John | Video Game Canon
@videogamecanon.bsky.social
Amateur game historian and cataloger of links to great writing about games.
💻 videogamecanon.com
➡️ Video Game Canon Top 1000
➡️ Various Bits of Game History
💻 videogameresearchlibrary.com
➡️ Video Game Research Library
💻 videogamecanon.com
➡️ Video Game Canon Top 1000
➡️ Various Bits of Game History
💻 videogameresearchlibrary.com
➡️ Video Game Research Library
Pinned
Hades Debuts in the Top 10 in the 2025 Update to the Video Game Canon’s Top 1000
It took a little extra time, but the Version 8.0 update to the Video Game Canon is finally here. With the addition of a handful of new lists since the last update, the Video Game Canon’s crit…
www.videogamecanon.com
The 2025 Update to the Video Game Canon is now available for all!
Supergiant’s Hades makes its debut in the VGC Top 1000 at #7!
www.videogamecanon.com/adventurelog...
Supergiant’s Hades makes its debut in the VGC Top 1000 at #7!
www.videogamecanon.com/adventurelog...
Dear Santa, I’ve been a very good boy this year…
November 27, 2025 at 8:36 PM
Dear Santa, I’ve been a very good boy this year…
Me seeing everyone talking about this Jonathan Bailey person…
a close up of a man 's face with the words who written on it
Alt: a close up of a man 's face with the words who written on it
media.tenor.com
November 27, 2025 at 5:35 AM
Me seeing everyone talking about this Jonathan Bailey person…
Why is he still complaining about this?
The Most Dangerous Game is 100 years old
Lord of the Flies is 70 years old
The Long Walk and The Running Man are 40 years old
All of these things predate Battle Royale and The Hunger Games by many decades!
www.avclub.com/tarantino-hu...
The Most Dangerous Game is 100 years old
Lord of the Flies is 70 years old
The Long Walk and The Running Man are 40 years old
All of these things predate Battle Royale and The Hunger Games by many decades!
www.avclub.com/tarantino-hu...
Quentin Tarantino is still very mad about The Hunger Games
Quentin Tarantino is still very mad about The Hunger Games
www.avclub.com
November 27, 2025 at 3:46 AM
Why is he still complaining about this?
The Most Dangerous Game is 100 years old
Lord of the Flies is 70 years old
The Long Walk and The Running Man are 40 years old
All of these things predate Battle Royale and The Hunger Games by many decades!
www.avclub.com/tarantino-hu...
The Most Dangerous Game is 100 years old
Lord of the Flies is 70 years old
The Long Walk and The Running Man are 40 years old
All of these things predate Battle Royale and The Hunger Games by many decades!
www.avclub.com/tarantino-hu...
Yes… one step closer to getting Ninja Gaiden III ON Switch Online.
November 26, 2025 at 3:17 AM
Yes… one step closer to getting Ninja Gaiden III ON Switch Online.
Reposted by John | Video Game Canon
Ken Burns' Gaming
I figure Ken Burns has one, maybe two big documentary series in him before he fully retires. What do you think they should be? My votes include Football, Hip-Hop, World War 1, Reconstruction (though Skip Gates did this one well), Iraq/Afghanistan, 19th Century Expansionism.
November 25, 2025 at 1:19 AM
Ken Burns' Gaming
Probably not too different from most people’s lists, but here’s how I’d rank ‘em…
1. Empire Strikes Back
2. Star Wars
3. The Last Jedi
4. Return of the Jedi
5. The Force Awakens
6. Rogue One
7. Revenge of the Sith
8. Solo
9. The Phantom Menace
10. Attack of the Clones
11. The Rise of Skywalker
1. Empire Strikes Back
2. Star Wars
3. The Last Jedi
4. Return of the Jedi
5. The Force Awakens
6. Rogue One
7. Revenge of the Sith
8. Solo
9. The Phantom Menace
10. Attack of the Clones
11. The Rise of Skywalker
haven’t seen ROS or Solo but this seems like a pretty ball-knowing list from Pritzker, particularly if he volunteered the name “Star Wars” rather than “A New Hope”
November 24, 2025 at 9:27 PM
Probably not too different from most people’s lists, but here’s how I’d rank ‘em…
1. Empire Strikes Back
2. Star Wars
3. The Last Jedi
4. Return of the Jedi
5. The Force Awakens
6. Rogue One
7. Revenge of the Sith
8. Solo
9. The Phantom Menace
10. Attack of the Clones
11. The Rise of Skywalker
1. Empire Strikes Back
2. Star Wars
3. The Last Jedi
4. Return of the Jedi
5. The Force Awakens
6. Rogue One
7. Revenge of the Sith
8. Solo
9. The Phantom Menace
10. Attack of the Clones
11. The Rise of Skywalker
This is what I say whenever someone thinks my Video Game Canon project is dumb.
