Shadow of the Beast - adventure (Psygnosis)
Well, we bought an Amiga af... oh, we've done that one. You've got to admit it, though - the Amiga was a home to some of the most stunning moments in gaming history. And some of them had gameplay content to match, too. Shadow of the Beast was not one of those titles. Heart-stoppingly beautiful to behold, it was a resounding ugly game to play.

The Need for Speed - Driving game (EA)
Ignore the PlayStation and Saturn versions. They were pale shadows of an indescribably wonderful 3D0 original. The Need For Speed marked the debut of the modern racing game on a home console format. Well before Ridge Racer, it was stunning gamers with its poly-based engine and superlative aesthetics.

Tanx - miscellaneous, we'd say (various authors)
Tanx pitted two players - it had no single-player mode - against each other on the BBC Micro and the PC. As an added bonus, it chucked in a deformable environment. Situated on either side of a screen, and with anything from gentle hills too hoofing great mountains in between, both players would enter altitude and velocity ratings for their turn-based shots. Most famously updated in the form of Team 17's Worms.

Metal Gear Solid - adventure game (Konami)
Notice how many PlayStation games are desperate to appear hi-res these days, despite the fact that they have to sacrifice all-important frame rates to do so? We can, in part, blame Metal Gear Solid for that. Attractive beyond measure, it's a uniquely well-crafted title that marked the debut of a new sub-genre - the sneak-'em-up.

Stunt Car Racer - driving game (Geoff Crammond)
Magnificent design, massive jumps, and a link-up mode that has yet to be bettered. Stunt Car Racer is an accomplished idea that, mysteriously, has yet to be remade in poly-clad finery. Each course was an adventure and an enigma, requiring concentration and practice to perfect. We just don't see games like this any more...