6. Metal Gear Solid
From plot twists to memorable characters and the first time you realised you were genuinely playing a movie, Konami's first dance with the mistress Metal Gear was a resoundingly successful one, ensnaring tens of thousands into Konami's net for increasingly ridiculous sequels and plot lines more stupidly satisfying than anything else in the medium. Althoguh creative genius Hideo Kojima would go on to define his games with esoteric fourth wall-breaks, references and in-jokes you'd need a FAQ to understand, it was the first MGS that had the most consistent impact whilst retaining a tone that didn't go too banana sandwich for its own good. From meeting Psycho Mantis and having him vibrate your controller (through the power of his mind) to genuinely reading the back of the real-world CD case to find some information you needed in-game, this first MGS is the only 3D instalment where Kojima was really proving his concepts could work. The subsequent sequels are still fantastic, but they're indicative of a creative force being given as much cash as they like to run wild in any direction - whereas this more focussed 1998 original still has so much to offer any newcomer to this day.