Anybody remember Star Raiders for the Atari 2600? Probably already mention in the thread - I haven't read all the posts. Predates(released in 1979) Elite and was the first, as far as I know, of the space combat sims. Not the best game I've played, but definately the most pivotal. Got me into this whole space sim/rpg/strategy thing.
Dungeons & Dragons? The Intellivision version? Yes! Excellent game!
Mass Effect has to be the best contempory game I've played.
Too many others to list. Mostly from my Atari, Commodore and NES days.
Cheers,
Idaho
"There's no mystical energy field that controls my destiny. It's all a lot of simple tricks and nonsense."
- Han Solo