What reviewers/developers/enthusiasts like is not what sells games.

[psrock]

To summarize the OP, this is what sells games according to him.

 

directness in the control and gameplay 

good design

local multiplayer

for many console games,

fast and easy online for many games, immersion defined by imagining you are in this world,

and a sense of accomplishment with beating a game or level.

( Mod NATION RACERS should be at 20 million next year based on your summary)