In action games great ending is just a bonus but for example in JRPG's  (and to lesser extent WRPG's) great ending definitely affects to whole gaming experience as RPG's are more story driven games.

no, it's the journey to that ending, the end is just the cherry on the sundae

There is certainly something to be said of a game that leaves you wanting more, and a game that leaves you with a bad taste in your mouth.

This... and for the record, I didn't particularly like Red Dead Redemption's ending, but it was a fantastic game.

I played God of War just recently on the PS3 so uderstandably, I wasn't impressed by the graphics. I'm sure they were top notch for 2005, however. But yes, everything else about that game was spectacular. The ending was epic and is one of my favorites.

No not necessary for me, though it helps. 7 out of my first 8 of my favorites did have good endings. But also, Some of my favorite games are ones where I don't remember the end. Meaning, it was awesome in the middle and even to the ending, but the ending wasn't memorable.

I dont really think it is that way, but if a game has a bad ending, it can kill a good game.

No More Heroes was a good example of it, i m pretty sure it was the key reasong why the second statement sold soooooo poorly.

bad endings can drag a game down, however good endings do not make  bad games good

Most people prefer a good ending - by that I mean one that satisfies for the game.  It doesn't have to be up or anything.  Also, it doesn't have to be anything to do with story, either.  We could be talking a final boss or platform level.

Basically, build the game based on growing the complexity of the gameplay mechanics it contains and finish with a nice flourish.

Finishing a game and realizing the last three stages, levels, etc. where rubbish and the best section of the game was around the middle point isn't good.

So yes, it's important.  If a game dies away towards the end the majority won't be happy and with videogames you're trying to keep the majority happy.

yes, i think a good ending can make a good game into a great game.  it leaves you with positive thoughts, thus can positively affect your entire opinion of the game.  perhaps the game had a couple detractors...if you are left with thoughts of "...Wow..."  then those things can seem altogether irrelevant.  and the better the ending, the worse the rest of the game can be...providing the game is decent enough that you actually want to finish it ;)