Sometimes I see threads like these, and my age shows. I don't know anything about Pikachu or Power Rangers.... mainly because I was early twenties, when these games were released.
I've met some old classics here: Stunt Car Driver was a great game. Leisure Suit Larry also. Driver was great, but there are so many old games that has been left out.
So here are a few of my favourites with a link and a short explanation:
Car games:
Pit Stop.
One of the first Formula One games. I only managed to find a link to a picture, and this is one of the later versions. The first one was all green and grey.
4D Racing
Man this was great. You could make your very own tracks with jumps, barrels and loops and everything. And the choice of cars... wow.
Quarantine
Futuristic FPS action, with great graphix, very nicely varied sceneries and the first "sandbox" driving game ever. Taxi-fare straight to hell. With guns!
Carmageddon
Another not-strictly car game, but man this was beautiful, when it arrived. Graphix and gore, and you needed a monster of a computer to run it. But if you had one, you could multiplay it.
Flight-/Space-simulators:
Elite has been mentioned, but... wow. That one blew me away.
Wing Commander
This was like watching a movie, when it came out. The plot was great, the action sequences were aweinspiring. Had me hooked for ages.
Star Wars: Tie Fighter
They started with Star Wars: X-wing, and then released TF. The latter had better controls, and a more smooth sensation. At the same time, you got to fly special missions for Vader. I've completed this game more times than any other game I've every played. I've completed it 100%. The follow-up XvT and X-Wing Alliance were also great, cause it took the experience to multiplayer.
FPS
Wolfenstein 3D
Killing nazis and facing off against Hitler as the end boss was sweet and it set the bar for every single FPS that has come since this one. And since you all know Doom, I'll swipe that into this one.
Rise of the Triads
This game improved on the stuff we had already seen. There were a sort of fake 3D going, with vertical movement through lifts and "bridges" across the landscapes. Guns were improved or at least... altered. Oh yeah. And it had "SHROOMS MODE"
Strategy:
Defender of the Crown
Now here is a true oldie. Manage your troops, invade parts of England and destroy castles with your catapult. Sweet.
Dune 2: Battle for Arakis
The format, which we know today, started with this game. Command & Conquer took the glory, but this is were it all started. Used to play this game A LOT!
Starcraft
Released in 1998, this RTS is still being played by millions today. Hailed as the best balanced game ever, the sequel is due out this year, or next. And it is the sole reason, I upgraded my PC recently.
RPGs:
Day of the Tentacle
The sequel to Maniac Mansion, and one of the best Lucasarts RPGs ever.
Police Quest
You get to play detective and solve crimes. What else do you need? Apart from wee better graphics perhaps.
Resident Evil
WHAT? WHAT IS IT?.... Ahh. The poorly done voiceacting makes a chill run down my spine. This was SO scary when it came out. Pity they made the movies, which are a complete waste of time, and that they took the series in weird direction.
Final Fantasy VII
Quite possibly the best game ever. And the clearest proof, that graphics and sound has nothing on a great story.
And here are a few random ones from my days with Amiga 500 and Commodore 64:
Alien Breed
You get to kill aliens from a top view. Who cares, that it is an unlicensed product, and that it isn't the "real" aliens.
Space Taxi
Again with the taxi. Still a fun game.
Lazy Jones
A computer game about a guy playing computer games.... how avantgarde!
North & South
I wish I was in Dixie..... Hooray, hooray....
Spy Hunter
Another awesome car game. With Guns!
I can keep it up: Winter/Summer games, Lemmings, Giana Sisters, Boulder Dash, Maniac Mansion, IK+, Another World, Cannon Fodder, It Came from the Desert and many many more.