I liked the totally un-cinematic space battles in Frontier (you know, Elite 2). Look on your sensor the direction of the threat. Spot the tiny pixel of an enemy fighter 8 kms away. Accelerate toward it while aiming your laser beam the most precisely possible on it. Oops, now you're behind it. Turn the ship backward and continue to fire at it while decelerating yet still getting further away from it.
Of course, the most uncinematic way to end a fight was to use the missiles. The homing IA was very bad, so for the missiles to actually hit the target, you had to prevent the computer from simulating it in real time. So, launch missile, hit the stardreamer (time accelerator) to max speed (time x10000), and bam, the enemy's gone.
I loved the tricks one could do with the stardreamer. You've missed your planetary approach and will crush to your doom on that small moon? Never mind, accelerate toward it, then hit the stardreamer. With a bit of luck, the next frame will be computed, based on your trajectory and speed, with you on the other side of the obstacle. Teehee.