Burnout 3 - Not an unheard of gem, but a great game.
Disaster Report - Although I got stuck and never finished it, it was quite interesting. You wouldn't think a guy could die from thirst so quickly.
Indigo Prophecy - I have it on the XBox. It's a pretty cool game with crap controls. If they make a sequel with better controls I'll snap it up in a heartbeat.
Magic Pengel - If you like the thought of drawing your own monsters and then battling them in an arena, it's pretty cool. The combat is modified rock/paper/scissors.
The Mark of Kri - May not be all that unheard of, seeing as it got a sequel, but if you haven't heard of it you should check it out. It's quite old so you should be able to find it cheap.
Metal Arms - Again, I got this one on the XBox. However it's quite a lot of fun.
Psychonauts - Another one that has actually gotten a lot of great word-of-mouth and may not be considered by many as an "unheard of" gem, but it's a fantastic game that you shouldn't miss.
Shadow of Destiny - It's a blast unraveling this one, although it can be frustrating as hell. And the controls aren't optimum. It might be hard to find.
The Simpsons: Hit & Run - GTA Lite. It has its flaws, but it's still a fun game.
Barbie Horse Adventures: Wild Horse Rescue - Ha. Just kidding.