When the most enjoyable games aren't the ones that "stay with you" the most.

[HomokHarcos]

IkePoR said:

Memory relies on our feelings at the time of creation and - because our brains are poorly designed - it remembers the less positive feelings better than the great ones. Basically, when we're disappointed but still enjoy a game, we'll remember it better because our brains remember negativity better.

I've noticed what you're saying too as very few of my favorite games are both incredible and fondly remembered(off the top of my head only Red Dead Redemption and Final Fantasy IX achieve both).

They definitely weren't negative experiences. It's just works in a way that my favourite experience playing through is different from my favourite game in hindsight.

Final Fantasy IX was a good game too.