What makes graphics great?

[Mnementh]

Recently I got some older Zelda-games. As I give them short time to try, I noticed how great the graphics of Windwaker is (in my opinioin). I know, that the graphic style is more simple than in Zelda:Twighlight princess, but I personally prefer the graphics in Windwaker. So I start thinking, that makes me like or dislike graphics of a game. It's not that simpler graphic is better. No, I don't think that simpler graphic is generally better. The old 2D-Zeldas look not as good as Zelda:TP. Or early 3D-games like the first 'Alone in the dark' are simply ugly and definitely not as good looking, as modern 3D-games. But why can a much simpler graphic, be an eyecatcher? Same thing for cinema. We had all the time realistic looking movies. But at some point unrealistic movies, like 'toy story' began to be very successful. Renaissance (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0386741/) is another example. The graphic in the movie is very simplicistic (only black and white and few shades of grey) but it looks great. So I came up with the following theory, that makes graphic 'great' or not: * It should be as realistic as possible to look good. * There should be then broken with realism in some well-chosen (in art-style) and interesting way. Except from that, keep on with maximum reality, but stick to your chosen way. This combination creates great graphics. What do you think? Is my theory totally bullshit or is something true about it? What do you think makes the difference between good graphics and great graphics? Discuss!