20. The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker - For the second time in this series, Nintendo opted to completely redesign the way that players interact with the world of Hyrule; of course much has already been said regarding the inventive and controversial graphical style, but this iteration also takes place among a collection of islands, rather than the immensely scaled plains and valleys of Hyrule proper. The result is an intriguing and less linear experience.
19. The Legend of Zelda - The original that introduced players to quests of immense scope and helped to transform the way gamers strategically approached the world; persistence, careful planning, and methodical exploration replaced quick-draw reflexes and ushered in a new era of gaming.
18. GoldenEye 007 - The first FPS that allowed for multiple play styles, rewarding both the precise and stealthy veteran of the genre and the impulsive gung-ho warrior. It's also notable for redesigning level objectives based on difficulty, sometimes forcing gamers to completely reconsider their approach.
17. Tetris - The ultimate Trojan horse, with respect to the originator of that term. Likely anyone who owns a phone, a computer, or a television hasn't heard of this game. It single-handedly ingratiated the original Game Boy into millions of homes across the world and inarguably helped keep Nintendo afloat during the lean mid-to-late 1990's. Suited for bus rides, competitive co-op play, marathon sessions, and basically anywhere at anytime.
16. Final Fantasy VIII - FFVIII, unlike most other entries in the series, doesn't assemble it's constituent parts into a complete whole. It combines an adult visual style with remarkably advanced graphics from its time; the same orchestrally complex and inventive score as gamers are accustomed to from the series; easily some of the most challenging and creative sidequests ever encountered in any game; and a flat and uninteresting storyline that juggles flashbacks, romance, and intrigue to ill effect. To say nothing of the sometimes tedious Draw system, FFVIII is the black sheep of the family, but still well worth playing.
15. Metal Gear Solid - Again reimagining the ways that players interact with the world around them, MGS insisted on the stealth approach wherein one carefully conserves resources, avoids combat, and moves as quickly as possible to achieve objective; this approach is, of course, consistent with how one would act in reality. MGS challenges gamers to think outside their homes on the reality of war, the lengths to which one will go for country and revenge, and, ultimately, the instability of the world in which we live.
14. Chrono Trigger - One of the highest regarded JRPGs ever created, CT raised the bar immensely with its detailed and breathtaking graphics, soaring musical themes from a variety of timelines, and inventive implementation of combination attacks that compound magic and physical strikes that ever since, hasn't been matched. One of the most magnificent compositions ever to come out of then-SquareSoft.
13. The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time - The most effective update and reimagining of a series into 3D ever seen. OoT brings the series's famously sophisticated level design and integration of dungeon and overworld into a more complex, more beautiful, and more engrossing world than many gamers had ever seen before. More adult in its themes and sill minimalist in its storytelling, OoT allows for an experience unlike any other.
12. Mega Man 2 - MM2 features one of the best soundtracks ever made, which is still heavily and frequently remixed by fans. It also perfected the formula for Mega Man games: unique levels with merciless difficulty and creative powerups. It simply challenges gamers with unique bosses and devilish enemies and levels that require quick reactions, judicious platforming, and many, many rehearsals.
11. Super Mario Brothers 3 - Perfecting the level design formula that slowly allows gamers to practice the mechanics necessary for success, SMB3 simply compounds the difficulty, number of levels, and techniques to master with more suits, more enemies, and various paths to success by allowing the player to essentially pick and choose their path through the world.
I don't know any of these games, but I'm excited to learn more about them!