Last year, (as seen in our press clippings) we helped the New York Times do a look back on Super Bowl ads from the past where the NYT did a little graphing to see what type of ad was most common each year, while showing at least one ad from every year since 1984. Sixteen of the 23 years ads were supplied by us from the 35 year strong Super Bowl ad collection a.k.a the Claymore project. Stuart Elliot's article Colts and Bears and Kevin Federline goes with the NYT graph.
Naturally we have all the ads (and more, hehe) that the NYT used in their fun graph - here are the ones they picked as standout ads from each year together with the ones that we think you should also see. Two minor mistakes in the gray lady - the year 2000 Etrade ad does not contain a monkey but a chimp, which is an ape. The Tabasco spot is from 1997, not 1998. I nitpick, I know. Links to commercials inside.

Adlands pick of super bowl commercials you shouldn't miss:

Apple - Lemmings (1985) - 0:60 (USA)
Unlike 1984 this ad is claimed to be universally hated - perhaps businessmen didn't want to be compared to lemmings. Personally, I like it.

Masterlock - (1976) - 0:30 (USA)
Masterlock used to rule the super bowl with their over the top demonstration ads. This one from 1976 kicked tush in its day.

Pepsi & Apple iTunes - I Fought the Law - (2004) 0:45 (USA)
Plenty hyped and spoofed, the Pepsi and iTunes combo gave you free music with every soda pop.

VW / Volkswagen GTI - Tree - long (2001) - 0:60 (USA)
We can only imagine the driving which landed the car in that tree.

Budweiser - Wassup - Alien (2001) - 0:60 (USA)
They spy on us. Mans best friend.

Quiznos Testing - "Blow Dart" - (2002) :30 (USA)
The truth about Focus groups.

Budweiser - Donkey - (2004) 0:60 (USA)
Aaaaaw!

The New York Times pick of Super Bowl ads - some of which we too adore. Some not.

Apple, 1984 in - yeah - 1984

Michelin - Honey - 1985

Burger King - Herb the Nerd - 1986

Bud - Bud bowl (end) - 1989

Nissan Turbo Z - Dream - Outracing a jet.

Nike - Sportscasters - 1990

1992 - Nike - Hare Jordan

1995 - Budweiser Frogs croak their way into our hearts.

1996 - Budweiser frogs out in the cold.

1996 - Nike pee wee football

1997 - Nissan Pigeons

1997 - VISA - Bob Dole

1998 - Nike Fit - Skin

1997 - Tabasco Mosquito. (NYT has it under the wrong year.)

1998 - Fedex, we apologise

1999 - Monster "when I grow up"

1999 - Bud Light - Paper or plastic?

2000 - Computer.com

2000 - EDS herding cats

2000 - Etrade dancing chimp.

2000 - Pets.com - If you leave me now

2000 - Budweiser "wassup" guy with girlfriend.

2001 - Yuppie wassup

E*trade - the chimp returns

EDS - Running with squirrels

2002 - Levi's legs

2002 - Monster - Mayor Rudy Giuliani

2002 - Yahoo Dolphin

2003 - Trident Squirrel

2003 - Visa - Yao Ming - Yo

2003 - Budweiser Zebra

2004 - Frito-lay grandparents fight

2004 - Bud sleigh date

2004 - Bud, good dog bad dog

2005 - Ameriquest Robbery

2005 - Ameriquest Cat

2005 - Godaddy wardrobe malfunction

2005 - Fedex ten things - Burt Reynolds dances with bears

2005 - Anheuser-Busch - Heroes Salute

2006 - Dove self esteem

2006 BQ Whoperettes

2006 - Ford escape - kermit

2006 - Hummer H3 Monster

2006 - Mastercard MacGyver

Which super bowl commercials do you think should go on the list?