The Smithsonian Art of Videogames ExhibitMay 6, 2011 by

I'm sure many have heard of the exhibit that the Smithsonian is putting on, but if you haven't hears the skinny:

The Art of Video Games exhibition with explore the 40-year evolution of video games as an artistic medium, with a focus on striking visual effects, the creative use of new technologies, and the most influential artists and designers.  A website offered participants a chance to vote for 80 games from a pool of 240 proposed choices in various categories, divided by era, game type, and platform.

Voting is done and the winners can be found here

It's an interesting list, but it seems some more deserving games lost out in some instances because of their more popular rivals.  Case and point, Mario and Zelda's utter domination of the list.  I'll share my thoughts regardless.

Throughout my gaming life I have owned the following systems on the list:  NES, SNES, Nintendo 64, Gamecube, Playstation, Playstation 2, and Playstation 3. (I also technically have a PC of course but I rarely game on it.)  So those are the ones I'll comment on most, but I'll just comment on whatever strikes me.

Nintendo Entertainment System

Not too surprised that SMB 3 beat out Metroid considering it's massive popularity.  SMB 3 was certainly a more polished game, but to me Metroid's atmosphere and soundtrack created a really great experience.  Could go either way here.

Yeah, Zelda should probably win, but Kabuki Quantum Fighter should've been on the list.  It's a game with non-sensical techno-jargon laced plot where you fight people by whipping your hair at them.  How awesome is that!  Also the soundtrack ranges from catchy to flat out strange.  Do soundtracks count in this thing?

What the hell is the "Target" category exactly?  How the hell did Top Gun make the top three?

Sega Genesis

EARTHWORM JIM!  Awesome game with a unique style.  But Micheal Jackon's Moonwalker? Really?  If that's the third best action game on the Genesis I'm glad I never got one.

Super Nintendo Entertainment System

Artistically speaking I think Donkey Kong Country beats Super Mario World.  That game was pretty for it's time (great soundtrack too, if that counts).  Popularity wins out again.

Where's Super Metroid?  In fact, that should win the whole action category!

Talk about a loaded Adventure category.  Never played Earthbound though I've heard great things.  Chrono Triggers gotta win here though doesn't it?  A legendary artist team, composer, and neato storyline with multiple endings has to win doesn't it?  Tough one.  This category also has Super Mario RPG and the Secret of Mana in it.  Crazy.

Star Fox definitely used new technologies, but even back then it looked like ass.

Nintendo 64

It's funny that they call the N64's era the "transition era" because it's so true.  The transition to 3D was a clunky one.

Conflicted about Super Mario 64.  Great game but it always felt unfinished to me.  Where's Conker's Bad Fur Day?  It's way better than Shadows of the Empire (artistically of course).

Glad Ocarina of Time beat out Majora's Mask.  It's still my favorite game of all time.  It's seems that a couple times on this list sequels beat out originals when they shouldn't.  People that say Majora's Mask is the better game upset me.

GoldenEye FTW! (Though it isn't particularly "artistic")  Star Fox 64 is great too.  N64 was good times.


The Typing of the Dead?  No, just no.


Duh, I wonder if Metal Gear Solid and Final Fantasy VII won?  Surprising that Lunar made the top three in the Adventure category.

Where's Silent Hill?


Halo 2 over the original?  Never really played Halo but that doesn't seem right.

Xbox 360

Ha.  Bioshock beat out the two exclusives.  Though I suppose Bioshock was an exclusive originally, but just like everything else it eventually comes to the PS3.  Ha ha... just joshing Xbox peoples.

I loves me some Mass Effect (probably my favorite game series right now) but Limbo is so visually creative that it's gotta win doesn't it?  Well considering the awesomeness that is all the races and environments of mass effect...  tough one.

Modern Windows

Millions of WOW players cry foul as they get beaten by Fallout 3, and they are wrong.


Metroid Prime 2 over the original?!  I call Shenanigans on that one.

No Resident Evil love?  Both the Remake and 4 are awesome visually.  Double Shenanigans.

No nomination for Twilight Princess?  Triple Shenanigans.  Though I'm torn over who would win between it and Windwaker because the art styles are so different.  It's like comparing Picasso to Rembrant.

Never played Star Fox: Assault due being emotionally scared from the abomination named Star Fox Adventures.  Never even played Adventures, but Star Fox with a mystical staff fighting Dinosaurs?!  BLASPEMY I TELL YOU!!  I don't care if people say it's a decent game, BLASPEMY!!

Nintendo Wii

I would say Epic Mickey shouldn't be on the list, but considering the Wii has no games I can see why it is. (Kidding Wii peoples, Kidding.  The other "Epic" game, Kirby's Epic Yarn, should have been the contender.)

Playstation 2

Ah, Shadow of the Colossus.  The reason this entire exhibit exists.

A Tony Hawk game?  How bout no.

Okami deserves the win and you know it Kingdom Hearts and Final Fantasy X fans.  The costumes and hairstyles in Final Fantasy X should be classified as "anti-art" (except for Lulu of course, cleavage ftw)

Since I've never heard of the two nominations for "Target" I would nominate Zone of the Enders: The Second Runner.  Very visually impressive and smooth moving game if you can get past the "anime-ness" of it.

Where's Silent Hill 2?

Playstation 3

Uncharted 2 is to be expected.  Very, very pretty game.

Black Ops!?!  What?! How the!? What!?

I should get around to playing Heavy Rain...

Final Fantasy XIII, talk about not judging a book by its cover (yes I do mean pretty on the outside, shitty on the inside).

Very happy to see Flower win.  Very unique experience for such a simple concept.

Brutal Legend?  Don't know about that one.  Would like to see Valkyria Chronicles here.  Very cool watercolor art style (again, if you can get past the "anime-ness" of it).

So there you go.  My thoughts.  What are yours?  If you're one of the three people that reads this, feel free to comment.


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