One of my favorite genres is that of the "360 degree shooter". The game where you're almost always surrounded and have to shoot a path, all the while grabbing power-ups, coins, or what have you.
Probably the best known classic in this genre is Robotron: 2084. The original game, designed by Eugene Jarvis, is a brilliant example of this, one of the first and one of the best of its kind. Unfortunately, I suck badly at this game as much as I do enjoy playing it. I've watched my buddy John rip through the game so I understand HOW to play better, I just seem to lack the necessary skills to execute that plan.
A game I enjoy as much and can actually play well is Smash TV. This 1990 masterpiece is clearly inspired by the movie The Running Man, and though Mark Turmell is usually the first guy you think of when you think of the game's original design, Jarvis was on the development team as well. The similarities to Robotron are significant, and that's a good thing.
Total Carnage, the "official" sequel, is an ambitious one where the play area moves and there is more diversity in the enemies. The humor is there but the game just isn't as much fun to me.
There are others in this genre, like Gauntlet, Soldiers of Fortune, Charge 'N Blast, Loaded...
What's your favorite of the genre? Which game(s) are you really good at, and if you have strategy tips, share those too!