For me, it was the game Rocket Jockey released by Sega Soft in '96. It was perfect. The game featured a surf rock soundtrack by Dick Dale. The entire premise of the game was to ride around on rockets and using long cables to yank your opponents off theirs. Referees were also fair play. I don’t think I’ve met anyone else who has played the game, so if you have, let me know!
Settlers II is the one I go back to from time to time (though nowadays I’m playing the “History” version on uPlay). And of course, all those old Lucasfilm/-arts and Sierra games.
Also there was this 3D-ish platformer called Sky Roads I used to play a lot back in the day. But I haven’t played that in ages. I don’t even know who developed it.
Oh, and Wing Commander 3 and 4. Both really good games.