Star Fox 64 (Nintendo 64, 1997)

Flying shooters were nothing new when Star Fox 64 (1997) came out, in fact, it is one of the oldest genres in gaming.  Early titles such as Space Invaders, Galaga, and Life Force pioneered this style of video game, but Star Fox 64 is one of the best remembered.  This has to do with its tight control, variety in gameplay, and memorable story with great characters and acting.  The first Star Fox game (for the SNES) laid the groundwork but could not be fully realized due to the limitations of the SNES.  Star Fox 64 is essentially a remake of the first game, far improved by the Nintendo 64's superior hardware.  It is quite easily the greatest game in the shooter genre.
In the game's back story, a scientist from the planet Corneria went mad and tried to take over.  He was banished to the desolate planet Venom, where he built up an armada to engage in a space war with Corneria.  The first Star Fox team, led by James McCloud, and its other members being Peppy Hare and Pigma Dangar, was sent to retaliate.  Pigma betrayed Star Fox, and James sacrificed himself so that Peppy could get out alive.  Years later, a new Star Fox team is led by James' son Fox McCloud.  The other members are Peppy Hare, Falco Lombardi, and Slippy Toad.  Star Fox 64 follows this team and their fight against Andross's forces.
You control the Arwing (the versatile Star Fox fighter jets) of Fox, as you fight your way across the Lylat system.  The mothership is the Great Fox, which serves to transport all combat vehicles across the void of space.  From here, the game makes you feel like you are in the cockpit.  You receive messages from your teammates and from enemy dog-fighters.  The control is so tight as to be perfect.  With the N64 controller's analog joystick, the slightest nudge can steer you in 360 degrees.  You are given maneuvering options to get out of any situation.  Boosting, brakes, somersaults, and yes, the famous BARREL ROLL.  The game also does an amazing job of teaching all of the mechanics of gameplay in the first level of Corneria's capital city.  This is something that all great games should do.  The game puts you in some non-lethal situations where you have to learn a new skill.  When Falco is chased by some enemy ships, you have to boost to catch up and save him.  When a barrage of enemy fire is heading straight for you, Peppy tells you to "DO A BARREL ROLL!"
Even though the dialogue can be a little cheesy, the voice acting is still top-notch, especially since this was a time when voice-acting was unintentionally hilarious (Resident Evil: "It's a weapon.  It's very powerful, especially against living things.") or non-existent (Final Fantasy VII, VIII, and IX still used text-dialogue at this point).  The characters speak realistically and sincerely.  The audio quality is superb.  If you shoot one of your teammates, they sound genuinely pissed off at you: "Hey Einstein!  I'm on your side!"  If an emergency occurs, they actually sound excited.
You may select your own path through the galaxy to reach the ending destination of Venom, and certain paths reveal different story elements, and even different vehicles.  It's kind of like one of those choose-your-own-adventure books, and even has multiple endings.  All of the planets and areas offer fun and challenge at the same time, but there are some that I enjoy more than others and some that I try to avoid.  For instance, I love to go through the three sectors, X, Y, and Z, which are a fun mix of shooting gallery and obstacle course.  I dread going to the lava planet, where the extreme heat causes continual damage to your Arwing.  The alternate vehicles are also a treat, and control similarly to the Arwing, but different enough to be original. There is and Landmaster tank, and the Blue Marine submarine.  Every element of Star Fox 64 is familiar, yet original, and endlessly fun.