What are some relatively minor things that you like in games?

In terms of mechanics, story, presentation or anything you can think of.

I like it when the game has a time counter, so I know how long I've been playing.

I love being able to unlock extras like in Uncharted 1 and 2. Interviews withe developers, fat Drake, etc. I hated when they took it out in U3.

I like diverse characters that are not a fucking stereotype. I like how in MGS some characters are gay or bi, but they don't make a big deal out of it. They're not stereotypical, it's not a huge part of the story, they're just gay (TLOU did this too). Non stereotypical blacks/asians, etc. either (Mei Ling's 1st English dub doesn't count ;P). Actually, I like all the small details in MGS stories, in general. They're not there to carry the narrative forward, but they make the world rich and interesting

How about you, what are some small things you enjoy in games?

From the top of my head, shooting chickens in CS1.6

in dota how you can get different announcers...
in MGS how much effort they put into the communication...
in Catherine how drinking effects you
in Katamari, the sounds the people make when you roll them up

Mario Kart 8, "Cars" Moving in the City in the background on Rainbow Road Stage

Being able to save whenever I want, hate it when I feel like getting off, but I can't cause I gotta get to the next save point first. 

I hated that too :c  for me, could sound stupid, but in RPGs is amazing being able of talking to NPCs multiples times and always get a different answer/story, I guess is one of the reasons why is my fav genre.

This is one thing. Sometimes I need to quit all of a sudden, and I either lose 20-30 minutes worth of progress, or have to leave the game paused and console on for a long time... 

Also, I like when games force me to think (puzzles, choices etc...) I spend most of my day automated, so I need something to exercise my brain, even if it's just Sudoku or Mahjong :)

I like it when games put good effort in the end titles, like ICO (music + story flashback), Gran Turismo (awesome HD videos), Killzone (great animation), Infamous SS (great story flashback)

Journey, being able to draw in the sand at the end.

ICO, startling Yorda when accidentally hitting the wall with the sword.

SoTC, Agro's idle animations

Dragon age, conversations between characters while walking, keeps another playthrough interesting.

Unlockable concept art and making of videos. Was worth replaying sequences for in Beyond 2 souls.

HL2, playground to test out the physics engine. Then playing container bowling with the crane later :)

Wildlife scattering in games, for example in Skyrim.

LBP, being able to slap each other, best laughs knocking each other into deadly situations.

Attention to sound: When racing hearing the 'swooshing' when driving past sound reflective surfaces, or wind whistling at high speed. On foot, accurate sound reflections like KZ MADDER. Things that sound simply awesome on a 5.1 system, like NFS: Hot pursuit engaging turbo mode.

Breaking the fourth wall can be extremely hilarious at times, just think of Psycho Mantis reading your memory card or the Colonel telling you to shut off your system.

The gag shouldn't be overused though.

I'm the same in loving a time counter. I love to see how long I've put into a game.
I really enjoy being able to save whenever I want.
Also agree with SvennoJ about the conversations while walking around in Dragon Age.