Portal (2007), developed by Valve Corporation, is the most innovative and influential first-person puzzle-platform game of its era, period. Portal was released as part of The Orange Box collection, alongside major games like Half-Life 2: Episode Two and Team Fortress 2. It quickly became a breakout success due to its unique gameplay mechanics, minimalistic design, dark humor, and the iconic antagonist GLaDOS. The game challenges you to solve a series of increasingly complex puzzles using the ›Aperture Science Handheld Portal Device‹ (or ›Portal Gun‹). This device creates two linked portals that you can use to navigate spaces in unconventional ways.

In the vast landscape of superhero animation, few shows have managed to achieve what Green Lantern: The Animated Series accomplished in its brief, single-season run. Premiering in 2012 on Cartoon Network, the series represented a bold departure from traditional superhero animation, both in its visual style and narrative complexity. While its truncated run might suggest failure, a deeper examination reveals a show that pushed boundaries and expanded the possibilities of what superhero animation could achieve.

The 1983 side-scrolling shooter game, Falcon Patrol, was developed and published by Virgin Games. It was designed for the Commodore 64 and later ported to other platforms, including the ZX Spectrum. In this game, you play a fighter jet pilot defending your territory against enemy helicopters. The setting is a desert. Falcon Patrol's simple premise is deceptive. Its smooth gameplay mechanics, challenging dynamics, and strategic depth set it apart from other games of its time.

HERO (Helicopter Emergency Rescue Operation) is the definitive 1984 action video game, developed by John Van Ryzin and published by Activision. It was released on multiple platforms, including the Atari 2600, Atari 5200, Atari 8-bit family, Commodore 64, and ColecoVision. HERO is unquestionably one of the most challenging and innovative games of its era, featuring elements of strategy, quick reflexes, and exploration.

Zaxxon, released in 1982 by Sega, was a game-changing arcade title. Its innovative use of isometric graphics created the illusion of three-dimensional space in a way that was revolutionary at the time. It was a space-themed shooter, and its unique visual style and challenging gameplay set it apart from other games of the early 1980s, making it a commercial success and an influential title in the development of video games.

Moon Patrol (1982), developed by Irem and distributed in North America by Williams Electronics, is one of the early side-scrolling shoot 'em up games that made a significant mark on the arcade game scene. The game features a unique combination of platforming and shooting mechanics as players control a moon buggy through a lunar landscape filled with hazards and enemies. With its colorful graphics, innovative gameplay and catchy soundtrack, Moon Patrol became a popular arcade title and is still remembered as a classic from the golden age of video games.