Bit late with my list updates, long shift at work...
My # 49 is something as unoriginal as Final Fantasy VII:
FFVII came out in September 1997, back when I was only thirteen years old but I never had the money to buy it back then as games were very expensive for consoles and I had an extremely limited budget. I bought my first Playstation in the same year though.
I played FFVII for the first time when I was in my early 20's and even though some expected I would hate it since I had played Final Fantasy X on PS2; I not only loved it but also find it to be vastly superior to other FF titles I had played (I did not like the "draw magic" system of FFVIII nor its bifurcated narrative and X is too shallow and linear in comparison). The Materia system is not only highly original; it is also very functional once you get it and it feels unique to this day. The turn-based battles were realized in full 3D and the world map was truly massive. There were side activities like chocobo breeding and racing and plenty of things to do everywhere and the atmosphere was intriguing and sad. The blocky graphics are charming in my eyes and lends a sort of strange innocence to the visuals that actually ends up reinforcing the sombre theme(s) of the title itself.
It also helps that this game contains one of the most memorable scenes in gaming history when one of your main characters suddenly dies at the hand of the main villain in the game.
The music is sublime, the gameplay is varied, the combat is solid and the gear system is amazing even today. My favorite FF title, followed by FFXII (which does not appear on my list, mind you).
My # 48 is the awesome Jak & Daxter on the PS2:
I can't rightly point to one single thing that sold me on this game; I think it was the sum. The level design is great, the story is part goofy and part touching and the gameplay is incredible, this is easily not only one of the best platformers on the PS2 but also among the best of all time, in my opinion. I already had some history with developer Naughty Dog through their Crash Bandicoot and Spyro games and they seem to up their game (literally) with every generation, which is truly rare among developers.
Jak features a dynamic due where one has a more secondary role and actually rides on the protagonist, the animations and exchanges between the two are hilarious and hearty all at once, and Daxter is not unlike Timon in the Lion King in many ways, the game is filled with suggestive humor that allows it to pass as a childrens title as well as a great game for adults.
It is well balanced and just challenging enough for most gamers. Great title, even greater developer.
Hint for # 47:
This sequel is bound to be featured on many lists and is easily among the most talked about titles in the entire 7th generation, it is also among the very limited number of must have titles that really blew me away in the 7th gen and the same developer that is behind this game managed to blow us away one more time on the same platform(s). This game is considered by many as one of the greatest games ever made and its incredible metascore reflects this notion.
Essay Pro