girlfriend wants to start playing video games

[cookie monster]

mario party or house of the dead for wii

[Nemoide]

I got my girlfriend into video games by lending her Lunar: Silver Star Story Complete for PS1. But that's a different case - she was already really into anime, had a bit of an interest in games, and had a PS2.

I'd recommend Bubble Bobble. It has cute characters, a tough-but-fun difficulty level, and it's co-op so she won't feel bad if she's not great from the start.
Bust-A-Move/Puzzle Bobble is another great choice - a fun game with wide appeal.

It really depends on what sort of things she's interested in. Everyone has different tastes.

[deathred]

Party games are always a safe bet.

Try any of the Bomberman games. Mario Kart is always good. Little Big Planet would work also. She can dress up her Sack person and co-op.

I never had this issue since my wife loves games. I was given Skyrim for my birthday and she was more excited about it than I was.

[fastbilly1]

I agree with Nemoide, I rarely find a girl who will not play Bubble Bobble.

What you need to find is a coop or puzzle game for her. Get her into the motions with something that is easy to learn, or that you can take the brunt of the enemies, then move to something more complicated.

[c0wb0y]

Just Dance, SingStar, Excite Truck, and Burnout have all been enjoyable for new players in my house.

[equalsign]

I usually start with Animal Crossing for them to learn buttons and such. That's cool because she can turn it on and get a letter from you, go on a scavenger hunt you set up, check out your new items, ect. It's a kind of low pressure multiplayer game. After that I move them to OoT (on the Cube). I don't sit over their shoulder for most of this. Kinda let the journey take its natural course.

I don't usually see success starting out with 2-player games. They'll play them for a couple minutes, then get bored. I try to get them to love games first. In my experience, that happens with single player games.

[equalsign]

Ico (no co-op, but nonetheless a delightful game with mature presentation)

rumor has it the PS3 version of Ico has co-op...

http://www.co-optimus.com/article/6769/ ... ction.html

Thanks, Noise.

Apparently the PS2 version also has co-op after you beat the game...who knew? (Although, I think that Yorda not standing there completely helpless while the hero has to fight or solve puzzle would detract from the game a bit...)

I didn't look this up or anything, but my gut tells me only the US PS2 version does not have this co-op. I think it was a EU (and maybe JPN) thing. The US PS3 version is said to have this co-op.

[Hazerd]

Super Mario All Stars and Super Mario World on the SNES, do it, in elementary school/junior high i would play this with the girl next door all the time.

[Valkyrie-Favor]

^^Agreed. Mairo World is a total chick magnet. SNES still gets more attention at parties than all the Xbox 360s in the world!

I'd also recommend Bushido Blade. It's not too complex and anyone who tries it can become competent after a few rounds. It's my favorite party game and I have had tournaments with dozens of people for 8 hours straight! As long as she's not turned off by the oldness and the violence it should be plenty of fun.

[foxhound1022]

Kirby Return to Dreamland is a safe bet. Lots of action, but nothing overly difficult. Also high cuteness factor.