Sights and Sounds
I've seen everyone putting together S&S lists and put it off because I'm someone who generally engages with video games more as entertainment and less as art, and because I have such huge gaps in my gaming repertoire that I don't feel qualified to put together a comprehensive list of the best representatives of the genre. But I'm gonna try anyway! Will try to justify my selections with short blurbs
10 Games
Not actually the first game, but the fact that so many people think it was shows how iconic it is.
Pure art, utterly unique. Uses the medium in such a thoughtful way as it deconstructs the expectations of the JRPG codified by DQ and FF.
If you took 100 JRPGs and made them fight to the death and the last 2 survivors had a kid it would be Chrono Trigger. Pinnacle of the genre.
A pioneer in so many ways and so refined too. One of the first games I remember having such an active modding community.
Caught lightning in a bottle gameplay-wise. Started a trend of behind-the-back third person shooters, none of which could match up to it.
One of the earliest examples of both a 3D stealth game and of a cinematic "AAA" game. Compelling narrative that is both optimistic and pessimistic of the human condition at the same time.
Perfected the idea of a fighting game as a party game. Balanced/robust enough to be competitive, fun enough to be casual.
The earliest Mario game I can think of as being 'casual-friendly', this fully showcases the light tone and creative imagination that follows the iconic series everywhere.
I prefer Puyo because its has combos... but Tetris is another game that everyone knows and anyone can pick up and play.
An experience unlike any other.