The thing is, games lists done correctly is a very scientific way of presenting a difference between systems.
Of course, it's hard to compare different games from lists, but as you said, metacritic does help in that respect.
A lot of people do it wrong, but when done correctly, list warz can be very useful in showing trends, though not a strong argument when compared with a gamers' personal tastes. However, often times, a list can show catalogue which may equal another.
For example, If I posted that ps3 had last of us, and that was a game you really wanted but you also forgot that 360 had halowars and alanwake and deadly premonition which you also wanted to play, you might consider that those 3 games were equal in value.









