I think the games that hit me the most, and influenced me, are as follows:
1: Grand Theft Auto series (Playstation/Playstation2) - I have been playing GTA since the original Grand Theft Auto, and have been heavily hooked on
all the titles I have played so far. Out of the entire series, my fave is GTA Vice City. Doesn't have the interactivity of San Andreas, but it has
style in abundance. Plus, Tommy Vercetti rules.
2: Sonic The Hedgehog series (Sega Mega Drive) - I am sorry, but Mario had nothing on Sonic, Tails, and Knuckles. Out of this series, I would say
Sonic 3 was the coolest. Even had funky tunes too
3: Command & Conquer: Tiberian Sun (PC) Classic C&C title, probably the best of the pre-Generals era. Excellent story, well constructed universe, and
had outstanding cinematic cut-scenes. Features a funky Apoc-Electronic soundtrack by Frank Klepaki.
4: Tekken series (Playstation/Playstation2) - Playstation's best beat-em-up franchise, IMO. Excellent characters (Heihachi, Kazuya, and Bryan Fury to
name a few), cool arenas (my faves being Lei's in Tekken 2, and Jin's in Tekken Tag), and oustanding music, it's arcade fun without the sillyness
of people shooting balls of energy at each other.
5: Gran Turismo 2 (Playstation) - Beautiful cars, great racing, cool tunes. A complete game. Lacks the visuals of the later titles in the series, but
the attention to detail, the historical notes provided with most of the cars, makes this a game for true car and racing fans.
6: Metal Gear Solid (Playstation) - Yeah ok so this doesn't have the interactivity of the later titles, but it has the best characters, the best cut
scenes, the best storyline, the best script, the best music.... its a classic.
7: Baldurs Gate 2: Shadows Of Amn (PC) - This is a true classic of the PC gaming world. It features a fantastic and beautifully portrayed world in
which the player and his group get dragged into another chapter in Bioware's series about the Bhaalspawn. Features intricate storylines, massive
subplots, huge battles, and an AWESOME bad guy. Players of this game will no doubt know how cool Jon Irenicus is.
8: Icewind Dale (PC) Another Bioware title, this was the game that preceeded Baldurs Gate 2. It is set in the same Universe as the Bhaalspawn saga,
but in a different area, and has a different story entirely. Has a very well told storyline, and great atmospheric areas of gameplay. Very dark at
heart.