Topic: Personal Gaming Challenges And The Top Of Your Backlog

So I've been poking through @gcunit's thread on abstaining from buying new games and a notion that's come up repeatedly is 'the backlog' - which is usually described as some towering, undefeatable monster.

Rather than focusing on the entire gargantuan list, I thought I'd narrow things down by asking what games are at the top of people's backlogs, and what they class as necessary to complete/remove a game from them. I also thought I'd throw in any other personal challenges that might be appropriate for games without a well defined end (such as competitive online games or open-ended experiences like Animal Crossing).

With regard to the 'Self Imposed Ban' thread, I thought it might be more productive to focus on 'old games we're trying to polish off' than 'new games we're trying not to acquire'. It's generally more pleasant to focus on achieving than abstaining, after all.

Currently, I'm trying to:

• 100% complete Celeste, though I can only play it in certain sized chunks because its difficulty tends to frazzle my nerves (there are only so many pixel-perfect jumps I can perform in one sitting). I've got both hearts and all the strawberries on the first four chapters, which is progress, but I've got a feeling the harder stuff is lurking for me near the end.
• Hit S+10 on the three original modes in Splatoon 2. Only Rainmaker is left, which is currently on 8, so hopefully that shouldn't be out of reach.
• Finish the Great Ace Attorney on the 3DS, which I'm on the final chapter of.

The next rung down will be:

• Finish Chapter 4 in Mario + Rabbids
• Finish the final DLC package for Zelda
• Beat the Elite Four in the VC Pokémon games!

Anyway, enough waffling about me, let's dive right into you! What are your current gaming challenges?

Im also trying to 100% Celeste currently as well as 3 star all stages on overcooked.
on my 3DS im trying to finish kirby triple deluxe as well as mario & Luigi superstar Saga plus Bowsers Minions. im also trying to go back and finish metorid prime 3 on my wii.

I'm trying to make Odyssey my first 100%'d game. Then get back into Splatoon 2, ARMS, FE Warriors, Zelda Champion's Ballad, Snipperclips Plus, maybe LEGO City Undercover's main story. Good thing I probably won't get more Switch games until my birthday in May.

For me: As long as I finish the story, it's done. Doesn't matter if there's side quests or whatever I can do- as long as I finish main story, done, done done.

For now though, trying to finish (in order):

• Tales of Berseria
• Dragon's Dogma: Dark Arisen
• Child of Light
• Tokyo Xanadu Ex+
• Okami HD

Games that when released I'll drop that backlog to do first:

• FFXV Windows Edition
• Ni No Kuni 2

I'd like to see my Skyrim character with something like 2000 in both mana, health and stamina. Right now he has 480 mana points, 800 hp and 240 stamina points. I'm not even sure one can get to have 2000 points for all of them in a lifetime but it would be very satisfying for sure.

I'm slowly working through my Megadrive backlog, as that isn't going to be increasing any time soon. But complete is when I hit the end credits, any more after that is based on enjoyment.

In general, I try to 'beat' a game enough that I'm able to see all of the story content. Afterward, if I really enjoyed it, I'll sometimes go back and 100% it. That's what I've been doing off and on with Mario Odyssey and Mario + Rabbids for months now.

If a game is short-ish and I enjoy it, I try to make sure I see all of the possible endings. If it's long, though, I'll content myself with one ending, so long as the game isn't structured around seeing multiple endings in one complete playthrough (although I try to make sure that it's the true ending I actually end up seeing).

If a game is arcadey and isn't really meant to be "beaten," then I'll just play it until I get tired of it, and then stop.

I'm not terribly religious about "100% completing" games. I quit 95% of games once I hit the ending credits.

In terms of my backlog, my top shelf games are...

