Twilight Princess

While the Zelda series has always been well paced, Twilight Princess gets better and better all the way to the final battle. Action/adventure games tend to peak early and become repetitive toward the end. Once you settle into the pattern of “find keys, beat miniboss, use new item to beat main boss,” even Zelda games can lose their luster around the 7th or 8th dungeon. By eschewing the series’ traditional plot formula and breaking the epic storyline into several chunks, the game always seems fresh.

Additionally, Twilight Princess goes to great lengths to make each dungeon feel unique. Naturally, the cliché fire and water dungeons still make an appearance. However, the addition of original non-dungeons, such as a mansion and a partially outdoor “dungeon,” give Twilight Princess a feel unlike any previous Zelda.
Even though the gameplay is among the best offered by the Gamecube/PS2/Xbox generation, the graphics feel a little dated. The Wii version looks like a good Gamecube game and the Gamecube version seems visually sub par, particularly when compared to the months-older Resident Evil 4. However, the visuals take a backseat to the controls. The Wii controls, while not perfect, add to the experience without getting in the way. The Gamecube version controls better than any Zelda to date. Link’s sword techniques are both functional and fun to use. The combat is outstanding.

Be warned that the game takes its sweet time getting started. The first four or five hours aren’t all that eventful. However, once Link sets foot in the first dungeon, Twilight Princess reveals itself to be one of last generation’s true classics.
Bottom line: Odds are good that you already own it. If you don’t, you really should. There’s an asston of game packed onto that disc and none of it seems like filler.

[300 words--On the nose.]