to you guys for actually enjoying Gato Roboto, that game was so hard it made me learn how to use Cheat Engine.

[@MagisterHamid]

I played Inside back in 2016 when it came out. Till this day it’s one of the most memorable game experiences I’ve ever had. I still think about that game from time to time. That says alot about its impact.

[@ciemn1aj]

Exactly what I needed today. I love what you do. Thank you!

[@TheKnightOfNee]

I feel like I just watched the 2022 recap, and here we are recapping 2023 already? Wow. Well, even though it was a busy year, you both played some interesting stuff. I wrote down a few games from this video to add to my backlog this coming year. Lunar: Silver Star Story Complete was super influential to me, and will always be one of my favorites, all the Working Designs-isms included. You're right that it probably was an important step in the localization of games. I think it is something that meant a lot more at the age and the time, but maybe doesn't land as well now.

[@mylifeingaming]

[Try4ce] Yeah I think their style made a lot of sense at the time, and I think endeared them to their fans, but it can be pretty groan-inducing nowadays. Even still, their work was important even if a lot of it is not something to directly emulate in modern localization.

[@donovansan]

Try, learning how to play and master the original Ridge Racer PS1 quadrilogy with the analog Namco neGcon racing controller has been one of the most satisfying gaming achievements of this decade for me. The very first Ridge Racer only has one track with a couple of variations so mastering it isn't as difficult feat as it may initially suggest, even though drifting *is* a mandatory but skillful task to learn. In any case, R4 is so refined and instantly enjoyable that going straight to that one first isn't a bad call either. Definitely all worth enjoying, but only with that neGcon controller.

[@mylifeingaming]

[Try4ce] I keep hearing good things about that controller. I could see myself liking it. I forget if it's expensive but I should look it up.

[@donovansan]

@@mylifeingaming they're all about $50 on eBay. Totally worth it in my book to play the Ridge Racers (and many other PS1 racers like all the Wipeout games, if you end up getting one and digging it) with simple but intuitive analog controls. I'd just steer clear of the R4 tie-in Jogcon controller despite having the neGcon's functionality built in it. Something about the neGcon's unique twisting function makes it so much more accessible and fun compared to any of those cumbersome racing wheels.

[@dcashley303]

​@@mylifeingamingthe NegCon and the PS1 games is just absolute liquid arcade bliss. You really HAVE to play with the controller, especially for the first two games. Type4 is just jaw droppingly good with a surprisingly robust story mode and car unlock system. But 3 is a really underrated game too. The first two are kinda shorter and more difficult but have tons of personality. But yeah, pick up the controller. You won't regret it.

[@Crewhudson-01]

Yes! This has made my day that much more awesome! Happy New Years everyone!!🎉

[@animegirl20]

My favorite video you guys make every year! Cheers!

[@DrGamingPlays]

Excellent video from the both of you as always. It is hard to get through pledges with real life going on... or another game distracts you, so I won't be cross with you 😀. In any event, I hope to Ty get through Trails of Cold Steel. As a heads up, it is slow burn (and picks up more with the second game. The first two Cold Steel games are a good entry point. Hope you both enjoy 2024!

[@brady9592]

My fave Mlig video of the year, let’s gooo

[@seanmcbay]

I’m with you Coury. I’m not quite the same age but I feel better than ever at games than I ever was as a kid, teen or 20s. I got the Super Suit, finally, in the Mario RPG remake for the first time so I can’t be slowing down that much. 🙃

[@sirekumasutra7022]

Great video as always here is my list 1 Super Mario Bros Wonder 2 Kirby Return to Dream Land Deluxe 3 Dead Cells 4 Monster Boy and the Cursed Kingdom 5 Kirby and the Amazing Mirror 6 Legend of Zelda Minish Cap 7 New Super Lucky’s Tale 8 Sonic Frontiers 9 Pac World RePac 10 WarioWare Mega Microgames

[@ShapeyFiend]

I really need to try finishing Landstalker again one of these days. I absolutely adored the story/dialog back in the day and can't really remember much of anything about it now.

[@ronoakJP]

Going super deep with the Eegmans reference. Best grocery store in the world. Can't wait until this summer when I can visit 1 again.

