PixlBit

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I would definitely have Travis Touchdown from No More Heroes on video game toilet paper. It's the only series where you take a shit to save the game, so it's fitting. 

Chrono Crossing

My 1992 pick is Sonic the Hedgehog 2. I've been playing this game every year my whole life and still love it. I have many fond memories of finally reaching a new zone and getting a magical feeling taking in the new area, music, enemies, and Dr Robotnik machine, who me and my cousins would call Dr. Robuttnik. It still has my favorite soundtrack from any game and Chemical Plant Zone is still one of my all time favorite levels.

D-Pad all the way, preferably with a PS4/Wii U Gamepad layout where it's right where my thumb is. Don't like it as much on Xbox/Switch where I have to reach down to use it. 

Kirby has always been one of the most consistent games in my mind. The only one I've been lukewarm on was Rainbow Curse, every other game is between good and fantastic. Plus it's always just a nice game to cheer you up, everything is so happy and fun.

Also since you both like Sequelitis, check out ShaySays' series Sonic Spinball. Absurdly long, but has a great take on why the Genesis games work (with some criticism of later Sonics too). https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-AK3n-srj5E

I gotta side with Joe on this, Sonic games still work very well when slowed down. The jumping and movement feels so right and exploration is a key component since they hide a good number of secrets in each level. That's why playing as Tails works, his flight ability is all about taking it slow.

And Sonic can do less, but there are three characters. In a Mario level, power ups sometimes give me different options, but the game usually limits you to his abilities. In Sonic, there are many levels where I might take the low route with Sonic, high route flying with Tails, and somewhere between gliding and climbing with Knuckles. The game uses different characters so well. Not to mention they take a less is more approach. There is just running and spin dashing, but the levels are designed to use these mechanics to their fullest, where you need to really understand the physics and mechanics of the game. Few games do it to the extent of Genesis Sonic.

DKC I don't think can hold a candle to Genesis Sonic. DKC2 you have a strong case for, but 1 had incredibly basic levels. There were some elements of adding exploration like the KONG blocks and DK coins, but they lack the challenge and puzzle solving the sequels gave to obtaining them. I just replayed DKC1 last year and while it's not a bad game, it probably wouldn't be anywhere near my top 10 for 1994 (whereas DKC2 would be my runner up for 1995).

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All of these come from my favorite character, Godot from Ace Attorney. It took a lot of self control to not post every single thing the guy said.

3. "A bet's only good when your life's the ante."

2. "Men that are trapped by the chains of “maybe”… can never reach their dreams"

1. (Happens when blood starts dripping from his eyes) "In my world the color red doesn't exist. These must be my tears."

Chrono Crossing

The Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening. This was the first Zelda game I ever played, I had no clue of its legacy, I just wanted something new to rent at Blockbuster. I had no clue of the amazing adventure that awaited me. To this day I even like it more than A Link to the Past and Ocarina of Time.

I'd probably go with Metroid Prime. It felt the most faithful while still creating its own experience. Most of the others were either superficial changes (FFVII, DQVIII) or changed so much it was a different game (Mario 64, Ninja Gaiden). Prime was a perfect middle ground.

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3. Almost breaking the fourth wall- Video games are ridiculous and writers pointing this out without breaking the fourth wall is funny. I especially love when it's done with how ridiculous or impractical a game's mechanic is within a story context, like when Shepard and Liara talk about how you can't use omni gel to hack doors anymore in Mass Effect.

2. When a random NPC turns out to be a boss- Bonus points if he/she comes off as a joke character. These are always fun surprises because every RPG has its unimportant characters so I never see it coming. Persona 4 did this especially well without spoiling anything.

1. Recruiting a sociopath in a Bioware game- Characters like Black Whirlwind, Wrex, HK-47 and Shale have the funniest one liners, the most interesting outlooks on the universe, and the best backstories. I make sure they're always in my party. 

Chrono Crossing 

My 1994 pick is Sonic 3 and Knuckles. Both parts came out in 1994 and they wouldn't make it separate but together the two created sidescrolling perfection. There's nothing like a Genesis Sonic level where levels encouraged both rushing through as quickly as possible and exploring for secrets which was enhanced by three unique characters. There's a reason why twenty years later after so many underwhelming games I'm still a Sonic fan.

Also "And Knuckles" might be my favorite meme ever

It's a hard pick for me between CTR and MK8. MK has better mechanics, customization, and courses, but CTR has that awesome story mode, less bandy AI, and I prefer its weapons. Also really love ND era Crash, those are some of my all time favorite games. They're also the only two racing games I'd ever consider calling my GOTY their respective years.

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Suda 51- If they're going out with a bang, it needs to be nuts. Suda is really freaking nuts. Wildly inconsistent, but I hope the others can keep him at bay.

Kojima- Pairing him and Suda together might be overkill for having crazy developers together. Or it might be genius. But either way it won't be boring.

Hideki Kamiya- The figure behind Platinum Games knows how to make fast paced, fun action. He would ensure the game is as polished as possible. Also he's really good at being an asshole when it's necessary. It may be necessary for him to be an asshole to some of these other guys. I don't know. I've never met them. But it's possible.

Scott Cawthon- Say what you will about Five Nights at Freddies, but if this dude can make the lore of murderous animatronics in a Chuck E Cheese rip off that interesting, he needs to get in on this.

Yuji Naka- The rest can do a good job with individual components, but Naka's games have a strong fluidity to them. I think he'd do a great job of having everything really come together and make the game work.

I fully expect this to be an absolute disaster, but if it works, there could be something amazing here. 

Chrono Crossing:

My CC for 1995 is Chrono Trigger. I'm not a Squaresoft fan at all, but I can't deny this is basically the perfect RPG. There's not a single dull moment in the entire playthrough and it has the best New Game Plus ever.