What makes a game good?

[*Laurelindo*]

I like to think of it like this, and I'm sure you can understand the analogy:

Graphics - looks
Sounds - voice and accent
Controls - personal chemistry
Replay Value - how well you in long-term get along together



On a more serious note, I think the real heart of a game can't clearly be defined - it is just that little extra that makes you wanna play it over and over.
A good game cannot be defined just by its "great graphics", "awesome controls" etc, it needs that extra charm that makes you personally like it on a deeper level.

People have argued how lots of shooters are better than Goldeneye 007, and their arguments are usually "better controls", "better AI" and so on, but that's not what makes Goldeneye 007 so good.
The AI sucks and the graphics are outdated, but it's still one of the best shooters in history - because it has that particular unique charm.
And it has nothing to do with nostalgia either, because people are still discovering the game and growing to love it.