Seems appropriate for one of my early posts to be an insight into what games I enjoy.
1. Legend (Four Crystals of Trazere) Amiga
Pretty much the only RPG (maybe game full stop) that I can honestly view as perfect as can be. A levelling system that works perfectly. A combat system that rewards the intelligent and punishes the stupid, this being especially true with the spell creation system (you read right) that is more robust than most customisation on offer today. Fantastic inventory system. Simple to use, difficult to master controls and gameplay actually done right.
I could praise it all day and still have things to talk of it. And I never have to say "... for it's time", it still holds it's own today. This is the true Grandfather of RPGs, and all of them have their roots in this game.
2. Final Fantasy VIII PlayStation
Any story with time as it's main story point always draws me completely in, especially if it has depth and personable characters to back it up.
Home to a very inventive combat system (some complain it can be abused or is "broken", but I see this as a plus - noone will "break" it first time through, maybe not even the second), one of the best sidequests (with Blitzball taking first place) and lots of things to unlock this is probably the game I have completed the most. Only because Legend is so long.
3. The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask Nintendo 64
Again, the concept of time is amazing (Ocarina of Time was good, but quite shallow) and the capturing of emtion with it was masterful.
The only game that has ever brought a tear to my eye SPOILER with the climax of the Kafei and Anju quest where there are reunited for the last hour of their life, all complimented by one of the best musical scores I know.
The rest of the game follows suit with the whole "I know you, but you don't know me" tragedy perfectly as well and gives you the need to save the land, a rare urgency forced upon the player.
4. Ratchet & Clank PlayStation 2
Maybe not the best of it's type, but the game that drew me away from a potentially bad mindset of "Higher Certificate = Better game".
Cute characters, witty dialogue, deceptive amount of depth. If nothing else it made me try games like Banjo Kazooie, Mario Galaxy, Sly Raccoon and many more of the same vein. Games that unfortunately many people will miss because of the "Cutesy = Childish/Bad" brush tar.
I thank OPSM2 for the demo they supplied one magazine many a year ago which had me hooked from the off.
5. There's many a game that could be placed here for varying reasons. Devil May Cry 3, Jet Force Gemini, Wing Commander (Amiga original, not the abominations that proceded it) for example, but I would be forcing it a little.
The four above have had the most impact on my gaming, and as good as games get now and in the future, none will ever be able to supply the impact that they have.