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...
This article is incredible. The author claims a bunch of boomer and millennial stuff actually belongs to Gen X and unironically praises drinking out of the hose as a generation-defining trait.
Congrats Xers, you’re well on your way to becoming the new boomers.
www.nytimes.com/2025/12/02/t...
Congrats Xers, you’re well on your way to becoming the new boomers.
www.nytimes.com/2025/12/02/t...
Is Gen X Actually the Greatest Generation?
www.nytimes.com
December 9, 2025 at 3:55 PM
This article is incredible. The author claims a bunch of boomer and millennial stuff actually belongs to Gen X and unironically praises drinking out of the hose as a generation-defining trait.
Congrats Xers, you’re well on your way to becoming the new boomers.
www.nytimes.com/2025/12/02/t...
Congrats Xers, you’re well on your way to becoming the new boomers.
www.nytimes.com/2025/12/02/t...
No one has ever beaten Bill Elliott's NASCAR Challenge
New NES Endings www.vgmuseum.com/end/nes
Bill Elliott's NASCAR Challenge
Kyatto Ninden Teyandee
Nakayoshi to Issho
Splatterworld: Rick to Kyoufu no Daiou
Takahashi Meijin no Bouken Jima
Thanks to Cavery210.
Bill Elliott's NASCAR Challenge
Kyatto Ninden Teyandee
Nakayoshi to Issho
Splatterworld: Rick to Kyoufu no Daiou
Takahashi Meijin no Bouken Jima
Thanks to Cavery210.
December 6, 2025 at 3:55 AM
No one has ever beaten Bill Elliott's NASCAR Challenge
Never has a GIF been so appropriate…
December 5, 2025 at 7:42 PM
Never has a GIF been so appropriate…
So Netflix is buying Warner Bros. and that includes WB Games. That seems less than ideal…
"a Warner Bros Discovery spokesperson confirmed the recently-restructured video game division, which includes studios such as Mortal Kombat creator NetherRealm, Batman: Arkham developer Rocksteady, and LEGO custodian TT Games, will be joining Netflix."
www.gamedeveloper.com/business/yes...
www.gamedeveloper.com/business/yes...
December 5, 2025 at 2:29 PM
So Netflix is buying Warner Bros. and that includes WB Games. That seems less than ideal…
Reposted by John | Video Game Canon
Actor Cary-Hiroyuki Tagawa, known for his roles as Shang Tsung in Mortal Kombat (1995), Nobusuke Tagomi in The Man in the High Castle, and Chang in The Last Emperor (1987), has passed away at 75.
December 5, 2025 at 1:51 AM
Actor Cary-Hiroyuki Tagawa, known for his roles as Shang Tsung in Mortal Kombat (1995), Nobusuke Tagomi in The Man in the High Castle, and Chang in The Last Emperor (1987), has passed away at 75.
This is sick.
Hi. There has been $38 million worth of activity on the game of the year results on gambling platform Polymarket.
December 4, 2025 at 3:05 AM
This is sick.
Reposted by John | Video Game Canon
Audio-visual librarians are quietly amassing large physical media collections amid the IP disputes threatening select availability.
The Last Video Rental Store Is Your Public Library
Audio-visual librarians are quietly amassing large physical media collections amid the IP disputes threatening select availability.
www.404media.co
December 3, 2025 at 2:48 PM
Audio-visual librarians are quietly amassing large physical media collections amid the IP disputes threatening select availability.
Reposted by John | Video Game Canon
It is with a heavy heart that we share the news that our colleague Nick Thorpe passed away on Monday. He was an incredibly lovely person, a talented writer and an essential part of the magazine.
Our thoughts go out to all his friends and family at this difficult time.
Rest in peace, friend.
Our thoughts go out to all his friends and family at this difficult time.
Rest in peace, friend.
December 3, 2025 at 11:04 AM
It is with a heavy heart that we share the news that our colleague Nick Thorpe passed away on Monday. He was an incredibly lovely person, a talented writer and an essential part of the magazine.
Our thoughts go out to all his friends and family at this difficult time.
