Predominant Japanese video game print magazine Famitsu has released the results of its reader poll on the favorite 100 games of all time, and the results show Square Enix's Final Fantasy and Dragon Quest franchises dominating the top positions, taking up 7 of the top 10 positions, with 2001's Final Fantasy X the top title.
Particularly notable was the lack of older, classic titles in the upper reaches of the chart, with Nintendo's Super Mario Bros relegated to No. 21, and only 2 games from before 1990 even making it into the top 20. However, the 'hardcore' nature of the Famitsu readers voting is definitely revealed by the inclusion of Chunsoft's obscure 1998 Sega Saturn 'sound novel' Machi at No. 5.
The lack of Western titles in the overall top 100 is also intriguing, with Rockstar North's Grand Theft Auto: Vice City the highest Western title at No. 76, even outrated by the likes of Hokkaido Murder Mystery, and showing the extent to which Japanese game culture continues to stand alone from U.S. and European influence.
The full listing of the Top 20 titles, with thanks to industry site Next-Gen for translation, is:
1. Final Fantasy X (2001)
2. Final Fantasy VII (1997)
3. Dragon Quest III (1988)
4. Dragon Quest VIII (2004)
5. Machi (1998)
6. Final Fantasy IV (1991)
7. Tactics Ogre (1995)
8. Final Fantasy III (1990)
9. Dragon Quest VII (2000)
10. Legend of Zelda: The Ocarina of Time (1998)
11. Dragon Quest V (1992)
12. Far East of Eden 2 (1992)
13. Sakura Taisen (1996)
14. Dragon Quest IV (1990)
15. Final Fantasy V (1992)
16. Xenogears (1998)
17. Dragon Quest II (1987)
18. Sakura Taisen III (2002)
19. Kingdom Hearts (2002)
20. Street Fighter II (1992)
