You are awesome for putting Okami on here, because it basically is a Zelda game, but more beautiful and funny.
Hear hear. As soon as I saw Okami on the list, I forgot the others were there, and thus didn't vote for them. Whoops. I should have also voted for Zelda: Ocarina of Time (even though I'm darn tired of that game by now, I recognize that no other game since has been quite as engaging. I noticed in particular that "Twilight Princess" Link moves like molasses when climbing vines/mesh compared to "Ocarina of Time" Link).
1st. Okami (the only one I voted for)
2nd. Zelda: Ocarina of Time
3rd. Zelda: Majora's Mask
4th. Zelda: A Link To The Past
5th. Zelda (original for NES)
(6th. Zelda: Twilight Princess. I haven't finished it and don't plan to)
Initially I was interested in Okami because it had a wolf in it. Upon hearing Twilight Princess would too have a wolf, I wasn't thrilled about that, but thought "hey, even more reason to compare what are surely going to be the two best games of the year". Moving around as Twilight Princess wolf Link confirmed that wolf Link just wasn't as satisfying to play as Amaterasu (although I admit Ammy runs painfully slow at first).
Loved Okami for the Japanese culture everywhere, the music, and the sense of adventure (Ryoshima Coast in particular. I remember seeing a strange pointless island out in the middle of the sea, and then realizing "oh yeah, I can go over there"). Gameplay was decent. Humor was surprising to say the least, but I saw it as a hint of what Japanese culture finds acceptable.
Actually, the humor part I found most surprising was
the Golden Fury power. Nevermind that it lets Ammy urinate on enemies to get Demon Fangs. What I found surprising was that Capcom found a way to make it stylized enough that it looks godly. I've never seen heavenly pee before, but it's hilarious to see it implemented that way. And it's my preferred method for getting Demon Fangs since I find it easier to use than the traditional method of using brush powers on them.I still think Orochi's one of the better bosses in recent memory for appearing so epic. Ninetales deserves mention too for being an absolute witch to beat.