Joining the masses who sit upon their

 Top ten lists are something that I love.  Get a few friends who know about the topic being listed off, and you're up for some serious debate. It's also nice, if you happen to agree or are open to suggestion, to see certain things get the recognition they deserve. IGN used to be pretty good about their top lists, but every other one that they post these days seems either paid off or overreaching. Don't get me wrong, they have some seriously good brains in the think tank for some of these lists, but they make some decisions that just make you go "WTF?" every now and then.

 Such is debate, however, and lists keep being made. I haven't throw my own hat into the mix for these because as much as I know about games, it takes more than one person to get a good list going for obvious reasons. Then again, narrow-minded opinion seems to work for FOX News...

 So, Halloween is coming up and you need a few games to play. Gaming and Halloween are becoming more synonymous these days. It used to be that an old fashioned horror flick was the ritual, but games have that added interactivity that you can't ignore. Now, your popcorn eating friends can scream "No, don't go that way!" and get actual results instead of another busty blonde death scene.

 Besides, you should be at home giving candy to kids anyway. This just gives you something to do. That said, I present the top 10 games you should play this Halloween.

10. Resident Evil

 It's pretty much a given that this game be on the list, but it's not for everyone and it certainly has its limits as a social game. You can take the B-route with the PSX version or go for the gritty realism of the REmake, but either one has its moments of creepiness. If you've got a few gamers that have played the game and know their way around and another group of RE virgins, you've got a combination for Halloween fun. It's obligatory, yes, but the time required to play through really should turn you away unless you want to make a night of it.

9. Sweet Home

 Resident Evil's inspiration and what is basically the origin of console based survival horror, Sweet Home is still creepy even by modern standards. Don't let the NES part scare you away; less is sometimes more. With gimmicky thrills, lush soundtracks, and detailed graphics, modern horror games sometimes forget that the loneliness and simplicity of the old days can actually be scarier for gamers. Like Resident Evil, you shouldn't approach this without having some time devoted to the task, but if you're looking to discover something you may never have tried before while keeping in tune with the Halloween theme, then give this RPG/survival horror hybrid a shot. It's guaranteed to give you at least a few chills.

8. Ghosts 'n Goblins

 Sometimes, a game doesn't really need to be scary to be a perfect fit for the Halloween spirit. Ghosts 'n Goblins is platforming at its roots, and one of the hardest games ever. You won't be dominating the undead horde unless you have some legendary gamer in your midst, so plan on dying. A lot. Hence, the beauty of this game for Halloween. It's tense, it's frustrating, and it will make everyone feel victimized while keeping up the theme.

7. Castlevania

 Avoid the stat-based games and go straight for the leveled ones. Just as the case with Ghosts 'n Goblins, this game is difficult, but at least you're given a badass with which to deal with Dracula and his minions. If the song "Vampire Killer" doesn't get you in the Halloween mood, then there's something wrong with the wiring in your brain.

6. Dead Rising

 The instant the game was released, wannabe zombie-slayers had an outlet for their fantasy. You can pretty much pick up anything in this game and use it to kill the brain munchers, and you're encouraged to go nuts. Screw the story, this game is all about the freedom to deal with the undead in whatever way you wish. Anybody in the room can pick up the controller and get a body count going, and that's what really matters.

5. Night Trap

 Most of you are probably wondering why I would put such a terrible game on this list, but the fact is that this can possibly be the most entertaining group game on this list. Anybody who can watch a B-horror flick can watch and participate once you figure out the controls. Controlling the game is simple, but it can be very confusing to figure out how exactly to play at first. Once you've got the controls down, designate a pilot and a backup pilot for the game and let everybody else participate from the couches. The terribleness of this "interactive movie" will get a lot of people laughing, turning this gimmicky game into a giant MST3K session. Also, everyone should be forced to finish their drink every time Dana Plato tells you to use a trap.

4. Monster Party

 This game is a cult-classic in many ways, but the foremost reason is that this game is straight up wacky. It doesn't matter who you are in a given room, you can give this game a decent shot and have fun with it. Monster Party oozes with charm, and it won't take forever to beat, either. Passing the controller around the party with this game will put a smile on most everyone's face.

3. Nazi Zombies

 Why isn't this higher on the list? Well, everybody's playing it regardless of Halloween, so it's just business as usual. Yet, something about getting the boys together for several rounds of tense zombie slaying is still appealing. Keep the game offline and between friends, and you've got yourself on the list.

2. Zombies Ate My Neighbors!

 LucasArts had a hit on their hands when this came out, and it still stand up to the test of time. The game is pretty simple to pick up and play, and the levels are short so that attention spans won't wane and everyone can take a shot at it. Just like Monster Party, this game has a lot of personality. Even if nothing in this game is capable of truly scaring you, I have to remind you that the Monster Squad didn't scare you either, yet you still love it.

1. Clock Tower

 How does this beat out zombie genocide? Because it has pretty much every quality that the other games on this list have. The scenarios are short, so everybody gets a turn. The game will definitely have some backseat drivers telling you what to do (or not to do). The game is tense and scary, and you're put in the unenviable position of being the busty blonde that has to run and hide rather than whip out a shotgun. Even people who aren't interested in what game you're playing this Halloween will still take a second look at what you're doing and follow the thrill of the chase, even if they won't admit it. When it comes to Halloween games, this one is pretty much a given for any list, but it's at the top because it's the perfect thing to replace your movie binge with. Scissorman is just as memorable as Jason or Michael when it comes to horror stalkers.

 As you can see, this particular top 10 isn't necessarily about what's scary. Certainly, Silent Hill and Eternal Darkness would wind up on that list, but on this list, it's all about what fits the mood. No one should game alone, and Halloween is the perfect time to get your friends together and share some fun horrors just like you would with a scary movie. Make sure you buy some candy for the kids in your neighborhood, and have fun with the games on the list. Digg It Stumble it ! Reddit