CNC: Generals: Zero Hour, was 'the' RTS game for me. The ability to control your units, and armies "in battle" unlike *cough* SC2 * cough* although*cough I'm playing it cause there's no more CNC *cough hhack wheeeze*..
ZH was the plateau that carved the golden age of CNC for me, since Dune2, right through RA3 first 5 minutes after which I used it as a coaster for my pickle jar. Too bad EA killed ZH for its lacking ability to fix crucial bugs, which killed the sportsmanship of gameplay, due to online cheating via fog of war maphacks, where every top ranking gamer even ended up using and getting caught for it. That's when CNC died a cold death for me.
Will I try the next incarnation of CNC from EA? hell no, but I'll be sure to read their forums for my nightly entertainment. If there is a positive vibe from veteran players, then yes, maybe. Hi to Mike Verdu, if you're reading this. and to quote teh pwnerer, the E can suck my left nut, while the A can hang from my right one.