As the end of the year draws near, the Daydreamcast assembles one last time for an unusual season one finale. Joined by friend of the show Calvin, and true to our style, we sit down to scientifically determine the best game of the year 1985. In this longest show, yet, you get to hear the entire process, raw and uncut. We consider almost 40 games released in the year that marked the launch of the NES, its launch titles facing some tough competition with computer platforms and the arcades in full bloom – at least outside of the US which was still recovering from the industry crash of 1983. Giving every game its due, we arduously whittle things down to a ranked top 10 after much deliberation. You can find our personal top 10s at the bottom of this article which we recommend you check out after listening to the show. As we wish you and your families all the best for the new year, we hope you enjoy one last serve of drama, betrayal, and heartbreak from us. A celebration of video games past, present, and.. well, mostly past. Only past, in fact. See you next year!

Timestamps:
Whatcha Playing
00:00 The Great Video Game/Videogame Debate
02:16 Game of the Year 1985

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Our personal top 10s (POTENTIAL SPOILER WARNING)

Brogan’s top 10:
1. Super Mario Bros.
2. Ghosts ’n’ Goblins
3. Hang-On
4. Gradius
5. Ultima IV: Quest of the Avatar
6. The Oregon Trail
7. Wrecking Crew
8. Gauntlet
9. Yie-Ar Kung Fu
10. Little Computer People

Pavlos’ top 10:
1. Hang-On
2. Gradius
3. Law of the West
4. Super Mario Bros.
5. Excitebike
6. Ultima IV: Quest of the Avatar
7. Portopia Serial Murder Case
8. Metro Cross
9. Ghosts ’n’ Goblins
10. International Karate

Calvin’s top 10:
1. Gradius
2. Hang On
3. The Oregon Trail
4. Super Mario Bros.
5. Law of the West
6. Ghosts ’n’ Goblins
7. Gauntlet
8. Paradroid
9. Excitebike
10. Gun.Smoke