Sonic the Hedgehog is a classic game that almost all gamers have encountered at some point, in one of its many incarnations. It first appeared on the Mega Drive system, and has had dozens of installments. The games feature a speedy blue hedgehog named Sonic who runs through the complex levels, collecting rings along the way. The games provide fast-paced fun with some challenging levels, and it is a fond memory for many gamers.

Raiden X is a popular game in the shmup genre, which is short for shoot-em-up. You control a supersonic attack fighter, and face oncoming waves of enemy ships. Raiden X's levels are notorious for becoming increasingly complex, and filling the screen with deadly ships and bullets that require fast reflexes and pattern memorization to avoid. It's a game that rewards skill and perseverance, and this has earned it a lot of fans.

The Metal Gear Solid games are perfect examples of how video games can be just as epic and ambitious as movies, if not more so. They defined the now-popular stealth genre, encouraging you to sneak around and hide rather than blast away at your enemies. Besides incorporating these new strategies and tactics, Metal Gear Solid also offers cinematic plots with complex and intriguing storylines. It covers government plots, wars, conspiracies, genetic engineering, the supernatural, and everything in between.

It may not have the fancy graphics or the big-name publisher, but Cave Story will provide you with as much fun as any other game. It is a cult classic among indie gamers. It was made in Japan, then translated once it gained a huge following. You play as a robot exploring a floating island, protecting the indigenous creatures from an evil doctor. It is a brilliantly designed game, with 2-dimensional firearm battles that are a challenge to even the most experienced gamer.

Psychonauts is an oft-overlooked game that got extremely positive reviews, but failed to sell very well. You play as the child Rasputin who is naturally gifted with psychic abilities. He sneaks into a summer camp to hone his abilities, and discovers a sinister conspiracy. The levels take place inside of the minds of the characters in the game, and the art design is brilliantly crafted to reflect their mental state. You use psychic abilities to navigate through the levels, which bring together elements of platforming and puzzle solving.