[@hanswurst9866]

It's so fitting that you didn't like Senua's Sacrifice while playing crude and ugly 80s style sidescrollers

[@CrewJackets]

Your doggie is really sweet Coury. Sorry you guys had a SNAFU with the licensing on the music earlier today. I am glad you got this piece in before the New Year. It’s a favorite of many on this channel, including myself. Blessings to you and Try for 2024.

[@StephenTheZ]

(whoops I wrote a lot lol.) Cool to see Battle Circuit mentioned. I have an accidental tradition I've leaned into the past few years where I make the final game I beat each year a short (usually arcade) beat 'em up and it's actually my pick for this year. Gonna go play it after this. Also glad I am not the only one out there who despite loving Rare did not find Blast Corps to be that fun. I am stickler for beating games even if they kind of annoy me (especially if they're short) but I couldn't when I tried last year. First game I dropped with no intention of going back to in like a decade. The controls didn't bug me as much as the physics, very wonky at times. Those dang dump truck levels man... On the topic of Mighty No. 9 dunno if either of you played Inti's Mighty Gunvolt Burst (or Gal Gunvolt Burst depending on which platform you buy the game on) but it's essentially a remake (or demake I guess since it's using 2D sprites) of Mighty No. 9 and it's really fun. Was the first Inti game I played and it really blew me away to the point where it reignited my love for action platformers in general. Not saying it's some like god-tier game or anything but was a right game at the right time kind of thing. I bought almost all of Inti's other games because of it and started picking up other indie retro style action platformers. Metagal is being one of those, neat game to just chill with for a few hours. I should pick up that sort of sequel game at some point. On the topic of roguelikes/lites, I dunno who coined the term roguelite but I know Rogue Legacy popularized it and the distinction is just that there is permanent progression between runs, it's never a fresh start. Ironically Returnal never felt much like a roguelite to me, it's a lot more like a proper roguelike just that you don't have to re-fight bosses. I loved it as well but as a veteran of the genre at this point (been obsessed since the original Binding of Isaac release back in 2011) I gotta say the game is really easy. Risk assessment and resource management matter a lot more than how good you can shoot and dodge honestly. If you get more familiar with the genre it's one you can come back to and be like "hah, how did I ever find this hard." Also don't worry Coury, Yakuza 4 is really where they started to find their footing with the series and that game doesn't feel as "dated." Not that it bothered me much (I actually 100%'d Yakuza 3) but yeah Y4 feels a bit less jank. Get ready for Yakuza 5 though, one of the meatiest games I've ever played in my life tbh. My play time just for finishing the story while avoiding a lot of side content was 92 hours. Absolutely insane unit of a video game, I put over 200 hours into it by the time I was fully done. Honestly though, one of my favorite games of all time after it was all said and done. Loved basically everything about it. Anyway as usual loved the wrap up vid, always discover some cool new games to play from them.

[@OtakuAnthony]

I missed this when it came out. I always look forward to when it comes out

[@kikujade]

Lufia 2? along with all those games? good luck dude, you're really shooting for the stars

[@backlogbusters]

I’ve been looking forward to this all year! Love this format!

[@DexTepa]

Of the games I beat in 2023, my favorites were Wario Land 2, Laser Invasion, Chuuka Taisen (Nes), Hello Kitty World, Looney Tunes (GB), Hagane, Aldynes, Tsumi to Batsu (aka Sin & Punishment), Gunner's Heaven, and Kururin Squash. Still got plenty of nice classics left in my backlog. Modern 3D games, on the other hand, just continue to disappoint me. I really shouldn't even bother trying anymore.

[@Xpert74]

Good video! I hope you enjoy Trails of Cold Steel when you get around to it :)

[@eded9157]

Love this video concept, keep doing it please.

[@scarface52587]

What's the switch handheld controller coury is using? It looks like it has gamecube controls.

[@brys.3131]

What a great end of the year wrap up guys! Such a treat! Btw If anyone knows, I'd love to know what "screensaver" is going on behind Marc towards the end. Looking forward to gaming to 2024! Cheers!

[@mylifeingaming]

Q-Games Visualizer for PS3

[@jamesmackey2665]

happy new year, wishing you the best in 2024.