Video Games = Art
Certian politicians and political groups like to make headlines by coming out against the video game industry. Sen. Leiberman has practically made a career out of it, Sen. Clinton recently jumped on the bandwagon to make some noise in preparation for running for president, and online groups like the National Institute on Media and the Family like to make PSAs that nobody will ever see.

The fact of the matter is, video games are an art form. While the more violent titles make the most noise, there are tons of games out there that are undeniably an expression of an idea, a creative concept, that would be impossible to portray in any other form.

This list, although incomplete, should provide a good starting point for someone who wants to see video games as the art form it truly is.

Role Playing Games
A logical starting point for an analysis of video games as art is the Role Playing Game because they tend to have involved story lines with lots of character development.

'Xenogears' is mandatory. A sci-fi/fantasy epic, considered by many to be one of the best, if not the best, video game ever made. After a certian point in the game, the game takes on the form of an art house play, with one of the main characters, sitting in a chair, telling you the story while the other characters appear to act out their parts.

Almost the entire Final Fantasy series should be here, but there's only so much room. 'Final Fantasy X' is probably my favorite, followed closely or tied with 'Final Fantasy III', then 'Final Fantasy VII'. Final Fantasy X's story is particularly dark because it deals with a planet caught in a cycle of death and rebuilding. Religion plays a key part in the story line and is used to great effect.

Engrossment
While RPGs tend to provide a good vehicle for an interactive novel or play, there are other criteria that can make something an art form. Because video games allow you to control the action, you can really feel like you've become a particular character. Video games allow you to become totally engrossed in what you are playing and become that character far better than any other medium.

'Half-Life' and 'Half-Life 2' are really good examples of games that totally involve the player. While both games have quite complex plots, the entire game is played in the first person. As you play through these games, you become Dr. Freeman. Don't be surprised if a random noise in the room while you're playing makes you think an alien is in the room with you.

'Diablo 2', and other MMORPGs like it, engross the player because you spend so much time improving your character's statistics, weapons, armor and abilities that you project yourself upon that character. The character you play as becomes your proxy in the computer game.

And, of course, there's 'Myst'. Many consider this to be the first game you could really become engrossed in, because your actions are the only things that happen in the game. Personally, I found it incredibly boring, but this game deserves to be on the list anyway.

Interactive Movie
Since... Dragon's Lair, I guess... video games have attempted to become movies that you play. Several have attempted this and faied, but the few that succeed are pretty awesome.

Hideo Kojima has explicitly said that these games are meant to be interactive action movies. This has never been more apparant than in the James-Bond style opening title sequence of 'Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater for PlayStation 2'.

Speaking of James Bond, 'James Bond 007: Everything or Nothing' is like you are James Bond in the most awesome James Bond movie ever.

'Xenosaga' is a reinterpretation and a retelling of the entire backstory of Xenogears. They're planning on making 5 games total, which should give you an idea of how awesome Xenogears is, but that's a different matter. Xenosaga contains over 4 hours of cinematic sequences, making it a noble attempt in the interactive movie category.

'Halo 2' fits into this category because of its plot. While most of the game is spent in the first person, almost all of the stellar plot is revealed in cinematic sequences.

Other
Some games really just don't fit into any category. When that happens, you either have a collosal failure or a gem of pure creativity.

'Rez' - an experiment in synaesthesia - where you experience one of the five senses through a different sense, like seeing sound or hearing color. Everything you do in this game affects the music and produces visualizer-style effects on the screen. This game has to be seen to be believed.

'Katamari Damacy for PlayStation 2' translates into "Clump of Souls." You roll around a ball and things stick to it. The more things stick to it, the bigger your ball gets, allowing you to pick up bigger items. It sounds rediculous, and it is, but this is still one of the most fun games ever made.

I guess I'm done now
There are tons of reasons why a game might be considered a work of art and I only covered a few. I hope you found this informative. Maybe if I get a lot of helpful votes I'll make another list that has things like Ico and Prince of Persia.