The most basic of all Qs, and the most important. It plays a role when 'gameplay' is discussed for individual games, basic gameplay changes occur from 2D to 3D, game eras and genres are compared, and when gamereviews are criticized.

I'm puzzled by this Q every time I play a first rate game like Metroid Prime or the new Zelda which draws me in. In top 100 lists games are listed which cover more than two decades; very different games, very different hardware with very different gameplay, like a Galaga, Final Fantasy 3 and Gran Turismo 3. How is that possible? Obviously there are common characteristics of classic games which just makes them exceptional independently from different hardware and genre, but what is it? What makes some games just stand out?

????What makes a great game???