Well said @DZ-Jay.
As a half century player I have always thought that the main thing in a game is the emotions it can bring to the player.
A game can be weak on graphics or have a clumsy user interface, but ultimately it can be great fun to some players, because there's a good story behind it or because the entire game concept is good.
Donkey kong was to me an originally great (and I mean GREAT) game, poorly ported on the Intellivision. But the game concept was so strong that playing it could be fun even though on the Inty you had to avoid some hurdles and overcome its limits.
I'm with you in expressing my gratitude to Mr Johnson.