(BTW, I'm not really playing these in any particular order, so I'm just grouping them according to system)

1) The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess HD on Wii U (almost done with this one, actually)
2)
3) Danganronpa V3: Killing Harmony on PS Vita
4) Xenoblade Chronicles 2 on Nintendo Switch
5) Resident Evil Revelations HD on Nintendo Switch
6) The Witness on PC (in the final area of this game, but it's hard, so it'll probably take me a while to get through)
7) Layers of Fear on PC
8) Doki Doki Literature Club on PC (so I can finally shut up some friends who won't stop asking me to play this game)
9) Tembo the Badass Elephant on PC
10) Valkyria Chronicles Remastered on PC (I'm trying to play through all of the story missions, bonus missions, skirmishes, and DLC content before VC4 releases)
11) Yakuza 0 on PS4
12) Gravity Rush 2 + DLC on PS4
13) Final Fantasy Type-0 HD on PS4
14) Etrian Odyssey V on Nintendo 3DS
15) Rhythm Thief & the Emperor's Treasure on Nintendo 3DS

My backlog is large enough that I won't see the bottom of it anytime in the next few years, so instead of "completing" it, I've made a few different goals.

A) Prioritize games I actively excited about, versus games I received in, say, a humble bundle, or something I impulse purchased on Steam.
B) More important than clearing my backlog is making sure I don't add to it. So recently purchased games take precedence over older games that have been on my collection for a while.
C) Don't accrue some large backlog for the Switch. A new system is a new chance to start fresh, so I'm particularly prioritizing anything I purchase for it.

@Maxz I've oft thought about starting something like this, but always backed down because ultimately keeping it updated just adds to the 'to do' list.

But as you ask... probably the most appropriate games for me to mention are:

Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze - my first playthrough, the first level or two had never grabbed previously, but I've made a more concerted effort in the last 2 weeks, until I reached a level (5-3 Fruit Factory) that seems extra challenging. It's so easy to throw lives away in this game. It's a fun challenge of a game, but I'm not sure why some put it at the top of their Wii U list. I'll see it through to the credits, but it doesn't really inspire me to 100% the collectables.

Xenoblade Chronicles - I resumed this about 6 weeks ago, hoping that I wasn't too far from the end. Wishful thinking. I've got to the top of the Mechonis Field, but as this stupid game likes to do, it's thrown another difficulty spike suddenly pitting me against multiple enemies 4 or 5 levels higher than all the other enemies I've been working through, so I haven't touched the game in a few weeks.

Animal Crossing: A New Leaf - Been trying to put a bit of time into this as I've never really felt like I've understood what the heart of this game is. Not really got much further with it yet though.

My backlog isn't massive by this point, but that's mainly because I've made a conscious effort to try and keep my purchases in check for the past couple of years. I also have a problem with picking up RPGs and am at least trying to avoid longer ones for now (I'm dying to try DQVIII). I've also decided to avoid endless sim/sandbox games (for the most part), and the eternal time sinks known as MMOs. I was going to start stockpiling Switch games, but decided to wait since I 1. Don't have a Switch yet, and 2. Decided to wait for some sales and/or some inevitable price drops (like Skyrim). The only Switch game I currently have is Breath of the Wild, but that's because I couldn't pass up the Special Edition.

I typically consider myself "done" with a game when I've cleared the main story or main mode, depending on a game. My enjoyment of said game may determine if I stick with it for a while longer and farm for collectibles, do side quests, explore, etc. If I really dislike a game (a rare occurrence since I screen games/franchises I'm unfamiliar with), I've decided not to finish it; there are plenty of other games out there more worth my time.

There isn't really much rhyme or reason some of the time of what I will play next. More often than not it equates to how long I've had a game, but other factors come into play. Sometimes it's what I feel like playing, and sometimes older backlogged games are "exempt" from play until I finish their chronological older siblings first (I've had Golden Sun: Dark Dawn backlogged for ages and only just finished the first game recently; I just downloaded The Lost Age on my Wii U last month). Typically I try to juggle two or three games at once, and I try to make them slightly different genres if I need a break from one.

I'm currently working on both Xenoblade Chronicles X (past Chapter 8) and Fire Emblem Fates: Conquest (just started it). I could rattle on more about both of them, but most of those details can already be found in the "What games are you playing?" (paraphrased) thread. I'm quite enjoying both and don't see myself dropping them anytime soon.

As for what I'll play next....On the Wii U, it'll either be Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker or Super Mario 64. On the 3/DS front, it'll likely be Chrono Trigger or Ocarina of Time 3D (Master Quest) at this point.