Rest in peace, friend.
Our thoughts go out to all his friends and family at this difficult time.
Rest in peace, friend.
Reposted by John | Video Game Canon
idk it just makes me sad
December 3, 2025 at 3:18 AM
idk it just makes me sad
Main Takeaway… I love Yacht Club and it sucks that they’re struggling. I hope Mina is a big hit for them and they can keep doing what they do.
Were the Shovel Knight spinoffs any good? I never played them.
Secondary Takeaway… SHOVEL KNIGHT 64 IS REAL!
Were the Shovel Knight spinoffs any good? I never played them.
Secondary Takeaway… SHOVEL KNIGHT 64 IS REAL!
NEW: Yacht Club Games needs a hit. In recent years the maker of Shovel Knight has had to lay off staff, pause a 3D project, and delay their next game indefinitely.
The good news is that Mina the Hollower could be special. For Businessweek, this is their story: www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
The good news is that Mina the Hollower could be special. For Businessweek, this is their story: www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
Creator of Hit Game Shovel Knight Is at a ‘Make or Break’ Moment
Yacht Club Games needs its next title, Mina the Hollower, to be a success.
www.bloomberg.com
December 2, 2025 at 1:53 PM
Main Takeaway… I love Yacht Club and it sucks that they’re struggling. I hope Mina is a big hit for them and they can keep doing what they do.
Were the Shovel Knight spinoffs any good? I never played them.
Secondary Takeaway… SHOVEL KNIGHT 64 IS REAL!
Were the Shovel Knight spinoffs any good? I never played them.
Secondary Takeaway… SHOVEL KNIGHT 64 IS REAL!
Doom is better with a controller! I’ve been saying it for 30-aught years now!
This week's FOV 90 asks the question: Which FPS do you firmly believe plays better on controller, even when mouse and keyboard is an option? www.pcgamer.com/games/fps/so...
Sometimes, an FPS really is better with a controller
FOV 90: Which FPS do most people play with a mouse, but you swear by on controller?
www.pcgamer.com
December 2, 2025 at 1:51 AM
Doom is better with a controller! I’ve been saying it for 30-aught years now!
Reposted by John | Video Game Canon
ANXIETY: Nothing in your life will ever go right
DEPRESSION: You’re worthless and you’ll always be alone
GUY WHO REALLY LIKED MAXIMO GHOSTS TO GLORY FOR PS2: Capcom should make another Maximo game. I’d buy it
DEPRESSION: You’re worthless and you’ll always be alone
GUY WHO REALLY LIKED MAXIMO GHOSTS TO GLORY FOR PS2: Capcom should make another Maximo game. I’d buy it
December 1, 2025 at 12:58 AM
ANXIETY: Nothing in your life will ever go right
DEPRESSION: You’re worthless and you’ll always be alone
GUY WHO REALLY LIKED MAXIMO GHOSTS TO GLORY FOR PS2: Capcom should make another Maximo game. I’d buy it
DEPRESSION: You’re worthless and you’ll always be alone
GUY WHO REALLY LIKED MAXIMO GHOSTS TO GLORY FOR PS2: Capcom should make another Maximo game. I’d buy it
“That’s the Chicago way!”
Finally getting some theological clarity on the ethics of reclining in one’s plane seat
November 29, 2025 at 4:29 PM
“That’s the Chicago way!”
I think I’m just immune to Fortnite. Terminator, Evil Dead, and Star Wars skins couldn’t get me to play. And now an entire Simpsons mode couldn’t do it.
Maybe if they ever add a Tremors mode I’ll *really* think about it.
Maybe if they ever add a Tremors mode I’ll *really* think about it.
November 28, 2025 at 2:58 PM
I think I’m just immune to Fortnite. Terminator, Evil Dead, and Star Wars skins couldn’t get me to play. And now an entire Simpsons mode couldn’t do it.
Maybe if they ever add a Tremors mode I’ll *really* think about it.
Maybe if they ever add a Tremors mode I’ll *really* think about it.
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.
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.