Interesting topic, Lotus, although I've found it difficult to pick a single genre!
Favourite Genre Football.
It's my favourite because Every game feels different; I enjoy the fact that there are reasonably simple rules but that these allow for a kaleidoscope of outcomes.
My favourite example is Pro Evolution Soccer 2015 (Konami, PS4).
To add a bit of perspective, my favourite football titles over the years include:
> International Football (C64) - this persuaded me to save up for the machine. The ball could hit the cross-bar and (gasp!) it had a shadow!
> Kick-Off (ST / Amiga) - Wow. This was fast, furious and addictive. It was a bit pinball-y but, once mastered, offered months of fun.
> Goal! (Amiga) - The *real* Kick-Off 3 by Dino Dini. Better graphics, improved gameplay and excellent new game modes.
> Man Utd Europe (Amiga) - Krisalis Software delivered some fun, side-on gameplay but there were certainly a few quirks.
> FIFA (Megadrive) - The original game was an amazingly playable title that shook up the market. The start of a legend... albeit one that has only occasionally resonated with me personally.
> International Superstar Soccer (SNES) - Konami struck gold with this; tremendously additive with a hint of strategy.
> Sierra World Cup Challenge (Amiga) - This arrived out of nowhere and, whilst time has not been kind, it enabled tremendously fast, 3D-style gameplay in an unofficial World Cup tournament. It was *fast*, though!
> Goal Storm (PS1) - Whilst one Konami team were developing ISS, another were working on this pre-curser to Pro Evolution Soccer. It's aged badly, but packed with unintentionally funny moments. That commentary!
> ISS Pro (PS1) - Konami moulded Goal Storm into a more strategic game... the early signs of PES are showing through here.
> ISS 64 (N64) - Legendary. In my view, the ultimate arcade-style football game. Fast, fluid and fun.
> Pro Evolution Soccer (PS1) - Konami continued to develop this slightly more strategic armof their football franchise and this, for me, changed everything. Slick play, realistic movement, great replays... a true classic.
> Pro Evolution Soccer 2013 (PS3) - I feel that this is when PES returned to the beloved gameplay of the earlier versions. I've enjoyed 2013, 2014 and now 2015. Each has been beset by launch teething-troubles, but in the long-term I've gained huge enjoyment from them.
So many great titles... I've had lots of good times with them
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Relegation candidates include Gazza II (ST), Total Football (Amiga), Man Utd European Champions (Amiga), FIFA 2000 (PS1) and *definitely* Super Kick-Off (Megadrive). Oddly, the Master System version was terrific. Oh, and I aways preferred Kick-Off / Goal! to Sensible Soccer
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Tl;dr PES
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