Gamertell

There seems to be an unusually high number of “vs” games being released this year: Stalin vs Martians, Sherlock Holmes vs Jack the Ripper, Monsters vs Aliens, Plants vs Zombies and even Kids vs Zombies.

I guess the best way to generate conflict is to simply put two forces together and let them battle it out. Many games do end up being a versus battle of sorts with your avatar taking on ogres, other player-controlled characters or maybe even just you versus the logic of a puzzle. But putting a name to the combatants gives it that sense of an ultimate death match or of a confrontation where someone must be declared a winner (and a loser).

With that in mind, here are a few of the great “vs” game titles. These might not all be amazing games but they sure have enticing and interesting names when you consider them at face value.

Stalin vs Martians - (PC, 2009, Paradox Interactive) One of the newest games featured on this list, there’s simply no escaping the intrigue of playing as Communist leader Joseph Stalin and battling 1950s-style martians. A simple yet genius idea for a confrontation.

Aliens vs Predator - (PC, 1993, Fox Interactive) Although the name was really started in comics as a story in Dark Horse Presents #36 (February 1990) this was the game title that carried the Aliens. vs Predator phenomena to the rest of the world. I’d love to see the trend continue with a 2000 comic book titled Aliens versus Predator versus The Terminator.  Even if you have no idea what any of those are, the names sound pretty badass.

Monsters vs Aliens - (PC, Xbox 360, PS2, PS3, Wii, DS, 2009, Activision Blizzard) So what if it’s based on an animated movie. Just the idea of taking either side and battling the other is almost too promising to pass up. I wouldn’t even be able to decide which side to be.

Angels vs Devils - (PC, 2003, Enigma Software) - Now that is the ultimate conflict. You really don’t get a better “vs” name than that. OK, except maybe Good vs Evil or God vs Satan. A close second to this one for base oppositions is North vs South (PC, 1997, Interactive Magic) because abstracts such as directions fighting is just weird. Then there is always…

Judge Dredd: Dredd vs Death - (PS2, GameCube, Xbox, PC, 2003, Activision Blizzard) Judge Dredd is just a great name and, face it, the ultimate one-on-one fight would be against Death. Losing would really, really suck. And you can only lose once. Probably.

Plants vs Zombies - (PC, 2009, PopCap) Another new game, the idea of plants forming any type of collective and defeating any bipedal opponent, even as slow moving as zombies, seems unlikely enough to be interesting. Besides, Kids vs Zombies just sounds cruel. Pirates vs Ninjas Dodgeball (Xbox 360, 2008, GameCock) comes in a close second only because of the word “dodgeball.” If you put Ninjas and Pirates in a room together, red rubber balls are not the weapon of choice.

Spy vs Spy - (PS2, Xbox, 2005, TakeTwo/Gatehring of Developers) - Sure, it’s based on a MAD Magazine comic strip but the idea is still pretty sound: Two spies duking it out and otherwise strategically plotting the other’s demise. It’s the plot summary for almost every James Bond novel and/or movie.

Ford vs Chevy - (2005, PS2, Eutechnyx) This one is really only on the list because of the recent economic downturn. Of course, I’d love to see two automakers at actual war with each other. Why? Flaming car projectiles.

Chess vs The Axis of Evil - (2008, PC, dtp AG/Anaconda) I have no idea how two board games can fight but, sure, let them go at with. Then maybe we can have Monopoly and Othello throw down as well. Wait, am I thinking of Axis & Allies?  In either case, it looks like this one was a foreign game that was mistranslated but, still, it’s a great name.

Freedom Force vs The 3rd Reich - (2005, PC, Digital Jesters) If you are going to fight The 3rd Reich, you might as well bring in the Freedom Force. I mean, you probably don’t want the OK With Partial Captivity Crusaders on your side and the Lay Down and Die Guys just are not helpful at all.

Maximo vs Army of Zin - (PS2, 2004, Capcom) I have no idea who either of those are but they both sound cool and/or formidable. Maximo must be maxi-tough, especially if he is taking on the entire army of Zin. He must be quite the ass kicker.

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