Arcade games. Pac-man and Galaga are just as fun today as they were 25 years ago. That's why people still pay to download them.

That's because that genre hasn't changed in a decade.

 There, I said it.

 Any game that doesn't gain much from the transition to 3D ages well. Also, any game that doesn't gain much from new control schemes, such as strategy and puzzle games.

but it's not bad that it hasn't changed=]

Agree. Look at that old classic GPL on PC, but any good racing game can provide almost the same fun as it was just bought for a long time.

Second come RPGs, if they are moddable and there is the possibility to add missions, expansions, whatever, prolonging their life. Obviously they must be good games to start with. (Although at least once I was going to ditch a game, Throne of Darkness, that looked to me too similar to Diablo II, that I didn't like, then, keeping on playing it, I started finding the differences, the better touches and I liked it). Elder Scrolls, Neverwinter Nights, Baldur's Gate series have a very good longevity. Thief series too, that I really don't know how to categorize, other than the peculiar subgenre "Sneak 'em up", is quite long-lived, despite the obvious flaws of its third episode.  Deus Ex series, OTOH, could have a great longevity, but it didn't because the developers betrayed its spirit oversimplifying the sequel.

Regarding FPS,  moddability and expandability and multiplayer are a must, but easy controls are also very important, especially for PC games, where the keyboard gives ample opportunities to realize either awful or awesome controls (and sometimes the possibility of customizing them doesn't help the worst of them). The Unreal Tournament and Counter Strike series, for example, have a much greater longevity, than the founders of the genre Doom and Quake series.

Mods and expansions also give some kind of PC games an edge for longevity, "same room multiplayer", OTOH, gives console games of other kinds the same or even greater edge, with the advantage of a greater power of easing socialization.

1. The first rule you broke is spelling "brake" wrong, its spelt break.

2. Congrats on the first thread

3. Staying power is a Queen song I think...I like Queen.

4. I would have to pick Racing games. You can always play a racing game, Gran Turismo is the best racing series ever, or the entire Need For Speed Franchise. Look at the legs NFS: Pro Street has and it sucks!  I think you get tired of the same FPS after a while, as for platformers I think you get bored of Mario after a while, RPG's can get tiring.

 fixed :)

I think the OP is asking what games stand the test of time in quality, not in sales.  There's always a new and better racing game coming out; would you still go back and play Gran Turismo 1 today?  I sure wouldn't.

I think those that can last the longest are those that stand alone in terms of story, gameplay, structure, or simply by having a great, unique design.  Many RPGs and platformers will fit into this category; I still play through Super Mario World now and then and enjoy it as much as ever.  Good puzzle games, as previously mentioned, are also virtually time-proof.  Tetris has been released literally four million times and can still be just as great today as it was back in 1989.  I fully expect to go back to Shadow of the Colossus periodically and still be amazed.

yes u r right. i mean games like SMB for example ppl still like to play today, also games like tetris etc. 

Which games stand the test of time the best?

Nintendo games.