My backlog isn't really anything titanic, just a few very long games that I quit on part of the way through. Usually happens because something new came out that I really wanted to play, upgraded consoles and never went back to finish, or I bounced around innthem too much and feel like I would probably need to start fresh in.

Right now I am maining Skyrim, and have made a solemn promise to myself not to quit it until I have completed some decent questlines or got to a story ending. I'm really liking it at 60ish hours of play, and am nowhere even near "completion". I noodle around and make a lot of false starts in these games.

Next on my list to finish is Mario+Rabbids. I am in level 4-8. Hittin a wall here. I go back to it once or twice a week and try to get through 4-8, have played it maybe six times now. But what a great game it is. I WILL complete it. (Not 100%, mind you. I don't care about all the collectibles.)

I continue to play ARMS and Splatoon 2 mostly hen they have events, and some one on one with my kid in ARMS. Trying to level up in Spla2oon, but I haven't played it seriously in a while.

On my list are DOOM and Stardew Valley on Switch, Xenoblade Chronicles 3D on 3DS, and X-COM: Enemy Unknown on PC.

There are quite a few games out already for Switch that I really really want to get, but can't yet because money is tight and I don't like to spend it on games that I might not play for a while. But I accepted years ago that I can't play every game. C'est la vie.

ETA: totally forgot about one of the biggest games I need to get back to after Skyrim: BOTW. I want to do that next. I even played a few hours recently to keep my hand in, but don't want to lose momentum in Skyrim.

Pikmin 3 has been my priority. Actually made some progress in DKC:TF. That game gets so frustrating, i don't think I'll ever beat it though. I'd like to see how far i can get anyway.

@JasmineDragon BotW is a good one to keep on the backburner, I find.

I've seen the credits but got plenty of shrines and side quests to complete, plus all of the DLC, but it's such a joy to return to that I don't mind leaving it a while.

@sentiententity Where are you up to in DKCTF?

During the height of the Wii waggle era I became so disillusioned with gaming/Nintendo, that I didn't play a single game for almost a year. Needless to say, this created a bit of a backlog and it took quite a while to get back up to speed (for that reason, the Wii U's rather thin library was actually a blessing in disguise for me. You never heard me complaining about "game droughts" during that time). The only real daunting things in my current backlog are Xenoblade Chronicles X and Xenoblade Chronicles 2. When you can complete like 8 or 9 normal sized games in the same time it takes to complete those two, they tend to get sent to the back of the backlog...

My backlog is an abyss. However my focus is on switch right now since im getting a backlog there and that is just silly. Working on xenoblade 2 (almost done) and then I'll hit the Zelda DLC. After that back to Mario.

I'm actually almost glad that there's a slight "drought" on the Switch in terms of games I'm interested in. I feel like it'll actually be possible to catch up when I do get one in a few months.

i dont really have any backlogged games at the moment But my main focus is going to be Bayonetta 1 and 2
i completed Bayonetta 2 on Normal and i plan to replay it again on Hard and also find the LPs and that and i wonna get some platinum and pure platinum trophies and i also have the Witch Trials to do im currently playing Bayonetta 1 on Normal as well and i plan to play it again in hard as well when im finished

i also got some shrines i wont to complete in Breath of the Wild as well and maybe get the DLC some time

My Challenges :

3DS
1. Animal Crossing New Leaf = Getting Very Specific Dreamy villagers by Amiibo Cards, Get All PWPs (again), Shape my other town as beautiful as my First town.
2. Got Level 99 for Fantasy Life with Wizard job.
3. Beat Dark Sun on Miitopia

Switch
1. Build a huge civilazation with terrains, buildings, roads, plants, watery places, etc for Portal Knights
2. Unlock all Weapons for ARMS
3. Beat the story of LEGO CITY UNDERCOVER (again) & get Six pack Disguises, because i can't wait to wandering around in Lego City with Six pack body.

I'm trying to do a per system backlog, so that if I feel like I've cleared out enough games on a system I'll allow myself to get a new one for that particular system. Also, completing a game 100% depends on whether I feel like it or not. This can wildly vary though. As it stands, here's my current backlog:

Switch
No backlog! I want to get Xenoblade Chronicles 2, but at the same time I'm interested in getting the new Kirby. Since Kirby more than likely won't take as long as XC2, I figure I'll get that first, complete it, then get XC2.