This is all meant to be fun! And FWIW, more than 1000 games have been picked at least once. Going way down the list is where the most fun is.
This is all meant to be fun! And FWIW, more than 1000 games have been picked at least once. Going way down the list is where the most fun is.
As someone who professionally makes “best of” lists every year, I can share something I say on every such occasion: Lists should be meant to start conversations about art, not end them. So, mission accomplished!
November 24, 2025 at 2:43 PM
This is what I say whenever someone thinks my Video Game Canon project is dumb.
This is all meant to be fun! And FWIW, more than 1000 games have been picked at least once. Going way down the list is where the most fun is.
This is all meant to be fun! And FWIW, more than 1000 games have been picked at least once. Going way down the list is where the most fun is.
Yes, today is the 20th anniversary of the launch of the Xbox 360.
But what’s more important is that today is also the 20th anniversary of the debut of Geometry Wars: Retro Evolved. The true killer app of the 360’s launch and rivaled only by its sequel as the greatest twin-stick shooter of all time.
But what’s more important is that today is also the 20th anniversary of the debut of Geometry Wars: Retro Evolved. The true killer app of the 360’s launch and rivaled only by its sequel as the greatest twin-stick shooter of all time.
November 22, 2025 at 6:08 PM
Yes, today is the 20th anniversary of the launch of the Xbox 360.
But what’s more important is that today is also the 20th anniversary of the debut of Geometry Wars: Retro Evolved. The true killer app of the 360’s launch and rivaled only by its sequel as the greatest twin-stick shooter of all time.
But what’s more important is that today is also the 20th anniversary of the debut of Geometry Wars: Retro Evolved. The true killer app of the 360’s launch and rivaled only by its sequel as the greatest twin-stick shooter of all time.
OK, why did no one tell me about Sektori? It looks like what you’d get if you melded together Geometry Wars and Just Shapes and Beats.
November 20, 2025 at 7:18 PM
OK, why did no one tell me about Sektori? It looks like what you’d get if you melded together Geometry Wars and Just Shapes and Beats.
Reposted by John | Video Game Canon
My trailblazing game industry bad-ass friend Rebecca Heineman has passed away.
Fuck cancer.
Friends, let’s not forget her: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rebecca...
Fuck cancer.
Friends, let’s not forget her: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rebecca...
Rebecca Heineman - Wikipedia
en.wikipedia.org
November 17, 2025 at 9:52 PM
My trailblazing game industry bad-ass friend Rebecca Heineman has passed away.
Fuck cancer.
Friends, let’s not forget her: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rebecca...
Fuck cancer.
Friends, let’s not forget her: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rebecca...
So the Games section of Paste became its own thing, Endless Mode, in the Spring. And now Endless Mode is being folded back into The AV Club.
I am so very confused, but I’m glad all the same people are still involved.
I am so very confused, but I’m glad all the same people are still involved.
November 17, 2025 at 8:47 PM
So the Games section of Paste became its own thing, Endless Mode, in the Spring. And now Endless Mode is being folded back into The AV Club.
I am so very confused, but I’m glad all the same people are still involved.
I am so very confused, but I’m glad all the same people are still involved.
Reposted by John | Video Game Canon
This is it. I nearly suffocated by using the reetroom. I’m asking my doctors agreeing on a short cure. Only really sure painful prolonged angona is hereafter the grim reaps me. Please donate on the funeral fund me now.
November 16, 2025 at 6:57 PM
This is it. I nearly suffocated by using the reetroom. I’m asking my doctors agreeing on a short cure. Only really sure painful prolonged angona is hereafter the grim reaps me. Please donate on the funeral fund me now.
