GI Joe (NES)

How I would sum this game up:  Ahead of its time.

Shooters flooded the NES.  The only differences were "plug and play" elements.  Game play was the same, but you plug in backgrounds, good guys, and bad guys and there's your game.  GI Joe did something similar to the original turtles game.  Since GI Joe had so many recognizable characters, you can choose between them, even in game play.  Each has strengths and weaknesses, guns, jumping, ect.  Also, certain levels are created for certain characters.  Game play won't blow you away, but conceptually it was amazing.

The sad part was everyone's favorite GI Joe, Snake Eyes, just wasn't that good.  Gridiron was where it was at.