I want to know, why do we have to have great graphics or 3D graphics?

Games are not made in snes style graphics anymore and I would like to see some. For example Chrono trigger style RPGs or Super mario world style platformers. I think this is one of the reasons I like the DS so much because you still get the occasional game in this style of graphics such as Sonic rush. There is no reason games can't be made in this style anymore and games of this style were still good.

 Does anybody know why people don't want traditional graphic in games?

I guess publishers/devs think 2D games are not very popular which means that there is little reason for them to pursue 2D as they believe they won't make much money. I like SNES style graphics and would like to see them make a comeback. At least there's VC to keep the memories alive.

For the most part graphics sales thus developers have to find those who is willing to invest money to develop the game. Civ4 turn to 3d graphics for this reason even though many Civ3 fans complain it add nothing to the gameplay.

In other words before a developer can sale their game to us they must first sale it to the investors/publishers. Publishing is all about advertising where graphics are the easiest to show off.

Still there are still some fun PC games that have average looking graphic especially strategy games.

ummm....because I like them? I dunno, in some cases, I might be willing to buy a game mainly for the graphics. (like GT5 for example)

Edit: misunderstood topic

According to the OP, SMG would be in the line of flasher graphics compared to the older 2D games. All those you mention are now 3D.

People don't want "traditional" graphics in games because better technology exists now. I'd like to see more 2D games, true, but I'd rather we have something in the style of Viewtiful Joe or Odin Sphere than 320x240 interlaced sprites.

Also I read some developers mention the fact that 2D graphics costs more than 3D graphics on the same level as well as 3D model takes advantage of the GPU power more than 2d. So 2D games can look as good and sometimes even better than 3D but requires more man hours to pull them off.

Why go from black & white to colour? From still pictures to moving pictures. From 2D films to 3D films? Why did the great point and click games and text based adventure games die out?

Look, of course not all games need be 3D, flashy, etc. but for games (and films) there is a massive desire for immersion and the creation of compelling settings... and at the end of the day a 3D view is always going to trump a 2D view in that respect. Take something like Oblivion - it's got flaws, but for the feeling of creeping down into some long abandoned ruin its 3D view and graphics excel anything the best 2D view or text can manage (and I say that as someone who loved the old text adventures and 2D games).

As for why so many? Consumer market I'm afraid. Still, hopefully all the virtual markets for Wii, PS3 and 360 will give such games a better chance to be made and succed.

For example for last 2 weeks I've mainly been playing Pixel Jucie Monsters (tough little game at least for me) trying to beat its tougher levels and its a simple 2.5D game with nice but hardly fancy graphics from PSN.

Remember the reasons why the Metroid Prime went 3D when the GC first came out?
1) it was cheaper to develop than a 2D Metroid
2) Since 3D art takes less man hours than 2D, Nintendo could develop 3D metroid faster and easier than a 2D one. Thus quickly increasing GC AAA titles.