girlfriend wants to start playing video games

[Key-Glyph]

I'd recommend Toejam & Earl for the Genesis. It's a truly cooperative game and feels good to play with a friend; if you choose Random World the gameplay will still be unique and engaging to you (the seasoned gamer) regardless of how many times you've played it previously; it's so wacky that it's fun even if you're not doing very well; it doesn't require advanced motor skills so your girlfriend won't feel like a fish out of water while she's learning (and it won't be an issue regarding level advancement); there isn't a lot of dying so she won't get discouraged too quickly; everybody loves opening those presents; the soundtrack rules.

I'd also recommend an old LucasArts point-and-click like Secret of Monkey Island (which you can get on XBox Live), not only because they're hilarious and wonderful, but because the games don't punish you with losing lives. You can take your time and explore, and I think what beginning gamers need to feel is that sense of wonder, not a self-consciousness over how badly they're doing or how much they're embarrassing their gamer friends.

I second Bubble Bobble, Puzzle Bobble, and Bomberman!

[Zing]

Mario Kart is always a safe bet

Have you ever watching a non-gamer try Mario Kart? Watching them swerve back and forth for several minutes, occasionally running into the wall or going the wrong direction is not very fun.

I'd try something truly fun, like Dr. Mario.

[isiolia]

While maybe not what you/she had in mind for learning to play games, maybe send her home with an adventure game or three. If she has a computer (or even an iOS device), then there's something she could play.

They're a good introduction to gaming given that they're not typically dependent on actual gaming skills. Granted, you may still have certain mechanics that a seasoned player will recognize that a newer might not...but mostly, you have a story play out between some casual puzzle solving. They're generally something that a player can absorb at their own pace and not actually lose.

Some of the first games my mom played were adventure games (King's Quest V I think it was). Not that she's a particularly accomplished gamer - mostly plays puzzle games n' the like - but she got into them all on her own.

The genre is varied, so you could try to find something that interests her.

[alienjesus]

While maybe not what you/she had in mind for learning to play games, maybe send her home with an adventure game or three. If she has a computer (or even an iOS device), then there's something she could play.

They're a good introduction to gaming given that they're not typically dependent on actual gaming skills. Granted, you may still have certain mechanics that a seasoned player will recognize that a newer might not...but mostly, you have a story play out between some casual puzzle solving. They're generally something that a player can absorb at their own pace and not actually lose.

Some of the first games my mom played were adventure games (King's Quest V I think it was). Not that she's a particularly accomplished gamer - mostly plays puzzle games n' the like - but she got into them all on her own.

The genre is varied, so you could try to find something that interests her.

Games by Telltales games are perfect for this, because they're as hard to solve as earlier adventure games, but they don't old your hand too much either. They also feature hint systems which can be adjusted for when you spend a long time trying to solve something.

[ninjainspandex]

ok so i guess were going to go stay at the cabin so im only going to bring the saturn (and ps3 for movies) so how bout some good multiplayer games. so far off the top of my head i can think of guardian heroes and bomberman.

[BoneSnapDeez]

You're bringing a Saturn? Get Steam Hearts.

[GryeDor]

I've seen a few Bubble Bobble recommendations, I'll ditto that. My wife LOVES Bubble Bobble. One of the great things about it, is that it's on a crap load of consoles (NES, SMS, PSX, SAT, WiiWare... at least off the top of my head) The Wii version is great too because you've got 6 modes of play.

Basing further suggestions off my wife's tastes, I can also suggest...

Dr. Mario (her favorite is the WiiWare version, mine is the N64 version)
Tetris (really any version... again WiiWare has one.)
Yoshi's Island or Yoshi's Story
Donkey Kong Country (#2 is her favorite, but enjoys all three on SNES. Likes the Wii installment but the later levels got a bit difficult for her)

[fastbilly1]

Like some of the others have said, Adventure games, notably SCUMM and Telltale games, are also a good choice. My girl and I played through Monkey Island SE last Christmas because she had never played an adventure game and she laughed the entire time. She still randomly texts me about the Fettucini brothers

[ninjainspandex]

You're bringing a Saturn? Get Steam Hearts.

Haha very funny not sure she would a hentai game. Isnt the pc engine version of that game more steamy anyway

[BoneSnapDeez]

Just trying to set the mood here. Turn the lights down, put on some Steam Hearts, make a baby ninjainspandex...