I talk about FPS in this case :
Play Bioshock,Far Cry,Crysis
to know what is a fun and higly enjoyable game.
-top graphics with normal/specular maps and lights : no more flat textures and
old flat lightening
-lot lot of effects from shooting,smoke,water
-some physics to play with for pleasure and things to destroy/break
-improved gameplay and camera movement during running,shooting
-liberty of achieveing a goal liek you want by several ways (Deus Ex game base )
....
i played Metroid 3 on WII , it is far far from the fun and graphics of these PC
games.
Just play theses games and try to copy them as much as you can

For beat them up : God Of War 2 on PS2 !
Play it and be sinpired on graphics, gameplay with some diversiefied action ,and unlockable things

for action RPG : well Diablo , incoming HEllgate London : i've played demo
and couldn't stop
be inspired by their interfaces, level up things /possibilities, gameplay and camera, effects etc ...

Just go to Ign.com see the best ranked games and play them to know what you
have to copy with originality