Best Videogames For Enthralling Non-Gamers?

Thanks to GameSpy for its article discussing the best videogame titles that appeal to those unfamiliar with gaming. The list of these 'gateway' titles, games which "...are usually quite easy to pick up and play and remain addictive", includes EyeToy: Play ("It's immensely entertaining to watch your co-workers move around ridiculously while trying to wash a virtual window or fight a virtual boxer"), Dance Dance Revolution ("sits in a strange purgatory between social awkwardness and coolness"), and The Sims ("...breaking boundaries that many thought impenetrable.")

Comments

A good story counts

[Decaffeinated Jedi]

Out-of-the-ordinary, mainstream games like DDR and The Sims are a good place to start, but there's also something to be said for introducing a non-gamer to a game featuring a storyline that you think might appeal to him or her. For instance, my wife was never a fan of gaming aside from Mario on the NES and SNES. A little over a year ago, however, I convinced her to play the vastly underrated Anachronox with me because I had read a bit about the game's storyline and thought the sci-fi/comedy elements might appeal to her.

It turns out that they did, and the game got her interested not only in the RPG genre (we just finished Knights of the Old Republic together), but also gaming in general (some of her favorites have been Thief, System Shock 2, and Tropico).

That being said, if you can find a game with a story that might appeal to a non-gamer, you might have even more luck than just introducing him or her to a more gimmicky title.

Tetris

[brejc8]

The obveous game that hooked an entire generation.
I remember my mother being really addicted to it. Although she didn't know how to do anything on the computer (turing the mouse like a steering wheel to go sideways etc.) she could still find and play tetris.

Let me get this straight

[bigbigbison]

So the PS2 version of DDR is good for a non gamer, but not the x-box version? The x-box version of GTA is good for non gamers but not the PS2 or PC versions? I just find it incredibly odd that they would only mention versions of games for certain platforms when that game is available (in slightly different forms) on other platforms as well.

Everquest

[pelsmith]

Yeah, Everquest.

I know, I know, you think I have lost my mind. As far as learning curves go in computer games, EQ's is pretty steep. Also, it has a reputation as a hardcore gamers obsession.

However, I know many EQ players personally, and I have noticed that those who "succeed" in it are often from seperate peer groups than the veteran gamer:

1. Atheletes - Believe it or not. I know lots of people who play lots of sports, and their competitive nature played well into EQ. Once they learned that this was a way for them to rise above the competition, and get the phat bling-bling, most took off at rocket speed.

2. People with time on their hands - That can be most of us during periods in our life. These are the moms after the kids have flown the coop. They are also the guy who got fired, the couple just trying to stay home and save some money, and the teenager counting the days till graduation and escape.

3. Anyone with more than 0.001% obsessive-compulsive behavior.

My point is I know many, many people who never played a computer game more complex than minesweeper, and then found themselves serving up an 8 hour day behind an EQ avatar.

I do not recommend you buy a copy for Grandma though, unless you are desperate to cease her meddling.

Pel

Monkey Ball, every time.

[nicky_d]

Gots to be Monkey Ball for non-gamers - no buttons to push (in the main game), gameplay based around simple physics - everyone knows about gravity and inertia, even if only instinctively - a great learning curve, a simple goal, intuitive control with instant feedback... and all wrapped in a great package. I bought my GameCube into work at Xmas, and one non-gaming coworker had ordered one of their own within five minutes of starting Monkey Ball. There's absolutely nothing wrong with it at all; it's a perfect game.

Having said that, try explaining the Monkey Bowling mode to a novice...

"Okay, there'll be a bouncing line - don't press A yet, or... okay, you pressed it, no problem - there's the line. You have to stop it in the middle. Just press A.... you've only got a few seconds. Don't panic! Right, you've stopped it at the side, you'll start rolling in a second or so - you'll need to spin in the opposite direction. Use the shoulder button. No, the shoulder button. Before you cross that line! Oh, see, you span the wrong way. Your monkey's dead."

(Trying to explain it beforehand is even worse, by the way).