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Desert Island Games is simple. You’re deserted on a lost island, but don’t fret because it’s got every console imaginable, constant electricity and a decent internet connection. The catch? You can only take three games. This week Daniel Lipscombe makes his three picks.

GTA: Vice City

Being stuck on a desert island is going to lead to tedious amounts of boredom; there will be moments so mind numbing that they can only be solved by creating as much chaos as possible using rocket launchers, taxis and hookers. Enter GTA: Vice City. Any game that gives me the components to cause varying amounts of carnage whilst crooning to “Dies in Your Arms” by Cutting Crew.

Just give me a motorbike, crank the music up to eleven and there’s a wealth of options to ease the mind and the itching from the sand in my groin. Races, hidden packages, a wonderfully crafted crime story, what more could you want. I want to be entertained, with Vice City I can laugh, I can marvel at the characters and importantly, I can enjoy the best era known to man, the 80’s.

Vice City always reminds me of my childhood, not because I was a cocaine smuggler, but because of the bright pink suits, the rolled up sleeves and the music. Vice City always makes me smile, if I’m not jumping off of ramps or hitting old ladies with taxis then I’m firing rockets at traffic from rooftops and waiting for the inevitable five star rating. This of course gives me the chance for a high speed getaway whilst belting out “Gold” by Spandau Ballet.

Primarily I would take Vice City because it is the best GTA outing and is entertaining on every level and is perfect for those small bursts of fun or those long sittings that last into the night.

Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion

I’m not sure what kind of Desert Island this is, being hypothetical, and that, but I know I’m going to want to look at some luscious grass and expansive vistas, so I’m bringing Oblivion with me. You can’t get many games more expansive than Oblivion and that goes for both the world of Cyrodiil and the game itself. If I want to pick flowers and wander aimlessly I can do it without being punished, if I want to storm along on the main quest then I can do that too.

Oblivion is wonderful for stealing away the hours, exploring the many caves and towns trying to find everything possible. I want to try everything, be a mage with a tendency to shove people and act all pissy, I want to be the brave but ultimately dumb warrior who saves the day wearing only his sandals and I want to be an elflike archer who hides in the bushes acting like some macabre cupid.

Oblivion allows me to play through the entirety of the game in so many ways; I can create hundreds of different characters and try many combinations of races and classes and march them into the demon portals to kick arse and take names. It’s a game where I can be as deliciously evil or as sweet and innocent as I want.

Oblivion can transport you to the world of Cyrodiil and allow you to step into someone else’s shoes, become a hero and overcome adversity. With this game I can forget about my whereabouts and everything around me and truly get away from it all. Go out questing in the morning, do some shopping for spells in the evening and head to the arena for a fight, is there a better way to spend your time? I don’t think so.

Super Mario World

Super Mario World is one of the best platformers of all time, if not the best. Bouncing from enemy’s heads, spinning through blocks or taking to the skies with the cape power up, everything just works. There is very little in this industry as thrilling as running from start to finish in a level of Mario without stopping for breath or to even blink. Moving from obstacle to obstacle is a joy and challenging yourself to go faster or score higher is part of the thrill.

It’s a game that never gets boring, a game that has so much bright and vivid cutesy charm that you can’t help but be sucked in to the world and smile and it’s a game with a big heart. A game that shows so much love for the genre that it never fails on even one level. The biggest Mario game yet dishes out plenty of unique levels and moments that it’s hard to choose a favourite, but if I had to pick, the initial meeting of Yoshi does it everytime.

We already have an adorable fat plumber, a world menaced by a dragon and of course a wonderful princess, why not add in dinosaur just for fun? It’s an archetypal fairy tale, with our hero on his steed chasing to save the fair maiden and vanquish the dragon who terrorizes the world. It’s simply one of the best games ever made and I would love nothing than to have it as my companion.

Check back next Tuesday for another three picks from another writer… In the meantime tell us what you would take in the comments below.