Reposted by John | Video Game Canon
🤖🌟 Issue 6 of APWOT is live on Kickstarter! 🌟🤖
Featuring a beautiful lenticular cover of Astro Bot marking both our feature interview with the game’s director, Nicolas Doucet, and the 30th anniversary of PlayStation.
Get in there!
💫 kck.st/4i1GAHT 💫
Featuring a beautiful lenticular cover of Astro Bot marking both our feature interview with the game’s director, Nicolas Doucet, and the 30th anniversary of PlayStation.
Get in there!
💫 kck.st/4i1GAHT 💫
November 4, 2025 at 6:21 PM
🤖🌟 Issue 6 of APWOT is live on Kickstarter! 🌟🤖
Featuring a beautiful lenticular cover of Astro Bot marking both our feature interview with the game’s director, Nicolas Doucet, and the 30th anniversary of PlayStation.
Get in there!
💫 kck.st/4i1GAHT 💫
Featuring a beautiful lenticular cover of Astro Bot marking both our feature interview with the game’s director, Nicolas Doucet, and the 30th anniversary of PlayStation.
Get in there!
💫 kck.st/4i1GAHT 💫
Why do all of these people look like they drank from the false grail?
This is good reporting and all that but here's the thing I learned the other day: Bill Pulte, the 50-year-mortgage dude and the guy who keeps pulling the mortgage docs of Trump's enemies is only 37 years old.
www.wsj.com/finance/regu...
www.wsj.com/finance/regu...
Exclusive | Fannie Mae Watchdogs Probed How Pulte Obtained Mortgage Records of Key Democrats
FHFA’s acting inspector general handed the probe report to the U.S. attorney office that had indicted New York Attorney General Letitia James.
www.wsj.com
November 14, 2025 at 2:44 AM
Why do all of these people look like they drank from the false grail?
Well shoot, I can give you three:
1) It’s not as good as Mario Kart 8
2) It’s not even the best game on the Switch 2 so far this year
3) “Buzz” is hard to quantify, but I can think of a dozen games with more “Buzz” and there’s only 5-6 GOTY slots available at these shows.
Now to read the article…
1) It’s not as good as Mario Kart 8
2) It’s not even the best game on the Switch 2 so far this year
3) “Buzz” is hard to quantify, but I can think of a dozen games with more “Buzz” and there’s only 5-6 GOTY slots available at these shows.
Now to read the article…
There are two reasons why it's not even in the conversation.
Mario Kart World will never win GOTY
There are two reasons why it's not even in the conversation.
www.polygon.com
November 13, 2025 at 1:14 AM
Well shoot, I can give you three:
1) It’s not as good as Mario Kart 8
2) It’s not even the best game on the Switch 2 so far this year
3) “Buzz” is hard to quantify, but I can think of a dozen games with more “Buzz” and there’s only 5-6 GOTY slots available at these shows.
Now to read the article…
1) It’s not as good as Mario Kart 8
2) It’s not even the best game on the Switch 2 so far this year
3) “Buzz” is hard to quantify, but I can think of a dozen games with more “Buzz” and there’s only 5-6 GOTY slots available at these shows.
Now to read the article…
The Mets sold an estimated $250 million in tickets last year. And sold the naming rights to the stadium for $20 million. On top of all that, there’s concessions, merchandise sales, advertising, their TV contract, and a handful of other ways they make money.
There’s NO WAY they lost money.
There’s NO WAY they lost money.
@keithlaw.bsky.social I'm in a great ol mood, and I'm a bit late to this party, but I'd love to hear your comment on the report that "MLB has privately told owners that teams lost $1.8 billion last year, led by the New York Mets with about $350 million in losses" (braces for impact, ducks for cover)
November 12, 2025 at 11:38 PM
The Mets sold an estimated $250 million in tickets last year. And sold the naming rights to the stadium for $20 million. On top of all that, there’s concessions, merchandise sales, advertising, their TV contract, and a handful of other ways they make money.
There’s NO WAY they lost money.
There’s NO WAY they lost money.
Reposted by John | Video Game Canon
A garbage plate is “street food”? Absolutely not.
And “Upstate”? Also no.