Wii U
Currently playing: Xenoblade Chronicles X
Taking my time with this one right now. I initially played it, then ended up dropping it playing other games (the bad habit that causes me to have backlogs, which I'm trying to break). After getting back to it I felt like I didn't know what I was doing, so I started a new game. I'm currently paying more attention to a lot of the heart-to-hearts, other missions, and following guides to help me with getting the most out of my character, team mates, and skells, and other parts of the game where I feel I'm lacking knowledge.

Backlog (I'm including VC/Wii purchases on this one):
Paper Mario
Metroid Prime Trilogy (even though I completed the originals on GC/Wii)
Mario Galaxy 2 (Need to double check this one, but I think I didn't finish it)
Kirby Super Star Deluxe
Kirby's Dream Land 3 (love the art design in this game)
Gunman Clive HD Collection (through my.nintendo, had to spend those gold coins or lose them)
There are probably more, but I'd have to check my Wii U.

3DS
Currently playing: Ocarina of Time / Animal Crossing New Leaf / Pokémon Picross
I just finished Kid Icarus Uprising (great game, good laughs), then looked through my backlog and realized I had started OOT but never finished it. I just finished getting the lens of truth, but now I just have to figure out which the next temple is. Wasn't it the Shadow Temple?

ACNL is what I categorize as a 'forever' game, as it doesn't have a real ending, so I don't count it as part of my backlog. What I do tend to do is at least not buy a game soon after games like these, typically 2-3 months after.

Pokémon Picross I finished the regular world puzzles, and am now about 2/3rd of the way through alt-world. Doesn't count towards my backlog as I tend to do a puzzle or two a day, in addition to whatever other game I play.

backlog
Star Fox 64 3D
Majora's Mask - Started it a when I got my 3DS, but never completed it. Probably next after OOT.
Super Little Acorns 3D Turbo - Played it a while after getting it from my.nintendo, haven't played in a while.

PC
Current playing: Elder Scrolls Online
I'm slowly finishing each of the faction's storylines. I finished the Daggerfall Covenant and Aldmeri Dominion storylines, and now working my way through the Ebonheart Pact storyline. After finishing that I'll finish the character's story line, after which I'll start working on the games in my backlog.

Backlog
The following I managed to get for free during the Ubi30 event:
Assasin's Creed 3
Beyond Good & Evil
Far Cry 3 Blood Dragon
Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time
Rayman Origins
The Crew
Splinter Cell
World in Conflict
and lots of other games... I tend to pick up free games as they come along. Some of the backlog I have is from games before 2001, when I would buy a lot of games which I'd never finish. Not sure how well some of them aged, so some of them might not get counted towards my backlog. It all depends on whether they still hold my interest.

I might get a controller for some of the backlog games, but for now ESO works fine with keyboard and mouse. I also have a steam link, which will be nice to play some of the backlog games on TV.

If anyone's interested I can add to this list all my pre 2001 games which I never completed.

I'm happy to report that I've successfully got the three original modes into double digits in Splatoon 2!

Very very nearly dropped out of S+9 after a run of (what I felt were) particularly unfavourable team matchups, but managed to scrape up to the OK line by doing this:

The next attempt went slightly better, and on the third attempt I managed to fill the bar! Was still a bit tight though... Rainmaker used to be my weakest mode, but now Clam Blitz might have stolen that crown.

Anyway, now it's onto Celeste, and maybe also Odyssey. The balloon update made me realise I still had a few more moons to collect, and Luigi's payouts have made the 'money moons' less daunting.

How is progress going for everyone else?

My latest achievements on Switch.

Got those off my backlog recently:
1. 100% all Time Trials, 100% Zero Death Runs, 100% Collectibles in Dustoff Heli Rescue II.
2. 100% all Time Trials, 100% Achievements, 100% Collectibles in League of Evil.

Priority backlog stuff:
1. Rising to Top Rank in Super Mario Odyssey's Balloon Hunt.
2. Beat DOOM / Portal Knights / Xenoblade 2 / L.A. Noire / Skyrim