Yeah the notion that 5th gen 3D games are bad cos of their early 3D graphics is something I've never agreed with, I believe just about any game can and should be appreciated in the context of its time.

And yeah, there's a somewhat liminal quality to these older graphics that capture a specific abstract feeling you don't get from more modern visuals.

The PlayStation Store. There is literally always a sale going on. Whenever one store wide sale ends another one seems to start right away. At any given time a sizable number of games in my wishlist are significantly discounted. This makes it tempting to buy games. And its a mix of first and third party titles that go on sale often. It is to the point that I can't remember the last time I paid full launch price for a game. I see no reason to do so either.

@Shadow1980, I've never had a problem with Resi's tank controls. Tank controls in other games do feel clunky but Resi is different (particularly 0 & 1 remake) because the walking & running animation is really smooth that it makes most other tank (& even non-tank) controlled games (of 5th & 6th gen) feel clunky instead.

Your right that tank controls are a product of their time, but I believe Resi geniusly implemented them; the first zombie encounter (Resi 1) felt challenging as trying to turn around to get away within a time limit created a sense of panic. Accidently running into that wall would elevate that panic into extreme panic. That scare would then stick with the player for the rest of the game, making every new door, room, camera angle provoke the feeling of dread around every corner. Design choices like this were no accident despite being a product of it's time.

I really love the modern remakes & sequels. The controls are perfect but I cannot compare the two control schemes as they are both too different which changes how the games play to a fundamental degree. It would be like comparing the controls of a Shmup with Starfox (or Space Invaders with no Man's Sky). Each control style suits the particular mechanics & game design of the particular game.

Yes, I believe it was first in Metroidvania genre, but when it comes to automapping as a whole in VGs, Super Metroid in 1994 was quite late to the party.

OT: I find that most of things you named in OP, for me at least, depend heavily on how much weight game design puts on exploration. If it's a core feature essential for experience, then no, I don't like yellow paint, arrow pointers, quest markers, POIs on the map and all other similar stuff. Now, I don't mind them if they exist as option for players to turn on, but if the game is made around them and doesn't play as well without them (like most modern AAA quasi-RPGs with terrible quest directions), then I find it to be just bad game design.

The motion controls and world design in Skyward Sword.
I really liked the puzzle-like design of progressing through the different areas. At the time of release it felt like a fresh and welcome change to the world design in previous 3D Zeldas. And coupled with the motion controls it made for a really unique and experimental experience, definitely one of the most -fun- Zelda games from a pure gameplay perspective.

The backtracking and amount of collectibles in DK64.
I'm not sure where backtracking to find every collectible in DK64 became so different from doing it in the DKC-trilogy... Maybe because it's more mandatory in DK64? And the exploration feels different in larger more open 3D levels? And DK games are usually more action-oriented than exploration-based? Personally I enjoyed it in all four games either way.

Following on from the motion controls post: the Wii is a fantastic console, and for my money provided some of the best experiences of that gen.

Sexy female characters in video games. Currently replaying Xenoblade 2 and the online discourse around the game seems to be that it's the black sheep in the series almost solely because the women have big boobs. I prefer good looking characters a lot of the time. It also seems to be mostly men who don't like this, which I think is even more funny. 

Also, their good looks don't take anything away from Pyra's and Mythra's characters. Their backstory is really cool. And the love story with Rex ist just adorable and cute lol. (I just realized I haven't seen any opinions complaining about Rex being underage and thus the game depicting sexual abuse or something. Totally would've expected that to be honest).

People who hate on this are usually just miserable prudes who want to spoil other people's happiness out of spite.

Yeah, I think it's this and it's also an (American) political thing, I guess. I just don't see sexuality as something bad. A character can be attractive and deep or relatable. And I think it's the funniest thing because the online discussion is so far removed from reality. I don't usually mind, but in the case of Xenoblade 2 (a game I absolutely adored when it came out back in late 2017 and still adore today) I was shocked because this masterpiece of a game gets talked down because of something as petty as this. 

Grinding. I like when the numbers go up.