all games are not created equal

Perhaps safe for Super Smash Bros. Melee, I've never played a game quite so much as Phantasy Star Online.

It was great - it did great things.

I mean, given, Super Smash Bros. Melee was an excellent game.  Not counting a few hiccups, the balancing was pretty solid (Unless you were a pro, then it's FOX FOX FOX), and the gameplay was revolutionary.
The advent of pressing a single button to use a special technique was utterly mystifying after I was so illusioned by Mortal Kombat and Street Fighter - and it works flawlessly.  The game is utterly accessible, with absolutely no daunting factors.
Everyone can jump in at any time - it's a rare experience where one can play the same game on VS. for hours, all the while knowing there's no reward in-game - it's just a ton of fun.
Really hearkens back to the days of good competitive multiplayer for multplayers sake.

SSMB - a fantastic game.

Wait, what was I comparing again?