What is it for you a "well-aged game"?

Discuss

A game that is timeless. The graphics/artsyle, gameplay mechanics, etc are still great. And in many cases the game is much better than most modern games. The nostalgia factor also adds some points.

Basically for me it's just:

a) The game mechanics don't feel clunky by today's standards (Goldeneye is hard for me to go back to since I'm used to dual-stick controls now for console FPS games)
b) The graphics don't look horrid. Obviously I don't expect a PS1 game to look like an Xbox 360 game, but certain games are much easier on the eyes than others (example: FF9's graphics have aged much better than FF7's).

When the graphics still look okay even after alot of years. Old platformers such as Mario 64 and Crash Bandicoot I feel are examples of games that have aged well.

Examples of great games even today:

Ocarina of Time

Super Metroid

Examples of great games then that aged poorly:

Perfect Dark 64

The Legend Of Zelda

Graphics have to be good enough to support the game they are trying to convey.  this includes framerate, detail, and view distance and such.  Also it has to have good controls, which in the case of PD and GE is not really the case.  There are older games that still look fine (clearly worse than today's games, but still) and don't hinder the experience.  

A game that is relevant 10 years later and not made obsolete by future iterations.

Examples:

- A focus on art style rather than technical graphics

- A strong story with memorable characters

- A unique twist on gameplay no game has ever done

Most of the games that age well aren't because the games themselves are bad, but because companies follow them up with direct sequels and intentionally make them obsolete.  

For example, Majora's Mask hasn't aged too much.  But if Nintendo decided to make Majora's Mask 2, 3 and 4, it would certainly be.

A game that is still fun to play and doesn't feel like it has many (if any) dated mechanics.  I like some dated games (I enjoyed my recent run through of Dragon Warrior but damn it had some issues) and many well aged games (When I first played Chrono Trigger, in 2009, it felt extremely modern).  Basically, a game that just doesn't feel like it came out however many years ago, or one that has mechanics that still hold up very well.

A game that is still fun to play. Simple as that.

if you can play a game 10 years for now and still enjoy it after the nostalgia bubble wears off, then its aged well.

A game that is still fun to play. Simple as that.

NirdBerd

games that will be fun to play even in 100 years from now ;)

A game that despite newer games/sequels having more advanced mechanics/graphics/sound, can still stand on its own two feet and give you a great time.

• Doom 2
• Gothic 2
• Settlers 2
• Abe's Oddysee/Exoddus
• Total Annihilation

To name just a few. And most Point 'n Click's are timeless too.

A game that is still fun to play. Simple as that.

NirdBerd