I'm helping a friend with a upcoming article, and we were brainstorming -- which PC/Console games can be looked at today as being a 'groundbreaking' game in a area? That is, the game had to sell well, get good reviews, and be copied by at least 10 other games in the years to come. And probaly considered a classic today.
So far, we've come up with the following:
First Person Shooter: Doom. Yes, we know that Wolfenstien came first but it was nowhere near as popular or as society changing as Doom.
Real Time Strategy: Command and Conquer. Same reason above when it comes to this game vs Dune II.
Turn Based Strategy: This one is REALLY tough. I would argue you could look at any of Koei's first NES games in this area (Nobunaga's Amibtion, et all) in the late 80's for the start of this.
Space Shooter: This one is tougher. So far, we've come up with Scramble, R-Type, and Gradius as being contenders.
Ground Shooters (AKA blow everyting up): They existed before Contra, but did any game do it BETTER?
'Modern' Console Role Playing Game: Dragon Warrior and Final Fantasy are often considered the 'legs' of modern RPG's, although a case could be made for Phantasy Star, which came out first. It was'nt as popular (at the time) as either of those two, though.
Text Role Playing Game: I think Zork has the lock on this one.
Graphical Role Playing Game: Again, I think Kings Quest would have the lock on this one. But perhaps Ultima?
'Classic' Adventure Game: I would say the Infocom PC games, although you might also make a case for Quest for Glory.
First Person Adventure Game: Another case where it was done before Tomb Raider, but never as well.
Graphical Adventure Game: Just how do you define this one? I think Legend of Zelda is the best fit, and it did inspire a lot to come......but could'nt Metroid be put here also?
Racing: I'm not sure on this one -- Pole Position comes to mind.
First Person Fighting: Both Street Fighter II and Mortal Kombat deserve this one.
Platform: Got to go with Super Mario Brothers. Again, not the first, but the best.
Puzzle: Tetris. Any questions?
Anything else I forgot here? Or suggestions for other games?