That's easy: Sega's Daytona USA.
Daytona came out in 1994 with high resolution 60fps texture-mapped graphics that were light years above and beyond anything seen before. (Nod to Namco's Ridge Racer, but that game was junk by comparison)
Not only was the game a sensory overload, it was an involving racer that required you to learn drifting on the advanced tracks. Instead of being realistic, Daytona "imaginary realistic" and extremely rewarding.
The other big nod easily goes to OutRun (also a Sega AM2 / Yu Suzuki creation). You knew you were livin' large when you plunked ¢50 into the machine and got tipped from side to side with the action. And oh the stylin' music!