And “Upstate”? Also no.
unsure what to wine pair with a garbage plate. sauv blanc?
November 12, 2025 at 2:40 AM
A garbage plate is “street food”? Absolutely not.
And “Upstate”? Also no.
And “Upstate”? Also no.
I’ve been thinking about it, and this might be one of the best jokes The Simpsons ever did.
(The first person to bring up “Formerly Chuck’s” gets blocked)
(The first person to bring up “Formerly Chuck’s” gets blocked)
November 11, 2025 at 3:35 AM
I’ve been thinking about it, and this might be one of the best jokes The Simpsons ever did.
(The first person to bring up “Formerly Chuck’s” gets blocked)
(The first person to bring up “Formerly Chuck’s” gets blocked)
Reposted by John | Video Game Canon
If you were a member of The Game Awards Future Class and can speak to your experience, I want to chat with you for The Guardian!
DM me, or email alyssamerc[at]gmail[dot]com.
Signal boost please!
DM me, or email alyssamerc[at]gmail[dot]com.
Signal boost please!
November 7, 2025 at 2:25 PM
If you were a member of The Game Awards Future Class and can speak to your experience, I want to chat with you for The Guardian!
DM me, or email alyssamerc[at]gmail[dot]com.
Signal boost please!
DM me, or email alyssamerc[at]gmail[dot]com.
Signal boost please!
Maybe it’s just me, but I feel like trying to find stuff on Google is harder now than it was even a few months ago. It was already pretty bad and now they’re somehow worse? I can’t believe it.
I mean, I can, but I’m still a little shocked at how bad it is.
I mean, I can, but I’m still a little shocked at how bad it is.
November 7, 2025 at 1:05 PM
Maybe it’s just me, but I feel like trying to find stuff on Google is harder now than it was even a few months ago. It was already pretty bad and now they’re somehow worse? I can’t believe it.
I mean, I can, but I’m still a little shocked at how bad it is.
I mean, I can, but I’m still a little shocked at how bad it is.
Fellow Mets fans, gather around to hear another very weird story from the team’s early days.
defector.com/wilbur-huckl...
defector.com/wilbur-huckl...
Wilbur Huckle For President: Solving A 61-Year-Old Mets Mystery | Defector
Earlier this year, on a cold Sunday in January, I walked into an antique store in a Washington D.C. suburb. When I go to a shop like this one, I’m not looking for chairs or lamps. My interests are a l...
defector.com
November 6, 2025 at 2:56 PM
Fellow Mets fans, gather around to hear another very weird story from the team’s early days.
defector.com/wilbur-huckl...
defector.com/wilbur-huckl...
Reposted by John | Video Game Canon
New awareness campaign
November 3, 2025 at 3:23 PM
New awareness campaign
Reposted by John | Video Game Canon
Yuji Horii has been named in Japan's autumn honors list, making him the first game designer to be recognised for his work
www.gamesindustry.biz/dragon-quest...
www.gamesindustry.biz/dragon-quest...
Dragon Quest creator Yuji Horii featured in Japan's autumn honors list
Horii is first game designer to be awarded with the Order of the Rising Sun, Gold Rays with Rosette
www.gamesindustry.biz
November 3, 2025 at 2:25 PM
Yuji Horii has been named in Japan's autumn honors list, making him the first game designer to be recognised for his work
www.gamesindustry.biz/dragon-quest...
www.gamesindustry.biz/dragon-quest...
If you haven’t, you should read Jacked by Kushner. The first half of the book is basically the Housers freaking out over some movie and trying to recreate it in GTA.
Very eye-opening explanation for why I never really clicked with those games.
Very eye-opening explanation for why I never really clicked with those games.
Saw that interview wi Dan Houser, which is a tedious puff piece but does have an incredibly revealing bit, where he says Agent, the spy game Rockstar announced and cancelled, didn't work because spy films (he specifically says films) "they’re beat-to-beat" which doesn't suit open worlds
November 3, 2025 at 1:46 PM
If you haven’t, you should read Jacked by Kushner. The first half of the book is basically the Housers freaking out over some movie and trying to recreate it in GTA.
Very eye-opening explanation for why I never really clicked with those games.
Very eye-opening explanation for why I never really clicked with those games.