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Thought I should make a list like this before I head off to college.

I am actually by no means a hardcore gamer and am only inclined to play PC strategies or old-school rpgs. Anyway, here's a list of arbitrary categorization.


RPGs
1. Chrono Trigger -- Not just the best rpg. Best game of all time in my estimation. There are so many great things about CT--double and triple techs, diverse and interesting characters, cliche but excellently executed story with some pleasant twists, new game plus for replayability, and occasional comedy (Dalton, woot).
But what really makes CT stand way higher above the rest is this: environment. This includes music, background setting, interaction with NPCs, etc. Whenever I play a game, environment is the most important factor for me; I want to be immersed in the game's world and be drawn to explore every corner, talk to every NPC.
CT, by its nature, needs to be to have a strong environment. Its a time travel game, and that premise alone offers much potential for worlds the player gets sucked into. What CT player, for example, didn't love the world of 600 AD--with its distinctive medieval feel and the song "Wind Song?" Who wasn't amazed by the Floating Continent with its majestic and mysterious theme song "Corridors of Time?" CT definitely hits the mark on environment--and in particular music. Not to mention, CT's ending (the balloon one) was the only video game ending that brought a tear to my eye.

2. Final Fantasy VI -- FFVI is actually the only FF game I've played, though I hope to change that fact soon. FFVI, too, has a solid plot (indeed, a game has to in order to appear on my rpg list). Strong songs as well (Nobuo Uematsu is my 2nd favorite vg music composer), and a very long story to keep you occupied for a week or two.
What makes FFVI distinct is twofold: the antagonist and the playable characters. Kefka is the best bad guy in any vg rpg. Period. Not only does he fit the bill for a bad guy as an effeminate, sick-minded, traitorous sadist, he actually makes good on his promise to destroy the world (unlike so many lesser rpg villains) and turns himself into a god! HE is outrageously funny, too, ("This is sickening. You all sound like chapters out of a self-help book!"), and he grows on you as much as you grow to hate him.
FFVI's other strength is characters. FFVI has a huge cast of playable characters (14, I think), but unlike other games (ahem Chrono Cross), most of the characters are well fleshed out an developed. What I love in particular is that several characters' struggles (all of which are unique) reflect themes that could be found in classic literature. Terra's development reflects the question of what it means to be human. Lock is all about redemption. Sabin and Edgar explore the dichotomy of responsibility and freedom. Shadow hides who he is from everybody, including himself. Cyan overcomes the ghosts of his past. Gau shows how even for a boy who grows up in the wilderness, family is still important. And so and and so forth.
The fact that FFVI could create a cast of characters with each one so well developed is an impressive accomplishment. Ergo, #2 on my list.

3. Chrono Cross -- As successor to CT, CC is rife with disappointments. No character carryover from CT. A cast of 48 playable characters of which only like 4 are well developed. An almost confusingly complex concept & plot, opposed to the simplicity of CT. Fewer double techs. Unsatisfying ending. Disappointment that Guile is not Magus. Etc.
Still, for all its shortcomings, CC is good--worthy enough for #3 on my list, at least. The concept of alternate dimensions is a nice contrast to CT's time travel. Characters are pretty cool, even if their developments suck (e.g. Glenn, Guile, Norris, Orlha, Janice). Fun plot twist (you play as the bad guy, huh?). Light-hearted humor contrasting with serious bouts of depression and confusion. And an excellent score, once again, with world influences (Yasunori Mitsuda is a genius).
CC's defining feature is the combat system. The introduction of elements is brilliant, imo, and that they are recharged after every battle means that you don't have to waste time keeping track of MP like in other rpgs. You can organize elements in an elemental tables with the element's position in the table being key to the element's power. I also think that the attack method is neat...3 attacks of varying strengths and accuracies, with each one charging your elements by a certain level.
CC is a fun play, but I'm not sure I want to call it a worthy successor to CT (can probably say the same about Radical Dreamers, too). For now, at least, we Chrono fans can just hope the team can get together again and produce Chrono Break.

Honorable Mentions: Super Mario RPG, Dungeon Siege, Skies of Arcadia, Pokemon


Strategy
Strategy is a hard call since you can't really compare American Civil War strategies to Roman Republic strategies to sci-fi strategies. Still, here's my best possible list.
1. Rome: Total War (Europa Barbarorum Mod) -- What can I say? I love Roman history, so when I started playing RTW 3 weeks ago, I was in love. Battles are ridiculously realistic, and the campaign map made planning and management so much more key. And then I downloaded the Europa Barbarorum mod, which made RTW more historically accurate. Not only are there more playable factions with a campaign map that expands from Spain to India, the units in battle actually speak in their native tongues. Meaning the Roman units speak in Latin, like "State hic!" or "Expugnate Istos!" Yes! There's also a whole trait system involved for each character, so you have to decide who would be good generals, governors, or mere subordinates....which makes for nice role play. Downside would be slow load times and laggy battles, but it's a small sacrifice for what you get.

2. Sid Meier's Civil War Collection -- Ah, one of my first loves. It's what turned me into an American Civil War buff for a good 3 years of my life, in fact. Gameplay is fairly simple yet fun, and the creation of alternative scenarios to the battles of Gettysburg and Antietam makes for intriguing "What if's" of the Civil War.

3. Shogun: Total War -- The first of the Total War series, STW is basically a downgrade of RTW, except it's Japanese samurai. I loved STW to death when I first started playing, but RTW stole my heart away.

Honorable Mention: Impossible Creatures -- This game was tight, albeit online (the single player story campaign sucked). Combine two creatures together (e.g. "Let's give a snake eagles' wings," or "Let's give a whale baboon arms and legs," or "Let's give a lobster a moose's head.") Create an army of these impossible creatures and match them against other players' unique armies.


Other
1. Super Smash Bros. -- I still think this series' concept--of taking popular video game characters and put them all in one game--is one of the most innovative ideas in recent video game history. It exposes players such as myself to games one might have never known before, but more importantly, it's a smash-load of fun, especially against other players. It's "family friendly" since there's no "killing," and I often find myself practicing before parties so I can demonstrate my predominance over others.

2. Medal of Honor: Allied Assault -- Copied Saving Private Ryan, yes. Doesn't stop it from being a good game, as it immerses you in the world of WWII and requires quite a bit of quick thinking. Theatrical effects, pretty decent AI, and one of the most nostalgic theme songs in games, it definitely is a good play.

3. Soul Calibur II -- Ok, ridic bounciness aside, SCII keeps you satisfied, especially if you are a completionist and need to get every character, stage, weapon, and bonus artwork. Fighting is standard, but I always liked Soul Calibur's story mode. Also this forever endeared Soul Calibur to my heart. And last but not least, Seung Mina.

4. Elite Beat Agents -- Dance to save the world. Classic oldies. This is a fun game to take on long airplane trips or bus rides.



My list is short, but I hope legit. 'Course, there are so many games I want to play--so many classics I'm almost ashamed I haven't gotten to yet. Here's a partial list of games I want to check out sometime or other: Zelda: Ocarina of Time, The World Ends with You, FFIV, FFVII, FFX, and WoW.

Joking about the last one.